Buzz Over Discovery of Gold-Eating Fungus, Could Shake Up the Mining World

A discovery in 2019 by Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, has caused a stir: a soil fungus capable of ‘eating’ gold. The research findings have been linked to space mining. The fungus, named Fusarium oxysporum, was found to dissolve gold particles from the environment and then coat itself with the gold. This finding is unusual because gold is chemically inert, meaning it rarely interacts with living organisms. Lead CSIRO researcher Tsing Bohu described the interaction as surprising due to gold’s inactive chemical properties, quoted from Daily Galaxy on Tuesday (14/4/2026). It appears the fungus is doing something extraordinary by transforming an inert metal into a biological asset. The discovery has practical applications in mining. An Australian mining company has proposed using Fusarium oxysporum as a natural exploration tool. This approach is considered far more effective than drilling hundreds of test holes. In comparison, conventional exploration is expensive, slow, and can even damage the environment. Using biological indicators can narrow down drilling or sampling locations, increasing the chances of finding something. Geology experts also suggest that analysing soil for specific fungal strains can identify hidden gold deposits underground. Even larger plans are being explored, such as using the fungus for mining in space. A 2025 Daily Galaxy report mentions that some researchers and companies see potential in using microorganisms, including fungi, to process ore in environments where conventional equipment is difficult to use. However, CSIRO itself does not discuss space missions, such as asteroids, but rather focuses on gold, exploration, and sustainable production on Earth.