Niocan expands niobium property

Niocan (NIO-M)has added the mineral rights of the closed St. Lawrence Columbium & Metals mine to its 970-acre niobium prospect near Oka, west of Montreal, Que.

The newly added claims, which total 630 acres, serve to secure land to the east and southeast of Niocan’s niobium-bearing Zone 60.

With the addition of the St. Lawrence property to Niocan’s portfolio, the ongoing feasibility study being prepared for Niocan by Met-Chem-Pellemon will now consider the option of making use of the new property, including a 2,400-ft. shaft.

The St. Lawrence columbium mine, which operated from 1961 to 1976, left reserves of 24,670 tonnes grading 0.44% Nb2O5, including 9,660 tonnes in the proven category, within 2,000 ft. of the shaft.