(This is part of a continuing series, links to which will be provided in the comments below)
Bêafrîka State: Bob Denard, Jean-Bédel Bokassa and the mercenary state.
The term “warlord” has been abused by many as a catch all term for any armed african group. It brings to mind images of a barbaric, violent oaf seeking to enrich themselves with trinkets and money off the back of their military extortion: an example of the primitive and bloodthirsty nature of the african. This is certainly the purpose of the term for the Germans, who seek to paint all native armed resistance in this light in order to justify their own return to the continent. But despite this abuse of the term, and its unjust application, it is not made up out of whole cloth: bandits, criminal gangs and short sighted thugs do exist among the africans as they do in all people, and the chaos of the German collapse has given these characters the opportunity of a lifetime. In the former RK Zentralafrika this is seen most clearly in the “mercenary state” of Bêafrîka.
Borders of a successful Bêafrîka. Many post-colonial African nations are accused of being artificial: random lines drawn on a map for the convenience of foreigners, and thus doomed to be either failures or exploitive facades. The truth of this statement is debatable: what makes a nation “organic”, is it truly critical that one be so? Are the struggles of new African nations so easily encapsulated? The argument goes on but all will agree on this: Bêafrîka is an utterly artificial and extractive state which can only begrudgingly be called a nation at all.
The north-west of Zentralafrika has always been something of a hodgepodge. The initial conquest of the area from the Free French meant the roll back of any “nation building” expenditures in favor of reverting back to the old company rule. Corvee slavery, plantations and almost non-existent infrastructure was the rule even under the French, and as such the transition to German ownership was almost seamless. If the average native african noticed a difference at all it was in the flags and helmets of the whites who terrorized them: their managers and guards stayed essentially the same. As such the region was seen by independence agitators as ripe for their own movements to grow in. Though such resistance was kept on a tight leash by the Germans it finally burst forth in the northern incursion of 1954. Supported by Nigeria and with the German forces drawn thin by the ongoing Wester Russian War, socialist militants made a lightning strike southward in the hopes of toppling Zentralafrika. For a moment it seemed as if they would do it: the road to Leopoldville was only lightly guarded and the rebel numbers were, in theory, vast. But it was not to be: poor command structures and infighting slowed the rebel advance for long enough that Kommissar Krogmann and Seigfreid Muller were able to reorganize and counterattack with the aid of a new breed of soldier: the Mercenary.
Though having been present in the role of corporate security for years this war was the instance when the Congo Mercenaries truly became a force to be reckoned with. Restrictions on who could hold a gun were dropped and the ranks of mercs swollen with Europeans, Asians and Africans. Though typically small groups and far more independent than Krogmann would have liked, they were all well acquainted with their trade and often brought along their own equipment. They could move fast, hit hard, and there was no reason to suspect their siding with the revolutionaries. With the aid of mercenaries and the cash of selling off vast tracts of land to private holders the revolutionaries were pushed back, and the long guerilla war began. Some areas of Zentralafrika were essentially passive, or had other security solutions. But in the north it was the mercenaries and the garrison which enforced the German order. Names of these men would soon become minor celebrities to the military minded, and their benefactor Seigfreid Muller got a promotion. But for our story only three names matter: the French “mercenary king” Bob Denard, “black Napoleon” Jean-Bédel Bokassa, and “the tiger” Alexandre Banza.
Though it is the armed men who hold real power in their hands, the counter-revolutionary forces are not all German and French soldiers of fortune. The APL’s anti-clerical excesses and radical nativism also alienated the thin class of native collaborators and most of all the catholic church. Barthelemy Boganda was one such native conservative, being a native priest who has tried to act through the church to both reform and aid his flock. After the death of his mentor Marcel Grandin Boganda has become a leading figure of pro-native reform without resorting to violence or leftist radicalism.
With the alliance of French and German landowners paying for their protection the mercenaries, though still technically led by Europeans, became the foremost armed presence in the north. Battling against resistance internal and external by 1962 they have become a hated and envied force, and one which Krogmann is eager to bring into line. But the South Africa War will get in the way of any reforms, with mercenaries once again being called on to shoulder the burden of warfare and internal suppression. By the end of the conflict, no matter how it ends, the mercenaries will have become an even more entrenched force in Zentralafrika. Of course when Huttig takes over this will no longer be tolerated. Having already been humiliated by Muller before, Huttig will take great pleasure in dismissing and rounding up the mercenaries, forcing them to join his forces as regular conscripts without any special privileges. Or rather he would, if he had been fast enough to catch them. When news came of Krogmann’s death and Huttig’s assumption of control the mercenaries did not wait for the order to come: they fled if they were able, and if not they seamlessly transitioned from paid agents of the state to new warlords out for their own survival and enrichment. And more than anyone they congregated around the new king of the mercenaries: Bob Denard.
For the year Huttig’s reign lasts the gangs of former mercenaries will be yet another thorn in his side: raiding, bribing and leading his forces on goose chases. And thanks to Huttig’s destruction of any boats or airplanes he could not gain control over these same former mercenaries had nothing else they could do, unless they cared to gamble trekking all the way to Free France. But Huttig’s flailing attempts to bring them to heel was only one of many threats: in this same area socialist militants and petty warlords also sprung up, and sought to destroy the hated mercenaries themselves. When Huttig dies and the German forces retreat to Leopoldville all pretense will be dropped: the Pan-africans, Fang Gabonese and Cameroonian revolutionaries will all attempt to proclaim new states and to expel the gangsters of German capitalism for good. But with their attention divided and the mercenaries still possessing skill, fire power, and all the money the old landowners could scrap together the attempt will only be half successful. Right between the three of them the new Bêafrîka State will be proclaimed.
Born in 1929 Bob Denard first got the taste for battle during the French State’s failed expeditions against De Gaulle in the late 40s. Deciding that there was better pay and better leadership to be had in Zentralafrika he was one of the first mercenaries brought in through the “King of the Mercs” Siegfried Müller. Though he has little patience for the Reich’s racial code he is a brave commander and an ardent anti-communist. After Müller’s disappearance upon Hüttig’s ascension the stranded mercenaries looked to those bold and skilled enough to lead them, and found it in Denard.
Under the nominal presidency of Boganda, who was practically kidnaped to take the role, the new state is in perhaps the most precarious position of all post-independence states.Their domestic support rests on a incredibly thin strata of white landlords, a handful of native conservatives and a mercenary army which is already looking for a way out the back door. And opposing them is a very dedicated coalition of native nationalists and revolutionaries. It would be the most natural thing in the world for this ramshackle “state” to disintegrate. But there is one thing which can unite them, and can make them all take the risk of fighting it out: Money. Specifically diamonds, gold, and other precious metals which can be sold high on the global market. The mercenaries, native or foreign, have struck for fame in Bêafrîka with the process of becoming more than the lap dogs of the wealthy, but instead to be the wealthy themselves. Baganda hates this of course, but no one asked: the guns call the shots here. And besides, the APL has already branded him a traitor to the people: in the mercenaries' eyes he should be thankful that he still has his head. And so it is decided, the mercenaries would make their own little heaven, and all they had to do to keep it was win the war for it.
Against them stands the APL, their long-time adversary. When the war begins these Pan-africanists, supported by Cameroon and Nigeria, will take the fight to Bêafrîka. This would probably be a death sentence if it were not for the fact the APL is fighting a two front war with the Nationalists to their east. If the mercenary state should still fail it will be dismantled, with the surrounding states taking over its former territory. But if it should win this first war the gamble will have, for now, paid off. Bob, Bokassa and the rest will be able to begin bringing in the money as they use outright criminal methods to both extract and then sell the bounty of the land. The people, of course, hate this as does the nominal “president”. And within the mercenary ranks new fissures will soon begin to show. When faced with a united enemy these men were willing to work together, but now that the threat of death no longer hands quite so close the question of dividing the spoils has quickly turned into a feeding frenzy: it seems to be every mercenary clique for itself trying to carve out its own privileged fiefdom. And it is here that the reformists, such as they are, spy an opportunity.
Alexandre Banza, born 1932 to the Gbaya people, is one of the very few high ranking officers who have a ethnic connection to the land they now rule. His story is much the same as the rest of the black mercenaries: born to a poor family he saw mercenary service as a path to excitement, respect and advancement he would never get on his own. Intelligent, ambitious, and unscrupulous he would rise to become a commander of his own group before the Huttig takeover, and should he take power will rename his state the Bêafrîka Republic, embarking on a cynical campaign of “reform”.
The continued presence of white mercenaries is especially resented by the people, and none more so than commander of the presidential guard and de facto leader of the Bêafrîka State Bob Denard. As such soon after the emergency of war has passed Denard will be dismissed from his position and the two most prominent native warlords Alexandre Banza and Jean-Bédel Bokassa will be invited in to take command. Denard of course has no interest in leaving, and will arrest the president in his own residence, but not before word of the new decree leaked to the streets and the other mercenaries. So it is that the fate of Bêafrîka will be decided the only way a state built on mercenaries could be: with a shootout for control of the president. On one side is Denard: he has already made overtures to Free France and the OFN, as well as criminal contacts in Europe. By leveraging these contacts, and with the aid of the remaining white mercenaries who see his removal as the precursor to their own, he may be able to fight his way out and rise to power over the bodies of his rival warlords.
If Bob Denard and his presidential guard emerges victorious president Boganda’s days will be numbered. Unceremoniously removing and replacing him with a more compliant puppet who I will not even bother you with the name of, any promised elections will be delayed, and then delayed indefinitely. In the end even the facade of democracy will be left behind as the government instead relies on various emergency decrees and under the table deals, as well as outright coercion to cement its power. This is the true mercenary state, in which the armed and powerful take what they want from the weak and destitute: the state will see its revenues come from precious minerals and eventually oil, but just as much from the underground world of smuggling, arms trading, mercenary contracts on behalf of any who will pay, and even (if rumors are to be believed) human trafficking. Denard himself is not so unsophisticated as many of his henchmen: he portrays himself and his state as anti-communist crusaders who are willing to go to the ends of the earth to protect the people from the bolshevik menace. But it makes no difference to the people and to his neighborhood: unless those friendly to him such as the Free French and the Belgian regionalists are victorious both Denard and his state will find themselves facing external invasion sooner or later. When that happens, surrounded by disciplined enemies and facing ever increasing internal revolts, Denard will do what mercenaries do best: he will gather what valuables and guns he can before fleeing. But if this should not happen: if the Congo should remain shattered, and Nigerian ambitions fail, who knows how long the dream may last?
Living as they do in a half criminal status all mercenaries are well acquainted with the underworld. Under Bob however the state itself will come to resemble a crime syndicate, with Bob acting as the Mafia boss. More than any other single resource diamonds are the breadwinner for the “White King of Bêafrîka”, but taking a page out of Manchuria’s playbook drug production and trafficking are increasingly filling the ledger as well. The diplomatic denouncements are nothing: there are always back doors which money can open.
But all this is only if Bob and his people should win the battle for President Boganda. For the first time having the full backing of the streets and with a larger manpower pool to draw from it is likely that the native warlords Alexandre Banza and Jean-Bédel Bokassa will become the victors, chasing out the (competition) colonizers in favor of their own rule. They shall of course be rewarded by the eternally thankful president for their good deeds: Bokassa will take over as the new head of the presidential guard, while Banza will become minister of finance and foreign minister. But just as inevitably there is no throne on earth big enough for two people and so the former allies will soon look for a way to oust the other. The hope of the civilians lay in the victory of the Alexandre Banza clique. If he should succeed in arresting and disappearing his rivals Banza will seek to somewhat moderate the state. Rather than rely on naked coercion he will enforce the most basic of social contracts: in return for the country's obedience he will provide protection. Though the basic facts of the Bêafrîka State shall remain: a thriving underground, an economy based on raw export, and a army of criminals, the worst aspects of this rule will be softened and the “civilianization” of government give cosmetic reform to the regime, and finally permit the nominal president a level of dignity, even being allowed to push some of his catholic inspired social reforms. Though not much more than swapping a military uniform for a business suit this will go some way to providing a sense of normalcy, and allow the state to take a non-aligned stance rather than become the plaything of some foreign power.
On the other hand is the favorite of the soldiers Jean-Bédel Bokassa. You know him as the “mad” emperor of the C.A.R. otl, but there was always a method to his madness: one cannot remain in power for over a decade by being stupid. Where Banza seeks to normalize his regime and to be seen as a developmental junta rather than a warlord, Bokassa will lean into his reputation as a warlord, adding esoteric elements to bolster his rule over strangers. Under Bokassa the new system will be entirely personal: he will take the already weak state apparatus and effectively dismantle it, instead relying on personalized dependents to govern the capital city, and leaving the remainder of the country to its own devices so long as it bent the knee when ordered. No longer able to convincingly portray himself as a benign figure to a people who are mostly foreigners to him, he will instead tap into local superstitions to appear as the master of the occult, ruling as a man to be feared even beyond the grave and allegedly indulging in cannibalism. Perhaps even more importantly however he will make a hard switch from western backing to eastern, seeking the protection and the money of Japan. In this at least he will be fairly competent: negotiating the relationship with Japan through a mixture of bribery, utility, and threatened confiscations to wring out as much foreign aid and diplomatic backing as he can. Beyond this his rule will be one of chaos and decline with the people seeing their standard of living decrease yet further to a near subsistence level. But it will be a chaos which Bokassa alone is the ruler of.
Jean-Bédel Bokassa has been fighting longer than most: volunteering for the Free French during WW2, he was captured and ultimately released during the German conquest of Gabon. From there he drifted as a menial laborer until the northern insurrection forced the Reichskommissar to bend, and Bokassa was called up by an old french commander. From there he rose to be the de-facto head of his own suit by 1962, and now the undisputed leader of his own fiefdom. The extreme personalism and close relation with Japan will eventually result in his coronation as the sovereign of the Central African Empire.
Whether it be cynical pragmatism or esoteric terror the Bêafrîka State will remain a pariah among their fellow african nations. Cameroon and Gabon will consistently attempt to undermine and take over their territory for themselves, while even the Germans will see any government as traitors and rebels. Though its military may find a backer and its people may become cowed, the incredibly fragile state will come to an end sooner than later, unless they get very lucky. Any Nigerian victory will be a disaster, but a successful unifyer to the south and east would be a great threat as well. They were already founded in the war against one of those potential unifiers and all contenders for power recognize that a united Congo is a dangerous Congo. So, either through direct aid in the case of Denard or cheering from the sidelines Bêafrîka must hope for the victory of the regionalists and Jean Schramme.
Katanga, the Regional Alliance, and “The Belgian”.
For the Pan-Africans, the Republicans, the Nationalists and even the Germans survival is not enough: they wish to reunite the old Belgian colony under their vision of the future, and perhaps even seek expansion beyond that. But not all “congolese” feel this way: in particular the province of Katanga sees no reason why it should not be free to plot its own course. Wealthy in its own right with economic ties to the south the elite of the mining provence see no reason why they should be chained to a central government, and are at least partially supported in this by the people. Just what future this “independence” takes is is still up for grabs, but in the chaotic aftermath of Huttings death Moïse Tshombe, Albert Kalonji and Jean Schramme will form a triumvirate to lead the Regional Alliance.
Élisabethville slum. Katanga is the richest province in the Congo, as well as the one with the highest concentration of Belgians, and as such has seen the beginning of a modern city develop in its capital. It has also been the prime region for victims of the Congo Dam to migrate into, on account of its relative stability and high labor demand. This has all combined to put a great deal of pressure on those populating the land south of the lake and the development of modern slums alongside the growing city.
Katanga is, in 1962, the last remnant of Belgian colonial rule left after the German takeover. Not formally of course, that had been swept away along with Belgum itself in the 50s. But just beneath the German surface the old colonial trinity of church, company and stick still held true, and mostly under Belgian control. In the aftermath of WW2 and the establishment of Burgundy many Belgians had chosen to migrate into their old colonial territory, either for political or economic reasons. Their numbers would soon fill out the officer ranks of the Force Publique, the managerial posts of various new mines and plantations, and the pews of the catholic church. But it would not be the end of their difficulties: the old trinity clashed with Krogmann’s designs for the colony and after formally absorbing it in 1955 the contest began. Where the catholic church once held near total control over healthcare and education, not to mention religious life, Krogmann favored secularism for the european and promoted dechristianization for the native. His hopes for dissolving the FP and for removing french and dutch from the lexicon would be similarly resisted. By 1962 this contest of wills has continued to grind on, with the steady advance of germanization being constantly interrupted by economic and political expediency. The Belgian Katangaians find themselves stuck uncomfortably between German pressure from above and Native pressure from below.
This native pressure is on one hand from the educated evoles, always looking to improve the lot of themselves and sometime of their kin. But it also increasingly comes from the restless masses who have come under pressure from the fallout of the Congo Dam. As the Belgian congo moderately prospered the cities began to grow as well, with the colonial authorities making tentative attempts to accommodate the influx. But after the Congo dam and the German takeover both of these trends changed. Millions of refugees fled the great flood into the wealthiest regions they could go: Leopoldville and Katanga. The population of the cities exploded, and the subsistence agriculture still practiced by most Congolese came under incredible pressure as migrants and squatters proliferated. The Belgian authorities meanwhile were left without the resources needed to truly accommodate this change, and were left with only the Force Publique to try and keep the “indigenes” separate from the new “foreigners”. It was in this context that regionalist associations with the goal of protecting specific people, such as the Lula or Lunda, came to dominate the native political scene, such as it was. Both of these movements discovered that they had similar enemies: both resented German power and feared the “national” native resistance. But this did not yet mean they became allies.
Moïse Tshombe, the nominal head of Katanga. Born to a noble lineage and always wealthy, his desire to be liked and his lack of spin have made him into an ideal puppet for other interests. His current sponsor is the remnants of the old Belgian Union Minière, which comprise much of Katanga’s economy. Though not hated by any “his” government is in reality more beholden to his lieutenants such as Godefroid Munongo.
Katanga had lived in an atmosphere of tension even before the rise of Huttig and the advent of the “Afrikareich” did nothing to alleviate this tension. As part of Huttig’s program to fully disarm the natives and bring all armed forces under SS command he attempted to disarm the Force Publique and Belgian mercenaries, rolling them into its own armed forces. Prominent civilian Belgians were arrested and replaced with SS men, leaving both the Belgians and the natives angered. Under this new pressure some decided to give it up: the new regime could not be bargained with as the prior one was, and any resistance clearly meant death. But enterprising elements were not willing to take death laying down: most prominently this included Godefroid Munongo and Jean Schramme. Using their own wealthy connections and estates as payment they would form small resistance groups, and would be the first formal alliance between the Belgians and the regionalists. To cut a long story short when Huttig dies and the Germans retreat to Leopoldville, those SS governors who do not flee will find their lifespans much shorter than expected, and those brave or desperate enough to resist Huttig will return to power. In the face of nationalist calls to reunite the congo however, the regionalists will move first. With the lavish bribery of local mining conglomerates and the justification of “popular will”, the Belgian community led by Schramme and localist leaders will form the first concret result of their ad-hoc alliance: The State of Katanga.
In its first years Katanga is a divided and unsettled place, forced into unity by the common fear of external subjugation but beholden to competing political camps. The state itself is at least nominally led by Moïse Tshombe, descendant of the kings of the Lunda people and scion to one of the last wealthy native families. He is the figurehead of a poorly organized class of native elites and collaborators, most often independently wealthy and committed just as much to their own economic privileges as they are to the cause of regionalism itself. But despite this Tshombe heads the closest thing to a “popular movement” in the new state: the "Confédération des associations tribales du Katanga" (CONAKAT). Formed in the interest of protecting the livelihoods of the Lunda against the encroaching migrants it is through this party that the people are mobilized for war. Relying on traditional authority and elite connections in the name of a tribalism has been effective in at least countering the partisans of the republicans and nationalists which contest the provence. Just as in the other contenders the war is as much a mater of internal division as it is defeating external challenges. But in order to meet those external enemies the party has been obliged to do so with the aid of their “ally”, the Belgians.
Jean Schramme, despite his official profession, is less of a mercenary and more of a Belgian “contractor” who has a reputation for getting things done and resisting German encroachment. Coming to Africa soon after the end of WW2 he is part of a new breed of Belgians who consider Zentralafrika, or more accurately Katanga, as their true home and embrace the ideal of a paternal ruler of their “primitive” neighbors. Being a successful entrepreneur as well as part time leader of the “Leopard Battalion” Jean has become a prominent part of the Belgian expat community. But though he no longer wishes to return to Europe do not think he has forgotten what the Nazi’s did: the old motherland is dead by German hands, and he has not forgiven them.
Just as on the native side the Belgians are divided internally: German policy was frustrating and insulting, but it was also relatively stable and offered a protection against the natives surrounding them. To forgo this protection and risk battle with the world's superpowers in the name of an uncertain independence requires a boldness uncommon in men. But since when did the meek make history? Returning from his armed exile Schremme will find the FP and Belgian police in disarray, and take it upon himself to topple the last of the SS governors. In his mind there is no question: in order for the Belgians to be free and prosperous they must take the risk of rebellion against Germany and carve out their own state in the chaos. But despite his personal exploits he is unable to do this on his own, and so despite his personal distaste for allying with the native regionalists his own backers in the belgian mining and administrative class have forced him to make common cause with “their” evolese. Regardless Schremme has become the critical belgian commander in this rebelion, bringing the remainder of the belgian community with him whether they like it or not. He leads in a mercenary style, never far from the front lines and with a greater emphasis on personal bravery than more mundane things like logistics.
Though Katanga is the heart of the Regionalist Alliance it is still only one part of that alliance: to the eastern flank is Sud-Kasaï, led by Albert Kalonji as the vanguard state of the Luba secessionist movement. Both Kalonji and Tshombe claim to be protecting their people (Luba and Lunda respectively) from becoming minorities within their own land and from becoming the playthings of another foreign power, whether that be Germania, Washington or any other place. They are also both from prominent and wealthy local families, who have cooperated with the belgian colonizers for generations and have every personal incentive to resist foreign acquisition. As such their support is not primarily from the people, but from the oligarchs and the army. These are two significant advantages however: While other factions are scrambling to put together a military, a state, and to pay for it all, Katanga and her allies are able to fall back on the old colonial power structures, expanding the FP and leveraging oligarchical ties to slap together an army faster than their rivals. With the mix of audacious leadership, money and the Schramme loyalist mercenaries/formed FP officers the alliance may be able to snatch its independence despite the lack of international backing.
Map of regionalist victory, Azandeland acts as a placeholder for local authority (or lack thereof), Sud-Kasai is the Luba Empire. The immediate issue facing the regionalists will be export access: the states survival depends on the revenue from its extensive mining operations, and if that material cannot be exported it is worthless. For this Katanga must either negotiate a trade deal with the German remnants, or seek a detente with the self proclaimed frontline of liberation Zambia. Neither is eager to do this, but the world calls for what Katanga can provide, most of all Uranium. Eventually the market will win out, and one side will decide it is better to compromise principle than give the other an opportunity to gain access to the Katanga bounty.
IF VICTORIOUS the Regionalist Alliance will comprise an expanded State of Katanga, the Luba Empire, and a number of minor eastern powers propped up by Katanga. For the Luba and the Eastern chiefs the question of post war politics is an easy one: tribal traditionalism shall prevail as Albert Kalonji names himself king and the local chiefs are either bribed or threatened into compliance with the new order. While some may make efforts to modernize and advance their domains it will only be done under the watchful and occasionally helpful eye of Katanga. The only question remaining is who will be in control of Katanga itself. Jean Schramme is not a reasonable man, or at least not a moderate one: if he feels that he and the Belgians are not granted their proper place he may well try to overthrow Moïse Tshombe and install himself as the leader of the new state. The natives are less than satisfied as well: though free of foreign control it is clear to them that the old order is no longer acceptable: the people who fought and won the war for independence demand that their sacrifice be rewarded in some meaningful way. And most of all the question of race can no longer be papered over: The Belgians and Europeans remain on top, the migrants have been savaged, and the land and jobs available are not enough to satisfy them all.
To reconcile these internal difficulties a conference shall be held between the Belgian leadership of the army and company's one on hand, and the native oligarchs and officers on the other to see if a viable solution can be worked out. On the Belgian side the question is that of security and property: they wish to maintain the full roster of legal rights granted to them by belgian law, to keep their property and company concessions, and for a Belgian “veto” in the national government to ensure that Belgian rights are not trampled by some future populist government. On the CONAKAT side is a desire to renegotiate the terms of the “social contract”: to ensure a majority native voice in government which cannot be overruled by Belgian privilege, greater native ownership of property and the full abolition of any legal barriers to their advancement. However both sides are united in seeking stability and in their distrust of the congolese “masses”. Those masses are not without a voice themselves: through labor unions, dissident political parties and new officer associations the experience of warfare has made the people politically aware. If the result of the conference does not give some bones to the people it may find that its support is far too narrow to be stable.
Union Minière, once the undisputed master of the Katanga economy, has declined somewhat under German overlordship. With a majority of its shares owned by the Belgian state and its former leadership fleeing to America after the end of the war its foundations were shaky. When Krogmann began the great sell off and rescinded the Belgian Congo’s autonomy the company found itself in yet more hot water. Transitioning to a locally owned company within Zentralafrika itself the Union has been forced to cut back on its paternalistic spending to make ends meet. Beyond the typical demands for labor rights and wage increases the Kantaga people also wish for a return to the housing, education and social protection once afforded by the leviathan. With its place in Katanga once again secure this may just be possible.
A successful conference will be one of compromise. For the people a number of social protections and laws will be promised: greater state funding to education, hospitals, and housing will be promised, along with a hike in wages. In order to afford this the belgians will need to accept their privileged economic position comes with a responsibility to fund the state which protects it: though direct taxes may be a bridge too far a system of expected “gifts” and an expansion of the old paternalism into state guided policy may work out. In return for their material contributions the Belgians will receive legal autonomy, organizing their own political parties and keeping their land. The native oligarchs meanwhile would take the national stage, being granted privileged places within the Katanga economy as well as using CONAKAT as their vehicle for political dominance. Concessions and compromises such as these require that all parties trust the other to keep up their end of the bargain, and not simply alter the deal when they feel they are able. And in the aftermath of a brutal civil war and a political culture of corruption such trust is very hard to come by. But if these difficulties are overcome, and Jean Schramme is kept mollified, the new State of Katanga will be ruled as a collaborative oligarchy, keeping real representation out of the hands of the people and wealth in the hands of a few, but also a relatively stable and moderate government which is willing to compromise when need be. Unless it is a question of distrusted ethnic groups attempting to secede from the state or restart Congolese unification, in which case the Katanga Gendarmerie will be the only answer given.
But what if this conference does not succeed? What if the protests outside become too large, or the sides are too inflexible, or if Jean Schramme believes the rights of Belgians are being sold too cheaply? Then the Rule of Fire will come back and those with the force to crush their opposition will prevail. And in Katanga that can only mean one thing: Schramme and his allies will stage a coup, placing themselves in charge once again as an emergency government. Those unwilling to ally with him will be dismissed, replaced with those who are. The new mission of the state is the protection of “Belgian civilization” in Katanga, with Schramme attempting to revive the old trinity of Church, State and Company under his guiding hand. He never truly wanted to be in this position: he would much rather simply go back to his plantation and be master of his own little world. But he belives that his new homeland calls out for leadership and guts it seems only he can provide, and so he will seek to lead it into the future he envisions. One where the Congo natives are grateful and subservient to their betters, where all the structures of the trinity are led by Europeans to the benefit of all. Of course most of the natives have very different ideas about what the future should look like, and so Schremma’s Katanga will immediately be thrown into a bush war as the old civil war factions reform as guerrilla movements seeking to topple his dictatorship. The profits of Katanga are vast, especially if one is willing to sell uranium to anyone willing to buy, but how long will money and determination be able to hold against the will of the people?
At a stretch the white population of Katanga is 100,000, while the total african population is somewhere north of 1.5 million. This is before one considers the increasing populations of the Luba Empire and the eternal frontier of the Eastern Congo. And then there is the highly likely presence of hostile regimes on the borders: all the money in the world cannot win Schramme this Bush War, and he will either need to swallow his pride and accept democratization for the natives or accept the return of the Reich as suzerain. And even that may not be enough to avoid the rage of a people betrayed.

