Imperial Mining and Eck Industries Moves to Prototyping a Scandium-Aluminum Battery Box for a Global Automotive Manufacturer
Imperial Mining and Eck Industries Moves to Prototyping a
Scandium-Aluminum Battery Box for a Global Automotive
Manufacturer
MONTREAL, QUEBEC – September 28, 2021 – Imperial Mining Group Ltd. ("Imperial") (TSX
VENTURE: IPG; OTCQB: IMPNF) and partner Eck Industries (“Eck”) are pleased to announce that
they have completed a successful series of tests based on scandium-modified aluminum-magnesium (535-
series) alloy components and have collected characterization data (see Imperial Mining press release: May
18, 2021) for the material.
The test data shows that the material properties for EV battery box requirements, as specified by a major
North American automotive manufacturer, have been met or exceeded. Imperial and Eck will now begin
prototyping components while concurrently vetting business cases and looking to maximize weight
savings for the transportation sector. In addition, investment attraction initiatives in search of partners in
the aerospace and defence sectors, are ongoing.
“Imperial is very pleased with the initial results of the testing and will continue to work closely with Eck
Industries as we move into the prototyping phase of the program,” said Imperial’s President & CEO, Peter
Cashin. “With Imperial being the only potential primary hardrock source of scandium in North America,
we have been aligning our strategic marketing activities with projects that require important weight and
carbon footprint reductions. Major manufacturers have set this as a high priority.”
“There has been a broad concern about the application of scandium in cast alloys .” said David Weiss,
Eck’s VP Research and Development. “While this is true in some cast alloys, it is not universally true.
This work, entailing innovative casting methods and heat treatment, lays the groundwork for additional
improvement in cast alloys. We thank Imperial Mining for their support of this work.”.
Overall, the project continues to work towards the objectives of the Canada/US Joint Action Plan on
Critical Minerals Collaboration (January 2020) as well as the existing US National Technology and
Industrial Base directive (see the “About Section” for details on these two critical initiatives).
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.
ABOUT ECK INDUSTRIES
Eck was founded in 1948 and has since been a mainstay of the American supply chain, servicing several
clients and industries. Eck has specialized in high performance aluminum since the mid -1980s, with a
particular focus on Defense and Aerospace. Eck’s production facility in Manitowoc, WI consists of 210,000
square feet with over 250 staff that supply components to over 110 customers. Eck has a long history of
aluminum alloy design, leadership, and innovation, exemplified by the custom heat resistant aluminum-
cerium alloy that was co -developed with Oa k Ridge National Laboratory and the Critical Materials
Institute.
ABOUT CANADA/US JOINT ACTION PLAN ON CRITICAL MINERALS
The Action Plan will guide cooperation in areas such as industry engagement; efforts to secure critical
minerals supply chains for strategic industries and defense; improving information sharing on mineral
resources and potential; and cooperation in multil ateral fora and with other countries. This Action Plan
will promote joint initiatives, including research and development cooperation, supply -chain modelling
and increased support for industry.
ABOUT US NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY AND INDUSTRIAL BASE DIRECTIVE
The National Technology and Industrial Base (NTIB) consists of the people and organizations engaged in
national security and dual -use research and development (R&D), production, maintenance, and related
activities within the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. The NTIB, as established
by 10 U.S.C. §2500, is intended to support national security objectives of the United States, including
supplying military operations; conducting advanced R&D and systems development to ensure
technological superiority of the U.S. Armed Forces; securing reliable sources of critical materials; and
developing industrial preparedness to support operations in wartime or during a national emergency.
For further information please contact:
Peter J. Cashin
President and Chief Executive Officer
Phone: +1 (514) 360-0571
Email: [email protected]
CHF Capital Markets
Iryna Zheliasko, Manager-Corporate Communications
Phone: +1 (416) 868-1079 x229
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.imperialmgp.com Twitter: @imperial_mining Facebook: Imperial Mining Group
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture
Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.