The EMINENT project has proven that high grade copper metal can be extracted from the Norwegian seabed! In the photo, researchers at Resitec showcase sulfide material recovered from depths of 1,000 to 2,800 meters in the Greenland Sea, together with copper produced by Future Materials Norwegian Catapult core partner Resitec from this very material. This copper represents the very first copper metal ever produced from seabed massive sulfide material originating from Norwegian Arctic Mid-Ocean ridge.
Within the EMINENT project lead by Adepth Minerals, Resitec has acted as the executing partner on behalf of Future Materials Catapult Centre, responsible for mineral processing, testing, and documenting metallurgical value creation, in close collaboration with NTNU and UiT.
The copper is produced by beneficiation and leaching followed by precipitation by both cementation and electrowinning to a purity of 96-99%. The powder has then been melted in an inert-atmosphere high-temperature furnace to produce the copper discs.
The work demonstrates how advanced mineral processing and metallurgical methods can transform complex seabed sulfides into metallic products, providing critical insight into technical feasibility, efficient resource utilization, and future industrial opportunities.
The project serves as a concrete example of how Resitec as a part of Future Materials Norwegian Catapult center in close collaboration with industrial partners, contributes to reducing technological risk and accelerating the development of new, sustainable mineral value chains.
Photo:
Resitec researchers Thore Sørensen (left) and Mahesh Kulkarni (right) proudly showing copper containing mineral bulk samples from the sea bottom as well as the copper produced from this source. Photo by Resitec.
