NioCorp Purchases Key Land Parcels for the Elk Creek Critical Minerals Project
NioCorp Developments (NASDAQ:NB) has successfully completed the acquisition of three strategic land parcels for its Elk Creek Critical Minerals Project. This purchase, combined with the land acquired in 2021, secures crucial areas for planned production operations, infrastructure, and local road system improvements.
The 2021 land acquisition included mineral rights to the majority of the project's Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve, along with planned mine infrastructure locations. CEO Mark A. Smith emphasized that increasing land ownership versus leasing positions the company to advance the project more efficiently toward construction and commercial operations.
NioCorp Developments (NASDAQ:NB) ha completato con successo l'acquisizione di tre aree strategiche per il suo Progetto Elk Creek Critical Minerals. Questo acquisto, unito ai terreni acquisiti nel 2021, garantisce zone fondamentali per le operazioni produttive previste, le infrastrutture e i miglioramenti della rete stradale locale.
L'acquisizione del 2021 comprendeva i diritti minerari sulla maggior parte delle Risorse Minerarie e delle Riserve Minerarie del progetto, oltre alle posizioni previste per le infrastrutture della miniera. Il CEO Mark A. Smith ha sottolineato che l'aumento della proprietà terriera rispetto al leasing consente all'azienda di avanzare più efficacemente verso la costruzione e le operazioni commerciali del progetto.
NioCorp Developments (NASDAQ:NB) ha completado con éxito la adquisición de tres parcelas estratégicas para su Proyecto de Minerales CrÃticos Elk Creek. Esta compra, junto con los terrenos adquiridos en 2021, asegura áreas clave para las operaciones de producción planificadas, la infraestructura y las mejoras del sistema vial local.
La adquisición de terrenos en 2021 incluyó los derechos minerales sobre la mayorÃa de los Recursos Minerales y Reservas Minerales del proyecto, asà como las ubicaciones planificadas para la infraestructura minera. El CEO Mark A. Smith destacó que aumentar la propiedad de tierras en lugar de arrendarlas posiciona a la compañÃa para avanzar más eficientemente hacia la construcción y las operaciones comerciales del proyecto.
NioCorp Developments (NASDAQ:NB)µç� Elk Creek 핵심 광물 프로ì 트ë¥� 위해 ì„� ê°œì˜ ì „ëžµì � í† ì§€ 구íšì� 성공ì 으ë¡� ì¸ìˆ˜í–ˆìŠµë‹ˆë‹¤. ì´ë²ˆ 구매µç� 2021ë…„ì— ì¸ìˆ˜í•� í† ì§€ì™€ 함께 계íšë� ìƒì‚° 작업, ì¸í”„ë� ë°� ì§€ì—� ë„로 체계 ê°œì„ ì—� 중요í•� ì§€ì—ì„ í™•ë³´í•©ë‹ˆë‹�.
2021ë…� í† ì§€ ì¸ìˆ˜ì—µç” 프로ì 트ì� 광물 ìžì› ë°� 광물 매장ëŸ� ëŒ€ë¶€ë¶„ì— ëŒ€í•� 광물 권리와 계íšë� ê´‘ì‚° ì¸í”„ë� 위치가 í¬í•¨ë˜ì—ˆìŠµë‹ˆë‹�. CEO ë§ˆí¬ A. 스미스µç” í† ì§€ë¥� 임대하µç” 대ì‹� ì†Œìœ ê¶Œì„ ëŠ˜ë¦¬µç� ê²ƒì´ í”„ë¡œì 트ë¥� 건설ê³� ìƒì—… ìš´ì˜ ë‹¨ê³„ë¡� 보다 효율ì 으ë¡� ì§„í–‰í•� ìˆ� 있게 한다ê³� 강조했습니다.
NioCorp Developments (NASDAQ:NB) a finalisé avec succès l'acquisition de trois parcelles stratégiques pour son projet Elk Creek Critical Minerals. Cet achat, combiné aux terrains acquis en 2021, sécurise des zones cruciales pour les opérations de production prévues, les infrastructures et les améliorations du réseau routier local.
L'acquisition de terrains en 2021 comprenait les droits miniers sur la majorité des ressources minérales et réserves minérales du projet, ainsi que les emplacements prévus pour les infrastructures minières. Le PDG Mark A. Smith a souligné qu'augmenter la propriété foncière plutôt que de louer permet à l'entreprise d'avancer plus efficacement vers la construction et les opérations commerciales du projet.
NioCorp Developments (NASDAQ:NB) hat erfolgreich drei strategische Grundstücksparzellen für sein Elk Creek Critical Minerals Project erworben. Dieser Kauf, zusammen mit dem im Jahr 2021 erworbenen Land, sichert wichtige Bereiche für geplante Produktionsabläufe, Infrastruktur und Verbesserungen des lokalen Straßensystems.
