Register for free to join our community of investors and share your ideas. You will also get access to streaming quotes, interactive charts, trades, portfolio, live options flow and more tools.
Updated- Trail of questions & responses from Jim/Niocorp for new & prospective investors: (Interesting Dots...)
Back on Sept. 29th 2020-NioCorp R&D Effort Identifies Possible Improved Approach to Niobium Extraction for its Elk Creek Project
https://www.niocorp.com/niocorp-rd-effort-identifies-possible-improved-approach-to-niobium-extraction-for-its-elk-creek-project/
L3 and the Company intend to conduct additional carbonation testing at a larger scale to optimize carbonation operating conditions, confirm reaction kinetics, evaluate total potential extraction for niobium and other elements and complete additional mass balances, as funds become available.
The carbonation process to which you are referring converts non-carbonate minerals to carbonate minerals. The chemistry is similar to what we might employ but we do not at present have any plans to capture and sequester carbon, should we employ the carbonization approach we have been investigating. More work is needed before we are able to talk in more detail about this potential processing option. All the best,
Jim
Scott reports that NioCorp investigated various magnetic separation technologies as part of an overall effort to look at ore concentration techniques in 2014. We did this at two separate labs – Hazen in Golden, CO and SGS in Lakefield, Ontario. We were not able to achieve an effective rejection of the magnetic fraction of the ore. The ore in general is too fine grained and the mineral crystals are too intergrown for any physical separation to be effective.I hope this helpful.
Jim Sims
Quite possibly, and we are in discussions with them on this now. However, the ability of this program to fund critical minerals projects will depend upon what the Democratic leadership in Congress enacts in its appropriations bills, as new funding is required to cover the credit subsidy cost of these loans. In recent years, the Congressional appropriations process has been a very politically contentious with little bipartisan agreement on much of anything. Some opposition in the Congress has already quietly developed to the Administration’s proposal to expand this program’s traditional funding focus to include critical minerals mines, which it has not funded in the past. Regardless, it is not likely that funding levels for the credit subsidies used by these programs will be finalized until late this year, or into next year.
I will add that our team is very familiar with the DOE Loan Guarantee program, as we navigated this process some years ago. It is a very slow process and requires more than a year (for some projects) to complete. It also costs a great deal of money and resources in which to engage in this process – those costs can easily grow into the 7 figures. We continue to examine the possibilities here, however.
No decision has yet been made as to whether or not to submit a formal application to this program, as our primary financing focus has been on private sector sources.
We are currently examining whether or not NioCorp’s Elk Creek Project would qualify for debt financing under the DOE LGP program.
Thx,Jim
If the higher purity niobium and titanium intermediates that L3 was able to produce at bench-scale are replicated and proven at demonstration scale, this would put us in a position to more easily move to other products beyond those outlined in our 2019 Feasibility Study. Niobium oxide for use in Li-Ion batteries is one possible example, although the production of that product would require additional processing steps beyond the higher-purity niobium intermediate that we discussed in last week’s news release. The company is not yet in a position to make a determination on whether or not, and when, to possibly expand our Niobium product offering. Higher grade TiO2 could expose us to additional markets where higher margins could be obtained. But, again, we are not in a position to speak to those possibilities in any detail yet.
No, the processes we recently discussed occur in the earlier stages of the flowsheet, prior to any SX processing. We look forward to unveiling those details once these processes are verified at the demonstration plant level and once all associated work needed to complete an updated Feasibility Study is completed.
It is a bit tricky to compare rare earth projects on an apples-to-apples basis, which is why we chose to limit the comparison of our Elk Creek resource to other REE projects in the U.S. There are several reasons why.
For one, there are several different legal systems that determine how a project can measure and disclose aspects of its mineral resource and/or reserve. For public companies that are SEC-reporting entities (such as NioCorp), the SK1300 standard must be followed. For public companies regulated by Canadian authorities (also such as NioCorp), there is the National Instrument 43-101 disclosure standard. In Australia, there is the JORC standard. Each of these systems differ in what they allow, or don't allow, in terms of public disclosure of mineral resources and reserves. This can lead to 'apples-to-oranges' comparisons among projects.
