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Resources Top 5: Rubidium set to unlock further value for Green Technology Metals
Resources Top 5: Rubidium set to unlock further value for Green Technology Metals

News.com.au

time24-07-2025

  • Business
  • News.com.au

Resources Top 5: Rubidium set to unlock further value for Green Technology Metals

A maiden resource of 23,000t at Seymour in Canada ranks amongst the top rubidium deposits globally TOR has returned up to 5m at 27.93g/t gold in drilling at the Paris project in WA Silver exploration at Elizabeth Hill project will be accelerated after $6.125m was raised in a placement Your standout small cap resources stocks for Thursday, July 24, 2025 Green Technology Metals (ASX:GT1) Green Technology Metals is confident of unlocking additional critical minerals value from Seymour lithium project in Ontario, Canada, after defining a maiden rubidium resource of 23,000t. The addition of rubidium to Seymour's substantial lithium resource of 10.3Mt at 1.07% Li2O is set to add a new dimension to value calculations for the project and for GT1 with shares advancing 29.63% to a daily top of 3.5c before closing at 3c. Rubidium is a critical mineral with essential uses in defence such as night vision imaging and radiation detection, potential use for chemical storage in hydrogen batteries and to replace caesium. As a high-value critical mineral, rubidium is trading at a significant premium to lithium, with high-purity material priced at about US$1060/kg. The market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.6% from US$4.63bn in 2023 to US$8bn in 2033. Besides traditional applications in defence, aerospace applications, advanced electronics and the biomedical sector, its use is expanding into emerging technologies such as quantum computing, advanced battery chemistries and next-generation electronics. GT1 will be one of few companies to integrate rubidium recovery as a by-product of lithium operations, enabling it to benefit from limited global supply, its inclusion on critical minerals lists in the US and Japan, Seymour's strategic location close to the large and growing US market, and robust trade and economic ties between Canada and Japan. The Canadian government's recognition of rubidium as a critical mineral also boosts the company's ability to potentially access additional strategic funding streams to advance Seymour. Despite the encouraging market factors, there are only a few rubidium deposits known globally including some in Australia. Even China – a significant producer – continues to import rubidium. Seymour's maiden resource of 8.3Mt at 0.27% Rb2O includes 6.2Mt at 0.28% in the indicated category and was defined following a detailed review of historical exploration data and metallurgical testwork. The resource ranks amongst the top rubidium deposits globally and represents a valuable byproduct that can generate low-cost revenue to support GT1's core lithium strategy. Torque Metals (ASX:TOR) A new 12-month high of 28c was reached by Torque Metals, a 40% increase on the previous close, after returning up to 5m at 27.93g/ gold at the Paris project in WA. This result from 503m in the second hole of TOR's current drilling program was within 12m at 12.49 g/t Au from 495m and a broader zone of 44m at 3.75 g/t from 464m. This hole, 25PRC206, which has extended mineralisation by about 240 metres beyond an historical intercept of 16m at 7.95 g/t, demonstrates the robust continuity of high-grade mineralisation at depth and along strike. The hole also intersected a new mineralised lode, north of Paris main, interpreted as an extension to the west of Paris north lode, returning 4m at 2.16 g/t from 301m. 'These latest results from Paris demonstrate the strong continuity of high-grade gold mineralisation well beyond the previous limits of drilling,' TOR managing director Cristian Moreno said. 'To intercept 5m at 27.93 g/t gold within a much broader mineralised halo is extremely encouraging and validates our down hole electromagnetics, geological and structural targeting approach. 