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In talks with several federal agencies!!! Per Jim’s response in early Jan. 2023! Gotta love how this is coming together… took long enough lol!
Go team Niocorp! Would love to see $1.4 to $2 now chico
800$Million - worth of Awesome news! Just saw Jim’s email…
A commitment of 800$ Million cheese!
Happy dance!
Chico
DoE/LPO Feb. Loan Applications increased by 9 & now total 135 applications!
https://www.energy.gov/lpo/monthly-application-activity-report
Each month, the LPO Monthly Application Activity report updates:
1) The total number of current active applications that have been formally submitted to LPO (135)
2) The cumulative dollar amount of LPO financing requested in these active applications ($124.1 billion)
3) The 24-week rolling average of new applications per week as of the close of the previous month (1.6)
Technology sectors represented by applications
4) Proposed project locations represented by applications
5) Status of where applications stand in the review process: Of the 135 active applications, approximately 45% of applications are under initial review, approximately 40% are under advanced review, and roughly 15% are in due diligence
https://www.energy.gov/lpo/articles/getting-know-lpo-how-does-lpo-manage-risk-and-conduct-due-diligence
Just read Jose's post Roc! It appears federal funding/loan commitments through the CHIPS act are being accepted. Bodes well for the U.S. to re-establish itself once again as a leader in semi-conductors & chips.
It's nice to know that many of Niocorp's critical minerals (Mined/Produced & Processed at the Elk Creek Mine "-pending finance-") are/or can be utilized in a host of the new & future "ELECTRONICS" of the future. (From batteries to transistors, capacitors, semi-conductors & more....)
Can't wait to see what material news is announced in the weeks ahead! with many
Chico
NASA’s NIOBIUM ~Quantum Detector Achieved A World-Leading Milestone!
NASA’s Quantum Detector Achieves World-Leading Milestone ~ March 2, 2023~
https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/nasas-quantum-detector-achieves-world-leading-milestone
The PEACOQ detector is made of 32 niobium nitride superconducting nanowires on a silicon chip, which enables high count rates with high precision. Shown Printed on a Silcon Wafer!
Armed Services report to the Senate supporting (2023 NDAA)
https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/fy23_ndaa_bill_report.pdf
SUBTITLE B— NATIONAL DEFENSE STOCKPILE (***There is more in the document for those interested!)
Feb. 28, 2023 President Biden Signs Presidential Waiver of Statutory Requirements for Supply Chain Resilience
https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3312486/president-biden-signs-presidential-waiver-of-statutory-requirements-for-supply/
President Joe Biden signed a presidential waiver of some statutory requirements (Waiver) authorizing the use of the Defense Production Act (DPA) to allow the Department of Defense (DoD) to more aggressively build the resiliency of America's defense industrial base and secure its supply chains. Specifically included in the Waiver are defense organic industrial base supply chains critical to the DoD as well as critical supply chains for electronics, kinetic capabilities, castings and forgings, minerals and materials, and power and energy storage. This authority also affords the ability to invest in strategic areas that enable the industrial base such as workforce development.
Since many of the investments needed in areas like mining and processing of critical minerals can be very costly and take several years, the Waiver permits the DoD to leverage DPA Title III incentives against critical vulnerabilities, and removes the statutory spending limitation for aggregate action against a single shortfall exceeding $50 million. This in turn allows the Department to make more substantial, longer-term investments.
The supply chains covered by the Waiver are directly tied to President Biden's Executive Order 14017, "America's Supply Chains." (E.O. 14017) which highlights vulnerabilities in multiple defense-critical supply chains and provides recommendations on how to increase their future resilience.
"This authorization allows the Department of Defense to act with urgency and efficiency in shoring up America's supply chains and strengthening our national security," said Anthony Di Stasio, Director of the Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Prioritization (MCEIP) office. "This flexibility will allow the Department to act strategically to protect the United States' military and commercial interests, while maintaining our superiority over competitor nations."
