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With the two recent releases, there seems to be some fruit hidden behind the bush.
I wonder how close we will get to the 200 day moving average which is way up at C$10.68
It’s a no-brainer we’re going to fly past the 50 day moving average today. JMO. (we are in Golden Cross territory)
https://stockcharts.com/h-sc/ui?s=NB.TO
LAST PRICE
7.0100
Bid / Lots
7.4400/ 5
Ask / Lots
7.4400/ 21
Open / Previous Close
0.0000 / 7.0100
Day Range
---
52 Week Range
Low 6.4400High 17.1000
Growing Demand for Titanium Metal and Alloys in the U.S. and the West
Demand and pricing for titanium metal and associated alloys has increased in recent years, and the U.S. is more than 95% dependent upon foreign nations (Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Japan, and Russia) for titanium metal and alloys, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. While Russia is only the third largest titanium mineral producer in the world, it is the world's largest supplier of aerospace-grade titanium, producing half of the world's titanium used in aerospace before 2022. Virtually all U.S. Air Force planes rely on aerospace-grade titanium; for example, the F-22 is constructed using approximately 42% titanium by weight.
https://www.accesswire.com/757422/NioCorp-Demonstrates-the-Ability-to-Potentially-Double-Projected-Titanium-Recovery-Rates-for-the-Elk-Creek-Project
I think you are right Crit! Heck even Warren Buffet has gotten into TITANIUM Production!
Foundations: Berkshire Hathaway deal brings new life to Ravenswood
https://www.newsandsentinel.com/news/local-news/2023/02/foundations-berkshire-hathaway-deal-brings-new-life-to-ravenswood/
Last September, BHE Renewables and Precision Castparts — both owned by Berkshire Hathaway — announced the purchase of more than 2,000 acres at the former Century Aluminum site in Jackson County to build a modern titanium melt facility powered by a first-of-its-kind solar energy micro-grid. The project represents a $500 million investment.
“Titanium products from the new PCC facility will be used by the aerospace industry and other customers,” said Alicia Knapp, president and CEO of BHE Renewables at the time of the announcement. “As a Berkshire Hathaway Energy company, I would tell you we are uniquely qualified to deliver this project and we’re excited to be partnering with Precision Castparts and with the State of West Virginia to deliver this project and truly revitalize Jackson County.”
Products made at the former Century Aluminum site would also be used by other Berkshire Hathaway companies, such as PCC’s Timet Facility in Jefferson County, Ohio. Timet builds parts for aircraft, officials said.
Ravenswood Mayor Josh Miller, speaking for himself and not any of the involved parties, said the project is very exciting in terms of what it means to the community and its future.
Plus the DoD!
~ THE 2023 National Defense Act Calls out NIOBIUM & TITANIUM & SCANDIUM & the need to establish a U.S. Industrial Base for the Supply & Processing of ALL! (See pages #246 -#256)
https://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20220711/CRPT-117hrpt397.pdf
MARCH 13, 2023 ~Sharing Responses from Jim Sims to three relevant questions on 3/13/2023~Jim-
A) Could you offer comment on What Scope 3 emissions mean for the Elk Creek mine moving forward into production & to the end users utilizing the products being processed at the mine? & Would Niocorp's Scope 3 Carbon Emission Reductions qualify for/as "Carbon Credits" in the context above? Could/Does Niocorp's "Carbon Friendly GHG/ESG" mining processes & work scope qualify for- INNOVATIVE CLEAN ENERGY LOAN GUARANTEES | Department of Energy?
Response:
purer, higher amounts and process optimization! Very important news!
That is the Black Stallion, Landmark spoke of and I totally agree because that is our biggest output mineral.
And its value has been going up multiples compared to all of the other minerals we are going to produce
I think NioCorp will be hearing from a few industries like Boeing, Lockheed, Raytheon, ship builders, sporting goods, medical industries and hundreds more.
I think awhile back, you or someone pointed out, that Russian titanium is off the buy list for US and a few of our allies. This bodes very well for us!