Der Grundstückserwerb von 2021 umfasste Mineralrechte an der Mehrheit der Mineralressourcen und Mineralreserven des Projekts sowie geplante Standorte für die Bergwerksinfrastruktur. CEO Mark A. Smith betonte, dass die Erhöhung des Grundeigentums gegenüber Leasing das Unternehmen in die Lage versetzt, das Projekt effizienter in Richtung Bau und kommerziellen Betrieb voranzutreiben.
- Strategic acquisition of three key land parcels strengthens project control
- Ownership of mineral rights to majority of project's Mineral Resource and Reserve
- Transition from lessee to owner status improves operational control
- Secured land for significant production operations and infrastructure
- Project advancement still dependent on obtaining sufficient financing
- Construction and commercial operations timeline remains undefined
Insights
NioCorp's land acquisition strengthens its position for the Elk Creek critical minerals project, reducing leasing costs and accelerating development timeline.
NioCorp has strategically expanded its land holdings for the Elk Creek Critical Minerals Project with the purchase of three key parcels. This acquisition builds upon their 2021 land purchase, which secured the mineral rights to the majority of the project's resource. The combined purchases now provide NioCorp ownership of land designated for substantial production operations and infrastructure.
This transition from lessee to landowner represents a significant de-risking step in the project's development pathway. Land ownership eliminates potential lease renegotiations, provides greater operational control, and typically enhances a project's overall economics by eliminating ongoing lease payments. For critical minerals projects, secure land tenure is particularly valuable given the strategic importance and long development timelines these operations often face.
The Elk Creek project targets niobium, scandium, and rare earth elements including neodymium, dysprosium, and terbium � all considered critical minerals essential for advanced technologies and defense applications. By consolidating land ownership, NioCorp positions itself to accelerate the project timeline toward construction and eventual commercial operation.
However, the release explicitly notes that project advancement remains contingent on "sufficient project financing," highlighting that while this land acquisition removes one development hurdle, significant financial requirements still lie ahead before construction can commence. The company has not disclosed the purchase price or specific financing details for these land acquisitions, making it difficult to assess their immediate financial impact.
CENTENNIAL, CO / / August 4, 2025 / NioCorp Developments Ltd. ("NioCorp" or the "Company") (NASDAQ:NB) is pleased to announce that it has formally closed on the purchase of three key land parcels associated with the Company's Elk Creek Critical Minerals Project (the "Elk Creek Project"). Along with the land NioCorp purchased in 2021, this acquisition provides the Company with land needed to locate a significant portion of the Elk Creek Project's planned production operations and infrastructure, along with improvements to the local road system, once sufficient project financing is obtained.
NioCorp purchased in 2021 its first land parcel needed for the Elk Creek Project, which is where the Company plans to locate the Elk Creek Project's mine infrastructure and supporting operations. The original land purchase also provided the Company with ownership of the mineral rights to the majority of the Elk Creek Project's Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve.
"We are very pleased with this purchase as it expands NioCorp's ownership of land needed to enable the Elk Creek Project," said Mark A. Smith, NioCorp CEO and Executive Chairman. "We are increasingly owners instead of lessees of land associated with the Elk Creek Project, which helps us continue to advance the Elk Creek Project to a construction start and eventual commercial operation as rapidly as possible."
Qualified Persons: Scott Honan, M.Sc., SME-RM, COO of NioCorp Developments Ltd., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in the news release.
# # #
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Jim Sims, Corporate Communications Officer, NioCorp Developments Ltd., (720) 334-7066, [email protected]
@NioCorp $NB #Niobium #Scandium #rareearth #neodymium #dysprosium #terbium #ElkCreek
ABOUT NIOCORP
NioCorp is developing the Elk Creek Project that is expected to produce niobium, scandium, and titanium. The Company also is evaluating the potential to produce several rare earths from the Elk Creek Project. Niobium is used to produce specialty alloys as well as High Strength, Low Alloy steel, which is a lighter, stronger steel used in automotive, structural, and pipeline applications. Scandium is a specialty metal that can be combined with aluminum to make alloys with increased strength and improved corrosion resistance. Scandium is also a critical component of advanced solid oxide fuel cells. Titanium is used in various lightweight alloys and is a key component of pigments used in paper, paint and plastics and is also used for aerospace applications, armor, and medical implants. Magnetic rare earths, such as neodymium, praseodymium, terbium, and dysprosium are critical to the making of neodymium-iron-boron magnets, which are used across a wide variety of defense and civilian applications.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding NioCorp's expectation of a construction start and thereafter producing niobium, scandium, and titanium, and the potential of producing rare earths, at the Elk Creek Project; and NioCorp's ability to secure sufficient project financing to complete construction of the Elk Creek Project and move it to commercial operation. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as "plan," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "outlook," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "continue," "could," "may," "might," "possible," "potential," "predict," "should," "would" and other similar words and expressions, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking.
