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Indeed...It appears so jwr610. As for remaining finance & or partner/s -
Well many opinions have been discussed. It seems all options are still in play.
We are due for some JUNE News! lol
Chico
DOD to push domestic sourcing of critical minerals
https://insidedefense.com/insider/dod-push-domestic-sourcing-critical-minerals
The White House is directing the Defense Department to use more incentives to support U.S. companies accessing critical minerals in the hopes of limiting exposure to Chinese sources.
The directive is part of the Biden administration's national supply chain review, which recently hit a 100-day milestone.
The Pentagon, according to a White House fact sheet, will "deploy" Defense Production Act Title III incentives, including "grants, loans, loan guarantees, and offtake agreements -- to support sustainably produced strategic and critical materials, including scaling proven research and development (R&D) concepts and emerging technologies from other programs such as the Small Business Innovation Research awardees."
Along with critical minerals, the White House has identified semiconductors, large-capacity batteries and pharmaceuticals as key supply chain vulnerabilities.
Remember Jim Sim's response to my question of the possibility of U.S. grants & loan guarantees .... His reply:
"Possibly,yes."
Jim
So that still may be on the table as well....I can't rule it out.
All IMHO & do your own DD
Chico
https://directsourcenews.org/2021/06/08/the-defense-departments-strategic-and-critical-materials-review-u-s-department-of-defense-release/
"Today, the Defense Department released the Strategic and Critical Materials 100-day Sector Review, as directed by Executive Order 14017. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III released the following statement:
“Strategic and critical materials are vital to our national defense and economic prosperity, enabling the United States to develop and sustain emerging technologies. They also improve our warfighting capability, support family-sustaining jobs, and strengthen our alliances and partnerships. Though there is more work to be done, the Department of Defense remains committed to a whole-of-government approach to preserve our access to strategic and critical materials. This is important not only for our national defense, but to ensure our national economic well-being.”
The department defines strategic and critical minerals as those that support military and essential civilian industry; and are not found or produced in the United States in quantities to meet our needs. Like many other supply chains, much of the strategic and critical materials sector has moved offshore. Some of this reflects normal, comparative advantage or quirks of geologic fate. But, in some cases, other countries have deliberately put a hand on the scale to capture market-share, and our industry has followed close behind — in a global race to the bottom.
The concentration of global supply chains for strategic and critical materials in China creates risk of disruption and of politicized trade practices, including the use of forced labor. Though DoD has requirements for strategic and critical materials, the civilian economy would bear the brunt of the harm from a supply disruption event.
Overall, the recommendations presented by DoD are intended to attack the supply and demand side of the strategic and critical materials question at the same time."
Chico
REPORT: 100-Day Reviews under Executive Order 14017 June 2021
https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/100-day-supply-chain-review-report.pdf
Fact Sheet
https://media.defense.gov/2021/Jun/08/2002737124/-1/-1/0/DOD-FACT-SHEET-CRITICAL-MATERIALS-SUPPLY-CHAIN-2021.06.07.PDF/DOD-FACT-SHEET-CRITICAL-MATERIALS-SUPPLY-CHAIN-2021.06.07.PDF
Chico
Possibilities of a Larger Resource Size & addition of REE's (if viable). Investors should take into consideration what the addition of REE's or upon further drilling of the resource at a later date could mean. (OF course as finance allows...)
NIOCORP's ESG, U.S. stable RESOURCE is "Open at depth (below current bore-holes) & Open in 2 directions!"
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."
Taken from the text below..
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265685666_Geophysical_expression_of_a_buried_niobium_and_rare_earth_element_deposit_The_Elk_Creek_carbonatite_Nebraska_USA
Just listen to Mark Smiths presentation: (Open it 2-Directions!)
https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.33/gx0.d43.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/NioCorp_Presentation_April_2021.pdf
"Hence more drilling"... to prove out more reserves once mine is sunk & operational
This system could be connected to a larger or undrilled resource/s as depicted in the scans??? Just my opinion on the information presented that Niocorp could potentially double the size of the resource in time??
REE's Possible (if viable)
- NOTE:******4/2021
"No New F.S. will be needed according to Jim!"
Question #1)
a) "IF" REE's are to be added into the NPV as Mark mentioned. Will another F.S. be needed, or can Niocorp continue progress on the overall project ( sinking of the mine shaft & engineering & design) while this is being worked out? (of course once funding is available)
Response from Jim Sims:
"#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."
b) What method of Separation does Niocorp intend to utilize to produce REE's & can this method be added "after" the original mine facility is built or will it require a total redesign? (Does this tie into the proprietary CO2 separation Scott & L3 are working on?)
Response to 2nd question:
"#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
ALL 14 REE's are present in Niocorp's Resource, averaging @1.7 to 2+%.
NioCorp To Review Potential of Adding Rare Earths to Its Currently Planned Critical Minerals Product Offering
https://www.niocorp.com/niocorp-to-review-potential-of-adding-rare-earths-to-its-currently-planned-critical-minerals-product-offering/#:~:text=CENTENNIAL%2C%20Colo.%20%E2%80%93%20March%202%2C%202021%20%E2%80%93%20NioCorp,%28the%20%E2%80%9CProject%E2%80%9D%29%20to%20also%20include%20rare%20earth%20products.
Niocorp appears to have several good REE candidates in the ore resource that will be present in solution during processing. NIOCORP has higher grades of REE's than compared to TMRC. TMRC intends to produce the following REE's (Please see slide 20-22 below for comparison)
http://tmrcorp.com/_resources/presentations/corporate_presentation-20201112.pdf
Lutetium- @$27m
Terbium-@$13m
Neodymium-@$8m
Yttrium-@$6m
Praesodymium- @$4m
Dysprosium- @$51m
So "IF" additional funding is secured & The ESG, GENERATIONAL ELK CREEK MINE is built & operational. (The possibility of Niocorp's resource becoming larger & NPV rising is present in the future.) "What a nice possible added bonus..."
https://www.ketv.com/article/niocorp-buys-land-in-big-step-forward-for-nebraska-mine/36563286#
Scott did leave off the interview with one last clue/breadcrumb!
"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."
(Drilling by Fall or sooner works for me!) Time to do some mobilizing??
Go Team Niocorp!
All IMHO & do your own DD...
Looking good from my front row seat so far this year 2021 ....
Chico
Possibilities of a Larger Resource Size & addition of REE's (if viable). Investors should take into consideration what the addition of REE's or upon further drilling of the resource at a later date could mean. (OF course as finance allows...)
NIOCORP's ESG, U.S. stable RESOURCE is "Open at depth (below current bore-holes) & Open in 2 directions!"
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."
Taken from the text below..
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265685666_Geophysical_expression_of_a_buried_niobium_and_rare_earth_element_deposit_The_Elk_Creek_carbonatite_Nebraska_USA
Just listen to Mark Smiths presentation: (Open it 2-Directions!)
https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.33/gx0.d43.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/NioCorp_Presentation_April_2021.pdf
"Hence more drilling"... to prove out more reserves once mine is sunk & operational
This system could be connected to a larger or undrilled resource/s as depicted in the scans??? Just my opinion on the information presented that Niocorp could potentially double the size of the resource in time??
REE's Possible (if viable)
- NOTE:******4/2021
"No New F.S. will be needed according to Jim!"
