Rubidium Breakthrough Elevates Beecher’s Critical Minerals Potential Amid US Supply Concerns
IRIS Metals has identified significant high-grade rubidium mineralisation at its Beecher Project in South Dakota, complementing its existing lithium resources and positioning the project as a leading multi-commodity critical minerals asset in the US.
- 45 drill holes with rubidium oxide intercepts above 0.20% Rb2O
- Notable intercepts include 5.8m at 0.50% Rb2O and 23.2m at 0.29% Rb2O
- Rubidium adds strategic value alongside 2.20 Mt lithium resource at Beecher
- Maiden rubidium Mineral Resource Estimates planned for Q1–Q2 2026
- Advancing acquisition of Finley Basin Tungsten Project in Montana
Significant Rubidium Discovery at Beecher
IRIS Metals Limited (ASX, IR1) has announced a major breakthrough at its Beecher Project in South Dakota, revealing a significant high-grade rubidium discovery from a comprehensive review of 117 drill holes. The company identified 45 drill holes with rubidium oxide (Rb2O) intercepts exceeding 0.20%, including standout results such as 5.8 metres at 0.50% Rb2O and 23.2 metres at 0.29% Rb2O. These grades place Beecher among the highest-quality rubidium deposits globally.
Rubidium, a rare alkali metal critical to advanced technologies and national security, commands prices around US$1,200 per kilogram. Its applications span defence-grade atomic clocks, fibre-optic telecommunications, medical imaging, and emerging quantum technologies. The US currently relies entirely on imports for rubidium, making domestic sources like Beecher strategically important.
Elevating Beecher to a Multi-Commodity Critical Minerals Hub
Previously known for its lithium potential, with a JORC-compliant resource of 2.20 million tonnes at 1.05% lithium oxide, Beecher now boasts a valuable rubidium component. This multi-commodity profile enhances the project's economic and strategic appeal, especially given its existing mining licence and favourable infrastructure in a mining-friendly jurisdiction.
IRIS Metals plans to incorporate these rubidium results into an updated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for Beecher, expected in late Q1 to early Q2 2026. This update will cover all three pegmatites at the project; Beecher, Longview, and Black Diamond; and include both lithium and rubidium resources. Simultaneously, the company aims to release a maiden rubidium MRE for its Tin Mountain Project, further consolidating its position as a domestic critical minerals leader.
Strategic Expansion and Future Outlook
Beyond Beecher, IRIS Metals is advancing the acquisition of the Finley Basin Tungsten Project in Montana, expected to complete shortly. This move diversifies its critical minerals portfolio, aligning with growing US government incentives for domestic supply chains in battery metals and other strategic minerals.
IRIS Metals’ President of U.S. Operations, Matt Hartmann, highlighted the significance of the rubidium discovery, noting the project's potential to capture a meaningful share of the Western world's rubidium supply. The company’s ongoing exploration, including a planned drill program at the Ingersoll Project in 2026, aims to accelerate resource development and support future production plans.
While assay results for some recent drill holes remain pending, the current data underscores Beecher’s potential as a premier multi-commodity critical minerals project. The combination of high-grade rubidium and lithium resources in a mining-permitted, infrastructure-rich environment positions IRIS Metals well within the competitive US critical minerals landscape.
Bottom Line?
IRIS Metals’ rubidium discovery at Beecher marks a pivotal step toward establishing a vital domestic source of critical minerals in the US.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the upcoming rubidium Mineral Resource Estimates impact IRIS Metals’ valuation and project financing?
- What are the timelines and challenges for advancing Beecher from resource definition to production?
- How will the Finley Basin Tungsten acquisition complement IRIS Metals’ critical minerals strategy?
