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Sizable Niobium Discovery in South East Nebraska

By Joel ScanlonMar 16 2011

In south east Nebraska Quantum Rare Earth Developments have found a sizable deposit of niobium. A new geology report has confirmed the deposit but further exploration will be required to see if it is viable for a mine to be built in the region near Elk Creek.

Niobium is a valuable and rare heat resistant element which is part of the rare earth mineral group.

Quantum President and CEO Peter Dickie said that they were greatly encouraged by these exceptional results, as they provide the United States with the opportunity to develop a domestic supply of Niobium. The company wants to produce niobium which has not been produced in the US since the 1950s. The country imports all the niobium it uses at present.

Brazil currently supplies 84 % of the world’s supply of the rare earth element niobium. Setting up the niobium mine in Nebraska would create many jobs however the mining of niobium from 500 feet under the ground may not be economically feasible. Even if the Canadian company Quantum Rare Earths managed to find investors to back the project it would be a while before it could be developed into a full fledged mine. The Vancouver based company had tired a Toronto based firm called Wardrop to complete the estimate.

Written by

Joel Scanlon

Joel relocated to Australia in 1995 from the United Kingdom and spent five years working in the mining industry as an exploration geotechnician. His role involved utilizing GIS mapping and CAD software. Upon transitioning to the North Coast of NSW, Australia, Joel embarked on a career as a graphic designer at a well-known consultancy firm. Subsequently, he established a successful web services business catering to companies across the eastern seaboard of Australia. It was during this time that he conceived and launched News-Medical.Net. Joel has been an integral part of AZoNetwork since its inception in 2000. Joel possesses a keen interest in exploring the boundaries of technology, comprehending its potential impact on society, and actively engaging with AI-driven solutions and advancements.

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Scanlon, Joel. (2019, March 19). Sizable Niobium Discovery in South East Nebraska. AZoMining. Retrieved on April 23, 2024 from https://www.azomining.com/News.aspx?newsID=3716.
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Scanlon, Joel. "Sizable Niobium Discovery in South East Nebraska". AZoMining. 23 April 2024. <https://www.azomining.com/News.aspx?newsID=3716>.
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Scanlon, Joel. 2019. Sizable Niobium Discovery in South East Nebraska. AZoMining, viewed 23 April 2024, https://www.azomining.com/News.aspx?newsID=3716.