Niocorp Developments Ltd (NB)

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America’s Critical Minerals Crisis | Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee Thursday, February 9, 2023 9:00 AM Livestream Video:
https://naturalresources.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=412764

III. BACKGROUND

U.S. dependence on foreign sources for critical and other hardrock minerals has reached
alarming rates. For example, in 2019 the United States was “import-reliant for 31 of 35
critical minerals and ha[d] no domestic production for 14 of those minerals.” While the
United States was 100 percent import-reliant on minerals such as graphite, manganese,
NIOBIUM, RARE EARTHS, and tantalum, Americans were more than 75 percent reliant on foreign
producers of minerals such as antimony, barite, bauxite, bismuth, postash, rhenium,
tellurium, tin, TITANIUM CONCENTRATE, and uranium. Meanwhile, China dominated the
production of 16 of 35 critical minerals.3 These minerals include yttrium, gallium,
magnesium metal, tungsten, bismuth, and rare earth elements. Today, the United States is
“dependent on China for more than 50 percent of [its] supply for 25 different minerals.”

I. KEY MESSAGES
• Maximizing domestic production and development of hardrock minerals is in the best
national security, economic, and environmental interests of the United States.
• As demand for critical minerals rises, domestic development ensures minerals are
sourced in a safe, sustainable manner, avoiding suppliers that permit unacceptable labor
conditions or have minimal concern for environmental impact.
• While the Biden administration’s drive for a massive scale-up in renewable energy is
contributing to the rapid growth of mineral demand, it is imperative to strengthen U.S.
supply by enhancing access to domestic hardrock mineral resources.
II. WITNESSES
• Mr. Jason George, Business Manager, International Union of Operating Engineers
Local 49, Minneapolis, MN
• Mr. Nick Loris, Vice President of Public Policy, C3 Solutions, Arlington, VA
• Dr. Michael Moats, Professor and Department Chair of Materials Science and
Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO
• [Minority Witness]


NIOCORPS ELK CREEK MINE IS THE LARGEST PROVEN NIOBIUM PROJECT IN THE UNITIED STATES. NIOCORP WILL ALSO PRODUCE TITANIUM & SCANDIUM & (SOON MAY ADD VIABLE RARE EARTH MINERALS UPON COMPLETION OF DEMONSTRATION PLANT OPERATIONS NOW ONGOING!)


Chico