The organic industrial base is a network of government-owned industrial facilities that produce, store, and dispose of many of the conventional munitions used by the DOD and military services. With multiple industry partners, these facilities maintain, overhaul, and repair weapon systems and defense equipment. The capabilities produced by the organic industrial base are essential to numerous critical supply chains and require modernization and improvements to increase capacity in the same manner industry-owned capabilities require.
Issues that contribute to supply chain vulnerabilities include insufficient U.S. manufacturing capacity, misaligned incentives, and a focus on short-term returns in private markets, industrial policies of other nations, geographic concentration in global sourcing, and limited international coordination
The DOD's Defense Production Act Investment (DPAI) Office will administer the efforts exercised under the Waiver. Section 303 of the DPA (codified at 50 U.S.C. § 4533) allows the President to waive certain statutory requirements when "action is necessary to avert an industrial resource or critical technology item shortfall that would severely impair national defense capability."
About the Department of Defense's Defense Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Prioritization Office:
The mission of the MCEIP office is to prioritize and address supply chain and industrial challenges identified by the DoD and other stakeholders. The office determines appropriate authorities to address critical shortfalls, and through prioritization, incentivization, and resource allocation, MCEIP supports domestic industry with direct engagements and investments.
Yup... Do Your own Thing!
Chico
Feb. 28, 2023, ~Scandium Reinforced Aluminum Alloy- The Next Generation High Performance Alloy~
"IF I MADE YOU LOOK! GOOD!!!! ~(This Chinese Source is Touting SCANDIUM!)~
Hunan Advanced Metal Material Corporation (HAMM) is a high-tech company specialized in the R&D and manufacturing of high purity rare earth metals and high-performance alloys. Our high purity metals and alloys can be custom-made in form of powder, ingot and etc., which are mainly applied in semiconductor, 3D print, aerospace and other frontier fields.
https://www.scandiumetal.com/news/scandium-reinforced-aluminum-alloy-the-next-g-54395370.html
Scandium is one of the most versatile rare earth elements in the periodic table, especially as an alloying element. The scandium-containing aluminum alloy has now become a compelling and most competitive high-performance aluminum alloy structural material after the aluminum lithium alloy.
There already has numerous studies about aluminum scandium alloy. It is well known that when adding a small amount scandium into aluminum alloys, it can significantly improve the tensile strength and physical properties of the finished product. The scandium-reinforced alloys are much stronger than other high-strength alloys, exhibit significant grain refinement, strengthen welds, and eliminate hot cracking in welds. By adding a small amount of scandium, it is expected that a series of new-generation high-performance aluminum alloy materials, such as ultra-high strength and high-toughness aluminum alloy, and high-strength corrosion-resistant aluminum alloy, can be developed on the basis of the existing aluminum alloy. The application prospects of scandium aluminum alloy in high-tech and new technology sectors such as shipbuilding, aerospace industry, rocket missile and nuclear energy are very broad.
Form your own opinions & conclusions above!
"What are we waiting for???"
Home - NioCorp Developments Ltd.
~ (Pending Finance) GXII EUITY DEAL
~PENDING NASDAQ LISTING
~PENDING PATENT-PENDING FINAL DEMONSTRATION PLANT RESULTS
~PENDING DEFENSE & PRIVATE INDUSTRY NEED THESE SUPER HEAT RESISTANT HEA, MXENES, CERAMIC ALLOYS BEING DEVLOPED THESE CRITICAL MINERAL WILL HAVE MULTIPLE USES FOR DEFENSE & PRIVATE INDUSTRY MOVING FORWARD! GO TEAM NIOCORP! TIME TO FUND THIS BEAST!!!!
ENGAGE~
Chico
Agree Nebraskan… that’s how I understood it when Scott gave us the run down during the 2020AGM.
Hydrological work is needed prior to shaft freezing. (That work was estimated at taking 6-8 months)
I think BM said we might expect surveyors as well to target shafts.
Chico
~LPO Breaking News: $375 Million Conditional Commitment to Li-Cycle for Critical Materials Project ~ INTERESTING EVENT!
