Niocorp Developments Ltd (NB)

[The_Gman]

Hypersonic Hegemony: Niobium and the Western Hemisphere’s Role in the U.S.-China Power Struggle
Commentary by Guido L. Torres, Laura Delgado López, Ryan C. Berg, and Henry Ziemer

Published March 4, 2024

Diversification of Niobium Sources

Diversifying niobium sources is a critical strategic concern. The current overreliance on a limited number of suppliers presents a significant vulnerability in the supply chain. This is not merely a matter of economic convenience but a pressing national security issue. The Elk Creek project in Nebraska represents a commendable step toward addressing this vulnerability domestically. This initiative exemplifies how investment in local resources can contribute to a more resilient supply chain. Placing more emphasis on domestic production, the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act calls for domestic manufacturing of critical minerals, and “encourages DOD to review the need to utilize Defense Production Act authorities to establish domestic processing capacity of niobium, tantalum, and scandium.”

https://www.csis.org/analysis/hypersonic-hegemony-niobium-and-western-hemispheres-role-us-china-power-struggle