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聯合 國

證券 交易委員會 

華盛頓, D. C. 20549

 

形式 10-K

(馬克 一)

 

  年度 根據1934年證券交易所法第13或15(d)條提交的報告
爲 日終了的財政年度 2024年6月30日
  過渡 根據1934年證券交易所法第13或15(d)條提交的報告

爲 的過渡期 到

 

 

委員會 文件號: 001-41655

 

  

NioCorp 發展有限公司

 

(確切的 章程中規定的註冊人名稱)

 

英國 加拿大卑詩省     98-1262185
(國家 或成立或組織的其他司法管轄區)     (國稅局 僱主識別號)
       

 7000 南優勝美地街, 115套房 百年誕辰, 公司

(地址 主要行政辦公室)

80112

(Zip 代碼)

   
註冊者的 電話號碼,包括地區代碼: (720) 334-7066
 

證券 根據該法案第12(b)條登記的:

 

標題 各班 交易 符號 名稱 註冊的每個交易所
共同 屬無面值的股份 注意: 的 納斯達克證券市場有限責任公司
逮捕令, 每股可行使1.11829212普通股 NIOBW 的 納斯達克證券市場有限責任公司

 

證券 根據該法案第12(g)條登記:無。

 

指示 如果註冊人是《證券法》第405條規定的知名經驗豐富的發行人,則勾選標記。

是 ☐不是

 

指示 如果註冊人無需根據該法案第13條或第15(d)條提交報告,則勾選標記。 

是 ☐不是

 

指示 勾選註冊人(1)是否已提交證券交易所第13或15(d)條要求提交的所有報告 1934年法案在過去12個月內(或要求登記人提交此類報告的較短期限內), 且(2)在過去90天內一直遵守此類提交要求。

☒沒有☐

 

指示 通過檢查註冊人是否已以電子方式提交了需要提交的所有交互數據文件 在過去12個月內(或較短的期限內, 註冊人必須提交此類文件)。

☒沒有☐

 

 

 

  

指示 通過勾選註冊人是否是大型加速文件夾、加速文件夾、非加速文件夾、小型報告夾 公司,或新興成長型公司。請參閱「大型加速文件夾」、「加速文件夾」的定義 《交易法》第120億.2條中的「小型報告公司」和「新興成長公司」。

 

大 加速編報公司 加速 Filer

非加速 Filer

較小 報告公司

  新興 成長型公司

 

如果 新興成長型公司,如果註冊人選擇不使用延長的過渡期,請勾選標記 遵守根據《交易法》第13(a)條規定的任何新的或修訂的財務會計準則。 ☐

 

指示 檢查註冊人是否已提交其管理層對其有效性評估的報告和證明 根據《薩班斯-奧克斯利法案》(15 USC)第404(b)條對其財務報告的內部控制7262(b))由註冊人 編制或出具審計報告的公共會計師事務所。 ☐

 

如果 證券是根據該法第12(b)條登記的,通過複選標記表明財務報表是否 文件中包含的登記人反映了對之前發佈的財務報表錯誤的更正。☐

 

指示 勾選這些錯誤更正是否是需要對基於激勵的薪酬進行恢復分析的重述 根據§240.10D-1(b),註冊人的任何執行官員在相關恢復期內收到。 ☐

 

指示 勾選註冊人是否是空殼公司(定義見《交易法》第120億.2條)。是的 不是

 

在 2023年12月31日,非關聯公司持有的註冊人有投票權和無投票權普通股的總市值 註冊人的金額爲美元100.6 基於納斯達克股市報告的收盤價。有 38,660,244 2024年9月20日已發行的普通股。

 

文件 通過引用併入

 

不 適用因

 

 

 

 

 

表 內容

 

目錄表

 

選擇挖掘定義 i
公制當量 v
礦產儲量和資源 v
貨幣和匯率 vi
風險因素摘要 vi
第一部分 1
項目1. 業務 1
引言 1
業務的歷史發展 1
業務運營 5
競爭激烈的商業環境 6
週期 6
經濟依存度 7
政府監管 7
人力資本 9
前瞻性陳述 9
可用信息 11
項目1A. 危險因素 11
與我們的業務相關的風險 12
與採礦和開發相關的風險 17
與政府監管相關的風險 21
與我們的債務相關的風險 23
普通股的相關風險 24
ITEm 10億。未解決的工作人員評論 27
ITEm 1C。網絡安全 27
項目2. 性能 28
項目3. 法律訴訟 46
項目4. 礦山安全披露 46
第二部分 46
項目5. 註冊人普通股票市場、相關股東事項以及發行人購買股票證券 46
市場信息 46
持有者 46
分紅 46
根據股權補償計劃獲授權發行的證券 46
公司購買股權證券 46
最近出售的未註冊證券 47
外匯管制 47
美國居民的某些加拿大聯邦所得稅考慮因素 47
項目6. 已保留 48
項目7. 管理層對財務狀況和運營結果的討論和分析 49
合併財務和經營業績摘要 49
經營成果 49
流動性與資本資源 51
現金流考慮因素 56
環境 56
前瞻性陳述 56
會計發展動態 57
關鍵會計估計和最近的會計公告 57
其他 58
項目7A.關於市場風險的定量和定性披露 58
利率風險 58
外幣兌換風險 58
商品價格風險 58

 

 

 

 

第8項:財務報表和補充數據 59
項目9.會計和財務披露方面的變更和與會計師的分歧 97
項目9A.控制和程序 97
第9B項:其他資料 99
ITEm 9C。關於阻止檢查的外國司法管轄區的披露 99
第三部分 100
項目10.董事、執行人員和企業治理 100
董事及行政人員 100
項目11.高管薪酬 104
項目12.某些受益人和股東的證券所有權以及相關股東事項 111
項目13.某些關係和相關交易以及董事獨立性 114
項目14.主要會計費用和服務 115
第四部分 117
項目15.展覽和財務報表和時間表 117
項目16. 表格10-k摘要 120
簽名 121

 

 

 

 

選擇 採礦定義

 

碳酸鹽巖 一個 一種侵入或噴出的火成岩,由礦物學成分定義,由50%以上的碳酸鹽礦物組成。
截斷 等級 這個 品位(即金屬或礦物在岩石中的濃度),它決定了採礦過程中材料的目的地。 爲了確定「經濟開採前景」,邊際品位是區分 被認爲沒有經濟價值的材料(不會在地下采礦中開採,如果在露天採礦中開採,則其目的地 來自被認爲具有經濟價值的材料(其在採礦期間的最終目的地將是一個加工 設施)。與邊際品位類似的其他術語包括冶煉廠淨回報、薪酬限制和盈虧平衡剝離。 比率
存款 一個 通過充分的鑽探、挖溝和/或地下工作在物理上圈定的礦化體,並發現 含有足以保證進一步勘探和/或開發支出的金屬或金屬的平均品級。是這樣的 一個礦牀不符合可商業開採的礦體或含有儲量或礦石的資格,除非最終的法律,技術, 經濟因素得到解決。
發展 階段發行人 一個 從事礦產儲備準備工作的發行人,以供開採至少一種物質財產
發展 階段性 一個 根據S-K1300號條例披露了礦產儲量,但沒有進行物質開採的財產
鑽石 鑽井 一個 一種旋轉鑽探類型,使用鑽石鑽頭作爲岩石切割工具來生產可回收的鑽芯樣品 用於觀察和分析的岩石
鏑 或Dy 這個 元素鏑(原子序數爲66),是稀土元素中的一種。
鏑 氧化物 這個 由鏑和氧組成的化合物,式爲Dy2O3
從經濟上講 可行的 什麼時候 用於確定礦產儲量,意味着有資格的人已使用貼現現金確定 流動分析,或以其他方式分析確定,在以下條件下開採礦產儲備在經濟上是可行的 合理的投資和市場假設
可行性 學習

一個 某礦開發方案選擇的綜合技術經濟研究 項目,其中包括對所有適用的修改因素的詳細評估,如 S-k1300定義的,以及任何其他相關的業務因素,並詳細說明 進行必要的財務分析,以便在報告時證明 開採在經濟上是可行的。這項研究的結果可以作爲 發起人或金融機構的最終決定,繼續進行或融資, 該項目的發展。

 

(1) 可行性研究比預可行性研究更全面、準確性更高。它必須 包含足夠嚴格的採礦、基礎設施和流程設計,以作爲投資的基礎 決定或支持項目融資。

 

(2) 可行性研究結果的置信水平高於預可行性結果的置信水平 study.術語如 全部, 決賽, 全面, bankable,或明確的 可行性 研究相當於可行性研究。

 

i

 

 

鈮鐵 或FeNb 一個 含Nb 60%-70%的鐵鈮合金
示出 礦產資源 那 礦產資源的一部分,其數量、等級或質量是根據充分的地質證據進行估計的 和抽樣。與所指示的礦產資源相關的地質確定性水平足以使合格的 應充分詳細地應用修正係數,以支持礦山規劃和評估礦山的經濟可行性 按金。因爲指示的礦產資源的置信度低於被測量的礦產資源的置信度 礦產資源,指定的礦產資源只能轉化爲可能的礦產儲量。
推論 礦產資源 那 礦產資源的一部分,其數量和等級或質量是根據有限的地質證據進行估計的 和抽樣。與推斷的礦產資源相關的地質不確定性水平太高,無法應用相關的 可能影響經濟開採前景的技術和經濟因素,對評價有用 經濟可行性的問題。因爲推斷的礦產資源的地質可信度是所有礦產資源中最低的, 這阻止了以對經濟可行性評估有用的方式應用修改因子,並推斷 在評價採礦項目的經濟可行性時,不得考慮礦產資源,也不得轉換爲礦產資源。 到一個礦產保護區。
LOM 生命 對於礦山來說,從建設開始到礦山壽命結束的時期
測得 礦產資源 那 礦產資源的一部分,其數量和等級或質量是根據確鑿的地質證據進行估計的 和抽樣。與測量的礦產資源相關的地質確定性水平足以使合格的 應充分詳細地應用本節定義的修改係數,以支持詳細的礦山規劃和 最後對該礦牀的經濟可行性進行評價。因爲可測量的礦產資源具有更高的置信度 比指示的礦產資源或推斷的礦產資源、測量的礦產資源的置信度 可轉換爲已探明的礦產儲量或可能的礦產儲量。
礦物 保留 一個 有資格的人認爲已指示和測量的礦產資源的噸位和品位或質量的估計 人,可以成爲經濟上可行的項目的基礎。更具體地說,它是可在經濟上開採的部分 或指示的礦產資源,包括稀釋材料和材料可能發生的損失的補償 是被開採或開採的。
礦物 資源 一個 在地殼中或在地殼上以這種形式、等級或質量集中或賦存具有經濟價值的物質, 以及經濟開採有合理前景的數量。礦產資源是對礦化的合理估計, 考慮到相關因素,如邊界品位、可能的採礦規模、位置或連續性,以及 假設和合理的技術和經濟條件,很可能全部或部分變得在經濟上是可開採的。 它不僅僅是鑽探或取樣的所有礦化的清單。
正在修改 因素 這個 合格人員必須申請指示和測量的礦產資源的因素,然後進行評估,以便 建立礦產儲備的經濟可行性。合格的人員必須應用和評估修改因素以 將已測量和指示的礦產資源轉換爲已探明和可能的礦產儲量。這些因素包括,但也是 不限於:採礦;加工;冶金;基礎設施;經濟;營銷;法律;環境 合規;計劃、談判、 或與當地個人或團體達成協議;以及政府因素。

 

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  的數量、類型和具體特徵 所應用的修正係數必然是礦物、礦山、財產或項目的函數並取決於該礦物、礦山、財產或項目。
Nb 或NB 這個 元素Nb(原子序數41),一種主要用於生產高強度低合金鋼的過渡金屬
2O5 Nb 五氧化二氮,一種商業形式的精煉Nb
Nd3+ 氧化物 這個 由釹和氧組成的化合物,式爲ND2O3
NSR 網絡 冶煉廠收益,礦業權所有人從出售礦山產品中獲得的淨收入減去 運輸和煉油成本
Pr 氧化物 這個 由Pr和氧組成的化合物,式爲Pre2O3
可能 礦產儲量 這個 指示礦產資源的經濟可開採部分,在某些情況下是可測量的礦產資源
生產 階段性 一個 與礦產儲量物質開採有關的財產
   
久經考驗 礦產儲量 這個 測量礦產資源的經濟可開採部分,只能通過測量礦產資源的轉換而產生
合格 人

一個 符合以下條件的個人:

 

(1)A股 具有至少五年礦化類型和礦化類型相關經驗的礦業專業人員 考慮中的存款和該人代表登記人從事的特定類型的活動; 和

 

(2)香港 在提交技術報告時,在認可的專業組織中具有良好信譽的合資格成員或被許可人 已經準備好了。一個組織要想成爲公認的專業組織,它必須:

 

(I) 以下任一項:

 

(A) 採礦業內公認爲信譽良好的專業協會的組織;或

 

(B) 由美國聯邦、州或外國法規授權的委員會,負責管理採礦、地球科學、 或相關領域;

 

(Ii) 他們將主要根據他們的學歷和經驗來接納符合條件的成員;

 

(Iii) 建立並要求遵守能力和道德的專業標準;

 

(四)工作需要 或鼓勵持續的專業發展;

 

(五) 他們擁有並適用紀律處分權力,包括停職或開除的權力 會員,不論該會員在何處執業或居住;及

 

(六)應提供具有良好地位的成員的公開名單。

 

1~2成熟 稀土元素、稀土或稀土 一個 元素週期表中稱爲鑭系元素的由15種元素組成的一組。鈧和Y,而不是 真稀土也包括在這一分類中,因爲它們表現出與鑭系元素相似的性質,並被發現 在相同的礦體中。個別礦藏在經濟上可能並不包含所有稀土元素 可回收的數量。

 

iii

 

 

1~2成熟 地球產品 商業廣告 本公司目前正在審查生產的稀土產品,包括氧化釹-氧化鈀(有時 稱爲氧化銦)、氧化鏑和氧化鋱。這些是主要的稀土化合物用於製造 世界上最強大的永磁體。
相關 體驗

爲 確定當事人是否爲合格的人,當事人是否有經驗的目的 註冊人代表註冊人從事的特定類型的活動。 如果有資格的人正在準備或監督技術報告的編制 對於勘探成果,必須有相關勘探經驗。如果 有資格的人正在評估或者監督礦產資源的評估, 必須在礦產資源的評估、評估和評估方面有相關經驗 以及可能影響經濟前景的相關技術和經濟因素 拔牙。如果有資格的人正在評估或監督礦物的評估 後備人才,相關經驗必須是工程學等學科要求 用於礦產儲量的估算、評估、評估和經濟開採。

 

(1)與之相關的 經驗還意味着,爲了確定一方當事人是否爲合格的人,該方當事人具有經驗 評估正在審議的具體類型的礦藏(例如,煤、金屬、賤金屬、工業礦物、 或礦物質滷水)。獲得相關資格所需的經驗類型取決於事實和情況。 例如,在錫或鎢等高金塊、脈狀礦化方面的經驗可能是相關經驗。 評價脈狀金礦化的礦產資源,而低品位浸染型金礦牀的經驗 很可能與此無關。

 

注意事項 有關經驗的定義第1至第(1)款例如,一個人不一定要有五個人 在每一種類型的存款方面具有多年經驗,以便成爲符合資格的合資格人員(如果該人具有 有類似礦藏類型的相關經驗。例如,一位有20年礦物評估經驗的人 各種含金屬硬巖礦牀類型的資源可能不需要長達五年的具體經驗 在斑岩型銅礦牀中擔任合格人員。在其他類型的存款方面的相關經驗將有助於 與斑岩銅礦有關的經驗。

 

(2) 爲勘查結果或礦產資源評估提供技術報告的合格人員,有相關經驗 除了在礦化類型方面的經驗外,還需要在取樣和分析方面有足夠的經驗 與正在審議的礦藏有關的技術以及提取和加工技術。足夠 經驗是指能夠相當自信地發現以下問題所需的經驗水平 可能會影響數據的可靠性以及與處理相關的問題。

 

(3) 適用本節規定的變更因素將礦產資源轉化爲礦產資源的合格人員 儲備,相關經驗還需要:

 

(一)供應充足 在將這些因素應用於考慮中的礦藏方面的知識和經驗;以及

 

(二)工作經驗 具有地質學、地質統計學、採礦、提取和加工等方面的知識,適用於各類礦產和採礦 正在考慮中。

 

S-K 1300 子部分 SEC頒佈的S-k法規第1300條
S-K 1300 Elk Creek技術報告摘要 一 Elk Creek項目的技術報告摘要符合S-k 1300報告標準,生效日期爲6月 2022年30日,最初作爲附件提交

 

 

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96.1公司截至財年的10-k表格年度報告 2022年6月30日,並通過引用納入本10-K表格年度報告

鈧 或Sc 的 元素銫(原子數21),一種過渡金屬,用作鋁的合金劑,提供高強度 以及航空航天工業零部件和其他需要輕質金屬的應用的重量更輕。它也用於 固體氧化物燃料電池的電解質層。
SC2O3 鈧 三氧化三氧化物,精製銫的主要形式
鋱 氧化物 的 由釷和氧組成的化合物,分子式爲TB2O3
鈦 或Ti 的 元素鈦(原子數22),一種過渡金屬,其氧化物形式是紙張、油漆和塑料中的常見顏料。 鈦的金屬形式用於航空航天應用、裝甲、化學加工應用、船舶硬件 應用、醫療植入物、發電和體育用品。
TIO2 鈦 二氧化物,一種精製鈦的商業形式

 

度量 等同物

 

爲 爲了方便參考,提供了以下將英制測量轉換爲公制等效值的因素:

 

到 從帝國轉變 

到 度量 

繁殖 通過 

英畝 公頃 0.4047
英尺 (「ft」) 米 (「m」) 0.3048
邁爾斯 公里 (「公里」) 1.6093
噸 (「t」) 0.9072

 

1 英里= 1.6093公里

1 英畝= 0.4047公頃

2,204.62 磅= 1公噸= 1噸

2000 磅(1短噸)= 0.9072噸

 

礦物 儲量和資源

 

信息 關於我們的礦業權,本年度報告中的10-K表格是按照S-K的要求編制的 1300,它首次適用於截至2022年6月30日的財年。所有礦產資源和礦產儲量估算 包括在本年度報告中的10-k表格是按照S-k1300的規定編制的。此前,我們準備了我們的估計 礦產資源和礦產儲量僅遵循加拿大證券管理人的國家文書43-101 題爲「礦物項目的披露標準」(「NI 43-101」)和加拿大采礦學會 和冶金(「CIM」)「礦產資源和礦產儲量定義標準」,2014年5月10日。 公司符合CIM標準的NI 43-101技術報告(「NI 43-101 Elk Creek技術報告」) Nb、Sc、Ti項目(「麋鹿溪工程」)和S-k1300麋鹿溪技術報告摘要, 作爲公司截至2022年6月30日的財政年度10-K表格年度報告的附件96.1提交併併入 通過引用本年度報告Form 10-k,是基於由合格人員準備的可行性研究(「2022」) Elk Creek可行性研究》),除了對法規的內部引用外,它們彼此基本相同 報告是在什麼情況下作出的,以及某些組織上的差異。此外,S-k1300需要 美國披露我們的礦產資源,以及我們的礦產儲量,截至我們最近完成的財政年度末 年。請注意,礦產資源有待進一步勘探和開發,還需追加額外費用。 風險,不能保證它們最終會轉換爲未來的儲備。特別是,推斷的資源具有 它們的存在以及它們在經濟和法律上的可行性存在很大的不確定性。告誡投資者不要以爲 推斷的資源的任何部分或全部存在或在經濟上或法律上是可開採的。見項目1A.風險因素。

 

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貨幣 和匯率

 

所有 本年度報告中10-k表格中的美元金額以美國(「美國」)表示除非另有規定,否則美元 指出了公司賬目以美元維持,公司合併財務報表 根據美國公認會計原則(「美國公認會計原則」)編制。公司部分 重要協議以及某些供應商都使用加元。如本文所用,「C$」代表加拿大人 美元.

 

的 下表列出了年底有效的加元匯率,以美元表示 所示時期、這些時期有效的平均匯率以及這些時期的高匯率和低匯率 期間基於加拿大銀行報告的加元兌換爲美元的每日匯率。

 

 

財政 截至6月30日, 

2024 

2023 

加拿大 美元兌美元  
率 期末 0.7306 0.7553
平均 期間費率 0.7380 0.7467
高 日期間 0.7617 0.7841
低 日期間 0.7207 0.7217

 

風險 因素總結

 

投資 在我們的普通股(定義見本文)中涉及許多風險和不確定性,如下文更全面地描述。你應該 在您投資我們的普通股之前請閱讀這些風險。特別是,與我們業務相關的風險包括但不是 僅限於以下內容:

 

風險 與我們的業務有關的

我們 作爲一家持續運營的能力受到質疑。

我們 將需要大量額外資本來資助我們的業務計劃。

我們 對我們的業務和前景進行評估的運營歷史有限。

我們 有虧損歷史並預計未來將繼續虧損。

的 公司可能無法實現所有或任何預期利益 2023年交易(定義見本文)。

我們 可能無法認識到約克維爾股權融資協議的全部價值 (as本文定義)並且可能不會從NioCorp的行使中收到任何收益 假設的令狀(定義見本文)、2024年4月的令狀(定義見本文)和 我們的其他未償普通股購買證(「證」),以及 因此,對我們普通股的現行市場價格可能產生不利影響 普通股的銷售或對未來銷售的看法可能會產生不利影響 我們籌集額外資本的能力。

的 公司發現其財務報告內部控制存在重大缺陷。 如果不進行補救,公司未能建立和維持有效披露 對財務報告的控制和程序以及內部控制可能會導致 財務報表存在重大錯誤陳述且未能滿足報告要求 和財務義務,其中每一項都可能對 公司的財務狀況和普通股的交易價格。

 

風險 與採礦和開發相關

我們 在估計我們的礦產儲量和資源方面面臨許多不確定性以及不準確性 據我們估計,收入低於預期,成本高於預期 並且盈利能力下降。

的 礦產勘探和生產活動的性質涉及高度風險 以及未保險損失的可能性。

我們 沒有利用我們當前的採礦業生產商業產品的歷史, 無法保證我們將成功建立採礦業務或盈利 產生礦物質。

 

vi

 

 

任何 礦產資源/儲量估計和礦化等級的重大變化將 影響將房產投入生產和房產的經濟可行性 資本回報率。

我們 財產和運營可能會受到訴訟或其他索賠。

我們 目前沒有針對礦產勘探、開發、 和採礦業務。

 

風險 與政府監管有關

我們 可能無法獲得或更新所有所需的許可證和執照來放置任何 我們的財產投入生產。

我們 受影響我們運營和成本的重大政府法規的約束 開展我們的業務。

土地 我們房產的回收要求可能繁重且昂貴。

 

風險 與我們的債務有關

的 我們不時的負債水平可能會損害我們獲得額外資金的能力 融資

我們 可能沒有能力償還我們的債務,包括但不限於支付 2024年4月票據(定義見本文)的分期付款。

 

風險 與普通股相關

未來 現有股東出售普通股或對未來出售的看法 我們或我們未來稀釋性發行普通股可能會對當前產生不利影響 普通股的市場價格並導致投資者的淨值被稀釋 每股普通股的賬面價值。

我們 須遵守納斯達克證券市場有限責任公司(「納斯達克」)的持續上市標準 我們未能滿足這些標準可能會導致普通股退市。

 

vii

 

 

部分 我

 

第1項。業務

 

介紹

 

NioCorp Developments Ltd.(「NioCorp」、「我們」、「我們的」或「公司」) 是根據不列顛哥倫比亞省法律根據《商業公司法》(不列顛哥倫比亞省)註冊成立的 1987年2月27日,以「IPC International Prospector Corp.」名義成立1991年5月22日,我們更名爲 「金斯頓資源有限公司」2001年6月29日,我們更名爲「Butler Developments Corp.」二月 2009年12月,我們更名爲「巴特勒資源公司」。2010年3月4日,我們更名爲「Quantum 稀土開發公司。」2013年3月4日,我們更名爲「NioCorp Developments Ltd」。

 

NioCorp 是一家SEC(定義見本文)報告公司,我們也是不列顛哥倫比亞省、艾伯塔省、薩斯喀徹溫省、安大略省的加拿大報告發行人, 和新不倫瑞克省。我們的註冊和記錄辦公室位於不列顛哥倫比亞省溫哥華Melville Street 1133,Suite 3500 V6 E 4 E5(收件人:Blake,Cassels & Graydon LLP)。我們的主要行政辦公室位於南優勝美地街7000號套房 科羅拉多州百年紀念115號,80112。

 

歷史 業務發展

 

的 位於美國內布拉斯加州東南部的碳酸岩地產(「Elk Creek地產」)的收購已於年完成 2010年12月,NioCorp購買了不列顛哥倫比亞省私人公司的所有已發行和發行普通股 該公司持有Elk Creek Resources Corp. 100%的已發行和發行股份,內布拉斯加州的一家公司(「老 ECRC」)。

 

的 公司於2011年開始了實地勘探計劃,其中包括對之前在 20世紀70年代和80年代的Elk Creek房產、歷史鑽探核心的重新分析、航空地球物理測量和完工 五個新鑽石鑽孔。Elk Creek房產的可用數據已被彙編到更新的NI 43-101資源中 Elk Creek項目的估算於2012年4月發佈。額外鑽探和NI 43-101技術報告,包括 該公司於2014年和2015年完成併發布了資源更新和初步經濟評估。

 

期間 2016財年和2017財年,公司重點開展可行性研究開發,並於2017年6月30日宣佈完成 Elk Creek項目NI 43-101技術報告(「2017 NI 43-101 Elk Creek技術報告」)。有關 經安大略省證券交易委員會審查,該公司於2017年12月15日提交了修訂後的2017年NI 43-101 Elk Creek技術報告。這份修訂後的報告對之前報告的數據或經濟預測沒有任何變化 Elk Creek項目的回報來自最初提交的2017年NI 43-101 Elk Creek技術報告中包含的回報。

 

在.期間 2019財年,我們收到了一份基於Nordmin集團公司進行的詳細地下工程的新礦山設計 (「Nordmin」)以及最新的礦產資源和礦產儲備。2019年4月16日,我們公佈了結果 更新的地下礦山設計和輔助基礎設施、Elk Creek項目更新的結果,以及 提交基於新礦山設計的Elk Creek項目的NI 43-101技術報告。在2020財年,公司 重點是推進地面和地下設施的詳細工程並談判後續合同 與項目地面和地下特徵的計劃建造相關,以及獲得國家 內布拉斯加州許可證,其中描述了該設施所有預期的空氣排放(「空氣許可證」)。《空氣》 許可證要求完成符合美國國家環境空氣質量標準的空氣質量模型 對造成煙霧、酸雨和其他健康危害的六種污染物的大氣濃度設定標準限制 由環境保護局(「NAAQS」)。2020年6月2日,內布拉斯加州爲Elk Creek發放了最終的空中許可證 項目。

 

期間 2021財年,我們獲得了資金,使我們能夠購買Elk Creek Property的土地和礦產權並繼續 早期項目執行活動。隨着土地和礦產權的收購,公司現在擁有地表土地 一旦項目融資充足,麋鹿溪項目的礦山基礎設施和支持業務將位於該地點 獲得了麋鹿溪項目90%以上礦產資源的採礦權, 礦產儲量。

 

1

 

 

期間 2022財年,我們專注於完善麋鹿溪項目礦產資源和礦產儲量估計, 尊重稀土。這項工作包括對歷史鑽探芯進行額外分析,以填補現有資源數據庫中的數據空白 以及重新建模。基於對地質數據的重新解釋,還完成了礦山計劃的更新。基於 這項工作,我們於2022年6月28日發佈了2022年NI 43-101 Elk Creek技術報告,並提交了S-k 1300 Elk Creek技術報告 報告摘要作爲截至2022年6月30日年度10-k表格年度報告的展示。

 

在.期間 2022財年,我們還努力優化流程設計,以考慮稀土的回收和生產, 包括完成對當前冶金工藝流程元素的小試和中試試驗。這部作品展示了 NioCorp可以回收和生產高純度、完全分離的磁性稀土氧化物產品,特別是Nd3+-Pr3+ 除了已經計劃生產的Nb、Sc和鈦產品外,還有氧化物、氧化鏑和氧化鋱 一旦獲得項目融資並完成了關於技術和經濟可行性的額外工作,公司將 有可能將Rees添加到Elk Creek項目現有的計劃產品套件中。隨着這次測試的成功, 該公司推進了位於魁北克省Trois-Rivieres的示範規模加工廠的建設,該加工廠由 公司和L3流程開發(「L3」),並由L3(「示範工廠」)運營。

 

期間 2023財年,我們完成了2023年交易和建設,並運營了示範工廠。示範 工廠結果顯示我們的初級鋰產品回收率更高、回收率更高和鈦產品價值更高 以四氯化鈦的形式存在,並且三種計劃的稀土氧化物(Nd-Prasosis)的高回收率 氧化物、氧化鏑和氧化鉈。此外,我們還完成了麋鹿溪項目的初步場地準備工作,該項目 包括樹木和灌木叢的清理。麋鹿溪項目現場的地質調查也已完成,其中涉及 挖掘測試坑、地質鑽孔和淺層地下水壓力計的安裝。生成的地質工程計劃 爲正在進行與麋鹿相關的設施和基礎設施詳細設計的公司提供寶貴的數據 溪項目。

 

在.期間 2024年2月,我們在示範工廠完成了運營。除了在示範規模上建立冶金 從改進的流程中回收潛在的稀土產品,示範工廠還建立了改進的回收率 以及更高的純度,以滿足公司計劃的Nb和鈦產品的需求。此外,該公司還保留了一個礦山工程 於2024年2月聘請顧問,在一定範圍內評估礦場通電和進入礦場的成本和效益 通過坡道而不是豎井,並在其中一個坡道使用Railveyor技術將礦石和廢石運往地面。 評價不包括對岩土工程或水文地質問題的詳細審查。評估的結果 表明有可能節省前期資本成本,縮短使該礦全面投產的時間表,並有可能投入運營 節省成本。該公司計劃對這一地下礦山設計方案進行更詳細的評估,作爲 Elk Creek項目的未來技術報告。關於Elk Creek項目的信息將在下文項目2下討論。 「屬性。」

 

的 2023年交易

 

對 2023年3月17日(「截止日期」),公司完成了一系列交易(「GXII交易」) 根據日期爲2022年9月25日的業務合併協議(「業務合併協議」), 由該公司、GX Acquisition Corp. II(特拉華州一家公司)(「GXII」)和Big Red Merger Sub Ltd.組成,一 特拉華州公司和公司的直接全資子公司(「合併子公司」)。根據業務 根據合併協議,GXII交易根據美國公認會計原則被視爲股權籌集交易。在 GXII交易完成(「完成」)後,發生了以下交易:

 

  作爲 一系列交易的結果,包括但不限於合併Sub和Old ECRC與和合並 GXII,GXII在此類合併中倖存下來,GXII成爲NioCorp的間接多數股權子公司,並更名 至「Elk Creek Resources Corp」,我們稱其爲「ECRC」。
  作爲 合併實體的母公司NioCorp發行了1,753,821股反向股票分拆後普通股(定義如下) 公司股份(「普通股」)以換取GXII已發行和發行的所有A類股份 收盤前,包括向BTIG,LLC發行的83,770股普通股以換取GXII A類股份 作爲諮詢服務的部分付款。

 

2

 

 

  全 在緊接收市前(在退回生效後)發行及發行的GXII B類股份 根據日期爲2022年9月25日的保薦人支持協議(「保薦人」)購買GXII的若干B類股份 支持協議》),由GX贊助商II LLC(「贊助商」)、GXII、本公司和其他人組成 其中,被轉換爲GXII(現稱爲ECRC)B類普通股的7,957,404股,作爲尚存實體 作爲GXII交易的一部分,在成交日發生的合併。根據《企業合併協議》, 贊助商支持協議和交換協議,日期爲2023年3月17日(經修訂、補充或其他方式 修改後的《交換協議》),由NioCorp、ECRC和保薦人在交易結束後, ECRC的B類普通股可以一對一的方式轉換爲普通股,但須經某些衡平法調整, 在某些情況下。在ECRC已發行和已發行的B類普通股中,4,565,808股(“既得 股票“) 已於成交日期歸屬,並可隨時交換,直至 成交十週年(「十週年」)及3,391,596股(「溢價股份」) 在符合某些歸屬條件的情況下,可以在十週年之前進行交換。見綜合財務報表附註10 關於ECRC B類普通股的其他信息,請參閱本協議第二部分第8項中的聲明。
  NioCorp 根據管理GXII認購權證的協議(「GXII認股權證」)承擔GXII的義務 併發行合共15,666,626份認股權證(「NioCorp認股權證」),以購買最多 共17,519,864股普通股。NioCorp假設在收盤時發行的認股權證包括(A)9999959份公開NioCorp 就已公開交易的GXII權證發行的認股權證(「公開認股權證」) 在收盤前及(B)5,666,667 NioCorp認購權證(「私募認股權證」),該認股權證已發行予 保薦人就其在收盤前持有的GXII權證,NioCorp假設權證隨後 由贊助商向其成員分發與閉幕有關的文件。見合併財務報表附註110億 包括在第二部分中的第8項,以獲得有關NioCorp假設權證的更多信息。

 

對 截止日期,公司還根據一(1)項反向後進行了反向股票拆分(「反向股票拆分」) 股票拆分普通股每十(10)股反向前股票拆分普通股由公司發行和發行 在截止日期。反向股票拆分產生的任何零碎股份均四捨五入至最接近的整體普通股 份額

 

作爲 作爲GXII交易的一部分,公司於2023年1月26日就兩項獨立的交易達成了最終協議 YA II PN,Ltd.的融資方案,由Yorkville Advisors Global,LP(「Yorkville」)管理的投資基金, 包括:

 

一個 證券購買協議,日期爲2023年1月26日(修訂後的《約克維爾法案》 可轉換債務融資協議“),由本公司與約克維爾簽署,根據 公司向約克維爾發行的無擔保可轉換債券原件 本金總額1,600美元萬(「可轉換債券」) 和普通股認購權證,可行使最多1,789,267股普通股 現金或,如果在任何時間沒有有效的登記聲明登記,或 沒有當前的招股說明書可供轉售相關普通股 無現金基礎,根據持有人的選擇,每股普通股價格約爲 8.9422美元,可調整以實施任何股票分紅、股票拆分、反向 股票拆分或類似交易(「融資權證」),在成交時 總收益1,536美元萬(「約克維爾可轉換債務工具」 融資“);以及

一 備用股權購買協議,日期爲2023年1月26日(「約克維爾股權 公司與約克維爾之間的融資協議」),根據該協議 約克維爾同意在三年內購買高達65萬美元的普通股, 在NioCorp的指導下並受到某些限制(「約克維爾 股權融資」)。

 

這些 融資方案將在下文“管理層對財務狀況的討論與分析 經營業績-流動性和資本資源-融資活動.”