Question #1)
a) "IF" REE's are to be added into the NPV as Mark mentioned. Will another F.S. be needed, or can Niocorp continue progress on the overall project ( sinking of the mine shaft & engineering & design) while this is being worked out? (of course once funding is available)
Response from Jim Sims:
"#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."
b) What method of Separation does Niocorp intend to utilize to produce REE's & can this method be added "after" the original mine facility is built or will it require a total redesign? (Does this tie into the proprietary CO2 separation Scott & L3 are working on?)
Response to 2nd question:
"#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
ALL 14 REE's are present in Niocorp's Resource, averaging @1.7 to 2+%.
NioCorp To Review Potential of Adding Rare Earths to Its Currently Planned Critical Minerals Product Offering
https://www.niocorp.com/niocorp-to-review-potential-of-adding-rare-earths-to-its-currently-planned-critical-minerals-product-offering/#:~:text=CENTENNIAL%2C%20Colo.%20%E2%80%93%20March%202%2C%202021%20%E2%80%93%20NioCorp,%28the%20%E2%80%9CProject%E2%80%9D%29%20to%20also%20include%20rare%20earth%20products.
Niocorp appears to have several good REE candidates in the ore resource that will be present in solution during processing. NIOCORP has higher grades of REE's than compared to TMRC. TMRC intends to produce the following REE's (Please see slide 20-22 below for comparison)
http://tmrcorp.com/_resources/presentations/corporate_presentation-20201112.pdf
Lutetium- @$27m
Terbium-@$13m
Neodymium-@$8m
Yttrium-@$6m
Praesodymium- @$4m
Dysprosium- @$51m
So "IF" additional funding is secured & The ESG, GENERATIONAL ELK CREEK MINE is built & operational. (The possibility of Niocorp's resource becoming larger & NPV rising is present in the future.) "What a nice possible added bonus..."
https://www.ketv.com/article/niocorp-buys-land-in-big-step-forward-for-nebraska-mine/36563286#
Scott did leave off the interview with one last clue/breadcrumb!
"Honan is hopeful now that the company purchased the land, it can raise a substantial amount of what it needs to start the work by the end of the year."
(Drilling by Fall or sooner works for me!) Time to do some mobilizing??
Go Team Niocorp!
All IMHO & do your own DD...
Looking good from my front row seat so far this year 2021 ....
Chico
LM- I think Scott Honan gives us a pretty good window into Niocorp's efforts as they move towards construction. Having secured two smaller PP's & converting of warrants has allowed them to buy the land needed to "Start Construction" & a little extra as Scott describes.
From the Nov. 5th 2020 AGM: Scott Honan speaking-
Norcal/Kmack... Glady! So many great postings from many here over the years... We shall see what team Niocorp has planned. Each month something is announced; & I think June will be no different.
We can only guess & form our opinions, but it does look good from where I'm sitting in "my front row seat"...so far this year. Let's see what they have in store...
Kmack/PM...any upward movement is most welcome. I'd love to see your 5$ target taken out my friend!
As Scott did say -Construction couldn't start "until the land was owned!" Looking at those recent permit applications again.... well with the land being owned sure looks "interesting to me!"
=)
GO team Niocorp ---- I think I'm the 7 or 8th biggest fan! lol
All imho etc...
Chico
Nebraska Permits issued to date:
Elk Creek Resources; use NDEQ facility #97622
https://ecmp.nebraska.gov/publicaccess/viewer.aspx?MyQueryID=340
"Looks like the runway is clear for take-off...!?"
https://ecmp.nebraska.gov/publicaccess/PublicAccessProvider.ashx?action=ViewDocument&overlay=Print&overrideFormat=PDF
A great site posted early on by many of the local Nebraska posters on board...great information...when I remember that darn number! lol =)
Many thanks!!!
GO TEAM NIOCORP!!!!!
Chico
(Repost)a lot of my -NIOCORP DD-
NIOCORP'S ESG driven Elk Creek Mine is ready to go! NIOBIUM, SCANDIUM, TITANIUM & REE's (if viable). Located in a stable, friendly jurisdiction -(Nebraska) U.S.A. Permitted, Bank F.S. completed, Good % of product already under enforceable contracts. "But you don't have to take my word for it!" See the Niocorp's website:
https://www.niocorp.com/
OTHER DD as follows:
NIOCORP's- REE's, Niobium & Scandium ranked #1,#2 & #3. The proven resource may also be much larger. Just listen to Mark Smiths presentation:
https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.33/gx0.d43.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/NioCorp_Presentation_April_2021.pdf
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."
Taken from the text below..
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265685666_Geophysical_expression_of_a_buried_niobium_and_rare_earth_element_deposit_The_Elk_Creek_carbonatite_Nebraska_USA
"Hence more drilling"... to prove out more reserves once mine is sunk.
This system could be connected to a larger or undrilled resource/s as depicted in the scans??? Just my opinion on the information presented that Niocorp could potentially double the size of the resource in time??
NIOBIUM ranked #2 on the 2021 U.S. Critical Minerals List Review:
"Using a risk-modeling framework, these
factors were evaluated quantitatively and, in certain cases
qualitatively, to determine which mineral commodity supply
chains posed the greatest supply risk to the United States."
(Niobium is ranked 2nd as the most critical U.S. mineral 2021!)
https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2021/1045/ofr20211045.pd
The BENS US Critical Minerals List Criticality Ranking:
#1)RARE EARTHS
#2)SCANDIUM
#3)NIOBIUM
https://www.bens.org/file/councils/Criticality-Ranking.pdf
From the Nov. 5th 2020 AGM: Scott Honan speaking-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t5nNhW3FNs
-(About the 7:40 minute mark)-
."The money may come in tranches; some of them may be bigger & some of them may be smaller. It will likely be some kind of a mix between Debt & Equity.
The first 8-9 months are really an engineering effort. We need to advance detailed engineering to get to the point where we can start constructing things on the ground.\
"I think the point I want to make here is that… when we think about execution planning. We really are adaptable to the ultimate financing mix & when the financing arrives! So… for instance we might get an initial offering of modest size. We might get the land we need; so instead of getting the land in month five we get it at the beginning!!!
"We would probably prioritize the work we need on permitting & the utilities we need to run the operation. We certainly want to spend some money on advancing the detailed engineering; & we want to keep a little money aside to cover our operating expenses!!! While we pursue subsequent tranches of funding!"
Shaft Freezing Process: to the Nov. 5th AGM 2020 (@34 min. mark)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t5nNhW3FNs
Scott details the shaft freezing methods to be utilized. Up-Front the "Drilling"-Hydrology, including Geo Tech. work takes approx. 6-7 months & the ground Freezing itself 5-6 months.
Cementation should be finishing up on "costing out" the underground portion & moving onto engineering. (Waiting for announcements from the team here)
Other items of work as Scott describes can/will go on during this time...including Utilities to site, permits, above ground engineering etc. as funding allows.
That is why I am looking to this "Fall" or earlier 2021 for drilling. (All IMHO & My own reasons.)
PLEASE LISTEN TO THE QUESTIONS SECTION-"EVERYONE asked some darn good questions!" ...very interesting listen!
(@50 min. mark) During Question Section. A question was asked about air permit expiring (18months)Section#282- Scott mentions starting grading, leveling, & mobilization or & including "signing a contract with a termination clause" (i.e. with Cementation or Zachary) would cover "construction clause" & meet air permit requirements as "***STARTING CONSTRUCTION!****. They could also ask for an extension with the state of Nebraska as well.
