Morella Corporation (ASX: 1MC) has completed a reverse circulation drilling campaign at its Mt Edon rubidium-lithium project in Western Australia.
The campaign – which comprised 20 holes for a total of 1,700 metres – formed part of a joint venture (JV) strategy with Elevra Lithium (ASX: ELV) to advance the project toward a maiden mineral resource estimate.
It aimed to increase drill density within Mt Edon’s core mineralised zones, test strike and depth extensions of the pegmatite system, and collect samples to support geological modelling and resource estimation.
Drilling identified two principal pegmatite bodies within the Sophie prospect, open along strike and at depth and separated by a zone of limited mineralisation.
Wide Pegmatite Intervals
Eleven holes of the campaign intersected pegmatite intervals greater than 30m, with an average intercept thickness of approximately 45m across the main zones.
Drilling was adaptively managed in the field and geological observations helped refine the campaign to focus on the most prospective zones.
Best results were 84m pegmatite from 18m, 69m pegmatite from 63m, 53m pegmatite from 3m, and 51m pegmatite from 2m.
The intercepts were distributed across a continuous pegmatite corridor, confirming the presence of multiple substantial pegmatite bodies and supporting the interpretation of a continuous and laterally extensive system.
Consistent Thickness Across Holes
Morella managing director James Brown said drilling had delivered a strong outcome for the Mt Edon project.
“Importantly, we are seeing consistent thicknesses across multiple holes including several very wide intervals and in some cases, the pegmatite remains open at depth which provides a solid foundation for resource modelling,” he said.
Mt Edon’s microcline-hosted rubidium mineralisation positions the JV to participate in the emerging critical minerals sector, as well as evaluate potential downstream opportunities aligned with its broader lithium and battery materials portfolio.
Morella holds a 51% stake in the JV entity; Elevra, the other 49%.
Limited Rubidium Supply
Rubidium is a rare alkali metal typically occurring within highly-fractionated lithium-caesium-tantalum pegmatites.
It is primarily used in specialty glass formulations, advanced electronics, atomic clocks, fibre-optic systems, and medical imaging technologies.
Global rubidium supply remains extremely limited—most material is produced as a by-product from small lepidolite or pollucite operations, production is concentrated in only a handful of jurisdictions, and the market remains highly constrained.
Due to its scarcity and strategic importance, rubidium is listed as a critical mineral in multiple regions including the US and the European Union.
