NioCorp Developments Ltd., manufacturers of specialty alloys based in Colorado, recently announced the appointment of Jim Sims to the position of Vice President of External Affairs. In this capacity, Mr. Sims will manage investor relations, media relations, marketing, and government affairs.
Mr. Sims has more than 25 years of experience in managing marketing, media relations, public affairs, and investor relations for companies in the mining, chemical, manufacturing, utility, and renewable energy sectors. For the past five years he was Vice President of Corporate Communications at Molycorp, Inc. From 1999-2010, he served as the Chief Executive Officer and President of Policy Communications, Inc. During that time, he led the successful turnaround of the Western Business Roundtable and served as that multi-sector industry trade group’s CEO for eight years.
NioCorp is developing the Elk Creek Niobium / Scandium / Titanium project in Southeast Nebraska. Niobium is used to produce High Strength, Low Alloy (“HSLA”) steel, which is a lighter, stronger steel used in automotive, structural, and pipeline applications. Scandium can be combined with Aluminum to make an alloy with increased strength and improved corrosion resistance. Scandium is also a critical component of advanced solid oxide fuel cells. Titanium is a key component of pigments used in paper, paint and plastics and is also used for aerospace applications, armor and medical implants.