Vancouver-based pH7 Technologies has secured funding from Natural Resources Canada through the Energy Innovation Program’s Mining Decarbonization Demonstration Call for Proposals to evaluate a first-of-its-kind copper production technology using samples from a local mine in British Columbia.
The critical metals processing innovator says the project, supported by up to $5 million in federal capital, will aim to validate pH7’s proprietary closed-loop copper extraction process, which converts low-grade sulfide ore directly into 99.9% pure copper cathodes on-site while generating green hydrogen as a valuable by-product.
“Demand for copper continues to grow due to electrification, renewable energy infrastructure, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing,” says pH7 founder and chief executive officer Mohammad Doostmohammadi. “The industry faces the challenge of increasing supply while reducing environmental impacts.”
The support from Canada “validates the importance of developing innovative Canadian technologies that can strengthen critical mineral supply chains, improve resource efficiency, and help decarbonize the mining industry.”
Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, notes how Canada “has the resources, talent, and innovative technologies needed to be a global leader in critical minerals.”
“Projects like this help strengthen domestic supply chains, improve the competitiveness of our mining sector, and support economic growth while advancing more efficient and sustainable resource development,” he stated.
Trekor Metals operates the Gibraltar Mine from which samples will be used.
“Meeting future copper demand will require both new sources of supply and innovative approaches to improve the efficiency of existing operations,” suggests Adil Cheema, Director of Process Engineering for Trekor. “We are pleased to support the evaluation of emerging technologies such as pH7’s process and look forward to the insights generated through this program.”
The project will advance through engineering and technology development phases, generating the technical data required to evaluate future demonstration opportunities and de-risk future commercial deployment, according to a statement.
The NRCan funding is intended to support future construction and demonstration phases, pending technical and commercial evaluation from both sides.
Founded in 2020, pH7 earlier this year raised US$32 million amid expansion in Canada.