美国国防部承诺向澳大利亚矿业公司Sunrise Energy Metals提供4亿美元的条件性贷款，用于开发位于新南威尔士州Fifield镇的钪矿项目[1]。该举措旨在帮助美国减少对中国稀有矿产的依赖，建立更加安全的战略供应链[1]。
Fifield镇距悉尼西部6小时车程[1]。该项目计划成为全球首个专业钪矿开采项目，预计2028年底前投产，年产能为60吨高纯度钪，未来可扩展至120吨[1]。考虑到2025年全球钪消费量仅为60吨[1]，该项目的产能规模具有重要战略意义。美国国防部的贷款包含在美国建设钪金属冶炼设施的条件[1]。新南威尔士州政府也以5年内延期支付特许权使用费的方式提供支持[1]。
The U.S. Department of Defense has committed a conditional $400 million loan to Australian mining company Sunrise Energy Metals to develop a scandium extraction project in Fifield, a small town in New South Wales, located six hours west of Sydney [1]. The initiative reflects Washington's strategic effort to reduce dependence on Chinese rare earth minerals and establish secure supply chains for critical materials [1].
The Fifield project is designed to become the world's first dedicated scandium mining operation, with production expected to commence by the end of 2028 [1]. Once operational, the mine will produce 60 tonnes of high-purity scandium annually, meeting the entirety of current global demand, which stands at approximately 60 tonnes in 2025 [1]. The company has the capacity to expand production to 120 tonnes per year in the future [1]. The U.S. loan comes with conditions, including the requirement that Sunrise Energy Metals establish a scandium metal refining facility in the United States [1].
The New South Wales government has thrown its support behind the venture, offering to defer royalty payments for five years to facilitate the project's development [1]. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Defense has entered into a separate $96 million agreement with mining company Lynas, which includes price floor protections [1].