NioCorp Demonstrates the Ability to Potentially Double Projected Titanium Recovery Rates for the Elk Creek Project
Demonstration Plant Shows New Recovery Process May Double NioCorp’s Titanium Production per Tonne of Ore as well as Produce a Higher Purity Product that May Command Higher Market Prices
CENTENNIAL, Colo. (May 26, 2023) – NioCorp Developments Ltd. (“NioCorp” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ:NB) (TSX:NB) is pleased to announce that it has successfully demonstrated an ability to potentially double the recovery of titanium from each tonne of ore the Company expects to mine at its Nebraska-based Elk Creek Critical Minerals Project (the “Project”), once project financing is obtained and the commercial plant is constructed. The new process is expected to produce a purer form of titanium that may command a higher price than is assumed in NioCorp’s June 2022 feasibility study for the Project (the “Feasibility Study”).
NioCorp’s demonstration plant in Trois Rivieres, Quebec, has shown that the Company’s new and improved recovery process can likely achieve an 83.7% rate of overall titanium recovery to final product. This compares to a 40.3% titanium recovery rate in NioCorp’s previous process approach. This new result points to a potentially large increase in the amount of titanium that NioCorp can potentially produce at currently planned rates of mining.
NioCorp’s current Feasibility Study shows the Project producing approximately 431,793 tonnes of titanium dioxide. The titanium produced by NioCorp’s new process is in the form of titanium tetrachloride (“TiCl4”), known in commercial markets as “tickle.” This is a purer form of titanium than the synthetic rutile, and generally commands a higher market price. TiCl4 is an input for the production of high-purity titanium oxides and compounds, which are used primarily in the manufacture of white pigments, and titanium metal and aerospace-grade titanium alloys.
Final determination of planned titanium production can be made only after work related to a mineral reserve update, additional engineering, updated project capital and operating cost estimates, and other required information is produced for publication in a new feasibility study.
Growing Demand for Titanium Metal and Alloys in the U.S. and the West
Demand and pricing for titanium metal and associated alloys has increased in recent years, and the U.S. is more than 95% dependent upon foreign nations (Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Japan, and Russia) for titanium metal and alloys, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. While Russia is only the third largest titanium mineral producer in the world, it is the world’s largest supplier of aerospace-grade titanium, producing half of the world’s titanium used in aerospace before 2022. Virtually all U.S. Air Force planes rely on aerospace-grade titanium; for example, the F-22 is constructed using approximately 42% titanium by weight.
More Streamlined Production Process Demonstrated
NioCorp’s new process has been demonstrated to be more efficient than the previous design, is expected to require fewer processing steps, and may allow the elimination of entire processes in NioCorp’s planned processing plant in Nebraska, such as acid regeneration.
“In demonstrating our ability to potentially make higher-purity titanium in multiple forms, and in potentially higher volumes, we open up a range of new and exciting possibilities for the business, including potentially emerging as a key supplier of titanium to several industries of importance to U.S. national defense and commercial markets,” said Mark A. Smith, CEO and Executive Chairman of NioCorp. “The increasing value of potential titanium production in the Elk Creek Project is a direct result of our new processing design and the careful testing of that system at the demonstration plant level. This is one of the reasons why we have focused so intently on getting this process right and demonstrating its technical feasibility.”
“A lot of work has gone into testing and validating this new processing approach, and while we are seeing the results that we expected, it is very gratifying to have those results validated at the demonstration plant level,” said Scott Honan, Chief Operating Officer of NioCorp. “For the U.S. and many Western nations, supply chain risk for titanium has become an increasing concern for both industry and defense markets. We look forward to NioCorp helping to contribute to a more reliable and domestic titanium supply chain from our potential production in Nebraska.”
Qualified Persons:
Eric Larochelle, B.Eng., Co-Owner, L3 Process Development, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information, and verified the data, contained in this news release.
Scott Honan, M.Sc., SME-RM, COO of NioCorp Developments Ltd., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in the news release.
AWESOME CRIT! THAT IS A HUGE BONUS INDEED! I wonder IF THEY ACHIEVED some new OXIDE CAPABILITIES TOO!!!!????? =) "A Little While Later....." Gotta Love It!
Keep the GOOD NEWS COMING...... Hmmm..... REE's ........?????
NioCorp's demonstration plant in Trois Rivieres, Quebec, has shown that the Company's new and improved recovery process can likely achieve an 83.7% rate of overall titanium recovery to final product. This compares to a 40.3% titanium recovery rate in NioCorp's previous process approach. This new result points to a potentially large increase in the amount of titanium that NioCorp can potentially produce at currently planned rates of mining.
