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Scott & the team are following their plan as laid out during the Nov. 5th 2020 AGM:
Responses to questions 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
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
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
Everyone can draw their own conclusions from the following responses! There are many positive catalysts that could/should be announced between now & the end of June....?? I will continue to watch the Niocorp team execute on their plan to advance the Elk Creek mine into production.
All IMHO & do your own DD...
Still holding front row seats!....
Chico
Morning AO... I think several of us here on the board have similar thoughts. I still am looking to see what they announce between now & the end of June, in hopes they have drills turning by this "fall" on the site purchased. (end of June update is important to me)
I agree that the resource in time & once funded (w/ more drilling of resource), should be larger than it has already proven to be. Waiting to see what news drops next, PP closing? Cementation completes cost estimates etc.. & maybe a larger Block or Tranche of finance???
Owning the land where the underground work & 90% of the known resource may have been a sticking point in order to obtain a larger block/tranche of finance. I'm not sure engineering & REEs would hold up anything in that regards as the F.S. estimates & design are well laid out. Also evidenced by Jim's response below:
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
PM...." I hope it's a Happy OPERA! =)"
Draw your own conclusions...
"Front row seats..."
All IMHO & all
Chico
Thanks Doc! An oldie but a goodie... Both Mark Smith & Fernanda Fenga have closed on Big Financing packages in the past.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/niocorp-names-fernanda-fenga-board-105900684.html
These small "tranche" loans that Scot Honan does mention in the Nov. 5th AGM presentation have allowed Niocorp to purchase the land that holds the 90% of the "known proven resource" (Much more is there from what I have read, just have to prove it out.)
Cementation has been contracted (which means paid to me) to cost out the mine portion which should be leading to a news release shortly that it has been completed.
Then engineering, drawings, P&ID's & Construction Drawings can be made & finalized/approved. As BM has mentioned...(Drilling etc.. in prep to freeze out the shaft sinking.. grubbing & that "port-o-let" may be showing up around "Fall" 2021...???? I'm thinking")
That is why I am eagerly watching what is announced between now & end of June. (maybe an update presentation then?? & either happy or harder questions will be asked...then.")
I'm holding shares too MB! until they get those drills down below as everything I have read points to more "Resource below the test drill holes" (Deeper ore body) & "Open" in two directions. Also this "could be part of a "Larger Shelf"?? in the area..."look at the those magnetics."
"IF" NIOCORP gets funding & builds out the project (The Elk Creek Mine in NE) & a separation facility there.... this could get much larger, (but they have to prove it out by drilling.)
All IMHO & do your own DD...
"SO yeah...Front row seats.... "I want Niocorp to win the Series!"
Watching with everyone else...
Chico
"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??? I'm just guessing on the information presented that Niocorp could potentially double the size of the resource in time??
All IMHO & do your own DD...
We should be getting some news shortly...
Chico
Nordmin solved all the problems in the latest F.S.... The team just needs to get that "meaningful finance done". There are a lot of Goodies down there!
https://www.niocorp.com/nordmin-proposes-innovative-design-that-minimizes-environmental-impacts-of-niocorps-elk-creek-critical-minerals-mine/
Go Team Niocorp.... "It's Sprig 2021!"
All IMHO
Chico
NE/Crit... these may be helpful
"Roughly circular 7 km. diameter deposit of carbonatite and associated regolith (weathering mantle), encountered at a depth of approximately 150 meters (500 ft.). Centered near Elk Creek in Johnson County (Sect. 33, T4N, R11E), also overlaps into Pawnee County. As of 2020, characterized only by core recovery from boreholes. Characterized by USGS as a potential large resource of niobium and other REE (rare earth elements)."
https://www.mindat.org/loc-219396.html
Niocorp- Mine Design - Dewatering
https://www.mtech.edu/mwtp/2018_presentations/wednesday/Paul-Williams.pdf
Quantitative geophysical interpretation of gravity gradient and magnetic data over a buried
carbonatite: The Elk Creek deposit, Nebraska, USA
https://seg.org/Portals/0/SEG/Events/GEM_2019/GEM2019_AbstractExample.pdf
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265685666_Geophysical_expression_of_a_buried_niobium_and_rare_earth_element_deposit_The_Elk_Creek_carbonatite_Nebraska_USA
You can match up the geo surveys to the maps in the F.S.... From what I see... When they get that Finance done... Like Scott & Mark stated "They've got some drilling they would like to do!" =)
To me this looks like a much bigger resource that what is already proven & open at depth, but the team has got to close on that "substantial Finance" we have all been waiting for...
All IMHO & all....
"Front row seats.... "
Chico
Hey Crit.. Niobay has got a potent resource. I have been following them & Imperial for a while now but haven't taken a stake in either. Although Niobay is "on my radar" lol...They have a higher Capex if you combine all three of their planned mines, but the resource is righteous!
The outstanding shares & share price do make it interesting though at these levels.
If Niocorp gets a chance (BIG F???) they will imho have a similar resource size as the ELK CREEK DEPOSIT has NOT been fully drilled to it's potential imho..
