MTM Critical Metals (ASX:MTM) is finalising the design and operational plans for a commercial-scale plant facility, amid recovering gallium from industrial semiconductor scrap using flash joule heating (FJH) technology.
The company says recovering high-purity gallium underscore the FJH technology’s potential as it has proven capable of efficiently recovering gallium from e-scrap, offering a solution to the global gallium supply crisis.
MTM, which has a market capitalisation of $18.55 million, says this latest finding demonstrates that this critical metal can be sourced outside of China’s supply dominance, enhancing its security and availability for high-tech and defence industries.
Gallium’s global supply has been severely disrupted due to escalation geopolitical tensions and China’s recent export restrictions, which have caused prices to soar dramatically.
CEO Michael Walshe says the breakthrough in gallium recovery from e-scrap using FJH technology marks an advancement, with similar potential for germanium.
“Amid limited Western gallium supply options, escalating geopolitical tensions, and recent price surges, our ability to extract this strategic metal from waste streams offers both significant commercial promise and a strategic solution for the US and its allies,” Walshe says.
“We eagerly anticipate the upcoming bench-scale tests and are optimistic about our potential to transform the gallium supply chain.”
Researchers from Rice University in the US conducted the testing, and showed gallium being recovered from electronic scrap by heating the mixture to a precise temperature, allowing the metal compound to vaporise and be separated from other metals and materials present.
MTM says the FJH chlorination process involves rapid heating in a controlled chlorine atmosphere.
The company is continuing its testwork to demonstrate the scalability and effectiveness of the FJH and chlorination-enhanced FJH technology with a focus on maximising lithium and other critical metal recovery and minimising energy consumption.
MTM says discussions with industry partners, academia, and government agencies are ongoing to support the development and commercial deployment of this technology.
MTM Critical Metals is a dynamic company with a dual focus on mineral exploration and metal recovery technology development. The company has assets considered prospective for niobium, rare earths, and gold in Australia and Canada.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: MTM Critical Metals
