Mining & Processing

How Scandium Is Mined and Processed

Scandium (Sc) is a specialty metal with global annual production of approximately 25 tonnes, primarily from China and Philippines. Typical ore grades range from Byproduct - 5-100 ppm in various ores.

Mining Methods

Scandium is extracted through the following methods, selected based on deposit type and geology:

• Byproduct of uranium/titanium/nickel processing
• Recovery from red mud (alumina waste)

Ore Types and Mineralogy

The principal ore types and mineral sources for Scandium include:

• No primary scandium ores; recovered from uranium tailings, titanium slag, nickel laterite processing, and rare earth operations

Processing and Beneficiation

Following extraction, Scandium ore undergoes the following processing stages:

1. Solvent extraction from acidic process solutions
2. Precipitation and calcination

Major Mines and Production Centers

The following are key Scandium mining and processing operations worldwide:

Environmental and Regulatory Considerations

Mining and processing of Scandium must comply with environmental regulations governing water use, tailings management, emissions, and land rehabilitation. Increasingly stringent environmental standards are raising production costs but also driving innovation in cleaner extraction technologies. The social license to operate and community engagement have become critical factors in project development, particularly in China where 66% of global production is concentrated.