NonFM Breaks Ground on High-Tech Mineral Processing Facility in Las Cruces, New Mexico
NonFM, a rising force in sustainable mineral recovery and trade, has announced plans to build a cutting-edge 40,000 square foot mineral processing facility in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Designed to handle complex feedstocks and deliver high-value outputs, the facility will target platinum group metals (PGMs), rare earth elements (REEs), and non-ferrous metals using a staged development strategy.
The new operation will be built in phases, beginning with the deployment of advanced smelting and concentration technologies designed to extract metals from slag, tailings, and mixed ores that are typically uneconomical using conventional methods.
Phase 1: High-Temperature Fusion Smelting
The initial stage of the project will focus on the installation of a TOP (Top-of-Process) high-temperature fusion smelting plant. This system will process metallurgical waste and low-grade ores using a proprietary smelting technique that allows for enhanced metal recovery, even from refractory or contaminated materials. Special emphasis will be placed on recovering PGMs and base metals such as copper, nickel, and lead.
“Traditional methods leave behind valuable metals in waste streams. Our smelting approach is designed to unlock those trapped resources while meeting modern environmental standards,” said a spokesperson from NonFM.
Phase 2: Dual-Line Concentration Systems
Following the successful commissioning of the smelting unit, Phase 2 will integrate two parallel concentration systems:
- A 10 ton-per-day (TPD) wet gravity concentration and flotation line, optimized for fine particles, sulfides, and REE-bearing minerals.
- A 10 TPD dry concentration system, suited for arid-region processing and suitable for separating heavy mineral sands and oxidized materials.
This dual-approach ensures operational flexibility and the ability to handle a wide variety of mineral feeds from both U.S. and international sources.
Final Phase: Scaling to 100 TPD Capacity
In its final form, the NonFM plant will scale to a 100 TPD full-capacity facility, equipped with integrated smelting, wet and dry beneficiation lines, refining systems, and clean material handling infrastructure. The project is expected to serve as a regional hub for processing slag, tailings, and underutilized ore bodies from legacy mining sites across the American Southwest and Latin America.
Strategic Importance for Critical Minerals Supply
Located in a logistics-friendly corridor of southern New Mexico, the Las Cruces facility positions NonFM to play a critical role in the U.S. effort to diversify and onshore the supply chain for rare earths and strategic metals. The facility is expected to offer toll processing, joint venture opportunities, and material trading partnerships for both domestic and international clients.
With growing global demand for battery materials, green energy inputs, and advanced electronics, NonFM’s vision aligns with key national and industrial priorities.
For more information, partnership inquiries, or technology licensing opportunities, please contact:
📧 info@nonfm.com
🌐 www.nonfm.com
