(KLZA)-- NioCorp Developments Ltd., a leading U.S. critical minerals developer, announced the signing of a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding with Lockheed Martin regarding the potential purchase of up to 15 tonnes/year of scandium oxide from NioCorp, in either oxide form or in the form of aluminum-scandium alloys, over the next 10 years.
NioCorp plans to produce approximately 100 tonnes/year of scandium oxide from its Nebraska-based Elk Creek Critical Minerals Project, once project financing and construction are complete. NioCorp currently produces 4% aluminum-scandium master alloy in the U.S., utilizing market-sourced scandium oxide. NioCorp has said it also intends to produce finished aluminum-scandium alloy ingots that vary in scandium content from 0.2% to 0.8% for customers in both the commercial and defense markets.
“Lockheed Martin has earned its reputation as one of the strongest names in American defense and aerospace, and as a U.S. critical minerals company, we're proud to be working toward supplying them with the scandium products they need,” said Mark A. Smith, NioCorp CEO and Chairman. “Both companies recognize how important scandium has become to the future of American defense technology as well as the imperative of establishing a domestic scandium mine-to-warfighter supply chain. NioCorp is already investing to build out this supply chain as rapidly as possible, including the ability to make aluminum-scandium master alloy today. Clearly, the case for reducing our reliance on China for scandium and other critical minerals has never been stronger.”
“Lockheed Martin has long valued partnerships that strengthen the U.S. industrial base and support our warfighters,” said Tyler Robinson, vice president, Technology Roadmaps, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. “We appreciate the work NioCorp is doing to establish a domestic source of scandium oxide as well as the company’s aluminum-scandium alloying capabilities, and we look forward to continuing to evaluate that supply as part of our broader alloy development efforts.”
The MOU builds on an existing joint development program with Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works to develop scandium-based aluminum alloy components for modern fighter aircraft. That program, announced in October 2025, is funded by the U.S. Department of War as part of a $10 million award to NioCorp’s subsidiary, Elk Creek Resources Corp., under Title III of the Defense Production Act, and is intended to help establish the United States’ first domestic scandium mine-to-master-alloy supply chain.
The MOU is non-binding, and both companies have agreed to negotiate in good faith a definitive agreement as rapidly as possible. There is no assurance that a definitive agreement will be reached, or as to its eventual terms.
