NEWS

Breakthrough in Rubidium Extraction

Chinese scientists have made a significant breakthrough in extracting rubidium, a critical metal, from salt lake brine. This achievement could slash China's dependence on imports, primarily from Canada, which currently supply two-thirds of its needs. Researchers at the Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes developed an industrial-scale method to produce ultra-pure rubidium chloride from ultra-low concentrations, achieving 99.9% purity. This innovation could reduce China's import reliance and improve its strategic autonomy in critical mineral supply chains. Rubidium has extensive applications in electronics, specialty glass, aerospace, and medical research. The extraction process is also potentially cost-effective, with production costs amounting to just one-third of the market price of rubidium chloride. This breakthrough may enhance China's supply chain security and support its growing industries.