 

的 業務合併協議設想的交易,包括GXII交易、Yorkville可轉換債務 設施融資、約克維爾股權設施融資和反向股票拆分統稱爲 「2023年交易。」

 

3

 

 

的 2023年交易完成後立即發行和發行的普通股數量如下:

 

    共同 股份     百分比  
遺產 NioCorp股東     28,246,621       93.90 %
前 GXII A類股東(1)     1,753,821       5.83 %
其他(2)     81,213       0.27 %
總 2023年交易完成後發行的普通股     30,081,655       100 %

 

(1) 包括 向BTIG,LLC發行83,770股普通股,以換取其作爲部分諮詢付款而收到的GXII A類股份 服務
(2) 代表 根據約克維爾股權融資協議發行的承諾股份(定義見下文)。

 

後 作爲與2023年交易相關的GXII費用的對價,公司收購了淨現金約爲 220萬美元,承擔淨負債約40萬美元。我們還承擔了私人令狀負債和收益 股票負債,最初按非現金公平市值約300萬美元記錄,約300萬美元 分別爲1320萬美元。公司發生的與2023年交易相關的費用約爲6.8億美元,全部 其中記錄爲其他運營費用。

 

在 此外,與2023年交易相關,普通股和NioCorp假設的認購證已上市交易 在納斯達克。普通股和NioCorp假設的股票開始在納斯達克全球市場和納斯達克資本交易 分別於2023年3月21日上市,分別以「NB」和「NIOBW」符號進行。共同 股票繼續在多倫多證券交易所(「多倫多證券交易所」)以代碼「Nb」交易,並開始交易 於2023年3月21日在納斯達克以反向股票分拆後的基礎上進行。普通股停止在美國上市 與納斯達克全球市場開始交易相關的櫃台市場,公司自願退市 來自多倫多證券交易所,自2024年5月3日市場收盤時生效。

 

企業 結構

 

的 公司的業務運營主要通過ECRC(定義如下)進行。下表概述 公司當前子公司及其活動的情況。

 

名字 

State/Province 地層 

所有權 

業務 

0896800 BC有限公司(「0896800」) 英國 哥倫比亞 100%
 
的 0896800的唯一業務是持有ECRC A類普通股股份
麋鹿 克里克資源公司(「ECRC」) 特拉華州 79.7%(1) 的 ECRC的業務是開發麋鹿溪項目
NioCorp Technologies Limited 聯合 王國 100%

的 NioCorp技術有限公司的業務是鋁銫合金的研發和其他商業機會

 

(1)代表 0896800擁有的100% A類普通股,以及4,282,116股既得股份和3,391,596股 由第三方持有且發行的盈利股份(定義如下) 截至2024年6月30日。

 

最近 公司活動

 

在 2023年5月,我們宣佈了一項鋁-銫(「Al-Se」)母合金計劃(「Al-Se母合金計劃」), 與總部位於波士頓的Nanoscale Powders LLC(「Nanoscale」)合作。Al-Se中間合金,通常 含有2wt%的銫,用於將銫引入鋁中以生產各種Al-Se合金, 其通常含有百分之一重量的銫。這些合金有助於減輕重量、增加強度和 耐腐蝕性,使材料可焊接在汽車和公共交通、航空航天、國防、太空和其他系統中。 計劃中的三個1公斤鋁錠中有兩個是在

 

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由創意工程師運營的合同冶金設施 截至2023年12月31日的季度。第三塊錠是在截至2024年3月31日的季度製造的。這些試驗 成功生產Al-Se中間合金。該技術對原料的純度敏感,需要 在製造過程中與氧氣和溼氣隔離。該公司還在評估其他製造途徑 Al-Se中間合金的。

 

對 2023年8月14日,該公司宣佈在Creative擁有和運營的工廠中試規模生產金屬銫 賓夕法尼亞州新自由市的工程師。金屬銫的產生代表了Al-Se中間合金中的第一相 倡議隨後,2023年10月18日,公司宣佈成功中試生產1公斤鋁錠 創意工程師工廠的Al-Se合金。

 

對 2024年1月30日,我們宣佈公司與倫敦布魯內爾大學倫敦領先的大學達成協議 該公司是一所專注於全球鑄造鋁合金應用的研究型大學,正在資助一名博士生, 評估多種添加了Se的常見鋁合金的性能,並正在參與一個專注於以下領域的聯盟 通過使用銫,使用回收鋁來實現車輛輕型化。

 

作爲 此前披露,2023年3月6日,公司宣佈收到進出口銀行的意向書 美國(「EXIM」)進行潛在債務融資,初步表明利息高達800美元 百萬美元,通過EXIM的「Make More In America」計劃資助 麋鹿溪項目(「EXIM融資」)。

 

NioCorp 6月6日,根據EXIM的「在美國製造更多」計劃,向EXIM提交了正式貸款申請, 2023.該公司獲悉,其申請獲得了EXIM交易審查局三次審查中的第一次的批准 委員會於2023年10月2日舉行。EXIM在年期間部署了額外資源來處理公司的申請 截至2023年12月31日的季度,並聘請了財務和法律顧問來支持EXIM的盡職調查 麋鹿溪項目。2024年4月15日,公司收到EXIM的初步項目信函(「PPL」)。的 PPL是EXIM初步盡職調查結果的總結,還包括初步指示性條款表。的PPL 確定了公司將結合EXIM評估流程開展的額外項目活動。這些 包括更新後的採礦計劃和更新後的Elk Creek項目資本成本(最終或接近最終),反映更新後的 流程。

 

管理 正在與EXIM合作,繼續推進該項目進入EXIM盡職調查和貸款申請的下一階段 過程我們目前無法估計申請過程需要多長時間,包括確定的額外項目活動 在PPL中,可能會採取,並且無法保證我們能夠成功談判最終的債務承諾 來自EXIM的融資。

 

業務 操作

 

NioCorp 是一家從事礦產收購、勘探和開發的礦產勘探公司。NioCorp,通過 ECRC正在開發一個超級合金材料項目,如果開發出來,將生產鋰、銫、鈦和 潛在的稀土產品。它被稱爲「麋鹿溪項目」,位於內布拉斯加州麋鹿溪附近, 該州東南部。

 

鈮 用於生產廣泛用於高性能的各種高溫合金 飛機和噴氣渦輪機。它還用於高強度、低合金鋼、更堅固的 用於汽車、橋樑、結構系統、建築、管道等的鋼材 通常使這些應用程序能夠更強大、更輕 馬薩諸塞州這種「輕量級」的好處通常會帶來環境效益, 包括減少燃油消耗和材料使用,從而導致空氣減少 排放

鈧 可與鋁結合製成強度提高的超高性能合金 並提高耐腐蝕性。銫也是先進的重要組成部分 固體氧化物燃料電池是一種環境首選的高可靠性技術, 分佈式發電。

鈦 是各種超級合金和航空航天應用的組成部分 應用、武器系統、防護裝甲、醫療植入物和許多其他。它 還用於造紙、油漆和塑料的顏料。

 

操作 已於2024年2月在示範工廠完工。除了以示範規模建立冶金 從改進的流程圖中回收潛在的稀土產品,

 

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示範工廠還提高了恢復率 並且該公司計劃的鋰和鈦產品的純度更高。示範工廠的結果是 預計將用於公司麋鹿溪項目技術報告的未來更新,並推進 與潛在客戶進行買斷討論。

 

的 公司於2024年2月聘請了一名礦山工程顧問,以在範圍層面評估液化的成本和收益 通過坡道而不是豎井進入礦井,並在其中一個坡道上使用Railveyor技術進行移動 礦石和廢石到地表。該評估不包括對地質工程或水文地質問題的詳細檢查。 評估結果表明,潛在的前期資本成本節省,礦山滿負荷時間更短 生產和潛在的運營成本節省。這些調查結果是初步的,但令人鼓舞,該公司計劃進行更多 作爲麋鹿溪未來技術報告的一部分,對地下礦山設計的該選項進行詳細評估 項目

 

我們 主要業務戰略是將我們的麋鹿溪項目推進到商業化生產。我們專注於獲得額外的 用於實施與確保完成詳細項目所需的項目融資相關的近期計劃工作計劃的資金 麋鹿溪項目的設計、開發和施工。

 

競爭 經營狀況

 

那裏 礦產行業內發現和收購被認爲具有商業價值的礦產資源的重大競爭 潛力我們與其他實體競爭參與有前途的勘探項目的機會。另外我們 與其他人競爭,努力獲得收購和勘探礦產資源、收購和利用礦產勘探的融資 設備,聘請合格的礦產勘探人員。我們可能會與其他礦業公司競爭該地區的採礦權 與我們現有的主張相鄰,或者在世界其他地區,我們應該在未來投入資源這樣做。這些 公司的資本金可能比我們更好,我們可能難以通過持股或收購擴大持股 額外的採礦權或其他礦產權。

 

在 競爭合格的礦產勘探人員,我們可能需要支付相對高於 過去支付的工資以及合格人員的可用性在高需求採礦時期可能會受到限制,例如 過去幾年黃金和其他金屬的價格高於現在的情況。

 

週期

 

的 採礦業務受礦產價格週期的影響。礦物和礦物濃縮物的可銷售性也受到以下因素的影響 全球經濟週期。目前,許多國家對某些礦物的強勁需求正在推高大宗商品價格, 儘管很難評估這種趨勢會持續多久。各地供需波動 世界是共同的。

 

的 下表列出了過去五個日曆年鐵、三氧化銫和鈦的商品價格 該公司預計從麋鹿溪項目中提取的二氧化物產品。這些定價調查可能不具有代表性 如果商業化生產從麋鹿溪項目開始,公司預計其產品將實現的定價。

 

 

鈮鐵
美國價格($/kg-Nb)(1) 

SC2O3
美國價格(美元/公斤)(2) 

TIO2
美國價格(美元/公斤)(3) 

2023 $51 $-(4) $1.49
2022 46 2,100  1.47
2021 44 2,200 1.30
2020 37 3,800 1.17
2019 39 3,900 1.11

 

(1)資料來源: Argus Metal價格,2023年平均年度期末價格。鐵鉬含量65%, 離岸價格美國倉庫。

(2)資料來源: 美國地質局(「USGS」)礦產商品摘要,214。 SC2O3,99.99%純度,5公斤(「kg」)批量。

(3)資料來源: USGS礦產商品摘要,2024年。金紅石礦濃縮物,散裝,至少95%鈦2, F.O.B.澳大利亞

(4)定價 美國地質調查局未提供2023年的信息。

 

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基於 根據該公司示範工廠的結果,可以生產更高價值的四氯化鈦產品 冶金回收率高於二氧化二鈦2.公司正在完成可行性水平成本估算 取代之前的TiO2 生產設備和生產四氯化鈦的新設備。

 

作爲 NioCorp是一家開發階段發行人,尚未從Elk Creek項目的運營中產生任何收入 目前不受商品需求和價格變化的顯着影響,除非同樣影響可用性 礦產勘探和開發項目的資本。由於NioCorp不進行生產活動, 爲正在進行的勘探提供資金受到融資可用性的影響,而融資可用性反過來又受到經濟實力的影響 和其他一般經濟因素。

 

經濟 依賴

 

其他 土地和礦產權期權協議以及NioCorp與第三方之間關於產品購買和銷售的協議 NioCorp的業務將從Elk Creek項目生產(「承購協議」),並不嚴重依賴 任何合同,例如銷售其產品或服務主要部分或購買其需求主要部分的合同 商品、服務或其原材料,或使用專利、配方、商業祕密的任何特許經營權或許可或其他協議, 其業務所依賴的流程或商品名稱。

 

政府 調控

 

這個 採礦前景的勘探和開發受到一些聯邦和州政府當局的監管。 這些機構包括美國環境保護局(「EPA」)和美國陸軍工程兵團 (「USACE」)以及各個州和地方環境保護機構。這些規定涉及到許多 與空氣、土壤和水污染有關的環境問題,並適用於許多與採礦有關的活動,包括勘探, 礦山建設、礦物開採、磨礦、用水、廢物處理和使用有毒物質。此外,我們正在 遵守有關勞動標準、職業健康和安全、礦山安全、一般土地用途、礦物出口、 稅收、數據保護和數據安全。許多法規要求獲得許可證或執照,但沒有 其中和/或無法獲得此類許可或許可證將對我們進行勘探、開發、 和經營活動。不遵守規定以及許可證和執照的條款可能會導致罰款或 其他處罰或吊銷許可證、執照或失去潛在客戶的處罰。

 

一般信息

 

而當 提議在Elk Creek項目上建設的土地都不屬於美國政府,礦業權是公開的 土地受1872年修訂後的《一般礦業法》管轄,該法允許將採礦權置於某些聯邦政府 在發現有價值的礦藏並符合選址要求時獲得土地。關於礦業性的探討 礦山的開發和運營受聯邦和州法律的管轄。管理採礦主張地點的聯邦法律 聯邦土地上的維護和採礦作業通常由土地管理局管理。其他內容 管理煤礦安全和健康的聯邦法律也適用。州法律還要求在勘探之前獲得各種許可和批准, 可以開始開發或生產操作。除其他事項外,填海計劃通常必須準備和批准, 並在預計的填海費用數額上提供財務保證。財務保證是用來確保 正確的回收正在進行,直到那時才會被釋放。地方司法管轄區也可以施加許可要求, 例如有條件的使用許可或分區批准。

 

環境 調控

 

我們 礦產項目須遵守有關環境保護的各種聯邦、州和地方法律和法規。 這些法律不斷變化,並且總的來說變得越來越嚴格。開發、運營、關閉、回收 美國的採礦項目需要大量通知、許可、授權和公共機構決定。合規 環境和相關法律法規要求我們獲得監管機構頒發的許可證,並提交各種 報告並保存我們的運營記錄。其中某些許可證需要定期更新或審查其條件, 可能會接受公衆審查程序,在此過程中可能會遇到對我們擬議業務的反對。我們目前正在 在各種許可證下開展與礦產勘探、開墾和環境相關的活動

 

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考慮因素。 我們的政策是以保障公衆健康和環境的方式開展業務。我們相信我們的運營 嚴格遵守適用法律和法規。

 

變化 我們運營所在司法管轄區當前的地方、州或聯邦法律和法規可能需要額外的資本 支出以及運營和/或回收成本的增加。儘管我們無法預測哪些額外立法, 如果可能提出或頒佈,額外的監管要求可能會影響我們項目的經濟性。

 

環境 監管-美國聯邦法律

 

這個 全面的環境、反應、賠償和責任法案(「CERCLA」)和類似的州法規, 對場地的現任和前任所有者和經營者以及處置者施加嚴格、連帶和連帶的責任 或安排處置在這些地點發現的危險物質。政府提出索賠的情況並不少見 要求採取清理行動和/或要求補償政府產生的清理費用或自然資源損害。 鄰近的土地所有者和其他第三方提出人身傷害和財產損失索賠的情況也並不少見 據稱是由釋放到環境中的有害物質造成的。《資源保護和恢復法》(RCRA), 和類似的州法規,管理固體廢物和危險廢物的處置,並授權對 對違規行爲的罰款和處罰,以及對糾正措施的要求。CERCLA、RCRA和類似的州法規 可對長期後在勘探、採礦和加工地點發現的場地的清理和物質處置施加責任 在這些地點的活動已經完成。

 

的 修訂後的《清潔空氣法》(「CAA」)限制多種來源的空氣污染物排放,包括採礦業和 處理活動。該公司未來的任何採礦作業都可能產生空氣排放,包括飛揚性灰塵和其他 來自固定設備、儲存設施以及卡車和重型建築等移動源的使用的空氣污染物 設備,須遵守CAA和州空氣質量法的審查、監測和/或控制要求。新設施 可能需要在工作開始之前獲得許可證,並且可能需要現有設施產生資本成本 保持合規。此外,許可規則可能會對我們的生產水平施加限制或導致額外的 資本支出以遵守規則。

 

的 國家環境政策法(「NEPA」)要求聯邦機構將環境考慮納入 通過評估其擬議行動(包括頒發許可證)的環境影響來制定其決策過程 採礦設施並評估這些行動的替代方案。如果提議的行動可能會對環境產生重大影響, 該機構必須準備一份詳細的聲明,稱爲環境影響聲明(「EIA」),或更少的聲明 詳細聲明稱爲環境評估(「EA」)。美國環保局、其他聯邦機構以及任何感興趣的人 第三方可以審查並評論EIA或EA的範圍以及草案中規定的任何調查結果的充分性, 最終的EIA或EA。此過程可能會導致所需許可證的發放延遲,或導致項目更改以減輕其影響 潛在的環境影響,這反過來又會影響擬議項目的經濟可行性。

 

這個 《清潔水法》和類似的州法規對污染物的排放施加限制和控制 禁止向受管制水域排放污染物,除非符合下列條款 由環境保護局或類似的州機構頒發的許可證。CWA管理採礦設施的雨水,並要求暴雨 特定活動的排污許可證或雨水污染防治計劃。這樣的許可證需要受監管的設施 監測和抽樣其運作中的暴雨徑流。 《海洋法公約》及其實施的條例也禁止在溼地和其他水域排放疏浚和填埋材料。 除非得到適當的許可授權,否則不得進入美國。CWA和類似的州法規規定了民事、刑事、 對擅自排放污染物給予行政處罰,追究責任人的責任 清理因排放造成的任何環境損害的費用和由此造成的自然資源損害的排放 從發行版開始。

 

的 《安全飲用水法》(「SDWA」)及其頒佈的地下注入控制(「UIC」)計劃, 規範地下注入井的鑽探和操作。EPA直接管理一些州的UIC計劃 在其他情況下,該計劃的責任已委託給國家。該計劃要求獲得許可證 在鑽處置井或注入井之前。違反這些法規和/或採礦相關污染地下水 活動可能會導致罰款、處罰和補救費用,其中

 

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SDWA和國家規定的其他制裁和責任 法律爲此外,土地所有者和其他各方可能會提出第三方索賠,要求對替代供水造成損害, 財產損失和身體傷害。

 

環境 監管-內布拉斯加州

 

內布拉斯加州 有一套完善的環境法規和責任機構,但沒有明確界定的法規 對允許開採地雷的尊重。因此,審查該項目以及內布拉斯加州各機構和監管機構發放許可證的情況 可能會影響我們的Elk Creek項目的總上市時間。內布拉斯加州的其他法規管理着運營和設計 任何空氣排放源和垃圾填埋場作業的建造和運營標準。對這些法律的任何修改 法規可能會對我們的財務業績和運營結果產生不利影響,例如,要求 經營條件、技術標準、費用或擔保要求的變化。與空氣質量有關的最嚴格的許可證 被稱爲防止顯著惡化(PSD)許可證,它要求申請人證明 遵守NAAQS和最佳可用控制技術(「BACT」),以控制空氣排放。如果該設施 超過這種許可證的潛在排放門檻,因此受到私營部門的要求,永久建築在 在責任機構頒發PSD許可證之前,項目現場可能不會開始。對於內布拉斯加州有潛在排放的設施 低於PSD門檻,需要國家航空建設許可證。州政府的許可也需要合規的證明。 使用NAAQS,但不需要BACT演示,並進一步允許在主題設施中進行施工 通過既定的差異程序發放許可證。

 

人類 資本

 

的 公司繼續推進麋鹿溪項目的能力將取決於其吸引和留住人才的能力 擁有(除其他技能外)財務、行政、工程、地質和採礦技能以及我們行業的知識 和目標市場。公司礦產勘探所需的大部分必要專業技能和知識 公司現任管理團隊和董事會(「董事會」)提供。公司 如果需要額外的專業技能和知識,則保留外部顧問。

 

作爲 截至2024年6月30日,我們有七名全職員工和一名合同工。此外,我們還使用具有特定特徵的顧問 具備協助處理公司事務、項目評估、盡職調查、公司治理和財產各個方面的技能 管理

 

我們 薪酬計劃旨在使員工的薪酬與公司的績效保持一致,並提供 適當的激勵措施來吸引、保留和激勵員工以實現卓越的成果。我們的薪酬結構 計劃平衡有競爭力的工資和福利以及短期和長期績效的激勵性收入。

 

我們 優先維護以道德績效爲核心價值觀的文化反映在公司的商業行爲準則中 和道德(「行爲準則」)以及其他相關政策。監督由公司董事會提供 對於特定績效領域,由董事會委員會負責。員工必須審查行爲準則 定期進行。我們的薪酬計劃還包括在確定激勵獎勵時考慮道德表現。

 

的 公司還爲員工提供一系列強有力的福利,包括401(k)參與、醫療保險選擇、 以及鼓勵和支持整個人的計劃。

 

前瞻性 報表

 

這 表格10-k年度報告及其附件包含以下含義內的「前瞻性陳述」 經修訂的1933年證券法(「證券法」)第27 A條和證券法第21 E條 經修訂的1934年交易法(「交易法」)和含義內的「前瞻性信息」 適用的加拿大證券立法(統稱爲「前瞻性陳述」)。

 

前瞻性 報表基於董事會批准的我們當前的業務和運營計劃,並且可能包括報表 關於2023年交易的預期收益,包括NioCorp獲得全額交易的能力 約克維爾股權融資協議的預期淨收益;

 

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NioCorp收到最終承諾的能力 進出口銀行融資情況;普通股在納斯達克上市的預期收益;財務和經營業績 NioCorp的預期業績和未來時期NioCorp的運營發展;NioCorp的 計劃的勘探活動;NioCorp財務資源的充分性;NioCorp獲得足夠資金的能力 完成Elk Creek項目建設並開始運營的項目融資;NioCorp的期望和能力 在Elk Creek項目生產Nb、Sc和鈦以及生產稀土元素的潛力;NioCorp的 生產和供應特定產品的計劃和對這些產品的市場需求;當前回收過程改進的結果 測試和評估使用Railveyor技術和NioCorp的電氣化礦山的效益和成本 預期這種工藝和設計改進可提高Elk Creek項目的效率和節省成本; Elk Creek項目生產多種關鍵金屬的能力;Elk Creek項目的預計礦石產量 和採礦作業超過其預期的礦山壽命;完成對潛在增加的技術和經濟分析 向NioCorp計劃的產品系列提供磁性稀土氧化物;NioCorp更新其關於Elk Creek項目的技術報告;有關礦產資源和礦產儲量的估計;行使購買更多地塊的選擇權; 執行與工程、採購和建築公司的合同;NioCorp對 通貨膨脹、供應鏈問題和地緣政治動盪對Elk Creek項目經濟模式的影響;以及 在Elk Creek項目的施工期內,全職和合同建築工作的數量。

 

前瞻性 聲明經常,但不總是,由諸如「期望」、「期望」、「相信」之類的詞來標識。 「打算」、「估計」、「潛在」、「可能」以及類似的表達或陳述 事件、條件或結果「將」、「可能」、「可能」或「應該」(或 這些術語中的任何一個的否定和語法變化)發生或實現。任何表達或涉及討論的聲明 關於預測、期望、信念、計劃、預測、目標、假設或未來事件或業績 (通常,但並非總是,使用「期望」或「不期望」、「期望的」、「期望的」等詞語或短語, 「預期」或「不預期」、「計劃」、「估計」或「打算」 或說明某些行爲、事件或結果「可能」、「可能」、「將會」、「可能」 或「將」被採取、發生或實現)不是歷史事實的陳述,可能是前瞻性陳述。 前瞻性陳述反映了實質性的預期和假設,包括但不限於預期和假設。 有關:NioCorp有能力獲得足夠的項目融資,用於Elk Creek項目的建設 條款或根本沒有;NioCorp償還現有債務和履行其支付義務的能力;未來的價格 金屬;金融和資本市場的穩定性;以及關於2023年交易的當前估計和假設 以及他們的福利。這些前瞻性陳述反映了公司目前對未來事件的看法以及 受制於某些已知和未知的風險、不確定性和假設。許多因素可能會導致實際結果、性能、 或成就與可能明示或暗示的任何未來結果、表現或成就有實質性不同 這些前瞻性陳述包括,除其他外,與以下有關的風險:NioCorp的運營能力 作爲一家持續經營的企業;NioCorp對大量額外資本的要求;NioCorp獲得足夠資金的能力 以可接受的條件或根本不接受的條件爲Elk Creek項目的建設提供項目融資;NioCorp的能力 美國進出口銀行在可接受的時間表上、在可接受的條件下或在任何情況下的最終融資承諾;NioCorp的能力 認識到2023年交易的預期好處,包括NioCorp獲得全額 約克維爾股權融資協議下未來18個月的預期淨收益;NioCorp的能力 繼續符合納斯達克上市標準;普通股相關風險,包括價格波動、缺乏股息 支付和稀釋或對上述任何一種可能性的看法;NioCorp的水平 債務和/或管理NioCorp債務或約克維爾股權融資協議中包含的條款 協議可能削弱NioCorp獲得額外融資的能力;與NioCorp的協議中包含的契約 可能影響其資產的有擔保債權人;NioCorp有限的運營歷史;NioCorp的虧損歷史; NioCorp對財務報告的內部控制存在重大弱點,NioCorp努力補救此類材料 弱點和補救的時機;NioCorp根據《準則》有資格成爲PFIC的可能性; 2023年的交易可能導致NioCorp成爲美國聯邦所得稅的實質性不利後果 《準則》第7874條和相關條款的適用結果;NioCorp勘探成本增加, 如有必要,開發項目;NioCorp信息技術系統中斷或故障,包括 與網絡安全有關;設備和供應短缺;市場對Nb、Sc的需求和價格變化, 鈦和稀土產品;當前和未來的承購協議、合資企業和夥伴關係;NioCorp的能力 吸引合格管理人員;礦產資源和儲量估算;礦產勘探和生產活動;可行性 研究結果;冶金試驗結果;技術研究結果;需求變化和價格變化 大宗商品(如燃料和電力)和貨幣;採礦業的競爭;證券的變化或中斷 市場;立法、政治或經濟

 

10

 

 

發展,包括聯邦政府的變化 和/或可能對採礦業產生重大影響的州法律;氣候變化的影響以及採取的行動或 各國政府在面對氣候變化潛在影響時加強復原力方面的要求;需要 獲得許可並遵守法律法規和其他監管要求;抽樣的時間和可靠性 和化驗數據;工作的實際結果可能與預測/期望不同,或可能沒有實現感知的結果 NioCorp項目的潛力;事故風險、設備故障、勞資糾紛或其他意想不到的困難 或中斷;開發計劃中可能出現成本超支或意外開支;操作或技術困難 與勘探、採礦或開發活動有關;管理Elk Creek項目工地的水平衡; 與Elk Creek項目有關的土地復墾要求;礦產勘探和開發的投機性, 包括儲量和資源等級數量減少的風險;對NioCorp資產所有權的索賠; 未來可能的訴訟;以及NioCorp缺乏覆蓋NioCorp所有業務的保險。

 

應該 其中一個或多個風險或不確定性成爲現實,或者如果基本假設被證明不正確,實際結果可能 與本文描述的那些有重大不同。此列表並不詳盡列出可能影響公司任何行爲的因素 前瞻性陳述。前瞻性陳述是關於未來的陳述,本質上是不確定的和實際的 公司的成就或其他未來事件或條件可能與前瞻性內容中所反映的存在重大差異 由於各種風險、不確定性和其他因素而做出的聲明,包括但不限於項下討論的因素 1A.,風險因素如下。

 

的 本年度報告中包含的公司10-k表格的前瞻性陳述是基於信念、期望、 以及截至本年度報告日期的管理層意見(表格10-k)。公司不承擔任何更新義務 如果情況或管理層的信念、期望或意見應該發生變化,則前瞻性陳述,除非 法律要求。出於上述原因,投資者不應賦予或過度依賴 前瞻性陳述。

 

可用 信息

 

我們 維護http://www.niocorp.com的網站。我們的普通股目前根據《交易法》第12(b)條登記, 目前我們需要在表格10-k、10-Q或8-k上提交報告。我們的10-k表格年度報告(其中包括我們的 經審計的合併財務報表)、表格10-Q季度報告、表格8-k當前報告以及報告修訂 根據《交易法》第13(a)和15(d)條提交或提供的信息可在我們的網站上免費獲取, 在我們以電子方式向美國提交此類報告或向美國提供此類報告後,在合理可行的範圍內儘快 美國證券交易委員會(「SEC」)。SEC維護一個包含報告、代理和 以電子方式向SEC提交的信息聲明以及有關發行人的其他信息(http:www.sec.gov)。我們 不打算向證券持有人發送我們年度報告的印刷版,因爲該報告將在網上提供。

 

我們 維護行爲準則,其副本可在我們網站主標題下的「關於我們」部分找到 「公司治理。」我們的行爲準則包含有關舉報人程序的信息。

 

我們 不包括我們網站或SEC網站上包含或可訪問的信息,作爲其一部分或合併 將其納入本10-k表格年度報告中。

 

項目1A.風險 因素

 

我們 業務活動面臨重大風險,包括下文所述的風險。您應該仔細考慮這些風險。 如果發生任何所述風險,我們的業務、財務狀況和經營業績可能會受到重大不利影響 受影響。此類風險並不是我們面臨的唯一風險,還有我們目前或我們不知道的額外風險和不確定性 目前認爲不重要也可能影響我們的業務。本報告包含涉及風險和 不確定性因此,我們的實際結果可能與前瞻性陳述中的預期存在重大差異 多種因素,包括下文描述的風險。見第1項下的「前瞻性陳述」,「生意。」

 

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風險 與我們的業務相關

 

我們 作爲一家持續運營的能力受到質疑。

 

的 截至2024年6月30日止年度合併財務報表隨附的註釋披露,存在重大疑問 關於我們繼續經營的能力。本年度報告中包含的合併財務報表 10-k是在假設我們將繼續作爲一家持續經營企業的情況下準備的。我們是一家發展階段的發行人,我們 自我們成立以來就遭受了損失。

 

我們 目前沒有歷史上的經常性收入來源,我們持續經營的能力取決於我們的能力 籌集資本爲我們未來的勘探和運營資金需求或我們盈利執行業務的能力提供資金 計劃我們的長期恢復和持續經營計劃包括通過以下方式爲我們未來的運營提供資金 出售我們的普通股和/或債務以及對我們的麋鹿溪項目的潛在有利可圖的開發。此外,資本 美國和加拿大的市場和總體經濟狀況可能會對籌集所需資金造成重大障礙。 正如下面進一步討論的那樣,雖然我們過去已經成功做到了這一點,但無法保證我們能夠 將來籌集資金。這些因素讓人們對我們繼續經營的能力產生了極大的懷疑。

 

我們 將需要大量額外資本來資助我們的業務計劃。

 

我們 將需要花費大量資金來開發我們現有的房產並尋找和收購額外的房產 使我們的房地產投資組合多元化。我們預計我們將需要爲開發做出大量資本支出 我們的麋鹿溪項目。

 

作爲 截至2024年6月30日,公司現金爲2億美元,營運資金赤字爲9億美元,而現金爲230萬美元 2023年6月30日,流動資金爲2000萬美元。

 

作爲 截至2024年6月30日,該公司目前計劃到財年末的運營需求約爲26億美元 2025.自本年度報告(Form 10-k)之日起,公司預計沒有足夠的現金繼續 爲未來十二個月的基本運營提供資金。這包括一般管理費用、滿足未償應付賬款、 以及償還我們的短期債務。這還包括與麋鹿溪相關的預期融資成本 項目,包括與EXIM申請流程相關的更新礦山計劃。這些融資成本的範圍仍然存在 正在與EXIM討論中。額外資金將用於資助基本運營以及進一步推進 麋鹿溪項目通過實質性的近期里程碑。

 

除了資金以外 根據史密斯貸款協議(本文定義),根據一項200億美元的萬非循環信貸安排,以及額外資金的可能性 在約克維爾股權融資機制下,每一項都將在下文“管理層的討論 財務狀況和經營成果分析--流動資金和資本資源--融資活動,“ 以及可能行使的期權和認股權證,我們目前沒有進一步的資金承諾或安排 目前,我們不能保證能夠以可接受的條件獲得任何此類額外融資, 如果真的有的話。此外,根據交換協議,NioCorp不得發行股本或與股本掛鉤的證券 (普通股除外)或任何優先股或無投票權股本,如該等發行會對 未經ECRC B類普通股過半數股東同意,持有ECRC B類普通股 B ECRC的普通股。2024年4月的《購買協議》(如本文所定義)還包含某些契約,其中包括 情況,限制NioCorp使用出售2024年4月債券和行使2024年4月債券所得資金的能力 償還關聯方債務或進行任何浮動利率交易的權證,包括髮行股權或債務證券 可按可變利率和任何股權信用額度、自動櫃員機協議或其他連續發行方式轉換爲普通股 普通股,約克維爾除外,但有某些例外情況。儘管交易所規定了限制 協議和2024年4月的採購協議,我們是否能夠獲得任何額外的 在當前的股票或債務市場上進行融資。

 

我們 正在積極尋求額外的債務和股權融資來源,雖然我們過去在這方面取得了成功, 無法保證我們將來能夠做到這一點。

 

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我們 反過來,爲這些目的獲得必要資金的能力取決於許多因素,包括國家的狀況 國家和全球經濟以及我們打算生產的產品的價格。我們可能無法成功獲得所需的 融資,或者,如果我們能夠獲得此類融資,此類融資的條款可能不對我們有利。

 

在 此外,潛在的EXIM融資還取決於盡職調查的滿意完成,包括 PPL中確定的額外項目活動、最終條款的談判和解決以及 明確的文件。無法保證EXIM融資將按照本文所述的條款完成或 根本

 

我們的 無法爲我們的運營獲得足夠的資本可能會對我們的財務狀況和結果產生實質性的不利影響 運營或前景。出售大量證券可能會對我們的所有權或 股權結構。在公開市場上大量出售普通股,或這種出售的可能性可能會下降 這可能會降低普通股的交易價格,並可能削弱我們通過未來出售普通股籌集資金的能力。我們 尚未在我們的任何物業開始商業生產,因此沒有產生正現金流 除非我們的Elk Creek項目能夠實現成功的商業生產,否則我們沒有合理的前景這樣做。 我們預計將繼續產生負的投資和運營現金流,直到我們進入成功的商業 製作。這將需要我們部署我們的營運資本,爲這種負現金流提供資金,並尋求額外的來源。 融資的問題。不能保證任何這樣的資金來源將可用或足以滿足我們的要求。 不能保證我們將能夠繼續籌集股本或獲得額外的債務融資,或者 我們不會繼續蒙受損失。

 

我們 對我們的業務和前景進行評估的運營歷史有限。

 

以來 我們成立之初沒有運營收入。我們沒有使用我們的任何財產生產產品的歷史。我們 Elk Creek項目是一個開發階段的物業。將我們的麋鹿溪項目從開發階段的物業推進到生產階段 舞臺地產將需要大量的資金和時間,而麋鹿溪地產的成功商業製作將 須獲得礦山、加工廠、道路以及其他相關工程和基礎設施的許可和建設。作爲 因此,我們面臨與開發和建立新的採礦業務和商業企業相關的所有風險 包括:

 

的 進一步探索、準備可行性的時間和成本可能相當大 基礎設施、採礦和加工的研究、許可、工程和建設 設施;

的 鑽井設備、勘探人員、熟練勞動力的可用性和成本,以及 採礦和加工設備(如果需要);

的 如果需要,適當的熔鍊和/或精煉安排的可用性和成本;

合規 具有環境和其他政府批准和許可要求;

的 爲勘探、開發、許可和建設提供資金 必要的活動;

潛在 非政府組織、地方團體或當地居民的反對 可能推遲或阻止開發活動;

潛在 成本變化導致勘探、建設和運營成本增加 燃料、動力、材料和用品;以及

潛在 採礦、礦物加工、冶金、火法冶金、建築、 以及其他與設施相關的用品。

 

的 勘探、開發、工程和建設活動的成本、時間和複雜性可能會增加 我們財產的位置以及來自其他礦產勘探和採礦公司的競爭。這對於勘探公司來說很常見 在開發過程中遇到意想不到的問題和延誤(如果開始),包括工程、採購、施工, 調試和加速。因此,我們的活動可能不會帶來盈利的運營,我們也可能無法成功建立 在我們當前或未來的任何物業(包括我們的麋鹿溪項目)運營或生產產品盈利。

 

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我們 有虧損歷史並預計未來將繼續虧損。

 

我們 自成立以來已出現虧損,經營活動現金流爲負,並預計將繼續出現虧損 在未來我們於以下每個期間產生了以下歸屬於公司的淨虧損:

 

11.4美元 截至2024年6月30日的年度爲百萬;和

40.1美元 截至2023年6月30日的年度爲百萬美元。

 

我們 預計將繼續遭受損失,除非並直到我們的一處房產進入商業生產併產生 足夠的收入來資助持續運營。我們認識到,如果我們無法從運營中產生可觀的收入 以及我們的財產的處置,我們將無法賺取利潤或繼續運營。在我們運營的早期階段, 我們還預計將面臨初創公司經常遇到的風險、不確定性、費用和困難 他們的業務發展階段。我們無法確定我們能否成功應對這些風險和不確定性 如果我們不這樣做,可能會對我們的財務狀況產生重大不利影響。

 

增加 成本可能會影響我們的財務狀況。

 

我們 預計我們可能探索或開發的項目的成本將經常變化,從一年到一年不等 接下來,由於多種因素,例如礦石品位變化、冶金性能以及礦山計劃的修訂(如果有的話), 根據礦牀的物理形狀和位置。此外,成本還受到商品價格的影響,例如 作爲燃料、鋼鐵、鋁、鐵、化學品、天然氣、淡水和電力,以及政府行動,例如 關稅此類大宗商品有時會受到價格波動的影響,包括可能導致產量上漲 某些業務利潤較低或根本沒有利潤。任何重要地點的成本大幅增加都可能導致 對我們的盈利能力產生重大影響。

 

一 我們第三方服務提供商的IT系統(包括與網絡安全相關的系統)中斷或故障可能會 對我們的業務運營和財務表現產生不利影響。

 

我們 依靠我們的第三方服務提供商的it系統的準確性、容量和安全性, 我們的業務流程,並遵守法規、法律和稅務要求。我們依賴第三方來提供 重要的信息技術服務,除其他事項外,涉及我們設施的運營技術、人力資源、電子通信、 以及某些財務職能。儘管我們的第三方服務提供商已經實施了安全措施,包括 那些與網絡安全有關的公司,其系統可能會受到計算機病毒、自然或人爲事件的破壞或破壞 或災難,或未經授權的物理或電子訪問。儘管我們的第三方服務提供商有適當的控制措施, 我們不能保證網絡攻擊不會發生。此外,我們可能很少或根本沒有監督 第三方服務提供商採用的安全措施,最終可能被證明在應對威脅方面無效。 我們的第三方服務提供商的it系統出現故障,無論是惡意還是無意造成的,都可能導致 中斷我們的業務流程,或未經授權發佈敏感、機密或其他受保護的信息 或導致數據損壞,這可能會對我們的業務運營和財務業績產生不利影響。此外, 我們可能需要支付巨額費用來防範此類中斷造成的損害,並在必要時進行補救 或未來的系統故障。

 

一 設備和物資短缺可能會對我們運營業務的能力產生不利影響。

 

我們 依賴各種物資和設備來進行採礦勘探,以及(如果有需要)項目開發運營。 此類物資、設備和零部件的短缺可能會對我們開展行動的能力產生重大不利影響 因此可能限制或增加生產成本。正在進行 對世界經濟的干擾,包括與供應鏈、通貨膨脹以及原材料增加有關的問題, 勞動力成本可能會推遲我們及時爲Elk Creek項目確保物資和設備的能力。

 

聯合 企業和其他合作伙伴關係,包括承付款安排,可能會使我們面臨風險。

 

我們 已與我們的麋鹿溪項目以及相關協議簽訂了三份承付款協議和一份意向書 向項目現場供應天然氣和電力,並可以成立合資企業或

 

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合作伙伴關係安排, 包括與其他各方就某些礦物的勘探、開發和生產達成的額外承購協議 我們感興趣的房產。此類其他公司未能履行對我們或第三方的義務 雙方,或有關雙方各自權利和義務的任何爭議,或價格波動和終止 與此類協議相關的條款可能會對我們、我們物業的開發和生產產生重大不利影響, 包括麋鹿溪項目、合資企業(如果有)或其財產,因此可能產生重大不利影響 關於我們的運營結果、財務業績、現金流和普通股價格。

 

我們 可能難以吸引和保留合格的管理層來滿足我們預期增長的需求,以及失敗 有效管理我們的增長可能會對我們的業務和財務狀況產生重大不利影響。

 

我們 依賴於相對較少的關鍵員工,包括我們的首席執行官。失去任何警官都可能 對我們產生不利影響。我們沒有爲任何個人購買人壽保險,並且我們可能無法聘請合適的替代者 如果有必要的話,他們將以有利的條件。

 

的 最近全球事件對資本市場和經濟的影響,包括通貨膨脹、大宗商品價格波動、供應 鏈條的不確定性以及原材料和勞動力成本的增加可能會對NioCorp的業務計劃產生不利影響, 財務狀況和流動性。

 

某些 事件已經並繼續影響全球和美國經濟,包括通脹加劇、波動性上升 大宗商品價格、供應鏈的不確定性以及原材料和勞動力成本的增加。我們無法預測這將如何 影響我們的業務,但影響可能是不利的。

 

雖然 無法預測這些因素對NioCorp的業務計劃、財務狀況或流動性的最終影響, 此類可能造成重大影響包括但不限於:(i)礦山和地面工程完工延遲 有關我們完成必要工程、採購和施工(「PC」)能力的設計和不確定性 由於我們的工程顧問和麋鹿溪項目主要承包商的業務中斷而達成協議, (ii)可用性減少並增加員工成本,(iii)對我們的流動性狀況產生負面影響,以及(iv)增加 成本和在資本市場獲得資金的能力減弱。這些因素可能繼續影響我們的整體程度 業務將取決於未來的發展,未來的發展仍然高度不確定,目前無法預測。

 

在 此外,我們無法預測最近全球事件的影響,包括通貨膨脹、大宗商品價格波動、供應 鏈條的不確定性以及原材料和勞動力成本的增加將對我們的客戶、供應商、供應商和其他業務產生影響 合作伙伴及其每個財務狀況;然而,對這些方的任何重大影響都可能對我們產生不利影響。

 

它 可能難以在美國境外執行判決或對我們和我們的某些董事提起訴訟。

 

我們 是一家加拿大公司,因此,投資者可能很難或不可能做到以下事情:

 

執行 在美國以外的法院根據民事責任在美國法院獲得的判決 美國聯邦證券法針對這些人員和公司的條款;或

帶來 在美國境外法院執行基於美國的責任的原始訴訟 針對這些人和公司的聯邦證券法。

 

的 公司可能無法實現2023年交易帶來的所有或任何預期利益。

 

的 普通股在納斯達克上市可能無法提供更廣泛的資本和融資替代方案的預期好處 或以其他方式提升NioCorp的公衆形象。如果公司未能成功實現這些預期利益, 包括普通股在納斯達克上市的預期好處以及融資工作的預期加速 爲了推進、完成建設並開始運營麋鹿溪項目,此類後果可能會對 公司的經營業績、現金流、財務狀況和普通股價格。

 

15

 

 

我們 可能不會承認約克維爾股權融資協議的全部價值,並且可能不會從 NioCorp假設令、2024年4月令和我們的其他未償令的行使以及潛在不利的 由於普通股的銷售或對未來銷售的看法,對我們普通股的現行市場價格的影響 股票可能會對我們籌集額外資本的能力產生不利影響。

 

雖然 我們已簽訂約克維爾股權融資協議,但我們可能無法認識到其全部價值。具體來說, 我們根據約克維爾股權融資協議向約克維爾出售普通股的能力受到某些限制 限制和限制,這可能會阻止我們在承諾到期之前出售全部承諾金額 期我們認識到約克維爾股權融資協議全部價值的能力可能會進一步受到以下因素的阻礙: 由於銷售或對未來銷售的看法,我們普通股的市場價格可能受到負面壓力, 我們或其他證券持有人持有普通股。因此,無法保證我們會收到所有甚至是一個 我們預計將收到的與約克維爾股權融資協議相關的大部分收益。

