Advancing a resource project from exploration to production requires steps that range from securing financial and community support to navigating regulatory requirements. Almost inevitably, the process is lengthy, with various factors determining progress.

For the Hat Project in British Columbia, a confluence of both internal and external circumstances – including government announcements and a breakthrough in scandium recovery – have catalyzed significant momentum, says Farshad Shirvani, president and CEO of Doubleview Gold Corp., an innovative and growth-driven Canadian exploration and development company headquartered in Vancouver, B.C.

The resulting attention on the Hat Project corroborates its tremendous potential, says Mr. Shirvani, who has been steadfast in his conviction that such prospects can be realized from day one, when he decided to support the project with money borrowed against his home.

“At the time, there were no drill holes yet. But all the signs were there that this was going to be very large, far beyond what had already been discovered,” he says. “It inspired the vision to be one of the top companies in Canada and a major player internationally.”

Since then, subsequent assessments have confirmed that the Hat Project – located in a region referred to as the “Golden Triangle” – boasts a large-scale alkalic porphyry deposit that is considered a major source of copper, cobalt, gold, silver and scandium, says Mr. Shirvani. “That’s a combination of minerals that are rarely seen together anywhere else in the world. Our project has so many qualities that are crucial for Canada.”

“That’s a combination of minerals that are rarely seen together
anywhere else in the world. Our project has so many qualities
that are crucial for Canada. ”

— Farshad Shirvani President and CEO, Doubleview Gold Corp.

A spotlight on the scandium advantage

Underscoring what Mr. Shirvani regards as a critical importance for the country’s strategic priorities are recent announcements in line with the federal government’s push to secure the supply of critical minerals to reduce reliance on imports.

Scandium has been singled out – along with graphite – for stockpiling, to ensure adequate domestic supply. In addition, the 2025 federal budget expanded the Clean Technology Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit to include scandium, encouraging its extraction and processing.

There is a timely alignment between these developments and a recent announcement of a significant breakthrough: Doubleview achieved the successful recovery of high-purity scandium oxide from copper porphyry tailings at the Hat Project, which marks a global first.

For Mr. Shirvani, this represents an opportunity to enhance the project’s economic viability by adding scandium as a high-margin product alongside copper, gold and cobalt.

Companies that advance the exploration and production of critical minerals are key drivers for realizing Canada’s leadership ambitions in this space, he explains. “Some companies have gold, some have copper or silver, but none has scandium and cobalt alongside these metals. We have all the ingredients to be successful.”

To realize the potential to become “a key player in the scandium industry,” Doubleview has plans to optimize and scale up production of the metal that is valued primarily for its ability to create powerful aluminum alloys.

Adding small amounts of scandium leads to a superior strength-to-weight ratio, improves corrosion and fatigue resistance, and enhances weldability compared to traditional aluminum alloys.

“Tests indicate that [scandium aluminum alloy can achieve] the strength of steel with half the weight,” says Mr. Shirvani. “This makes scandium sought after for applications in areas like aerospace components, defence platforms, hypersonic missiles and electric vehicles.”

With scandium becoming more readily available, use cases will expand, predicts Mr. Shirvani, who points to a consortium that includes Aston Martin – and that explores the development of lightweight automotive parts through using recycled aluminum strengthened by scandium. The goal is to improve performance and reduce application weight while reducing environmental impact.

“Just imagine companies starting to make more car parts with aluminum-scandium alloys. There is so much potential for this material, and this makes our project very attractive to the Canadian economy,” says Mr. Shirvani. “Other important technologies also benefit from the use of scandium, for example, 3D printing and battery technology.”

Using scandium oxide in solid oxide fuel cells represents a key development for clean energy technology. By enabling more efficient, durable and cost-effective fuel cells, scandium helps to make high-efficiency power generation a more accessible and widespread reality, with this technology being explored for applications that range from power plants and data centres to auxiliary power for aircraft and potential use in electric vehicles.

Yet unlocking the full potential of scandium requires volumes suitable for industry use, says Mr. Shirvani. “That’s what our project offers: a large scandium deposit that can come out of the ground [with minimal incremental costs],” since the use of mining and milling operations already planned for gold and copper make scandium a high-margin bonus product.

A foundation for realizing ‘a very bold and fruitful vision’

The next step, for Doubleview, is to “continue drilling and apply new methodologies to optimize accuracy and precision,“ says Mr. Shirvani. “We have an upcoming mineral resource estimate coming in that will allow us to present new information about the size of the deposit.”

With a pre-feasibility study planned for 2026, the project will be primed to move forward, he explains, with Doubleview’s work to advance the integrity of resource estimate categories plus environmental feasibility studies and stakeholder engagement providing a strong foundation for realizing “a very bold and fruitful vision.

“I see the Hat Project as a cornerstone for delivering benefits for local communities well into the future, that’s number one,” says Mr. Shirvani. “Number two is a significant contribution to the prosperity of British Columbians and all Canadians.

“And lastly, I look forward to seeing the project succeed for Doubleview, because it is going to be such a joyful moment when we achieve all our targets.”

For Mr. Shirvani, recent milestones – including government announcements and Doubleview’s successful scandium tests – have served to further bolster his confidence that for the impact of the Hat Project “the sky is the limit.”

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Scandium advantage strengthening Hat Project’s prospects