Recyclico, Alaska Energy sign MOU to test refining tech

Executive Summary

• Recyclico Battery Materials’ U.S. subsidiary (Recyclico U.S. Mineral Recovery Inc.) and Alaska Energy Metals Corp. have signed an MOU to evaluate the use of Recyclico’s hydrometallurgical technology on metal concentrates from Alaska Energy’s Nikolai deposit.
• The partnership targets the creation of a wholly American processing facility that could refine nickel, cobalt, copper, chromium, platinum, palladium, gold and iron, supporting U.S. critical‑metal supply‑chain security.
• Initial work will involve Alaska Energy providing concentrate, assay, mineralogical and metallurgical data for laboratory testing; successful results could lead to a co‑located processing plant at the Nikolai site.

Key Details

• Effective date of MOU: September 16 2025.
• Parties involved: Recyclico U.S. Mineral Recovery Inc. (RUMR) – wholly owned subsidiary of Recyclico Battery Materials Inc.; Alaska Energy Metals Corp. (AEMC).
• Objective: Assess feasibility of applying Recyclico’s proprietary hydrometallurgical processes to refine metal concentrates from the Nikolai polymetallic deposit.
• Critical minerals covered: Nickel, cobalt, copper, chromium, platinum, palladium, gold (plus iron). All are designated U.S. critical minerals.
• First‑step activities:
• AEMC will supply RUMR with metal concentrate samples derived from historic drill core material.
• Accompanying data to be provided: assay results, mineralogical characterisation, and prior metallurgical test outcomes.
• RUMR will conduct laboratory‑scale testing to determine amenability of the concentrates for nickel and accessory‑metal recovery using its hydrometallurgical platform.
• Potential downstream development: If testing confirms technical viability, parties intend to advance toward design, permitting and construction of a co‑located hydrometallurgical processing facility at the Nikolai project site in interior Alaska.
• Strategic alignment: The MOU supports U.S. executive orders “Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production” (Mar 20 2025) and “Executive Order on Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Resource Potential” (Jan 20 2025), aiming to reduce reliance on foreign smelting capacity.
• Management comments:
• Richard Sadowsky, interim CEO of Recyclico, highlighted the partnership as a step toward closing the domestic mid‑stream processing gap for critical minerals.
• Gregory Beischer, President & CEO of Alaska Energy, emphasized the goal of on‑site refining to avoid shipping concentrates to overseas smelters and to bolster U.S. supply security.

Notable Quotes

• “This partnership perfectly aligns with Recyclico's transition from a venture‑stage battery recycler to an important contributor to North America's domestic supply chain for the critical minerals underpinning 21st century industrial needs and national security.” – Richard Sadowsky, interim CEO, Recyclico.
• “We are excited to partner with Recyclico to explore the opportunity of leveraging their hydrometallurgical expertise… particularly at a time when the United States is heavily reliant on countries officially designated foreign entities of concern to meet U.S. demand for nickel and other critical minerals.” – Gregory Beischer, President & CEO, Alaska Energy.