Scandium oxide is used in solid oxide fuel cells and aluminum alloys for the aerospace, defence and 3D printing industries.
Plans are to ramp up production to three tonnes of scandium oxide per year, representing approximately 20% of the global market, the company said. The plant uses an process developed by Rio Tinto to extract high purity scandium oxide from the waste streams of titanium dioxide production without additional mining.
The company says that it is also considering near-term expansion options to increase production capacity in line with market demand.
“This is a key milestone in the development of a secure supply of scandium, demonstrating our ability to de-risk the global supply chain for this critical mineral,” said Rio Tinto Iron and titanium director Stéphane Leblanc.
