MTM Critical Metals and Meteoric Resources signed an MOU to collaborate on refining rare earth carbonates from Meteoric’s Caldeira Project using MTM’s Flash Joule Heating (FJH) technology. The process significantly upgrades high-value REEs without solvents, offering a fast, modular, and sustainable alternative to traditional extraction methods dominated by Chinese infrastructure.
MTM Critical Metals, through its wholly owned U.S. subsidiary Flash Metals USA Inc., which is advancing the commercial use of Flash Joule Heating (FJH) technology, has announced the signing of a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Meteoric Resources NL. The collaboration aims to jointly develop downstream processing solutions for mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) derived from Meteoric’s flagship Caldeira Rare Earth Project in Brazil. This project is among the most advanced ionic clay rare earth element (REE) initiatives moving toward commercialization.
The agreement follows MTM’s successful proof-of-concept testing using its proprietary FJH process on samples of Meteoric’s MREC. The results highlighted a chloride-based refining approach capable of enhancing valuable REEs, particularly those essential for high-performance magnets—neodymium (Nd), praseodymium (Pr), dysprosium (Dy), and terbium (Tb). The test achieved separation of over 80% of low-value materials from these high-value magnet REEs in a single, preliminary flash operation. Notably, the process recovered 81% of terbium, one of the rarest and most valuable REEs used in both civilian and defense technologies.
Importantly, the FJH method does not rely on acids or solvents, unlike traditional solvent extraction methods. Instead, it delivers performance comparable to multi-stage solvent extraction but with significantly increased speed, simplicity, and deployability. The modular nature of FJH technology offers a compelling proposition for western supply chains seeking independence from Chinese-dominated REE refining infrastructure. The ability to rapidly deploy this solution could drastically reduce capital and operating costs, as well as development timelines.
Michael Walshe, Managing Director and CEO of MTM, emphasized the potential of this breakthrough, noting that the single-flash process substantially upgraded the MREC material by concentrating high-value magnet elements while removing unwanted components. He added that additional multi-flash trials are likely to further enhance these results. Walshe highlighted that the process could become the first Western-developed chloride-based upgrading solution specifically designed for ionic clay feedstocks.
Current REE processing is typically complex and cost-intensive, requiring reliance on established offshore solvent extraction facilities—often located in China—which can involve up to thousands of mixer-settler stages to purify REEs to commercial standards. Most rare earth developers produce MREC as an intermediate product but face challenges in refining due to lack of local infrastructure.
The FJH technology was originally developed at Rice University, and MTM’s subsidiary Flash Metals USA Inc. holds exclusive rights to its use. Beyond rare earths, the FJH process can also recover metals like lithium from spodumene, and other valuable metals such as gallium, antimony, and gold from electronic waste. The technology presents a transformative, energy-efficient, and eco-friendly alternative for metal beneficiation and recovery.
