West Cobar Metals is broadening its scandium exploration at Salazar by adding the Benriach Prospect to its Q4 2026 air-core drilling program, aiming to tap near-surface scandium enrichment and higher-grade zones within its existing resource.
- Benriach Prospect added to Q4 2026 drilling
- Previous drilling intersected 27m at 102ppm Sc2O3 in amphibolite bedrock
- Salazar hosts 15Mt inferred scandium resource at 153ppm Sc2O3
- Metallurgical testwork progressing for low-cost scandium extraction
- Drilling to target near-surface enrichment and resource extensions
New Benriach Target Broadens Salazar Scandium Potential
West Cobar Metals (ASX:WC1) is ramping up its scandium ambitions at the Salazar Critical Minerals Project in Western Australia by expanding its drilling plans to include the Benriach Prospect. This fresh target stems from a standout bedrock intersection in RC hole BHTRSP002, which delivered 27 metres at 102ppm Sc2O3 within amphibolite bedrock; a geochemical signature reminiscent of the Newmont saprolite-hosted scandium deposit nearby.
Benriach’s appeal is amplified by aeromagnetic data highlighting a discrete magnetic body where scandium-enriched bedrock is thought to approach the weathered saprolite profile. This geological setup offers a compelling opportunity to uncover near-surface scandium enrichment, potentially boosting the economics of the project.
Q4 2026 Air-Core Drilling to Test Weathered Saprolite and Resource Extensions
The upcoming air-core drilling campaign planned for Q4 2026 will not only probe the Benriach saprolite profile above and adjacent to the amphibolite but also focus on refining the existing Newmont scandium resource. West Cobar aims to identify higher-grade zones and resource extensions within the 15 million tonnes at 153ppm Sc2O3 currently classified as inferred.
Previous high-grade intersections at Newmont, such as 13m at 318ppm Sc2O3 including 3m at 649ppm, underscore the potential for discrete, commercially meaningful scandium zones. The drilling program is designed to tighten the resource definition, which is critical given the premium nature of scandium grades for commercial viability.
Metallurgical Advances and Strategic Development Pathway
Parallel to exploration, West Cobar is advancing metallurgical testwork focused on developing a low-cost extraction process for scandium from its unique high-grade clay-hosted deposit. Techniques under evaluation include heap leaching and bioleaching, aiming to establish an efficient flowsheet for scandium and mixed rare earth carbonate production.
These efforts align with the broader project strategy to leverage Salazar’s multi-mineral endowment, which includes titanium dioxide, gallium, alumina, and rare earth elements, alongside scandium. The shallow saprolite-hosted mineralisation is amenable to low-strip, open-pit mining, presenting a potentially economical pathway to production.
Salazar’s Resource Base and Critical Minerals Exposure
Salazar’s inferred mineral resources extend beyond scandium, with 42Mt at 5.2% TiO2, 263Mt at 35ppm Ga2O3, and 230Mt at 1,178ppm total rare earth oxides (TREO), including significant heavy rare earth elements like dysprosium and terbium. This diversified critical minerals portfolio positions West Cobar to tap multiple strategic markets from a single project footprint.
Located about 120km northeast of Esperance, Western Australia, the Salazar project benefits from established infrastructure and a favourable mining jurisdiction, factors that could underpin future development decisions.
Next Steps and Strategic Focus
West Cobar’s immediate priorities include executing the Q4 air-core drilling program to test the Benriach target and enhance the Newmont resource definition. Concurrently, metallurgical testwork will continue to refine scandium recovery processes, including heap leach and bioleaching techniques, while integrated flowsheet demonstration and development studies progress.
The company is also pursuing potential US funding and offtake arrangements, reflecting scandium’s growing strategic importance in advanced technologies and clean energy sectors.
Bottom Line?
West Cobar’s expanded drilling and metallurgical efforts at Salazar could unlock higher-grade scandium zones critical for commercial viability, but results remain pending and will be key to shaping the project’s development trajectory.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the Benriach saprolite profile reveal near-surface scandium grades comparable to or exceeding Newmont’s high-grade zones?
- How will ongoing metallurgical testwork translate to scalable, cost-effective scandium extraction processes?
- What impact could potential US funding and offtake agreements have on advancing Salazar’s development timeline?