Gold Rush in the Circuit Boards: MTM Recovers Ultra-High-Grade Metals from E-Waste

Australia’s MTM Critical Metals (ASX: MTM; OTC: MTMCF) has recovered ultra-high-grade gold—an astonishing 551 grams per tonne—from electronic waste, alongside equally impressive silver concentrations of 2,804 g/t and copper at 42%. These grades vastly exceed those seen in traditional mining, marking a potential new avenue for how the world sources critical metals.

The company’s proprietary Flash Joule Heating (FJH) technology, which uses a single-step, acid-free process, delivered recovery rates of over 95% for gold and titanium, and more than 90% for silver, tin, and zinc. The process eliminates toxic waste and prolonged heating, converting metal-rich waste into water-soluble chlorides in seconds—offering both environmental and economic advantages over traditional smelting.

The feedstock came from high-value end-of-life electronics—cell phones, servers, laptops—processed in the U.S. The results were independently verified and mark a significant step forward in MTM’s mission to commercialize sustainable e-waste metal recovery.

In parallel with the technical breakthrough, MTM said it had negotiated a five-year supply agreement with Dynamic Lifecycle Innovations, one of the largest electronics recyclers in the U.S. The deal locks in a minimum of 700 tonnes per annum of e-scrap feedstock, with penalties for under-delivery. The agreement, said to become binding within weeks, provides MTM with the consistent volume required to scale up U.S. operations and engage more potential offtake partners.

MTM Managing Director & CEO, Michael Walshe, commented: “Securing this supply agreement marks a pivotal milestone in MTM’s commercialisation journey. Reliable feedstock is fundamental to any recycling operation, and this agreement ensure a scalable, long-term supply. Combined with our breakthrough gold recovery results, MTM now has both the technology and supply chain to underpin a robust commercial rollout and strategic partnerships.”

MTM recently met with the U.S. Department of Defense, which expressed interest in the company’s domestic, sustainable process for recovering critical and precious materials. With global e-waste projected to surge to 82 million tonnes by 2030 and the recycling market forecast to hit $250 billion by 2032, the timing couldn’t be better.

MTM’s innovation taps into the heart of a growing global challenge: how to sustainably extract value from the 62 million tonnes of e-waste generated annually. With its cutting-edge technology and newly secured supply, MTM is now positioning itself as a key player in the circular economy.