Scandium International Mining Corp 10-K/A, filed Mar 25, 2024
Scandium International Mining Corp. (SCYYF)
10-K/A
2024-03-25
For: 2022-12-31
View Original
Added on
April 06, 2026
About this 10-K/A
Scandium International Mining Corp filed this 10-K/A on March 25, 2024, covering the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K/A
Amendment No. 2
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022
For the transition period from _______________ to _______________
(Commission File Number)
(Exact Name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
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British Columbia,
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(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
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(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
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(Zip Code)
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Registrant’s Telephone Number, including area code: (775 ) 355-9500
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Shares without par value
(Title of class)
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):
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Large Accelerated Filer
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Accelerated Filer
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Smaller Reporting Company
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Emerging Growth Company
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If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☐
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter: $26,235,276 as at June 30, 2022.
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common equity, as of the latest practicable date: 355,860,813 common shares as at March 7, 2023.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
None.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Amendment No. 2 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 7, 2023 and amended on February 9, 2024 (the “Original 10-K/A”), is being filed to amend information in Part I, Items 1 and 2.
Except as described above, no other amendments are being made to the Original 10-K/A. This amendment does not reflect events occurring after the filing of the Original 10-K/A or modify or update the disclosure contained therein in any way other than as required to reflect the amendments discussed above.
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Auditor Name:
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Auditor Location:
609 Granville St., #1200, Vancouver,
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Auditor Firm Id:
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PART I
Note about Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this annual report on Form 10-K and the documents incorporated by reference herein constitute "forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the future price of commodities, the estimation of mineral resources, the realization of mineral resource estimates, the timing and amount of estimated future production, costs of production, capital expenditures, costs and timing of the development of new deposits, success of exploration activities, our ability to fund property acquisition costs, our ability to reach targeted time frames for establishing feasibility, permitting time lines, currency fluctuations, requirements for additional capital, government regulation of mining operations, environmental risks, unanticipated reclamation expenses, title disputes or claims, our ability to raise funds necessary for ongoing and planned expenditures and operations, and regulatory approvals. In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans,” "expects" or "does not expect,” "is expected,” "scheduled,” "estimates,” "intends, "anticipates" or "believes,” or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may,” "could,” "would" or "will be taken,” "occur" or "be achieved.” Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors may include, among others, risks related to our joint venture operations; actual results of current exploration activities or production technologies that we are currently testing; actual results of reclamation activities; future metal prices; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining governmental or regulatory approvals or financing or in the completion of development activities, as well as those factors discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in this Form 10-K. Although we have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
Glossary of Terms
“Company,” “SCY,” “we,” “us,” “our” and similar words of similar meaning refer to Scandium International Mining Corp.
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$, A$, C$
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mean respectively, United States dollars, Australian dollars and Canadian dollars.
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Assay
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An analysis to determine the presence, absence or quantity of one or more components, elements or minerals.
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Exploration stage issuer
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An issuer that has no material property with mineral reserves disclosed.
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Exploration stage property
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A property that has no mineral reserves disclosed.
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Grade
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The concentration of a valuable mineral within an Ore.
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hematite
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A mineral composed of iron oxide minerals.
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Igneous
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A rock formed by the cooling of molten silicate material.
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Intrusion
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A general term for a body of igneous rock formed below the surface of the earth.
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Kg
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Kilogram which is equivalent to approximately 2.20 pounds.
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Km
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Kilometer which is equivalent to approximately 0.62 miles.
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laterite
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Soil layer rich in iron dioxide.
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Limonite
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an iron ore consisting of a hydrous ferric oxide of variable composition.
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Mineralization
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A term used to describe the presence of minerals of possible economic value. Also used to describe the process by which concentration of economic minerals occurs.
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Mineral reserve
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An estimate of tonnage and grade or quality of indicated and measured mineral resources that, in the opinion of the qualified person, can be the basis of an economically viable project. More specifically, it is the economically mineable part of a measured or indicated mineral resource, which includes diluting materials and allowances for losses that may occur when the material is mined or extracted.
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Mineral resource
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A concentration or occurrence of material of economic interest in or on the Earth's crust in such form, grade or quality, and quantity that there are reasonable prospects for economic extraction. A mineral resource is a reasonable estimate of mineralization, taking into account relevant factors such as cut-off grade, likely mining dimensions, location or continuity, that, with the assumed and justifiable technical and economic conditions, is likely to, in whole or in part, become economically extractable. It is not merely an inventory of all mineralization drilled or sampled. Includes measured, indicated and inferred mineral resources, as defined below:
“measured mineral resource” is that part of a mineral resource for which quantity and grade or quality are estimated on the basis of conclusive geological evidence and sampling. The level of geological certainty associated with a measured mineral resource is sufficient to allow a qualified person to apply modifying factors, as defined in this section, in sufficient detail to support detailed mine planning and final evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. Because a measured mineral resource has a higher level of confidence than the level of confidence of either an indicated mineral resource or an inferred mineral resource, a measured mineral resource may be converted to a proven mineral reserve or to a probable mineral reserve.
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“indicated mineral resource” is that part of a mineral resource for which quantity and grade or quality are estimated on the basis of adequate geological evidence and sampling. The level of geological certainty associated with an indicated mineral resource is sufficient to allow a qualified person to apply modifying factors in sufficient detail to support mine planning and evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. Because an indicated mineral resource has a lower level of confidence than the level of confidence of a measured mineral resource, an indicated mineral resource may only be converted to a probable mineral reserve.
“inferred mineral resource” is that part of a mineral resource for which quantity and grade or quality are estimated on the basis of limited geological evidence and sampling. The level of geological uncertainty associated with an inferred mineral resource is too high to apply relevant technical and economic factors likely to influence the prospects of economic extraction in a manner useful for evaluation of economic viability. Because an inferred mineral resource has the lowest level of geological confidence of all mineral resources, which prevents the application of the modifying factors in a manner useful for evaluation of economic viability, an inferred mineral resource may not be considered when assessing the economic viability of a mining project, and may not be converted to a mineral reserve.
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Net smelter returns royalty
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A share of the net revenues generated from the sale of metal produced by a mine.
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NI 43-101
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National Instrument 43-101 – Standards for Disclosure of Mineral Projects, being the regulation adopted by Canadian securities regulators that governs the public disclosure of technical and scientific information concerning a mineral property.
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Ore
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A naturally occurring solid material from which a metal or valuable mineral can be profitably extracted.
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ppm
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Parts per million.
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Qualified person
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Means a qualified person as defined in S-K 1300, including an engineer or geoscientist in good standing with their professional association, with at least five years of relevant experience.
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saprolite
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Soft, friable, isovolumetrically weathered bedrock that retains the fabric and structure of the parent rock.
