Nomadic Venture Partners and Current, a nonprofit water innovation hub, have unveiled the inaugural cohort of their Mining Water Technology Pilot Program. The initiative aims to accelerate the deployment of technologies that reduce water usage and enhance critical mineral extraction in mining operations. Three startups have been selected to receive mentorship, industry access, and direct support for pilot projects with leading mining companies.
Tikal Industries, based in Chicago and Lafayette, Louisiana, transforms industrial waste, including byproducts from mine water treatment operations, into BlueCem, a high-quality, blended hydraulic cement. Priced at $120 per ton, BlueCem is more affordable than traditional Portland cement. Founded by Christian Guerrero and Tayyaba Ali, Tikal Industries is poised to revolutionize the construction materials sector by offering a sustainable and cost-effective alternative.
Maverick Metals, headquartered in San Antonio, has developed a water-efficient and environmentally friendly method for copper extraction. The company recently secured $19 million in funding to advance global copper and critical minerals supply chains. Founded by Eric Herrera and Jesse Evans, Maverick Metals addresses a significant cost and compliance challenge in the mining industry, streamlining operations while reducing environmental impact.
The third startup, currently operating in stealth mode, focuses on extracting metals from wastewater at both active and closed mines. This innovative approach generates domestic sources of critical minerals, addressing the growing need for supply chain resilience in the face of global instability and trade disputes.
The selection process was highly competitive, with over 40 applicants vying for a spot in the program. Alaina Harkness, CEO of Current and the National Science Foundation-funded Great Lakes ReNEW Engine, emphasized the importance of recovering critical minerals from industrial wastewater. “Critical minerals are essential to our daily lives,” Harkness stated. “Our mission is to focus on new ways of recovering these valuable resources, making our nation less dependent on foreign sources and our supply chains more resilient to shocks, from pandemics to wars.”
Nomadic Venture Partners, which invests in early-stage startups that enhance the efficiency and sustainability of heavy industries, expressed enthusiasm for the program’s potential. Batchimeg Ganbaatar, a co-founder of Nomadic Venture Partners, highlighted the challenge of finding early adopters in the mining industry. “We want the mining of critical minerals to use less water, period,” Ganbaatar said. “We’re thrilled to deliver support and mentorship to these leaders to help them deploy their technologies on mine sites and beyond.”
The Mining Water Tech Pilot Program is supported by the US Economic Development Administration’s Build to Scale Program and aligns with the goals of the NSF Great Lakes ReNEW Engine, a National Science Foundation-backed Regional Innovation Engine. This initiative underscores the growing emphasis on sustainable and efficient mining practices, driven by technological innovation and a pressing need for critical mineral supply chain resilience.
The selection of these three startups signals a significant step forward in addressing the mining industry’s water usage and critical mineral extraction challenges. As global demand for critical minerals continues to rise, the technologies developed by Tikal Industries, Maverick Metals, and the stealth-mode startup could play a pivotal role in shaping the future of sustainable mining. The program’s success will depend on the effective collaboration between these startups, industry partners, and mining companies, fostering a more resilient and environmentally conscious mining sector.