Writing a Project Executive Resume: Tips and Guidelines
A strong Project Executive resume is a crucial document for highlighting your abilities, knowledge, and successes in the field of project management. As a project manager, your duties include managing challenging projects, seeing that they are successfully completed, and stimulating corporate expansion. This document should clearly demonstrate your managerial skills, capacity for strategic thought, and proficiency in overseeing various teams and resources. In this manual, we'll provide you with helpful advice and pointers that enable you to write an impressive Project Executive resume that impress hiring managers and establish you as a top contender in the cutthroat job market. The content will provide you the skills you need to enhance your CV whether you are an experienced professional or want to take on a Project Executive position.
Here are Some Tips and Guidelines of Project Executive Resume are given below:
Header and Contact Information:
The initial impression is crucial, and it starts with a well-constructed header and contact information area. Make sure to properly display your entire name in the header so that it sticks out. Give your contact information, including your phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile (if relevant), underneath your name. Ensure that this part is clear and simple to find so that potential employers may readily contact you.
Craft a Compelling Professional Summary:
Put a professional summary at the top of your resume to catch hiring managers' interest. Customize it to highlight your distinct abilities, background, and accomplishments. Showcase your skills in managing varied teams and resources, directing corporate growth, and managing complicated projects. Pay attention to your leadership skills, strategic thinking, and results-driven attitude. To grab the reader's attention and compel them to read more, use succinct language and compelling words.
What to include in your Project executive resume?
Showcase Relevant Skills and Experience:
Highlight your most important project management-related skills and previous experience. Emphasize your capacity to successfully design, carry out, and manage projects to ensure that they are performed on time, within budget, and to the satisfaction of the customer. Display your knowledge of resource allocation, engagement with stakeholders, risk management, and problem-solving. Give specific instances of the initiatives you have handled that were successful and the difference they made.
Quantify Achievements and Results:
Your successes will become more real if you can measure them. The scope and effect of your effort demonstrated through numbers and analytics. Mention the proportion of costs that were saved, the size of the team you oversaw, or the increase in income that was brought about by your initiatives, for example. Quantified accomplishments give you more credibility and show that you can produce quantifiable results.
Highlight Leadership and Communication Skills:
Your abilities to lead and communicate are essential as a project executive. Showcase your capacity for leading and motivating cross-functional teams, effective stakeholder communication at all levels, and achieving mutually beneficial outcomes through negotiation. Give instances of how you've handled disagreements, inspired your team, and promoted a collaborative work atmosphere.
Tailor Your Resume to Each Job Application:
For every employment application, alter your CV to reflect the particulars of the opening. Examine the job description and add pertinent terms and phrases that demonstrate your suitability for the position. This strategy shows that you pay extra attention to the little things and that you genuinely care about the given chance.
Keep the Format Clean and Professional:
Make sure your resume is organized in a clear, professional manner that is simple to comprehend and use. Keep the document's typeface and size the same throughout. Put your material in order and give each part a distinct heading. Highlight important duties and accomplishments with bullet points to make it simpler for recruiters to scan and identify pertinent information.
Conclusion:
A systematic strategy and careful attention to detail are necessary while creating a project executive resume. You design an impressive CV that highlights your leadership skills, project management knowledge, and track record of successful results by using the ideas and recommendations offered. However, using skilled Executive resume writing services is helpful for anyone looking for further help and knowledge.
These services offer specialized assistance in emphasizing your sector knowledge, measuring accomplishments, and successfully exhibiting your leadership skills. Professional resume writers of writrox have the expertise and abilities necessary to produce a polished and aesthetically attractive resume that is in line with the demands of the Project Executive position you are pursuing. By spending money on an executive resume writing service, you can greatly improve your chances of landing the job of your dreams and taking your career to new heights.

