Researchers from Edith Cowan University’s (ECU) Mineral Recovery Research Centre have successfully extracted rubidium from ore samples supplied by Everest Metals Corporation (ASX:EMC).
Rubidium is a critical element for various high-tech applications, including the development of new energy conversion technologies and new communication technologies. ECU says 80% of rubidium is used in the research and development of these fields.
Earlier this year, both companies executed a research agreement to study the potential extraction of rubidium from the Mt Edon Project in Western Australia.
During stage one, the collaboration involved a small-scale laboratory demonstration of all the processing steps in the recovery of rubidium using advanced processes such as ion exchange.
Associate Professor Amir Razmjou says ECU was initially approached to look at lithium extraction at Mt Edon, but further evaluation revealed that the project has high content of rubidium.
“Our discussions then progressed to involve the extraction of rubidium, with lithium as a by-product,” Razmjou says.
“Traditional mineral processing is very energy and water intensive. Our aim with the direct rubidium extraction is to lower the carbon footprint of the operation. Our process also allows us to recycle water, which will reduce the water consumption rate for this project.
“Additionally, the project development would be modular, meaning that the technology is easy to scale up to ramp-up production.”
In the coming months, the ECU researchers will conduct purification work on the rubidium extracted to date.
Razmjou says ECU is working towards producing a few grams of “high-grade” rubidium to prove the concept of the technology and extraction process that has been developed.
“Following that, we will work towards a piloting plant and ultimately a demonstration plant,” Razmjou says.
“Depending on the deposit, and the economy of the project, the direct extraction method could be deployed for other types of minerals.”
While the intellectual property derived under the research agreement with Everest Metals would remain with the company, Razmjou says that there was potential to adapt the process to extract other resources in a similar way.
The Mt Edon Project lies in the southern portion of the Paynes Find Greenstone Belt, an area known to host swarms of pegmatites and highly prospective for critical metals.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Edith Cowan University