Highlights

  • Lithium Universe (ASX: LU7) reported gold precipitation of more than 99% from chloride solutions, with metallic gold purity reaching 97.04%.
  • Gold recovery from dissolved electronic waste reached 98%, while the proprietary diamide ligand was recyclable.
  • Testing at 2M hydrochloric acid recorded more than 99% gold recovery, while copper, nickel, zinc, palladium and other metals remained largely in solution.
  • The company said the latest laboratory program represents a further step toward pilot-scale development and commercialisation of its GCDE technology.

Lithium Universe Limited (ASX:LU7) has reported further laboratory results from testing of its Gold Copper Diamide Extraction (GCDE) technology, recording gold recovery above 99% and metallic gold purity of 97.04%. The technology, developed by the University of Edinburgh and licensed by Lithium Universe, was tested across complex multi-metal chloride solutions as the company evaluates its potential applications in Mining and electronic waste recycling.

GCDE Laboratory Testing Delivers High Gold Recovery

The latest laboratory program examined the performance of the proprietary diamide reagent under different leach conditions, with testing focused on gold recovery, metal selectivity and the quality of the resulting metallic gold product.

Lithium Universe reported gold precipitation of more than 99% from chloride solutions, with residual dissolved gold measured at between 2 and 6 parts per million. Following precipitation and reduction using sodium metabisulphite, the recovered metallic gold assayed at 97.04% purity.

Testing also covered hydrochloric acid and aqua regia systems. The company reported that gold precipitation was observed across these solution chemistries, providing test data on the performance of the process under different acidic chloride conditions.

Selectivity Across Multiple Metals

The laboratory program also examined the ability of the GCDE reagent to selectively recover gold from solutions containing multiple dissolved metals.

At 2M hydrochloric acid, gold recovery was reported at more than 99%, while iron, tin and platinum remained largely in solution. Copper, nickel, zinc and palladium recorded negligible recovery under the same conditions.

At 6M hydrochloric acid, gold recovery remained above 99%. Iron, tin and platinum showed high recovery at the higher acid concentration, while copper, nickel, zinc and palladium continued to record negligible recovery.

Lithium Universe stated that changing hydrochloric acid concentration provides a mechanism for adjusting metal selectivity within the process. The testing program therefore examined the potential to recover gold before subsequently recovering other metals from the same solution.

Recyclable Reagent and No Organic Solvents

The GCDE process uses a proprietary diamide reagent to capture dissolved gold species under acidic chloride conditions and form an insoluble precipitate. Lithium Universe reported that the recovered gold can subsequently be separated from the reagent, allowing the reagent to be regenerated for repeated use.

The company also reported that the process requires no organic solvents. The laboratory program included testing of the reagent over multiple loading and stripping cycles to assess its recyclability.

According to the reported test results, the ligand was recyclable, while organic solvents were not required. Lithium Universe has described these characteristics as part of the GCDE process design for applications involving mineral processing and recycling.

E-Waste Testing Records 98% Gold Recovery

The laboratory program extended beyond primary mining applications to dissolved electronic waste. Lithium Universe reported gold recovery of 98% from dissolved e-waste.

The company said the result provides test data for the potential application of GCDE across both mining and secondary resource recovery. Lithium Universe referenced an estimated global precious metals e-waste recovery market valued at approximately US$11.8 billion in 2025, with gold identified as the largest and highest-value component.

The company is evaluating the technology as part of its broader portfolio, alongside its lithium, silver extraction and recycling activities.

Path Toward Pilot-Scale Development

Lithium Universe said the latest results represent a further validation step for GCDE and support continued work toward pilot-scale demonstration and commercialisation.

The technology was developed by the University of Edinburgh’s School of Chemistry with support from Edinburgh Innovations. The process is designed to recover gold and copper from electronic waste using selective and reusable organic reagents. The reported laboratory work has now included gold precipitation, metallic gold production, metal selectivity, reagent recyclability and dissolved e-waste testing.

CEO Iggy Tan said the company intends to advance GCDE toward pilot-scale development and commercialisation following the reported laboratory results.

Conclusion

Lithium Universe's latest GCDE laboratory program recorded more than 99% gold precipitation from chloride solutions, 97.04% metallic gold purity and 98% gold recovery from dissolved e-waste. Testing at 2M and 6M hydrochloric acid produced more than 99% gold recovery, while the reported results showed different recovery behaviour for iron, tin and platinum depending on solution conditions. The program also confirmed recyclable ligand characteristics and no requirement for organic solvents. Lithium Universe has stated that the results support further development of GCDE toward pilot-scale demonstration and potential commercialisation across mining and electronic waste recovery applications.