Careers in Data Analytics
Wondering how to kick start your career in Data Analytics ! You will need to upskill your technical (Processing Raw Data , Data Wrangling, SQL, Data Visualization with PowerBI or Tableau, SAS (Statistical Analytical Software for Statistical Analysis and Computing), Mathematics and Statistics etc ) and soft skills (critical thinking, persuasive communications, great listener and problem solver).
Data analytics also keeps the organization updated on changing trends and customer preferences, which gives them the means to update their business decisions accordingly. Companies in Retail Sector using data analytics gain a competitive edge in an industry that is competitive and continuously evolving. For a successful data science career, you would require to be a jack of all trades viz., programmer, analyst, engineer, mathematician, statistician, and strategist. They are always focused on huge volumes of data; they formulate patterns, identify trends, analyze data, and solve business challenges. Today, Data has always been an integral part of every business organizations and almost all sectors and industries are using data analytics to boost performance.
Data analytics refers to the process of collection, storage, examination, and application of data to derive insight and provide forecasts and trends that guide businesses towards success. Data Analysts use advanced tools and software to collect, preprocess, examine and analyze raw data. They are responsible for deriving valuable insights and metrics from data, developing competitive strategies, and guiding the management to take efficient business decisions.
Often employers prefer skilled people with exposure to data before and analytics before taking a role as a data analyst. If you’re switching to data analysis from another field, start to develop your experience by working with data. Try to gain experience collecting, cleaning, analyzing, and visualizing real data.
You can find data analytics jobs in every industry, and there are more than one path toward securing your first job in this field. Whether you’re a fresher or a professional pivoting to a new career, there are opportunities for everyone. Getting a job as a data analyst is an entry-point, that can lead you to a variety of exciting career paths ahead. As you gain experience as a data analyst, you may encounter opportunities to advance your career as a data scientist, management, consulting ie data analyst consultant, or a more specialized data role such as Business Analyst, Financial Analyst, Operations Analyst, Marketing Analyst, Systems Analyst or a Health care Analyst..
If you’re exploring a career in data analyst, here's are a few tips:

