Mt Edon Resource Rises to 4.3 Million Tonnes at 0.23% Rb2O

Resource Upgrade Strengthens Australia’s Leading Rubidium Project

Everest Metals Corporation (ASX:EMC) has announced a significant Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) upgrade for its Mt Edon Critical Minerals Project in Western Australia, lifting the total resource to 4.3 million tonnes at 0.23% rubidium oxide (Rb2O) and 0.10% lithium oxide (Li2O). This represents a 20% increase in tonnage alongside improved grade and confidence, with over 60% now classified as Indicated. The deposit also features a high-grade subset of 1.56 million tonnes at 0.31% Rb2O, positioning Mt Edon as Australia’s most advanced rubidium project focused on rubidium as the principal commodity rather than a lithium by-product.

The resource remains open along strike, underpinning further growth potential supported by multiple geological and geophysical targets within the 1.2-kilometre lithium-caesium-tantalum pegmatite corridor. The deposit extends from surface to approximately 140 metres depth, amenable to open-pit mining with a low stripping ratio. This update builds on the company’s prior breakthrough rubidium processing progress and sets the stage for development.

Mining Proposal Advances with Regulatory Approval Expected

EMC submitted its Mining Development and Closure Proposal (MDCP) to the Western Australian Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration in March 2026. The proposal is currently under assessment, with approval anticipated in late 2026. Comprehensive baseline environmental and heritage surveys have found no material impediments, with no threatened flora, fauna, or Aboriginal heritage sites identified within the project footprint on the Pullagaroo Pastoral Lease, native title held by the Badimia People.

Geotechnical studies indicate favourable rock mass conditions for open-pit mining, with an expected overall slope angle of 45 degrees. The company has also applied for a Native Vegetation Clearing Permit and a Groundwater Licence to support early works and water extraction up to 15 million litres per annum. The shallow nature of the mineralisation and strong geotechnical profile support the assumption of reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction (RPEEE).

Proprietary Direct Rubidium Extraction Technology Nears Pilot Scale

EMC continues to develop its proprietary Direct Rubidium Extraction (DRE) technology in collaboration with Edith Cowan University’s Mineral Recovery Research Centre. The patented process targets rubidium as the primary product, producing rubidium chloride (RbCl) with lithium chloride as a by-product. Recent optimisation has delivered rubidium recovery rates of up to 97%, a substantial improvement over initial tests.

The company filed an international patent application in February 2026, reinforcing its intellectual property position. Processing optimisation is supported by Australian Government AEA Ignite and MRIWA METS Innovation Program grants. EMC aims to scale up the process to pilot plant level by the end of 2026, a critical step toward establishing Australia’s first domestic rubidium industry.

Strategic Positioning in a Rare Critical Mineral Market

Rubidium is a scarce critical mineral with applications in high-tech sectors including quantum computing, defence, aerospace, and healthcare. Global supply is limited and heavily concentrated in China, with most rubidium recovered as a by-product of lithium operations. Mt Edon’s focus on rubidium as the main commodity offers a unique strategic advantage, potentially providing a significant non-Chinese source of supply.

EMC’s project benefits from strong government support and Australia’s trade relationships with key markets such as the United States, Europe, Japan, and South Korea. The company’s approach contrasts with other lithium projects where rubidium remains a secondary consideration, often contingent on lithium market economics. This distinction positions EMC to capitalise on rising rubidium demand driven by geopolitical shifts and emerging technologies.

The Mt Edon project’s location near Paynes Find offers excellent infrastructure access, including proximity to the Great Northern Highway and Geraldton Port. The mineral resource lies entirely within the granted mining lease M59/714, with no known impediments to development.

Resource Upgrade Complements Broader Company Growth

This resource upgrade complements EMC’s recent milestones, including a maiden JORC gold resource at its Revere Gold Project and advancing near-term production at Mt Dimer Taipan. The company’s portfolio reflects a balanced mix of precious metals and critical minerals, with Mt Edon anchoring its strategic push into the critical minerals sector.

Notably, the 4.3 million tonnes at 0.23% Rb2O contain nearly 9,800 tonnes of rubidium oxide, with lithium oxide content of 4,400 tonnes, underscoring the deposit’s scale. The inclusion of detailed mineralogical modelling for mica, feldspar, and quartz supports ongoing metallurgical optimisation efforts.

With the MDCP approval expected later this year and pilot plant scale-up targeted for end-2026, EMC is navigating key development inflection points that will test technical and regulatory assumptions. The company’s strategy of prioritising rubidium as a standalone commodity is a distinctive play in a niche market with opaque supply dynamics.