Elevra Lithium Confirms Broad Rubidium Hit at Mac Well With Peak of 0.78% Rb₂O
Key Takeaways
- 21 of 27 rock chip samples at Mac Well returned grades above 0.1% Rb₂O, with 8 samples exceeding 0.3% Rb₂O — breadth that signals a coherent mineralised system rather than isolated anomalies.
- The peak result, sample M000969, returned 0.78% Rb₂O and 0.71% Li₂O, demonstrating dual rubidium-lithium potential within the same pegmatite system.
- 296 soil samples across tenement E45/5904 have defined multiple geochemical anomalies, providing a ranked target list for follow-up geological mapping and surface sampling.
- Rubidium is on the United States' 2025 Critical Minerals List, giving Mac Well strategic relevance beyond its early-stage exploration status.
- Next steps are a defined two-stage sequence: additional surface sampling and geological mapping, followed by a maiden drilling program subject to those results — giving investors clear milestones to track.
Widespread rubidium mineralisation confirmed at Mac Well
The Mac Well Project, located in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, is held under a joint venture between Morella Corporation (ASX: 1MC) (51%) and Elevra Lithium Limited (ASX: ELV) (49%). Rock chip sampling has returned widespread rubidium mineralisation, with 21 of 27 samples exceeding 0.1% Rb₂O and 8 samples exceeding 0.3% Rb₂O.
The peak result came from sample M000969, which returned 0.78% Rb₂O and 0.71% Li₂O. For investors, the headline figure is not just that peak — it is the breadth. Results spread consistently across 21 of 27 samples point to a coherent mineralised system rather than isolated hits, which meaningfully reduces early-stage exploration risk and strengthens the case for drill-target definition. Soil sampling has also defined multiple lithium and rubidium geochemical anomalies requiring follow-up.
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What the sampling programs revealed
Rock chip results across pegmatite outcrops
The rock chip program collected 27 samples from pegmatite outcrops and linear features identified via satellite imagery. All samples were submitted to ALS Global Perth for assay using a 4-acid digest followed by ICP-AES and ICP-MS analysis for a standard multi-element lithium suite including rare earth elements.
Key results from the program:
- 21 of 27 samples returned grades above 0.1% Rb₂O
- 8 samples exceeded 0.3% Rb₂O
- 5 of those 8 also returned grades above 0.1% Li₂O
- Peak result: sample M000969 at 0.78% Rb₂O and 0.71% Li₂O
The table below presents notable rock chip assay results from Table 1 of the announcement:
| Sample ID | North | East | Rb₂O (%) | Li₂O (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M000946 | 7718039 | 691661 | 0.32 | 0.01 |
| M000948 | 7718101 | 691803 | 0.23 | 0.01 |
| M000949 | 7718167 | 691770 | 0.35 | 0.00 |
| M000950 | 7719568 | 691679 | 0.25 | 0.02 |
| M000951 | 7719557 | 691644 | 0.32 | 0.03 |
| M000952 | 7719565 | 691656 | 0.23 | 0.03 |
| M000953 | 7719551 | 691612 | 0.27 | 0.02 |
| M000959 | 7719943 | 692443 | 0.23 | 0.00 |
| M000960 | 7719854 | 692444 | 0.25 | 0.07 |
| M000962 | 7719827 | 692379 | 0.40 | 0.05 |
| M000964 | 7720004 | 692551 | 0.30 | 0.19 |
| M000967 | 7720182 | 692698 | 0.38 | 0.09 |
| M000968 | 7720270 | 692608 | 0.29 | 0.04 |
| M000969 | 7720328 | 692670 | 0.78 | 0.71 |
| M000970 | 7720327 | 692680 | 0.24 | 0.07 |
| M000971 | 7720214 | 692767 | 0.48 | 0.26 |
| M000972 | 7720300 | 692818 | 0.25 | 0.16 |
Source: Table 1, Morella Corporation ASX Announcement, 30 September 2026. Notable Rb₂O and Li₂O rock chip assay results.
Soil sampling defines follow-up targets
A total of 296 soil samples were collected across tenement E45/5904. Each sample was taken from a 30cm pit, with material sieved to less than 2mm and submitted for a standard multi-element lithium suite including rare earth elements, using 4-acid digest and ICP-AES/ICP-MS assay at ALS Global in Perth.
Results identified several areas of geochemical anomalism within the Mac Well Project area. These anomalies provide targets for follow-up field investigation, including geological mapping and additional surface sampling. Soil results are directional at this stage, defining where attention should be focused rather than confirming grade.
Why rubidium matters for investors
Rubidium (Rb) is a rare alkali metal that typically occurs within highly fractionated lithium-caesium-tantalum (LCT) pegmatites, often associated with minerals such as microcline, lepidolite and pollucite. Production generally occurs as a by-product from a relatively small number of mineral sources and operations globally, which keeps supply constrained.
Its end-use applications span some of the most technology-sensitive sectors in the modern economy:
- Advanced electronics
- Specialty glass and fibre-optic systems
- Atomic clocks
- High-technology and defence applications
Rubidium’s strategic profile is increasingly recognised at a policy level. It is included on the United States’ 2025 Critical Minerals List, while lithium and tantalum are recognised as critical raw materials under the European Union’s Critical Raw Materials Act. That constrained supply base, combined with specialised high-technology demand, gives rubidium projects growing strategic relevance.
For Morella, Mac Well adds another rubidium-bearing system to the Morella-Elevra JV portfolio alongside Mt Edon.
James Brown, Managing Director, Morella Corporation
“These are encouraging early-stage results from Mac Well. What stands out is the consistency of the rubidium results, with 21 of the 27 rock chip samples returning grades above 0.1% Rb₂O, together with several meaningful lithium results…”
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What comes next at Mac Well
Mac Well remains an early-stage project, and the announcement makes clear that these results are a platform for systematic follow-up rather than a resource-stage outcome. The soil and rock chip results support further evaluation of Mac Well’s lithium-caesium-tantalum (LCT) potential, with a defined sequence of work ahead.
Next steps disclosed in the announcement are:
- Additional surface sampling and geological mapping over the newly identified targets to refine understanding and support drill targeting.
- Subject to the results of that follow-up mapping and sampling, design of a maiden drilling program to test priority pegmatite targets.
For regional context, Mac Well is located approximately 2.5km northeast of Wildcat Resources’ Bolt Cutter Project. The pathway from surface results to drill-ready targets is staged and defined, giving investors clear milestones to track as the project advances.
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