Register for free to join our community of investors and share your ideas. You will also get access to streaming quotes, interactive charts, trades, portfolio, live options flow and more tools.
Register for free to join our community of investors and share your ideas. You will also get access to streaming quotes, interactive charts, trades, portfolio, live options flow and more tools.
NCT; "not too opinionated or anything..." Humm. Sounds about right.
Chico; Thanks; No question about holding onto NIOBF shares.
There is a lot going on, I am not certain why the Extension letter was posted and pulled, but maybe Scott or the St NE saw something in the letter that needed to be corrected and resubmitted. It may be that they also need to do a regulatory filing at the same time. They are working across multiple sets of international securities law and regulations which undoubtedly slows everything down.
We can always hope that they suddenly got their cornerstone financing and they can sign contracts that will satisfy the NE AC requirements. Its not getting any less expensive to borrow.
(Not holding out any hope for any reverse merger with MP! Still waiting for TechMet or NuCor or RioTinto or?)
Nebraskan; Humm; If they could dislodge the CCP from their company, maybe NioCorp Managment could go full circle and get Mountain Pass to fund Elk Creek! (/sarc)
(Backward merger anyone?)
Kmack; Thank you for the article link. (Stolen and posted to the SHCMF board. As well as Round Top REE Project in Texas, Pini Althus has done some work with Search Minerals.)
I suspect the NioCorp NE Air permit was prematurely posted (as indicated previously by someone) and that NioCorp management asked them to pull it while they quickly submitted some regulatory filing.
Kmack, Chico237, Douginil: Pini Althaus of USA Rare Earth quoted in this article:
https://www.army-technology.com/features/securing-the-rare-earth-supply-chain-is-crucial-for-defence/
Snip... "Whereas the US produces some of the minerals mentioned above, it entirely relies on China and other countries for many other supplies. Cerium is used in batteries and in most devices with a screen and magnets forged from neodymium and samarium are impervious to extreme temperatures that are used in fighter jet fin actuators, missile guidance, control systems, aircraft and tank motors, satellite communications and radar and sonar systems.
Supply chain."...
snip
..."Founder and advisor to the board at USA Rare Earth Pini Althaus tells Global Defence Technology: “That’s an extremely precarious position for any country to be in. The only way to have a secure supply chain is to start developing projects in this country [the US].”
Snip...
"Althaus thinks REE infrastructure could be built in a safe way and the problem that does not allow the break-away from Chinese dependence lies in the red tape. “It’s so much bureaucracy around permissions, you’ve got NGOs and others that step in the way and make it very difficult for projects in certain parts of the country to actually be developed,” he says.
“And we’re not talking about going into a national forest and start to mine there. We’re talking about places where you’d have a mine in Nevada or elsewhere, where there really no environmental concerns. But concerns are being either invented, fabricated or manufactured."
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Technical agreement between Search and USA Rare Earths
http://www.searchminerals.ca/news/news-releases/search-minerals-and-usa-rare-earth-enter-into-technical-collaboration-framework-agreement
(I have not heard much about this in a while! We are still waiting on the results of the what...57 ton crush and REE Recovery in Quebec?)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
USA Rare earths is also part owner of Round Type REE Project in Texas;
(KMACK Thanks for posting this on the Niobf board!)
CM3: Reposting; Referring back to 3-15 J. Sims E-Mail
(Also to PM, NEGdlf, Chico, Reetala, NCT, all.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Hi,Pete Good to hear from you.
Regarding your question, virtually any significant change to a planned facility’s air emission would require an updated air permit. This is not at all uncommon in large projects. In our case, should we add rare earths, that would alter our air emissions profile to a degree that would almost certainly require an updated air permit from the State of Nebraska.
That said, we have an existing air permit that allows for construction, and we could certainly proceed at the very least with the construction of any facilities that haven’t changed as a result of the addition of rare earths. At this point, that would be most of the project.
Thx,
Jim
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boring, but should happen something like this.
1) Investors/SH are still waiting for the updated REE calculations. I think there is enough indication that they will be adding these to their product portfolio, probably at the Specialty Chemical level rather than as Alloying materials. This will require:
2) An updated PEA for to show changes.
