NVRO Metals Partners with Hecla Mining for Tailings Processing

NVRO Metals Limited has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding with Hecla Greens Creek Mining Company to process 35,000 tonnes of tailings at its upcoming facility in Australia. This collaboration aims to demonstrate the commercial viability of the proprietary NVRO Process and elevate the technology to its final readiness level. The agreement marks a strategic effort within the mining industry to validate centralized processing hubs for large-scale mineral waste management.

The partnership between NVRO Metals and Hecla Greens Creek Mining Company, a subsidiary of the NYSE-listed Hecla Mining, centers on an industrial-scale campaign to process 35,000 tonnes of tailings. Announced on July 8, the non-binding MoU outlines a framework to utilize the specialized NVRO Process at the NVRO Metals Hub in Australia. This initiative is designed to prove that the technology can handle large-scale third-party feedstocks, effectively positioning the Hub as a centralized platform for mineral waste treatment.

A primary goal of the collaboration is to reach Technology Readiness Level 9, signifying that the NVRO technology is fully proven and ready for commercial deployment. By processing Hecla’s material, NVRO Metals intends to demonstrate the economic and technical feasibility of its processing methods. This validation is a critical step for the company as it seeks to provide sustainable solutions for the mining and metals sector, which faces increasing pressure to manage tailings and environmental impact.

The commencement of the large-scale campaign is subject to several conditions that both parties aim to satisfy by the end of December. These requirements include the successful completion of a 20-tonne demonstration campaign currently planned for Perth, alongside the final acquisition and commissioning of the Metals Hub. Hecla Mining, which operates major sites such as Greens Creek in Alaska and Lucky Friday in Idaho, is the largest primary silver producer in the U.S. and Canada, lending significant industry scale to this technological validation effort.