In an insightful interview with InvestorNews host Tracy Weslosky, Guy Bourassa, CEO and Director of Scandium Canada Ltd. (TSXV: SCD | OTCQB: SCDCF), highlighted their unique position in the global scandium market as the owner of “…one of the largest primary scandium projects in the world”. Bourassa emphasized that this distinction is particularly significant given the current scarcity of scandium, which is primarily sourced as a byproduct from regions such as Russia and China. The scarcity of scandium underscores the strategic importance of Scandium Canada’s Crater Lake Project, as industries worldwide are increasingly in need of reliable and scalable sources of scandium to meet the growing demand for this high-performance metal.

Bourassa discussed how scandium offers remarkable benefits when added to aluminum alloys, significantly enhancing their properties. These enhanced scandium-aluminium alloys exhibit increased strength, improved thermal resistance, and greater weldability compared to their standard aluminum counterparts. This combination of traits makes scandium-alloyed materials highly sought after, especially in sectors where material performance and weight reduction are critical, such as aerospace, automotive, and defense industries. Bourassa explained that incorporating scandium leads to significant weight reduction, facilitating more efficient aircraft and vehicles which, in turn, contributes to a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Bourassa drew an intriguing parallel to the history of niobium, an element that revolutionized the steel industry by enhancing steel’s properties when alloyed. He added, “Scandium Canada is going to do the same thing for the aluminum sector.” Furthermore, the strategic initiatives undertaken by Scandium Canada, including leveraging significant grants and government programs available for critical mineral projects in Canada, position the company advantageously for rapid project advancement with minimal shareholder dilution. This financial acumen, coupled with the project’s significance in providing a primary source of scandium, places Scandium Canada in a strong competitive position.

To access the complete interview, click here

Don’t miss other InvestorNews interviews. Subscribe to the InvestorNews YouTube channel by clicking here

About Scandium Canada Ltd.

Scandium Canada is a Canadian technology metals company focused on advancing its flagship Crater Lake scandium and rare earth project in Québec.

To learn more about Scandium Canada Ltd., click here

Disclaimer: Scandium Canada Ltd. is an advertorial member of InvestorNews Inc.

This interview, which was produced by InvestorNews Inc. (“InvestorNews”), does not contain, nor does it purport to contain, a summary of all material information concerning the Company, including important disclosure and risk factors associated with the Company, its business and an investment in its securities. InvestorNews offers no representations or warranties that any of the information contained in this interview is accurate or complete.

This interview and any transcriptions or reproductions thereof (collectively, this “presentation”) does not constitute, or form part of, any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer to subscribe for or purchase any securities in the Company. The information in this presentation is provided for informational purposes only and may be subject to updating, completion or revision, and except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any information herein. This presentation may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and assumptions of the management of the Company as of the date made. They are inherently susceptible to uncertainty and other factors that could cause actual events/results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Additional risks and uncertainties, including those that the Company does not know about now or that it currently deems immaterial, may also adversely affect the Company’s business or any investment therein.

Any projections given are principally intended for use as objectives and are not intended, and should not be taken, as assurances that the projected results will be obtained by the Company. The assumptions used may not prove to be accurate and a potential decline in the Company’s financial condition or results of operations may negatively impact the value of its securities. This presentation should not be considered as the giving of investment advice by the Company or any of its directors, officers, agents, employees or advisors. Each person to whom this presentation is made available must make its own independent assessment of the Company after making such investigations and taking such advice as may be deemed necessary. Prospective investors are urged to review the Company’s profile on SedarPlus.ca and to carry out independent investigations in order to determine their interest in investing in the Company.

In the ever-evolving world of mining and mineral exploration, certain elements periodically spring into prominence, reshaping industry landscapes and investment priorities. One such element, Scandium (Sc), has recently been thrust into the spotlight, thanks to a groundbreaking report by Christopher Ecclestone of Hallgarten + Company. This report shines a light on Imperial Mining Group Ltd. (TSXV: IPG | OTCQB: IMPNF), a company poised to become the first primary Scandium miner in North America.

Rio Tinto’s Game-Changing Move

Rio Tinto Group’s (NYSE: RIO | LSE: RIO) involvement has been a catalyst in transforming the critical mineral Scandium from an obscure element to a sought-after commodity. Their investment in Quebec has positioned the region as a secondary producer of Scandium, directly impacting the dynamics of the global Scandium market.

Imperial Mining’s Crater Lake Project

At the heart of Ecclestone’s report is the Crater Lake project, wholly owned by Imperial Mining Group. Located in Quebec, the project, initially aimed at Rare Earth Elements (REE, rare earths), has evolved over 12 years into a major Scandium deposit, offering both challenges and opportunities for the company. The project, now seen as one of the largest viable Scandium projects in North America, boasts a promising after-tax NPV of $1.72 billion and an IRR of 32.8%.

