Infinity Mining Targets $2.9M Grant to Fund Advanced Metal Recovery Plant

A New Chapter for Cangai

Infinity Mining Limited (ASX, IMI) has taken a significant step forward by signing a binding Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) with Orivium Global Pte Ltd, a company specialising in innovative, environmentally friendly mining technologies. This partnership aims to breathe new life into the historic Cangai copper project in New South Wales by applying Orivium’s proprietary Super Oxidiser technology to recover precious and critical metals from legacy smelter slag and oxide dumps.

The Cangai site, once a bustling copper mine in the early 20th century, holds stranded mineral assets that traditional methods have struggled to economically exploit. Orivium’s technology promises a breakthrough by enabling zero-waste, ambient temperature processing that regenerates reagents and produces green hydrogen as a valuable by-product.

Technology and Environmental Impact

Unlike conventional extraction techniques that rely on high temperatures and toxic chemicals, Orivium’s Super Oxidiser operates in a closed-loop system that significantly reduces energy and water consumption while eliminating harmful emissions. This approach not only enhances metal recovery rates; including copper, nickel, rare earths, and precious metals; but also aligns with growing environmental and community expectations for sustainable mining practices.

Infinity Mining’s chairman, Cameron Petricevic, emphasised the dual benefits of this collaboration, unlocking near-term revenue streams from historical waste and positioning the company as a leader in regenerative mining. The project also holds promise for environmental remediation, potentially addressing contamination issues such as cadmium and arsenic waste at Cangai and other sites.

Project Development and Funding

The partnership is advancing with feasibility studies to determine optimal processing rates and cost structures. Infinity and Orivium have jointly applied for $2.9 million in Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) funding, with decisions expected in the third quarter of fiscal 2026. The construction of a modular processing plant is planned for completion by June 30, 2026, with Infinity initially funding the build and recouping costs through grant funding and early production profits.

Following construction, profits from the operation will be split 60/40 in Infinity’s favour, with Orivium retaining an option to buy back the plant at cost. This financial arrangement underscores the confidence both parties have in the project’s commercial viability and scalability.

Broader Implications and Next Steps

The Cangai project is set to serve as the Australian ‘Alpha Project’ validating Orivium’s technology in real-world conditions. Success here could pave the way for broader applications across Australia’s mining sector, including the recovery of critical minerals from other stranded or low-grade resources and environmental cleanup initiatives.

Infinity and Orivium will soon establish a technical cooperation committee to oversee detailed planning and feasibility work. Investors and industry watchers will be keenly observing the outcomes of these studies, government funding decisions, and the progress of plant construction as indicators of the project’s potential to reshape metal recovery and sustainable mining practices.