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- Numerous high grade scandium intercepts made in drilling
- Recent metallurgical testwork supports scandium potential
- Detailed review identifies potential higher-grade scandium drill targets
- Global scandium demand is expected to increase substantially
West Cobar Metals (ASX:WC1) has identified scandium potential with a detailed review of the Salazar critical minerals project in WA.
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The review has identified priority drill target areas for higher grade scandium mineralisation and confirmed robust metallurgical studies.
Recent bioleaching screening testwork at Salazar achieved scandium extraction of up to 39% under atmospheric conditions, while earlier metallurgical testwork achieved scandium recoveries of up to 81% using atmospheric-pressure acid leaching.
MD, Matt Szwedzicki, said results are particularly significant as many scandium projects globally rely on higher-cost high-pressure and high-temperature processing routes.
West Cobar also believes Salazar’s shallow saprolite-hosted mineralisation and atmospheric leach characteristics may provide processing and capital cost advantages.
“Salazar has a significant established scandium resource, which also contains several high grade scandium drill targets. The early testwork conducted to date is encouraging in that a lower cost processing pathway may be feasible,” Mr Szwedzicki said.
“If ongoing metallurgical optimisation work continues to support these results, Salazar has the potential to become a lower capital cost scandium development opportunity while simultaneously producing rare earths and other critical minerals.”
Closer spaced aircore drilling at 100m x 50m spacing around the areas of high scandium intersections is planned to define and extend higher-grade zones of scandium mineralisation.
The positive studies comes when there is increasing international attention on scandium following tightening Chinese export controls and recent competitor feasibility studies, highlighting the strategic importance of a secure Western scandium supply required for defence, aerospace, advanced aluminium alloys, solid oxide fuel cells and semiconductor applications.
WC1 is down 5.56% to 1.7¢. Mkt cap $7.486M.
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