 

在……裏面 此外,在行使時,我們將收到NioCorp認購權證的現金行使價、2024年4月的權證和 我們的其他未清償認股權證(假設與NioCorp有關的認股權證和2024年4月的認股權證 沒有在無現金的基礎上行使)。我們相信NioCorp的持有者在2024年4月認購權證的可能性 或其他未償還權證將於2024年4月行使其NioCorp認股權證或其他未償還認股權證, 因此,我們將獲得的現金收益的數額,除其他外,取決於我們的 普通股。只要我們普通股的市場價格低於NioCorp的適用行使價格 假設認股權證、2024年4月的認股權證或其他未清償認股權證,我們相信這些持有人將不太可能行使其 融資權證,NioCorp認購權證,2024年4月認股權證或其他未償還權證。潛在的不利影響 由於我們或其他證券持有人出售普通股,我們普通股的現行市場價格, 或者認爲可能會發生此類出售,可能會使我們普通股的市場價格低於適用的行權價格 在NioCorp假設的認股權證中,2024年4月認股權證或其他未償還認股權證。因此,NioCorp的持有者認爲 認股權證,2024年4月認股權證或其他未償還認股權證可能不會行使其NioCorp認股權證,2024年4月 或其他尚未到期的權證,而我們可能不會從行使NioCorp假設的任何收益中獲得任何收益 認股權證,2024年4月認股權證或其他未清償認股權證。

 

我們 與2024年4月的購買協議有關的巨額債務,我們需要大量額外資本來 經營我們的生意。我們有義務在全部本金結清後償還或發行普通股 2024年4月發行的債券,另加溢價(如有的話)及累算利息(如有)。如此巨大的額外債務可能會對 影響我們的業務,這可能會阻止我們履行與現有債務有關的義務或獲得未來 融資。此外,2024年4月的購買協議限制我們進行某些可變利率融資交易, 這可能會削弱我們以優惠的條款獲得額外融資的能力,或者根本沒有。另外,如果市場 普通股價格將因出售普通股或預期未來出售普通股而下跌 對於其他證券持有人來說,這可能會阻礙我們籌集額外資本的能力。我們無法獲得額外的融資 以有利或根本有利的條款,可能會對我們的財務狀況、經營結果產生實質性的不利影響 和前景。

 

的 公司發現其財務報告內部控制存在重大缺陷。如果不補救,公司的 未能建立和維持有效的披露控制和程序以及內部 對財務報告的控制可能導致其財務報表中存在重大錯誤陳述,並且未能滿足 報告和財務義務,其中每一項都可能對公司的財務狀況產生重大不利影響 以及普通股的交易價格。

 

我們的管理層已經發現了與控制環境相關的原則中的缺陷, 構成重大弱點的風險評估、控制活動和內部控制的監控組成部分 單獨或集體。實質缺陷是內部控制的缺陷或缺陷的組合 財務報告,因此存在合理的可能性

 

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公司年度或中期報告的重大錯誤陳述 財務報表不會被及時阻止或檢測。

 

作爲 本年度報告表格10-k的第9A項「控制和程序」中討論了公司的管理層 已評估其財務報告內部控制及其披露控制和程序的有效性, 得出的結論是,截至2024年6月30日,它們尚未生效。

 

的 公司致力於儘快糾正其重大缺陷。管理層正在實施中 其補救計劃。然而,無法保證何時能夠糾正重大缺陷或額外缺陷 未來不會出現物質弱點。如果公司無法保持有效的財務內部控制 報告,其及時、準確地記錄、處理和報告財務信息的能力可能會受到不利影響, 這可能會使公司面臨訴訟或調查、需要管理資源、增加成本、產生負面影響 投資者信心並對普通股的交易價格產生不利影響。

 

我們 由於財務報告內部控制存在重大缺陷,可能面臨訴訟和其他風險。

 

我們 發現了截至2024年6月30日我們對財務報告的內部控制存在的重大弱點。的結果 SEC或加拿大證券監管機構提出或未來可能提出的此類重大弱點和其他事項, 我們面臨潛在的訴訟或其他糾紛,其中可能包括援引聯邦和州證券的索賠 法律、合同索賠或因財務報告內部控制的重大缺陷而產生的其他索賠 以及我們的財務報表的編制。截至本年度報告(Form 10-k)之日,我們不了解任何 此類訴訟或糾紛。然而,我們無法保證未來不會發生此類訴訟或糾紛。 任何此類訴訟或糾紛,無論成功與否,都可能對我們的業務、財務狀況和業績產生不利影響 的運營。

 

風險 與採礦和開發相關

 

我們 在估計我們的礦產儲量和資源時面臨許多不確定性,並且估計的不準確可能導致 收入低於預期,成本高於預期,盈利能力下降。

 

一 當我們出售礦物的價格超過採礦成本和費用時,礦物是經濟可開採的, 出售礦物。我們對未來業績的預測除其他外基於對我們礦產儲量的估計。 我們的儲量和資源信息基於由合格人士收集和分析的工程、經濟和地質數據 人員,包括我們和第三方員工中的各種工程師和地質學家。我們的估計也受到SEC的約束 有關儲量和資源分類的法規,包括S-k 1300。我們對兩者的儲量和資源估計 數量和質量會不時更新,以反映收到的額外信息。存在許多不確定性 評估礦產儲量和資源的數量和質量是固有的,包括許多超出我們控制範圍的因素。

 

估計 礦產儲量和資源的變化必然取決於許多可變因素和假設,其中任何一個都可能, 如果不正確,則會導致估計與實際結果存在很大差異。這些因素和假設包括,但是 不限於:

 

地質 和採礦條件,可用的勘探數據可能無法完全識別 並且可能與我們的經驗不同;

需求 用於我們計劃生產的礦物;

電流 以及礦產的未來市場價格和合同安排;

電流 儘管如此,未來的運營成本和資本支出可能會超出預期 根據S-k 1300,運營成本和資本支出估計可行 研究的準確性水平必須至少爲±15%,應急範圍必須不 超過10%;

額外 與擬議地面工廠改造相關的資本支出 可能添加的稀土元素;

遣散 以及消費稅、特許權使用費以及開發和開墾成本;

未來 採礦技術改進;

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的 政府機構監管的影響;

的 獲得、維護和更新所有所需許可證的能力;

員工 健康與安全;以及

歷史 該地區的產量與其他產區的產量進行比較。

 

的 不應假設將報告的礦產資源轉化爲礦產儲量,並重新分類報告的礦產 不應假設地質可信度從低到高的資源。因此,實際礦產噸已恢復 根據已確定的儲備以及我們儲備的收入和支出可能與估計存在重大差異。因此, 這些估計可能無法準確反映我們的實際儲備。我們與儲備相關的估計中存在任何重大不準確性 可能導致收入低於預期、成本高於預期或盈利能力下降,這可能會嚴重且 對我們的業務、經營業績、財務狀況和現金流產生不利影響。

 

的 礦產勘探和生產活動的性質涉及高度風險和未保險損失的可能性。

 

探索 礦產的生產具有高度投機性,並且比許多其他企業涉及更大的風險。最探索 項目不會導致礦化的發現,並且發現的任何礦化的數量可能不夠 或開採可獲利的質量。我們的業務以及我們未來可能進行的任何開發或採礦業務都將是, 受勘探和開發礦產資源通常會發生的所有操作危險和風險的影響,例如, 但不限於:

 

經濟 礦化材料不足;

波動 生產成本使生產不經濟;

勞動 爭議;

非預期 品位變化和其他地質問題;

環境 危險;

水 條件;

難 地表或地下條件;

industrial accidents;

metallurgical, pyrometallurgical, and other processing problems;

mechanical and equipment performance problems;

failure of dams, stockpiles, wastewater transportation systems, or impoundments;

unusual or unexpected rock formations; and

personal injury, fire, flooding, cave-ins, and landslides.

 

任何 這些風險除其他外可能會對房地產開發、生產數量和 費率、成本和支出、潛在收入和生產日期。我們目前需要防範的保險非常有限 其中一些風險。如果我們確定與我們的任何礦產利益相關的資本化成本不太可能 如果收回,我們將減記我們對這些權益的投資。所有這些因素都可能導致相關損失 無法收回或導致額外費用的支出金額。

 

我們 沒有利用我們當前的採礦資產生產商業產品的歷史,也無法保證我們會 成功建立採礦業務或生產礦產盈利。

 

我們 沒有使用我們當前的採礦資產生產商業產品的歷史。我們不生產商業產品, 目前不產生營業收益。雖然我們尋求將Elk Creek項目從開發階段的物業轉移到 作爲生產階段資產,此類工作將面臨與建立新採礦業務相關的所有風險 和商業企業,包括:

 

的 採礦和加工建設的時間和成本相當大 設施;

的 熟練勞動力和設備的可用性和成本;

合規 具有環境和其他政府批准和許可要求;

的 是否有資金爲建設和開發活動提供資金;

 

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潛在 非政府組織、地方團體或當地居民的反對 可能推遲或阻止開發活動;以及

潛在 由於成本和可用性的變化,建設和運營成本增加 勞動力、燃料、電力、材料以及設備和用品的數量,以及此後經過的時間 對成本和可用性進行了最新的估計。

 

它 在新的採礦和加工作業中,在工程、採購、 施工、調試和初始運營。此外,我們的管理層和員工隊伍需要擴大,並且需要足夠 必須爲我們的勞動力建立住房和其他支持系統。這可能會導致開工延遲 生產和生產成本增加。因此,我們無法向您保證我們的活動將帶來盈利 運營或者我們將成功建立採礦和加工運營。

 

結果 我們進行的冶金測試可能對我們不利,也不符合我們的預期。

 

我們 已對麋鹿溪項目材料完成了重要的實驗室、小型中試和中試冶金測試, 將繼續完成必要的台架、小型中試和中試規模冶金測試,作爲勘探和如果 有鑑於此,麋鹿溪項目的開發取得了進展。無法保證此類冶金測試的結果 將對我們有利,或者將如我們所期望的那樣。此外,無法確定獲得的冶金回收率 實驗室或中試規模測試將在後續測試或商業運營中實現。發展完整的 麋鹿溪項目生產可銷售最終產品的冶金過程是一項複雜且資源密集型的事業 這可能會導致我們的整體進度延遲並增加項目成本。

 

價格 波動性可能會對我們的運營業績和執行業務計劃的能力產生巨大影響。

 

的 商品價格每天都在變化。鋰是一種特種金屬,而不是銅等常見貿易商品, 鋅、金或鐵礦石。鋰的價格往往是通過有限的長期承購市場來確定的,該市場在非常 供應商和採購商很少。全球最大的鈷供應商Companhia Brasileira de Metrogia e Mineração, 供應全球約85%的鈷。此類供應商試圖壓低鋰價格,或 任何供應商的產量增加超過需求增加,都會對鋰的價格產生負面影響 並且可能會影響我們的價值。新的鋰礦牀的發現也可能會降低鋰的價格,這可能會 不僅增加了鋰的總體供應(導致其價格下跌壓力),而且可能會吸引新公司進入鋰 會與我們競爭的行業。

 

SC2O3 用於固體氧化物燃料電池,有潛力成爲航空航天和汽車領域有價值的鋁合金 行業近年來銫的供應斷斷續續,目前世界上還沒有原生的銫礦。 生產主要作爲現有冶金工廠的副產品進行,主要位於俄羅斯、加拿大、菲律賓 和中國我們的管理層相信埃爾克溪項目將顯着增加全球三氧化銫的供應。 儘管該公司的市場研究表明需求前景積極,但目前無法保證 該公司可以出售其所有產品。此外,銫的銷售佔麋鹿溪的很大一部分 項目收入; 實現公司研究中預測的收入取決於銫市場的增長,而銫市場是一個不斷髮展的領域。 存在供應過剩和/或供應不足擾亂定價風險的市場。

 

鈦 金屬用於各種超級合金和航空航天應用、裝甲和醫療植入物的其他應用,以及氧化物 形式是紙張、油漆和塑料中使用的顏料的關鍵成分。麋鹿溪項目將生產少量 相對於其他生產商,二價。作爲小生產商,我們會受到鈦鐵礦價格波動的影響2 這將是由於這種商品供需的正常變化造成的。

 

我們 可能無法建立可行的稀土回收流程.

 

的 稀土產品市場需要特定水平的純度和化學形式,這是通過提取來實現的 以及各個稀土元素彼此分離以及與其他成分分離

 

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稀土礦。目前該 該公司已基本完成商業稀土產品生產工藝的工程和測試, 尚未完成申報麋鹿溪礦牀稀土儲量估計所需的所有工作。完成必要的工作 要證明經濟上可行的稀土回收系統將需要額外的現金支出和時間來完成。 無法保證該公司將成功證明稀土回收系統的積極經濟性 該稀土回收系統與麋鹿溪項目相關,也不能保證一旦建成,稀土回收系統將作爲 設計和生產可銷售的商業產品。

 

估計 資源和儲量的評估存在不確定性,可能導致項目失敗。

 

我們的 勘探和未來的採礦作業,如果有的話,現在和將來都將面臨與能夠準確預測有關的風險。 使用統計抽樣技術對地球內資源/儲量的數量和質量進行分析。任何資源/儲量的估計 我們的任何財產都將使用從適當位置的戰壕、測試坑、地下工作場所、 和智能設計的鑽探。在相鄰的檢查樣本和重複樣本之間存在固有的可變性 相互之間以及無法合理消除的採樣點之間。此外,還可能存在未知的地質 在目前積累的關於我們物業的知識水平上,沒有被識別或正確理解的細節。 這可能導致在估算資源/儲量的過程中無法合理消除的不確定性。如果 如果這些估計被證明是不可靠的,我們就可以實施一個可能不會導致商業上可行的開採計劃 未來的運營。

 

任何 礦產資源/儲量估計和礦化等級的重大變化將影響放置的經濟可行性 財產轉化爲生產和財產的資本回報。

 

礦物 資源/儲量估計可能需要調整或向下修正。此外,最終開採的礦石品位(如果有的話), 可能與我們的可行性研究和鑽探結果所表明的不同。小規模測試中回收的礦物可能不會 在現場條件下或商業生產規模下的大規模測試中重複進行。

 

的 礦產資源和礦產儲量估計包含在S-k 1300 Elk Creek技術報告摘要中,幷包含在本 10-k表格年度報告是根據假設的未來價格、截止等級和可能證明的運營成本確定的 不準確。我們產品的市場價格持續下跌可能會使我們的部分資源/儲量估計不經濟 並可能導致報告的資源/儲量減少,或者可能對我們可能達成的任何商業可行性確定產生不利影響。 資源/儲量估計的任何重大減少都可能對我們的普通股價格產生重大不利影響, 關於我們財產的價值。

 

我們 面臨採礦業的激烈競爭。

 

的 採礦業在各個階段都競爭激烈。由於這場比賽,其中一些是與大型老牌 礦業公司實力雄厚,資金技術資源豐富,我們可能無法 收購額外房產(如果有的話)或按我們認爲可接受的條款進行融資。我們還與其他礦業公司競爭 招聘和留住合格的管理和技術員工。如果我們無法成功競爭 合格的員工,我們的探索與發展 程序可能會減慢或暫停。我們與生產我們計劃中的商業產品的其他公司競爭以獲取資本。 如果我們無法籌集足夠的資金,我們的勘探和開發計劃可能會受到威脅,或者我們可能無法 收購、開發或運營額外的採礦項目。

 

困難 麋鹿溪項目的水平衡管理可能會對我們該項目的潛在生產和經濟產生負面影響。

 

的 公司對麋鹿溪碳酸岩的水文地質進行了三次現場調查和兩次重大技術研究, 這是容納該公司採礦業務開採的礦化材料的地質構造。 該公司預計碳酸岩中將遇到大量水,需要將其從地層中泵出 以促進採礦作業。水質分析表明,這些水的溫度會升高, 與該地區其他水資源相比,鹽含量。雖然該公司制定了處理生產水的計劃 從礦井中取出用於

 

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在其運營中,無法保證水處理或處置所需的許可證 所得廢物的數量將由內布拉斯加州頒發,也沒有任何保證此類許可證將被 及時發佈。此外,根據這些計劃,運營將依靠水處理系統來實現零排放 廢水的排放,並且不能保證該系統能夠按設計運行或達到污水處理能力。

 

標題 我們的財產可能會受到可能影響我們的財產權和索賠的其他索賠。

 

那裏 是我們的財產所有權可能受到挑戰或質疑的風險。我們的Elk Creek項目位於內布拉斯加州,可能 受先前未記錄的協議或轉讓或原生土地權利要求的約束,所有權可能受到未發現的缺陷的影響。我們的 ECRC和個人土地所有者之間目前的土地和/或礦業權租賃協議使我們可以選擇購買額外的 物業(OTP),連同我們已經擁有的物業,將允許我們建設Elk Creek項目 一旦獲得了足夠的項目融資。現有業主出售物業的權利,但須受這些選擇的限制 可能受到先前未記錄的或未知的所有權主張的約束。此外,我們目前的OTP協議,其中一些很重要 對於我們計劃的運營,是固定期限的,在2024年12月至2040年5月之間到期,我們可能會產生額外的成本 以及在確保此類OTP續簽方面的延誤。我們已經調查了我們勘探和開發Elk Creek項目資源/保護區的權利 據我們所知,我們對Elk Creek項目資源/保護區土地的權利是良好的 站着。然而,我們的物業所有權可能會面臨有效的挑戰,如果成功,可能會損害開發。 和/或操作。

 

我們 財產和運營可能會受到訴訟或其他索賠。

 

從 我們的財產或運營有時可能會受到爭議,這可能導致訴訟或其他法律索賠。我們可能 被要求主張或辯護這些主張,這將分散運營的資源和管理時間。費用 這些索賠或不利備案可能會對我們的業務和經營業績產生重大影響。

 

我們 目前沒有針對礦產勘探、開發和採礦作業的所有風險和危害提供保險。

 

探索, 開發、採礦和地面作業涉及各種危害,包括環境危害、工業事故、冶金 以及其他加工問題、異常或意外的岩層、結構塌陷或滑坡、洪水、火災和週期性 由於惡劣或危險的天氣條件而中斷。這些風險可能導致礦物損壞或破壞 財產、設施或其他財產、人身傷害、環境破壞、運營延誤、運營成本增加, 金錢損失以及可能的法律責任。我們可能無法在經濟上可行的情況下獲得保險來覆蓋這些風險 保費或根本。當保費成本與我們對相關風險的看法不成比例時,我們可能會選擇不承保。 支付此類保險費和此類負債將減少可用於勘探和生產的資金 活動

 

風險 與政府監管有關

 

我們 可能無法獲得或更新將我們的任何財產投入生產所需的所有許可和許可證。

 

我們的 當前和未來的業務,包括在Elk Creek的開發活動和開始生產(如有必要) 項目,需要政府當局的許可,這種操作現在和將來都要受 勘探、開發、採礦、生產、出口、稅收、勞工標準、職業健康、廢物處理、有毒物質、 土地利用、環境保護、礦山安全等事項。從事礦產資源勘探和開採的公司 礦山和相關設施的開發或運營一般都會增加成本,生產也會出現延誤。 以及其他時間表,因爲需要遵守適用的法律、法規和許可。我們無法預測是否所有人 我們繼續勘探、開發或建造採礦設施和進行採礦活動可能需要的許可證 運營將是可以獲得的,或者可以在合理的條件下續期,如果可以的話。與申請和取得許可證有關的費用 許可證可能令人望而卻步,可能會推遲我們計劃的勘探和開發活動。沒有遵守適用的規定 法律、法規和許可要求可能導致執行行動,包括命令

 

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監管或司法發佈 當局導致運營停止或縮減,並可能包括需要資本支出、安裝的糾正措施 額外的設備或補救措施。

 

設施 與麋鹿溪項目相關的,例如礦山、地面工廠、尾礦設施、庫存和配套基礎設施, 可能會暫時或永久影響受USACE監管的水體和溼地, 美國水域(「WOUS」)。我們相信我們已經獲得了必要的USACE許可來建造 項目,但設施設計或佈局的變化可能會導致USACE要求我們獲取和維護額外的 麋鹿溪項目的許可證。這項許可活動的持續時間由USACE規定,需要完成 在影響WOUS的設施建成之前。我們可能會遇到與獲取相關的延遲或額外費用 必要的許可證以及這些延誤和額外成本可能會對麋鹿溪項目的經濟產生負面影響, 我們的運營結果。

 

締約方 從事採礦作業的人可能被要求賠償因採礦活動而遭受損失或損害的人, 因違反適用法律或法規而可能受到民事或刑事罰款或處罰。對當前的修改 管理採礦公司運營和活動的法律、法規和許可證,或更嚴格的實施, 可能對我們的運營產生重大不利影響,並導致資本支出或生產成本增加或減少 生產資產的生產水平或需要放棄或推遲新採礦資產的開發。

 

我們 受影響我們運營和開展業務成本的重大政府法規的約束。

 

我們 當前和未來的運營,包括麋鹿溪項目的開發,現在並將受到法律和法規的約束, 包括:

 

法律 以及管理礦產特許權收購、勘探、開發、採礦、 和生產;

法律 以及與出口、稅收和費用相關的法規;

勞動 與職業健康和礦山安全相關的標準和法規;以及

環境 與廢物處理、有毒物質、土地利用開墾、 和環境保護

 

公司 由於以下原因,從事開發活動經常會經歷成本增加以及生產和其他時間表的延遲 需要遵守適用的法律、法規和許可。未遵守適用法律、法規和許可證 可能會導致執法行動,包括沒收礦產主張或其他礦產權和/或由 監管或司法當局要求停止或限制運營,並可能包括糾正措施,要求 資本支出、額外設備的安裝或昂貴的補救行動。我們可能會被要求賠償那些 因我們的開發活動而遭受損失或損害,並可能受到民事或刑事罰款或處罰 違反此類法律、法規和許可證。

 

現有 以及未來可能的管理礦產開發公司運營和活動的法律、法規和許可證等 嚴格的實施可能會對我們的業務產生重大不利影響並導致資本支出增加或 需要放棄或推遲開發。我們的麋鹿溪項目位於內布拉斯加州,該州確實擁有全面的 和現代環境法規,但它沒有有關許可或回收礦山的具體法規 這可能會影響項目的總上市時間。

 

我們 活動受到可能發生變化的環境法律和法規的約束,從而增加了我們開展業務的成本, 限制我們的運營。

 

所有 我們的運營階段須遵守我們運營所在司法管轄區的環境法規。環境立法 正在以可能需要更嚴格的標準和執行、增加對不合規行爲的罰款和處罰的方式發展, 對擬議項目進行更嚴格的環境評估,並加強對公司及其企業的責任 官員、董事和員工。這些法律涉及空氣中的排放、水中的排放、廢物管理、管理 有害物質、保護自然

 

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資源、文物和瀕危物種以及開墾受干擾的土地 通過採礦作業。遵守環境法律和法規以及這些法律和法規的未來變化可能 需要大量資本支出,並可能導致我們的運營和未來活動發生重大變化或延遲。可以 這些法律或法規的未來變化可能會對我們的財產或部分財產產生重大不利影響 我們的業務,導致我們重新評估當時的這些活動。

 

條例 即將出台的管理氣候變化問題的立法可能會導致運營成本增加,這可能會導致 對我們的業務造成重大不利影響。

 

一個 一些政府或政府機構已經或正在考慮進行立法和/或監管方面的改革。 對氣候變化潛在影響的擔憂。關於氣候變化的立法和加強監管可能 將巨額成本強加給我們、我們未來的合資夥伴(如果有的話)和我們的供應商,包括與增加 能源需求、資本設備、環境監測和報告以及遵守這些要求所需的其他費用 規章制度。未來通過的任何氣候變化法規也可能對我們與公司競爭的能力產生負面影響 位於不受這種限制的地區。鑑於圍繞這一問題的情緒、政治意義和不確定性 氣候變化的影響以及如何應對,我們無法預測立法和監管將如何影響我們的金融 條件、經營業績和競爭能力。此外,即使沒有這樣的監管,提高認識和任何 我們或本行業其他公司在全球市場上對氣候變化潛在影響的負面宣傳 可能會損害我們的聲譽。氣候變化對我們業務的潛在實際影響高度不確定,可能是 具體到我們所在地區的地理環境,並可能包括降雨和風暴模式的變化 和強度,水資源短缺,海平面變化,以及溫度變化。這些影響可能會對成本產生不利影響, 生產,以及我們業務的財務表現。

 

土地 我們房產的回收要求可能繁重且昂貴。

 

雖然 土地開墾要求根據地點和管理當局的不同而變化,通常對礦產勘探提出 公司(以及從事採礦業務的公司),以最大限度地減少土地擾動的長期影響。

 

填海 可能包括以下要求:

 

控制 潛在有害廢水的分散;

治療 地下水和地表水達到水質標準;以及

合理 重建擾動前的地形和植被。

 

在 爲了履行與我們潛在的開發活動相關的填海義務,我們必須分配 否則可能用於進一步勘探和開發計劃的財政資源。我們計劃設立一項規定 酌情承擔我們對財產的填海義務,但此規定可能不夠。如果規定我們 進行意想不到的填海工作,我們的財務狀況可能會受到不利影響。

 

風險 與我們的債務有關

 

的 我們不時的負債水平可能會損害我們獲得額外融資的能力。

 

從 有時,我們可能會進行交易以收購其他公司的資產或股份,或爲開發提供資金。 麋鹿溪項目。這些交易可能部分或全部由債務融資,這可能會使我們的債務水平增加到以上 行業標準.我們的公司章程不限制我們可能承擔的債務金額。我們的債務 可能會損害我們未來及時獲得額外融資以利用商業機會的能力 這可能會出現。我們償還債務的能力將取決於我們未來的運營,這取決於當前的運營 行業條件和其他因素,其中許多因素超出了我們的控制範圍。

 

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我們 可能沒有能力償還我們的債務,包括但不限於支付2024年4月票據的分期付款。

 

截至6月30日, 2024年4月發行的債券中,我們有710美元的未償還萬。與2024年4月發行的債券有關的付款將於 每月付款日期(如本文定義的),如果股權條件(如本文定義的)不滿足,則在到期日。 如果我們無法滿足股權條件,我們將被要求以現金支付在任何付款日期到期的所有金額。我們的 有能力支付2024年4月票據的本金和利息,以滿足營運資金需求,併爲計劃中的資本支出提供資金 這取決於我們未來獲得額外融資和產生現金流的能力。在某種程度上,這是一個主題 受一般經濟、金融、競爭、立法和監管因素以及其他我們無法控制的因素的影響。 我們目前打算使用約克維爾股權融資協議下的預付款產生的現金和淨收益 根據史密斯貸款協議借款以履行我們在2024年4月票據項下的付款義務,而我們可能無法 根據約克維爾股權融資協議提供預付款或根據史密斯貸款協議進行必要的借款 數額或在必要的時間。如果我們無法通過約克維爾股權融資機制下的預付款產生足夠的現金 對於融資協議或史密斯貸款協議下的借款,我們不能向您保證我們將保持足夠的現金儲備, 我們的業務將從運營中產生現金流,或者我們將能夠獲得足夠水平的額外資金 允許我們支付2024年4月的票據。未經4月的持有者同意、忍耐或放棄 2024年4月發行的債券,若未能按規定付款,年利率將達18%。 2024年4月發行的未償還本金餘額的票據,並將允許2024年4月票據的持有者加快速度 我們在2024年4月票據項下的義務。這種違約也可能導致根據我們的協議違約,我們目前的任何 以及未來的債務。

 

對 2024年9月4日,我們達成了同意書(定義見本文),其中除其他外,減少了因 2024年4月2024年9月1日購買者(定義見本文)總額增加1,176,476美元,增至335,524美元 2024年12月1日應支付2024年4月買家的金額總計爲1,176,476美元,並預期豁免任何期限 本公司未能向2024年4月買家支付2024年4月票據而觸發 2024年9月1日到期的剩餘金額。除同意書修改外,2024年4月票據的條款與之前相同 披露的內容沒有變化。

 

如果 我們無法獲得額外融資並從未來的運營中產生足夠的現金流來提供服務 我們的債務並滿足我們的其他需求,我們可能不得不爲全部或部分債務再融資、尋求寬容或 豁免、獲得額外融資、減少支出或出售我們認爲業務必要的資產。我們無法保證 您認爲任何這些措施都是可能的,或者可以以優惠的條件獲得額外融資(如果有的話)。 無法償還債務,或無法再融資,獲得寬容或豁免,獲得額外融資,減少 支出、出售資產或以商業上合理的條款獲得額外融資將產生重大不利影響 關於我們的財務狀況和我們繼續經營的能力。

 

在 如果我們與有擔保債權人的協議發生某些違反行爲,我們的資產可能會受到影響。

 

 我們 已就史密斯貸款協議向馬克·史密斯(「有擔保債權人」)授予擔保權益 考慮到有擔保人提供的債務融資,公司的所有資產 債權人。如果出現某些違反史密斯貸款協議條款的情況,有擔保債權人可能有權執行 其擔保權益並扣押或保留我們的資產,包括0896800的股份。有擔保債權人的某些權利 執行其擔保權益須遵守有關我們違約的通知和補救條款;然而,任何此類 該行爲可能會嚴重損害我們的價值以及我們保留或推進麋鹿溪項目開發的能力。

 

風險 與普通股相關

 

NioCorp 在當前納稅年度和一個或多個未來納稅年度可能是「被動外國投資公司」, 這可能會對美國投資者造成重大不利的美國聯邦所得稅後果。

 

如果 NioCorp是一家被動外國投資公司(「PFIC」),涵蓋任何應稅年度或其中部分 在NioCorp普通股或其他證券的美國持有人持有期間,該美國持有人可能會受到某些 不利的美國聯邦所得稅後果。這些不利的稅收後果包括

 

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處理在以下情況下變現的收益的要求 普通股或其他證券的處置,或普通股收到的任何「超額分派」,與普通股一樣 收入,支付部分收益或分配的利息費用,以及某些額外的報告要求。是這樣的 普通股的後果可以減輕(但NioCorp的認股權證或其他證券除外) 如果持有人及時有效地進行了「合格選舉基金」或「優質教育基金」選舉或「按市值計價」的選舉 選舉。參加QEF選舉的美國普通股持有者通常必須在當前基礎上包括美國的收入。 聯邦所得稅用於其在NioCorp淨資本收益和下列任何應納稅年度的普通收入中的份額 無論NioCorp是否向其股東分配任何金額,它都是一家PFIC。美國普通股持有者,按市值計價 一般情況下,選舉必須包括每年普通股公允市值超過 其中的納稅人依據。

 

NioCorp 一般情況下,如果(A)某一納稅年度的總收入的75%或以上是被動的,則該年度將被歸類爲PFIC 收入“(一般指股息、利息、租金、特許權使用費和處置產生被動收入的資產的收益) 或(B)至少50%或以上的資產價值產生或爲產生被動收入而持有,基於 此類資產的公平市場價值的季度平均值。NioCorp認爲,在其納稅年度,它被歸類爲PFIC 截至2024年6月30日和2023年6月30日,根據其目前的收入和資產構成以及目前的業務計劃 和財務預期,可被歸類爲未來納稅年度的PFIC。任何關於PFIC地位的結論都是事實 每年必須在每個納稅年度結束時作出的決定,因此可能會發生變化。此外,甚至 如果NioCorp得出結論認爲它不符合PFIC的資格,那麼美國國稅局(IRS)就有可能 可以斷言,法院可以支持NioCorp是PFIC的裁決。因此,不能保證 NioCorp在任何納稅年度都不會被視爲PFIC。PFIC規則很複雜,普通股或其他股票的每個持有者 NioCorp證券公司應就這些規則和美國聯邦所得稅後果諮詢自己的稅務顧問 證券的取得、所有權和處分。

 

的 2023年交易可能導致NioCorp面臨重大不利的美國聯邦所得稅後果。

 

部分 經修訂的《1986年美國國稅法》(以下簡稱《法典》)7874及相關章節規定了某些 美國公司的股票被非美國公司在年的某些交易中收購時的不利稅收後果 哪個美國公司的前股東擁有該非美國公司60%或更多的股票(投票或 價值,並應用某些特定的計數和所有權規則)。這些不利的稅收後果包括:(I)潛在的額外 需要獲得美國公司的承認,(Ii)對支付給非美國公司的某些付款的處理 毛收入爲「基數侵蝕付款」,(三)某些期權的消費稅和基於股票的薪酬 美國公司,(Iv)不允許對非美國公司的分配給予「有條件的股息」待遇, 以及(V)如果美國公司的前股東開始擁有該非美國公司80%或更多的股票,待遇 非美國公司作爲美國公司須就其全球收入繳納美國聯邦所得稅(除任何 由非美國司法管轄區徵收的稅收)。如果2023年的交易導致應用任何這些或任何其他不利的 如果出現稅收後果,NioCorp可能會產生顯著的額外稅收成本。雖然NioCorp目前不相信2023年的交易 是否會因本守則第7874條及相關條款而導致不利的稅務後果,則以該決定爲準 重大的法律和事實不確定性。NioCorp 沒有也不會尋求美國國稅局就2023年任何交易的稅收待遇做出任何裁決。此外,還有 我不能保證你的稅務顧問、美國國稅局或法院會同意NioCorp不受這些約束的立場 不利的稅收後果。

 

我們 普通股價格可能波動,因此您可能會損失全部或部分投資。

 

在 除了與一般股票證券相關的波動性外,您的投資價值可能會因影響而下降 以下任何因素對普通股市場價格的影響:

 

失望 我們的探索和/或(如果有必要)項目開發工作的結果;

下降 對普通股的需求;

向下 證券分析師估計的修改或一般市場狀況的變化;

技術 競爭對手或競爭技術的創新;

投資者 對我們行業或前景的看法;以及

 

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一般 經濟趨勢。

 

在 過去一財年,我們股票在納斯達克的交易價格從1.65美元的低點到5.36美元的高點不等。

 

在 此外,股市總體上經歷了價格和成交量的極端波動,證券的市場價格 一直高度不穩定。這些波動通常與經營業績無關,可能會對市場產生不利影響 普通股的價格。因此,您可能無法以所需價格出售您收購的任何普通股。

 

我們 從未支付普通股股息。

 

我們 迄今爲止尚未支付普通股股息,並且在可預見的未來我們可能無法支付股息。 我們就普通股支付股息的能力將取決於我們成功開發一種或多種 財產並從運營中產生收入。此外,我們的初始收益(如果有的話)可能會被保留來資助我們 運營普通股未來的任何股息將取決於我們的盈利、我們當時現有的財務要求,以及 其他因素,並將由董事會酌情決定。

 

未來 現有股東或我們出售普通股,或對未來出售的看法,或未來稀釋發行 我們的普通股可能會對普通股的現行市場價格產生不利影響,並導致投資者遭受稀釋 其每股普通股的淨資產。

 

銷售 公開市場上大量普通股可能隨時發生,包括髮行和出售額外的普通股 我們的普通股以及其他證券持有人的出售。這些銷售,或者市場看法認爲持有大量 普通股或可轉換、可行使或交換爲普通股的證券打算出售普通股,可以 降低普通股的現行市場價格。未來公開出售這些證券或 這些待售證券的可用性將對普通股的市場價格產生影響是不確定的。如果市場價格 因此,普通股的數量將下降,這可能會阻礙我們籌集額外資本的能力,並可能導致剩餘 股東失去全部或部分投資。

 

NioCorp的文章, 根據與2023年交易相關的修訂,允許我們發行不限數量的普通股。受制於要求 對於不列顛哥倫比亞省商業公司法和納斯達克,我們將不需要獲得NioCorp股東的批准 用於增發普通股。我們過去發行過普通股,並將繼續發行普通股 爲我們未來的活動提供資金。此外,購買普通股和證券的未償還期權和認股權證 可轉換爲普通股或可交換爲普通股可被行使、轉換或交換,從而發行額外的 普通股。如果我們增發普通股或決定與其他各方成立合資企業以籌集 通過出售股權證券進行融資,投資者在公司的權益將被稀釋,投資者可能會受到影響 每股普通股賬面淨值的攤薄,取決於該等證券的出售價格。

 

此外, 根據約克維爾股權融資協議,約克維爾已承諾額外購買最多5870萬美元 在承諾期剩餘18個月內,根據我們不時的指示,保留我們的普通股,但須遵守某些規定 約克維爾股權融資協議中的限制和條件的滿足。我們已經提交了登記 證券法規定的聲明涵蓋約克維爾轉售根據約克維爾股權可發行的普通股 設施融資協議。因此,我們根據約克維爾股權融資發行的任何普通股 根據適用的證券法,該協議將可在公開市場上出售,這可能會減少現行證券法的影響 普通股的市場價格。

 

我們 受納斯達克持續上市標準的約束,我們未能滿足這些標準可能會導致退市 普通股的。

 

我們 普通股目前在納斯達克全球市場上市,代碼爲「NB」。公開NioCorp獲得授權 目前在納斯達克上市,代碼爲「NIOBW」。納斯達克資本市場

 

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有繼續上市的規則。 爲了維持上市,我們必須維持一定的財務和股票分配目標,包括維持 公衆股東的最低數量。

 

如果 納斯達克將普通股退市,投資者可能面臨重大不利後果,包括但不限於缺乏 普通股交易市場,流動性下降,確定我們的普通股是「細股」, 分析師對公司的覆蓋範圍減少,並且我們無法獲得額外融資來資助我們的運營。

 

如果 我們的普通股被視爲廉價股,並受廉價股規則的約束,經紀交易商可能會不鼓勵這樣做 進行普通股交易。

 

我們的 普通股過去一直被視爲「廉價股」,未來也可能被視爲「細價股」。美國證券交易委員會採用了規則15G-9 它通常將「細價股」定義爲市場價格(定義)低於5.00美元的任何股權證券 或行使價格低於每股5.00美元,但某些例外情況除外。適用的細價股規則 對經紀自營商向非已確立客戶及「認可」人士出售產品的額外銷售實務規定 投資者。“「認可投資者」一詞一般指資產超過500美元萬的機構。 或淨資產超過$100萬或年收入超過$200,000或$300,000的個人連同其 配偶。細價股規則要求經紀交易商在進行細價股交易之前不受規則的約束, 以美國證券交易委員會擬備的形式提交標準化的風險披露文件,提供細價股的信息 以及細價股市場的風險性質和水平。經紀自營商還必須向客戶提供當前報價。 並提供細價股的報價、經紀自營商及其銷售人員在交易中的補償,以及每月 帳戶對帳單,顯示客戶帳戶中持有的每一分錢股票的市場價值。出價和報價, 以及經紀-交易商和銷售人員的賠償信息,必須在生效之前口頭或書面提供給客戶 並必須在客戶確認之前或在客戶確認的情況下以書面形式提交給客戶。此外, 細價股規則要求,在以其他方式不受本規則豁免的細價股交易之前,經紀自營商 必須作出特別書面決定,表明該細價股是購買者的適當投資,並接受購買者的 交易的書面協議。如果適用,這些披露要求可能會減少 普通股在二級市場的交易活動水平。因此,這些細價股規則可能會影響 經紀自營商進行普通股交易的能力。

 

項目 10億。未解決 工作人員評論

 

沒有。

 

項目 1C.網絡安全

 

網絡安全風險 管理融入公司全企業風險管理。我們的董事會負有全面監督責任 因爲我們的風險管理和管理層負責識別、考慮和評估公司面臨的重大風險。 我們的首席財務官負責評估和管理網絡安全風險;然而,作爲一家規模較小的報告公司, 我們目前沒有專門的網絡安全團隊。 我們的首席財務官向董事會報告財務和運營風險,包括 網絡安全風險。我們的首席財務官擁有管理上市公司以及評估財務和運營的經驗 風險

