Nineteen partners across two continents

A global leader in integrated copper production with more than 50 years of expertise in concentrate processing, refining, recycling and advanced metal recovery, and a strong track record in scaling metallurgical innovations. Role: validate final copper products and demonstrate industrial-scale implementation.

A global leader in industrial and energy storage batteries with over 30 years in battery manufacturing, lithium-ion technology and circular economy for critical raw materials. Role: validate lithium products for battery applications and ensure compliance with market requirements.

An engineering and geo-process consultancy with over 30 years of experience designing, developing and scaling solutions for mining and metallurgical operations, combining process optimisation with water reduction systems. Role: demonstrate alkaline sulphide leaching or bioleaching, and support electrodialysis and membrane technology for lithium.

At the forefront of metallurgical process innovation. The Institute of Nonferrous Metallurgy and High-Purity Materials and the Biohydrometallurgy Research Group combine advanced refining, electrochemistry and biotechnology. Role: pyro-, fire-refining and electrorefining processes, sulphide bioleaching, As/Sb recovery, and project management.

A recognised centre of excellence in extractive metallurgy and mineral processing. The Institute of Geotechnology and Mineral Resources focuses on sustainable and circular processing of complex mining and smelting residues. Role: lead beneficiation by selective flotation, validate hydrometallurgical processes, and generate optimal lithium processing flowsheets.

Europe’s largest applied research organisation. The Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems brings over 25 years of expertise in high-temperature process technologies, ceramics and advanced simulation. Role: CFD modelling for industrial-scale implementation and model-based scale-up of reactive multi-phase and molten-phase injection processes.

A top-ranked European university whose Sustainable Materials Processing and Recycling Research Unit leads on materials science and residue valorisation. Role: develop processes for valorising copper slag and ashes and evaluate final residue valorisation pathways in the cement industry and other sectors.

A leading engineering institution whose Technologies for Sustainable Metallurgy group specialises in hydro- and pyrometallurgical processing for purification and selective recovery of critical elements. Role: As and Sb solution purification and recovery, recovery of copper and minor metals from Cu–Fe alloys, custom adsorbent synthesis for lithium extraction, and lithium metallothermic reduction.

A premier European research organisation with over 20 years in technology development and transfer, combining advanced modelling and optimisation with strong industrial networks. Role: hydrodynamics investigation of fluidised bed processes using Eulerian–Lagrangian and simplified Eulerian–Eulerian models.

A leading German university of applied sciences combining engineering, business and design with a strong tradition in metals and materials. Role: characterisation and testing of copper side-streams with particular focus on rare earth element valorisation.

One of Chile’s most prestigious universities, its Metallurgy Department a leader in applied metallurgy research with strong industrial ties for technology transfer and validation. Role: novel pyrometallurgical processes, optimising partial roasting parameters and solid-phase reduction for improved copper recovery.

A top-ranked Latin American university whose Mining Engineering Department has accumulated significant expertise in mineral processing. Role: further development of DLE processes, adsorbent testing, and demonstration activities at TRL 6.

A top Chilean university with a strong School of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering. Role: geometallurgical modelling, beneficiation for arsenic removal, and critical raw material recovery from rare-earth-bearing copper tailings.

An organisation with over three decades of experience assisting European stakeholders in cross-border collaboration and innovation capacity building. Role: lead exploitation strategies for industrialisation, intellectual property and innovation management, business models and roadmaps for sustainable use of results.