3) Regulatory filings to make both of these sets of information public.
4) If they already have the above information (I believe they do) for investors in London, those investors would be under an NDA unable to publicly discuss or take any action beyond private analysis until until #4 happens and NioCorp completes their filings. (This is important to avoid legal problems with securities law in multiple jurisdictions!) It may also involve co-ordination with the German or other governments regarding loan guarantees, a further complication.
5) When "Cornerstone" Financing happens They get their Cementation contract, drive some survey stakes they begin on the basis of the PREVIOUSLY APPROVED NE AIR PERMIT which is still (Will be we assume" valid.
6) With Site prep and construction started, They pivot and apply for a permit based on their finalized back end REE processing flow designs which reflect the PEA Changes and apply for an updated NE Air permit for new processing. This does not effect the mining or site prep, which will proceed, just the machinery in the buildings.
Yes, this is like watching submarine races all alone!
"Also! Sitzfleish!" Put more cushions on your Chair. ( My butt is already going dead!)
**(So, Patience!)
NEGoodlife; Elk Creek Water; For the Groundbreaking Ceremony go for it!
For the NioCorp announcement of financing! Everyone will be at home when that happens and will have to reach into their liquor cabinet or go to the liquor store for something! Not going to go out and buy--among other things--1/2 gallon of Everclear and a 1 liter bolus of Mountain Dew for myself! (Humorous comment! :)
If not a bottle of Molson, I might have some Evan Williams bourbon that is aging in the back of a kitchen shelf behind the flour waaaaiiting for the misses to make some Christmas fruit cake. (Which thankfully hasn't happened in about 15 years!)
(Alas, the 40 Creek Canadian Confederation Whiskey is not available in the US. Oh well.)
The Groundbraking; Other established standards. At some point Management should pull out Champaign,the real stuff that Fred and Ginger drank when they danced on tables in 1940s movies. (Not some display bottles of Las Vegas grade bubbley wine vinegar stored 4 years in a hot warehouse in New Jersey! :)
But I am engaging in diversion from the NE AP extension application so this slide is still a bit ahead of things a bit, isn't it?
Middleborder; When NioCorp Financing happens, what's the drink of the day once it happens?
Canadian Whiskey? (In honor of the TSX and the Canadian contingent?)
https://www.liquor.com/best-canadian-whiskies-5086370
Or the local Beer, Shilling Bridge American Pale Ale? ( 62193 710th Rd,
6 Blocks WEST Of Hwy 50 & 14th Street, Pawnee City, NE 68420. (Next county over and down the road from Elk Creek!)
"Our APA is light amber in color and full-bodied. Generous quantities of premium hops release a delightful, fragrant bouquet that combines nicely with its spicy flavor!"
[/img]
Or some Belgian/Inbev Molson/Coors Canadian American Malt beverage? (The United Nations of Beer and Ale, A bit like the multinational representation of the participants in this board!)
Putz Mueler? Chico? Nebraskan? NorCalT? Antler? Any Preference?
Me....I may look at that bottle of 40 Creek Canadian Whiskey later, but would probably be fine with some Molson from the local cooler! The Pawnee City beer would require a trip to Elk Creek for the ground breaking! (May it be soon!)
(OK Slide over! Hope this NioCorp ? knocks it loose! :)
CritM3 iminut? (I'm a nut? Nobody thinks that!)
Funding; In A Minute works for me, but we know how that goes.
GE11; https://twitter.com/hashtag/VWIDBuzz?src=hashtag_click (An electric VW Bus!)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Eine sehr Hubsche Fraulein, Britta, eintrit eines neues Auto von Volkswagen!
=
A beautiful young lady, Britta, introduces a new auto from Volkswagen!
Volkswagen News
Volkswagen News
@volkswagen
·
3h
Our new all-electric #VWIDBuzz is timeless, sustainable and yet also extremely functional – that makes it one of a kind ??. @brittareineke
, founder of the mobility platform @weareellectric
went out for a test drive – and she has made her mind up! What do you think? @SXSW
#SXSW
(This was the first thing that came up on this twitter feed; they have posted several more since.)
