Metallium receives first Defense Department contract for gallium recovery

Metallium Ltd. (ASX: MTM; OTCQX: MTMCF) announced its U.S. subsidiary Flash Metals USA Inc. received a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research contract from the U.S. Department of Defense through the Defense Logistics Agency. The contract, valued at A$100,000, will fund the application of Metallium's Flash Joule Heating process to recover gallium from LED scrap and other gallium-rich waste streams.

The six-month project will also target recovery of germanium and other metals from the waste feedstocks. Flash Metals Texas will serve as prime contractor, with Rice University's Tour Group participating under a resource and cost-sharing arrangement.

"This award, although small in terms of dollar value, is significant as it represents our first funding from the U.S. Department of Defense," said Michael Walshe, managing director and CEO of Metallium.

The company plans to apply for Phase II funding of up to US$1 million upon completion of Phase I. The Phase II work would advance pilot-scale deployment at Metallium's Chambers County, Texas site, with the goal of proceeding to Phase III commercial implementation.

Gallium is designated as a critical material by the U.S. government for defense, semiconductor and communications applications. Walshe noted that current supply is dominated by non-allied nations, creating national security concerns.

Metallium's Flash Joule Heating technology was developed at Rice University and enables extraction of materials including gallium, germanium, antimony, rare earth elements and gold from various feedstocks. The company has secured its first commercial site in Texas through Flash Metals USA, with two additional sites under option in Massachusetts and Virginia.

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