Another challenge in making such comparisons is the mineralization of an REE project. Some projects can show a high ore grade of rare earths, but the mineralization of the ore is something that is very difficult to process. For example, rare earth projects based on silicate-based minerals -- such as eudialyte -- are extraordinarily difficult to economically process in order to pull the REEs out and separate them. Others can contain relatively high levels of other impurities, such as naturally occurring radioactive elements, that can increase the cost of processing. A high ore grade doesn't mean a lot if the REE mineralization isn't amenable to processing that is technically or economically infeasible. This is why only a small handful of the more than 200 REE-containing minerals have ever been successfully processed economically at commercial scale. (The two primary REE-containing minerals in the Elk Creek Project, bastnasite and monazite, are among those that have been successfully processed for decades).Rare earth resources also differ in terms of the relative distribution of individual REEs in the host mineral. Some may have a relatively high ore grade but also have high percentages of less valuable REEs, such as cerium or lanthanum or yttrium. Others have lower ore grades but their REE mineralization is skewed more favorably to higher-value REEs, such as the magnetics neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, and terbium which are used in NdFeB magnets. There are several other REEs that are also magnetic, such as samarium, but those are of lower value.
Another way that REE projects are compared to one another is through a so-called “basket price.” This is a particularly misleading way of valuing a rare earth play, in my opinion, because a project’s ‘basket price’ assigns a dollar value to the individual REEs in the ore, multiplying total tonnes of each REE by current market price for that REE, and combines them all together. This assumes that a project will produce each and every one of the REEs in the ‘basket’ (which is almost never the case). It also ignores the enormous CAPEX and OPEX required to produce 14 or so individual REEs.
There are yet other factors that help determine the viability of a potential rare earth project.
~Some projects are aimed at only producing rare earths. That means that they are relatively riskier investments than projects that are designed to produce multiple products in addition to rare earths.
~Some projects that are relatively large in size, have high ore grades, and are comprised of processable minerals -- but they are located in places that make mining and processing difficult or very expensive. I can think of a few projects that are touted as attractive deposits but are located near or above the Arctic Circle, which generally makes mining more costly.
~ Others are located in places where there local residents, such as First Nations communities in Canada or anywhere in Greenland, can readily block a project from moving to commercial operation. Still others are in countries where local governments are less stable than in the U.S., or are simply prone to corruption, which exposes the project to high country risk.
~Many REE projects are proposed by teams that have no experience in commercially processing REEs. They tend to gloss over that fact. Knowing what I know about the challenges of producing separated, high-purity REEs, this is one of the most important factors I consider when I look at REE projects. But that is just my opinion.
A more useful comparison strategy for investors is to look at rare earth projects through multiple lenses, such as those I describe above. It is not easy to do this if one doesn’t have a pretty deep understanding of the REE industry and the challenges of successfully making these strategic metals.
Having said all of that, it’s clear that our Elk Creek carbonatite is very large and similar in total contained rare earths to some of the largest known rare earth resources in the world, including the Araxa carbonatite in Brazil and the St. Honore carbonatite in Quebec.
Jim Sims
Not ‘in situ,’ as that implies injecting chemicals underground to perform the desired reaction. The carbonization process we are testing MAY result in some carbon sequestration, depending upon whether and how we end up making more byproducts from the magnesium and calcium we remove from the ore. That is all still TBD.
The Senate Democrats’ “Inflation Reduction Act of 2022” legislation does indeed include several provisions that may be helpful to the Elk Creek Project. These include both production tax credits that would apply to all the critical minerals that we intend to produce, additional funding for the DPA Title III program aimed at supporting critical minerals production, and additional lending authority for the Title XVII program at DOE. If these provisions survive the amendment processes in the Senate and House, the Byrd Rule in the Senate, and can be passed by both Houses of Congress and is signed into law, it could have multiple positive impacts to the Project.
The bill text, as is presently available publicly, is attached. This bill will undoubtedly change when the Senate takes up the reconciliation process, as reconciliation does not limit amendments. There will be many amendments offered by both sides. Some of the bill’s provisions may not survive challenges on the Senate floor under what we call the “Byrd Rule.” Additionally, implementing regulations must be written by agencies of jurisdiction following the bill’s enactment into law to determine many of the details of various programs and funding initiatives. As always with government programs and processes, little happens quickly.
Apart from this bill’s proposed provisions, we have been working with several federal agencies regarding potential assistance to the Elk Creek Project, but those agencies do not allow us to disclose any details of those processes.
All the best,Jim
(2) a new "advanced manufacturing" tax credit for domestic production of critical minerals; (3) a $500 million appropriation for "enhanced" use of the Defense Production Act, which President Biden recently invoked to support critical minerals production; and (4) new authorization for $40 billion in loan guarantees under Title XVII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which could be used to support critical minerals projects.
A re-post, or similar post
I have to admit there is a lot in this for the clean energy industries, from US Gov. (wow)
https://www.whitecase.com/insight-alert/new-us-climate-bill-seeks-bolster-domestic-critical-minerals-supply-chain
"(2) a new "advanced manufacturing" tax credit for domestic production of critical minerals; (3) a $500 million appropriation for "enhanced" use of the Defense Production Act, which President Biden recently invoked to support critical minerals production; and (4) new authorization for $40 billion in loan guarantees under Title XVII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which could be used to support critical minerals projects."
