He apparently has a lot of knowledge on plastics. which I happen to have as well but it makes no difference when it comes to niobium.
His expertise also involves design and installation of Rare Earth Element extraction plant equipment.
I doubt you will find many experts in niobium extraction as they seem to be tied up currently. To have a board member with his credentials is about as good as it gets. He has had nothing but time since coming on board to figure out what he needs to no to move the project forward.
Hatch Engineering will design the processing piece of this I imagine they are well known in the mining business and are already working with the company.
This isn't top secret, people know how it's done.
The hardest part is finding this initial money once that is done the rest is just a matter of time. That assumes the BFS justifies the financing for their build out. If Niostar can achieve what CBMM does even on a 10th of the scale it will get funded huge profit margins!