James BAY Niobium PEA Delivers an After-Tax NPV(8%) of $1.0 Billion and IRR of 27.5%
Press release
TSX-V: NBY
JAMES BAY NIOBIUM PEA DELIVERS an AFTER-TAX NPV(8%) of $1.0 BILLION
and IRR of 27.5%
Montreal, October 13, 2020 – Niobay Metals Inc. (“NioBay” or the “Company”) (TSX-V: NBY) is pleased
to announce results of an independent Preliminary Economic Assessment (the “PEA’’) for its wholly-
owned James Bay Niobium project (the “Project”), located 40 km south of the island of Moose Factory,
Northern Ontario. The PEA was prepared with independent engineering firm G Mining Service s Inc.
(“G Mining”).
A conference call will be held on Wednesday, October 14 th at 16:00 EST. Dial-in information can be
found below.
Because of the geometry and location of the deposit, three mining scenarios were evaluated i.e. open
pit (scenario #1) , underground (scenario #3) and a hybrid of both mining methods (scenario #2) .
Details of t he financial and technical highlights of all three scenarios are available on the NioBay
website at http://niobaymetals.com/wp/en/home-2/
Table 1: PEA Highlights (all figures in CAD$ unless otherwise noted)
Open Pit Open Pit + UG Underground
Pre-Tax Internal Rate of Return (IRR) 33.6% 33.4% 26.0%
Pre-Tax Net Present Value (NPV) 8% $1,475 M $1,268 M $1,104 M
Pre-Tax Payback (years) 2.6 years 2.5 years 3.8 years
After-Tax Internal Rate of Return (IRR) 27.5% 27.0% 21.6%
After-Tax Net Present Value (NPV) 8% $1,008 M $856 M $733 M
After-Tax Payback (years) 3.2 years 3.1 years 4.3 years
Pre-Production CAPEX (incl 25% Contingency) $510.5 M $482.0 M $579 M
Average Annual LOM Niobium Production 5,470 t Nb 6,213 t Nb 6,283 t Nb
Mine Life 30 years 23 years 23 years
Total Mineral Resources Mined 70.8 Mt 53.7 Mt 53.6 Mt
Average Grade Mined 0.44 % Nb2O5 0.51 % Nb2O5 0.51 % Nb2O5
Gross Revenue After Royalties (LOM) $9,264 M $8,360 $8,454
After-tax Operating Cash Flow (LOM) $3,581 M $2,696 M $2,536 M
C1 Costs over LOM*
US$16.10 / kg
Nb
US$18.45 / kg
Nb
US$19.11 / kg
Nb
$48.48/t $63.85/t $66.94
All-in Costs (sustaining CAPEX + Closure + OPEX)
US$17.58/kg
Nb
US$20.52 / kg
Nb
US$21.43 / kg
Nb
$52.93 / t $70.98 / t $75.08 / t
LOM Niobium Price US$45/kg Nb US$45/kg Nb US$45/kg Nb
Exchange Rate (CAD/USD) 1.30 1.30 1.30
*C1 Cost is mine site, transport, marketing and royalty
Claude Dufresne, President & CEO, commented: We are very pleased to finally be able to
demonstrate the value of the James Bay Project as highlighted with the PEA. All three scenarios
deliver robust returns but also provide strong and long-term economic opportunities to shareholders
and to local stakeholders.”
Claude Dufresne continued: “We are excited to move to the next phase that will include a definition
drilling program, baseline and technical studies, and strengthen our engagement and business
relationship with Moose Cree First Nation and other stakeholders.”
Conference Call Details
Participant Toll Free Dial-in Number: +1(833) 900-1546
Participant International Dial-in Number: +1(236) 712-2464
An operator will direct participants to the call.
The conference call replay will be available from 1:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on October 14, 2020 until
11:59 p.m. (Eastern time) on October 21, 2020 with the following dial in numbers: 1 -(800) 585-8367
(North American toll free) or 1-(416) 621-4642, access code 9182784. The replay will also be available
on our website at www.niobaymetals.com.
