How is technology playing a role in addressing the global copper shortage, and what key technologies are contributing to this effort? 

Technology is essential in addressing the global copper shortage, and we are proud of our innovations in this area. In the 1990s, we pioneered the first permanent cathode plate for electrowinning and refining, which enabled significant growth of processing copper oxide ore bodies in South America. Our IsaMill was the first ultra-fine grinding technology, unlocking refractory and finely disseminated ores, while our IsaSmelt technology, unique in e-scrap recycling, efficiently processes both copper concentrate and e-scrap. We are also completing the Atlantic Copper e-scrap smelter in Spain. Our Jameson Cell technology enables higher recovery of ultra-fine copper, typically lost to tailings with conventional technology, making plants more efficient and profitable

How is your technology being used to reprocess tailings and upgrade existing plants? 

We see great opportunities in tailings reprocessing with our technology, and our clients are increasingly interested in retrofitting their existing plants with our equipment. This allows them to benefit from the innovations I mentioned earlier, such as higher recovery rates and reduced energy consumption. Many of our clients have ageing plants, and as their equipment becomes outdated, they are looking to integrate our new technology to improve efficiency and productivity. We are currently exploring tailings reprocessing opportunities in Africa, and we expect this to be a growing area in the future.

How does Glencore Technology support clients with energy savings and performance guarantees?

We have the IsaMill technology, which can reduce energy consumption by up to 80% compared to traditional ball mills. In addition, we have helped clients like Ero Copper increase capacity by 50% using Jameson Cells. We can use pilot plant or lab scale test work to demonstrate these results to clients before implementation. For example, we have demonstration scale pilot units available all over the world that showcase the performance of our technologies. These pilot tests allow us to provide meaningful performance guarantees backed by Glencore, ensuring clients feel confident in their return on investment.

Can you share details on Glencore Technology’s efforts to promote diversity and support women in mining?

We have a strong focus on diversity at Glencore Technology. Around 10% of our workforce consists of undergraduate and graduate students, 50% of whom are women. We provide these students with exposure to real-world mining operations and opportunities to work on-site at Glencore assets, ensuring that the next generation of mining professionals is both diverse and highly skilled. We are also proud of our Women and Girls in Science mentorship program, which we pioneered in regions like Latin America and Australia. This program connects female mentees with experienced professionals, offering them the support and guidance they need to thrive in the industry.

How does Glencore Technology engage with universities and support academic research?

We work closely with universities around the world, providing them with our equipment and offering students the chance to work with our technology. For example, we have collaborated with the University of Queensland, and  are close to securing a partnership with a university in South America to set up similar programs. We invest in programs that take students to mine sites worldwide, giving them real-world exposure before they graduate. Additionally, we frequently deliver technical lectures and informational sessions at universities, not to sell our equipment, but to educate students about the technical aspects and benefits of our technologies. 

What are the key objectives and expansion strategies for Glencore Technology over the next two years, particularly in South America?

We are focused on expanding our technical presence in North and South America, which is essential before deploying more equipment. South America offers significant opportunities due to challenging ore bodies with higher arsenic and clay content, and the shift from oxide to sulfide. Our Jameson Cells are designed to handle these challenges by removing unwanted materials from the concentrate. We are also upgrading ageing infrastructure with new technology that reduces both the carbon footprint and capital costs. With low copper content ore bodies (around 0.3%) in South America, our intense flotation technology is key to improving recoveries at high throughputs and maintaining margins. We are excited about the potential ahead, whether partnering with major players or junior explorers, as we focus on increasing recovery rates, reducing metal losses, and supporting a more sustainable mining industry. While equipment supply is vital to our business, our real passion lies in developing solutions to complex flow sheets and processing methods.