'The hole ended in robust mineralisation, which we are immediately following up with diamond drilling to ensure we fully test this zone to depth and along strike. The new DHEM plate indicates potential for further extensions. 'As we progressively step out, we will continue to utilise DHEM to directly target our drilling.' Paris is strategically positioned near major gold producers, including Westgold's Beta Hunt operation and St Ives Goldfields, reinforcing the project's potential for future development. The current resource stands at 250,000oz at 3.1 g/t, with mineralisation remaining open in multiple directions, highlighting the potential for further resource expansion. West Coast Silver (ASX:WCE) Silver exploration at the Elizabeth Hill project of West Coast Silver in WA's Pilbara will be accelerated after $6.125m was raised in a placement. This provides strong validation of the company and its project, which hosts a past producing high-grade silver mine, and has been welcomed by investors with shares hitting a 12-month high of 17.5c, a lift of 16.67%. The placement to new institutional and sophisticated investors also enticed strong demand from existing investors with applications being scaled back. This was even more impressive considering the placement was at 11c per share, a 0.04% premium to the 15-day volume weighted average price to July 21, 2025, contrasting with most placements that are at a discount. 'We have been generating outstanding results at Elizabeth Hill and the proceeds of this capital raising will enable us to unlock the value much faster,' executive chairman Bruce Garlick said. 'There is clearly immense scope to grow and further explore the project both near mine and regionally. 'Given this potential, we want to move as quickly as possible on the exploration front and the successful placement allows us to do this.' GreenTech Metals (ASX:GRE) A systematic review of historic and recent soil and rock chip samples has highlighted anomalous gold, silver and arsenic trends at the Ruth Well project of GreenTech Metals in WA's Pilbara. The gold trend aligns with a fertile regional structural zone known to host gold occurrences over a strike of 28km and includes the 374,000oz Carlow Castle gold deposit. Rock chip assays include 5.04g/t, 1.61g/t, 1.50g/t, 1.42g/t and 1.13g/t gold. These confirm that gold is associated with the gold soil anomalism. The gold soil trends are sufficiently defined to support focused follow-up mapping and sampling aimed at identifying the most prospective parts of the structural zone for potential initial drill testing. While some lithium soil trends within the Ruth Well tenements have been partially cleared by previous heritage surveys, additional surveys will be planned to ensure all targeted areas are covered. Ruth Well is 15km south of Karratha and 25km north of GreenTech's Whundo copper-gold-zinc VMS-style deposit. GRE shares were 59.5% higher to 11c. The first step of a systematic exploration program at the Mpanda Copper-Gold Project in Tanzania has been taken by Resource Mining Corporation with 1000m of rotary air blast (RAB) drilling underway. This first-pass orientation work is focusing on previously identified anomalous areas of the Stalike and Kabungu prospects with samples to be be assayed for gold and copper amongst other elements. Holes are planned to a nominal depth of 40 metres at Stalike and 30 metres at Kabungu, and will be drilled to fresh rock. Shares reached 1.8c, a 38.5% increase on the previous close. 'The very large number of historical workings across our project area is a clear indication of mineralisation at depth and it's our objective to define multiple areas of interest,' executive chairman Asimwe Kabunga said. 'As well as the drilling, we are witnessing continued third-party interest in Mpanda as well as renewed focus on our nickel prospects, which is also an encouraging development.'

