MTM Critical Metals (ASX:MTM) is heralding the benefits of Flash Joule Heating (FJH) technology as a method of extracting metals from electronic waste following another round of successful testing.
The Perth-based company extracted roughly 48% of the copper content and 67% of silver from printed circuit boards, a common component of electronic waste, or ‘e-waste’.
MTM says the results complement an earlier round of testing, in which gold was recovered with yields up to 70%.
FJH extraction uses the principle of electrical resistance to generate intense heat within materials almost instantly. It involves passing a direct current through a material, during which the resistance of the material itself converts electrical energy into heat, often exceeding 3,000°C — a phenomenon known as ‘flashing’.
This heating effect triggers various physical and chemical transformations within the material, even without the use of toxic acids and reagents.
While the FJH technology is still at a nascent stage, CEO Michael Walshe says the recovery of metals from e-waste represents a “breakthrough” nevertheless.
“Building on our successful gold recovery tests, the recent silver and copper results are especially promising, enabling us to target a broader range of valuable metals from e-waste — one of the richest sources of ‘above-ground’ metals available,” he says.
“With further optimisation and scale-up, this technology has the potential to unlock significant value as the demand for efficient, environmentally friendly metal extraction grows.”
MTM says it will continue optimising its FJH prototype reactor to scale up the recovery process while it finalises the design and operational plan for an extraction facility.
The company has also committed to ongoing discussions with international partners as it pursues funding opportunities to support its commercialisation goals.
Shares in MTM were down 2.739% to $0.071 per share at close of trade yesterday (25 September).
Write to Oliver Gray at Mining.com.au
Images: iStock