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S-K 1300
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Item 1300 of Regulation S-K of the 1933 Securities Act.
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Tpy
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Tonnes per year.
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Tonne
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A metric ton which is equivalent to approximately 2,204 pounds.
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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
General
We were incorporated on July 17, 2006, under the laws of British Columbia, Canada under the name Golden Predator Mines Inc. We were incorporated as a wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Metals Corp. for the purpose of holding precious metals and certain specialty metals assets. In order to focus on specialty metals, during February 2009 we transferred most of our precious mineral assets to our then wholly owned subsidiary Golden Predator Corp., and on March 6, 2009, we completed a spin-out of Golden Predator Corp. to our shareholders. Effective March 12, 2009, we changed our name to EMC Metals Corp. In order to reflect a new emphasis on mining for scandium minerals, effective November 19, 2014, we changed our name to Scandium International Mining Corp (“SCY” or the “Company”).
We are a reporting issuer in the Canadian Provinces of British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario and our common shares are listed for trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “SCY.”
Our head office is located at 1390 Ione Pass Trail, Reno, Nevada 89523. The address of our registered office is 1200 - 750 West Pender Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6C 2T8.
Our most advanced project is the Nyngan Scandium Project, located in New South Wales, Australia (the “Nyngan Scandium Project”), on which we hold a mine lease grant and a development consent. We also hold an exploration license on a scandium mineral property located near Nyngan known as the “Honeybugle Scandium property” and an exploration license on a scandium mineral property in Finland, known as the “Kiviniemi Scandium property.”
During the first quarter of 2022, SCY completed an internal review of its portfolio of assets and projects. The purpose of this review was to determine the appropriate allocation of capital between the Company’s scandium activities and the recently announced initiatives on Critical Metals Recovery (CMR) and High Purity Alumina (HPA). The board decided and announced on April 18, 2022, that the best return on invested capital for its shareholders was to prioritize the Company’s portfolio of scandium assets including the Nyngan Scandium Project and to idle its CMR and HPA initiatives. As a result of the review, leadership changes were also made with the appointment of an interim CEO and CFO and a downsizing of the board to four directors.
As its first priority, the new management completed a C$3.4 million non-brokered equity private placement which replenished cash balances and eliminated negative working capital. The second priority was to reduce costs and the Company has been successful in reducing corporate G&A costs including being able to reverse over $1 million in accruals during 2022.
Our plan of operation for 2023 is to continue to reduce costs and position the Company to benefit from the growing market adoption of Scandium. This includes moving forward with our patent portfolio and filing a new mine lease application to re-establish the original Mining License, giving access to the full scandium resource at Nyngan and conduct drilling campaigns at both Nyngan and Honeybugle to further delineate the resources.
Intercorporate Relationships
The chart below illustrates our corporate structure on December 31, 2022, including our subsidiaries, the jurisdictions of incorporation, and the percentage of voting securities held.
Pursuant to a share exchange agreement dated June 30, 2017, the Company acquired the remaining 20% interest in EMC Metals Australia Pty. Ltd. from Scandium Investments LLC (“SIL”). On completion of the share exchange, the Company issued an aggregate of 58,830,645 common shares to SIL and granted to SIL the right to nominate two individuals to the board of the Company for so long as SIL holds at least 15% of SCY’s issued and outstanding shares, and one director for so long as SIL holds at least 5% but less than 15% of SCY’s issued and outstanding shares.
Business Operations
Company, Projects and Markets Summary
We are a mineral exploration and development company that is at an exploration stage. Our most advanced project is the Nyngan Scandium Project, located in New South Wales, Australia (the “Nyngan Scandium Project”), on which we hold a mine lease grant, a development consent, and 100% of the mineral rights. The Company has completed a definitive feasibility study on the Nyngan Scandium Project dated May 4, 2016 (the “Feasibility Study” or “DFS”), which was prepared independently in accordance with NI 43-101.
The Company also holds exploration licenses on two separate scandium-prospective properties:
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an exploration license on the Honeybugle Scandium property, located 24 kilometers from the Nyngan Scandium Project, granted in 2014; and
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an exploration license on the Kiviniemi Scandium Property a scandium-prospective property in central Finland, granted in 2018.
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Corporate Objectives and Strategy
Our corporate focus is the development of projects that enable the production and sale of scandium and scandium-based products. That scandium focus has now been expanded to include other specialty metals, identified by the US Department of Commerce on a list of 35 critical metals, which specifically includes scandium. In this regard, the Company remains open to pursuing various host project opportunities that can produce a basket of metal products, including scandium, along with other technology-driven critical metals.
The Nyngan Scandium Project remains the most advanced project in the Company portfolio at this time, with permitting largely complete and a published DFS on SEDAR. Subject to successful construction financing and customer sales agreements, we intend to develop the Nyngan Scandium Project for production and supply of scandium oxide and scandium-content products. The Company has been successful in developing capability to manufacture an aluminum-scandium master alloy product, specifically for sale to aluminum alloy customers. This additional product capability enhances the Company’s ability to sell scandium-containing products to the aluminum industry, and potentially generate additional margins in certain markets. For further information on the Nyngan Scandium Project, please refer to “Item 2. Properties - Description of Mineral Projects – Nyngan Scandium Project” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”
Product Markets for Scandium
Scandium is the 31st most abundant element in the earth’s crust (average 33 ppm), which makes it more common than lead, mercury, and precious metals, but less common than copper. Scandium has characteristics that are similar to rare earth elements, and it is often classified as a member of that group, although it is technically a light transition metal. Scandium occurs in nature as an oxide, rarely occurs in concentrated quantities because it does not selectively combine with the common ore-forming anions and is very difficult to reduce to a pure metal state. Scandium is typically produced and sold as a powder, in oxide form, and known as scandium oxide, scandia or Sc2O3.,
Global annual production estimates of scandium range from 15 tonnes to 30 tonnes, but accurate statistics are not available due to the lack of public information from countries in which scandium is currently being produced, specifically China and Russia. Two sources of scandium production outside of China and Russia have recently commenced production. The Taganito Nickel Mine in the Philippines (Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd.) reported sales of 16 tonnes of Scandium Oxalate in 2021.
In October 2022, Rio Tinto announced that Rio Tinto Fer et Titane in Quebec plans to quadruple scandium oxide production capacity to 12 tonnes from its current 3 tonne per annum capacity. This C$30-35 million expansion is expected to produce incremental scandium oxide in late 2024.