He did the interview but he has not released it yet. His you tube is below and it's called the Gauntlet.
https://youtube.com/c/EQUITYGURU
Correct, and it will matter more on where it settles, but not during the emotional hype/FOMO phase where we could see it, albeit briefly, extremely overvalued.
Market cap is the relevant comparison, not share price. You need to factor in the number of shares outstanding, not just the PPS.
Either way, hoping for financing later this year followed by a big jump in PPS.
If $MP hit a high of $50+ Then $Niocorp in several years should hit half that right?? I do not see why after financing and into production this cannot hit $20-$25 a share?? We are after all the 2nd largest in The USA!! Get the financing rolling so we can get the party started!!
What do they mean by “Just finished a Gauntlet interview with Niocorp”?? I like this kind of news though! Thank you for keeping us informed!!
$NIOBF SUMMER FUN!!
wagner, that is a very good and important point that doesn't get mentioned often.
"Niocorp.com is not exporting to China like MP! That will save time and money!"
... https://equity.guru/
????
Will be interesting to his interpretation
Just out but I haven't seen it yet...
Got off Twitter retweet from Equity gurus.
Just finished a Gauntlet interview with Niocorp $NB execs and geez it was a good one. Hard to find prickly questions for this lot. 2nd largest indicated-or-better rare earths project in the US. Highest grade niobium project in North America. Raising $ despite hard economy.
When Niocorp manage to make pure solid REE oxides in their production flow sheet we have the shit in the fan! Finally the best engineering practice. I'm finally glad we waited for this pioneering stage cause the REE demand market is quite on the move.
I think L3 will be successful in decreasing OPEX !
New Reader should find out,
Niocorp.com is not exporting to China like MP! That will save time and money!
Processing will be American and I think the customer and key banker too.
"The partially state-owned Chinese mining company, Shenghe Resources, owns 7.7 percent of MP Materials. In early 2021, Shenghe Resources was the sole buyer of the raw materials mined by MP Materials at Mountain Pass, all of which were sent to China for processing. Today, China dominates the market.25 May 2022"
You're the best technician on board! Keep remember that in all the waiting days before the BIG announcement!
Chart and News are explosiv!
April 2020- Large Integrated US Based Steel Producer Signs LOI with NioCorp for Ferroniobium
https://www.niocorp.com/large-u-s-based-steel-producer-signs-non-binding-letter-of-intent-with-niocorp/
CENTENNIAL, Colo. (April 13, 2020) – NioCorp Developments Ltd. (“NioCorp” or the “Company“) (TSX: NB; OTCQX: NIOBF) is pleased to announce that it has signed a non-binding letter of intent with a large integrated U.S.-based steel producer outlining the steel producer’s interest in purchasing up to 25% of NioCorp’s production of ferroniobium over the first 10 years of production from the Company’s Elk Creek Superalloy Materials Project (the “Elk Creek Project”) in southeast Nebraska.
The non-binding letter of intent does not obligate either NioCorp or the steel producer until a binding commercial sales offtake agreement is finalized. However, if such a binding sales offtake agreement is reached, it would effectively sell out NioCorp’s Elk Creek Project for its ferroniobium production over the first decade of its estimated 36-year mine life.
IF the higher purity Niobium and Titanium intermediates that L3 was able to produce at bench-scale are replicated and proven at demonstration scale, this would put us in a position to more easily move to other products beyond those outlined in our 2019 Feasibility Study. Niobium oxide for use in Li-Ion batteries is one possible example, although the production of that product would require additional processing steps beyond the higher-purity niobium intermediate that we discussed in last week’s news release. The company is not yet in a position to make a determination on whether or not, and when, to possibly expand our Niobium product offering. Higher grade TiO2 could expose us to additional markets where higher margins could be obtained. But, again, we are not in a position to speak to those possibilities in any detail yet.
I think the pressure is building
With regards to funding, I do not believe anything will happen until we finish the demo plant run and get the FS revised. However, there are a lot of things happening. We are seeing new battery technology that uses our materials. We are seeing more and more realization that we just cannot be dependent on China for these REEs. We are seeing more and more interest in green energy. We are seeing government regulations stipulating % domestic production. This latest bill that just passed invests a ton of $$ into green energy. We all realize that when politicians say “invest” they mean throw a bunch money at it and hope something good happens. Certainly some of it will end up in utter failures such as Solyndra. But this money will stimulate the demand for all of our products. Bottom line here is that while we await the demo plant and the FS, more and more reasons why this mine should get built are piling up.
