Massachusetts Institute of Technology-spinout SiTration recently collaborated with BHP Invent and Copper South Australia to complete five weeks of prototype test work, trialing SiTration’s patented processing technology on local copper samples.
The testing focused on extracting gold and copper from waste streams. SiTration successfully recovered bullion-grade gold (99.99% purity) from gold-containing streams using a simplified process and achieved 99.9% copper purity in residual waste liquids.
“SiTration’s trial with BHP Invent validates how our breakthrough approach can modernize existing processing operations and set a new standard for resource-efficient, cost-effective mineral recovery across the industry,” said Dr. Brendan Smith, co-founder and CEO of SiTration.
The company’s silicon-based electrode technology delivers strong durability, selectivity and efficiency, enabling the recovery of high-purity products directly from dilute, complex and chemically harsh streams. Simplifying flow sheets can reduce the use of processing chemicals and lower costs, laying the groundwork for a new era of mineral recovery.
For the near term, SiTration is targeting copper and gold waste streams from different BHP assets. Potential future use cases could help unlock low-grade copper material currently considered waste.
“Projects like this are how we turn big ideas into real impact, connecting global innovation with the challenges we’re solving every day across our operations. By accelerating innovation in processing technologies, we can maximise every tonne mined, through reducing inputs and lowering energy and water use. Together, we’re collaborating to deliver safer, more productive and more sustainable outcomes,” concluded Marley Palin, acting vice president, BHP Innovation.
Source: SiTration