January 27, 2026
VANCOUVER – A new partnership between Genome British Columbia (Genome BC) and the University of British Columbia (UBC) Bradshaw Research Institute for Minerals and Mining (BRIMM) is set to grow BC’s local expertise in biomining while demonstrating how biological tools can solve industry challenges.
Genome BC Interim President and CEO, Tony Brooks, and UBC BRIMM DIrector, John Steen, jointly announced the new partnership.
Supported by an investment of up to $1 million over three years, this strategic collaboration aims to bridge the gap between academic research and industrial implementation. It will expand training and support research that develops practical examples of how these technologies can work on the ground.
At its core is biomining: the use of microorganisms to extract metals from mineral ores and waste streams. This biological approach allows companies to recover valuable materials from low-grade ores and treat complex waste, including tailings and polluted water, that traditional chemical or mechanical processes cannot efficiently manage.
“For BC to remain a competitive leader in the global energy transition, our mining sector must adopt technologies that are both economically viable and environmentally responsible,” said Tony Brooks, Interim President and CEO of Genome BC. “By investing in this partnership, we are de-risking the development of genomic tools that allow industry to harness nature’s own processes to capture resources and ensure a more sustainable bioeconomy.”
Demonstrating the Value of Biomining
The partnership is strategically integrated with the Rio Tinto Centre for Future Materials (RTCFM), which received a $150 million investment over 10 years to advance early-stage platform technologies. Through this synergy, research projects within the Biomining Innovation Partnership will be considered for co-funding via the RTCFM’s “Grand Challenges” selection process.
This alignment ensures that research conducted at UBC is directly informed by the real-world operational needs of global mining leaders. By demonstrating the value proposition of biomining through collaborative use cases, the partnership aims to attract further co-investment from industrial consortia.
Under the biomining innovation partnership $1 million will be invested over three years in research projects that will demonstrate how biological tools can solve industry challenges.
Strengthening BC’s Competitive Edge
“The mining industry is at a critical juncture where existing deposits are being depleted, and new locations require increasingly complex extraction methods and attention to environmental concerns,” said Dr. John Steen, Director of UBC BRIMM. “This partnership with Genome BC allows us to expand our research objectives and build the genomics capacity required to solve the mining sector’s most pressing metallurgical and environmental challenges.”
As the mining sector globally looks to reduce its environmental impact, the ability to identify and harness specific biological resources will become a significant competitive advantage. This partnership positions British Columbia as a leader in the biomining ecosystem, providing a clear roadmap for integrating biotechnological advances into mineral extraction and mine waste management.
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About Genome British Columbia
Genome BC is a not-for-profit organization that has advanced genomics research and innovation for 25 years, growing a world-class life sciences sector in BC and delivering sustainable benefits for British Columbia, Canada and beyond. Genome BC has attracted over $1.1 billion in direct co-investment to the province, which has contributed to funding more than 600 genomics research and innovation projects. These initiatives enhance healthcare and address environmental and natural resource challenges, improving the lives of British Columbians. Genome BC also integrates genomics into society by supporting responsible research and innovation and fostering an understanding and appreciation of the life sciences among educators, students and the public.
About UBC BRIMM
The Bradshaw Research Institute for Minerals and Mining (BRIMM) was founded in 2017 to create a new legacy for the mining industry. BRIMM connects scientists, engineers, and social scientists across the University of British Columbia (UBC) to promote cross-disciplinary research spanning the entire life cycle of mining, from early exploration to mine closure and rehabilitation. With more than 300 years of combined expertise from its founder, Dr. Peter Bradshaw, Director, Dr. John Steen and members of its Advisory Board, BRIMM has a deep network for making industry and academic connections with groundbreaking research.
Contact:
A.G. Klei, Senior Communications Manager