Thanks Wagner & Rock! wonderful read... Battery Streak continues to make strides in development:
https://dot.la/niobium-battery-streak-2657786737.html
Battery Streak is taking a more conservative approach in the electric vehicle sector. They’re in conversation with multiple automotive clients, but the second caveat facing their tech is that the niobium formulation reduces the total capacity of the battery by about 20% compared to a lithium-ion battery of the same size. The tradeoff is faster charging for reduced range. Some deficit can be offset by the reduced need for cooling gear, which also costs weight and space, but with so much consumer concern over range, other next generation battery technologies–especially solid state–may ultimately win the race. Scooters, bikes, and other micro-mobility use cases are also definitely on the table.
In terms of clientele, Battery Streak can’t say much because they’re bound by NDA’s with “pretty much everyone,” according to Grant. Their only large public contract is with the U.S. Navy. Their low temperature and high discharge rate has made Battery Streak’s batteries an enticing target for drone use. Quadcopter-style drones require considerable energy for takeoff but use much less to maintain flight. The military was searching for a battery that could meet that dynamic power profile and recharge quickly in arctic environments, says Alpern, who served in the Navy on active duty from 1984-1990, and worked as a civilian employee from 2009-2021.
Hey Dutch! It’s just hard for me to imagine the current “second largest” Rare Earth, Niobium, Scandium & Titanium deposit inside the U.S. would not go forward into production. Given current world events, current Bills passing & before Congress; & how far along team Niocorp has de-risked the project.
Yep -Staying tuned!
Not a lot left on the “to do list”
a) Conclude successful demo-plant testing proving separation for all intended products
b) Independently verify all results/economics & incorporate all into an amended 2023 F.S.
c) Get some substantial dough $$ via (A,B,C,D… or any combo)
We will know soon enough imho
Staying Tuned….
Chico
Thanks Wagner.
I tried to amplify this article by commenting on it on Twitter with a link to our lill' gem. Likes and retweets from many will help multiply the effect...
Can't wait for the coming update on the start of testing in our demo plant...
GLTAL
AR.
Link here:
A New Design Out of UCLA Aims to Revolutionize Batteries https://t.co/Ao0Q65Zyrq Luckily $NIOBF are developing 2nd largest US resource of #niobium #scandium #titanium #RareEarth = lighter stronger alloys for #EVs, #renewables, #chips, #batteries... with strict #ESG in SE Nebraska
— Alain P Roclore (@ARoclore) August 8, 2022
I can only agree and confirm that I added some in the light of the news
Some smarter buyers today are thinking the same as many of us do already: be and get on board on this rare earth mine!!
Hey GM! We have found many “dots” that connect to some U.S. “agencies”. (I have even found one or two that are working on a similar separation process….??)
It sounds to me like some of those items: Loans/Tax breaks/ & $40Billion might be available end of year. The “Critical Minerals” Niocorp will produce are all on the list -“Top three even” REE’s, Niobium & Scandium along with Titanium ranking #24.
Waiting for material news with many here…
Chico
I’m sure China will treat America fairly when we are in need lol!! Major SOS is needed to keep our resources home!! America cannot rely on China ever again! Cannot stress enough how we need to be in contact with our local and state governments plus the media!! $NIOCORP has an amazing opportunity to capitalize on this!!
https://www.brinknews.com/china-is-moving-rapidly-up-the-rare-earth-value-chain/
$NIOBF SUMMER FUN!!
Very interesting. Nice news to read while drinking my morning coffee.
First Thing: Senate passes $739bn healthcare and climate bill
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/aug/08/first-thing-senate-passes-739bn-healthcare-and-climate-bill
"INTERESTING!"....
Chico
New US Climate Bill Seeks to Bolster Domestic Critical Minerals Supply Chain
https://www.whitecase.com/insight-alert/new-us-climate-bill-seeks-bolster-domestic-critical-minerals-supply-chain
2022 Invocation of the Defense Production Act
https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R47124
Sharing recent response from Jim: As we wait for material news on the Demo & Given recent events from the U.S. Govt.:
(****8/3/2022 - Could you offer comment on how this may affect the Elk Creek Mine moving forward?)
117th Cong., 1st Sess. H. R. 5376
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/5376
https://www.energy.senate.gov/services/files/44ADD84F-9840-4B24-9BE9-DFCF353ABF2B
Response:
The Senate Democrats’ “Inflation Reduction Act of 2022” legislation does indeed include several provisions that may be helpful to the Elk Creek Project. These include both production tax credits that would apply to all the critical minerals that we intend to produce, additional funding for the DPA Title III program aimed at supporting critical minerals production, and additional lending authority for the Title XVII program at DOE. If these provisions survive the amendment processes in the Senate and House, the Byrd Rule in the Senate, and can be passed by both Houses of Congress and is signed into law, it could have multiple positive impacts to the Project.