Kmack; Oh well, I suppose we can have a timekeeper and Cheerleader.
Go NioCorp! :)
I will look at Scott's video later.
Mobil office trailers
To go with the surveying stakes and orange flags! (If construction...)
PM. Opens at US $0.92 on OTC, up from $0.875 close. It will go down later, but It feels good for now!
Tommy! Thanks! Yes agonizingly slow.
At least they managed to start up Baseball while we wait for Scott go out and pound some surveying stakes in the ground and declare a start to construction!
(Something to listen to on my pocket radio while I work in the yard and wait for the SP to rise so that I can redeem some shares and hire a lawn service.)
Grade Stakes Home Depot 12 pack $4.77
1" x 600' Orange Tape Home Depot $6.97
I suspect that the State of NE will would not allow Scott to pass off $15 worth of orange flagged stakes as confirmation of the start of construction, but it might be worth a try!
Chico; I emailed a question to Jim Sims this morning. This was his reply:
----------------------------------------------------------------------
"Hi, Pete. Good to hear from you.
"Regarding your question, virtually any significant change to a planned facility’s air emission would require an updated air permit. This is not at all uncommon in large projects. In our case, should we add rare earths, that would alter our air emissions profile to a degree that would almost certainly require an updated air permit from the State of Nebraska".
"That said, we have an existing air permit that allows for construction, and we could certainly proceed at the very least with the construction of any facilities that haven’t changed as a result of the addition of rare earths. At this point, that would be most of the project."
Thx,
Jim"
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Most of the project. This is actually a pretty positive reply and I thought I would share it. I do note that he does qualify "If we add Rare Earths to the project", which is reasonable pending an updated PEA that includes REESs in their product portfolio.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
(My email to Jim.)
The video of the London trip was very encouraging! Good deal! It appears that REEs are now part of the portfolio of metals products for NioCorp.
"Regarding the recent news release."
"...the promise of a more efficient process for recovering niobium and titanium...potentially help recover several rare earth elements..." (No, not definitive. Potential, noted.)
REE extraction/recovery was presented as a back-end add-on to existing extraction processing flow with minimal change to approved NE Air Permitting.
Without knowing any details, if the more efficient process is demonstrated and incorporated, this appears to require changes earlier in the extraction process. (Titanium/niobium) Here is the question. Will this require any substantial revision to the NE air permit with additional delay? )"
Kmack: Well, I think that most of the board is with you on wanting NioCorp to get it built and seeing the SP rise.
If NioCorp is watching this board (I think they are) perhaps your posts will or have encouraged them to pick up the tempo!
Chico: "All of this can continue IMHO but Niocorp needs another "Tranche" of finance soon. Encouraged & Concerned & being critical Does anyone see this differently?"
Chico, it does, and I would be more concerned except that Mark and Scott went to London to meet with investors, which should allow us some breathing space. We are still waiting the REE Results for the Cores and an updated PEA and a financing announcement. It'll git there soon, I think.
PM;Chico237; They've stepped up the frequency of the news releases! This is about the refining/extraction process.
Lets hope we get something later in the week with updated REE reserve figures, or, fianancing! (Or D9s in muddy fields!)
Chico; Meetings in London;
------------------------------------------------------------------
Rio Tinto plc Head Office
6 St James's Square
London SW1Y 4AD
UK
TechMet Limited
3 Burlington Road
Dublin 4
Ireland
D04RD68
Registered and Incorporated in the Republic of Ireland
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Of course London is also a major international banking center.I do not think they would be there without a good reason. So, wait and see!
Chico; Thank you for posting! I will take a look at it tomorrow!
NioCorp and Search sound like they will start producing at about the same time! Lets hope that a partner steps up and makes it happen!
PM, Chico; all: "Nickle prices hit $100,000 per tonne before the London Metals Exchange (LME) was forced to step in and halt trading for the next few days."
Nickle is one of TechMet's products. Lets hope he was able to secure some good pricing on his future output and/or holdings before they shut down the exchange. Lets hope that Niobium and Scandium will start enjoy more exposure as alternative high end metal alloy products!
