Rimfire Pacific Mining is on track to deliver its maiden Murga scandium Mineral Resource Estimate by the end of March 2026, buoyed by promising assay results highlighting broad mineralisation and a potentially cheaper processing route.
- Maiden Murga Mineral Resource Estimate expected by March 2026 quarter
- Broad scandium intercepts confirm significant mineralisation
- Murga’s scandium mineralisation characterised by low iron content
- Potential for cost-effective atmospheric leaching processing
- Metallurgical test work planned for June 2026 quarter
Murga Mineral Resource Estimate on Schedule
Rimfire Pacific Mining has confirmed that its maiden Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for the Murga scandium deposit remains on track for delivery by the end of the March 2026 quarter. This follows the receipt of the final batch of assay results from an extensive air core drilling program conducted in late 2025.
The drilling campaign, comprising 86 air core holes over a 9 square kilometre exploration target, has returned multiple broad intersections of scandium mineralisation. Notable intercepts include 16 metres at 231 parts per million (ppm) scandium and 33 metres at 186 ppm scandium, indicating a substantial tonnage potential within the Murga area.
Low Iron Content Could Unlock Processing Advantages
What sets Murga apart from other scandium deposits in the Fifield district is its relatively low iron content, averaging around 16% iron compared to up to 34% in nearby deposits such as Rio Tinto’s Burra. This characteristic is significant because iron content heavily influences the choice and cost of metallurgical processing.
Rimfire’s Managing Director, David Hutton, highlighted that the low iron content may allow the use of atmospheric leaching (AL), a simpler and less capital-intensive technique than the high-pressure acid leaching (HPAL) methods typically required for high-iron ores. AL could reduce processing costs and complexity, potentially enhancing the commercial viability of the Murga deposit.
Strategic Location in Australia’s Scandium Hub
Murga is strategically located just 4 kilometres south of Sunrise Energy Metals’ Syerston scandium deposit and within the broader Fifield district, Australia’s recognised scandium epicentre. This proximity to established projects underscores the district’s potential as a significant scandium supply region.
Rimfire’s current scandium resource inventory at Fifield stands at 5,449 tonnes of scandium metal (8,333 tonnes of scandium oxide), with the Murga Exploration Target poised to add materially to this figure pending successful conversion to a Mineral Resource.
Next Steps: Metallurgical Testing and Resource Estimation
Looking ahead, Rimfire plans to undertake metallurgical test work during the June 2026 quarter under the guidance of process consultant Boyd Willis. These tests will assess the feasibility of atmospheric leaching and quantify scandium recoveries, providing critical data to refine processing strategies.
Meanwhile, the company has forwarded all geological and drilling data to H&S Consultants Pty Ltd for the Mineral Resource estimation, expected imminently. The outcome will be pivotal in defining the economic potential of Murga and informing development decisions.
Bottom Line?
Murga’s low-iron scandium mineralisation could redefine processing economics in the Fifield district; next quarter’s metallurgical results will be key.
Questions in the middle?
- Will metallurgical testing confirm atmospheric leaching as a viable, cost-effective processing method for Murga?
- How significantly will the Murga Mineral Resource Estimate expand Rimfire’s scandium inventory?
- What impact will Murga’s development have on the competitive landscape of scandium supply in Australia?