A common mineral that accounts for the majority of the world’s copper supply could play a key role in improving how the metal is extracted, according to new research from Monash University published in Nature Geoscience.
The study focuses on chalcopyrite, the source of around 70 per cent of global copper, which researchers say has long been difficult to process efficiently. Despite centuries of study, the mineral continues to resist low-temperature leaching, limiting recovery from lower-grade ores at a time when demand for copper is rising for renewable energy systems, electric vehicles and infrastructure.
“Chalcopyrite is the world’s primary copper mineral, but it behaves in surprisingly complex ways that have limited how efficiently we can extract copper from it,” said lead author Professor Joël Brugger from Monash University’s School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment.
Researchers found that the mineral’s internal structure contains microscopic defects and trace elements, including silver, gold and nickel, which influence how it reacts during processing.
The study also suggests these features may offer opportunities to improve extraction methods, with trace amounts of silver shown to significantly enhance copper recovery by destabilising the mineral’s surface.
“By understanding how trace elements like silver interact with chalcopyrite at the atomic level, we can begin to design smarter, more targeted extraction methods,” said co-author Dr Barbara Etschmann.
“That means less energy, fewer chemicals, and better recovery from the same resource.”
The Monash University team said the findings could have broader implications for cleaner and more efficient mineral processing as global copper demand continues to grow, highlighting the need for closer collaboration across earth sciences, chemistry and engineering to support low-carbon technologies.