GO TEAM NIOCORP!
Chico
Morning Grunt... just catchin up on posts this morning. The news on Niobium Recovery is very good news! Any increase is positive indeed. What is really exciting is the-
More excellent news! Titanium recovery may double!
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/niocorp-demonstrates-ability-potentially-double-110000942.html
What was Nioturds mining output during this time? Oh that’s right, nothing.
It sure looks like all the hype turned out to be basically nothing. Investors need to be strung along though so that management can collect those hefty salaries……….
Exactly………
And it also looks like a bit of skimming off the top took place as well.
Closed at $0.82
10 for 1 r/s
Opening pps $7.50……… ??????
Oh I know, it was Covid that caused it. After all that appears to be the new excuse………SMFH
For me, niocorp is a company that has been specialized for 40 years in carrying out soil investigations and placing private placements, no more and no less, really frustrating ...let's see what the market thinks about this.
I read all of them.
On April 4 they said:
Sorry
For being right again, this little increase in technology data was already expect...
We need prices... For the share price to develop and later 2023(i hope) updated FS
Read the previous Pr's
Ok. So can you clarify please? Thanks!
you get that wrong
Do I get that right:
Do we now have all the results from the demonstration plant which Mr. Honan expected to be completed in April or May?
So no more news on rare earths and potential revenues from their production until the updated feasibility study is completed later this year or in 2024?
Good evening Niocorp Aficionados:
Re: Higher Niobium Recovery Rates:
Well, well after all our name is Niocorp. Fantastic that they have some very favorable news regarding the processing of our Niobium.
After all Niobium is our bread and butter.
Just about 4% increase in the recovery rate. That should add 4% or so, to the bottom line. We must look deeper into the just released news.
The 20222 technical report shows 970 kilotons of niobium oxide at the Elk Creek deposit. The quoted price for ferroniobium at that time was $39.60 per KG. Purchase contracts are confidential between buyer and seller, so it is difficult to obtain exact current prices. Historically, the price of Niobium Oxide tends to be 50 - 60% higher than ferroniobium.
At this time, we don't have enough information (we do not have the split between the ferroniobium and the niobium oxide) to calculate the extra revenue from the higher purity niobium.
Just for the fun of it:
First of all, we would not need to purchase as much iron to produce the ferroniobium.
Assuming a 50% split between ferroniobium and niobium oxide, we could assume revenue to increase, that would look like:
970 KT * 1.04 = 1,008 KT after the 4% increase in the recovery rate. Using the 38-year life of the mine, we have 26 KT per year of production.
If only ferroniobium is produced we would have 27,000,000 KG of annual production at $39.60, or a revenue from the ferroniobium of $1,069,200,000.00.
If we have 50% ferroniobium (13,500,000.00 KG) we would have $534,600,000.00, plus the 50% of the niobium oxide at $59.40 per KG (13,500,000.00 KG) would provide revenue of $801,900,000.00. Or total annual revenue from the Niobium only of $1,336,500,000.00. After a shitful* of zeros, a very simple 25% increase in revenues from the Niobium alone.
I Imagine the information Scott said would be available before the end of May is now all available.
https://www.niocorp.com/niocorp-achieves-processing-breakthrough-in-demonstration-plant-testing-of-niobium-and-titanium-production/
https://www.niocorp.com/niocorps-rare-earth-demonstration-plant-showing-strong-rare-earth-recovery-results-in-line-with-expectations/
In the past I have written what I expect from the titanium extra revenues and for sure what I expect from the REE's. For the REE's I wrote a considerable amount addressing not only revenues but expected profits from them.
I know, we all want the revenue numbers from the company. They will not have them until the entire technical study is complete. And that is a tough cookie. So, in the meantime, just suck it up and wait. Maybe one of these days, I will work with the new REE information and give it a try at calculating the potential revenues alone.
These numbers are very important for us. Just sharing them, if they are informative to you, very good. If not, please disregard.
Good Day!
Bibliography:
https://www.niocorp.com/wp-content/uploads/NioCorp_June-2022_NI_43-101_Technical_Report.pdf
https://www.unitconverters.net/weight-and-mass/kiloton-metric-to-kilogram.htm
Well stated, Boiler! Always giving helpful insight.
