NioCorp Development
Primary ticker: NASDAQ:NB
Stage of development: Construction Ready
Primary minerals: Niobium, scandium, titanium, rare earths
Project to promote: Elk Creek Critical Minerals Project
Project location: US
Website: www.niocorp.com
- 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. (Economics do not yet include the addition of several planned magnetic rare earth oxide products).
Cash: Latest balance shown in recently filed USD 10K
Debt: Latest balance shown in recently filed USD 10K
Major shareholders:
Vanguard Group – 2.42%
Kingdon Capital Management – 0.81%
BlackRock Institutional Trust – 0.3%
Parametric Portfolio Associates – 0.19%
BofA Global Research (US) – 0.18
Management Ownership – 6.52%
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.
Scott Honan – Chief Operating Officer
Scott Honan joined NioCorp in 2014. He has 30+ years of experience in the niobium, base metals, gold and rare earth industries. He served as General Manager and Environmental Manager and Vice President Health, Environment, Safety and Sustainability at Molycorp. Scott is a graduate of Queen’s University in Mining Engineering in both Mineral Processing (B.Sc. Honors) and Environmental Management (M.Sc.) disciplines. He is a registered member (No. 04231597) of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy
& Exploration (SME).
What is your rationale for taking part in 121 Mining Investment?
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?
What do you think makes your company such a compelling investment?
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.