Scandium Canada Ltd. (TSX-V: SCD) has launched its 2026 diamond drilling program at the Crater Lake scandium project in Nunavik, Quebec, consisting of approximately 4,000 metres of drilling. The program is focused on collecting a representative metallurgical bulk sample throughout the defined resource, complemented by resource extension drilling at the TG Zone and exploration drilling on the Discovery Zone. Camp mobilization has been underway since late April under the management of Laurentia Exploration, with drilling expected to begin in the coming weeks and continue through August 2026.
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 will be assembled from half-diameter HQ drill core and is intended to confirm grades and test the deposit's metallurgical variability, providing material for the metallurgical testwork supporting a future feasibility study. The orientation of certain drillholes will also test the continuity of the resource at depth.
The remaining drill meterage includes 500 to 1,000 metres of exploratory resource augmentation drilling to test the lateral limits of the 2025 mineral resource estimate, which remains open, with the objective of demonstrating potential to expand the existing resource. A limited number of shallow exploration holes will test targets on the Discovery Zone, approximately 750 metres south-southwest along strike from the TG Zone resource. Depending on results and remaining budget, additional extension and exploration drilling may be considered during the season.
In parallel, WSP will continue previous environmental assessment work from June to September in support of the prefeasibility study. The program includes fauna and flora inventories, fish habitat surveys, and hydrogeological and geochemical studies. Field activities are conducted from the Company's existing exploration camp with a maximum of 20 people on site and no new permanent installations. Laurentia Exploration manages camp logistics and the drilling campaign, with helicopter support for the movement of equipment and personnel.
Core samples will be shipped from site on outgoing flights to Laurentia's core facility, where QAQC standards will be inserted before samples are sent to Activation Laboratories (Ancaster, Ontario) for multi-element geochemical analysis. Mineralized intervals from the bulk sample will subsequently be selected on the basis of assay results and sent for LIBS scanning and metallurgical analysis. Assay results are expected in the fall of 2026. The Company will provide progress updates as the program advances.
Guy Bourassa, Chief Executive Officer of Scandium Canada, 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 set out 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+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
Scandium Canada (TSX-V: SCD) is a public company whose ultimate goal is to bring the world's leading primary source of scandium into production, enabling the development and commercialization of aluminum-scandium alloys. The Company is leveraging its Al-Sc alloys development division and the development of its Crater Lake mining project to meet the growing need for lighter, greener, longer-lasting, high-performance materials.
