Mariana Minerals
Mariana Minerals is a software-first, vertically integrated minerals company developing critical minerals for energy, AI, and defense through proprietary MarianaOS AI/ML platform, with operating copper (Copper One) and lithium (Lithium One) assets.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2024
- HeadquartersHouston, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Mariana Minerals does
Mariana Minerals is a software-first, vertically integrated minerals company that supplies materials essential for modern energy, AI, and defense technologies. The company combines proprietary AI/ML software (MarianaOS) with physical mining and refining operations, applying reinforcement learning, machine learning, and agentic workflows across capital project execution, mining fleet orchestration, and refining process control. Mariana operates an open-pit copper mine (Copper One) in southeastern Utah following its 2025 acquisition of Lisbon Valley Mining Company, and is developing a hub-and-spoke lithium extraction facility (Lithium One) producing battery-grade lithium salts from oil and gas produced water in partnership with Select Water Solutions. The company is led by founder/CEO Turner Caldwell (ex-Tesla) and positions itself as 'the world's only autonomy-first mine and refinery,' targeting 50,000 metric tonnes per year of refined copper cathode by 2030 and up to 3,000 metric tonnes per year of battery-grade lithium salts. Headquartered in San Francisco with an engineering office in Houston, Mariana is preparing to scale to 10 mineral projects over the next decade.
Mariana Minerals firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Mariana Minerals
- Legal name
- Mariana Minerals
- Website
- https://marianaminerals.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2024
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Mariana Minerals is a software-first, vertically integrated minerals company developing critical minerals for energy, AI, and defense through proprietary MarianaOS AI/ML platform, with operating copper (Copper One) and lithium (Lithium One) assets.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Mariana Minerals industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Critical Minerals Production
- NAICS
- Other Metal Ore Mining (212290), Nonmetallic Mineral Mining and Quarrying (2123), Support Activities for Metal Mining (213114), Support Activities for Mining (2131)
- SIC
- Metal Mining (1000), Mining & Quarrying Of Nonmetallic Minerals (No Fuels) (1400), Construction, Mining & Materials Handling Machinery & Equip (3530), Industrial Inorganic Chemicals (2810)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Lithium Mining & Brine Extraction (IMAKAFAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Exploration & Resource Development (Critical Minerals) (IMAKAFAL), Battery-Grade Chemical Processing (LiOH/Li2CO3, Ni/Co Sulfates, Mn Sulfate) (IMAKAFAI), Mineral Exploration & Geoscience Services (Geology, Geophysics, Geochemistry, Resource Modeling) (IMAKAKAA), Sizing & Classification (Screening, Cyclones & Air Classification) (IMAKALAB), Plant Operations, Control & Optimization (Metallurgical Accounting, APC, Digital Twins) (IMAKALAJ)
Keywords
Where Mariana Minerals is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Houston
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices6 records
Markets served
Mariana Minerals business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Refined copper cathode sales: Vertically integrated production and sale of high-purity copper cathode from the Copper One mine and refinery in Utah. Targeting 50,000 metric tons per year by 2030, leveraging both geologic ore and scrap feedstocks. Revenue tied to copper market prices and long-term offtake contracts.
- Battery-grade lithium salts sales: Hub-and-spoke production of battery-grade lithium salts extracted from oil & gas produced water via Mariana's proprietary DLE process. Initial facility (Lithium One) targeting up to 3,000 metric tons per annum, with commercial production targeted for first half of 2027 in partnership with Select Water Solutions.
- Future nickel, cobalt, and other critical minerals production: Long-dated project pipeline including nickel and cobalt (currently on roadmap), as well as aluminium, graphite, uranium, and rare earth metals; stated near-term goal of building 10 mineral projects in 10 years domestically and abroad.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Commodity-priced refined copper cathode (target 50,000 metric tonnes/year by 2030) |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Battery-grade lithium salts (target up to 3,000 metric tonnes/year from Lithium One, first half 2027) |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
Mariana Minerals product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Mariana Minerals is a software-first, vertically integrated critical minerals company that develops, builds, and operates mines and refineries to produce high-purity refined copper cathode (Copper One in southeastern Utah) and battery-grade lithium salts (Lithium One, in partnership with Select Water Solutions). Its operations are orchestrated by MarianaOS, a proprietary software platform composed of CapitalProjectOS, MineOS, and PlantOS that applies reinforcement learning, machine learning, and LLM-augmented workflows across capital project execution, autonomous mining, and refining process control.