1. Get a foundational education : develop foundational knowledge in mathematics, statistics or computer science, and enhance your portfolio and resume
   
2. Update your technical skills: These are essential skills you’ll require to get hired.
   

Statistical skills
Computer skills
R or Python programming knowledge
SQL (Structured Query Language)
Data visualization like PowerBI and Tableau
Data cleaning and preparation
In addition to these hard skills, hiring managers will also look for workplace skills, like good communication skills (you may be asked to present your findings to those without as much technical knowledge), problem solving skills, and industry domain knowledge etc.

1. Work on real-time projects: Include hands-on projects using real data sets .
   
2. Develop a portfolio of your work:
   

Be sure to save your best work for your portfolio. A portfolio demonstrates your skills to hiring managers. A strong portfolio can go a long way toward getting the job.

1. Presenting your findings:

A significant element of working as a data analyst is presenting your findings to decision makers and other stakeholders in the company..
6. Get an entry-level data analyst job: Start applying for entry-level data analysts jobs.

1. Consider certification and additional qualifications to advance your career: Advanced degrees are not always required, but having one can open up more opportunities.

​
FEW INDUSTRIES BENEFITING FROM DATA ANALYTICS :
In a world that is driven by data, almost all industries are using Data Analytics to beat the competition in the market. Below we share 5 domains where data analytics is used to reshape their fields.
1. RETAIL : In Ecommerce, data plays a crucial role in providing valuable information that can help boost their sales as well as improve customer satisfaction. Predictive data analysis can be critical in examining consumer patterns and buying preferences to devise marketing strategies and personalized campaigns for a better customer experience. Data analytics also allows organizations to keep tabs on changing trends and customer preferences, which gives them the means to update their business decisions accordingly. Retail organizations using data analytics gain a competitive edge in an industry over their competitors.
2. TRANSPORTATION AND TRAVEL: A vast amount of data is collected daily in the transportation sector while commuting from one place to another. Using data analytics, the organizations are able to detect the most optimized routes, provide better fares to customers, improved service etc., Airways and railways use data analytics for ticket booking, system maintenance, and overall operations that help them in cost-cutting as well as providing improved services to their users.
3. HEALTHCARE AND MEDICINE: Data analytics in healthcare and medicine aims to deliver efficient services to patients. A large quantity of data is collected from patient who visits a healthcare facility on a daily basis. Data is collected, stored, and analysed by healthcare organisations and professionals, thus effectively reducing cost and providing better service to patients. It enables doctors the possibility of identifying risks before it may get complications.
4. BANKING : Data analysts by collecting and monitoring customers' data through online transactions and banking, are able to customize their approach to be more personalized, and present them with offers and proposals that are more interesting to the customers. Furthermore, data analytics also helps banks identify risk factor and prevent default payment, by analyzing the financial history and health of their customers.
5. GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC SECTOR: One sector that has a wide array of data at its disposal is the public sector. The government has been collecting data on people and continues to do so for various purposes. This data is vital in making decisions . Data analytics allows government organisations to store and manage this data effectively and gain valuable insight The government utilizes data analytics for security, transparency, minimizing fraud, reducing costs, better decision making, and much more. Data Analytics in the public sector has enormous applications that benefit the government as well as the public.
Conclusions:
As technology advances more and more data is accumulated, data analytics continues to grow. Data analytics has massive potential, and almost all fields and industries are leveraging it to reduce costs, streamline processes, and improve their services. Organizations across sectors are keen to include data scientists and analysts in their teams to give their companies an advantage over their competitors and stay ahead of the curve. Hope you liked the post. For any details please contact eduJournal.
​
URL : Visit Edujournal Site

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TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / June 6, 2023 / Northern Superior Resources Inc. ("Northern Superior" or the "Company") (TSXV:SUP)(OTCQX:NSUPF) is pleased to report the final assay results for nine holes completed on the Falcon Gold Zone ("FGZ") on its large (20km x 15km) 100% owned Lac Surprise property, located within the Chibougamau gold camp, Québec.
Highlights****Include (Grades uncut; lengths measured along hole, Table 1):

• DDH LCS-22-075 returned 0.90 g/t Au over 59.0 metres, from 86.0 to 145.0 metres, including 3.23 g/t Au over 4.2 metres from 96.5 to 100.7 metres and including 3.67 g/t Au over 4.5 metres from 126.0 to 127.5 metres;
• DDH LCS-22-077 returned 0.73 g/t over 61.0 metres from 233.5 to 294.5 metres, including 6.67g/t Au over 1.5 metres from 264.0 to 265.5 metres;
• DDH LCS-22-073 returned 0.82 g/t Au over 36.4 metres from 68.8 to 105.2 metres; and
• DDH LCS-22-091 returned 0.87 g/t Au over 27.4 metres, from 300.1 to 327.5 metres, including 2.22 g/t Au over 6.5 metres from 321 to 327.5 metres.

