We would like to share with you our latest steps and progress in the SURRI project. Yesterday we had the honour of visiting one of our selected sites in the Stráž pod Ralskem area, namely the state enterprise DIAMO, Uranium mining and processing branch. A team of our experts Alena Ševců, Martin Palušák, Veronika Hlavackova, Nhung H.A. Nguyen and Mohamed Merroun is exploring selected mining sites, which are mostly former uranium mines. We are focusing on their suitability for refining strategic raw materials using a combination of technological processes, including bioleaching and bioprecipitation.

Our main objective is to carry out a detailed characterisation of these sites in cooperation with DIAMO. Together with Professor Mohamed Larbi Merroun's team, we are focusing on determining the composition of bacterial communities in different types of matrices such as groundwater, tailings or sediment. We then assess these communities in relation to the concentrations of selected elements.

Another important task is to isolate bacteria that are able to bioleach or bioprecipitate these elements. In this way, we are trying to find effective biological methods for the purification and treatment of these sites. In addition, we also focus on isolating bacteria that have the ability to synthesize metal nanoparticles or immobilize uranium and other contaminants.

We are thrilled to have entered into this collaboration with DIAMO and believe that our combined efforts will lead to innovative solutions in the mining and environmental sectors. This year we will focus on characterizing post-mining sites and hope that our research work will provide valuable insights and opportunities for further development.

We would like to thank the entire SURRI team for their tireless work and commitment to our goals. Together, we look forward to continuing our projects in the future and sharing further successes with all of you.