The team at Niocorp has stated they can't wait to do "more drilling"!!! to prove out the resource & I think it is @ double or equal in comparison, plus all the "kickers"...
Thanks for sharing... It helps put everything in perspective & hopefully team Niocorp can take advantage "shovel ready" & kick this baby into high gear soon!
Chico
Some public comments that were made to the DOD:
from this website
https://www.regulations.gov/
use "DOD-2021-OS-0022" under search
Comments from:
MP_Materials_Corp_Comments_EO14017_04282021
"The DoD and other federal agencies, including the Department of Energy and Department of Commerce, should consider mechanisms to assist manufacturers in the establishment of such magnetics facilities and capabilities, including the appropriation of grants and low-cost capital; supporting workforce development programs; enabling partnerships between industry and national laboratories to advance R&D and strengthen American intellectual property; and providing
accelerated permitting and reviews."
Comments from:
Niron Magnetics, Inc. is pleased to submit the attached comments to Docket ID DoD–2021–OS–0022
https://www.regulations.gov/comment/DOD-2021-OS-0022-0030
"In the decade since the enactment of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the U.S. has allocated minimal funds and incentives into the upstream and midstream minerals and materials supply chains while paying greater attention to downstream and demand side incentives. While U.S. investments have been lacking, China, Europe, and other
Asian countries have filled the void and invested heavily in these areas.
As such, a suite of federal solutions comprised of approximately $10 billion in federal grants, in addition to federal tax incentives and federal loans and loan guarantees is required for the U.S. to successfully compete and secure a domestic supply chain for critical materials and rare
earths."
Li-Cycle_US DoD_RFI Response_April 26 2021_vf
"Four key supply chain investment areas are required to enable North America to compete effectively in the global market: (1) mineral and material processing, (2) anode and cathode manufacturing, (3) battery cell manufacturing, and (4) recycling Investment Tax Credits (ITC) of at least 30% for each step in the battery supply chain would signal
the federal government’s commitment to supporting our domestic supply chains, and offset a significant financial burden for this early-stage industry. The ITC must be available to the entire battery supply chain to ensure all of the aforementioned steps are created in parallel. Additionally, Li-Cycle would advocate for Congress to introduce tax incentives that reinforce the usage of a minimum level of reclaimed material in new batteries"
Niocorp is pursuing private funding with the possibility of "other" options that could also be in play. We've been watching the Niocorp team execute their game plan for quite a while now. Inching ever closer to that Big "F"....
These small "Tranche" loans have allowed Niocorp to complete the purchase of the land that is "Key" to getting construction started. It has allowed them to contract Cementation to Cost out the engineering for the sinking of the mine & cash on hand to continue daily operations.
I expect more News should be forthcoming in the following weeks:
a) Closing on last PP
b) Last remaining 25% of niobium production under contract (With U.S. steel producer or other)
c) Cementation completes cost estimates & can announce moving onto engineering. -grubbing & drilling at the site as BM mentioned etc...& a port-o-let =) by fall????
d) Update on new CO2 separation process with L3 (REE's update too)
e) Closing on the Big F or partner/s announcement (the elephant in the room ...right!)
f) Power, Gas, Water to site & order of long lead items. (Engineering of above ground), etc...
g) Additional smaller local permits required (town, state to run & complete the aforementioned)
h) other... (all can add more here I'm sure...)
I am hoping they will share a construction (start to completion) timeline in their next presentation (June???) to coincide with the current presentation. (Put a target start date down team Niocorp. "Showing red shovels" & talking about being "close" or "moved as far as we can down the path of project execution in advance of getting project-level financing in place.
see attached as I am reminded from this article:
http://netnebraska.org/article/news/1240756/lacking-major-investors-sw-nebraska-niobium-mine-remains-stalled
"I don't want to see an article like above this YEAR 2021! Go team NIOCORP!"
All IMHO...
"Front row seats.... "
Chico
PM & NE & Doug - There are also "Business Classified" comments that are not being shared with the public-
(taken from submission form):
"The non-confidential version of the submission will be placed in the public file on http://www.regulations.gov. For comments submitted electronically containing business confidential information, the file name of the business confidential version should begin with the characters “BC”. Any page containing business confidential information must be clearly marked “BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL” on the top of that page. The non-confidential version must be clearly marked “PUBLIC”. The file name of the non-confidential version should begin with the character “P”. The “BC” and “P” should be followed by the name of the person or entity submitting the comments or rebuttal comments."
So only only public comments will be shown. The rest will be for the Govt. only I guess...? When I checked this morning there were only 11 submissions & I really didn't get a chance to go through some but will do so later tonight I think...
I'm not sure what folks have shared there, but I'm sure business & industry had something to say.
Dougnil- nice find bro! Cobalt One has a separation facility all ready to go, glad they got some funds! Niocorp has another "perfect storm" to get this BIG F done. These small tranches may be tiding us over until they sign something more substantial?? "I don't know"...
