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How a New Jersey startup found an electrifying way to slash copper costs
Still Bright, a New Jersey startup, has developed a novel method for extracting copper that recovers nearly all from ores without generating pollution. This process relies on a vanadium-based solution and aims to meet the skyrocketing global demand for copper, which is expected to double in the coming years. With an $18.7 million funding round, they plan to build a demonstration unit by 2027 or 2028 to significantly increase production capacity.
Key points
- Demand for copper is expected to double as the global economy shifts from fossil fuels.
- Still Bright has developed a cleaner extraction method using a vanadium-based solution, recovering nearly all copper from ores.
- Funding of $18.7 million raised to scale production from 2 tons to hundreds of tons per year.
- The new process is more efficient, smaller, and cheaper than traditional methods, with expectations of lower operational costs in the future.
Why it matters
- The copper production industry faces challenges due to increased demand and depletion of easily accessible ore.
- The technology reflects a growing trend towards sustainable mining practices, aligning with increasing environmental regulations and sustainability goals.
- The startup's approach parallels advancements in energy storage technologies, particularly vanadium flow batteries, that emphasize efficiency and pollution reduction.
Still Bright's innovative approach presents a viable solution to meet the escalating demand for copper sustainably, positioning it as a potential leader in a transforming mining industry, paving the way for cleaner and more efficient resource extraction.