NioCorp is continuing to pursue its strategy of using the Railveyor system for ore movement and electric underground haulage at its Elk Creek critical minerals project, in Nebraska, USA, stating in the just-released feasibility study that the technology platform would be used within its new twin ramp orebody access system.
The 2026 technical report incorporates 12 years of engineering, metallurgical testing and mine-planning work across the Elk Creek project. The updated design improves processing efficiency and yield, reduces reagent requirements, simplifies access to the underground mine, and supports greater electrification of the project’s operations, the company said.
The use of Railveyor as a haulage method was highlighted last year after the NioCorp Board of Directors approved the Mine Portal project. This project was predicated on establishing the main entrances to the Elk Creek project underground mine, serving as the primary access point for personnel, equipment and materials for the company’s planned underground mining operations. The Board-approved scope also included excavating to bedrock, drilling and blasting to establish the twin mine ramps, on-site access road construction, as well as on-site supporting infrastructure.
The portal will provide access for the company’s planned implementation of the Railveyor system, which NioCorp announced in 2024 as the preferred bulk material handling solution for the Elk Creek project.
The underground material haulage system for Elk Creek combines conventional LHD units and haul trucks during the initial development phase, including an early introduction of the Railveyor electric railcar haulage system. This hybrid approach provides operational flexibility during ramp and level development while transitioning to a highly efficient, low-emission primary haulage method during steady-state production, the report states. Mobile equipment used during early development will consistently of conventional units, with a progressive transition towards electrification as infrastructure and operational requirements evolve. NioCorp also plans to develop an on-site, behind-the-metre microgrid to supply a majority of the Elk Creek project’s electricity, eliminating reliance on the regional grid and providing a reliable source of power over the operating life. Together, these changes are expected to improve project execution and operating efficiency.
NioCorp says the use of battery-electric equipment is central to the long-term strategy to minimise underground heat load, reduce emissions and limit ventilation demand, consistent with the overall electrification strategy of the project.
During steady-state production, the Railveyor system becomes the primary underground-to-surface haulage method. Ore and waste from the three main load levels (490L, 690L, and 930L) are transferred to the Railveyor via ore-pass systems equipped with grizzlies, arc gates and vibratory feeders. The Railveyor operates with five 1,080 ft (329 m) trains at a nominal capacity of 340 t/h, supporting the planned peak production rate. At the production faces, a fleet of up to three 10 cu.yard (7.6 cu.m) battery-electric LHDs are used to handle ore from stopes and deliver it to the ore passes.
The study was based on a proven and probable reserve base of 45.9 Mt of ore to be extracted over a 40-year life of mine to produce ferroniobium, scandium trioxide, titanium tetrachloride and several rare earth oxide products, including neodymium-praseodymium oxide, dysprosium oxide and terbium oxide, samarium-europium-gadolinium carbonateand heavy rare earth carbonate.
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