Researchers at Edith Cowan University’s (ECU) Mineral Recovery Research Centre have successfully demonstrated a novel method for directly extracting rubidium from ore samples provided by Everest Metals Corporation.
This breakthrough comes as part of a research agreement between ECU and Everest Metals, focusing on the potential extraction of rubidium from the Mt Edon project in Western Australia.
The first stage of this collaboration involved a small-scale laboratory demonstration of the entire rubidium recovery process, utilising advanced techniques such as ion exchange.
This innovative approach offers significant environmental and economic advantages over traditional extraction methods.
Associate Professor Amir Razmjou from ECU explained: “While we were initially approached to look at lithium extraction at Mt Edon, further evaluation revealed that the Mt Edon deposit has a high content of rubidium. Our discussions then progressed to involve the extraction of rubidium, with lithium as a by-product.”
Rubidium, a critical element in various high-tech applications, plays a crucial role in the development of new energy conversion and communication technologies.
Approximately 80 per cent of rubidium is currently used in research and development in these fields.
The direct extraction method developed by the ECU team offers several benefits compared to conventional rubidium extraction processes, which typically involve destructive methods and leaching.
Associate Professor Razmjou highlighted the environmental advantages: “Traditional mineral processing is very energy and water-intensive.
“Our aim with 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.”
The researchers are now focusing on purifying the extracted rubidium to produce high-grade samples, proving the concept and effectiveness of their extraction process.
Future plans include scaling up to a pilot plant and eventually a demonstration plant.
While the intellectual property from this research will remain with Everest Metals, Associate Professor Razmjou noted the potential for adapting this process to extract other resources.
“Depending on the deposit, and the economy of the project, the direct extraction method could be deployed for other types of minerals,” he stated.
This breakthrough in rubidium extraction not only represents a significant advancement in mineral processing technology but also aligns with the growing demand for sustainable and efficient methods in the mining industry.