LPO Breaking News: $375 Million Conditional Commitment to Li-Cycle for Critical Materials Project
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDOELPO/bulletins/34b5a1e
LPO Announces a Conditional Commitment for Loan to Li-Cycle's U.S. Battery Resource Recovery Facility to Recover Critical Electric Vehicle Battery Materials | Department of Energy
American Lithium Shareholder Webinar | February 23, 2023
I am appalled at the lack of disclosure & I have terminated remaining shares. MB
No confidence in the entire team. I would hope legal actions entail from the major shareholders!
Chico
I agree Nebraskan! During the 2020 AGM Mark stated Scott had a “boatload” of “Stuff” lined out & ready to go pending substantial finance!
The GXII deal might send the team into a material news frenzy! Lol
Thanks Nebraskan! Scott mentioned they would need additional smaller permits. A while back in 2018 this was going on as well-
Minutes~ Board of Public Works ~September 4, 2018
https://www.tecumsehne.com/uploads/1/0/4/6/1046396/bpw_minutes_-_9-4-18.pdf
MP Materials CEO - on Rare Earths
We’re now producing more rare earth minerals than we ever have: MP Materials CEO
(Interesting Listen Knowing where Niocorps "Shovel Ready" Elk Creek Mine stands As the Largest Niobium U.S. Resource & Second Largest Proven REE Resource Pending Finance!)
https://www.cnbc.com/video/2023/02/17/were-now-producing-more-rare-earth-minerals-than-we-ever-have-mp-materials-ceo.html
Jim Litinsky, CEO and chairman of MP Materials, joins Morgan Brennan and the ‘CNBC Special: Taking Stock’ to discuss on-shoring across the U.S. and the issue of securing rare earth minerals for electronic devices.
NIOCORP ON Jan. 31st, 2023, ~ "Working with White House officials on critical minerals issues. This Administration is working hard to help support environmentally responsible critical minerals projects like NioCorp’s Elk Creek Project in the great State of Nebraska. "~
(What were they doing in D.C.?......)
Overview of the Elk Creek Project Elk Creek Project - NioCorp Developments Ltd.
NioCorp is developing North America’s only NIOBIUM / SCANDIUM / TITANIUM Advanced Materials Manufacturing Facility co-located with an underground mine. Located near Elk Creek, Nebraska, this will be the highest-grade Niobium project in North America, as well as one of the largest prospective producers of Scandium in the world!
Niobium is a relatively scarce metal and there are only three primary Niobium mines in the world today. But growing demand has created a global market value of >$5 billion. Niobium is considered so critical by the U.S. that it is one of a small handful of metals that the National Defense Stockpile purchases, according to DoD Strategic and Critical Materials reports.
What We Intend to Produce
According to NioCorp’s June 2022 Feasibility Study, the Elk Creek Project is expected to produce the following over its 38-year operating life:
Ferroniobium (FeNb): An average of 7,348 tonnes per annum (tpa) of ferroniobium, a crucial component in high strength, low-alloy (HSLA) steel that is increasingly used in bridges and other large infrastructure projects, as well as in high-pressure oil and gas pipelines, steel-chassis vehicles, commercial aviation, aerospace, defense systems, and in many other applications. Niobium also is a component of superalloys used in nearly all jet engines and power generation turbines.
Scandium Trioxide (Sc2O3): An average of 102 tpa of scandium trioxide. Scandium has important uses in environmentally preferred Solid Oxide Fuel Cells, as well as in ultra-high-performance aluminum alloys. Scandium greatly strengthens aluminum alloys and allows them to be reliably welded, which presents revolutionary potential for the commercial airline industry. For example, between $1.0-$1.5 million of scandium oxide in a single airliner offers $21-27 million in net present value fuel savings.