Table 2: Capital Costs
Capital Costs by Area (in CAD$M) Open Pit OP + UG Underground
Infrastructure 133,575 133,575 112,615
Power & Electrical 31,485 31,485 31,485
Water & Tailings 31,413 13,575 20,482
Mining U/G - - 117,729
Mining Pre-production 31,312 31,338 -
Mining Equipment OP 29,405 29,405 -
Process Plant 69,985 69,985 99,985
Other Equipment 5,613 5,614 5,612
Total Direct 332,788 314,977 387,908
Construction Indirect 35,018 32,699 34,772
General Services 40,406 37,730 40,122
Pre-Prod, Startup, Commission 150 150 150
Contingency 102,090 96,389 115,738
Total Indirect 177,664 166,968 190,782
Total CAPEX 510,452 481,945 578,691
Sustaining Costs 283,163 359,123 416,080
Closure Costs 32,418 23,992 20,692
Table 3: Operating Costs
Operating Costs by Area ($/t) Open Pit OP + UG Underground
Mining Costs* 12.13 26.42 29.44
Processing Costs 14.60 14.62 14.62
Converter Costs 11.48 12.76 12.89
G&A 10.00 10.00 10.00
Total 48.48 63.85 66.94
US$/ kg Nb 16.10 18.45 19.11
*Unit mining cost of $4.43/t based on 1.8 strip ratio and including stockpile rehandle.
Opportunities to Enhance Value
Trade-off studies will be performed to determine the most suitable mining scenario among the three
contemplated. Below are e xamples of items and programs to enhance the Project ’s value to be
included in an eventual Feasibility Study:
Initial metallurgical results indicate that there is a likelihood to improve the overall recovery
rate above 80%.
The Federal & Provincial government s announced a billion-dollar program to support
infrastructure development in northern Ontario. We believe capital costs associated with the
road access and powerline may qualify for these types of programs.
Future drilling programs will test the high-grade zone raking north as described below.
Geotechnical studies and drilling will be required to establish design criteria for open pit
slopes which could potentially steepen angles and reduce the strip ratio (scenarios #1 and
#2). Similarly, for the underground, the crown pillar thickness will be evaluated, and could
potential be reduced increasing ore recovery (scenario #3).
Incorporation of automation to reduce personnel requirements (scenarios #2 and #3).
Mine production is limited to a maximum of 5% of the ferro-niobium world market share.
However, the deposit is suitable to provide additional material to market to maintain market
share in a growing market.
Exploration Potential
The last winter’s drilling program clearly demonstrated a large high-grade zone raking 20 to
30 degrees to the north in the center of the deposit. The results of these seven (7) drill-holes
produced an increase of 40% of the Indicated Resources and a 17% in the Inferred category.
Niobay management believes that this high-grade zone could continue to extend at depth
under a series of shallow historical drill holes to the north. This sector will be a high priority
target for the next drilling campaign.
If this geological hypothesis is confirmed, such a high-grade zone could be beneficial to the
underground scenario and will be fully evaluated by Niobay.
This fall Niobay will perform a detailed aero-magnetic survey of the entire property including
the mining license and the 306 surrounding new claims. This survey will help better
understand the attitude of the different lithologies of the area and could reveal other
exploration targets, knowing that carbonatites in the world have a strong tendency to be
found in clusters.
Sensitivity
The James Bay Project is expected to be a long-term robust operation and profita ble at a variety of
prices and assumptions. The niobium price used in the PEA is based on the expected mid-term (five
years) price and supported by other niobium projects’ price assumptions. Two lower price stress test
scenarios were run to better ascertain the viability of the Project.
Table 4: Sensitivity to Metal Price
Scenarios Niobium Price (US$/kg)
35 40 45* 50 55
Open Pit Scenario
After-Tax NPV 8% (C$ M) 490 749 1,008 1,268 1,527
After-Tax IRR (%) 18.2% 22.9% 27.5% 31.8% 36.0%
After-Tax Payback (yrs) 4.9 3.8 3.2 2.7 2.3
Open Pit & Underground
After-Tax NPV 8% (C$ M) 341 599 856 1,114 1,372
After-Tax IRR (%) 16.5% 21.9% 27.0% 31.8% 36.3%
After-Tax Payback (yrs) 5.7 4.3 3.1 2.6 2.3
Underground
After-Tax NPV 8% (C$ M) 210 473 733 992 1,251
After-Tax IRR (%) 12.4% 17.2% 21.6% 25.7% 29.5%
After-Tax Payback (yrs) 6.6 5.12 4.3 3.7 3.2
* Base case scenario price assumption
Mining
The PEA considers open pit mining under scenario 1 using and owner operated fleet. Open pit
mining is possible given that t he orebody sub-crops in the basement formation overlain by
sediments and overburden ranging from 10 to 20m in thickness. A stream flows over the
deposit which will require relocation to the north outside of the mining footprint by the third
year of operation.
