New Copper Extraction Technologies Could Help Meet Clean Energy Demand
A mining technology startup in Newark, New Jersey, is developing an innovative method to extract copper from ores that are currently too costly or complex for traditional mining techniques. The startup, Still Bright, is experimenting with vanadium—a rare metal—to unlock copper resources essential for the clean energy transition.
The technology, if successful, could help address the surging demand for copper driven by the push for renewable energy. Copper is crucial for technologies like wind turbines, electric vehicles, and batteries, which are key components in efforts to decarbonize the energy sector. As global electrification efforts accelerate, the demand for copper is expected to nearly triple by 2040.
Several startups, including Still Bright, are receiving significant investments and partnering with major mining firms in an effort to revolutionize copper production. "The demand for copper is unprecedented, and it’s largely tied to electrifying everything," said Carter Schmitt, chief of staff at Still Bright.
Traditional copper extraction methods, such as smelting, are both energy-intensive and polluting, necessitating the search for more sustainable alternatives. One emerging method is heap leaching, which involves spraying acid over crushed ore to extract copper. This technique, already in use for weathered ores, is less polluting than smelting but has faced limitations when applied to more challenging ores.
Chilean startup Ceibo, founded in 2021, is working to make heap leaching more efficient for lower-grade sulfide ores by adjusting key conditions like pH and oxygen levels. The company believes it can recover up to 80% of the metal using this approach. Another startup, Colorado-based Jetti Resources, has developed a catalyst that helps extract copper from primary sulfide ores, which account for about 70% of untapped reserves. Jetti's technology, deployed commercially since 2019, claims to double production compared to traditional leaching methods.
Still Bright is aiming for an even greater breakthrough with its "electrochemical reductive leaching" process, which it claims can extract up to 99% of copper from primary sulfide ores in just minutes. Unlike smelting, which releases toxic emissions, Still Bright’s process is fully electric and has the potential to be a cleaner alternative. The company is planning to launch its first pilot project by 2026.
While these innovations show promise, experts warn that they do not eliminate all the environmental impacts associated with copper mining. Habitat destruction, water contamination, and adverse effects on Indigenous communities remain significant concerns. The recent shutdown of a major copper mine in Panama due to environmental issues underscores these challenges.
However, the development of cleaner refining technologies is seen as an important step toward reducing the environmental footprint of copper mining. With companies like Still Bright, Ceibo, and Jetti advancing these methods, there is growing potential for a more sustainable copper extraction industry.
