Rzolv leach tests return 89.8% silver recovery

Executive Summary

• Rzolv Technologies Inc. reported preliminary bench-scale hydrometallurgical test results on fine solar-panel-derived concentrate, demonstrating high silver recovery and rapid dissolution kinetics.
• The tests achieved approximately 89.8% final calculated silver recovery on material grading ~977 g/t Ag, providing a technical foundation for advancing to structured testwork for downstream recovery and solution recycle.
• Higher reagent dosage significantly improved recovery kinetics, reaching ~82.2% extraction in one hour compared to ~55.6% for standard dosage, highlighting potential efficiency gains in PV recycling processes.

Key Details

• Test Material: Fine concentrate produced from crushed photovoltaic material.
• Silver Recovery: Approximately 89.8% final calculated silver recovery.
• Silver Grade: Material graded approximately 977 grams per tonne silver.
• Analytical Lab: ALS Laboratories (fire assay for silver on solid head/residue; solution analysis).
• Recovery Kinetics (Higher Reagent Dosage):
  • 15 minutes: ~55.5% extraction
  • 45 minutes: ~79.4% extraction
  • 1 hour: ~82.2% extraction
• Recovery Kinetics (Standard Dosage):
  • 15 minutes: 20.4% extraction
  • 45 minutes: 45.0% extraction
  • 1 hour: 55.6% extraction
• Test Conditions: Ambient laboratory temperature (~22°C), mechanically agitated leach conditions.
• Next Steps: Structured follow-on work to define operating window, quantify consumption behavior, and evaluate downstream recovery and solution recycle performance.
• Market Context: Global cumulative PV capacity exceeded 2.2 terawatts at end of 2024; cumulative end-of-life PV panel waste projected to reach 60-78 million tonnes by 2050 with technical potential value exceeding $15 billion USD.

Notable Quotes

• "These early results are encouraging because they show high silver recovery alongside materially improved kinetics under practical agitated conditions," said Duane Nelson, president and chief executive officer of Rzolv Technologies. "Photovoltaic recycling economics increasingly depend on recovering the highest-value fractions efficiently. While these are preliminary bench-scale results, the data support proceeding with structured follow-on work to define the operating window, quantify consumption behaviour, and evaluate downstream recovery and solution recycle performance."