The demand for critical minerals experienced strong growth in 2023, with lithium demand rising by 30%, while demand for nickel, cobalt, graphite and rare earth elements all saw increases ranging from 8% to 15%, according to the International Energy Agency’s Global Critical Minerals Outlook 2024 report. In regions like the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where significant deposits of these minerals are found, companies like Axis House Group are playing an essential role in advancing mining operations with specialised mineral processing solutions. PENELOPE MASILELA speaks with Axis House Group co-founder and CEO JUSTINE STUBBS-HULT to learn how they are leading the way in this transformation.
As a global leader in mineral processing reagents, Axis House Group has been adapting to the evolving mining landscape for over 20 years and has been involved in the DRC for decades, adapting its services to meet the evolving needs of its clients and the ever-changing regulatory landscape. Initially focused on copper and cobalt, the company has since expanded its range of minerals, including nickel, lithium, precious metals, and diamonds, doing so with an eye toward efficiency and sustainability in difficult-to-navigate mining settings.
Stubbs-Hult shares that as a company they apply specialised mineral processing reagents to the mining industry, covering the entire mineral processing spectrum— flotation, hydrometallurgy, and solid-liquid separation. Axis House Group’s commitment goes beyond just supplying reagents. Stubbs-Hult further explains that they partner with mining operators to find specific solutions to their problems, such as training staff, managing supply chains, or addressing energy issues. “The company’s proactive approach ensures long-term relationships with its clients, offering tailored support for improving their operations,” she adds.
Challenges in DRC’s mining sector
The DRC is rich in minerals, but it has not been without challenges. From uncertainty surrounding the regulatory restrictions on concentrate exports and the high oxidation levels of ores present hurdles for efficient flotation and processing. Mining companies operating in the DRC are presented with challenges unique to this country. For one, as noted by Stubbs-Hult, cobalt exports have been uncertain recently, with policy changes affecting the supply chain. She adds that some of their clients have stopped manufacturing cobalt concentrate for this period, waiting for the government to clarify its stance.
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The DRC’s mining sector is also faced with the challenge of processing oxide ores. For many years, miners focused on sulphide ores, leaving stockpiles of oxide ores that were harder to process. Stubbs-Hult explains, “Many of our clients have processed the sulphide ores for a long period and have accumulated stockpiles of oxide ore that they didn’t want to treat in the early stages. We’re continuously problem-solving with our clients on this,” she adds, underscoring the company’s adaptable approach.
A greener approach to mining
The growing focus on environmental sustainability is reshaping the mining industry worldwide. For Axis House Group, the key to staying competitive in the DRC and beyond, is continuous innovation. As part of their commitment to sustainability, the company focuses on creating greener chemistries such as nonhazardous alternatives to cyanide in gold leaching and safer sulphide collectors. Stubbs-Hult emphasises the importance of finding ‘green alternatives’ for chemical reagents. “What we can try to do always is look for green alternatives on the chemistry side; it’s not just about what we put into the waste stream, but also how we manufacture these chemicals,” she explains.
Axis House Group’s goal is to ensure that their products are both effective and environmentally responsible throughout their lifecycle. “Additionally, Axis House Group has brought to market energy-saving technologies, like our MagChem 40 product for cobalt precipitation, which helps to ‘speed up the cobalt precipitation process, meaning you use less energy,” Stubbs-Hult explains.
MagChem 40 has provided a reliable and consistent solution for over 15 years, optimising cobalt processing for enhanced profitability. It is available to the global cobalt mining industry, which largely constitutes operations in the DRC. “These innovations reduce the environmental impact of cobalt processing by minimizing the coprecipitation of undesirable impurities, leading to higher cobalt recoveries and better product grades, all while supporting more sustainable practices in mining operations,” says Stubbs-Hult.
Critical minerals in the DRC
The DRC is in a prime position to dominate the global critical minerals market. The country’s mining sector has great potential owing to vast deposits of cobalt, copper and lithium. “This potential, however, will only be realised with continued investment in technology and innovation, as well as a focus on sustainable and efficient practices,” says Stubbs-Hult. For Axis House Group, the opportunities are clear.
Stubbs-Hult shares that mining processing in the DRC, particularly for cobalt, is a huge focus right now. “The government wants finished products processed within the DRC, and this will increase revenue for the country. Lithium deposits are also emerging, and we are very focused on lithium processing,” says StubbsHult. With its technical expertise and commitment to sustainability, Axis House Group is well-positioned to continue playing a key role in the region’s mining future.
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Moreover, their active involvement in industry events such as the DRC Mining Week highlights their dedication to the local mining sector and their role in shaping the future of the sector. StubbsHult explains, “The DRC Mining Week is crucial for us. It gives us the opportunity to meet with industry stakeholders, hear from the local government, and showcase our innovations.” As the mining industry’s shift towards critical minerals is not just about extraction—it’s about improving the processes, reducing environmental impact, and ensuring the sustainability of operations. Axis House Group is one such company trailblazing this new path, as Stubbs-Hult puts it, “If we solve the problem, then it’s not about profit—it’s about making a positive impact.”
Improving mining in the DRC
In its ongoing efforts to improve mining processes in the DRC, Axis House Group is spearheading a range of innovative solutions designed to enhance recovery rates and environmental sustainability. Among their key innovations are oxide collectors, which improve recovery rates by addressing the challenges posed by oxide ores.
The company is also developing heavy metal extractants to effectively remove harmful metals like cadmium, contributing to cleaner and more sustainable operations. In addition, Axis House Group is focused on creating safer reagents for processes such as gold leaching and acid mist suppression, ensuring the safety of both workers and the environment. Furthermore, the company is advancing gangue rejection technologies, with the development of reagents specifically designed to tackle gangue minerals like silica, calcite, and dolomite, improving the efficiency of flotation and processing.