Sunrise shines light on advanced global scandium supply

Sunrise Energy Metals has completed the feasibility study for its Syerston scandium project, demonstrating its capacity to meet rapidly growing demand for critical minerals.

Among the highlight statistics, a clear pathway to production of 60 tonnes of scandium oxide a year was outlined with “exceptional capital efficiency” also earmarked.

Described as one of the world’s largest scandium resources, the project has been forecast to produce 64,000 tonnes of ore per year to produce 60 tonnes of high-purity scandium oxide annually, positioning both Syerston and Sunrise to capture significant market share in a rapidly growing global market.

“The completion of the feasibility study marks a pivotal moment — not just for Sunrise, but for the Western world’s ability to access a metal that is rapidly becoming indispensable,” Sunrise chief executive officer Sam Riggall said.

“Syerston is one of the very few projects in the world capable of delivering scandium at the scale and unit cost needed to genuinely replace Chinese supply, and to do so in a way that gives Western industry the long-term supply security they are urgently seeking.”

The company announced an approximate $US120 million development cost to produce the scandium, with cash operating costs of $US534 per kilogram, positioning Sunrise as a “globally competitive, low-cost producer”.

The significance of the project in New South Wales is down to global markets looking for a diversification of supply chains, with Chinese export controls leading the Western world to a supply crisis. China controls around 80–85 per cent of supply.

Early works activities have commenced at the project, with detailed engineering, water infrastructure, in-fill drilling and equipment procurement targeting mid-2028 commercial production.

“There are few examples better than scandium to demonstrate the importance of critical minerals in today’s geopolitical landscape,” Sunrise co-chairman Robert Friedland said.