There is no reliable pricing data on global scandium oxide trading. Scandium oxide is typically traded in small quantities, between private parties, and pricing is not transparent to other buyers or sellers as there is no clearing facility as is more common with commercially traded metals and commodities. The U.S. Geological Survey (“USGS”) in its latest available report (dated January 2022) documents the 2021 price of scandium oxide (99.99% grade) at US$2,200/kg, indicating a significant reduction from the 2020 price estimate of US$3,800/kg. They also estimate the global sales of scandium oxide to be between 15-25 tpy, principally from China, Russia and the Philippines.
Prices vary, based on purity and quantity supplied. The USGS pricing generally reflects small volume sales, with larger quantities selling at lower prices, typically under US$2,000/kg. USGS reporting also acknowledged that ex-works China prices for 99.99% purity oxide were considerably lower than US-observed prices in 2021, based on underutilization of existing Chinese production capacity. Scandium oxide grades of 95-99% are generally considered suitable for manufacturing AlSc 2% master alloy, the form demanded for aluminum alloy applications.
Scandium can also be effectively purchased in the form of aluminum-scandium (Al-Sc) master alloy, typically containing 2% scandium by weight. This product is the preferred form for manufacture of aluminum alloys containing scandium. The current January 2022 USGS report indicates the 2021 price for Al-Sc 2% master alloy at US$350/kg, slightly higher than the 2020 USGS average. Recent USGS estimated prices for Al-Sc 2% master alloy have also been high relative to commonly available prices ex-works China, which have trended under US$100/kg and are available in one tonne lots or greater today.
Principal uses for scandium are in high-strength aluminum alloys, high-intensity metal halide lamps, electronics, and laser research. Recently developed applications include welding wire and fuel cells which are expected to be in future demand. Approximately 15 different commercial aluminum-scandium alloys have been developed, and some of them are used for aerospace applications. In Europe and the U.S., scandium-containing alloys have been evaluated for use in structural parts in commercial airplanes and high stress parts in automobile engines and brake systems. Military and aerospace applications are known to be of interest, although with less specificity. The combination of high strength, weldability and ductility makes aluminum-scandium alloys potentially attractive replacements for existing aluminum alloys in a number of applications where improved alloy properties can add value to final products.
Competitive Conditions
We compete with numerous other companies and individuals in the search for and the acquisition or control of attractive rare earth and specialty metals mineral properties and opportunities. Our ability to profitably build a portfolio of commercial operations in this market segment will depend on our acquisition success in finding and securing attractive positions for development, our ability to operate the plants and facilities we commit to construct, and our success in marketing the products we manufacture against competing producers in the marketplace.
In regard to our plan to produce scandium, there are a limited number of scandium producers presently. If we are successful at becoming a producer of scandium, our ability to be competitive will require that we establish a reliable supply of scandium to the market, delivered at purity levels demanded by various applications, and that our operating costs generate satisfactory margins, recognizing true prices will be set by customers and competitors in a market that is yet to mature.
Governmental Regulations and Environmental Laws
The development of any of our mining properties will require numerous local and national government approvals and environmental permits. For further information about governmental approvals and permitting requirements, please refer to “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and Nyngan Scandium Project - Environmental Permitting/Development Consent/Mining Lease below for additional information.
Employees
As at January 1, 2023, we have 5 full and part time employees. Our operations are managed by our officers with input from our directors. We engage geological, metallurgical, and engineering consultants from time to time as required to assist in evaluating our property interests and recommending and conducting work programs.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES, PROJECTS AND PATENTS
Cautionary Note Regarding Mineral Resource Estimates
We are subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and applicable Canadian securities laws, and as a result we report our mineral resources according to two different standards. U.S. reporting requirements are governed by Regulation S-K Subpart 1300 (“S-K 1300”), as adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Canadian reporting requirements for disclosure of mineral properties are governed by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”), as adopted from the definitions provided by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum. Both sets of reporting standards have similar goals in terms of conveying an appropriate level of confidence in the disclosures being reported, but the standards generally embody slightly different approaches and definitions.
In our public filings in the United States, we are required to disclose measured, indicated and inferred mineral resources and mineral reserves, each as defined in S-K 1300. Currently, we do not have any measured, indicated or inferred mineral resources or mineral reserves as thus defined, and we are an exploration stage issuer.
The estimation of measured resources and indicated resources involves greater uncertainty as to their existence and economic feasibility than the estimation of proven and probable reserves, and therefore investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of measured or indicated resources will ever be converted into S-K 1300-compliant mineral reserves. The estimation of inferred resources involves far greater uncertainty as to their existence and economic viability than the estimation of other categories of mineral resources, and therefore it cannot be assumed that all or any part of inferred resources will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Therefore, investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of inferred resources exist, or that they can be mined legally or economically.
Summary Disclosure of Mineral Projects
The Company holds three properties, the Nyngan Scandium Project in Australia, the Honeybugle Scandium Property in Australia, and the Kiviniemi Scandium Property in Finland, each of which is an exploration stage property. Only the Nyngan Scandium Project is considered a material mineral property by the Company.
Location of Properties
Figure 1: Location of Properties in Australia and Finland
The Nyngan Scandium Project site is located approximately 450 kilometres northwest of Sydney, NSW, Australia, and approximately 20 kilometres due west from the town of Nyngan, a rural town of approximately 2,900 people. The deposit is located 5 kilometres south of Miandetta, off the Barrier Highway that connects the towns of Nyngan and Cobar.
The Honeybugle Scandium property covers part of the Honeybugle geologic complex in New South Wales, NSW, Australia, and is located approximately 24 kilometers west-southwest from the Company’s Nyngan Scandium Project.
The Kiviniemi Scandium property is located in the municipality of Rautalampi, Eastern Finland Province, approximately 350km northeast of Helsinki, by road. The closest major city/airport is Kuopio (pop. 110,000), approximately 70km to the northeast of the property. The exploration target is located on a small portion of a family farm, partially cleared for farming. Most of the property is wooded, including the area where the mineralization has been located.
Type and Amount of Ownership Interests
The Company holds a mine lease grant, a development consent, and 100% of the mineral rights on the Nyngan Scandium Project. The scandium resource is held under one Mining License (ML1792) and three exploration licenses (EL 8448, EL 8316 and EL6096). The exploration licenses allow the license holder to conduct exploration on private land (with landowner consents and signed compensation agreements in place) and public lands not including wildlife reserves, heritage areas or National Parks. The scandium resource is fully enclosed on private agricultural land. The Company’s Australian subsidiary holds legal title to specific surface and mineral exploration rights on the Nyngan Scandium Project. The exploration licenses cover 29.25 square kilometers (2,925 hectares). The project surface rights (freehold) total 810 acres (370 hectares).
The Company has a 100% interest in an exploration license (EL 7977) covering the Honeybugle Scandium property. The Honeybugle Scandium property is 34.7 square kilometers.
The Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, SCY Exploration Finland Oy, holds an exploration license for the Kiviniemi Scandium property.The exploration area is approximately 24.6 hectares (0.25 square kilometer).
