Still Bright Innovates Copper Production with Clean Technology

Still Bright is pioneering a water-based technology to revolutionize copper production, addressing environmental and supply chain challenges. With global copper demand projected to surge by 40% by 2040, the company aims to provide a cleaner and more sustainable alternative to traditional smelting methods.

The Environmental Challenge of Copper Production

Traditional copper smelting involves burning concentrated copper ore at high temperatures, releasing harmful sulfur-containing emissions. This process has led to geographic concentration in regions with less stringent environmental regulations, particularly in Asia. Still Bright's founders believe their innovative approach can mitigate these issues.

A Water-Based Solution

Still Bright's process, inspired by vanadium flow batteries, uses a chemical reaction to purify copper concentrates. Vanadium reacts with copper compounds, leaving impurities behind. This process, which takes 30 to 90 minutes, yields a solid containing roughly 70% copper. Further processing achieves over 99% purity using existing methods like solvent extraction and electrowinning.

Energy Efficiency and Byproduct Management

Unlike smelting, which requires temperatures exceeding 1,200 °C (2,000 °F), Still Bright’s process operates at ambient temperatures. While hydrogen sulfide gas is produced as a byproduct, the company plans to capture and convert it into useful side products. This approach significantly reduces energy consumption and emissions.

Scaling Up the Technology

Still Bright is currently testing its process in a New Jersey lab and designing a pilot facility in Colorado with a two-ton annual capacity. A demonstration-scale reactor with a 500-ton annual capacity is planned for 2027 or 2028. The company recently secured $18.7 million in seed funding to support these efforts.

Industrial Viability and Adoption

Simon Jowitt, a professor at the University of Nevada, Reno, emphasizes the importance of industrial-scale testing to demonstrate the technology's viability and encourage adoption within the mining industry. Still Bright's success could reshape the global copper production landscape, aligning with growing demands for sustainability.