Parth Bondre
BioMiners
What you see here is soil contaminated with heavy metals, a consequence of lead mining over time in the Peak District area of Derbyshire, UK. This contamination can cause ecological disasters and disturb food and water supply, a common occurrence in abandoned mines worldwide.
Yet, amidst this contamination, resilient plants emerge—hyperaccumulators. These extraordinary plants thrive in metal-contaminated soil, absorbing high amounts of heavy metals through their roots and storing them in their shoots.
This project utilises the unique capabilities of hyperaccumulator plants to absorb heavy metals from the soil while simultaneously remediating the damaged landscape. The resulting coin, crafted from the metals extracted from these plants, holds more than just material value; it symbolises the region’s past mining history and the current environmental reality, offering hope amidst adversity.
However, this process is not swift. It requires approximately 2 years and 2000 plants to extract a mere 8 grams of metal, thus highlighting the significant impact of our consumption choices on both ecosystems and human well-being.
Experts and Collaborators
Dr. Lorna Anguilano
Phyona