Seymour Project Hosts 23,000 Tonnes of Rubidium Oxide in Maiden Resource

• Maiden Rubidium resource of 8.3Mt at 0.27% Rb2O (~23,000 tonnes)
• High-grade zone of 3.4Mt at 0.40% Rb2O (~13,600 tonnes)
• Rubidium trades at a premium price (~USD $1,060/kg) and is critical for defense and quantum tech
• Rubidium recovery potential from mica-rich waste streams within existing lithium processing
• Strategic location in Ontario offers access to US and Japanese critical minerals markets

A New Dimension to Seymour’s Critical Minerals Portfolio

Green Technology Metals (ASX – GT1) has announced a landmark discovery at its Seymour Project in Ontario, Canada, revealing a substantial maiden Rubidium Mineral Resource. Nestled within the existing lithium resource at the North Aubry deposit, this new Rubidium resource totals 8.3 million tonnes at an average grade of 0.27% Rb2O, equating to approximately 23,000 tonnes of contained Rubidium oxide. Notably, a high-grade segment of 3.4 million tonnes at 0.40% Rb2O (~13,600 tonnes) underscores the project's quality and scale.

Rubidium, a lesser-known but highly strategic critical mineral, commands a significant premium over lithium, trading at around USD $1,060 per kilogram for high-purity material. Its applications span defense systems, quantum computing, advanced electronics, and aerospace technologies, making it a sought-after commodity amid tightening global supply chains.

By-Product Potential Enhances Lithium Strategy

The Rubidium mineralisation is hosted within muscovite mica, a mineral already separated during the lithium processing flowsheet at Seymour. Historic metallurgical test work has identified Rubidium grades up to 1.3% in mica-rich waste streams, suggesting that Rubidium recovery could be integrated as a low-cost by-product with minimal additional processing. This synergy offers GT1 a compelling opportunity to diversify revenue streams and improve project sustainability without detracting from its core lithium operations.

Managing Director Cameron Henry highlighted the strategic importance of this discovery, noting that Seymour now ranks among the largest high-grade Rubidium resources on the ASX and the most significant in Canada. He emphasized the metal's critical role in emerging technologies and the geopolitical advantage of GT1’s Ontario location, which provides proximity to the burgeoning US market and strong trade ties with Japan.

Strategic and Market Context

Rubidium’s inclusion on critical minerals lists in the United States and Japan reflects its growing importance in national security and advanced technology sectors. The global Rubidium market, currently valued at approximately USD $4.63 billion in 2023, is forecast to nearly double to USD $8 billion by 2033, driven by constrained supply and rising demand from defense, electronics, and energy storage industries.

GT1’s Seymour Project benefits from Canada’s historical role as a key Rubidium supplier, especially to China, and its strategic positioning within a stable jurisdiction with supportive government policies. The company’s engagement with government initiatives and partnerships, including the Canada–Japan Energy Policy Dialogue, further enhances its access to critical mineral markets and potential funding streams.

Robust Technical Foundation and Ongoing Work

The Rubidium Mineral Resource Estimate is underpinned by extensive drilling data, including 221 diamond drill holes totaling over 34,600 meters, and rigorous geological modelling using Ordinary Kriging techniques. The resource lies within an optimised open-pit shell based on conservative economic parameters.

Metallurgical test work to date supports the amenability of the ore to gravity separation techniques, with promising lithium recoveries and concentrate grades. GT1 plans further targeted test work to refine Rubidium recovery processes and integrate them into the existing lithium processing flowsheet.

Environmental assessments indicate low acid rock drainage risk and manageable waste rock characteristics, aligning with GT1’s commitment to sustainable development and Indigenous partnership acknowledgments.

Looking Ahead

With this maiden Rubidium resource, GT1 is uniquely positioned to capitalize on a critical mineral that complements its lithium assets, offering investors diversified exposure to high-value specialty metals. The company’s strategic location, combined with government recognition and a robust technical base, sets the stage for advancing Seymour as a vertically integrated lithium and Rubidium operation.

Bottom Line?

GT1’s Seymour Project is poised to become a critical hub for lithium and Rubidium, but the path to commercial Rubidium recovery remains a key focus for investors.

Questions in the middle?

• What are the timelines and expected costs for scaling up Rubidium recovery test work?
• How will Rubidium by-product revenues impact the overall project economics and funding requirements?
• What potential challenges could arise from integrating Rubidium extraction into existing lithium processing?