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Scandium

Scandium is a silvery-white rare earth element with the atomic number 21, valued for its ability to strengthen aluminium alloys and improve their performance at elevated temperatures. Although classified among the rare earths, scandium is geologically dispersed and rarely found in concentrated deposits, making its extraction economically challenging. It occurs as a trace element in a variety of ores, including bauxite, uranium tailings, nickel laterites and rare earth mineral deposits, and is typically recovered as a by-product during the processing of these materials. Scandium-aluminium alloys exhibit enhanced strength, weldability and corrosion resistance, and are used in aerospace components, sporting goods and additive manufacturing. The addition of small amounts of scandium to aluminium can reduce grain size and improve mechanical properties, making it attractive for high-performance applications. Global scandium production is limited, with supply historically dominated by Russia and China, though new projects in Australia, the Philippines and North America are seeking to diversify sources. Demand is growing as industries explore scandium's potential in solid oxide fuel cells, lighting and advanced materials. The metal is classified as a critical mineral by several governments, including the United States Department of Energy, owing to supply concentration and strategic importance. Recovery of scandium from mine tailings, bauxite residue and other secondary sources is an active area of research aimed at improving supply security and reducing environmental impact.

Scandium News


Sunrise Energy Metals chairperson Robert Friedland
Sunrise Energy to proceed with New South Wales scandium project
2nd November 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

ASX-listed Sunrise Energy Metals, which is led by chairperson Robert Friedland and and CEO Sam Riggall, has decided to proceed with the development of the Syerston scandium project, in New South... 


John Melkon
Canada's Meta Critical Minerals secures military expert Melkon as strategic adviser
16th October 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Canadian silica, zircon, titanium, scandium, vanadium and rare earths developer Meta Critical Minerals has appointed John Melkon to its strategic advisory board effective immediately. Melkon is a... 


Critical mineral symbols
Three-way merger between Special Project Delivery, Mobix Labs, Winner Water secures rare earths supply chain
6th October 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

California-based supply chain builder Special Project Delivery (SPD) has entered into a definitive business combination agreement with a US-based rare earths company called Winner Water Services.... 


An image of fine scandium
Australian Mines fast-tracks, expands Flemington PFS
27th July 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

ASX-listed Australian Mines says the prefeasibility study (PFS) for its high-grade Flemington scandium project in Australia will be fast-tracked and expanded, to include studies assessing the... 


Fluorspar heaps
West Cobar agrees to acquire fluorspar project in North America
12th June 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

In a low-cost acquisition structure, minerals exploration company West Cobar Metals has agreed to acquire a 100% interest in the Baxter fluorspar project, located in the US state of Nevada. This... 


Rare earths
Victory Metals secures traditional owner consent on land use for rare earths mine in WA
3rd June 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

ASX-listed heavy rare earths explorer Victory Metals has signed an agreement with the Wajarri Yamaji Aboriginal Corporation that helps facilitate the granting of a mining licence for the North... 


Alumina 'red mud' tailings site in Louisiana
Colorado School of Mines, ElementUSA awarded US gov funding to recover rare earths from alumina tailings
3rd June 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Research university Colorado School of Mines and mid-stream minerals processing company ElementUSA have been awarded $67-million in funding from the US Department of Energy (DoE) to build a plant... 


Ramaco metallurgical coal mine, in the US
REalloys partners with met coal miner Ramaco in rare earths, scandium drive
29th May 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Vertically integrated US rare earth processing and magnet supply chain company REalloys has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with US-based metallurgical coal miner Ramaco Resources to... 


Rare earths ore
China says rare earth controls lawful, will cooperate with US on 'reasonable' concerns
20th May 2026 By: Reuters

China will work with the US on "reasonable" concerns regarding its rare earth export controls, the Ministry of Commerce said on Wednesday, in a statement that defended its restrictions as... 


Mixed rare earth sulphate
China agrees to address US concerns over rare earth shortages, says White House
18th May 2026 By: Reuters

China will address US concerns about shortages of certain specialty rare earths caused by Beijing's export controls, the White House said on May 17 in a factsheet outlining the major deals agreed... 


Image of mining truck
Hat polymetallic porphyry project, Canada
15th May 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Doubleview Gold Corp plans to develop a conventional large-scale openpit mine and processing operation. 


Ore recovered from the Sheep Creek project
USCM, Bayan to undertake metallurgical test programme at Montana rare earths mine
14th May 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

US exploration and technology company US Critical Material Corp (USCM) has entered into a nonbinding memorandum of understanding (MoU) with ASX-listed Bayan Mining and Minerals to jointly evaluate... 


Fine scandium
Australian Mines announces $3m fundraise to advance Flemington PFS
4th May 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Following completion of the Flemington scandium project scoping study on April 28, Australian Mines has confirmed it will fast-track the project towards a prefeasibility study (PFS), while it has... 


Australia map and periodic table symbols for scandium
Syerston scandium project, Australia – update
6th March 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Early works activities have started. 


Scandium
Sunrise confirms $120m cost to build NSW scandium project
3rd March 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

ASX-listed Sunrise Energy Metals has confirmed in a feasibility study that the Syerston project, in New South Wales, is one of a few in the world capable of delivering scandium at the scale and... 


The Hat project area
PEA demonstrates strong economics of DoubleView's Hat project
3rd March 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

A preliminary economic assessment (PEA) of Doubleview Gold Corp's polymetallic Hat porphyry project, in British Columbia, has demonstrated robust project economics, with a post-tax net present... 


Mining billionaire Robert Friedland
Australian miner backed by Robert Friedland expects to supply US critical minerals stockpile, CEO says
4th February 2026 By: Reuters

An Australian scandium project backed by mining billionaire Richard Friedland is expected to contribute to the $12-billion US critical minerals stockpile, the company's CEO told Reuters on... 


EU's EIB to work with Australian government on critical raw materials
EU's EIB to work with Australian government on critical raw materials
18th November 2025 By: Reuters

The EU's European Investment Bank and the Australian government said in a joint statement on Monday they would deepen cooperation on critical raw materials, as Western powers scramble to cut their... 


Rio Tinto's RTFT metallurgical complex
Canada Growth Fund puts C$25m into Rio Tinto scandium facility
3rd November 2025 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Canada Growth Fund (CGF) will invest about C$25-million to support Rio Tinto’s scandium oxide production in Sorel-Tracy, Québec. The investment will expand the nameplate capacity of Rio Tinto’s... 


Resources Minister Tim Hodgson
Canada leads G7 push with C$6.4bn boost for critical minerals development
3rd November 2025 By: Mariaan Webb

Canada's Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson has announced 26 new investments, partnerships and measures to unlock C$6.4-billion of critical minerals projects. These initiatives are... 


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pqt: 0.029s - ct: 0.069s - 105pq - 2rq
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