Niocorp Developm Stock Price, News & Analysis

NioCorp Developments Ltd. (NASDAQ:NB) has appointed Ernest M. Cleave as Senior Vice President of Business Development. Cleave brings 20 years of experience in the mining, mineral processing, and energy industries to NioCorp.

Cleave's extensive career includes leadership roles as President and CEO of Tinova Resources, CFO of Largo Resources, Interim President of Largo Clean Energy, and positions at Glencore, Goldcorp, and other companies. He is a Chartered Accountant and CPA in both Canada and Australia, holding an MBA from Deakin University.

The appointment comes as NioCorp advances toward project financing and construction launch of its Elk Creek Critical Minerals Project in Nebraska.

NioCorp Developments (NASDAQ:NB) has successfully completed Phase I of its drilling campaign at the Elk Creek Project in Southeast Nebraska, completing nine HQ diamond drillholes totaling 6,817 meters. The company has initiated Phase II, adding up to six additional drillholes totaling 3,930 meters.

The drilling program aims to upgrade portions of Indicated Resources to Measured Resources and Probable Mineral Reserves to Proven Mineral Reserves. This initiative is part of the requirements for NioCorp's application for up to $800 million in potential debt financing from the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM).

The company plans to update its feasibility study to include new production processes for rare earth oxides, titanium tetrachloride, and potential ferroniobium and niobium oxide products.

NioCorp Developments Ltd. (NASDAQ:NB) has announced the return of Tony Fulton to its Board of Directors. Fulton, a former Nebraska State Senator and Tax Commissioner, will serve on the Board's Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Audit Committee.

Fulton previously served on NioCorp's board from 2013 to 2016 before departing to lead the Nebraska Department of Revenue, a $9 billion enterprise with 400 employees. Currently, he serves as President of Hallmark Homecare, LLC and is the Founder and Owner of Guardian Angels Homecare, Inc. His return comes as the company's Elk Creek Critical Minerals project progresses, which is considered strategically important for both Nebraska and the United States.

NioCorp Developments (NASDAQ:NB) CEO Mark Smith appeared on Fox Business News' "Mornings with Maria" to discuss the company's Elk Creek Critical Minerals Project in Nebraska. Smith highlighted that the project could make America the "Saudi Arabia of Scandium," with production capacity exceeding current global output.

The interview followed a significant announcement of a $10 million Defense Production Act agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense to support establishing a domestic scandium mine-to-manufacture supply chain. Smith praised the current administration's critical minerals policies, particularly the price floor guarantees aimed at countering Chinese market dominance.

NioCorp Developments (NASDAQ:NB) CEO Mark Smith is scheduled to appear on Fox Business Network's "Mornings with Maria" show on August 6, 2025, at 8:45 AM ET. The appearance follows a significant announcement where NioCorp's subsidiary, Elk Creek Resources Corp., received a $10 million award from the U.S. Department of Defense under Title III of the Defense Production Act.

The funding aims to support the establishment of a domestic scandium mine-to-manufacturer supply chain through the Elk Creek Critical Minerals Project in southeast Nebraska. This development represents a strategic move to strengthen domestic critical minerals production capabilities.

NioCorp Developments Ltd. (NASDAQ:NB) announced that its subsidiary Elk Creek Resources Corp. has been awarded up to $10 million from the U.S. Department of Defense under the Defense Production Act Title III. The funding aims to establish America's first domestic scandium mine-to-master-alloy supply chain through the Elk Creek Critical Minerals Project in Nebraska.

The award is expected to support feasibility study engineering, reserve drilling, and updated cost estimates. This federal support is designed to facilitate NioCorp's pursuit of up to $800 million in debt financing from the U.S. Export-Import Bank, demonstrating a "whole of government" approach to critical minerals development.

The project aims to reduce U.S. dependence on China for critical minerals, as the Elk Creek Project will produce scandium, niobium, titanium, and other strategic materials essential for defense and civilian technologies.

NioCorp Developments (NASDAQ:NB) has expressed support for the Trump Administration's reported plan to establish price supports for U.S.-produced rare earth oxides and other critical minerals under the Defense Production Act. CEO Mark A. Smith praised the initiative as a strategic move to counter foreign market manipulation and promote domestic critical minerals production.

The company's Elk Creek Critical Minerals Project, which is fully permitted and awaiting financing to begin construction, plans to produce six critical minerals: Niobium, Scandium, Titanium, and three magnetic rare earth oxides - Neodymium-Praseodymium, Dysprosium, and Terbium.

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) has expressed strong support for a new bipartisan bill, H.R. 4774 "The Critical Minerals Investment Tax Modernization Act," introduced by Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE). The legislation aims to boost domestic rare earth elements and scandium production by increasing the depletion allowance from 14% to 22%.

The bill, co-sponsored by Democrat Rep. Jimmy Panetta and Republican Chief Deputy Whip Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, would provide significant tax incentives for U.S. mining operations. The legislation is particularly relevant to NioCorp's proposed Elk Creek Critical Minerals Project in Nebraska, and aligns with broader efforts to reduce dependency on China's control over critical minerals.