DCVC co-leads a $5.1 million investment in Alta Resource Technologies, a company leveraging advanced biochemistry to revolutionize mineral extraction and address the looming supply shortage of critical minerals.

Target Company Overview

Alta Resource Technologies is an innovative company specializing in advanced biochemistry to transform the process of mineral separation, particularly focusing on rare earth elements. The company has emerged from stealth mode with a mission to utilize computa­tion­ally optimized proteins that selectively bind to specific metals. This approach allows for the efficient isolation of high-purity rare earths from low-grade sources at an unprecedented scale. Alta's technology is built on intellectual property licensed from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, with additional financial support from DARPA and other government partners totaling nearly $1 million.

With the global demand for rare earth elements skyrocketing, Alta Resource Technologies is poised to make a significant impact on the mining industry. Their innovative solutions offer the potential for dramatically increased supply while concurrently reducing the environmental impact associated with traditional mining practices.

Industry Overview

The mining industry has historically been a conservative sector, yet it is currently undergoing a transformative change driven by technological advancements. As global demand for mined metals and minerals essential for modern life continues to rise,