Narryer Metals Reveals High-Grade Scandium Discovery at Pingrup Project

New Scandium Discovery Expands Narryer's Critical Minerals Portfolio

Narryer Metals Limited (ASX:NYM) has identified a promising new scandium project at Pingrup in Western Australia’s Great Southern region, adding a significant chapter to its critical minerals ambitions. Historic drilling data reveals high-grade scandium oxide (Sc2O3) mineralisation along approximately 1.7 kilometres of strike, with assays reaching up to 765 ppm; a level that stands out in the relatively scarce scandium market.

The Pingrup Project’s mineralisation is hosted primarily in saprolitic clays at shallow depths between 12 and 42 metres, making it accessible for potential future development. This discovery complements Narryer’s existing Rocky Gully Sc-REE-Ga Project, located about 180 kilometres southwest, with both projects sharing similar geology and mineralogical characteristics. Executive Chairman Richard Bevan highlighted the potential for shared metallurgical processing pathways, which could streamline development costs and timelines.

Historic Drilling Highlights and Geological Setting

Reviewing historic aircore drilling, Narryer identified 31 significant scandium intersections exceeding 100 ppm Sc2O3. Notable intercepts include 9 metres at 430 ppm from 15 metres depth, featuring a 3-metre interval at 765 ppm, and 12 metres at 214 ppm from 21 metres. The mineralisation is associated with mafic and ultramafic derived clays overlaying high-grade metamorphic rocks within the Corrigin Tectonic Zone of the Yilgarn Craton.

In addition to scandium, the Pingrup Project hosts substantial rare earth element (REE) mineralisation, with historic intersections reporting up to 18 metres at 1,767 ppm total rare earth oxides (TREO). While the relationship between scandium and REE mineralisation requires further study, these findings suggest a multi-commodity opportunity that could enhance project economics.

Advancing Towards Resource Definition

With existing drill coverage positioning Pingrup as an advanced exploration project, Narryer plans to accelerate its development through a detailed magnetic survey to better map mafic-ultramafic units linked to scandium mineralisation. This will be followed by targeted aircore drilling aimed at defining higher-grade zones and extending the known mineralised envelope. The company also intends to collect metallurgical bulk samples from upcoming drilling to assess processing pathways, leveraging potential synergies with Rocky Gully’s flowsheet.

These steps could fast-track the Pingrup Project to maiden resource status, bolstering Narryer’s position in the scandium market. The company’s recent progress at Rocky Gully, including metallurgical testwork, adds momentum to its critical minerals strategy focused on scandium, rare earths, and gallium.

Scandium’s Growing Strategic Importance

Scandium is listed as a critical mineral by both the US and EU, prized for its role in aluminium-scandium alloys used in aerospace, lightweight transport, and solid oxide fuel cells. The metal also finds applications in ceramics, 3D printing, electronics, and lighting. Global supply remains limited, with China dominating production and recently imposing export restrictions, underscoring the strategic value of new sources like Pingrup.

Market forecasts predict significant growth in scandium demand over the next decade, with prices historically ranging between US$660 and US$1,000 per kilogram. Narryer’s combined Pingrup and Rocky Gully projects could position the company as a reliable supplier amid tightening global supply chains.