Establishing an Australian rubidium industry: Extraction and purification from pegmatite ore

The Challenge

There is currently no Rb production in Australia, owing to the technical processing difficulty. Rb is highly valuable (up to USD1,200/kg)and the industry is expected to grow from 4.46 billion (USD) in 2023 to 7.2 billion (USD) by 2032. This increase is underpinned by rising demand in line with rapid growth of electronics applications, coupled with extremely limited global supply. Commodity analysts predict rapid market expansion if production were increased, presenting a significant opportunity for Western Australian production. Everest Metals Corporation (EMC) has identified a world-class rubidium resource at its Mt Edon Critical Mineral Project. Rubidium ores often contain significant levels of caesium (Cs), lithium (Li), and potassium (K), and the structural similarity of these elements is the basis of complexity in the extraction and purification process. To produce a commercially viable level of Rb, the development of a process for further purification is necessary as well as Li as a by-product.

The Solution

The proposed chlorination extraction process, complemented with AMP based/perchlorate-based purification leveraging membrane technology, can be optimised to obtain 95% purity RbCl at a scale of 1kg/wk (batch mode). EMC, in partnership with ECU, have developed and demonstrated an efficient and environmentally sustainable process for Rb extraction from ore deposits at a scale of 0.5kg – 1.0g per batch. The multi-step process couples the extraction process with an iterative purification technique, which can be repeated to increase purity and achieve commercially viable concentrations of RbCl. This process is currently being developed at bench-scale with a provisional patent application complete. Initial plans to establish a commercially viable pilot plant are underway. This project represents the bridge between bench-scale operations and commercial pilot plant. The aims of this project include:

• Bench-scale leaching and extraction optimisation
• Direct Rb extraction optimisation pilot design
• Technology/economic simulation (class 5)
• IP development
• By-product assay development

Proposed Benefit to WA

Anticipated state-based benefits:

• Access to high-value domestic and export markets
• Job creation, subsequent pilot plant will directly create 7-10 roles within 12 months post project, increasing to 15 roles after $5m extension 9-12 months thereafter.
• Supporting WA’s reputation as Australia’s resource capital, and the only source of Rb nationally.

Funding DOI

10.71342/699600130552