The bill text, as is presently available publicly, is attached. This bill will undoubtedly change when the Senate takes up the reconciliation process, as reconciliation does not limit amendments. There will be many amendments offered by both sides. Some of the bill’s provisions may not survive challenges on the Senate floor under what we call the “Byrd Rule.” Additionally, implementing regulations must be written by agencies of jurisdiction following the bill’s enactment into law to determine many of the details of various programs and funding initiatives. As always with government programs and processes, little happens quickly.
Apart from this bill’s proposed provisions, we have been working with several federal agencies regarding potential assistance to the Elk Creek Project, but those agencies do not allow us to disclose any details of those processes.
All the best,
Jim
It's always nice when we have a break-out!
We broke through the down trend two days ago, and now we have the 50 Day mvg. avr. to contend with!
Green, Monday, is confirmation. JMO
https://stockcharts.com/h-sc/ui?s=NB.TO
***************
6 month Daily Candle
https://money.tmx.com/en/advanced-chart/NB
Interesting article…Anything to move the USA rare earth and critical mineral needle is needed! $NIOCORP could be right in the sweet spot “if”and “when” financing comes!
https://www.voanews.com/amp/biden-celebrates-semiconductor-legislation-to-boost-us-competitiveness-against-china/6684892.html
“Rare earths
The CHIPS Act does not include provisions to secure supply chains of rare earths — and other critical minerals used in semiconductors and other high-tech elements — to reduce the nation's dependence on China, a major producer of these elements.
"I don't know that we have developed a coherent strategy on accessing both rare and nonrare elements," Glick said.
Last June, following Biden's executive order to improve supply chains, the administration released a report concluding that the U.S. was overly reliant on China for critical minerals. Currently, China controls 87% of the global permanent magnet market, 55% of rare earths mining capacity and 85% of rare earths refining.
Earlier this year, the administration announced actions it said would bolster the supply chain of these elements, including a contract for U.S. company MP Materials to process heavy rare earth elements at its California production site — the first processing and separation facility of its kind in the nation.”
$NIOBF SUMMER FUN!!
Thanks Boilermaker- that is an interesting piece of information from your conversation with Scott a few years ago.
I just hope and pray that Niocorp has incorporated the testing of pure Niobium in their demo plant plans. I think it has been known for some time now that niobium and titanium oxides are going to play a big role in battery production. Hoping that the demo plant's infrastructure can accomodate the testing of pure niobium, as this has the potential to be a game changer in the battery market!
Fingers are crossed...... we will see if this pure niobium testing/production has been accounted for in the go forward work flow!!
NCT
Nice find wagner, thanks for sharing.
CBMM has some pretty sophisticated products
This link is @ the bottom of CBMM's "about us" page.
https://niobium.tech/Pages/Content-Pages/Common-mode-chokes-nanocrystalline-ferrite
*****************
As per wagners post, it states Battery Streak having competition in the UK, Echion.
So CBMM bought 13%, and are an owner in both Companies (merger???)
https://niobium.tech/en/pages/content-pages/cbmm-invests-in-british-startup-to-accelerate-business-in-electric-batteries#:~:text=CBMM%2C%20global%20leader%20in%20Niobium%20products%20led%20the,company%20that%20develops%20advanced%20materials%20for%20lithium-ion%20batteries.
*****************
https://www.bostonmetal.com/news/cbmm-and-boston-metal-announce-partnership-to-trial-next-generation-technology-for-the-production-of-niobium-products/
Fernanda Fenga
https://www.bostonmetal.com/news/boston-metal-expands-senior-leadership-team-to-prepare-for-commercialization/
"Niobium and tungsten are both stable metals often used to strengthen steel or create steel alloys."
https://www.reuters.com/technology/uk-fast-charging-battery-startup-nyobolt-raises-59-mln-2022-07-15/
I guess we have to wait what NioCorp is able to produce and deliver.....
Niocorp plans to produce ferroniobium
This battery application sounds like it would need straight nobium, not ferro niobiium. I asked Scott several years ago why they chose feroniobium. His answer was that by far the biggest use for niobium was in steel making. Ferronibium is the form of Niobiim used in steel making. I also asked if Niocorp could produce pure Niobium. He said it would be possible but it would take some modification and additional equipment in the processing plant. At that time he thought it wise to produce what most of the market wanted. Obviously battery technology breakthroughs could change everything. I imagine Scott is keeping an eye on this developing technology and estimating what the demand might be.
This new NIOBIUM/TITANIUM technology for batteries is ENERGIZING INDEED.......
No PUN intended!! :) :)
NCT
Thanks for the post. Interesting they are choosing to manufacture batteries now, rather than supply the powder.
