Mining Intelligence and News
Canada

Niobec Mine

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Summary

Mine TypeUnderground
StatusActive
Commodities
  • Niobium
Mining Method
  • Open stoping
Backfill type ... Lock
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SnapshotNiobec is one of only three primary niobium producers globally, and the only underground niobium mine, contributing 8 to 10% of the world’s niobium production. It sells niobium in the form of ferroniobium.

Niobec operates with a strong focus on sustainability, sourcing its power from renewable energy and recycling approximately 80% of its water. The mine has been certified and holds a Silver sustainability rating from Ecovadis.

As part of integrated chloride management, Niobec improved its paste-backfill plant, converting tailings into paste to fill mined-out stopes and reduce tailings stored in the facility.

During 2024, Niobec commissioned new pumping infrastructure to manage pluvial effluent as part of its integrated water management system.

Owners

SourceSource
CompanyInterestOwnership
Magris Resources Inc. 100 % Indirect
Niobec Inc. (operator) 100 % Direct
The Niobec mine is owned by Magris Resources Inc., which is the 100% owner of the mine operator, Niobec Inc.

Contractors

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Deposit type

  • Magmatic
  • Metasomatic

Summary:

Carbonatite-associated deposits can be subdivided into magmatic types. Magmatic deposits are formed through processes associated with the crystallsation of carbonatites, whereas metasomatic deposits form by the reaction of fluids releases during crystallisation with preexisting or country rocks. Spatially distinct niobium and rare-earth element (REE) mineralisation at the Niobec mine, Québec, are examples of magmatic and metasomatic mineralisation.

The main minerals in the Niobec deposit are carbonates (50%), oxides (magnetite, hematite) (10%), silicates (biotite, chlorite) (10%), apatite (10%), sulfides (1%) as well as fluorite, barite and zircon (1%, collectively).

Niobium minerals in a bipyramidal shape are scattered throughout the carbonatite. These minerals are fine-grained (0.2 mm to 0.8 mm in diameter) and not easily visible to the naked eye. Commonly, geological units with higher content in accessory minerals such as magnetite, biotite, and apatite (facies C3b, C3c, and C3a) are associated with this.

The ore is analysed in terms of percentage of Nb2O5. The mineralised lenses located on the northern edge of the deposit are characterised with the presence of hematisation, which seems to decrease in intensity with depth. Lenses farther south of the deposit are contained in a more calcitic carbonatite with syenite xenoliths.

The mineralisation mainly includes ferric-pyrochlores, sodic-pyrochlores and columbite as Nb bearing minerals. The mineralogical characteristics, the alteration and the mineralisation type greatly influence metallurgical recovery, which can vary between 30% and 70%.

The mineralised envelopes vary from 45 m to 185 m in width (north to south), and can reach close to 760 m in length. The areas have a known vertical extension of about 750 m. The deepest completed drillholes (down to block 12, close to a depth of 1,280 metres) show mineralisation at equivalent grade to those of the current mine production. The deposit has a sub-vertical dip.

The average grades of major mineralised envelopes are 0.44% to 0.51% Nb2O5. Considering the block caving method, the definition of high grade mineralised envelopes is no longer necessary because all carbonatite will be mined. Potential mineralised zone remains open at depth.

Reserves

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Mining Methods

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Heavy Mobile Equipment

Fleet data has not been reported.

Comminution

Crushers and Mills

Milling equipment has not been reported.

Processing

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Commodity Production

CommodityProductUnits20222021202020192018201720162015
Niobium Metal in alloy t  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe6,8007,7006,9816,0995,385

Operational metrics

Metrics202420232022202120202018
Annual production capacity  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe
Tonnes milled  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe
Annual ore mining rate  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe2.6 Mt
Ore tonnes mined  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe

Production Costs

Commodity production costs have not been reported.

Personnel

Mine Management

Job TitleNameProfileRef. Date
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Aug 19, 2025
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....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Aug 19, 2025
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Aug 19, 2025

Workforce

EmployeesContractorsTotal WorkforceYear
...... Subscription required 2024
...... Subscription required 2023
...... Subscription required 2022
...... Subscription required ...... Subscription required ...... Subscription required 2021
...... Subscription required 2020
...... Subscription required 2019
...... Subscription required 2018

Aerial view:

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