'China Achieves Unthinkable Feat': This Bold Extraction of 99.9% Ultra-Pure Rubidium from Salt Lake Brine Stuns the World
'China Achieves Unthinkable Feat': This Bold Extraction of 99.9% Ultra-Pure Rubidium from Salt Lake Brine Stuns the World

Sustainability Times

time19-06-2025

  • Science
  • Sustainability Times

'China Achieves Unthinkable Feat': This Bold Extraction of 99.9% Ultra-Pure Rubidium from Salt Lake Brine Stuns the World

IN A NUTSHELL 🔬 Chinese scientists have developed a method to extract 99.9% pure rubidium chloride from low-grade brine, marking a significant breakthrough. from low-grade brine, marking a significant breakthrough. 🇨🇳 This achievement reduces China's reliance on foreign imports, particularly from Canada, strengthening its strategic mineral supply chain . . 💡 The new process involves innovative techniques like ore washing , rubidium leaching, and solvent extraction, offering substantial cost savings. , rubidium leaching, and solvent extraction, offering substantial cost savings. 🌍 China's advancement in rubidium extraction underscores its commitment to technological innovation and industrial resilience amid global competition. In a groundbreaking development, Chinese scientists have unveiled a novel method for extracting ultra-pure rubidium chloride from brine containing trace amounts of the metal. This achievement is a significant milestone for China's critical minerals supply, potentially reducing the country's dependency on foreign imports. As the world's largest consumer of rubidium, China has been reliant on countries like Canada for the majority of its imports. The breakthrough, reported by the Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes, showcases China's growing expertise in strategic mineral extraction, promising a more self-sufficient future in high-tech and defense applications. The Significance of 99.9% Pure Rubidium The Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes (ISL), a division of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, announced this remarkable achievement. Researchers succeeded in producing rubidium chloride with an astounding 99.9% purity from potassium chloride material, which contained a mere 0.001% rubidium. Previously, this ultra-low concentration was deemed commercially unviable, but the new process has changed that perception entirely. Rubidium is a soft alkali metal with critical applications across multiple sectors. It plays a vital role in high-tech fields, including atomic clocks, perovskite solar cells, aerospace systems, and specialized glass. The importance of rubidium is underscored by its use in ultra-precise atomic clocks, which lose less than one second over 3.7 million years. Additionally, its applications extend to medical research, particularly in imaging tumor cells. Despite holding some of the world's largest rubidium reserves, China has faced challenges in domestic development, primarily because over 97% of its rubidium is locked in low-grade hard rock deposits that are difficult and costly to process. Only a small fraction of rubidium is found in more accessible forms, such as salt lake brine, predominantly in Qinghai province and Tibet. This breakthrough could mark a turning point in China's rubidium industry. 'Biggest Wind Turbine Ever': China Smashes All Records With This Colossal Machine—But a Hidden Flaw Threatens the Whole Project A First for China: Reducing Dependency In 2021, China imported over 19,500 tons of rubidium concentrate, with a dependency rate of 66.3% on external sources like Canada and Zimbabwe. The addition of rubidium to the United States' critical minerals list in 2022 heightened the geopolitical stakes surrounding mineral access. He Xinyu, in China Mining Magazine, emphasized the need for China to bolster resource security through technological innovation and diplomatic engagement. The ISL's electrochemical separation group addressed the scientific and engineering challenges of rubidium extraction. They developed a high-fidelity model to trace rubidium's distribution during potassium salt processing, identifying the reasons for rubidium's resistance to enrichment. This model not only optimizes rubidium concentration but also has potential applications in resource mapping and separation techniques. The integrated process devised by ISL encompasses ore washing, rubidium leaching, enrichment, solvent extraction, and purification. This system has been successfully tested using potassium chloride from Qinghai's Qarhan Salt Lake, one of China's largest inland salt lakes, consistently yielding 99.9% pure rubidium chloride from low-grade feedstock, which was previously considered unusable. 'China Leaves West in the Dust': Its Small Nuclear Reactor Leap Puts Beijing Years Ahead in the Future of Clean Energy Impact on Costs and Industrial Resilience Beyond its technological significance, this innovative process could result in substantial cost savings. A 2022 cost analysis by ISL scientist Gao Dandan's team found that rubidium chloride produced through this method could be manufactured at just one-third of its current market price. This economic advantage could strengthen China's industrial resilience amid growing global competition for strategic minerals. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation, CAS, and Qinghai provincial authorities, this development signifies a crucial step in China's pursuit of self-reliance in strategic mineral resources. By enhancing its capacity to produce rubidium internally, China is better positioned to withstand external pressures and maintain its lead in high-tech sectors. This breakthrough not only underlines China's commitment to technological advancement but also its determination to secure essential resources. As the global demand for strategic minerals intensifies, China's innovative approach could set a precedent for other nations seeking to bolster their mineral independence. China's Massive Nuclear Laser Project Exposed by U.S. Satellite—This Shocking Military Development Could Tip the Balance of Power The Future of Strategic Mineral Extraction The success of China's new rubidium extraction method is a testament to the country's growing capabilities in strategic minerals. As technological advancements continue to unfold, the implications for global mineral supply chains are profound. China's achievement could inspire similar innovations in other countries, potentially reshaping the landscape of mineral extraction worldwide. The Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes' approach to overcoming challenges in rubidium extraction reflects a broader trend of leveraging scientific research to enhance resource security. By reducing dependency on foreign sources, China is strengthening its position in the high-tech and defense sectors, ensuring a more stable and sustainable future for its industries. As the world grapples with the complexities of mineral supply chains, China's breakthrough prompts an open-ended question: How will other nations respond to the increasing need for strategic mineral self-reliance in the face of evolving global dynamics? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.7/5 (23)