Even though I must have blinked when reading through the article, right where they show CBMM's interest in the Company even though they are an Owner.
shrug
Tax credits for EV Battery suppliers, 40% of critical mineral value for batteries produced in the USA.
*******************
"There’s also the possibility that Battery Streak becomes a manufacturer. This wasn’t really at the forefront of the company’s plans even a few months ago, but according to Alpern, the winds are changing. There’s a possibility of setting up a factory in Kentucky using $50 million of state and federal funds allocated for clean energy initiatives to help replace coal jobs in the region. There are also whispers about Department of Energy subsidies.
“We're looking at Nevada, we're looking at Texas, we're looking at Arizona, we’ve spoken with North Carolina,”
The above statement is quite telling. "looking at" , "spoken with".
I agree DM. Thx Wagner for posting that article.
Great article Wagner! I get a little charge out of reports like this.
I wonder how many people actually think of how much we rely on battery power these days as well as the battery powered devices they operate with magnetic rare earth materials to drive them.
Expect big gains after Mark finally gets the demo results in, and the new FS completed. He will have to lock his office door and sign those finance documents, while the late comers bang and holler outside wanting to help finance. Same thing with investors who aren’t in now at this enviably low pps, and kick themselves later when the good news is broadcast far and wide. (.70 cents now, but in 1 year $7.00 = 1,000%) JMHO
NorCal said the other day, “Connect dots, do your own DD and put it all together and i have come to the inescapable conclusion that we are sitting in the 'CATBIRD SEAT'... MEEEOWWWW”
The “World” race is on!! $NIOBF could be in an amazing position “if” they can start construction this year!! $NIOBF could rival companies like MP!! $MP hit $60 bucks a share this year!!
https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/The-World-Is-Scrambling-For-New-Rare-Earth-Supplies.amp.html
Great article and very cool! “ Their batteries offer lightning-fast charging: Up to 80% capacity in 10 minutes” this company and others need what $NIOCORP has!!
$NIOBF SUMMER!!
https://dot.la/niobium-battery-streak-2657786737.html
Maybe not known to everyone..
PM- Wonderful Find! I was not aware of Beghelli! Very cool!
Niocorp's -Higher purity Niobium & Titanium might both play an important role in future batteries, as well as a host of other end uses for all the Critical Minerals it will produce.
(Repost) Please see Jim's response to questions posed for comment-3/17/2022
A) Could you comment on what the production of higher purity niobium & titanium could be utilized for once realized?
If the higher purity niobium and titanium intermediates that L3 was able to produce at bench-scale are replicated and proven at demonstration scale, this would put us in a position to more easily move to other products beyond those outlined in our 2019 Feasibility Study. Niobium oxide for use in Li-Ion batteries is one possible example, although the production of that product would require additional processing steps beyond the higher-purity niobium intermediate that we discussed in last week’s news release. The company is not yet in a position to make a determination on whether or not, and when, to possibly expand our Niobium product offering. Higher grade TiO2 could expose us to additional markets where higher margins could be obtained. But, again, we are not in a position to speak to those possibilities in any detail yet.
No, the processes we recently discussed occur in the earlier stages of the flowsheet, prior to any SX processing. We look forward to unveiling those details once these processes are verified at the demonstration plant level and once all associated work needed to complete an updated Feasibility Study is completed.
So in the Proactive interview, Scott Honan @ the 4 min 30 sec mark, mentions Titanium in Batteries, ("which is interesting")
Wouldn't that be something if our Titanium became the essential, critical mineral, needed for the super charged battery of the future.
https://www.proactiveinvestors.ca/companies/news/989034/niocorp-developments-says-its-elk-creek-project-in-nebraska-is-vital-for-the-us-ev-industry-989034.html
**************
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium-titanate_battery
https://www.beghelli.it/en/news/titanium-battery-94707
Lol, I did not need to hear about you waxing.
But we managed an Engulfing Candlestick so that makes up for your picturesque post. (Good dream)
I miss spoke earlier and said we needed to be above 91, but we closed yesterday at 90 and that’s all that mattered as far as the named engulfing candlestick is concerned. Doji’s included
*********
https://money.tmx.com/en/advanced-chart/NB
https://stockcharts.com/h-sc/ui?s=NB.TO
https://www.candlescanner.com/candlestick-patterns/bullish-engulfing/
Technically we are Bullish going into next week.
Or another way to put it, a picnic basket for Lind Partners LoL
*********
I had a dream last night.......
