The mining industry, particularly in Australia, is exploring innovative methods to locate new gold deposits as traditional mining practices become increasingly damaging to the environment.

In 2019, researchers at CSIRO made a groundbreaking discovery that the fungus Fusarium oxysporum can metabolize gold, potentially revolutionizing mining practices on Earth.

Led by Dr. Tsing Bohu, the research team found that certain strains of this fungus can extract gold from their environment, challenging conventional beliefs about gold's chemical stability.

This unique ability allows the fungus to incorporate gold into its structure, paving the way for more sustainable gold extraction methods that could significantly reduce environmental impacts.

In regions like Kalgoorlie, researchers propose that Fusarium oxysporum could serve as a biological indicator for gold, similar to how eucalyptus trees and termite mounds are currently used.

Further research indicates that gold-coated fungi grow faster and larger, suggesting a biological advantage that could influence soil ecosystems and biodiversity.

This finding not only challenges existing beliefs about organisms' interactions with precious metals but also has the potential to redefine sustainable resource extraction both on Earth and in outer space.

The discovery holds promise for space exploration, where fungi could be utilized in asteroid mining to extract metals without the need for heavy machinery, a concept known as 'metabolic mineralurgy.'

If successful, using modified fungi in space mining could provide a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to traditional mining methods.

Ultimately, the exploration of fungi for gold detection represents a significant step towards preserving ecosystems while efficiently locating gold sources.