Ceibo, a company focused on reinventing copper production, and Chilean mining firm Compañía Minera San Gerónimo (CMSG) have successfully launched a demonstration plant that marks a breakthrough in copper extraction. Using Ceibo’s proprietary sulfide leaching technology, the plant, located at CMSG’s mining site in Northern Chile, has produced its first copper cathodes—marking a significant milestone for scalable, on-site copper recovery from sulfide ores.

The demo plant’s construction began in February 2025, and in just three months, it was operational and producing copper. Since then, it has operated continuously, demonstrating the speed, efficiency and reliability of Ceibo’s technology under real-world conditions.

“This isn’t just an efficiency gain—it’s a blueprint for how the world gets the copper it needs, faster,” said Cristobal Undurraga, CEO of Ceibo. “Sulfide ores have long been considered incompatible with on-site leaching. Ceibo’s process changes that by integrating with existing mining infrastructure and accelerating recovery—right when the world is facing mounting pressure for new copper supplies.”

Traditional copper extraction has faced limitations as the mining industry shifts from oxide to sulfide ores, which are more complex and costly to process using conventional methods. Ceibo’s leaching technology offers a clean, efficient, and scalable alternative that supports the transition to sulfide-based operations. It not only enhances productivity but also minimizes environmental impact and extends the life of existing mining assets.

“Ceibo’s technology has allowed us to produce copper cathodes directly at the mine—a testament to how innovation is transforming mining,” said Patricio Rendic, general manager of CMSG. “As one of the few mining companies producing end-of-chain copper products, we are redefining how value is created in the sector.”

The technology merges advanced chemistry with artificial intelligence and data analytics to optimize leaching conditions across different ore types and mine environments. By reducing processing timelines and avoiding the need for large-scale infrastructure investments, the solution positions itself as a critical enabler of sustainable copper supply.

With global copper demand projected to double by 2035, industry players are under pressure to innovate. Ceibo’s demonstration plant offers a compelling case for how the sector can meet future supply needs while addressing environmental and operational challenges.

“The future of mining starts with Ceibo,” said Undurraga. “We’re not just imagining a better path forward for copper—we’re building it.”

Ceibo is transforming the future of mining by pioneering a breakthrough approach to copper extraction. Leveraging cutting-edge chemistry, AI-powered modeling, and extensive operational know-how, the company has developed a next-generation process for recovering copper from sulfide ores—one that is more efficient, intelligent, and environmentally responsible. Established in 2021, Ceibo operates across the United States, Canada, and Chile, uniting a multidisciplinary team of metallurgists, chemists, engineers, and field operators. Together, they are redefining how critical minerals are sourced and setting new benchmarks for sustainability and innovation in the mining industry.