Mr Starink brings more than 40 years of mining and processing experience as EMC looks toward becoming a key supplier of the defense and military-critical mineral. Pic: via Getty Images
Mining
Special Report: Everest Metals has appointed a new senior technical consultant in Jon Starink as it takes off for its next phase of development at the Mt Edon critical minerals project in WA.
The company recently announced a resource of 3.6 million tonnes at 0.22% rubidium and 0.07% lithium at Mt Edon – a world class collection of a high-value commodity.
Rubidium is ranked as a critical and strategic mineral by several countries, including the US and Japan, due to its use in a wide range of military, new energy and high-tech applications such as night vision equipment, radiation detection, infrared signals, thin batteries, vapour turbines, and in the ion engines which could potentially power spacecraft.
Current supply is limited, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) has noted that zero global production was reported in 2023 but estimated that it is still being produced within Chinese borders.
The USGS said recent reports have indicated current processing rates may soon deplete global stockpiles of non-Chinese resources, and Everest Metals (ASX:EMC) is looking to position itself to participate in supplying a high-tech critical mineral to the world market.
Rubidium extraction and purification testwork at Edith Cowan University’s (ECU) Mineral Recovery Research Centre (MRRC) is ongoing, with the initial work already proving that ore from the project is amenable to the use of direct rubidium extraction – successfully achieving a maximum ~85% rubidium recovery.
And in comes Starink, bringing more than 40 years of experience in mining and exploration with specialised expertise in engineering and process design.
His appointment coincides with scale-up pilot plant processing and future developments which EMC is jointly planning for direct rubidium extraction with ECU – including a potential patent application.
Intellectual property developed during the research agreement will be the property of the company, with ECU holding the rights to commercially exploit such intellectual property.
“We are excited to have Jon join the Everest team,” Everest Metals executive chairman and CEO Mark Caruso said.
“His vast knowledge and specialised expertise make him an invaluable leader for the Mt Edon rubidium processing development and marketing strategy.
“Jon’s appointment comes at a crucial time, as he is overseeing the next stage of ECU’s Rubidium extraction and purification report, expected to be received in November 2024.”
Phase 2 resource drilling is scheduled to follow in early 2025 with a scoping study expected to be completed in the March quarter.
Starink will also lead the company’s offtake and marketing discussions with potential commercial customers.
This article was developed in collaboration with Everest Metals Corporation, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.
This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.
