Sunrise Energy Metals Doubles Scandium Resource at Syerston Amid Supply Crunch

Resource Expansion Confirms Syerston’s Global Leadership

Sunrise Energy Metals Limited (ASX, SRL) has announced a substantial upgrade to the Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for its Syerston Scandium Project in New South Wales, Australia. The contained scandium metal has nearly doubled following a targeted drilling campaign, with the global resource now standing at 19,007 tonnes at a 300 g/t scandium cut-off. Notably, the high-grade zones; those with scandium concentrations above 600 g/t; have surged by 161% to 1,155 tonnes.

This update cements Syerston’s position as the world’s largest and highest-grade primary scandium deposit, a critical milestone given the metal’s strategic importance in advanced technologies.

Shallow Mineralisation Offers Development Advantages

The mineralisation at Syerston extends from surface down to approximately 35 metres, presenting opportunities for low-cost, open-pit mining. This shallow depth profile is advantageous for rapid project development and scalable production, factors that will be integral to the upcoming Feasibility Study scheduled for completion later this month.

Sunrise Energy Metals’ CEO, Sam Riggall, highlighted the significance of the resource expansion amid tightening global supply, noting that the project is strategically positioned to meet growing demand in sectors such as high-performance aluminium alloys, semiconductors, and fuel cells.

Geopolitical Shifts Tighten Supply and Elevate Prices

The timing of this resource upgrade is particularly pertinent given recent geopolitical developments. In April 2025, China imposed stringent export licensing restrictions on scandium and other strategic metals, effectively tightening global supply chains. These measures have led to a marked increase in scandium prices, with North American traders quoting prices more than double those previously reported in China.

Sunrise’s Co-Chairman Robert Friedland emphasized the broader implications, framing Syerston as a critical source of scandium supply for defense and technology industries seeking reliable and diversified supply chains outside of China’s influence.

Robust Project Foundations and Next Steps

The Syerston Project benefits from a granted Mining Lease, approved Development Consent, environmental clearances, and access to key infrastructure, all of which de-risk the pathway to production. Extensive metallurgical testing confirms the ore’s amenability to high-pressure acid leaching, with proprietary processing technologies offering further economic benefits.

With the Feasibility Study imminent, Sunrise is actively engaging with potential customers and financiers, including government bodies and strategic partners in the United States and Asia. The study will underpin an Ore Reserve Estimate and a revised mine plan, setting the stage for project financing and offtake agreements.

Market Outlook and Strategic Importance

As scandium consumption accelerates in critical applications, the expanded resource at Syerston offers a timely and strategically significant supply option. The project’s scale and grade position it uniquely to help alleviate global supply shortages exacerbated by geopolitical tensions and regulatory changes.

Investors and industry watchers will be keenly awaiting the Feasibility Study results, which will provide further clarity on the project’s economic viability and development timeline.