News Release

JX Advanced Metals Corporation (President: Hayashi Yoichi, hereinafter "the Company") is pleased to announce that we have decided to start joint marketing with Marubeni Corporation (President: Omoto Masayuki, hereinafter "Marubeni") of the JX Iodine Process¹⁾ (hereinafter "the Process"), which was developed in-house by the Company to recover copper from low-grade copper ore. In this collaboration, Marubeni will leverage its cross-border network to promote the expansion of the Process through licensing and implementation support to mining companies in various countries, including Chile, the largest copper producer.

　

In the JX Advanced Metals Group's Long-Term Vision 2040, we have established a basic policy of contributing to the realization of a sustainable society as a global leader in semiconductor materials and ICT materials. Our Base Businesses, which consist of resource and metal recycling operations, is positioned as a foundation supporting our core Focus Businesses through the stable supply of copper and minor metals under an optimal business structure. Copper demand is expected to increase further in line with progress in decarbonization, but concerns about stable supply are growing due to declining copper content in ore at existing copper mines. In addition, although development of new copper mines is progressing, sustainable development is required from the perspectives of environmental conservation and coexistence with local communities, in addition to remoteness and high altitude. This trend is leading to longer development periods, and these factors are combining to bring supply issues to the forefront. Under these circumstances, interest is growing in the effective utilization of unused resources in order to ensure a stable supply of copper.

　

Our company holds patents and operational know-how for the Process, which enables the recovery of copper from low-grade primary sulfide ore²⁾, considered to be an unused resource, with only relatively simple additional equipment compared to conventional technologies. The Process is extremely significant, as it not only ensures a stable supply of copper, but also extends the life of mines, further enhances competitiveness, and enables more efficient and long-term business operations. To date, we have been promoting the spread of the Process, including registration in the WIPO GREEN database³⁾. Now, with the aim of further accelerating and expanding its application, we have agreed to jointly propose the introduction of this technology together with Marubeni.

　

In our resource business, we plan to continue our asset-light business initiatives, such as licensing and technology provision, as in this case⁴⁾. As a global leader in advanced materials, we will contribute to the creation of new value and the realization of a sustainable society.

　

以 上

　

Reference

1) A technology that enables the recovery of copper from low-grade primary sulfide ore by adding iodine to the conventional wet smelting method of heap leaching SX-EW to induce a catalytic effect.
　Heap leaching: A method in which crushed ore is piled up (heaped), then diluted sulfuric acid is sprayed on it to leach out the copper for recovery.
　SX-EW: This refers to the solvent extraction electrolytic extraction method. In heap leaching, a solvent is added to the leachate to selectively extract copper ions (solvent extraction), and then the copper ions are extracted from the solvent using sulfuric acid. The resulting solution is then electrolyzed to produce electrolytic copper (electrolytic extraction).
2) Ore that has been confirmed to exist at the bottom of mineral deposits, but which is difficult to recover economically using conventional flotation or leaching methods.
3) News release dated October 30, 2020: "Announcing Participation in WIPO GREEN, the Global Platform for Environmental Technology Exchange--Registration of the JX-Iodine Process Technology to the WIPO GREEN Database--"
4) News release dated December 20, 2023: "Structural Reform of JX Metals' Base Businesses"

　

Marubeni Overview （as of August 8, 2025）

① Company Name	Marubeni Corporation
② Head Office	4-2, Otemachi 1-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8088, Japan
③ Representative Director, Member of the Board, President and CEO	Omoto Masayuki
④ Main Business	Marubeni Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries use their broad business networks, both within Japan and overseas, to conduct importing and exporting (including third country trading), as well as domestic business, encompassing a diverse range of business activities across wide-ranging fields including lifestyle, food & agribusiness, metals & mineral resources, energy & chemicals, power & infrastructure services, finance, leasing & real estate business, aerospace & mobility, next generation business development, and next generation corporate development. Additionally, the Marubeni Group offers a variety of services, makes internal and external investments, and is involved in resource development throughout all of the above industries.
⑤ Founded	May 1858