Metallium Ltd (OTCMKTS: MTMCF) (FRA: 8JC) (ASX: MTM), formerly MTM Critical Metals, has secured a small but valuable contract with a leading U.S. military agency.
This week, the company revealed that the Department of Defense (DoD) has given its Flash Metals USA subsidiary a US$62,500-dollar contract for recycling the critical mineral gallium from LED scrap and other sources of waste with high concentrations. The technique used to do so is called flash joule heating.
The first phase of the endeavour is expected to be wrapped up within six months. Metallium could potentially secure up to US$1 million in additional funding with an extension for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract if work goes smoothly.
Gallium is essential for semiconductors, smartphones, military radar systems, LED lights and solar panels.
“More than the initial dollar value, it signals our formal entry into the DoD system and follows the proven SBIR pathway that has enabled other ASX companies to progress from Phase I to substantial multi-year, multi-million-dollar contracts,” said CEO Michael Walshe.
The labour will be completed in partnership with Rice University. This prestigious school will be offering technical expertise and research support while engaging in a resource and cost sharing arrangement.
Rice has taken a keen interest in critical mineral supply chains. Late last month, the top ranking school also entered a partnership with Locksley Resources (OTCMKTS: LKYRF) (ASX: LKY) to develop environmentally-friendly methods of antimony production.
Rice is known for engaging in extensive critical mineral studies focused on energy storage, sustainable extraction and defense applications. Its research involves other minerals like lithium and cobalt along with rare earths.
Defense agencies in the U.S. view reliance on foreign suppliers for critical minerals like gallium and antimony as a national security issue. China supplied more than half of American gallium before implementing export controls in response to chip sanctions in December. The domestic supply has gotten much slimmer as a result.
Feedstocks from Metallium’s project will also produce germanium and other valuable metallic elements.
Metallium was recognized by Deloitte as one of Western Australia’s (WA) fastest growing companies last month.
“Deloitte’s Diggers & Dealers Special Edition of the WA Index highlights market capitalization growth across WA-listed companies,” the company explained in August, “with Metallium recording a 2,912 per cent growth over the measured period.”
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