Gallium and other critical materials recovery from red mud project

Metallium, through its subsidiary Flash Metals USA, has executed a binding letter of intent (LOI) with ElementUSA to collaborate on the recovery of gallium from red mud.

Metallium technology will be used by ElementUSA to develop a demonstration facility in Gramercy, Louisiana, to recover gallium and other critical materials from red mud, a by-product of the alumina refining process.

The LOI includes up to $10.1m of Metallium funding for the installation, commissioning and operation of Flash Joule Heating (FJH) units across the two phases (pilot and scaling).

Metallium CEO, Michael Waslhe, said: “This is a significant milestone for Metallium and a strong endorsement of our FJH technology within a major industry–supported effort to expand domestic critical-minerals capability.

“Gallium and scandium are critical for defence, semiconductors and advanced materials, yet domestic Western supply remains limited.

“Our partnership with ElementUSA positions Metallium at the centre of the U.S. effort to build sovereign capability in these metals.”

The FJH technology will first be demonstrated at Metallium’s Texas facility, before being scaled up and utilised on the 30Mt red mud feedstock at the Gramercy Alumina refinery.

Metallium and ElementUSA will now advance detailed documentation and preparatory work for initial installation and testing.