SCY Seeks Copper Industry Partner to Demonstrate Scandium, Cobalt, and Other Critical Metals Recovery Technology
NEWS RELEASE
TSX: SCY
May 13, 2020
NR 20-05
www.scandiummining.com
SCY SEEKS COPPER INDUSTRY PARTNER TO DEMONSTRATE
SCANDIUM, COBALT, AND OTHER CRITICAL METALS RECOVERY
TECHNOLOGY
Reno, Nevada, March 13, 2020 – Scandium International Mining Corp. (TSX:SCY) (“Scandium
International” or the “Company” ) is pleased to announce that it will pursue copper industry
interest in SCY ion exchange (IX) technology and knowhow to recover scandium, cobalt and
other critical metals from solvent extraction (SX) raffinate and other acidic waste streams in certain
acid leach copper operations.
Recovery metals targeted by this application include cobalt, copper, nickel, scandium, and zinc,
and possibly other metals and rare earth elements, depending on recovery economics . The
suitability of this IX technology, and the target metal opportunities, var y with the specifics of
individual orebodies, and associated SX plant characteristics. Depending on specific project
variables, and the value and volume of critical metals recovered, the end result economics are
expected to be significant to the parties involved.
CONCEPT HIGHLIGHTS:
• IX technology offers rapid deployment to existing Cu operation waste streams,
• Recoveries target critical metals with transparent, established markets,
• Includes potential for significant scandium production alongside other products,
• Represents near term production source s that can address security of supply
issues, conflict metal issues, and concentrated supply source issues, and
• The concept has real potential to deliver positive economic benefits to both SCY
and the established copper producers that can host this program.
DISCUSSION
The copper industry is fully aware of the opportunity to harvest valuable metals from copper
process waste streams, and the industry does so with significant success today in precious
metals. Other specialty metals recovery work has historically been considered un-economic,
based on effective recovery costs and recovered metals pricing. The technology in this area has
advanced, improving both operating costs and recoveries . New, technology-driven uses for
critical metals are stressing supply channels. Traditional jurisdiction risk concerns are now
multiplied by ethical sourcing issues, and long-term sustainability questions, all of which elevate
the interest in broader, more localized sourcing . Th ese issues are receiving heightened
governmental and industry priority, and metals markets customers are now seeking and favoring
new, economic, responsible solutions.
On the basis of this dynamic critical metals opportunity , and the fact that SCY has a significant
capability to apply advanced mineral recovery technologies to the separation of critical metals
from both ores and waste streams, the Company began a search for a North American scandium
production source. This effort immediately recognized an attractive economic value in secondary
recoveries of other critical metals from certain copper operations, in addition to scandium,
specifically from source systems employing solvent extraction techniques. Depending on orebody
specifics, th e residual metals content in raffinate can also include economically recoverable
quantities of cobalt, nickel, additional copper, and other valuable metals.
The potential new revenue stream of the combined metals residual varies by orebody, and also
by the specifics of the mineral processing systems in place, but collectively the metals basket is
more instantly marketable and shows superior economics to the solo scandium target we had in
mind at the start. This IX technology also represents a viable precursor for direct refining cobalt,
nickel and potentially copper into high purity sulfate product forms, as required for battery
manufacture, specifically in the electric vehicle (EV) industry.
This SCY program is led by SCY’s Chief Technology Officer, Willem P.C. Duyvesteyn, who is the
primary inventor of close to 100 US patents and patent applications in the field of materials
processing and commercial recovery processes for base metals, specialty metals, and chemical
compounds. The Company has filed for patent protection on various aspects of its relevant
technical program ideas with the US Patent Office, using technical information from preliminary
bench scale testing with actual copper SX raffinate solutions.
The Company believes this work can be demonstrated with a working and successful copper
plant installation, with proven knowhow, and intends to pursue a copper industry partner to
demonstrate the economic viability of this technology. It is the Company’s intent to fully participate
in the operation, ownership and production economics associated with a plant asset that is
developed in concert with that partner.
SCY shareholders should note that this new critical metals recovery program contains a scandium
component that utilizes the same technology applied to other targeted critical metals recoveries.
This program is intended to allow SCY to benefit from early and attractive scandium production,
in addition to producing a basket of other metals with currently established markets. The program
has the potential to generate commercial scale scandium production from the U SA and the
Americas, which produces little or no scandium today. Early scandium production can be
expected to more quickly build the nascent scandium market globally, thus supporting the
development of the Company’s Nyngan and Honeybugle scandium assets in Australia.
George Putnam, CEO of Scandium International Mining Corp. commented:
“The copper industry enjoys a relatively well distributed global production footprint. Marry that
with the idea that a number of copper orebodies have significant un -harvested critical metal
content, and we see an opportunity to tap ‘local’ critical metals sources, and more value,
specifically in North America. We are excited to pursue this opportunity, with a specific site and
producing copper partner, and make an economic demonstration for the entire industry.”
ABOUT SCANDIUM INTERNATIONAL MINING CORP.
The Company has completed a Definitive Feasibility Study1 on its 100% owned Nyngan Scandium
Project, located in NSW, Australia, and has received all key approvals, including a development
consent and a mining lease, necessary to proceed with project construction. The Company is
currently seeking long term sales agreements with potential customers for scandium products,
prior to finance and construction.
The Company retains a portfolio of minerals processing patents relevant to base metals and
specialty metals recoveries. While the primary patent focus is fundamentally on scandium
recoveries, the associated technology and knowhow has direct application fo r critical metals
recoveries. In addition, the Company has done extensive market development, application
engineering and metallurgy work with many of the world’s leading companies to accelerate the
adoption of scandium into manufactured products, some of which also utilize other critical metals
as well.
1NOTE: The Company filed a NI 43-101 technical report in May 2016, titled “Feasibility Study
– Nyngan Scandium Project”. That feasibility study delivered an expanded scandium resource,
a first reserve figure, and an estimated 33.1% IRR on the project, supported by extensive
metallurgical test work.
Willem Duyvesteyn, MSc, AIME, CIM, a Director and CTO of the Company, is a qualified person
for the purposes of NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical content of this press
release on behalf of the Company.
For inquiries to Scandium International Mining Corp, please contact:
Edward Dickinson (CFO)
Tel: (775) 233-7328
George Putnam (CEO)
Tel: (925) 208-1775
Email: [email protected]
This press release contains forward -looking statements about the Company and its business.
Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and include, but are not
limited to state ments regarding any future development of the project. The forward -looking
statements in this press release are subject to various risks, uncertainties and other factors that
could cause the Company's actual results or achievements to differ materially fro m those
expressed in or implied by forward looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other
factors include, without limitation : risks related to uncertainty in the demand for scandium, the
possibility that results of test work will not fulfill expectations, or not realize the perceived market
utilization and potential of scandium sources that may be developed for sale by the Company .
Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, opinions and expectations of the
Company's management at the ti me they are made, and other than as required by applicable
securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update its forward -looking
statements if those beliefs, opinions or expectations, or other circumstances, should change.