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  • Rendering of robotic arms sorting metal scraps on assembly line.

    Aluminum recycling gets smarter with AI

    K. Warner, Metal Tech News|Updated Apr 16, 2025

    TOMRA unveils a deep learning-based sorting solution. With the goal of producing smelter-ready aluminum feedstock from mixed scrap, TOMRA has developed a deep learning-based sorting system that rapidly analyzes and classifies different aluminum types with high precision – resolving a longstanding challenge in industrial recycling and setting a new benchmark for purity in the metals sector. Faced with the higher costs of materials recovery, cities and companies often l...

  • Three battery-electric vehicles backlit inside an underground mine tunnel.

    Hudbay gets Epiroc battery-electric fleet

    K. Warner, Metal Tech News|Updated Apr 4, 2025

    Over $9M in battery-electric vehicles to be delivered to Canadian underground mine. Epiroc AB has secured a major order from Hudbay Minerals Inc. for a fleet of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), including drilling rigs, loaders, and haulers, to be deployed at the Lalor mine in Manitoba, Canada, marking a significant step in Hudbay's electrification journey by enhancing productivity, reducing emissions, and cutting operational costs. "We are happy to support Hudbay Minerals as...

  • Molten iron being poured into a metal basin.

    US green steel tech attains industrial scale

    A.J. Roan, Metal Tech News|Updated Apr 4, 2025

    Boston Metal succeeds with first full-scale test of electric furnace. Marking a turning point for emissions-free steel, Boston Electrometallurgical Corp. has for the first time operated its unique electricity-powered furnace at industrial scale, proving the company can produce molten iron without coal or carbon emissions – a breakthrough that not only validates the technology but also paves the way for cleaner, more sustainable steel production worldwide. Fundamental to c...

  • Members of the Missouri S&T team with their award.

    Missouri S&T wins back-to-back mining award

    A.J. Roan, Metal Tech News|Updated Apr 4, 2025

    Engineering students take top spot in global mine design competition. For the second consecutive year, Missouri University of Science and Technology's (Missouri S&T) mining and metallurgical engineering students have won first place in the international Metallic Student Design Competition hosted annually by the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration (SME), where student teams tackle real-world mining challenges and showcase their talents to industry leaders. Regarded...

  • Satellite image of bright blue grid of lithium ponds in featureless brown.

    Precise and sustainable lithium recovery

    K. Warner, Metal Tech News|Updated Apr 2, 2025

    Scientists have developed a membrane technology that can extract lithium from salt brines using electricity – offering a cleaner, speedier alternative to conventional evaporation ponds. This innovation, led by researchers from the University of Birmingham and collaborators from France and China, addresses the pressing environmental concerns of lithium brine mining – cutting water consumption, minimizing pollution, and enabling greener battery production for powering the ene...

  • Humanoid robot reading through pile of technical data.

    ABB launches AI-powered mill assistant

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Apr 2, 2025

    GMD Copilot designed to optimize gearless mill drive efficiency, minimize downtime. An assistant who has memorized all the technical manuals, service reports, maintenance guides, and schematics for a mining operation's mill would make an invaluable sidekick to a mill operator charged with maximizing ore throughput and metal recoveries. While a walking encyclopedia of gearless mill drive (GMD) knowledge may be hard to find, an AI-powered digital assistant designed by ABB to...

  • Salt nodules on the shoreline of bright blue brine.

    Summit Nanotech secures $25.5M for DLE

    K. Warner, Metal Tech News|Updated Mar 25, 2025

    Leading company to scale sustainable direct lithium extraction tech. Summit Nanotech has raised $25.5 million to accelerate commercialization of its lithium extraction technology, advancing a solution poised to cut costs amid a volatile global market for the critical battery metal. Founded in 2018 and based in Calgary, Alberta, Summit Nanotech specializes in direct lithium extraction (DLE) for the mining industry. The latest funding round was backed by Evok Innovations, BDC...

  • AI-generated photo of a scoop pouring white lithium powder in a pile.

    A major step toward SW Arkansas lithium

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Mar 20, 2025

    Smackover Lithium completes direct lithium extraction tech trials; begins commercial operations planning. In a major milestone on its path to producing battery-grade lithium from its South West Arkansas project and unlocking the potential of the enormous sea of lithium brines found under the American Southeast, Smackover Lithium has completed the final field test for its direct lithium extraction (DLE) process. Smackover Lithium, a joint venture forged between North American...

  • Tech entrepreneur-executives in black “Fleet” t-shirts and vest.

