Everest Metals Corporation (ASX: EMC) has successfully produced its first rubidium product from the Mt Edon Critical Mineral Project in Western Australia, with laboratory testing achieving a recovery rate of up to 91%.
“We are moving swiftly to determine the most efficient and economically viable process to recover value from the Mt Edon Critical Mineral Project," Executive Chairman and CEO, Mark Caruso, said.
"Our ongoing research and development efforts are focused on evaluating various production processes to determine optimal rubidium recovery and purity outcomes.
"The consistent repeatability of conversion under a variety of test conditions demonstrates the strength of our key design parameters, reinforcing our confidence that we will be able to produce high value rubidium components from Mt Edon material. We are pleased to report outstanding recovery rates of up to 91% rubidium, and extraction of lithium as a potential by-product underscoring the effectiveness of our Company’s processes at Mt Edon.”
Highlights
➢ Up to 91% Rubidium recovery achieved during Phase 2 ECU Mineral Recovery Research Centre (MRRC) processing programme
➢ Rubidium chloride product successfully produced via direct rubidium extraction process as well as Lithium as a by-product from R&D test work
➢ Further testing underway to enhance purification and optimisation processes
➢ Results underpin grant applications for development of construction of a pilot-scale plant in 2025
➢ Engineering Scoping Studies to commence focussing on high level techno- economic analysis of destructive rubidium process
➢ Patent applications planned to protect EMC owned intellectual property rights
➢ Investigations into grant funding are ongoing as Rubidium is a critical material used in high-tech applications including defence, military, aerospace and communications