Sunrise Energy Metals Uncovers New High-Grade Scandium Zones at Syerston
Sunrise Energy Metals has revealed fresh assay results from its latest drilling campaign at the Syerston scandium deposit, confirming expanded zones of high-grade mineralisation. These findings bolster the company’s resource base ahead of an updated feasibility study.
- 125-hole reverse circulation drilling campaign completed with 3,589 metres drilled
- Multiple new shallow, continuous high-grade scandium zones exceeding 600ppm identified
- Significant intersections include up to 16m at 869ppm scandium
- Results to update February 2025 Mineral Resource Estimate and underpin feasibility study
- Scandium market tightness due to Chinese export controls highlights strategic importance
Expanding the Syerston Scandium Resource
Sunrise Energy Metals Limited (ASX – SRL) has announced compelling new assay results from its recent reverse circulation drilling campaign at the Syerston scandium deposit in central-west New South Wales. The 125-hole program, completed in April and May 2025, aimed to extend known zones of high-grade scandium mineralisation within the company’s Mining Lease 1770.
The second tranche of assay data confirms multiple new areas of shallow, continuous mineralisation with scandium grades exceeding 600 parts per million (ppm), a benchmark for high-grade deposits. Noteworthy intersections include 16 metres at 869ppm scandium from 6 metres depth, alongside numerous other intervals demonstrating both thickness and grade continuity.
Strategic Implications Amid Market Tightness
Sunrise’s Managing Director, Sam Riggall, emphasised the significance of these results in the context of recent global supply disruptions. Since April 2025, Chinese export controls have tightened scandium availability, a metal critical to advanced technology sectors such as 5G telecommunications and aerospace alloys. Riggall highlighted that diversifying primary mine supply with low-cost, scalable sources like Syerston is essential to mitigating supply risks for these strategic industries.
The drilling campaign’s success in delineating new high-grade zones supports the company’s strategy to develop a flexible, cost-effective mining operation targeting multiple areas within the lease. This approach aims to optimise early production from higher-value zones, while building a larger resource base to meet anticipated market growth.
Next Steps – Resource Upgrade and Feasibility Study
The assay results will feed into an updated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE), expected to upgrade portions of the resource from inferred to measured and indicated categories. This upgrade is a critical step toward refining the mine plan and updating the Syerston Scandium Project Feasibility Study, with completion targeted for late September 2025.
Sunrise’s methodical approach to sampling and assay verification, including the use of advanced X-ray fluorescence techniques, ensures confidence in the reported grades. The company’s ongoing exploration and evaluation efforts position Syerston as a potentially world-leading source of mineable, high-grade scandium.
As the scandium market tightens and demand from high-tech sectors intensifies, Sunrise Energy Metals’ progress at Syerston will be closely watched by investors and industry stakeholders alike.
Bottom Line?
Sunrise’s expanding high-grade scandium zones at Syerston set the stage for a pivotal resource upgrade and feasibility milestone later this year.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the updated Mineral Resource Estimate impact Sunrise’s project valuation and financing options?
- What are the potential timelines and capital requirements for bringing new high-grade zones into production?
- How might ongoing Chinese export controls reshape global scandium supply dynamics and pricing?
