US defence agency reportedly seeks to buy scandium oxide from Rio Tinto

Core Viewpoint - The US Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) plans to purchase up to $40 million worth of scandium oxide from Rio Tinto over the next five years to enhance the US defense stockpile, aiming to secure a stable supply of this critical rare earth element following China's export controls [1][3]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - The DLA intends to acquire 6.4 tonnes of scandium oxide over five years, starting with nearly 2 tonnes in the first year, which represents about 5% of the global scandium oxide production of 40 tonnes last year [2]. - The current production capacity for scandium oxide is 80 tonnes, indicating a significant reliance on global supply chains [2]. Group 2: Supply Chain Context - China's export controls on scandium, imposed in late 2024, have constrained the supply chain, prompting the DLA's acquisition strategy for the National Defence Stockpile [3]. - Rio Tinto has been identified as the only vendor capable of meeting the government's product needs at the required capacity [3]. Group 3: Domestic Production Efforts - Rio Tinto is collaborating with the US Government to identify opportunities to increase domestic production and strengthen supply chains for the US market [4]. - In August, the US awarded up to $10 million to Elk Creek Resources to bolster domestic sources, highlighting ongoing efforts to reduce reliance on foreign materials [4]. Group 4: Technological Advancements - Rio Tinto achieved a breakthrough in 2020 by developing a method to extract high-purity scandium oxide from waste streams during titanium dioxide production, which eliminates the need for additional mining [5]. - The Canadian facility in Quebec has an annual production capacity of 3 tonnes of scandium oxide, indicating potential for increased domestic supply [5]. Group 5: Financial Implications - Rio Tinto announced gross costs of up to $300 million due to US tariffs on its primary aluminium exports from Canada during the first half of 2025, which may impact its financial performance [6].