Scandium Canada Ltd. (TSX-V: SCD) has launched its 2026 diamond drilling program at the Crater Lake scandium project in Nunavik, Quebec, comprising approximately 4,000 metres of drilling. The program is primarily dedicated to collecting a representative metallurgical bulk sample throughout the defined resource, with additional drilling for resource extension at the TG Zone and exploration on the Discovery Zone. Camp mobilization began in late April under Laurentia Exploration, with drilling expected to start in the coming weeks and continue through August 2026. WSP will continue environmental assessment work from June to September in support of the prefeasibility study.
Approximately 75% to 80% of the planned drilling, or 3,000 to 3,500 metres, is dedicated to collecting a metallurgical test bulk sample of 8 to 10 tonnes throughout the defined resource and testing its variability. This bulk sample, assembled from half-diameter HQ drill core, will confirm grades and test deposit variability, providing material for metallurgical testwork supporting the future feasibility study. Another 15% to 20% of the drill budget, or 500 to 1,000 metres, will test the lateral limits of the 2025 mineral resource estimate, which remains open, with the objective of demonstrating potential to expand the existing resource. The remaining meterage will be allocated to limited shallow exploration drilling on the Discovery Zone, approximately 750 metres south-southwest along strike from the TG Zone resource.
CEO Guy Bourassa stated, 'With mobilization underway at Crater Lake, this program advances several priorities at once. The bulk of the drilling is dedicated to collecting a representative metallurgical bulk sample throughout the defined resource, the key input for the metallurgical work required for a feasibility study. We will also test the lateral extensions of the TG Zone, where the deposit remains open, and drill initial exploration targets on the Discovery Zone. We expect a steady flow of news from Crater Lake as results become available this fall.'
The Crater Lake project hosts a mineral resource estimate within the TG Zone, which remains open, as detailed in the technical report entitled 'NI 43-101 Technical Report and Updated Mineral Resource Estimate for the Crater Lake Project, Quebec, Canada,' available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+. From June to September, WSP will continue environmental assessment work including fauna and flora inventories, fish habitat surveys, and hydrogeological and geochemical studies, all in support of the prefeasibility study.
Field operations are conducted from the existing exploration camp with a maximum of 20 people on site and no new permanent installations. Laurentia Exploration manages camp logistics and drilling, with helicopter support. Core samples will be shipped to Laurentia's core facility, where QAQC standards will be inserted before samples are sent to Activation Laboratories in Ancaster, Ontario for multi-element geochemical analysis. Mineralized intervals from the bulk sample will subsequently be selected for LIBS scanning and metallurgical analysis. Assay results are expected in fall 2026.
The scientific and technical information has been reviewed and approved by Eric Kinnan, P.Geo., an independent consulting geologist and Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. The Company aims to bring the world's leading primary source of scandium into production, enabling development of aluminum-scandium alloys for lighter, greener, high-performance materials.
