Everest Metals (ASX:EMC) has been accepted as Key Partner of the Critical Metals for Critical Industries Cooperative Research Centre (CMCI CRC) to advance rubidium processing at its Mt Edon Critical Mineral Project in Western Australia.
The centre received $53 million in Australian Government funding over 10 years to develop critical minerals refining technologies.
The partnership gives the company access to specialist research expertise and technical capabilities to complement metallurgical and processing development at Mt Edon.
Everest also plans to lodge a cash refund claim under the Australian Government’s Research and Development Tax Incentive Program for the financial year ending 30 June 2026 to support rubidium recovery and purification work.
Located 420km northeast of Perth in WA, Mt Edon hosts a mineral resource estimate of 4.3 million tonnes (Mt) at 0.23% rubidium oxide (Rb2O) and 0.10% lithium oxide (Li2O).
The resource includes 2.7Mt indicated at 0.23% Rb2O and 1.5Mt inferred at 0.22% Li2O, with contained metal totalling 9,800 tonnes of Rb2O and 4,400 tonnes of Li2O.
Executive Chairman Mark Caruso says the company’s focus at Mt Edon is to “[turn] a significant critical minerals resource into a commercially viable opportunity”.
“Establishing the resource is only part of that process. Developing the right extraction technology, building industry relationships, and identifying potential commercial partners are equally important,” Caruso says.
“We are taking a disciplined approach to this next stage, leveraging external expertise and funding opportunities wherever possible rather than relying solely on shareholder capital.”
The company is developing its proprietary Direct Rubidium Extraction technology, which has delivered rubidium recoveries of up to 97% and produced rubidium chloride in testwork.
Everest Metals is a resource company focused on discovering gold, silver, base metals, and critical minerals in tier-one jurisdictions.
Write to Paula Fabe at Mining.com.au
Main image: Everest Metals