In my dream many of the other mines were sending their raw mined materials to our mine to be processed cuz there was no processing on their mine site and they were having to send their unprocessed sh*t (for lack of a teknikal term) to CHINA! (you know.... the country that possibly unleashed a virus on the world and steals about $.7T worth of IP from US every year, mandates that their students coming to US engage in IP theft and industrial espionage and the country that is launching missiles over Taiwan and using the Pelosi trip as a pretext for taking over Taiwan (probably a joint plan with the US leadership) and with the takeover of Taiwan they will weaponize the semiconductor industry..... anything sound incredible or fanciful in that paragraph?? then you might not have been paying attention.........)
and then i woke up and miturated, and then went back to bed......
YADDDDD-A
NCT........... pontificating, reflecting and waxing, however ineloquently........
PS/STATUS...... going on 4 MONTHS of WAITING for HARDWARE at DEMO testing site........
Hmmm..... Timing of just a coincidence..
A closing price above yesterday’s high of C$.91 would give us a very bullish “Engulfing”candle going into next week.
That was just for schits and giggles, because obviously we never get any positive chart movement lol
https://money.tmx.com/en/advanced-chart/NB
***********
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/bullishengulfingpattern.asp
New ~Office of Carbon Management~ / Niocorp GHG
https://www.energy.gov/fecm/office-carbon-management
https://www.energy.gov/fecm/office-fossil-energy-and-carbon-management
https://www.energy.gov/fecm/articles/demo-deployment-does-vision-commercially-viable-just-and-sustainable-carbon-dioxide
From Demo to Deployment—DOE’s Vision for a Commercially Viable, Just, and Sustainable Carbon Dioxide Removal Industry
AUGUST 1, 2022
Consider Niocorp's GHG possibilities in addition to ESG:
(Niocorp will produce minerals (Nb,Sc,Ti,REE's) that will have "Major" Value-added Carbon Neutral possibilities. Power & Fleet selection alternatives in addition; they are completing the optimization of the Hydromet process & working to confirm separation/production of REE's (if possible) for final design/engineering decisions moving forward)
(Any New Mine will need to be as ESG friendly & as "Carbon Neutral" as possible moving forward imho...)
Mining & metals 2022: ESG and energy transition – the sector's biggest opportunity
https://www.whitecase.com/publications/insight/mining-metals-2022-esg-and-energy-transition-sectors-biggest-opportunity
(Reducing Carbon FOOTPRINT is #1)
Process Enhancements to NioCorp’s Critical Minerals Project Plans Point to Possible CAPEX and OPEX Reductions and Possible Lower Greenhouse Gas Emissions
https://www.niocorp.com/process-enhancements-to-niocorps-critical-minerals-project-plans-point-to-possible-capex-and-opex-reductions-and-possible-lower-greenhouse-gas-emissions/
L3’s optimized design for the flow sheet utilizes thermal treatment, ammonium chloride, and carbonation to break down the carbonate minerals in the mined ore and remove virtually all of the calcium and magnesium from the ore.
Possible Reductions in Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The improved design also regenerates the ammonium chloride consumed during the carbonation stage. Carbonation consumes carbon dioxide and reduces the GHG footprint of the prospective operation.
Recently, L3 was able to demonstrate that this carbonation step can produce a calcium and magnesium product that is 96%-97% pure. NioCorp intends to further evaluate the use of this product for underground mine backfill as well as to investigate its potential as a saleable byproduct.
Not ‘in situ,’ as that implies injecting chemicals underground to perform the desired reaction. The carbonization process we are testing MAY result in some carbon sequestration, depending upon whether and how we end up making more byproducts from the magnesium and calcium we remove from the ore. That is all still TBD.
Hopefully doing all this work niocorp and L3 wll own the Patents on the material process.
The final stage of producing oxides has to shipped to China!!!?
If Niocorp manage to build their own oxide plant, this could be state of the art engineering and finally a recognition of their hard work!
Yes, it certainly does bode well
"The price MP received per tonne for its oxides rose more than 90% to $13,918 per tonne amid rising demand, especially from the EV industry."
Followers
|
461
|
Posters
|
|
Posts (Today)
|
12
|
Posts (Total)
|
113790
|
Created
|
09/06/10
|
Type
|
Free
|
Moderators Prudent Capitalist stark12 Landmark8211111 Nebraskan ALDRADJKD123 Rader1977 |
NioCorp Developments Ltd. is a U.S.-based mineral development company focused on developing several superalloy metals from the proposed Elk Creek, Nebraska Critical Minerals Mine. NioCorp plans to produce three commercial mineral products — Niobium, Scandium, and Titanium — from a single ore body in the Midwestern United States. NioCorp's Elk Creek Project is highly unique. It is North America's only niobium / scandium / titanium project. It is the highest grade niobium project in North America. It is one of the largest prospective producers of scandium in the world. Once in production, it will initiate the first production in the U.S. in decades of Niobium and Scandium. All three of the Project's proposed superalloy metals have been designed as "Critical Minerals" by the U.S. Government.
