Niocorp Developments Ltd (NB)

[chico237]

PM/All sharing Jims response 5/24/2024 as follows:
Confirms "Jim" is in D.C. not sure about the rest of the team... Non the less very positive momentum now!
When asked about rumors of Niocorp being in D.C.?
RESPONSE:

"I am here in DC, working on several things related to EXIM funding and on government support for our niobium, scandium, and REE development efforts."

GIVEN THE FOLLOWING FOR CONTEXT:
MAY 15th, 2024~Advancing Scandium Use in Metal Alloys for U.S. Weapon System Production and Sustainment
https://www.sbir.gov/node/2608939
OBJECTIVE: The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) seeks to promote responsive, best value supplies of related materials, components, and systems to Department of Defense (DoD) customers and other DoD stakeholders. DLA investigates advancements in technologies and business processes for new and improved materials, more efficient means of their production, and competitive domestic supply chains which will lead to greater innovation in current and future defense systems combined with benefits to other commercial and government applications.

DLA is interested in exploring future defense industrial base uses for scandium (Sc) because of its unique properties as a pure metal and, as an alloying agent, to significantly increase the performance of traditional aluminum (Al) alloys, and therefore expand the use of Al alloys. Further benefits include, substituting aluminum-scandium (Al-Sc) alloys for incumbent expensive materials (e.g., titanium) and/or replacing material forms that are both costly and difficult to source (e.g., forging, complex machined parts, and extrusions), as Al-Sc alloys are highly compatible with additive manufacturing techniques.

Scandium can impart high strength properties to Al alloys which allows for reduced weight designs (compared to traditional Al alloy) and components for a wide range of defense platforms and other military items. Al-Sc alloys exhibit increased resistance to high temperature and corrosion when compared to common Al alloys. Of further interest, is the high weldability of Al-Sc alloy. Alloys with high weldability can reduce manufacturing labor and other costs associated with joining components and structures. Al-Sc alloy can be especially useful when used as a powder or wire in additive manufacturing. Potential DoD applications for Al-Sc alloy include the production and sustainment of missiles, aircraft, space launch vehicles, satellites, solider systems, military ground vehicles, marine applications, and other weapon systems (e.g., small arms and artillery).

While Sc metal has many attractive material characteristics, its cost is frequently considered prohibitive for Al alloying purposes compared to other alloying elements. In addition, the supply of Sc metal and compounds is limited and highly concentrated in a small number of foreign countries including China and Russia. As such, there is reluctance to develop wide scale uses for Al-Sc alloys for many applications including DoD weapon systems and large-scale non-defense applications (e.g., commercial aviation and automotive manufacturing).

In the United States mining operations for Sc ore are being planned and developed to feed a domestic supply chain and, recently, new sources of Sc now exist in Canada (an important member country of DoD’s National Technology Industrial Base). There are also established defense industrial base companies and other businesses in both countries that can significantly contribute to development and commercialization of Al-Sc supply chains for both military and commercial applications.

Given the important properties of Sc, and in anticipation of increased affordable domestic supply, DLA is interested in engaging small businesses with the capability to develop and expand expertise and industrial base production capacity of Sc-containing materials, especially in areas relevant to the supply of Al-Sc alloy components for DoD end-uses.

Specific materials, processing and manufacturing areas of interest include:

Raw material refining
High purity Sc metals, compounds, and alloys
Additive manufacturing feedstock
Additively manufactured DoD systems prototype parts
Article continues:

See Also
Jones, R.; Peng, D.; Ang, A.; Aston, R.W.; Schoenborn, N.D.; Phan, N.D. A Comparison of the Damage Tolerance of AA7075-T6, AA2024-T3, and Boeing Space, Intelligence, and Weapons Systems AM-Built LPBF Scalmalloy. Aerospace 2023, 10, 733.

