Replies to post #85432 on Niocorp Developments Ltd (NB)

[chico237]

Demo- The First step of Phase 1 was completed & announced yesterday. (There are additional steps required to complete phase 1. However they phase 2 & 3 can run at the same time phase 1 is completing!

Phase 1 first step:

This step has operated successfully, and the removed calcium and magnesium were produced at demonstration scale as a mixed calcium and magnesium carbonate. Removing carbonate minerals in this fashion is expected to reduce the size of the follow-on planned production steps and make them more efficient.

(Niocorp may have reduced the waste stream by 45 to 50% & turned a good portion into a T.B.D. marketable product/s.)

Phase 1 additional steps:

"Phase I demonstration plant operations will continue with calcination and a ramp-up of leaching operations as test work and assembly of Phase II and Phase III of the demonstration plant’s planned operations proceed in parallel."

(See attached Niocorp material news releases for confirmation)
NioCorp Demonstration Plant Achieves Key Phase 1 Milestone
https://www.niocorp.com/niocorp-demonstration-plant-achieves-key-phase-1-milestone/
NioCorp’s Demonstration Plant Begins Testing Process Improvements and Rare Earth Recovery Operations
https://www.niocorp.com/niocorps-demonstration-plant-begins-testing-process-improvements-and-rare-earth-recovery-operations/

Phase 1 is designed to demonstrate a new approach to the initial processing of the ore that NioCorp expects to mine from the Project site, subject to receipt of necessary project funding, including calcination, initial leaching, and rare earth extraction.
Phase 2 is designed to demonstrate an improved process for the second stage of leaching along with Niobium and Titanium separation.
Phase 3 is designed to demonstrate the technical viability of separating high-purity versions of several target magnetic rare earth products from Elk Creek ore samples, as well as confirming previously achieved high recovery rates for high-purity Scandium trioxide. The potential magnetic rare earth products include Neodymium-Praseodymium (“NdPr”) oxide, Dysprosium oxide, and Terbium oxide. NioCorp will utilize conventional solvent extraction (“SX”) technology to test a rare earth separation approach developed by NioCorp and L3. NioCorp and L3 have years of collective experience in SX technology.

Following all my opinion. Form your own conclusions:
Phase 1- proves REE & new byproduct extraction. (This is the all-import part! imho... Proving the "NEW Proprietary Process/SCO2-Method" can extract viable REE's...)
Phase 2 - Separates & Improves the Niobium & Titanium recovery rates & may lead to improved oxides T.B.D. (Also an Fe product T.B.D. as a byproduct! shows up on the flowsheet May 25, presentation)
Phase 3 - SX Separation (Tried & True process/Experienced Team!) Proves final Separation of individual REE oxides intended for production & Scandium Separation. (Proves they Separation of REE's at scale)
My Guess is the team may look to have results prior to Dec. AGM 2022 so 2-3 months. Then they will need to compile all the numbers/economics into the 2023 F.S.

Chico