Mt Edon Critical Minerals Project Poised for Growth Amid Rubidium Market Constraints

Strategic Collaboration with CSIRO

Everest Metals Corporation Ltd (ASX: EMC) has taken a significant step forward in advancing its Mt Edon Critical Minerals Project in Western Australia by partnering with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). The company has secured a $50,000 Kick-Start Program voucher from CSIRO to undertake detailed geochemical and mineralogical studies focused on rubidium, lithium, and caesium within pegmatitic minerals. This collaboration leverages CSIRO's cutting-edge analytical facilities and expertise, marking a deepening of Everest’s ties with leading Australian research institutions.

The project is slated to commence sample collection in May 2025 and is expected to run for approximately nine months. The primary objective is to refine the understanding of mineral distribution and characterisation to enhance recovery processes, which could unlock further value from the Mt Edon deposit.

Building on Proven Recovery Success

This initiative builds on Everest Metals’ prior achievements, including a successful partnership with Edith Cowan University’s Mineral Recovery Research Centre and the recent filing of a provisional patent for a proprietary rubidium extraction process. The company has demonstrated up to 91% rubidium recovery from Mt Edon ore, a notable milestone that underscores the deposit’s commercial potential.

CEO Mark Caruso highlighted the importance of this collaboration, stating that access to CSIRO’s world-class research capabilities will enhance the company’s understanding of rubidium and lithium mineralisation. This, in turn, supports improvements in recovery techniques and exploration targeting, positioning Mt Edon for accelerated development.

Mt Edon: A Tier-1 Critical Minerals Resource

Located near Paynes Find in Western Australia’s Mid-West region, the Mt Edon project hosts an inferred mineral resource of 3.6 million tonnes grading 0.22% Rb2O and 0.07% Li2O. This includes a high-grade subset containing nearly 56% of the total rubidium oxide content. The deposit’s scale and grade classify it as a tier-1 resource, with mineralisation open along strike, offering significant upside potential through further drilling.

The pegmatite-hosted rubidium and lithium mineralisation occurs close to surface, making it amenable to open-cut mining with a low stripping ratio. The project’s geological setting and resource base provide a strong foundation for advancing towards commercial production.

Market Context and Strategic Importance

Rubidium is a critical mineral with growing demand across high-tech sectors including defence, aerospace, communications, and emerging energy technologies. Despite its broad applications, global rubidium production remains limited, contributing to high prices and underscoring the strategic value of new sources like Mt Edon.

Market forecasts anticipate rubidium demand to grow at a compound annual growth rate of around 5.5% through 2032, driven by innovation in electronics and energy storage. Everest Metals’ efforts to optimise recovery and secure intellectual property rights for its extraction process position the company to capitalise on this expanding market.

Next Steps and Outlook

The CSIRO study will employ advanced laboratory techniques such as Hylogger, LA-ICP-MS, quantitative XRD, Micro-XRF, and SEM to generate detailed geochemical data. These insights will inform more targeted exploration and resource development strategies at Mt Edon.

As Everest Metals progresses this research and continues its engineering scoping studies, the company is also exploring grant funding opportunities to scale up its rubidium recovery process towards pilot plant operations. The coming months will be critical in translating scientific advances into commercial outcomes.