That is utter nonsense. The niobium project was so doa so many years ago. 4% does’t come close to fixing that. The Scandium values are a fantasy. Rendering the project unfinancible. Nothing has changed. Except management salaries. Get it while they can.
Seems like very good news
It costs what it costs to mine a ton of ore. That does not change, but we can now extract about 4 percentage points more Nb from that ore. Nb is the principle product that brings in the majority of income. 4% more product is 4% more income. We don’t yet know what the costs are to extract this additional Nb but it sounds like the process is more efficient than what we were using. These new processing techniques allow us to sell Nb oxide to the rechargeable battery industry. More products and more potential customers sure sounds like a very good thing. If they have evaluated the data and can put out a PR on Nb, we should be close to a report on REEs.
We were a mine that was going to produce and sell Nb.
Then we became a mine to produce and sell Nb, Sc, and Ti.
Looks like we are getting close to Nb in several grades, Sc, and Ti in several grades.
We will PROBABLY add to that three different REEs.
Calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate are still on the table.
All of this comes from the same ton of ore that still costs the same per ton to mine. Things are getting complicated. We are looking at a lot more potential products. We are looking at a lot of major changes to the processing plant. It will take some time to evaluate all of this and prepare costs (CAPEX and OPEX) and income estimates. Eventually we will see a revised FS that summarizes all of this. IMHO it will be very good news, but I grasp that it will take some time.
The stocks share price and the consummation price would be two different things.
There were two mergers in-between the closing price on March 20 and the opening price on March 21 as well as a 1/10 reverse split
I took a few screenshots as the confirmation and mergers were taking place my profile picture has the price when elk Creek resources merged with GXII to access the Nasdaq.
It was not a ten for one rollback. It was more like a 13 for one when you take into account the free NB shares the GXII peeps got. Won’t see it until the late financials are out. The only good news is that the management team salaries are way up through covid till now. If you are part of that Molycorp gang. You pay for it. Really being played.
Ok. Just wanting others opinions on the trading halt and news release…….good things
Is there any new news about the recovery rates? Almost the end of the month.
That would be my hope as well.
Richard Thomas: please remind me of the Reddit site where you are hanging out with NIO lately. I feel my time would be better spent there without all the crap being spewed on this board offering little or no value.
Just a reminder.
(5) FIVE Parcels of “Land” in the section of ground, Section 33, Township 4, Rng:11E, NioCorp must purchase to complete the “Initial Footprint” for the “Elk Creek Superalloy Materials Facility” Project.
1. 490045022 – where most of the processing facility will be built according to project map layouts.
2. 490045111
3. 490045545
4. 490045642
5. 490045464
490045375 was already purchased by NioCorp as part of their original land purchase. NioCorp owns this property, BUT Beverly Beethe is listed the current owner as she has a (Life Estate for the surface only), and Elk Creek Resources Corporation is listed as an Additional Owner(s) for this parcel of ground.
https://johnson.gworks.com/?&t=assessor/
Why are people confused about the stock price?
On March 20 Niobf closed at .822
The next day March 21 was post split range:
Open 7.50
High 7.83
Low 5.40
Close7.57
Reetala wrote:
Monday, March 20, 2023 4:27:58 PM
Barring a trading halt or gap-up, am I correct that shares should start trading at $8.22/sh. based on today's closing price and the 1:10 R/S?
MS008 wrote:
Monday, March 20, 2023 4:37:06 PM
Yes, it should show up as previous close as $8.22. I believe it is 2 decimal places on NASDAQ.
The open trade can start at any value.
AlwaysOptimistic wrote:
Monday, March 20, 2023 4:45:29 PM
Wow Investors sneaked in a bunch of orders before close and took the share price up 17.46% to .8222. on NIOBF So we will start NASDAQ at $8.22 Tuesday am. Great performance today.
And up (17.71%) on the TSX to $1.13 (17.71%)
OmahaInvestor wrote:
Monday, March 20, 2023 4:51:27 PM
Looks like today undid the debacle of the end of last week! I have no idea what to expect tomorrow when we open at $8.22 but I HOPE we get the attention we have so desperately craved these last years.
