Innovative Prebiotic Solutions Aim to Alleviate Global Copper Shortage
As the global demand for copper intensifies, driven by its essential role in technologies ranging from data centers to electric vehicles, concerns about a looming shortage have become more pronounced. Projections indicate that by 2040, the demand for copper could surpass supply by as much as 25%, potentially leading to significant economic and industrial challenges.
In response to this impending crisis, numerous companies and investors are channeling resources into the copper sector. Notably, AI-driven minerals startup KoBold secured $537 million in funding last year to develop a copper deposit in Zambia. However, a novel approach is emerging that leverages the power of microbiology to enhance copper extraction processes.
Transition Metal Solutions, a forward-thinking startup, has introduced an innovative method to boost copper production by 20% to 30%. Their strategy involves the use of specialized additives designed to enhance the performance of naturally occurring microbes in copper mines. These additives function similarly to prebiotics, which in human health are known to promote the growth and activity of beneficial microorganisms.
To advance this groundbreaking technology, Transition Metal Solutions recently secured a $6 million seed funding round. The investment was led by Transition Ventures, with contributions from Astor Management AG, Climate Capital, Dolby Family Ventures, Essential Capital, Juniper VC, Kayak Ventures, New Climate Ventures, Possible Ventures, SOSV, and Understorey Ventures.
Microorganisms have long played a crucial role in the natural breakdown of minerals, facilitating the release of metals like copper. Traditional methods have attempted to exploit this by isolating or engineering specific microbial strains believed to enhance copper extraction. These engineered microbes are then introduced to ore heaps in large quantities, with the expectation that they will accelerate the leaching process.
However, Sasha Milshteyn, co-founder and CEO of Transition Metal Solutions, points out that this approach has often yielded inconsistent results. That by and large hasn’t paid off, Milshteyn explained. Often they will see kind of a boost early on and then it just kind of falls off — or they don’t see any boost at all.
Milshteyn suggests that the issue lies in the complex nature of microbial communities. Microbes do not operate in isolation; they thrive in diverse ecosystems where each species plays a specific role. Simply increasing the population of a single strain without considering the broader community dynamics may not lead to sustained improvements in copper extraction.
Furthermore, our understanding of these microbial communities within ore heaps is still limited. Milshteyn notes that over 90% of the microbial species present in these environments are previously unidentified. Replicating the exact conditions of a heap leach—characterized by low pH levels and the presence of various clays and metals—poses significant challenges for laboratory studies.
Traditional industry efforts have focused on the small fraction of microbes that can be cultured in laboratory settings, typically around 5% of the total community. In contrast, Transition Metal Solutions aims to enhance the entire microbial ecosystem within the ore heap. By introducing low-cost, inorganic compounds already found at mining sites, they seek to nudge the community towards the higher functional state, as Milshteyn describes.
Laboratory tests have shown promising results. Samples treated with Transition’s proprietary additive achieved a 90% copper extraction rate, a significant increase from the 60% yield obtained through conventional methods. While real-world applications may experience a slight decrease in efficacy, Milshteyn is optimistic that their approach can elevate extraction rates from the typical 30%-60% range to at least 50%-70%, if not higher.
Recognizing that each mining site hosts a unique microbial community, Transition plans to customize its additives based on initial assessments of each location. As they gather more data, the company aims to develop predictive models to determine the optimal additive composition for any given mine.
If successful, this prebiotic approach could significantly mitigate the anticipated copper shortage. However, convincing the mining industry of its efficacy is a critical next step. To build credibility, Transition intends to collaborate with a reputable third-party metallurgy lab for validation. Without third party results, nobody’s going to believe you, Milshteyn acknowledged. The recent seed funding is expected to support this phase of testing.
Following laboratory validation, the company plans to apply its treatment to a demonstration heap containing tens of thousands of tons of material. A successful demonstration could pave the way for widespread adoption of this technology in copper mines globally.
Milshteyn emphasizes the potential impact of their innovation: We’re leaving 65% of material behind at typical mines. We may as well get as much out of it as we can.
In summary, Transition Metal Solutions’ pioneering use of prebiotic additives to enhance microbial activity in copper extraction presents a promising avenue to address the looming copper shortage. By fostering a more efficient and sustainable extraction process, this approach could play a pivotal role in meeting the world’s growing demand for copper.
