Regeneration Transforms Mine Waste into Responsibly Sourced Gold
Regeneration, a Washington-based public benefit company, is making waves in the gold market. It's transforming abandoned mine waste into responsibly sourced gold, while also restoring rivers and habitats. The company's innovative approach comes at a favorable time, as gold prices soar due to geopolitical tensions and demand for ethically sourced metals grows.
Regeneration uses advanced re-mining technology to extract remaining metals from historical placer sites. This not only recovers valuable resources but also restores damaged environments. So far, the company has restored 1,825 meters of streams and 20 acres of upland habitat using gold sales proceeds. The primary goal is environmental restoration, with initial projects focusing on Alaska and the Yukon, where placer mining left behind sediment that smothered salmon-bearing streams.
The company's timing is strategic. Gold prices reached a record high in October 2022 due to safe-haven demand triggered by worsening US-China trade tensions and export restrictions on rare earth elements. Moreover, re-mining tailings allows recovery of critical minerals like cobalt and rare earths that were previously overlooked or inaccessible. Stephen D'Esposito, Regeneration's president and CEO, sees mine waste as an opportunity rather than discarded material.
In the consumer market, Mejuri, a jeweler, has partnered with Regeneration for its Salmon Gold collection. This collaboration bridges environmental repair with consumer expectations for ethically sourced products.
Regeneration's unique approach to re-mining not only addresses environmental concerns but also capitalizes on the surging gold market. With partnerships like Mejuri's Salmon Gold collection, the company is setting a new standard for responsibly sourced gold, benefiting both the environment and consumers.
