In perspective of the improvement of the rare earth market, Niocan Inc. had mandated in year 2000 J.R. Goode and Associates, Metallurgical Consulting to prepare a conceptual study on Niobium Refinery and Rare Earth Recovery Project for its niobium property in Oka.

The study considered the processing of unleached pyrochlore concentrate to produce a high grade niobium product (about 99% pure), an intermediate grade tantalum product (about 80% grade), a semi-refined cerium oxide (95% grade) and a mixed rare earths product (about 80% total rare earths). In 2000 the market for rare earths was almost completely under the control of China and the project was not followed up.

Niocan's pyrochlore concentrate at its Oka niobium property contains 52% Nb2O5 pentoxide of niobium, 0.28% Ta2O5 of pentoxide of tantalum and 13.2% of rare earths including 9% of Ce2O3 trioxide of cerium (Reference Analysis by Lakefield, reported by Jean-Claude Caron, Inc. Protec; October 14, 1998).