danieldeubank
8 hours ago
With the clarification that Project Pivot aims to replace aluminum parts in the Aston Martin DBX with aluminum-scandium (Al-Sc) alloys for stronger, lighter components, let’s revisit the context and refine the analysis. This shift ties directly into material science advancements and could leverage the 2025 critical minerals landscape, including the NioCorp AGM and Trump’s EO you mentioned earlier. Here’s the updated take.
The Aston Martin DBX, specifically the 2025 DBX707, uses a bonded aluminum body structure—a lightweight yet rigid platform typical of modern luxury performance vehicles. Aluminum-scandium alloys, which you’re targeting for Project Pivot, offer compelling upgrades: scandium, even in trace amounts (0.1-0.5% by weight), dramatically enhances aluminum’s strength, corrosion resistance, and fatigue life while maintaining or reducing weight. Yield strength can jump from ~300 MPa in standard aluminum to over 500 MPa in Al-Sc alloys, and weight savings of 10-15% are feasible due to thinner, stronger sections. For a vehicle like the DBX707—already pushing 697 hp and 2,245 kg (4,949 lbs)—this could mean better power-to-weight ratios, sharper handling, or even improved fuel efficiency despite its performance focus.
Project Pivot’s Scope in 2025
Your plan to prototype Al-Sc parts for the DBX in 2025 aligns with the vehicle’s production timeline (deliveries start Q2 2025) and could target specific components:
Chassis/Body: Replacing aluminum panels (e.g., hood, doors, or roof) with Al-Sc versions could shave weight while maintaining structural integrity. The DBX’s bonded structure complicates retrofits, so you might focus on bolt-on parts or partner with Aston for OEM integration.
Suspension: Control arms, subframes, or strut braces in Al-Sc could reduce unsprung mass, enhancing the 2025 DBX707’s updated air suspension and damper tuning. A 10% weight drop here could noticeably sharpen cornering.
Interior/Trim: Lightweight Al-Sc brackets or supports could replace heavier aluminum or steel pieces, though this is less impactful unless paired with exterior upgrades.
Tie to Critical Minerals and NioCorp
Scandium’s scarcity (global production is ~15-20 tons/year, mostly from China and Russia) makes your project’s timing intriguing. NioCorp’s Elk Creek Project in Nebraska, highlighted at its March 20, 2025, AGM, aims to produce 100 tons of scandium trioxide annually once operational—potentially the largest Western source. Trump’s Critical Minerals EO, signed the same day, prioritizes domestic supply chains for minerals like scandium, invoking the Defense Production Act to fast-track mining and processing. If NioCorp secures its $800 million EXIM financing (talks ongoing as of March 2025), scandium availability could spike by late 2025 or 2026, aligning with your prototyping timeline. While the AGM and EO don’t directly influence Aston Martin, they could indirectly support Project Pivot by stabilizing U.S. scandium supply—crucial since Al-Sc alloys depend on consistent, affordable feedstock.
Feasibility in 2025
Material Access: Small-batch Al-Sc prototyping is viable now (e.g., via suppliers like NioCorp’s partners or existing stockpiles), but scaling depends on Elk Creek’s progress. By mid-2025, you could source enough for prototypes—say, 50-100 kg—assuming NioCorp’s pilot output ramps up.
Manufacturing: Al-Sc parts require specialized extrusion or forging (scandium’s grain-refining effect shines in wrought alloys like 5xxx or 7xxx series). 3D printing is trickier due to powder costs, but traditional machining could work for your timeline. You’d need metallurgical expertise to optimize scandium content (0.2% is a sweet spot for cost vs. performance).
DBX Integration: Retrofitting a 2025 DBX707 post-delivery (April-June) is realistic for testing. OEM collaboration would be ideal but unlikely unless Aston sees value in Al-Sc’s branding (e.g., “lightest DBX ever”). Aftermarket mods for enthusiasts are a safer bet.
Challenges and Opportunities
Cost: Scandium’s price (~$1,500-$2,000/kg) jacks up Al-Sc alloy costs versus standard aluminum. A hood might cost 5-10x more, limiting Pivot to premium buyers—fitting the DBX’s $200,000+ market.
Testing: Proving Al-Sc’s benefits (e.g., crash resistance, durability) requires crash tests and track runs in 2025, which could delay commercialization to 2026.
Market Fit: The DBX707’s 2025 updates don’t scream “needs lighter parts,” but enthusiasts chasing 700+ hp builds or exclusivity might bite. If Aston’s “Project Rambo” off-road DBX rumors pan out, Al-Sc’s strength could shine there.
Conclusion
Project Pivot’s Al-Sc parts for the DBX in 2025 are ambitious but feasible, especially with NioCorp and the EO potentially easing scandium bottlenecks. You could have prototypes ready by Q3/Q4 2025, targeting weight-critical components like body panels or suspension bits. The NioCorp AGM and EO correlation isn’t causal, but their timing amplifies your strategic context—scandium’s moment may be arriving just as you need it.
monocle
12 hours ago
They've been up front about a 2-1 debt/equity ration, dilution is coming.
