NioBay Ships First Niobium and Tantalum Products from Quebec Pilot Plant

NioBay

First Shipments Mark Key Step in Commercialization

Canadian mineral exploration company NioBay has shipped its first niobium and tantalum products from its SGS pilot plant in Quebec City. The initial deliveries were sent to potential customers in Europe, with more shipments scheduled this month to expand outreach to additional buyers. These shipments mark a pivotal milestone in the company’s effort to commercialize critical mineral production from its Crevier project.

The pilot plant program was supported by a C$500,000 ($365,650) grant from Quebec’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests in June 2024. The funding allowed NioBay to advance its pilot-scale processing and demonstrate product quality to prospective industrial partners.

Strategic Role in Critical Mineral Supply Chains

NioBay is producing niobium oxide for battery manufacturers and tantalum oxide for high-tech applications, both of which are essential for sectors such as energy storage, electronics, and aerospace. With global demand for these critical minerals rising, the company’s progress positions it to become a valuable North American supplier in a market dominated by limited global producers.

As the Crevier project advances, NioBay aims to secure offtake agreements with international customers, strengthening its role in diversifying the supply of strategic minerals and reducing reliance on overseas sources.

The Metalnomist Commentary

NioBay’s first shipments of niobium and tantalum underscore Canada’s growing role in critical mineral production. With pilot-scale success and government backing, the firm is positioned to compete in strategic markets where supply security is increasingly vital for industrial innovation.