    Fleet Space makes a seismic shift

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Mar 20, 2025

    Celebrates decade of innovation with a bold leap into the future of mineral exploration. A decade ago, Fleet Space Technologies was founded with a vision to revolutionize mineral exploration. Now, as it celebrates its 10th anniversary, the Australian tech company is cementing its position as a global leader in satellite-enabled and AI-driven exploration with three transformative milestones – the acquisition of seismic imaging leader HiSeis, an ambitious global expansion, a...

  • Earth from space, showing AU, encircled in grid lines and satellites.

    Hyperspectral satellite startup raises $5M

    K. Warner, Metal Tech News|Updated Mar 20, 2025

    From critical minerals and climate change to defense, Esper is racking up support and partnerships. Melbourne-based space startup Esper Satellites has secured $5 million in seed funding to expand its fleet of hyperspectral satellites, which scan Earth for critical minerals such as lithium and rare earths. Following the ongoing success of Adelaide-based pioneer in satellite-driven mineral discovery Fleet Space Technologies, Esper aims to revolutionize mineral exploration by...

  • Three men in hard hats in a field of solar panels.

    B2Gold completes expansion of solar plant

    K. Warner, Metal Tech News|Updated Mar 19, 2025

    Vancouver-based gold miner demonstrates its commitment to balancing success with positive environmental and social impacts. Vancouver-based B2Gold Corp. has completed the phase-two expansion of its Fekola Solar Plant in Mali, significantly increasing its renewable energy capacity. Now fully operational, the expanded facility is set to provide 52 megawatts of solar power, reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 63,000 metric tons annually, and cut heavy fuel oil consumption by... Full story

  • Artist rendering of astronaut mapping the Moon with Fleet Space technology.

    A solid foundation for space colonization

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Mar 16, 2025

    Fleet Space is developing seismic sensors to map resources and hazards on the Moon and Mars. With backing from the Australian government, Fleet Space Technologies is adapting the satellite-enhanced and AI-enabled platform it has developed for discovering critical minerals on Earth to exploring the Moon, Mars, and beyond. "Leveraging Fleet Space's terrestrial end-to-end mineral exploration platform, ExoSphere, as a blueprint – we have created a model for a hyper-scalable, o...

  • Rendering of a satellite device in orbit above a grey asteroid.

    Asteroid mining startup Karman+ secures $20M

    A.J. Roan, Metal Tech News|Updated Mar 16, 2025

    Company to develop autonomous spacecraft for resource extraction. With $20 million in new funding propelling its vision forward, the pursuit of asteroid mining takes a significant step toward reality as Karman+ prepares to launch its first mission to a near-Earth asteroid, advancing its goal of developing autonomous spacecraft capable of extracting resources that could one day sustain long-term operations beyond Earth. Founded by serial entrepreneur Teun van den Dries and...

  • Aerial photo of Electra Battery Materials’ facility in Ontario, Canada.

    Electra starts battery recycling feasibility

    A.J. Roan, Metal Tech News|Updated Mar 16, 2025

    Will build on learned processes to construct new facility in Ontario. In a defining move toward reshaping North America's battery supply chain, Electra Battery Materials Corp. has taken its next significant step forward with the launch of a feasibility study for its state-of-the-art battery recycling refinery in Ontario. Building on the company's year-long black mass recycling trial, the Canada-based company aims to close the loop on critical mineral recovery and solidify its...

  • Robot with chin on hand while wearing a hard hat.

    AI is transforming the mining industry

    K. Warner, Metal Tech News|Updated Mar 14, 2025

    Boosting safety and efficiency in the desperate search for energy transition metals. The critical minerals industry is poised for innovation across the supply chain, from exploration and extraction to processing, refining, manufacturing, and recycling. At the forefront of this revolution is artificial intelligence (AI). In a time when the global temperature is ticking upward, critical minerals pricing is volatile, and the mining workforce is aging out, AI has been...

  • A world globe marked with areas of geoscience datasets.

    Seequent Evo streamlines geoscience data

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Mar 14, 2025

    Leapfrog creator launches Evo, a cloud-based geoscience platform enhancing collaboration and decision-making. Seequent, the company behind the Leapfrog Geo 3D modeling software for integrating and interpreting geological data, is once again revolutionizing geoscience data management with the launch of Seequent Evo, a cloud-based platform designed to streamline collaboration and accelerate decision-making in mining and other resource industries. By integrating geoscience data...

  • Closeup of a flat oval-shaped rock with a Roman-style H stamped into it.

    Satellites, AI, and the search for hydrogen

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Mar 14, 2025

    Powerful startups combined forces to explore for geological hydrogen to fuel clean energy future. As an energy-rich fuel that only emits water vapor as a byproduct when it is burned, hydrogen promises to be a clean energy source for our industries, businesses, homes, and vehicles. Now, Koloma Inc., a hydrogen exploration company backed by Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, has teamed up with the high-powered Australian mineral exploration tech firm Fleet Space Technologies Inc. to...

