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5mil/grunt - Mark Smith confirms only the small "Green Blob" section has been drilled. The Orange outlined portion shows the entire Carbonatite.
(10:28 - 11:20)
Nb-based compounds for rapid lithium-ion storage and diffusion
Journal of Power Sources, Volume 496, article id. 229840.
Pub Date: June 2021
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2021JPS...49629840L/abstract
Nano Energy
Volume 85, July 2021, 105955
A review of niobium oxides based nanocomposites for lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries and supercapacitors
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2211285521002135
Some recent papers... & Some big names like Toshiba, Nyobolt plus the Private sector appear to joining the Niobium bandwagon... nice "dots!"
Chico
CBMM strikes partnerships to pioneer niobium-bearing battery development
https://www.spglobal.com/platts/en/market-insights/latest-news/metals/061821-cbmm-strikes-partnerships-to-pioneer-niobium-bearing-battery-development
Nb batteries said to charge in 10 minutes
Four anode or cathode products under development
Discussions underway on fast-charging technology
CBMM, the world's dominant niobium producer, has partnered with technology companies to develop niobium-bearing lithium-ion batteries, which it says offer enhanced stability and significantly faster charging times than batteries currently used in the electric vehicles, power tools and robotics sectors. The plan is to use niobium to stabilize nickel-based batteries and use less high-priced cobalt.
The Brazil-based miner and processor is developing projects to start market trials in H2 2021 with Japan's Toshiba for niobium-titanium oxide anode cells and also with a Chinese partner and a UK start-up for niobium-tungsten oxide cells, Rogerio Marques Ribas, head of CBMM's three-year old battery program, told S&P Global Platts in an interview.
A niobium-graphene battery product is in an earlier stage of development with Singapore's 2DM, while a project to develop cathode material is underway with Canadian technology company Nano One. Strategic investments are being discussed with spin-offs of Cambridge University in the UK and of UCLA in California, including in fast-charging technology, Ribas said.
CBMM is also building a $3 million pilot plant at its Araxa mine and processing plant in Minas Gerais state, southeast Brazil, to produce niobium oxide specifically for battery applications. Confident on a leap in the market for niobium batteries and cathode material, the company expects to boost its overall niobium oxide sales from current levels of around 100 mt/year to at least 45,000 mt/year in 2030.
"End-users [in the niobium battery area] will buy from our customers, who are already discussing contracts with their clients," Ribas said. "We believe there's a new market."
Charging in less than 10 minutes
Charging times for niobium-bearing nickel-based batteries are less than 10 minutes, without risk of damage or explosion, compared to 3-8 hours for more typical lithium-ion batteries, because niobium replaces graphite in the battery, Ribas said. Niobium batteries may be half the size of carbon-based batteries, but their lower energy density gives a driving range of 350 km, instead of 500 km. End price for the two types of battery should work out much the same, $100/kwH. "The magic number to break even with the internal combustion engine," according to Ribas.
"Battery technology is a game of compromise: we don't yet have a technology that can deliver all the properties that end-users are looking for. To have some advantages you pay a penalty on others," he said.
Currently CBMM's flagship product is ferroniobium, of which it has capacity to produce 150,000 mt/year for the steel industry, accounting for 75% of the company's revenues of 6.98 billion Brazilian real ($1.37 billion) in 2020.
"The steel industry, including the high strength alloys steel segment, will be our core business for at least 10 years, but we're looking to diversify," Ribas said. "Our strategic plan is that batteries could make up 25% of our revenue 10 years from now."
'Green' demand
Mining executives noted growing market interest in niobium, with potential for new projects to emerge in China, in Canada -- where project developer NioBay Metals Inc. also intends to invest in niobium batteries technology -- and in Greenland.
Eldur Olafsson, CEO of junior miner AEX Gold Inc., with an exploration license for niobium and other metals in Greenland, noted the energy transition is now demanding lesser known minerals, produced by few companies, where supply may be limited due to a decade-long slump in mining investment. "All of a sudden we're finding that minerals such as niobium, rhodium and palladium may be in short supply and demand is taking off; if we want a green future we need these minerals", Olafsson said in a June 18 interview.
