Glencore Tests New Copper Extraction Technology at Chilean Mine

Glencore is advancing efforts to extract more copper from lower-quality ore at its Lomas Bayas mine in northern Chile. The company has started on-site testing of a new leaching technology developed by Ceibo, a Chilean startup supported by BHP Group. The move comes as part of the mining industry’s push to increase metal yields from declining ore grades, without specifying investment estimates.

Ceibo's process aims to extract copper from sulfide ores by enhancing existing leaching methods. By leveraging electrochemical reactions, the process boosts copper recovery rates in shorter time cycles. This technology could significantly extend the life of Lomas Bayas, a mine that currently deals with some of the lowest copper grades in the industry, averaging just 0.25%. General Manager Pablo Carvallo said the leaching process could add at least seven more years to the mine’s operational lifespan.

The trial at Lomas Bayas follows two years of laboratory testing and represents a crucial step towards scaling up this promising technology. Initial results from the field tests are expected by April or May next year, with a decision on the project's feasibility slated for the third quarter of 2025. According to Cristobal Undurraga, co-founder and CEO of Ceibo, the company hopes that the successful implementation at Lomas Bayas could lead to further deployment at other Glencore mines.

Ceibo is one of several companies, including Jetti Resources LLC and Rio Tinto Group’s Nuton venture, working on catalyst technologies to boost copper extraction from low-grade ores. These innovations are seen as key for the mining industry, which faces growing challenges in discovering and developing new high-grade deposits, amid soaring global demand for copper driven by electrification and renewable energy needs.

In 2023, Ceibo secured financing from investors including BHP Ventures, Energy Impact Partners, and Khosla Ventures, enabling it to develop and scale this technology. The partnership with Glencore marks a significant milestone for Ceibo, as it works to prove that its leaching process can be economically and environmentally viable on a larger scale.