Imagine a world where industrial waste isn't a burden, but a blueprint for a richer, more sustainable future? This isn't a distant dream; it's the audacious vision driving XCAL Mining Waste Recovery, a South African pioneer founded in March 2025. In an industry grappling with vast amounts of discarded material, XCAL is proving that forgotten waste can be turned into sought-after commodities, positioning them as an ideal Verto award applicant and the kind of disruptive technology the Verto Awards champions.
XCAL’s journey from waste to wealth
XCAL's genius lies in its elegant simplicity and powerful impact. Operating on a B2B, Build-Own-Operate (BOO) model, they don't just advise; they build and manage the very infrastructure that unlocks hidden value from their clients' mining waste. They then charge a service fee for this transformative process. Their initial focus, their "poster child," is iron ore, tackling a critical shortfall in South Africa: the absence of domestically produced DR-grade pellets, a commodity in high demand by the steel industry. XCAL's proprietary method extracts this high-grade iron ore directly from mining waste, bridging a significant gap and turning a liability into a national asset.
This isn't merely about extraction; it's about creation. By literally conjuring new, valuable commodities from what was once considered worthless, XCAL is creating a monumental shift for the mining sector.
In a remarkably short span since its inception, XCAL Mining Waste Recovery has layed robust foundations, securing pivotal clients including Mineral Sands who hails XCAL as a "game changer." This early validation, coupled with the identification of over 30 sites in South Africa alone where their transformative service is eagerly awaited, speaks volumes about the pressing demand for XCAL’s services.
A unique vision for a circular economy
For too long, the mining industry has struggled to truly embrace the Circular Economy. Waste recovery, a fundamental pillar of this paradigm, and has remained largely aspirational. Traditional thinking views waste as an end-of-life problem, but XCAL boldly re-imagines it as an untapped beginning.
What truly sets XCAL apart is its unique intellectual property. CEO Brenwynne Steenkamp models a deep, granular understanding of the industry landscape, its competitors, and the secrets they haven't yet uncovered. This proprietary insight provides XCAL with a significant competitive edge, allowing them to do more than just mitigate waste but unlock entirely new markets for their clients. This aids their mission to prove that value truly exists in every discarded fragment.
What’s next for XCAL?
XCAL’s immediate future, spanning the next one to three years, is dedicated to cementing its presence across the South African mining sector, enabling widespread waste recovery for clients throughout the nation.
Their journey is now poised for its next major leap: securing the Verto Award to fuel the acceleration of their critical pilot plant.
"I entered because I believe what we’re doing at XCAL needs to be seen," shares XCAL CEO Brenwynne Steenkamp, with a conviction that’s both infectious and inspiring.
"We’re not just solving a technical problem, we’re proving that value still exists in mining waste, and that with the right mindset, we can turn discarded material into economic opportunity. Awards like this shine a light on the kind of innovation that’s happening outside of traditional spaces, and I’m here for that."
Should they emerge victorious at the Verto Awards, the prize money will be poured directly into accelerating their groundbreaking pilot plant. "That plant is how we convert interest into contracts, theory into results, and potential into jobs. Every cent will help us unlock the next level of scale, and we’re almost there," says Steenkamp.
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