TELF AG examines the potential of a major Australian scandium deposit
A resource in increasing demand
For some specific raw materials, increases in global demand, combined with technological developments in specific directions, may lead to new ferment at certain sourcing sites, with the intensification of exploration initiatives, some of which resumed after many years of inactivity. This trend is demonstrated by what is happening in a major scandium deposit located in Australia, in the south-east of the country, where drilling operations could soon resume. Over the years, this deposit (linked to the Flemington project) has been noted for the high grade of the raw material. Scandium is a silvery-white transition metal that is appreciated above all for its lightness, which is instrumental in sectors such as automotive or aerospace.
The Australian deposit in New South Wales would contain as many as 2.7 million tonnes of scandium, with a concentration of material equal to about 403 ppm. Similar scandium deposits had been found in the same area of Australia in the past, which, despite being among those with one of the highest grades in the world, were lower in terms of concentration.
Possible applications
According to the data cited in a recent analysis, the Flemington project in south-eastern Australia could have a net value of about 255 million dollars, with an initial mine life of about 18 years. At a previous time, it had even been predicted that the site could have a much longer life, up to 45 years. According to the report, the desire to boost scandium production in this particular deposit would not be linked only to structural reasons such as increased demand but also to one of the possible applications of the material. We are referring to the role of scandium in energy infrastructures related to solid-state hydrogen, i.e., a form of hydrogen storage and use that, by its numerous advantages in terms of safety, stability, and energy density, is increasingly taken into consideration by players in the energy sector (also representing a valid alternative to gaseous or liquid hydrogen).
However, one of the most interesting aspects of this deposit is linked to the fact that its potential may still be all to be discovered. As stated in the analysis, the mineral resources contained in the deposit would seem to expand in other directions in addition to those already explored, with the concrete possibility of finding further quantities of resources that would increase the estimates of the total resources contained in the deposit. This information could, therefore, suggest the existence of a vast and unknown area, potentially rich in resources.
In addition to applications in electronics and the mechanical strengthening of certain alloys, scandium is a primary resource in producing highly efficient solid oxide fuel cells, which are very useful for generating energy with low carbon content. In these particular cells, scandium is used mainly to improve their overall efficiency, making generating energy from hydrogen easier with fewer losses. According to estimates by Mordor Intelligence, the annual growth rate of scandium demand could remain around 14.7% until 2030.
