How did we get here?
We learned the hard way...
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Hanif Jafari, Reza Kafaei, Drew Finch, Maria Alfaro, Duane Nelson...
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Innovation In Mining Takes A Long Time...
Scientific advancements are often slowl and expensive. Since 2016, a core group of scientists at Innovation Mining has been dedicated to pioneering hydrometallurgical research, focusing on the complex challenge of dissolving and recovering precious metals from a range of materials and substrates. This close-knit team has developed an enduring expertise in their field, built on years of trial, error, and persistence.
When Innovation Mining officially launched in 2022, the team united with a group of experienced executives, determined to develop a viable, non-cyanide-based alternative for extracting gold from low-grade ores and tailings. This combination of scientific rigor and strategic vision has been central to our journey toward a revolutionary solution for the mining industry.
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Re-Inventing Hydrometallurgy
Conventional approaches achieve conventional results. Achieving mediocrity was never our goal; we knew that truly impactful solutions would require new thinking and approaches. Recognizing that historical methods-using compounds such as bromine, iodine, chlorine, thiosulfate, thiourea, and amino acid-based formulas-had severe limitations, we set out to design a modern approach. Our goal was to create a novel, eco-friendly reaction that could efficiently oxidize gold into a stable, water-soluble compound, ultimately advancing hydrometallurgy to a new era.
The Breakthrough Discovery
In July 2022, after countless hours of experimentation, our team uncovered an important breakthrough. By combining a unique blend of complexing agents, oxidizers, and stabilizers, we developed a stable, clear solution capable of dissolving gold at a rate and recovery level comparable to traditional cyanide solutions. This monumental discovery led to our current research focus and the filing of two patents in 2024, symbolizing years of tenacious pursuit and scientific dedication.
The Testing and Optimization Journey
The development process didn’t stop with discovery; refining our solution has required exhaustive testing and optimization. Over the past several years, our team has conducted thousands of tests at both lab and pilot scales to maximize performance and improve economic viability.
Using a combination of stirred beakers, bottle rolls, and various column leach tests, each phase of testing was meticulously analyzed through atomic absorption spectrometry, ICP, aqua regia digestion, and fire assays by trusted partners at ALS Labs and MS Analytics. This relentless research and commitment led to a stable, high-performance, cost-effective alternative to cyanide.
Maximizing recovery - The Adsorption Phase
To ensure the most effective gold recovery from solution, we performed a detailed series of tests with various recovery methods, including carbon adsorption, precipitation, and ion exchange. The simplest method—carbon adsorption, already widely used in cyanidation circuits—proved to be the most efficient, achieving over 99% gold recovery with minimal loss of base chemicals. This phase underscored our commitment to both innovation and practicality, focusing on cost-efficiency and scalability.
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Third-Party Validation: An Essential Step Forward
In 2024, to further substantiate our formula's efficacy, we partnered with leading independent labs Sepro and SGS for validation. Through comparative testing against 1,000 PPM cyanide solutions, our goal has been to confirm our formula’s reliability and effectiveness.
Current validation tests include side-by-side 100 kg column leach tests at SGS’s Burnaby facility, soon to be followed by large-scale 100-tonne vat leach trials at our Atlanta-based gold project.
Transforming Mining for a Sustainable Future
As Innovation Mining moves into the next phase of development, our commitment to revolutionizing gold extraction remains steadfast. We are driven by the vision of a mining industry that prioritizes environmental stewardship alongside efficiency and productivity. Our team's efforts are not just about replacing cyanide; they’re about setting a new standard in hydrometallurgy that aligns with modern sustainability goals.
With ongoing support from our partners and stakeholders, we aim to expand testing, broaden our applications, and continue proving that eco-friendly, cost-effective solutions are possible. We are excited to be at the forefront of this shift and look forward to working with partners who share our vision for a transformative impact on mining.
Tomorrow and beyond...