JUNE 30th 2020 -
https://www.niocorp.com/niocorp-receives-construction-air-permit-from-state-of-nebraska-for-its-elk-creek-superalloy-materials-project/
****NOTE: SCOTT also states "THEY CANNOT START CONSTRUCTION UNTIL THEY OWN THE LAND!!!!"
Some completed & Future News & Catalysts:
a)NIOCORP now "Owns" the land mine is located upon. (Check that off the list!)
b) Pursue detailed engineering (Cementation has got to be close to finishing cost estimates could be a news release soon! BM did mention they should like to start core drilling asap.) It is going to take @6-8 months to complete the engineering so surveying, land clearing mobilization & the following may start soon???
c) Permitting (more smaller permits needed...NE & a few local folks have got a good handle on this. Additional state & local permits may be in the offing?)
d) Sounds like Electric power, Gas & water supply will be on the menu as they along with critical lead time components will take the most time during construction & will be needed to conform to schedule)
e) "Subsequent tranches of Financing/funding or partner/s "....(Exciting times!)
NIOCORP'S SCANDIUM & responses from Jim...
(repost for all new board members)
NIOCORP'S SCANDIUM ALLOY PROGESS -2017,2018,2019,2020 Breadcrumbs!
A method to an endgame?? Be sure to read the finish!
NioCorp and IBC Announce Successful Completion of Initial Casting Campaign for Aluminum-Scandium Alloys
Wilmington, MA (December 28, 2017) — NioCorp Developments Ltd. (TSX: NB, OTCQX: NIOBF, FSE: BR3) (“NioCorp”) and IBC Advanced Alloys (TSX-V: IB; OTCQB: IAALF) (“IBC”) (collectively the “Companies”) today announced the successful manufacture of several aluminum-scandium alloy ingots. These test pours occurred at IBC’s Wilmington, Massachusetts Engineered Materials facility using scandium purchased commercially by NioCorp.
NioCorp and IBC Advanced Alloys Announce Successful Production of Aluminum-Scandium Master Alloy
CENTENNIAL, Colo. (October 8, 2018) – NioCorp Developments Ltd. (“NioCorp” or the “Company”) (TSX: NB; OTCQX: NIOBF; and FSE: BR3) and IBC Advanced Alloys (TSX-V: IB; OTCQB: IAALF) (“IBC”) are pleased to announce the successful production of aluminum-scandium master alloy. The master alloy was produced at the Ames Laboratory, a U.S. government-owned, contractor-operated national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), located in Ames Iowa.
NioCorp Announces Success in Producing Aluminum-Scandium Master Alloy in a New Test to Prove Out a Commercial Production Pathway
CENTENNIAL, Colo. (August 7, 2019) – NioCorp Developments Ltd. (“NioCorp” or the “Company”) (TSX: NB; OTCQX: NIOBF) is pleased to announce the successful production of an Aluminum-Scandium (“AlSc”) master alloy using a metallurgical process that helps to prove out a commercial pathway to potential production of the master alloy.
On 9/15/20,
Morning Jim
In 2018 & 2019 Niocorp produced Aluminum Scandium Alloys in conjunction with IBC & Ames laboratory.
I would like to know if any patents were issued or applied for as a result of those alloys produced?
Looking forward to the upcoming presentations on the 16th & 17th.
Jim's response:
No patents have yet been filed as part of this effort, as our work to date has focused on tried-and-true metallurgical techniques to produce aluminum-scandium master alloy. This helps to reduce the technology and execution risk.
Thx,
Jim
I’ve gotta go with a follow up question...
Will/are - Chris Huskamp/IBC or other entities continuing to pursue or following up on the materials produced since the initial casting and testing?
Jim's response:
That work is continuing. Chris Huskamp now works for Jabil, where he leads their additive manufacturing business. One of the main areas of focus is scandium-contained alloys ..
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
Reply from Jim in regards to future investor presentations. Just wanted to share with board. 2/2021
"The short answer is yes! Our plans are to wage a continuing and aggressive investor outreach program in 2021, including participating in a number of virtual conferences and virtual "road shows" to investors around the world."
Jim
REE's- NOTE:******4/2021
"No New F.S. will be needed according to Jim!"
Question #1)
a) "IF" REE's are to be added into the NPV as Mark mentioned. Will another F.S. be needed, or can Niocorp continue progress on the overall project ( sinking of the mine shaft & engineering & design) while this is being worked out? (of course once funding is available)
Response from Jim Sims:
"#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."
b) What method of Separation does Niocorp intend to utilize to produce REE's & can this method be added "after" the original mine facility is built or will it require a total redesign? (Does this tie into the proprietary CO2 separation Scott & L3 are working on?)
Response to 2nd question:
"#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
(Makes me think of the CO2 collaboration with L3?)
NIOCORP's ESG ELK CREEK MINE will produce Niobium, Scandium & Titanium & "possible rare earth minerals). The need is there & the markets can further develop as the Elk Creek Mine is constructed. ("IF at all possible????????") M.S.
Still holding my front row seat.....Go team Niocorp!
All IMHO, do your own DD & ...Form your own conclusions...
Chico
NIOCORP's- REE's, Niobium & Scandium ranked #1,#2 & #3. The proven resource may also be much larger. Just listen to Mark Smiths presentation:
https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.33/gx0.d43.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/NioCorp_Presentation_April_2021.pdf
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."
Taken from the text below..
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265685666_Geophysical_expression_of_a_buried_niobium_and_rare_earth_element_deposit_The_Elk_Creek_carbonatite_Nebraska_USA
"Hence more drilling"... to prove out more reserves once mine is sunk.
This system could be connected to a larger or undrilled resource/s as depicted in the scans??? Just my opinion on the information presented that Niocorp could potentially double the size of the resource in time??
NIOBIUM ranked #2 on the 2021 U.S. Critical Minerals List Review :
"Using a risk-modeling framework, these
factors were evaluated quantitatively and, in certain cases
qualitatively, to determine which mineral commodity supply
chains posed the greatest supply risk to the United States."
(Niobium is ranked 2nd as the most critical U.S. mineral 2021!)
https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2021/1045/ofr20211045.pdf
" Several commodities on the initial CML
(cesium, rubidium, scandium, europium, gadolinium, terbium,
holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, and lutetium) that could
not be assessed quantitatively were evaluated qualitatively
and found to have notable risks associated with their supply."
The BENS US Critical Minerals List Criticality Ranking:
#1)RARE EARTHS
#2)SCANDIUM
#3)NIOBIUM
https://www.bens.org/file/councils/Criticality-Ranking.pdf
NIOCORP's ESG ELK CREEK MINE will produce Niobium, Scandium & Titanium & "possible rare earth minerals). The need is there & the markets can further develop as the Elk Creek Mine is constructed. ("IF at all possible????????") M.S.
Still holding my front row seat.....
All IMHO...
Chico
Reposting MB's article: Search Minerals Announces Our 2021 Rare Earth Element Drilling Program Has Started in Labrador
Reposting the article to MB's post. Good things coming our way!
https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/06/02/2240534/0/en/Search-Minerals-Announces-Our-2021-Rare-Earth-Element-Drilling-Program-Has-Started-in-Labrador.html
XPECTATIONS FOR THE 2021 EXPLORATION PROGRAM
DEEP FOX
7000m Phase III exploration drill program has commenced;
Upon completion of this drill program, a geotechnical drill program is contracted to start mid-August 2021 with approximately 2000m of HQ drilling;
A further 5000m Phase IV drill program could be implemented to further update our Deep Fox resource estimate depending on additional funding.