Titanium Dioxide (TiO2): An average of 12,063 tpa of titanium dioxide. Titanium has the highest strength-to-density ratio of any metallic element, and it is used in wide variety of sectors, including aerospace, national defense, chemical processing, desalination, automotive, health care, communications, sporting goods, and many others. Titanium in its oxide form also is used in the manufacture of pigments in paints, plastics and paper, and is a photocatalyst.Robust Estimated Financial Returns
The June 2022 Feasibility Study projects robust economics and returns for the Project, and substantial improvements over the Project’s 2019 Feasibility Study:
https://www.niocorp.com/
FORM YOUR OWN OPINIONS & CONCLUSIONS ABOVE!
Go Team NIocorp!
Chico
Very Nice Find Demo! Appreciated. A little Niocorp World Buzz indeed... eom
2/22/2023~Berkshire Hathaway TO BUILD MODERN TITANIUM MELT FACILITY!
~Foundations: Berkshire Hathaway deal brings new life to Ravenswood~
https://www.newsandsentinel.com/news/local-news/2023/02/foundations-berkshire-hathaway-deal-brings-new-life-to-ravenswood/
Might be silly but could an Anchor Investor still be waiting in the wings as well? Thoughts...
SPACS were brought up on this board over two years ago. German Loan guarantee is in play along with the GXII Equity deal (pending approval) & NASDAQ listing. I cannot rule out the DoE/LPO or U.S. Govt. (Debt commitment) yet, & Mark did say (All options A,B,C,D,.... were on the table).
Could a "Potential" Anchor Investor still play a role?
Either way... "The MINE is AFOOT!"
Go Team Niocorp!
"Connect some DOTS! & ENGAGE....."
Chico
Rare Earths - China’s newest weapon to nab Western technology –Its Courts Rulings nullify patents in industries it deems important, including technology, pharmaceuticals and RARE EARTH MINERALS!!!
https://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/chinas-newest-weapon-nab-western-technology-courts
Goods points Nebraskan! The shaft freezing you mention is critical path as Scott stated during the 2020 AGM mentions-(hydrology & shaft freezing would take @6-8 months to complete)
Some one posted or I thought
Mark did mention they wanted to secure the remaining land packages recently. Do you know what land blocks are next?
Chico
Thanks BM! Team Niocorp knows how the Demo ends! They still calculate & called out 1.2B$ needed. Scott has everything ready to go. (Has since the 2020 AGM lol!)
My list -
A) GXII Equity commitment approved =@ $400 million
B) German loan guarantee @$200million
C) Secure Debt commitment for @$600 million. (Have a hunch here “dots” but could be anything)
D) Sign EPC final contracts (the full boat is needed $$$)
E) Break ground & Build
All speculation on my part & Guessing May 2023 to late 2026 production.
Go team Niocorp!! Excited with many!
Chico
Oh & NASDAQ, REEs & Improved recoveries for Nb & Ti too! Lol..
Agree Crit! During the 2020 AGM Scott stated final engineering would need to be completed for the above ground work after final hydro-metallurgical work & updates were completed!( That is the final Patent-Pending Demonstration work now ongoing)
Cementation’s below ground work is not affected but final Hydrology work & shaft freezing will take 6-8 months.
BM stated surveyors etc would also be coming.
Looking forward to seeing what other “Critical path” work the team announces. Along with a host of other items…
I’m excited! Along with many…
Chcio
That’s a strong smoke signal!!! LM. EPC contractors on deck!
Zachary above ground EPC draws “first blood final engineering contract”! Will Cementation be next? Power, Gas
& more oh my!….
Sweet material news as it becomes available!! (Pending finance… )
Go Team Niocorp!
Chico
Hey GE! - Yes, some of the articles are older & some are more recent leading to the 2023 NDAA that was signed into law calling out the need for Niobium, Scandium & Titanium plus REE's & Congress's recent legislation & actions... etc....
I went back to link some of the Relevant Articles that have been posted in the past & publicly available to all. Given all the recent World Events- There are "Interesting Synergies" I see & try to share.
Such as how Niocorp's critical minerals are being utilized, The Finance options both Private & Govt. etc... GE we even brought up SPAC deals way back in 2020/2021 on this very board!...
