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MycoMine, based in Sweden, is creating sustainable systems based on the concept of MycoMining – extraction, precipitation & decomposition of elements, metals & chemicals using Fungi. They utilize mycoremediation to clean up contaminated water ofhydrocarbons. Their approach will also be able to be applied to various toxic waste streams and over time. 

MycoMine have developed portable treatment plants called MycoCubes in which hydrocarbon-based contaminants like oil, diesel and various fuels are degraded and recycled into biomass – a green and natural product. The active component in the MycoCubes are fungi.

Mycomines vision is to develop green technology solely based on microbial processes for the treatment of waste and pollution as well as sustainable extraction.

In collaboration with the Swedish Fortifications Agency MycoMine initiated a pilot during autumn and winter 2022-2023 at Ytterby mine, close to Stockholm. Ytterby mine was used by the Swedish military forces during the cold war as fuel storage and  since the 1990’s has been subject to oil-sanitation efforts. The groundwater in the mine is still polluted by hydrocarbons and in need of treatment.The primary objective is to clean the water of the mine shaft to restore the environment of the mine. The MycoCube at Ytterby mine has performed over expectations with 99.9% degradation of all oils and a water quality close to drinking water. MycoCube has proven  that biological recycling of oil-based pollutants is the way forward.

In the future, MycoMine envision being able to also remediate water for heavy metals, Rare Earth Element (REEs) and PFAS. 

 Read more about MycoMine: https://www.mycomine.se