Landmark wrote:
Monday, March 20, 2023 4:55:32 PM
Look at number #3 and #11 two listings for NioCorp:
Most Read Boards
Last 24 Hours | Prev 24 Hours | Change | Last Hour | Today
Rank Board Reads News Quote* Last Change Chg% Volume
1 NorthWest Biotherapeutics Inc 109,206 NWBO 0.576 -0.0151 -2.55 1,549,452
2 Lightwave Logic Inc 66,572 LWLG 4.25 -0.41 -8.80 1,278,335
3 Niocorp Developments Ltd 59,476 NIOBF 0.8222 0.1222 17.46 519,058
COVID
Schmo-vid
Slo-vid
blow-vid
no-VID
Ubiquitous excuse ...... for all companies' shortfalls..... earnings shortfall... didn't meet expectations....... CoVid.....
Yaddda
I think some of those pictures are the same ones used in some of the Molycorp articles.
Lol, this adventure has not been a fun one. After going on a decade, we deserve better. This was a certainty not the news that will bring new investors to the table.
Friday will be a good day for our share price.
If they post it all today then you’re only going to have one spike
Where is your sense of adventure?
This is the best they can do after over a year with the demonstration plant?!? Nothing on REEs or the other minerals?!? This is absolutely ridiculous!
Now we’re talking eom
I suspect this evening's PR may just be the first of many detailing the results of the demo plant testing, etc. this one address the higher Niobium recovery rates.
News out! Complete PR with photos and pictures, etc.
https://www.niocorp.com/niocorp-demonstrates-higher-niobium-recovery-rates/
NioCorp Demonstrates Higher Niobium Recovery Rates
New Processing Approach Demonstrates the Ability to Make More Niobium per Tonne of Ore, Produce a Higher Purity Product, and Potentially Address New Markets with Different Niobium Products
CENTENNIAL, Colo. (May 25, 2023) – NioCorp Developments Ltd. (“NioCorp” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ:NB) (TSX:NB) is pleased to announce that it has successfully demonstrated the ability to recover greater amounts of the critical mineral niobium from each tonne of ore the Company expects to mine at its Elk Creek Critical Minerals Project, located in southeast Nebraska, once sufficient financing is obtained and the project is constructed.
Final results from NioCorp's metallurgical demonstration plant in Trois Rivieres, Quebec, show that NioCorp's new and improved recovery process can achieve a 90.7% rate of niobium recovery through the hydrometallurgical process. Overall recovery through the pyrometallurgical production of the commercial product ferroniobium is expected to be 86.7%. NioCorp's previous approach to niobium production was able to achieve recovery rates through the hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurtical processes of 86.8% and 82.4%, respectively.
The higher rates of niobium recovery from NioCorp's new process point to the likelihood of higher niobium production levels from NioCorp from the same mining tonnage, although a final determination of planned niobium production can be made only after work related to a mineral reserve update, additional engineering, updated project capital and operating cost estimates, and other required information is produced for publication in a new Feasibility Study.
Potential New Forms of Niobium Products and Potential Markets
NioCorp's new process approach, which incorporates a chlorination step to improve niobium and titanium separation and purification, also has demonstrated NioCorp's ability to potentially produce three different niobium products: (1) ferroniobium; (2) niobium chloride; and (3) niobium oxide.
• NioCorp had previously planned to make ferroniobium, which is used by the steel industry to produce high-strength low-alloy steel alloys. Those alloys are used in the construction, automotive and transport, aerospace and defense, oil and gas, and other industries. Niobium is a $3.3 billion per year global market but is currently served by only three major niobium producers in two countries.
• Niobium chloride would likely be converted by NioCorp into niobium oxide, but niobium chloride is also used in glass and ceramic manufacturing.
• Niobium oxide is critical to multiple applications, including niobium-lithium-ion batteries, superalloys, superconducting applications, capacitors, specialized optics, and many others. Its use in niobium-lithium-ion batteries is considered by current niobium producers as one of the fastest growing prospective global niobium markets.
More Streamlined Production Process Demonstrated
NioCorp’s new process has been demonstrated to be more efficient than the previous design, is expected to require fewer processing steps, and may allow the elimination of entire processes in NioCorp’s planned processing plant in Nebraska, such as acid regeneration.
“I am very pleased with the results shown in our demonstration plant for niobium recovery,” said Mark A. Smith, CEO and Executive Chairman of NioCorp. “These results point strongly to the likelihood of NioCorp producing more niobium from each tonne of Elk Creek Project ore, which could have positive impacts on our Project’s anticipated overall financial returns. These results also point to the prospect of our Project producing more forms of niobium for a greater range of global markets.”
