Primary ticker: NASDAQ:NB Stage of development: Development Primary minerals: Niobium, scandium, titanium, rare earths Project to promote: Elk Creek Critical Minerals Project Project location: US Website: www.niocorp.com
$1.14B underground mine & surface processing facility in Nebraska (US) for multiple U.S. Government-designated critical minerals: niobium, titanium, scandium, and magnetic rare earth oxides (NdPr, Dy, Tb). Highest-grade planned Niobium development in the U.S. Largest indicated Terbium Mineral Resource in the U.S and 2nd largest dysprosium and NdPr indicated Mineral Resources. Strong state and local support and no known NGO opposition. All government permits necessary for construction now obtained. U.S. is largely import-dependent for all of NioCorp’s planned products. Pre-Tax NPV of $2.8 billion, a pre-tax IRR of 29.2%, and a relatively long mine life of 38 years.
Cash: Latest balance shown in recently filed USD 10K Debt: Latest balance shown in recently filed USD 10K
Major shareholders: Mark Smith – 5.4% Vanguard Group – 2.42% Kingdon Capital Management – 0.81% BlackRock Institutional Trust – 0.3% Dean Kehler – 0.2% Management Ownership – 10.1%
Financials
Management Profile
Mark Smith – Exec. Chairman & CEO Mark Smith, Exec. Chairman & CEO, has 40+ years of experience in the mining and mineral processing industries. Formerly he was President, CEO & Director of Molycorp; CEO and Director of Largo Resources; CEO and President of Chevron Mining; and Director of Companhia Brasileira de Metalurgia e Mineracao Ltd. (“CBMM”), the largest niobium producer in the world. He has led efforts that raised more than $3 billion for previous mining and manufacturing projects. Mr. Smith also serves as CEO and Chairman of IBC Advanced Alloys and US Vanadium LLC. He holds a B.Sc. degree in engineering from Colorado State University and a J.D. (cum laude) from Western State University, College of Law.
What is your rationale for taking part in 121 Mining Investment?
Seeking project investment, offtake agreements, strategic partnerships and JV opportunities
What recent news would you like to highlight to investors attending?
— Successful recycling of NdFeB magnets — UK funding granted to automotive consortium with Aston-Martin, Sarginsons, NioCorp, and others) to develop digitally optimized cast automotive parts made with recycled aluminum strengthened by scandium — NioCorp engages J.P. Morgan to assist with financing by the Export-Import Bank of the U.S. of the Elk Creek Critical Minerals Project
What are your key goals in 3 months, 6 months, 12 months?
3 Months: Sufficient funding to achieve Final Investment Decision (FID)
6 Months: Finalize debt financing by the U.S. Export-Import Bank
12 Months: Complete project financing and launch start of construction in Nebraska
What do you see as the key risks and challenges facing your company at the moment and how are you overcoming these?
Project financing is the key challenge. Company is making rapid progress toward major debt financing from the U.S. Export-Import Bank.
What do you think makes your company such a compelling investment?
Very low current share price with large upside potential given the project’s current trajectory toward full project financing.
What are the top 3 key investor takeaways?
1) Critical minerals project to produce strategic metals upon which the US and the UK are almost completely import-dependend; 2) Fully permitted mine and processing facility with strong local support, support from the U.S. Dept. of Defense, and no known opposition. 3) Very low current share price with large upside potential given the project’s current trajectory toward full project financing.