Portal Will Establish the Mine Entrances and is a Critical First Step in Enabling Underground Mine Access and Advancing the Project Portal Project Expected to Commence in Q1 of Calendar Year 2026 CENTENNIAL, CO / ACCESS Newswire / December 22, 2025 / NioCorp Developments Ltd. ("NioCorp" or the "Company") (Nasdaq:NB), a leading U.S. critical minerals developer, today announced that its Board of Directors (the "Board") has approved the Company's Mine Portal Project (the "Portal Project"), a major initiative t ...

Core Insights - The Elk Creek Critical Minerals Project by NioCorp Developments Ltd. has garnered significant local and federal support, being highlighted as a transformative opportunity for Nebraska and the U.S. [1][4][5] Group 1: Project Support and Community Engagement - Nearly 600 attendees participated in two Town Hall events, showcasing strong community and governmental support for the Elk Creek Project [2] - Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen emphasized the project's importance, calling it "one of the greatest deposits in the United States" and highlighting its potential for national security by reducing reliance on foreign minerals [3][5] - U.S. Senator Deb Fischer described the project as a transformational investment that will diversify the tax base in southeast Nebraska and enhance national security through critical mineral production [5][6] Group 2: Economic and National Security Implications - EXIM President John Jovanovic stated that the Elk Creek Project aligns with U.S. goals for controlling critical minerals essential for various industries, which will create jobs and strengthen the industrial base [4] - U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts noted that the project is crucial for national defense and will benefit the local community, the state, and the country as a whole [7] Group 3: Company Progress and Future Outlook - NioCorp executives provided updates on the company's progress in 2025 and outlined key steps for 2026, focusing on financing efforts necessary for construction [8][10] - CEO Mark A. Smith expressed optimism about 2026 being a pivotal year for the company and the southeast Nebraska community [3][9]

Core Viewpoint - NioCorp Developments Ltd. is set to present at the RedChip Metals & Mining Virtual Investor Conference, focusing on the Elk Creek Critical Minerals Project and its potential to enhance U.S. production of critical minerals [1][2]. Company Overview - NioCorp is developing the Elk Creek Project, which aims to produce niobium, scandium, and titanium, with potential for rare earth elements [4]. - Niobium is utilized in specialty alloys and high-strength, low-alloy steel, while scandium enhances aluminum alloys and is crucial for advanced fuel cells. Titanium is important for lightweight alloys and various industrial applications [4]. Event Details - CEO Mark A. Smith will participate in a 20-minute presentation on December 10, 2025, followed by a 10-minute Q&A session with Director of Investor Relations Alex Guthrie [2]. - The conference will feature multiple presentations from industry leaders, allowing investors to engage directly with company executives [3].

Core Viewpoint - NioCorp Developments is gaining attention from investors due to its potential in extracting rare earths, with a recent analyst price target increase contributing to a stock gain of over 2% [1]. Group 1: Analyst Insights - H.C. Wainwright's analyst Heiko Ihle raised the fair value assessment for NioCorp from $8.25 to $9.50 per share while maintaining a buy recommendation [2]. - The price target increase is attributed to a rise in the company's net asset value multiple, driven by the growing popularity of rare-earth materials and the company's satisfactory liquidity [5]. Group 2: Company Events and Community Engagement - The price target adjustment followed two town hall events hosted by NioCorp near its Elk Creek mine in Nebraska, which included a speech from the state's governor and a comprehensive community Q&A session [4]. Group 3: Market Performance and Potential - NioCorp's current stock price is $6.67, with a market capitalization of $1 billion and a 52-week price range of $1.36 to $12.58 [6][7]. - The company is positioned favorably in the market, as successful development of rare-earth assets domestically could lead to significant financial success, especially given that most rare earths are currently mined and processed abroad, primarily in China [7].

Core Insights - NioCorp has completed the acquisition of manufacturing assets and intellectual property from FEA Materials, positioning the company to produce aluminum-scandium master alloy in the U.S. as demand increases [1] Group 1: Acquisition Details - The acquisition includes manufacturing assets and IP from FEA Materials LLC, a Massachusetts-based company [1] - This strategic move is expected to enable NioCorp to meet the growing market demand for aluminum-scandium master alloy [1] Group 2: Market Positioning - Once the Elk Creek Critical Minerals Project is fully financed and operational, NioCorp will be able to operate a vertically integrated domestic supply chain for scandium [1] - The company is also exploring the feasibility of producing finished aluminum-scandium alloy parts through casting, forging, and machining for OEM manufacturers in both defense and commercial markets [1]