Key Permit Conditions
The Company previously undertook permitting efforts required to obtain a mine lease grant and a development consent on the Nyngan Scandium Project. In addition to these two key governmental approvals, other required licenses and permits must be acquired for the Nyngan Scandium Project but are considered routine and require only compliance with fixed standards and objective measurements. These remaining approvals include submittal of numerous plans and reports supporting compliance with the Company’s development consent and mining lease. In addition, certain water, roads, dam and electrical access reviews and arrangements must be finalized. For additional details, see “Individual Property Disclosure - Nyngan Scandium Project – Mining Lease”.
To date, no permitting efforts have been undertaken or are currently planned at either the Honeybugle Scandium property or the Kiviniemi Scandium property.
Mineralization Styles
The Kiviniemi Scandium property’s mineralization has a high iron content with medium grade scandium, which is located near surface. The Honeybugle Scandium property’s mineralization has a high iron content with medium grade scandium, which is located on or near surface.
Available Facilities
The Nyngan Scandium Project site is accessed from the Barrier Highway, a paved two lane all-weather road connecting the town of Nyngan with Cobar. Adequate water supply is available for the project via raw water supply lines, which are ultimately sourced from Burrendong Dam, located 230 kms to the southeast. Grid electrical power is available in the form of separate 132kV, 66kV and 33kV lines, all run within 5 km of the site.
The Kiviniemi Scandium property is accessible on a seasonal basis currently and the Honeybugle Scandium property is all-weather accessible and close to infrastructure.
Individual Property Disclosure – Nyngan Scandium Project
Property Description and Location
The Nyngan Scandium Project site is located approximately 450 kilometres northwest of Sydney, NSW, Australia and approximately 20 kilometres due west from the town of Nyngan, a rural town of approximately 2,900 people. The deposit is located 5 kilometres south of Miandetta, off the Barrier Highway that connects the towns of Nyngan and Cobar. Final license area access is reached by clay farm tracks. The general area can be characterized as flat agricultural land, used predominantly for wheat farming and livestock grazing. Infrastructure in the area is good, including available water and electric power.
The 2019 ML 1792 grant covers 810 acres (370 hectares) of surface area fully owned by the Company, an area adequate to construct and operate a scandium mine of a scale outlined in the DFS. The book value of the Nyngan Scandium Project is $704,053 and is entirely related to the acquisition cost of the land which is unencumbered. There is no associated plant and equipment. The property has only been used for agricultural purposes and there have been no previous natural resource operations or encumbrances.
The general location of the Nyngan Scandium Project is provided in Figure 1 below.
Figure 2: Location of Nyngan Scandium Project
Note: None of the Existing Mines identified in Figure 2 produce scandium.
The scandium resource is hosted within the lateritic zone of the Gilgai Intrusion, one of several Alaskan-type mafic and ultramafic bodies which intrude Cambrian-Ordovician metasediments collectively called the Girilambone Group. The laterite zone, locally up to 40 meters thick, is layered with hematitic clay at the surface followed by limonitic clay, saprolitic clay, weathered bedrock and finally fresh bedrock. The scandium mineralization is concentrated within the hematitic, limonitic, and saprolitic zones with values up to 350 ppm scandium.
Figure 3: Location of the Exploration Licenses and Mining Lease for the Nyngan Scandium Project
Mineral License Details
The scandium resource is held under Exploration License (EL) 8316 (Block Number 3132, units d, e, j, k and Block no. 3133, unit f) and EL 6096 (Block 3132, unit p, and Block 3133, units l, m, r and s); a total of ten (10) graticular units. The exploration licenses allow the license holder to conduct exploration on private land (with landowner consents and signed compensation agreements in place) and public lands not including wildlife reserves, heritage areas or National Parks. The scandium resource is fully enclosed on private agricultural land.
The Company’s Australian subsidiary holds legal title to specific surface and mineral exploration rights on the Nyngan Scandium Project. During 2017, an additional EL (EL 8448) was granted. Figure 2 provides details of the location of EL 8448 and the locations of Mining Lease 1792 and Mining Lease Application 531, both of which overlay the exploration license area.
The exploration licenses cover 29.25 square kilometers (2,925 hectares). The resource site is located at geographic coordinates MGA zone 55, GDA 94, Lat: - 31.5987, Long: 146.9827, Map Sheets 1:250k – Cobar (SH/55-14) and 1:100k Hermidale (8234).
The project surface rights (freehold) total 810 acres (370 hectares) on the portion of the exploration license area corresponding to the Mine Lease 1792 area. The freehold property boundaries are defined by standard land survey techniques undertaken by the Lands Department and currently presented in the form of Cadastral Deposited Plans (DP) and Lots. The land associated with the project rights is DP 752879, Lots 6 and 7 (Appendix 2, Lots 6 and 7 - Nyngan).
The Company is required to lodge individual A$10,000 environmental bonds with the NSW Mines Department for each license and must meet total minimum work requirements annually of approximately A$65,000, covering both licenses.
Royalties attached to the properties include a 1.5% Net Profits Interest royalty to private parties involved with the early exploration on the property, a 1.7% Net Smelter Returns Royalty payable to Jervois for 12 years after production commences, subject to terms in the settlement agreement, and a 0.7% royalty on gross mineral sales to a private investor. Another revenue royalty is payable to private interests of 0.2%, subject to a US$370k cap. A NSW minerals royalty will also be levied on the project, subject to negotiation, currently 4% on revenue.
Metallurgy Development
The Company has invested in and developed methodology for extracting scandium from the Nyngan property resource since 2010. A portion of the work done over this period has been superseded by work that followed, but subsequent test programs universally benefitted from prior efforts. In summary, the programs have been as follows:
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2010 – The Company inherited work done on Nyngan from the previous property owner, and applied that work to a quick flowsheet and capital estimate done for management by Roberts & Schaefer of Salt Lake City, Utah;
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2011 – The Company employed Hazen Research, Inc., of Golden, Colorado, USA (“Hazen”) to test acid baking techniques and solvent extraction (“SX”) processes with Nyngan resource material. The Company also employed SGS-Lakefield (Ontario) to test pressure acid leach techniques on Nyngan resource, as a replacement for or an enhancement to acid bake techniques done earlier in the year by Hazen;
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2012 – The Company engaged SNC-Lavalin to do an economic study for management, utilizing an acid bake flowsheet and SX work from the Hazen test program;
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2014 – The Company published a preliminary economic assessment (“PEA”) entitled NI 43-101F1 Technical Report on the Feasibility of the Nyngan Scandium Project, authored by Larpro Pty Ltd, utilizing both Hazen and SGS-Lakefield test work results; and
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2015 – The Company amended and refiled the 2014 PEA Report as the “Amended Technical Report and Preliminary Economic Analysis on the Nyngan Scandium Project, NSW, Australia.”
