Everest Metals Corporation (ASX:EMC) says initial results from the first phase of a testwork program demonstrate that rubidium can be extracted from the Mt Edon Critical Mineral Project in Western Australia.
As part of a research agreement with Edith Cowan University, a small-scale laboratory demonstration of all processing steps in rubidium recovery was undertaken.
Various testworks were carried out, with results showing acceptable levels of rubidium and lithium in the leach liquor.
Everest Metals, which has a market capitalisation of $23.28 million, says during the process development, special attention was given to potential by-products and to industrial minerals including quartz, mica, and feldspar, which may be recovered during mineral concentration, leaching, and purification.
CEO Mark Caruso says the initial results show technically viable high recovery 75+10% of rubidium by direct extraction method.
“Next phase purification works are ongoing into final products,” Caruso says.
“The laboratory testwork underpins the commencement of an assessment of a variety of global critical mineral processing grants available as development funding for next phase pilot plant scale up.”
Additional testwork is currently underway and the company expects results from various ongoing extraction and purification tests in the December quarter of 2024.
Everest Metals says the outcome of these tests will offer essential technical and performance data, facilitating a Scoping Study with the aim to construct a pilot-scale plant.
The company has established a phased approach to advance the development of rubidium production from Mt Edon. The company expects to release a maiden resource estimate for the project next month.
An environmental Scoping Study has also been conducted and fauna and flora baseline surveys are planned. The company is also preparing necessary documents for a mining proposal, which Everest Metals aims to secure all approvals by the end of next year.
Everest Metals is an emerging resources company focused on precious, base, and critical metals.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Everest Metals Corporation
