NioCorp (NASDAQ: NB) Surges 14% on Strategic Scandium Supply Chain Expansion via FEA Acquisition

NioCorp Developments Ltd. (NASDAQ: NB) surged 14.0033% in pre-market trading on December 5, 2025, following a strategic acquisition that positions the company to expand its vertically integrated scandium supply chain.

The firm completed a $8.4 million all-cash purchase of FEA Materials LLC’s manufacturing assets and intellectual property on December 4. FEA’s innovative process directly converts scandium oxide into aluminum-scandium (Al-Sc) master alloy, bypassing intermediate steps. This acquisition aligns with NioCorp’s goal to establish a domestic U.S. supply chain spanning mining, oxide production, and alloy manufacturing for defense and commercial applications.

Once fully operational, NioCorp’s Elk Creek Critical Minerals Project in Nebraska will enable the company to produce niobium, titanium, and potential rare earth oxides alongside scandium. The firm is also evaluating downstream production of finished Al-Sc alloy parts through casting, forging, and machining, targeting aerospace and defense manufacturers.

CEO Mark A. Smith emphasized the strategic importance of reducing reliance on foreign scandium markets, particularly China, while highlighting Pentagon support via a $10 million funding agreement. The acquisition underscores NioCorp’s ambition to pioneer a vertically integrated supply chain, leveraging U.S.-based innovation and partnerships like its collaboration with Lockheed Martin on advanced aerospace materials.