NioCorp Secures Last Remaining Land Easement Needed Prior to Completion of its Elk Creek Project Feasibility Study

CENTENNIAL, Colo., April 10, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NioCorp Developments Ltd. (“NioCorp” or the “Company”) (TSX:NB) (OTCQX:NIOBF) and (FSE:BR3) announces that it has reached agreement with private landowners on the final land parcel needed prior to completion of a feasibility study for its Elk Creek Superalloy Project (the “Project”) in Nebraska.

The perpetual easement negotiated last week between NioCorp and the land owners for is a land parcel at the terminus of the Company’s proposed waterline to the Missouri River from its facility near Elk Creek. The easement facilitates the shortest route for the waterline between the facility and the Missouri River, which helps to cut costs, reduce the Project’s environmental footprint, and furthers the Company’s goal of minimizing impacts to federally regulated wetlands and stream channels.

As has been previously announced, the Company has successfully negotiated agreements with Nebraska landowners for all land parcels needed for the construction and operation of its planned Elk Creek mine and surface manufacturing facility.

“We are very pleased that we have reached agreement with Nebraska landowners to access all of the surface land and sub-surface areas needed to move this project forward to construction launch,” said Mark A. Smith, Executive Chairman and CEO of NioCorp Developments Ltd. “Scott Honan and his team have built very strong and enduring partnerships with so many landowners in the area, and these landowners continue to be extraordinarily helpful and enthusiastic as we move the Elk Creek Project forward. I am very proud that we are building this project hand-in-hand with the people of southeast Nebraska.”

NioCorp’s success in minimizing impacts to federally regulated wetlands and stream channels has been a key focus of the project. As a result of metallurgical process breakthroughs achieved by NioCorp’s technical team in recent months, and the Company’s discovery of processes that can help to recycle waste material into usable feedstock for its manufacturing facility, the Company’s planned manufacturing facility, underground mine, tailings impoundment, and nearly all of its Missouri River waterline are now estimated to result in zero permanent impacts to any federally jurisdictional waters.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors,

"Mark Smith”

Mark Smith
Executive Chairman, CEO, and Director

Source: NioCorp Developments Ltd..
@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 access all surface land and sub-surface areas necessary to facilitate construction and operation of the Project, its ability to implement the metallurgical process and waste recycling improvements noted in this release, its ability to minimize impacts on federally regulated wetlands and stream channels, and its 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.