Key Metrics
19.2
Heat Index-
Impact LevelMedium
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Scope LevelLocal
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Last Update2025-08-06
Key Impacts
Positive Impacts (5)
Negative Impacts (1)
Event Overview
Government funding supports domestic rare earths project aimed at establishing a local supply chain for critical minerals used in high-tech industries, reflecting strategic efforts to reduce import dependency and boost regional economic development.
Collect Records
U.S. Awards $10 Million Grant to NioCorp Subsidiary Elk Creek Resources for Nebraska Scandium Project
The United States government has awarded a grant of up to $10 million to Elk Creek Resources, a subsidiary of NioCorp, for the development of a scandium production project in Nebraska. The grant, which was officially announced and received by NioCorp, is intended to support the company's efforts to build a rare earths mine in the state. Elk Creek Resources, as part of the NioCorp umbrella, will utilize these funds specifically for scandium-related development, which aims to enhance the domestic supply of this critical mineral.
This allocation of funding marks a significant investment by the U.S. to bolster domestic resources of scandium, a rare earth element with important industrial applications. The immediate result of the grant is to advance the planning and development stages of the Elk Creek scandium project, with the goal of establishing a reliable U.S. source for this material. The project is located in Nebraska, with NioCorp positioning itself as a potential supplier of scandium to various sectors that rely on this mineral.
No further details about specific production targets, construction timelines, or additional partners were provided. However, the grant demonstrates federal support for securing critical mineral supply chains within the United States, and NioCorp's receipt of the funds is a key milestone in the progress of the Elk Creek project.