GenoMines
Genomines creates genetically enhanced plants to mine metals around the globe, fulfilling a vision of becoming the first carbon negative mining group. They use synthetic biology to improve these plants’ ability to efficiently and economically extract metals, while remediating land along the way.
A tension at the heart of the movement to electrify our cars, homes, and grids is that mining the materials needed is extremely slow and pollutive. As a whole, the mining sector emits 4-7% of global greenhouse gas and generates devastating levels of water and soil contamination. And yet, to meet electrification goals, overall metal output will need to grow by 6x and nickel output will need to grow by 19x. new mine can take up to 15 years just to become operational.
Genomines employs genetic editing to enhance the metal-accumulating capabilities of hyperaccumulator plants, organisms with an extraordinary capacity to amass high metal concentrations from soil. By boosting their metal-concentration potential by 10-15 times, Genomines enables these plants to thrive in soils with metal concentrations too low for economic extraction via conventional means. Once harvested, metals are recovered from the biomass using environmentally-friendly techniques such as bioleaching and electrolysis.
Founders
Fabien Koutchekian
CEO
Fabien holds dual Master’s degrees in Political Sciences and Mining Engineering from Sciences Po Paris and Ecole des Mines d’Alès. He has experience as a strategy consultant, and is a second-time founder with an extensive network in the mining world.
Dali Rashid
CTO
Dali is a post-doctoral researcher in Plant Biotechnology and Genetics. During her PhD, she identified and patented a gene network leading to floral sex alteration. Her work was published in the highest impact journals in the world.
Milestones
Founded at Entrepreneur First
Seed ($5.2 million) led by Lowercarbon Capital
Grant ($2.2 million) from Bpifrance