 

我們 網絡安全風險管理旨在提供評估、識別和管理重大風險的框架 網絡安全威脅並應對網絡安全事件,包括與使用服務相關的重大風險 由第三方服務提供商提供。我們依賴許多第三方服務提供商的網絡安全保護。 我們的主要第三方服務提供商利用雙因素身份驗證以及電子郵件的登錄和密碼保護 驗證。

 

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截至2024年6月30日止年度,公司未發生重大網絡安全事件或網絡安全 對我們的業務戰略、運營結果產生重大影響或相當可能產生重大影響的威脅 或財務狀況。儘管我們做出了努力,但我們無法消除網絡安全威脅的所有風險或提供保證 我們沒有經歷過未被發現的網絡安全事件。

 

第二項。特性

 

麋鹿 內布拉斯加州克里克項目

 

我們 主要礦產資源是Elk Creek礦產資源,這是一個鋰、銫和鈦開發階段的礦產資源。麋鹿溪 項目已確定指示和推斷資源量以及可能儲量,公司已完成可行性 爲該項目學習。以下信息部分總結或摘錄自我們的S-k 1300 Elk Creek技術報告摘要, 該文件已作爲公司截至2022年6月30日財年的10-k表格年度報告的附件96.1提交,以及 通過引用納入本10-k表格的年度報告中。公司不擁有任何其他重大財產。

 

這個 負責編寫S-k1300麋鹿溪技術報告摘要的合格人員爲達魯格地質諮詢公司 美國得意礦產資源有限公司;優化集團;利樂科技;禤浩焯布朗諮詢公司;冶金概念解決方案; Magemi礦業公司;L3流程開發;A2GC;Scott Honan萬.sc,中小型企業-RM,NioCorp;Everett Bird,P.E.,水泥;馬特·黑爾斯, 馬哈茂德·卡瓦賈,P.E.,清潔發展機制史密斯;馬丁·利佩奇,P.Eng,In.,水泥;以及Wynand Max萬.eng,BBE諮詢公司。 每個合格人員負責的章節矩陣包含在S-k1300麋鹿溪技術報告中 總結。除Scott Honan外,所有合格人士均未與公司有關聯。霍南先生是首席運營官 公司的高級職員。審查了本年度報告中以表格10-k形式披露科學或技術信息的情況 並由符合NI 43-101定義的合格人員的霍南先生批准,並且霍南先生已經核實了在此披露的數據。

 

財產 說明和位置

 

的 Elk Creek Property是位於美國內布拉斯加州東南部約翰遜縣的一處碳酸岩礦牀。碳酸岩含有元素 具有經濟意義,包括鈷、鈦和銫,以及對稀土的潛在經濟意義 產品. Elk Creek房產位於USGS Tecumseh Quadrangle Nebraska SE(7.5)內 分鐘系列)第1-6、9-11段地圖; 3 N鎮; 11 E範圍和19-23、25-36段; 4 N鎮,11 E範圍,大約在 位於美國中部內布拉斯加州北緯40°16 '西經96°11 '。麋鹿溪房產大約 位於內布拉斯加州首府內布拉斯加州林肯市東南45英里處。

 


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標題 和所有權

 

土地 項目區內的土地由私人實體獨家擁有,項目區內沒有聯邦或州土地。公司 已通過從私人土地所有者購買土地或與 土地所有者如下所述。

 

的 公司目前擁有一塊約225英畝的土地和相關的採礦權,以及另外40英畝的土地 碳酸岩足跡內的礦產權。麋鹿溪項目的礦山基礎設施和部分配套 計劃在該地塊上開展業務。上述礦產權的所有權包括2%的NSO特許權使用費 並使我們能夠使用麋鹿溪項目90%以上的礦產資源和礦產儲量。

 

作爲 截至2024年6月30日,Elk Creek房產及相關建築和設備的總賬面價值爲1690萬美元。

 

的 該公司還持有八項與麋鹿溪項目相關的OTC以及鄰近地塊的一項永久地役權 到密蘇里河。目前的選擇性土地包占地1,396英畝,反映了所需的土地 確保OTP下剩餘的礦產資源和礦產儲量以及開發所需的土地 以及Elk Creek項目擬議運營期限爲38年的運營。

 

在 一般來說,通過支付每英畝固定金額或評估價值的倍數中的較高者來實現OTC的行使 購買時。如果公司在OTC有效期內未購買土地且需要相關土地 對於該項目,該公司打算與土地所有者談判新的PIP。檢察官辦公室附有協商付款 公司和土地所有者在簽署合同後支付給土地所有者。截至2024年6月30日,公司 有義務在未來11年內支付總計約45,000美元的款項,以維護我們在這些OTC下的權利。細節 公司目前持有的OTC情況如下表所示。

 

活性 截至2024年9月涵蓋麋鹿溪項目的租賃協議(TTP)

 

協議 標識符 公頃 英畝 協議 屆滿
Beethe007 66.27 163.75 26年1月20日
海德曼005 79.55 196.57 25年3月16日
尼爾森001 100.90 249.32 25日6月25日
尼爾森002 11.91 29.43 25日6月25日
Woltemath80 S 32.37 80.00 24年12月4日
Woltemath002 152.49 376.81 24年12月4日
Woltemath003 J 89.03 220.00 25年3月25日
Shuey 001 32.37 80.00 1940年5月27日

 

的 OTC是NioCorp的子公司ECRC和個體土地所有者之間的。目前,受檢察官辦公室協議約束的土地 用於農業目的,包括種植行作物(玉米和大豆)和放牧牲畜。ECRC擁有的土地 公司在兩座鋼心棚建築物和公司中存放了公司的鑽探芯庫存和地質樣本庫 在以前用於種植行作物的部分土地上種植覆蓋作物(高粱和黑麥)。前 土地所有者在該房產上保留了一處住宅和幾棟附屬建築,並受購買時附帶的終身財產管轄 該公司在2021財年對該房產的投資。

 

的 涉及礦產權的協議包括隨OTC附的2% NSO特許權使用費。TTP授予公司獨家 在房產期限內勘探和評估房產的權利,可以選擇購買地表權利或組合 在期限內的任何時候都可以獲得礦產權和地表權。由於Woltemath80 S協議僅限於購買選項 僅限於表面權利,不包含NSO條款。

 

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土地 截至2024年9月的任期地圖

 

 

 

的 目前估計的礦產資源和儲量全部包含在公司擁有的土地和Woltemath003 J地塊內。 該公司認爲這兩處房產是該公司開發麋鹿溪的唯一房產 項目在很大程度上依賴。

 

作爲 作爲OTC的一部分,在需要時,該公司還獲得了地面權利,允許進入土地進行鑽探 活動以及相關的礦產勘探和項目開發工作。

 

無障礙性, 地理學、氣候和基礎設施

 

的 Elk Creek Property位於內布拉斯加州林肯市東南約45英里處,全年交通便利。 該州首府,位於內布拉斯加州奧馬哈以南約68英里處。進入現場可以通過道路或從以下地點之一完成 地區機場。有幾個飛往林肯和奧馬哈的定期航班;然而,Elk Creek Property是最方便的 可從林肯訪問。從林肯市機場出發,可通過主要網絡上的鋪砌道路進入麋鹿溪地產 以及礫石道路的二級網絡。從林肯市機場到酒店通常需要1小時的車程, 15分鐘,從奧馬哈埃普利機場出發,車程約1小時45分鐘。

 

這個 Elk Creek Property緊鄰已鋪設好的內布拉斯加州駭維金屬加工50號,礦產資源和礦產儲量 以4N鎮爲中心,11E範圍,第33區。該路段緊鄰內布拉斯加州州立高速公路的交匯處西南部。 50和62。位於項目區以東3英里的Elk Creek鎮提供鐵路通道。有水可用 在項目現場,從一口井,以及從跨越第33節的Elk Creek。約翰遜河也有水供應。 縣農村供水系統,在33區北側有分配基礎設施,來自波尼縣 農村供水系統,在第33條的南側有分配基礎設施。電力供應由該公司的 位於第33條西側的核心儲存棚位於公司擁有的奧馬哈公共電力區(「OPPD」)土地上。 當地周邊城鎮都有人員,包括Elk Creek(以東3英里),Tecumseh(以北6英里),Steinauer (南5英里)、波尼市(南10英里)和錫拉丘茲(北27英里)。由於該項目位於內布拉斯加州, 附近沒有港口。

 

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東南 內布拉斯加州位於柯本氣候分類系統中的潮溼大陸性氣候(Dfa)。在內布拉斯加州東部, 這種氣候的特點通常是夏季炎熱潮溼和冬季寒冷。冬季平均氣溫在13°F之間 至35°F。夏季平均氣溫在64°F至90°F之間。勘探、建設和運營活動 可以全年進行。

 

平均 月降水量(降雨和降雪)在0.9至5.0英寸之間。年平均降水量在31至33之間 英寸,平均年降雪量約爲28英寸。內布拉斯加州位於一個以龍捲風聞名的地區, 穿過美國中部,春季和夏季雷暴很常見。龍捲風主要發生在 春季和夏季,並可能出現在秋季。

 

那裏 Elk Creek房產附近有幾個當地社區,包括Elk Creek和Tecumseh,將爲 麋鹿溪項目。駕車即可到達許多其他社區以及林肯和奧馬哈等大城市 處於合理的駕駛距離內。該地區目前正在進行的採礦活動僅限於石灰石和骨料 支持當地水泥製造和建築行業的業務。

 

的 麋鹿溪項目預計將包含地表和地下基礎設施以及尾礦儲存設施。的 場外基礎設施預計將包括當地公用事業公司建造的一條新高壓輸電線, 爲現場主變電站和州際管道所有者建造的天然氣管道提供電力。水 用於所有現場工藝需求和活動將由礦山脫水活動、當地地下水井和 來自當地一家自來水公司。見“2022年麋鹿溪可行性研究“以下是有關的更多信息 與麋鹿溪項目相關的擬議基礎設施。

 

的 內布拉斯加州東部的當地地形相對地勢較低,起伏的淺山丘被淺河谷包圍。 海拔高度從海拔約1,066英尺到1,280英尺不等。麋鹿溪項目不存在基岩露頭暴露 區

 

的 麋鹿溪項目周圍的大部分區域用於種植玉米和大豆,並用作牧場。 內布拉斯加州東部典型的原生植被是高地高草、草原和高地落葉林。

 

地質 和礦化

 

地質學

 

的 Elk Creek房產包括侵入古老前寒武紀花崗岩和中低變質基座的碳酸岩 岩石化學分析方法碳酸岩是一個橢圓形岩漿體,長軸向西北,垂直於中部大陸走向 裂谷系,靠近內馬哈隆起北部。碳酸岩主要由白雲岩、方解石和鐵鉀巖組成, 含有較小的橄欖石、橄欖石、金雲母、燒綠石、蛇形石、氟里昂石、硫鐵礦、獨居石和水晶。是的, 但根據該地區的鑽心觀察,地層重建認爲碳酸岩不整合 覆蓋着約20000萬個基本平坦的古生界海洋沉積岩,包括碳酸鹽巖、砂岩 和賓夕法尼亞時代的頁岩。

 

礦化

 

的 該房產蘊藏着鎳、鈦和銫礦化以及埃爾克溪碳酸岩中發生的稀土礦化。 碳酸岩單元目前已知的走向範圍約爲95000萬,寬30000萬,傾斜範圍約爲75000萬(以下) 不一致。二氧化氮、鈦、銫和稀土被認爲是感興趣的主要元素。

 

的 礦牀含有大量濃度的鋰。基於迄今爲止在許多實驗室完成的冶金測試工作 使用QEMSCAN®分析,已知鋰礦化是細顆粒的,並且77%的鋰存在於 礦物燒綠石,而平衡發生在不同成分的鐵-鈦-銀氧化物礦物中。

 

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內 埃爾克溪碳酸岩中存在多種濃度不同的其他元素。公司已完成這兩項工作 對2014年鑽探計劃的所有樣本進行全岩石分析和多元素分析,如下所述,以及重新取樣 2011年至2014年期間選定的歷史核心/紙漿。

 

歷史 探索

 

鑽井 麋鹿溪地產的開發分三個階段進行。第一次是在20世紀70年代和80年代由鉬公司 美國公司(「Molycorp」),2011年由Quantum Rare Earth Developments Corp(「Quantum」)第二家 - NioCorp的前身),以及NioCorp 2014年至2016年的第三個也是最新的項目。迄今爲止,鑽石核孔已達129個 整個地質結構已完成總投資64981億。其中,共有48個洞(33,909 m) 迄今爲止已在礦化區域完成,並用於當前的礦產資源和儲量估計。另外五 2015年出於水文地質和地質工程目的鑽探了總長度爲335310萬的鑽孔。尚未進行抽樣 迄今爲止,這五個鑽孔已完成,因此尚未在礦產資源或儲量估計中考慮它們。

 

所有 鑽探已使用Tricone、反循環(「RC」)或金剛石鑽探(「DDH」)的組合完成 位於賓夕法尼亞沉積物內的洞的上部。下層碳酸岩內的所有鑽探均已完成 使用DDH方法。

 

總結 埃爾克溪礦牀區鑽探數據庫

 

  公司     Number 個孔     平均 深度(m)     總和 長度(m)  
1970-1980   Molycorp       27       596.6       16,108.2  
2011   量子       3       772.6       2,317.7  
2014-2015   NioCorp       18       845.4       15,482.8  
          48       700.9       33,908.7  

 

莫利公司, 1973-1986

 

之間 1973年和1974年,Molycorp完成了六個鑽孔:EC-1至EC-4,針對麋鹿溪異常,以及其他兩個鑽孔 麋鹿溪異常區。鑽孔通常通過RC鑽探穿過上覆沉積岩和鑽石進行 鑽探奧陶紀-寒武紀地層。

 

Molycorp Molycorp從1977年開始繼續鑽探計劃,並於1978年5月通過鑽孔發現了當前的礦產資源 EC-11。EC-11位於第33段、4 N鎮和11號山脈。麋鹿溪項目的碳酸岩被液化 垂直深度爲20361萬(668英尺)。

 

Molycorp 鑽探計劃一直持續到1984年,主要集中在半徑約2公里的麋鹿溪項目上。 截至1984年,Molycorp已在Elk Creek重力異常區域內完成了57個鑽孔,其中包括位於Elk Creek重力異常區域的25個鑽孔。 麋鹿溪項目區。

 

從 1984年至1986年,鑽探重點是埃爾克溪重力異常區域。異常區直徑和鑽探約7公里 在約61000萬x 61000萬(約2,000英尺x 2,000英尺)的網格圖案上進行,其中有一些間隔更近的鑽孔 在選定的地區。

 

通過 1986年,共完成了106個區域鑽孔,總金額約爲46797萬(153,532英尺)。到達最深的洞 深度爲103800萬(3,406英尺),底部爲碳酸岩。

 

量子, 2010-2011

 

在 2011年4月,Quantum對Elk Creek礦牀和兩個稀土勘探目標進行了初步鑽探計劃(三個孔) (two孔),由於它們不與Nb相交,因此已被排除在當前的礦產資源和儲量估計之外2O5 異常 並且位於東部。埃爾克溪莊園鑽探計劃的目標是驗證是否存在更高級別的 深入進行鈾礦化,並對已知的鈾礦進行加密鑽探,以升級礦產資源類別 之前的資源估計並擴展已知資源。還制定了演習計劃以收集足夠的樣本 用於冶金特徵和鉬礦化工藝開發研究的材料。

 

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的 2011年項目由5個傾斜鑽孔組成,總計342000萬NQ尺寸直徑的芯。其中,三個 在已知的麋鹿溪礦牀中鑽探了總計2318萬的鑽孔。

 

NioCorp, 2014年至今 

 

NioCorp 開始採用三階段計劃在麋鹿溪地產進行鑽探。三階段計劃最初基於14 鑽探量約爲1215000萬(2014年4月29日的新聞稿中宣佈),但隨後在 計劃鑽探18個鑽孔,耗資約15482萬。18個鑽孔中有3個是爲了冶金目的鑽的 特徵描述和工藝開發研究。其中兩個鑽孔NEC 14-MEt-01和NEC 14-MEt-02未進行分析,而 NEC 14-MEt-03進行四分之一取心,四分之一進行分析,其餘用於冶金測試工作。鑽井 已定向爲從西南和東北(垂直於走向)與地質模型相交, NEC 14 -011和NEC 14 -012除外,它們分別朝東南方向和西北方向。

 

期間 2022財年,NioCorp總共收集了1,095個樣本,來自MolyCorp完成的18個鑽石鑽孔,作爲 上面討論過。收集這些樣本並隨後進行分析,以填補我們記錄中有關REE的空白 礦牀中可能存在的品位和噸。檢測在安大略省安卡斯特的Actlabs進行。試驗結果爲 接受與行業最佳實踐一致的質量保證和質量控制(「QA/QC」)計劃。

 

一 列出了與上述記錄差距相關的鑽孔列表、樣本存儲位置和分析結果數量 並在下面的鑽孔圖上表示爲藍色段。每個樣本代表5英尺長的鑽頭段。 下面提到的所有孔都是在麋鹿溪礦產資源附近的麋鹿溪碳酸岩中鑽孔的 項目

 

2021年之前 孔採樣總結

 

資源 區域
個鑽孔

源 /儲存設施 

樣品 選擇用於
REE和SC分析
EC-011 Molycorp 樣品/米德核心倉庫 65
EC-014 Molycorp 樣品/米德核心倉庫 16
EC-015 Molycorp 樣品/米德核心倉庫 151
EC-016 Molycorp 樣品/米德核心倉庫 26
EC-018 Molycorp 樣品/米德核心倉庫 92
EC-019 Molycorp 樣品/米德核心倉庫 53
EC-020 Molycorp 樣品/米德核心倉庫 30
EC-021 Molycorp 樣品/米德核心倉庫 45
EC-022 Molycorp 樣品/米德核心倉庫 57
EC-024 Molycorp 樣品/米德核心倉庫 19
EC-026 Molycorp 樣品/米德核心倉庫 86
EC-027 Molycorp 樣品/米德核心倉庫 34
EC-029 Molycorp 樣品/米德核心倉庫 27
EC-030 Molycorp 樣品/米德核心倉庫 25
EC-031 Molycorp 樣品/米德核心倉庫 47
EC-032 Molycorp 樣品/米德核心倉庫 111
EC-034 Molycorp 樣品/米德核心倉庫 54
EC-037 Molycorp 樣品/米德核心倉庫 74
EC-054 Molycorp 樣品/米德核心倉庫 83
  1,095

 

33

 

 

資源 面積含量分佈顯示REE含量(紅色)和REE含量差距(藍色)。

 

 

內部 控制

 

NioCorp 在整個鑽探計劃的採樣和分析部分集成了一系列常規QA/QC程序,以確保 在礦產儲量和礦產資源估計的整個過程中保持了最高水平的質量 爲麋鹿溪項目。這包括插入重複的 從過程各個階段採集的樣本,插入已知的對照樣本(標準參考物質,經過認證 參考材料(「CRM」)和空白),並將第三方紙漿發送到二級實驗室(SGS Canada Inc.)。

 

樣品 門票最初使用條形碼在覈心棚子分配,重複門票放置在車廂的內部和外部 包在樣本運輸前,使用條形碼標籤和目視樣本類型比較確認樣本識別。的 使用條形碼樣本確保運輸表格和分析實驗室使用準確的信息。多種類型的QC樣品 是在流程的此階段插入的,其中包括以下內容:

 

領域 在樣本採集內或樣本採集後立即插入水晶坯(20分之1,或5%) 從礦化間隔,瞄準視覺礦化升高的區域,其中 可能

CRMs (20分之1,即5%)與樣本序列一起插入字段中。

領域 插入四分之一核重複(20分之一,即5%)來測試礦化和採樣 變異性。

 

額外 有關QA/QC計劃的詳細信息請參閱S-k 1300 Elk Creek技術報告摘要的第8節。

 

礦物 由於所有規模的變化和稀疏的採樣,包括埃爾克溪礦牀在內的礦牀本質上是不確定的。 除了與估計相關的不確定性外,還有與估計相關的特定風險和不確定性來源 麋鹿溪沉積物。參見第1A項,危險因素

 

S-K 1300和其他類似目的的國際準則(JORC,2012; NI 43-101,2014)旨在要求向 公衆了解由合格人員識別和評估的與礦產資源和儲量估計相關的風險。合格 負責S-k 1300 Elk Creek技術報告摘要的人員解決了各個部分的技術風險並考慮 未發現重大技術風險。額外

 

34

 

  

與報告相關的風險和不確定性描述 礦產儲量和資源可在S-k 1300 Elk Creek技術報告摘要的第11節中找到。

 

2022 麋鹿溪可行性研究

 

期間 2022財年,公司啓動了地質、冶金、工程等分析,以評估可行性 一旦完成足夠的工作,將稀土生產添加到其計劃中。公司及其顧問必須完成 對歷史鑽探芯進行額外分析,以填補現有資源數據庫中的數據空白,以建立稀土礦物資源。 礦山計劃也已更新,S-k 1300 Elk Creek技術報告摘要已提交給SEC,作爲證據 公司截至2022年6月30日財年的10-k表格年度報告。S-k 1300 Elk Creek技術報告摘要 是基於合格人員進行的可行性研究的經濟和過程結果,這些結果也已介紹 在2022年NI 43-101 Elk Creek技術報告中。

 

的 埃爾克溪項目規劃爲地下采礦作業,採用長孔採礦法和膏體填充,運營 處理量爲每天2,764噸。38年礦山壽命內的預計總產量包括171,140噸 應付鋰,3,676噸銫2O3和431,793噸鈦2.估計預付直接 資本成本爲76000萬美元,此外還有間接成本18700萬美元、預製作資本成本9200萬美元、 總意外開支爲10200萬美元,預生產淨收入抵免爲25700萬美元。

 

金融 2022年麋鹿溪可行性研究中包含的分析

 

的 S-k 1300 Elk Creek技術報告摘要中報告的指標基於現金流模型結果。將度量 稅前和稅後,以100%股權爲基礎,沒有Elk Creek項目融資投入,並且在第一季度 2019年美元不變值。外匯影響被認爲可以忽略不計,因爲大部分(如果不是全部)成本和收入都是以計價的 以美元計算。本節詳細討論了分析中使用的關鍵標準。

 

主要 2022年麋鹿溪可行性研究中包含的項目假設

 

描述 價值
預生產 期間 4 年
過程 植物生命 38 年
我 每年營業天數 365
磨機 每年營業天數 365
折扣 利率,期末 @ 8%
商業 生產年 2025

 

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總結 2022年Elk Creek可行性研究中包含的關鍵評估對象

 

描述 價值
石 礦井(KT) 36,655
石 開採率(t/d) 2,764
鈮 級 0.81%
鈧 等級(百萬分之一,「ppm」) 70.2
TIO2 等級 2.92%
載 NB2O5 (KT) 297
載 SC(t) 2,573
載 TiO2 (KT) 1,071
總 礦石加工(KT) 36,655
處理 速率(kt/y) 1,009
平均 恢復率,Nb2O5 82.4%
平均 恢復SC 93.1%
平均 回收二氧鈦2 40.3%
回收 NB2O5 (KT) 245
回收 SC(t) 2,395
回收 TiO2 (KT) 432
實現 市場價格  
NB (美元/公斤) $46.55
TIO2 (美元/公斤) $0.99
SC2O3 (美元/公斤) $3,674
應付 金屬  
NB (t) 171,140
SC2O3 (t) 3,676
TIO2 (t) 431,793

 

總結 2022年Elk Creek可行性研究中包含的預計經濟結果

 


描述
值 (000美元)
總 總收入 $21,899,726
操作 費用:  
採礦 成本 (1,553,325)
過程 成本 (3,911,116)
網站 G & A成本 (300,400)
濃縮物 運費 (10,472)
其他 基礎設施費用 (200,407)
水 管理成本 (609,195)
尾礦 管理成本 (73,822)
財產 稅 (217,540)
版稅 (300,503)
年度 債券溢價 (5,500)
總 運營成本 (7,182,280)
操作 利潤率(EBITDA(1)) 14,717,445
有效 稅率 16.42%
總 稅 (2,246,186)
工作 資本 -
操作 現金流 $12,471,258
總數 由於四捨五入,可能無法相加。
(1)的 術語「EBITDA」是指扣除利息、稅款折舊和 攤銷。請參閱下面的「非GAAP財務績效指標」以了解討論 非GAAP財務指標的使用。

 

36

 

 

資本 成本估算包含在2022年麋鹿溪可行性研究中

 

的 下表顯示了Lom初始資本和維持資本成本估計(不包括關閉和填海 4400萬美元),總計1562萬美元。其中包括初始資本總成本1141億美元,包括10%的意外情況。

 

  ($000,000)
描述 首字母 持續
資本化 前期製作費用 $ 77 $ - $ 77
網站 準備和基礎設施 41 15 56
處理 植物 367 96 464
水 管理和治療 74 24 97
採礦 基礎設施 257 198 455
尾礦 管理 21 79 100
網站 廣泛間接 7 - 7
處理 間接 96 - 96
採礦 間接 41 - 41
試運行 15 - 15
業主 成本 34 - 34
我 水管理間接 9 - 9
偶然性 102 9 111
總 資金成本 $1,141 $422 $1,562

總數 由於四捨五入,可能無法相加。

 

操作 成本估算包含在2022年麋鹿溪可行性研究中

 

的 以下Lom單位運營成本包括預生產和第一年/最後一年生產。

 

描述 Lom $/噸礦石
採礦 成本 $42.38
過程 成本 106.70
水 管理成本 16.62
網站 G & A成本 8.20
其他 基礎設施 5.47
尾礦 管理成本 2.01
其他 費用 6.22
小計 187.59
版稅/年度 債券溢價 8.35
總 羅姆運營成本 $195.94

總數 由於四捨五入,可能無法相加。

 

計劃 採礦作業

 

這個 Elk Creek項目規劃爲地下采礦作業,採用深孔採礦法和膏體充填,具有 豎井通道通過含水層將開發降至最低。該礦將利用巨型鑽機進行橫向開發 以及用於垂直開發和生產回採的頂錘和潛孔鑽機。地面支撐將使用錨杆鑽機。 並在需要的地方使用探孔來支持礦井注漿。礦石將從採場底部入口遠程出渣 使用14噸裝載-運輸-傾倒裝置(「鏟運機」)。LHD將直接將礦石運輸到礦石通道或再運輸 托架,以最大限度地提高採場出渣作業的效率。當需要時,第二臺鏟運機和一支40噸的拖車車隊 將用於將礦石從渣土倉運送到爲地下物料處理系統提供給料的灰熊。多重轉儲 爲了避免鏟運機和牽引車之間的干擾,在每一層上都使用了托架。礦石是通過灰爐輸送的。 岩石破碎機進入地下破碎機(「初級破碎機」),並通過材料處理系統到達地面。

 

計劃 處理操作

 

計劃 礦石加工操作包括礦物加工、冶金加工(「Hydromet」)和火法冶金 加工(「Pyromet」)位於單獨的建築物中。

 

37

 

 

的 礦物加工大樓將將所有設備存放在一座大型建築內。來自初級破碎機(位於 在地下礦井中)將被送入二級圓錐破碎機系統,通過雙層篩在閉路中運行。 圓錐破碎機系統中的過小篩將被送入高壓研磨滾筒單元(「HPGR」),運行 與另一個雙層篩在閉路中。HPGR屏幕尺寸過小是將向 Hydromet過程。

 

的 Hydromet工廠建築將是多層工程鋼結構,將容納兩層設備。礦石來自礦物 加工將通過分離三種可回收產品所需的15個單獨流程進行。的目的 Hydromet加工步驟是使用兩種單獨的酸浸提(氯酸浸提和)將有效金屬浸提到溶液中 硫酸烘焙),去除雜質,分離三種有效金屬,並進行沉澱/加工以獲得最終的固體氧化物 forms. Hydromet工藝的產出包括可銷售的TiO 22 和Sc2O3,有Nb2O5 向Pyromet工廠報告進行最終加工。Hydromet工廠將得到氫氯酸再生的支持 工廠和硫酸工廠。

 

的 Pyromet大樓將將其大部分設備存放在一棟大樓內。Pyromet工廠的目的是減少 NB2O5 來自Hydromet工廠,將其轉化爲可銷售的FeNb金屬。鋁丸和鐵 氧化物球團將與助熔劑和Nb一起連續引入到電爐中2O5 以生產可銷售的鉬鐵金屬。

 

提出 生產計劃和進度

 

基於 根據2022年Elk Creek可行性研究,礦山運營壽命約爲38年,名義加工率爲2,764 每天噸。Elk Creek項目的時間軸是基於授權施工後39個月至機械完工, 加上額外六個月的調試和在總共45個月內將產能提高到100%,並假設 沒有融資限制。委員會必須在麋鹿溪項目建設之前批准建設計劃和預算 可以開始了。該批准,以及收到所有所需的政府許可和批准以及項目的完成 融資將決定麋鹿溪項目是否以及何時開始建設。

 

提出 尾礦儲存

 

的 加工廠生產的尾礦將由過濾的水浸殘渣、鍛造的過量氧化物和礦渣組成。四個改造 和內襯尾礦儲存設施(「TSF」)將按順序建造,以在整個生命週期內容納尾礦 麋鹿溪項目的總儲量約爲1,450萬噸尾礦。尾礦設施已 設計用於合併兩個獨立的區域:複合內襯的尾礦固體儲存區;和具有雙層內襯安全殼的區域, 包括用於管理雨水徑流和尾礦固體排水的泄漏收集和回收系統。的 TSF將主要乾燥儲存(即,非泥漿稠度)來自基於路堤建設的工廠的尾礦 「下游」施工方法。設計中考慮了設施關閉。

 

提出 鹽業管理

 

的 晶體鹽是加熱和蒸發反滲透(「RO」)水中鹽水的廢物 處理廠將通過輸送機運輸到臨時鹽中轉區,然後通過卡車運輸到專用 鹽管理細胞(「SMC」)。將順序構建兩個SMC,以在整個生命週期內容納鹽 該項目將含有約1.63億立方米的鹽。SMC設計將結合複合內襯 具有雙層安全殼的儲存區,包括用於管理雨水徑流的泄漏收集和恢復系統 和排水。

 

提出 水管理

 

爲 在施工的前幾年,豎井和地下工作的推進將需要有限的脫水, 預計將通過較低水平的排水和抽水進行表面收集和處置。最初,水將被儲存 施工期間在有襯裏的SMC #1中,或者將用卡車運至場外,在當地公有處理廠進行處理。過量 SMC中的水將在SMC的足跡內噴霧蒸發,以避免可溶性鹽重新引入 水處理系統。結晶器固體廢物的臨時現場儲存或場外運輸和處置 在SMC #1的建設完成之前是必要的。

 

38

 

 

一旦 全面運營開始後,我們預計每分鐘將短缺約3,700加侖的操作用水和處理用水, 因爲地下礦井脫水預計每分鐘只能生產1,000加侖。爲了彌補這一缺口,我們將購買 來自當地公用事業公司和當地土地所有者的淡水。

 

一旦 尾礦開始沉積在TSF中,內部接觸水(來自尾礦中的殘留水分和降水下降 在蓄水足跡內)需要積極管理。這些水將被收集並使用石灰軟化處理 沉澱許多無機成分的氫氧化物和碳酸鹽固體形式。處理後的水將被過濾 去除固體(將返回TSF進行處置),清潔水將被泵送到加工廠 RO系統用於進一步處理。流程工廠RO裝置的清潔水將用於流程工廠,而廢品 濃縮物將被結晶並沉積到SMC中。

 

提出 動力源

 

的 當地電力公司(奧馬哈公共電力區)將從附近輸電線向現場提供電力。這將需要 公用事業公司應安裝一條約18英里的輸電線,爲現場變電站提供所需的站點 電力需求。當地電力公司還將設計和安裝主變電站,由 效用該基礎設施將通過電力使用費率來償還。

 

提出 天然氣源

 

自然 天然氣將在埃爾克溪項目的建設和運營階段使用, 通過當地公用事業公司的管道輸送到現場。NioCorp與Tallgrass Energy簽訂了天然氣運輸合同, 該公司運營Rockies Express(「REX」)管道。Tallgrass將建造一條45公里(28英里)的天然氣管道 從堪薩斯州的REX主管道系統側向至項目現場。側向尺寸將至少提供27.5 每天十卡路里的汽油。天然氣將利用埋地高密度聚乙烯分配到所有現場設施 天然氣分配管道。地上和設施內的天然氣管道主要由以下組成 碳鋼管。最大現場管道分配壓力爲每平方英寸100磅。天然氣將 用於設施供暖、水供暖和燃氣工藝設備。

 

市場

 

市場 對鋰、鈦的研究2,和SC2O3 是擬議的麋鹿溪行動的重要組成部分。 這些商品,尤其是鉬和銫2O3,在沒有既定的公開市場的情況下,交易量很少 價格發現機制。因此,詳細的第三方市場研究爲經濟分析中使用的假設提供了基礎。

 

的 2022年Elk Creek可行性研究中的經濟分析採用2019年美元基價47美元/公斤Nb作爲前瞻性 鋼級(65%)鉬鐵的價格基於已發佈的獨立第三方報告。底價調整爲已實現 價格以考慮公司已達成的兩項鉬鐵購買協議中包含的折扣條款。

 

NioCorp 於2017年4月聘請OnG Commodities LLC(「OnG」)進行市場評估。該研究檢查了當前的銫 現有和新興生產商的產量趨勢(約20噸/年)以及到2028年的供應前景。的 展望隨後回顧了銫當前和新興的應用,包括燃料電池、航空航天、工業和其他 用途,以及到2028年的需求展望。基於這些輸入,OnG提供了定價預測和年度全球需求量 到2028年的估計生產成本和供需平衡。OnG Commodities報告的定價已更新 2019年NioCorp。

 

沒有 已對鈦合金進行正式市場研究2 因爲在經濟分析中它僅佔總收入的2%。所有市場 鈦和鈦的信息2 摘自USGS大宗商品市場摘要(Bedinger,2019)。

 

39

 

 

稅務 2022年Elk Creek可行性研究中包含的費率

 

稅 麋鹿溪項目可能徵收的企業所得稅包括聯邦21%的企業所得稅率和內布拉斯加州5.84%的企業所得稅率。的 麋鹿溪項目有資格獲得聯邦耗盡津貼和抵免,以及各種州激勵措施。所計算的 2022年可行性研究中,Elk Creek項目的有效所得稅率爲16.42%。

 

設計 環境績效考慮因素

 

的 當前的礦山設計採用了以下旨在最大限度地減少運營對環境的影響的策略和技術:

 

零 工藝液體排放:Elk Creek工廠現在將作爲「零工藝」運營 「液體排放」設施,不釋放工藝液體。相反,兩者 採礦作業期間產生的自然存在的微鹹水(微鹹水), 以及礦石加工中使用的水,將進行現場處理, 在操作中使用。水處理操作將產生固體鹽, 將存放在現場。

 

額外 通過人工地面凍結保護地下水資源:麋鹿溪 項目的新礦山設計將利用人工地面凍結作爲 生產和通風井的下沉過程。人工地層凍結 創建臨時凍結屏障,有助於保護地下水資源 該地區正在進行鑿井作業。

 

避免 對聯邦管轄水域的永久影響:我們設計了 麋鹿溪項目旨在最大限度地減少或避免對任何聯邦管轄區的永久影響 房產上的水域和/或溼地。這減少了預期的環境影響 並允許麋鹿溪項目獲得《清潔水法》第404條許可證 USACE根據全國許可計劃,效率更高、成本更低 比個人第404條許可證。沒有其他NEPA級別的聯邦許可 現在預計麋鹿溪項目將需要該項目。

 

回收 礦物加工中使用的試劑:2016年冶金和工藝進步 預計2017年將有助於減少計劃處置的材料量 麋鹿溪項目的尾礦儲存區。隨着越來越多的這種材料被回收, 麋鹿溪項目的環境足跡減少。

 

利用 尾礦作爲地下礦山回填:我們計劃同時填充地下空隙 使用含有礦山廢料的糊狀回填材料進行採礦作業 通常將儲存在地上尾礦儲存區。

 

的 公司尚未發現其根據OTC協議擁有或持有的財產有任何重大擔保。本公司已 自提交截至2023年6月30日財年的10-k表格年度報告以來,沒有發生任何違反許可證或罰款的情況。

 

允許的 已經確定了該項目的要求。該公司持有內布拉斯加州的空中施工許可證,並 約翰遜縣的特殊使用許可證,這兩份許可證都是允許開始項目建設所必需的。此外, Elk Creek項目將需要從聯邦、州和地方機構獲得一系列運營許可。這個 這些許可大多是部長級的,對公司的風險最小,通常涉及完成 申請和象徵性費用的支付。來自內布拉斯加州的三項許可在性質上是可自由支配的,其中 向州政府提供申請和費用,州政府必須決定是否授予許可證。 雖然這種許可證涉及的風險很低,但這種酌情許可證需要州政府更多的處理時間,而且確實需要 國家機構作出有利於頒發許可證的決定。這三份許可證包括:

 

固體 廢物許可證;

空氣 經營許可證;及

放射性 材料許可證。

 

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的 獲得全權許可和部長許可的成本和時間表已包含在 麋鹿溪項目。有關項目許可要求的更多詳細信息請參閱S-k 1300第17節 Elk Creek技術報告摘要。

 

礦物 儲量和資源

 

的 下文披露的礦產儲量和礦產資源基於S-k 1300 Elk Creek技術報告摘要,該報告摘要是 最初作爲公司截至2022年6月30日財年的10-k表格年度報告的附件96.1提交。礦物 截至2024年6月30日,Elk Creek項目的儲量和礦產資源彙總如下表。進一步討論 有關用於建立礦產儲備和礦產資源的方法的背景見第11章和第11章 S-k 1300 Elk Creek技術報告摘要的12份。

 

麋鹿 Creek項目現場礦產資源估計(鉬、鈦和銫)不包括儲量

作爲 2024年6月30日

 

班級 NSR 截止 噸位 (噸)    
已指示 $180 151.7 2O5 (%) 2O5 (KT)
0.43 649.8
TIO2 (%) TIO2 (KT)
2.02 3,067
SC (ppm) SC (t)
56.42 8,558
推論 $180 108.3 2O5 (%) 2O5 (KT)
0.39 426.6
TIO2 (%) TIO2 (KT)
1.92 2,082
SC (ppm) SC (t)
52.28 5,660

 

麋鹿 Creek項目現場礦產資源估算(稀土氧化物)不包括儲量

作爲 2024年6月30日

 

班級 NSR
截斷
噸位 (噸)                
   