Project Evolution and Opportunities

The Crater Lake project’s shift away from rare earths to Scandium could potentially lower capital expenditures while enhancing the IRR. This strategic pivot is particularly significant as Scandium’s role in light-weighting in the aeronautics sector grows. The project’s life of mine, initially estimated at 25 years, has the potential to extend to 40 years, thanks to recent increases in the Mineral Resource Estimate.

Geological and Resource Highlights

The Crater Lake property consists of 96 contiguous claims covering 47 km², with an updated Mineral Resource Estimate indicating a significant increase in Scandium tonnage. The exploration data reveals high concentrations of iron oxide and rare earths, and the property’s geology is characterized by a variety of lithologies including granite, quartz monzonite, and ferrosyenite, making it a complex but lucrative mining prospect.

Exploration and Future Prospects

Imperial Mining has conducted extensive exploration programs since acquiring Crater Lake. These include geophysical modeling, drilling programs, and geochemical studies. The company’s future plans include converting inferred mineral resources to indicated and potentially measured resources, further solidifying the project’s potential.

Investment and Market Dynamics

Ecclestone’s report also touches upon the cautious investment climate, emphasizing the importance of realistic production perspectives. The entry of new players like Imperial Mining into the Scandium market adds an intriguing dynamic to the price and demand for Scandium, especially considering the uncreated demand from end-users.

Conclusion

For investors and industry enthusiasts looking to understand the intricacies of Scandium mining and its future potential, Christopher Ecclestone’s report on Imperial Mining Group Ltd. is a must-read. It not only provides an in-depth analysis of the Crater Lake project but also offers insights into the broader implications of Scandium mining in North America. As Scandium’s importance in critical industries like aerospace grows, keeping an eye on developments like Imperial Mining’s Crater Lake project becomes crucial.

To delve deeper into the fascinating world of Scandium mining and understand how Imperial Mining Group Ltd. is set to revolutionize this space, I highly recommend reading the full report by Hallgarten + Company’s Senior Analyst Christopher Ecclestone . It’s an enlightening journey through the complexities, challenges, and immense potential of Scandium in the contemporary mining industry.

Note from the Publisher: On my industry expert lists, scandium is deemed a rare earth element. This said on the Critical Minerals Institute (CMI) lists for the USA, Canada, Australia and Europe, they all list scandium seperately as a critical mineral.

In a recent interview, host Jack Lifton sat down with Imperial Mining Group Ltd.‘s (TSXV: IPG | OTCQB: IMPNF) President and CEO, Pierre Neatby, to discuss the potential and importance of Scandium. Lifton noted that while Scandium is undervalued and underrated by the public, its true significance lies as a soon-to-be invaluable commodity.

Neatby emphasized that Scandium’s abundance is akin to lead, but its production is limited, mostly as byproducts from China, Russia, Ukraine, and the Philippines. Imperial Mining Group, with its Crater Lake deposit in Northern Quebec, aims to amplify Scandium’s presence in the market. Quebec, already a prominent aluminum producer, makes an ideal locale for Scandium-aluminum alloy production.

The company recently announced a promising preliminary economic assessment, highlighting their readiness to advance. Unlike traditional base metal junior mining companies, those in the critical metal domain need to prove metallurgy and secure customers. Neatby envisions their Scandium production to potentially triple the world’s output, meeting the anticipated demand by 2030. Current Scandium applications include solid oxide fuel cells and automobile components, like brake rotors. With electric vehicles’ weight being a concern, Neatby suggests that Scandium-aluminum alloys can revolutionize the automotive industry by replacing heavier metals, strengthening supply chains, and promoting fuel efficiency.

To access the complete interview, click here

Don’t miss other InvestorNews interviews. Subscribe to the InvestorNews YouTube channel by clicking here

About Imperial Mining Group Ltd.

Imperial is a Canadian mineral exploration and development company focused on the advancement of its technology metals projects in Québec. Imperial is publicly listed on the TSX Venture Exchange as “IPG” and on the OTCQB Exchange as “IMPNF” and is led by an experienced team of mineral exploration and development professionals with a strong track record of mineral deposit discovery in numerous metal commodities.

To learn more about Imperial Mining Group Ltd., click here

Disclaimer: Imperial Mining Group Ltd. is an advertorial member of InvestorNews Inc.

This interview, which was produced by InvestorNews Inc. (“InvestorNews”), does not contain, nor does it purport to contain, a summary of all material information concerning the Company, including important disclosure and risk factors associated with the Company, its business and an investment in its securities. InvestorNews offers no representations or warranties that any of the information contained in this interview is accurate or complete.