FOX MEADOW
Surface channel program aims to expand the previously successful channel sampling programs to make this mineralized zone ready for a Phase I exploration drill program;
SILVER FOX
sample high-grade zirconium-hafnium mineralization on surface to make Silver Fox ready for a Phase I drill program.
These 3 Resources are only a part of the entire system!!!! You know USA Rare Earths is watching & collaborating with Search Minerals...
Add on any dips....2 years this is 10x...
All IMHO & do your own DD
Chico
BM/LM - Solid Reasoning! Many "Positive Potential" Catalysts for Niocorp in the days ahead.
Chico
Jim Sims, VP of External Affairs at NioCorp Developments Ltd, explains how the flagship Elk Creek Critical Minerals Project can help tackle issues in the mineral supply chain to advance the production of electric vehicles
https://www.innovationnewsnetwork.com/are-american-critical-minerals-key-to-revolutionising-electric-vehicles/11835/
USGS -ELK CREEK MINE
https://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/1802/m/pp1802m.pdf
Niobium
https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-niobium.pdf
"One domestic company developing its Elk Creek project in Nebraska announced that it had secured options to purchase all the land needed for the mine and processing facility. The company received its construction air permit from the State of Nebraska in June. The project would be the only niobium mine and primary niobium processing facility in the United States, with construction to begin after financing was obtained."
Bens.org has ranked Scandium #2 & Niobium #3
https://www.bens.org/file/councils/Criticality-Ranking.pdf
Interesting Site :
https://www.bens.org/pages/policy-work/resilience-council---critical-minerals
Plus REE's if deemed viable by management...
A lot of Catalysts/Irons in the fire for team Niocorp....
IMHO
Chico
Completed by June 5th 2021 - Biden's (EO) directing federal agencies to perform a 100-day review of "supply chain risks"
https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/president-biden-orders-review-of-supply-3241506/
"These reviews must be completed within 100 days (i.e., by June 5, 2021). The Order specifies that the reports containing the results of the reviews are to be submitted to the President "in an unclassified form" but may include a classified annex, indicating that at least some portion of the reports will be made public."
https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidblackmon/2021/05/25/bidens-green-energy-dilemma-on-critical-minerals/?sh=69725b533ec1
"This is something the President himself could resolve with the stroke of a pen, an action he has clearly demonstrated he is willing to take more often than any previous president in the nation’s history.
If this stalemate continues, at some point the question must be asked: Why hasn’t he already done it?"
Biden’s Energy Policy Is Just A Dangerous And Costly Green New Deal
JUNE 4, 2021
Excellent listen:
https://thefederalist.com/2021/06/04/bidens-energy-policy-is-just-a-dangerous-and-costly-green-new-deal/
PM/All - We all can find articles & viewpoints that fall on both sides of the debate. The facts tell me the U.S. needs it's own stable, secure supply of these critical minerals & rare earths. How & If we get there???? China & Russia are not waiting for us.....
IMHO...
Go Team Niocorp!
Chico
Biden Plans to Import Critical Minerals Needed for Forced Energy Transition
JUNE 4, 2021
Another view from - The Institute for Energy Research (IER) is a not-for-profit organization that conducts intensive research and analysis on the functions, operations, and government regulation of global energy markets.
https://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/international-issues/biden-plans-to-import-critical-minerals-needed-for-forced-energy-transition/
"President Biden continues to change his story to Americans—this time to miners. Rather than mining critical metals domestically, Biden intends to import them. He is caving to environmentalists who oppose mining, even while they insist upon “green energy” which relies on minerals."
Biden looks abroad for electric vehicle metals, in blow to US miners
https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/biden-looks-abroad-electric-vehicle-metals-us-miners
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/daily-on-energy-biden-risks-backlash-if-he-pulls-away-from-favoring-critical-mineral-mining/ar-AAKpjHl?ocid=BingNewsSearch
WHAT ABOUT ‘MINED IN AMERICA’? The Biden administration would be “short-sighted” if it backs off support for domestic production of critical minerals, says Rich Nolan, CEO of the National Mining Association.
“This whole ‘made in America’ drive needs to begin with 'mined in America',” Nolan told Josh in an interview this morning.
Nolan was reacting to a report by Reuters yesterday that the administration is looking to lean on allied countries such as Canada and Australia to import critical minerals needed to support clean energy growth, rather than risk a fight with environmentalists and some Democrats who oppose domestic mining.
The administration is more focused on processing minerals domestically into electric vehicle battery parts, instead of prioritizing domestic production.
It will finalize its plans as part of a strategy being developed on securing the supply chain for critical minerals, which is currently dominated by China.
Nolan, however, argued the world’s growing appetite for critical minerals to help power electric vehicles, battery storage, solar panels, and wind turbines, means the U.S. can’t afford to take domestic production off the table.
“It’s not a question of whether you import it or find it here,” Nolan said. “It’s more of an ‘and’. Markets have made the determination these materials need to be produced globally for future demand.”
If Biden moves off support of mining projects, it would be an about-face from his campaign promises and statements from administration officials since.
“By producing rare earth elements and critical minerals here at home, we'll create good-paying jobs and secure the supply chain we need to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050,” Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said in a Twitter post last month.
It would also risk upsetting key Democrats such as Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, chairman of the Energy Committee, who supports mining of critical minerals to offset losses from fossil fuel development.
China’s stronghold on the critical minerals market in particular has caused concern among U.S. policymakers of both parties. Many Republican lawmakers, and some Democrats, are pushing policies to expand domestic mining of critical minerals, including proposals to speed up permitting and offer tax incentives.
What's it gonna be Joe???
"Coin Toss"...?
Chico
Thanks MB! Hafnium & Zirconium are two nice additions, both have great range of applications-
https://www.usgs.gov/centers/nmic/zirconium-and-hafnium-statistics-and-information
"The principal economic source of zirconium is the zirconium silicate mineral, zircon (ZrSiO4). Zircon is the primary source of all hafnium. Zirconium and hafnium are contained in zircon at a ratio of about 50 to 1. Zircon is a coproduct or byproduct of the mining and processing of heavy-mineral sands for the titanium minerals, ilmenite and rutile, or tin minerals. The major end uses of zircon are refractories, foundry sands (including investment casting), and ceramic opacification. Zircon is also marketed as a natural gemstone, and its oxide is processed to produce the diamond simulant, cubic zirconia. Zirconium is used in nuclear fuel cladding, chemical piping in corrosive environments, heat exchangers, and various specialty alloys. The major end uses of hafnium are in nuclear control rods, nickel-based super alloys, nozzles for plasma arc metal cutting, and high-temperature ceramics."
https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-zirconium-hafnium.pdf
USA Rare Earths didn't have any problem netting 50$ million last month on it's way to SPAC finance. SCHMF is sitting in a sweet spot right now.
a)Completing drilling resources on the way to a F.S. by combining all proven assets (at least 3-Fox's lol!)
b) Proving out proprietary separation Process to Scale this year while having several partnerships of which the Canadian Govt. & USARE play a part. (Not too shabby)
c) USRAE has taken up a small PP position in SHCMF not so unlike they did with TMRC. (Note: That 50$ million was to complete the 80% stake in the Round Top project with TMRC.)
d) You just can't help but wonder if USARE is courting Search minerals in the same way??? Because they need more than one supplier of the REE's to complete their mine to magnet strategy in the next few years.
