Sunrise Energy Metals Limited Chairman, Robert Friedland, and Chief Executive Officer, Sam Riggall, have announced that the company has approved the Final Investment Decision (FID) to proceed with development of the Syerston scandium project, in New South Wales, Australia.
A defining feature of the project is its potential to become the world’s first major source of primary mine supply of scandium, establishing a new, scalable and reliable source of production for global end users, the company says.
The board’s decision to proceed with the development of Syerston represents a significant step towards establishing a secure, large-scale and independent source of scandium supply outside China, positioning Sunrise to support the development of next-generation technologies and increasingly diversified Western critical mineral supply chains, it adds.
Friedland commented: “Our decision to proceed with development of the Syerston scandium project follows extensive technical development, engineering, permitting and commercial engagement, and reflects the board’s confidence in the quality of the Syerston resource, and the significant market opportunity ahead of us. Scandium has long been recognised for its exceptional properties and potential across a range of advanced technologies, but its adoption has been constrained by the absence of reliable, scalable supply.
“Syerston has the potential to fundamentally change that dynamic by delivering a secure, long-term and primary source of high-purity scandium to global markets.”
The project is forecast to process 64,000 t/y of ore to produce 60 t of high purity (>99.9%) scandium oxide (Sc2O3) annually.
Key project advantages include:
- A high-grade ore deposit (averaging 690 ppm Sc in the first decade);
- Efficient extraction and processing technology proven through extensive pilot testing;
- A 32-year mine life providing long-term production stability; and
- Strategic location in New South Wales with established infrastructure.
Mining will use conventional open-pit methods with excavators and trucks. The processing plant will use hydrometallurgical leaching to extract scandium from ore, followed by refining to produce high-purity scandium oxide. Mining operations are forecast to span 21 years, with an additional 11 years of processing from stockpiled ore, supporting a total 32-year operating life.
The board’s positive FID is underpinned by substantial progress across the key technical, engineering, permitting, procurement and project development workstreams, providing a strong foundation for the transition into construction and targeted commencement of
production in 2028, Sunrise says.
Procurement readiness has progressed significantly, with key long-lead equipment packages advanced through tender evaluation and supplier selection processes.
Engineering and procurement for the project’s water infrastructure have also advanced, including completion of Stage 2 pipeline design, preparation of Issued for Construction drawings and commencement of procurement for critical equipment.
These activities have been supported by the continued development of the Project Execution Plan (PEP), contracting and procurement strategy, integrated construction schedule and Project Risk Register, establishing a clear execution pathway towards first
scandium production in 2028. Collectively, these workstreams have materially advanced Syerston’s construction readiness, reduced key project development risks and provided the technical and execution framework underpinning the positive FID and the targeted second half 2028 production commencement, the company says.
Sunrise is accelerating studies to assess the potential expansion of scandium oxide production capacity with the aim of positioning the project to respond to growing global demand across key end-use markets. The ultimate timing and scale of any expansion have not been determined and will be guided by customer commitments, demonstrated demand growth, engineering outcomes, financing arrangements and approval by the Sunrise Board.
It adds: “The company is preserving flexibility in the Project design to enable additional processing, utility and tailings capacity to be incorporated efficiently should a decision be made to expand at a later date.”
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