(HAT Project Camp. Image via Doubleview Gold Corp.)
The global market for the element scandium is expected to grow at a significant rate over the next five years, according to the Scandium Market Research Report, released early July 2021.
Major factors responsible for this growth are increasing demand for an alternative energy source, as well as production of solid oxide fuel cells, as well as the aerospace, defense, and electronic industries.
However, because of its high cost and inconsistent supply, the report noted that a select few companies could capitalize on this gain, with North America projected to be the largest market for global scandium, as it is where most “end-user industries” can be found.
Engaged in the exploration and development of such mineral properties in North America, Canadian resource exploration and development company Doubleview Gold Corp. (TSX-V: DBG, OTC PINK: DBLVF, Forum) recently released the final report of the Hat Project Flotation Characterisation Test Work and Follow up Metallurgical Work program at its 100% owned Hat Polymetallic Copper-Gold-Cobalt deposit.
A drill core assay review of the HAT deposit indicates significantly elevated concentrations of Scandium, which will be evaluated in follow up metallurgical test work.
Located in the Golden Triangle region of the Atlin Mining District in Northwest British Columbia, quantitative mineralogical and metallurgical test work has established the extractability of copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), gold (Au) and palladium (Pd) from mineralogical materials.
Scandium is a soft, strong, silvery-white metallic element with characteristics that are like the rare-earth metals. It is more abundant than lead, mercury, and many other precious metals and roughly as prevalent as cobalt. It is mainly used for research, military, and sports equipment purposes and it has great potential since it is about as dense as aluminium with a much higher melting point.
The company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Farshad Shirvani explained in a July 2021 media release on this news for investors that the rapidly evolving world of alternative energy increasingly demands a new generation of batteries that efficiently provide, among other features, greater storage capacity, faster re-charge, lighter weight, and longer service life.
“New age batteries inevitably require large quantities of certain metals that are costly and in short supply, including scandium, cobalt, nickel, lithium and rare earths. The metallurgical industry is currently being challenged to be innovative in recovery methods and helping source new supplies.”
He added that the more the team analyses and uncovers the potential of the HAT deposit, they are potentially looking at a polymetallic deposit model containing elements that will be essential and critical in the decarbonization of our future economy.
“I am confident that further metallurgical test work will provide a greater understanding of the extent and value of the HAT deposit.”
The initial flotation tests reported back in May 2021 demonstrated that it is possible to produce a high gold, low cobalt-copper concentrate and a high cobalt, low gold pyrite concentrate. Further optimization work will aim to improve selectivity, grades, and recoveries.
Additional mineral samples have been submitted for Quantitative Evaluation of Minerals by Scanning Electron Microscopy (QEMSCAN) to better understand the mineralization of Hat polymetallic deposit and the nature of flotation tails losses, these results will be announced in due course.
Investors already have reason to be excited. With a modest market cap of $110.4 million (CAD), DBG stock has risen 276% over the past year and 285.8% year to date.
(Doubleview Gold Corp. stock chart – July 2020 to July 2021. Click image to link to chart)
Through the recovery of essential metals, Doubleview has engaged Tetra Tech company Coffey, an internationally recognized metallurgical engineering firm, to conduct further research into the feasibility of adding value to its HAT Project mineralization.
Quality partnerships such as this and with local First Nations are an essential ingredient in successful projects and to demonstrate the technology and economic viability of the HAT Project means that Doubleview Gold Corp. is one stock that investors should start tracking, if not already. One of the few companies actively looking at the recoverability of scandium, the team is moving to achieve a profitable, reliable, repeatable success with this project, and one that focusses directly on the priority of North American sourcing of critical metals tailored for technology-driven applications in transportation and communications.
For more information on this company, visit doubleview.ca.