Can Everest Metals Overcome Scale-Up Challenges to Lead Australia’s Rubidium Market?

Breaking New Ground in Rubidium Extraction

Everest Metals Corporation Ltd (ASX – EMC) has taken a significant step forward in establishing Australia’s first rubidium industry with the completion of an Engineering Scoping Study (ESS) for its Mt Edon Critical Minerals Project in Western Australia. Conducted in collaboration with Edith Cowan University (ECU), the study showcased an impressive 97% rubidium recovery rate using EMC’s proprietary Direct Rubidium Extraction (DRE) technology. This achievement not only highlights the technical prowess of EMC but also positions the company at the forefront of a niche yet strategically important critical mineral market.

Rubidium, a rare alkali metal critical to high-tech sectors such as defence, aerospace, and communications, has seen growing global demand amid declining caesium supplies. EMC’s breakthrough extraction method, protected by a provisional patent now advancing to a standard patent, promises to unlock the commercial potential of the Mt Edon deposit, which boasts a maiden resource of 3.6 million tonnes grading 0.22% rubidium oxide (Rb2O).

From Lab to Pilot Plant – The Path Ahead

The ESS outlines a processing plant capacity of 750 to 1,000 tonnes per annum of rubidium chloride (RbCl), with ongoing optimisation aimed at enhancing efficiency and reducing costs. EMC plans to validate the process through further bench-scale and pilot-scale testing before committing to full-scale commercial production. The company is actively pursuing domestic and international funding, including grant applications to the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA), to support the scale-up to a pilot plant by 2026.

Strategic partnerships with ECU’s Mineral Recovery Research Centre and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) underpin EMC’s technical advancements. These collaborations are critical in refining the extraction process, improving recovery rates, and ensuring the project’s sustainability and economic viability.

Strategic Significance and Market Opportunity

The Mt Edon project’s resource, located near Paynes Find in WA’s Mid-West region, is Australia’s highest-grade rubidium discovery to date. With over 7,900 tonnes of contained rubidium oxide, the deposit offers a substantial supply opportunity in a market currently constrained by limited global production and dominated by China. The global rubidium market is projected to grow from US$4.46 billion in 2023 to US$7.2 billion by 2032, driven by expanding applications in defence technologies, aerospace propulsion, communications, and emerging energy storage solutions.

EMC’s advancement aligns with broader geopolitical and economic imperatives to secure sovereign critical mineral supply chains. By developing a domestic rubidium industry, Australia can reduce reliance on foreign sources, particularly China, and support national security and advanced manufacturing sectors.

Looking Forward – Challenges and Opportunities

While the ESS results are promising, commercial viability depends on successful scale-up, cost management, and securing funding. EMC’s next phase involves pilot plant validation targeting high-purity rubidium chloride production, alongside refining economic models and risk assessments. The company’s proactive approach to intellectual property protection and strategic collaborations enhances its competitive edge.

Everest Metals’ CEO Mark Caruso emphasised the project’s potential to meet global demand and drive economic growth, underscoring the company’s ambition to pioneer a new critical mineral industry in Australia. As EMC progresses, market watchers will be keen to see how the company navigates technical, financial, and geopolitical dynamics shaping the rubidium sector.