Mariana Minerals is a software-first, vertically integrated critical minerals company that applies machine learning, reinforcement learning and automation to mineral project development. Its engineering work spans mineral processing and autonomous operations: PlantOS, the firm's proprietary platform, uses reinforcement learning - the technology behind self-driving vehicles - to control mineral processing operations autonomously and in real time. The company's stated delivery goal is ten critical mineral projects in ten years, against an industry norm of roughly twelve years from discovery to production.
Two flagship projects frame the operational work. Lithium One is described as the world's first GWh-scale commercial lithium extraction operation using oil and gas produced water. Copper One is billed as the first autonomy-first copper mine and refinery. Both sit at the intersection of software engineering, machine learning and physical plant operations, in verticals spanning lithium extraction, copper mining and refining, clean energy, AI infrastructure and defense technology.
The company operates in the United States and is backed by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z). Its team includes people with experience from Tesla, Palantir and the mining industry. The stated mission is securing a domestic supply chain for technologies powering America's future, alongside a focus on improving environmental performance.
