Company Interview / Seaweed tech to extract rare earths

Key Points:

BPH Global investigates sustainable rare earth mineral recovery from seaweed (ASX:BPH) Focus on the Johor Strait, where polluted waters yield higher mineral concentrations Current attention on extracting silver, gold, and copper from harvested seaweed Commercial-scale extraction remains challenging; partnerships are under consideration

BPH Global pursues innovative rare earth recovery through seaweed sampling, according to Paul Stephenson. The company explores the natural ability of seaweed to accumulate minerals, extending its nutraceuticals extraction expertise into mineral recovery. Seaweed’s hyper-accumulative properties have led BPH Global to focus on harvesting from polluted waters, specifically the Johor Strait between Singapore and Malaysia. Stephenson highlights that seaweed in these waters contains seven to ten times higher concentrations of minerals such as silver, gold, and copper compared to seaweed grown in clean environments.

Stephenson details the company’s process, starting with mass spectrometry to identify and prove the mineral accumulation model. Currently, extraction techniques—both chemical, biological, and paralytic (burning)—are under investigation, as successfully commercialising mineral recovery presents technical challenges. Only a handful of companies worldwide are trialling similar approaches. Stephenson points out that separating minerals effectively during extraction remains difficult, and partnering with firms possessing specialist technology could help advance commercial viability.

While BPH Global’s core business centres on buying and cultivating seaweed for nutraceuticals, Stephenson notes the shift into rare earth recovery is an extension aligned with bioremediation initiatives. Ongoing assays continue in the Johor Strait, with a goal of developing commercially viable extraction techniques in the near future.