Search Minerals appears to be "on the menu!" from my DD. When USARE gets funded by a SPAC later this year...they might be looking for another "Proven Resource" to get a piece/partner of? The Synergy is there if you look...& what a great LOCATION!!!!
Add a little at a time over the next 2 years..."I think it will 10x by then."
All IMHO & do your own DD to form your own conclusions.
Chico
Niocorp's "Shovel Ready" Elk Creek Mine-(based on just the Niobium production) stands well against its peers!
https://www.rockstone-research.com/images/103/3/Niobium9.png
(***Note: USGS & other research shows the "prove resource" could be part of a much larger system. The resource continues past current bore holes at depth & open in at least 2-directions.)
Scandium, Titanium & possible REEs (if deemed viable) -oh my!
Then take into account the Location- "Location is KEY"! & the possibility that the resource could become much larger.
https://www.rockstone-research.com/images/10N/ADD5b.jpg
Niocorp's current share price will reflect a much higher PP, once an announcement of additional or completed finance &/or partner/s are announced! All yet to be determined..."IF at all possible"-M.S.
Historical Niobium Acquisitions:
http://www.mining.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Historial-Niobium-Acquisitions.jpg
Waiting to see what is announced by months end. Go team Niocorp!
All IMHO etc...
Chico
Thanks Doug! MB/GE - Pini the CEO for USA Rare Earths has been advocating for the U.S. to establish REE & Critical mineral mining here instead of depending on overseas sources.
USARE just closed a $50 million funding deal on there way towards SPAC funding later this year as they build out there mine to magnet strategy here in the U.S.
MB- You know my thoughts on Search! Glad you got a few shares of Niocorp at 1$. Niocorp sure has plenty of catalysts/Irons "In the Fire"... News on any one could drop any day now? Antlers update at the site the other day was very encouraging!
GE - I checked that Tecumseh meeting minutes website but an update for early June has yet to be posted. Niocorp may show up there again soon...well maybe???
Go Team Niocorp... Sprig is almost Sprang already! Drilling by Fall 2021 or Bust...
Chico
Listen to Scott Honan as he specifically mentions Nd, Pr, Dy, & Tb in the Elk Creek resource & possibilities:
NioCorp's Scott Honan Talk Nebraska Rare Earths
Thanks Kmack (Nio-bro)! another great article stating the "Obvious!" to us Niocorp investors & many other similar thinkers who are investing in these U.S. based critical mineral/REE mining stocks.
Both Niocorp & TMRC are starting to make some moves:
TMRC
https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/05/20/2233134/0/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
NIOCORP
https://www.niocorp.com/niocorp-announces-closing-of-up-sized-private-placement-for-gross-proceeds-of-c6-2-million/
Niocorp now owns the land. Scott did mention that construction could not start until the land was owned during the Nov. 5th 2020 AGM; & according to Antler (our local eyes on the ground) some "events" are beginning to happen on site. See Post #72406
I doubt the Niocorp team will let us have a dull month of June with all the catalysts that could be announced. Let's see what the end of "Sprig" brings...
Maybe those KYC rules, Lawyers, rope pushing, Covid restrictions, private partner/s, Bank/s & both sides of our R&D Government are about done so they can sign the paperwork for a larger block of finance or partnership/s, & bounce the share price closer to your 5$ target??
I want to see Mark Yell it out loud! already...=)
All IMHO
Chico
"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."
Let's see what is announced between now & the end of June by team Niocorp. It is apparent to me that if you really listen to the Nov. 5th 2020 AGM as I have posted several times. Scott pretty much lays out their plan.
Thanks Antler! Looking at the Gantt charts at the end of the F.S.
https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.33/gx0.d43.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/180001_FINAL_43-101_FS_NioCorp_AS_FILED.pdf
Under Site Preparation
(Maybe we will see a contract for site prep?)
Clearing & Grubbing
Mine area site leveling & roads
Site fencing (temporary & permanent)
& maybe that elusive port-o-let dude?? LOL
Electric & Gas Utilities as well as detailed engineering show scheduled early on as well as the Geotech/Engineering & surveying BM mentioned. Cementation should be darn close to completing those cost estimates too.
Go team Niocorp!
"Front row seats...." Light this candle!
Chico
Articles imply Niocorp applied for Pentagon funding in 2020 -
It's Time to Get the Heck Out of China
May 2020 by Scott Harn
https://www.icmj.com/magazine/article/its-time-to-get-the-heck-out-of-china-4226/
"As I write this, MP Materials announced they also received a Defense Department contract to supply heavy rare earth elements. There do not appear to be many other options at the present time, at least until alternative mines and refineries become established.
Other companies that have applied for funding from the Pentagon include Canada’s Medallion Resources LLC and Search Minerals Inc.; NioCorp of Nebraska; Materion Corp and UCore Rare Metals of Alaska; and Texas Mineral Resources Corp.
According to the DOE, the US government is actively seeking new sources of rare earth elements while exploring methods to recycle rare earth magnets, and does not share any of this research with MP Materials."
Rare earths projects under development in U.S.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-rareearths-projects-factbox-idUSKCN2241L6
"In an attempt to change that, the Pentagon last year said it would fund mines and processors via the Defense Production Act, which gives the military wide berth to procure certain equipment. U.S. President Donald Trump has recently considered using the same law to boost medical supply manufacturing."
https://doradocorp.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/ERMag-JuLY2020_confirmed.pdf
"EVEN AS THE DOE HAS BLACKLISTED MP MATERIALS, THE COMPANY IS A CANDIDATE TO RECEIVE UP TO $40 MILLION IN FUNDING FROM THE PENTAGON"
THE PENTAGON ASKED MINERS IN EARLY 2019 TO OUTLINE PLANS TO
DEVELOP RARE EARTHS PROJECTS AND PROCESSING FACILITIES
This was echoed by Representative Chrissy Houlahan, a Pennsylvania Democrat, who said the
issue of creating a viable domestic industry had been ignored for too many years.
“This isn’t an issue we can just kick down the road,” said Houlahan, who sits on the House Armed
Services Committee.
The Pentagon asked miners in early 2019 to outline plans to develop rare earths projects and
processing facilities, according to documents seen by Reuters.
President Donald Trump sharpened the directive last July, telling the Pentagon to fund U.S. rare
earths projects and find better ways to procure military-grade magnets made from rare earths.
On Wednesday, Australia-based Lynas Corp and privately held Blue Line Corp said they were
chosen by the Pentagon to process in Texas so-called heavy rare earths, a less-common type of
the specialized minerals, imported from Australia. The deadline for that project was in December.
1112
MP Materials is said to have applied for the light rare earths funding, the deadline for which was March 2. No decision has been announced. Light rare earths are the most-commonly used of the specialized materials.
Other applicants for the Pentagon funding programs included Texas Mineral Resources Corp; a joint venture between Alaska’s UCore Rare Metals and Materion Corp; Medallion Resources Ltd and Search Minerals Inc, both of Canada; and Nebraska’s NioCorp Developments Ltd.
