Australia’s Rubidium Ambitions Take Off as Everest Metals Gains Key Innovation Funding

Funding Boost for Australian Rubidium Industry

Everest Metals Corporation Ltd (ASX, EMC) has taken a major step towards pioneering Australia’s first rubidium industry with a $150,000 funding award from the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA). This grant supports the company’s efforts to develop extraction and purification technologies at its Mt Edon Critical Minerals Project in Western Australia, aiming to reduce Australia’s dependence on Chinese rubidium supply.

The funding is part of MRIWA’s Mining, Equipment, Technology and Services (METS) Innovation Program, which fosters industry-led research to translate laboratory breakthroughs into commercial applications. Everest Metals plans to use this support to bridge the gap between bench-scale experiments and a commercial pilot plant capable of producing a consistent weekly output of 1 kilogram of Rubidium Chloride at 95% purity or higher.

Strategic Collaboration and Intellectual Property

Everest Metals is collaborating closely with Edith Cowan University’s Mineral Recovery Research Centre (MRRC), which will contribute in-kind support and host much of the test work. The partnership leverages cutting-edge extraction techniques, including ion exchange methods, to optimise rubidium recovery from Mt Edon’s pegmatite ore. Additionally, the company is advancing its proprietary extraction process through a provisional patent application, aiming to secure intellectual property that could underpin future commercial operations.

Further scientific support comes from Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, which is conducting advanced geochemical and mineralogical studies to enhance recovery processes and understand the mineralisation of rubidium, lithium, and caesium at Mt Edon.

Mt Edon, A Tier-1 Rubidium Resource

The Mt Edon project hosts an inferred mineral resource of 3.6 million tonnes grading 0.22% Rb2O, containing approximately 7,900 tonnes of rubidium oxide. This resource is notable not only for its size but also for its high-grade zones and potential for expansion along strike and at depth. The deposit’s proximity to surface and amenability to open-cut mining further enhance its commercial appeal.

Rubidium is a critical mineral with growing demand across high-tech sectors including defence, aerospace, medical applications, specialty glass, and emerging energy technologies. Despite its strategic importance, global rubidium supply remains limited and heavily reliant on China, creating a market opportunity for new producers like Everest Metals.

Market Outlook and Strategic Importance

Rubidium’s market is forecast to grow at over 5% annually through 2032, driven by innovation in electronics, communications, and energy storage. The high price of rubidium carbonate, currently around USD 1,170 per kilogram, reflects both its scarcity and critical role in advanced technologies. Everest Metals’ initiative to establish a domestic rubidium supply chain aligns with broader global efforts to diversify critical mineral sources and reduce geopolitical risks.

With the pilot plant program set to commence in September 2025 and a 12-month timeline for project execution, Everest Metals is positioning itself at the forefront of this emerging industry. The company’s integrated approach combining resource development, technological innovation, and strategic partnerships could unlock significant value for investors and stakeholders.