Eye on IP, Platina Resources (ASX:PGM) produces high-grade aluminium-scandium master alloy

Highlights

• Platina’s IP development program has produced a new high-grade, aluminium-scandium master alloy that holds potential to attract end users.
• The new master alloy has more than double the amount of scandium compared to the currently available commercial products.
• Owing to its lightweight and high-strength nature, aluminium-scandium alloys hold strong appeal for the marine, heat exchangers, aero, electric vehicles and other markets.

Platina Resources Limited (ASX:PGM) shares edged up ~4% on Wednesday to trade at AU$0.055 (AEST: 11:56 AM) following a significant update.

In an encouraging step towards creating a valuable intellectual property (IP), Platina’s IP development program has produced a new high-grade, aluminium-scandium master alloy. The Company believes that this master alloy would be attractive to end users.

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Commenting on the positive developments, Platina Managing Director Mr Corey Nolan noted that the results are an important step in developing the Company’s new development strategy for the wholly owned Platina Scandium Project, one of the largest and highest-grade scandium deposits in the world.

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Tests highlight positive results

The Company’s IP development program is focused on developing a proprietary process to produce value-added, aluminium-scandium master alloy.

The tests have demonstrated the successful conversion of scandium oxide into scandium aluminide with high recoveries. Importantly, it produces micro-structures that are the same as commercially available aluminium scandium master alloys.

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Source: PGM Update, dated 16 February 2022

Furthermore, the high-grade master alloy has also successfully been diluted back down to a standard commercial grade of 2% scandium. There is strong evidence that aluminium scandium alloys, being lightweight and high on strength, hold strong appeal for a range of areas including marine, heat exchangers, aero, electric vehicles and other markets.

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Strategic focus of Platina Resources

Platina’s strategy is to develop a proprietary process to produce a premium value-added product directly saleable into the market at a relatively modest capital and operating cost operation.

The Company plans to undertake further testwork to refine the process methodology at a larger scale.

Growing opportunities in scandium market

In late-2021, the Company outlined several initiatives to unlock value at its wholly owned scandium project – including completing a feasibility study assessment to develop an integrated master alloy production facility and finalising the permitting process for the project.

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The global scandium market is brimming with opportunities, offering the potential for substantially higher commercial volumes over a more diverse range of applications. This can happen if scandium oxide can be converted into products such as master alloy, which boasts value addition, higher-margin and are more readily saleable.

Platina believes that the Platina Scandium Project, in combination with a master alloy production facility, is a world-class opportunity to participate in the current scandium market growth.