Replies to post #122717 on Niocorp Developments Ltd (NB)

[AlwaysOptimistic]

Dahrouge has also worked with APEX for 20 years. That purchase involving Dahrouge feels like a conflict of interest if they were already hired by NioCorp to confirm NioCorp owned resources.

If APEX exercised their rights to purchase, it would cost them $24,070,000 to purchase 2407 acres.

If APEX turns out to be a competitor, hopefully, they have the least rich portion of Elk Creek. In addition, it will take a very long time for them to develop the reserves if its proven profitable as we have seen with NioCorp so NioCorp is years ahead of APEX.

I am not convinced this news is negative just yet. I'm sure MS knows about APEX and its leadership.

All of this is good questions for NioCorp to explain.

Blurb on APEX

Apex Critical Metals is a Canadian exploration company focused on niobium and rare earth elements, with significant projects in British Columbia and Ontario.
Company Profile
Apex Critical Metals Corp. (CSE: APXC | OTCQX: APXCF) is engaged in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in Canada, particularly focusing on niobium and rare earth elements. The company was formerly known as Eagle Bay Resources Corp. and rebranded in May 2024. It is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, and was incorporated in 2018.
Key Projects
CAP Property: This is the principal property of Apex, consisting of six claims covering approximately 2,824.34 hectares located northeast of Prince George, British Columbia. The CAP Property is noted for its potential niobium deposits.
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Bianco Carbonatite Project: Located near the Kingfisher Lake First Nation in Ontario, this project covers about 3,735 hectares and is also focused on niobium exploration.
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2 Sources
Market Position and Recent Developments
Apex Critical Metals is positioned strategically within North America, which is increasingly prioritizing domestic sources of critical minerals like niobium due to rising demand in various industries, including defense and energy technology. The company has made significant discoveries in its projects, with recent drilling results indicating promising niobium mineralization.
apexcriticalmetals.com
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Importance of Niobium
Niobium is a critical element used primarily in high-strength steel alloys and superconducting materials, making it essential for various applications, including aerospace and electronics. The growing demand for niobium, particularly in the context of energy technology and advanced manufacturing, positions Apex as a key player in the market.
apexcriticalmetals.com
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Financial Information
Apex Critical Metals is publicly traded, and its stock performance can be tracked on platforms like Yahoo Finance and Google Finance, where investors can find real-time quotes and historical performance data.
Google

In summary, Apex Critical Metals is actively exploring and developing significant niobium and rare earth element projects in Canada, positioning itself as a vital contributor to the supply of critical minerals in North America.

[chico237]

Thanks Radar! Wasn't sure where they were buying until now. Here is some D.D. 🗺️ Map Overlay & Spatial Context
The first map (below) highlights the Rift Rare Earth Project area in southeastern Nebraska, set within the broader Elk Creek Carbonatite Complex zone.

From those overlay you can see:

The Rift acreage (~2,784 acres) sits adjacent to or overlapping peripheral parts of the same carbonatite complex that hosts NioCorp’s core rights.
Rift’s zones (East & West targets) lie outside NioCorp’s current drill core footprint but are geologically continuous in the same intrusive/magmatic system.
The Rift offers an extension play: sections of the carbonatite not yet drilled or developed by NioCorp, with potential for additional REE/niobium mineralization.

🔍 Implications & Strategic Takeaways
Footprint leverage: Apex’s Rift acreage gives optionality around the margins of the complex — if they hit strong REE/Nb zones, it expands whole-district scale.

Drill synergy: NioCorp’s drill results might validate deeper or lateral mineralization patterns that Ritz / Apex can test immediately.

De-risking / consolidation potential: If Rift demonstrates compelling assays, it becomes a candidate for merging, JV, or acquisition by NioCorp or a larger entity building district scale.

Exploration upside: Historic drilling may be sparse or shallow on Rift — modern methods (geochemistry, geophysics, deeper drilling) might unlock new zones, especially for heavier REEs (Dy, Tb, etc.).

We know form USGS studies shared here numerous times the entire 7km Deposit is HUGE & decsribed in the Megatonnes in the 1980's by MolyCorp.
USGS (Studies) & Molycorp Engineers as far back in the 70's & 80's referred to the deposit as MEGATONNES!~
https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/potentially-the-largest-global-resources-of-niobium-and-rare-earth-elements-quantum-featured-in-min-362228

The Elk Creek carbonatite, measuring ~7 square kilometers in southeastern Nebraska, is acknowledged by the USGS as 'potentially the largest global resources of niobium and rare-earth elements' and was successfully targeted in the past by Molycorp in the 70s and 80s.
"Targeting Largest Global Resource of Rare-Earth Elements: Within the massive carbonatite there are several recorded occurrences of rare earth elements. Molycorp did not put in enough drill holes to calculate a resource for REEs however their geologists used terms to describe the situation unfolding in terms of 'tens of millions and megatonnes'. Drill hole intercepts (non NI 43-101) included 608ft of 1.18% lanthanides, 630 ft of 1.3%, 110ft of 2.09%, 460ft of 2.19%, 60ft of 3.89% -- Mining MarketWatch Journal notes these figures are massive and very good grades."

Agree with your sentiments Radar: -APEX & DaRouge made a good bet & play that there is More STUFF there, given the facts you have stated from their website.

When our feasibility studies come out (which we're paying for, they can promote those results to their own benefit, just like they're using the same historic Molycorp data we're relying on.

This is a great Source for Entire Elk Creek Carbonatite SCALE since 2014 but other USGS publications are available.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265685666_Geophysical_expression_of_a_buried_niobium_and_rare_earth_element_deposit_The_Elk_Creek_carbonatite_Nebraska_USA/link/5418a8400cf2218008bf42a7/download?_tp=eyJjb250ZXh0Ijp7ImZpcnN0UGFnZSI6InB1YmxpY2F0aW9uIiwicGFnZSI6InB1YmxpY2F0aW9uIn19

Niocorp "I think" has the main CORE Holdings as shown in 1st map, but the entire 7km strike has more "Stuff" I think. Let's Get the Elk Creek mine built & watch APEX (now on my watch list too)

Chico