PMET Demonstrates >97% Caesium Extraction from Pollucite Concentrate
PMET’s Shaakichiuwaanaan project achieves bench-scale caesium recovery exceeding 97%, advancing the asset toward final investment decision.
PMET Resources Inc. announced successful bench-scale caesium extraction testwork from pollucite concentrate produced at its Shaakichiuwaan Project. Two parallel programs were conducted: a conventional sulphuric acid leaching process by SGS Canada and a proprietary flow sheet evaluation by Koch Technology Solutions. Both programs demonstrated high recovery rates, with SGS achieving greater than 97% recovery, efficient impurity removal, and the potential for rubidium by-product recovery.
The feed material consisted of approximately 15 kg of pollucite concentrate assaying 12% Cs2O, produced via XRT ore sorting from the Vega Caesium Zone. Next steps involve producing gram quantities of high-purity Cs-sulphate, Cs-carbonate, Cs-formate, and potentially Rb-carbonate, with results expected circa Q4 2026.
The project hosts the world's largest in-situ pollucite-hosted caesium pegmatite Mineral Resource, comprising 0.69 Mt at 4.40% Cs2O (Indicated) and 1.70 Mt at 2.40% Cs2O (Inferred). A Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for the broader project (Li, Cs, Ta) and the Feasibility Study for the CV5 Pegmatite are both scheduled for completion in Q4 2026.
PMET Resources Inc. released results on July 12, 2026, marking a logical progression of its April 2026 partnership with Koch Technology Solutions. This follows October 2025 XRT ore-sorting results that first demonstrated commercial-grade pollucite concentrate. The company reported a greater than 97% recovery rate, which meets or slightly exceeds internal expectations for bench-scale validation. These results confirm that sulphuric acid leaching and proprietary flow sheets can efficiently extract caesium while removing impurities.
The announcement serves as a routine technical milestone that de-risks the caesium co-product pathway ahead of Q4 2026 economic studies. It does not alter the base case for the lithium-only Feasibility Study, nor does it guarantee immediate revenue. Caesium markets are niche, and off-take pricing remains unproven at commercial scale. The news is incremental and expected, aligning with the company's stated development timeline. It reinforces the multi-commodity thesis but does not change the capital allocation or permitting trajectory.
PMET Resources Inc. is a critical minerals developer focused on the 100%-owned Shaakichiuwaanaan Project in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay region of Quebec, Canada. The project is a Lithium-Caesium-Tantalum (LCT) pegmatite deposit targeting approximately 800,000 tonnes per annum of SC5.5 spodumene concentrate, with significant co-product potential in caesium (pollucite) and tantalum.
The company is currently in the development stage, having submitted its Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) in March 2026 to initiate the final regulatory authorization process. A Final Investment Decision is targeted for the second half of 2027. The processing approach relies on simple, low-cost physical methods, including Dense Media Separation for lithium, XRT ore-sorting for caesium, and gravity/flotation for tantalum. The project benefits from proximity to the La Grande 4 Hydro Dam, which offers access to low-cost renewable power at approximately 5.3 cents per kilowatt-hour, and has secured significant Indigenous economic participation commitments.