Mt Edon Drilling Yields Peak 0.67% Rb₂O Assays in Phase 2 Expansion

Strong Assay Results Reinforce Mt Edon’s Rubidium Potential

Everest Metals Corporation Ltd (ASX, EMC) has announced further encouraging assay results from its Phase 2 resource upgrade and expansion drilling at the Mt Edon Critical Mineral Project in Western Australia. The latest data confirm the continuity of thick, high-grade rubidium mineralisation near surface, with peak assays reaching 0.67% rubidium oxide (Rb₂O). These results build on earlier findings and highlight Mt Edon’s potential as a globally significant rubidium deposit.

The Phase 2 drilling program, completed in late 2025, comprised 2,507 metres of Reverse Circulation, Slimline RC, and Diamond Drilling. The program aimed to upgrade the existing Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) and test extensions along strike. Notably, several intersections exceeded 0.30% Rb₂O over substantial widths, including 35 metres at 0.32% Rb₂O and 71 metres at 0.25% Rb₂O from surface.

CSIRO Collaboration Enhances Geological Understanding

Parallel to drilling, Everest Metals completed a CSIRO Kick-Start rubidium characterisation project, employing advanced hyperspectral core imaging and geochemical analyses. This collaboration has provided valuable mineralogical insights, revealing that rubidium is predominantly hosted in K-feldspar and muscovite, with minor contributions from lepidolite. Such detailed mineral mapping supports the refinement of a geometallurgical model, which is critical for optimising ore beneficiation and recovery processes.

These mineralogical studies also indicate that weathering has minimal impact on the rubidium-bearing pegmatite zones, reinforcing the robustness of the deposit. The integration of these findings into the resource model is expected to improve the accuracy of resource classification and processing strategies.

Resource Upgrade and Development Pathway

Everest Metals is currently incorporating all Phase 2 drilling data into a resource upgrade, anticipated to significantly enhance the project’s resource base and confidence levels. The Mt Edon project already hosts an inferred resource of 3.6 million tonnes at 0.22% Rb₂O, including a high-grade subset at 0.33% Rb₂O. The deposit’s near-surface nature and low stripping ratio make it well-suited for open-pit mining.

Looking ahead, the company plans to secure an international patent for its proprietary rubidium extraction process and advance mining proposal applications during the first half of 2026. Further metallurgical optimisation studies and engineering scoping are scheduled for the latter half of the year, alongside pilot plant development and grant applications.

Strategic Importance of Rubidium

Rubidium is a critical mineral with growing demand in emerging technologies, including specialty batteries and electronics. Everest Metals’ progress at Mt Edon positions it as a potential key supplier in this niche market. The company’s integration of advanced geological characterisation and processing innovation underscores its commitment to unlocking the deposit’s full value.

Executive Chairman and CEO Mark Caruso emphasised the consistency of the drill results and the value of the CSIRO partnership in driving processing improvements. With ongoing studies and resource enhancements, Mt Edon is steadily advancing toward development readiness.