Mark A. Smith serves as Chief Executive Officer and President of NioCorp Developments Ltd., a company dedicated to developing the Elk Creek Critical Minerals Project in southeast Nebraska, one of the world's largest undeveloped reserves of niobium, scandium, titanium, and potentially magnetic rare earth elements. With over 40 years of international experience in the mining industry, Smith has held senior executive roles across exploration, development, financing, and operations. His leadership has been instrumental in advancing high-profile projects from discovery through to production, particularly in challenging international markets. Prior to joining NioCorp in 2012, Smith was CEO of Sino Gold Mining Limited, where he spearheaded the development of the Changkeng gold mine in China—the largest open-pit gold mine in the country at the time—culminating in its $234 million acquisition by Eldorado Gold Corporation in 2009. He also served as Managing Director of Cortona Resources Ltd., focusing on iron ore and gold projects in Brazil and West Africa, and held executive positions with Utah International Inc. and BHP Billiton, managing large-scale coal and mineral operations. His achievements include raising over $1 billion in project financing and navigating complex regulatory and geopolitical environments. At NioCorp, Smith has driven significant milestones for the Elk Creek project, including the completion of a bankable feasibility study demonstrating robust economics, securing key permits from Nebraska regulators, and obtaining a conditional commitment for a $245 million loan from the U.S. EXIM Bank to support construction. Under his guidance, the company continues to pursue additional financing and partnerships to bring this vertically integrated facility online, positioning NioCorp as a key North American supplier of critical minerals essential for defense, aerospace, and clean energy technologies.