Meanwhile, U.S. government scientists at the DOE institute are studying ways to recycle rare earth magnets, to find substitutes and to locate new sources of the strategic minerals. None of that research is shared with MP Materials.
“MP Materials recognizes they have become the elephant in the room that the U.S. government doesn’t want to acknowledge, given their relationship with Shenghe,” said Ryan Castilloux, a rare
earths industry consultant at Adamas Intelligence.
I know Niocorp is pursuing "private funding" , but here is also evidence that something else may also be in play. As myself & several others have thought & mentioned.
When I aske Jim Sims about this (posted on board before) -he replied
"Possibly,yes."
Jim
The defense act passed, however the U.S. has been talking about that infrastructure bill since 2018/19 & are only now getting around to it.
"Darned if I know"...but it sure is interesting coincidence!
Niocorp & TMRC look really good as stable ESG critical mineral & rare earth projects that can supply the U.S. with a stable source of materials in the very near term.
Time to fund these projects.....!
All IMHO etc...
Chico
Thanks Kasey! I found the reference to Cesium very interesting from the article you posted!
"Cesium, used in a wide range of manufacturing, is another. There are only three pegmatite mines in the world that can produce cesium. Until 2019, the U.S. relied entirely on a Canadian mine for cesium. But that year the mine's U.S. owners sold it to China's Sinomine Resource Group. Now China controls all three of the world's cesium mines, according to OilPrice.com, a leading energy news website."
If you take a good look at Niocorp's Elk Creek Mines Resource REE's...
"Cerium" is present in the resource.
http://niocorp.com/wp-content/uploads/NioCorpMDA-2014Q1.pdf
Priced at @ $300 per kilogram (not too shabby)
https://wanfengtech.en.made-in-china.com/product/rFnmgLxPFJhl/China-Ce2o3-Cerium-Cerous-Oxide.html
Maybe that REE will be determined to be Viable by Niocorp's management team moving forward? Looks promising to me....
All IMHO
Chico
ALL- Posting KETV-7 report:NioCorp buys land in big step forward for Nebraska mine:
https://www.ketv.com/article/niocorp-buys-land-in-big-step-forward-for-nebraska-mine/36563286
"We went from being renters of the land to being owners of the land, and that's a big milestone in project development," said Scott Honan, NioCorp chief operating officer.
During the Nov. 5th 2020 AGM SCOTT HONAN also mentions:
LM- Let's see what is announced between now & the end of June by team Niocorp. It is apparent to me that if you really listen to the Nov. 5th 2020 AGM as I have posted several times. Scott pretty much lays out their plan.
(@50 min. mark) During Question Section. A question was asked about air permit expiring (18months or Dec. 2021)Section#282- Scott mentions starting grading, leveling, & mobilization or & including "signing a contract with a termination clause" (i.e. with Cementation or Zachary) would cover "construction clause" & meet air permit requirements as "***STARTING CONSTRUCTION!****. They could also ask for an extension with the state of Nebraska as well-(possibility if "construction clause" is not met prior to Dec. 2021?)
JUNE 30th 2020 -
https://www.niocorp.com/niocorp-receives-construction-air-permit-from-state-of-nebraska-for-its-elk-creek-superalloy-materials-project/
SCOTT mentions also "They can't start CONSTRUCTION until the land is actually owned!"
(Niocorp now owns the land.) LM ...I am looking for Niocorp to now "mobilize" in some fashion on that land parcel. Keeping in mind it will take @ 3-4 years to build out to full production. (So you do the math as each has their own expectations)
There are numerous catalysts that could be announced at any time. I want to see them "drilling" per the process BM laid out by no later than Fall 2021. (if earlier all the better).
GO team Niocorp!
All IMHO do your own DD & form your own conclusions etc...
Chico
Interesting Viewpoint-U.S. Miners React to Joe Biden’s Move to Ditch U.S. Development of Critical Minerals: China Wins
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2021/05/26/u-s-miners-react-biden-move-ditch-u-s-development-critical-minerals-china-wins/
Pini Althaus, CEO Of USA Rare Earth, said in a statement:
"The U.S. Government cannot make assumptions that non-U.S. rare earth and critical minerals producers will sell their materials into the U.S. supply chain and not to China. China is actively and aggressively pursuing acquisitions of rare earth projects or offtake agreements all over the world, and non-U.S. project owners will make the best commercial decisions for their own shareholders, not the idealistic and regulated approach that U.S. miners will take — prioritizing materials for the U.S. supply chain."
“And whilst this development does not directly affect our Round Top deposit as we are on State of Texas land, the United States needs several projects to come into production, and in the near term, if we are to achieve our goals around electrification of vehicles,” Althaus said. “Given our ability to process third-party materials, USA Rare Earth would be available to take in materials from non-U.S. projects, but as a whole this policy is devastating for the sector and a setback towards the goal of establishing a secure domestic supply chain.”
“The reason the U.S. is in its current precarious position – lacking a domestic critical minerals supply chain – was due to poor decision making 30 years ago, when the same argument was made to let someone else, China, do the mining and processing,” Althaus said. “The naive thought process at that time was that those materials would come back into the U.S. supply chain, even as China made no secret back then as to its ambitions in controlling the rare earth supply chain.”
Again- The Round Top project & Niocorp's Elk Creek ESG mine project are my top two picks to become fully developed here in the U.S. by 2025. Draw your own conclusions, but team Niocorp didn't purchase that land to own on a whim!
All imho & do your own DD.
Chico
Thanks Crit! Some completed & Future News & Catalysts to go with that land.
a) Own land mine is located upon. (Check that off the list!
Scott did mention construction could not begin until the land was "owned".)
b) Pursue detailed engineering (Cementation has got to be close to finishing cost estimates could be a news release soon! BM did mention they should like to start core drilling asap.)
c) Permitting (more smaller permits needed...NE & a few local folks have got a good handle on this. Additional state & local permits may be in the offing?)
d) Sounds like Electric power, Gas & water supply will be on the menu as they along with critical lead time components will take the most time during construction & will be needed to conform to schedule.
e) Update on the proprietary Supercritical C02 Separation process with L3 & also an update in regards to the addition of REE's if viable.
f) That last remaining 25% of Niobium product has been hanging out there since last April 2020. (Will a major U.S. steel producer be stepping up to the plate or maybe a Niobium Battery maker needs it instead???)
g) "Subsequent tranches of Financing/funding or partner/s ".... We have discussed SPACs, Private finance by several means & partner's etc. We shall see...but it sure is about that time for them to announce a partner/s or bigger block of finance...??
Looks to me like it's about time to mobilize on that 200 plus acre parcel of land. Bring on the port-o let dude, some surveyors & grubbing team Niocorp. "Let's get this party started!" & start Hydro drilling by Fall...or sooner!
All IMHO etc..
Chico
It was nice to see Niocorp get some air time on the local News channel to promote the Elk Creek mine Project. Niocorp now owns that the land in which 90% of the known resource is located. Scott Honan does mention during the Nov. 5th 2020 AGM "Construction cannot start until Niocorp owns the land."
Niocorp still needs that 1 Billion+ Dollars to build the Elk Creek Mine ESG project- (the elephant in the room.) It appears Niocorp has funds (through recent PP's & warrant conversions) through year end. The question is can they complete a partnership/s & or finance (by any number of ways discussed) to build out this project?
