NioCorp Announces Results of Positive Feasibility Study for its Elk Creek Superalloy Materials Project

CENTENNIAL, Colo., June 30, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NioCorp Developments Ltd. (“NioCorp” or the “Company”) (TSX:NB) (OTCQX:NIOBF) and (FSE:BR3) is pleased to announce the results of a positive CIM-compliant National Instrument 43-101 Feasibility Study (“FS”) for the Company’s 100% owned Elk Creek Superalloy Materials Project (the “Project”) in Nebraska. The FS work was performed by SRK Consulting (US) Inc., with assistance from Tetra Tech, SMH Process Innovation, MineFill Services, Inc., and Olsson Associates.

Highlights of the Elk Creek Feasibility Study
(All currency figures are in US $ unless otherwise noted)

• Financial Returns: Pre-tax net present value ("NPV") of $2.3 billion, at an 8% discount rate, with an internal rate of return ("IRR") of 24.3%, and after-tax NPV of $1.7 billion, at an 8% discount rate, with an IRR of 21.7%, and an effective tax rate of 24.1%.
  
  
• Revenue: Gross Life Of Mine (“LOM”) revenue of $17.6 billion, with operating margin of $12.2 billion.
  
  
• CAPEX: Up-front direct capital costs of $705 million, in addition to indirect costs of $189 million, pre-production capital costs of $85 million, contingency of $109 million, and pre-production net revenue credit of $79 million.
  
  
• EBITDA: Averaged Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Interest (“EBITDA”) is $389.6 million per year over LOM. The averaged EBITDA margin (EBITDA as a percent of total revenue) for the project over LOM is 69.5%.ⁱ
  
  
• Pre-Tax Payback Period Production Onset: 3.4 years (3.7 years after-tax).
  
  
• Production: On an annual averaged basis, estimated production and revenues are as follows:
  - Ferroniobium (“FeNb”): annualized production rate of 7,055 tonnes at an averaged realized price of $39.60 per kilogram (“kg”) for contained niobium (65%), yielding annual gross revenue of $183.4 million.
  - Scandium Trioxide (“Sc₂O₃”): annualized production rate of 103 tonnes at an averaged realized price of $3,675/kg of Sc₂O₃, yielding annual gross revenue of $378.3 million.
  - Titanium Dioxide (“TiO₂”): annualized production rate of 11,445 tonnes per year at an averaged realized price of $0.88/kg TiO₂, yielding annual gross revenue of $10.1 million.
  
  
• Production Costs (net of TiO₂ byproduct credit):
  - $12.14/kg of niobium on a niobium-equivalent basis.
  - $1,127/kg of Sc₂O₃ on a Sc₂O₃-equivalent basis.
  
  
• Mine Life: 32 years, producing over the LOM approximately 143,824 tonnes of payable niobium, 3,237 tonnes of Sc₂O₃, and 359,128 tonnes of TiO₂.
  
  
• Mineral Resources and Reserves: Probable reserves of 31.7 million tonnes of ore at 0.79% niobium (Nb₂O₅), 71.6 grams per tonne (g/t) scandium (Sc), and 2.81% TiO₂. Total indicated mineral resources are 90.9 million tonnes at 0.66% Nb₂O₅, 70 g/t Sc, and 2.59% TiO₂, with inferred resources of 133.6 million tonnes at 0.48% Nb₂O₅, 59 g/t Sc, and 2.23% TiO₂.ⁱⁱ Mineral Resources are reported inclusive of Mineral Reserves. Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves have an effective date of May 15, 2017.

“After a little more than three years of intense work and detailed independent analysis by dozens of technical experts, the Elk Creek Project feasibility study significantly de-risks this project and positions us to advance to the next stages – project financing and eventual construction start,” said NioCorp Executive Chair and CEO, Mark A. Smith, P.E., Esq.

“The primary goal of any project feasibility study is to de-risk the proposed project such that financing can be obtained,” said Mr. Smith. “This feasibility study accomplishes that core goal. Coupled with the fact that we have commitments for 75% of our ferroniobium over the first 10 years – 50% going to ThyssenKrupp Metallurgical Products and 25% going to CMC Cometals of New Jersey – and that we have in hand a major federal government permit, this project is significantly de-risked at this stage. In particular, it will allow us to continue ongoing discussions with potential institutional investors in Europe and elsewhere, including with the German Government’s loan guarantee program, for which the Elk Creek Project has already received in-principle eligibility.”