Rare metals war: China extracts critical mineral rubidium from brine for first time
Rare metals war: China extracts critical mineral rubidium from brine for first time

South China Morning Post

time13-06-2025

  • Science
  • South China Morning Post

Rare metals war: China extracts critical mineral rubidium from brine for first time

Chinese scientists have achieved a breakthrough in the commercial extraction of the critical metal rubidium directly from salt lake brine, potentially slashing dependence on imports – mostly from Canada – that now supply two-thirds of China's needs. This industrial-scale method produces ultra-pure rubidium chloride from ultra-low concentrations, offering a new domestic source for this strategically vital material. The Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes (ISL) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) announced on Wednesday that researchers had produced 99.9 per cent pure rubidium chloride from potassium chloride material containing just 0.001 per cent rubidium. Rubidium, a strategically vital metal for emerging industries, is widely used in the electronics, specialty glass and aerospace sectors. The metal has extensive military, technological and civilian applications. For example, rubidium ions can help improve the performance of perovskite solar cells, while ultra-precise rubidium atomic clocks lose less than one second every 3.7 million years. Rubidium chloride is used in tumour cell imaging for medical research. China faces substantial challenges in rubidium resource development, including low ore grades, difficult extraction conditions and reliance on imports.

Volcanic Rocks Reveal How Gold Reaches Earth's Surface
Volcanic Rocks Reveal How Gold Reaches Earth's Surface

Forbes

time23-05-2025

  • Science
  • Forbes

Volcanic Rocks Reveal How Gold Reaches Earth's Surface

Crystallized gold in rocky matrix. getty Gold is a surprisingly common metal (it is more common than lead if we consider the bulk composition of Earth), but more than 99.999 percent of Earth's stores of gold and other precious metals lie buried under 3,000 kilometers of solid rock, locked away within Earth's mantle and metallic core and far beyond the reaches of humankind. A new study published by researchers from the University of Göttingen suggests that at least some of the supplies of gold and other precious metals that we rely on for their value and applications in modern technology may have come from Earth's core. Compared to Earth's rocky mantle, the metallic core contains a slightly higher abundance of a particular isotope known as rubidium-100. When Earth formed around 4.5 billion years ago the rubidium was locked in the core together with gold and other precious metals. Standard rock analysis methods aren't sensitive enough to identify and quantify rubidium isotopes. The researchers were able to amplify the signal by first dissolving rocks in hot acid, condense the resulting steam back to a liquid, and finally measuring the rubidium signal in the concentrated samples. Analyzing lava from Hawaiʻi, the researchers found an unusually high rubidium-100 signal in the samples. Hawaiʻi's active volcanism is feed by large plumes of molten rock rising up in Earth's mantle. The origin, dynamics and composition of such mantle plumes is still debated among geologists. The rubidium signal suggests that these rocks ultimately originated from the core-mantle boundary. "Our findings not only show that Earth's core is not as isolated as previously assumed. We can now also prove that huge volumes of super-heated mantle material—several hundreds of quadrillion metric tons of rock—originate at the core-mantle boundary and rise to Earth's surface to form ocean islands like Hawaiʻi," explains study coauthor Professor Matthias Willbold, researcher at Göttingen University's Department of Geochemistry and Isotope Geology. 'When the first results came in, we realized that we had literally struck gold. Our data confirmed that material from the core, including gold and other precious metals, is leaking into Earth's mantle above, ' explains study author Dr. Nils Messling, a geochemist working at the same department, the Pure gold is inert in Earth's mantle and tends to stay there. However, gold atoms can bound with three sulfur atoms forming a gold-trisulfur complex. This complex is highly mobile in the molten sections of the mantle called magma. Where material from Earth's core-mantle zone has the opportunity to rise to the surface, like along subduction zones or in a mantle plume, it can mix with sulfur-rich fluids and form gold-bearing magmas. As the magma rises to the surface, degassing and circulation of hydrothermal fluids further concentrate the gold in veins and clusters, forming a deposit that can be mined. The study,"Ru and W isotope systematics in ocean island basalts reveals core leakage," was published in the journal Nature. Additional material and interviews provided by the University of Göttingen.

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