已指示 $180 151.7 2O3 (%) 2O3 (KT) Ce2O3 (%) Ce2O3 (KT) 新聞2O3 (%) 新聞2O3 (KT)    
0.0766 116.2 0.1320 200.2 0.0140 21.3    
Nd2O3 (%) Nd2O3 (KT) SM2O3 (%) SM2O3 (KT) 歐盟2O3 (%) 歐盟2O3 (KT)    
0.0511 77.5 0.0116 17.6 0.0040 6.0    
GD2O3 (%) GD2O3 (KT) TB2O3 (%) TB2O3 (KT) Dy2O3 (%) Dy2O3 (KT)    
0.0096 14.6 0.0011 1.6 0.0044 6.7    
HO2O3 (%) HO2O3 (KT) 2O3 (%) 2O3 (KT) TM2O3(%) TM2O3 (KT)    
0.0006 1.0 0.0015 2.2 0.0002 0.3    
YB2O3 (%) YB2O3 (KT) 2O3 (%) 2O3 (KT) Y2O3 (%) Y2O3 (KT)    
0.0010 1.5 0.0001 0.2 0.0187 28.4    
LREO (%) LREO (KT) 重稀土 (%) 重稀土 (KT) Treo (%) Treo (KT)    
0.2737 415.2 0.0528 80.0 0.3265 495.2    
推論 $180 108.3 2O3 (%) 2O3 (KT) Ce2O3 (%) Ce2O3 (KT) 新聞2O3 (%) 新聞2O3 (KT)    
0.0943 102.1 0.1576 170.6 0.0163 17.7    
Nd2O3 (%) Nd2O3 (KT) SM2O3 (%) SM2O3 (KT) 歐盟2O3 (%) 歐盟2O3 (KT)    
0.0575 62.2 0.0116 12.6 0.0038 4.1    
GD2O3 (%) GD2O3 (KT) TB2O3 (%) TB2O3 (KT) Dy2O3 (%) Dy2O3 (KT)    
0.0090 9.8 0.0010 1.1 0.0042 4.6    
HO2O3 (%) HO2O3 (KT) 2O3 (%) 2O3 (KT) TM2O3(%) TM2O3 (KT)    
0.0006 0.7 0.0014 1.5 0.0002 0.2    
YB2O3 (%) YB2O3 (KT) 2O3 (%) 2O3 (KT) Y2O3 (%) Y2O3 (KT)    
0.0010 1.1 0.0001 0.1 0.0182 19.7    
LREO (%) LREO (KT) 重稀土 (%) 重稀土 (KT) Treo (%) Treo (KT)    
0.3257 352.6 0.0512 55.5 0.3769 408.1    

 

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備註: 

a.分類 上表中礦產資源符合S-k 1300分類 系統本表中的礦產資源不包括礦產儲量。

b.礦物 非礦產儲備的資源尚未證明經濟可行性。

c.的 礦產資源報告的稀釋淨冶煉回報率(NCR)截止值爲180美元/噸。

d.的 稀釋的NSR定義爲:

的 來自Nb的稀釋收入2O5,TIO2,以及所使用的每個塊的SC 以下因素:

2O5 收入:品位恢復94%,轉化率爲0.6962O5 相對於Nb,植物恢復率假設爲82.36%,售價爲每公斤39.60美元 截至2022年6月30日,鉬鐵的數量。

TIO2 收入:94%的品位回收率,假設工廠回收率爲40.31%,0.88美元 截至2022年6月30日每公斤鈦氧化物的公斤售價。

SC 收入:94%的等級恢復,將SC轉換爲SC的係數爲1.5342O3, 工廠回收率假設爲93.14%,每公斤氧化銫售價爲3,675美元 截至2022年6月30日。

的 稀釋噸比該區塊總噸增加了6%。

e.價格 FeNb,SC的假設2O3、和二氧化二氫2 已於附註 d,上述內容基於對每種產品的獨立市場分析。

f.數字 由於四捨五入,可能無法相加。四捨五入不被視爲重大。

g.罕見 地球氧化物(REO)被評估爲開採鈾礦的潛在副產品, 鈦和銫;因此,REO的估計值使用 先前確定的稀釋NSR源自Nb2O5,TIO2, 和SC礦產資源,定價爲0美元。

h.的 規定的輕稀土氧化物(LREO)品位(%)是La的總和2O3 (%),銫2O3 (%),Pr2O3 (%),和Nd2O3 (%)估計。

i.的 規定的重稀土氧化物(HREO)品位(%)是Sms的總和2O3 (%),歐盟2O3 (%),GG2O3 (%)、TB2O3 (%),DY2O3 (%),Ho2O3 (%),呃2O3 (%),TM2O3 (%),Yb2O3 (%),盧2O3 (%),和Y2O3 (%)估計。

j.的 規定的總稀土氧化物(TRIO)品位(%)是LREO(%)和HREO的總和 (%).

k.的 礦產資源(包括副產品)的生效日期爲2024年6月30日。

 

麋鹿 麋鹿溪項目地下現場礦產儲量估算 

作爲 2024年6月30日

 

分類

噸位 

(KT)

2O5 等級

(%)

載 NB2O5

(t)

應付 NB

(t)

TIO2

等級

(%)

載 TiO2

(t)

應付
TIO2

(t)

SC

級 (ppm)

SC

(t)

應付 SC2O3

(t)

久經考驗 - - - - - - - - - -
很有可能 36,656 0.81 297,278 170,409 2.92 1,071,182 431,793 70.2 2,573 3,677
36,656 0.81 297,278 170,409 2.92 1,071,182 431,793 70.2 2,573 3,677

所有 數字經過四捨五入以反映估計的相對準確性。由於四捨五入,總數可能無法相加。

 

的 礦產儲量估算的合格人員是Optimize Group Inc.的估計 生效日期爲2024年6月30日。

的 礦產儲量基於礦山設計、礦山規劃和現金流模型利用 平均截止品位爲0.679%2O5 NCR爲180美元/噸。

的 礦產儲量估計可能受到金屬價格、環境、 許可、法律、所有權、稅收、社會政治、營銷、基礎設施發展、 或其他相關問題。

的 用於定義礦產儲量截止等級的經濟假設如下:

0年度 年期間,礦山壽命(LoM)產量約爲7,450噸Fenb/年 全面生產。

0初始 全面生產時,五年生產率提高~ 7,500噸Fenb/年 已到達。

0採礦 所有采場和開發均採用~6%的稀釋度,而初級採場則採用3%的稀釋度 採場,9%用於二級採場,5%用於礦石開發。

0採礦 長孔採場的回收率爲95%,底柱採場的回收率爲62.5%。

 

參數 價值 單位
採礦 成本 42.38 美元/噸 開採
處理 106.70 美元/噸 開採
水 管理和基礎設施 16.62 美元/噸 開採
尾礦 管理 2.01 美元/噸 開採
其他 基礎設施 5.47 美元/噸 開採
一般 和行政 8.91 美元/噸 開採

 

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版稅/年度 債券溢價 8.34 美元/噸 開採
其他 成本 6.29 美元/噸 開採
總 成本 196.72 美元/噸 開採
2O5 到鋰轉化 69.60 %
鈮 工藝回收率 82.36 %
鈮 價格 39.60 美元/公斤
TIO2 流程回收 40.31 %
TIO2 價格 0.88 美元/公斤
SC 工藝回收率 93.14 %
SC 至Sc2O3 轉換 153.40 %
SC 價格 3,675.00 美元/公斤

 

價格 假設如下:FeNb $39.60/kg Nb,SC2O3 3,675美元/公斤, 和TiO2 0.88美元/公斤。價格假設基於獨立市場分析 截至2022年6月30日的每種產品。

價格 成本假設基於「礦井門」產品的定價, 無需額外的下游成本。假設的產品是鉬鐵 (由65%Nb和35%Fe組成的金屬合金彈丸),一種二氧化二氫鈦產品 粉末形式和粉末形式的三氧化銫。

的 礦產儲量的平均Lom NSO爲563.06美元/噸。

優化 集團已根據了解提供了預期成本的詳細估計 開採方式(地下)和潛在的加工方法(由有資格的第三方 人)。

礦物 儲備生效日期爲2024年6月30日。財務模型是在估算後運行的 上述NSR的總成本爲196.72美元,而每噸總成本爲189.91美元。這 不被視爲重大變化。

價格 大宗商品的差異基於獨立市場研究與早期預測 定價獨立市場研究不會對儲備產生負面影響。

 

比較 礦產資源和礦產儲量

 

那裏 與麋鹿溪相比,截至2024年6月30日,麋鹿溪項目礦產資源或儲量估計沒有變化 截至2023年6月30日的項目礦產資源和儲量估算。

 

環境 和社會

 

一 Elk Creek項目確定了許多關鍵許可證和環境管理要求,其中一些 需要儘快實施,以維持擬議的麋鹿溪項目時間表。

 

而當 不一定很複雜,完成許可通常需要的時間 任何聯邦監管機構都要求NioCorp與關鍵機構接洽(在本例中 USACE,可能還有EPA)在Elk Creek項目開發的早期,並考慮 設施的選址和定位要小心,以最大限度地減少曠日持久的風險 Elk Creek項目的國家環境政策法案分析。目前, 該公司認爲,我們已經完成了所需的主要聯邦許可行動 對於項目建設,儘管項目設施的設計或位置發生了變化 可能要求獲得額外的聯邦許可。

建設 該設施需要內布拉斯加州的航空許可證,該許可證是頒發給 公司於2020年6月2日成立。航空許可證描述了所有預期的空氣排放 從設施中提取,並需要完成空氣質量模型,以證明 符合NAAQS。2022年4月15日,公司宣佈內布拉斯加州 環境與能源部建議公司定期延長 麋鹿溪項目不再需要航空許可證,因爲公司已 符合「建設、重建或修改」的監管定義 自許可證頒發以來,「來源」。

一 需要內布拉斯加州衛生部頒發放射性材料許可證, 公衆服務部(「NDHHS」),放射衛生辦公室。因爲他們的 內布拉斯加州硬巖開採經驗有限,更不用說 包括天然放射性物質,NDHHS可能需要更多信息 並有更多時間根據廣泛許可證批准Elk Creek項目。公司 自2014年以來,一直在與NDHHS就項目許可的這方面進行合作。

文件 啓動麋鹿溪項目現場現有基線環境條件的調查 2014年,並將根據需要在整個許可過程中繼續進行。

 

43

 

 

表面 水監測將在整個許可過程中持續進行,並延伸到施工中 和運營作爲環境管理系統的一部分,可能是內布拉斯加州 許可證要求。

一 後期進行了溼地劃定和潛在管轄水域評估 2014年確定擬議麋鹿溪項目內的溼地和排水特徵 邊界導致USACE於2016年9月6日頒發了正式JD。

的 該項目的主要土地使用授權已從內布拉斯加州約翰遜縣獲得, 2019年12月24日,以項目特殊使用許可證的形式。這種土地利用 許可證是任何與項目相關的建築活動的必要先決條件。縣 在現場建造的單個建築物需要分區許可證,並且 該縣要求此類申請必須在施工前五天提交 開始。

Closure costs for the Elk Creek Project have been estimated at just over $44 million, including approximately $13.5 million for reclamation and closure of the TSFs and $16.6 million for plant and building removal and reclamation.

Community engagement has occurred in parallel with Nebraska field operations and has included public meetings, presentations to public agencies, communications with local and state politicians, meetings with environmental groups, and one-on-one meetings with area landowners.

 

Other Elk Creek Project Activities

 

The Company completed the installation and commissioning of a continuous groundwater level monitoring system during the quarter ended September 30, 2023. The system collects and records data in three geologic strata of interest: the upper glacial till, the Pennsylvanian limestone that underlies the glacial till, and the carbonatite that underlies the limestone. The data collected from this effort will assist the Company’s contract hydrogeologists to refine and improve the hydrogeologic model for the Elk Creek Project.

 

The Company completed a mine geotechnical review and a site visit by a qualified person, as defined in NI 43-101 and subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K, during the quarter ended September 30, 2023. The Company’s contract geotechnical engineering firm inspected drill core and conducted a site inspection. As funding becomes available, the geotechnical firm will review and update their geomechanical model of the project to ensure that the mining operation will be conducted under safe and stable ground conditions.

 

The Demonstration Plant completed metallurgical operations during the quarter ended September 30, 2023. The impetus for the Demonstration Plant was to address recommendations in the Company’s most recent S-K 1300 Elk Creek Technical Report Summary and to establish metallurgical performance criteria for the rare earths. The Demonstration Plant was successful in this regard, and the measured improvements in metallurgical performance are summarized in the following table:

 

 

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期間 截至2023年12月31日的季度,該公司位於魁北克Trois-Rivieres的示範工廠也竣工 生產用於後續特徵的廢料,以支持尾礦儲存和膏體回填工程 設計示範工廠的額外工作正在進行中,以進一步 探索改進溶劑提取操作併爲潛在客戶生產產品樣品。行動 於2024年2月在示範工廠完成。

 

期間 截至2023年12月31日的季度,該公司通過合同工程公司(Olsson)完成了90%的工程包 對麋鹿溪項目現場附近的各種道路進行了改進,並與 內布拉斯加州交通部和約翰遜縣作爲允許道路改善正常流程的一部分。

 

的 公司於2024年2月聘請了一名礦山工程顧問,以在範圍層面評估液化的成本和收益 通過坡道而不是豎井進入礦井,並在其中一個坡道上使用Railveyor技術進行移動 礦石和廢石到地表。該評估不包括對地質工程或水文地質問題的詳細檢查。 評估結果表明,潛在的前期資本成本節省,礦山滿負荷時間更短 生產和潛在的運營成本節省。這些調查結果是初步的,但令人鼓舞,該公司計劃進行更多 作爲S-k 1300 Elk Creek未來更新的一部分,對地下礦井設計的該選項進行詳細評估 技術報告摘要。

 

提出 活動

 

在 目前,該公司正在維護Elk Creek房產,以期獲得項目融資,以促進 麋鹿溪項目的建設、調試和運營。該房產被定性爲開發階段 房地產,如果獲得融資,預計房地產將轉向生產階段。

 

作爲 通過公司的籌款活動獲得資金後,我們預計將開展以下活動:

 

  延續 公司爲獲得聯邦、州和地方運營許可所做的努力;
  繼續 評估生產稀土產品並根據承購協議銷售此類產品的潛力;
  談判 並完成該項目剩餘未承諾生產的Nb、sic和Ti的承付款協議,包括 鈦作爲四氯化鈦的潛在銷售以及潛在的稀土生產;
  談判 完成工程、採購和施工協議;
  完成 麋鹿溪項目地下部分的最終詳細工程;
  啓動 並完成地面項目設施的最終詳細工程;
  建設 根據現有協議爲麋鹿溪項目工地提供天然氣和電力基礎設施;
  完成 向項目現場輸送淡水的供水協議和相關基礎設施;
  啓動 修訂後的礦山地下水調查和控制活動;
  啓動 長期領先的設備採購活動;以及
  作爲 該公司示範工廠運營的後續行動,對廢棄材料進行完整的定性和測試 支持尾礦儲存和糊狀回填廠設計。

 

非gaap 財務績效衡量

 

非gaap 財務績效指標僅旨在提供額外信息,沒有規定任何標準含義 根據美國公認會計原則。這些措施不應孤立地考慮,也不應作爲根據以下標準編制的績效措施的替代品 符合美國公認會計原則。

 

的 S-k 1300 Elk Creek技術報告摘要使用非GAAP財務績效指標,例如EBITDA、平均年度EBITDA、 和平均EBITDA利潤率,用於預測經濟

 

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麋鹿溪項目的結果。我們無法提供 將這些前瞻性非GAAP指標與最具可比性的美國GAAP財務績效指標進行調節,因爲 需要某些信息 將這些非GAAP指標與最具可比性的美國GAAP財務績效指標相一致取決於未來事件, 其中一些不受公司控制,例如FeNb、SC2O3,和Tio2 價格、利息 利率和匯率。此外,以所需的精確度估計此類美國GAAP指標,以提供有意義的 和解是極其困難的,如果沒有不合理的努力,就無法實現。

 

企業 總部

 

我們 租賃我們的主要行政辦公空間,位於科羅拉多州Centennial South Yosemite Street 7000,Suite 115。

 

第三項。法律 訴訟

 

作爲 截至2024年9月20日,我們不是任何可能對公司產生重大不利影響的法律訴訟的一方 業務、財務狀況或經營業績。此外,據公司所知,尚未進行此類訴訟 對公司的威脅。

 

第四項。我 安全披露

 

根據 根據2010年美國多德-弗蘭克華爾街改革和消費者保護法案(「多德-弗蘭克」)第1503(a)條 法案”),作爲美國煤炭或其他礦山運營商或擁有作爲美國煤炭或其他礦山運營商的子公司的發行人是 要求在定期報告中披露有關礦山健康和安全的特定信息。這些報告要求 基於1977年《聯邦礦山安全與健康法》(《聯邦礦山安全與健康法》)適用於礦山的安全和健康要求 「礦山法案」),由美國勞工部礦山安全與健康管理局(「MSHA」)管理。 截至2024年6月30日的財年,公司及其子公司及其財產或業務不受 遵守MSHA根據《礦山法》的監管,因此《多德-弗蘭克法案》第1503(a)條不要求披露。

 

部分 第二部分:

 

第5項。市場 註冊人的普通股票、相關股東事項和發行人購買 股本證券

 

市場 信息

 

的 普通股在納斯達克上市交易,交易代碼爲「NB」。本公司自願 自2024年5月3日收市起從多倫多證券交易所退市。該公司還在法蘭克福證券交易所交易 稱爲「BR 3」。

 

持有人

 

作爲 截至2024年9月13日,我們有18,311名普通股記錄持有人。

 

分紅

 

我們 自成立以來,我們沒有對普通股支付任何現金股息,並且預計不會在 可預見的未來。我們計劃保留盈利(如果有的話),爲業務擴張提供資金。

 

證券 授權根據股權補償計劃發行

 

參見股權 下的薪酬計劃信息 項目12, “某些受益所有人和管理層的擔保所有權 及相關股東事宜”,以獲取有關我們股東批准的計劃的信息。

 

購買 公司持有股權證券

 

我們 截至2024年6月30日的季度沒有進行任何回購。

 

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最近 出售未註冊證券

 

日期   毛 收益(000美元)   股份 發佈   價格/股
四月 2024年25日(1)   $510   230,560   $2.2123
可以 2024年6月(1)   502   234,142   2.1435
可以 2024年13月(2)   221   90,000   2.4590
可以 2024年17日(2)   169   75,000   2.2551
可以 2024年21日(2)   177   82,500   2.1400
可以 2024年24日(2)   167   81,000   2.0597
可以 2024年31日(2)   344   150,000   2.2909
可以 2024年31日(1)   202   94,455   2.1435
六月 2024年4月(2)   303   135,000   2.2467
六月 2024年10月(2)   223   111,000   2.0059
六月 2024年18日(2)   203   105,000   1.9377
六月 2024年27日(2)   113   66,000   1.7196

 

(1) 發佈 根據《證券法》第3(a)(9)條,與部分金額的自願轉換有關 可轉換債券項下的未償債券以及約克維爾對此的陳述和保證。
(2) 發佈 根據《證券法》第4(a)(2)條與Yorkville Equity項下的預付款的平倉有關 融資協議並基於約克維爾對此的陳述和保證。

 

交換 控制

 

那裏 加拿大沒有限制資本(包括外匯)進出口的政府法律、法令或法規 控制,或影響股息、利息或其他付款向非居民證券持有人匯款的控制 NioCorp,加拿大預扣稅除外。請參閱「美國居民的某些加拿大聯邦所得稅考慮因素」 下面

 

某些 加拿大聯邦所得稅對美國居民的考慮

 

的 以下概述了《所得稅法》下普遍適用的某些加拿大聯邦所得稅後果 (加拿大)及其頒佈的法規(統稱「加拿大稅法」)和加拿大-美國 持有和處置普通股的稅務公約(1980年)(「公約」)。

 

評論 僅限於普通股持有人,其中每個人在《加拿大稅法》和 公約,(i)出於稅務目的僅居住在美國,(ii)是根據並有權的「合格人員」 爲了本公約的利益,(iii)持有所有普通股作爲資本財產,(iv)不持有「應稅普通股 持有人的加拿大財產」(定義見《加拿大稅法》),(v)與持有人保持正常關係且不隸屬 與NioCorp合作,(vi)沒有也不被視爲在加拿大開展的業務中使用或持有任何普通股,(vi)沒有 在加拿大和其他地方開展業務的保險公司,(八)不是「授權外國銀行」(定義如下 加拿大稅法中),並且(ix)尚未簽訂「衍生遠期協議」(定義見加拿大稅法 稅法)適用於普通股(每個此類持有人,「美國居民持有人」)。

 

某些 美國-就美國聯邦所得稅而言財務透明的居民實體(包括有限責任公司) 並非在所有情況下都有權享受《公約》的利益。成員或 持有普通股的此類實體的權益持有人應就其程度諮詢自己的稅務顧問, 如果有的話,公約的利益將適用於實體的普通股。

 

一般來說, 美國居民持有人的普通股將被視爲該持有人的資本財產,前提是美國居民 持有人不是證券交易員或交易商,沒有在一項或多項交易中收購、持有或處置普通股 被認爲是貿易性質的冒險或擔憂(即投機),並且不持有普通股 經營企業的過程。

 

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這 摘要依據的是截至前一天生效的加拿大稅法和《公約》的現行規定。 在此,由部長或代表部長公開宣佈的所有修改加拿大稅法和公約的具體建議 在此日期之前的財政部(加拿大),以及當前公佈的行政政策和評估做法 加拿大稅務局(「CRA」)。假設所有這些修正案都將按照目前的提議通過,以及 任何適用的法律或行政政策或評估實踐不會有其他實質性的變化,無論是通過 司法、立法或政府的決定或行動,儘管不能在這些方面給予保證。此摘要 並不是加拿大所有可能的聯邦所得稅考慮因素的全部。除另有明確規定外,本摘要 不考慮任何省、地區或外國的稅收因素,這些因素可能與這些因素有很大不同 在此列出。

 

這 摘要僅爲一般性質,並非詳盡無遺所有可能的加拿大聯邦所得稅考慮因素,也並非有意 應且不應被解釋爲對任何特定美國居民持有人的法律或稅務建議。敦促美國居民持有者 就其特定情況向自己的稅務顧問諮詢建議。下面的討論是合格的 相應地

 

一般來說, 美國居民持有人的普通股不會構成該持有人在特定地點的「應稅加拿大財產」 普通股在「指定證券交易所」(目前包括納斯達克)上市的時間,除非, 在特定時間結束的60個月期間的任何時候,同時滿足以下兩個條件:

 

1.25% 擁有NioCorp任何類別股本的或更多已發行股份 由或屬於以下一個或任何組合:

 

a.的 美國居民持有者,

 

b.人 美國居民持有人與他沒有保持一定距離,並且

 

c.夥伴關係 美國居民持有人或(b)條中提到的人擁有會員資格 通過一個或多個合作伙伴關係直接或間接產生利益,以及

 

2.更 普通股公平市值的50%以上是直接或間接產生的 來自位於加拿大的不動產或不動產中的一項或任何組合,「加拿大人 資源財產」(根據加拿大稅法的定義)、「木材資源 房產」(定義見加拿大稅法),或有關的期權,或 對上述任何內容的權益,無論該財產是否存在。

 

共同 在加拿大稅法規定的某些情況下,股份也可能被視爲「應稅加拿大財產」。

 

一 美國處置或被視爲處置一股或多股普通股的居民持有人通常不應因此產生任何 因處置而產生的任何資本收益須繳納加拿大聯邦所得稅。

 

一個 美國居民持有者,NioCorp向其支付或貸記、或被視爲支付或貸記該持有者普通股的股息 股票將被徵收加拿大預扣稅,NioCorp將被要求從股息和 將它匯給CRA作爲持有者的帳戶。根據加拿大稅法,預扣稅的稅率是 股息總額,但根據《公約》一般應降至15%(或,如果美國居民持有者是 是NioCorp至少10%有表決權股票的實益所有者的公司 分紅。爲此目的,根據《加拿大稅法》和 並有權享有《公約》利益的,應被視爲擁有由 被認爲在財政上透明的實體 根據美國法律,且不是加拿大居民,與該公司的所有權權益成比例 在那個實體裏。

 

第6項。已保留

 

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第7項。管理層的 財務狀況和運營結果的討論和分析

 

的 遵循管理層的討論和分析(「MD & A」)提供了管理層認爲的信息 與NioCorp及其子公司的合併財務狀況和運營結果的評估和理解相關。 本項目應與本年度包含的合併財務報表及其註釋一起閱讀 表格10-k報告。

 

見項目 1,”業務-業務的歷史發展”,以了解2023年交易的描述。

 

總結 合併財務和經營業績

 

的 公司在以下列出的財年沒有采礦業務收入。發生的運營費用主要與 開展勘探和可行性研究相關活動,以及支持企業和 股東義務。

 

    爲 截至6月30日的一年,    
    2024   2023    
    ($000)    
操作 費用   $   13,757     $   37,410  
淨 公司應占虧損     (11,435 )     (40,080 )
淨 每股虧損(基本和稀釋)       (0.31       (1.34)  

 

的 公司應占淨虧損從2023財年的4,010萬美元下降至2024財年的1,140萬美元。 與2023財年相比,2024財年淨虧損減少主要是由於一般交易的確認 與2023財年GXII交易相關的費用、收益股份和擔保負債以及減少 勘探支出和2024財年與盈利股票估值和認購證變化相關的非現金收益 負債估值。

 

結果 行動

 

的 公司在以下列出的財年沒有采礦業務收入。發生的運營費用主要與 與2023年交易以及執行勘探和可行性研究相關活動相關的費用, 以及支持公司和股東職責所需的活動,詳情如下表所示。

 

      爲 截至6月30日的一年,
      2024     2023  
      ($000)  
操作 費用:                  
員工 相關費用     $ 3,509     $ 2,323  
專業 費       3,533       2,581  
探索 支出       2,552       5,348  
其他 業務費用       4,163       27,158  
總 業務費用       13,757       37,410  
收益股份負債公允價值變化 (6,704 )     (2,674 )
變化 以認購證負債的公允價值計算       (1,875 )     1,414  
變化 可轉換票據的公允價值       2,542       -  
損失 債務清償       -       1,922  
興趣 費用       4,490       2,336  
外國 兌換(收益)損失       (31 )     216  
其他 收益       (147 )     (13 )
損失 的股權證券之       5       1  
收入 稅務利益       (139 )     (304 )
損失 歸屬於非控股權益       (463 )     (228 )
淨 公司應占虧損     $ (11,435 )   $ (40,080 )

 

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財政 2024年與2023財年相比

 

顯著 影響運營費用的項目如下:

 

其他操作 費用 包括與2023年交易相關的成本,包括直接交易費用和公平 所承擔的認購權和收益股份負債的價值,以及與投資者關係、一般辦公室支出、 股權發行和代理支出、董事會相關支出以及其他雜項成本。這些成本在財政中下降 與2023財年相比,2024年主要是由於與2023年交易相關的成本爲2380萬美元, 該委員會津貼於2023年3月17日結束,以及2024財年金融服務總體支出下降 以及基於股份的薪酬以及投資者關係服務。這一下降被2024財年的影響部分抵消 與我們在納斯達克上市相關的1億美元額外董事和高級官員保險費。

 

員工相關 成本 2024年與2023年相比有所增加,主要是由於年向員工發放的期權數量增加 2024年部分被每份期權公允價值下降以及董事會授權的員工加薪的影響所抵消, 於2023年4月1日生效。

 

探索 支出減少 2024財年與2023財年相比,反映了財年內完成的工作 2023年完成示範工廠的開發和示範工廠的後續運營進行驗證 工藝改進工作並推進對磁性稀土氧化物潛在添加的技術和經濟分析 NioCorp計劃的產品套件。此外,由於完成和備案相關費用,2023年成本增加 技術報告摘要基於公司2022年麋鹿溪項目可行性研究,該研究已提交 於2022年9月6日與SEC合作。 隨着項目目標的完成,2024年示範工廠成本較低 示範工廠運營於2024年2月結束。

 

專業 費 與2023財年相比,2024財年有所增加,主要是由於產生的額外會計費 2024年與我們的核數師變更以及與企業融資計劃和S-1表格相關的法律費用相關 和S-3文件。

 

其他 影響公司淨虧損變化的重要項目如下:

 

變化 收益股份負債的公允價值 代表基於結果的與收益股份相關的公允價值變化 蒙特卡洛金融建模。總體而言,負債的下降與我們股價的整體下降相對應 2024財年期間。

 

變化 以認購證負債的公允價值計算 代表與(i)額外認股證(「或有事項」)相關的公允價值變化 同意令”),該公司同意在某些情況下向Lind Global Asset Management III,LLC(「Lind」)發出 與公司與Lindd(「Lind」)之間日期爲2022年9月25日的《豁免和同意協議》相關的條件 同意”),如本文第二部分第8項所包含的合併財務報表註釋9所討論,以及(ii) 如綜合財務報表附註9所述,2024年4月認股證的公允價值變化包括 在本文第二部分第8項中,部分被主要基於影響的私募股權公允價值變化所抵消 普通股收盤價格較低,這增加了這些或有同意令在以下情況下發行的可能性 林德同意條款。

 

變化 可轉換票據的公允價值 代表2024年4月票據公允價值初始分配的影響, 該等資產按公允價值列賬,以及截至2024年6月30日止期間的公允價值變化。

 

 損失 債務清償 代表根據會計準則法典(「ASC」)主題470產生的損失, 債務,與發行給Lind的可轉換證券(「Lind III可轉換證券」)相關 面值爲1170萬美元(相當於1000萬美元的資金加上隱含的年利率8.5%) Lind III可轉換證券的期限)根據日期爲2021年2月16日的可轉換證券融資協議, 經可轉換證券融資協議第1修正案修訂,日期:

 

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2021年12月2日,公司與林德(作爲 修訂後的「Lind III協議」),如第二部分所包含的合併財務報表註釋9所討論 二、本文第8項。

  

 興趣 費用 由於可轉換債務利息的影響,2024財年與2023財年相比有所增加 2024財年發生的費用。

 

損失 歸屬於非控股權益 代表歸屬股份的ECRC淨虧損部分, 不歸公司所有。

 

流動性 和資本資源

 

我們 沒有我們可以內部產生資金的創收業務。迄今爲止,我們的持續運營已獲得資金 通過私募、可轉換證券發行、激勵等方式出售我們的股權證券 期權和憑證以及關聯方貸款。對於目前尚未行使的期權和認購證,我們認爲 除非我們的普通股達到市場價格,否則這些工具以及此類操作的現金收益不會發生 等於或超過每種工具的相關行使價格。

 

在 隨着2023年交易的完成,公司收到現金收益淨額8.3億美元,具體如下:

 

描述  
    ($000)
淨 在支付GXII產生的直接和增量交易成本後,從GXII信託帳戶收到的現金   $ 2,168
淨 約克維爾可轉換債務融資協議的收益     14,857
淨 與約克維爾股權融資協議相關發生的現金成本     (1,996)
NioCorp 直接和增量交易成本     (6,715)
淨 2023年交易收益   $ 8,314

 

的 2023年交易爲NioCorp帶來了幾項重要好處,包括在納斯達克上市的現成途徑, 預計將首次允許更多機構公司投資該公司。此外,我們相信它已經給 NioCorp和Elk Creek項目在評估關鍵材料項目的機構投資者中受到了更高的關注 空間

 

四月份的大甩賣 2024年票據已經提供,約克維爾股權融資預計將提供短期和長期機會 資本。本公司是否有能力酌情動用約克維爾股權融資協議須受 達到一定的限制和滿足一定的條件。當約克維爾股權融資協議可用時, 爲更密切地主動管理公司的現金需求提供了機會。從歷史上看,現金通常都是可用的 通過私募股權的方式向本公司出售股份,而配售的時間並不總是與本公司的現金一致 需要。在短期內,公司打算利用約克維爾股權融資協議來抵消所欠金額 在2024年4月的票據下。該公司還可能利用約克維爾股權融資協議潛在地產生 在他們需要資金的時候。或者,公司也可以利用約克維爾股權融資協議 用於機會主義的股票出售。

 

對 2024年7月19日,公司與Yorkville簽訂了一份完整付款協議,根據該協議,Yorkville同意將 可轉換債務爲普通股的剩餘本金和應計利息553,767美元,以換取95,000美元 全額付款。

  

對 2024年9月17日,所有剩餘未償還融資證到期。

 

2024年9月17日, 公司的普通股價格低於林德同意中規定的門檻價格,因此,公司發行了 2,816,742份對林德的或有同意令。每份或有同意令可在一次行使中行使一股普通股 價格爲2.308美元,可在之前隨時行使

 

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將於2028年9月17日到期。數量 發佈的或有同意令的數量是基於5億美元除以共同市場五天成交量加權平均價格 2024年9月16日的股票。

 

作爲 截至2024年6月30日,公司現金爲2億美元,營運資金赤字爲9億美元,而現金爲2.3美元 2023年6月30日,流動資金爲2000萬美元。2024年6月30日之後,公司發行了339,250股普通股 約克維爾股權融資協議項下的股份以換取6000萬美元的現金收益總額。對 2024年9月11日,公司與NioCorp首席執行官、總裁兼執行董事長Mark Smith達成 貸款協議(「史密斯貸款協議」),提供2億美元的非循環信貸便利。一個 史密斯貸款協議項下33,000美元的初步提款已於2024年9月11日完成。NioCorp打算使用 這些交易的淨收益用於支付2024年4月票據項下的到期款項並用於一般企業用途。

 

我們 預計公司在可預見的未來將虧損運營。該公司目前的計劃現金需求爲 截至2025年6月30日約爲2600萬美元。

 

除了突出的 應付賬款和短期負債,我們截至2025年6月30日的月平均計劃支出預計爲 每月約160美元的萬,其中約375,000美元用於公司管理費用和與以下相關的估計成本 獲得推進Elk Creek項目所需的資金。這包括一般間接費用,滿足未償債務 應付賬款、2024年4月票據和史密斯貸款協議的償還。這也包括預期融資。 與Elk Creek項目相關的費用,包括與進出口銀行申請程序有關的最新採礦計劃。這個 這些融資成本的範圍仍在與進出口銀行討論。計劃每月支出約120美元的萬 與NioCorp的控股子公司ECRC推進Elk Creek項目有關。公司的能力 要繼續運營併爲我們目前的工作計劃提供資金,取決於管理層獲得額外資金的能力。

 

的 公司預計手頭沒有足夠的現金來繼續爲未來12個月的基本運營提供資金, 以及總計2500萬至2600萬美元的額外資金,扣除約克維爾股權融資機制下預付款籌集的資金 融資協議和史密斯貸款協議項下的借款可能是繼續推進該項目所必需的 在融資、許可和詳細工程領域。雖然約克維爾股權融資協議可能提供 如果該公司能夠獲得額外資本,該公司可能會需要額外資本來滿足其現金需求。管理 正在積極尋求此類額外的債務和股權融資來源,儘管它在 過去,無法保證它將來能夠做到這一點。

 

麋鹿 截至2025年6月30日,Creek Property和租賃承諾爲15,000美元。維護我們目前持有的財產並資助我們 麋鹿溪項目目前預計的一般和行政成本以及計劃的勘探和開發活動 在截至2025年6月30日的財年,該公司可能需要在本財年提供額外融資。 如果在此時間內無法獲得此類融資,我們將被要求減少活動,並且將無法 開展我們在麋鹿溪項目中目前計劃的所有活動。

 

在……上面 2023年6月6日,該公司宣佈已向美國進出口銀行提交申請,要求獲得美國進出口銀行的融資,爲該項目提供資金 在EXIM的「在美國製造更多」倡議下,Elk Creek項目的成本。本公司獲悉, 其申請於2023年10月2日獲得美國進出口銀行交易審查委員會三次審查中的第一次批准。進出口 在截至2023年12月31日的季度內,爲處理公司的申請部署了額外資源 並聘請了財務和法律顧問,以支持EXIM對Elk Creek項目的盡職調查。4月15日, 2024年,公司收到了美國進出口銀行的PPL。PPL是EXIM初步盡職調查結果的摘要,還包括 初步指示性條款說明書。PPL確定了該公司將聯合開展的其他項目活動 與美國進出口銀行的評估程序有關。其中包括更新的採礦計劃和更新的Elk Creek項目最終或 接近最終的基礎,反映了更新的流程。管理層正在與美國進出口銀行合作,繼續推進該項目 EXIM盡職調查和貸款申請流程的下一個階段。我們目前無法估計申請時間有多長 可能需要一個過程,而且不能保證我們將能夠成功地談判債務融資的最終承諾。 來自美國進出口銀行。

 

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除了潛在的 約克維爾股權融資機制下的預付款資金和史密斯貸款協議下的潛在資金,各 如上所述,以及可能行使的期權和認股權證,我們目前沒有進一步的資金承諾或安排。 目前我們需要額外的融資,而且不能保證我們將能夠在 可以接受的條件,如果真的有的話。根據《交換協議》,NioCorp不得發行股權或股權掛鉤證券 (普通股除外)或任何優先股或無投票權股本,如該等發行會對 未經ECRC B類普通股過半數股東同意,持有ECRC B類普通股 B ECRC的普通股。2024年4月的購買協議還包含某些契約,其中包括限制NioCorp 有能力使用2024年4月購買協議的收益支付關聯方債務或進入任何浮動利率 交易,包括髮行可按可變利率轉換爲普通股的股權或債務證券以及任何 除約克維爾外,股權信用額度、自動櫃員機協議或其他連續發行普通股,受某些條件限制 例外情況。儘管《交換協議》和《2024年4月購買協議》規定了限制,但 我們是否能夠在當前的股票或債券市場獲得任何額外的融資,這是一個重大的不確定性。數量 擬籌集的資金以及任何擬議的股權或債務融資的條款將由管理層協商 因爲籌集資金的機會出現了。管理層可以尋求債務和股權融資的資金來源,包括但不是 僅限於以普通股、認股權證、認購收據或任何組合的形式發行股權證券 根據對認可投資者的私募或根據以下形式的公開發行,在公司單位持有 承銷/經紀發行、註冊直接發行或其他形式的股權融資以及公開或非公開發行 債務證券,包括有擔保和無擔保的可轉換債務工具或有擔保債務項目融資。管理 目前不知道將來可根據哪些條款完成此類融資,但任何此類融資都將 保持一定距離進行談判。未來涉及發行股權證券或其衍生品的融資將 可能以低於公司證券當時市場價格的價格完成,並可能產生稀釋作用 給現在的股東。此外,我們可以通過出售我們礦產資產的權益來籌集資金,儘管目前 市場狀況和最近發生的其他全球事件大大減少了任何潛在買家/收購者的數量 這樣的利益。然而,我們不能保證我們將能夠成功地籌集到這類資金。

 

根據條件 中所述,管理層已得出結論,審計意見和附註與我們的合併財務報表一起 在截至2024年6月30日的一年中,披露我們作爲一家持續經營的企業繼續經營的能力存在重大疑問。這個 本年度報告中包含的10-k表格的綜合財務報表是在以下假設下編制的 繼續作爲一家持續經營的企業。根據S-k1300的定義,我們是發展階段的發行人,自成立以來我們已經蒙受了損失。 盜夢空間。我們可能沒有足夠的現金,包括2024年6月30日之後的期權和認股權證行使,以資助正常 在不推遲支付某些流動負債和籌集資金的情況下,履行未來12個月的運營和債務義務 額外的資金。資本市場的不確定性、供應鏈中斷、利率和通脹上升,以及潛在的 因爲地理衰退加劇了全球經濟的普遍不確定性。在2024財年,這些事件仍在繼續 在總體項目資金和時間表方面製造不確定性。我們相信,持續經營的不確定性不能 信心十足地得到緩解,直到公司進入一個爲其計劃中的持續運營提供資金的商業環境 活動是安全的。因此,這些因素使人對我們作爲一家持續經營的企業繼續下去的能力產生了極大的懷疑。

 

我們 沒有接觸任何資產支持商業票據。除我們子公司爲立即運營而持有的現金外 根據科羅拉多州和內布拉斯加州的需求,我們所有的現金儲備都存入美國和加拿大的主要特許銀行。我們不 相信由於當前市場狀況,與此相關的信用、流動性或市場風險有所增加。 然而,爲了實現更大的安全以保護我們的資本,我們必須接受 較低的利率,這也降低了我們的潛在利息收入。

 

操作 活動

 

止年度 2024年6月30日,公司經營活動消耗現金1170萬美元(2023年:1730萬美元)。總體而言,可操作 由於2023財年現金支出相關,2024財年的流出量較2023年同期有所減少 到2023年交易和2024財年勘探減少-

 

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麋鹿溪項目的相關支出。展望未來, 隨着公司的發展,公司的運營資金需求預計將大幅增加 麋鹿溪項目。

 

投資 活動

 

的 截至2024年6月30日和2023年6月30日止年度,公司的投資活動分別微乎其微。

 

融資 活動

 

淨 2024財年融資活動提供的現金爲1140萬美元(2023年:1460萬美元)。融資減少 流入主要反映下文披露的融資交易的現金流入時間。

 

2024 流入反映了2023年9月私募(定義如下)的1億美元總收入,1.3億美元 來自2023年12月私募(定義如下),來自2024年6月私募(定義如下)6000萬美元 以及約克維爾股權融資協議下普通股發行的3.3億美元,以及6.5億美元 發行2024年4月票據的淨收益。

 

的 以下是自2024財年開始以來重大融資交易的討論:

 

對 2023年9月1日,公司完成非經紀私募(「九月 2023年私募」)與單一投資者併發行了25萬份 公司(「2023年9月單位」),2023年9月價格爲4.00美元 單位,總收益爲1億美元。2023年9月每個單位由 一份普通股和一份令狀(「2023年9月令狀」)。每個 2023年9月可以以4.60美元的價格行使一股普通股,直至 2025年9月1日。

 

在……上面 2023年12月22日,本公司完成了一次非經紀定向增發(“12月份 2023年定向增發),共發行公司413,432個單位 (「2023年12月單位」),包括2023年12月總計274587個單位 以每年12月3.08美元的價格出售給某些非附屬認可投資者 2023個單位和2023年12月138,845個單位的合計 高級職員及董事,以2023年12月每單位3.205元計,以總毛計 收益約爲1.29億美元萬。每個2023年12月的單元由一個公共 股份及一份認股權證(「2023年12月認股權證」)。每年2023年12月 在2025年12月22日之前,每股普通股的認股權證可以3.54美元的價格行使。

 

在……上面 2024年4月12日,公司發行並出售給約克維爾和Lind Global Fund II LP(合計 與約克維爾(2024年4月購買者)合計本金800美元萬 無抵押票據(「2024年4月票據」)的數額,依據一項證券 購買協議,日期爲2024年4月11日(「2024年4月購買協議」), 本公司與2024年4月的每一位購買者之間的協議。根據《 2024年4月除某些例外情況外,在每個歷月的第一天發行的票據: 由2024年6月1日(不包括2024年8月)(「繳款日」)開始, 公司將被要求償還全部未償還餘額的一部分 2024年4月發行的債券,按比例計算,金額相當於(I)$140萬 本金(或未償還本金,如少於該數額)合計 在所有未償還的2024年4月發行的債券中,另加(Ii)本金的8.0% 正在支付(「支付保險費」),以及(Iii)應計和未付利息, 如果有的話,自付款之日起算。公司被要求在每筆付款時付款 直到償還全部未償還本金的日期,但不會有義務 在某些股權條件下,在付款日付款(「股權條件」) 都很滿意。

 

的 公司還向2024年4月買家發行了與2024年4月本金總額成比例的票據 每年2024年4月,買家認購最多615,385股普通股(「四月認購權」) 2024年配股股份”),相當於向4月發行的2024年4月票據本金總額的25% 2024年購買者除以3.25美元的行使價,可進行任何調整以使任何股票股息、股票生效 分拆或資本重組。

 

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Pursuant to the April 2024 Purchase Agreement, the April 2024 Purchasers advanced an aggregate of $6.935 million to the Company in consideration of the issuance by the Company to the April 2024 Purchasers of $8.0 million aggregate principal amount of the April 2024 Notes and April 2024 Warrants.

