US officials visit rare-earth minerals mine in Nebraska

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 01:03 · Archive

US officials visited Nebraska's Elk Creek mine, which will produce rare-earth minerals including niobium for national security.

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Nebraska's congressional delegation visited the Elk Creek mine in Johnson County on Wednesday. The mine, located three miles outside the village of Elk Creek, is set to produce rare-earth minerals including niobium, scandium, titanium and rare earths.

Niobium is used to strengthen steel and is essential for weapons manufacturing, computer chips and lithium-ion batteries. The United States currently imports these critical minerals from foreign countries, including China. Officials argued that developing domestic production is vital to national security. "We cannot be reliant on our chief adversary in the world, communist China, for things that are critical for our defense," said Nebraska Senator Pete Ricketts.

EXIM Bank President John Jovanovic signed a letter of support for approximately $840 million in funding that NioCorp, the company developing the mine, still needs. Jovanovic clarified that the letter does not represent the funding itself but rather support as the project undergoes final stages of due diligence and documentation. Governor Jim Pillen said the mine, planned to open in late 2029, will create thousands of construction jobs and up to 600 permanent positions, benefiting Nebraska's economy and the state's future growth.

How it is being reported

• Rare critical minerals mine near Elk Creek to boost US supply chainThere is something here in Elk Creek, Nebraska, that can only be found in a few other places in the world.WOWT · 15 Oct, 00:21
• Top officials tout Elk Creek mine, but NioCorp’s $840M funding is still not securedNebraska’s congressional delegation and visitors from Washington, D.C., traveled to Johnson County on Wednesday to visit the Elk Creek mine, which is set to produce rare-earth minerals including niobium.1011Now · 15 Oct, 00:18

In this story: NioCorp · Elk Creek · Nebraska · Chris Wright · Deb Fischer · Pete Ricketts · Jim Pillen · China

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