Allonnia and Eagle Mine partner to deploy D-Solve™ technology to unlock more nickel from existing operations

The collaboration represents a significant step forward in sustainable mineral processing, as the two companies work to demonstrate the impact of Allonnia’s D-Solve technology in a live-production environment. Beginning in 4Q25, the deployment will focus on selectively removing impurities from nickel concentrates to enhance metal recovery and support Eagle Mine’s commitment to innovation and responsible mining.

Eagle Mine, an underground, high-grade nickel and copper operation located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, is the only active nickel producer in the US. Since opening in 2014, Eagle has been an essential part of the US critical minerals supply chain and the regional economy. The company is actively exploring innovative technologies to extend the life of the mine and support the local community with high-quality jobs.

This pilot arrives at a pivotal moment for miners and manufacturers. Global demand for nickel is projected to grow by 3x by 2050 to power the energy transition, but the industry is grappling with 30 – 50% ore grade declines over the past 50 years, higher processing costs, and mounting sustainability expectations.

“Meeting the surging demand for critical minerals requires a fundamental shift in how we extract value from increasingly complex ores,” said Nicole Richards, CEO of Allonnia. “D-Solve is engineered to unlock value from low-grade ores, improve concentrate quality, and reduce environmental impact. Allonnia’s collaboration with Eagle Mine is a pivotal step in proving that bolt-on biological innovation can redefine how critical minerals are processed both economically and sustainably.”

At Eagle Mine, current operations leave valuable nickel in tailings due to smelter specifications that penalise impurities like magnesium. D-Solve addresses this bottleneck by deploying Allonnia Biosolutions™, naturally derived solutions generated by microbes, that selectively dissolve gangue minerals from concentrate. Allonnia’s technology will treat 1-2 tons of concentrate per day in a continuous operation designed to validate both the performance and scalability of the process.

“Eagle Mine is excited to be the first nickel producer to pilot D-Solve in a live processing environment,” said Darby Stacey, Managing Director of Eagle Mine. “We believe this innovation could unlock several critical efficiencies in our process that could lead to extending the life of the mine. As technology development in our industry accelerates, we are committed to working with companies on new processes that could improve our operations today while also paving the way for future operations that could benefit from the knowledge generated at Eagle Mine.”

In December 2024, Allonnia demonstrated D-Solve at SGS Lakefield in Ontario, where a 5-day continuous operation achieved a 40% reduction in magnesium impurities and an 18% increase in nickel grade while maintaining stable recovery and recyclable biosolutions.

With demonstrated potential across nickel, copper, molybdenum, lithium, and other critical minerals, D-Solve is uniquely positioned to support producers in key mining regions where rising demand, declining ore grades, and intensifying ESG expectations are converging. By enabling higher recoveries and cleaner concentrates, D-Solve offers a powerful lever for operational efficiency and environmental stewardship.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/exploration-development/12082025/allonia-and-eagle-mine-partner-to-deploy-d-solve-technology-to-unlock-more-nickel-from-existing-operations/