Niocorp Developments Ltd (NB)

[chico237]

Papa- Which of the following 5 U.S. Rare Earth Mine projects & Management teams do you like the most? How would you Rank each project in the order You think they will be financed & producing?? I have read your comments & understand "Some of your frustrations". I would like to know which projects & management teams you like?
Here is my ranked list. I have included MP materials in the #1 position because it is the only producing mine here in the U.S.
My Ranking is as follows. What is yours Papa?"
# 1) MP Materials-California (Standing in the #1 position as the LARGEST U.S. REE Mine currently in production!
Partnered with GM & is building a Separation Plant in Texas. Expects to generate additional @$250Million/year from Nd/Pr U.S. production once in operation 2023/4! (see attached)
https://www.metaltechnews.com/story/2022/04/27/tech-metals/texas-rare-earths-magnet-plant-coming/920.html
Mountain Pass - Currently one of the only Producers of REE materials with Chinese "Interests!":
Owner: MP Materials - JHL Capital Group, QVT Financial LP,
CHINA'S Shenghe Resources Holding Co. Ltd.(9.9%)
Deposit Type: Carbonatite with 10-15% Bastnäsite
(Resource & Reserves could be much larger-USGS-)

#2 NIOCORP'S Elk Creek Mine, Nebraska (NIOBF)- "Is Shovel Ready!" & IS LARGEST NIOBIUM & THE SECOND LARGEST PROVEN REE MINE PROJECT IN THE U.S.!
May 19, 2022 NioCorp’s Elk Creek Project Confirmed as the Second Largest Indicated-Or-Better Rare Earth Resource in the U.S.
https://www.niocorp.com/niocorps-elk-creek-project-confirmed-as-the-second-largest-indicated-or-better-rare-earth-resource-in-the-u-s/
Owner: NIOCORP/Elk Creek Resources (NIOBF)
Deposit Type: Carbonatite with Bastnäsite
***NOTE NIOCORP is completing Final Demonstration Plant Operations & 2023 F.S. WILL Determine Final Yearly Critical Mineral Production output of the aforementioned ***Critical minerals. (Resource & Reserves could be much larger-USGS-)
The Elk Creek Project is highly de-risked on multiple levels & intends to produce over 750 TONS of REE OXIDES on site! "NOT CONCENTRATES"!
https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.156/gx0.d43.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/NioCorp_Investor_Presentation.pdf
~It features the highest-grade primary Niobium resource in North America, and the only such resource under development in the U.S.
~It offers unique value in that it is expected to emerge as one of the world’s largest Scandium producers. 10% Off-Take agreement with Traxys is in place.
~All major federal permits have now been obtained.
~The Project enjoys strong local support in Nebraska.
~75% of the Project’s primary product – Ferroniobium — is already under contract over the first 10 years of production.
~Approximately 10% of the Project’s expected production of Scandium over the first 10 years of production has been placed under a commercial sales contract.
~In-principle eligibility from the German Government loan guarantee program has been secured.
~Completed & amended June 2022 F.S. adding Market Compliant REE Ni-43-101 Resource report with Pounds in the Ground!
~Plans to release market compliant Final F.S. estimate early 2023. (Possibility of generating $600 Million/year before OPEX)
~SPAC DEAL WITH GXII to secure @ $400 Million in Equity is expected to be affirmed early 2023.

#3) Round Top Project, Texas (TMRC owning 20% stake)- Partnered with USA Rare Earths (80% stake) which has not secured a SPAC/Finance DEAL since 2021...
http://tmrcorp.com/_resources/presentations/corporate_presentation-20221024.pdf
NPV (10% Pre-Tax)(based upon current spot Mineral pricing)=$1.56 billion
IRR (Pre-Tax) 70%
Payback Period 1.4 years
Initial Life of Mine 20 years*
Average Annual Revenue $396 million-(***NOTE @$113 MILLION is generated from REE production!)- Advanced Project located in Texas, U.S. has low REE grades in abundance
~Partnered with USA Rare Earth owning 80% stake & pursuing mine to magnet strategy. Has NOT SECURED SPAC/FINAINCING to date!
- Projected as a multi-industrial minerals/metals and commodity
chemicals manufacturer, with REEs as by-products
- PEA (2019) claims project will produce 20 products: Y, Pr, Nd, Sm, Tb, Dy, Lu, Sc and Ga Oxides; Be Hydroxide; U3O8, Li Carbonate; Al, Fe, Mg, Mn and K Sulfates
**NOTE-WORTHY: June 2022 ~USA Rare Earth to invest $100+ million in first-of-its-kind rare earth metal and magnet manufacturing facility~
https://www.mcafeetaft.com/usa-rare-earth-to-invest-100-million-in-first-of-its-kind-rare-earth-metal-and-magnet-manufacturing-facility/
Sept. 2022 ~ReElement Technologies, USA Rare Earth Magnets sign offtake MOU
https://www.usare.com/post/american-resources-corporation-s-reelement-technologies-and-usa-rare-earth-magnets-sign-mou

