Morella (ASX:1MC) has reported a maiden inferred mineral resource estimate (MRE) of 5.44 million tonnes (Mt) @ 0.16% rubidium oxide (Rb2O) containing approximately 8,300 tonnes Rb2O at its Mt Edon Critical Minerals Project in Western Australia.
The estimate, prepared by Snowden Optiro, covers the Sophie and Miles & June prospect areas within a much broader mineralised pegmatite system. The company says the resource establishes one of the larger reported Australian rubidium inventories at a 0.10% Rb2O cut-off grade.
Mt Edon holds a total of 5.44Mt @ 0.16% Rb2O and 0.07% lithium oxide (Li2O), containing roughly 8,300 tonnes of Rb2O and 3,600 tonnes of Li2O.
The Sophie prospect contributes 4.50Mt @ 0.16% Rb2O containing 7,100 tonnes, while Miles & June adds 0.94Mt @ 0.13% Rb2O containing 1,200 tonnes.
Laboratory-scale metallurgical testwork at Edith Cowan University’s Mineral Recovery Research Centre has achieved rubidium extraction of up to 93.6% into solution.
Managing Director James Brown says the maiden resource is an important milestone that establishes a ‘substantial’ initial rubidium inventory from only two areas.
“Importantly, we do not see Mt Edon as simply a headline grade story. The scale of the mineralised system, its shallow and near-surface geometry, the contained rubidium inventory and, ultimately, our ability to efficiently recover the rubidium and produce a saleable product are all important in understanding the potential of the project,” Brown says.
According to Morella, the resource is based on drilling over approximately 500m of strike at Sophie and 250m at Miles & June, extending to a vertical depth of 120m below surface.
The database contains 51 reverse circulation drill holes totalling 3,588m, comprising 14 historical holes completed by Haddington International Resources in 2002 and 37 holes completed by Morella between 2024 and 2026.
Brown says the company sees ‘considerable’ scope to grow the MRE.
“The maiden estimate covers only two areas within a much broader mapped pegmatite system, with numerous pegmatites remaining outside the current resource footprint and substantial areas, including to the north of Sophie, yet to be systematically drill tested,” Brown says.
The Mt Edon Project comprises three exploration licences covering 89.6km² and is located 3km south of Paynes Find and 420km north of Perth.
Morella‘s next phase of work focuses on additional infill and step-out drilling, targeted diamond drilling, and continued metallurgical testwork.
Morella is an explorer and resource developer with lithium, rubidium, and other critical mineral projects in Australia and the US.
Write to Paula Fabe at Mining.com.au
Images: Morella
