Everest Metals Corp. Ltd. has been accepted as a key partner of the Critical Metals for Critical Industries Cooperative Research Centre (CMCI CRC), a national research initiative backed by AU$53 million in Australian government funding.
The partnership gives EMC access to specialist research expertise, industry collaboration, and advanced technical capabilities to support metallurgical and processing development at its Mt Edon critical mineral project in Western Australia’s Mid-West region.
The CMCI CRC aims to develop and commercialise next-generation refining technologies to strengthen sovereign supply chains and expand domestic processing capabilities.
The announcement coincides with Mt Edon’s inclusion in the Western Australian government’s 2026 Critical Minerals Prospectus, increasing the project’s profile among prospective global investors, offtake partners, and strategic collaborators.
EMC Executive Chairman and CEO Mark Caruso underlined the importance of technological innovation and industry partnerships in advancing the project.
“Our focus at Mt Edon is on turning a significant critical minerals resource into a commercially viable opportunity. Establishing the resource is only part of that process,” Caruso said.
“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.”
EMC continues to develop its proprietary Direct Rubidium Extraction (DRE) technology. Metallurgical testing has achieved rubidium recovery rates of up to 97 per cent alongside the production of rubidium chloride.
To support ongoing technical studies, EMC plans to lodge a cash refund claim under the Australian government’s Research and Development (R&D) Tax Incentive Program for the 2026 financial year.
Combined with the research partnership and state government prospectus listing, the initiative advances EMC’s strategy to progress Mt Edon toward potential commercial development using non-dilutive financial support.