Product overview
Mariana Minerals sells a vertically integrated, software-first minerals project development and operating platform built around MarianaOS, a single proprietary platform composed of three named modules: CapitalProjectOS for capital project execution (including LLM-augmented EPC workflows), MineOS for autonomous mining fleet orchestration, and PlantOS for autonomous short-interval control of refining circuits (heap bioleaching/SX-EW and direct lithium extraction). The platform is applied across Mariana's named operating assets — Copper One (an autonomous-first copper mine and refinery in southeastern Utah acquired from Lisbon Valley Mining Company in 2025, targeting 50,000 metric tonnes/year of refined copper by 2030) and Lithium One (a GWh-scale facility producing battery-grade lithium from oil & gas produced water in partnership with Select Water Solutions). Together, MarianaOS and the MineOS/PlantOS/CapitalProjectOS modules power physical AI at scale across mining, refining, and capital project execution.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- MarianaOS: Proprietary software platform unifying process development, capital project execution, geologic modeling, mine planning, simulation, fleet orchestration, plant control, maintenance, and supply chain management; includes CapitalProjectOS, MineOS, and PlantOS modules.
- Mariana Copper One
- Mariana Lithium One
Products and services
- Copper One Operating copper mine and refinery in southeastern Utah producing high-purity refined copper cathode from geologic ore and scrap feedstocks; targets 50,000 metric tonnes/year by 2030. Sold to industrial buyers (AI data centers, EV/battery makers, grid operators, defense).
- Lithium One GWh-scale facility producing battery-grade lithium salts from oil and gas produced water via Mariana's proprietary Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) process. Targets up to 3,000 metric tons/year; commercial production H1 2027. Sold to EV, stationary storage, and defense battery customers.
Quantifiable outcome
- 40-50% reduction in mining costs projected
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use Mariana Minerals
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Mariana Minerals technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
AI capability7 records
Feature5 records
Mariana Minerals partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- CelonacoreCelona's private 5G LAN platform deployed at Copper One to provide low-latency connectivity for autonomous drilling equipment, self-driving haul trucks, and sensors. Continuous data feeds MarianaOS to optimize mining operations. Celona is a 5G LAN platform provider founded in 2019.
- SandvikflagshipSandvik's AutoMine Surface Drilling platform is being integrated into MarianaOS at the Copper One mine, with drill telemetry and geological data continuously informing downstream mine decisions. The integration targets the U.S. copper supply gap driven by AI infrastructure, electrification, and grid modernization. Sandvik research cited shows up to 30% efficiency improvement and 95% reduction in operator exposure from autonomous drilling.
- Boston DynamicsflagshipSpot autonomous robots are being deployed at the Copper One copper mine and refinery, integrated with the MarianaOS platform. The deployment is described as the second in a series of technology rollouts as Mariana builds what it calls the most technologically advanced copper mining operation in the United States.
- Pronto (a.k.a. Pronto.ai, acquired by Atoms Inc.)coreAutonomous haulage trucks deployed at Copper One, integrated into Mariana's MineOS software platform for coordinated, human-free dispatch and routing using reinforcement learning. Initial pilot outfitting three haul trucks, with potential expansion to 15 trucks by year-end. Marked Pronto's first commercial deal since being acquired by Travis Kalanick's Atoms Inc.
- TMC (The Metals Company)minorPartnership reported in TMC's Q4 2025 financial results; details of the partnership scope were not disclosed in the source material reviewed.
- Atoms Inc. (Travis Kalanick)minorAtoms Inc., the robotics venture run by Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick, acquired Pronto; Pronto then signed Mariana as its first commercial mining deal post-acquisition, marking a strategic pivot from consumer robotaxis to industrial autonomy.
- Select Water SolutionsflagshipPartnership for Lithium One — Mariana's hub-and-spoke approach initially processes water volumes flowing on Select's pipeline in Western Louisiana and East Texas, before deploying satellite facilities that will produce a concentrated lithium chloride to be converted at the integrated hub facility. Select is a leading U.S. water and chemical services provider to the energy industry with operations across all major U.S. oil and gas basins.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Mariana Minerals competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Lilac Solutions: Direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology company commercializing ion-exchange-based lithium recovery from brines. Comparable to Mariana's proprietary DLE process for extracting lithium from oil & gas produced water — both target lower-capex, faster-startup lithium production than conventional evaporation ponds or hard-rock mining.
