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Lithium Universe (ASX: LU7) has released a detailed development roadmap for its recently acquired Gold Copper Diamide Extraction (GCDE) technology, a process designed to recover gold and copper from electronic waste.
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The stock traded around 0.9c intraday, broadly in line with its previous close, giving the Oz company a market capitalisation of ~$13 million.
The announcement provided investors with a clearer picture of the pathway management intends to follow as it works towards commercialising the technology licensed from the University of Edinburgh.
The GCDE process is a hydrometallurgical technology that uses reusable organic reagents to selectively recover gold and copper from electronic waste streams. According to the company, the process offers potential advantages over conventional smelting and pyrometallurgical methods through lower energy consumption, reduced waste generation and reagent recycling.
Lithium Universe outlined a 10-step development program aimed at advancing the technology towards pilot-scale and commercial validation. Planned work includes optimisation of feedstock preparation, leaching conditions, reagent recovery, gold precipitation circuits, copper electrowinning flowsheets and environmental management systems.
A key focus will be securing suitable high-volume e-waste feedstocks and conducting metallurgical testwork to assess recoveries, processing performance and operating costs. The company also intends to evaluate commercial scalability and establish potential pathways to market through future offtake and feedstock supply agreements.
Management believes the technology could be well-positioned to benefit from growing global volumes of electronic waste, which continue to rise alongside demand for more sustainable recycling solutions.
Chief executive Iggy Tan said the company was encouraged by the commercial potential of the technology but acknowledged significant metallurgical and engineering work remains before pilot-scale validation can be achieved.
Market sentiment appeared mixed following the release. Supporters view the technology as a differentiated approach to recovering valuable metals from e-waste, while others are likely waiting for tangible testwork results, pilot plant milestones and commercial partnerships before assigning significant value to the project.
With the company now moving from acquisition to development, investors will be watching for future updates on metallurgical performance, pilot-scale studies, and commercialisation progress as Lithium Universe seeks to build a new growth avenue beyond its lithium interests.
LU7 last traded at 9cps.
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