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Highlights:
Scandium Canada (TSX-V:SCD) completed its optimisation campaign at SGS Canada for scandium and rare earth recovery.
Purity levels achieved in the latest flowsheet meet industrial requirements for aluminium-scandium alloy use.
Updated processing reduces material transport and enhances scandium oxide output compared to earlier assessments.
Scandium Canada (TSX-V:SCD), operating in the scandium and rare earth elements segment, has completed an optimisation program focused on improving its mineral processing and hydrometallurgical flowsheet at the Crater Lake Project. This development is particularly relevant in the context of global materials supply chains and aligns with broader trends observed across indexes such as the asx 200 and TSX-V, which track industrial and resource-focused equities.
Flowsheet Optimisation Campaign
The recent work was carried out at SGS Canada’s Lakefield facility in Ontario. Using a representative sample extracted from a larger bulk source at Crater Lake, the campaign aimed to validate and enhance scandium and rare earth oxide recovery processes. These improvements will be incorporated into the forthcoming Prefeasibility Study (PFS) for the Québec-based Crater Lake Project.
The company’s processing system has reached new benchmark purity levels for scandium oxide and rare earth oxide precipitates. These refined purities align with existing industrial use cases for scandium, particularly in aluminium-scandium alloys, where specific chemical standards are required for effective integration.
Scandium Recovery Efficiency
Scandium Canada highlighted that the hydrometallurgical approach demonstrated strong efficiency in converting ore into finished scandium oxide product. These outcomes have been supported by technical validation and lab-scale confirmation, reflecting the improved performance of the overall process.
Dr. Peter Kondos, Technical Advisor to Scandium Canada, remarked on the performance improvements achieved through hydrometallurgical testing. According to the company's data, these results contribute to a broader increase in overall product recovery, reinforcing the effectiveness of the refined method.
Material Transport and Processing Adjustments
The improved flowsheet enables a significant reduction in the amount of concentrate requiring transportation for further processing. This streamlining of logistics has implications for capital allocation and operational spending, with less material needing movement from the mine site to the hydrometallurgical facility.
In addition to cost-efficiency, the revised approach is projected to yield a higher volume of scandium oxide annually when compared with figures presented in the earlier Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA). This updated capacity is attributed to improved ore-to-product conversion and a leaner supply chain model.
Integration with Previous Data
The optimisation campaign also incorporated earlier mineral processing data into the latest flowsheet model. This integration ensures continuity between past results and the current refinement stage, offering a more cohesive representation of project scalability and technical maturity.
Company Perspective on Forward Planning
Scandium Canada’s executive team emphasized that the collected data will play a key role in advancing the TG zone of the Crater Lake Project. The refined flowsheet serves as a critical input for the PFS, which is aimed at quantifying the implications of process enhancements on both operations and capital structure.
CEO Guy Bourassa acknowledged that a marked decrease in concentrate transport volume contributes to a measurable reduction in operating expenses. He also noted an expected uplift in scandium oxide production when benchmarked against previous project assessments.
Project Development Focus
The primary objective of this recent work has been to build upon the base case outlined in the 2022 PEA. By refining the recovery process and reducing handling costs, Scandium Canada aims to strengthen the foundational metrics of its Crater Lake Project. The campaign supports the transition toward more efficient production of scandium and associated rare earth outputs under current flowsheet conditions.
The Crater Lake site remains a focal point for rare earth and scandium recovery in northeastern Québec. The company’s recent activities underscore its commitment to refining extraction technologies and reducing costs in the critical minerals landscape.
