Ryan Herz-Thyhsen – Critical Minerals From Mine Waste
With Stalagmite, Ryan Herz-Thyhsen is recovering critical minerals and treating mine-impacted water with an innovative oxidation-driven process.
About
Ryan Herz-Thyhsen
Herz-Thyhsen is the director of Stalagmite, which is developing an oxidation-based water treatment system that removes contaminants from mine wastewater while recovering valuable minerals such as manganese, cobalt, and nickel. The technology reduces chemical use, lowers treatment costs, and transforms industrial waste streams into a source of critical materials.
During West Gate, Herz-Thyhsen is investigating approaches for integrating critical mineral recovery with oxidative industrial wastewater treatment.
Critical Need
Mining and industrial wastewater can contain dissolved metals that threaten ecosystems, groundwater, and surrounding communities if not properly treated. Current treatment approaches rely on large quantities of chemicals and generate waste sludge that requires disposal while valuable critical minerals are lost in the process. New solutions are needed to reduce treatment impacts while recovering materials essential to batteries, energy technologies, and national security.
Potential Impact
Stalagmite's technology uses ozone-based treatment to remove contaminants and recover critical minerals from mine wastewater before discharge. By reducing chemical use and waste generation, the process lowers treatment costs while creating a concentrated mineral product that can be returned to the domestic supply chain instead of being discarded.
Innovation and Advantages
Unlike conventional water treatment methods that focus only on waste removal, Stalagmite converts industrial wastewater into a resource for critical mineral recovery. Using ozone-based chemistry to selectively recover metals that are normally lost in conventional treatment, this process bolts onto existing treatment systems so mines can adopt it without rebuilding their infrastructure. This combination of selectivity and compatibility provides an innovative solution to modern mine water challenges.
Profile
Status
Prototype
Industry
Mining
Potential Markets
- Mining companies
- Critical mineral supply chain and battery material producers
- Oil and gas companies
Looking For
- Industry mentors
- Funding
- Strategic partnerships
- Customer identification
- Subject matter experts
- Employment referrals
- Space recommendations
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Last Updated Sept. 2, 2026