NioCorp taps Railveyor technology for Elk Creek

NioCorp has integrated the fully electric, automated Railveyor system into its Elk Creek critical minerals project feasibility study in Nebraska. The updated feasibility study, detailed in the August NI 43-101 Technical Report, confirms Railveyor will serve as the principal underground-to-surface haulage solution for the project.

With an estimated 40-year production life, the mine is designed to process 46 million short tons of ore, targeting 3,047 tons per day of production at steady state. The revised design replaces the twin-shaft concept with two ramps - the South Ramp dedicated to Railveyor haulage, and the North Ramp for personnel, equipment, and service access.

The Railveyor ramp can also form part of the mine’s ventilation architecture. The feasibility study indicates that the twin-ramp configuration provides substantial economic benefits, reducing initial underground capital by 53% compared to the shaft configuration and lowering operating costs by up to $0.63 per tonne. NioCorp's COO, Scott Honan, noted that the Railveyor system is well suited for the underground mining environment and can be operated and maintained by individuals with basic underground mining skills.

The company's electrification strategy is closely aligned with the Railveyor technology, prioritizing battery-electric underground equipment to reduce emissions, heat load, and ventilation demand. The inclusion of Railveyor means a significant component of underground bulk haulage can operate without a conventional diesel truck fleet.

Railveyor's adoption is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 39% and lower operational expenditures by up to 75% at the Goldex mining complex in Quebec, where it was implemented in 2024.