 

Proceeds from the April 2024 Purchase Agreement were used for general working capital purposes, including for accounts payable, other payables and operating expenses, and to satisfy the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the April 2024 Purchase Agreement.

 

主題 根據2024年4月票據中包含的某些限制,2024年4月票據的持有人將有權轉換 本金額、應計和未付利息(如果有)以及每年四月到期和應付的任何付款溢價 2024年注意,在其任期內不時轉換爲等於轉換金額商的普通股數量 除以每股普通股2.75美元的固定換股價,最多爲3,141,817股普通股(加上4月份 2024年配股股份,「2024年4月基礎股份」)。

 

的 2024年4月票據是公司的無擔保債務,將於2024年12月31日到期。2024年4月票據產生 每年0.0%的簡單利率義務(發生事件後將增加至每年18.0% 默認)。未償本金額、應計和未付利息(如果有)以及付款溢價(如果有) 根據2024年4月票據的條款,NioCorp必須在票據到期並應付時以現金支付2024年4月票據 在其規定的到期日、在其贖回或其他情況下。

 

這個 2024年4月的購買協議還包含某些契約,其中限制了NioCorp使用 出售2024年4月的債券及行使2024年4月的認股權證所得款項,以償還關連人士債務或進入 除某些例外情況外,與約克維爾以外的任何浮動利率交易,並將 向ECRC和8968000億.C.Ltd.以外的附屬公司出售2024年4月的債券和行使2024年4月的認股權證。 (連同ECRC,「擔保人」),在擔保人簽訂全球擔保協議時,日期爲 2024年4月11日,擔保人中以買方爲受益人的(「擔保協議」)。根據《擔保》 根據協議,擔保人保證在到期時(無論是在到期時,通過加速付款)全額、及時和無條件地付款 或其他),以及NioCorp對2024年4月購買者的所有債務、協議和其他義務的履行情況 包含在2024年4月的購買協議、2024年4月的票據和2024年4月的認股權證中,在該等負債的範圍內, 協議和債務以現金支付。

 

九月 2024年4月4日,NioCorp達成(i)對2024年4月發佈的票據的同意和豁免(「Yorkville同意」)和 根據2024年4月的購買協議出售給約克維爾和(ii)同意和豁免(連同約克維爾同意, 「同意」)根據2024年4月購買向Lind Global Fund II LP發行並出售的2024年4月票據 協議除其他外,同意書減少了2024年9月1日應付2024年4月買家的總額 從120萬美元增至總計30萬美元,將2024年12月1日應付2024年4月買家的金額增加了 總計120萬美元,並預期豁免原本會觸發的2024年4月票據的任何期限 公司未能向2024年4月的買家支付2024年9月1日到期的剩餘金額。除非經過修改 經同意,之前披露的2024年4月票據的條款保持不變。

 

對 2024年6月24日,公司完成非經紀私募(「2024年6月 私募」),單一投資者擁有315,000個公司單位( 「2024年6月單位」),價格爲每個2024年6月單位1.91美元,總計 總收益6000萬美元。2024年6月每個單位由一個 普通股和一份令狀(「2024年6月令狀」)。每年2024年6月的逮捕令 在2026年6月24日之前,可以以2.20美元的價格行使一股普通股。

 

2024年9月11日,公司簽訂了《史密斯貸款協議》 與我們的首席執行官、總裁兼執行主席馬克·史密斯(Mark Smith)合作,史密斯先生同意提供 向該公司提供高達2億美元的非循環、多次提款信貸額度。史密斯貸款協議項下的借款 按年利率10%計算利息,並須繳納相當於應付提款金額2.5%的設立費 在撤軍時。任何未償餘額

 

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   貸款(包括應計利息)應立即到期並支付 由公司在史密斯貸款協議2025年6月30日到期之日與事件發生之日(以較早者爲準) 違約(「到期日」)。公司可以隨時償還貸款,無需通知且無需罰款, 但公司在到期日前償還的任何本金或利息將收取的提前付款費 任何此類付款價值的2.5%。史密斯貸款協議項下的未償金額由公司所有的 根據公司與史密斯先生於2024年9月11日簽訂的一般安全協議,資產。

 

現金 流量考慮因素

 

的 該公司歷來依賴債務和股權融資爲其活動提供資金。受規定的限制 在交換協議和2024年4月購買協議中,公司可能會尋求額外的債務和/或股權融資 中期內;然而,無法保證公司將來能夠獲得任何所需的融資 以可接受的條件。

 

的 與擬議支出相比,公司的財務資源有限,沒有營業收入來源,也沒有保證 儘管該公司在當前或未來的項目中取得了成功,但仍將獲得額外資金用於當前或未來的項目 過去通過出售股權證券爲其活動提供資金。

 

的 公司未來安排額外融資的能力將部分取決於當前的資本市場狀況, 及其在開發麋鹿溪項目方面的成功。普通股的任何報價市場可能會受到一般市場趨勢的影響, 儘管公司在創造收入、現金流或盈利方面取得了任何潛在的成功,並且交易出現了任何低迷 普通股的價格可能會影響其以可接受的條款獲得股權融資的能力。

 

從歷史上看, 該公司已使用發行普通股的淨收益提供足夠的資金來滿足其近期勘探 以及到期的開發計劃和其他合同義務。然而,麋鹿溪項目的開發建設 將需要大量額外的資本資源。這包括近期資金以及最終對Elk Creek的資金 項目建設等費用。見“流動性和資本資源” 以上,爲公司的 討論與未來可能的融資有關的安排。

 

債務 盟約

 

的 2024年4月票據包含其類型工具常見的違約事件(有習慣的寬限期,如適用) 並規定,在發生因某些破產或無力償債事件而引起的違約事件時, 對於NioCorp來說,所有未償還的2024年4月票據將立即到期並支付,無需採取進一步行動或通知。如果有的 其他類型的違約事件發生並持續,則任何持有人都可以宣佈其所有2024年4月票據到期, 立即付款。2024年4月的購買協議還包含某些承諾,其中包括限制NioCorp的 能夠使用2024年4月購買協議的收益償還關聯方債務或簽訂任何可變利率 與Yorkville以外的交易,但有某些例外情況。截至2011年,該公司已遵守這些契諾 2024年6月30日。

 

環境

 

我們 採礦和勘探活動須遵守各種聯邦和州法律和法規,以保護 環境我們已經並預計未來也會支出以遵守此類法律和法規,但不能 預測未來此類支出的全部金額。截至2024年6月30日和2023年6月30日,我們分別應計48,000美元和48,000美元, 與估計的環境義務有關。

 

前瞻性 報表

 

的 上述討論和分析以及本年度報告中其他地方包含的某些信息包含10-k表格 《證券法》第27 A條含義內的「前瞻性陳述」 和《交易法》第21 E條,並旨在由由此創建的安全港涵蓋。查看討論 在第1項的「前瞻性陳述」中,「生意。」

 

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會計 事態發展

 

爲 關於最近採用的會計公告和最近發佈的會計公告的討論,請參閱註釋3 本年度報告中包含的合併財務報表爲10-k表格。

 

關鍵 會計估計和最近的會計公告

 

我們 本年度合併財務報表註釋3中描述了重要會計政策 表格10-k報告。如注3所述,我們需要做出影響報告金額的估計和假設 以及資產、負債、收入和費用的相關披露。我們的估計基於我們的經驗和解釋 影響我們業務前景的經濟、政治、監管和其他因素。我們估計的許多輸入 過程是主觀的,並且隨着時間的推移而受到不確定性的影響,因此實際結果可能與我們的結果存在顯着差異 估算注3還披露了適用於公司的近期會計公告。

 

We believe that our most critical accounting estimates are related to the carrying value of our long term assets; accounting for income taxes and the valuation of deferred tax assets; and the valuation of liabilities associated with warrants, convertible debt carried at fair value, and Earnout Shares, as they require us to make assumptions that are highly uncertain at the time the accounting estimates are made and changes in them are reasonably likely to occur from period to period. Management has discussed the development and selection of these critical accounting estimates with the Audit Committee of our Board (the “Audit Committee”), and the Audit Committee has reviewed the disclosures presented below. In addition, there are other items within our financial statements that require estimation, but are not deemed to be critical. However, changes in estimates used in these and other items could have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

Carrying Value of Long-Lived Assets

 

這個 礦產資產賬面價值的可恢復性取決於發現或開發的經濟儲量。 關於財產、許可、融資、啓動和商業生產,或出售/租賃或其他戰略交易 與這些屬性相關。項目的開發和/或啓動將取決於管理層的能力等 爲這些目的籌集足夠的資本。無論何時,我們都會評估礦產資產的減值賬面成本 信息或情況表明存在潛在的損害。關鍵輸入包括事件和環境,例如我們無法 爲了獲得所有必要的許可,我們礦產法律地位的變化,政府的行動,結果 勘探活動和技術評估以及經濟條件的變化,包括商品或投入的價格 價格。這些投入中的許多都是主觀的,隨着時間的推移會受到不確定性的影響。這樣的評估比較了估計的未來 淨現金流與我們的持有成本和未來債務在未貼現的基礎上。如果確定估計的 未來未貼現的現金流量低於物業的賬面價值時,將記錄、計量減值損失 資產的賬面價值超過資產公允價值的金額。其中對未來淨現金的估計 資金流是不可確定的,如果其他情況表明可能出現減值,管理層將使用可用的市場 信息和/或第三方估值專家評估賬面價值是否可以收回並估計公允價值。

 

我們 當發生事件或情況變化時,審查和評估我們的長期資產(礦產資產除外)是否存在減損 表明相關的公允價值可能無法收回。根據估計的金額計量和記錄損失 正在進行減損測試的長期資產的公允價值及其公允價值。

 

收入 稅

 

我們 在美國和加拿大擁有資產、持有權益並開展活動,並受其稅收制度約束。稅法 複雜並不斷髮展。雖然我們有虧損的歷史,但我們在納稅申報表中做出的假設會受到審查, 稅務當局的解釋,並且可以修改。管理層判斷 在確定所得稅撥備、遞延稅資產和負債以及任何估值津貼時需要 計入我們的遞延所得稅資產。我們考慮近年來的累計收入或虧損等因素;逆轉 遞延所得稅負債;預計未來應稅收入(不包括暫時差異);

 

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所得稅的性質 資產,包括所得稅頭寸;稅務規劃策略和我們預計遞延所得稅資產的期限 在確定估值備抵時收回。如果實際結果與這些估計不同,或 我們未來調整估計,可能需要調整估值津貼,這可能會對我們的財務產生重大影響 操作的位置和結果。

  

金融 以公允價值計價的工具

 

的 我們的盈利股份、私人認購證、或有同意認購證和按公允價值列賬的可轉換債務的公允價值爲 使用各種重要的不可觀察輸入數據確定,包括貼現率和我們對預期波動率的最佳估計 以及預期持有期限。這些負債的估計公允價值的變化可能會對我們的業績產生重大影響 任何特定時期的運營,因爲這些負債的任何增加都會對我們的美國公認會計原則產生相應的負面影響 運營結果。請參閱本年度報告中包含的合併財務報表附註9、10和11 c 10-k了解更多詳細信息。

 

其他

 

的 公司有一類股票,即普通股。已發行股份、股票期權、認購權和可轉換股票的摘要 截至2024年9月20日的債務期權在完全稀釋的基礎上列出如下。

 

 

共同 流通股

(完全 稀釋)

共同 股份 38,660,244
既得 股份(1) 4,282,116
股票 選項(2) 2,455,500
認股權證(3) 20,932,985
可換股 債務(4) 1,920,173

(1)每個 可隨時交換爲一股普通股,直至第十股 截止日期週年紀念日。

(2)每個 可行使爲一份普通股。

(3)包括15,666,626份NioCorp假設令,每份可行使至 1.11829212普通股和38,660,244份每份可行使爲一股普通股的認購權。

(4)代表2024年4月票據轉換時可發行的普通股 截至2024年9月20日,按固定金額計算,未償本金和應計利息餘額總額爲530萬美元 轉換價爲每股2.75美元。

 

項目7A。關於市場風險的定量和定性披露

 

興趣 利率風險

 

的 公司面臨的市場利率變化風險主要與公司的賺取利息收入有關 現金存款和短期投資。公司保持現金資產流動性與利息的平衡 利率回報率。扣除任何損失撥備後,金融資產的公允價值代表公司的 最大的信用風險敞口。

 

外國 貨幣匯兌風險

 

的 公司以美元和加元進行支出。加元支出主要與工程相關 和冶金費用,以及某些專業服務。因此,貨幣匯率波動可能會影響 我們的運營活動成本。爲了降低這一風險,我們保持足夠的加元現金餘額,以資助預期 近期支出。

 

商品 價格風險

 

的 公司面臨與Elk Creek項目相關要素相關的商品價格風險。顯著降低 全球對這些元素的需求可能會對我們的業務產生重大不利影響。

 

58

 

 

麋鹿溪項目尚未投入生產, 且該公司目前不持有任何商品衍生品頭寸。

 

第8項。金融 聲明和補充數據

 

59

 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of NioCorp Developments Ltd.

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of NioCorp Developments Ltd. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of June 30, 2024, the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, cash flows, and shareholders' equity (deficit) and redeemable noncontrolling interest, for the year ended June 30, 2024, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of June 30, 2024, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended June 30, 2024, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Going Concern

 

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 4 to the financial statements, the Company has a working capital deficit, an accumulated deficit, and does not generate any revenue. Further, the Company does not have sufficient cash on hand to fund normal operations or the repayment of the April 2024 Notes for the next twelve months These conditions raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management's plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 4. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

我們根據 符合PCAOb的標準。這些標準要求我們計劃和執行審計,以獲得合理的保證 財務報表是否不存在由於錯誤或欺詐而造成的重大錯誤陳述。本公司毋須 對其財務報告的內部控制進行審計,我們也沒有參與審計。作爲審計的一部分,我們 需要了解財務報告的內部控制,但不是爲了表達意見 關於公司財務報告內部控制的有效性。因此,我們不發表此類意見。

 

我們的審計包括執行 評估財務報表重大錯誤陳述風險(無論是由於錯誤還是欺詐)的程序,並執行 應對這些風險的程序。此類程序包括在測試的基礎上檢查有關金額的證據, 財務報表中的披露。我們的審計還包括評估所使用的會計原則和重大估計 由管理層制定,並評估財務報表的整體列報方式。我們相信我們的審計提供了 我們意見的合理基礎。

 

60

 

 

關鍵審計事項

 

傳達了關鍵審計事項 以下是對已傳達或需要傳達的財務報表本期審計產生的事項 提交給審計委員會,並且(1)與對財務報表重要的賬目或披露有關;(2)涉及 我們特別具有挑戰性、主觀或複雜的判斷。關鍵審計事項的溝通不會改變 我們對整個財務報表的意見,而我們並不是通過以下溝通關鍵審計事項, 就關鍵審計事項或與之相關的賬目或披露提供單獨的意見。

 

2024年4月票據和憑證 - 參見財務報表附註3、9和16

 

關鍵審計事項說明

 

2024年4月12日,公司 完成了與Yorkville和Lind Global的可轉換期票的私募,本金額爲8,000,000美元 (「2024年4月註釋」)。作爲交易的一部分,該公司還向票據持有人發行了認購證, 持有人有權以每股3.25美元的價格購買最多615,385股NioCorp股票普通股。該批債券將 將於2024年12月31日到期,該等認購證將於2027年4月12日到期。

 

本公司的帳目 流動負債中可轉換債務內的可轉換本票,並已選擇按公允價值在#年對票據進行估值 根據會計準則編撰(ASC)815,衍生工具和套期保值。該公司使用模擬模型 估計可轉換本票和嵌入特徵的公允價值。影響的估計和假設 可轉換本票的公允價值包括普通股相關股份的每股公允價值、 該工具的期限、標的普通股和公共認股權證價格的預期波動率、無風險 利率和隱含貼現率。公司根據波動率假設對票據進行加權估值。 本公司普通股波動率的平均值及其公共認股權證的引伸波幅在時間框架內一致 與票據的預期期限。截至2024年6月30日,可轉換本票的公允價值爲7,089,000美元。

 

該公司負責 根據ASC主題815的相關授權, 衍生工具和套期保值,並確定截至2024年4月12日, 該令狀應歸類爲令狀責任。認購證負債於成立時按公允價值確認 日期並在每個報告期重新計量,價值變化確認爲非營業損益。公司 使用Black-Scholes期權定價模型來確定認購證的公允價值。影響 認購證的公允價值包括普通股標的股票的每股公允價值、工具的期限, 普通股的歷史波動性和無風險利率。截至2024年6月30日,該憑證的公允價值 負債爲298,000美元。

 

給定 管理層在確定交易會計處理和相關公允價值時做出的重大假設 可轉換期票和憑證的價值,執行審計程序以評估管理層的合理性 確定工具公允價值的結論和假設需要高度的核數師判斷, 加大力度,包括需要讓我們的公允價值專家和具有會計專業知識的專業人士參與進來 用於複雜的金融工具。

 

61

 

  

關鍵審計如何重要 已在審計中解決

 

我們的審計程序相關 2024年4月票據和令狀包括以下內容(其中包括):

 

我們 通過以下程序評估管理層的會計地位:

 

0獲得 並評估了公司有關應用的會計備忘錄 私募股權認購證和嵌入式衍生品特徵的相關會計指南。

 

0獲得, 閱讀並比較相關合同的基本條款和條件與 公司的會計備忘錄和評估管理層的身份 重要的條款和條件的完整性和準確性。

 

0評價 公司關於適用於私人的會計處理的結論 在具有會計專業知識的專業人士的協助下進行安置交易 用於複雜的金融工具。

 

測試 發行時和2024年6月30日的認購證公允價值,包括模型和 相關假設。

 

獨立 計算了發行損失和發行至6月30日期間公允價值變化, 2024年可轉換期票和認購證。

 

證實 截至6月30日的可轉換期票的未償本金餘額, 2024年與票據持有人一起度過。

 

與 在公允價值專家的幫助下,我們:

 

0評價 可轉換期票使用的估值方法的合理性 notes.

 

0評估 用於可轉換期票的估值模型的數學準確性。

 

0評價 假設包括無風險利率、貼現率和波動性假設, 包括基礎的源信息和計算的數學準確性, 基於我們與無風險利率進行比較的一系列獨立估計,折扣 管理層選擇的利率和波動性假設來評估可轉換期票 notes.

 

0相比 管理層獨立選擇的可轉換期票的公允價值 發行時和2024年6月30日的計算價值。

 

0評價 波動率假設和Black-Sholes期權使用的適當性 定價模型來評估認購證責任。

 

評價 與4月份私募相關披露的完整性和準確性 交易日

 

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

 

科羅拉多州丹佛

2024年9月20日

 34

我們一直擔任公司的 自2024財年以來是核數師。

 

62

 

 

報告 獨立註冊會計師事務所

 

股東 和董事會

NioCorp 發展有限公司

百年紀念, 科羅拉多

 

意見 淺談合併財務報表

 

我們 已審計NioCorp Developments Ltd.(「公司」)截至6月的合併資產負債表 2023年30日,相關合並經營報表及全面虧損、股東虧損及可贖回 非控制性權益和截至該日止年度的現金流量以及相關票據(統稱爲「合併 財務報表」)。我們認爲,合併財務報表在所有重大方面公平地反映了 公司2023年6月30日的財務狀況以及當年的經營結果和現金流量 結束,符合美利堅合衆國普遍接受的會計原則。

 

Going Concern Uncertainty

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has an accumulated deficit and suffered recurring losses without any current revenue generating operations. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 4. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

 

基礎 意見的

 

這些 合併財務報表是公司管理層的責任。我們的責任是表達 根據我們的審計對公司合併財務報表提出意見。我們是一家註冊的公共會計師事務所 上市公司會計監督委員會(美國)(「PCAOB」),並被要求獨立於 根據美國聯邦證券法和證券的適用規則和法規對公司進行管理 以及交易委員會和PCAOb。

 

我們 根據PCAOb的標準進行了審計。這些標準要求我們計劃和執行審計 爲合理保證合併財務報表是否不存在重大錯誤陳述,是否 由於錯誤或欺詐。公司無需對其內部控制進行審計,我們也沒有參與審計 財務報告。作爲審計的一部分,我們需要了解財務報告的內部控制 但並非爲了對公司財務報告內部控制的有效性發表意見。 因此,我們不發表此類意見。

 

我們 審計包括執行程序以評估合併財務報表重大錯誤陳述的風險,是否 由於錯誤或欺詐,並執行應對這些風險的程序。此類程序包括在測試的基礎上檢查, 有關綜合財務報表中金額和披露的證據。我們的審計還包括評估 管理層使用的會計原則和做出的重大估計,以及評估 合併財務報表。我們相信我們的審計爲我們的意見提供了合理的基礎。

 

/s/ BDO美國,PC

 

我們 2015年至2023年擔任公司核數師。

 

斯波坎, 華盛頓

 

 

十月 2023年6月

 

63

 

 

NioCorp 發展有限公司

綜合 資產負債表

 

(表示 數千美元,共享數據除外)

               
   截至6月30日,
   2024   2023 
資產        
當前        
現金及現金等價物  $2,012   $2,341 
預付費用和其他   916    1,385 
流動資產總額   2,928    3,726 
非當前          
存款   35    35 
股權證券投資   4    9 
使用權資產   181    236 
土地和建築物,淨   837    839 
礦物性   16,085    16,085 
總資產  $20,070   $20,930 
           
負債          
當前          
應付賬款和應計負債  $1,843   $3,491 
認股權證負債,按公允價值計算   2,365    - 
可轉債   7,660    - 
經營租賃負債   96    71 
流動負債總額   11,964    3,562 
非當前          
可轉債   -    10,561 
認股權證負債,按公允價值計算   1,651    4,989 
盈利負債,按公允價值計算   3,817    10,521 
經營租賃負債   104    164 
總負債   17,536    29,797 
承付款和或有事項          
可贖回的非控股權益   1,534    2,100 
股東權益(虧損)          
普通股,不是面值,無限 授權股份; 38,062,64731,202,131 已發行股份分別   163,823    140,421 
累計赤字   (161,912)   (150,477)
累計其他綜合損失   (911)   (911)
股東權益合計(虧損)   1,000    (10,967)
負債總額、可贖回非控制性權益和股東權益(赤字)  $20,070   $20,930 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

 

64

 

 

NioCorp Developments Ltd.

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss

 

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

               
   For the year
ended June 30,
 
   2024   2023 
Operating expenses          
Employee related costs  $3,509   $2,323 
Professional fees   3,533    2,581 
Exploration expenditures   2,552    5,348 
Other operating expenses   4,163    27,158 
Total operating expenses   13,757    37,410 
Change in fair value of earnout shares liability   (6,704)   (2,674)
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities   (1,875)   1,414 
Change in fair value of convertible notes   2,542    - 
Loss on debt extinguishment   -    1,922 
Interest expense   4,490    2,336 
Foreign exchange loss (gain)   (31)   216 
Other gains   (147)   (13)
Loss on equity securities   5    1 
Loss before income taxes   (12,037)   (40,612)
Income tax benefit   (139)   (304)
Net loss   (11,898)   (40,308)
Net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest   463    228 
Net loss attributable to the Company  $(11,435)  $(40,080)
           
Other comprehensive loss:          
Net loss  $(11,898)  $(40,308)
Other comprehensive gain:          
Reporting currency translation   -    (82)
Total comprehensive loss   (11,898)   (40,226)
Comprehensive loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest   463    228 
Comprehensive loss attributable to the Company  $(11,435)  $(39,998)
           
Loss per common share, basic and diluted  $(0.31)  $(1.34)
           
Weighted average common shares outstanding   34,320,024    28,705,840 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

 

65

 

 

NioCorp Developments Ltd.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars) 

 

               
   這一年的
截至6月30日,
 
   2024   2023 
經營活動的現金流          
當期淨虧損  $(11,898)  $(40,308)
對以下各項進行調整:          
盈利股份負債的初始估值   -    13,195 
盈利股份負債估值變化   (6,704)   (2,674)
認購證負債的初始估值   -    2,987 
認購證負債估值變化   (1,875)   1,414 
可轉換票據公允價值變動   2,542    - 
可轉換債務的累積   4,490    2,157 
基於股份的薪酬   2,881    1,794 
債務清償損失   -    1,422 
約克維爾股票發行   105    663 
匯兌損失   -    200 
折舊   2    3 
股權證券未實現虧損   5    1 
非現金租賃活動   20    (12)
其他收益   (148)   (13)
   (10,580)   (19,171)
流動資金項目變化:          
預付費用   469    (985)
應付賬款和應計負債   (1,621)   2,861 
用於經營活動的現金淨額   (11,732)   (17,295)
           
投資活動產生的現金流          
出售資產所得收益   -    21 
投資活動提供的現金淨額   -    21 
           
融資活動產生的現金流          
債務發行,扣除成本   6,935    14,857 
發行股本收益   6,185    2,499 
關聯方債務提取   -    1,130 
關聯方債務償還   -    (3,130)
償還債務   (1,512)   (515)
股票發行成本   (205)   (204)
融資活動提供的現金淨額   11,403    14,637 
匯率對現金及現金等價物的影響   -    (302)
期內現金及現金等值物變化   (329)   (2,939)
期初現金及現金等價物   2,341    5,280 
期末現金和現金等價物  $2,012   $2,341 
           
補充現金流信息:          
支付的利息金額  $-   $264 
非現金投資和融資交易:          
債務轉換爲普通股  $14,479   $5,175 
經營租賃負債的確認   -    199 
已發行的認購證價值   -    3,337 

 

的 隨附附註是該等綜合財務報表的組成部分

 

66

 

 

NioCorp Developments Ltd.

股東權益(虧損)和可贖回非控制性合併報表 興趣

 

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share data)

 

   未償還普通股   普通股   累計赤字   累計其他綜合損失      可贖回的非控股權益 
平衡,2022年6月30日   27,667,060   $129,055   $(110,397)  $(993)  $17,665   $- 
期權的行使   265,138    11    -    -    11    - 
授出的認購證的公允價值   -    3,338    -    -    3,338    - 
GXII交易中發行的普通股   1,753,821    -    -    -    -    - 
已發行的承諾股份   81,213    650    -    -    650    - 
註冊直接發售-2023年5月   314,465    2,000    -    -    2,000    - 
約克維爾股權安排下發行的股份   100,000    501    -    -    501    - 
債務轉換   1,020,434    5,604    -    -    5,604    - 
股票發行成本   -    (204)   -    -    (204)   - 
可贖回的非控股權益   -    (2,328)   -    -    (2,328)   2,328 
基於股份的薪酬   -    1,794    -    -    1,794    - 
報告貨幣列報   -    -    -    82    82    - 
本年度虧損   -    -    (40,080)   -    (40,080)   (228)
平衡,2023年6月30日   31,202,131   $140,421   $(150,477)  $(911)  $(10,967)  $2,100 
期權的行使   7,800    -    -    -    -    - 
私募   978,432    2,995    -    -    2,995    - 
約克維爾股權融資機制吸引   1,358,000    3,398    -    -    3,398    - 
債務轉換   4,232,592    14,479    -    -    14,479    - 
股票發行成本   -    (204)   -    -    (204)   - 
期權負債估值   -    (148)   -    -    (148)   - 
交換b類股票   283,692    103    -    -    103    (103)
基於股份的薪酬   -    2,779    -    -    2,779    - 
本年度虧損   -    -    (11,435)   -    (11,435)   (463)
餘額,2024年6月30日   38,062,647   $163,823   $(161,912)  $(911)  $1,000   $1,534 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

 

67

 

 

NioCorp Developments Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

June 30, 2024

 

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

1.DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

 

NioCorp Developments Ltd. (the “Company” or “NioCorp”) was incorporated on February 27, 1987, under the laws of the Province of British Columbia and currently operates in one reportable operating segment consisting of exploration and development of mineral deposits in North America, specifically, the Elk Creek Niobium/Scandium/Titanium property (the “Elk Creek Project”) located in southeastern Nebraska.

 

As further discussed in Notes 5, 9, 10, and 11, on March 17, 2023 (the “Closing Date”), the Company closed the GXII Transaction (as defined below) with GX Acquisition Corp. II (“GXII”), pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, dated September 25, 2022 (the “Business Combination Agreement”), among the Company, GXII and Big Red Merger Sub Ltd (the “Closing”). At the Closing, the Company also closed convertible debt financings (the “Yorkville Convertible Debt Financing”) with YA II PN, Ltd., an investment fund managed by Yorkville Advisors Global, LP (together with YA II PN, Ltd., “Yorkville”), and the standby equity purchase facility with Yorkville (the “Yorkville Equity Facility Financing” and, together with the Yorkville Convertible Debt Financing, the “Yorkville Financings”) became effective. The transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement, including the GXII Transaction, the Yorkville Financings and the Reverse Stock Split (as defined below), are referred to, collectively, as the “2023 Transactions.”

 

The GXII Transaction was accounted for as an equity raise transaction in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles of the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). Under this method of accounting, GXII is treated as the “acquired” company for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the GXII Transaction is treated as the equivalent of NioCorp issuing common shares, no par value, of the Company (“Common Shares”) for the assets and liabilities of GXII. The net assets of GXII are stated at historical cost, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded.

 

The Company currently earns no operating revenues and will require additional capital in order to advance the Elk Creek Project to construction and commercial operation. As further discussed in Note 4, these matters raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, and the Company is dependent upon the generation of profits from mineral properties, obtaining additional financing and maintaining continued support from its shareholders and creditors.

 

2.BASIS OF PREPARATION

 

a)Basis of Preparation and Consolidation

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP and the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The consolidated financial statements include the consolidated accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries with all significant intercompany transactions eliminated. Certain transactions include reference to Canadian dollars (“C$”) where applicable.

 

These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and the subsidiaries listed in the following table. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

 

Subsidiary Jurisdiction of incorporation   Ownership at June 30,
  2024   2023
0896800 BC Ltd. (“0896800”)   British Columbia, Canada   100%   100%
Elk Creek Resources Corp. Nebraska, USA   N/A   100%
Elk Creek Resources Corp. (“ECRC”) Delaware, USA   79.7%(1)   79.1%(1)
NioCorp Technologies Limited United Kingdom   100%   NA

 

(1)Represents 100% of Class A common stock owned by 0896800, and 4,282,116 and 4,565,808 Vested Shares and 3,391,596 and 3,391,596 Earnout Shares (each as defined below) held by third parties, and outstanding as of June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

 

68

 

 

NioCorp Developments Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

June 30, 2024

 

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

b)Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. The Company regularly evaluates estimates and assumptions related to the valuation of mineral properties, deferred income tax asset valuations, convertible debt valuations, earnout valuation, derivative liabilities, warrant liabilities, and share-based compensation. The Company bases its estimates and assumptions on current facts, historical experience, and various other factors that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the other sources. The actual results experienced by the Company may differ materially and adversely from the Company’s estimates. To the extent there are material differences between estimates and the actual results, future results of operations will be affected.

 

3.SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

a)Development Stage Issuer

The Company is considered to be a development stage issuer under Subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“S-K 1300”), and it devotes substantially all of its efforts to acquiring and exploring mining interests that management believes should eventually provide sufficient net profits to sustain the Company’s existence. Until such interests are engaged in commercial production, the Company will continue to seek additional funding to support the completion of its exploration and development activities. The Company’s activities are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including its ability to secure sufficient funding to continue operations, to obtain proven and probable reserves, to comply with industry regulations and obtain permits necessary for development of the Elk Creek Project, as well as environmental risks and market conditions.

 

b)Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, cash in banks, investments in certificates of deposit with original maturities of 90 days or less, and money market funds. The Company maintains the majority of its cash balances with two financial institutions. Accounts at banks in the United States (“U.S.”) are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) up to $250, while accounts at banks in Canada are insured by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (“CDIC”) up to C$100. At June 30, 2024, the Company had $1,406 and $0 in excess of the FDIC and CDIC insured limits, respectively.

 

c)Foreign Currency Translation

Functional and reporting currency 

Items included in the financial statements of each of the Company’s entities are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates (“the functional currency”).

 

的 這些合併財務報表的報告貨幣爲美元。

 

變化 本幣

之前 截至2023年3月17日,公司的功能貨幣爲加元。公司重新評估其功能貨幣 並確定2023年3月17日其功能貨幣由加元變更爲美元,基於重大影響 我們組織中經濟事實和環境的變化。功能貨幣變化採用前瞻性覈算 自2023年3月17日起和前期合併財務報表未因功能貨幣變化重列。

 

爲 貨幣性和非貨幣性資產和負債,截至2023年3月17日的轉化餘額成爲新的會計基礎。 變動日的匯率成爲非貨幣資產和負債換算的歷史匯率 在隨後的時期。對綜合基準上的累計換算調整沒有影響。先前記錄 累積翻譯調整未逆轉。

 

69

 

 

NioCorp Developments Ltd.

合併財務報表附註

2024年6月30日

 

(以千美元表示, 份額和每股數據除外)

 

的 公司加拿大子公司0896800 BC Ltd.的功能貨幣,該公司沒有獨立運營 母公司,也從加元換成了美元。Elk Creek Resources Corp.的功能貨幣保留 作爲美元。

 

交易 外幣

交易 以功能貨幣以外的貨幣制造的按日期的匯率重新計算爲功能貨幣 的交易。報告日以外幣計價的貨幣資產和負債重新計量爲 功能貨幣按當日匯率計算,非貨幣資產和負債按歷史重新計量 rates.外幣兌換損益計入損益。

 

翻譯 到報告貨幣

翻譯 2023年3月17日之前所有期間使用美元作爲報告貨幣的損益(當 加元爲功能貨幣)作爲累積貨幣兌換調整的一部分,即 在累計其他全面損失項下報告爲股東權益的組成部分。

 

d)礦物 性能

礦物 物業購置成本,包括間接相關購置成本,在發生時予以資本化。採購成本包括 現金對價和作爲對價發行的普通股的公允市值。根據期權協議獲得的財產, 因此,付款由本公司全權酌情決定,按下列價格資本化爲礦業權收購成本 付款的時間。勘探成本在發生時計入費用。當確定一個採礦礦牀可以 根據S-k1300已探明的和可能的儲量以及公司的 董事會(以下簡稱「董事會」)已批准正式開始開發活動,開發費用 與該等準備金有關及於該等董事會批准後產生的準備金將被考慮資本化。成立久經考驗的 而可能的儲量是基於可行性研究的結果,這些結果表明一處房產在經濟上是否可行。 一旦開始商業生產,資本化成本將在其估計使用壽命或單位內攤銷。 產量,以較可靠的量度爲準。與遺棄或以其他方式考慮的財產有關的資本化金額 在可預見的未來是不經濟的。

 

這個 礦產資產賬面價值的可恢復性取決於發現或開發的經濟儲量。 關於財產、許可、融資、啓動和商業生產,或出售/租賃或其他戰略交易 與這些屬性相關。項目的開發和/或啓動將取決於管理層的能力等 爲這些目的籌集足夠的資本。無論何時,我們都會評估礦產資產的減值賬面成本 信息或情況表明存在潛在的損害。這將包括事件和情況,如我們無法 爲了獲得所有必要的許可,我們礦產法律地位的變化,政府的行動,結果 勘探活動和技術評估以及經濟條件的變化,包括商品或投入的價格 價格。這種評估將估計的未來淨現金流與我們的持有成本和未來未貼現債務進行比較 基礎。如果確定估計的未來未貼現現金流小於物業的賬面價值, 減值損失將被記錄下來。對未來淨現金流的估計不能確定,以及其他條件 指出減值的可能性,管理層使用可用的市場信息和/或第三方估值專家進行評估 是否能夠收回賬面價值,並估計公允價值。截至以下日期爲止,並無對礦物性質的減值記錄 2024年6月30日或2023年6月30日。

 

e)長 年期的資產

長壽 每當發生事件或變化時,公司持有和使用的資產(礦產財產除外)都會進行是否有損失的審查 情況表明資產的公允價值可能無法收回。爲了評估可恢復性 對於長期資產,可回收性測試使用與長期資產相關的未貼現淨現金流量進行。 如果該等資產被認爲已出現損害,則確認的損害按其賬面值的金額計量 資產超出公允價值

 

70

 

 

NioCorp Developments Ltd.