Given world events this didn't get much press & it caught my eye given the need for Titanium & how dependent the U.S. is as over 88% is imported I believe....)
~ Russian Partners With China to Develop Massive Titanium Deposit in Arctic~
https://infobrics.org/post/37706/
World’s largest titanium exporter
China is the world’s largest producer and exporter of titanium and as a result is also one of the leading importers of titanium ore required to produce the alloy.
Lightweight titanium alloys are used extensively in the aerospace and defense industry during the production of jet engines, missiles and spacecraft.
Prior to western sanctions Russia’s largest producer VSMPO-Avisma supplied around 30 percent of titanium needs for the global aerospace industry, with US’ Boeing receiving 40 percent of its titanium from Russia and its European rival Airbus procuring up to 60 percent from Russia.
As always everyone must form their own conclusions!
IMHO- I've been following Niocorp very closely since the announced wanting to add REE's back in 2020. There are indeed some interesting "Dots". I continue to think "Entities" are interested (Including the Govt.). Maybe some Dots will connect & maybe not!
I believe in the project & our team. This year 2023 will be the make-or-break (I think they can!), & I'm waiting for a bunch of material news as it becomes available with many!
Chico
Lol NorCal! There sure are a lot of Dots! I Speculate “Some should connect soon as well.”
One would think entities are interested NorCal. With all the recent events… I don’t know of another mine that is shovel ready & will produce & process Niobium, Scandium, Titanium & viable REES as called out in the 2023 NDAA!
If they get financed very soon??? they could be in production by 2026! Imho
Front row seats with many Chief!
Chico
U.S. Strategic Stockpile & LPO Tech Talk: Critical Materials FEBRUARY 16, 2023
Currently, the United States is almost entirely reliant on imports of processed materials such as lithium, cobalt, and graphite for use in clean energy technologies. The production of many of these raw and processed materials are concentrated in a few countries, some of which do not meet the United States’ standards for social, environmental, and ethical business practices.
https://www.energy.gov/lpo/articles/lpo-tech-talk-critical-materials
LPO can support qualifying projects that increase the domestically produced supply of critical minerals, which may include but are not limited to:
~Critical Minerals Processing: Projects that process critical minerals using innovative technology for end use in a variety of eligible clean energy technologies, or for projects that manufacture eligible advanced technology vehicles or their components.
~Components Manufacturing: Innovative manufacturing projects for end use in a variety of clean energy technologies, or projects that manufacture eligible advanced technology vehicles or their components.
IN August 2022 NIOCORP ANNOUNCES IN ADDITION TO TAX BENEFITS ~The New Federal Legislation Could Deliver Powerful New Benefits to NioCorp for its Critical Minerals~(Niocorp stated -"Other Provisions That Could Benefit NioCorp" & CALLS OUT THE $40 billion commitment authority for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Innovative Technology Loan Guarantee Program (Title XVII), on top of DOE’s existing commitment authority of approximately $24 billion. As a Possibility!
https://www.niocorp.com/new-federal-legislation-could-deliver-powerful-new-benefits-to-niocorp-for-its-critical-minerals/
DOE ~Sector Spotlight: Critical Materials Loan Programs Office FEBRUARY 9, 2023~
https://www.energy.gov/lpo/articles/sector-spotlight-critical-materials
DOE LPO: $412 Billion in Estimated Remaining Loan Capacity Available!
The U.S. STRATEGIC MINERALS STOCKPILE was valued at nearly $42 billion in today’s dollars at its peak during the beginning of the Cold War in 1952. That value has plummeted to $888 million as of last year following decades of congressionally authorized sell-offs to private sector customers. *****Lawmakers anticipate the stockpile will become insolvent by FY25.************
MAY 2022, Congress and Pentagon seek to shore up strategic mineral stockpile dominated by China
https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2022/05/23/congress-and-pentagon-seek-to-shore-up-strategic-mineral-stockpile-dominated-by-china/
***BACK IN OCTOBER OF 2022 Congress was Considering amending the FY2023 NDAA: National Defense Stockpile
https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IN/IN12041
ON NOVEMBER 15th, 2022: JIM:
Has Niocorp recently applied for a DoE/LPO loan for "debt"..?
