Sulfide Tailings Valorization

Unlocking critical metals and eliminating acid mine drainage from legacy sites

 

Because yesterday’s waste can
power tomorrow’s transition

1. Overview / Opportunity

Billions of tonnes of sulfide rich tailings remain worldwide, often oxidizing and produce acid mine drainage (AMD). 

These residues still contain valuable Au, Cu, Ni, Co, Zn, and V — many are critical for batteries and clean tech. 

GEOMEGA turns these reactive liabilities into commercial feedstock. 

2. Challenge / Industry Context

When sulfides like pyrite and chalcopyrite oxidize, they release acid and even potentially heavy metals. 

This creates long-term environmental costs and regulatory pressure. At the same time, global demand for battery metals soars while new mines face permitting delays and public resistance. 


The metals we need most are already here — locked in the tailings we leave behind. 

3. GEOMEGA’s Approach

Using its hydrometallurgical recovery platform, GEOMEGA applies: 

  • Targeted leaching with recyclable reagents 

  • Iron stabilization and recovery → marketable iron oxides 

  • 90 % reagent reuse and minimal effluent 

  • Selective extraction of Cu, Ni, Co, Zn, V, and Mo 

  • Residue neutralization to produce inert material 

Result: multi-metal recovery with zero-acid generation and a restored landscape. 

4. Value Creation

For example, some tailings might contain 0.3–1 % Cu, 0.1–0.3 % Ni, 0.05–0.1 % Co — viable feed grades for energy transition markets. 

GEOMEGA’s approach unlocks this value while eliminating remediation liabilities. 

It also captures carbon in stable compounds, offsetting emissions from traditional refining. 


A cleaner way to mine — from yesterday’s waste, not tomorrow’s wilderness. 

5. Environmental & Social Impact

• Eliminates AMD at the source 

• Restores tailings to inert land 

• Recovers critical metals without new mining 

• Closed-loop water and reagent reuse 

• Reduced Scope 1–3 emissions 

Sustainability here isn’t an add-on — it’s the entire business model. 

6. Partnership & Scalability

Deployed through on-site plants, via Joint Development Agreements, licensing, or Build-Own-Operate (BOO) models. 

GEOMEGA evaluates Ni-Cu, Zn-Pb, and Au-Cu tailings across Canada and the world for further bench and pilot testing.

GEOMEGA’s solution was selected in 2024 by Vale Base Metals as one of the most innovative solutions to unlock value from their waste but also to contribute to sustainable mining practices. 

Let’s turn legacy waste into lasting value

Contact Kiril Mugerman, President & CEO, to discuss your waste opportunity and how we could test it.

kmugerman@geomega.ca 
+1 514-223-1449 ext. 3