“I’m also very proud of the fact that Scott Honan and his team were able to complete this feasibility study in a little over three years,” Mr. Smith said. “This is particularly impressive given that it typically takes 8-10 years for most other companies in this industry to achieve feasibility status on similar-scaled projects.”

FEASIBILITY STUDY DETAILS

PRODUCTION PLAN

The FS assumes that the facility will produce 7,055 tonnes per year of ferroniobium, 103 tonnes of Sc₂O₃, and 11,445 tonnes of TiO₂, all on an annualized basis. The following graphs show estimated annual production by commercial product.

Graphs accompanying this announcement are available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a52f6441-2315-4acc-8bb4-22b6c70011e0

OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL PROFILE

The following table summarizes assumptions and estimated results from the FS economic model:

A table accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cce401fa-13c4-49b0-970d-bbca779b53bd

The following shows the cumulative LOM pre-tax free cash flow:

A graph accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/da811d61-1c5c-42a8-a447-4328fab09551

ECONOMIC SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS

The following pre-tax economic sensitivity analyses show potential impacts to NPV and IRR from changes in the pricing of niobium, scandium, and titanium, as well as changes in CAPEX and OPEX.

Graphs accompanying this announcement are available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/36b59b76-e146-4629-87f5-d9eb262a7c8b

SUPERALLOY PRODUCTION

The Project is planned as a high-grade underground mining operation using a long-hole stoping mining method and paste backfill. The Elk Creek mine is planned to operate with a processing rate of 2,762 tonnes per day, for a total of 31.7 million tonnes of ore processed over 32 years of mine life, producing in that period 143,824 tonnes of payable niobium, 3,237 tonnes of scandium (Sc₂O₃), and 359,128 tonnes of titanium (TiO₂).

The process flow sheet at right illustrates a high-level summary of how the facility will convert ore to finished product.

The Process Flow Sheet accompanying this announcement is available at http://niocorp.com/images/Elk_Creek_Process_Flow_Sheet_2017.jpg

UPFRONT FINANCING REQUIREMENTS

Up-front direct capital costs, indirect costs, pre-production capital costs, contingency, and pre-production net revenue credit are detailed below.

*Revenue from sales occurring during commissioning and ramp-up phases.
**Does not include Initial Working Capital (A/R, A/P, & Inv) of $30 million in Yrs. -1 and +1.

MINERAL RESERVES
(Effective date of May 15, 2017)

Source: SRK, 2017. All figures rounded to reflect the relative accuracy of the estimates. Totals may not sum due to rounding.

1. SRK has determined that the Project is amenable to a Underground Mining using longhole stoping. Using results from metallurgical test work, suitable underground mining and processing costs, and forecast product pricing SRK has reported the Mineral Reserve at a NSR cut-off of US$180/t
2. NSR uses the following factors:

• Nb₂O₅: 0.699 is conversion from Nb₂O₅ to Nb, 1000 is kg conversion, 85.79% is plant recovery, 96% accounts for the loss in the plant, 100% payability, assuming a US$ 38.50/kg selling price.
• TiO₂: 1000 is kg conversion, 59.9% Ti in TiO₂, 40.31% is met recovery, assuming 100% payability, assuming a US$ 0.88/kg is selling price.
• Sc: 93.14% is met recovery, 100% payability, US$ 3,500 kg is selling price per kg of scandium oxide, with a conversion of 0.652 for the amount of Sc in Sc₂O₃

3. Ore reserves have been stated on the basis of a mine design, mine plan, and cash-flow model.
4. Mining recovery applied ranges from 94% to 100%.
5. Mining dilution (internal and external). External stope dilution is 6%, and a portion of the external stope dilution is applied using grade values based on average surrounding block information. A development dilution of 5% is used at a 0% ore grade.

MINERAL RESOURCES
(Effective date of May 15, 2017)

Source: SRK, 2017. All figures rounded to reflect the relative accuracy of the estimates. Totals may not sum due to rounding.

1. Mineral Resources are reported inclusive of the Mineral Reserve. Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. All figures are rounded to reflect the relative accuracy of the estimate and have been used to derive sub-totals, totals and weighted averages. Such calculations inherently involve a degree of rounding and consequently introduce a margin of error. Where these occur, SRK does not consider them to be material. All composites have been capped where appropriate. Historical samples have been validated via re-assay programs, and all drilling completed by Niocorp has been subjected to QA/QC. All composites have been capped where appropriate, and estimates completed using Ordinary Kriging. The Concession is wholly owned by and exploration is operated by NioCorp Developments Ltd.
2. The reporting standard adopted for the reporting of the MRE uses the terminology, definitions and guidelines given in the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (May 10, 2014) as required by NI 43-101.
3. SRK has determined that the Project is amenable to a variety of Underground Mining methods. Using results from metallurgical test work, suitable underground mining and processing costs, and forecast product pricing SRK has reported the Mineral Resource at a NSR cut-off of US$ 180/t.
4. NSR uses the following factors:

