In a lab in Newark, New Jersey, a revolutionary process is brewing that could reshape the landscape of copper mining. The startup Still Bright is harnessing the power of vanadium to extract copper from ores that have long been deemed too challenging or costly to process. If their laboratory successes translate to larger scales, it could mean unlocking a treasure trove of copper resources that are crucial for the energy transition.
Still Bright isn’t flying solo; the company is part of a burgeoning cohort of startups that are joining forces with major mining firms and attracting substantial investments. The stakes are high, with demand for copper expected to skyrocket as the world pivots towards electrification. “We’re facing unprecedented demand for copper, and that’s really tied to the electrification of everything,” says Carter Schmitt, chief of staff at Still Bright. The metal is indispensable for renewable technologies, from wind turbines to electric vehicles, and the clean energy sector’s demand for copper is projected to nearly triple by 2040.
However, the mining industry is in a bind. High-quality copper reserves are dwindling, with miners increasingly turning to lower-grade ores that are more challenging to extract. The current extraction methods, primarily reliant on crushing and smelting, are not just inefficient; they’re also environmentally damaging. The toxic tailings produced during traditional copper extraction contribute to significant pollution, especially in communities like the San Carlos Apache tribe in Arizona, which has suffered from lead emissions for decades.
As the demand for copper intensifies, the industry must innovate to tap into these low-grade ores without exacerbating environmental harm. Enter heap leaching, a method that has been gaining traction among startups like Ceibo and Jetti Resources. This technique, which involves piling crushed ore and treating it with acid, has already been used effectively on weathered rocks. However, adapting it for primary sulfide ores has been a tough nut to crack—until now.
Ceibo claims to have developed a flexible process that adjusts to varied geological conditions, making it easier to extract copper from these challenging ores. With $36 million in venture capital backing, including support from industry giants like BHP, Ceibo is gearing up for pilot tests that could validate its approach. Similarly, Jetti Resources has already begun commercial operations, boasting doubled production rates by using a proprietary catalyst to enhance copper extraction from chalcopyrite, a primary sulfide mineral.
While heap leaching shows promise, it’s not a silver bullet. The process is slow, often taking weeks or months to yield results, and no one claims it can recover every last ounce of copper. Jetti’s process manages to extract 40 to 70 percent of the copper from chalcopyrite, while Ceibo aims for 70 to 80 percent. Still Bright, however, is making waves with its electrochemical reductive leaching technology, claiming it can achieve up to 99 percent recovery in mere minutes.
The mining sector is at a crossroads, facing a dual challenge of meeting soaring copper demand while minimizing environmental impact. As innovative technologies like those being developed by Still Bright, Ceibo, and Jetti gain traction, the industry may finally be on the brink of a significant transformation. The question remains: will these startups be able to deliver on their promises, and can they truly help the industry pivot towards a more sustainable future? As they forge ahead, the impact of their success or failure will ripple through the copper market and beyond, influencing everything from energy production to environmental policy.