- KoBold Metals: AI-driven critical minerals exploration and project development company backed by a16z and Breakthrough Energy Ventures — same lead investors as Mariana. Both apply software/AI to reinvent how critical minerals (lithium, copper, nickel, cobalt) are found, developed, and produced, making KoBold the closest strategic peer to Mariana's software-first minerals thesis.
- Standard Lithium: Public DLE lithium developer pursuing commercial lithium production from Smackover brines in Arkansas. Most directly comparable to Mariana Lithium One: both use proprietary DLE technologies on non-conventional U.S. brines/produced water, target battery-grade lithium salts, and face similar commercial-scale-up risks.
- EnergyX: Direct lithium extraction technology company building a vertically integrated lithium business targeting North American and South American resources. Overlaps with Mariana's lithium extraction thesis and vertically integrated DLE-to-refining model.
Others
- Sandvik: Swedish mining and rock-processing OEM whose AutoMine Surface Drilling platform is integrated into MarianaOS at Copper One. Comparable as both a strategic technology partner and a peer provider of autonomous mining equipment that competes with/beneath Mariana's software layer.
Broad incumbents
- Rio Tinto: Global mining major operating the world's largest autonomous heavy-haul fleet in the Pilbara (iron ore) and deploying autonomous drilling across copper operations. Relevant incumbent peer that has scaled autonomous mining over more than a decade — the benchmark Mariana must catch up to in operational autonomy data and scale.
- Caterpillar: Major mining equipment OEM with Cat MineStar Command for autonomous hauling, drilling, and dozing. Comparable as the other dominant incumbent autonomous-mining platform Mariana competes with for mine-site autonomy market share and customer mindshare.
- MP Materials: Largest U.S. rare earth materials producer and the public-market proxy for reshoring critical minerals. Comparable as a domestic critical-minerals champion serving defense and clean-energy supply chains, though focused on rare earths rather than copper/lithium and not software-first.
- Komatsu: Global mining equipment OEM and pioneer of autonomous haulage (FrontRunner) at large iron-ore and copper mines. Directly relevant as the established autonomous-mining incumbent that Mariana's MineOS must outperform; Komatsu provides the technology benchmark MarianaOS is positioning against.
Emerging players
- Vulcan Energy Resources: Integrated lithium and geothermal energy company producing battery-grade lithium from geothermal brines in Germany using DLE. Comparable emerging-player peer pursuing zero-carbon lithium with proprietary DLE, similar technology risk profile to Mariana Lithium One.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Mariana Minerals social profiles
Digital presenceMariana Minerals compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Mariana Minerals financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Mariana Minerals leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles18 records
Mariana Minerals subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Mariana Minerals funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors14 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Mariana Minerals M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Mariana Minerals
What does Mariana Minerals do?
Mariana Minerals is a software-first, vertically integrated critical minerals company that develops, builds, and operates mines and refineries to produce high-purity refined copper cathode (Copper One in southeastern Utah) and battery-grade lithium salts (Lithium One, in partnership with Select Water Solutions). Its operations are orchestrated by MarianaOS, a proprietary software platform composed of CapitalProjectOS, MineOS, and PlantOS that applies reinforcement learning, machine learning, and LLM-augmented workflows across capital project execution, autonomous mining, and refining process control.
Is Mariana Minerals a public or private company?
Mariana Minerals is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Mariana Minerals founded?
Mariana Minerals was founded in 2024. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Mariana Minerals based?
Mariana Minerals is headquartered in Houston, United States, in the North America region.
How does Mariana Minerals make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Refined copper cathode sales are the primary driver. The others are battery-grade lithium salts sales and future nickel, cobalt, and other critical minerals production.
Who are Mariana Minerals's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Lilac Solutions, KoBold Metals, Standard Lithium and EnergyX. Sandvik is listed as an others. Broad incumbents are Rio Tinto, Caterpillar, MP Materials and Komatsu. Vulcan Energy Resources is listed as an emerging player.
Does Mariana Minerals have an API?
No public API is recorded for Mariana Minerals.
What industry is Mariana Minerals in?
Mariana Minerals's product category is Critical Minerals Production. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAKAFAA, Lithium Mining & Brine Extraction, with a secondary code of IMAKAFAL, Exploration & Resource Development (Critical Minerals). Its NAICS code is 212290 and its SIC code is 1000.