Scandium
Scandium (Sc) is a metallic transition metal that is a silvery white colour often classified as a rare earth element together with lanthanides and yttrium.
Scandium was discovered in 1879 when the minerals gadolinite and and euxenite was undergoing spectral analysis in Scandinavia. It is a silvery white, soft, metallic transition metal sometimes classified as a rare earth element (REE), as is the 15 lanthanides and yttrium. It becomes slightly pinkish or yellowish when exposed to air and is adversely effected by weathering, it dissolves slowly in most dilute acids.
In the 1970's Scandium's positive effect on aluminium alloys was first recognised and this has remained its main application ever since. Although low levels of scandium are not uncommon, economic mineable deposits averaging at least 200 grams a tonne are vary rare, as only four such resources are known to exist worldwide. The largest scandium only resource in the world is located at Nyngan in New South Wales. The Nyngan resource stands at 12 million tonnes grading at 261 parts per million of scandium as well as 1.5 million tonnes grading at 330 parts per million scandium. Scandium is the main ingredient in the manufacturing of aerospace components, lighting and in the new solid oxide fuel cell market.
Global usage of scandium is still quite small, about five tonnes a year and as there has been a lack of a reliable, stable and secure long term production of the product, major commercial applications have been severely constrained. Up until now its main use has been in the making of aerospace industry components that require strong lightweight aluminium/scandium alloys. This type of component has been used in Soviet missiles and MiG-29 and MiG 21 military aircraft.
Uses of scandium include the following:
1. Metal alloys – Such as that needed in aerospace technology. Scandium/aluminium alloys have the advantage of being able to be welded. This reduces friction and increases joint strengths while remaining lightweight
2. Crystals for optics and lasers
3. Fuel cell technology- Scandium doped silicates in fuel cells can operate at lower
temperatures and have a longer life than yttrium doped zirconium that is currently used in such applications
4. High performance sports equipment – Scandium/aluminium alloy sports equipment includes such items as baseball bats and bicycle frames. Scandium/titanium alloys have been used to make lacrosse sticks
5. Gun making – Gun revolvers and frames can be made with scandium alloys
6. Metal halide lamps – Scandium iodide together with sodium iodide produces a white light resembling sunlight
Only about two tonnes of scandium is produced annually, in the form of scandium oxide. The actual amount mined is only around 400 kilograms as the balance is taken from Russian stockpiles that were accumulated during the cold war years. In 2003 only three mines produced scandium, two in Russia and the other in China. In all cases the scandium produced came from being a by-product during the extraction of other elements. The Nyngan deposits in Australia is the single scandium only deposit at the present time.
The Australian scandium deposit 'Gilgai' is owned by Jervois Mining Limited, it has created world wide interest particularly its potential in supplying scandium for fuel cell development.
Australian Mines that produce Bauxite
Gove (NT)
Up to 600 workers employed at the Gove bauxite refinery in the Northern Territory face an uncertain future as Pacific Aluminium suspends alumina production.
Ely (QLD)
The Ely Alcan Queensland Pty Ltd agreement at the Weipa bauxite mine is due to expire in 2041 but an option will give it a further 21 years extension.
Skardon River (QLD)
Gulf Alumina acquired 100 percent of the Skardon River tenement in 2011 from its koalin mining joint partner to develop the mining of bauxite at the site
Weipa (QLD)
The Weipa bauxite mine on the western side of the Cape York Peninsula in northern Queensland is both owned and operated by Rio Tinto Alcan.
Huntly (WA)
The Huntly mine in Western Australia is the largest bauxite mine in the world currently producing about 23 million tonnes of bauxite annually.
Willowdale (WA)
The Willowdale bauxite mine that commenced production in 1984 still processes 10 million tonnes of bauxite a year at the nearby Wagerup Refinery.
Worsley (WA)
The Worsley bauxite mine and alumina refinery in South West Western Australia employs more than 1,800 people and produces 4.6 million tonnes of alumina annually.
South Aurukun (QLD)
The South Aurukun bauxite tenements on the Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland are held by Gulf Alumina.
Marchinbar Island (NSW)
The Marchinbar Island bauxite deposit in far north Northern Territory could be mined to satisfy a growing demand from China in the near future.
Kwinana Refinery (WA)
The Kwinana refinery in WA employs around 1,000 direct employees with 60 percent living in the nearby towns of Rockingham, Cockburn and Kwinana.
Wagerup Refinery (WA)
The Alcoa owned Wagerup alumina refinery in W.A. has received governmental approval to lift alumina production from 2.6 to 2.65 million tonnes annually.
Pinjarra Alumina Refinery (WA)
The Pinjarra alumina refinery, near Mandurah south of Perth, is an important part of Alcoa's three refinery system in Western Australia.
Portland Aluminium Smelter (VIC)
The Portland Aluminium smelter in western Victoria, a joint venture operation between Alcoa, CITIC and Marubeni, caters solely to the Asian market.
Felicitas (WA)
The Felicitas bauxite project in Western Australia contains a bauxite resource of 220 million tonnes that will give it a life of mine of 25 years
South Of Embley (QLD)
Despite Rio Tinto placing its South of Embley bauxite project in Cape York, Queensland, on hold for 18 months it still considers it a 'good project.'
Bauxite Hills (QLD)
The Bauxite Hills Project on the Cape York Peninsula in Queensland is hoping to take advantage of an expected increase in the demand for Alumina.
Bald Hill (TAS)
Australian Bauxite Limited's Bald Hill mine, in Tasmania, is to start production in December, 2014. It is the first new bauxite mine in Australia, for over 35 years.
Urquhart Point (QLD)
The Urquhart Point Heavy Mineral Sands Project in Cape York in Far North Queensland is expected to begin production in mid-2015.
Amrun (QLD)
The Amrun bauxite project in far north Queensland, that was previously known as the 'South of Embley' project has been approved for development and expected to be in production by 2019.
