This is not an accurate statement. Current pricing may between $3000-$5000 with 15-20 tpa globally, but SCY does not view that as an accurate long term prediction with a significant increase in productions. You can't assume bulk pricing is the same as buying by the gram. This is direct from their FS:
The price assumption in the feasibility study is US$2,000 per kilogram (kg) of scandium oxide product, as an average price covering all product sold, over various product grades. Current market pricing, such as that can be established, is substantially above these levels based on small unit quantities and varying grades. This product pricing benchmark applied in the feasibility study remains the same as was applied in the 2014 Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") on this Project, and for the same reasons. In order to encourage a viable, over-subscribed and vigorous scandium market, across numerous applications, product suppliers will need to provide for adequate supply of quality product, available from trusted jurisdictions, at prices lower than product trades for today.
In addition to limited publically available price quotes for scandium oxide, the feasibility study notes two other reference points on the US$2,000/kg price assumption. The Company has an offtake agreement in place, for 7,500 kg/year (3 years), with pricing being supportive of the pricing assumption in the feasibility study. The customer is a knowledgeable alloy group, with longstanding interest in aluminum-scandium alloys. The feasibility study price assumption is also supported by a recent, independent marketing report that examines the 10 year scandium supply/demand outlook, and includes scenario-based 10 year price forecasts. The details and contents of this market outlook report will remain confidential, but select information will be included in the feasibility study. Both of these reference points support that the scandium value proposition for customers/consumers is valid at this price level.
It should be noted that SCY plans to produce varying grades between 98%-99.9% purity. It should also be noted that they finished their FS over two years ago, need just $87.1MM, and have still been unable to obtain financing.