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2016 – The Company published an independently prepared definitive feasibility study (“DFS”) on the Nyngan Scandium Project. The technical report on the feasibility study entitled “Feasibility Study – Nyngan Scandium Project, Bogan Shire, NSW, Australia” was independently compiled pursuant to the requirements of NI 43-101 and incorporated the results of current and previous test work.
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Internal Controls Disclosure
When conducting drilling programs, the Company utilises duplicate essay pulps, and follows the practice of inserting blanks and standards into the assay process. The Company has also utilised Rangott Mineral Exploration Pty Ltd (“RME”) personnel in supervisory roles on drilling programs. RME conducted observations and independent checks to support the accuracy and integrity of assay and resource calculation work on the Nyngan resource. Mining One Pty Ltd conducted independent verification on data relating to the Nyngan Scandium Property. Stuart Hutchin and Geoffrey Duckworth, both Qualified Persons both conducted site inspections on the Nyngan Scandium Property.
Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management Contract
On May 30, 2017, the Company announced that its subsidiary EMC Metals Australia Pty. Ltd. signed an Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management ("EPCM") contract with Lycopodium Minerals Pty Ltd ("Lycopodium"), to build the Nyngan Scandium Project in New South Wales, Australia. The EPCM contract also provides for start-up and commissioning services. As it has been more than five years since initial signing, a new contract with similar provisions will be required.
The EPCM contract appoints Lycopodium (Brisbane, QLD, Australia) to manage all aspects of project construction. Lycopodium is the principal engineering firm involved with the DFS. Lycopodium's continued involvement in project construction and commissioning ensures valuable technical and management continuity for the project during the construction and start-up of the project.
On October 19, 2017, we announced that Lycopodium has been instructed to initiate critical path engineering for the Nyngan Scandium Project. Lycopodium commenced work on select critical path components for the project, including design and specification engineering on the high-pressure autoclave unit, associated flash and splash vessels and several specialized high-pressure input pumps. The engineering work was completed in 2018 and will enable final supplier selection, firm component pricing and delivery dates for these key process components.
Environmental Permitting/Development Consent/Mining Lease
On May 2, 2016, the Company announced the filing of an Environmental Impact Statement (“EIS”) with the New South Wales, Australia, Department of Planning and Environment, (the “Department”) in support of the planned development of the Nyngan Scandium Project. The EIS was prepared by R.W. Corkery & Co. Pty. Limited, on behalf of the Company’s subsidiary, EMC Metals Australia Pty. Ltd. (“EMC Australia”), to support an application for Development Consent for the Nyngan Scandium Project. The EIS is a complete document, including a Specialist Consultants Study Compendium, and was submitted to the Department on April 29, 2016.
EIS Highlights:
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The EIS finds residual environmental impacts represent negligible risk.
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The proposed development design achieves sustainable environmental outcomes.
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The EIS finds net-positive social and economic outcomes for the community.
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Nine independent environmental consulting groups conducted analysis over five years, and contributed report findings to the EIS.
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The Nyngan project development is estimated to contribute A$12.4M to the local and regional economies, and A$39M to the State and Federal economies, annually
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The EIS is fully aligned with the DFS and with a NSW Mining License Application for the Nyngan project.
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Conclusion statement in the EIS: “In light of the conclusions included throughout this Environmental Impact Statement, it is assessed that the Proposal could be constructed and operated in a manner that would satisfy all relevant statutory goals and criteria, environmental objectives and reasonable community expectations.”
EIS Discussion
The EIS is the foundation document submitted by a developer intending to build a mine facility in Australia. The Nyngan Scandium Project is considered a State Significant Project, in that capital cost exceeds A$30 million, which means State agencies are designated to manage the investigation and approval process for granting a Development Consent from the Minister of Planning and Environment. This Department managed the review of the Proposal through a number of State and local governmental agencies.
The EIS is a self-contained set of documents used to seek a Development Consent. It is, however, supported in many ways by the DFS.
On November 10, 2016, the Company announced that the Development Consent had been granted. This Development Consent represents an approval to develop the Nyngan Scandium Project and is based on the EIS. The Development Consent follows an in-depth review of the EIS, the project plan, community impact studies, public EIS exhibition and commentary, and economic viability, and involved more than 12 specialized governmental agencies and groups.
Mining Lease
During July 2019, EMC Australia received notice of approval for its mining lease (ML) application. The ML (ML 1792) overlays select areas previously covered by exploration licenses and represents the final major development approval required from the NSW Government to begin construction on the project. The ML 1792 grant is issued for a period of 21 years and is based on the development plans and intent submitted in the ML application. The ML can be modified by NSW regulatory agencies, as requested by EMC Australia over time, to reflect changing operating conditions.
In addition to these two key governmental approvals, other required licenses and permits must be acquired but are considered routine and require only compliance with fixed standards and objective measurements. These remaining approvals include submittal of numerous plans and reports supporting compliance with Development Consent and Mining Lease. In addition, the following water, roads, dam and electrical access reviews and arrangements must be finalized:
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Water Supply Works and Use Approval and Water Access License,
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State and local approval for construction of the intersection of the Site Access Road and Gilgai Road,
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An approval from the NSW Dams Safety Committee for the design and construction of the Residue Storage Facility, and
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A high voltage connection agreement with Essential Energy.
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The 2019 ML 1792 grant covers 810 acres (370 hectares) of surface area fully owned by the Company, an area adequate to construct and operate a scandium mine of a scale outlined in the DFS. The Company had originally filed a mining lease application (MLA 531) covering an area of 874 hectares, which was granted in 2017 as a mining lease (ML 1763), and later ruled invalid. At that time, it was unknown, to both the Department and the Company, that a local landowner had filed a prior, timely and valid objection to the granting of that mining lease. The reduction in area between the initial 2017 ML 1763 and the replacement 2019 ML 1792 represented acreage protested in an “Agricultural Land” objection lodged by a local landowner. The landowner holds freehold surface ownership over a portion of the original grant that was previously covered by the 2017 ML 1763.
On September 10, 2020, the Company announced receipt of a final determination letter from the Deputy Secretary, Department of Regional NSW, Division of Mining, Exploration and Geoscience resolving the outstanding objection filed by the landowner in 2016.
Written advice from the Department to the Company makes clear that all required independent investigative processes, and all affected party comment periods, are now completed, and the Department’s decision is final. There are further state courts of appeal available to the landowner, but the facts supporting this final decision are confirmed by the NSW Department of Primary Industry and follow governing law.
