In the rugged river valleys of Yukon and British Columbia, a Washington-based public benefit company, Regeneration, is turning the tide on abandoned mine waste. By employing advanced re-mining technology, the company is extracting remaining metals from historical placer sites while simultaneously restoring rivers and habitats damaged by over a century of mining. This dual approach is not only breathing new life into degraded landscapes but also challenging the traditional notions of what constitutes a viable mining operation.
Regeneration’s journey began in Alaska and the Yukon, where decades of placer mining left behind mounds of sediment that smothered salmon-bearing streams. The company’s innovative process involves re-mining these tailings, allowing for the recovery of not just gold, but also critical minerals like cobalt and rare earths that earlier miners overlooked or lacked the technology to extract. “We shouldn’t let mine waste go to waste–we should treat it as an opportunity,” said Stephen D’Esposito, Regeneration’s president and CEO.
The environmental benefits of this approach are profound. Carly Vynne, the company’s chief restoration officer and a biologist, described to CBC how recontoured riverbeds and replanted vegetation have quickly brought fish back to once-barren creeks. “Sometimes days later, we’ve had anadromous fish coming up to a site,” Vynne noted. To date, the firm has restored 1,825 meters of streams and 20 acres of upland habitat using proceeds from gold sales.
This model is gaining traction with brands like Mejuri, which partners with Regeneration to bridge environmental repair with consumer expectations. Mejuri’s Salmon Gold collection, released last year, exemplifies this synergy. The company’s mission is gaining momentum as geopolitical and economic tensions send gold prices soaring. Analysts attribute the metal’s record-breaking October rally to a wave of safe-haven demand triggered by worsening US-China trade tensions, including Beijing’s expanded export restrictions on rare earth elements and Washington’s threats of new tariffs and technology export controls. Gold first breached the US$4,000 mark on October 8, climbing steadily as investors fled volatile equity markets and a prolonged US government shutdown added to uncertainty.
However, the financial model for re-mining is still evolving. D’Esposito acknowledges that while the environmental and commercial logic is clear, the market lacks a standardized way to prove the value of tailings. “Interestingly, it’s not the business of the industry to mine waste,” he said. This gap presents a challenge but also an opportunity for innovation in the sector.
Regeneration’s timing could hardly be better. With the gold market surging amid geopolitical turmoil and growing interest in ethically sourced metals, the company’s approach is poised to redefine the mining industry’s relationship with its own waste. “When a mine closes, it doesn’t have to be the end of the story,” D’Esposito emphasized. This sentiment resonates with a broader shift towards sustainability and circular economy principles in the mining sector.
The implications of Regeneration’s work extend beyond environmental restoration. By demonstrating that mine waste can be a valuable resource, the company is challenging the industry to rethink its approach to resource extraction and waste management. This could lead to more sustainable mining practices and a greater focus on the lifecycle of mining projects, from exploration to closure and beyond.
Moreover, the recovery of critical minerals like cobalt and rare earths from tailings could help address the growing demand for these materials in the context of the global energy transition. As the world shifts towards renewable energy and electric vehicles, the need for these minerals is expected to rise significantly. Regeneration’s technology could provide a domestic and sustainable source of these critical materials, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers and enhancing supply chain resilience.
In conclusion, Regeneration’s innovative approach to re-mining and environmental restoration is not just a story of environmental stewardship but also a testament to the potential of circular economy principles in the mining industry. As the company continues to grow and refine its model, it could play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the mining sector, making it more sustainable, resilient, and responsive to the needs of a changing world.