According to Roskill principal analyst, steel alloys, Erik Sardain, the market for niobium-bearing EV batteries, primarily cathodes and to a lesser extent anodes, could take off only in 2024-25. "CBMM is already marketing Nb oxides used for lenses and superconductors for MRI machines but EVs represent a major potential market. As dependent of whether or not the technology will be successfully developed, it is difficult to have an accurate assessment." he said. "But they probably wouldn't invest so much if they hadn't done their homework."
CBMM is investing around $35 million a year in niobium technology, including $11 million/year in battery development.
CBMM is owned 70% by the Brazilian Moreira Salles group, active in the banking sector, 15% by a Chinese consortium and 15% by a consortium of Japanese and South Korean investors.
Infrastructure required
Rapid charging appears to be one of the major advantages of the niobium-bearing batteries, however, specific charging infrastructure for this would need to be implemented, according to Ribas, with the cost of this ideally borne by government and private-sector players, for instance for e-buses. "You can use the regular chargers as with lithium-ion technology but it takes longer," he said.
It is envisaged that niobium-bearing batteries would have a 20-year battery life, of more than 10,000 cycles -- up to five times more than typical lithium-ion batteries because of the lower stress -- with recycling models to be developed by battery makers, he said.
Niocorp has a Secure U.S. supply of Niobium, Scandiumm Titanium & REE's & is a "shovel ready" project... Glad I own some shares! =)
Chico
NIOBIUM: BENDER MOTORS' KEY INGREDIENT TO ELIMINATE COBALT FROM BATTERIES AND INNOVATE ELECTRIC CARS
https://bendermotors.com.br/en/2020/06/22/niobio-ingrediente-chave-da-bender/
Review of Elk Creek mine Data/information-ALL 14 REE's are present:
All 14 Rare Earth Elements are present in Niocorp's Resource. Looking at the charts provided -TREO (Total Rare Earth Oxide) % on the known drill holes average 1.7 to 2% REES imho. (USGS states TREO between 1%-3%)
Please review:
https://www.niocorp.com/niocorp-to-review-potential-of-adding-rare-earths-to-its-currently-planned-critical-minerals-product-offering/
Also see 2013 publication:
http://niocorp.com/wp-content/uploads/NioCorpMDA-2014Q1.pdf
Kaseymoe/AO- The paper you both shared/posted to the board the other day... In reading through Michael J. Blessington's paper- The CONCLUSION's also confirm the possibility of a much larger system!
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=&httpsredir=1&article=1063&context=geoscidiss
Mineralization of pyrochlore at Elk Creek is only a small part of the whole system and further discoveries are inevitable with new drilling and (potential) mining.
"Further DISCOVERIES are Inevitable!!!"
AO- posted the link that should work.
USGS geological survey
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265685666_Geophysical_expression_of_a_buried_niobium_and_rare_earth_element_deposit_The_Elk_Creek_carbonatite_Nebraska_USA
(USGS & other articles indicate the resource could be much larger!)
"Geophysical anomalies indicate that a significant volume of dense and strongly magnetized rocks must exist at a depth below the deepest boreholes. These rocks likely represent more MB and thus niobium mineralization, or could reflect another unknown lithology that is also dense and strongly magnetized."
PM's gotta be happy about this close today... What do them "Bones" say PM?
Chico
Hey MB... just looking through the Enduro presentation. I like the "Copper" prospects 2%+!... I will dig deeper here & compare it to another project I am watching closely (Sombrero Resources not yet listed)
GLTA invested here!
Chico
Thanks MB.... I'll check out ENDMF...Enduro. I totally am upside down on my ABML, but the team they now have "caught my eye" & I jumped in. Search has an excellent team as well as Niocorp. (I think both Search for Canada & Niocorp for the U.S. are some of the Best soon to be Mines for critical minerals & REEs... all imho of course)
I keep this in mind for Search-
USA Rare Earth Completes $50 Million Series C Funding Round and Exercises Option to Acquire 80% of Round Top Mountain Heavy Rare Earth / Lithium / Critical Mineral Project in Texas
https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/05/20/2233150/0/en/USA-Rare-Earth-Completes-50-Million-Series-C-Funding-Round-and-Exercises-Option-to-Acquire-80-of-Round-Top-Mountain-Heavy-Rare-Earth-Lithium-Critical-Mineral-Project-in-Texas.html
Knowing USA Rare Earths is already in collaboration with Search Minerals & needs a diverse supply of REE's. Well to me the Synergies are all there. I want to add more Search, but need some of my other plays to pan out now to swap some...lol! Ah well as someone said..."In a mines life..."
