Sconi

http://www.metallicaminerals.com.au/

scandium, cobalt, nickel,

Phone: 

Address: Crn Lytton Road and Stafford Street, East Brisbane, QLD, 4169 

State:  Crn Lytton Road and Stafford Street, East Brisbane, QLD, 4169

Email: 

http://www.metallicaminerals.com.au/

 

The SCONI project, located 250 kilometres, by sealed road, north west of Townsville, in northern Queensland, could become the largest source of scandium in the world. The SCONI ( scandium, cobalt and nickel) project is a three metal project, wholly owned by Metallica Minerals, an Australian based resource exploration and development company that has over 2000 shareholders, one of which is Jilin Mining Pty Ltd , a fullyowned sibsidiary of China's second largest nickel producer, the Jilin Group. Metallica Minerals was founded in 1997 and became listed on the ASX (Australian Securities Exchange) in 2004.

The SCONI Project is Pioneering a new Critical Metals Market of the Future

The SCONI Project is unique in the Australian mining industry in that it is pioneering a new, critical metals market of the future. Once operational the SCONI Project will be capable of producing between 40,000 and 100,000 kilograms of scandium a year, a metal used in creating solid oxide fuel cells that efficiently converts gas into heat and electrical energy. A metal that will be increasingly sought after as concern grows worldwide over the accumulation of greenhouse gases which is leading the way towards gas as an alternative to coal in the energy market.

SCONI Scandium to be Used to Produce Solid Oxide Fuel Cells and Aluminium Alloys

Scandium is new to the production of solid oxide fuel cells, with many companies involved in the making of these particular cells presently using yttrium stabilised zirconia. However, it has been found that scandium stabilised zirconia is the more efficient way to produce solid oxide fuel cells. For this reason these companies are now looking for ways to reliably source scandium in large quantities.

Scandium is also used in the making of aluminium alloys, particularly in the making of top quality sporting gear and military equipment. In these applications very small amounts of scandium is used as a 'spice metal.'

SCONI Life of Mine to Last 20 Years

The SCONI Project resource of scandium, cobalt and nickel is large enough to support the production of 750,000 tonnes of ore a year for at least 20 years and despite Metallica Minerals focusing on the production of high grade scandium, the success of the project will rely on the production of the other two metals, cobalt and nickel, as well.

SCONI Previously Known as NORINCO

The SCONI Project was originally known as the NORNICO Project, it was renamed SCONI in 2012 following the completion of a successful scoping study and testing program that produced one kilogram of a very high purity scandium oxide.

SCONI Project Currently On-hold

There are a number of scandium rich lateritic and nickel, cobalt rich deposits within the SCONI Project, the three main deposits being Greenvale, Lucknow and Kokomo. Metallica Minerals is currently involved in negotiations with companies that use scandium in both the aluminium alloy and solid oxide fuel cell industries in relation to potential off take agreements. In the meantime the project remains on-hold pending ongoing development funding. It is hoped the project will progress towards production in 2015.