In an era where sustainability is no longer optional, NonFM is leading the charge with a transformative initiative to recycle old smelter slag—an often-overlooked industrial waste with immense untapped value. Using proprietary processing technology and a phased facility expansion, NonFM is unlocking a new frontier in circular resource recovery.
What is Slag—and Why It Matters
Smelter slag, the byproduct of metal extraction processes, has historically been treated as waste. Mountains of this material—rich in residual metals—lie abandoned across old mining regions in the United States and abroad. While conventional processes struggled to recover trace values, NonFM’s innovative approach is designed to extract remaining metals profitably, cleanly, and at scale.
“Old slag is not just waste; it’s a dormant resource,” said a company spokesperson. “With the right technology, we can extract copper, lead, zinc, PGMs, and even gold and silver left behind in legacy smelting operations.”
A New Processing Hub in New Mexico
At the heart of NonFM’s slag recovery strategy is the development of a 40,000 square foot facility in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The plant is designed to process hundreds of tons of slag per day using a combination of:
- TOP high-temperature fusion smelting, which liberates precious and base metals bound in oxidized or fused form.
- Wet gravity and flotation circuits, to recover fine metallic and sulfide particles.
- Dry concentration systems, ideal for mineral-rich sand and oxidized materials in arid regions.
This phased infrastructure buildout ensures maximum recovery with minimal waste, aligning with modern environmental and ESG standards.
Environmental Impact with Economic Upside
By recycling legacy slag piles, NonFM offers dual value: metal recovery and environmental remediation. Many old slag sites contain contaminants like arsenic, cadmium, or mercury—making them eligible for state or federal clean-up incentives. NonFM’s technology neutralizes these hazards while capturing commercial-grade metals.
In addition to profit from metal recovery, the company anticipates government support and carbon offset opportunities tied to reduced mining pressure and toxic site cleanup.
Global Opportunities
NonFM’s model is scalable and exportable. With slag piles located across Latin America, Africa, and Asia, the company is already in discussions to license its modular recovery systems or partner with foreign operators under revenue-sharing or tolling agreements.
The company is also inviting bulk slag owners, municipalities, and mining firms to bring their waste streams under evaluation for potential processing.
Closing the Loop on Metal Waste
Slag once marked the end of a value chain. Today, thanks to companies like NonFM, it represents a new beginning in the era of circular mining.
By combining metallurgical innovation with environmental stewardship, NonFM is setting a benchmark for how resource industries can evolve—profitable, responsible, and future-ready.
