Pentagon ploughs $560 million into ‘world-first’ Australian mining project:
Nearly all scandium – a critical mineral used in fighter jets – comes from China ...
smh.com.au/world/north-america/pentagon-ploughs-560-million-into-world-first-australian-mining-project-20260808-p60mjj.html
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US announces conditional loan for NSW scandium projectThe US Department of Defense intends to expand output near Fifield, NSW, through a conditional US$400 million loan ($560 million).
Key FactsAug 8, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: smh.com.au
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: smh.com.au
- US President Donald Trump announced the Pentagon investment on Friday, Washington time, during a televised roundtable at the US State Department.
- The conditional loan is intended to expand production at the Syerston Scandium Project near Fifield, southwest of Dubbo.
- Scandium strengthens aluminium and is used in defence, aerospace and energy, while nearly all supply comes from China, Russia and Ukraine.
- In 2025, Sunrise Energy Metals announced an agreement for US weapons contractor Lockheed Martin to buy up to 15 tonnes of scandium oxide over five years.
We’re going to make sure the United States – not our adversaries – controls the supply chains of power and critical minerals.— Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said during a roundtable with mining executives at the U.S. State Department.
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Trump sets sights on small Aussie town: The United States will splash more than $560m on an ASX-listed minerals company with operations in regional NSW ...
news.com.au/national/politics/donald-trump-splashes-560m-on-regional-nsw-mine-for-us-warfighters/news-story/b5abe0795923e3e8c7aeda4af2e66f1e
Trump announces $560 million loan for project in tiny NSW country town: The town of 128 people is facing a massive change because it has something the USA ...
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abc.net.au/news/2026-08-08/pentagon-loan-to-syerston-scandium-mine-in-nsw/107012648
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