Codelco, the world’s largest copper producer, has taken a significant step into the future of mining technology by investing in I-Pulse, a US-based company pioneering pulsed power technologies. This move positions Codelco alongside industry heavyweights like BHP, Rio Tinto, Newmont, Ivanhoe Mines, and Teck Resources, all of whom have recognized the potential of I-Pulse’s innovations to revolutionize mineral discovery, extraction, and processing.
I-Pulse’s suite of high-voltage, short-duration electrical discharge technologies promises to drastically reduce the energy required for critical mining processes. Currently, drilling, rock crushing, and underground mining consume between 4% and 5% of global electricity. The company’s I-ROX division employs gigawatt-scale shock waves to fracture rock from within, potentially improving metal recoveries by around 5% while significantly cutting energy use. This technology could render traditional ball and SAG mill circuits obsolete, marking a transformation not seen since the invention of dynamite in 1867.
“All of our management and scientists at I-Pulse welcome our new shareholder Codelco,” said I-Pulse co-founder, chair, and CEO Robert Friedland. “Our technology can reduce the energy required to unlock critical minerals from rock by up to 80%… We see I-Pulse technology as delivering a scale of change to the mining industry not seen since the invention of dynamite in 1867 by Alfred Nobel, who later went on to establish the Nobel Prize.”
Codelco’s investment aligns with its strategy to accelerate the deployment of energy-efficient technologies. “The world needs dramatically more copper and critical minerals,” said Codelco chairperson Máximo Pacheco. “Traditional technology to crush rocks to extract the metals within requires vast amounts of energy, and to meet this challenge we must be more effective and more efficient. I-Pulse’s portfolio presents opportunities with high financial and strategic potential for mining, and with this step, we maintain our leading role at the forefront of the industry and the energy transition.”
Beyond mining, I-Pulse is advancing applications in various sectors. Its G-Pulse drilling technology aims to unlock geothermal energy resources by softening hard granite formations before drilling, potentially lowering the cost of next-generation geothermal energy systems. Other divisions include Bmax, which uses electrical shockwaves to weld and form metals without heat or pressure; BlueSpark Geothermal, which clears wellbore blockages without chemicals; I-Terra, which uses AI and electrical pulses to kill weeds without herbicides; and I-Pulse Water, which locates deep aquifers.
This investment by Codelco could accelerate the adoption of pulsed power technologies in the mining sector, driving a shift towards more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly practices. As the demand for critical minerals continues to grow, driven by the global energy transition, innovations like those developed by I-Pulse will be crucial in meeting these challenges sustainably. The mining industry stands on the brink of a technological revolution, and Codelco’s move signals a commitment to leading this change. The potential implications are vast, not just for mining but for related industries and the broader push towards a more sustainable future.