Conclusions
Noting that AA7075-T6 is widely used by both fixed- and rotary-wing military aircraft, as well as in space structures, the initial objective of this study was to directly compare crack growth in identical AA7075-T6 and Scalmalloy specimens tested in the same servo-hydraulic facility under the same stresses and by the same operators. The experimental data reveal that Boeing Space, Intelligence, and Weapons Systems AM-built Scalmalloy appears to be more damage tolerant than the conventionally built aluminium alloy AA7075-T6. As a result, Boeing Space, Intelligence, and Weapons Systems printed Scalmalloy would appear to be particularly attractive for use on a range of military aircraft, as well as for space applications. It also highlights the potential for Boeing Space, Intelligence, and Weapons Systems Scalmalloy to be used to extend the operational lives of military aircraft through the on-demand printing of limited life Scalmalloy replacement parts.
The results of this initial test program have led to the hypothesis that the da/dN versus ?K curves associated with Scalmalloy and conventionally built AA2024-T3 should be similar. This hypothesis was, subsequently, validated by comparison to AA2024-T3 da/dN versus ?K curves taken from the Nasgro database. This observation subsequently led to the conjecture that the small crack da/dN versus ?K curves associated with Scalmalloy and AA2024-T3, which are needed for a durability analysis, should be similar. If this hypothesis can be confirmed, then given that:
(i)
Scalmalloy has a yield stress significantly greater than that of AA2024-T3;
(ii)
AA2024-T3 is widely used in both fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft;
(iii)
MIL-STD-1530D mandates that there must be no yield at 100% DLL and the US Joint Services Structural Guidelines JSSG2006 states that there should be no yield at 115% DLL, the use of Scalmalloy for both fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, and drones would appear to be very attractive.

ON Sept. 28, 2023~ NioCorp ANNOUNCES Plans to Produce Made-in-USA Scandium Master Alloy to Supply Lightweight Parts to Vehicles
https://www.niocorp.com/niocorp-plans-to-produce-made-in-usa-scandium-master-alloy-to-supply-lightweight-parts-to-vehicles/

NioCorp Now Working With Automakers To Develop Aluminum-Scandium Vehicle Parts That Are Stronger, Lighter, Higher-Performing, and Fully Recyclable

Prototype Aluminum-Scandium Alloy Parts Have Dual Uses in Commercial and Military Applications

EV/Hybrid Sales Forecasts Predict Tens of Millions of Units Globally By 2030[1], Underscoring the Importance of Bringing New Sources of Non-Chinese and Non-Russian Scandium Supply Online, NioCorp Says

***SEE RESPONSES FROM NIOCORP/JIM SIMS FROM AUGUST 14, 2023
While waiting for Niocorp’s 2023 F.S. Release… The announcement for Scandium Alloy Production & Scandium alloy funding are most welcome!
Leading me to add to my line of questions regarding Scandium & (Niocorp).
A) Would Niocorp qualify for a portion of this recent funding once approved by Congress? Moving forward.
RESPONSE:

"This funding was placed in the FY24 DoD Appropriations bill at the request of Nebraska Senator Deb Fischer, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, for the purpose of helping to fund NioCorp's effort to establish domestic commercial production of AlSc master alloy. There is always a process within the DoD to select appropriate projects with funding provided to it by Congress. In this case, however, the House and Senate Armed Services Committees provided additional guidance to DoD on this topic in their respective National Defense Authorization bills, including prioritizing domestic production of such materials. "

Next Question ~ For context:
(Imperial mining, CleanTech, & Scandium International all have patents on Scandium & Sc aluminum alloy products. Rio Tinto has established a North American domestic supply(@15 tons/year with expansion capabilities) & has established a working relationship with Boeing.
Niocorp has produced Scandium aluminum with both IBC (under Chris Huskamp now with Jabil) & with Ames Lab, but has yet to patent any process or materials.
Niocorp has established a working relationship with Nanoscale to produce patentable Scandium Aluminum products in the years ahead…)

Jim-
B) How Does/will Niocorp’s expected Scandium production & future patentable Scandium materials be utilized by management moving forward? Once realized…. ; and How do/would they compare to those materials & alloys already developed or patented?
RESPONSE:

"Latent markets for scandium oxide and aluminum-scandium master alloy – both commercial and military -- are quite large, and we are working with a number of potential scandium consumers and related technology companies interested in scandium. We will make announcements in this area as developments require. In general, we don’t comment on detailed commercial business strategies except in the course of necessary announcements and/or public filings. "