Simon Marcotte, President & Chief Executive Officer of Northern Superior, commented: "The results released today from the Falcon Gold Zone reinforce the striking similarities it shares with IAMGOLD's Nelligan gold deposit, which is located only 2 kilometres to the east. Nelligan recently witnessed a 72% increase in its NI-43 101 resource estimate following an additional 22,000 meters of drilling, and now encompasses a total of 1.9 million ounces in the indicated category and 3.6 million ounces in the inferred category, using a 0.35 g/t cut off.[1] We also note that the robust thickness and remarkable vertical and lateral continuity observed in the Falcon Gold Zone emphasizes how the deposit allows for an easy conversion of near-surface gold ounces. The Company has set its sights on conducting a maiden resource estimate for the Falcon Gold Zone, subsequently to the resource estimate on the Philibert Project, which is only 9 km from the Nelligan."
[1] Independent Technical Report for the Nelligan Gold Project, Quebec, Canada, February 22, 2023. Prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects Technical Report for IAMGOLD Corporation (IAMGOLD) and Vanstar Mining Resources Inc. (Vanstar) by SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. (SRK).
Definition Drilling Program Confirms Grades and Widths
The Company completed 11 definition core drill holes in this program designed to test the near surface continuity and depth extension of the FGZ. All eight (8) holes reported in this release were successful in intersecting gold bearing zones highlighted by drill hole LCS-22-075 located in the central portion and near surface of the FGZ intersected 0.90 g/t Au over 59.0 metres, LCS-22-077 drilled down dip on the same easting returned 0.73 g/t Au over 61.0 metres, and hole LCS-22-073 drilled up dip on the same easting, but drilled north versus south due to the ground conditions, returned 0.82 g/t Au over 36.4 metres again highlighting the robust thickness and consistency of the FGZ (see Figure 1 and 2). Drill hole LCS-22-091 also tested the central portion of the FGZ at a vertical depth of 230 metres and returned 0.87 g/t Au over 27.4 metres. A possible new zone was also intersected further downhole in hole LCS-22-091 which returned 1.23 g/t Au over 7.5 metres and again further downhole the Épervier Zone returned 5.29 g/t Au over 2.6 meters including 17.05 g/t Au over 0.8 metres.
Drill hole LCS-22-074 located near the eastern extent of the zone and at a vertical depth of 170 metres returned 0.66 g/t Au over 22.5 metres and hole LCS-22-076 drilled 40 metres west, but near surface, returned 0.50 g/t Au over 10.0 metres for the FGZ and 0.43 g/t Au over 9.1 metres from the Footwall Zone ("FWZ"). Near the west-central portion of the FGZ hole LCS-22-072 returned 0.49 g/t Au over 40.3 metres, including 2.79 g/t Au over 3.5 metres. Drill hole LCS-22-090 tested the west side of an interpreted fault that offsets mineralization and intersected a weakly mineralized FGZ with 0.24 g/t Au over 19.0 metres.
The FGZ is associated with a silicified-sericitized greywacke host rock. It is oriented approximately east-west and dips steeply (70-80 degrees) to the south. Characteristics defining the mineralized zone include the presence of silicification, sericitization, and pyrite, traceable along the whole 900 metres of strike length and 380 metres vertical depth. Higher gold and silver grades within the FGZ are spatially associated with smoky grey quartz veins and silicification, often containing molybdenite and pyrite, enveloped within strong sericite-carbonate-pyrite alteration. Higher grade intersections are shown in Figure 1, 2 and Table 1 below, and collar locations in Appendix Table 1. The mineralization style, gold grade and thickness have strong similarities to the Nelligan Gold Zone located 2 kilometres to the east of the FGZ.
Table 1: Reported Assay Results, Falcon Zone; true width is estimated as 50-70% of the reported core length.
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The Company completed 12 exploration drill holes on the Lac Surprise property to test regional targets and follow up drilling on the newly discovered mineralized trend associated with the Guercheville Deformation Zone ("GDZ"). Located north of the Falcon Zone, this broad weakly anomalous gold trend is defined by drill holes completed historically and by the Company in recent years including hole LCS-19-003ext., which returned 1.15 g/t Au over 9.5 metres. Included in this release are hole LCS-22-081 drilled 70 metres west of LCS-19-003ext which returned 1.84 g/t Au over 11.5 metres, including 18.5 g/t Au over 1.0 metre, and 80 metres to the east of LCS-19-003ext, hole LCS-22-080 which returned 0.78 g/t Au over 14.5 metres within a broader interval that returned 0.41 g/t Au over 31.9 metres (see Table 2 and Figure 3). Mineralization shows strong similarities to the FGZ mineralization including similar host rocks and structural setting.
Exploration drilling followed up on previous exploration work northeast of the Amber Showing, where a historic intersection returned 0.82 g/t Au over 11.5 metres. Three drill holes tested this trend over 350 metres along strike, with the most eastern hole LCS-22-086, returning 0.65 g/t Au over 10.5 metres, LCS-22-085 returning 0.27 g/t Au over 19 metres including 0.80 g/t Au over 4.0 metres, and LCS-22-084 returning 4.06 g/t Au over 0.5 metres and 0.47 g/t Au over 3.0 metres (see Table 2 and Figure 4). The mineralized trend is associated with deformed and altered felsic porphyry dykes within gabbro host rocks and is open along strike and down dip.
Other exploration holes intersected weakly anomalous gold values and the Company is working to integrate the new data with the already existing large geological database for future exploration targeting. Table 2 below includes highlights from the exploration drill program. See Appendix Table 1 and 2 for complete results and collar locations.
Table 2: Exploration Drilling Assay Highlights; true width is not known.
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True widths of the intercepts reported in this press release have yet to be determined but are estimated to be 50% to 70% of reported core lengths. All NQ-size split core assays reported were obtained by fire assay with atomic absorption finish and samples returning values over 3 ppm Au are re-analyzed, utilizing standard Fire Assay-Gravimetric methods. Samples were shipped to ALS, SGS and AGAT Laboratories (ALS sample preparation done in Sudbury, ON and/or Val-d'Or, QC and analysis done in Vancouver, BC.), AGAT Laboratories (sample preparation done in Val-d'Or, Québec and sample analysis done in Mississauga, ON) and SGS Laboratories (sample preparation done in Val-d'Or, QC and sample analysis done in Vancouver, BC). The quality assurance and quality control protocol include insertion of blank or standard every 20 samples on average, in addition to the regular insertion of blank, duplicate, and standard samples inserted by the laboratories during the analytical process.
The technical content and scientific aspects of this press release have been reviewed by Ms. Sarah Dean (P.Geo.) Ms. Dean is a Qualified Person ("QP") within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information disclosed in this press release related to the Lac Surprise program. Ms. Dean is not considered independent.
Corporate Matters
Northern Superior announces that further to the Royal Fox Gold Inc. ("Royal Fox") press release dated May 21, 2021 and pursuant to the terms of the Share Purchase Agreement dated November 30, 2020, as amended March 23, 2021 and April 21, 2021, (collectively, the "Definitive Agreement"), entered into between the Royal Fox, Frank Guillemette (the "Principal Shareholder"), Jonathan Girard and Jean-Francois Girard (together with the Principal Shareholder, the "Vendors"), Royal Fox purchased from the Vendors, all of the issued and outstanding common shares in the capital of 9396-1217 Quebec Inc., which transaction closed on May 27, 2021 (the "Closing Date"), whose sole asset is 100% of the common shares in the capital of 9220-5392 Quebec Inc. o/a Mines Royales Quebec ("MRQ"). Pursuant to the provisions of the Definitive Agreement, as part consideration for the acquisition of 9396-1217 Quebec Inc. Royal Fox agreed to issue $3,000,000 worth shares to the Vendors in three (3) equal instalments on each of: (i) the twelve (12) month anniversary of the Closing Date (the "First Instalment"), (ii) the eighteen (18) month anniversary of the Closing Date (the "Second Instalment"), and (iii) the twenty four (24) month anniversary of the Closing Date (the "Third Instalment"), in each case at an issue price per share equal to the volume weighted average trading price of the shares for the 20 trading days prior to the date on which such instalment is due. As a result of the Company's acquisition of Royal Fox on November 4, 2022, Northern Superior assumed Royal Fox's Second Installment and Third Installment payment obligations.
The Company announces that it has issued an aggregate of 2,293,051 common shares of the Company "Common Shares") at an issue price of $0.4361 per share for the settlement of the Second Instalment and 2,119,541 Common Shares at an issue price of $0.4718 per share for the settlement of the Third Instalment (collectively, the "Consideration Shares") to the Vendors. The Consideration Shares will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months plus a day from the date of issuance, which hold period will expire on October 3, 2023. Moreover, 30% of the Consideration Shares were deposited in escrow and will be released to the Vendors in accordance with a TSXV Form 5B Escrow Agreement dated May 21, 2021, among the Vendors (and others), Royal Fox and TSX Trust Company.
Pursuant to the Definitive Agreement, Mr. Frank Guillemette was issued 4,305,405 Common Shares. Immediately prior to the issuance, Mr. Guillemette held, directly or indirectly, 8,924,373 Common Shares and 60,000 stock options. Upon completion of is issuance, Mr. Guillemette will beneficially own or control 13,229,778 Common Shares of the Company and 60,000 stock options, representing approximately 9.32% of the Company's issued and outstanding Common Shares on a non-diluted basis and approximately 9.37% of the Company's issued and outstanding Common Shares on a partially basis. Depending on market and other conditions, or as future circumstances may dictate, Mr. Guillemette may from time to time increase or decrease its holdings of Common Shares or other securities of the Company. A copy of the early warning report will be available on the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
The Company is also pleased to announce that, further to its press release dated May 2, 2023, Rockland Resources Ltd. (CSE: RKL) ("Rockland") has fully exercised its option to acquire the Wapistan property from Northern Superior, by accelerating its final option payment of $200,000 and its issuance of an additional 5.4M Rockland shares. Northern Superior has retained a 2% NSR on the property, 1% of which may be re-purchased by Rockland for $1M.
Lastly, the Company has engaged Independent Trading Group ("ITG"), a Toronto based IIROC dealer-member to assist with market making activities. ITG is Canada's only brokerage firm dedicated specifically to professional trading. As Canada's foremost market making firm, ITG provides market making and liquidity provider services that are objective and focused. ITG employs real traders and provides real liquidity, with an underlying emphasis on integrity and success. The Company has agreed to pay ITG a fee of $6,000 per month for the duration of the contract, with an initial term of three months, followed by consecutive one-month terms unless cancelled by either party on 30-day notice.
About Northern Superior Resources Inc.
Northern Superior is a gold exploration company focused on the Chapais-Chibougamau Camp in Québec. The Company has consolidated the largest land package in the region, with total land holdings currently exceeding 62,000 hectares. The main properties include Philibert, Lac Surprise, Chevrier and Croteau Est. Northern Superior also owns significant exploration assets in Northern Ontario highlighted by the district scale TPK Project.
The Philibert Project is located 9km from IAMGOLD Corporation's Nelligan Gold project which was awarded the "Discovery of the Year" by the Québec Mineral Exploration Association (AEMQ) in 2019. To date, more than C$13 million (historical value) have been spent on the Philibert Project, with more than 75,000 metres of drilling completed. The Philibert Project is owned by SOQUEM; the Company is currently undergoing an ownership option process, details of which can be found in the corporate presentation. Chevrier hosts an inferred mineral resource of 652,000 ounces Au (underground and open pit) and an indicated mineral resource of 260,000 ounces Au[2]. Croteau Est hosts an inferred mineral resource of 640,000 ounces Au[3]. Lac Surprise hosts the Falcon Zone Discovery, interpreted to be the western strike extension of IAMGOLD Corporation's Nelligan Deposit.
Northern Superior is a reporting issuer in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Québec, and trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol SUP, and the OTCQB Venture Market under the symbol NSUPF. For further information, please refer to the Company's website at www.nsuperior.com or on SEDAR (www.sedar.com).
Northern Superior Resources Inc. on Behalf of the Board of Directors
Simon Marcotte, CFA, President and Chief Executive Officer
Contact Information:
Simon Marcotte, CFA President and Chief Executive Office Tel: (647) 801-7273 [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Press Release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. When used in this document, the words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to such risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from the statements made, including those factors discussed in filings made by us with the applicable securities regulatory authorities. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties, such actual results of current exploration programs, the general risks associated with the mining industry, the price of gold and other metals, currency and interest rate fluctuations, increased competition and general economic and market factors, occur or should assumptions underlying the forward looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, or expected. We do not intend and do not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Shareholders are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.
Appendix Table 1: Reported Assay Results, Exploration, True widths are not known at this time.
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Appendix Table 2: Drillhole Collar Locations, UTM Zone 17
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[2] NI 43-101 Technical Report Mineral Resource Estimation for the Chevrier Main Deposit, Chevrier Project Chibougamau, Quebec, Canada, October 20, 2021, Prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") by Lions Gate Geological Consulting Inc. IOS Services Géoscientifiques Inc. for Northern Superior Resources Inc.
[3] Chalice Gold Mines Limited and Northern Superior Resources Inc. Technical Report on the Croteau Est Gold Project, Québec, September 2015, Prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") by Optiro Pty Ltd ("Optiro") to Chalice Gold Mines Limited and Northern Superior Resources Inc.
SOURCE: Northern Superior Resources Inc.
View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/759413/Northern-Superior-Reports-090-GT-Gold-Over-590-Metres-and-073-GT-Gold-Over-610-Metres-From-the-Falcon-Gold-Zone-and-184-GT-Au-Over-115-Metres-From-Exploration-Drilling-at-Lac-Surprise
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1973 -The Jackson 5 are recording "Here I Am (Come And Take Me)" , for Motown Records in Detroit, Michigan
1983 - Member of The Jacksons World Fan-Club receive an improvised and unreleased song from the group named “The Surprise Song”. The Jacksons reveal that they are working on a brand new album and world tour.
1988 - Michael Jackson plays the second of three nights at Stadion Feijenoord (De Kuip) in Rotterdam, Netherlands, to an audience of 48,400
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1990 - It was announced that Michael, who has been hospitalized for 2 days after complaining of chest pains, is suffering from a cartilage inflammation of the front part of the ribs and will be released "within the next 48 hours"
Speaking in front of St. John's Hospital, publicist Bob Jones read a statement from Jackson's attending cardiologist, Mark Zatzkis, who said the 31-year-old is suffering from an inflammation called costochondritis, "which can be caused by overexertion and stress and is usually extremely painful."
This condition, Jones added, "is something that happens to football players a lot." He said Jackson has undergone "extensive laboratory and X-ray testing, including the heart and lungs," which revealed "no abnormalities."
After his release, Jackson will be an outpatient for seven to 10 days. The star's cardiologist told Jones that before Jackson "completely resumes full activities, a treadmill test is going to be performed." Asked if that was being administered to check his heart, Jones said, "I didn't ask him. He's a cardiologist, so presumably so."
Today, children from the Culver City YMCA arrived at the hospital unannounced to sing a song and give Michael a banner. Although the hospital spokesman said security guards were momentarily unnerved, the children's banner was taken up to Jackson, who was sleeping at the time.
Only minutes after Jones finished his press conference, several Jackson siblings- brothers Marlon, Randy and Jackie, and sister Rebbie - arrived together to visit their brother. Smiling, they paused briefly at the entrance and were immediately mobbed by reporters asking questions.
"I haven't seen him yet," said Randy with a laugh. "He's a strong person," said Jackie. "I know he's gonna pull through."
There's been speculation that Michael had been suffering from stress over his 'Long-overdue album' as well as depression over the recent deaths of Sammy Davis Jr. and his grandmother, and Ryan White
"Stress is a very important factor," Jones said of Jackson's ailment. "I don't say he's worrying too much," he said, but "I would certainly like to see him rest more."
Asked if his recuperation would set Jackson back in his recording work, Jones said: "It's seven more days off. We're already eight months off schedule. Michael Jackson is one of the best artists around. I'm not concerned."
1996 -Michael appears on MTV Asia’s Channel V and says:

