NioCorp Completes Acid Regeneration Pilot Plant for Elk Creek Project Feasibility Study
Pilot Plant Successfully Regenerates Acid Used in the Superalloy Production Process, Which Will Help to Reduce Operating Costs in the Elk Creek Facility
CENTENNIAL, Colo. (November 7, 2016) – NioCorp Developments Ltd. (“NioCorp” or the “Company”) (TSX: NB; OTCQX: NIOBF; and FSE: BR3) is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of the Acid Regeneration Pilot Plant that has produced hydrochloric acid under continuous conditions. The pilot plant was constructed and operated at the SGS facility in Lakefield, Ontario.
The pilot plant operated continuously from October 17 through October 22, 2016. Sulphuric acid was used to regenerate the hydrochloric acid used in the Company’s Pre-Leach operation, which is the key first step in the Superalloy materials recovery process. Data from the pilot demonstrates that 99.94% of the hydrochloric acid used in the Pre-Leach operation can be regenerated.
“The Acid Regeneration Pilot Plant has demonstrated a very efficient process for regenerating the acid that is utilized in Pre-Leaching,” said Mark A. Smith, Executive Chairman and CEO of NioCorp. “By efficiently regenerating acid in the plant, we will minimize the need for acid purchased from third parties and lower our prospective operating costs.”
The company continues to pursue the final metallurgical pilot plants necessary to complete the Elk Creek Project Feasibility Study, including those related to recycling sulphuric acid used in the Elk Creek production process and additional Scandium recovery and purification operations.
On Behalf of the Board of Directors,
"Mark Smith”
Mark Smith, Executive Chairman, CEO, and Director
