Mt Edon Hosts 3.6Mt Rubidium Resource as Everest Signs U.S. Funding MOU
Everest Metals has signed a strategic MOU with Arlington Innovation Partners to access U.S. government non-dilutive funding and partnerships, advancing its Mt Edon critical minerals project focused on rubidium and lithium.
- Non-binding MOU with Arlington Innovation Partners for U.S. government funding access
- Focus on rubidium and lithium resources critical to U.S. defense and technology sectors
- Mt Edon hosts a JORC-compliant inferred resource of 3.6Mt at 0.22% Rb2O
- Plans underway for resource upgrade drilling and pilot plant construction in 2026
- Leverages proprietary rubidium extraction technology with patent pending
Strategic Alliance to Unlock U.S. Funding
Everest Metals Corporation Ltd (ASX – EMC) has taken a significant step towards advancing its Mt Edon Critical Minerals Project by signing a non-exclusive Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Arlington Innovation Partners (AIP), a Washington D.C.-based firm specialising in critical mineral supply chains for U.S. protected markets. This agreement aims to leverage Arlington’s extensive network to secure non-dilutive financing and grants from key U.S. government agencies, including the Export-Import Bank (EXIM), Department of War (DoW), and Department of Energy (DoE).
The collaboration is designed to de-risk and accelerate the development of Mt Edon, located in Western Australia, by tapping into strategic funding programs that support allied supply chains and reduce reliance on adversarial nations. This aligns with broader U.S.-Australia critical minerals cooperation, positioning Mt Edon as a vital upstream source for rubidium and lithium supply.
Mt Edon’s Critical Mineral Potential
Mt Edon hosts an inferred JORC-compliant resource of 3.6 million tonnes grading 0.22% rubidium oxide (Rb2O) and 0.07% lithium oxide (Li2O), including a high-grade subset of 1.3 million tonnes at 0.33% Rb2O. Rubidium is classified as a critical mineral by the U.S. government due to its essential applications in defense technologies such as night vision and radiation detectors, as well as in aerospace and telecommunications.
With global rubidium production constrained and heavily dominated by China, the Mt Edon deposit offers a rare, secure alternative supply. The rubidium market is forecasted to grow at a compound annual growth rate of approximately 5.5% through 2032, driven by increasing demand in high-tech sectors.
Advancing Technology and Development
Everest Metals is progressing the project with a clear development roadmap. In partnership with Edith Cowan University, the company has developed a proprietary Direct Rubidium Extraction (DRE) process achieving up to 97% recovery, with a provisional patent filed earlier this year. Engineering scoping studies indicate the project’s technical viability, targeting a processing plant capacity of 750 to 1,000 tonnes of rubidium chloride per annum.
Current activities include a 2,500-metre reverse circulation drilling campaign commenced in September 2025 to upgrade resources and test extensions. A resource upgrade is expected in the first quarter of 2026, followed by pilot plant construction later that year, marking key milestones toward commercial production.
Strategic Implications and Market Positioning
The MOU with Arlington not only opens doors to potential U.S. government funding but also to downstream and midstream processing partnerships within the United States. This integrated approach aims to mitigate global supply chain risks by establishing a secure rubidium supply chain from Australian mining through to U.S.-based processing and end-use markets.
Executive Chairman and CEO Mark Caruso highlighted the significance of this partnership, noting that non-dilutive capital and credible offtake agreements could enhance shareholder value while supporting strategic mineral security for allied nations.
Bottom Line?
Everest Metals’ alliance with Arlington could be the catalyst that transforms Mt Edon into a cornerstone of the U.S.-Australia critical minerals supply chain.
Questions in the middle?
- Will Everest secure non-dilutive funding from EXIM and other U.S. agencies, and on what timeline?
- How will downstream processing partnerships in the U.S. evolve to integrate Mt Edon’s rubidium supply?
- What impact will global geopolitical tensions have on the commercialisation and export pathways for Mt Edon?
