Zinc of Ireland Limited has secured a development grant of €734,000, equivalent to approximately A$1.2 million, from the Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship agency to co-fund testwork on its ARGO hydrometallurgical metal recovery technology in Belgium.

The grant is part of a total 24-month co-funding agreement valued at €1.22 million, or approximately A$2.0 million. Under the arrangement, ZMI subsidiary Metallon Clean Extractions BV will contribute €489,000, roughly A$0.8 million, from existing cash reserves. Continued funding after the initial 12 months is conditional upon submitting required financial statements and updated project budgets.

This backing enables the company to advance the ARGO flowsheet from Technology Readiness Level 4 through to the pilot plant phase, designated as TRL 7, by early 2027. Testwork is being conducted at Solvomet, the Catholic University of Leuven's Research Centre for Circular Hydrometallurgy in Belgium.

The program focuses on extracting critical minerals including germanium, gallium and indium, alongside zinc, lead and silver, from zinc leach residue generated during primary smelting. Zinc of Ireland acquired 100% of Meclex, the developer of the ARGO and VOLTA technologies, in June 2026, combining these metal recovery methods with mineral exploration at its Kildare zinc deposit in Ireland.

Following initial self-funded testwork plans announced in August 2026, the VLAIO agreement provides external capital to accelerate development.

“The securing of the grant comes at the perfect time for ZMI with the recent acceleration and expansion of its workplan for ARGO driven by industry's feedback and now reinforced with the strong support by VLAIO. ARGO's ability to replace the high CO2 emission process with a low energy, high recovery process is a key economic driver for the industry.”

“ZMI appreciates and thanks VLAIO for their support for this new technology and their vision for future growth in businesses that support the long-term future of existing heavy industries in the Flander's region. Given the level of support available in the Flanders region for ARGO and for Meclex, we are now looking to establish our European head office together with a laboratory in the Flanders region, which will enhance ongoing product development and marketing activities.”

— Greg Ross, CEO

Work at Solvomet will proceed over the coming months ahead of the targeted pilot plant commissioning by early 2027, with the company also looking to establish a European head office and laboratory in the Flanders region.

Read the full announcement: $1.2M European Grant Secured for ARGO Technology