Rare Metal Found In North Queensland

Scandium Found Near Townsville

Australian miner Metallica Minerals says it has found deposits of scandium at its Ludrow nickel-cobalt project as Greenvale near Townsville in the Australian state of Queensland.

The element is used to strengthen low-weight aluminium alloys in the aerospace, automotive and sporting industries but supplies have been limited.
Metallica managing director Andrew Gillies says the company hopes to capitalise on that shortage, and subject to a feasibility study, become the world's largest scandium supplier.

"It has got fantastic attributes, and everybody likes quality products," Mr Gillies said.

"We are talking to serious end users that are in need of long term reliable supply. The problem has always been is that there's no long term reliable supply, so the main end users would be reluctant to add it to their plane wings, rocket wings [and] mainstream lighting components.

Mr Gillies said he thought there was around 1500 tonnes of scandium oxide in around 20 drilling holes at the Ludrow site. The Scandium will be processed in conjunction with nickel and cobalt from the project, making the venture worthwhile.