All imho & do your own DD etc...
Chico
Global dataset launched for critical minerals
https://www.miningweekly.com/article/global-dataset-launched-for-critical-minerals-2021-06-29/rep_id:3650
https://portal.ga.gov.au/persona/cmmi
(These sites appear to be new targets, as many older established sites i.e. (Elk Creek, Round-Top, Bear lodge, Bokan etc..) do not appear on the interactive map) I am surprised Greenland's targets are not represented?
The REE's are nice & will add value. but I'm still looking for some "constructive" movement at the site. The addition of REE's if viable shouldn't hold up progress on the underground mine portion & engineering progress from Cementation?
It's nearly July 2021 & it takes 42-46 months to get to production & mid 2025 still looks good to me, but I want to see some geo/hydro drilling by fall or sooner...????
Scott was hopeful something "substantial" might show up by fall 2021, I just hope it's not "Aliens" making Crop Circles in the empty fenced in fields? LOL=)
C'mon let's get some "commencing" done team Niocorp!
"If at all Possible"-M.S.-
IMHO & all...
Chico
Niocorp's Niobium resource stands tall on the chart compared to other niobium world class assets. When Niocorp announces their REE projections...the chart showing all the world class REE projects will need an update! (with the addition of Elk Creek project)
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/25726838.2018.1516935?needAccess=true
Examples of other carbonatites with distinctive geophysical signatures are the Elk Creek (Nebraska, USA)and Catalão I (Brazil) intrusive alkaline-carbonatite complexes. Elk Creek is a semi-circular (6×8 km)intrusive complex covered by a 200 m thick sequenceof sedimentary rocks. It hosts the largest known Nb resource in the United States and significant REE mineralization (Drenth 2014). This complex coincides with a roughly annular vertical gravity gradient high, a subdued central low, and a magnetic high surrounded by magnetic lows (Drenth 2014). The highest Nb concentrations are encountered within a dolomitic carbonatite, and REE are concentrated in a barite-dolomite carbonatite.
Thanks AO...The addition of some of the higher value REE's if viable will be an added bonus to the NPV. I
"If at all possible" -M.S.
Chico
I thought I had it for free AO then got something else entirely! GO figure...eom
WOW not it at all! AO disregard that one
AO/Thanks- found PDF thanks! gonna take a few to read through....
A DISSERTATION
Presented to the Faculty of
The Graduate College in the University of Nebraska
In Partial Fulfillment of Requirements
For the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy
https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1246&context=graddis
chico
Thanks Kmack!... I guess nothing new going on. Well ya got me???
Chico
Search Minerals is hanging tough right in that .14 to .18 range... One of these days it's gonna pop higher (year end)... good time to add here and build a position. A lot of nice catalysts like Niocorp!, I am under on ABML, bought that at 3$ lol but holding all long term ROFL!!
All IMHO & do your own DD & form your own conclusions..
Chico
SpecialK- Without News?? Wow huh... Just a hunch but "IF" a Commencement of Construction or other good news does drop we could be headed to NASDAQ 2$ territory (Yeah I know... might be pushing it there huh!, maybe Kmack is starting to rub off on me! =) )
Nice to see for sure....there are indeed a lot of "Dots" & some are connecting "I think" anyways lol....
All IMHO...
Chico
Thanks Kaseymoe/AO! Reading through Michael J. Blessington's paper's CONCLUSION's also confirm the possibility of a much larger system! Interesting notes on Tantalum mentioned(as Niobium/Tantalum are often found together it is not yet part of the future production, but neither were REE's until now??) I saw Tantalum referenced in another paper as well. (Maybe a future question for Jim!) Blessington was the geologist on site early on...very cool!
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=&httpsredir=1&article=1063&context=geoscidiss
[quote[color=red]]Mineralization of pyrochlore at Elk Creek is only a small part of the whole system and further discoveries are inevitable with new drilling and (potential) mining.[/color] [/quote]
"Further DISCOVERIES are Inevitable!!!" - That should make everyone stand up & take notice... (Nice Dots! lol)
All imho...& all
Chico
WoW! Just logged in to check!-Thanks MB & AO going to read those articles now...
Chico
Lol Big-Picture! Nah... That's why I bug Jim!=) eom
Awesome News! Dutch- "Road Trip" is the order of the day for you & the misses! I hope you share your journey again with us please! I'm here with my 84 yr old dad who also has Cancer. Glad I have the opportunity to spend time together as well my friend.
