Northwire Canada EditionSunday, July 12, 2026
Northwire
GLDN 0.055 +0.0% BRON 0.040 +0.0% BTO 5.43 −0.7% ESK 0.365 −2.7% AUMN 0.275 +0.0% GGX 0.040 +0.0% S 0.155 +29.2% NNX 0.035 +0.0% ABX 51.90 −0.6% TTS 2.40 −4.0% FCI 0.400 −9.1% GR 0.075 +0.0% AII 23.38 +12.4% TUNG 1.72 +1.8% LGO 1.01 −2.9% EMM 0.080 +0.0% GLDN 0.055 +0.0% BRON 0.040 +0.0% BTO 5.43 −0.7% ESK 0.365 −2.7% AUMN 0.275 +0.0% GGX 0.040 +0.0% S 0.155 +29.2% NNX 0.035 +0.0% ABX 51.90 −0.6% TTS 2.40 −4.0% FCI 0.400 −9.1% GR 0.075 +0.0% AII 23.38 +12.4% TUNG 1.72 +1.8% LGO 1.01 −2.9% EMM 0.080 +0.0%
Production / Operations Routine +

Quantum Critical Metals Initiates Rubidium Recovery Program to Advance North American Critical Minerals Supply

Rubidium Recovery Program Validates Mica Strategy Amidst Price Consolidation

Executive Summary
  • Quantum Critical Metals has initiated advanced metallurgical test work at its NMX East project in Quebec to optimize rubidium recovery.
  • The company engaged the University of British Columbia (UBC) to evaluate a hydrometallurgical flowsheet for extracting rubidium, gallium, and lithium from mica concentrate.
  • Analytical results confirmed significant enrichment: Rubidium up to 3,260 g/t, Gallium up to 205 g/t, Tantalum up to 51.4 g/t, and Lithium up to 816 g/t in coarse fractions.
  • Objectives include maximizing rubidium recovery, developing a refining flowsheet for marketable products, and assessing scalability for pilot-scale development.
  • This follows previous announcements regarding gallium recovery (93% reported Nov 2025) and drill permit approvals (April 2026).
Material Impact
  • The news represents incremental technical progress rather than a fundamental shift in valuation drivers.
  • While the rubidium grades are high, metallurgical success does not guarantee economic viability or immediate revenue without pilot-scale validation.
  • Previous positive news regarding gallium recovery (Nov 2025) did not sustain price momentum, as evidenced by the decline from $0.22 to $0.05 over early 2026.
  • The market appears to have priced in the critical mineral narrative; this announcement confirms execution but lacks immediate financing or offtake specifics that would trigger a re-rating.
  • Risk of dilution remains high given the history of private placements and warrant issuances ($0.20 exercise price).
LEAP · Price
Company Overview
  • Flagship Project: NMX East Rubidium-Gallium-Cesium Critical Minerals Project in Quebec.
  • Strategy: Focus on mica-hosted critical minerals (Ga, Rb, Cs) to supply North American defense and semiconductor markets.
  • Secondary Projects: Babine South Silver Project (BC), Victory Antimony Property (BC), Quest Rare Earths (Quebec).
  • Jurisdiction: Stable Canadian jurisdictions (Quebec, British Columbia) with existing infrastructure.
Read the original news release →

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