A better way to source metals from the Earth
A new global supply of critical minerals that respects the environment and communities.
A vast new resource
Critical minerals
for key industries. From volcanic rock.
We’re already unlocking a vast new global supply of critical minerals — including rare earth elements — contained in volcanic rock.
Our process is rapid to deploy and capex and opex light. We don’t do large-scale excavations or create large piles of waste.
Minimal
surface disturbance
Targeted
subsurface recovery
Earth-powered
using geothermal heat
VOLCANIC SYSTEMS
Nature has concentrated
the metals already. We make it possible to recover them.
Our unique way to source metals
Traditional mining uses large amounts of energy to dig, crush and process rock. Ascension’s process is different.
01
Flow through one layer
Fluid moves between wells along the targeted layer of volcanic rock.
02
Heat does the work
Natural geothermal energy accelerates the interaction between fluid and rock.
03
Metals move into solution
The metal-bearing fluid is pumped to the surface for recovery and reuse.
A LIGHTER FOOTPRINT
No vast open pit.
No mountain of crushed rock.
Just a smarter route to the metals we need.
FROM LABORATORY TO REALITY
Putting a new technology into the field
Our team is at work in Oxford, Kenya, America and the European Union. In the field, we use our geology and geophysics expertise to pinpoint recoverable sources of critical minerals within subsurface volcanic rock.
Respecting the environment and communities
Local Communities
Working closely with local communities is our priority.
Minimal disruption
Our operations are much less disruptive than traditional mining.
Site restoration
We might be on site for two or three years, after which the land will return to its normal state.
Our investors
The people behind the technology
-
Professor Jon Blundy
CO-FOUNDER
Jon is Royal Society Research Professor at the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Oxford, leading the “From Volcanoes to Green Mining” research programe
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Motoaki Sumi
CEO and CO-FOUNDER
Moto previously worked in entrepreneurial and management roles at Oxford Science Enterprises, Arrival, Bloom Energy and Mitsubishi Corporation. Harvard MBA
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Professor Mike Kendall
CO-FOUNDER
Mike is Chair of Geophysics at the University of Oxford and Director of Oxford Earth, a new research programme into equitable and sustainable ways to access natural resources
THE NEXT SUPPLY OF CRITICAL MINERALS
