Description of need
A more effective or energy-efficient way to break down ore (for Al, Cu, Zn, Fe…) or separate valuable minerals would reduce costs and increase environmental sustainability for mining companies.
Problem severity (1-10)
8
Who has this need
Mining companies
Total addressable market (TAM)
TBD
Solutions today, and their shortcomings
Crushing and grinding ore: energy-intensive (and energy is hard to come by on mining sites)
Potentially relevant capabilities
- High power RF technology (e.g. Gyrotrons)
- Magnetic separation using HTS magnets (Dongkeun Park at MIT PSFC)
- Nuclear Resonance Fluorescence