合併財務報表附註

2024年6月30日

 

(以千美元表示, 份額和每股數據除外)

 

資產的價值。待處置的資產按其公允價值中的較低者報告 或公允價值減去銷售成本。截至2024年6月30日或2023年6月30日,長期資產均未記錄任何減損。

 

f)租契

下 會計準則法典(「ASC」)842, 租契,我們確定合同安排是否是或包含 開始日期的租賃。與經營租賃相關的使用權(「ROU」)資產和負債分別 在合併資產負債表中報告。公司目前沒有融資租賃。

 

柔 資產和租賃負債在租賃開始日根據未來租賃付款額的現值確認 在租期內。當租賃隱含的利率無法輕易確定時,我們利用增量借款利率 在確定未來租賃付款的現值時。增量借款利率根據現有信息得出 在租賃開始日期,並代表承租人借入相當於 在類似的經濟環境中以類似期限進行抵押的租賃付款。經營租賃ROU資產 當租賃付款在整個租賃期內不均勻時,還包括任何累積預付或應計租金。ROU資產 租賃負債可能包括在合理確定我們將行使時延長或終止租賃的選擇權 這個選擇。

 

Lease liabilities are increased by interest and reduced by payments each period, and the ROU asset is amortized over the lease term. For operating leases, interest on the lease liability and the amortization of the ROU asset result in straight-line rent expense over the lease term. Variable lease expenses are recorded when incurred.

 

g)Convertible Debt Carried at Fair Value

With regard to the Company’s debt related to the convertible promissory notes issued in April 2024 (as further discussed in Note 9), the Company has elected to account for these notes at fair value per the provisions of ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”). Under ASC 815-15-25, an election can be taken at the inception of a financial instrument to account for the instrument at fair value. The notes were recorded at fair value at inception and assessed quarterly thereafter using a Monte Carlo simulation methodology which incorporates multiple conversion scenarios. All changes in fair value subsequent to the initial recording, excluding the impact of the change in fair value related to the Company’s own credit risk, are recorded as a component of non-operating income/expense, within Change in fair value of convertible debt in the consolidated statements of operations. Changes in fair value related to the Company’s own credit risk, if any, are recorded through other comprehensive loss.

 

h)Warrants

We apply relevant accounting guidance for warrants to purchase our stock based on the nature of the relationship with the counterparty. For warrants issued to investors or lenders in exchange for cash or other financial assets, we follow guidance issued within ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, and ASC 815, to assist in the determination of whether the warrants should be classified as liabilities or equity. The fair value of warrants is estimated using Black Scholes modeling or Monte Carlo modeling, depending on the settlement features embedded in the warrant. Inputs under both models include inputs such as NioCorp’s Common Share price, the risk-free interest rate, the expected term, the volatility, and the dividend rate. Warrants that are determined to require liability classifications are measured at fair value upon issuance and are subsequently remeasured to their then fair value at each subsequent reporting period with changes in fair value recorded in current earnings. Warrants that are determined to require equity classifications measured at fair value upon issuance and are not subsequently remeasured unless they are required to be reclassified.

 

i)Earnout Shares

Earnout Shares are classified as a liability due to failure to meet the equity classification criteria under ASC 815-40. The Earnout Shares are measured at fair value upon issuance and subsequently remeasured at each reporting period using a Monte Carlo simulation methodology, which includes inputs such as NioCorp’s Common Share price, the risk-free interest rate, the expected term, the weighted average of historical Common Share volatility and implied volatility underlying the Company’s Public Warrants, the dividend rate, the conversion price, and the number of Earnout Shares outstanding. Assumptions used in the model are subjective and require significant judgment. 

 

71

 

 

NioCorp Developments Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

June 30, 2024

 

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

j)Financial Instruments

The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, equity securities, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, notes payable, convertible debt, and the related party loan. It is management’s opinion that the Company is not exposed to significant interest, currency or credit risks arising from its financial instruments. The fair values of these instruments approximate their carrying value unless otherwise noted.

 

k)Concentration of Credit Risk

The financial instrument which potentially subjects the Company to credit risk is cash and cash equivalents, The Company holds investments or maintains available cash primarily in two commercial banks located in Vancouver, British Columbia and Santa Clara, California. As part of its cash management process, the Company regularly monitors the relative credit standing of these institutions.

 

l)Asset Retirement Obligation

The Company is subject to various government laws and regulations relating to environmental disturbances caused by exploration and evaluation activities. The estimated costs associated with environmental remediation obligations are accrued in the period in which the liability is incurred if it is reasonably estimable or known. Until such time that a project life is established, the Company records the corresponding cost as an exploration stage expense and has accrued $48 as an accrued liability related to estimated obligations as of June 30, 2024 (2023 - $48).

 

Future reclamation and environmental-related expenditures are difficult to estimate in many circumstances due to the early-stage nature of the Elk Creek Project, the uncertainties associated with defining the nature and extent of environmental disturbance, the application of laws and regulations by regulatory authorities and changes in reclamation or remediation technology. The Company periodically reviews accrued liabilities for such reclamation and remediation costs as evidence indicating that the liabilities have potentially changed becomes available. Changes in estimates are reflected in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss in the period an estimate is revised.

 

m)Income Taxes

Income taxes are provided based upon the liability method of accounting pursuant to ASC 740-10-25, “Income Taxes – Recognition.” Under the approach, deferred income taxes are recorded to reflect the tax consequences in future years of differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at each year-end. A valuation allowance is recorded against deferred tax assets if management does not believe the Company has met the “more likely than not” standard imposed by ASC 740-10-25-5 to allow recognition of such an asset. ASC 740-10-50, “Income Taxes – Disclosure,” requires the Company to evaluate its income tax positions and recognize a liability for uncertain tax positions that are not more likely than not to be sustained by tax authorities. As of June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company believes it had no income tax uncertainties that required recognition of a liability. If the Company were to determine that uncertain tax positions meet the criteria for recognition, an estimated liability and related interest and penalties would be recognized as income tax expense.

 

n)Reverse Stock Split

On March 17, 2023, the Company effected a reverse stock split (the “Reverse Stock Split”) on the basis of one (1) post-Reverse Stock Split Common Share for every ten (10) pre-Reverse Stock Split Common Shares issued and outstanding, with any fractional shares resulting from the Reverse Stock Split rounded down to the nearest whole share. Immediately after the Reverse Stock Split, there were 30,000,442 Common Shares issued and outstanding. All references to share and per share amounts (excluding authorized shares) in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes have been retroactively restated to reflect the Reverse Stock Split.

 

o)Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest refers to non-controlling interest associated with the Vested Shares that are redeemable upon the occurrence of an event that is not solely within the Company’s control and is reported in the mezzanine section between total liabilities and shareholders’ deficit, as temporary equity in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The Company’s non-controlling interest is redeemable at fair value, and no adjustment to the earnings per share numerator is required because redemption at fair value is not considered an economic distribution different from other common stockholders. 

 

72

 

 

NioCorp Developments Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

June 30, 2024

 

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

p)Basic and Diluted Per Share Disclosure

Basic earnings (loss) per share represents net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders divided by the weighted average number of Common Shares outstanding during the period. The Company considers Vested Shares and Released Earnout Shares (each as defined in Note 10), to be participating securities, requiring the use of the two-class method. Diluted earnings (loss) per share represents net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders divided by the weighted average number of Common Shares outstanding, inclusive of the dilutive impact of all potentially dilutive securities outstanding during the period, as applicable.

 

The Company utilizes the weighted average method to determine the impact of changes in a participating security on the calculation of loss per share. The following table sets forth the computation of the Company’s basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common shareholders:

 

   For the year ended June 30, 
   2024   2023 
Net loss  $(11,898)  $(40,308)
Adjust:  Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest   458   (251
Net loss available to participating securities   (11,440)   (40,057)
Net loss attributable to Vested Shares   967   1,528
Net loss attributed to common shareholders - basic and diluted  $(10,473)  $(38,529)
Denominator:          
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic and diluted   34,320,024    28,705,840 
Loss per Common Share outstanding – basic and diluted  $(0.31)  $(1.34)

 

The following shares underlying options, warrants, and outstanding convertible debt were antidilutive due to a net loss in the periods presented and, therefore, were excluded from the dilutive securities computation for the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, as indicated below.

 

   For the year ended June 30, 
   2024   2023 
Excluded potentially dilutive securities (1)(2):          
Options   2,495,500    1,541,500 
Warrants   18,563,561    18,816,304 
Convertible debt   2,849,000    2,871,660 
Total potentially dilutive securities   23,908,061    23,229,464 

 

  (1) The number of shares is based on the maximum number of shares issuable on exercise or conversion of the related securities as of the period end. Such amounts have not been adjusted for the treasury stock method or weighted average outstanding calculations as required if the securities were dilutive.
  (2) Earnout Shares (as defined below) are excluded as the vesting terms were not met as of the end of the reporting period. 

 

 q)

Share Based Compensation

The Company grants stock options to directors, officers, employees, and business advisors. Option terms and vesting conditions are at the discretion of the Board. Prior to March 31, 2023, the option exercise price was equal to the closing market price on The Toronto Stock Exchange (the “TSX”) on the day preceding the date of grant. Effective March 21, 2023, the option exercise price is equal to the closing market price on the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) on the day preceding the date of the grant.

 

The Company estimates the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Company recognizes forfeitures as they occur. 

 

73

 

 

NioCorp Developments Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

June 30, 2024

 

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

r)Recent Accounting Standards

 

Issued and Not Effective 

 

In November 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which is intended to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant expenses. The amendments will require public entities to disclose significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker and included within segment profit and loss. The amendments are effective for the Company’s annual periods beginning July 1, 2024, and interim periods beginning July 1, 2025, with early adoption permitted, and will be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. The Company has evaluated the ASU and has determined that implementation will have limited impact on the Company’s disclosures.

 

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which includes amendments that further enhance income tax disclosures, primarily through standardization and disaggregation of rate reconciliation categories and income taxes paid by jurisdiction. The amendments are effective for the Company’s annual periods beginning June 1, 2025, with early adoption permitted, and should be applied either prospectively or retrospectively. The Company is currently evaluating the ASU to determine its impact on the Company’s disclosures.

 

From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the FASB that are adopted by the Company as of the specified effective date. Unless otherwise discussed, management believes that the impact of recently issued standards did not or will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements upon adoption.

 

4.GOING CONCERN ISSUES

 

The Company incurred a net loss of $11,435 for the year ended June 30, 2024 (2023 - $40,080) and had a working capital deficit of $9,036 and an accumulated deficit of $161,912 as of June 30, 2024. As a development stage issuer, the Company has not yet commenced its mining operations and accordingly does not generate any revenue. As of June 30, 2024, the Company had cash of $2,012, which will not be sufficient to fund normal operations or the repayment of the April 2024 Notes for the next twelve months. These conditions and events raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

 

74

 

 

NioCorp Developments Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

June 30, 2024

 

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

In response to these conditions and events, the Company plans to obtain additional financing. Subject to the conditions discussed in Note 11d, NioCorp expects to have access to up to $59,269 in net proceeds from the Standby Equity Purchase Agreement, dated January 26, 2023 (the “Yorkville Equity Facility Financing Agreement”), between the Company and YA II PN, Ltd., an investment fund managed by Yorkville Advisors Global, LP (“Yorkville”), through April 1, 2026. In addition, the Company may pursue additional sources of financing, and while it has been successful in doing so in the past, there can be no assurance it will be able to do so in the future. Other than the potential issuance of Common Shares under the Yorkville Equity Facility Financing Agreement, the Company did not have any further funding commitments or arrangements for additional financing as of June 30, 2024. The Company’s plans to obtain additional financing have not been finalized, are subject to market conditions, and are not within the Company’s control and therefore cannot be deemed probable. Further, the Company will be required to raise additional funds for the construction and commencement of operations. As a result, the Company has concluded that management’s plans do not alleviate substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

 

 

5.2023 GXII TRANSACTION

 

Pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, the following transactions (collectively, the “GXII Transaction”) occurred on the Closing Date:

 

  As a result of a series of transactions, GXII became an indirect, majority-owned subsidiary of NioCorp and changed its name to “Elk Creek Resources Corp” (“ECRC”).
  As the parent company of the merged entity, NioCorp issued 1,753,821 post-Reverse Stock Split Common Shares in exchange for all of the Class A shares of GXII issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Closing, including 83,770 Common Shares issued to BTIG, LLC in exchange for Class A shares of GXII that it received as partial payment for advisory services.
  All of the Class B shares of GXII issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Closing (after giving effect to the surrender of certain Class B shares of GXII in accordance with the Sponsor Support Agreement, dated September 25, 2022 (the “Sponsor Support Agreement”), among GX Sponsor II LLC (the “Sponsor”), GXII, NioCorp and the other persons party thereto) were converted into 7,957,404 shares of Class B common stock of GXII (now known as ECRC) as the surviving entity of the mergers that occurred on the Closing Date as part of the GXII Transaction. Pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, the Sponsor Support Agreement and the Exchange Agreement, dated as of March 17, 2023 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “Exchange Agreement”), by and among NioCorp, ECRC and the Sponsor, after the Closing, the shares of Class B common stock of ECRC are exchangeable into Common Shares on a one-for-one basis, subject to certain equitable adjustments, under certain conditions. See Note 10 for additional information regarding the Class B common stock of ECRC.
  NioCorp assumed GXII’s obligations under the agreement (the “GXII Warrant Agreement”) governing the GXII share purchase warrants (the “GXII Warrants”) and issued an aggregate of 15,666,626 warrants (the “NioCorp Assumed Warrants”) to purchase up to an aggregate of 17,519,864 Common Shares. See Note 11c for additional information regarding the NioCorp Assumed Warrants.

 

After the distribution of funds to GXII redeeming shareholders and prior to paying transaction costs incurred by GXII, $15,676 became available to the Company. The following table summarizes the elements of the GXII Transaction allocated to the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the year ended June 30, 2023:

 

     Amount 
Gross cash proceeds, net of transaction costs incurred by GXII  $2,168 
Less:     
Cash costs associated with the 2023 Transactions:     
Net liabilities assumed   392 
Yorkville Equity Facility Financing Agreement – cash costs   1,996 
Transaction costs expensed   6,715 
Non-cash costs associated with the 2023 Transactions:     
Private Warrants assumed at fair value   2,987 
Earnout Shares assumed at fair value   13,195 
Yorkville Equity Facility Financing Agreement – shares issued   650 
 Total transaction related losses incurred  $23,767 

 

75

 

 

NioCorp Developments Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

June 30, 2024

 

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

The number of Common Shares issued and outstanding immediately following the consummation of the 2023 Transactions were as follows:

 

   Common Shares   Percentage 
Legacy NioCorp Shareholders   28,246,621    93.90%
Former GXII Class A Shareholders(1)   1,753,821    5.83%
Other(2)   81,213    0.27%
Total Common Shares Outstanding Upon Completion of 2023 Transactions   30,081,655    100%

 

  (1) Includes 83,770 Common Shares issued to BTIG, LLC in exchange for Class A shares of GXII that it received as partial payment for advisory services.
  (2) Represents Commitment Shares (as defined in Note 11d) issued under the Yorkville Equity Facility Financing Agreement.

 

In connection with the GXII Transaction, the Company also closed the Yorkville Convertible Debt Financing and the Yorkville Equity Facility Financing, as discussed in Notes 9 and 11d.

 

6.LAND AND BUILDINGS, NET

 

   As of June 30, 
   2024   2023 
   Cost   Accumulated Depreciation   Net   Cost   Accumulated Depreciation   Net 
Land  $807   $-   $807   $807   $-   $807 
Buildings and other   41    11    30    41    9    32 
   $848   $11   $837   $848   $9   $839 

 

7.MINERAL PROPERTIES

 

Mineral properties consist of original acquisition costs and purchased mineral rights related to the Elk Creek Project.

 

In addition to the land and mineral rights currently owned by the Company, the property interests of Elk Creek include eight prepaid mineral exploration option-to-purchase agreements and include a pre-determined buyout for permanent ownership of the mineral and/or surface rights. Terms of the agreements require no further significant payments, and the Company may negotiate lease extensions or elect to purchase the mineral and/or surface rights any time. Agreements that allow for the purchase of mineral rights contain provisions whereby the landowners would retain a 2% net smelter return.

 

8.ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES
               
   As of June 30, 
   2024   2023 
Accounts payable, trade  $1,417   $1,990 
Trade payable accruals   350    1,324 
Income taxes payable   -    101 
Environmental accruals   48    48 
Loan origination fees payable to related party   28    28 
Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities  $1,843   $3,491 

 

 

76

 

 

NioCorp Developments Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

June 30, 2024

 

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

9.CONVERTIBLE DEBT

Schedule of convertible debt

 

   As of June 30, 
   2024   2023 
Current Portion          
Yorkville convertible debentures:  $571   $- 
April 2024 notes   7,089    - 
Total Current Portion  $7,660   $- 
Noncurrent Portion – Yorkville convertible debenture  $-   $10,561 

 

Lind III Convertible Security

 

On February 16, 2021, the Company issued to Lind Global Asset Management III, LLC (“Lind”), an entity managed by The Lind Partners, the convertible security (the “Lind III Convertible Security”) pursuant to the Convertible Security Funding Agreement, dated February 16, 2021, as amended by Amendment #1 to the Convertible Security Funding Agreement, dated December 2, 2021, between the Company and Lind (as amended, the “Lind III Agreement”). The Lind III Convertible Security had a face value of $11,700 (representing $10,000 in funding plus an implied 8.5% interest rate per annum for the term of the Lind III Convertible Security). After deducting a $350 commitment fee as set forth in the Lind III Agreement, NioCorp received net proceeds of $9,650 from the funding of the Lind III Convertible Security. The Company used a portion of the proceeds from the funding of the Lind III Convertible Security to purchase a key land parcel associated with the Company’s Elk Creek Project, with the remainder spent for general corporate purposes.

 

The Lind III Convertible Security had a term of (i) 24 months or (ii) 30 calendar days after the date on which the face value of the Lind III Convertible Security is nil due to such amount having been fully converted and/or fully repaid (including with any applicable premium) in accordance with the terms of the Lind III Agreement, whichever is earlier.

 

Pursuant to the Lind III Agreement, Lind was entitled to convert the Lind III Convertible Security into Common Shares in monthly installments over its term at a price per Common Share equal to 85% of the volume-weighted average price Common Shares on the TSX for the five trading days immediately preceding to the date on which Lind provides notice to the Company of its election to convert. The Lind III Agreement provided that Common Shares issuable upon conversion, together with the number of Common Shares issued upon exercise of Warrants, shall not exceed 4,358,800 Common Shares.

 

On February 19, 2021, in connection with the funding and issuance of the Lind III Convertible Security, the Company issued 855,800 Common Share purchase warrants, exercisable at a price per Common Share of C$9.70, expiring February 19, 2025 (the “Lind III Warrants”), to Lind pursuant to the Lind III Agreement.

 

The Company identified embedded derivatives in the Lind III Convertible Security that were evaluated to be immaterial at both the closing date and at June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

 

The Company allocated the net proceeds of $9,477 from the Lind III Convertible Security as follows:

 

  $1,712 was allocated to Common Stock, representing the fair value of the Lind III Warrants based on the Black Scholes pricing model using a risk-free interest rate of 0.40%, an expected dividend yield of 0%, a volatility of 51.60%, and an expected life of 4.0 years.
  $7,938 was allocated to the convertible debt liability. Transaction costs of $173, in addition to a commitment fee of $350, were recognized as a direct deduction from the debt liability, resulting in a net opening balance of $7,765. This balance was accreted up to the face value of the Lind III Convertible Security at maturity using the effective interest method and recorded as non-cash interest expense in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss.

 

77

 

 

NioCorp Developments Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

June 30, 2024

 

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

 Changes in the Lind III Convertible Security are as follows:

 

    For the year ending
June 30, 2023
Beginning balance   $ 2,169  
Fair value increase due to debt extinguishment     201  
Conversions   (1,950 )
Accretion expense     95  
Payment at maturity   (515 )
Balance, June 30, 2023   $ -  

 

On September 25, 2022, the Company and Lind entered into the Waiver and Consent Agreement, dated September 25, 2022, between the Company and Lind (the “Lind Consent”), which included the following principal terms: (i) the consent of Lind to the GXII Transaction disclosed in Note 5 and Yorkville Financings disclosed below and in Note 11d, including all actions taken by NioCorp as set out in the Business Combination Agreement to permit the completion of the 2023 Transactions; (ii) the consent of Lind to NioCorp’s expected cross-listing to the Nasdaq and the consolidation of the Common Shares in order to meet the minimum listing requirements thereof; (iii) the waiver of Lind of its participation right for up to 15% of the total offering in the Yorkville Equity Facility Financing; and (iv) the waiver of Lind of certain restrictive covenants in the Lind III Agreement.

 

As consideration for entering into the Lind Consent, Lind received, amongst other things: (i) the right to receive a payment of $500, which would have been reduced to $200 if the 2023 Transactions had not been consummated on or before April 30, 2023 (collectively, the “Consent Payment”); (ii) an extension of its existing participation rights under the Lind III Agreement in future financings of NioCorp for a further two-year period, subject to certain exceptions as well as an extension of such participation rights beyond the additional two-year period if Yorkville or any affiliate is a party to any such applicable transaction; and (iii) the right to receive additional Warrants (the “Contingent Consent Warrants”) if on the date that is 18 months following the Closing Date, the closing trading price of the Common Shares on the TSX or such other stock exchange on which such shares may then be listed, is less than C$10.00 (on a post-Reverse Stock Split basis), subject to adjustments. The number of Contingent Consent Warrants to be issued, if any, is based on the Canadian dollar equivalent (based on the then current Canadian to U.S. dollar exchange rate as reported by Bloomberg, LP) of $5,000 divided by the five-day volume weighted average price of the Common Shares on the date of issuance, unless otherwise agreed. Further, the number of Contingent Consent Warrants issued will be proportionately adjusted based on the percentage of Warrants currently held by Lind that are exercised, if any, prior to the issuance of any Contingent Consent Warrants. The Lind Consent was signed as an amendment to the existing Lind III Agreement.

 

Management determined that the Lind Consent should be evaluated using ASC 470, which requires an evaluation of the contract amendment under debt modification guidance. The Company performed a comparison of the discounted cash flows of the Lind III Convertible Security pursuant to the existing Lind III Agreement and pursuant to the Lind III Agreement as amended by the Lind Consent and determined that a debt extinguishment loss of $201 had occurred. Further, ASC 470 requires that the minimum estimated Consent Payment of $200 also be included in the calculation of the initial loss on debt extinguishment. The Company also evaluated the Contingent Consent Warrant feature included in the Lind Consent and determined that the Contingent Consent Warrants meet the criteria to be considered separate, freestanding instruments, should be accounted for as a liability under ASC 480, and should be booked at fair value on the date of the Lind Consent, with subsequent changes in valuation recorded as a non-operating gain or loss in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss. The following table summarizes the components of the initial loss and final loss on extinguishment:

 

 The following table summarizes the components of the initial loss and final loss on extinguishment:

Component of loss   Amount  
Minimum Consent Payment at inception   $ 200  
Loss on debt extinguishment     201  
Initial fair value of Contingent Consent Warrants     1,221  
Initial loss on debt extinguishment     1,622  
Additional Consent Payment booked(1)     300  
Total loss on debt extinguishment   $ 1,922  

 

(1) Represents the difference between the accrual of the minimum Consent Payment at September 25, 2022 and the actual payment made on March 17, 2023.

 

 

78

 

 

NioCorp Developments Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

June 30, 2024

 

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

The change in the fair value of the Contingent Consent Warrants is presented below:

 

    Amount  
Initial valuation, September 25, 2022   $ 1,221  
Change in valuation     489  
Valuation at June 30, 2023     1,710  
Change in valuation   $ 655  
Valuation at June 30, 2024     2,365  

 

The Contingent Consent Warrants are classified as a Level 3 financial instrument and were valued utilizing a Monte Carlo simulation pricing model, which calculates multiple potential outcomes for future share prices based on historic volatility of the Common Shares to determine the probability of issuance at 18 months following the applicable valuation date and to determine the value of the Contingent Consent Warrants. The following table discloses the primary inputs into the Monte Carlo model at each valuation date, and the probability of issuance calculated by the model.

Key Valuation Input  

June 30,

2024

   

June 30,

2023

     

September 25,

2022

 
Share price on valuation date   $ 1.73     $ 5.03     $ 7.82  
Volatility     68.0 %     63.0 %     62.4 %
Risk free rate     4.40 %     4.11 %     3.93 %
Probability of issuance     100.0 %     80.8 %     59.4 %

 

Loss on debt extinguishment is presented as a non-operating expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. This accounting also resulted in a decrease in the amount of accretion to be recognized over the remaining life of the Lind III Convertible Security through February 2023. Accretion expenses are disclosed as a part of interest expense, which is not included as a component of operating costs.

 

Yorkville Convertible Debentures

 

In connection with the GXII Transaction, on January 26, 2023, NioCorp entered into definitive agreements with respect to the Yorkville Financings, including a Securities Purchase Agreement, dated January 26, 2023 (as amended the “Yorkville Convertible Debt Financing Agreement”), between the Company and Yorkville, and a Standby Equity Purchase Agreement, dated January 26, 2023 (the “Yorkville Equity Facility Financing Agreement”), between the Company and Yorkville.

 

Pursuant to the Yorkville Convertible Debt Financing Agreement, at the Closing, Yorkville advanced a total amount of $15,360 to NioCorp in consideration of the issuance by NioCorp to Yorkville of (i) $16,000 aggregate principal amount of unsecured convertible debentures (the “Convertible Debentures”) and (ii) Common Share purchase warrants, exercisable for up to 1,789,267 Common Shares for cash or, if at any time there is no effective registration statement registering, or no current prospectus available for, the resale of the underlying Common Shares, on a cashless basis, at the option of the holder, at a price per Common Share of approximately $8.9422, subject to adjustment to give effect to any stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or similar transaction (the “Financing Warrants”).

 

Each Convertible Debenture issued under the Yorkville Convertible Debt Financing Agreement is an unsecured obligation of NioCorp, has an 18-month term from the Closing Date, which may be extended for one six-month period in certain circumstances at the option of NioCorp, and incurs a simple interest rate obligation of 5.0% per annum (which will increase to 15.0% per annum upon the occurrence of an event of default). The outstanding principal amount of, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on, and premium, if any, on the Convertible Debentures must be paid by NioCorp in cash when the same becomes due and payable under the terms of the Convertible Debentures at their stated maturity, upon their redemption or otherwise.

 

Subject to certain limitations contained within the Yorkville Convertible Debt Financing Agreement and the Convertible Debentures, including those as described below, holders of the Convertible Debentures will be entitled to convert the principal amount of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on each Convertible Debenture, in whole or

 

79

 

 

NioCorp Developments Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

June 30, 2024

 

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

in part, from time to time over their term, into a number of Common Shares equal to the quotient of the principal amount and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, being converted divided by the Conversion Price. The “Conversion Price” means, as of any Conversion Date (as defined below) or other date of determination, the greater of (i) 90% of the average of the daily U.S. dollar volume-weighted average price of the Common Shares on the principal U.S. market for the Common Shares as reported by Bloomberg Financial Markets during the five consecutive trading days immediately preceding the date on which the holder exercises its conversion right in accordance with the requirements of the Yorkville Convertible Debt Financing Agreement (the “Conversion Date”) or other date of determination, but not lower than the Floor Price (as defined below), and (ii) the five-day volume-weighted average price of the Common Shares on the TSX (or on the principal U.S. market if the majority of the trading volume and value of the Common Shares occurred on Nasdaq during the relevant period) for the five consecutive trading days immediately prior to the Conversion Date or other date of determination less the maximum applicable discount allowed by TSX. The “Floor Price” means a price of $2.1435 per share, which is equal to the lesser of (a) 30% of the average of the daily volume-weighted average price of the Common Shares on the principal U.S. market for the Common Shares as reported by Bloomberg Financial Markets during the five consecutive trading days immediately preceding the Debenture Closing and (b) 30% of the average of the volume-weighted average price of the Common Shares on the principal U.S. market for the Common Shares as reported by Bloomberg Financial Markets during the five consecutive trading days immediately following the Debenture Closing, subject to certain adjustments to give effect to any stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, recapitalization or similar event.

 

The terms of the Convertible Debentures restrict the number of Convertible Debentures that may be converted during each calendar month by Yorkville at a Conversion Price below a fixed price equal to approximately $8.9422 (i.e., the quotient of $10.00 divided by 1.11829212 (being the number of Common Shares that were exchanged for each share of GXII at the Closing, after giving effect to the Reverse Stock Split)), subject to adjustment to give effect to any stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, recapitalization or similar event. The Convertible Debentures are subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments.

 

The terms of the Convertible Debentures restrict the conversion of Convertible Debentures by Yorkville if such a conversion would cause Yorkville to exceed certain beneficial ownership thresholds in NioCorp or such a conversion would cause the aggregate number of Common Shares issued pursuant to the Yorkville Convertible Debt Financing Agreement to exceed the thresholds for issuance of Common Shares under the rules of Nasdaq, unless prior shareholder approval is obtained.

 

Pursuant to the terms of the Convertible Debentures, following certain trigger events, and until a subsequent cure event, NioCorp will be required to redeem $1,125 aggregate principal amount of Convertible Debentures (the “Triggered Principal Amount”) each month by making cash payments to the Investors, on a pro rata basis, in an amount equal to the Triggered Principal Amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, plus a redemption premium of 7% of the Triggered Principal Amount. Such monthly prepayments under the terms of the Convertible Debentures are triggered (i) at the time when NioCorp has issued 95% of the total amount of Common Shares pursuant to the Yorkville Convertible Debt Financing that it may issue under applicable Nasdaq rules or (ii) when NioCorp has delayed or suspended the effectiveness or use of the Convertible Debt Financing Registration Statement for more than 20 consecutive calendar days, and such monthly prepayment obligations will continue until, with respect to (i) above, shareholder approval is obtained or, with respect to (ii) above, the Investors may once again resell Common Shares under the Convertible Debt Financing Registration Statement, respectively.

 

The Convertible Debentures may also be redeemed at NioCorp’s option at any time and from time to time over their term at a redemption price equal to 110% of the principal amount being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

 

In conjunction with the issuance of the Convertible Debentures, NioCorp issued to Yorkville 1,789,267 Financing Warrants at an exercise price of approximately $8.9422 per Common Share (the “Financing Warrant Exercise Price”), subject to adjustment to give effect to any stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split recapitalization or similar event. The Financing Warrants are exercisable, in whole or in part, but not in increments of less than $50 aggregate Financing Warrant Exercise Price (unless the remaining aggregate Financing Warrant Exercise Price is less than $50), beginning on May 4, 2023, and may be exercised at any time prior to their expiration. Holders of the Financing Warrants may exercise their Financing Warrants, at their election, by paying the Financing Warrant Exercise Price in

 

80

 

 

NioCorp Developments Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

June 30, 2024

 

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

cash or, if at any time there is no effective registration statement registering, or no current prospectus available for, the resale of the underlying Common Shares, on a cashless exercise basis. 1/12th of the Financing Warrants will expire on each of the first 12 monthly anniversaries of the date that is six months following the Closing Date.

 

The Financing Warrants have customary anti-dilution adjustments. The terms of the Financing Warrants restrict the exercise of Financing Warrants by Yorkville if such an exercise would cause Yorkville to exceed certain beneficial ownership thresholds in NioCorp or such an exercise would cause the aggregate number of Common Shares issued pursuant to the Yorkville Convertible Debt Financing Agreement to exceed the thresholds for issuance of Common Shares under the rules of the Nasdaq, unless prior shareholder approval is obtained.

 

The Financing Warrants were originally recorded as a $2,704 contingent liability on January 26, 2023, and were subsequently marked to market of $3,337 through March 16, 2023. The change in fair value during this period resulted in a loss of $633, which was booked to change in fair value of warrant liability in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss. The Financing Warrants were reclassified to shareholders equity on March 17, 2023, in connection with the closing of the Convertible Debentures as noted below.

 

The Company allocated the net proceeds of $15,360 from the Convertible Debentures as follows:

 

  $2,704 was booked to Common Shares, representing the initial fair value of the Financing Warrant tranches on January 26, 2023 based on the Black Scholes pricing model using a risk-free interest rate of 4.33%, an expected dividend yield of 0%, a volatility of 64.6%, and an expected life of 6 months to 18 months.
     
  $12,656 was booked to the convertible debt liability. In addition, transaction costs of $503 were recognized as a direct deduction from the debt liability, resulting in a net opening balance of $12,153 at an effective interest rate of 29.9%. This balance will be accreted to face value of the Convertible Debentures at maturity plus the conversion premium, using the effective interest method and recorded as interest expense in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss.

 

Changes in the Convertible Debentures are as follows:

 

      Amount  
Opening balance, March 17, 2023   $ 12,153  
Accretion expense     1,962  
Principal and accrued interest converted   (3,554 )
Balance, June 30, 2023     10,561  
Accretion expense     4,489  
Principal and accrued interest converted   (14,479 )
Balance, June 30, 2024   $ 571  
 Less: Unamortized debt issuance costs   (21 )
Remaining principal balance, June 30, 2024   $ 550  

 

Upon conversion, the portion of remaining unamortized issuance costs associated with the conversion are recognized as a component of interest expense. The following table discloses the components of interest expense associated with the Convertible Debentures.

 

   For the year ending June 30, 
Component of Interest Expense  2024   2023 
Contractual  interest  $279   $225 
Amortization of discount and issuance costs   4,210    1,737 
Total  $4,489   $1,962 

 

The Convertible Debentures contain events of default customary for instruments of their type (with customary grace periods, as applicable) and provide that, upon the occurrence of an event of default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to NioCorp, all outstanding Convertible Debentures will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any other type of event of default occurs and is continuing, then any holder may declare all of its Convertible Debentures to be due and payable immediately. The Company

 

81

 

 

NioCorp Developments Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

June 30, 2024

 

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

obtained a waiver from Yorkville with respect to any acceleration rights it may have under the Convertible Debentures in connection with the restatements of the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the periods ended September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2022 and the delay in filing the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2023. The Yorkville Convertible Debt Financing Agreement also contains certain covenants that, among other things, limit NioCorp’s ability to use the proceeds from the Yorkville Convertible Debt Financing to repay related party debt or to enter into any variable rate transaction other than with Yorkville, subject to certain exceptions.

 

Based on the Company’s closing Common Share price of $1.73 as of June 30, 2024, conversion of the remaining Convertible Debenture principal balance of $552, including accrued interest, would require the issuance of approximately 257,000 Common Shares. For each $0.10 change in the fair value of one Common Share, the total shares the Company would be obligated to issue would change by approximately 11,500 shares.

 

On July 19, 2024, the Company and Yorkville entered into a make-whole payment agreement under which Yorkville agreed to convert the remaining principal and outstanding accrued interest of $554 remaining under the Convertible Debenture into Common Shares in exchange for a $95 make-whole payment.

 

April 2024 Notes

 

On April 12, 2024, the Company issued and sold to Yorkville and Lind Global Fund II LP (together with Yorkville, the “April 2024 Purchasers”), $8,000 aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes (the “April 2024 Notes”), pursuant to a securities purchase agreement, dated April 11, 2024 (the “April 2024 Purchase Agreement”), between the Company and each of the April 2024 Purchasers.

 

The Company also issued to the April 2024 Purchasers, in proportion to the aggregate principal amount of April 2024 Notes issued to each April 2024 Purchaser, Warrants (the “April 2024 Warrants”) to purchase up to 615,385 Common Shares (the “April 2024 Warrants Shares”), which are equal to 25% of the aggregate principal amount of April 2024 Notes issued to the April 2024 Purchasers divided by the exercise price of $3.25, subject to any adjustment to give effect to any stock dividend, stock split or recapitalization. The April 2024 Warrants expire on April 12, 2027.

 

Pursuant to the April 2024 Purchase Agreement, the April 2024 Purchasers advanced an aggregate of $6,935 to the Company in consideration of the issuance by the Company to the April 2024 Purchasers of $8,000 aggregate principal amount of the April 2024 Notes and April 2024 Warrants.

 

Under the terms of the April 2024 Notes, subject to certain exceptions, on the first day of each calendar month, beginning on June 1, 2024 (excluding August 2024) (the “Payment Date”), the Company will be required to repay a portion of the outstanding balance of all of the April 2024 Notes, on a pro-rata basis, in an amount equal to the sum of (i) $1,400 of principal (or the outstanding principal if less than such amount) in the aggregate among all of the outstanding Notes, plus (ii) 8.0% of the principal amount being paid (the “Payment Premium”), and (iii) accrued and unpaid interest, if any, as of the Payment Date. The Company is required to make payments on each Payment Date until the entire outstanding principal is repaid but will not have an obligation to make a payment on a Payment Date if certain equity conditions (the “Equity Conditions”) are satisfied.

 

Subject to certain limitations contained within the April 2024 Notes, holders of the April 2024 Notes will be entitled to convert the principal amount of, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, and any Payment Premium that has become due and payable on each April 2024 Note, from time to time over their term, into a number of Common Shares equal to the quotient of the amount being converted divided by a fixed conversion price of $2.75 per Common Share up to a maximum of 3,141,817 Common Shares (together with the April 2024 Warrant Shares, the “April 2024 Underlying Shares”). The terms of the April 2024 Notes restrict the conversion of the April 2024 Notes by a holder if such a conversion would cause such holder to exceed certain ownership thresholds in the Company.

 

As noted above, the Company is required to make payments on each Payment Date until the entire outstanding principal is repaid, but will not have an obligation to make a payment on a Payment Date if the Equity Conditions are satisfied (a “deferred payment”). The Equity Conditions means (i) on each of the five consecutive trading days prior a Payment Date (the “Measuring Period”) the Underlying Shares Registration Statement (as defined below) is effective

 

82

 

 

NioCorp Developments Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

June 30, 2024

 

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

and available for the resale by the Purchasers of all Underlying Shares, (ii) the Company has no knowledge of any fact that would cause the Underlying Shares Registration Statement not to be effective and available for the resale of the Underlying Shares, (iii) on each day during the Measuring Period, the Common Shares are designated for quotation on Nasdaq, or on such other market or exchange on which the Common Shares are then listed or traded to the extent such other market or exchange is the principal U.S. trading market for the Common Shares (the “Principal U.S. Market”), and have not been suspended from trading nor have delisting or suspension of trading been threatened or pending, (iv) during the Measuring Period, an event of default has not occurred, (v) on each trading day during the Measuring Period, the daily U.S. dollar volume-weighted average price (“VWAP”) for a Common Share on the Principal U.S. Market as reported by Bloomberg Financial Markets is greater than 120% of the Conversion Price, (vi) on each trading day during the Measuring Period the average daily volume traded exceeded $500, and (vii) there is no limitation on conversion under the terms of Notes. Deferred payments, if any, that are not subsequently converted into Common Shares by the holders of the April 2024 Notes will require repayment by the Company upon maturity.

