Niocorp Developments Ltd (NB)

[Middleborder]

Kmack; WV tax break; Not helpful. WV directed this tax break at the recovery of REEs from Coal fly ash and probably slag. It supports WV Mining and REE recovery efforts in their state, so it will not support Elk Creek at all, but rather a competing source of REEs that does not involve new mining.

See:

https://www.usgs.gov/publications/rare-earth-elements-coal-and-coal-fly-ash

Research into how to utilize coal and coal fly ash as sources of REEs is ongo­ing. Viable recovery of REEs from coal and coal ash requires identification of coals and ashes with the highest REE concentrations and development of workable methods for REE extraction and recovery. Understanding how REEs occur within fly ash, described in this fact sheet, is one of the keys to developing possible methods for their recovery."

I am glade that NioCorp relies on other minerals and seeks private funding, and I understand the delays, but Elk Creek needs to start construction before some bureaucrats in Washington decide decide to restrict any REE funding or production to Coal fly ash recovery only.