Scandium Canada Ltd. (TSX-V: SCD) announced the launch of its 2026 diamond drilling program at the Crater Lake scandium project in Nunavik, Quebec. The program consists of approximately 4,000 metres of diamond drilling, with the primary objective of collecting a representative metallurgical bulk sample of 8 to 10 tonnes throughout the defined resource. Additionally, the program includes 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.
According to the company, 75% to 80% of the planned drilling—approximately 3,000 to 3,500 metres—is dedicated to the metallurgical bulk sample. The sample will be assembled from half-diameter HQ drill core, assuming roughly 80% recovery over mineralized intercepts. This bulk sample is critical for metallurgical testwork required for a feasibility study. Another 15% to 20% of the drill budget (500 to 1,000 metres) will test the lateral limits of the 2025 mineral resource estimate, which remains open at the TG Zone. The remaining meterage will be allocated to shallow exploration drilling on the Discovery Zone, located about 750 metres south-southwest along strike from the TG Zone resource.
In parallel, WSP will continue environmental assessment work from June to September, including fauna and flora inventories, fish habitat surveys, and hydrogeological and geochemical studies. This work supports the environmental assessment for the prefeasibility study. The WSP team is expected on site on June 15.
Guy Bourassa, Chief Executive Officer, commented: "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."
Core samples will be shipped 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 for LIBS scanning and metallurgical analysis. Assay results are expected in the fall of 2026.
The Crater Lake project hosts a mineral resource estimate within the TG Zone, which remains open, as detailed in the NI 43-101 technical report available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The scientific and technical information in this release has been reviewed and approved by Eric Kinnan, P.Geo., an independent consulting geologist and Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101.
