New technology makes copper production more sustainable

Mike Outwin, founder and CEO, Jetti Resources. Image courtesy: Jetti

According to start-up company Jetty Resource, 70% of the world’s copper resources – estimated to be worth more than $20 trillion – are tied up in primary sulfide ores. The majority of this ore is too low-grade to justify traditional processing, and the alternative low-cost method of leaching does not work well on primary sulfides, despite decades of industry efforts. Jetti has developed and commercially deployed a catalytic technology that allows for the efficient and effective heap and stockpile leach extraction of copper trapped in these challenging mineral ores.

Jetti’s catalysts enable the disruption of the sulfur metal bond of the mineral, allowing copper extraction to take place unimpeded. As a result, Jetti is now increasing profitability at operations and extending mine life, while also converting uneconomic deposits into valuable assets.

 Headquartered in Colorado, with offices in Santiago and Vancouver, Jetti is a recipient of the Canadian Government’s Natural Resources Clean Growth Program funding to further research and encourage projects utilizing its “more energy-efficient process to extract copper from regular- and lower-grade ores, as well as waste mining materials and tailings.”