A spin-out company focussed on driving environmental sustainability in the mining and raw materials sector, founded by experts from the University of Exeter, has secured investment to help develop the business.
Penryn-based Minviro received a £125k investment package from Sustainable Ventures, which develops and invests in new sustainable businesses. In addition to the finance, it will also provide support and guidance through their Sustainable Accelerator Programme.
Minviro was founded by Dr Robert Pell, who completed his PhD at Camborne School of Mines. Under the supervision of Professor Frances Wall and Dr Xiaoyu Yan, he developed methodologies and technologies to predict the environmental impact of mining projects during the early planning and development stages.
Minviro has since applied these approaches to a number of commercial projects around the world, supporting mining companies in quantifying and reducing their environmental impact.
The University of Exeter’s research commercialisation manager, Jim Williams, said: “With the support provided by the University’s Set Squared and Innovate UK’s iCURE program, the Minviro team has taken this technology from lab to successful commercialisation at break neck speed.
“It’s very exciting to see a new generation of mining technology emerging from the University of Exeter in Cornwall, a county that continues to export mining innovation across the globe.
Dr Pell described the funding as “a significant milestone for Minviro and an exciting opportunity to drive sustainability in the mining sector”.
He said: “By providing environmental performance insight at this stage of mining projects it is possible to assess a range of project options and optimise the project to minimise impacts such as carbon emissions, water consumption, dust emissions, or land use change. We want to ensure that this approach and technology is accessible for all future mining and metal projects. This is acutely important as material use is expected to double by 2060, with metals expected to grow fastest.”
