Vancouver, British Columbia – March 05, 2015 – NioCorp Developments Ltd. (“NioCorp” or the “Company”) (TSX-V: NB, OTCQX: NIOBF, FSE: BR3) On behalf of its shareholders, NioCorp is pleased to announce that it has obtained in-principle eligibility approval for a loan guarantee to be provided by the Federal Republic of Germany which will support the Company’s debt financing strategy. This approval, which is the first of four approvals, is based on the signed Offtake Agreement with ThyssenKrupp Metallurgical Products GmbH (“TK”) whereby TK has agreed to purchase approximately fifty percent of planned Ferro-Niobium production from Elk Creek for an initial ten year term, demonstrates that Elk Creek will contribute in securing strategic raw materials supplies for Germany and that the supply of Ferro-Niobium is in the economic interest of Germany.
NioCorp has also appointed Northcott Capital Limited as its financial advisor with respect to project debt financing for the development of the Elk Creek Ferro-Niobium project.
“This in-principle eligibility approval for a loan guarantee by the Federal Republic of Germany continues to demonstrate a strong level of confidence in NioCorp and its Elk Creek project. In addition, we are pleased to be working with an adviser of the caliber of Northcott Capital to assist us in securing the necessary debt financing for the Elk Creek project” Said NioCorp’s Executive Chairman, Mark Smith. Smith also noted that Northcott Capital has significant recent experience in securing mining project finance linked to off take deals in the specialty metals sector and their appointment supports NioCorp’s aim of completing the project feasibility studies and project financing by late 2015 or early 2016. Smith also went on to say “we are working hard to think ahead and stay ahead wherever possible to meet our stated goals for NioCorp”.
About the Company: NioCorp is developing the only primary niobium deposit known to be under development in the U.S., and the highest grade undeveloped niobium deposit in North America, located near Elk Creek, Nebraska. The Company is announcing an NI43-101 compliant resource with an effective date of February 20, 2015 reporting an Indicated Resource of 80.5 million tonnes grading 0.71% Nb2O5, 2.68% TiO2 and 72 ppm Sc and an Inferred Resource of 99.6 million tonnes grading 0.56% Nb2O5, 2.31% TiO2 and 63 ppm Sc (at a 0.3% Nb2O5 cutoff grade). Niobium is mainly used in the form of Ferro-Niobium to produce HSLA (High Strength, Low Alloy) steel, which is a lighter, stronger steel used in automotive, structural and pipeline applications. The U.S. imports 100% of its niobium needs. Titanium in the form of an oxide is used extensively as a pigment in paints, plastics and papers. As a metal, titanium is used in aerospace applications, armor, chemical processing applications, marine hardware applications, medical implants, power generation and in sporting goods. Scandium is used in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) and aluminum-scandium alloys, as well as in ceramics, electronics, lasers and lighting applications.
About Northcott Capital Limited: Northcott Capital is a specialist independent financial advisory group focused on securing and arranging project funding within the mining sector. Northcott have a global network of senior executives who bring an unrivalled breadth and depth of experience in both the technical and financial facets of project funding. The combination of international mining expertise and financial know-how allows its clients to access global sources of capital to take the project into production and build a sound financial basis for the future- whatever it may bring. Northcott’s team have a long record of successful project funding and development having collectively raised over USD15bn for 55 transactions across 37 countries.
For further information, contact the Company at (604) 568-7365 or at www.NioCorp.com
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
“Peter Dickie”
Director, President and Corporate Secretary
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