Response:
ON JANUARY 2nd 2023: Jim: Can you offer comment on how the recent NDA 2023 legislation Might benefit Niocorp & the Critical Materials it will produce in the future?
RESPONSE:
ON Jan. 31st 2023 Working with White House officials on critical minerals issues. This Administration is working hard to help support environmentally responsible critical minerals projects like NioCorp’s Elk Creek Project in the great State of Nebraska.
ON FEB. 16th 2023 AS China sanctions Lockheed, Raytheon after vowing to retaliate against US restrictions
https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/16/business/china-sanctions-lockheed-raytheon-hnk-intl/index.html
China has imposed sanctions on two American defense manufacturers over arms sales to Taiwan, a day after Beijing pledged to take “countermeasures” in response to Washington’s handling of a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon that entered American airspace and was shot down by US forces earlier this month.
Lockheed (LMT) Martin Corporation and Raytheon (RTN) Missiles & Defense, a subsidiary of Raytheon (RTN) Technologies Corp, will be added to China’s sanctions list, its Ministry of Commerce said in a Thursday statement. They are banned from importing, exporting and investing in China.
Lockheed makes the F-22 Raptor fighter, the model that was responsible for shooting down the Chinese balloon off the coast of South Carolina on February 4. Raytheon makes the AIM-9X Sidewinder missile, which was used in the mission.
FEB. 18th, 2023, ~Pentagon to boost RARE EARTHS and lithium stockpiles~
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/exclusive-pentagon-boost-rare-earths-lithium-stockpiles-sources-2022-02-18/
ON FEB. 19th 2023 Lockheed Martin awarded Navy hypersonic missile contract worth over $1 billion
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/lockheed-martin-awarded-navy-hypersonic-missile-contract-worth-over-1-billion/ar-AA17GUJH
Lockheed Martin announced Friday that it will receive a contract that's potentially worth more than $2 billion to integrate a hypersonic missile system onto certain U.S. Navy destroyers.
The deal, which is initially worth $1.1 billion, involves the integration of the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) hypersonic missile system onto the Navy's Zumwalt-class guided missile destroyers. If all contract options are exercised, that figure would rise to more than $2.2 billion.
"Lockheed Martin continues to advance hypersonic strike capability for the United States through this new contract," Steve Layne, Lockheed Martin's vice president of hypersonic strike weapon systems, said in a statement. "Early design work is already underway. Our team looks forward to supporting the warfighter by providing more options to further protect America at sea."
ON MARCH 10th 2023 NioCorp to Hold Special Meeting of Shareholders on March 10, 2023 Regarding its Proposed GXII Transaction
https://www.niocorp.com/niocorp-to-hold-special-meeting-of-shareholders-on-march-10-2023-regarding-its-proposed-gxii-transaction/
FORM YOUR OWN OPINIONS & CONCLUSIONS ABOVE!
IMHO: TEAM NIOCORP & L3 ARE READY TO
Waiting with many for material News! (Maybe tommorrow! Keep your eyes peeled!)
Chico
More "Dots!" Crit!- "The NEW STOCKPILE AGREEMENT is expected to be announced as soon as NEXT WEEK!"
a) Could "SUPPLIERS" be listed alongside the "WHAT Critical Minerals" are intended to be stockpiled?
b) Were/Will "Contracts" signed to supply these "Critical Minerals to the national stockpile?
& could announcements be made regarding such actions?
(****Also, I would think traceability, of ESG/GHG critical minerals sourced & mined in the U.S. would be paramount!)
Crit- I couldn't agree with you more that Niocorps Elk Creek Mine would be a great place to supply Niobium, Titanium & Scandium all of which were mentioned in the 2023 NDAA. Plus, the ongoing Final Patent-Pending Demonstration plant operations (Weeks Away...) should also prove out the viable Rare Earths of Nd, Pr, Tb, &Dy (Both Heavy & Light Rare Earths).
