Codelco is exploring a partnership with I-Pulse Inc., led by Robert Friedland, to utilize pulsed power technology for rock fragmentation. This collaboration aims to enhance mining efficiencies and reduce environmental impacts in response to the increasing demand for copper and lithium.
Codelco, the world’s leading copper producer, is contemplating the adoption of innovative technology developed by Robert Friedland’s firm, I-Pulse Inc., which utilizes electricity to fracture rocks. Executive Chairman Maximo Pacheco has confirmed the positive relations formed with Friedland following a visit to I-Pulse laboratories in Toulouse, France. Although discussions are ongoing, both companies express mutual interest in a potential collaboration to enhance mining efficiencies.
I-Pulse employs surges of electricity known as pulsed power in diverse industries such as mining and manufacturing. It has attracted significant investment from major corporations including BHP Group and a European fund associated with Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Ventures. The company’s subsidiary, I-ROX, specifically applies this technology to reduce energy consumption and emissions in mining operations.
The transition towards cleaner mining practices is vital for gaining social acceptance and ensuring the sustainability of copper and lithium operations. Codelco, along with other Chilean miners, faces the challenge of declining ore quality, necessitating the extraction of greater amounts of rock to yield the same amount of metal. Pacheco remarked on the growing demand for critical minerals, indicating that innovative mining solutions are essential in meeting these demands.
In conclusion, Codelco’s potential collaboration with I-Pulse Inc. could significantly enhance mining efficiencies through the adoption of pulsed power technology. The ongoing discussions reflect a broader industry shift towards innovative practices in mining to meet the escalating demand for critical minerals while addressing environmental concerns. Such advancements are particularly crucial for state-owned Codelco and other Chilean miners as they navigate the challenges of declining ore quality.
Original Source: financialpost.com