“These are very exciting results and they point to potentially greater production levels and additional optionality in terms of where we can sell niobium and the prices these products command,” said Scott Honan, NioCorp Chief Operating Officer.
“While the demonstration plant has performed well, the pace of operations has gone at a slower rate than any of us would have liked. That is often the case with demonstration plants, which by their nature are designed to investigate innovate pathways for producing commercial products as well as stress testing those processes. Our top priority in this project has always been to maintain a very high standard for technical feasibility and testing, and to conduct the work safely and efficiently. Adhering to high standards is critical to the project’s success, including being able to attract necessary financing to bring projects such as ours to commercial reality."
Qualified Persons:
Eric Larochelle, B.Eng., Co-Owner, L3 Process Development, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information, and verified the data, contained in this news release.
Scott Honan, M.Sc., SME-RM, COO of NioCorp Developments Ltd., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in the news release.
# # #
I’m sure we all remember Mark’s remarks about Covid 19 affect of the financing talks, and he did not say it was at a standstill. He said it was slower.
What use to take a day, would take a week .
But
Remember we were imminent at the time.
So there is no blaming Covid unless we were not imminent.
Or our lender opted out.
But as per Mark the wheels were turning and there was competitive tension.
Keeping the blame where it belongs. On Marks NDA, secrecy, and smoke and mirrors
COVID-19's impact on metals and mining | McKinsey
How procurement leaders can bring metals and mining up to speed
May 11, 2020 | Article
By Zak Gaibi, Marta Mussacaleca, and Mike Parkins
Procurement is critical to manage the fallout of the COVID-19 crisis. Assertive and resourceful leaders can help mining companies address immediate imperatives and prepare for a quick recovery.
DOWNLOADS
Article (PDF-2 MB)
It is often said that the coronavirus has no boundaries, as evidenced by its impact on the lives and livelihoods of people around the world. In response, some governments have closed borders and imposed large-scale quarantines and physical-distancing measures—moves critical to minimize the spread of the virus and to avoid overwhelming healthcare systems. The safety and well-being of workers was rightly the top priority, but now companies must turn their attention to the economic effects of the pandemic, which are now apparent.
Companies have taken drastic measures—from asking nonoperational staff to work from home to scaling back production, even to temporarily halting operations—to support the health of their employees and communities. The productivity and profits of many industries, not the least of which is metals and mining, have declined precipitously. Before things can get back up to speed, however, companies must make strategic choices to build their cost resilience, prepare for the recovery, and rethink their operating models.
Chief procurement officers (CPOs) are uniquely suited to handle such demands. In this article, we touch on four actions they can take to help mining companies make the transition to the next normal.
COVID-19’s impact on metals and mining
Since early March, the metals and mining industry’s average share price has dropped 10 percent, and individual companies have lost 30 to 50 percent of their market value (Exhibit 1).
Exhibit 1
The metals and mining industry was among the hardest hit on the financial markets—but shows signs of recovery.
We strive to provide individuals with disabilities equal access to our website. If you would like information about this content we will be happy to work with you. Please email us at: McKinsey_Website_Accessibility@mckinsey.com
Moreover, shutting down sites or temporarily halting operations could lead to an industry production loss as high as 20 percent. Depending on the strength of the recovery, market shocks mean the industry may lose as much as $200 billion in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) in 2020 compared with 2019 (Exhibit 2). Thus, cost competitiveness has never been a clearer imperative.
Exhibit 2
The mining industry risks losing $100 billion to $200 billion in EBITDA.
We strive to provide individuals with disabilities equal access to our website. If you would like information about this content we will be happy to work with you. Please email us at: McKinsey_Website_Accessibility@mckinsey.com
Four actions to bring mining up to speed
Under these circumstances, procurement leaders must play a central role in mitigating supply-chain risks, protecting cash, enhancing productivity in operations, and making strategic choices that will help the company bounce back with a more resilient and competitive cost base. The steps that CPOs take now can also cement their positions as critical creators of value and true strategic partners in the organization.
The following four actions can help mining CPOs build their companies’ cost-resilience, prepare for the recovery, and rethink the operating model in the next normal.
