Cotec purchases multigravity separator from Salter

Executive Summary

• Cotec Holdings Corp. has purchased its first commercial-scale Multigravity Separator (MGS) unit from Salter Cyclone Ltd.
• The unit will be located at Corem’s testing laboratory in Quebec, Canada, to support the Lac Jeannine feasibility study for iron ore recovery from tailings.
• This acquisition supports Cotec’s strategy of applying technology to recover minerals from waste materials, leveraging a binding long-term exclusivity and collaboration agreement with Salter signed in February 2025.

Key Details

• Asset Acquired: First commercial-scale Multigravity Separator (MGS) unit.
• Supplier: Salter Cyclone Ltd.
• Location: Corem’s testing laboratory in Quebec, Canada.
• Purpose: To assess tailings retreatment opportunities in a compressed time frame and support the Lac Jeannine feasibility study conducted with BBA.
• Target Material: Recovery of additional iron ore from iron tailings reclamation project in Quebec; potential expansion into copper, lead, and zinc.
• Technology Capabilities: The MGS enables high-grade concentrate production at high recovery from low-grade tailings and middling streams, differentiating it from technologies that focus solely on recovery or grade. Historically used for tin, tungsten, and chrome; now being applied to iron and copper sectors.
• Strategic Agreement: In February 2025, Cotec signed a binding long-term exclusivity and collaboration agreement with Salter for the application of MGS technology for the recovery of iron ore and manganese from primary mining and tailings material.
• CEO Commentary: Julian Treger stated the purchase is a key step in applying technology to recover minerals from waste, noting that testwork on 75-micron iron tailings has proven high-grade concentrates at economically viable recoveries are achievable. The commercial-scale unit allows rapid transition from lab-scale testing to commercial-scale data gathering for engineering design and economic valuation.

Notable Quotes

• "The purchase of the MGS is another exciting step forward in achieving Cotec's corporate strategy of applying technology to recover minerals from material classified as waste." — Julian Treger, CEO
• "Testwork to date on Lac Jeannine's 75-microm iron tailings material has proven that high-grade concentrates at economically viable recoveries are achievable, and the feasibility study will build on this work and expand into other minerals such as copper, lead and zinc." — Julian Treger, CEO
• "A commercial-scale MGS based at Corem provides Cotec with the ability to move rapidly from lab-scale testing to commercial-scale data gathering for engineering design and economic valuation. This ability to assess opportunities in a compressed time frame allows for efficient capital deployment and the ability to bring operations on-line far quicker than current industry standards." — Julian Treger, CEO