Current and Nomadic name Mining Water Tech Pilot Program cohort

The programme helps these startups fast-track deployment of mining technologies that both use less water and extract more critical minerals. Companies will receive mentorship, access to industry partners and direct support for pilot projects with leading mining companies.

The three companies are:

• Tikal Industries transforms industrial waste, including byproducts of water treatment operations at mines, into a high-quality, blended, hydraulic cement, called BlueCem. It is sold at US$120/t – cheaper than Portland cement. Based in Chicago and Lafayette, La., Tikal was founded by Christian Guerrero and Tayyaba Ali.
• Maverick Metals makes copper extraction far more water-efficient and environmentally benign, turning a major cost and compliance headache into a streamlined, sustainable operation. Maverick recently secured US$19 million to advance global copper and critical minerals supply chains. The company was founded by Eric Herrera and Jesse Evans and is based in San Antonio.
• A third startup, still in stealth mode, extracts metals from wastewater at operating and closed mines, generating domestic sources of critical minerals.

These three companies were selected from among more than 40 applicants. Trade disputes and global instability have increased interest in the domestic mining of critical minerals.

“Critical minerals are essential to our daily lives”, said Alaina Harkness, CEO of Current and the National Science Foundation-funded Great Lakes ReNEW Engine. ReNEW stands for Recovery of critical Elements, Nutrients, Energy, and Water.

“Our mission has been to focus on new ways of recovering these valuable resources in industrial wastewater. This will make our nation less dependent on foreign sources and our supply chains more resilient to shocks, from pandemics to wars.”

Nomadic Venture Partners invests in early-stage startups that make heavy industries – such as mining, manufacturing and transportation – more efficient and sustainable.

“We want the mining of critical minerals to use less water, period”, said Batchimeg Ganbaatar, a co-founder of Nomadic Venture Partners. “We’re thrilled to deliver support and mentorship to these leaders to help them deploy their technologies on mine sites and beyond. Because it’s a challenge to find eager early-adopters in this industry.”

The Mining Water Tech Pilot Program is supported in part by the US Economic Development Administration’s Build to Scale Program (ALN 11.024) and is aligned with the goals of the NSF Great Lakes ReNEW Engine, Current’s National Science Foundation-backed Regional Innovation Engine.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/mining/09072025/current-and-nomadic-name-mining-water-tech-pilot-program-cohort/