Each of us must come to our own conclusions... For me I still think Niocorp is following their plans as laid out in that Nov. 5th 2020 AGM. I will wait to see what is announced between now & the end of June before I become more critical of the project.
All IMHO & do your own DD
Chico
Thanks Doug!- "There is today no commercial rare earth separation, metal making, alloy making, or rare earth permanent magnet manufacturing in the USA."
For me this sentence sums up the U.S. problem in a nutshell.
MP materials still sends it mineral ore to China to be processed until 2024 because they are under partial Chinese ownership & the deal they signed makes them do so. They are working to build a U.S. Separation facility but it will not be operational until 2024.
The other BEST U.S. Candidates are #1-TMRC's Round Top project with USA RARE Earths partnership to form a mine to magnet strategy. USARE currently has an operational pilot facility in Colorado & purchased the only U.S. magnet factory in North Carolina.... If this gets funding as well they should be mining by 2023/24 as well. (Don't forget permitting in TEXAS is easier than many states!)
Then #2 is NIOCORP's Elk Creek Mine - which when funded will produce & Separate Niobium, Scandium & Titanium with possible REE's added in "If" proven viable by management-All at the mine site in Nebraska.-
This ESG project is "Shovel Ready" & permitted. Niocorp now "owns the land" the mine portion will be built upon as well as holding 90% of the "Known proven Resource". (USGS survey reports & other reports/studies offer up the possibility this Resource could be a whole lot larger than it is now?)
According to Scott Honan during the Nov. 5th AGM 2020 Construction could not begin until the land is "Owned!"
June is still "Sprig" to me...
Bring on KETV channel 7 & Team Niocorp...
All imho & do your own DD etc...
Chico
Thanks NEgoodlife & Nebraskan!!!! I agree with you NE in regards to Niocorp taking the lead on PR & let the team do the talking etc...
SEE -Reply from Jim in regards to future investor presentations- 2/2021
"The short answer is yes! Our plans are to wage a continuing and aggressive investor outreach program in 2021, including participating in a number of virtual conferences and virtual "road shows" to investors around the world."
Jim
Nebraska.. Thanks for posting the link mate!!! I'll be watching tonight at least the earlier one lol! Maybe Jim will post it later too??? We shall see...
Go Team Niocorp!
Chico
Ctkrod- Thanks for posting the response to your wonderful question from Jim Sims! His response ties in with the presentation below as well as drives home the fact that the ElK Creek Mine has all it's major permits in hand! & "Is a shovel ready ESG project!"
Nov. 5th 2020 AGM Important video:
Brian Menell has been quoted a lot recently. Niocorp's ESG Elk Creek driven mine project & TMRC/USA Rare Earths Round Top mine are on the top of my list as having the best chance to become a reality for the U.S. ("Of course as funding becomes available for both projects moving forward.") Thanks MB for posting the article!
TechMet, Carlyle Group, Traxys & a few others come to mind & have been discussed here as potential partner/s for Niocorp. Gotta keep coming back to Scott Honans own words during the Nov. 5th 2020 AGM-
Will NIOCORP hold an Investor Update in June 2021?? Like they did in 2020 &
May of 2019...
Both are worth listening to again:
NioCorp OTCQX-Sponsored Investor Webcast: June 30, 2020
Thanks BC & NE for posting in regards to the upcoming TV bit! Good headline title.... "Buried Treasure....!" C'mon tell me it doesn't sound like Oak Island's "Money pit!..ROFL...=)
I hope & want to see both projects "strike TREASURE at depth!"
Chico
Responses to questions from Jim-
(repost for all/new board members) Coincides with the latest article by Jim Sims that was posted by GE.
NIOCORP'S SCANDIUM ALLOY PROGESS -2017,2018,2019,2020 Breadcrumbs!
A method to an endgame?? Be sure to read the finish!
NioCorp and IBC Announce Successful Completion of Initial Casting Campaign for Aluminum-Scandium Alloys
Wilmington, MA (December 28, 2017) — NioCorp Developments Ltd. (TSX: NB, OTCQX: NIOBF, FSE: BR3) (“NioCorp”) and IBC Advanced Alloys (TSX-V: IB; OTCQB: IAALF) (“IBC”) (collectively the “Companies”) today announced the successful manufacture of several aluminum-scandium alloy ingots. These test pours occurred at IBC’s Wilmington, Massachusetts Engineered Materials facility using scandium purchased commercially by NioCorp.
NioCorp and IBC Advanced Alloys Announce Successful Production of Aluminum-Scandium Master Alloy
CENTENNIAL, Colo. (October 8, 2018) – NioCorp Developments Ltd. (“NioCorp” or the “Company”) (TSX: NB; OTCQX: NIOBF; and FSE: BR3) and IBC Advanced Alloys (TSX-V: IB; OTCQB: IAALF) (“IBC”) are pleased to announce the successful production of aluminum-scandium master alloy. The master alloy was produced at the Ames Laboratory, a U.S. government-owned, contractor-operated national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), located in Ames Iowa.
NioCorp Announces Success in Producing Aluminum-Scandium Master Alloy in a New Test to Prove Out a Commercial Production Pathway
CENTENNIAL, Colo. (August 7, 2019) – NioCorp Developments Ltd. (“NioCorp” or the “Company”) (TSX: NB; OTCQX: NIOBF) is pleased to announce the successful production of an Aluminum-Scandium (“AlSc”) master alloy using a metallurgical process that helps to prove out a commercial pathway to potential production of the master alloy.
On 9/15/20:
Morning Jim
In 2018 & 2019 Niocorp produced Aluminum Scandium Alloys in conjunction with IBC & Ames laboratory.
I would like to know if any patents were issued or applied for as a result of those alloys produced?
Looking forward to the upcoming presentations on the 16th & 17th.
Jim's response:
No patents have yet been filed as part of this effort, as our work to date has focused on tried-and-true metallurgical techniques to produce aluminum-scandium master alloy. This helps to reduce the technology and execution risk.
Thx,
Jim
I’ve gotta go with a follow up question...
Will/are - Chris Huskamp/IBC or other entities continuing to pursue or following up on the materials produced since the initial casting and testing?
Jim's response:
That work is continuing. Chris Huskamp now works for Jabil, where he leads their additive manufacturing business. One of the main areas of focus is scandium-contained alloys ..
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
Reply to questions regarding the need for a new F.S. & REE separation 4/2021
Question #1)
a) "IF" REE's are to be added into the NPV as Mark mentioned. Will another F.S. be needed, or can Niocorp continue progress on the overall project ( sinking of the mine shaft & engineering & design) while this is being worked out? (of course once funding is available)
Response from Jim Sims:
"#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."
b) What method of Separation does Niocorp intend to utilize to produce REE's & can this method be added "after" the original mine facility is built or will it require a total redesign? (Does this tie into the proprietary CO2 separation Scott & L3 are working on?)
Response to 2nd question:
"#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
Finish with these thoughts:
On 10/21/20,
Hi Jim...
Gotta ask...
Will/does Niocorp - benifit from this executive order in the future through loan guarantees or investment moving forward?
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/executive-order-addressing-threat-domestic-supply-chain-reliance-critical-minerals-foreign-adversaries/
Jims response:
".Possibly, yes."
