Mushroom sustainability Mycomining is an often-overlooked alternative to traditional mining that harnesses the ability of specific fungi to extract valuable — and toxic — metals and minerals from soil. - Nom nom nom Fungi use enzymes to break down complex organic molecules into usable components. Some species take it to the next level and break down more harmful molecules — think pesticides, oil spills, dyes, and even radioactive pollution. - Super extractors Mycominers use these fungal bioaccumulators to reclaim metals from toxic waste sites that would otherwise create an ecological risk. - What a life As the fungi grow, specialized proteins bind with the broken-down metals in the soil. After absorbing the toxic materials into their cells, the fungi can manage and survive substantial amounts of metal accumulation. - Heavy metal All this biomass is incinerated or leached to dissolve and separate organic matter from the metals, which go on to further refinement. - Twofold effect What we’re left with is purified metal that can be repurposed for industrial applications. With organic biomass as the only waste product, mycomining gives us a sustainable alternative to conventional mining by remediating tainted soil.