I will have some tough questions for them when/if they give us an update hopefully end of June? So far I like what I am seeing as they are executing to that Nov. 5th AGM... we shall see..=)
All IMHO
Chico
DOD Request for Comments on Executive Order ‘‘America’s Supply
Chains’’ -are due today April 28, 2021-
You can view comments on this website:
https://www.regulations.gov/
For any on the board interested in taking a peek the comments can be viewed by entering docket number DoD-2021-OS-0022 in the search field on the home page.
Chico
Thanks for posting MB! Great implications for SHCMF moving forward. I would buy more if I could, but can't right now. That's o.k as I think it will hover here for a while @.16 range. (while they prove out Deep Fox etc..)
However SHCMF will go higher, a 30million market cap is low. USARE is lurking about & as we know Search will need a partner either prior to doing a F.S. or following. The share & market cap will rise accordingly as SHCMF is also executing on it's plan moving forward.
Greg Andrews, President/CEO states; “Our immediate goal is to advance our Critical Rare Earth Element District to production."
(2023 or 2 years out is my hold target here)... "so add on any dips at .14 to .16/share makes sense or lower makes sense to me. Now if only I can get more cash to add here myself... lol"
All IMHO & all
Chico
Agree Crit... If one or other prospective mining companies are "in talks" such as described in that article posted by Doug-
"Jervois has submitted specific proposals and is negotiating to finalize the form of final applications to various arms of the U.S. government. These include the Department of Defense, pursuant to the Defense Production Act Title III Expansion of Domestic Production Capability and Capacity funding opportunity, the US International Development Finance Corporation, the US government’s development finance institution (and which has been granted a domestic mandate due to Covid-19), and the Department of Energy.
Jervois proposes a debt guarantee or loan would be in the U.S. national interest since the U.S."
I can't rule out the possibility that Niocorp may also be/or have been engaged. After all the German govt. loan guarantee is in play, & Niocorp did apply for & accept govt. covid-business relief, state NE Tax relief etc. It may not be too much of a reach to think that loans, loan guarantees for mining or proving out separation etc..are on the table. Niocorp could be taking similar actions behind the scenes??
Again all is conjecture & opinion... as Niocorp has also made clear it's intent on moving forward with other types of private funding. We all have engaged in BIG F discussions & options on that issue lol!
We will have to wait & see! Owning the land now, with closing on the latest PP offering, & Cementation's completion on cost estimates for engineering the mine portion should be coming down the road soon.
Should make for an interesting end to "Sprig 2021??" We will have to see....
Waiting in my front row seat! Bring on the News & continue that world tour- Team Niocorp is executing their plan.
All IMHO etc...
Chico
Hey Dougnil-That article does bring up the possibility that Niocorp could be also engaged in a similar action. What I found "interesting is that they do not intend to give any updates unless an agreement is reached!" wow some radio silence there huh...
https://investingnews.com/news/cobalt-investing/jervois-confirms-discussions-with-u.s.government-for-ico-financing/
"Jervois does not plan to update the market with respect to any of its applications or discussions with the U.S. government, unless the Company reaches an agreement for a U.S. government loan or guarantee of some or all the debt funding Jervois is seeking to bring ICO into production."
Several here on the board do think that besides private investment from a partner/s, the German Govt. loan guarantee... There remains a strong possibility that a deal (loan guarantee/ or other) with the U.S. govt. may also be in play for Niocorp. Which might explain those small "loan tranches" while waiting. (This is conjecture & opinion but as Jim did reply back to me when questioned - "Possibly, Yes".... So you can't rule this out either.)
Regardless....most everything I have read to date leads me to believe that without the assistance of Governments (U.S. & Allies) utilizing some of the means above;& without private industry & Banking stepping up to the plate with loans, tax credits & guarantees (LIKE CHINA has done) It might be difficult to bring on this "critical mineral mine to magnet strategies" & compete.
Let's see what the next @2 months brings our way. That June update meeting is should be "interesting"...
All IMHO & do your own DD....
Chico
DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM BRIEF-Breaking China’s Stranglehold on the U.S. Rare Earth Elements Supply Chain:
https://www.afpc.org/uploads/documents/Defense_Technology_Briefing_-_Issue_22.pdf
"President Trump used the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to require that the Secretary of Interior “inform the President of the state of the threat posed by our Nation’s reliance on critical
minerals, in processed or unprocessed form, from foreign adversaries and recommend any additional actions necessary to address that threat” every 60 days.
A little over a month after taking office, President Biden issued his own Executive Order 14017, essentially continuing the actions authorized by President Trump. Among other things, the new Order directed the U.S.
government interagency to conduct a review of U.S.
supply chain risks within 100 days in order to ensure
“resilient, diverse, and secure supply chains.”
Kmack that (100 days is up on April 28th)...
Niocorp will produce Niobium, Scandium & Titanium with the possibility of adding REEs -(now under consideration from the Niocorp team.)
The BENS US Critical Minerals List Criticality Ranking
#2 Scandium #3 Niobium
https://www.bens.org/file/councils/Criticality-Ranking.pdf
https://www.bens.org/pages/policy-work/resilience-council---critical-minerals
Niocorp is now considering adding the REE's that will already be in solution as a byproduct of producing Nb,Sc & Titanium from the ore body at the ELk Creek Mine & separation facility.
