The ‘Holy Grail’ of copper mining. Jetti makes it possible to extract copper from low-grade primary sulfides, such as chalcopyrite, the world’s most abundant copper mineral ore.
Jetti’s commercially proven and proprietary catalytic technology addresses the key technical problem preventing recovery of trillions of dollars of trapped resources. We apply our catalysts to hundreds of millions of tons of ore, and significantly increase copper yields in a cost effective and environmentally responsible manner.
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.
300%
Higher copper extraction than traditional processes
Novel catalytic chemistry that overcomes a decades-old technical problem
Low capital and operating expenditure
Integrates seamlessly with process flow sheets at existing operations
Lower emissions and lower water usage, along with better resource maximization
Proven to work on a broad spectrum of ore types, crush sizes and copper concentrations for existing sulfide leach operations, low-grade stockpiles and un-economic low-grade deposits
Copper is a critical component of a cleaner and greener future. From electric cars free of fossil fuels to zero emissions wind turbines, the transition can’t happen without lots of copper.
Jetti makes it possible to produce copper in a more sustainable manner. Our technology allows for the use of leaching systems on primary sulfides, which have a far superior environmental profile compared to traditional extraction methods.
Heap and stockpile leaching (known as hydrometallurgy) leverages the power of a natural microbial system that has existed for billions of years. Bioleaching microbes called lithotrophs (rock eaters) do much of the work and naturally break down mineral ore so there isn’t the need for the huge amounts of energy and chemicals used in traditional copper extraction processes.
Jetti reinvigorates depleting mines and converts waste streams into revenue. Jetti’s technology enables operators to make better use of existing resources and reduce the need to disturb untouched ground.
Hydrometallurgy requires less power and transportation than pyrometallurgy, meaning 40% less CO2, 70% less SOX and 70% less NOX associated emissions are generated.
Leaching requires less than half the water that traditional pyrometallurgical approaches need to produce the same amount of copper. Decreasing ore grades at mines around the world means that these savings are likely to improve over time.