As global demand for copper surges, driven by data centers, electric vehicles, and electrification, the world could face a major copper shortage as early as 2040, with demand potentially outstripping supply by 25%.
Transition Metal Solutions spoke to TechCrunch about its novel approach to copper extraction inspired by prebiotics. Instead of engineering or isolating individual “super” microbes to leach copper from ore, a strategy that has repeatedly underperformed, the company focuses on boosting the health and productivity of entire microbial communities already living in heap leach mines.
By adding low-cost, mostly inorganic compounds already common at mining sites, Transition nudges these microbial ecosystems into a higher-functioning state. In lab tests, the approach increased copper recovery from roughly 60% to as high as 90%. In real-world mines, where recovery typically ranges from 30–60%, the company believes it can consistently push yields into the 50–70% range or higher.
The startup recently raised a $6 million Seed round led by Transition Ventures with participation from Astor Management AG, Climate Capital, Dolby Family Ventures, Essential Capital, Juniper VC, Kayak Ventures, New Climate Ventures, Possible Ventures, SOSV, and Understorey Ventures to validate its technology with third-party metallurgy labs and move toward large-scale demonstration heaps.