Please see Jim Sim's response in regards to the following questions:
April 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
"So we don't need a new F.S."... We may be waiting upon some further actions on the part of the U.S. govt.??, or on any number of Finance options or partner/s to make those final moves. In the mean time the Niocorp team continues to execute on small "tranche" loans as laid out in the Nov. 5th AGM 2020.
"Sprig" is here... let's see what unfolds...
"Front Row Seats!.....
All IMHO
Chico
Oh Yea! Monocle & GM...!! there are a lot of positive catalysts that are on my mind & in the thoughts of many here on the board that should be headed are way.
Chico
Caught between rare earths and Chinese dominance — Part 1: The story behind everything no one is telling you
https://www.mining.com/caught-between-rare-earths-and-chinese-dominance-the-story-behind-everything-no-one-is-telling-you-part-one/
Niocorp & some other projects are needed. It is time to fund some of these quality projects & get the ball rolling... Let's see what news drops are headed are way...
Go Team Niocorp!
Chico
Agree GM! A lot of "News" coming are way keeps the "downers" away! =)
The U.S. gov't is continuing to make the right moves on both sides of the isle in regards to "mining".
Let's see what happens between now & June! That's still "Sprig" to me...
"Front row seats.... time for a beer run!"
All IMHO & all
Chico
Methodology and Technical Input for the 2021 Review and
Revision of the U.S. Critical Minerals List: (NIOBIUM ranking #2 on the table listed for most critical for Supply Risk" 2021 USGS)
https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2021/1045/ofr20211045.pdf
"Specifically, sufficient data were not available to quantitively assess the following commodities that are currently on the CML: cesium, rubidium, and scandium.
Additionally, the REEs were categorized on the initial CML as
a group but are assessed in this analysis individually. Several
REEs, however—namely europium, gadolinium, terbium,
holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, and lutetium—were not
analyzed individually because of the lack of necessary data."
Note:
U.S. Gov't reports due April 28th/(per Biden review 100days)
"Front row seats.... "
Chico
H.R.2688 - To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permanently allow a tax deduction for the mining, reclaiming, or recycling of critical minerals and metals from the United States, and to support the development of domestic supply chains for rare earth elements and other critical materials essential to United States technology, manufacturing, energy, healthcare and advanced medical devices, broadband infrastructure, transportation, and national defense.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/2688?s=1&r=62
This would help NIOCORP secure a great deal on any FINANCE ... I would think!!! Those "SMALL" TRANCHES make me go Hmmmmmm......
All IMHO & do your own DD...
Chico
"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."
Scott & the team are following their plan as laid out during the Nov. 5th 2020 AGM! (I transcribed as best I could please see the following based on the link below)
Can't have a "Ground Breaking" without owning the ground!! =)
Nice.... can't wait to see what news drops next.
Chico
Dutch & BM.."No New F.S. will be needed according to Jim!" "It's full STEAM AHEAD for NIOCORP!"
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
Agree with you both!! We know what we own here! DUTCH- Hugs & love to you & the misses on that world tour mate! =)
"Front Row seats!.... Sounds like land purchase news release coming huh! =) & more "I think!"
All IMHO
Chico
NYOBOLT -Battery tech pioneer sets up Boston US operation
https://www.businessweekly.co.uk/news/hi-tech/battery-tech-pioneer-sets-boston-us-operation
Niobium-based battery start-up Nyobolt opens US office-
https://www.greencarcongress.com/2021/04/20210421-nyobolt.html
"Makes me wonder about that last 25% of Niobium production & the new separation process being developed....I know just my thoughts & opinions"
Mark mentioned "Niobium in batteries" during the presentation along with Rio Tinto getting into the Scandium market. (Please see Jim's reply on this subject a 2/2021-
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
GE- sweet article!!!! thank you! Russia is "all over Scandium!"
U.S. - still "PUSHING on ROPES!"
Chico
All- Please see Jim's response to the questions asked following the investor presentation. Thanks for asking about finance Landmark!
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
Please draw your own conclusions. I appreciated everyone's back & forth yesterday! Doug, Crit, BM, MB, NE, LM, Max, PM & more...
As for myself I am happy with the responses, now realizing they can in fact move forward without a new F.S. & the type of Separation process (SX can be used but it's not "nailed down" yet!! ) "I had a laugh at that being...they are still working on a few things in the lab!! -I see Beaker again! =)"
"Front row seats!...."
Chico
Doug, Max, BM, Crit, MB & the board...just caught up on reading many posts. "I love it!!" Excellent feedback & forth on this board... much appreciated!
I'm not sure what Niocorp's plan would be in regards to adding these REE's the "Separation process" or "IF" another F.S. will or could need to be completed. I did send off an email to Jim with two questions related to the aforementioned. (I don't know if he can/will respond back at this point in time??) However this does bring up several questions that need to be asked & answered!! If not now then at the next update (June??) or by news releases between now & then. For all the reasons you each have mentioned!! or until we get the facts from Scott & the team.
