Hades Mining
Overview
Hades Mining is a Munich-based deep-tech startup focused on developing advanced drilling technologies to access ultra-deep geothermal energy and critical minerals. Founded in 2025, the company was established by Dr. Max Werner, Björn Dressler, and Dan Gengenbach. It has raised €5.5 million in a pre-seed funding round led by Project A, with participation from Visionaries Tomorrow, Founders Factory, and several angel investors from related industries. Hades Mining's mission is to transform access to underground resources in Europe, ensuring the continent's energy independence and resource resilience.
Recent Developments
- August 2025: Hades Mining announced its emergence from stealth mode with a €5.5 million pre-seed funding round aimed at developing its proprietary drilling and subsurface access systems. This funding will help accelerate technology development and prepare initial project sites for geothermal energy and mineral extraction.
- The company is operating a vertically integrated model, managing the entire lifecycle from licensing to production, which enhances efficiency and sustainability.
- Hades Mining is leveraging in-situ recovery (ISR) techniques, which involve circulating fluids through rock formations to recover minerals without conventional open-pit mining, significantly minimizing environmental impact.
- Europe's increasing dependence on foreign mineral imports highlights a critical need for domestic resource accessibility, prompting initiatives such as the EU Critical Mineral Act and Germany's push for more geothermal energy projects, thus positioning Hades Mining as a strategic player in the sector.
- Future Projections: Up to 90% of new funding will be allocated to R&D for their drilling solutions. The company is preparing its first drill projects catering to Europe's critical mineral needs, as well as exploring geothermal energy projects for sustainable urban applications.
Company Information
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Founding Date | 2025 |
| Headquarters | Munich, Bavaria, Germany |
| Founders | Dr. Max Werner, Björn Dressler, Dan Gengenbach |
| Revenue | N/A |
| Profits | N/A |
| Key Investors | Project A, Visionaries Tomorrow, Founders Factory, Viessmann Group |
| Industry | Deep-tech, Mining, Renewable Energy |
| Number of Employees | 5 (aiming to grow to 20 by next year) |
Early History
Founded in 2025 by seasoned entrepreneurs with backgrounds in deep-tech, aerospace, and applied physics, Hades Mining started as a response to Europe's significant reliance on imported minerals and energy. The founding team, including Dr. Max Werner, Björn Dressler, and Dan Gengenbach, focused on creating sustainable solutions for accessing deep geothermal energy and mineral resources, driven by a vision of energy independence for Europe. Their proprietary technology, built on a low-impact, high-efficiency model using in-situ recovery (ISR) methods, positions them at the forefront of ultra-deep extraction. By assembling an experienced team and securing €5.5 million in pre-seed funding, Hades Mining set the stage for its mission to revolutionize energy and mineral extraction amidst Europe's strategic movements toward sustainability and resilience.
Company Profile and Achievements
Hades Mining operates as a deep-tech startup dedicated to innovating in the fields of mining and energy. Their primary business model revolves around the development and application of advanced drilling technologies, aimed at accessing ultra-deep geothermal energy and critical minerals. The company shows a commitment to sustainability and responsibility by employing fluid-circulation methods for mineral extraction, avoiding environmentally damaging traditional mining techniques.
Major Achievements:
- Successful closing of a €5.5 million pre-seed funding round, enabling the acceleration of technological advancements.
- Adoption of a vertically integrated operational model, allowing full control over the entire process from licensing to production.
- Development of a proprietary fluid-circulation technique for deep mineral extraction without open-pit mining, reducing environmental impact.
- Strategic positioning in the European market to address energy and mineral dependency challenges.
Current Operations and Market Position
Hades Mining is actively pursuing projects across Europe, strategically filling the gap in domestic geothermal and critical mineral extraction. As the EU moves towards a cleaner energy paradigm and self-reliance in critical minerals, Hades Mining’s tech-driven approach provides a framework for sustainable growth in this area. They intend to lead innovation in accessing hard-to-reach geological reserves and hold a pioneering role in advancing resource extraction technologies.
See Also: Geothermal Energy, Critical Minerals Extraction
Conclusion
Hades Mining represents a pivotal force in Europe's transition towards sustainable and independent energy and mineral resource management. Founded with the mission to reduce Europe’s reliance on imported minerals and energy, it aims to redefine the methods and technologies used for accessing underground resources. The company’s innovative approaches, such as developing new drilling technologies and utilizing sustainable extraction methods, position it as a key player in the industry. As Hades Mining continues to grow and evolve, its impact on Europe’s energy independence and mineral self-sufficiency is expected to be profound, leading the way towards a more resilient and self-sustained future.