This Final Determination from the NSW Government will again allow all measured and indicated resource included in the Nyngan Scandium Project DFS to be reinstated in a new mining lease grant, for which the Company intends to file application.
Downstream Scandium Products
In February 2011, we announced results of a series of laboratory-scale tests investigating the production of aluminum-scandium master alloys directly from aluminum oxide and scandium oxide feed materials. The overall objective of this research was to demonstrate and commercialize the production of aluminum-scandium master alloy using impure scandium oxide as the scandium source, potentially significantly improving the economics of aluminum-scandium master alloy production. In 2014, the Company announced it applied for a US patent on master alloy production, which is still in the application phase.
During the 2015-2017 timeframe, we continued our own internal laboratory-scale investigations into the production of aluminum-scandium master alloys, furthering our understanding of commercial processes and achievable recoveries. We advanced our abilities to make a standard-grade 2% scandium master alloy product typical of commercially available products offered today.
On March 2, 2017, we announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") with Weston Aluminium Pty Ltd. ("Weston") of Chatswood, NSW, Australia. The MOU defines a cooperative commercial alliance to jointly develop the capability to manufacture aluminum-scandium master alloy. The intended outcome of this alliance will be to develop the capability to offer Nyngan Scandium Project aluminum alloy customers scandium in form of Al-Sc master alloy, should customers prefer that product form.
The MOU outlines steps to jointly establish the manufacturing parameters, metallurgical processes, and capital requirements to convert Nyngan Scandium Project scandium product into Master Alloy, at Weston's existing production site in NSW. The MOU does not include a binding contract with commercial terms at this stage, although the intent is to pursue the necessary technical elements to arrive at a commercial contract for conversion of scandium oxide to master alloy, and to do so prior to first mine production from the Nyngan Scandium Project.
On March 5, 2018, the Company announced that it had initiated a small-scale pilot program (4kg scale) at the Alcereco Inc. metallurgical research facilities in Kingston, Ontario, to confirm and refine previous lab-scale work on the manufacture of aluminum-scandium 2% master alloy (MA). The program advanced the process understanding for commercial scale upgrade of Nyngan scandium oxide product to master alloy product.
The 2018 pilot program consisted of five separate trials on two MA product types, production of MA in various forms, and dross analysis to ascertain scandium recoveries to product. The mass of master alloy and product variants produced in the program totaled approximately 20kg and was completed in December of 2018. The results of the program included the successful production of 2% grade MA, with recoveries of scandium to product of 85%.
A second phase of the small-scale pilot program was initiated in the first half of 2019, again at 4kg scale, building on the work done in phase I. The results of this second program included successful production of 2% grade MA, with improvements in form of rapid kinetics, and recoveries of scandium to product of +90%.
On March 5, 2018, the Company also announced that it filed for patent protection on certain process refinements for master alloy manufacture that it believes are novel methods, and also on certain product variants that it believes represent novel forms of introducing scandium more directly into aluminum alloys.
Master Alloy Capability Demonstrated
On February 24, 2020, the Company announced the completion of a three year, three stage program to demonstrate the capability to manufacture aluminum-scandium master alloy (Al-Sc2%), from scandium oxide, using a patent pending melt process involving aluminothermic reactions.
This master alloy capability will allow the Company to offer scandium product from the Nyngan Scandium Project in a form that is used directly by aluminum alloy manufacturers globally, either major integrated manufacturers or smaller wrought or casting alloy consumers.
Research Highlights:
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Program achieved full 2% target product quality requirement,
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Sc recoveries from oxide exceeded target, demonstrated in final tests,
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The microstructure and metal quality meet major alloy producers’ specifications,
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Rapid kinetics achieved, important for commercial viability,
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Individual testing batches done at 4kg scale, and
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Successful program testing forms a basis for a larger scale demonstration facility, supporting large scale samples required for industrial aluminum alloy trials.
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Focus on Aluminum Alloy Applications for Scandium Products
The Company is in the process of obtaining sales agreements for scandium products produced from our Nyngan Scandium Project. Our focus is on the use of scandium as an alloying ingredient in aluminum-based products. The specific scandium product forms we intend to sell from the Nyngan project include both scandium oxide (Sc2O3) and aluminum-scandium master alloys (Al-Sc 2%).
Scandium as an alloying agent in aluminum allows for aluminum metal products that are much stronger, more easily weldable and exhibit improved performance at higher temperatures than current aluminum-based materials. This also means lighter structures, lower manufacturing costs and improved performance in areas that aluminum alloys do not currently compete.
Letters of Intent Signed with Aluminum Scandium Alloy Testing Partners
During 2018 and 2019, the Company announced that it entered into letter of intent (“LOI”) agreements with nine unrelated partnering entities who either manufactured parts from aluminum or consumed aluminum in the making of products. In each instance, we agreed to contribute scandium samples, either in form of scandium master alloy product, or aluminum-scandium alloy product, for trial testing by the partners in their downstream manufacturing applications. Each of the parties in receipt of the scandium samples agreed to report the general results of their testing programs, once completed. One of the agreements, specifically with Eck Industries, was extended in 2020 to a wider development program.
While most of these formal LOI agreements have expired, they are representative of end user interest in scandium and were designed to demonstrate how scandium performs in specific products, and in production-specific environments. Potential scandium customers insist on these sample testing opportunities, directly in their research facilities or on their shop floor, to ensure their full understanding of the impacts, benefits, and costing implications of introducing scandium into their traditional aluminum feedstocks.
The results of the nine programs varied, with some showing positive results and others either showing little advantage or not enough to offset cost impacts. Some outcomes were limited in significant ways by the parameters of the testing itself. Based on the reported testing results, all nine partners would need to enter into new testing agreements, with more compelling outcomes, in order to contemplate the introduction of scandium into the aluminum alloy contained in their products in the future.
Some further specifics:
Alloy Casting Partners. Four agreements were executed with the following entities: Eck Industries Inc. (Manitowoc, Wisconsin, USA), Grainger & Worrall Ltd., based in Shropshire, UK, Ohm & Häner Metallwerk GmbH & Co. GK, based in Olpe, Germany, and Bronze-Alu Group, based in La Couture-Boussey, northern France. Eck Industries is expected to continue their work with scandium (and cerium) additions in cast alloys, based on success in strength retention in high heat environments. The other groups did not see cost-offsetting benefits in existing alloys with existing customers.
Wrought Aluminum Manufacturing Partners. Two agreements were executed with the following entities: Austal Ltd. headquartered in Henderson, Western Australia, and Gränges AB, based in Stockholm, Sweden. Results on marine alloys with Austal were encouraging, but further development of both plate and wire samples were deemed required to draw commercially favorable conclusions. Both corrosion and weld strength properties were pursued. Results on heat exchanger alloys with Gränges were ultimately less successful, based on the impacts of downstream manufacturing processes on scandium, and a challenging cost environment in the business sector.