C) In addition to Niocorp’s collaboration with NanoScale. Is Niocorp currently working/engaged with other entities such as (Ames Lab, DoD, DoE, Chris Huskamp/Jabil & others) on Scandium Materials/patents?
Or on Niobium, Titanium, or Rare Earth future products (Oxides, Magnets…)
Please comment where possible.
RESPONSE:

"There are multiple such engagements ongoing now for each product in our planned product offering. In general, we don’t comment on commercial business strategies except in the course of necessary announcements and/or public filings. "

D) Are other Entities besides EXIM Bank and Stellantis still interested as possible Debt/Equity finance or Anchor Investor/s partners moving foward?
Leading to a Final Elk Creek Finance package?
RESPONSE:

"YES!"

FOLLOWING THE TRAIL....

NIOBIUM, TITANIUM, SCANDIUM & RARE EARTH MINERALS: ~H.R. 2670 - NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024~ The urgent need to diversify the United States Defense Industrial base to advance domestic capability, production, modernization, and resilience!
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CRPT-118hrpt125/pdf/CRPT-118hrpt125.pdf
Page #251~Secure Supply of Niobium Oxide
Page # 232 & 233 ~Extraction and Processing Methods of Rare Earth Elements and Critical Minerals
Page # 223 -224 Aquisition of Titanium
Page # 225-26 ~Aluminum-Scandium Master Alloy Production
BESIDES NIOBIUM, TITANIUM & RARE EARTHS-
The committee recognizes that China is a major producer of high-purity scandium oxide, which has many powerful applications in defense technologies, including strengthening and light-weighting defense and commercial aviation systems. As scandium oxide pro-duction is established in the United States, a missing supply chain component is the conversion of scandium from its oxide form to aluminum-scandium (AlSc) master alloy. This process step is required for utilization of U.S.-mined scandium by many defense applications. At present, production capacity of AlSc master alloy is limited to one facility in the United States. The committee recognizes that the United States may soon become a major producer of highpurity scandium oxide by virtue of a proposed mine and mineral processing project in Nebraska. The committee recognizes the defense-wide importance of a vertical domestic supply chain for both Scandium Oxide and AlSc master alloy and the critical importance of both materials for the production of air-, land-, and sea-based combat systems.

NIOBIUM, TITANIUM, SCANDIUM & RARE EARTH MINERALS: ~H.R. 2670 - NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024~ The urgent need to diversify the United States Defense Industrial base to advance domestic capability, production, modernization, and resilience!

AUGUST 9, 2023 ~Nebraska’s U.S. Senator Deb Fischer and Congressman Don Bacon Secure $10 Million in Federal Funding for U.S. Aluminum-Scandium Master Alloy Production~
https://www.niocorp.com/nebraskas-u-s-senator-deb-fischer-and-congressman-don-bacon-secure-10-million-in-federal-funding-for-u-s-aluminum-scandium-master-alloy-production/

FORM YOUR OWN OPINIONS & CONCLUSIONS ABOVE:

IMHO- "I think the DoD is still interested! Just about everything Niocorp will produce here in the U.S. has major Military & Industial uses plus...."
All the above BODES WELL FOR NIOCORP & for all the Goodies they will produce -(The Critical Minerals Niobium, Scandium, Titanium, Terbium, Dysprosium, Praseodymium, Neodymium, {lus BYPRODUCTS ~CaCO3, MgCO3 & some IRON STUFF~) should Financing be achieved.... !.
a) Portion of the DoD $10 million earmarked for Scandium Production as mandated in the 2024NDAA
b) ESIA EXIM report conclusion & approval
c) 2024 Early as possible F.S. Validation & release/publishing
d) OFF-Take Agreements Locking in TITANIUM, RARE EARTHS, SCANDIUM & Final 25% of Niobium Production. (EXIM would look very favorably on NIocorp LOCKING UP the remainder of production via enforceable contracts "I suspect"...
e) EXIM Debt Equity for @$800 Million +/-
f) Followed by Stellantis or other Entities taking a STAKE in NIOCORP for @$400 Million EQUITY
g) Announce the Ground Breaking!

FULL STEAM AHEAD NIOCORP! Waiting with many...

Chico