DENVER - ColoradoDesk -- Colorado Cleantech announced the winners of its 10th Annual Mining Cleantech Challenge, held August 27 at the Governor's Residence in Denver. The event brought together mining leaders, technology innovators, investors, and industry partners to evaluate solutions designed to make mining safer, cleaner, more efficient, and more productive.

Following a competitive selection process, participating companies presented their technologies to a panel of industry experts representing leading mining and natural-resources organizations.

First place: Mine Resources, presenting with Tyromer Inc. The winning presentation highlighted a circular solution for large off-the-road mining tires. Tyromer's chemical-free devulcanization process converts scrap tire rubber into tire-derived polymer that can be reused in new rubber products, including mining applications such as conveyor belts, helping turn a difficult waste stream into a valuable material.

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Second place: Travertine Technologies. Travertine is advancing a circular, carbon-negative electrochemical platform that transforms mining and fertilizer waste into valuable products. Its technology can recycle sulfate byproducts into sulfuric acid and other materials while permanently mineralizing carbon dioxide.

Third place: Still Bright. Still Bright is developing a localized copper-extraction platform that uses its patented RACER process to recover copper from sulfide ores at ambient temperature and pressure. The approach is designed to reduce reliance on conventional smelting while lowering costs, waste, and environmental impacts.

"The Mining Cleantech Challenge gives innovators a direct opportunity to engage with the industry leaders who can help evaluate, pilot, and deploy their technologies," said Laura Hickernell, Executive Director of Colorado Cleantech. "This year's winners demonstrate the breadth of innovation emerging across circular materials, mineral processing, carbon management, and critical-minerals production. We are proud to bring these companies and industry partners together in Colorado."

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The 2026 Mining Cleantech Challenge was supported by Sumitomo Corporation, Royal Gold, Fresnillo, Fortescue, Anglo American, and other industry partners whose expertise helped guide the competitive review and evaluation process.

About the Mining Cleantech Challenge

Colorado Cleantech's Mining Cleantech Challenge is a product innovation showcase and competition that connects clean-technology solutions with the global mining industry. Through a competitive vetting process and an industry-focused pitch event, the program creates opportunities for technology providers to build relationships with mining companies, receive expert feedback, and advance toward pilots and commercialization.

About Colorado Cleantech

Colorado Cleantech is Colorado's leading association dedicated to accelerating the development, commercialization, and adoption of cutting-edge clean technology solutions. Its mission is to further establish Colorado as a world leader in clean technology through representation and advocacy, a unified industry voice, relevant education and networking opportunities, and access to capital. For more information, visit www.coloradocleantech.com.