"Hi, this is Michael Jackson. The first to be Number 1 entertainer of the month on Channel V, the best channel in Asia."

The TV station then showed clips from "Black or White" and the prison version of "They Don't Care About Us." Michael's videos will be played throughout the month on MTV Asia
1997 - Michael plays Weserstadion in Bremen, Germany on the HIStory World Tour
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2013 - Jackson v AEG Trial Day 25
No Jackson family is at court
Randy Phillips Testimony
Jackson direct
Plaintiff's attorney Brian Panish started out by asking AEG Live CEO Randy Phillips about his preparations for today. Phillips said he spent about 2 hours and 15 minutes preparing for today's testimony. Today's testimony was very focused on emails
Panish asked Phillips who subpoenaed his phone records. The exec confirmed it was LAPD
Panish focused almost all his questions on emails that Phillips received or sent on June 19th and 20th of 2009. He focused on emails we've seen before from production manager John "Bugzee" Hougdahl and director Kenny Ortega.
Panish went through some of the calls Phillips made. On 6/18/09, Gongaware sent an email to Phillips with all of Dr. Murray's phone numbers.

Panish: "Do you normally carry around all the contact numbers of your artist's personal physicians?"
Phillips: "Absolutely not! Most of the artists we don't deal with their personal physician"

Next Panish referred to the email with the subject "Trouble at the Front" from Bugzee saying Michael went home without stepping foot on stage.
"I think I read this email before I went to bed on 6/19," Phillips said. Panish pointed out that at the deposition Phillips said he read it after sunrise. "I don't want to argue with you either, I don't think it's fair to the jurors," Phillips told Panish after a short exchange between them. "Since the deposition, my memory had gotten better because I was given documents and tried to remember what happened," Phillips testified.

Panish: "You are not a drama queen, right?"
Phillips: "Sometimes"

​
"Yes, I'm under oath," Phillips joked about having to tell the truth.
​

Panish: "What changed from your deposition and today?"
Phillips: "Nothing, absolutely nothing, just that I'm very prepared"
Panish: "Did Mr. Jackson have a problem on June 20th?"
Philips: "Absolutely"

Panish asked if Phillips remembered his reaction after receiving this email. "Yes, yes. Concerned," Philips responded. Panish showed video of Phillips' deposition where said he didn't remember how he reacted when the received the email
Hougdahl relayed a quote from Jackson that night, in which he said:

"You aren't going to kill the artist, are you?"

Phillips said he thought Jackson was joking, but seemed to back off after Panish reminded him he wasn't at the rehearsal.
Within 19 mins of receiving Bugzee's email on the evening of Jun 19, Phillips forwarded Bugzee's email adding:

"We have a real problem here."

