Trace elements in chalcopyrite could unlock cleaner, faster copper extraction
April 15, 2026, 1:49 AM EDT. Researchers from Monash University argue that chalcopyrite, the ore behind about 70% of global copper, hides microscopic defects and trace elements such as silver, gold and nickel that govern processing efficiency. In Nature Geoscience, the team shows these subtleties are not flaws but opportunities to improve low-temperature leaching and copper recovery from lower-grade ore. Silver, in particular, can destabilise the mineral surface and trigger a cycle that boosts extraction, potentially cutting energy use and chemical needs. The findings link geology to next-generation technologies, since chalcopyrite also underpins semiconductors used in solar cells and sensors. With copper demand rising for renewables, researchers call for cross-disciplinary innovation to rethink mineral processing in a low-carbon world.
Chalcopyrite could unlock cleaner copper extraction for the energy transition
April 15, 2026, 1:40 AM EDT. Researchers from Monash University's School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment say a common copper mineral, chalcopyrite, could become the gatekeeper of a cleaner, faster, more efficient copper supply. Despite 300 years of study, the mineral resists low-temperature leaching, slowing extraction from lower-grade ore. The trick lies in hidden chemistry: microscopic defects and trace elements-such as silver, gold and nickel-shape how the mineral reacts during processing. The team reports that trace amounts of silver can destabilize the surface and trigger a cycle that boosts copper recovery, potentially cutting energy and chemical use. Beyond mining, chalcopyrite underpins semiconductors used in solar cells and other clean technologies. Meeting future copper demand may hinge on smarter processing, not just new deposits.
Chalcopyrite could unlock cleaner copper production, study says
April 15, 2026, 1:28 AM EDT. New analysis in Nature Geoscience shows chalcopyrite, the ore powering roughly 70% of global copper, could become a lever for cleaner and faster extraction. Monash University researchers say the mineral's long-standing processing bottlenecks stem from hidden chemistry: microscopic defects and trace elements such as silver, gold, and nickel that govern how the ore behaves during processing. By studying how these traces destabilize the surface and trigger copper-recovery cycles, scientists argue extraction can be more energy-efficient and require fewer chemicals. The finding reframes chalcopyrite not as a stubborn obstacle but as a programmable material whose atomic structure informs smarter processing. Beyond mining, chalcopyrite also underpins a family of semiconductors used in solar cells and photodetectors, connecting geology to clean-tech innovations.
SpaceX to launch 25 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg on Falcon 9
April 15, 2026, 1:11 AM EDT. SpaceX is set to launch a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base, carrying 25 Starlink satellites. Liftoff from SLC-4E is scheduled for 9:29:49 p.m. PDT (12:29:49 a.m. EDT / 04:29:49 UTC). The mission aims for an orbit of about 258 by 246 km at a 97-degree inclination. Spaceflight Now will provide live coverage starting about 30 minutes before liftoff. The booster, B1082, will mark its 21st flight after delivering 17 previous Starlink missions and flying other payloads including USSF-62 and OneWeb Launch 20. About eight minutes after liftoff, the first stage will land on the drone ship Of Course I Still Love You in the Pacific. The 25 Starlink V2 Mini satellites will deploy about an hour into flight.
Kolkata's Science City debuts immersive Mars journey in fulldome film
April 15, 2026, 1:06 AM EDT. Science City in Kolkata unveiled a fulldome 3D film, One Step Beyond: A Journey to Mars, inviting audiences to a visceral ascent. The premiere was led by Dr. Goutam Chattopadhyay of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and joined by museum leaders from the National Council of Science Museums and Science City. Viewers described the launch as almost physical, with the dome projecting Moon craters and Martian terrain in striking detail that blurred the line between observer and voyage. The film traces humanity's arc from the Moon to Mars, turning space into something tangible in the theater. It blends science communication with cinema, provoking reflection on future exploration and the enduring dream of reaching the cosmos.
Riot Games and Discord launch native integration for League of Legends and VALORANT in beta
April 15, 2026, 12:50 AM EDT. Riot Games is rolling out a native Discord integration for its games, starting in beta today in the United States, Canada, and Brazil. The update links Riot and Discord accounts, letting players invite friends to in-game parties directly without switching windows. Discord's interface will show a player's current session and can launch League of Legends lobbies from shared invite links. Riot says the move aims to simplify team-building and deepen social connectivity across LoL and VALORANT, without delivering the voice-chat feature teased for LoL. A future migration will move existing connections into the new system, presenting in-game profiles as a stats card. Officials Pabro and Meddler described the feature as a new form of social communication with players who aren't friends.
Hackers leak Rockstar data; GTA 6 launch unaffected as GTA Online metrics emerge
April 15, 2026, 12:10 AM EDT. Hackers who breached Rockstar Games published the stolen files over the weekend, but the company said the breach would not derail its plans for GTA 6. The data released covered earnings and player counts for Red Dead Redemption Online and GTA Online, not any GTA 6 details. A post on GTA Forums shows GTA Online remains a global draw, with nearly 8.5 million weekly players. The PS4 version dominates with about 1.9 million active players, compared with around 1 million on Xbox One. On current-gen, PS5 houses 3.4 million versus 1.1 million on Xbox Series X/S. The PC version sits at roughly 900,000 weekly. The breach highlights GTA Online's revenue strength, estimated at over $8 million per week, likely shaping expectations for the next title.
