ZincOx Resources (LON:ZOX) chairman Andrew Woollett said the firm was "delighted" at initial testing of its Korean zinc recycling plant, which has now received a start up permit.
First operations have begun and initial testing showed very promising results - with zinc recovery in the range 87 per cent to 96 per cent.
It showed that good quality zinc oxide concentrate could be recovered with a grade of between 55 per cent and 63 per cent zinc at or above the target of 58 per cent expected for the operation.
The plant was ramped up to 50 per cent of capacity and produced zinc concentrate and Direct Reduced Iron (DRI).
The plant was issued with a permit from officials from the Korean environment ministry, which now means regular deliveries of electric arc furnace dust (EAFD) can be made.
Operations were in line with expectations with good briquette strength and efficient evacuation of DRI from the furnace.
Heat and zinc product recovery and other aspects of the gas handling system also worked as foreseen, the company said in the statement.
The operation of the final piece of equipment, the hot briquetting machine, will occur during the next test run, it added.
Woollett said today: "We are delighted with the results from this first operation which prove that the process works in line with our expectations.
"We are looking forward to optimising the operating conditions and ramping up to full production over the next few months and at the same time preparing to press ahead with our expansion plans both in Korea and elsewhere".
ZincOx takes waste dust from steel furnaces (EAFD) and treats it using what's called a rotary hearth furnace (RHF) to produce a fine white zinc powder and an iron bearing product.
The zinc recycling specialist already has a 10 year offtake agreement with Korea Zinc for its product from the first plant - KRP1.