This interview and any transcriptions or reproductions thereof (collectively, this “presentation”) does not constitute, or form part of, any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer to subscribe for or purchase any securities in the Company. The information in this presentation is provided for informational purposes only and may be subject to updating, completion or revision, and except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any information herein. This presentation may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and assumptions of the management of the Company as of the date made. They are inherently susceptible to uncertainty and other factors that could cause actual events/results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Additional risks and uncertainties, including those that the Company does not know about now or that it currently deems immaterial, may also adversely affect the Company’s business or any investment therein.

Any projections given are principally intended for use as objectives and are not intended, and should not be taken, as assurances that the projected results will be obtained by the Company. The assumptions used may not prove to be accurate and a potential decline in the Company’s financial condition or results of operations may negatively impact the value of its securities. This presentation should not be considered as the giving of investment advice by the Company or any of its directors, officers, agents, employees or advisors. Each person to whom this presentation is made available must make its own independent assessment of the Company after making such investigations and taking such advice as may be deemed necessary. Prospective investors are urged to review the Company’s profile on SedarPlus.ca and to carry out independent investigations in order to determine their interest in investing in the Company.

When I first started looking into scandium, I found out that it was used in bicycle frames, aluminum alloy baseball bats and some fishing rods, which was good enough for me to be interested. However, improving the strength, corrosion resistance, and reducing the weight of those items isn’t going to raise an eyebrow at COP26 nor is it likely to dramatically improve demand for scandium. That’s why it probably makes more sense to talk about how a scandium-aluminum alloy is used in weight reduction applications in the high volume automotive, aerospace, fuel cell, and defense sectors. In fact, scandium can reduce our carbon footprint by making commercial aircraft and vehicles lighter and more fuel efficient thus lowering emissions. In EVs, scandium is used in light weighting vehicle components to extend battery range and improve fuel cell efficiency. Airbus SA has patented scandium-aluminum alloys for welding of aircraft structures in place of rivets for assembly, which reduces weight by 20%. With all the bad press emissions from air travel have gotten the last couple of days out of Glasgow, this could become a very important issue for the future of plane manufacturers.

Now that we’ve determined scandium is a good thing and could possibly be on the upswing as a commodity in demand, perhaps we’ll discuss a North American source given that there isn’t a whole lot to choose from currently. Scandium is a moderately abundant element, although it tends to be spread out throughout the earth rather than concentrated in a few places. Currently, in North America, the only notable possible production comes as a by-product of planned niobium mining at NioCorp Developments Ltd.’s (TSX: NB) Elk Creek project in Nebraska. This makes the Crater Lake scandium-REE project of Imperial Mining Group Ltd. (TSXV: IPG | OTCQB: IMPNF) a unique find. It’s the only hardrock scandium deposit in the world and happens to be in the mining friendly jurisdiction of Quebec, close to hydroelectric capacity and Quebec’s aluminum metal production where 90% of Canada’s “Green” aluminum is produced. That’s already a lot of boxes ticked and we haven’t even gotten into the grades of the Crater Lake project.

But first a little about Imperial Mining Group. Imperial is a Canadian mineral exploration and development company focused on the advancement of its Crater Lake scandium-Rare Earth property. The company is led by an experienced team of mineral exploration and development professionals, who have  a strong track record of mineral deposit discovery in numerous metal commodities. The Company also has a pair of gold prospects, Opawica and La Ronciere all in Quebec.

As for the Crater Lake project, in September Imperial received the inaugural NI 43-101 Technical Report for the Crater Lake TG Zone Mineral Resource Estimate.

Source: Imperial Mining Group Ltd. press release Sep 23, 2021

The results of the Resource Estimate for the Northern Lobe of the TG Zone far exceeded the minimum threshold resource Imperial internally set for a 20-25-year notional mining operation, based on a 10 million ton lift. And the good news is that mineralization remains open laterally and at depth, demonstrating the potential to increase the mineral resource with additional drilling. Imperial will soon commence work on an NI 43-101 Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA).

Another strategy that sets Imperial apart is that it is actively collaborating with partners to further the development of strategic scandium marketing activities to projects that require important weight and carbon footprint reductions. A great example is their work with Eck Industries to begin prototyping components while concurrently looking to maximize weight savings for the transportation sector. They recently showed that the material properties for EV battery box requirements, as specified by a major North American automotive manufacturer, have been met or exceeded. Last month the Company was awarded, along with its partner FusiA Groupe, C$2.6 million for a scandium-aluminum material R&D project. The project will focus on the industrialization and the development of a vertically integrated supply chain for a scandium-aluminum alloy for 3D printing. I’m impressed by the fact that Imperial is increasing the awareness and demand for their product before they’ve put their project into commercial production.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last few months, we all know the impact that the interruption of supply chains has had on virtually everything. The manufacturing world is learning the hard way that it might be time to “on-shore” critical parts of their supply chain if they want to complete their product manufacturing, let alone compete. So, to be one of the best grade scandium resources in the world and be located on mining friendly, North American, soil means we should all probably pay a little closer attention to Imperial Mining.