Niobium Industry Report – Strategic Metal Beginning to Shine

In 2018, niobium was declared a “strategic metal” by the U.S. government, with stockpiling recommended.

eResearch is pleased to publish a Company Report on Niobium Industry. You can download the full 22-page Niobium report by clicking here: eR-Niobium-IR_2020-02-27_FINAL2
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Niobium Ore and Cube of Oxidized Niobium
Source: Wikipedia

Niobium is a soft, grey, crystalline, ductile metal often found in the minerals pyrochlore and columbite. Niobium is considered quite rare. In 2018, niobium was declared a “strategic metal” by the U.S. government, with stockpiling recommended. The U.S. is currently a large importer of niobium.

INVESTMENT HIGHLIGHTS:

  • For an investor looking to diversify their portfolio with an investment beyond precious and base metals, niobium provides an investment opportunity tied to economic activity, such as infrastructure and pipeline projects.
  • Niobium-alloyed steel is relatively lightweight, has good corrosion (rust) resistance, and a unique resistance to radiation damage.
  • Demand for niobium is expected to increase as the world economy continues to recover from the downturn that began in 2008 and has recently been negatively impacted by a global manufacturing decline and rising trade barriers.
  • Increased demand for niobium is linked to increased consumption of specialty steels or alloys, which are used in the manufacture of automobiles, buildings, ships, refinery equipment, and the aerospace industry.
  • For example, according to SpaceX, the upper stage of the Falcon 9 rocket is made from a niobium alloy.
  • In addition, increased global demand for cell phones, computers, superconducting magnets, and other high-tech devices will likely cause an increase in demand for niobium.
  • Demand for these types of steels will likely increase with economic development in countries such as Brazil, China, and India.

    Plato - Good Hope Niobium Project

    Source: Plato Gold Corp.

COMPANY SPOTLIGHT IN THIS REPORT:

Plato Gold (TSXV:PGC)

  • Good Hope Niobium Property near Marathon, Ontario.
  • The property has exceptional mining infrastructure, including road, rail, port, hydro, water, and a mining-experienced labour force.
  • Key drill result: 0.190% Nb2O5 and 2.04% P2O5 over 93.08 metres.

 

COMPANIES MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:

Niobium Comp Table - small
Source: S&P Capital IQ; eResearch Corp.
  • Alkane Resources Limited (ASX:ALK)
  • Auxico Resources Canada Inc. (CNSX:AUAG)
  • Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. (TSX:AVL)
  • Commerce Resources Corp. (TSXV:CCE)
  • Endurance Gold Corporation (TSXV:EDG)
  • Imperial Mining Group (TSXV:IPG)
  • Lithium Corporation (OTCPK:LTUM)
  • Mkango Resources (TSXV:MKA)
  • Namibia Critical Metals (TSXV:NMI)
  • Niobay Metals Inc. (TSXV:NBY)
  • Niocan Inc. (TSXV:NIO)
  • NioCorp Developments Ltd. (TSX:NB)
  • Plato Gold Corp. (TSXV:PGC)
  • Saville Resources Inc. (TSXV:SRE)
  • Taseko Mines Limited (TSX:TKO)

NIOBIUM PRICING:

  • There is no official price for niobium, as the commodity is not traded on any metal exchange – London Metal Exchange or other metal exchange. The price of niobium is negotiated between the buyer and seller.
  • The long-term price history of niobium, since 1940, has been extremely volatile, ranging from US$10,000 to over US$70,000 per tonne.
  • Despite the longer-term volatility and reaching a low of US$10,000 per tonne in 2000, the price of niobium has been very stable since 2010.

Over the last eight years, the average price of niobium (in FeNb) has been around US$41.50 per kilogram, or US$41,500 per tonne.
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You can download the full 22-page Niobium report by clicking here: eR-Niobium-IR_2020-02-27_FINAL2

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About Chris Thompson 340 Articles
Chris Thompson is the President and Director of Equity Research at eResearch. He is a Professional Engineer and CFA Charterholder with a MBA in Investment Management and over 15 years of experience in software development, FinTech, telecommunications, and information technology. For the past 10 years, he has worked in the Capital Markets in Equity Research, M&A Investment Banking and Consulting in various sectors.