Just over four minutes later, Leiweke responded to the email asking for a meeting between him, Michael, Phillips and Kenny Ortega. Phillips said he forwarded the email to Ortega and asked him to set up the meeting. Ortega responded yes to the email the next morning. The meeting Tim asked didn't happen that day, Phillips explained. But there was a meeting in the afternoon of June 20th, he said.
Bugzee replied back to Phillips that Michael needed a shrink and trainer, deteriorated in front of his eyes for eight weeks.
"That's what he wrote, I'm not sure exactly what he meant," Philips said. Panish asked what Bugzee said about the 360 turns:

"He was telling me MJ couldn't do a 360 spin."

​

Phillips: "I know what he said, but until we had the meeting I didn't know what was going on"
Panish: "It shows someone's physical condition deteriorated, right?"
Phillips: "It shows that there's a problem, yes. The word deteriorate may not be what happened. I didn't know what was going on until we had the meeting"

Phillips then forwarded the email chain to John Branca, Joel Katz, Tim Leiweke (his boss), adding:

"Unfortunately we are running out of time"

Phillips received another email from Bugzee saying Michael was shaking and couldn't eat, Ortega had to cut his food, feed him. Phillips answered the email saying he was not sure what Michael's problem was, chemical or physiological. Panish went through 5 different answers Phillips gave as explanation for this email, from not knowing what chemical means to possible drug reaction.
Ortega then sent another email to Randy, saying he believed Michael needed to be psychologically evaluated. Phillips testified today he agreed with what Kenny said. In his deposition, Phillips said he didn't recall.
He also rejected the idea that he was responsible for Jackson's health. "I'm not responsible for his medical needs," Phillips said. "We're promoters & that's what we do."
"I'm not responsible for Michael's health, he's an adult, he had a personal doctor," Phillips said. Phillips testified he didn't contact any psychologist or psychiatrist after Bugzee and Ortega said Michael hould be checked out by one
Phillips testified he never said he was going to pull the plug on the show and never threatened Michael with pulling the plug. Panish asked if Phillips ever told Ortega it was not his job to question Michael's health/doctor care. He replied, "No"
Branca responded to the email from Phillips saying he had the right therapist/spiritual advisor. The email does not name who the doctor is, but Phillips testified shortly ago that he remembered a name. He said he was wrong about it. Some jurors shook their heads when Phillips and Panish argued with each other and the judge intervened.

Panish: "Did Mr. Branca ever tell you who the psychiatrist was?"
Phillips: "No"
Panish: "Did you ask him for the name?"
Phillips: "No"
Panish: "Did you ever do anything?"
Phillips: "Only the meeting on the 20th"

Jackson's business manager, Michael Kane, emailed Phillips, asking for an advance. AEG already had lent Michael more than $30 million for production costs on This Is It, settling a lawsuit in Bahrain and for rent on a Holmby Hills mansion.
Phillips responded to Kane on June 20, 2009:

"This is why it is impossible to advance any $$$. He may, unfortunately, be in anticipatory breach at this point"

Kane, quickly replied:

"And I thought it couldn't get worse"

Phillips response:

"It could, Kenny Ortega could quit"

Kane asked:

"Would a financial coming to Jesus speech help or add to his pressure?"

Phillips wrote back:

"It would help. At this point we need to break through. I am going to call his doctor to discuss"

​

Phillips: "He (Kane) asked for a million dollars to pay for Mr. Jackson's bills"
Panish: "You anticipated Michael would breach the contract by not showing up to rehearsal?"
Phillips: "Yes"
Phillips: "None of our agreements have 'artist need to rehearse', but the artists want to perfect their show"

Phillips said if Michael's lack of appearance caused production to not complete, & the show to not open in London, Michael could be in breach of his contract
"Required is a little too strong, I was concerned that if he didn't go to rehearsal Kenny could not finish the production. I felt Michael had that obligation, yes," Phillips said about MJ needing to be at rehearsals.
He denied that he ever threatened Jackson over missed rehearsals: "We would have never dealt with Michael that way"
Phillips would not advance any more money to Michael on June 20th because Michael may have been in breach of contract already, Phillips testified. "AEG Live would've survived it (show) not happened," Phillips said. He agreed that part of his concern was that AEG Live would look bad.
​

Panish: "You felt Mr. Jackson's not going to rehearsal ... may have placed him in breach of the contract. That's why you wouldn't advance him any more money?"
Phillips: "Yes"

Phillips agreed there was a lot of money at stake on the tour, but he said he also was concerned about Jackson's career if he pulled out.
Panish talked about the email Ortega sent saying Michael needed a strong therapist and immediate physical nurturing. "I think he needed both, so in this case I'm not sure he meant therapist or psychiatrist," Phillips said.
After Ortega wrote him an email saying the singer should be "psychologically evaluated", Phillips wrote back: "I am stymied on who to bring in as a therapist and how they can get through to him in such a short time"
Phillips first testified he thought Ortega meant a physical therapist, then switched to physical or mental health therapist and then finally agreed it was a mental health professional. He said neither a psychiatrist nor a psychologist was contacted.
Panish made a mistake in one exhibit and Phillips reacted immediately.

Phillips:"See, we all make mistakes"
Panish: "I haven't made 50 of them"
Phillips: "I don't know, I haven't watched the entire trial"

Phillips said the meeting with the doctor was at the request of Frank DiLeo. Phillips' testimony ended for the day before he discussed the meeting with Murray, Ortega and others. Panish wanted to play a Frank Dileo voicemail that was played during the Murray trial trying to set up a meeting and get Jackson tested. Judge tentatively rules the voicemail couldn't be played for this jury on hearsay grounds.
Court Transcript

MAY 5, 2023~Department of Energy Issues Request for Information to Provide Feedback on Critical Materials Assessment~

DOE Issues Request for Information to Provide Feedback on Critical Materials Assessment (govdelivery.com)
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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking public feedback on DOE’s draft Critical Materials Assessment. This RFI is being issued by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)’s Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO), with the purpose of improving the DOE Critical Materials Assessment prior to finalization.
Specifically, this RFI seeks input on the following Areas of Interest:

• Data and Information to Support Revision of Analysis
• Improvements to the Methodology

Click here to read the RFI, including the draft list of critical materials for energy resulting from this Assessment.
Historically, the Critical Materials Assessment has informed DOE’s priorities for research activities. The dynamic nature of criticality necessitates ongoing updates to the Assessment. Since DOE released its first Critical Materials Strategy in 2010, DOE’s research portfolio has expanded into a Critical Materials Research, Development, Demonstration, and Commercialization Application (RDD&CA) Program. DOE anticipates updating the Critical Materials Assessment every three years to reflect the most current data and market conditions underlying the methodology.
Inclusion on DOE’s critical materials for energy list will inform crosscutting priorities including Critical Materials RDD&CA Program priorities and eligibility for the Inflation Reduction Act 48C tax credit.
Responses to this RFI must be submitted electronically to [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) no later than 5:00pm ET on June 20, 2023.
Learn more about DOE’s work on critical minerals and materials to build resilient supply chains that support the clean energy transition.
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Critical Materials Assessment U.S. Department of Energy May 2023

2023 Critical Materials Assessment (energy.gov)

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TITLE 17 CLEAN ENERGY FINANCING Department of Energy

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AUGUST 22, 2022 New Federal Legislation Could Deliver Powerful New Benefits to NioCorp for its Critical Mineralshttps://www.niocorp.com/new-federal-legislation-could-deliver-powerful-new-benefits-to-niocorp-for-its-critical-minerals/

CENTENNIAL, Colo., August 17, 2022— The “Inflation Reduction Act of 2022,” signed into law by President Biden this week, includes multiple financial and tax incentives designed to encourage greater production of critical minerals in the U.S. Virtually all of the critical minerals NioCorp Developments Ltd. (“NioCorp” or the “Company”) (TSX:NB) (OTCQX:NIOBF) intends to produce as part of its Elk Creek Critical Minerals Project in Nebraska (the “Project”) would be eligible for new tax credits once the Project is financed and placed into commercial production.****ALSO UNDER- Other Provisions That Could Benefit NioCorpOther provisions of the law are aimed at encouraging greater production of critical minerals in the U.S.:$40 billion commitment authority for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Innovative Technology Loan Guarantee Program (Title XVII), on top of DOE’s existing commitment authority of approximately $24 billion. The Innovative Technologies Loan Guarantee Program authorizes loan guarantees for projects that (1) “avoid, reduce, utilize, or sequester” air pollutants or anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases; and (2) employ “new or significantly improved technologies” as compared to commercial technologies in service in the United States at the time the guarantee is issued.
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JANUARY 2023 National Defense Act Calls out NIOBIUM & TITANIUM & SCANDIUM & the need to establish a U.S. Industrial Base for the Supply & Processing of ALL!

