Flash Metals USA (“Flash Metals”), a subsidiary of MTM Critical Metals (ASX: MTM; OTCQB: MTMCF), is pleased to report the successful validation of its production-scale reaction chamber design – a core component of the proprietary Flash Joule Heating (FJH) process – confirming readiness for scaled deployment at Flash Metals' commercial production facility in Texas. The reaction chamber or “crucible” forms part of Flash Metals' proprietary, patent-backed FJH process, which was developed by leading researchers at Rice University and is exclusively licensed to Flash Metals for all metal recovery and mineral processing applications. FJH combines rapid electrical heating with targeted chemistry to unlock critical and precious metals from various feedstocks. 

• The enlarged reaction chamber demonstrated consistent and uniform heat transfer under representative conditions, validating its performance at full scale. With thermal performance confirmed, gas-solid reactions are expected to scale similarly—reinforcing confidence in the system’s overall scalability. 

• These results not only materially de-risk the modular scale-up strategy but also indicate that each crucible may outperform initial assumptions, suggesting the overall one tonne-per-day (1TPD) plant—comprising multiple such units—could deliver significantly higher throughput than originally planned.

“Validating our full-scale crucible is a major leap forward in proving that Flash Joule Heating is ready for industrial deployment,” said Steve Ragiel, President & Managing Director, Flash Metals USA. It demonstrates that the core thermal performance holds strong at scale—giving us the confidence to move into production with minimized risk and the potential to exceed original throughput targets right out of the gate. With a modular architecture and a site built for expansion, we can scale quickly and efficiently to meet growing demand for domestic metal recovery. As the U.S. accelerates efforts to rebuild critical mineral supply chains, Flash Metals is proud to be delivering the kind of innovation that can help power that shift.”

Texas Processing Facility: Flash Metals’ 5-hectare site in Chambers County, Texas, is fully permitted for industrial waste processing, with sealed road access, industrial-grade power supply, and capacity for multi-module expansion. With the full-scale design validated and an expandable site secured, Flash Metals is well-positioned to increase capacity significantly beyond the initial 1 TPD target—without modifying the core FJH process. Commissioning of the plant in Texas remains on schedule for the end of calendar year 2025 supporting U.S. critical metal supply chains.

The FJH Process: The FJH process utilizes advanced electrical-based heating and proprietary chemical pathways to rapidly convert complex feedstocks into recoverable metal chlorides. Feedstock is prepared and flash-heated to desired reaction temperatures, enabling selective chlorination of critical and precious metals such as gallium, indium, germanium, and gold. These vapors are then condensed and collected for refining or direct sale, while solid residues are safely managed and discharged.

Progress with Feedstock and Offtake 

Feedstock and product offtake agreements are advancing. Flash Metals has secured over 1,000 tonnes per annum of e-waste from two leading U.S. recyclers and is progressing commercial arrangements with downstream partners, including for the sale of gallium and germanium products. These agreements, when executed, will underpin long-term operational certainty and support near-term revenue generation.

Supporting U.S. National Strategic Priorities 

Flash Metals’ FJH technology platform is directly aligned with U.S. federal initiatives to reshore critical mineral supply chains, reduce dependence on foreign refining capacity, and incentivize domestic clean-tech innovation via Department of Energy and Department of Defense grant programs. Flash Metals is actively exploring multiple grant and non-dilutive funding opportunities and recently completed a highly productive visit to Washington, DC, where senior management engaged with Congressional offices and key stakeholders to advance Flash Metals’ eligibility for support. Next Steps Procurement activities are underway, with on-site works scheduled to commence in Q3 2025. Commissioning remains on track for late Q4, after which Flash Metals expects to initiate staged operations and product qualification with early offtake partners. 

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/