U.S. Based Prospective mines & Separation facilities:
As for other U.S. based REE separation well please Energy Fuels, USA rare earths, MP materials are all working on or are producing REE's.
Energy Fuels just signed an agreement with NEO performance materials recently!! (Jim Sims for Niocorp synergy! make me wonder if they will be one of Niocorps end users in the market to magnet strategies?? Time will tell)
https://www.metaltechnews.com/story/2021/03/03/tech-metals/collaborating-to-produce-us-rare-earths/485.html
"In the meantime, Energy Fuels will produce its rare earth carbonates from 2,500 tons of monazite sand per year from U.S.-based Chemours Company's mineral sands plant in Georgia."
(*****The need is great that is why so many of these must come online for diversity of supply!!!)
USA Rare Earths has a Separation pilot plant functioning in Colorado & intends to ramp up with a larger scale unit by around 2024 to not only process TMRC's rare earths but possibly others. As they work to build out their mine to magnet strategy.
MP materials is also building out a Separation facility over the next 2 years but, can't supply the U.S. with REE's until 2024 because of the agreement with the Chinese company they are in kahoots with.
REEMF (Wyoming) is partnered with General Atomics & are building proprietary pilot plant to Separate the REE's at Bear Lodge. They do have high levels of radioactivity in the ore body.
UCORE is partnered as well as is looking to build out a separation facility in Alaska utilizing Rapid SX technology. They can or will accept REEs from suppliers to separate! UCORE wants to focus on the separation first then move onto the BOKAN mine project (8-10 years away)
Lynas, Rare earth Salts & one or two others are also engaged in separating some REE's
That leaves Niocorp... which is now looking to also add REE's to their menu! All T.B.D. but as Max, MB, Doug, Crit, PM, BM & more have posted there is some $$$ there "left on the table"! & It looks like Niocorp will grab em! & how they plan to get em out or send em out to be processed....?? that 2024/5 to production looks sweet just get the Big "F" done! =)
You also have our neighbor in Canada. Which has a bunch of quality projects in the kitty! as well as Separation Facilities a little further along. Canada seems to be helping their supply chains a little better than the U.S. so far & imho. However... the U.S. "NEEDS" to help by offering tax incentives, Loan & loan guarantees etc,,, like our neighbor to the north. Time will tell...
You may also find this interesting:
https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/usa-rare-earth-partners-with-source-certain-international-to-launch-transparent-and-trusted-supply-chain-for-critical-minerals-2021-02-18
All IMHO & do your own dd...
Damn 3rd post...=) till morning then
Chico
Texas Reps reintroduce RARE minerals act
To incentivize US rare earth and battery metal production Metal Tech News – April 21, 2021
https://www.metaltechnews.com/story/2021/04/21/tech-metals/texas-reps-reintroduce-rare-minerals-act/531.html
"The Texas Congressmen's RARE Act would establish tax incentives for the domestic production of rare earths and battery metals essential to U.S. technology, energy, transportation, infrastructure, healthcare, and defense sectors.
The minerals to be incentivized under the RARE Act include all 17 rare earth elements plus five battery minerals and metals – cobalt, graphite, lithium, manganese, and vanadium
Under the legislation, companies that are mining, reclaiming, or recycling these minerals and metals in the United States would be able to treat expenditures as operating costs that are fully deductible from their taxes."
Chico
Max- 100 million "Potential" additional total REE annual revenues could very well be realized. Depending upon which REE's are viable, chosen & can be separated in the future.
The "KEY" to each of these (prospective U.S. mines NIOBF,TMRC,UURAF,REEMF) is the "SEPARATION process". Different ore bodies can require/need different methods not only to separate the REE from the host ore, but also to counter the radioactive wastes that may be encountered as a byproduct.
Getting back to Niocorp's "possible" REE's:
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 I agree with you Max. It is feasible for Niocorp to put up similar or better numbers should the team decide to add REE's to the NPV & possible share price. The fact that Niocorp is looking to add REE's at this point in the equation does bring up a whole bunch of other questions. Such as:
#1) What Separation method will they utilize? - (When it comes to REE's that is the Elephant in the room)
Max - I disagree with you on Niocorp being the only legitimate producer/processor of REE's in North America!! There are several projects underway that will rival & compete with Niocorp.
MP materials, USA Rare Earths are but a few...
All IMHO & do your own DD...
Chico
We will have to wait & see if subscription to PP is filled or oversubscribed. Not much new... Couple of take-aways: The land purchase should be completed soon. Confirmed -Happy with Rio Tinto's entry into the Scandium market. The pop ups were not flattering...one suggested "calling 911..??"
Niocorp has shown a "construction timeline" slide once again. The question I have (maybe for June update or sooner now besides the elephant in the room "Finance")-
When will NIOCORP show a start to "completion timeline/estimate" slide?
"Front row seat..."Blooper to left field"...
All IMHO
Chico
I am on the same page MB,BM & Crit...Niocorp will utilize this "Tranche" to fund the following:
a) Detailed Engineering Efforts- (From that I believe it's the detailed P&ID's, & construction drawings for Cementation. They must be close to completing cost estimates.)
