Lockheed Seeks U.S. Scandium Supplies Through Preliminary NioCorp Deal After Trump Push
NioCorp Developments signed a preliminary deal to supply Lockheed with 15 metric tons per year of scandium, a rare earth used in lightweight, corrosion-resistant aircraft alloys. The metal would come from a Nebraska mine slated to open in 2028. The volume is about a quarter of global scandium demand as the U.S. pushes for long-term critical-mineral supply amid tighter China export controls.