New research from the Geological Survey of New South Wales (GSNSW) has reinforced the state’s standing as a globally significant source of scandium, offering fresh geological insights to drive exploration, attract foreign investment, and support project development.
The newly released Scandium in New South Wales report provides a technical framework based on advanced geoscientific analysis and extensive exploration data.
By detailing how scandium deposits form, the findings will assist resource companies to better target mineralisation, refine existing deposit models, and accelerate the development of state-based projects.
Demand for scandium continues to escalate worldwide, driven by its expanding application in high-performance aluminium alloys, aerospace engineering, defence technologies, and clean energy solutions such as solid oxide fuel cells.
New South Wales hosts one of the highest concentrations of known scandium globally, containing roughly 56,000 tonnes and accounting for 78 per cent of Australia’s Economic Demonstrated Resource (EDR), a key metric for identified mineral deposits with long-term commercial extraction potential.
In particular, the report underscores the prospective value of the Fifield region in central NSW as a premier zone for future exploration. The district already hosts several advanced, high-grade projects, including Syerston, Burra, and Flemington.
The research aligns with the state government’s overarching policy framework, the NSW Critical Minerals and High-Tech Metals Strategy 2024–35.
Under this policy, the government is actively backing the growth of the local critical minerals sector, supported by measures such as the AU$250 million Critical Minerals Royalty Deferral Scheme designed to help emerging projects transition from planning to active production.
