Technology Minerals unlocks new innovation and revenue stream with copper and aluminium recovery

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The scrap sitting idle at a Recyclus battery recycling plant in Wolverhampton is being given a second look and, potentially, a second life, by Technology Minerals by reprocessing around 180 tonnes of previously treated battery material to enhance copper and aluminium recovery.

This follows the installation of new equipment that is capable of isolating copper and aluminium as distinct outputs. In earlier operations, both metals were effectively incorporated into the broader recovery process, yielding little direct commercial return. Now, they are being pulled out cleanly and positioned as standalone revenue lines.

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The technical shift lies in how “black mass” is handled. This granular residue, produced during the recycling of lithium-ion batteries, contains a mix of sought-after metals, including cobalt, lithium, and nickel. Traditionally, separating those elements from surrounding materials required multiple stages. The updated process compresses that into a continuous flow, allowing different components to be split more efficiently.

That efficiency is expected to translate into improved unit economics. Benchmarks from the London Metal Exchange suggest that copper recovered through the process could command about GBP 8,000 per tonne (USD 10,803 approx.), with aluminium adding roughly GBP 1,300 per tonne (USD1,755 approx.). Company executives believe this will materially raise the value derived from each tonne of feedstock.

There is also a near-term financial loop being closed. The upgrade itself was funded through a GBP 100,000 (USD 126,000 approx.) short-term bridge loan from the parent company, with repayment due by July 20. The additional proceeds generated from reprocessing the stockpiled material are expected to cover that obligation in full.

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The development comes as the UK’s listed market continues to offer limited exposure to critical minerals recycling. Technology Minerals remains one of the few routes for investors seeking a foothold in the segment, though competition is building. Majestic Corporation, for instance, has reported annual revenues of USD 49 million and is preparing to expand capacity with a new site in Wrexham.

In an industry where margins are often shaped by recovery rates rather than scale alone, the ability to extract a little more value from what was once overlooked may prove decisive.