Jim
Reply from Jim in regards to future investor presentations- 2/2021
"The short answer is yes! Our plans are to wage a continuing and aggressive investor outreach program in 2021, including participating in a number of virtual conferences and virtual "road shows" to investors around the world."
Jim
"For me..." Niocorp is following the course of action as laid out by Scott Honan during the last Nov. 5th AGM 2020 presentation. Where he directly mentions the following:
"The money may come in tranches; some of them may be bigger & some of them may be smaller. It will likely be some kind of a mix between Debt & Equity. Let’s take a look at this graph & understand what it tells us.
The first 8-9 months are really an engineering effort. We need to advance detailed engineering to get to the point where we can start constructing things on the ground. In the middle of that you see a green bar about month five (5); & that’s the assumption we purchase all the land in that month."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t5nNhW3FNs
-(About the 7:40 minute mark)-
"Again… this is a good reflection of how we put together the economics of this project. Where we think about when is the latest time… when we can spend the money to get the land that we need to execute on the project. So… you can decide when you want to do that. Depending upon the financial situation we are looking at.
I think the point I want to make here is that… when we think about execution planning. We really are adaptable to the ultimate financing mix & when the financing arrives! So… for instance we might get an initial offering of modest size. We might get the land we need; so instead of getting the land in month five we get it at the beginning!!!
We would probably prioritize the work we need on permitting & the utilities we need to run the operation. We certainly want to spend some money on advancing the detailed engineering; & we want to keep a little money aside to cover our operating expenses!!! While we pursue subsequent tranches of funding!"
Some completed & Future News & Catalysts:
a) Own land mine is located upon. (Check that off the list!)
b) Pursue detailed engineering (Cementation has got to be close to finishing cost estimates could be a news release soon! BM did mention they should like to start core drilling asap.)
c) Permitting (more smaller permits needed...NE & a few local folks have got a good handle on this. Additional state & local permits may be in the offing?)
d) Sounds like Electric power, Gas & water supply will be on the menu as they along with critical lead time components will take the most time during construction & will be needed to conform to schedule)
e) "Subsequent tranches of Financing/funding or partner/s "....(Exciting times!)
Wonderful input all...!
Appears we should have a lively News release situation ahead...
May/June. "Should be an interesting JUNE update meeting!" If Niocorp holds one "IF" not let's see what is announced by the team. Right now it sounds like they have funds through the end of this year, but what does that mean?
For me as I stated before I believe the clock has begun with the land purchase, however I have my own schedule I compare to Niocorp's status & I want to see them "Drilling" as BM laid out at the mine site by no later than this "Fall"...to end up at full production on my timeline.(what I think is happening).... It's still "SPRIG!" & NEWs could drop on any number of catalysts moving forward....
Go Team Niocorp!
Everyone can & must draw their own conclusions:
All IMHO & do your own DD...
"Front row seats & season ticket holder along with many here!"
Chico
Scandium on the move-"Rusal notes that its aluminium-scandium product ScAlution is tailored to the automotive market, as the aluminium-scandium alloy help lighten vehicles, thereby cutting emissions and boosting gas mileage."
https://aluminiuminsider.com/rusal-and-granges-ink-rolled-automotive-aluminium-agreement/
Also
May 20, 2021
Scandium International Receives Two Patent Grants Relating To Scandium Recovery And Scandium Master Alloy Manufacturing
https://scandiummining.com/news/scandium-international-receives-two-patent-grants-relating-to-scandium-recovery-and-scandium-master-alloy-manufacturing/
HIGHLIGHTS – “Extraction of Scandium Values from Copper Leach Solutions,”
Patent Number 10,988,828, granted April 27, 2021.
Defines methods for recovering scandium from copper mine acidic solutions.
Tailored specifically to oxide copper heap leach solvent extraction (SX) raffinates.
Specifically employs ion-exchange technologies, pre or post copper recovery.
HIGHLIGHTS – “Scandium Master Alloy Production.”
Patent Number 10,988,830, granted April 27, 2021.
Defines methods for manufacturing aluminum-scandium master alloy (2%).
Identifies a two-flux system, containing a fluoride and an alkali metal chloride.
Allows for a rare earth element oxide addition, if desired.
Further allows for other critical metal additions to master alloys, where those are demanded as metal additions in the final aluminum alloy.
NIOCORP will produce @100 tons of Scandium per year of which 10% is already under contract with Traxys! I will repost all of Jim Sim's responses to my questions in a following post (Scandium is one of the topics covered!)
Chico
Thanks GE! a wonderful article. Just helps drive home the fact that the U.S. needs a secure stable supply of Niobium, Scandium, Titanium & REE minerals If deemed Viable. All can be mined separated at the mine site & sold to end users. (several enforceable contracts already exist)
NIOCORP now owns their Field of Dreams!
"BUILD THE MINE...THEY ARE COMING!"....
Funny how those Niobium "cathode" Batteries keep popping up. "I still wonder why the last remaining 25% of Niobium production still has not been placed under a contract???" Will it go to a U.S. steel producer or will someone else come along?
Not to mention those REE's... IF deemed viable. They could very well add a substantial boost to the NPV. All you have to do is compare what TMRC is planning to gross from their REE suite. Niocorp has a much more substantial grade!
Table 1. REE mining and exploration projects in the U.S.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/323628679_A_FORWARD_LOOK_INTO_THE_US_RARE_EARTHS_INDUSTRY_HOW_POTENTIAL_MINES_CAN_CONNECT_TO_THE_GLOBAL_REE_MARKET
REE project - Ownership
1 Mountain Pass - MP Mine Operations (The only operational mine; ships REE concentrate to China until 2024 when it will have it's own U.S. based facility)
2 Bokan Dotson Ridge - UCORE Rare Metals
3 Thor - Elissa Resources
4 Lemhi Pass - U.S. Rare Earths
5 La Paz - AusAmerican Mining
6 Diamond Creek - U.S. Rare Earths
7 Bear Lodge - Rare Element Resources
8 Round Top Mountain - Texas Mineral Resources
9 Elk Creek - NioCorp Developments (If you do some DD you will find out that the resources REE's compare well with it's peers listed here!)
10 Pea Ridge - Wings Enterprises
The Round Top REE deposit is another very large, yet low grade!
The Entire Deposit itself appears to be much larger than what is proven:
https://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2010/5220/pdf/SIR2010-5220.pdf
"A buried, rare earth elements (REE)– and niobium-rich
carbonatite mass, referred to as the Elk Creek carbonatite, lies
in the subsurface about 1.6 km (1 mi) southwest of the small
town of Elk Creek in southeastern Nebraska. On the basis of
exploration drilling results and the extent of magnetic and
gravity anomalies, the carbonatite mass at depth appears to
have its center beneath section 33, township 4 north, range 11
east. The entire oval-shaped, subsurface body, which is recognized by a geophysical anomaly caused by the carbonatite and
associated intrusive rocks, is about 7 km (4.3 mi) in diameter!
We've even discussed the fact that the this deposit appears to be much larger than the already proven resource. "Hence why Niocorp want to get drills down shaft a.s.a.p!" to prove out a bunch more no doubt. It is also open several directions!
Of course all IMHO & do your own DD....
Chico
BM/All...I agree with you BM!- Why buy the land now unless you intend to commence mobilization?- Scott tells us they might get the land at "the beginning!" -
Please listen to Scott's own words during the Nov. 5th 2020 AGM- (If you have not already done so)