--------------------------------------------------------------------
145-year-old exchange halts trading as price more than doubles
The run on nickel was instigated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and made worse by its subsequent decision to ban commodity exports in response to sanctions from the U.S. and its allies.
Russia accounted for roughly 9.2% of the world’s total nickel mine production in 2021, and holds 7.5 million tonnes of the metal in reserves, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. If Russia moves forward with its decision to ban nickel commodity exports, it means supply constraints for the metal are inevitable.
“This has never happened before in the history of the nickel market,” Guy Wolf, the global head of market analytics at Marex, an energy and commodities broker, told The Times on Tuesday. “‘Unprecedented’ is an overused word, but this actually is.”
The mother of all short squeezes
Nickel’s incredible price gains this week also caused the "mother of all short squeezes" for firms trading in the metal on Tuesday, which only pushed prices higher, Craig Erlam, a senior market analyst at OANDA, told Insider."
WT; Chico237; WT, Thanks for posting! Included in that news release is this excellent YouTube discussion by Cole Evans concerning induced polarization geophysics and how it was used on their survey of the Burgandy Ridge Zone.
Cole Evans discussion large chargeable geophysical anomaly means at Burgundy Ridge Zone
PM; Chico; Here is the Proactive interview stopped when the man with Scott Hohnan.
LM; All From the Video
In London; MS. No, Not there for pleasure. Having meetings with potential Debt and equity providers. Want financing "This year".
Have a Flow process designed that puts ore in solution and allows us to recover Niobium, Scandium, Titanium and Rare Earths. (Does not say maybe REEs.)
Sayes: "This is a busy time. We are adding Rare earths to our product mix." No hedging, no maybe, nothing equivocal about his statement. I would say based on this they are going ahead with REEs.
Some updates needed on NE Air Permit?
I do see Scott in the reflection talking to someone else? One of the other board members". Someone else from Proactive?
US$
Quote
DELAYED QUOTE AS OF 3/08/2022 11:21AM ET
$0.9178 +$0.0458 (+5.252%)
Bid x Size
$0.902 x 12,000
Ask x Size
$0.9214 x 3,400
Volume
83,630
Updated...corrected line regarding "talking with potential Debt and equity providers"
Chico237;Putzmueler,all; More complaints about nickle prices.
Nickle futures rise
Niobium Steel alloy; Scadium Aluminum alloy. Time to start digging.
Kmack; "Why did they wait..." Hopefully it was a recently presented Financier/Government requirement.
Lets hope for a prompt financing in view of the deteriorating financial system, although I will say that the S/P on this project is holding up well.
(US$)
Quote
AS OF 3/08/2022 10:18AM ET
$0.891155 +$0.019155 (+2.197%)
Bid x Size
$0.875 x 1,000
Ask x Size
$0.892 x 31,600
Dutch Free; its certainly what everyone her wants! (Hope things are going well in Spain!)
"changing the name of the company"
So Tommy...the new company logo....did you have something in mind? :)
(Will there be baseball this year? Or will they start construction first?)
Options expirations. It could be that postings of regulatory filings are behind schedule or will be posted in a day or two.
P.M., Chico; all Nickle tops $30,000 for first time since 2008.
(All A bit of a slide;)
Brian Menell's company, presumed to have some interest in NioCorp.
https://www.techmet.com/what-we-do/
"Technology metals.
COBALT • LITHIUM • NICKEL • TIN • TUNGSTEN • VANADIUM • RARE EARTH METALS"
General commodity info relevant to NioCorp's situation.
Chico237; China Redux; Standard Oil strategy; Flood the market with product, drive down prices, buy up the competition.
Lets hope NioCorp has already agreed on funding contingent on a positive updated PEA.
According to various sources, Russia appears to be returning to the Gold standard - The government will abolish the VAT (tax) on bullion. This Bill will go to the State Duma on March 4. Going forward - when purchasing gold bars or other precious metals from a bank, the 20% current tax on top of its value will not apply.