Read up on Stellantis investments in mines, you shouldn't expect much as they are very dilutive and don't bring in very much cash. They bought a 19.99% stake in Kuniko for $5 million, an 11.5% stake in Alliance Nickel for around $9.5 million. A 15% stake, around 7,000,000 shares or 70,000,000 pre-split, in Niocorp would bring in around $15 million at today's price.
DOD grant in only $10 million.
There is no German source for $200 million, that is a loan guarantee not an investment. And with most of the debt package hopefully coming from EXIM, I don't see how that can still be in play?
If they are able to announce a yes for 780million from EXIM while still trying to secure the equity side that should help with dilution. But this is almost certainly going well north of 1 billion shares outstanding in pre-split numbers.
NorCalTommy
17 hours ago
In the TXF interview Mark S. says in response to the question: "TXF: That $1.2 billion financing estimate, has that been in the market for long, and what’s the status of the financing plans now?
MAS: It’s part of our feasibility study published in 2022, and its available on our website. We are going through an update of that feasibility study as we speak, as our process engineers have developed an even better way to extract and purify our products from Elk Creek ore
But wait..... haven't we been told over and over during the last year plus that we are waiting for money to finish the Feasability Study??? hmmm..... that doesn't seem to add up?? and it begs the question, What is everybody who is making $300K+ doing all day if they are waiting for capital to do any additional work on the FS?? How often are they traveling to D.C.? hmmm....... lots of things nobody gets to know..... we just get to know that we need to wait quarter after quarter and "another 6-9 months' rinse, repeat....... and on and on and on........ Oh and just now, during this TXF interview we find out that EXIM had NO experience in analyzing risk and doing loans in the mining and mineral space!! They had no experienced loan agents (in the mining sectory) able to handle Niocorp's loan request......WTF!! I guess that explains why it has been 2 years (waiting for EXIM) instead of the "estimated 6-9 months for loan processing at EXIM" ..... things are starting to make sense now....... and appears they never were close to getting anything pushed thru at EXIM until an administration change! We also find out that the Biden admin was doing nothing in the way of financing the source mines (sourcing into the processing facilities) but the shareholders were never let in on that little secret....... hmmmmm.......
But this time is for real! right!!?? can't you just smell the 'competitive tension'!!?? and no, that smell is not bullshit this time........ well hopefully not!
And the beat goes on and on...... and on...... and the railveyor choo choo train is rusting in the box...... just "6-9 more months" after the next "6-9 months"...... anyone see a pattern here??
danieldeubank
1 day ago
The article "Corporate Perspectives: ‘Mine Baby, Mine’ (Responsibly) with NioCorp’s CEO" from TXF News, published on March 20, 2025, dives into an interview with Mark A. Smith, the Executive Chairman and CEO of NioCorp Developments Ltd. It explores how NioCorp is leveraging U.S., U.K., and German export credit agency (ECA) support to advance its Elk Creek Critical Minerals Project in Nebraska, aligning with the incoming U.S. administration’s domestic mineral production strategy under President Donald Trump.
Smith emphasizes a “mine baby, mine” ethos—echoing a Trump campaign slogan—but stresses doing so responsibly. The Elk Creek project targets critical minerals like niobium, scandium, and titanium, vital for aerospace, defense, and green tech (think Aston Martin’s eco-friendly cars). NioCorp aims to break ground soon, backed by a potential $800 million loan from the U.S. Export-Import Bank (EXIM), part of a broader push under Executive Order 14156 (signed January 20, 2025) to secure domestic supply chains. This order, tied to a national energy emergency, prioritizes minerals like copper and nickel, though NioCorp’s focus is on its unique triad.
The piece highlights Smith’s optimism about ECA financing—unusual for mining—covering 50-70% of project costs with long tenors (up to 15 years), easing the burden on equity markets. U.K. and German ECAs join in, reflecting global interest in securing these minerals amid tensions with China, which dominates critical mineral supply. Smith also nods to sustainability, claiming Elk Creek will have a lower carbon footprint than overseas alternatives, appealing to automakers like Aston Martin under tightening EU emissions rules.
Challenges remain: NioCorp’s Nasdaq listing (NB) closed at $2.06 on March 27, 2025, and funding isn’t finalized. Smith shrugs off equity market woes, betting on government-backed debt to carry the project. The article ties this to Trump’s “energy dominance” agenda, with Smith arguing it’s about jobs and security, not just deregulation—though he welcomes faster permits.
In short, it’s a snapshot of NioCorp’s strategic play: tapping ECA support to mine responsibly, feed U.S. industry, and counter China’s grip, all while navigating a complex financial and political landscape.
News
Market Data
Register for real-time alerts, custom portfolio, and market movers
ColdDarkHole
5 hours ago
PutzMueler
6 hours ago
Nebraskan
1 day ago