What were they doing in D.C. indeed Crit!??? Plus, the LOGO & Timing....
(Plus... & I posted Jims responses on several occasions a while back
... that they were in discussions with "Several Federal Agencies" that DO NOT allow disclosure.... or something like that lol..)
Chico
AO ~ ME TOO! YES! eom~
NIOBIUM TITANIUN- A novel superalloy has the potential to reduce carbon emissions generated by power plants
Researchers repurpose 3D printing to discover high-performance material
https://www.manufacturingtodayindia.com/sectors/a-novel-superalloy-has-the-potential-to-reduce-carbon-emissions-generated-by-power-plants
Sandia technologist Levi Van Bastian works to print material on the Laser Engineered Net Shaping machine, which allows scientists to 3D print new superalloys. (Photo by Craig Fritz)
DoE/LPO Updates • Issue 03 • February 2023 DOE Loan Programs Office sent this bulletin at 02/17/2023 09:00 AM EST (For those interested in following the progression)
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDOELPO/bulletins/3491379
Form Your own Opinioins & Conclusioins Above!:
Russian Partners With China to Develop Massive Titanium Deposit in Arctic
https://www.highnorthnews.com/en/russian-mining-company-partners-china-develop-massive-titanium-deposit-arctic
A major Chinese construction and engineering company agrees to help develop Russia’s largest titanium deposit located in the Russian Arctic.
Chinese investment and interest in Russia’s Arctic natural resources continues unabated. In addition to receiving regular shipments of LNG and crude oil, one of China’s major engineering and construction companies is partnering with Russian Titanium Resources to develop a massive mineral deposit in the Russian Arctic.
Russian Titanium Resources (Rustitan) and China Communications and Construction Company signed an agreement for the development of the Pizhemskoye mining project in the Komi Republic.
The cooperation extends beyond the mining of titanium and includes a host of related infrastructure development including expansion of the Arctic deep water port of Indiga and construction of the Sosnogorsk-Indiga railway connection. The region’s mining cluster extends beyond titanium into other minerals, including zircon, iron ore, and gold.
A key aspect of the project is the transport component allowing for the export of materials through Urals and Siberia and funneling cargo onto the Northern Sea Route (NSR).
Rustitan was founded in 2007 focusing primarily on the mining of titanium and quartz raw materials. The company discovered the Pizhemskoye deposit, located in the Ust-Tsilemsky district of the Komi Republic, in 2021. The field is home to Russia’s and the world’s largest titanium ore reserves. Pizhemskoye contains more than 80 percent of the country’s titanium ore reserves.
We have reached an agreement with our Chinese partners on the establishment of a joint company.
Rustitan representative
China Communications and Construction Company has been involved in a number of the country’s Belt and Road Initiative projects, though it has repeatedly faced scrutiny for its financial practices and has been subject to U.S. sanctions for more than a decade.
More cargo for the NSR
The Pizhemskoye project is a key component of the Kremlin’s official 2020 Arctic investment plan, also called “Strategy of Development of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation for the period to 2035.”
An expanded deep-water ice-free seaport of Indiga would become an additional point of cargo volume for the Northern Sea Route. Similarly the Sosnogorsk-India railway is a strategic transport lane to increase the flow of mineral resources toward the NSR.
According to the Northern Sea Route administration it expects Indiga to handle up to 30m tons of cargo before the end of the decade with up to 80m tons in the 2030s.
In addition to the meeting between Rustitan and China Communications and Construction Company, a second meeting took place with the China Railway Construction Corporation, the second largest state-owned construction company in China.
“We have reached an agreement with our Chinese partners on the establishment of a joint company, and today such an Agreement is at the development stage. Combining the accumulated competencies of our organizations, both in construction and in financing infrastructure projects, will have a significant synergistic effect for the domestic market,” a company representative explained.
In additional news related to the project, Rustitan announced last week that it had been granted a patent related to the beneficiation, or processing, of titanium ores from the Pizhemskoye deposit specific to the metallurgy present at the deposit.
