New Article on METALLICO - Summary
5 September, 2024
In the Spanish newspaper ABC, an article was published about METALLICO: "De basura de la mina a jarrón o batería: un proyecto da una segunda vida a los desechos de CLC y Tharsis en Huelva". You don't read Spanish? No problem, we got you! We created an English summary for you.
The article explores several innovative projects focused on transforming mining waste into valuable products. One of the main initiatives highlighted is METALLICO, a European Union-funded project which aims to recover critical minerals such as cobalt, copper, nickel, and manganese from waste generated at sites like the Cobre Las Cruces mine in Spain, old mining sites in Tharsis, and a lead refinery in Poland. These recovered materials will be used to manufacture batteries, ceramics, and even as additives for cement and paints. The project spans four years and is expected to conclude by 2026, with companies such as Glencore Nikkelverk and Euroatomizado involved in refining and testing the use of these recovered materials.
The project's first phase involves laboratory-scale testing, with plans to build pilot plants to scale up the process.
In addition to METALLICO, other projects in the Andalusian region are also working on resource recovery from mining waste. For example, the RAWMINA project focuses on using biolixiviation to recover cobalt, tungsten, gold, and silver, a method that is more energy-efficient and has a lower environmental impact.
These projects represent significant steps towards sustainable mining practices, turning waste into valuable resources and contributing to the development of clean energy technologies like electric vehicle batteries.