We strive to provide individuals with disabilities equal access to our website. If you would like information about this content we will be happy to work with you. Please email us at: McKinsey_Website_Accessibility@mckinsey.com
1. Assemble a control tower to safeguard company livelihood
By working closely with operations, CPOs can quickly segment all spending into what can be stopped, what can be stalled, what can be shrunk, and what must be sustained. With this accomplished, they can set up a control-tower methodology to review and challenge all of the spending segments.
https://www.mining.com/covid-19-disrupts-8-8-billion-of-global-mining-output/
Covid-19 disrupts $8.8 billion of global mining output
Frik Els | July 15, 2020 | 12:10 pm Energy Intelligence News Top Companies Africa Asia Australia Canada China Europe Latin America USA Aluminum Bauxite Chrome Coal Cobalt Copper Diamond Gold Graphite Iron Ore Lead Lithium Manganese Molybdenum Nickel Palladium Platinum Potash Rare Earth Rhodium Silver Tin Uranium Vanadium Zinc
Zinc price hits 14-year high as Nyrstar cuts output
Image courtesy of Nyrstar
Covid-19 has impacted the mining industry across the globe as lockdowns and travel restrictions forced companies to halt or scale down operations and suspend work on projects while re-opening plans are scuppered by fresh outbreaks.
S&P Global Market Intelligence in a new report measures the impact of these mine closures and project delays, showing Latin America is the hardest hit in terms of the value of at-risk production.
Sign Up for the Energy Digest
Global mining has escaped the worst of covid-19 in terms of production disruptions because major producing nations across Latin America and countries like Canada and South Africa declared mining essential industries
In total, $8.84 billion in mining revenue is classified as at-risk and S&P Global identified, as of June 25, disruptions to 275 mine sites in 36 countries. The research company notes that all but 36 mines have reopened to some degree, with only four having to re-close so far due to new outbreaks at mine sites.
Global mining has escaped the worst of covid-19 in terms of production disruptions because major producing nations across Latin America and countries like Canada and South Africa declared mining essential industries.
S&P Global says there have been a number of reported cases that did not result in mine closures or an impact on production:
In April, there were reports of an outbreak in Norilsk’s northern Russia that did not result in mine closures.
Chile’s National Copper Corp., or Codelco, has reported cases since mining was declared essential with no further closures to mine sites, although development activities have been halted for the time being.
Similarly, Vale SA has reported cases in Brazil that have not caused further disruptions.
Covid-19 disrupts $8.8 billion of global mining output
Source: S&P Global Market Intelligence. Click on image for large map and here for interactive map
Peru, Chile and Mexico hardest hit
Not surprisingly, copper and base metal revenues make up the bulk of the global total with $4.3 billion and 55 projects at risk.
On a revenue basis Peru is responsible for nearly a quarter of the total as large-scale copper operations including Antamina, Cerro Verde and Las Bambas are affected by temporary nationwide quarantines.
Ten at-risk copper operations in Chile including the giant Los Pelambres copper mine (production revenues of nearly $700m) and Codelco’s top mines add up to $1.1 billion is possible revenue losses from covid-19 in the world’s top copper mining country.
Mexico’s 15 gold and 13 silver operations, with just over $1 billion in at-risk revenues means that these three countries combined constitute almost half the global total in terms of revenues.
South African slump
On a per mine basis, South Africa is most impacted with 55 projects at risk, including the giant Sishen iron ore mine, and 21 gold and 16 platinum mines adding up to $1 billion in potential covid-19 related revenue losses.
In contrast, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s mining revenues have not been impacted at all. S&P Global identifies Ivanhoe Mines’ Kamoa-Kakula as possibly at risk, but so far construction of the massive copper mine remains ahead of schedule.
Latin America and South Africa’s dire circumstances also compare to the US where 42 projects – mostly coal – comes to a much smaller $402 million in affected income. Canada has 30 projects (19 gold) at risk with the Voisey’s Bay nickel mine the largest operation affected.
122 precious metals projects at risk
Precious metals mining is the most severely impacted sector in terms of operations, with 122 at risk globally including 23 expansion, construction and pre-production projects.
Operating gold mines under threat of disruption total 111 mines closely followed by silver, with 101 operations and 16 platinum projects. Precious metals constitute $3.4 billion at risk.
Covid-19 has had a relatively significant impact on uranium mining, with 24 projects with revenues totalling $495 million at risk, while lithium mining has escaped relatively unscathed apart from a handful of projects in Argentina.