Mark Smith did indeed mention "Yelling from the mountain tops!" or something along those lines.... I remember lol. What a Day that will be for all!!
Chico
I like those "Possibilities!" PM- =) "If at all possible!" eom
Hey Dutch! a long line of "ducks" over the years, indeed. Happy to post relevant info on Niocorp & the team efforts as do others on the board.
It looks like Niocorp is getting close to "Possible" imho....=)
Cheers to you & the Misses!
Respectfully
Chico
New innvestors- REE's/NIOCORP is the leading "Shovel Ready", Major Permitted, ESG, Generational REE & Critical Mineral mine project. Based in secure, stable Nebraska, U.S.A.
(The Bokan Mountain, Bear Lodge projects are NO-Where near as DE-Risked as Niocorp! The only other project that comes close is Round-Top! IMHO)
Connecting the REE "Dots"..starting with the -2010 USGS SURVEY
https://www.usgs.gov/centers/gggsc/science/airborne-geophysics-rare-earth-element-deposits-agreed?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects
The USGS Airborne Geophysics for Rare Earth Element Deposits (AGREED) project coordinated with industry to use high resolution airborne geophysical data collected over some of the advanced rare earth element (REE) projects in the U.S.
"Geophysical anomalies indicate that a significant volume of dense and strongly magnetized rocks must exist at a depth below the deepest boreholes. These rocks likely represent more MB and thus niobium mineralization, or could reflect another unknown lithology that is also dense and strongly magnetized."
"#1) It is not our intent at this time to update the Project’s Feasibility Study because of the possibility of producing rare earth materials as a byproduct of our current planned operations. Such an update would be required if we wanted to adjust the overall economics of the Project (e.g., allowing for new calculations of the project’s Net Present Value (NPV) and other economic measures) in a manner that reflects the addition of rare earth products. However, taking this step would require a great deal of work and time (and expense), which we do not believe is needed at this time – especially for potential byproducts. That said, there may be other pathways that allow us to quantify estimated production volumes, OPEX, CAPEX, and revenue gain from producing rare earth products that do not involve a wholesale update to our existing FS."
"#2)Analysis of processing pathways for any prospective production of rare earth products is ongoing. It is likely that we would utilize separation extraction (SX) processes to separate and purify target rare earth elements. This is the process that we already plan to use in order to produce scandium, so it would be relatively straightforward to add additional SX capacity to the existing plant design. SX also is a technology with which our team is highly familiar, as our engineers have previously designed, built, and/or operated much larger SX production operations for rare earth production than would be needed in the Elk Creek Project. However, final decisions on whether and how to produce rare earth materials have not yet been made."
All the best,
Jim
While NioCorp executives say they have secured approval for major permits on the project, there’s still the matter of raising the money to start the work. The company estimates $1 billion of capital expenses to get the mine operational. It would process the niobium, scandium, titanium and possibly rare earth metals on-site into finished products and then ship them to buyers.
Honan estimates 1,000 jobs on the site during peak construction, which would last about three years. The lowest-paid worker on the site would earn at least $20 an hour, with many making substantially more, he said. More than 400 jobs would remain after construction to operate the mine.
Honan is hopeful now that the company purchased the land, it can raise a substantial amount of what it needs to start the work by the end of the year.
Crit/all It does show Niobium triangle lol... & I posted the wrong link!
This older article from the USGS but it all proves the point the Niocorp's Elk Creek Mine has the "REE"s.... the USGS claims show TREO of 1 to 3%. We will have to wait until Niocorp discloses the finalized numbers in time & "if viable"...
but Niocorp's REE's look darn nice from where I'm "Sitting"! =) They new about theses "Prospects" for a long while. Time to start building & mining a few!!!
https://www.usgs.gov/centers/gggsc/science/airborne-geophysics-rare-earth-element-deposits-agreed?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects
(Red Star- REE's) ROFL...
C'mon Niocorp...let's get to some Commencing of Construction???!!
stuff...
