NioCorp Files Permit Application with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for its Elk Creek Project Waterline
March 30 2017 - 5:59AM
NioCorp Developments Ltd. (“
NioCorp” or the
“
Company”)
(TSX:NB) (OTCQX:NIOBF) (FSE:BR3) announces that it has
submitted a Pre-Construction Notification (PCN) permit application
to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (“USACE”) for its proposed
waterline from its Elk Creek Superalloy Materials Project (the
“
Project”) to the Missouri River.
The PCN filed by NioCorp with the USACE covers the outfall
structure portion of the Project’s waterline in the Missouri River.
Under current federal law (40CFR330.1 (e)), NioCorp may
presume that the PCN qualifies for the USACE’s Nationwide Permit 12
(Utility Line Activities) unless it is notified by the USACE within
45 calendar days. If the USACE notifies NioCorp that the
notification is incomplete, one additional 45-day period commences
upon receipt of the revised notification.
The remainder of the proposed 33-mile waterline is able to move
forward under non-notifying parameters of Nationwide Permit 12,
given that it involves no permanent impacts to wetlands and stream
channels and will have only temporary impacts during
construction. Additionally, NioCorp’s proposed underground
mine, surface processing facilities, and tailings impoundment are
estimated to result in zero permanent impacts to any federally
jurisdictional waters, and thus will need no discretionary permit
from the USACE.
The fact that most of the Elk Creek Project can
be constructed under a non-notifying USACE Nationwide Permit is due
to the Company’s success in recent months in reducing the Project’s
projected impacts on federally regulated waters. Those
advances include: (1) using less water to recover the
facility’s primary commercial product (Niobium), which reduces the
size of a number of major pieces of equipment in the facility; (2)
recycling a portion of process remains that normally would go to
tailings into useful materials needed for superalloy metal
manufacturing; (3) elimination of a previously planned railroad
spur line and associated infrastructure. These and other
advances were previously announced by the Company and are
summarized here.
“Scott Honan and his team have worked very hard to continue
reducing the environmental footprint of the Elk Creek Project, and
that’s why we qualify for this more rapid and streamlined
permitting process from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,” said
Mark A. Smith, CEO and Executive Chairman of NioCorp. “We
want to do the right thing for the environment, and that is a key
reason why we invested more time and resources into further
optimizing our plans for the Elk Creek mine and processing facility
and the waterline. Those optimizations are resulting in a
more efficient permitting process, and that is a win for the
Project, for the environment, and for southeast Nebraska.”
The Elk Creek Project must still obtain a number of state and
local permits prior to construction and operation. These
include water, air quality, and other permits from the Nebraska
Department of Environmental Quality and other agencies. Local
permits also will be required. A number of these state and
local permitting processes are already underway.
On Behalf of the Board of Directors,
"Mark Smith”
Mark Smith Executive Chairman, CEO, and Director
Qualified Persons: Brian Osborn, BSc., CHMM, of
Olsson Associates, a Qualified Person as defined by National
Instrument 43-101, is responsible for the environmental permitting
of the Elk Creek project, and has read and approved the technical
information contained in this news release.
@NioCorp $NB $NIOBF #Niobium #Scandium #ElkCreek
For More Information:
Contact Jim Sims, VP of External Affairs, NioCorp Developments
Ltd., 720-639-4650, jim.sims@niocorp.com
About NioCorp
NioCorp is developing a superalloy materials
project in Southeast Nebraska that will produce Niobium, Scandium,
and Titanium. Niobium is used to produce superalloys as well as
High Strength, Low Alloy ("HSLA") steel, which is a lighter,
stronger steel used in automotive, structural, and pipeline
applications. Scandium is a superalloy material that can be
combined with Aluminum to make alloys with increased strength and
improved corrosion resistance. Scandium also is a critical
component of advanced solid oxide fuel cells. Titanium is
used in various superalloys and is a key component of pigments used
in paper, paint and plastics and is also used for aerospace
applications, armor and medical implants.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements
Neither TSX nor its Regulation Services Provider
(as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX) accepts
responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this document.
Certain statements contained in this document may constitute
forward-looking statements, including but not limited to NioCorp’s
ability to secure permits necessary to enable the Project to be
constructed and to operate, and the scope and timing of such
permits. Such forward-looking statements are based upon NioCorp’s
reasonable expectations and business plan at the date hereof, which
are subject to change depending on economic, political and
competitive circumstances and contingencies. Readers are cautioned
that such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown
risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause a change in
such assumptions and the actual outcomes and estimates to be
materially different from those estimated or anticipated future
results, achievements or position expressed or implied by those
forward-looking statements. Risks, uncertainties and other factors
that could cause NioCorp’s plans or prospects to change include
changes in demand for and price of commodities (such as fuel and
electricity) and currencies; changes or disruptions in the
securities markets; legislative, political or economic
developments; the need to obtain permits and comply with laws and
regulations and other regulatory requirements; 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; the speculative nature of mineral
exploration and development, including the risks of diminishing
quantities of grades of reserves and resources; and the risks
involved in the exploration, development and mining business and
the risks set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” in the
Company’s S-1 registration statement and other filings with the SEC
at www.sec.gov. NioCorp disclaims any intention or obligation to
update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result
of new information, future events or otherwise.
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