20 Sep Copper in the Spotlight: PROMETIA’s Drive Toward Sustainable Copper Solutions
PROMETIA, a key player in enhancing copper valorization, launched a comprehensive LinkedIn campaign highlighting the importance of copper in the context of the circular economy, energy transition, and sustainable mining practices. Spanning four posts, this campaign showcased innovative projects and cutting-edge technologies within the PROMETIA network, emphasizing the importance of recycling, eco-efficient extraction, and responsible production methods for copper, a critical resource in modern industries.
1. Copper’s Role in the Energy Transition
In the first post, PROMETIA emphasized copper’s vital role as a Strategic Raw Material essential to the energy transition. The post introduced the upcoming themes that the campaign would cover, such as responsible copper extraction and advances in recycling. Copper’s inherent properties, like high conductivity and recyclability, make it indispensable for technologies supporting renewable energy and electric vehicles. PROMETIA, with its members, is at the forefront of developing eco-efficient solutions through innovations in mineral processing, extractive metallurgy, and recycling.
2. Innovating Copper Extraction: From Ore to Concentrate
Post two dived into the challenges of increasing copper demand and extraction. Traditional mining methods often lead to high energy consumption and waste generation, but new technologies are revolutionizing this process. PROMETIA members like Łukasiewicz – IMN and Swerim AB were highlighted for their customized mineral processing solutions and innovative approaches like electrolytic reduction of chalcopyrite, driving more sustainable and efficient copper extraction processes.
3. Advances in Pyro- & Hydrometallurgical Processes
The third post explored advanced pyro- and hydrometallurgical processes, which are pivotal in ensuring the sustainability of copper production. These methods focus on reducing environmental impacts, optimizing resource use, and improving waste management. Projects such as bioleaching and foam-based leaching were featured, with contributions from Laboratoire de Génie Chimique Toulouse, BRGM, and CEA ISEC. The post highlighted how combining bioleaching with mechanical methods can enhance copper extraction, while other members focus on recovering valuable metals from by-products like white slag.
4. Co-Processing and Recycling for a Circular Economy
In the final post, PROMETIA spotlighted the importance of recycling and co-processing to meet sustainability goals. The circular economy approach aims to minimize waste by reintroducing valuable resources, like copper, back into the production cycle. For instance, Séché Environnement was noted for its innovative recycling methods that recover high-purity copper from PCB electrical transformers. Other members, such as BRGM and Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, were involved in groundbreaking projects like RECOPPs and METALLICO, focused on metal recovery and reducing hazardous waste.
Collaboration for a Sustainable Future
Throughout the campaign, PROMETIA emphasized the collective efforts of its member network, showcasing collaboration across various institutions. By innovating together, they are reshaping the future of copper production to align with environmental sustainability and the goals of the European Raw Materials Act (CRM Act).
Overall, PROMETIA’s campaign on copper reflected its commitment to driving the circular economy, supporting responsible mining, and fostering innovations that pave the way for a greener future in the copper industry.