"IF at all Possible!" M/S
all imho
Chico
The Elk Creek deposit is a REE- and niobium-rich carbonatite that lies about 200 meters (m) below the surface; it was discovered in 1970 by a regional airborne geophysical survey (Long and others, 2010). Core drilling into the Elk Creek carbonatite during the 1970s, 1980s, and more recently in the 2010s has identified many intervals containing from 1 to more than 3 percent total REO. Recent (2019) developers of the Elk Creek property (NioCorp Developments, Ltd.) have emphasized the carbonatite’s potential resources of niobium, scandium, and titanium.
https://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/1454/circ1454.pdf
Nice TREO %'s
Rare Earth Element Microanalysis
https://www.usgs.gov/labs/dml/science/rare-earth-element-microanalysis?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects
Rare earth elements (REE) are critical elements in the technology and energy production sectors as they are used in everything from smartphones to wind turbines. The demand for these materials has seen steady growth and production is lagging. The laboratory supports several projects within the USGS that are characterizing rare earth element minerals from Bokan Mountain and Dora Bay, Alaska, Mountain Pass, California, Elk Creek, Nebraska, Iron Hill, Colorado, and beach sands from the eastern U.S.
Magmatic REE
The Elk Creek Project in Nebraska is being developed to mine the Elk Creek carbonatite. If developed, it will be the only niobium mine and primary niobium processing facility in the United States and will also produce scandium and titanium (U.S. Geological Survey, 2020). The Elk Creek carbonatite is a lower Paleozoic intrusive complex buried
beneath 200 meters of sedimentary rocks. Niobium occurs as the mineral pyrochlore. A high-resolution airborne gravity gradient and magnetic survey flown over the carbonatite in 2012, combined with borehole and physical property data, provided an interpretation of the geophysical signature of the buried deposit and identified anomalies that could represent more mineralized rock at depth (Drenth, 2014). Niobium and tantalum also occur in a variety of peralkaline and related rocks, mainly in the western United States
Geoscience Australia, the Geological Survey of Canada, & the U.S. Geological Survey have released a new online portal and the world’s largest database of critical mineral concentrations in and around mineral deposits. (Release Date: JUNE 28, 2021)
https://www.usgs.gov/news/global-mineral-science-data-portal-unveiled-international-partnership
(It looks like a Purple - "Rare Earth Triangle" is located smack dab on the Elk Creek mine location in Nebraska...cool!)
Some other happenings today....
Scandium International and Barrick/Newmont JV sign LOI to pursue critical metals recovery at Phoenix mine June 28, 2021
https://www.kitco.com/news/2021-06-28/Scandium-International-and-Barrick-Newmont-JV-sign-LOI-to-pursue-critical-metals-recovery-at-Phoenix-mine.html
(Barrick/Newmont & Rio Tinto- Big Players)
U.S. looks to Canada for critical minerals to support EV battery plans
https://bharatnewschannels.com/2021/06/28/u-s-looks-to-canada-for-critical-minerals-to-support-ev-battery-plans/
Another article to add to the "Heap"...lol
Niocorp -"Green"- nice to see...
GO Team Niocorp!
Chico
Beats me MB?? but there are a lot of Dots that hopefully are finally connecting... (At least I see some) lol! Maybe I need my eyes checked???
Nice to see regardless...
"Front row seats!!" =)
Chico
MB...I'm reminded of Jim's reply on the entry of Rio Tinto into the Scandium market & Scandium pricing concerns brought up by board members.
Jim's response to Scandium & future Scandium Producers 1/2021:
Question asked:
Jim-
"You are all probably aware of Rio Tinto’s entry into the Scandium market via the elementnorth21 venture. Could you offer an opinion in regards to this market competition in the Scandium market, and if a lower price point offering is a concern for Niocorp moving forward?"
Reply:
Rio Tinto's effort to more widely commercialized scandium products should be very much welcomed by all prospective scandium producers. In order for large prospective consumers of scandium, such as companies in the aerospace, vehicle transportation, and energy/battery industries, to move aggressively toward incorporating scandium at scale into their manufacturing operations, they will want to see multiple scandium suppliers serving the market. Ensuring diversity of supply for specialty materials like scandium is key for these companies, as it helps them manage supply chain risk.
We believe that multiple producers of scandium will create a rising tide of demand that will benefit all. After all, several independent analyses forecast latent demand for scandium in the several hundred tonnes / year range, if not higher.
