Asked about it, however, JX Nippon Mining — the metal unit of JXTG Holdings — declined to comment, adding it was not something that has already been decided.

An independent lab ran a series of tests and average recovery rates ranged from 91.4% to 94%.

The company said the granting of the patent comes at a time of surging demand for lithium-ion batteries as part of the trend towards ‘the electrification of everything.'

During a 5-day experiment, the company extracted 239 diamonds larger than 8 carats.

Decision doesn't determine the final faith of the long-delayed and polemic project, as the case has been sent back to the Environmental Court for review by a different panel of judges, a process that could last several months.

Chief executive officer Mark Bristow, who is in the South American nation to review the company’s regional strategy, said Barrick’s assets in Chile were an important part of its global portfolio.

Together with an industry partner, the company built a pilot plant to recycle cobalt, nickel, manganese, and aluminum.

The founder of Ivanhoe Mines said the Kamoa-Kakula project is “on track to become one of the absolute greatest copper mining complexes in the world.”