Mining & Processing

How Rubidium Is Mined and Processed

Rubidium (Rb) is a specialty metal with global annual production of approximately 4 tonnes, primarily from Canada and Namibia. Typical ore grades range from Byproduct - 0.5-3% Rb in pollucite.

Mining Methods

Rubidium is extracted through the following methods, selected based on deposit type and geology:

• Byproduct of cesium mining (pollucite)
• Byproduct of lithium mining (lepidolite)

Ore Types and Mineralogy

The principal ore types and mineral sources for Rubidium include:

• Pollucite - contains Rb
• Lepidolite - contains Rb
• Leucite

Processing and Beneficiation

Following extraction, Rubidium ore undergoes the following processing stages:

1. Chemical processing of pollucite liquors
2. Ion exchange separation
3. Distillation of rubidium metal

Environmental and Regulatory Considerations

Mining and processing of Rubidium must comply with environmental regulations governing water use, tailings management, emissions, and land rehabilitation. Increasingly stringent environmental standards are raising production costs but also driving innovation in cleaner extraction technologies. The social license to operate and community engagement have become critical factors in project development, particularly in Canada where 50% of global production is concentrated.