Niocorp Developments Ltd (NB)

[chico237]

April 2020- Large Integrated US Based Steel Producer Signs LOI with NioCorp for Ferroniobium
https://www.niocorp.com/large-u-s-based-steel-producer-signs-non-binding-letter-of-intent-with-niocorp/

CENTENNIAL, Colo. (April 13, 2020) – NioCorp Developments Ltd. (“NioCorp” or the “Company“) (TSX: NB; OTCQX: NIOBF) is pleased to announce that it has signed a non-binding letter of intent with a large integrated U.S.-based steel producer outlining the steel producer’s interest in purchasing up to 25% of NioCorp’s production of ferroniobium over the first 10 years of production from the Company’s Elk Creek Superalloy Materials Project (the “Elk Creek Project”) in southeast Nebraska.

The non-binding letter of intent does not obligate either NioCorp or the steel producer until a binding commercial sales offtake agreement is finalized. However, if such a binding sales offtake agreement is reached, it would effectively sell out NioCorp’s Elk Creek Project for its ferroniobium production over the first decade of its estimated 36-year mine life.

Jump to August 2022- A binding contract for the remaining 25% production of Niobium from the Elk Mine has yet to be placed under a sales agreement?????
& Please see Jim's response to questions posed for comment-3/17/2022
A) Could you comment on what the production of higher purity niobium & titanium could be utilized for once realized?

IF the higher purity Niobium and Titanium intermediates that L3 was able to produce at bench-scale are replicated and proven at demonstration scale, this would put us in a position to more easily move to other products beyond those outlined in our 2019 Feasibility Study. Niobium oxide for use in Li-Ion batteries is one possible example, although the production of that product would require additional processing steps beyond the higher-purity niobium intermediate that we discussed in last week’s news release. The company is not yet in a position to make a determination on whether or not, and when, to possibly expand our Niobium product offering. Higher grade TiO2 could expose us to additional markets where higher margins could be obtained. But, again, we are not in a position to speak to those possibilities in any detail yet.

Along with the REE's - It does sound like L3 could produce higher purity Nb & Ti at the Pilot-scale, & we are all waiting for material news on the Demo-Plant run T.B.D. I wonder why that last 25% of Niobium production is still "Hanging Fruit"????
(Sounds like they are interested in making & using the potentially upgraded Nb & Ti for something else?? & may be holding onto that Nb/Ti with strong hands???)

Given all the recent events.... I'm INVESTED & "staying tuned" with many here!
Chico