SCANDIUM CANADA LIMITED (TSXV: SCD) announced the launch of its 2026 diamond exploration program at the Scandium Crater Lake Project in Nunavik, Quebec. The program includes approximately 4,000 meters of diamond drilling, primarily dedicated to collecting a representative sample of bulk minerals throughout the identified resource, complemented by resource extension drilling in the TG area and exploratory drilling in the exploration area.
Filling of the camp has been underway since late April under the management of Laurentia Exploration. Drilling is expected to begin in the coming weeks and continue until August 2026. In parallel, WSP will continue pre-environmental assessment work from June to September to support the pre-feasibility study.
Highlights: 75% to 80% of the planned drilling, approximately 3,000 to 3,500 metres, is dedicated to collecting a massive 8 to 10 tonne mineralized test sample from across the identified resource and testing its variability.
The camp mobilization process began in late April 2026; Drilling crews are scheduled to arrive on June 20, and equipment is expected to arrive on site starting the same day. Drilling is expected to begin in the coming weeks and continue until August 2026.
Between 15 and 20% of the drilling budget (500 to 1,000 metres) is allocated to exploratory drilling to augment resources to test the lateral limits of the 2025 mineral resource estimates, which remain open.
The remaining drilling area will be allocated to limited shallow exploration drilling to test targets in the exploration area, approximately 750 meters southwest, along strike from the TG Zone resource.
Continuation of previous environmental assessment work carried out by WSP from June to September.
Guy Bourassa, CEO, commented: “With mobilization underway at Crater Lake, this program delivers on several priorities at once. The bulk of the drilling is dedicated to collecting a huge representative sample of minerals throughout the identified resource, which is the main input to the metalwork required for the feasibility study. We will also be testing lateral extensions of the TG zone, where the deposit remains open, and drilling primary exploration targets in the exploration area. We expect a steady flow of news from Crater Lake when results become available this fall.”
The 2026 campaign revolves around three technical objectives.
Mineral Bulk Sample: The core of the program, which ranges from approximately 3,000 to 3,500 meters depending on the rock types intercepted, is intended to collect a representative bulk sample of 8 to 10 tons from across the resource identified in the 2025 Mineral Resource Estimate. The sample will be collected from the main radius drill core, assuming recovery of approximately 80% of mineral intercepts. The goal is to confirm the grading and test the variability of the deposit from a mineralogical point of view, and to provide the materials required for mineralogical testing that supports a future feasibility study. Directing some drilling will also allow the company to test the continuity of the resource at depth.
Resource Expansion: Approximately 500 to 1,000 meters of exploratory drilling will test the lateral limits of the 2025 Mineral Resource Estimate, which remains open, with the aim of demonstrating the potential for existing resource expansion.
Regional Exploration: A limited number of shallow exploration holes will test targets in the exploration area, outside the TG area that hosts the current feasibility work. Depending on the results and remaining budget, additional expansion and exploration drilling may be considered during the season.
The Crater Lake Project hosts a Mineral Resource Estimate within the TG Area, which remains open, as described in the technical report titled “Technical Report NI 43-101 and Updated Mineral Resource Estimate for the Crater Lake Project, Quebec, Canada.”
From June to September, WSP will continue environmental assessment work that began in 2024 at Crater Lake. The program includes fauna and flora inventories, fish habitat surveys, and hydrogeological and geochemical studies, all to support the environmental assessment underlying the pre-feasibility study. The WSP team is expected to arrive on site on June 15.
Field activities are carried out from the company’s existing exploration camp, with a maximum of 20 people on site and no new permanent facilities. Laurentia Exploration is managing the logistics of the camp and drilling campaign, with helicopter support for the movement of equipment and personnel.
Scandium Canada’s ultimate goal is to bring the world’s leading primary source of scandium into production, enabling the development and commercialization of aluminum-scandium (Al-Sc) alloys. The company is leveraging its Al-Sc alloy development division and Crater Lake mining project development to meet the growing need for lighter, greener, longer-lasting, high-performance materials.
