Comstock Inc. (NYSE: LODE) said its subsidiary Comstock Metals LLC has integrated and tested the robotic loading and initial conveyance systems at its solar panel recycling facility in Silver Springs, Nevada, according to a press release.

The front-end systems, which feed solar panels into initial crushers, are described as fully operational. During capacity testing, the loading system exceeded its estimated design maximum by 10%, according to CEO Corrado De Gasperis.

"The loading systems capacity test exceeded our estimated capacity design maximums by 10%," De Gasperis said. "The team will now stress test the particle size reduction stage of the system and continue forward into our proprietary process integration and testing."

The facility is designed to process 100,000 tons of end-of-life solar panels per year. The company said the overall plant has three major operating stages currently being integrated and stress-tested individually. Comstock Metals President Dr. Fortunato Villamagna said all nine distinct unit operations are expected to be operational together by next month, with continuous operations targeted to commence in August.

"We will continue moving through the rest of the production system in that same sequence, such that by next month, the nine distinct unit operations will all be operational together," Villamagna said.

The company added it is also stress-testing secondary upgrading processes for recovered materials, including glass, to meet customer specifications. The operating crew is being developed to transition from a 24/5 to a 24/7 schedule on a 12-hour rotating shift basis.