Metal Forming Partners. Two agreements were executed with the following entities: Impression Technologies Ltd., based in Coventry, UK, and PAB Coventry Ltd., based in Coventry, UK. These entities were both interested in determining whether sheet-forming technology would see advantage in shaping aluminum containing scandium. A brief testing regime indicated that the machines saw no improvement, and in fact had difficulty managing the properties in the AlSc samples provided.
3D Print Partners. Only one agreement was executed, with AML Technologies, based in Adelaide, Australia. SCY found significant challenge in sourcing quality AlSc wire for AML, and also for making suitable wire for this purpose ourselves. However, AML has had success with other wire sourcing partners, and ultimately received sample material in wire form from SCY. AML has not provided test results on SCY-supplied samples to date. Our independent testing results on these wire samples have been favorable.
While working with these nine industry partner groups during the 2018-2021 period, the Company also pursued independent work on aluminum-scandium alloys in two areas: welding/heat tolerance and electrical conductivity. Results of the work in both of these areas is incomplete but shows good promise in specific applications. SCY’s intent is to continue to pursue opportunities to test these specific property-driven applications for aluminum-scandium alloys with appropriate testing partners in the future, whether those partners and programs can be disclosed or not disclosed.
The Company’s objectives regarding all future sample and testing programs with industry participants remains unchanged – to build a market for scandium alloys and to secure long-term customers for the purchase of scandium products supplied by SCY.
Use Of Scandium in Lithium-Ion Batteries
On September 24, 2020, the Company announced the filing of a provisional patent application with the US Patent Office seeking patent rights on various applications of scandium in lithium-ion batteries. The patent application covers a number of scandium enhancements, including doping potential for both anodes and cathodes, and for solid electrolytes.
Patent Application Highlights:
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US Patent Application filed for use of scandium in lithium-ion battery applications.
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Scandium doping applications are explained for anodes, cathodes and electrolytes.
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Scandium offers conductivity advantages as a dopant, over other options, and
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Scandium in other aluminum components offers numerous property improvements, including conductivity, strength and corrosion resistance.
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Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are a staple of everyday life. The search for improved performance through design and materials advances is intense today. Considerable effort is being expended in developing next-generation materials for LIBs that will make batteries safer, lighter, more durable, faster to charge, more powerful, and more cost-effective. A sampling of some these efforts are as follows:
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Minimizing or removing cobalt from cathode materials, based on cost, supply and geographic sourcing issues.
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Improving the durability of liquid electrolytes with dopants, or substitution with safer and higher performing liquid or solid electrolyte systems.
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Designing for higher voltage potential by utilizing different anode or cathode materials.
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Determining combinations of metals that can better withstand harsh internal conditions.
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Scandium, along with other specialty metals, has a clear role to play in each of these areas.
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One particularly promising area for scandium contributions is in a lithium nickel manganese oxide (LNMO) battery. The cathode in this design substitutes manganese for cobalt and supports a higher nickel content as well. The substitution then delivers higher working potentials (voltage), higher energy densities, and faster charge/discharge rates, all of which offer the promise of improved battery performance.
Delivering on that promise requires a number of improvements, including employing a dopant for stabilization of the manganese in certain cathode compositions, potential stabilization of lithium titanate (LTO) anode materials as well, and use of dopants to improve the conductivity of both these anode and cathode materials. Conventional liquid electrolytes may see improved function and longevity with the improved cathode and anode conductivity. Scandium represents a suitable and effective dopant in each of these applications.
Solid state electrolytes (SSEs) represent another potential break-through improvement in LIBs. They will handle higher voltages, higher temperatures, greater power densities, are potentially easier to package, and are considered safer in use. Scandium represents a suitable and effective dopant in these applications, analogous to the use of scandium to stabilize solid zirconia electrolytes in solid oxide fuel cells. Recently technical papers (available upon request) covering the use of Lithium Super Ion Conductors (LiSICON) for SSEs have indicated that primary compounds containing scandium, such as Li3Sc2(PO4)3, LiScP2O7 and Li3Sc(BO3)2, LiScO2 as well as certain doped compounds such as Li1.33ScSi0.33P1.67O7, Li3.375Mg0.375Sc0.625(BO3)2, Li1.5Al0.33Sc0.17Ge1.5(PO4)3, etc. can provide desirable crystal structural frameworks for solid state electrolytes. Non-oxide LiSICON fast conductors have also been identified recently, such as some lithium cryolite types: Li3ScCl6, as well as its fluoride counterpart Li3ScF6.
Lithium-ion batteries employ aluminum in a number of areas, specifically in cathode structure, current connectors, and in general battery structure. Aluminum-scandium alloys represent an enhanced aluminum alloy option, based on their combination of conductivity and strength.
The intent of this SCY patent filing was to advise the battery industry that scandium is a prospective dopant choice for enhanced performance of LIBs, both under existing design parameters and in particular for certain next-gen lithium-ion batteries. We want to ensure that battery research and design groups consider scandium additions, amongst their various materials choices, as they race to build a better lithium-ion battery.
Patent Program Summary- Applications and Grants
Patent Filings - Summary
The Company is in the process of establishing a significant portfolio of intellectual property through the filing of scandium related patents both in the United States and abroad.
On 10/12/2021 the company was granted a patent for the recovery of scandium from nickel laterite ores.
To date, the following nine US patents have been granted to the Company:
| 11,142,809 | Systems and Processes for Recovering Scandium Values from Laterite Ores |
| 10,988,830 | Scandium Master Alloy Production |
| 10,988,828 | Extraction of Scandium Values from Copper Leach Solutions |
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10,450,634
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Scandium-Containing Master Alloys and Method for Making The Same
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10,378,085
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Recovery Of Scandium Values Through Selective Precipitation of Hematite and Basic Iron Sulfates from Acid Leachates
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10,260,127
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Method For Recovering Scandium Values from Leach Solutions
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9,982,326
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Solvent Extraction of Scandium from Leach Solutions
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9,982,325
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Systems And Methodologies for Direct Acid Leaching of Scandium-Bearing Ores
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| 8,372,367 | System and Method for Recovering Boron Values from Plant Tailings |
Below is a list of thirteen US patents that have been filed, but have not been granted yet:
| US20210371294-A1 | Process for the Preparation of High Purity Alumina* |
| US202163038873 | Recovery of Critical Metals from SX-EW Copper Raffinate and Other Solutions Derived from Leaching Ores with Sulfuric Acid |
| US20210347651 | Counter Current Process for Recovering High Purity Copper Sulfate Values from Low Grade Ores |
| US20200001407 | Control Of Recrystallization In Cold-Rolled AlMn(Mg)ScZr Sheets For Brazing Applications |
| US20210172041 | Byproduct Scandium Recovery from Low Grade Primary Metal Oxide Ores |
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US20190218645
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Direct Scandium Alloying
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US20120305452
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Dry, Stackable Tailings and Methods for Producing the Same
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US20110298270
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In Situ Ore Leaching Using Freeze Barriers
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US2012005585l
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Low Carbon Dioxide Footprint for Coal Liquefaction
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US20120204680
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System and Method for Recovery of Nickel Values from Nickel-Containing Ores
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US20120207656
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System and Method for Recovery of Scandium Values from Scandium-Containing Ores
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Provisional (2)
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Titles not yet publicly disclosed
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*NOTE: This Final Patent Application was published by the US Patent office on December 2, 2021 (A1)
Patent Applications Discussion
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These patents and patent applications cover novel, unique flowsheet designs, applicable to both scandium extraction and other metals extraction.
