Current and Nomadic Venture Partners launch Pilot Pathway Program for mining water technology

The programme is focused on accelerating water technology solutions focused on water and critical minerals, and on guiding early-stage companies toward pilot readiness. Over three months, Nomadic Venture Partners and Current will provide targeted coaching, strategy sessions, and connections with industry stakeholders to help startups make progress toward real-world pilot opportunities with mining corporations, a key step towards commercialisation. The programme is structured to support companies developing solutions in three key areas: resource recovery, water efficiency, and mine water treatment.

According to the United Nations World Water Development Report 2022, industry and energy sectors account for 19% of global freshwater withdrawals. With demand for critical minerals increasing worldwide, the mining industry faces mounting pressure to address its water footprint.

Alaina Harkness is CEO of Current and Great Lakes ReNEW, which in January 2024 was awarded up to US$160 million over 10 years from the US National Science Foundation to develop and grow a water-based regional innovation engine. Harkness said:

“Critical minerals power the technologies we rely on daily. We can’t afford to flush valuable resources like critical minerals down the drain. Our breakthrough idea is to focus on new ways of recovering and reusing critical minerals and industrial wastewater, ultimately to strengthen national security and competitiveness.”

The programme aligns with Nomadic Venture Partners’ focus on early-stage venture capital investments in solutions decarbonising foundational industries like mining, manufacturing, and heavy-duty transportation.

Batchimeg Ganbaatar, General Partner at Nomadic Venture Partners, said:

“Critical minerals are essential to powering the modern economy, but the water stress associated with their production is an urgent challenge. This programme is about accelerating the technologies that will help ensure that water stewardship and critical minerals development advance together.”

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/mining/20052025/current-and-nomadic-venture-partners-launch-pilot-pathway-program-for-mining-water-technology/