The open pit will be mined for 24years during which time low grade material will be stockpiled
and processed at the end of the mine life. A cut-off grade of 0.12% Nb2O5 was applied for the
open pit resulting in 70.8Mt of mill feed. A total of 198Mt of material will be mined for an
average LOM strip ratio of 1.8.
During pre-production a total of 5Mt is mined to supply construction materials for the TSF and
to strip overburden. The initial mining rate is then established at 7Mt/yr for the first 4 years
and increases to a peak of 10Mt/yr by the 8th year of operation.
The mining fleet will consist of 64t rigid trucks matched with hydraulic excavators with 7m 3
buckets supported by front-end loaders.
Metallurgy and Processing
The selected process has been developed using available technology and retaining some
aspects of past work done. The process flowsheet and design criteria are based on the
interpretation of preliminary metallurgical test work results and industry practice. The process
scenario description is for a nominal throughput of 2.4 Mt/yr and a process plant availability
of 93 %. The scenario retained includes an intermediary gravity circuit removing close to 42 %
of the mass with limited niobium losses. This particulari ty of the process minimize s energy
requirements and considerably reduces the volume of pulp thereby lowering reagent costs.
The reagents consumption has been estimated on the preliminary metallurgical results.
The low grinding index of the ore and coarse grind required for good liberation of the niobium
mineral minimizes the power requirement for grinding. A total of 1900 kw has been estimated
for the entire grinding stage to prepare the ore for processing. The process will have two
stages of grinding with the gravity interstage followed by pulp desliming, magnetic separation,
three step s of specific minerals removal prior to the niobium flotation. The niobium
concentrate will be leach ed, filtered and a gravity separation will be done to generate two
different concentrate grades. The final concentrates will be dr ied and bagged to respond to
the feed of a converter process.
A series of metallurgical tests were performed at SGS Lakefield during the year with results
confirming a recovery rate of 78% and high niobium grade in the concentrate and low
impurities, item as the pilot plant results performed in the 1960’s.
Proposed Infrastructure
Access to the mine site will be via a 38km all season road from Moose River East bank south
of Moosonee. A 4.0km one lane tunnel is planned to cross Moose River and a final 2.6km road
segment will connect to the existing road to Moosonee near the Hydro One Renison
substation. From Moosonee, the Ontario Northland Railway connects to Cochrane and from
there onto the Ontario Highway 11.
Power will be provided from the Hydro One grid with a connection from the Ren ison
substation. This substation provided power onto the Five Nations Energy Inc. transmission line
servicing the now closed DeBeers Victor Diamond Mine.
The mining activities and processing facility will be supported by ancillaries located at site
including a maintenance shop, warehouse, mine dry, explosives storage, fuel storage,
administration building, and an operations camp. Other infrastructure is planned to be in
Moosonee such as a material transit terminal, laboratory, and administrative building for
support functions such as accounting, human resources and other.
Environment and Closure Plan
It is anticipated that the Project will require a review under the Federal Impact Assessment
Act coordinated along with provincial Class Environmental Assessment. The Company would
be proposing the active participation of identified impacted First Nation communities in the
design, baseline data collection and follow up environmental monitoring. Only under Scenario
#1 is there anticipated to be a federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans permit for a creek
re-alignment. Examples of other provincial permits that will be required would include:
Permit(s) to Take Water; Lands and Rivers Improvement Act; Environmental Compliance
Approval(s)(air and water).
In Ontario, a mine must file a Closure Plan prior to commencing construction. It is anticipated
that with the active participation of identified impacted First Nation communities, the Closure
Plan will be integrated into the mine design and initial environmental approvals. The Closure
Plan must also include financial assurance that the operation will be closed out and
remediated.
Stakeholder Engagement
As a catchall, Stakeholder Engagement will include individuals and communities interested in
or impacted by the potential development. However, there will be a distinct negotiated
engagement plan with potentially impacted First Nation communities. This is in recognition
of their established Treaty and Aboriginal Rights.
NioBay will collaborate with the First Nation community(ies) to design a plan of engagement
to ensure that the environmental approvals are fully aligned with their values. The Company
has negotiated a Protection Agreement with Moose Cree First Nation.