Core Viewpoint - The rare earth sector in the U.S. stock market experienced a collective rise in share prices on Friday, indicating positive market sentiment towards this industry [1] Company Summaries - TMC the metals (TMC.US) saw a significant increase of over 14% in its stock price [1] - Critical Metals (CRML.US) experienced a rise of more than 3.8% [1] - American Resources (AREC.US) reported a stock price increase of 1.9% [1] - NioCorp Developments (NB.US) had a stock price increase of over 2.3% [1]

Core Viewpoint - The rare earth sector in the U.S. stock market experienced a collective rise in share prices on Friday, indicating positive market sentiment towards this industry [1] Company Summaries - TMC the metals (TMC.US) saw a significant increase of over 14% in its stock price [1] - Critical Metals (CRML.US) reported a rise of more than 3.8% [1] - American Resources (AREC.US) experienced a stock price increase of 1.9% [1] - NioCorp Developments (NB.US) had a stock price rise of over 2.3% [1]

Company Update - U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts will attend and speak at NioCorp's Town Hall meeting on December 5, 2025, in Elk Creek, Nebraska [1][2] - The Elk Creek Critical Minerals Project, which NioCorp is developing, has received strong support from Senator Ricketts during his tenure as Governor of Nebraska [2] - The Town Hall events will include presentations and a Q&A session with NioCorp executives regarding the progress of the Elk Creek Project [4][5] Event Details - The Lunch Town Hall will start at 12:30 p.m. CT, with doors opening at 12:00 p.m. CT [3][7] - The Dinner Town Hall featuring Senator Ricketts will begin at 5:00 p.m. CT, with doors opening at 4:45 p.m. CT [7] - Complimentary meals will be provided to all registered attendees [4] Project Overview - NioCorp is developing the Elk Creek Project, which is expected to produce niobium, scandium, and titanium, along with evaluating the potential for rare earth production [8] - Niobium is utilized in specialty alloys and high-strength steel, while scandium enhances aluminum alloys and is critical for advanced fuel cells [8] - Titanium is important for lightweight alloys and various applications, including aerospace and medical implants [8]

Core Insights - Trilogy Metals Inc. (TMQ) and NioCorp Developments Ltd. (NB) are both active in the mining sector, focusing on mineral and metal exploration primarily in North America [1][2] - Both companies are benefiting from the increasing demand for minerals in electric vehicles and renewable energy markets, as well as advancements in technologies like AI and automation [2] Trilogy Metals - Trilogy Metals is concentrating on its Ambler mining district project in Alaska, which is currently in the pre-production exploration stage [3] - The company has successfully completed its summer field program at the Bornite camp, which included environmental data collection and maintenance activities [4] - For the first nine months of fiscal 2025, Trilogy incurred costs of $3.8 million related to ongoing programs, with its share of the loss being approximately $2.2 million, indicating controlled spending [5] - The company's progress in the Ambler mining district positions it for significant transformation and long-term growth [6] - Trilogy Metals shares have surged 168.5% in the past three months, significantly outperforming NioCorp [11][13] NioCorp Developments - NioCorp is advancing its Elk Creek Project in Nebraska, which aims to produce niobium, scandium, titanium, and rare earth elements essential for electric vehicles and clean energy [7] - The company is working on drilling programs to enhance resource estimates and feasibility studies, facilitating the project's transition to commercial operations [8] - NioCorp raised approximately $60 million through public offerings in September 2025 to support its progress and is seeking additional funding, including a loan from the U.S. Export-Import Bank [9][12] - The acquisition of additional land in Johnson County allows NioCorp to host its planned underground mine and processing facility [10] - NioCorp's stock has risen 17.5% over the past three months, but it requires about $1.1 billion in funding to move the Elk Creek project into production [12][13] Financial Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for TMQ's fiscal 2025 bottom line is a loss of four cents per share, reflecting a 20% year-over-year increase [15] - For NB, the fiscal 2026 bottom line is estimated at a loss of 28 cents per share, also indicating a 20% year-over-year increase [16] Valuation - TMQ is trading at a trailing 12-month price-to-earnings ratio of negative 85.40X, significantly below its three-year median of negative 8.78X [18] - NioCorp's trailing earnings multiple is negative 12.96X, lower than its median of negative 3.04X over the same period [18] Conclusion - NioCorp is positioned to meet the growing demand for critical minerals but faces challenges in securing substantial funding for its Elk Creek project [19] - Trilogy Metals is making steady progress at the Ambler mining district with disciplined spending, enhancing investor confidence [20] - Based on current factors, TMQ appears to be a more favorable investment compared to NB, with TMQ holding a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) and NB a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) [21]

Core Points - NioCorp Developments Ltd. has implemented a limited-duration shareholder rights plan to protect and maximize shareholder value [1] Group 1 - The board of directors of NioCorp has adopted the shareholder rights plan effective immediately [1]