NioCorp Secures Key Federal Government Permit for its Elk Creek Superalloy Materials Project
CENTENNIAL, Colo. (June 26, 2017) – NioCorp Developments Ltd. (“NioCorp” or the “Company”) (TSX: NB; OTCQX: NIOBF; and FSE: BR3) announces that it has secured a key federal permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (“USACE” or the “Corps”) for the Company’s proposed Elk Creek Superalloy Materials Project (the “Project”) in Nebraska.
The U.S. Clean Water Act (“CWA”) Section 404 permit authorizes NioCorp to build all of the Elk Creek Project’s proposed 33-mile waterline to the Missouri River except for the final 900 feet and outfall structure in the River. Construction of that final section is subject to USACE authorization under both CWA Sections 408 and 404, which NioCorp is currently working to secure.
The balance of NioCorp’s proposed Elk Creek Project, including the underground mine, surface processing facilities, and tailings impoundment, are expected to have no permanent impacts to water features subject to CWA regulation and thus are able to proceed to construction without discretionary authorization from the Corps.
“Obtaining a Clean Water Act Section 404 federal permit is a major milestone for virtually any mining or natural resource development project in the U.S., and we are very pleased to have secured this authorization,” said Mark A. Smith, Executive Chair and CEO of NioCorp. “Once sufficient project financing is in place, our other federal permit is secured for the waterline’s outfall structure, and state and local permits are finalized, we should be clear to launch construction of this important U.S. national infrastructure project.”
“We want to express our thanks and appreciation to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the highly professional manner in which they have approached this Project from day one,” Mr. Smith added. “We look forward to completing the process for the Section 408 permit in as expeditious a manner as possible.”
On Behalf of the Board of Directors,
"Mark Smith”
Mark Smith
Executive Chairman, CEO, and Director
Qualified Persons: Mark A. Willow, M.Sc., C.E.M., SME-RM, Principal Environmental Scientist and Practice Leader / NA Director, SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has read and approved the technical information contained in this news release.
