Meet the Partners: Tharsis Mining

September 3, 2024

 

What are your main tasks in the project?

Tharsis Mining’s major duties in the METALLICO project are related to the COMAN process. This process is expected to recover valuable battery metals such as cobalt, manganese and copper from Tharsis’ secondary resources, contributing to reduce the EU’s dependence on imports.  Thus, Tharsis oversees the valorization of waste obtained with the COMAN process in order to maximize the economic potential. In addition, we will carry out the construction, start-up and operation of the pre-treatment stage of the COMAN process pilot plant.

 

What are your next steps in the project?

Over the coming months, the characterization of Tharsis’ secondary resources, that are used as raw material in the COMAN process, will be finished. Furthermore, to recover as much relevant metals as possible, we will develope exploratory works of acid solubilization and chemical precipitation to valorize waste obtained in the COMAN process.

 

Why do you think METALLICO is important for the general public?

Concerning battery valuable metals, the EU currently relies heavily on imports, which drives up prices. Taking advantage of several primary and secondary resources, the METALLICO project will have a positive economic, environmental and social impact. It will contribute to reducing the price of these relevant metals, making them more accessible. The project will also help reducing pollution and creating new jobs. In addition, a digital platform will be created to provide mining companies, end-users and administrations with a rapid assessment of the potential for exploiting a new primary or secondary resource. This will unlock technical, investment and social awareness barriers.