The Problem
The process of detecting lithium requires extensive digging which consumes time and resources also leading to
landscape destruction and water pollution. Many common exploration methods are used to identify prospective targets,
including remote sensing, geological mapping, geochemical sampling, and geophysical surveying.
The successful use of a combination of these techniques leads to the identification of an anomalous
area for sampling. The target is then tested via drilling, which leads to several significant effects,
both on the environment and local communities. Drilling practices take a substantial toll on local water
sources, biological life and natural resources through pollution, degradation and direct damage.
Furthermore, the disposal of lithium-ion batteries poses a waste management challenge with
Ghana facing a severe issue as other countries dump hazardous e-waste on their lands.
Agbogbloshie, a former wetland in Ghana is now home to one of the world’s largest electronic waste dumps.
Unbeknownst to many consumers, electronics actually contain toxic substances - therefore, they must be handled
with care when no longer wanted or needed.
BioLith aims to implement bacteria-based technologies in Ghana's lithium industry for sustainable and efficient lithium detection, extraction, and recycling, minimising environmental impact and promoting responsible lithium resource management.
WHY THIS APPROACH?
While other methods have been explored, the use of engineered bacteria as biosensors and recyclers is relatively new and not widely implemented.
However, synthetic biology and biotechnology advancements have opened doors to innovative approaches, which we aim to leverage in our project.
By focusing on the local context and leveraging bacteria-based technologies, we aim to provide a novel and efficient solution that complements and expands upon existing efforts.
The evidence supporting the non-duplication of our work lies in the utilization of engineered bacteria for
specific purposes, such as biosensing and recycling. While others may have explored bacteria-based technologies
in different contexts or for different materials, our focus on lithium detection, extraction, and recycling in Ghana
distinguishes our project. Additionally, our emphasis on sustainability, resource efficiency, and responsible resource
management further differentiates our approach and contributes to the growing body of knowledge in the field.
Since our project is more user-centred, we proceeded to engage with various stakeholders and get to hear their perspective concerning our solution. By engaging with our stakeholders early in the process of our product design allows for the identification and mitigation of potential risks and conflicts. Addressing concerns and conflicts promptly and effectively can prevent delays, setbacks, and negative impacts on the project.
We also engaged with potential end-users and customers in order to be able to design a technology that meets their preferences and requirements which increases the likelihood of acceptance and adoption of the technology in the market. One such company was Engineers & Planners located in Ghana. Engineers & Planners (E&P) which is one of the biggest mining companies in West Africa-Ghana, Tarkwa is Ghana’s leading mining contracting firm that provides mine support. They are also manufacturers and wholesalers of mining equipment.
From our interaction with Engineers & Planners,we were able to acquire insightful feedback that changed our solution approach. They suggested that our project was best fit as a pre-exploratory technology for lithium mining as our technology lacked the technical necessities to actually conduct the mining, due to the uncertainties of how deep our biosensor could be able to reach the mineral ore.We therefore made changes to our solution model by focusing more on exploratory goals and proceeding with our extensive research on recycling lithium from battery waste using bacteria.
We also had a meeting with the unit manager for exploration, Mr. Humphrey Butunga, who works at Gold Fields Ghana Ltd, a Gold mining company in the Tarkwa Region of Ghana. In our interaction with him, we explained the need to reach out to Atlantic Lithium which is the company that is currently doing the exploration and mining of Lithium in Ghana. He mentioned that it would be helpful to understand the technicalities needed to efficiently carry out a successful exploration.
In desperate need to engage with the local communities that have seen firsthand the effects of environmentally degrading pre-exploratory techniques in mining,we reached out to communities living near mining areas (Tarkwa) to get an understanding of the problem from the local communities that have experienced firsthand the impact of irresponsible mining, before designing our solution.
Since lithium mining is still a new concept in Ghana as it was just recently discovered, we decided to reference the current gold mining which is predominant in Ghana and engage with members of the communities living in areas where gold is mined. We were able to get in touch with Godwin Abugatwin Abugbilla, who is a dedicated and ambitious student currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Management Information Systems. He hails from the rural community of Kpantarigo, nestled in the Upper East Region of Ghana. Godwin observed and experienced the effects of illegal gold mining activities that would happen in the Southern area of his home, and would see how land would be excavated
and then left bare when exploring for gold as the exploration of gold was based on assumption.
He mentions that one of the effects is skin disease as after exploring for gold, many miners wash their hands or dirt away with water hence polluting water sources which many members of communities rely for cooking and drinking. He also mentioned that there has been loss of lives by some members of the community, as hazardous gold exploration led to some people getting buried in caves. He also noted that many small-scale miners do not also close up the pits after drilling or excavating land while looking for minerals.
He acknowledges that our solution would be a game changer as it is going to save up on land pollution, as it would take care of pre-exploratory techniques that cause land degradation.
We also engaged with another member of the community who wished to remain anonymous but also hails from the same region as Godwin. He shared the same sentiments with Godwin, which is that our solution would be a suitable solution for pre-exploration and prevent water pollution and land degradation.
However, he emphasised on the need to consider the cost-effectiveness of our solution as it seems really expensive. He also thought that our approach in referencing gold mining in terms of cost was not a good idea as it could overestimate or underestimate the cost we would incur in terms of producing our biosensors.
Addressing the potential negative impacts associated with developing our technology is crucial to ensure responsible and sustainable implementation.
The use of bacteria-based detection and recycling can reduce the environmental harm caused by conventional mining methods. It can minimise land disruption, pollution, and habitat destruction associated with traditional lithium extraction techniques.
By efficiently recycling lithium from battery waste, our solution contributes to waste reduction and promotes a circular economy by reusing valuable resources and minimising landfill waste.
The waste reduction and recycling impacts align with SDG 12, which promotes responsible consumption and production patterns for a more sustainable future
Through the recycling of lithium-ion batteries, our technology supports renewable energy adoption by ensuring a sustainable supply of lithium for energy storage systems, thereby reducing the overall carbon footprint.
This contributes to SDG 13, which addresses urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
We are also thinking of the effects of the exposure to genetically modified bacteria or their byproducts which may pose risks to human health, especially to workers involved in the recycling process or individuals living near recycling facilities. To mitigate this, we plan on developing comprehensive safety guidelines and protocols for handling and disposing of genetically modified organisms. We would also conduct regular health assessments for workers and provide necessary protective gear and training to minimise risks.
It is also important to consider the possibility of genetic pollution potentially leading to the spread of genetically modified organisms in the environment.BioLith would deal with this by implementing strict containment protocols and robust monitoring mechanisms to prevent the escape of genetically modified bacteria. Also, we would invest in ongoing research to monitor bacterial populations and adapt the technology to prevent bacterial resistance and genetic pollution.
