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“The mining industry heavily relies on compression for breaking ore, which accounts for a staggering 4% of global energy consumption. Our technology, on the other hand, utilizes CO2 to promote tension, thereby breaking the rock using significantly less energy. This not only translates into cost reductions but also leads to fewer greenhouse gas emissions.”
Oscar Malpica,
Co-founder,
Rockburst Technologies.
It all began with a visionary named Oscar Malpica, who co-founded Rockburst Technologies in 2020. The company was on a mission to change the game with their groundbreaking CO2 Pulverization technology. This innovation held the promise of not only reducing energy consumption but also repurposing greenhouse gas emissions and eliminating the need for water in ore processing. It was a game-changer for sustainability.
Malpica was no stranger to the challenges faced by the mining industry. He knew that the traditional methods of ore processing were not only energy-intensive but also unsustainable. Determined to find a better way, the company embarked on a journey of innovation. Their goal was to develop a technique that could revolutionize the way ores were processed.
After years of research and experimentation, Rockburst Technologies unveiled their game-changing CO2 Pulverization technology recently. The concept was simple yet brilliant. They discovered that rocks were significantly weaker under tension than compression. So, they devised a method that harnessed the power of CO2 to create tension within the ore. By introducing CO2 into the ore under specific conditions and rapidly decompressing it, they were able to fracture the rock from within with minimal energy.
Malpica explained the significance of their technology, saying, “The mining industry heavily relies on compression for breaking ore, which accounts for a staggering 4% of global energy consumption. Our technology, on the other hand, utilizes CO2 to promote tension, thereby breaking the rock using significantly less energy. This not only translates into cost reductions but also leads to fewer greenhouse gas emissions.”
Additionally, the environmental benefits of CO2 Pulverization were profound. Not only did it cut down on energy use, but it also had the potential to sequester CO2. Just imagine capturing carbon from industrial processes or directly from the air, and then using it to process ore. This method not only saved energy but actively reduced atmospheric CO2 levels. But the innovation does not stop there. Rockburst’s CO2 Pulverization technology is also a water-free process, eliminating the need for this increasingly scarce resource in ore processing. This breakthrough holds the promise of transforming the mining industry, making it more sustainable and resilient in the face of global water scarcity.
As Rockburst’s technology gained recognition, industry heavyweights began to take notice. BHP, through its Think & Act Differently technology development program, partnered with Rockburst, providing invaluable expertise and feedback. Other giants in the industry, such as Anglo American, Teck, and Copper Mountain, also expressed keen interest, recognizing the transformative potential of CO2 Pulverization.
Despite being in the prototype stage, Rockburst’s CO2 Pulverization technology was already showing promising results. Not only did it reduce energy consumption and emissions, but it also demonstrated early evidence of breaking along grain boundaries. This discovery had the potential to simplify the separation of different minerals, further reducing the energy and reagents required for mineral extraction.
As Rockburst sought additional funding to advance their pilot unit, the industry watched with bated breath. Everyone anticipated a future where ore processing would not only be more efficient but also significantly more sustainable. Malpica and his team’s innovative approach promised to transform mining operations, offering a glimpse into an eco-friendlier and resource-efficient future for the industry. The revolution had begun, and it is an exciting time for Rockburst Technologies and the mining industry as a whole.
Conclusively, this is a story of vision, determination, and a relentless pursuit of sustainability. It is a testament to the power of scientific innovation to reshape the world of mining.