NioBay Improves the Concentrate Content by 56% as Compared to Historical Metallurgical Results
Original announcement by tmx on
- Company
- NioBay Metals Inc.
- Ticker
- NBY
- Exchange
- TSX
- Region
- Quebec
- Primary commodity
- Niobium
- Secondary commodities
- Tantalum
- Document categories
- Metallurgy
- Extracted
- 2026-08-21 05:17:42 UTC
Analysis by Minestarters Atlas
Minestarters Atlas analysis
Summary
NioBay has successfully completed a pilot-scale metallurgical test at the Crevier Project, demonstrating a 56% improvement in niobium concentrate grade compared to 2012 historical results. The pilot achieved peak niobium recoveries of 84.6% and produced concentrates up to 36% Nb2O5.
Reasoning: The pilot plant successfully demonstrated a significant improvement in niobium concentrate grade (36% vs 20.3% historical) and achieved high peak recoveries, validating the process flowsheet at scale.
Positive factors
- significant improvement in concentrate grade vs historical results
- successful pilot scale demonstration
- high peak recovery achieved
- QP sign-off provided
Negative factors
- average recovery (65%) is significantly lower than peak recovery (84.6%)
Facts used in scoring: 3
Classification and evidence
Pilot Scale Completepositive
Pilot or demonstration plant testing completed under continuous operation.
Why it applies: The company successfully completed a pilot scale demonstration of the concentration process.
Evidence · text
“Demonstration of the niobium-tantalum concentration process on a pilot scale”
QP/CP Signedpositive · Story-specific tag
Qualified Person (QP) or Competent Person (CP) named and signed off — a member of a recognized professional association (e.g., AusIMM, SME, AIG, P.Geo) with relevant experience.
Why it applies: The press release was reviewed and approved by a Qualified Person (P.Geo.).
Evidence · text
“This press release has been reviewed and approved by Jean-Sébastien David, P.Geo., a Qualified Person”
Extracted facts
Stored fact records: 3. Some facts used in scoring do not have a stored record.
Metallurgical Results (3)
pilot plantniobiumRecovery: 84.6 %Head Grade: 0.2Head Grade Unit: % Nb2O5View all detailsHide details
Identity
- Commodity
- niobium
- Ticker
- NBY
Test Work
- Program Status
- detailed
- Test Type
- pilot plant
- Processing Route
- niobium-tantalum concentration process
- Sample
- Crevier Project ore (pilot scale)
Recovery
- Recovery
- 84.6 %
- Recovery Basis
- actual_test
- Head Grade
- 0.2
- Head Grade Unit
- % Nb2O5
Lab
- Laboratory
- SGS
Review
- Needs Review
- No
- Historical
- No
Dates
- Event date
- 2025-10-20T00:00:00.000Z
Reasoning: Peak recovery of 84.6% is a strong result for a pilot-scale demonstration.
Positive factors
- high peak recovery
Evidence · text
“Recovery reached a peak of 84.6% Nb2O5”
pilot plantniobiumRecovery: 65 %Head Grade: 0.2Head Grade Unit: % Nb2O5View all detailsHide details
Identity
- Commodity
- niobium
- Ticker
- NBY
Test Work
- Program Status
- detailed
- Test Type
- pilot plant
- Processing Route
- niobium-tantalum concentration process
- Sample
- Crevier Project ore (pilot scale)
Recovery
- Recovery
- 65 %
- Recovery Basis
- actual_test
- Head Grade
- 0.2
- Head Grade Unit
- % Nb2O5
Lab
- Laboratory
- SGS
Review
- Needs Review
- No
- Historical
- No
Dates
- Event date
- 2025-10-20T00:00:00.000Z
Reasoning: The average recovery of 65% is notably lower than the peak recovery reported.
Negative factors
- average recovery is lower than peak
Evidence · text
“The Company can establish an average recovery of 65% during the production of 17 kg of concentrate at 32% Nb2O5”
pilot planttantalumHead Grade: 200Head Grade Unit: ppm Ta2O5View all detailsHide details
Identity
- Commodity
- tantalum
- Ticker
- NBY
Test Work
- Program Status
- detailed
- Test Type
- pilot plant
- Processing Route
- niobium-tantalum concentration process
- Sample
- Crevier Project ore (pilot scale)
Recovery
- Head Grade
- 200
- Head Grade Unit
- ppm Ta2O5
Lab
- Laboratory
- SGS
Review
- Needs Review
- No
- Historical
- No
Dates
- Event date
- 2025-10-20T00:00:00.000Z
Reasoning: Head grade provided for tantalum as part of the pilot feed description.
Evidence · text
“at a grade of 0.2% Nb2O5 and 200 ppm Ta2O5”
How Atlas produces this analysis
Minestarters Atlas uses automated extraction to summarize mining announcements, identify reported measurements, and classify supporting evidence. Sentiment reflects the extracted narrative and classification rules; it is an interpretation, not a reported measurement. Evidence quotes and context are provided where available. Missing data, low-confidence results, and review flags indicate limitations. Check the original publisher announcement before relying on an interpretation.