Pricing for various scandium products is likely to vary significantly as these markets mature. Some scandium oxide and scandium master alloy products will be sold as commodity products. But other scandium products sold by producers are likely to be custom chemical formulations or alloys or fabricated scandium alloy products that are custom engineered for a specific application. Pricing for these types of value-added products is set between the materials producer and the customer and is often based on the value delivered to the customer of the custom product, rather than an advertised 'commodity' price for scandium.
Hope this is helpful.
Jim
BM...Scott's presentation/speaking during the 2020 AGM has been spot on for me. We are in good hands! Scott has gotta be chomping at "the bit" &
his closing remarks from the KETV-7 interview were "Hopeful by years end a substantial portion of Finance could be completed...."
Again thanks for sharing your thoughts!
We've all got "Front row seats!" brother...
"If at all possible!" M.S.
Chico
More Scandium Breadcrumbs from Barrick
https://www.howestreet.com/2021/06/more-scandium-breadcrumbs-from-barrick-discovery-watch-john-kaiser/
Just came across this & had a good laugh a t the title....!=)
Chico
Search is checking off all the BOXES... (kinda like Niocorp did).... All ahead full onto the F.S., news on drilling, Pilot plant & more....
USA rare earths... is watching.
Thanks MB!
All IMHO....
Chico
Exactly BM! per Nov. 2020 AGM Scott states (A contract with a "termination clause" would indeed qualify as a condition for Commencement of Construction...plus the recent NDEQ action.
So... a contract let's say with Cementation to "proceed and hire a contractor to begin geo/hydro "drilling", or some form of mobilization would/might "fill that bill"? (I think too...connecting a few more Dots)
"Hopeful" something Newsy will drop soon. The High pressure grinding test was out of the blue. Tweeking/Testing with the latest equipment prior to including it into the engineering final drawings & P&ID's does make sense..
Appreciate your input..."many thanks!"
Go Team Niocorp!
Chico
PM- how's are "Range" looking chief?? Sure nice to check in & see "Green"!
Regards
Chico
I'm "hoping" for Cementation completing "Cost estimates" or/& an official Commencement of Construction announcement... Nice action so far indeed all!
#1) Construction "Could not start" until Niocorp owned the land.
#2) Cementation should be completing Cost estimates (Hopefully before the end of June 2021 - July 14th my late target)
#3) Niocorp's recent meeting with NEDQ & actions -
See Jim's Commentary: - Niocorp is (seeking elaboration on the (NDEQ)Departments interpretation or requirements of conditions as they pertain to the commencement of construction as well as the process to request an extension if needed.)
We maintain an ongoing dialogue with State of Nebraska permitting authorities on a variety of issues, including on timelines allowed under our existing permits (such as the construction air permit). The state allows for flexibility in many of these processes and it is prudent business practice to ensure that we and other developers understand all of the parameters of these processes.
PM- Love it! That is a good part of the "Cast of potential partner/s characters for sure"! Traxys-Carlyle, an un-named U.S. steel manufacturer, the German loan guarantee/ Fernanda Fenga...& I'm sure other board members could add a few more to that list!=)
2020 was lost... God willing 2021 is "the year of connecting the DOTS" for all those invested in Niocorp to see Mark & team complete per Scott's HOPEFULL commentary "A Substantial" part of Finance prior to years end???".... so that Scott Honan can release some Commencing of construction Whoop- a@@ Ninjas on the Elk Creek mine project!
Some of Norcal's "Gubbimint-cheese" if the U.S. can get it's act together may happen, if not Private funding is & has been the vehicle at hand.
Waiting to see what is officially announced by Niocorp moving forward along with everyone else. Waiting for your Technical report for Monday PM! =)
& to see -
"IF AT ALL POSSIBLE??"-M.S.-
Chico
SpecialK/All- I appreciate everyone's input, the good, the bad & sometimes ugly...I too have tried to post & share all relevant links/emails to support my argument & welcome the different opinions shared by many.
The recent dots I tried to connect are the following:
#1) U.S. govt. loan guarantee or dealings with U.S. govt.: For the past 5 plus years there has indeed been a trail & I finally received the answer from Jim/Niocorp 6/2021 that we all deserved.
a) Does/Can Niocorp qualify for a U.S. govt. (DOE/DOD) Loan, or Loan Guarantee as described above or similar ?
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 will continue to update shareholders and the public on important and material developments in the Project as they occur.
Honan is hopeful now that the company purchased the land, it can raise a substantial amount of what it needs to start the work by the end of the year.