• Nb₂O₅: 0.699 is conversion from Nb₂O₅ to Nb, 1000 is kg conversion, 85.5% is plant recovery, 0.96 is the loss in the plant, 100% payability, assuming a US$ 38.5 kg selling price.
• TiO₂: 1000 is kg conversion, 59.8% is metallurgical recovery, assuming 100% payability, assuming a US$ 0.88/kg is selling price.
• Sc: 90% is metallurgical recovery, 100% payability, US$ 3,500 kg is selling price per kg of scandium oxide, with a conversion of 0.652 for the amount of Sc in Sc₂O_3.
• Price assumptions for FeNb, Sc₂O₃, and TiO₂ are based upon independent market analyses for each product.
  

5. SRK Completed a site inspection of the deposit by Mr. Martin Pittuck, MSc, CEng, MIMMM, an appropriate “independent qualified person” as this term is defined in NI 43-101.

NEXT STEPS

• The NI-43-101 Technical Report for the Project is expected to be filed on SEDAR within the next 45 days, and also will be available at www.niocorp.com.
  
  
• Acceleration of ongoing Project finance efforts, including on the Company’s application for a loan guarantee from the German Government.
  
  
• Continue conducting due diligence and technical review by the Independent Technical Engineer.
  
  
• Ongoing efforts to secure necessary government permits for the Project will continue. Major permits needed prior to the onset of construction start include these:
  - SECURED: U.S. Army Corp of Engineers’ (USACE) Section 404 permit for the Project Waterline (except the outfall section).
  - USACE Sections 408 and 404 permits for the Project Waterline outfall section.
  - Air construction permit from the State of Nebraska.
  - NPDES discharge permit from the State of Nebraska.
  - Industrial waste permit from the State of Nebraska for tailings disposal.
  - Other permits will be needed for completion of construction.
  
  
• Continuation of detailed engineering with current firms.
  
  
• Selection of firms for next phases of Project (e.g., engineering, procurement, construction, and other activities).
  

NOTES ON THE MINERAL RESOURCE, MINERAL RESERVE AND FEASIBILITY STUDY

The Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimates in this news release have been prepared in accordance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"), classified in accordance with Canadian Institute of Mining Metallurgy and Petroleum's "CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves" 2014.

QUALIFIED PERSONS

The following qualified persons have read and approved the technical information and verified the data contained in those portions of this news release specific to their area of responsibility:

Source: NioCorp Developments Ltd.
@NioCorp $NB $NIOBF #Niobium #Scandium #ElkCreek

On Behalf of the Board of Directors,

"Mark Smith”

Mark Smith
Executive Chairman, CEO, and Director

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 statements regarding the results of the feasibility study, including, but not limited to, metal price and exchange rate assumptions, cash flow forecasts, projected capital and operating costs, metal or mineral recoveries, mine life and production rates; the Company’s potential plans and operating performance; the estimation of the tonnage, grades and content of deposits, and the extent of the resource and reserves estimates; potential production from and viability of the Project; estimates of future production and operating costs; estimates of permitting submissions and timing; the timing and receipt of necessary permits and project approvals for future operations; access to project funding, exploration results, and expected filing of the NI 43-101 Technical Report. 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 risks related to the Company's ability to operate as a going concern; risks related to the Company's requirement of significant additional capital; changes in demand for and price of commodities (such as fuel and electricity) and currencies; changes in economic valuations of the Project, such as Net Present Value calculations, 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 in the Company’s 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.

ⁱ This document includes certain forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures, including EBITDA and Free Cash Flow. Reconciliations of these forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are not provided because the Company is unable to provide such reconciliations without unreasonable effort, due to the uncertainty and inherent difficulty of predicting the occurrence and the financial impact of such items impacting comparability and the periods in which such items may be recognized. For the same reasons, the Company is unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information, which could be material to future results.

ⁱⁱ Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. All figures are rounded to reflect the relative accuracy of the estimate and have been used to derive sub-totals, totals and weighted averages. Such calculations inherently involve a degree of rounding and consequently introduce a margin of error. Where these occur, SRK does not consider them to be material. All composites have been capped where appropriate. The reporting standard adopted for the reporting of the MRE uses the terminology, definitions and guidelines given in the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (May 10, 2014) as required by NI 43-101.