The Grand Challengers Podcast Episode #41

“Catalyzing” change beyond the mine – scaling up metals regeneration to enable the future circular economy

Guest: Don Weatherbee

April 1st, 2025

Episode Teaser

Introduction

“…We like to say… we regenerate… our material! We’re not just recyclers! We’re regenerators…”

Don Weatherbee is the CEO of Regenx Tech Corp in Alberta, Canada. As a trained Accountant, who ventured early into the Resources Industry, Don is at the forefront of sustainable innovation, closing the loop around the environmentally responsible recovery of Platinum Group metals from end-of-life-catalytic converters. He has over 20 years of experience across mining, construction and technology sectors and is finding new, holistic ways to integrate the process and supply chains around these critical metals in an effort to create a better circular economy and sustainable supply worldwide.

On today’s show, Don and I delve deep into the world of Platinum Group Metals recycling, or as he calls it, regeneration. We discuss his early days in mining and hear about RegenX’s journey from junior exploration company to expert in sustainable metals recovery from catalytic converters as well as the opportunities and challenges for critical metals in a world of evolving eWaste, automobiles and resource scarcity.

Biography

Don Weatherbee is the CEO of Regenx Tech, a cleantech innovator transforming the sustainable recovery of precious metals from end-of-life catalytic converters. With over 20 years of leadership experience across mining, construction, and technology, Don has played a pivotal role in advancing environmentally responsible solutions for critical metal recovery. Under his leadership, Regenx has pioneered proprietary hydrometallurgical processes that achieve over 95% recovery rates while reducing CO₂ emissions by 95% and using 99% less water than traditional mining. His strategic vision includes scaling Regenx’s operations globally, forging key partnerships with industry leaders like Davis Recycling, and setting new standards for sustainability in the circular economy.

Before joining Regenx, Don held executive roles at EnviroLeach Technologies and KMC Mining, where he developed expertise in financial strategy, operational scaling, and corporate governance. Since joining Regenx in 2015 as CFO, and later serving as President before becoming CEO in 2024, he has driven innovation in clean technology and ESG-focused business growth. His leadership extends beyond corporate success—he actively collaborates with industry regulators to combat catalytic converter theft and promote responsible recycling practices. A Chartered Professional Accountant, Don holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta and continues to shape the future of sustainable resource recovery.

Resources Related to the Episode

Episode Chapters

(Chapters are embedded in the episode for quick access, click this to expand and view all chapters and time stamps)
  • 0:00 Intro
  • 1:59 Guest Intro, Snowy Canada and Units
  • 3:25 Unraveling the broader power of accounting
  • 7:19 Dealing with post-mine closures challenges
  • 11:35 Regeneration vs. Recycling of Metals
  • 13:51 From junior exploration to catalytic converters
  • 18:46 Catalytic Converters 101
  • 22:59 Hydrometallurgy for regenerating metals
  • 25:17 Scaling up from lab to pilot to plant
  • 30:51 Challenges with eWaste Recycling
  • 34:03 Long-term trends for Platinum and Palladium
  • 38:48 Thought experiment on the market size
  • 40:39 Limitations of mining requires more recycling
  • 42:25 What’s in store for RegenX?
  • 45:08 Q&A Start
  • 45:43 What is innovation?
  • 47:57 Key moment, book, event
  • 50:46 Time management
  • 53:50 Favourite childhood memory
  • 56:06 Biggest challenge to date
  • 59:11 Advice for young professionals
  • 1:01:02 What would you like to be remembered for
  • 1:02:07 Where can people find you?
  • 1:02:58 Final Message
  • 1:03:20 Outro

Connect with Don Weatherbee

Related Episodes

Episode #5 – Peter A. Vanrolleghem
Like wastewater for chocolate – control, serendipity and digital twins
(Related Topics: process engineering, control)
Episode #17 – Mohan Yellishetty
What to do with a hole in the ground – re-mining for critical minerals, rehabilitation and repurposing
(Related Topics: mining; mine rehabilitation; critical minerals, metals)

Credits