Canadian mineral exploration and development company Imperial Mining has announced it will begin prototyping for EV battery boxes following a successful series of tests based on scandium-modified aluminium magnesium alloy components with its partner Eck Industries.

The company said the tests and material properties for EV battery box requirements were either "met or exceeded".

It will then move onto the project's prototyping phase while "concurrently vetting business cases" and looking to "maximise weight savings" for the transport sector.

Peter Cashin, chief executive officer, Imperial Mining, said the company would continue to work with Eck Industries. He explained that the EV battery box project is part of a broader strategy to cut carbon emissions.

David Weiss, Eck Industries vice-president, Research and Development, said the tests involved "innovative casting methods and heat treatment". The project "lays the groundwork for additional improvement in cast alloys".