I believe the "UNDERGROUND MINE" portion which CEMENTATION is progressing on will not be affected regardless of Separation process & above ground workings & can progress in a timely fashion. Niocorp seems to be keying in on starting that portion first!
b) Conducting technical assessments of potentially adding REE's to the planned product offering- (Well since last Sept. Scott & L3 have been working on a new CO2 separation method. Scott & Mark both publicly announced the possible addition of REE's which will be in solution to the suite of minerals the Elk Creek mine will produce.)
Niocorp could build out as designed using the tried & true methods to produce Niobium, Scandium & Titanium as laid out in the F.S.
***Could Niocorp add/incorporate REE separation via packaged modules to the facility once in operation & the assessment of which elements "IF" feasible are determined?? "maybe...I think."
c) Also for working capital & general corporate expenses - With the conversion of warrants, the Lind PP & now this PP. It appears to me Niocorp has enough cash on hand for the remainder of the year or until a larger Finance block or partner/s are announced.
(Niocorp is executing their plan as laid out in the Nov. 5th 2020 AGM. They have gone the route of smaller "Tranche placements" so far. It remains to be seen "IF" something substantial will be in the offing in the next few months?) "Waiting with everyone else....here."
Advocate & others... I cannot rule out the possibility that the Big "F" or partner/s announcement will or will not happen this year. Nor the possibility that another F.S. will be needed "IF" REE's are determined to be added into the production of the Elk Creek mine.
Nor can I rule out the possibility that the U.S. gov't may yet play a role? Not so unlike the German loan guarantee... Governments & Private Industry must come together to build out Separation, Mining & end-users in order to compete. Or a number of other possibilities for finance, partner/s, separation technologies et...many of which we shared or discussed here.
What I do know is that we have a great management team. IMHO one of the top two junior mining prospects that is "shovel ready!" ,has major permits & is forefront on the U.S. Govt. list for possible mines to come online. I have posted several such articles both private & U.S. govt. like- (Page #14 & in the references under Mid West-
http://www.i2massociates.com/downloads/RegionalCriticalMineralsSustainabilityWorkshopsSummaryReport2021.pdf
1) TMRC 2) NIOBF 3) REEMF 4)UURAC are the U.S. top prospects
Out of all of these projects TMRC & NIOCORP are my top picks to come into production here in the U.S. first/second(all for reasons I have laid out. Many have their own opinions & that is grreat!)
I did say it was "gut check time between now & June!" for me. I will listen to todays investor conference & comment later on. From my front row seat..."I will cheer or BOO accordingly as our team plays the game!"
Batter UP!!...
https://hcwevents.com/mining/
All IMHO etc...
Chico
Breadcrumbs... the trail continues - I'm reposting some interesting articles for all (new board members!)
The BENS US Critical Minerals List Criticality Ranking
#2 Scandium #3 Niobium
https://www.bens.org/file/councils/Criticality-Ranking.pdf
https://www.bens.org/pages/policy-work/resilience-council---critical-minerals
An Overview of Rare Earth Elements and
Related Issues for Congress
November 24, 2020
https://aquadoc.typepad.com/files/crs_report_ree_24nov2020.pdf
US Urgently Needs to Challenge China's Chokehold on Rare Earth Materials
by Lawrence A. Franklin
November 21, 2020 at 5:00 am
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/16754/china-rare-earth-materials
"Current REM sites in the US that have the potential to expand rapidly, particularly if the government provides financial and tax-free incentives, include Elk Creek Mine in Nebraska, Bokan Mine in Alaska, and Bear Lodge Mine in Wyoming. Presently, the most profitable REM site in the US is Mountain Pass Mine in California."
Niocorp's Elk Creek Mine is "shovel ready"!! per AGM Nov. 5th 2020
FY 2021 NDAA Becomes Law After Veto Override
By: Kevin Lilley
JANUARY 01, 2021
https://www.moaa.org/content/publications-and-media/news-articles/2021-news-articles/advocacy/fy-2021-ndaa-becomes-law-after-veto-override/
INCLUDED IN THE NDAA 2021 BILL
NIOCORP: A SECURE SUPPLY OF NIOBIUM, SCANDIUM & TITANIUM ANYONE?
"Domestic Sourcing Requirements for Aluminum (Sec. 829): The House bill would add aluminum and aluminum alloys to the list of specialty metals at 10 U.S.C. § 2533b(l). With exceptions, this statute would prohibit DOD from acquiring aircraft, missile and space systems, ships, tank and automotive items, weapon systems, ammunition, or components thereof containing a specialty metal that is not melted or produced in the United States, and prohibit DOD and prime contractors from purchasing a specialty metal that is not melted or produced in the United States." (interesting!)
"Preference for Sourcing Rare Earth Materials from the National Technology and Industrial Base (Sec. 824): The bill would create an order of precedence for DOD’s acquisition of certain materials deemed “strategic and critical” to defense, industrial, and essential civilian needs of the United States, prioritizing sources within the United States, followed by sources in the NTIB, and then any other sources."
"In addition, DOE and DOI are tasked with exploring possible loan guarantee programs under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 for mining operations that adhere to clean environmental practices."
