EXIM Targets Financing for NioCorp’s Elk Creek Critical Minerals Project

On October 15, 2026, NioCorp said the Export-Import Bank of the United States reiterated its target to provide debt financing equivalent to approximately 65% of the Elk Creek Project’s upfront capital expenditures. NioCorp’s feasibility and technical reports estimate the project’s total upfront CAPEX at approximately $1.85 billion. EXIM plans to continue due diligence and advance the transaction for internal review, subject to satisfactory completion of that process.

The targeted financing could cover a substantial portion of Elk Creek’s planned upfront funding needs, but EXIM has not made a final financing commitment. Completion remains subject to due diligence and review by EXIM’s Transaction Review Committee.

  • 1EXIM’s support letter retained a target of providing debt financing equivalent to approximately 65% of Elk Creek’s upfront CAPEX requirements.
  • 2NioCorp’s feasibility study and technical report estimated Elk Creek’s total upfront capital expenditures at approximately $1.85 billion.
  • 3EXIM expects to continue due diligence and present the transaction for further internal review through its Transaction Review Committee process.
  • 4The support letter was signed on October 15, 2026, by EXIM Chairman John Jovanovic and NioCorp Executive Chairman and CEO Mark A. Smith.
  • Whether EXIM will ultimately provide the targeted financing remains unresolved because due diligence and Transaction Review Committee review are still pending.

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