Deutsche Welle:  DW: Here’s how flowers can harvest vital metals 

In the sun-drenched valleys of Tropojë, Albania, a quiet revolution is unfolding—one that could redefine humanity’s relationship with the Earth. DW, one of the world’s most respected media institutions, has captured this extraordinary journey: Sahit Muja, the visionary behind Metalplant, in collaboration with Albanian Minerals, is pioneering a radical new paradigm in mining, one that celebrates life, not destroys it.

Nature is the most sophisticated technology ever devised. For billions of years, it has transformed raw elements into energy, matter, and life itself. From the rhythmic pulse of microscopic organisms beneath our feet to the majestic orchestration of entire ecosystems, the natural world has been a master engineer long before humans arrived. Inspired by this unparalleled genius, Muja and his team are reimagining mining—not with drills, explosives, or environmental sacrifice—but with sunlight, soil, and living systems.

Every leaf in this living factory becomes an active processor, capturing solar energy, storing it in magnesium, and transforming Earth’s raw elements into high-value metals with precision beyond human engineering. Beneath the surface, trillions of microbial miners—fungi, bacteria, and symbiotic biomes—decompose minerals, release nutrients, and build the invisible scaffolding that sustains life. They are the tireless, unseen workforce that has quietly shaped our planet for eons.

At the vanguard of this movement, Metalplant is pioneering green nickel farming. These plants are genetically and biologically optimized to hyperaccumulate metals, producing carbon-negative nickel while rejuvenating the surrounding ecosystem. Each ton of nickel harvested sequesters 200 tons of CO₂, actively reversing industrial emissions and restoring ecological balance.

Amplifying this innovation is the use of green magnesium olivine, Earth’s most eco-intelligent mineral. Enriched with 20 essential elements, olivine nourishes these extraordinary plants while acting as a permanent CO₂ sponge, cleansing land, water, and air simultaneously. The result is a self-reinforcing cycle of regeneration: healthier soils, cleaner waters, and air purified at scale.

But this is only the beginning. This is a new frontier in mining, where technology works hand-in-hand with life. A future where industries leave no scars, only renewal. A world where metals are harvested not at the expense of nature, but through its elegance and intelligence.

Sahit Muja’s vision transcends mining—it is a manifesto for possibility, prosperity, and permanence. It is a blueprint for a world where technology, biodiversity, and humanity coalesce into harmony. Here, we are not merely extracting metals; we are cultivating hope, generating abundance, and building a legacy that endures for generations.