Mount Ridley Mines has confirmed that high-grade scandium mineralisation at its Grass Patch Complex extends beyond the current Block 1 resource in all directions, based on re-assays of 481 historical drill samples. This expansion supports a resource upgrade and highlights the project's strategic importance amid tightening global scandium supply.
- Re-assays confirm scandium mineralisation beyond Block 1 resource margins
- Multiple broad intercepts exceed existing average grade of 91.8 ppm Sc2O3
- Phase 1 data to be incorporated into resource model for upgrade
- Expansion potential identified north, south, east, and west of Block 1
- Scandium supply constraints increase strategic value of Grass Patch project
Scandium Mineralisation Breaks Resource Boundaries
Mount Ridley Mines Ltd (ASX:MRD) has revealed that its Phase 1 scandium re-assay program at the Grass Patch Complex has identified high-grade mineralisation extending beyond the current Block 1A and 1B resource boundaries in every direction. The latest tranche of 481 historical aircore pulp samples confirms that the scandium system remains open north, south, east, and west of the existing resource shell, with multiple broad intercepts exceeding the current average grade of 91.8 ppm Sc2O3.
Noteworthy intersections include 22 metres at 134.09 ppm Sc2O3 from 33 metres (MRAC0977) and 20 metres at 119.02 ppm Sc2O3 from 18 metres (MRAC0962), both well above the resource average. The intercepts often start at shallow depths between 9 and 33 metres and several end in mineralisation, indicating continuity beyond the current resource limits.
Expansion Potential Confirmed Across All Margins
The northern margin shows particularly strong near-surface mineralisation over a strike length exceeding 500 metres, with grades consistently above the resource average. The southern area yielded some of the highest grades, including the standout MRAC0977 intercept, which is approximately 46% higher than the existing Block 1 resource grade. Both western and eastern margins also returned broad intercepts around or above resource grade, reinforcing the potential for lateral resource growth.
These results build on the company’s earlier announcement on 11 June 2026, which reported a 13-kilometre strike extension to the southwest, derived from the same Phase 1 re-assay program. Together, these findings paint a picture of a scandium system that continues to grow as more historical drill material is analysed, providing a low-cost pathway to resource expansion without immediate new drilling.
Strategic Importance of Scandium Resource Amid Supply Constraints
Mount Ridley’s Managing Director Allister Caird emphasised the significance of these results, highlighting the potential to materially expand one of the world’s largest scandium discoveries. The Grass Patch project’s co-located rare earth and gallium resources further enhance its multi-commodity critical minerals profile.
Scandium is classified as a critical mineral by Australia, the US, and the EU, with global production limited to tens of tonnes annually and dominated by China and Russia. China’s 2025 export licensing tightened supply, causing significant disruptions in aerospace and semiconductor sectors reliant on scandium alloys and fuel cell technologies. Demand is forecast to grow at a compound annual rate of about 14.5% through 2031, driven by applications in aerospace aluminium-scandium alloys, solid oxide fuel cells, and additive manufacturing.
Next Steps Toward Resource Upgrade
Mount Ridley is currently reviewing re-assay results from Block 2 and plans to incorporate the Phase 1 Block 1 data into its resource model, targeting an update and potential upgrade of the JORC (2012) Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate. Phase 2 of the re-assay program is being scoped to prioritise the 13-kilometre untested strike corridor, leveraging approximately 14,000 unassayed historical pulps.
The company’s approach of unlocking value from existing drill material at minimal incremental cost offers an efficient way to expand the resource base ahead of any new drilling campaigns. This strategy aligns with the broader critical minerals market dynamics where supply constraints and geopolitical risks elevate the importance of secure, non-Chinese sources.
Bottom Line?
Mount Ridley’s expanding scandium footprint at Grass Patch positions it well amid tightening global supply, but further drilling and resource modelling will be key to translating these promising re-assay results into a definitive resource upgrade.
Questions in the middle?
- How will Phase 2 re-assays impact the overall scandium resource size and grade?
- What timeline and capital allocation will Mount Ridley assign to follow-up drilling after re-assay expansions?
- How might evolving global scandium supply restrictions influence Mount Ridley’s project economics and strategic partnerships?