Replies to post #3345 on Niocorp Developments Ltd (NB)

[webpence]

I had to laugh that the author says they are excited about the recovery rates of the drilling.

Recovery rates have to do with the research hazen and sgs are working on, which has to do with metallurgy. Not the drilling, which has to do with resource definition.

Anyway, they drilled 3 holes so far, deeper than they planned and remain open to depth. The recoveries of 75% is also good news for niocorp. Seems they are doing well at making the case they have better project economics than niobec. $2 billion for niobec expansion vs. $400 million for niocorp? I'm not sure the source, but I think that's the number that's been mentioned here for capex?

[Gary15]

In addition to "finding niobium in places it hadn't encountered the rare metal before", it appears to be developing a method to enhance recovery! In this case, 75%....Now we have a mining company with a good research and development department! Intriguing!

[InforichIH]

The Lincoln Journal-Star article about Niocorp has some figures to compare with today's Canadian Press release "Quebec's first diamond mine opens as premier lauds northern development plan."

EEYOU ISTCHEE BAIE-JAMES, Qc – Quebec’s first diamond mine is officially opening today.

Stornoway Diamond Corp. is developing the site, the province’s first such diamond mining operation.

Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard is in northern Quebec today to attend the ground breaking ceremony, northeast of Lake Mistassini, in Cree territory.

The mine, located near the Otish Mountains, is expected to yield 1.6 million carats a year over an 11-year period.

The formal decision to go ahead comes as Stornoway secured $946 million in funding for its Renard mine earlier this week.

Stornoway (TSX:SWY) says in a news release that commercial production is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2017, with a plant expected to be built by late 2016.

The Liberals lauded the project as the official relaunch of Quebec’s ambitious Plan Nord, a plan to develop the province’s north through mining, energy, infrastructure and conservation projects expected to span over a quarter-century.

The ambitious multibillion-dollar northern development plan was initially introduced by Couillard’s predecessor, Jean Charest, in May 2011 [end of article].

Stronoway Diamond Corp. started in 1986, so both projects have a history of several decades.

Major funding just came for the diamond mine; years of preparation awaited the funding approval. So if the numbers meet investment criteria, the money will follow. Recent drilling results boost Niocorp's value.

The first of any major project draws attention and has long coattails. Quebec is fully into it. Some articles on Niocorp's website forecast a big impact in Nebraska.

Stornoway projects three years from round-breaking (today) until commercial production begins. "Niocorp expects Elk Creek mine to be operational by late 2016, providing between 150 and 250 mining jobs." Very ambitions timeline in the Mining.com article May 5 on the Co. website. This MB will certainly follow every move.