US Expansion and Defence Engagement
On June 22, 2026, Mint Innovation announced the appointment of General Robert B. Neller, USMC (Ret.), as a strategic advisor. This decision aligns with the company’s expansion into the United States. Mint Innovation, headquartered in Sydney, focuses on recovering high-value metals like copper, gold, and silver from electronic waste. The company is advancing its US presence by constructing its first commercial facility in Longview, Texas.
General Neller, who served as the 37th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps from 2015 to 2019, will offer strategic insights to Mint’s leadership team. He aims to enhance relationships with defence, government, and institutional sectors. Matt Bedingfield, Global President of Mint Innovation, highlighted the importance of this collaboration.
Innovative Refining Methods
Founded in 2016, Mint Innovation utilises a proprietary low-carbon hydrometallurgical process for metal recovery. This innovative method is designed for compact, city-scale facilities, providing a cleaner alternative to traditional smelting. Matt Bedingfield remarked, “Mint built a different way to refine critical metals, one that’s cleaner, smaller, and closer to where the metal is needed.” Gen. Neller’s leadership will support Mint’s US growth strategy.
Gen. Neller emphasised the critical nature of sourcing and refining materials, stating, “How a country sources and refines its critical materials is not a small question. It touches manufacturing, energy, and national security all at once. Mint is doing serious work on the answer, and I’m glad to help as the company grows in the United States.”
Mint Innovation has been recognised as a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer and received the 2023 InnovationAus Awards for Advanced Manufacturing. The company aims to keep high-value metals in local supply chains, thereby enhancing domestic manufacturing capabilities.
The global demand for refined copper and other critical metals is rising, exceeding the industry’s capacity to supply these materials sustainably. Traditional smelting methods are large, slow, and geographically centralised. Mint Innovation’s approach addresses these challenges by expanding operations across Australia and New Zealand, with plans for further growth in the US.
Last updated: 29 June 2026, 11:47 am
