Metallic Minerals Reports Successful Electrochemical Recovery of 99.9% Pure Copper Metal from La Plata Sulphide Mineralization

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[{"type":"text","content":"Metallic Minerals Reports Successful Electrochemical Recovery of 99.9% Pure Copper Metal from La Plata Sulphide MineralizationVANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / February 26, 2026 / Metallic Minerals Corp. (TSXV:MMG)(OTCQB:MMNGF)(FSE:9MM1)(\"Metallic\" or the \"Company\") is pleased to report initial results from its research collaboration with Columbia University under its \"Mines of the Future\" initiative. The study demonstrates the successful electrochemical recovery of high-purity copper metal directly from sulphide mineralized material at the Company's La Plata copper-silver-gold-PGE critical minerals project in southwestern Colorado.Researchers at Columbia University's Gadikota Research Group have established proof-of-concept for an ambient-temperature electrochemical oxidative leaching process applied directly to whole La Plata chalcopyrite-dominant sulphide material without prior flotation concentration. Chalcopyrite is widely recognized as the most abundant copper sulphide mineral and one of the more refractory primary copper sulphide phases.In initial laboratory-scale testing, approximately 70% of the copper contained in sulphide from drill samples was selectively solubilized within four hours at ambient temperature without prior flotation, roasting, or pressure oxidation. The dissolved copper was subsequently recovered through controlled electrodeposition, producing 99.9% pure metallic copper as confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. Near-complete recovery of copper from solution was achieved during the electrodeposition step.Significance of ResultsThese results demonstrate, for the first time on La Plata mineralized samples, that direct electrochemical oxidative leaching can effectively dissolve copper from chalcopyrite-dominant sulphide mineralization under mild conditions. This demonstrates early-stage, laboratory-scale proof-of-concept for a potential electrochemical copper recovery pathway, where copper may be produced directly via electrowinning rather than through conventional concentrate production and transport to a smelter.Importantly, under the leaching conditions employed, silver (Ag), rare earth elements (REEs), platinum group elements (PGEs), and gold (Au) do not report to the copper solution. Instead, these metals partition into an iron-rich solid residue formed during the process. This natural metal p...

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