MTM Critical Metals (ASX:MTM) says it has been able to recover up to 70% of contained gold from e-waste without the use of toxic acids through its proprietary Flash Joule Heating (FJH) technology.
MTM, which has a market capitalisation of $13.77 million, says the results show the FJH process has the potential to change the status quo for the recycling industry.
FJH works by flash heating e-waste in a chlorine gas atmosphere, and then vaporising the target metals — like gold — for efficient separation and collection via metal chlorides.
According to MTM, the process is highly scalable and environmentally friendly, offering an alternative to traditional methods such as smelting and chemical leaching, which are energy-intensive, harmful, and economically inefficient.
CEO Michael Walshe says FJH has confirmed to be efficient and sustainable for recovering gold from low-grade e-waste, with future tests to focus on higher metal content material as it becomes available.
“As global e-waste levels rise and the demand for greener metal production increases, particularly in the face of an acid shortage, FJH presents a cleaner and more efficient alternative to traditional methods,” Walshe says.
“This technology holds the potential to unlock significant economic value through environmentally responsible metal extraction.”
E-waste is one of the fastest growing components of solid waste with over 60 million tonnes produced per year, of which only 20% is recycled. The repository containing several precious and critical metals is valued at more than US$70 billion in potential recoverable content — which presents an opportunity for material reclamation that reduces carbon emissions and minimises toxic by-products.
Following Thursday’s announcement, the company’s share price experienced a more than 30% jump to an intra-day high of $0.064.
MTM Critical Metals is planning to continue testwork to show the scalability and effectiveness of FJH and chlorination-enhanced FJH technology. The company will focus on maximising lithium and other critical metal recovery, and minimising energy consumption.
Discussions are also ongoing with industry partners, as well as academia and government agencies to support the development and commercial deployment of this technology.
The FJH technology applies direct electrical energy under a chlorine gas atmosphere and can vaporise metals from e-waste and recover them in a single step without using toxic acids or non-selective incineration.
E-waste includes discarded electronic devices and are considered to contain rich concentrations of precious metals. For example, printed circuit boards can contain up to 400 grams per tonne of gold or 6kg of silver.
MTM Critical Metals has a dual focus on mineral exploration and metal recovery technology development. The company holds assets considered prospective for niobium, rare earths, and gold in Western Australia and Québec, Canada.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Unsplash