NIOCORP:ESG PRACTICES ADHERENCE
NIOCORP PRAISES NDAA SCANDIUM & NIOBIUM!
https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2017/07/20/1054568/0/en/NioCorp-Praises-U-S-Senate-Armed-Services-Committee-For-Approving-Legislation-Regarding-U-S-Produced-Scandium.html
"CENTENNIAL, Colo., July 20, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NioCorp Developments Ltd. (“NioCorp” or the "Company”) (TSX:NB) (OTCQX:NIOBF) (FSE:BR3) today praised the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (“SASC”) for its recent approval of legislation requesting a U.S. Department of Defense (“DoD”) briefing on the potential strategic value of U.S.-produced scandium. The legislation also “strongly encourages” the DoD to consider entering into commitments to purchase strategic and critical materials from U.S. domestic producers that are not yet in production but which the DoD believes are likely to initiate production of such materials within the next five years."
September 29, 2020
NioCorp R&D Effort Identifies Possible Improved Approach to Niobium Extraction for its Elk Creek Project:
https://www.niocorp.com/niocorp-rd-effort-identifies-possible-improved-approach-to-niobium-extraction-for-its-elk-creek-project/
In collaboration with L3 they are working on a proprietary critical CO2 separation process for niobium. (Note: this process can be used for REE separation***)
October 5, 2020
NioCorp Applauds White House Initiative to Promote Stronger Critical Minerals Supply Chains in the U.S.
https://www.niocorp.com/niocorp-applauds-white-house-initiative-to-promote-stronger-critical-minerals-supply-chains-in-the-u-s/
October 27, 2020
NioCorp to Conduct Annual Meeting on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020
Nov. 5th 2020 AGM timeline is laid out by Scott Honan:
Seems like that might cover the engineering cost's *(Cementation has got to be close to costing out their end??)... or other as laid out in the Small Tranches of loans per the Nov. 5th AGM...
NIOCORP IS MENTIONED - Summary Report and Appendix to Critical Minerals Sustainability Program Plan:
Summary, Synthesis, and Analysis of USEA’s Workshops on Critical Minerals Sustainability
PG# 14 Nebraska niobium deposit at Elk
Creek is mentioned in this article!!! as well as MINING
A good read with your morning coffee!!!
http://www.i2massociates.com/downloads/RegionalCriticalMineralsSustainabilityWorkshopsSummaryReport2021.pdf
https://web.i2massociates.com/resource_detail.php?resource_id=10612
Hey GM & all... A LOT more "DOTS" that should start to connect. Draw your own conclusions, but it;s nice to see Niocorp on the menu!
Go team Niocorp!
All IMHO & do your own DD
"Front Row Seats..... =)"
Chico
Hey GM... Indeed "A lot of Dots" that need some connecting. It's a perfect storm out there once again...
* U.S. & other Governments have loans & loan guarantees in the offing.
* Private industry does not want to be "held hostage" to supply the value added products they want to produce.
* Banks/SPACS & creative finance of many of these quality projects appear to be completing the "POOLING"... (The World Bank & Fed are goin BRRrrrrrrt!!!!$$$$$$$)
Maybe those "Ropes" don't need to be pushed any further & the "KYC rules" (& lawyers) are finished. Even Covid is finally ebbing to the point where that "Term Sheet", The Niocorp team (w/F. Fenga), Gov'ts (U.S., German), Traxys, Techmet, CCBM, Carlyle, ThyssenKrupp &/or; some other partner/s lurking in the wings... Will finally step forward & sign that dotted line??
Infrastructure & A Clean Green Revolution to drive the next 50 years of growth...Maybe? Those small "critical minerals" that make up the magnets, & light weight & strengthen steels & aluminum or complete batteries or new energy systems & more... Will come to fruition...
I hear ya PM!....
I know ranting a bit this morning! LOL
Have a good Sunday all...
All IMHO etc...
"Front row...yeh you know...." waiting to see "IF" it's possible yet???
Chico
The new U.S. plan to rival China and end cornering of market in rare earth metals
PUBLISHED SAT, APR 17 20219:00 AM EDT
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/17/the-new-us-plan-to-rival-chinas-dominance-in-rare-earth-metals.html
"Success is dependent on whether the U.S. can quickly scale up processing and refining after the mining of the resources, and compete on cost with a magnet-making and processing market that’s heavily dominated by China. Once extracted from mines, rare earths are shipped to separation facilities, where they are separated from other minerals. Then rare earths are individually separated into oxides, metals and finally magnets that are used in everything from missiles to wind turbines, medical devices, power tools, cellphones and motors for hybrid and electric vehicles."
Niobium, Scandium, Titanium & "possible addition of REE's" anyone???
Chico
Thanks Jeunke & Kmack...nice reading this morning with some coffee! Alas some are not happy with @ 100% gains (even if it took a while...)
IMHO there are more upside catalysts coming are way & for the time being "steady as she goes." I will be a bit more concerned in June "If" nothing further in regards to (meaningful finance or partner/s) or progress to the mine site are not brought to light.