Throwing this into the mix and wondering about the effect on Cash flows and commodity markets and the effect on REEs.
kmack49;Chico237;Douginil
Kmack; Your article/link posted on NioCorp board! Stole it and am posting here! (Thanks!) Canadian company, but still potentially part of the N American supply chain.
https://elements.visualcapitalist.com/the-50-minerals-critical-to-u-s-security/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" >https://elements.visualcapitalist.com/the-50-minerals-critical-to-u-s-security/The 50 critical Minerals critical to uS Security[/tag]
(Hafnium was listed prominently at the top. Search Mineral drillings have found Zirconium/Hafnium Mineralization in one of their target drillings.)
From
--------------------------------------------------------------------
http://searchminerals.ca/
"What are Critical Rare Earth Elements?
The New CREEs (their oxides termed by Adamas Intelligence as "neo-CREOs") have been identified as Neodymium (Nd), Praseodymium(Pr), Europium (Eu), Dysprosium (Dy),Terbium (Tb) and Lanthanum. This valuable subset of the complete series of seventeen rare earth elements is considered critical due to high demand and/or constrained domestic supply. Containing unique properties which enhance the performance of a range of innovative technologies, CREE are essential components in the development of permanent magnets and a variety of other components used in renewable energy, green technology automobiles, medical devices, consumer electronics and industrial and military applications."
2019 Search Minerals Technical Report here;
2019 Searchminerals report
Kmack; Why fund a California REE firm That Sends product to China to process?
Sigh. Well, no processing facuilities, sure, but perhaps also political "Influence" that overrides common sense?
The son of the then VP was installed on the board of a Chinese Firm for which he had no experience. The Wife of the Senate Minority leader's parents run a Chinese shipping firm and gave her a $25 million wedding gift.(!)
Heck, the Late husband of Sr Senator for California worked for a defense contractor that did business with...well. People should search that for themselves. (And info on her Chauffeur.)
From everything we see NioCorp appears to be absolutely above board and squeaky clean, but does that apply to the multi millionaire politicians who guide the whole process and create the outcomes?
12:30 CST NioCorp $0.895 US
Chico; Boilermaker;All
Link to the Feb 27 NioCorp DeepDive beginning at the time Scott Hohnan begins to discuss Simplified Schedule and Cash requirements.
S.A.; Chico237; all; The Feb 27, 2022 NioCorp Deep Dive YouTube starting at A Chart of the Current Financials with Mark Smith's Discussion.
A.O. Russia and Scandium. Article from November of 2021.
https://investingnews.com/daily/resource-investing/critical-metals-investing/scandium-production-the-problem-and-the-opportunity/
Why Scandium Could be a Huge Opportunity
Melissa Pistilli
Nov. 25, 2021 01:55PM PST
Current scandium production
"The first known large-scale scandium production was associated with Russian military programs. Details are lost to history, but Russians reportedly alloyed the metal with aluminum to make lightweight MIG fighter parts. Mining at these historic Russian production sites has ceased, but stockpiles of scandium oxide and scandium master alloy remain in Russia. These stockpiles are rumored to be dwindling, but continue to be offered for sale on the market."
Today, most scandium is produced as a by-product during the processing of other ores, such as uranium or rare earths, or recovered from previously processed tailings. As a result, scandium supply can be affected by the supply and demand dynamics of the metals it is produced with. That can make the metal's already tough-to-follow market dynamics even more difficult to understand.
According to the US Geological Survey, scandium-producing countries include China, where it is a by-product of iron ore, rare earths, titanium and zirconium; and the Philippines, where it is a by-product of nickel. Scandium is also produced as a by-product of uranium in Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan.
Chico. Thanks for posting! High points of the video.
SHCMF had successful financing, have $7 million cash. Hiring 13 new workers to support this years 14,000 Ft drilling program. Grinding/Extraction has begun on 80 tons of REE material. They have made improvements and want to Get the PEA and move on to the Environmental Review process.
Discussion of EV expansion and see Search as being well positioned to respond to this expansion. Prices of magnetic REEs have tripled since 2020. Not many operating deposits outside of China.
Last pea was 2016 and was based only on Foxtrot. 5 points on the The 2022 updated PEA.
1) It will include Deep Fox, which has higher REE grades than Foxtrot.