#4) BEAR LODGE RESOURCE WYOMING (REEMF): Plans to generate @$330 Million/year from REE production
https://www.rareelementresources.com/docs/default-source/pdfs/rer-corporate-presentation_june-2021.pdf?sfvrsn=2
http://www.rareelementresources.com/App_Themes/NI43-101PreFeasibilityStudyReport/HTML/files/assets/basic-html/index.html#562
Table 25.2 - Bear Lodge Financial Summary
(US$ Million)Pre-tax / After-tax NPV @ 10%
Discount Rate $426 /$330
Pre-tax / After-tax IRR 32.7% / 28.6%
Project Payback After Start-up (years)2.9
~Assumed Discounted RE basket price/kg$24.60 (MIXED CONCENTRATES NOT OXIDES
~PROJECT LACKS & NEEDS ALL MAJOR PERMITS)
Owner: Rare Element Resources (REEMF:OTC) and General Atomics owning 50%
Deposit Type: Carbonatite with Bastnäsite
~An advanced, partnered project located in Wyoming, U.S.
~Entering pilot plant phase with major partner General Atomic owning 50%
Sept. 2022~ Rare Element Resources Progresses Rare Earth Processing and Separation Demonstration Project in Wyoming~
http://www.rareelementresources.com/investor-information/overview/2022/09/26/rare-element-resources-progresses-rare-earth-processing-and-separation-demonstration-project-in-wyoming#.Y5xybFHMK3A

The Company anticipates that the demonstration plant’s design will be complete by the end of 2022, followed by the completion of permitting activities in the second quarter of 2023 and the completion of the plant’s construction within a period of 12 months thereafter. Operations to process and separate the rare earth elements from the stockpiled sample will follow for an additional 8-to-12-month period. The total estimated timeline for the project is approximately 40 months, which began in October 2021.

(So basically they are going to be running tests until 2024-2025??!!)
****NOTE:(Mine is high in Radioactives (Uranium & Thorium) problem to Separate & for DISPOSAL! Enviromental & Permitting is lacking, & lacks a current FEASIBILITY STUDY!!!!!)

#5) American Rare Earths (My Darkhorse moving up fast!)
https://americanrareearths.com.au/
***Do your own D.D. here. IMHO American Rare Earths La Paz & Halleck Creek Projects have the potential to become the LARGEST U.S. REE Deposits @ 2030 timeframe....
12/15/2022 American Rare Earth Limited Metallurgical Tests at Halleck Creek Indicate Low Mining, Processing Costs
https://www.abnnewswire.net/press/en/115403/American-Rare-Earths-Limited-(ARRAX)-Metallurgical-Tests-at-Halleck-Creek-Indicate-Low-Mining-Processing-Costs-115403.html
With Ties to Australian major player, Fidelity HONG KONG 9.9% STAKE (@.24/sh), U.S. govt. R&D funded!, & USGS are working alongside. One must take note! ~ "I am!"...
BOTH LA PAZ & HALLECK CREEK ARE CLEAN LOW RADIOACTIVES (Uranium/Thorium) & ARE "OPEN PIT" TYPE PROJECTS. They might be seven years aways to complete environmental, Separation & F.S. by @ 2030. They have the potential to become the LARGEST REE RESOURCES IN NORTH AMERICA. KEEP them on your radar screen?

Honorable MINE MENTION
#6) UCORE
https://ucore.com/docs/PEA.pdf
Reason the #6 Spot: The Bokan Mountain Project -(years away, has High Radio actives (Thorium & Uranium), lacks Enviromental, Major Permits & NEVER achieved a market compliant F.S. IMHO)
Owner: Ucore Rare Metals (TSX-V: UCU, OTCQX:UURAF, FSE: U9U)
Deposit Type: Alkaline Igneous Intrusion
Resource (at 0.04 % TREO c/o): 5.8 Million mt (M & I)*
Comments: - USGS Small resource; Dotson Zone geologically constrained
- Adjacent to EPA Superfund site (Uranium) located in Alaska, U.S.
HIGH THORIUM/URANIUM problem to Separate & Disposal
- Alaska AIEDA commitment of $145 M (but only with a positive
Feasibility Study – the least advanced project)
- ***2019 PR claims it will produce the REE “BASKET CONCENTRATE NOT OXIDES!!!!” plus possible Nb, Zr, Be, Hf, TiO2
THE MERITS/$$$$ OF UCORE LIES WITHIN ITS FUTURE SEPARATION PROCESS
***POSITIVE Note: U-Core is pursuing a LOUSIANA "DEMONSTRATION Plant" utilizing its proprietary Rapid SX tech.
Ucore’s Rare Earth Commercial Demo Plant On-Track for December 2022 Commissioning
https://ucore.com/ucores-rare-earth-commercial-demo-plant-on-track-for-december-2022-commissioning/

As Ucore announced on October 17, 2022, the Louisiana SMC is scheduled to initially produce 2,000 tonnes of total rare earth oxides (“TREOs“) by the end of 2024, increasing to 5,000 tonnes by 2026. The Company is engaged in numerous discussions for the required development funding for its first SMC. The project is expected to be funded with C$15+ million from the State of Louisiana, prepurchase and supply offtake agreements, various debt financing programs, government grants, and other means.

#7 UUU - Currently producing Mixed Concentrates & sending outside U.S. to Separate.

Form your own opinions & conclusions above:
Papa -I am interested in where you think the Elk Creek Project stands in relation to the other ones listed above? Which one do you think "Stands out"? Which management team above do you like?
IMHO: The Niocrorp team & project does have a Path Forward to Finance & Construction in 2023. I believe they can SEPARATE REE's & will be announcing results soon. 2023 will be Niocorp's Make or Break test for me. They need to Sign EPC contractors & start "Critical Path work break Ground"! Start the Hydrology & Shaft Ground-freezing this year late 2023/2024 to build out for 2026 year-end production start. As laid out in the 2020 AGM presentation.
(2020/21 was lost to Covid. I wish IT ALL HAPPENED SOONER TOO ...but it appears to be Happening now.)
I believe in our Team & Project & will keep my front row seats for what "I THINK" is happening 2023 - 2026. Papa which Project above do you like better & why???

Chico