Quantum Critical Metals Achieves 93% Gallium Recovery from Mica, Paving Way for North American Supply Chain
TL;DR
Quantum Critical Metals Corp achieves 93% gallium recovery, positioning it as a domestic supplier to reduce reliance on Chinese exports and strengthen Western supply chains.
Quantum recovered 93% gallium from mica samples using acid baking and leaching processes, demonstrating direct extraction from an unconventional source.
This breakthrough supports North America's critical metals independence, enhancing national security and enabling sustainable technology development for future generations.
Quantum discovered how to extract gallium directly from mica, traditionally only recovered as a byproduct, opening new possibilities for critical metal sourcing.
Quantum Critical Metals Corp. has reported a 93% gallium recovery rate from preliminary bench-scale metallurgical test work on mica samples from its NMX East Project in Québec's James Bay region. This breakthrough represents a significant advancement in critical metals extraction, potentially establishing mica as a new source for gallium, a metal traditionally recovered as a byproduct of bauxite or zinc processing.
The achievement positions Quantum as one of the first companies to demonstrate successful direct gallium recovery from mica, challenging conventional extraction methods. Gallium serves as a critical component in semiconductors, 5G technology, defense systems, and renewable energy applications, making this development strategically important for North American supply chain security. The company's focus on metallurgical optimization and critical metal extraction comes at a crucial time when global gallium supplies face disruption due to China's export controls.
Marcy Kiesman, CEO of Quantum Critical Metals Corp., emphasized the strategic significance of the 93% recovery rate, noting that the next step involves validating the process at scale to establish Canada as a domestic gallium supplier for North America. This development could reduce Western reliance on Chinese exports and strengthen national security through domestic critical metals production. The NMX East project, historically explored for lithium potential in pegmatites, has revealed gallium associations that Quantum has been studying for extraction feasibility.
The project's location near Power Metallic Mines Inc., which recently expanded its land position near polymetallic discoveries, underscores the broader regional potential for critical metals development. Additional information about the company's projects and developments can be found at https://www.quantumcriticalmetals.com and https://www.sedarplus.com. The scientific and technical disclosure in the announcement was reviewed and approved by George M. Yordanov, P.Geo., a qualified person consultant to the company.
This metallurgical breakthrough could have substantial implications for multiple industries dependent on gallium, particularly as global demand for semiconductors and renewable energy technologies continues to grow. The ability to extract gallium directly from mica rather than as a byproduct could create more predictable and secure supply chains for Western manufacturers and technology companies. As nations increasingly prioritize supply chain resilience for critical materials, Quantum's achievement represents a meaningful step toward North American self-sufficiency in essential metals required for advanced technological applications and national security infrastructure.
Curated from NewMediaWire