EASTERN CAPE technology is helping to clean up gold mines on the reef. The newly-opened Environmental Biotechnology Research Unit at Rhodes University has developed novel processes for the treatment of acid mine drainable wastewaters, which utilize bacteria to remove heavy metal, sulphate salinity and acidity. The Rhodes biosure process is now being applied at a goldmine in Springs. By-products of sulphur and treated water, suitable for agricultural development, are produced. Novel work has also been done in low cost sanitation, utilizing algal photosynthesis to treat and purify domestic wastewaters. This system has been constructed in Grahamstown and its use in small towns in the Eastern Cape is under development". The minister of Environment and Tourism, Mr Valli Moosa officially opened the new Rhodes University Environmental Biotechnology Research Unit (EBRU) at a ceremony in Grahamstown. Located at the Rhodes University Experimental Field Station in Belmont Valley, Grahamstown, this joint project of the Makana Municipality, the Water Research Commission and the University will see the opening of the new laboratory infrastructure established earlier this year as an associated institution of Rhodes University. According to EBRU Director, Professor Peter Rose, "the objective of the EBRU will be to undertake research in Environmental Biotechnology at the interface between fundamental and applied science in innovation and development of environmental bioprocesses, and in the diffusion functions involved in technology transfer from laboratory and pilot-scale to industrial-scale application. Environment and Sustainability have emerged decisively over the decade leading to the Johannesburg Summit as key principles guiding human development in the 21st Century. A wide spread of skills and expertise is involved in the successful implementation of this project, and Environmental Biotechnology has the potential to contribute both scientific and technological enablement in meeting many of these needs", says Rose.