The initiative seeks to scale the industrial processing of polymetallic concentrates.

After applying to the “Innova Alta Tecnología” (High Technology Innovation) program, Chilean startup Nova Mineralis has recently been awarded CLP 988.6 million by Corfo to develop a mining–metallurgical innovation project aimed at scaling the industrial processing of polymetallic concentrates.

The approval was granted by Corfo’s Business R&D&I Subcommittee at the end of last year and includes a contribution of CLP 428 million from Nova Mineralis. As a result, this project—focused on the industrial validation of an innovative technology for leaching polymetallic concentrates—will have a total budget of CLP 1.416 billion.

This initiative aims to boost copper production with a lower environmental impact, enabling the use of seawater and reducing reliance on overseas processing.

Among the project’s strengths highlighted by Corfo are its highly experienced hydrometallurgical human resources, strong research capabilities, and well-developed innovation processes. The project will also allow for increased recovery of base metals such as molybdenum, cobalt, gold, and silver, which are present as by-products in polymetallic concentrates, within an acidic chloride environment.

This marks the fourth time Nova Mineralis has secured funding through a Corfo competition. In the three previous instances, the company successfully financed projects totaling more than CLP 1.19 billion.