NioCorp is a publicly company that is listed on both the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "NB" and on the U.S.-based OTCQX exchange under the symbol "NIOBF." Shares are also traded on the Frankfurt Exchange, under the ticker symbol "BR3."
NioCorp Developments Ltd.—
General Inquiries:
Telephone: (720) 639-4647
Investor Relations:
Jim Sims, VP External Affairs
Phone: +1 855-2-NIOCORP (855-264-6267)
Email: jim.sims@niocorp.com
NioCorp Developments Ltd.— Denver
7000 S. Yosemite St., Suite 115, Centennial, CO 80112
Reporting Status | International Reporting: TSX Venture Exchange |
Audited Financials | Audited |
Latest Report | 2/7/20 (FOR REPORTING PERIOD ENDING 12/19) |
CIK | 0001512228 |
Fiscal Year End | 6/30 |
OTC Marketplace | OTCQX International |
SIC - Industry Classification | 1061 - Ferro-alloy ores (except vanadium) |
Business Status | Development Stage Company a/o |
Incorporated In: | British Columbia, Canada |
Year of Inc. | 1987 |
DIRECTORS AND MANAGEMENT
Mark A. Smith | CEO, President |
Neal Shah | CFO |
Jim Sims | VP, Bus. Affairs, IR |
Scott Honan | VP, Bus. Dev. & Corp. Rel. |
John Ashburn, Jr. | Vice President, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary |
CORPORATE PRESENTATION: http://niocorp.com/wp-content/uploads/NIoCorp_Corporate_Presentation.pdf
Overview of the Elk Creek Project: http://www.niocorp.com/elk-creek-project/
U.S. Geological Society description of Elk Creek Carbonatite
"The Elk Creek carbonatite, located south of Lincoln, has the potential to be one of the largest global resources of niobium and rare-earth elements (REE). These REE's have many important applications in industry, including petroleum-cracking catalysis, steel alloying, and glass polishing, and as sources of permanent magnets and phosphorus for television and lighting.
The Elk Creek carbonatite is buried beneath about 500 feet of overlying rock and is known only from drill cores, which, until recently, have remained proprietary. Scientists from the USGS and the Conservation and Survey Division (CSD) of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska--Lincoln have studied drill cores."
LINK TO CHART: http://stockcharts.com/h-sc/ui?s=NIOBF&p=W&yr=2&mn=0&dy=0&id=p85189412906
Website: http://www.niocorp.com
MEDIA, LINKS, SELECTED PRESS RELEASES :
http://investorintel.com/technology-metals-intel/niocorps-mark-smith-on-the-rising-global-interest-in-superalloys-scandium-and-niobium/
http://niocorp.com/index.php/press-releases/299-positive-metallurgical-test-results-point-to-process-breakthrough-that-may-help-reduce-capex-and-opex-in-niocorp-s-elk-creek-project
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKO2VkR2MMk&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWOHEQRzWQQ&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_earl9doNM&feature=youtu.be
http://niocorp.com/index.php/press-releases/230-niocorp-named-the-top-performing-mining-company-on-the-tsx-venture-exchange-and-announces-conditional-approval-of-graduation-to-the-toronto-stock-exchange
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbEbivUi2o4
http://wallstreetanalyzer.com/niocorp-developments-tsxvnbotcqxniobf-ceo-interview-update/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R19DMe1ouqg
http://www.niocorp.com/index.php/press-releases/media/197-niocorp-ceo-mark-smith-interviewed-by-bnn
http://www.niocorp.com/index.php/press-releases/media/190-bold-nebraska-comments-on-the-development-of-the-elk-creek-niobium-deposit
http://www.niocorp.com/index.php/press-releases/media/189-tracy-weslosky
http://www.quantumrareearth.com/press-releases/163-former-molycorp-ceo-mark-a-smith-joins-niocorp-developments-ltd.html
http://www.niocorp.com/index.php/press-releases/media/183-rare-mineral-project-in-nebraska-to-bring-huge-economic-opportunities
About NioCorp
NioCorp is developing a superalloy materials project in Southeast Nebraska that will produce niobium, scandium, and titanium. Niobium is used to produce superalloys as well as High Strength, Low Alloy ("HSLA") steel, which is a lighter, stronger steel used in automotive, structural, and pipeline applications. Scandium can be combined with Aluminum to make super-high-performance alloys with increased strength and improved corrosion resistance. Scandium also is a critical component of advanced solid oxide fuel cells. Titanium is used in various superalloys and has extensive uses in aerospace, defense, transportation, medical, and other applications. It also is a key component of pigments used in paper, paint and plastics.
Volume | |
Day Range: | |
Bid Price | |
Ask Price | |
Last Trade Time: |