Highlights 

  • NioCorp now owns an entire square mile for its Elk Creek mine and processing facility. 
  • Additional land purchase options retained to support future expansion and exploration. 
  • More than 360M USD has been raised in equity markets to support project development. 

NioCorp Developments Ltd. (NASDAQ:NB) announced the completion of its land acquisition in Johnson County, Nebraska, related to the Elk Creek Critical Minerals Project. Following this transaction, NioCorp owns a full square mile, known as a "Section," where the company plans to develop both its underground mine and integrated surface processing facility, pending project financing. 

The company also holds multiple options to acquire surrounding land parcels to facilitate potential future operations, additional mineral exploration, and project expansion. 

CEO Remarks 
Mark A. Smith, CEO and Chairman, said, “This acquisition secures ownership of all land needed to site our planned Elk Creek Critical Minerals mine and integrated processing facility, which is a major milestone for the Company. We now have all surface and mineral rights necessary to begin construction and start operations. Having ownership across an entire square mile section positions us to begin pre-construction and other activities as funds become available and ensures we remain good neighbors to the people of Southeast Nebraska.” 

Project Overview 
The Elk Creek Project’s key minerals—including niobium, scandium, titanium, and rare earths—are all designated as critical minerals by the U.S. government. The project is fully permitted for construction and has completed Feasibility Study-level work, including a demonstration plant to validate metallurgical performance under continuous operating conditions. 

Elk Creek is considered a strategic, pure-play critical minerals project in the U.S., targeting the production of materials used in specialty alloys, aerospace, automotive, energy, and defense applications. 

About NioCorp 
NioCorp is developing the Elk Creek Project to produce niobium, scandium, and titanium, with potential for several rare earths. Niobium is used in high-strength, low-alloy steel, and specialty alloys. Scandium is applied to aluminum alloys and solid oxide fuel cells. Titanium is used in lightweight alloys, pigments, aerospace, medical, and defense applications.