World’s largest titanium exporter
China is the world’s largest producer and exporter of titanium and as a result is also one of the leading importers of titanium ore required to produce the alloy.
Lightweight titanium alloys are used extensively in the aerospace and defense industry during the production of jet engines, missiles and spacecraft.
Prior to western sanctions Russia’s largest producer VSMPO-Avisma supplied around 30 percent of titanium needs for the global aerospace industry, with US’ Boeing receiving 40 percent of its titanium from Russia and its European rival Airbus procuring up to 60 percent from Russia.
FORM YOUR OWN OPINIONS & CONCLUSIONS ABOVE!
IMHO: PRIVATE & GOVT. ENTITIES SHOULD BE INTERESTED IN WHAT NIOCORP WILL PRODUCE! I also voted "YES"!
(Really Quiet..... must be waiting until they can comment!)
Go team Niocorp!
Chico
TITANIUM MINE -Ossoff urges state to block mine near Okefenokee Swamp, warning of dire environmental consequences!
https://www.gpb.org/news/2023/02/16/ossoff-urges-state-block-mine-near-okefenokee-swamp-warning-of-dire-environmental?in-app=true
China imposes sanctions on Lockheed Martin, Raytheon over Taiwan arms sales
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/china-imposes-sanctions-lockheed-martin-raytheon-over-taiwan-arms-sales-2023-02-16/
BEIJING, Feb 16 (Reuters) - China's commerce ministry on Thursday said it put Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N) and Raytheon Technologies Corp (RTX.N) onto an "unreliable entities list" over arms sales to Taiwan, its latest sanctions against the two U.S. defense contractors.
The regulations prohibit Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Missile and Defense Corporation, a subsidiary of Raytheon Technologies, from "engaging in import and export activities related to China", according to the commerce ministry statement.
China previously sanctioned the two firms in Feburary last year over a $100-million arms sale to Taiwan, a self-ruled island which Beijing views as a breakaway province.
China's foreign ministry at the time said the sale "undermined China's security interests, seriously undermined China-U.S. relations and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait".
Chico
NIOBIUM #4- Are These Batteries The Future Of Energy Storage?
New Video out ~American Lithium (LI) - Uranium Spin Out & PEA Explained~
Ski- Given World Events, the 2023 NDAA specifically calling out the need for a secure U.S. supply & processing facilities for Niobium, Scandium, Titanium & Rare Earths; & the fact Niocorp can mine, separate & Process all of the above in NEBRASKA (Pending Finance) of course.
I posted the facts on the DoE/LPO receiving a bunch of applications since (Recent legislation has passed!), & some applications are in "REVIEW", plus a bunch of other stuff. All Public INFORMATION!
My Common Sense tells me "Entities are interested!" But I could be wrong....
so Form your own opinions & conclusions...
IMHO: Some folks just don't see it the way we do....
Peace
Chico
AIA’s Eric Fanning Cites Need for Government Investment to Secure US Critical Mineral Supply Chain
by JANE EDWARDS, FEBRUARY 13, 2023
https://www.govconwire.com/2023/02/aias-eric-fanning-on-government-investment-us-critical-minerals-supply-chain/
Found it Marc- Niobium : created a 3D-printable high-performance superalloy that's stronger and lighter than the state-of-the-art high-temperature alloys used today.
https://reader.elsevier.com/reader/sd/pii/S2352940722003031?token=E44D698C916B618A9CB3561D939A8002FF82133B131C9324D14F12492FAB4190E8116C4F8A222AD18E21B140106F403D&originRegion=us-east-1&originCreation=20230211115638
US Seeks Critical-Mineral Pacts With Japan, UK to Curb China
~Deals would open eligibility to Inflation Reduction Act perks
~US wants new critical mineral buyers club, officials say
ByJosh Wingrove
February 10, 2023 at 10:36 AM EST
Cobalt nugget, Photographer: Cole Burston/Bloomberg