Click here for S&P Global Covid-19 Mining Impacts Tool
MINING.COM
https://www.mining-technology.com/features/how-covid-19-is-hurting-mining/
March 17, 2020
Covid-19: How the coronavirus pandemic is hurting the mining industry
The World Health Organisation has declared the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. With over 180,000 confirmed cases at the time of writing, even the most optimistic analysts fear we are heading towards a global recession. Several mining companies have been affected by Covid-19 outbreaks, and global restrictions to encourage social distancing have meant some mining projects have either slowed or shuttered. Here we explain some of the major ways the coronavirus crisis has impacted the global mining industry.
Production problems
Restrictions put in place by governments to contain or delay the spread of Covid-19 have placed difficulties on mining companies operating in affected countries. In Italy, the worst affected nation outside of China, the national lockdown currently in effect has resulted in Alta Zinc closing down production at its flagship project in northern Italy. Italy’s current lockdown is scheduled to continue until 3 April, but Italian authorities acknowledge that the lockdown could be extended if necessary.
Global mining giants Rio Tinto and Anglo American have reported production slowdowns due to coronavirus-related restrictions. Rio Tinto’s Oyu Olgoi project in Mongolia has suspended non-essential operations after the Mongolian government tightened restrictions following the country’s first confirmed Covid-19 diagnosis last week. Anglo American, meanwhile, is in the process of demobilising most of the 10,000-strong construction workforce at its Qullaveco copper project in Peru, following the Peruvian Government’s announcement of a 15-day quarantine to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Confirmed cases
This week, Endeavour Mining reported that a worker at the company’s Houndé mine in Burkina Faso had tested positive for Covid-19 having first experienced symptoms while on site. The company said some workers were placed in quarantine as a precautionary measure after interacting with the employee. Endeavour was previously screening employees as a precaution, but these measures did not detect that the worker was infected. The company subsequently implemented a mandatory 14-day quarantine period for any employees or contractors arriving at its sites in either Burkina Faso or the Ivory Coast. The worker is believed to have been exposed to the virus while in the UK.
A worker at AngloGold Ashanti’s Obuasi gold mine in Ghana also tested positive for coronavirus. The employee is also believed to have contracted the virus while in the UK. AngloGold increased its safety measures, requiring all non-essential staff to work from home. A worker at Lundin Mining’s Candelaria operation in Chile tested positive for the virus, leading the company to suspend construction activities at its Zinc Expansion Project in Portugal as a cautionary measure.
Outside of mine sites, several companies have shuttered their offices due to coronavirus concerns. Miners Kinross and Iamgold have closed their offices after both companies had an employee test positive for Covid-19. Commodity trading and mining company Glencore last week closed its London office after an employee tested positive for the virus.
Ominous outlook
Most companies, perhaps unsurprisingly, are being coy about their outlook for the coming year. When announcing full-year results for 2019, some companies said their outlook for 2020 would be at best an approximation until the true impacts of coronavirus were clear. These were statements made in February – and with the spread of the virus now a pandemic that shows no signs of slowing, we can perhaps assume that, privately at least, companies are beginning to feel nervous.
Nonetheless, some mining companies are putting on brave faces. A spokesperson for Rio Tinto assured Mining Technology: “Rio Tinto continues to closely monitor the impacts of the Covid-19. Our first priority remains the safety of our people, whom we have taken a number of measures across the business to protect.
“Our approach has been specific to geographies and in accordance with advice from local government and authorities. For instance, we have asked all teams to reassess the need for travel, with non-essential-travel postponed in certain regions. In some countries, employees returning to work after business or personal travel to certain regions and countries have been advised to notify their manager and work from home for 14 days.”
Mining companies are not immune to the freefalling stock markets and some may find that all the preparedness in the world was not enough.
What can previous crisis periods teach us about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mining sector, and what can we expect going forward?
https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/metals-and-mining/our-insights/lessons-from-the-past-informing-the-mining-industrys-trajectory-to-the-next-normal
Did COVID prevent them from having their financials released? Did COVID cause the SPAC deal to falter and have all the the institutional investors pull out? Did COVID prevent the company from completing the demonstration plant and releasing the results? I could give numerous times where management has come up short. ENOUGH OF THE EXCUSES!!!
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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.
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