Australian Mines Ltd. seek out to develop next-gen aluminium alloys using scandium

Founded in 2001 and ASX-listed, Australian Mines Ltd. is seeking to evolve new aluminium alloys using scandium, which will be sourced from the Sconi project in Queensland.

The mining company has allied with Victoria-based Deakin University’s Institute for Frontier Materials for the project, which starts on 12^th October’20 and lasts for nine months.

The project strives to deliver aluminium alloys from high purity scandium oxide to enhance the performance of industrial processes within the energy industry.

It will use machine learning algorithms and Deakin’s expertise in alloy development.

Benjamin Bell, Managing Director, Australian Mines Ltd. said: “Working with Deakin to develop the next generation of aluminium alloys using scandium aligned perfectly with the company’s strategy to maximise the value that could be generated from the output of the Sconi project.”

“Scandium has been known to provide significant benefits when added to aluminium but restricted access to a stable, reliable supply has limited its adoption in industrial applications,” he said.

“Australian Mines can supply high purity scandium oxide when Sconi runs at full production, will be a long term, globally significant supplier of high purity scandium as well as battery ready materials to the electric vehicle and energy storage industries.”

Sconi project is forecasted to have a lifespan of more than 30 years and can produce 1.4 million tonnes of nickel sulphate and 200,000 tonnes of cobalt sulphate, with scandium recovery and production of high purity scandium oxide.

Bell added: “Scandium is classified as a critical commodity by the Australian and the United States governments as well as the European Union.”

Australian Mines expects Sconi’s financial profile to increase with the supply of the commodity to the energy industry.

The project is backed by a $56,000 funding by Australian Mines and a $50,000 grant from the Australian Government.