The forward-looking statements are based on the current expectations of the management of NioCorp and are inherently subject to uncertainties and changes in circumstances and their potential effects and speak only as of the date of such statement. There can be no assurance that future developments will be those that have been anticipated. Forward-looking statements reflect material expectations and assumptions, including, without limitation, expectations and assumptions relating to: NioCorp's ability to receive sufficient project financing for the construction of the Elk Creek Project on acceptable terms or at all; the future price of metals; the stability of the financial and capital markets; NioCorp's ability to service future debt, if any, and meet the payment obligations thereunder and current estimates and assumptions regarding the business combination with GX Acquisition Corp. II (the "Business Combination") and the standby equity purchase agreement (the "Yorkville Equity Facility Financing Agreement" and, together with the Business Combination, the "Transactions") with YA II PN, Ltd., an investment fund managed by Yorkville Advisors Global, LP, and their benefits. Such expectations and assumptions are inherently subject to uncertainties and contingencies regarding future events and, as such, are subject to change. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or other factors that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those discussed and identified in public filings made by NioCorp with the SEC and with the applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities and the following: NioCorp's ability to operate as a going concern; NioCorp's requirement of significant additional capital; NioCorp's ability to receive sufficient project financing for the construction of the Elk Creek Project on acceptable terms or at all; NioCorp's ability to receive a final commitment of financing from the Export-Import Bank of the United States, a grant from the U.S. Department of Defense or a debt guarantee from UK Export Finance on acceptable timelines, on acceptable terms, or at all; NioCorp's ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Transactions, including NioCorp's ability to access the full amount of the expected net proceeds under the Yorkville Equity Facility Financing Agreement; NioCorp's ability to continue to meet the listing standards of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC; risks relating to NioCorp's common shares, including price volatility, lack of dividend payments and dilution or the perception of the likelihood of any of the foregoing; the extent to which NioCorp's level of indebtedness and/or the terms contained in agreements governing NioCorp's indebtedness, if any, or the Yorkville Equity Facility Financing Agreement may impair NioCorp's ability to obtain additional financing, on acceptable terms, or at all; covenants contained in agreements with NioCorp's secured creditors that may affect its assets; NioCorp's limited operating history; NioCorp's history of losses; the material weaknesses in NioCorp's internal control over financial reporting, NioCorp's efforts to remediate such material weaknesses and the timing of remediation; the possibility that NioCorp may qualify as a passive foreign investment company under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"); the potential that the Transactions could result in NioCorp becoming subject to materially adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences as a result of the application of Section 7874 and related sections of the Code; cost increases for NioCorp's exploration and, if warranted, development projects; a disruption in, or failure of, NioCorp's information technology systems, including those related to cybersecurity; equipment and supply shortages; variations in the market demand for, and prices of, niobium, scandium, titanium and rare earth products; current and future offtake agreements, joint ventures, and partnerships; NioCorp's ability to attract qualified management; estimates of mineral resources and reserves; mineral exploration and production activities; feasibility study results; the results of metallurgical testing; the results of technological research; changes in demand for and price of commodities (such as fuel and electricity) and currencies; competition in the mining industry; changes or disruptions in the securities markets; legislative, political or economic developments, including changes in federal and/or state laws that may significantly affect the mining industry; trade policies and tensions, including tariffs; inflationary pressures; the impacts of climate change, as well as actions taken or required by governments related to strengthening resilience in the face of potential impacts from climate change; the need to obtain permits and comply with laws and regulations and other regulatory requirements; the timing and reliability of sampling and assay data; the possibility that actual results of work may differ from projections/expectations or may not realize the perceived potential of NioCorp's projects; risks of accidents, equipment breakdowns, and labor disputes or other unanticipated difficulties or interruptions; the possibility of cost overruns or unanticipated expenses in development programs; operating or technical difficulties in connection with exploration, mining, or development activities; management of the water balance at the Elk Creek Project site; land reclamation requirements related to the Elk Creek Project; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, including the risks of diminishing quantities of grades of reserves and resources; claims on the title to NioCorp's properties; potential future litigation; and NioCorp's lack of insurance covering all of NioCorp's operations.
Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize or should any of the assumptions made by the management of NioCorp prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements.
All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning the matters addressed herein and attributable to NioCorp or any person acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to herein. Except to the extent required by applicable law or regulation, NioCorp undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
SOURCE: NioCorp Developments Ltd.
View the original on ACCESS Newswire