Mining Microbiome Analytics Platform (MMAP)

How We Are Solving It

Microbiome analysis aims to support leading environmental practices across the mining lifecycle. By replacing traditional mining extraction and mine site remediation technologies with breakthrough biomining solutions, the Mining Microbiome Analytics Platform (MMAP) project will aim to be the catalyst for new sustainable mining practices.

Over the next decade, major Canadian mining companies, supported by the research, engineering, and consulting sectors, are working to accelerate progress towards more sustainable mining practices. The MMAP project is the largest investment in planned natural resource genomic sequencing in the history of the sector. 

Teck, in partnership with Allonnia, BGC Engineering, the Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI), Koonkie Canada, Genome BC, Rio Tinto and the University of British Columbia, is creating the first integrative platform for collecting, storing, and analyzing the genomic data of water, soil and rock environments. The project also has the support of the BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, as well as the Tahltan Central Government.

The MMAP project led by Teck will extract the DNA from more than 15,000 mining site samples over the next two years to identify naturally occurring and synthetic microbes that can replace chemicals used in the mineral extraction process of minerals and metals, and in remediation of mine sites.  This genomic data will be sequenced and directly linked to geospatial data, climate data and chemical data to support global breakthroughs in biomining solutions for natural resource extraction and green site remediation.

The Result

The M-MAP project ensured a Canadian-led approach in pursuing cleaner natural resource extraction and more responsible site management; ultimately resulting in a new commercial company for the platform that is facilitating data-driven exploration and application of microbial technologies throughout the mining life cycle that is tailored to industry needs. M-MAP is addressing the complexity of microbes as one of the biggest obstacles in developing innovative microbial-based technologies. M-MAP addresses this complexity using genetic sequencing and state-of-the-art computational analyses that extract key information about microbial communities so we can quickly understand who is there and what they are doing.

M-MAP’s revolution of the creation and deployment of microbial solutions for mining is helping to substantially reduce solution development costs. With M-MAP’s advanced platform, users can more efficiently design and optimize microbial solutions, or monitor and adapt already deployed technologies, ultimately leading to cost savings for mining operations. Their advanced tools for the accurate characterization of microbial communities allow for more precise and targeted solutions, which helps to empower mining companies to better understand and manage their microbial systems, leading to increased efficiency and optimized performance. Lastly, the platform provides mining companies with secure, rapid access to their results, enabling them to make informed decisions quickly, as well as facilitating secure data sharing between mining companies, researchers, and other stakeholders to encourage collaborative innovation and improved outcomes for the industry.

M-MAP exists as the first integrative platform for collecting, storing and analyzing the genomic data of water, soil and rock environments. By augmenting traditional mining extraction and mine site remediation technologies with breakthrough biomining solutions, M-MAP has the potential to be a catalyst for new, environmentally sustainable mining practices in Canada, North America and globally.