  • Rendering of AstroForge's Odin spacecraft passing an asteroid.

    AstroForge announces next mission target

    K. Warner, Metal Tech News|Updated Mar 14, 2025

    Small but mighty Odin spacecraft aims for a metallic-class asteroid flyby. Asteroid mining, for most investors, remains on the same pie-in-the-sky menu as tech billionaire space tourism-dismissed as an expensive dream with insurmountable challenges. However, California-based mining startup AstroForge is on its way to turning fantasy into reality, and fast. Its ambition: mine asteroids for minerals like platinum group metals in space at a lower cost than current terrestrial...

  • A view of the moon from space showing landing gear from Athena.

    Space mining is hard – that's the point

    K. Warner, Metal Tech News|Updated Mar 11, 2025

    In the spirit of exploration, space mining startups push forward through adversity. President John F. Kennedy's address of the United States' race to the Moon back in 1962 has stood the test of time over decades and remains salient today. Adversity and mishaps are nothing new to the United States in its push to conquer space, from uncovering the secrets and resources of our nearest celestial neighbor to proliferating the void itself, between sky and stars. Mining startups,... Full story

  • Artist rendition of a mining truck bed equipped with WearVue sensors and logo.

    WearVue: Predictive maintenance simplified

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Feb 27, 2025

    Universal color-coded system empowers safer and more intuitive mining equipment wear monitoring. Replacing critical wear parts on mining equipment at the right time is a balancing act – too soon wastes time and money, too late risks costly repairs and downtime. WearVue, an Australia-based startup, simplifies this process with a color-coded system that empowers any mine worker to assess wear status at a glance. The company has developed an array of indicators that can be i...

  • A two-story tall Cat mining haul truck coated with red iron ore dust.

    Vale, Caterpillar strengthen partnership

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Feb 27, 2025

    Global company to collaborate on innovations that improve efficiency and lower carbon emissions. Toward the goal of shrinking the operating costs and carbon footprint at its global operations, Brazil-based mining giant Vale has signed a new, five-year global framework agreement with Caterpillar Inc. “The framework agreement represents an evolution in our relationship with Caterpillar, amplifying our focus on maximizing the performance of Vale’s assets and allowing us to adv...

  • Artist rendering of the Stardust Power lithium refinery being built in Muskogee.

    Stardust secures lithium extraction tech

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Feb 27, 2025

    Proprietary tech to cut costs, shrink carbon footprint, and produce clean water byproduct. Further advancing its goal of establishing an efficient North American lithium supply chain, Stardust Power Inc. has secured exclusive rights to KMX Technologies Inc.'s lithium extraction and concentration technology. "This exclusive licensing agreement with KMX Technologies is a pivotal step forward in advancing Stardust Power's sustainability and operational efficiency goals," said Sta...

  • A geologist using a rock hammer to break a sample off a mineralized outcrop.

    USGS leverages AI to achieve CriticalMAAS

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Feb 27, 2025

    Is working with DARPA and ARPA-E to accelerate nationwide critical mineral resource assessments. Amid the global race to secure minerals needed for clean energy technologies and national security, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is leveraging the transformative abilities of artificial intelligence to analyze and assess the nation's critical mineral resources at a pace and scale never before possible. "Typical mineral resource assessment will take us two years, start to...

  • Front view of an electric Epiroc underground mine truck connected to a trolley.

    ABB, Epiroc mine electrification collab

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Feb 27, 2025

    Partnering to develop trolley assist for reduced emissions in underground mines. To bring the electric mine of the future one step closer to reality, global mining equipment manufacturer Epiroc and electrification technology leader ABB have joined forces to develop a trolley system to assist ore-laden haul trucks on their climb out of the depths of underground mines. "The decarbonization of mine haulage fleets is becoming increasingly pressing as we look towards 2030...

  • A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches from Vanderberg Space Force Base.

    Saudi Arabian Mining to deploy ExoSphere

    Shane Lasley, Metal Tech News|Updated Jan 29, 2025

    Ma'aden to leverage the Fleet Space's satellite-enabled tech to accelerate mineral exploration across the Saudi Shield. Continuing its rocketing growth and the adoption of its cutting-edge mineral exploration technology by some of the world's largest mining companies, Australia-based Fleet Space Technologies has entered into an agreement with the Saudi Arabian Mining Company, or Ma'aden, to deploy its satellite-enabled and AI-enhanced ExoSphere platform to accelerate the...

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