January 28, 2025

Flash Metals USA (“Flash Metals”), a subsidiary of MTM Critical Metals (ASX: MTM; OTCQB: MTMCF), is pleased to provide an interim update on the progress of the 1-ton-per-day (1 TPD) Flash Joule Heating Demonstration Plant, which is a critical milestone in Flash Metals’ commercialization strategy for its advanced critical metals extraction technology. The first plant is provisionally planned for Houston, Texas. Flash Metals is pleased to report that the process and mechanical design criteria for the Demonstration Plant is on target for completion by the end of February 2025. Remaining detailed design elements will be finalized over the ensuing weeks in the optimization phase, with procurement activities set to commence in March for long-lead items and run in parallel. Plant start-up remains on schedule and is provisionally planned for Q4 2025.

MTM Managing Director & CEO, Michael Walshe, said: “The demonstration plant is a key enabler for several strategic partnerships that MTM is actively pursuing, and for advancing our ambition to re-shore metals like gallium, back to America. It will greatly enhance our ability to demonstrate the commercial scalability of our technology, reinforcing our position as a preferred partner for feedstock supply and offtake agreements. “We are actively engaging with technology parks and development authorities across several Gulf Coast states to explore opportunities for leveraging pre-existing facilities and securing incentive funding support. These efforts align with the region’s strong focus on advanced manufacturing and STEM job creation, fostering greater support for initiatives like ours and potentially accelerating the plant’s development and operational success. “The US ‘onshoring of manufacturing’ movement continues to gain traction, with anticipated strong support from the Trump Administration for critical and strategic technology metals, including gallium, germanium, indium, and rare earth elements (REEs). MTM is well-positioned to capitalise on this policy direction, providing a secure and sustainable supply chain solution for these vital materials using homegrown American technology.”

Site Selection and Development Investigations 

Flash Metals’ management team is actively evaluating locations for its Demonstration Plant, with a strong focus on Texas and the Gulf Coast region, and preliminary plans centred on Houston. Renowned for its pro-business environment, the region offers a compelling combination of advantages, including streamlined permitting, access to world-class infrastructure, and a deep talent pool specializing in engineering and advanced technologies. 

The Gulf States extensive history as a global leader in energy and industrial processing, coupled with its ongoing transformation into a hub for technology innovation, positions it as an ideal location for Flash Metals’ facility. The region’s established logistics network—encompassing major ports, rail, and highways—ensures seamless integration into domestic and international supply chains, while its supportive business ecosystem fosters collaboration across industries. These factors make it an unparalleled choice for scaling advanced critical metals recovery technologies like Flash Joule Heating. 

To further accelerate the project, Flash Metals is engaging with key stakeholders, including regional development authorities and industrial park operators. These discussions are aimed at potentially securing infrastructure support and financial incentives that will enhance the project’s economic and operational viability. Flash Metals’ strategic ambition is to leverage the Gulf Coast states’ strengths to establish a world-class metal processing facility addressing critical supply chain challenges, while creating high quality STEM employment from Texas and providing U.S.-born “tough tech.”

Targeted Start-Up Date 

Flash Metals is on schedule to provisionally commence operations at the demonstration plant by Q4 2025. This milestone is a critical step in advancing Flash Metals' broader strategic objectives to scale its Flash Joule Heating technology. The demonstration plant will validate the technology at scale, providing potential clients with tangible proof of its efficiency and capabilities. It will also serve as a key enabler for securing commercial contracts, including partnerships for feedstock supply and product offtake. 

Favorable Regulatory Environment & Departmental Support 

Under the anticipated policy framework of the new Trump Administration, Flash Metals expects favorable regulatory conditions for critical metals extraction initiatives. The administration’s focus on strengthening domestic supply chains for critical minerals and promoting innovative technologies is expected to support the rapid deployment of projects such as Flash Metals’ FJH Demonstration Plant. Flash Metals is actively evaluating U.S. government funding opportunities, including programs from the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Defense (DOD), aimed at accelerating the reshoring of critical materials and advanced manufacturing. 

The DOE's recent $725M initiative to enhance domestic processing and manufacturing of battery-critical materials, along with the DOD's use of the Defense Production Act to fortify critical supply chains, underscores the growing federal commitment to reducing reliance on foreign sources, strengthening U.S. industrial capacity, and securing supply chains for critical and strategic materials. 

By leveraging these opportunities, Flash Metals aims to position itself as a leader in advanced manufacturing and critical metals innovation. With U.S.-invented technology and U.S.-centric operations, Flash Metals is well positioned to support domestic supply chain resilience and technological advancement.

On-the-Ground Presence 

MTM Managing Director and CEO Michael Walshe is currently in Texas, alongside Flash Metals’ President & Managing Director, Steve Ragiel and the KnightHawk Engineering team. The visit includes operational and strategic planning sessions and process design reviews to ensure the project progresses smoothly and in alignment with Flash Metals' commercialisation goals. MTM remains committed to delivering its 1 TPD FJH Demonstration Plant on schedule and achieving key milestones that position it as a leader in U.S.-centric sustainable critical metals extraction technology. 

The Bigger Picture 

This facility serves as a cornerstone of Flash Metals' commercialization strategy, capitalizing on the unmatched industrial ecosystem and pro-manufacturing policy environment of Texas and neighbouring Gulf Coast states to deliver cutting-edge metal processing technology. The region's strong alignment with federal initiatives to reshore critical mineral supply chains, coupled with growing geopolitical focus on securing domestic access to technology metals, provides a uniquely supportive climate for advanced manufacturing projects like ours. By establishing this demonstration plant in a region renowned for industrial innovation and logistical excellence, Flash Metals is well-positioned to contribute to a sustainable and secure supply chain for these essential materials.

For further information, please contact: 

Lauren Condoluci

Lauren@distinctiveedge.partners

About Flash Metals USA
Flash Metals USA, headquartered in Houston, Texas, is a wholly owned subsidiary of MTM Critical Metals, a publicly traded Australian company. Flash Metals specializes in advanced metal recovery technologies and possesses exclusive licensing rights to the innovative Flash Joule Heating (FJH) technology, developed in partnership with Rice University in Houston. FJH is an advanced electrothermal process that enhances metal recovery and mineral processing compared to traditional methods. By rapidly heating materials in a controlled atmosphere, FJH efficiently extracts metals like lithium from spodumene, gallium from scrap, and gold from e-waste, among others. This technology has the potential to revolutionize metal recovery by reducing energy consumption, reagent use, and waste, offering a more economical and environmentally friendly alternative.

To learn more, visit: https://www.flashmetalsusa.com/