Codelco has completed an equity investment in I-Pulse Inc., acquiring a minority stake in the leading US company in the development of high pulsed power (HPP) technologies, with the aim of accelerating the research and implementation of disruptive solutions in mining.
The agreement aims to combine Codelco’s extensive mining experience with I-Pulse’s technological innovation capabilities, whose advanced industrial applications have the potential to transform production processes such as rock and mineral fragmentation, precision cutting, and drilling.
The statement said: “I-Pulse systems could reduce energy consumption by up to 80% in intensive stages such as comminution – which includes crushing and milling ore – in addition to reducing the use of explosives and damage to the surrounding rock, enabling more efficient operations with lower costs and environmental impact.”
Specifically in mining, the I-Pulse i-Mine solution combines pulsed power drilling and rock-crushing technologies into one machine to replace what I-Pulse says are costly, energy intensive and dangerous mining processes that haven’t changed for decades. Pulsed power softens rock before it comes into contact with the drill, reducing the energy required for extraction and extending the life of the equipment. As part of one continuous process, the ore is broken up into smaller particles using electrical streamers that burst the pebbles from the inside, preparing them for minerals recovery.
For nearly 20 years, I-Pulse says it has pioneered the application of HPP technology to revolutionise the use of electrical energy. “This innovative technology enables the delivery of brief, yet immensely powerful, electrical discharges at minimal marginal cost. I-Pulse’s technology can take the energy from a mobile phone battery and safely and repeatedly transform it into power equivalent to that of a nuclear plant for tiny fractions of a second. This has enabled I-Pulse to disrupt a multitude of industries, including mining, resource exploration, manufacturing, agriculture, and geothermal energy.”
“Innovation is key to the future of mining, and at Codelco, we face significant technical challenges that are at the forefront of human knowledge. The I-Pulse portfolio presents opportunities with high financial and strategic potential for mining, and with this step, we maintain our leading role at the forefront of the industry,” said Máximo Pacheco, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the state-owned company.
“All the executives and scientists at I-Pulse welcome our newest shareholder, Codelco,” said Robert Friedland, CEO and Co-Founder of I-Pulse. “Minerals are fundamental to our daily lives and essential to meeting the growing global demands for energy and technology. The mining industry’s traditional method of crushing rocks using compressive force cannot generate the necessary leap to produce the enormous amount of copper and other critical minerals required to strengthen national security, build data centres and artificial intelligence infrastructure, and respond to the multiple demands of the energy transition.”
This milestone deepens the relationship that began with the Letter of Intent (LOI) signed by both companies in May 2025. Since then, Codelco and I-Pulse have worked to identify specific applications for pulsed energy in mining, a process that is now consolidated with this investment aimed at generating synergies and realising projects, also establishing preferential conditions for the Corporation in the use of the developed technologies.
I-Pulse is a privately held American company co-founded by Robert Friedland and Laurent Frescaline, created to bring high-intensity pulsed energy technology to civilian sectors. I-Pulse’s technology – which repeatedly compresses and releases brief but extremely powerful electrical discharges – has the potential to address critical global challenges, including the efficient production of critical minerals. Founded in 2007, I-Pulse has facilities in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Detroit, Michigan; and Toulouse, France.
