• Exclusive global licence from University of Edinburgh for GCDE technology
• Innovative low-temperature hydrometallurgical process for gold and copper recovery
• Selective gold precipitation using reusable diamide ligand
• Copper recovery using 2,3-PDCA reagent
• Potential environmental and cost advantages over conventional smelting

Lithium Universe Limited (ASX: LU7) has announced the completion of a process flow sheet for the recovery of gold and copper from electronic waste (e-waste) using a breakthrough technology licensed from the University of Edinburgh. The Gold Copper Diamide Extraction (GCDE) process is an innovative hydrometallurgical technology designed to recover gold and copper from e-waste using selective, reusable organic reagents. The process uses a diamide compound to selectively precipitate gold from acidic leach solutions, followed by copper recovery using pyrazine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid (PDCA). This technology avoids high-temperature, energy-intensive processing, offering potential environmental and cost advantages. The process is suited to smaller-scale applications with lower capital intensity and supports growing demand for sustainable e-waste recycling as global e-waste generation continues to increase rapidly.

The company believes this technology has strong long-term commercial potential within the growing circular economy sector.