TRANSFORMING ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITIES INTO SUSTAINABLE ASSETS

B.C.’s Tersa Earth Innovations valorizes mine residues with microbial fuel cells to extract valuable metals and clean water from mining waste.

“Tersa Earth Innovations delivers essential metals needed for electrification in the transition to net zero. The TersaClean process has enormous carbon abatement potential and addresses water security for critical infrastructure such as mines.” --Barinder Rasode, CEO Tersa Earth Innovations

Interview with Barinder Rasode

By Suzanne Forcese

WT: Please give us an overview of Tersa Earth Innovations.

Rasode: Tersa Earth Innovations is a cleantech startup based in Burnaby, British Columbia that is developing innovative solutions for mining waste remediation and metal recovery.

Tersa Earth was founded with the mission of revolutionizing resource development through a groundbreaking, carbon-neutral technology that remediates harmful acid rock drainage (ARD) and recovers valuable metals from mining waste while reducing energy consumption, emissions, and costs.

WT: Tersa Earth has recently been recognized as a Top Innovator in Uplink and Prospect Innovation’s Sustainable Mining challenge. Congratulations! What has this meant for you?

Rasode: As one of only 13 global innovators selected for our groundbreaking solution in the mining sector, this recognition validates our commitment to sustainable practices and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

This marks a pivotal moment as we prepare to scale our global impact. It's a testament to our entire team's hard work and dedication and the transformative potential of our TersaClean technology. This potential inspires hope for a more sustainable future, and we're more motivated than ever to continue pushing the boundaries of innovation in sustainable mining.

WT: The International Energy Agency estimates that the global economy will require six times more mineral inputs in 2040 than today to reach the global goal of net zero by 2050.

However, mining is a quintessential legacy industry, controlled by a small cohort of entrenched, highly emitting companies which continue to add to the thousands of tailings dams around the world. How bad is it?

Rasode: It is estimated that over 75 trillion litres of Acid Rock Drainage (ARD) will be produced globally by 2040.

We believe there is a better way. Our technology eliminates 100% ARD.

WT: What can you tell us about the technology?

Rasode: We have developed patent-protected biotechnology to decarbonize and clean tailings ponds at mining sites, producing valuable commodities while restoring natural habitats. We are turning a mine operator's liability, an environmentally damaging carbon-emitting sludge-like wasteland, into an asset.

The Tersa process cleans the landscape and separates the remaining commodities, which Tersa Earth sells back to the mine or through an off-take agreement.

 Tersa Earth is commercializing two unique biotechnologies:

a microbial fuel cell which is a battery powered by bacteria, and

Microbial Induced Carbonate Precipitation -- a completely regenerative process where microorganisms neutralize the tailings waters.

Notably, the process doesn't use clean water or electricity and produces very little carbon.

WT: As you are gearing up for commercialization can you tell us what your business model looks like please.

Rasode: There are currently 9,000 tailings ponds worldwide, most of which are potential targets for Tersa Earth.

The Tersa process is the first bioprocessing solution which appears to be able to monetize these tailings liabilities by separating the metals.

The business model is built on three distinct revenue streams where the contribution of each depends on the conditions of the mine and tailings.

The service fee. Mines are charged the fixed cost to treat their Acid Rock Drainage (ARD) and tailings. The service fee will be per volume reducing the mine's overall liabilities at a fraction of the cost.

Recovered Metals. Tersa's process treatment platform uses a patented microbial fuel cell technology to deposit metals in mine waste streams onto electrodes. The deposited metals are elemental and can be sold directly to the market. Depending on the type of mine, Tersa could receive all, as in the case of orphan mines, to some percentage of the sale of these metals for decades to come.

Decarbonization. The carbon rebate that Tersa will receive from the mines will be calculated as a percentage of the carbon tax they save using our technology. The status quo for treating ARD and mine tailings involves using copious quantities of calcium-carbonate, or lime, which produces a considerable carbon footprint. A mine using the Tersa process technology would drastically reduce lime usage. Our model works by creating value in tandem with the mine owner

WT: On September 10, 2024, Tersa announced a strategic partnership with Wet'suwet'en First Nation. Please tell us about this collaboration.

Rasode: We are excited to announce a strategic partnership with Yinka Dene Economic Development Limited Partnership (YLP), the economic development arm of the Wet’suwet’en First Nation (WFN).

The Wet’suwet’en territory, located west of Burns Lake in British Columbia's central interior, is rich in natural resources and cultural heritage.

This partnership will accelerate our commercialization, provide economic benefits for the Wet’suwet’en people, allow collaboration on projects like STEM education programs for youth.

This partnership will leverage the deep knowledge and expertise of the Wet’suwet’en in land stewardship and sustainable resource development, aligning with Tersa Earth’s mission to create eco-friendly solutions for the mining industry.

WT: And there is another exciting announcement fresh off Tersa’s recognition as a Top Innovator! Tell us more.

Rasode: We have signed an MOU with Silica-X a Spokane, Washington start-up. Central to the collaboration is WastePoint, a multi-modal AI system developed by Silica-X, which offers unparalleled capabilities in analyzing and optimizing waste management and mining processes.

And now, by integrating WastePoint AI into our systems, we will accelerate our R&D processes, optimize resource use, and will be able to offer our customers and partners a first-of-its-kind biotech solution.

This MOU with Silica-X is a critical step toward our mission to not only reclaim value from waste but also to be restorative and regenerative in our approach — delivering tangible environmental, societal, and economic benefits.

WT: With all these exciting developments how would you sum up Tersa’s mission moving forward?

Rasode: Moving forward, Tersa Earth aims to scale up its technology and expand its impact on making mining operations more sustainable while recovering critical minerals needed for clean energy technologies. The company is positioned at the intersection of addressing environmental challenges, resource recovery, and creating economic opportunities for indigenous communities.