As future exploration and/or baseline environmental work proceeds, the Moose Cree First
Nation may want another longer-term agreement that speaks to both their environmental
and business involvement with the Project.
Mineral Resource Estimation (MRE) Highlights
Indicated Mineral Resource: 29.7 Mt grading 0.53 %Nb2O5 representing approximately 47%
of the declare tonnage in the RPA 2020 MRE.
Inferred Mineral Resource: 33.8 Mt grading 0.52 %Nb2O5 representing approximately 53% of
the declare tonnage in the RPA 2020 MRE.
A 46 meters thick mineralized crown pillar representing 7.2Mt grading 0.5% Nb2O5 is
excluded from the MRE of 2020.
The updated Mineral Resource estimate prepared by RPA is summarized in Table 4. The Mineral
Resources conform to Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) Definition
Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves dated May 10, 2014 (CIM (2014) definitions).
Table 4: Mineral Resource Estimate as of July 9, 2020 as reported by RPA
Category Tonnage
(Mt)
Grade
(% Nb2O5)
Contained Nb2O5
(M kg)
Indicated 29.7 0.53 158
Inferred 33.8 0.52 177
Notes:
1. CIM (2014) definitions were followed for Mineral Resources.
2. Mineral Resources are reported using a cut-off grade of 0.3% Nb2O5 based on an underground mining
scenario, an operating cost of C$70/t, and a metallurgical recovery of 70%.
3. Mineral Resources are estimated using a long -term niobium price of US$40 per kg and a US$/C$
exchange rate of 1:1.2.
4. A minimum mining width of approximately 7.5 m was used.
5. Bulk density is 2.93 t/m3.
6. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
7. Resources situated in a 46 m thick crown pillar have been excluded.
8. Numbers may not add due to rounding.
The PEA is preliminary in nature, includes inferred mineral resources that are considered too
speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them
to be categorized as mineral reserves, and there is no certainty that the PEA will be realized. Mineral
resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
Independent Qualified Persons
This PEA was prepared for NioBay by G Mining Services, and other industry consultants, all Qualitied
Persons (“QP”) under National Instrument 43-101. The study was coordinated by the Company CEO
Claude Dufresne P.Eng.. The QPs have reviewed and approved the content of this press release. The
Company and independent QPs include:
Louis-Pierre Gignac P. Eng, M.Sc.A, CFA, Antoine Champagne P. Eng, Paul Murphy, P. Eng. and Carl
Michaud P. Eng. (G Mining Services Inc)
Jacquelin Gauthier, P. Geo (Niobay Metals Inc), Pierre Pelletier P. Eng (Consultant Metallurgy)
About NioBay Metals Inc.
NioBay Metals Inc. is a mining exploration company holding a 100% interest in the James Bay Niobium
Project located 45 km south of Moosonee, in the James Bay Lowlands in Ontario. NioBay also holds a
72.5% interest in the Crevier niobium and tantalum project located in Quebec and a 4 7% direct
participation in mineral titles situated in the Chibougamau, Quebec, under a joint venture agreement
with SOQUEM.
Cautionary Statement
The reader is advised that the PEA summarized in this press release is prel iminary in nature and is
intended to provide an initial, high -level review of the project’s economic potential and design
options. The PEA mine plan and economic model includes numerous assumptions and the use of
Inferred Resources. Inferred Resources are considered to be too speculative geologically to have
economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral
reserves, and there is no certainty that the PEA will be realized.
Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information under the
provisions of Canadian securities laws . Such statements are necessarily based upon a number of
beliefs, assumptions, and opinions of management on the date the statements are made and are
subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and future events to differ
materially from those anticipated or projected. The Company undertakes no obligation to update
these forward-looking statements in the event that management's bel iefs, estimates or opinions, or
other factors should change, except as required by law.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the
policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this
release.
For more information, contact:
Claude Dufresne, P.Eng.
President & CEO
NioBay Metals Inc.
Tel.: (514) 866-6500, Ext. 2221
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.niobaymetals.com
Paradox Public Relations
Tel: (514) 341-0408 or 1-866-460-0408
8
Renmark Financial Communications Inc.
Melanie Barbeau
Tel: (416) 644-2020 or (212) 812-7680
[email protected] www.renmarkfinancial.com