Quantum Critical Metals Achieves 93% Gallium Recovery from Mica in Québec Project
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.
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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 achievement represents a significant advancement in developing alternative sources for gallium, a critical metal essential for semiconductors, 5G technology, defense systems, and renewable energy applications. Traditionally, gallium is recovered as a byproduct of bauxite or zinc processing, making Quantum one of the first companies to demonstrate successful direct recovery from mica.
The unconventional mica-hosted gallium source has shown recovery potential through acid baking and leaching of floatation concentrations, as validated by the company's recent testing. This breakthrough indicates mica could become a significant new source of gallium at a time when global supply chains face disruption. The discovery strengthens Canada's strategic position in securing Western access to essential materials amid global supply challenges caused by China's export controls on gallium. Quantum's early focus on metallurgical optimization and critical metal extraction positions the company as a front-runner in developing domestic gallium supply.
CEO Marcy Kiesman stated that a 93% recovery represents a strategically significant milestone, with the next step involving process validation at scale to establish Canada as a domestic gallium supplier for North America. The NMX East project, historically explored for lithium potential in pegmatites, has recently been studied for gallium association within the pegmatite to determine extraction feasibility. The project's location near Power Metallic Mines Inc., which announced expanded land positions near its Nisk-Lion-Tiger polymetallic discoveries, underscores the region's broader potential for polymetallic exploration.
A domestic gallium supply would reduce reliance on Chinese exports and position Quantum as a key player in the critical metals value chain, contributing to strengthened Western national security. The company's growing portfolio includes multiple critical metals projects strategically positioned to support the West's transition to secure and sustainable critical metals supply. Additional information about the company's developments can be found at https://www.quantumcriticalmetals.com and https://www.sedarplus.com.
Curated from NewMediaWire
