Highlights

  • Metallium shares rose 6.38% to AUD 1.00 following confirmation of commissioning at its Texas Technology Campus.
  • The first integrated FJH-chlorination operation was completed, and the demonstration line is now fully operational.
  • Stage-1 operations are planned to scale toward 8,000 tonnes per annum of PCB feedstock processing by Q3 2026.

Metallium Limited (ASX:MTM) (OTCQX:MTMCF) shares advanced 6.38% to trade at AUD 1.00 during the 29 December session, following confirmation that commissioning has formally commenced at its Texas Technology Campus in Chambers County, Texas. The update marked the first integrated operation of the company’s Flash Joule Heating (FJH) and chlorination process at the site.

The share price increase coincided with Metallium’s announcement that its first chlorine flash had been completed safely and in line with system design parameters. The milestone signalled the transition of the Texas Technology Campus, also known as Gator Point, from construction into active commissioning, with multiple plant systems now entering operational testing phases.

Commissioning activities are progressing alongside remaining construction works, enabling parallel advancement of infrastructure readiness and process validation across the facility.

Demonstration Line Enters Ongoing Operations

A three-crucible FJH demonstration line at the campus has completed both dry and wet commissioning and is now fully operational. The demonstration line will be used for continued feedstock qualification, process optimisation, and testing programs involving customers and potential partners.

This operational line provides a dedicated research, development and scale-up platform while broader commissioning continues across the site. It also supports evaluation of a range of electronic waste and specialty metal feedstocks under real operating conditions.

Regulatory Approval Supports Facility Progression

A key environmental approval was secured earlier in December, with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality granting a Permit-by-Rule on 5 December 2025. The permit enables commissioning and operational activities to proceed at the campus and covers environmental control systems, emissions handling and gas-scrubbing infrastructure.

Commissioning is underway across utilities, electrical systems, feedstock handling circuits, environmental controls, and process safety systems, with a structured program of dry and wet commissioning scheduled to continue over the coming months.

Stage-1 Operations Targeted for 2026

Metallium’s commissioning program aligns with its staged ramp-up strategy toward Stage-1 nameplate capacity of 8,000 tonnes per annum of inbound printed circuit board (PCB) e-waste. Stage-1 throughput is targeted by Q3 2026, following progressive commissioning and modular expansion.

Initial operations will focus on the recovery of gold, copper, silver and tin from PCB feedstocks, with recovered metals produced as saleable metal chloride intermediates suitable for downstream refining and commercial offtake. Advanced planning is also underway for a future gallium and germanium processing line, subject to finalising feedstock supply arrangements.