A Colorado company says Johnson County commissioners have granted it a permit to mine for a rare, heat-resistant element.

 NioCorp Developments Ltd. said in a news release Tuesday that the commissioners determined the niobium mine was not incompatible with agriculture and was designed to minimize impact on its neighbors.

NioCorp also says it agreed to pave and maintain County Road 721 from Highway 50 to the entrance of the site. NioCorp will reimburse the county for additional law enforcement required during the construction phase of the mine project.

NioCorp Vice President Scott Honan thanks the county board and  Zoning Administrator Mike Davidson.

Honan: “We believe that working cooperatively with the county to address local concerns through the special use permit process is the right way to do things. We look forward to be able to move to a construction start, once we secure sufficient project financing, and to serving as good neighbors with the people of Johnson County for decades to come.”

The company also announced extension agreements for 469 acres of land in two parcels. The project area includes 1,000 acres.

The project has qualified for up to $200 million in state tax incentives and is expected to create more than 400 jobs.

 The company is based in Centennial, Colorado.