(KLZA)-- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has issued a permit that is a key for the proposed Elk Creek Superalloy Material Project. 

NioCorp has been issued a U.S. Clean Water Act Section 404 permit authorizing the company to build all of the Elk Creek projects proposed 33-mile waterline to the Missouri River, except for the final 900 feet and outfall structures in the river. 

The construction of the final section is subject to the Corp of Engineers authorization also under Section 408 and 404.  The company said in a news release Monday, they are currently working to secure the final authorization. 

Mark Smith, Executive Chair and CEO of NioCorp is quoted to say, “once sufficient project financing is in place, the other federal permit is secured for the waterline’s outfall structure, and sate and local permits are finalized, the company should be clear to launch construction of the project.”