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The patented designs on scandium are largely supported by test work done with Nyngan Scandium Project resource material and known design parameters.
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The scandium patents cover HPAL system material flows, solvent extraction (SX), ion exchange systems (“IX”), atmospheric tank and heap leaching systems and techniques, and processes for directly making select master alloys containing scandium; and
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A number of the scandium-focussed designs are incorporated as part of the DFS.
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Recovery of by-product scandium from certain other mineral resources is also covered.
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Recovery of base metals, such as copper, cobalt, nickel, manganese and aluminum from process solutions or waste products is also covered.
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Use of scandium in lithium-ion batteries is addressed.
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These patent applications, filed with the US Patent Office, protect the Company’s position and rights to the intellectual property (IP) contained and identified in the applications as of the date filed, within the worldwide jurisdiction limits of the US patent system. Review of patent applications by the U.S. Patent Office takes time, but the initial dates of filing these patents define the basis of IP ownership claims, as is generally afforded U.S. patentholders.
The Company intends to utilize the IP contained in these process patents in the development of process flowsheets for recovery of scandium from its Nyngan Scandium Project, as well as its Honeybugle project and future by-product opportunities from leach solutions and/or waste products. The Company believes that patent protection of these specific, novel process designs will be granted.
Many of the basic design elements contemplated in the Nyngan Scandium Project flowsheet are commonly applied to other specialty metals, particularly nickel. However, the application of these basic design elements has not been commonly applied to scandium extraction from laterite resources, and there are enough intended and required operational differences in the application to permit the Company to patent-protect IP on those differences.
Our history of work on solution separation technologies using ion exchange and/or solvent extraction has widened our opportunity to pursue recovery of select elements of a growing list of critical metals, as defined by governments, concerned customers and industry groups, specifically prioritising lithium-ion battery metals.
These patent claims are the result of ten years of metallurgical test work with independent resource laboratories and specific design work by Willem Duyvesteyn, the Company’s former Chief Technology Officer. This work is ongoing. Patent protection on flowsheet intellectual property will serve to limit or prevent the unauthorized use of that IP by others without the Company’s consent. We believe these filings are an important action to protect the ownership of a Company asset, on behalf of all SCY shareholders.
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statements Schedules
Exhibits
The following table sets out the exhibits filed herewith or incorporated herein by reference.
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Exhibit
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Description
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3.1
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3.2
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10.1(3)
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10.4(4)
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21.1(5)
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List of Subsidiaries
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23.1(5)
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23.2(5)
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23.3(5)
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23.4(5)
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31.1(6)
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31.2(6)
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32.1(6)
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32.2(6)
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| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) |
(1) Previously filed as exhibits to the Form 10 filed May 24, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference.
(2) Previously filed as exhibits to the Form 10-K filed February 27, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference.
(3) Previously filed as Schedule “A” to the Form DEF 14A filed October 5, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference.
(4) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Form 8-K filed July 26, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference.
(5) Previously filed an exhibit to the Form 10-K filed March 7, 2023 and incorporated herein by reference.
(6) Filed herewith.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
SCANDIUM INTERNATIONAL MINING CORP.
By: /s/ Peter B. Evensen
Peter B. Evensen
President and Principal Executive Officer
Date: March 22, 2024
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
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Signature
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Title
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Date
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/s/ Peter B. Evensen
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President, Principal Executive Officer and Director
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March 22, 2024
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Peter B. Evensen
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(Principal Executive Officer)
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/s/ William Harris
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Chairman and Director
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March 22, 2024
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William Harris
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/s/ James Rothwell
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Director
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March 22, 2024
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James Rothwell
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/s/ R. Christian Evensen
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Director & Principal Financial Officer
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March 22, 2024
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R. Christian Evensen
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Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(a) OR 15d-14(a)
OF THE U.S. SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
I, Peter Evensen, certify that:
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1. |
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2022 of Scandium International Mining Corp. |
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2. |
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; |
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3. |
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
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4. |
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: |
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a) |
designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared; |
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b)
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designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; |
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| c) | evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and | |
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d) |
disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and |
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5. |
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function): |
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a) |
all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and |
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b) |
any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. |
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Date: March 22, 2024 |
By: |
/s/ Peter Evensen |
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Peter Evensen |
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Principal Executive Officer |
Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(a) OR 15d-14(a)
OF THE U.S. SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
I, Christian Evensen, certify that:
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1. |
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2022 of Scandium International Mining Corp. |
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2. |
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; |
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3. |
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
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4. |
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: |
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a) |
designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared; |
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b) |
designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; |
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| c) | evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and | |
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d) |
disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and |
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5. |
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function): |
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a) |
all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and |
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b) |
any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. |
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Date: March 22, 2024 |
By: |
/s/ Christian Evensen |
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Christian Evensen |
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Principal Financial Officer |
EXHIBIT 32.1
CERTIFICATION
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
AND RULE 13a-14(b) OR RULE 15d-14(b)
OF THE U.S. SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
In connection with the Annual Report of Scandium International Mining Corp. (the "Company") on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2022 (the "Report"), the undersigned, in the capacities and on the date indicated below, hereby certifies pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to his knowledge:
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1. |
The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and |
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2. |
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. |
| Dated: March 22, 2024 |
/s/ Peter Evensen Peter Evensen Principal Executive Officer |
EXHIBIT 32.2
CERTIFICATION
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
AND RULE 13a-14(b) OR RULE 15d-14(b)
OF THE U.S. SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
In connection with the Annual Report of Scandium International Mining Corp. (the "Company") on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2022 (the "Report"), the undersigned, in the capacities and on the date indicated below, hereby certifies pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to his knowledge:
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1. |
The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and |
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2. |
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. |
| Dated: March 22, 2024 |
/s/ Christian Evensen Christian Evensen Principal Financial Officer |