Everest Metals has secured A$150,000 ($97,919) in funding from the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA) to advance rubidium extraction at its Mt Edon Critical Minerals Project in Western Australia (WA).
The support comes through the Mining, Equipment, Technology and Services Innovation Programme, an initiative by MRIWA aimed at converting research into practical, commercial solutions to enhance mining industry efficiency and competitiveness.
In March 2025, Everest Metals applied for funding under MRIWA Project M10623. It aims to transition from laboratory-scale experimentation to full-scale commercial pilot operations.
The goal is to reliably produce 1kg of rubidium chloride per week with a purity of 95% or higher, demonstrating the process’s potential for commercial scalability.
The project will also focus on refining and optimising the production process.
Scheduled to commence in September 2025, the project will involve contributions from Edith Cowan University’s Mineral Recovery Research Centre. The project is set to run over 12 months and aims to provide a clear path for the commercial deployment of the rubidium chloride production process.
Everest Metals executive chairman and CEO Mark Caruso said: “We are grateful to the Western Australian Government for supporting and endorsing the development of what will be an Australian first for the rubidium industry and are excited to continue these programmes in collaboration with Edith Cowan University, our research partner.
“Our focus will be to continue the development of both technological and commercial advancements, relating to efficient extraction and refining techniques, resulting in a potential saleable rubidium product.”
Rubidium is a critical raw material with applications in high-tech sectors including defence, aerospace, communications and medicine. Recent research also suggests its potential use for chemical storage within hydrogen batteries, indicating a growing market for the mineral.
The Mt Edon project is located 5km south-west of Paynes Find in mid-west WA, around 420km north-east of Perth. It holds an initial inferred mineral resource of 3.6 million tonnes with a rubidium oxide grade of 0.22%, translating to more than 7,900 tonnes of rubidium oxide.
In June this year, Everest Metals secured membership in the US Defence Industrial Base Consortium to advance the rubidium project.
