Update on Blue River sales negotiations Beside the most important prospective customer for Blue River JX Mining there is apparently still:„In terms of Blue River, yes there is a possibility that this asset could be sold, and JX Nippon still seems like the most likely candidate, although Ulba Metallurgical has also expressed some interest.“
Ulba Metallurgical Plant, shortly UMP, also widely known as Ulba is joint stock company. It is part of National Atomic Company "Kazatomprom", which is National operator for nuclear industry in Kazakhstan. It is one of the world leaders in terms of production of beryllium, tantalum, and niobium, as well as uranium-based fuel bricks for nuclear power stations.
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulba_Metallurgical_Plant
Yes, I would be interested to know what the USDoD has to say if the Kazakhs snatch this important Ta/Nb source away from Seattle, Boing and Co. in "walking distance" (7T).
And ask the US DOD if it is ok for them to sell Ashram to China.