Largo to add copper and PGMs to Brazil mine operations
2026-08-11 12:04:04 [Print]
Largo commenced production of copper and platinum group metals (PGMs) as by-products at its Maracás Menchen vanadium mine in Bahia, Brazil, on Monday. The move follows approval from Brazil's National Mining Agency to produce and sell copper, PGMs, nickel, and cobalt as by-products from the operation.
The approval enables Largo to transition from successful industrial-scale testing to full ramp-up and commercialization of a copper-PGM concentrate, utilizing its existing vanadium processing plant and ilmenite flotation infrastructure.
The new product stream is expected to allow Largo to extract greater value from ore already being mined, while diversifying its revenue base beyond vanadium and ilmenite. The company anticipates that copper-PGM concentrate will deliver higher margins than ilmenite concentrate, provided it successfully scales production and secures commercial sales.
Largo plans to leverage existing infrastructure at Maracás Menchen rather than developing a standalone processing facility for the new products.
The regulatory approval also extends to nickel and cobalt, potentially opening additional avenues for Largo to recover and market critical minerals from ore already processed at the site.
The approval enables Largo to transition from successful industrial-scale testing to full ramp-up and commercialization of a copper-PGM concentrate, utilizing its existing vanadium processing plant and ilmenite flotation infrastructure.
The new product stream is expected to allow Largo to extract greater value from ore already being mined, while diversifying its revenue base beyond vanadium and ilmenite. The company anticipates that copper-PGM concentrate will deliver higher margins than ilmenite concentrate, provided it successfully scales production and secures commercial sales.
Largo plans to leverage existing infrastructure at Maracás Menchen rather than developing a standalone processing facility for the new products.
The regulatory approval also extends to nickel and cobalt, potentially opening additional avenues for Largo to recover and market critical minerals from ore already processed at the site.
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