US Energy and EXIM chiefs set for Elk Creek visit

Published: Oct 13, 2026 18:27 (GMT+8)

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[SMM Titanium & Niobium Flash] NioCorp announced that US Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Export-Import Bank chairman John Jovanovic, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen and federal lawmakers are scheduled to visit the Elk Creek critical-minerals site on 14 October. The group is expected to tour mine-portal construction and receive briefings on the planned niobium, titanium, scandium and rare-earth products. NioCorp said EXIM is still reviewing its application for potential project debt financing.

The visit places a senior federal and financing delegation at a project intended to reduce US import dependence, but it is not an approval of funding or a final investment decision. NioCorp began a roughly US$44.6 million portal programme in February; that is pre-construction for underground access, while full mine construction and commercial output remain conditional on sufficient financing. Any policy or financing outcome should be reported only after the officials’ visit and a formal decision.

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