Sunrise Energy Metals (ASX:SRL) – First Primary Scandium Mine to Displace China

Interview with Sam Riggall, Managing Director & CEO of Sunrise Energy Metals

Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/sunrise-energy-metals-srl-400m-for-nickel-cobalt-developer-1954

Recording date: 26th August 2025

Sunrise Energy Metals (ASX:SRL) is developing what would become the world's first primary scandium mine in New South Wales, Australia, as global supply chains face unprecedented disruption from China's strategic export controls. The company's Syerston project aims to address Western nations' urgent need for secure access to this critical technology metal.

In April 2025, China imposed sweeping export restrictions on scandium, classifying it as a dual-use material with both civilian and military applications. This decisive move has effectively severed Western access to 85% of global refined scandium supply and 100% of metallized scandium required by the semiconductor industry. CEO Sam Riggall describes the situation as creating "inherent limitations that Chinese supply will never be able to service in western markets going forward."

The supply crisis comes at a critical juncture for scandium demand across three strategic sectors. In semiconductors, scandium enables the radio frequency filtering that made 5G technology possible, with military applications operating up to 13 GHz and next-generation technology proven to work beyond 20 GHz. The aerospace industry values scandium-aluminum alloys for their exceptional strength-to-weight ratios, while the fuel cell sector relies on scandium for enhanced performance and longevity in solid oxide systems.

Sunrise's geological advantage positions it uniquely to capitalize on this supply vacuum. While Chinese producers extract scandium at concentrations of 10-20 parts per million from waste streams, Sunrise's deposit contains 600-700 ppm grades - a 70-fold concentration advantage. "When you look at primary mine supply, particularly high concentration, you cannot find a lower cost point than what you will get out of the ground in central New South Wales," Riggall emphasizes.

The project's strategic importance extends beyond economics. At planned capacity of 40-50 tons annually, Sunrise could theoretically replace 100% of China's current production, addressing critical national security concerns for Western defense contractors. The company expects to complete its feasibility study by September 2025, with estimated capital requirements around $100 million and an 18-month construction timeline, positioning it to meet urgent Western supply security needs in this pivotal technological battleground.

View Sunrise Energy Metals' company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/sunrise-energy-metals

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