Mount Ridley Mines Expands Scandium Footprint with New Metallurgical Testwork

Metallurgical Testwork Targets Heavy Rare Earths and Scandium

Mount Ridley Mines (ASX:MRD) has kicked off Phase 1 metallurgical testwork focused on heavy rare earth elements (HREE) at its Grass Patch Complex, specifically targeting the Winstons and Keiths Prospects. This marks the first dedicated program aimed at understanding the processing characteristics of the company’s regolith-hosted HREE, scandium, and gallium mineralisation.

Designed and led by newly promoted Chief Technology Officer Chris Larder, the Perth-based testwork will characterise the kaolinite-rich saprolitic mineralisation, evaluate beneficiation pathways, and optimise hydrometallurgical leaching parameters. The program builds on historical metallurgical reviews confirming favourable leach responses for heavy rare earths, which typically outperform lighter rare earth elements in extraction amenability.

Re-Assay Program Uncovers High-Grade Scandium Beyond Current Resources

A major Phase 1 re-assay program has substantially expanded Mount Ridley’s scandium footprint by re-analysing 3,271 historical drill pulp samples previously untested for scandium. The results revealed two new open scandium trends, including a high-grade zone approximately 13 kilometres southwest of the existing Block 1 Resource. Notably, broad near-surface intersections exceeded the current Block 1 average grade of 91.8ppm Sc₂O₃, with highlights such as 9m @ 152.89ppm and 13m @ 137.61ppm Sc₂O₃.

Further re-assay results confirmed scandium mineralisation extending beyond current resource boundaries at both Block 1 and Block 2, with multiple intersections surpassing existing average grades. These findings suggest significant potential for resource growth through low-cost re-assaying of over 14,000 remaining historical pulps, as well as targeted infill drilling. The southwestern mineralised cluster remains open, representing a priority corridor for future exploration.

Gravity Modelling Validates Resource and Identifies New Exploration Targets

Independent 3D gravity inversion modelling by Core Geophysics has reinforced the geological model underpinning Mount Ridley’s resource estimates. High-grade rare earth element mineralisation closely aligns with discrete gravity anomalies associated with dense mafic to gabbroic basement rocks beneath the saprolitic zones.

The modelling delineated two main gravity trends: a western trend hosting most known mineralisation and an eastern trend that remains largely untested. Both Block 1 and Block 2 resource areas correspond with prominent gravity ridges, while additional untested gravity trends have been earmarked as priority targets for follow-up drilling.

Downstream Scandium Development Secures CSIRO Co-Funding

Mount Ridley secured $50,000 in co-funding from CSIRO’s Kick-Start program for a $104,000 collaborative research project focused on downstream scandium development. The initial stage will assess scandium-containing alloys for additive manufacturing applications across aerospace, defence, advanced manufacturing, and robotics sectors.

The project includes a review of the patent landscape, global scandium suppliers, and emerging extraction and refining technologies. Outcomes are intended to inform a subsequent phase aimed at developing proprietary scandium-based materials, potentially positioning Mount Ridley in high-value advanced manufacturing supply chains through strategic partnerships and licensing.

Corporate Moves and Market Access

Following his significant technical contributions, Chris Larder was promoted to Chief Technology Officer, strengthening Mount Ridley’s internal capability to oversee metallurgical programs and processing strategies. Meanwhile, the company expanded its investor access by commencing quotation on the US OTC Markets under the ticker MRDMF, facilitating trading of existing shares in US dollars and supporting engagement with US institutional investors.

Exploration expenditure for the quarter totalled $199,013, primarily on the Grass Patch Project, with no mining production activities reported. The company maintains a substantial JORC-compliant scandium resource of 367.9 million tonnes at 57.3ppm scandium, alongside significant gallium and rare earth element resources, underpinning its multi-commodity critical minerals strategy.