https://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20220711/CRPT-117hrpt397.pdf
The committee believes the United States industrial base for the supply and processing of the critical mineral scandium has significant vulnerabilities. The committee also believes that the United States should seek to eliminate dependence on Chinese and Russian sources of scandium, with support from allies and partners. Accordingly, public and private sectors should cooperate closely to establish scandium processing facilities in the United States. Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services not later than May 1, 2023, on public and private sector activities, working with allied nations, to establish scandium processing facilities in the United States, especially facilities based on more efficient, cleaner, and less energy intensive technologies. This briefing will also include how these processing facilities will help the United States reduce dependence on and compete more effectively with China and Russia.
Department of Defense on NIOBIUM PAGE #250 ~Control of Niobium by the Chinese Communist Party~
The committee is concerned by recent investments in global niobium production made by firms under the ownership, control, or influence of the Chinese Communist Party (“CCP”). Niobium is a critical mineral needed for the production of superalloys in jet and rocket engines, critical components in defense systems and hypersonic vehicles, and other emerging technologies. CCP control of niobium and a lack of a domestic capability within the United States present a national security risk similar to risks in the rare earth mineral markets. Therefore, the committee directs the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services by December 31, 2022, on current global sources of supply of niobium along with a cost-benefit analysis of establishing a domestic supply of high purity niobium oxides. The briefing shall:(1) differentiate between ferroniobium and high-purity niobium (the critical niobium oxide precursor);(2) address the possibility of using underutilized byproduct niobium feed stocks from coproduced materials in the United States to strengthen the domestic industrial base for other key refractory materials such as tantalum; and(3) include a list of defense programs that are significant users of niobium or where niobium is a critical component.
Department of Defense Access to TITANIUM on pages #250 & #253 ~Establishment of Efficient Titanium Processing Facilities in the United States~
The committee is concerned that the United States industrial base for the supply and processing of the critical mineral titanium has significant vulnerabilities, including dependence on strategic competitors for the supply and processing of titanium. The committee believes that the United States should seek to eliminate dependence when it comes to the supply and processing of titanium, with support from allies and partners. Furthermore, the committee believes the public and private sectors should cooperate closely to establish titanium processing facilities in the United States or in other trusted partner countries. Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the heads of other appropriate Federal departments, to submit to the House Committee on Armed Services an unclassified briefing not later than December 31, 2022, that includes:(1) a description of the public and private sector activities to cooperate and establish efficient titanium processing facilities in the United States or in trusted partner countries; and(2) an analysis of how such facilities will help the United States reduce dependence on strategic competitors\**.**\**
SEE ALSO ~Armed Services report to the Senate supporting (2023 NDAA)https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/fy23_ndaa_bill_report.pdfSUBTITLE B— NATIONAL DEFENSE STOCKPILE (***There is more in the document for those interested!)
Modification of acquisition authority under Strategic and Critical Materials Stock Piling Act (sec. 1411)The committee recommends a provision that would amend the Strategic and Critical Materials Stock Piling Act (50 U.S.C. 98d) in order to give the National Defense Stockpile Manager greater flexibility and agility to acquire critical materials, including rare earth elements, that are necessary to meet the requirements of the Department of Defense.Briefings on shortfalls in National Defense Stockpile (sec. 1412)The committee recommends a provision that would amend section 14 of the Strategic and Critical Materials Stock Piling Act (50 U.S.C. 98h-5) to require the National Defense Stockpile Manager to submit, not later than March 1 each year, a briefing to the congressional defense committees on strategic and critical materials shortfalls.Authority to acquire materials for the National Defense Stockpile (sec. 1413)The committee recommends a provision that would authorize the National Defense Stockpile Manager to use, of the funds appropriated for the National Defense Stockpile Transaction Fund, $1.0 billion for the acquisition of materials determined to be strategic and critical materials required to meet the defense, industrial, and essential civilian needs of the United States.
*********Please see Response to the following question: Jan. 2023Jim: Given the information posted above-***A) Can you offer a comment on how the Scandium, Titanium & Niobium mining & processing facilities MENTIONED above would help or affect the outcome of the Elk Creek Mine Project moving forward?*See Response:
"The Congress is focusing more intensely now on the need to encourage greater domestic production capacity of scandium, niobium, titanium, and rare earths. The language contained in the House Report accompanying the FY23 NDAA requires DoD to brief the House Armed Services Committee on each of the topics mentioned related to scandium, niobium, and titanium. These initiatives show that our education efforts, and those of others, are moving these elements to a much higher visibility with Congressional leaders. That is very good for our Project for a number of reasons. The findings and recommendations of these studies can often spur Congress to take more definitive actions (e.g., funding availability) of Projects such as ours."
NIOCORP MANAGEMENT ON Jan. 31st, 2023, ~What were they doing in D.C. for 4-Days?~ "Working with White House officials on critical minerals issues. This Administration is working hard to help support environmentally responsible critical minerals projects like NioCorp’s Elk Creek Project in the great State of Nebraska. "~
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~President Biden Signs Presidential Waiver of Statutory Requirements for Supply Chain Resilience~ Feb. 28, 2023https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3312486/president-biden-signs-presidential-waiver-of-statutory-requirements-for-supply/
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JIM SIMS RESPONDS TO TWO ONGOING RELEVANT QUESTIONS MAY 5, 2023 (***Please see all earlier posted responses to this line of questions for reference)
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RESPONSE: "There are several DOE programs, including the LGP program (Title XVII), that could potentially provide debt assistance to NioCorp."

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RESPONSE: " As I have stated many times before, we are not allowed to confirm or deny whether we have a pending application with the DOE for this or other programs." - JIM

MAY 25th 2023 ~NioCorp Demonstrates Higher Niobium Recovery Rates New Processing Approach Demonstrates the Ability to Make More Niobium per Tonne of Ore, Produce a Higher Purity Product, and Potentially Address New Markets with Different Niobium Products

https://www.niocorp.com/niocorp-demonstrates-higher-niobium-recovery-rates/
Potential New Forms of Niobium Products and Potential Markets
NioCorp’s new process approach, which incorporates a chlorination step to improve niobium and titanium separation and purification, also has demonstrated NioCorp’s ability to potentially produce three different niobium products: (1) ferroniobium; (2) niobium chloride; and (3) niobium oxide.NioCorp had previously planned to make ferroniobium, which is used by the steel industry to produce high-strength low-alloy steel alloys. Those alloys are used in the construction, automotive and transport, aerospace and defense, oil and gas, and other industries. Niobium is a $3.3 billion per year global market but is currently served by only three major niobium producers in two countries.Niobium chloride would likely be converted by NioCorp into niobium oxide, but niobium chloride is also used in glass and ceramic manufacturing.Niobium oxide is critical to multiple applications, including niobium-lithium-ion batteries, superalloys, superconducting applications, capacitors, specialized optics, and many others. Its use in niobium-lithium-ion batteries is considered by current niobium producers as one of the fastest growing prospective global niobium markets.
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MAY 26th 2023~NioCorp Demonstrates the Ability to Potentially Double Projected Titanium Recovery Rates for the Elk Creek Projecthttps://www.niocorp.com/niocorp-demonstrates-the-ability-to-potentially-double-projected-titanium-recovery-rates-for-the-elk-creek-project/
Demonstration Plant Shows New Recovery Process May Double NioCorp’s Titanium Production per Tonne of Ore as well as Produce a Higher Purity Product that May Command Higher Market Prices
MAY 29th 2023~NioCorp Launches Phased Approach to Commercial Production of Made-in-America Aluminum-Scandium Master Alloyhttps://www.niocorp.com/niocorp-launches-phased-approach-to-commercial-production-of-made-in-america-aluminum-scandium-master-alloy/
NioCorp Partnering with Nanoscale Powders LLC to Explore the Possibility of Establishing the First US-Based Mine-to-Master-Alloy Vertically Integrated Production of the High-Performance MaterialNioCorp’s Potential Commercial Production of Al-Sc Master Alloy Could Launch Prior to the Company’s Planned Production of >100 Tonnes/Year of Scandium Oxide at its Proposed Elk Creek Critical Minerals Project in Nebraska and Would Use Scandium Produced at the Elk Creek Facility as well as From Other SourcesChina Now Dominates the Scandium World, but North America is Now Positioned to Emerge as a “Leading Scandium Producer,” says NioCorp CEO
THINKCOLLABORATIONS ON BATTERY BOXES ~(FORDS PATENT) ~& OTHER OEMS & MORE!
MAY 29th 2023~ Jim/NIOCORP respond to question on recent Scandium News Release above:What comes to mind right off the bat is:
*A)"How is this Scandium AlSc master Alloy different than what Niocorp produced with IBC & AMES laboratory???"*Response:

"It is a different process that will be utilized. "

*B) Will this be a Patentable approach now moving forward? in conjunction with Nanoscale???*Response:

" Yes and yes. But we do not discuss the details of intellectual property matters except as required by law"

(\****This is very interesting indeed because a few years back Niocorp was not interested in patenting any such materials!)*
*C) IS NIOCORP still engaged with IBC, AMES & OTHER ENTITIES in regards to Scandium Alloy production & uses moving forward? and with the New Niobium & Titanium oxides as well!!!!*Response:

"We are focusing on our partnership with Nanoscale on the production of AlSc master alloy, but we engaged with a number of parties on various elements of our scandium-aluminum master alloy business development. We are not working with IBC on niobium or titanium product development efforts."

(****SOUNDS LIKE OTHER COLLABORATIONS ARE ONGOING WITH POSSIBLE PRIVATE & GOVERNMENT ENTITIES?? OFF-TAKE AGREEMENTS & SO MUCH MORE! COULD BE IN PLAY AS THE MINE IS BUILT & NEARS PRODUCTION!!!!!!)

"ENGAGED WITH A NUMBER OF VARIOUS PARTIES!!!!" ARE (SCANDIUM, NIOBIUM & TITANIUM ALL INVOLVED......???? INTERESTING!!!!)

THEN THERE IS THE RARE EARTHS QUESTION:Sharing Jims response as Niocorp does have legal DISCLOSURE constraints to deal with in regards to all "Material News releases"! When asked about Rare Earths ON ~MAY, 26th 2023~
RESPONSE:

"NioCorp has not made a final determination on which REE products we will make, including tonnages, etc.. That determination can only be made in the context of publication of an updated Feasibility Study"

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FORM YOUR OWN OPINIONS & CONCLUSIONS ABOVE:

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CHICO