Short term Positive Catalysts:(looking for into June)
a) Last 25% of niobium product to be placed under contract?? (U.S. steel manufacturer hmmm... or other??=))
b) Progress on proprietary separation process with L3? (There are some pretty cool possibilities there in the future!)
c) Cementation completing cost estimates for engineering to progress
d) Engineering announcements & contracts signing etc..
e) Finance or partner/s announcement (either continued small tranches or something more substantial?)
f) Continued World wide investor conferences
g) add your own here etc...
Short term Negative Catalysts:
a) Overall market up/down
b) Nothing is announced???(we are due some News I think...=) )
c) add your own here...
The U.S. & Allies need to establish & foster a stable supply chain (for national defense & industry) of NIOBIUM, SCANDIUM & TITANIUM along with REE's & critical minerals. Will the Government/s , Private Industry & Banking step up to the plate to invest in the mining sectors to get this done?
Establish Clean ESG mining sites & Clean ESG Separation Processes that come from validated/verifiable world resources to feed the Defense & Industrial Economies of the Free World.
We have all posted a multitude of articles over the past 10 years to prove this out... such as below & others. (thank you all!)
https://www.bens.org/pages/policy-work/resilience-council---critical-minerals
I surely "HOPE so.... "
"IF at all possible!"
Go Team Niocorp!!
All IMHO & do your own DD...
Chico
I agree Wydude! Canada is ahead of the U.S. in regards to it's stance on helping fund & develop Separation process plants. The U.S. is finally catching on..."I hope!"
SHCMF should benefit greatly from having the option to utilize the
Saskatchewan Separation facility once operational in @ 2 years! This will also help keep CAPEX costs down for the upcoming F.S.
The fact that Search is also at least 1/2 Open Pit mineable will also play a factor as they add Deep Fox & Fox Meadow into the mix. The overall project resource should increase "@ 3 fold??"... I won't rule out a $1B NPV estimate in the future with just those 3 sources & a @$150 million CAPEX becomes a reality. The remainder of the "Clean" REE district as a whole really comes into play....
It is also apparent that the Canadian gov't & Private Industry (USARE) have Search on the books. Search will need a partner/s & both seem to be stepping up to the plate. Time will tell, but I like what I'm seeing here.
I also noticed APPAF is not mentioned on that chart you posted. IF they prove that out by drilling the grades there plus the ability to also use the aforementioned separation facility will be huge...
All IMHO & do your own DD...
Chico
Sharing Good chart to compare other REE projects (PPM counts) to Niocorp's "possible" viable REE counts.
https://www.techmetalsresearch.net/metrics-indices/tmr-advanced-rare-earth-projects-index/ (All REE projects counts)
https://www.niocorp.com/niocorp-to-review-potential-of-adding-rare-earths-to-its-currently-planned-critical-minerals-product-offering/
(Niocorp's counts)
(Some counts from Niocorp's REE possible candidates are not too shabby. Plus they will be "in solution" as a byproduct of processing the ore for Niobium, Scandium & Titanium.... very cool!"
You can draw your own conclusions...
All IMHO
Chico
Thanks WyDude! That is a nice reference, appreciate the link. Looking at that chart my key take away when it comes to SHCMF is that the chart only takes into account the Fox Trot deposit.
SHCMF is "more" than that! The Fox Trot deposit is only a part of the "Whole package". Search is working to combine Fox Trot & Deep Fox deposits into a F.S. once Deep Fox is further drilled out:
http://searchminerals.ca/news/news-releases/search-minerals-announces-2021-rare-earth-element-exploration-program-in-labrador
If you start to combine those assets/deposits within the the Search Minerals "REE district" would move SHCMF up further on that pecking order shown in the charts you have posted... "I believe". USARE is watching...
All IMHO...
Chico
Sweet MB! You too bro!! =) Search is also getting it done!
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/search-minerals-announces-2021-rare-132900174.html
The Phase IV drill program will be an estimated 25-30 holes totaling about 5100m. This program will be based on the conclusions derived from the previous three drill programs. The aim is to obtain enough data to be able to classify most of the DEEP FOX resource as an indicated or measured resource – this resource is required for a Bankable Feasibility study. This program will commence in the fall after a resource estimate has been made using Phase III drill data.
(NOTE-THIS JUST THE BEGINNING OF THE RESOURCE!)
They prove out DEEP FOX & then combine them into a F.S. while proving out separation "At Scale"... I think we will see a F.S. in 2022/mid (USARE may make a move about then!!??)
The recent news release in regards to supplying "REE CONCENTRATE" ties nicely into USARE's "mine to magnet" plan with TMRC as the lead source. Then look to augment supply (REE CONCENTRATE from SEARCH) along with their separation facility @2024....(Allowing ramp up of all entities USARE/TMRC/SHCMF to come online.)
Search can start out as an OPEN pit with a small Capex to get the ball rolling. Looking good!! "The wheels are turning!" I think we hover around the .18/share price point for a while, but will move up slowly once pilot plant is announced. Buy any dips if you/anyone wants to build a position. (2 year timeframe for me)
All IMHO & do your own DD....
Chico