2) By mining Deep Fox they expect to increase production from 1000 to 2000 tons per day.
3) They expect the open pit mine life to increase from 15 to 20 years.
4) Their magnetic recovery bench test and scale up technology has increased REE recovery from 79% to 90%. Deep fox has a 15% higher REE Grade than Fox Trot
5) They are updating their flowsheets and make the NPD and make the bottom more robust.
They want to Get the PEA and move to Permitting Review. (Environmental Review process. No firm date mentioned.)
He makes the point that the 2022 PEA will show that they are economic at current REE prices which they could not say with the 2016 PEA, which will make it easier to decide to invest.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Not mentioned: I did not hear any reference to USA Rare Earth LLC or their proposed SPAC. This involved speculation that it might result in purchase of the company but there has been no further information about this.
I think that SHCMF will proceed as though a USA Rare Earths SPAC and any assistance will not happen. My thought is that they will seek their own funding sources to allow them to start operations as soon as possible (Not I think this year). So far they appear to be successful at raising capital. If a SPAC outside the company does happen they can always revisit this issue. (They still have the agreement regarding the REE supply chain to the NC Magnet plant as far as I know.)
Everything from the line on down is my speculation. This is not based on any company information.
Landmark. I would do this if I had extra cash.
Chico; From page 48 of that report;
"42An action plan developed in response to President Biden's Executive Order 14017
This section provides an update on the 100-day response to E.O. 14017—Review of Critical Minerals and Materials. The DoD was responsible for assessing supply chain risks for critical minerals and materials and proposing a set of recommendations to mitigate those challenges.Since the publication of the report in June 2021, the DoD has been working to implement those recommendations. This section provides an overview of the critical mineral and material supply chains, supply chain risks and an update on the progress made in implementing the recommendations from the 100-day review"
n the 100-day reporting exercise for strategic and critical materials under E.O.14017 the DoD highlight ed four key pillars to the U.S.Government’s approach to increasing the resiliency of this sector:
1. Drive Demand. Develop new sustainability standards and update existing ones for strategic and critical material-intensive industries and incorporate these standards into Federal procurement.
2.Stimulate Supply. Expand sustainable production and processing, including recycling and nontraditional mining, such as reclamation of mine wastes.
3. Hedge Risk. Strengthen U.S. stockpiles
4. Promote Equity. Work with allies and partners to increase traceability and transparency in global
supply chains.
In the eight months since the release of the 100-day report, the DoD and the interagency have cleared a series of interim objectives against these national priorities With respect to sustainability standards, the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and DOE are leading this effort within the Federal Government.
There is an initial focus on incorporating criteria that incentivize recycling and the reuse of critical materials in consumer electronics through the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool
eco-label. EPA has also released a National Recycling Strategy. DoD also intends to coordinate with DOE on critical minerals issues which impact the clean energy supply chain and domestic manufacturing sectors. For allies and partners, since the release of the 100-day report, the interagency have held more than five senior-leader engagements with allies and partners to drive tangible diversification of supply chains.
Though DoD plays a contributing role in each of the above areas, the DoD is the lead component for strengthening U.S. ... Snip
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Niocorp is interested in step 2, "Stimulate Supply. Expand sustainable production and processing...snip"
I am afraid that this administration prefers to view this as an opportunity to implement elements of their ideological agenda rather than to actually support the defense supply chain. I hope I am wrong and that some funding guarantees or grants for NioCorp happen (or have happened) but I think that they really want to play in the REE Coal Fly Ash sandbox and virtuous recycling and they are willing to use the DOD for this purpose.
We are in a 50 day silent period which hopefully results in News and Funding, debt or equity, but soon.
Putz. Your question. No waiting to find out on this one I think!
"First comes the metals, then comes the miners to the rally?"
(Congrats to End of Emergency and getting Canada's Banking system back!)
LM; January 3, 2022 NioCorp Achieves Positive Results in Metallurgical Testing of Possible Rare Earth Production at its Elk Creek, NE Project...
Its the last real news post on NioCorp's website. (50 top stocks etc does not count)
It has been about 50 days.