This document discusses using refractory sandstone ores and waste as alternative sources of uranium in Poland. It describes how uranium exploration was historically conducted in southwest Poland and how biotechnology can be used to extract uranium and other rare elements from waste. The document outlines studies that showed organic compounds in shale are the main carriers of uranium in certain deposits. It also details how microbial consortia were isolated that are able to leach uranium from ores and wastes under neutral and acidic conditions, extracting up to 95% of the uranium content. The document concludes by discussing different "green" nanosynthesis methods using fungi, bacteria and plants to produce metal nanoparticles.