 

The April 2024 Notes are the unsecured obligations of the Company and will mature on December 31, 2024. The April 2024 Notes will incur a simple interest rate obligation of 0.0% per annum (which will increase to 18.0% per annum upon the occurrence of an event of default). The outstanding principal amount, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, and the Payment Premium, if any, on the April 2024 Notes must be paid by NioCorp in cash when the same becomes due and payable under the terms of the April 2024 Notes at their stated maturity, upon their redemption, or otherwise.

 

The April 2024 Notes may also be redeemed at the Company’s option at any time and from time to time over their term at a redemption price equal to the principal amount being redeemed, plus the Payment Premium, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, as of the redemption date.

 

The April 2024 Notes contain events of default customary for instruments of their type (with customer grace periods, as applicable) and provide that, upon the occurrence of an event of default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the company, all outstanding April 2024 Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any other type of event of default occurs and is continuing, then any holder may declare all of its April 2024 Notes to be due and payable immediately.

 

The April 2024 Purchase Agreement contains customary representations, warranties, conditions and indemnification obligations by each party. The representations, warranties and covenants contained in the April 2024 Purchase Agreement were made only for purposes of the April 2024 Purchase Agreement and as of specific dates, were solely for the benefit of the parties to such agreement and are subject to certain important limitations.

 

The April 2024 Purchase Agreement also contains certain covenants that, among other things, limit NioCorp’s ability to use the proceeds from the April 2024 Purchase Agreement to repay related party debt or to enter into any variable rate transaction other than with Yorkville, subject to certain exceptions, and to distribute proceeds from the April 2024 Purchase Agreement to subsidiaries other than ECRC and 0896800 B.C. Ltd. (together with ECRC, the “Guarantors”), upon the entry by the Guarantors into a global guaranty agreement, dated as of April 11, 2024, among the Guarantors in favor of the Purchasers (the “Guaranty Agreement”). Pursuant to the Guaranty Agreement, the Guarantors guaranteed the full, prompt and unconditional payment when due (whether at maturity , by acceleration or otherwise), and the performance of all liabilities, agreements and other obligations of NioCorp to the April 2024 Purchasers contained in the April 2024 Notes, the April 2024 Warrants and the April 2024 Purchase Agreement, to the extent such liabilities, agreements and obligations are payable in cash.

 

Based upon the Company’s analysis of the criteria contained in ASC 815, the Company determined that April 2024 Warrants met the definition of a derivative liability, as any warrant exercise that could cause the holder to exceed 19.9% ownership of NioCorp Common Shares would require shareholder approval. As such, the April 2024 Warrants were recognized as warrant liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet and were measured at their inception date fair value and subsequently remeasured at each reporting period with changes being recorded as a non-operating gain or loss in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss.

 

The Company elected to value the April 2024 Notes at fair value in accordance with ASC 815-15-25. The fair value of the April 2024 Notes was estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation pricing model and the April 2024 Notes were

 

83

 

 

NioCorp Developments Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

June 30, 2024

 

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

classified as Level 3 instruments. The Company incurred transaction costs totaling $474 in connection with the issuance of the April 2024 Notes and due to the fair value election noted above, these costs were expensed at closing.

 

Components and initial valuations associated with the April 2024 Notes were comprised of the following amounts:

 

  $902 was recorded to warrant liabilities, representing the initial fair value of the April 2024 Warrants based on the assumptions outlined below.
  $10,315 was recorded to the April 2024 Notes, representing the fair value based on the assumptions outlined below. The Company also recognized an opening transaction loss of $4,256, representing the difference between the fair value of the April 2024 Notes, including the fair value of the variable conversion features embedded therein, and cash received in the transaction.

 

The following table discloses the primary inputs for the Monte Carlo model used in valuing the April 2024 Notes:

 

Key Valuation Input  June 30, 
2024
   April 12, 
2024
 
Closing Common Share price  $1.73   $3.11 
Term (expiry)  December 31, 2024   December 31, 2024 
Weighted average of the equity volatility and implied volatility of the public warrants  80%  66.0%
Risk-free rate  5.33%  5.26%
Implied discount rate  15.0%  15.0%

 

The following table sets forth a summary of the changes in the fair value of the April 2024 Notes for the year ended June 30, 2024:

 

   Amount 
Fair value, April 12, 2024  $10,315 
Principal payments   (1,512)
Change in fair value   (1,714)
Balance, June 30, 2024  $7,089 
Remaining principal balance, June 30, 2024  $7,128 

 

The following table discloses the primary inputs for the Black-Scholes model used in valuing the April 2024 Warrants.

 

Key Valuation Input  June 30, 
2024
   April 12, 
2024
 
Closing Common Share price  $1.73   $3.24 
Term (years)   2.78    3.0 
Historic equity volatility   66.34%   62.39%
Risk-free rate   4.57%   4.77%

 

The following table sets forth a summary of the changes in the fair value of the April 2024 Warrant liability for the year ended June 30, 2024.

 

    Amount  
Fair value as of April 12, 2024   $ 902  
Change in fair value   (604 )
Fair value as of June 30, 2024   $ 298  

 

 

 

10.CLASS B COMMON STOCK OF ECRC

 

Pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, the Sponsor Support Agreement, and the Exchange Agreement, after the Closing, the GXII founders have the right to exchange shares of Class B common stock of ECRC for Common Shares on a one-for-one basis, subject to certain equitable adjustments, under certain conditions. All 7,957,404 shares of Class B common stock of ECRC that were issued in connection with the Closing were issued and outstanding as of

 

84

 

 

NioCorp Developments Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

June 30, 2024

 

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

June 30, 2023. Of the issued and outstanding shares of Class B common stock of ECRC, 4,565,808 shares (the “Vested Shares”) were vested as of the Closing Date and are exchangeable at any time, and from time to time, until the tenth anniversary of the Closing Date (the “Ten-Year Anniversary”) and 3,391,596 shares (the “Earnout Shares”) are exchangeable until the Ten-Year Anniversary, subject to certain vesting conditions. Under certain circumstances, and subject to certain exceptions, NioCorp may instead settle all or a portion of any exchange pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Agreement in cash, in lieu of Common Shares, based on a volume-weighted average price of Common Shares.

 

On February 28, 2024 and May 16, 2024, 243,692 Vested Shares and 40,000 Vested Shares, respectively, were exchanged for an equivalent number of Common Shares. This exchange resulted in a change in the Company’s ownership interest in ECRC and was accounted for as an equity transaction in accordance with ASC 810-10-45-23, with no gain or loss recognized. Accordingly, the carrying amount of the noncontrolling interest was adjusted to reflect the change in the Company’s ownership interest with a corresponding offset booked to equity.

 

All of the shares of Class B common stock of ECRC are subject to the Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of March 17, 2023 (the “Registration Rights and Lock-up Agreement”), among NioCorp, GXII, the Sponsor, the pre-Closing directors and officers of NioCorp and the other parties thereto, including the members of the Sponsor. Pursuant to Registration Rights and Lock-up Agreement, all shares of Class B common Stock of ECRC (including the Vested Shares and the Released Earnout Shares) are subject to certain “lock-up” restrictions on transfer beginning upon the Closing and ending upon the earlier of (i) one year after the Closing and (ii) the date on which the trading price of Common Shares exceeds certain thresholds or the date on which NioCorp completes a transaction that results in all of NioCorp’s shareholders having the right to exchange their Common Shares for cash, securities or other property. Both Vested Shares and Released Earnout Shares may be exchanged by the holders into Common Shares at any time. Under the Exchange Agreement, all Vested Shares and Earnout Shares must be exchanged for Common Shares by the Ten-Year Anniversary except for Released Earnout Shares that have been vested for a period of fewer than twenty-four months as of the Ten-Year Anniversary. Such Released Earnout Shares will be forfeited if not exchanged for Common Shares by the date that is twenty-four months after the vesting date.

 

Vested Shares

 

As the exchange of Vested Shares are contingently redeemable at the option of the noncontrolling interest shareholders, the Company classifies the carrying amount of the redeemable noncontrolling interest in the mezzanine section on the consolidated balance sheet, which is presented above the equity section and below liabilities. Adjustments to the carrying value of the redeemable noncontrolling interest associated with redemptions are recorded by reclassifying the proportionate amount of mezzanine equity to permanent equity.

 

Earnout Shares

 

The Earnout Shares vest (the “Released Earnout Shares”) in two equal tranches based upon achieving market share price milestones of approximately $12.00 per Common Share and approximately $15.00 per Common Share, respectively, prior to the Ten-Year Anniversary, or upon a change in control as defined in the underlying agreement. These shares will be forfeited if the market share price milestones or an acceleration event is not reached prior to the Ten-Year Anniversary. At such time that the Earnout Shares shall become vested, and therefore, become Released Earnout Shares, the shares will be transferred to the redeemable noncontrolling interest in the mezzanine section of the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

 

The Earnout Shares were classified as a liability due to failure to meet the equity classification criteria under ASC 815-40, as Level 3 instruments under the fair value hierarchy and are considered a financial liability under ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity. The Earnout Shares were measured at fair value on the Closing Date with subsequent changes in fair value recorded in earnings. The Earnout Shares were valued utilizing a Monte Carlo simulation pricing model. The following table discloses the primary inputs into the Monte Carlo models.

 

85

 

 

NioCorp Developments Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

June 30, 2024

 

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

 

Key Valuation Input  June 30,
2024
   June 30,
2023
   March 17,
2023
 
Closing Common Share price  $1.73   $5.03   $7.00 
Term (expiry)  March 17, 2033   March 17, 2033   March 17, 2033 
Implied volatility of Public Warrants  65.0%  33.5%  19.5%
Risk-free rate  4.35%  3.83%  3.39%

  

The following table sets forth a summary of the changes in the fair value of the Earnout Shares liability for the year ended June 30, 2024:

 

    Amount  
Fair value as of March 17, 2023   $ 13,195  
Change in fair value   (2,674 )
Fair value as of June 30, 2023     10,521  
Change in fair value   (6,704 )
Fair value as of June 30, 2024   $ 3,817  

  

11.COMMON SHARES

 

a)Issuances

 

Fiscal Year 2024 Issuances

 

On September 1, 2023, the Company closed a non-brokered private placement (the “September 2023 Private Placement”) of units of the Company (the “September 2023 Units”). A total of 250,000 September 2023 Units were issued at a price per September 2023 Unit of $4.00, for total gross proceeds to the Company of $1,000. Each September 2023 Unit consists of one Common Share and one Warrant (“September 2023 Warrant”). Each September 2023 Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one Common Share at a price of $4.60 at any time prior to September 1, 2025. Proceeds of the September 2023 Private Placement will be used for continued advancement of the Elk Creek Project and for working capital and general corporate purposes.

 

The September 2023 Warrants were classified as an equity instrument and accordingly, the net proceeds of $962 were allocated based on the relative fair values of the Common Shares and the September 2023 Warrants on the date of issuance. The amount allocated to the fair value of the September 2023 Warrants was $254 and the balance of the proceeds of $708 was allocated to the Common Shares. The fair value of the September 2023 Warrants issued was computed using the Black Scholes pricing model using the following assumptions: an expected life of 2.0 years, a risk-free interest rate of 4.85%, an expected volatility of 71.63%, and an expected dividend rate of 0%.

 

On December 22, 2023, the Company closed a non-brokered private placement (the “December 2023 Private Placement”) of 413,432 units of the Company (the “December 2023 Units”). Each December 2023 Unit consists of one Common Share and one Warrant (“December 2023 Warrant”). Each December 2023 Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one Common Share at a price of $3.54 at any time until December 22, 2025. 274,587 of the December 2023 Units were issued and sold to certain accredited investors, who are not affiliated with the Company but with whom the Company had a pre-existing relationship, at a price of $3.08 per December 2023 Unit, and 138,845 of the December 2023 Units were issued and sold to certain officers and directors of the Company (the “Insider Investors”), at a price of $3.205 per December 2023 Unit. The price per December 2023 Unit paid by the Insider Investors included $0.125 per December 2023 Warrant underlying each December 2023 Unit purchased by the Insider Investors which allowed the Insider Investors to participate in the December 2023 Private Placement in accordance with the rules of Nasdaq. The Company received aggregate gross proceeds from the December 2023 Private Placement of approximately $1,290. Proceeds of the December 2023 Private Placement will be used for continued advancement of the Elk Creek Project and for working capital and general corporate purposes. The Company recorded a non-cash expense of $92 and $10 to other operating expense and employee related costs, respectively, representing the excess of fair value of the December 2023 Units over the purchase price paid by Insider Investors.

 

86

 

 

NioCorp Developments Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

June 30, 2024

 

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

The December 2023 Warrants were classified as an equity instrument and accordingly, the estimated net proceeds of $1,241 were allocated based on the relative fair values of the Common Shares and the December 2023 Warrants on the date of issuance. The amount allocated to the fair value of the December 2023 Warrants was $264 and the balance of the proceeds of $977 was allocated to the Common Shares. The fair value of the December 2023 Warrants issued was computed using the Black Scholes pricing model using the following assumptions: an expected life of 2.0 years, a risk-free interest rate of 4.33%, an expected volatility of 54.8%, and an expected dividend rate of 0%.

 

On June 24, 2024, the Company closed a non-brokered private placement (the “June 2024 Private Placement”) of units of the Company (the “June 2024 Units”). A total of 315,000 June 2024 Units were issued at a price per June 2024 Unit of $1.91, for total gross proceeds to the Company of $602. Each June 2024 Unit consists of one Common Share and one Warrant (“June 2024 Warrant”). Each June 2024 Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one Common Share at a price of $2.20 at any time prior to June 24, 2026. Proceeds of the June 2024 Private Placement will be used for continued advancement of the Elk Creek Project and for working capital and general corporate purposes.

 

The June 2024 Warrants were classified as an equity instrument and accordingly, the net proceeds of $602 were allocated based on the relative fair values of the Common Shares and the June 2024 Warrants on the date of issuance. The amount allocated to the fair value of the June 2024 Warrants was $161 and the balance of the proceeds of $441 was allocated to Common Shares. The fair value of the June 2024 Warrants issued was computed using the Black Scholes pricing model using the following assumptions: an expected life of 2.0 years, a risk-free interest rate of 4.73%, an expected volatility of 73.92%, and an expected dividend rate of 0%.

 

Fiscal Year 2023 Issuances

 

In addition to the Common Shares issued in connection with the GXII Transaction, as discussed in Note 5, the following Common Share issuances occurred during fiscal year 2023:

 

On April 28, 2023, the Company closed a registered direct offering and issued 314,465 Common Shares for $2,000, before deducting share issuance costs of $172. The Common Shares were sold pursuant to a securities purchase agreement, dated April 26, 2023, between the Company and a fund managed by Kingdon Capital Management, LLC.

 

On June 9, 2023, the Company issued 100,000 Common Shares under the Yorkville Equity Facility Financing Agreement (discussed below) in exchange for $488 in cash proceeds. The Company recorded a non-cash operating expense of $13 which represented the difference between the proceeds received and the fair value of the Common Shares issued based on Nasdaq closing price per Common Share on the issuance date.

 

b)Stock Options

 

On January 19, 2024, the Company’s shareholders voted to approve an amendment and restatement of its long-term incentive plan (the “2017 Amended Long-Term Incentive Plan”) and the granting of incentive securities thereunder until January 19, 2027. Under the 2017 Amended Long-Term Incentive Plan, the Board may, in its discretion from time to time, grant options and share units (in the form of restricted share units and performance share units) to directors, employees and certain other service providers (as defined in the 2017 Amended Long-Term Incentive Plan) of the Company and affiliated entities selected by the Board.

 

Subject to adjustment as described in the 2017 Amended Long-Term Incentive Plan, the aggregate number of Common Shares that may be reserved for issuance to participants under the 2017 Amended Long-Term Incentive Plan, together with all other security-based compensation arrangements of the Company, may not exceed 10% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares from time to time, and the Common Shares reserved for issuance upon settlement of share units will not exceed 5% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares from time to time. The 2017 Amended Long-Term Incentive Plan limits the maximum number of Common Shares issued to insiders (as defined under TSX rules for this purpose) within any 1-year period, or issuable to insiders at any time, in the aggregate, under all security-based compensation arrangements (including the 2017 Amended Long-Term

 

87

 

 

NioCorp Developments Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

June 30, 2024

 

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

Incentive Plan) to 10% of the then issued and outstanding Common Shares. The 2017 Amended Long-Term Incentive Plan also limits the aggregate number of Common Shares that may be reserved for issuance to any one participant under the 2017 Amended Long-Term Incentive Plan, together with all other security-based compensation arrangements of the Company, to 5% of the then issued and outstanding Common Shares (on a non-diluted basis). Subject to the adjustment provisions of the 2017 Amended Long-Term Incentive Plan, the aggregate number of Common Shares actually issued or transferred by the Company upon the exercise of incentive stock options will be limited as described above.

 

The Board has power over the granting, amendment, administration, or settlement of any award.

 

Stock option transactions are summarized as follows:

 

   Number of Options   Weighted Average Exercise Price   Aggregate Intrinsic Value   Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life 
Balance, June 30, 2023   1,541,500   $7.19           
   Granted   1,625,000    2.99           
   Exercised   (7,800)   3.95           
   Cancelled/expired   (663,200)   5.88           
Balance, June 30, 2024   2,495,500   $4.78   $-    3.44 years 

 

As of June 30, 2024, 100% of the outstanding stock options were fully vested. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the year ended June 30, 2024 was immaterial, and as of June 30, 2024, there were no unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested share-based compensation arrangements granted. The Company recognized share-based compensation expense of $2,779 and $1,794 for the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

 

The following table summarizes the weighted average information and assumptions used to determine option costs: 

               
   Year ended June 30, 
   2024     2023 
Fair value per option granted during the period  $1.71   $3.09 
Risk-free interest rate   4.25%   3.30%
Expected dividend yield   0%   0%
Expected stock price volatility (historical basis)   63.2%   63.6%
Expected option life in years   5.0    3.0 

 

Prior to January 1, 2024, the Company concluded that under ASU 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718), Options previously issued on December 31, 2021, May 30, 2022, and March 27, 2023, which included a C$ strike price should remain equity-classified as management determined that the Options qualified for an exemption from liability classification as the Options were denominated in a currency in which a substantial portion of the Company’s equity securities traded. Effective January 1, 2024, the Company determined that due to historically decreasing trading volume on the TSX, this exemption no longer applied and accordingly, these Options were classified as a liability based on their fair values on that date. The Company recorded a mark-to-market gain of $147 in other operating expenses related to these option liabilities for the year ended June 30, 2024. The associated liability related to these Canadian-denominated Options was nil at June 30, 2024.

 

On March 28, 2024, the Board approved a modification to Options previously issued on March 27, 2023, with dual strike prices of $6.95 and C$9.52, under which the option to exercise in C$ was removed. No other terms or conditions were amended by the Board. Based on this amendment, the Company re-classified these Options to equity on March 28, 2024, based on their fair value on that date.

 

88

 

 

NioCorp Developments Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

June 30, 2024

 

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

c)Warrants

 

Warrant transactions are summarized as follows. Weighted average exercise prices related to Canadian dollar denominated warrants were converted to U.S. dollars using end of period foreign currency exchange rates.

 

  Warrants   Weighted Average Exercise Price 
Balance, June 30, 2022   1,851,622   $8.99 
Granted:          
Yorkville financing warrants   1,789,267    8.94 
GXII warrants   15,666,626    11.50 
Expired   (491,211)   11.67 
Balance, June 30, 2023   18,816,304    10.98 
Granted   1,593,817    3.33 
Expired   (1,846,560)   8.67 
Balance, June 30, 2024   18,563,561    10.53 

 

At June 30, 2024, the Company has outstanding exercisable warrants, as follows:

 

Number   Exercise Price   Expiry Date
 855,800    C$9.70   February 19, 2025
 447,318   $8.94   (1)
 250,000   $4.60   September 1, 2025
 413,432   $3.54   December 22, 2025
 315,000    2.20   June 24, 2025
 615,385   $3.25   April 12, 2027
 15,666,626   $11.50   March 17, 2028
 18,563,561         

     
  (1) Expires in 3 equal monthly tranches on July 17, 2024, August 17, 2024, and September 17, 2024.

 

In connection with the Closing, pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, the Company assumed the GXII Warrant Agreement and each GXII Warrant thereunder that was issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Closing Date was converted into one NioCorp Assumed Warrant pursuant to the GXII Warrant Agreement, as amended by an Assignment, Assumption and Amendment Agreement, dated March 17, 2023, among the Company, GXII, Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as the existing warrant agent, and Computershare Inc. and its affiliate, Computershare Trust Company, N.A, together as the successor warrant agent (the “NioCorp Assumed Warrant Agreement”). In connection with the Closing, NioCorp issued (a) 9,999,959 public NioCorp Assumed Warrants (the “Public Warrants”) in respect of the GXII Warrants that were publicly traded prior to the Closing and (b) 5,666,667 NioCorp Assumed Warrants (the “Private Warrants”) to the Sponsor in respect of the GXII Warrants that it held prior to the Closing, which NioCorp Assumed Warrants were subsequently distributed by the Sponsor to its members in connection with the Closing.

 

Each NioCorp Assumed Warrant entitles the holder to the right to purchase 1.11829212 Common Shares at an exercise price of $11.50 per 1.11829212 Common Shares (subject to adjustments for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like). No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of any NioCorp Assumed Warrants, and fractional shares that would otherwise be due to the exercising holder will be rounded down to the nearest whole Common Share. In no event will the Company be required to net cash settle any NioCorp Assumed Warrant.

 

Public Warrants

 

The Company may elect to redeem the Public Warrants subject to certain conditions, in whole and not in part, at a price of $0.01 per Public Warrant if (i) 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption is provided to the holders, (ii) the last reported sale price of the Common Shares equals or exceeds approximately $16.10 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days

 

89

 

 

NioCorp Developments Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

June 30, 2024

 

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

within a 30-trading day period ending on the third business day prior to the date on which the Company sends the notice of redemption to the warrant holders and (iii) there is an effective registration statement covering the Common Shares issuable upon exercise of the Public Warrants, and a current prospectus relating thereto, available through the redemption date. Upon issuance of a redemption notice by the Company, the warrant holders will have until the redemption date to exercise for cash, or, at the Company’s election, on a cashless basis. The Public Warrants are not precluded from equity classification and are accounted for as such on the date of issuance, and each balance sheet date thereafter. Because the 2023 Transactions resulted in an excess of liabilities over assets acquired, no value was ascribed to the Public Warrants. 

 

Private Warrants

 

The Private Warrants: (i) will be exercisable either for cash or on a cashless basis at the holder’s option and (ii) will not be redeemable by the Company, in either case as long as the Private Warrants are held by the Sponsor, its members or any of their permitted transferees (as prescribed in the NioCorp Assumed Warrant Agreement). In accordance with the NioCorp Assumed Warrant Agreement, any Private Warrants that are held by someone other than the Sponsor, its members or any of their permitted transferees are treated as Public Warrants.

 

The Company accounts for the Private Warrants assumed in the 2023 Transactions in accordance with the guidance contained in ASC 815-40. Such guidance provides that because the Private Warrants do not meet the criteria for equity treatment thereunder, each Private Warrant must be recorded as a liability. This liability is carried as a component of Warrant Liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet and is subject to re-measurement at each balance sheet date. With each such re-measurement, the warrant liability will be adjusted to its current fair value, with the change in fair value recognized in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss. The Company will reassess the classification at each balance sheet date.

 

The Company classifies Private Warrants as Level 2 instruments under the fair value hierarchy and estimated the fair value using a Black Scholes model with the following assumptions:

 

Key Valuation Input  June 30, 2024   June 30, 2023   March 17, 2023 
Stock price on valuation date  $1.73   $5.03   $7.00 
Strike price  $11.50   $11.50   $11.50 
Implied volatility of Public Warrants   69.0%   33.5%   19.5%
Risk free rate   4.45%   4.18%   3.47%
Dividend yield   0%   0%   0%
Expected warrant life in years   3.7    4.7    5.0 

 

The change in the Private Warrants liability is presented below:

 

   Amount 
Initial valuation, March 17, 2023  $2,987 
Change in valuation   292 
Valuation at June 30, 2023   3,279 
Change in valuation   (1,926)
Valuation at June 30, 2024  $1,353 

 

d)Yorkville Equity Facility Financing

 

Concurrent with the closing of the GXII Transaction, the Yorkville Equity Facility Financing became effective. Pursuant to the Yorkville Equity Facility Financing Agreement, Yorkville committed to purchase up to $65,000 of Common Shares (the “Commitment Amount”), at NioCorp’s direction from time to time for a period commencing upon the Closing Date and ending on the earliest of (i) the first day of the month next following the 36-month anniversary of the Closing, (ii) the date on which Yorkville shall have made payment of the full Commitment Amount and (iii) the date that the Yorkville Equity Facility Financing Agreement otherwise terminates in accordance with its terms (the “Commitment Period”), subject to certain limitations and the

 

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NioCorp Developments Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

June 30, 2024

 

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

satisfaction of the conditions in the Yorkville Equity Facility Financing Agreement. The Common Shares that may be sold pursuant to the Yorkville Equity Facility Financing Agreement would be purchased by Yorkville at a purchase price equal to 97% of the daily volume-weighted average price of the Common Shares on Nasdaq or such other principal U.S. market for the Common Shares if the Common Shares are ever listed or traded on the New York Stock Exchange or the NYSE American as reported by Bloomberg Financial Markets (or, if not available, a similar service provider of national recognized standing) during the applicable pricing period, which is a period during a single trading day or a period of three consecutive trading days, at the Company’s option and subject to certain restrictions, in each case, defined based on when an Advance Notice (as defined in the Yorkville Equity Facility Financing Agreement) is submitted, subject to certain limitations.

 

Pursuant to the terms of the Yorkville Equity Facility Financing Agreement, NioCorp issued 81,213 of Common Shares (the “Commitment Shares”) valued at $650 to Yorkville as consideration for its irrevocable commitment to purchase Common Shares under the Yorkville Equity Facility Financing Agreement. On June 9, 2023, NioCorp issued and sold 100,000 Common Shares to Yorkville under the Yorkville Equity Facility Financing Agreement. Additionally, NioCorp is required to pay Yorkville an aggregate fee of $1,500 in cash (the “Cash Fee”), including $500 that NioCorp paid on the Closing Date and an additional $250 NioCorp was paid as of June 30, 2023. NioCorp will pay the remaining $750 balance in installments over a 12-month period following the Closing Date, provided that it will have the right to prepay without penalty all or part of the remaining installments of the Cash Fee at any time. In addition, legal and other costs of $496 were incurred in connection with the Yorkville Equity Facility Financing and were expensed on the effective date. The following amounts related to the Yorkville Equity Facility Financing Agreement were expensed as other operating costs during the year ended June 30, 2023:

 

   Amount 
Yorkville Cash Fee  $1,500 
Fair value of Commitment Shares issued   650 
Legal and other related costs   496 
Costs expensed to other operating expense  $2,646 

 

12.RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS AND BALANCES

 

The Company was party to a non-revolving credit facility agreement (the “Smith Credit Facility”) with Mark Smith, Chief Executive Officer, President, and Executive Chairman of NioCorp, which expired on June 30, 2023. The Smith Credit Facility bore interest at a rate of 10% and drawdowns from the Smith Credit Facility were subject to a 2.5% establishment fee. Amounts outstanding under the Smith Credit Facility were secured by all of the Company’s assets pursuant to a general security agreement.

 

Changes in the Smith Credit Agreement principal balance are as follows:

 

    For the year ending June 30,2023  
Beginning balance   $ 2,000  
   Amounts advanced     1,130  
   Repayments   (3,130 )
Balance, end of period   $ -  

 

On March 22, 2023, the Company repaid Mr. Smith $1,841 of principal borrowed under the Smith Credit Facility. This repayment was made out of funds transferred to the Company from the GXII trust account on the Closing Date. The Company repaid the remaining principal balance of $1,289 on May 31, 2023. Accounts payable and accrued liabilities as of June 30, 2024 includes $28 of origination fees payable under the Smith Credit Agreement. During fiscal year 2023 the Company paid a total of $183, representing accrued interest on the Smith Credit Agreement.

 

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NioCorp Developments Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

June 30, 2024

 

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

13.EXPLORATION EXPENDITURES

 

   For the year ended
June 30,
 
   2024   2023 
 Feasibility study and engineering  $ 353   $410 
 Field management and other    503    738 
 Metallurgical    1,678    4,174 
 Geologists and field staff    18    26 
 Total  $ 2,552   $5,348 

 

 

 

14.LEASES

 

Effective February 2023, the Company entered into a 39-month corporate office lease extension and recognized a corresponding ROU asset and lease liability of $198 associated with this extension, based on a discount rate of 16%.

 

As of June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company had one corporate office lease with a remaining lease term of 2.6 years and 3.6 years, respectively. During the year ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, operating cash flows included cash payments of $71 and $93, respectively related to the measurement of lease liabilities.

 

The Company incurred lease costs as follows:

               
   For the year ended June 30, 
   2024   2023 
  Operating Lease Cost:          
  Fixed rent expense  $90   $83 
  Variable rent expense   14    13 
  Short term lease cost   9    10 
  Sublease income   (32)   (33)
  Net lease cost – other operating expense  $81   $73 

 

The maturity of lease liabilities is as follows at June 30, 2024:

 

   Fiscal Year Lease Maturities 
2025   96 
2026   98 
2027   50 
Total lease payments   244 
Less amount of payments representing interest   (44)
Present value of lease payments   200 
Less current portion of operating lease liability   (95)
Noncurrent operating lease liability  $105 

 

15.INCOME TAXES

 

Domestic and foreign components of loss before income taxes for the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 are as follows: 

 

   For the year ended June 30, 
   2024   2023 
Canada  $8,319   $34,606 
United States   3,679    6,006 
United Kingdom   39    - 
Total  $12,037   $40,612 

 

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NioCorp Developments Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

June 30, 2024

 

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

The following table is a reconciliation of income taxes at statutory rates:

               
   For the year ended June 30, 
   2024   2023 
Loss before income taxes  $12,037   $40,612 
Combined Canadian federal and provincial statutory income tax rate   27%   27%
Income tax benefit at statutory tax rates   3,250    10,965 
Foreign rate differential   (62)   (131)
Earnout shares liability   1,810    (2,841)
Warrant liability   506    (1,518)
GXII transaction costs   -    (925)
Share based compensation   (747)   (412)
Accretion expense   (1,138)   (496)
Convertible note valuation   (607)   - 
Loss on debt extinguishment   -    (54)
Capital loss rate differential   -    (2)
Change in estimates related to prior years   (160)   14 
Other   5    45 
Change in valuation allowance   (2,718)   (4,341)
Income tax benefit  $139   $304 

 

Income tax benefit for the year ends June 30, 2024 and 2023 were derived solely from our U.S. operations.

 

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The significant components of deferred taxes are as follows:

 

               
   As of June 30, 
   2024   2023 
Deferred tax assets          
Net operating losses available for future periods  $14,177   $11,893 
Mineral interests   9,438    9,477 
Startup and organizational costs   1,987    2,132 
Research and development costs   1,419    1,060 
Share issuance/financing costs   635    446 
Capital losses available for future periods   456    419 
Other   69    36 
Total deferred tax assets   28,181    25,463 
 Valuation allowance   (28,181)   (25,463)
Net deferred tax assets  $-   $- 

 

Changes in the valuation allowance are as follows:

 

   For the year ended June 30, 
   2024   2023 
Valuation allowance, beginning of year  $(25,463)  $(18,948)
Current year additions   (2,718)   (4,341)
Startup and organizational costs acquired   -    (2,174)
Valuation allowance, end of year  $(28,181)  $(25,463)

 

The Company acquired a federal income tax payable of $443 in connection with the GXII Transaction. As a result of a post-transaction loss at ECRC, partial releases of the valuation allowance attributed to the reduction of the acquired federal income tax payable of $139 and $304 were recorded as an income tax benefit in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss for the year ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The Company establishes a valuation allowance against future income tax assets if, based on available information, it is more likely than not that all of the assets will not be realized. The valuation allowance of $28,181 at June 30, 2024, relates mainly to net

 

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NioCorp Developments Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

June 30, 2024

 

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

operating loss carryforwards in Canada and mineral interests due to deferred exploration expenditures in the United States, where the utilization of such attributes is not more likely than not.

 

The Company has the following cumulative net operating losses for Canadian and U.S. income tax purposes and these carryforwards will generally expire between 2028 and 2044. As a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, U.S. tax losses incurred for our tax years ending on and after June 30, 2019, totaling $3,924, have no expiration.

 

   As of June 30, 
Jurisdiction  2024   2023 
Canada  $47,623   $40,267 
United States   4,905    3,491 
United Kingdom   39    - 
Total  $52,567   $43,758 

 

In addition, the Company has a Canadian capital loss carryforward of $3,388 as of June 30, 2024, which has no expiration date and can be used to offset future capital gains, and U.S. state net operating loss carryforwards of $7,018 as of June 30, 2024 which generally expire between 2031 and 2044.

 

At June 30, 2024 and 2023, we had no undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries that would be subject to income tax upon distribution to Canada from a foreign subsidiary. As such, as of June 30, 2024 and 2023, we did not provide for deferred taxes on any such earnings of our foreign subsidiaries.

 

The Company had no unrecognized tax benefits as of June 30, 2024 or 2023. The Company recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits and penalties in its income tax provision. The Company has not recognized any interest or penalties in the fiscal years presented in these consolidated financial statements. The Company is subject to income tax in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Certain years remain subject to examination but there are currently no ongoing exams in any taxing jurisdictions.

 

 

16.FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

The Company measures the fair value of financial assets and liabilities based on U.S. GAAP guidance which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.

 

The Company classifies financial assets and liabilities as held-for-trading, available-for-sale, held-to-maturity, loans and receivables, or other financial liabilities depending on their nature. Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognized at fair value on their initial recognition.

 

Financial assets and liabilities classified as held-for-trading are measured at fair value, with gains and losses recognized in net income. Financial assets classified as held-to-maturity, loans and receivables, and financial liabilities other than those classified as held-for-trading are measured at amortized cost, using the effective interest method of amortization. Financial assets classified as available-for-sale, including investments in equity securities, are measured at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses being recognized in income.

 

Financial instruments including receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, and related party loans are carried at amortized cost, which management believes approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.

 

The following tables present information about the assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2024, and 2023, respectively, and indicate the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques the Company utilized to determine such fair value. In general, fair values determined by Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical instruments. Fair values determined by Level 2 inputs utilize data points that are observable, such as quoted prices, interest rates, and yield curves. Fair values determined by Level 3 inputs are unobservable data points for the financial instrument and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the instrument.

 

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NioCorp Developments Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

June 30, 2024

 

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

   As of June 30, 2024 
   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
Assets:                
Cash and cash equivalents  $2,012   $2,012   $-   $- 
Investment in equity securities   4    4    -    - 
Total  $2,016   $2,016   $-   $- 
Liabilities:                    
April 2024 notes  $7,089   $-   $-   $7,089 
Earnout Shares liability   3,817    -    -    3,817 
Warrant liabilities   4,016    -    1,651    2,365 
Total  $14,922   $-   $1,651   $13,271 

 

   As of June 30, 2023 
   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
Assets:                
Cash and cash equivalents  $2,341   $2,341   $-   $- 
Investment in equity securities   9    9    -    - 
Total  $2,350   $2,350   $-   $- 
Liabilities:                    
Earnout Shares liability  $10,521   $-   $-   $10,521 
Warrant liabilities   4,989    -    3,279    1,710 
Total  $15,510   $-   $3,279   $12,231 

 

The Yorkville Convertible Debt Financing discussed in Note 9 was initially recorded at fair value, which represented a nonrecurring fair value measurement using a Level 3 input. At June 30, 2024, the estimated fair value of this instrument approximated carrying value given that the instrument was issued in March 2023 and has a short time period until maturity.

 

 

17.SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

Yorkville Consents

 

On September 4, 2024, NioCorp entered into (i) a consent and waiver (the “Yorkville Consent”) to the April 2024 Note issued and sold to Yorkville pursuant to the April 2024 Purchase Agreement and (ii) a consent and waiver (together with the Yorkville Consent, the “Consents”) to the April 2024 Note issued and sold to Lind Global Fund II LP pursuant to the April 2024 Purchase Agreement. The Consents, among other things, reduced the amounts due to the April 2024 Purchasers on September 1, 2024 by an aggregate of $1,176 to an aggregate of $336, increased the amounts due to the April 2024 Purchasers on December 1, 2024 by an aggregate of $1,176, and prospectively waived any term of the April 2024 Notes that would otherwise be triggered upon a failure of the Company to pay to the April 2024 Purchasers the remainder of the amount due on September 1, 2024. Except as modified by the Consents, the terms of the April 2024 Notes as previously disclosed are unchanged.

 

Smith Loan Agreement

 

On September 11, 2024, the Company and Mark Smith entered into a Loan Agreement (the “Smith Loan Agreement”) pursuant to which Mr. Smith agreed to make available to the Company a non-revolving, multiple draw credit facility of up to $2,000 (the “Loan”). The Loan is non-revolving and amounts paid back under the terms of the Smith Loan Agreement do not again become available for drawdowns at the request of the Company.

 

The Company will pay interest to Mr. Smith on amounts outstanding under the Loan and on any overdue interest at a rate equal to 10% per annum, calculated monthly in arrears, through to the date of repayment of the Loan. Mr. Smith

 

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NioCorp Developments Ltd.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

June 30, 2024

 

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

will also receive an establishment fee equal to 2.5% of the amount of any drawdown payable at the time of the drawdown as consideration of the advancement of such drawdown. Any outstanding balance on the Loan, including accrued interest, shall be immediately due and payable by the Company on the earlier of the date of expiration of the Smith Loan Agreement on June 30, 2025 and the occurrence of an event of default (the “Due Date”). The Company can repay the Loan at any time without notice and without penalty, but any amount of principal or interest repaid by the Company prior to the Due Date will be subject to an early payment fee of 2.5% of the value of any such payment. Amounts outstanding under the Smith Loan Agreement are secured by all of the Company’s assets pursuant to a general security agreement between the Company and Mr. Smith, dated September 11, 2024.

 

Lind Consent Warrant Issuance

 

On September 17, 2024, the Company’s Common Share price was below the threshold price set forth in the Lind Consent, and accordingly, the Company issued 2,816,742 Contingent Consent Warrants to Lind. Each Contingent Consent Warrant is exercisable for one Common Share at an exercise price of $2.308 and may be exercised at any time prior to their expiration on September 17, 2028. The number of Contingent Consent Warrants issued was based on $5,000 divided by the five-day volume weighted average price of the Common Shares on September 16, 2024.

 

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ITEM 9.CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

 

None.

 

ITEM 9A.CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

The management of NioCorp Developments Ltd. has evaluated, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of June 30, 2024. Based on that evaluation, the CEO and the CFO have concluded that, as of June 30, 2024, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective due to the material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting described below.

 

Notwithstanding the material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, our CEO and CFO have concluded that the audited consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K fairly present, in all material respects, our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented in conformity with U.S. GAAP.

 

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

The management of NioCorp Developments Ltd. is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act for the Company. Management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2024. In making this assessment, our management used the criteria set forth in the Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the “COSO Framework”). Based on that evaluation, the CEO and the CFO have concluded that, as of June 30, 2024, our internal control over financial reporting was not effective due to the material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting described below.

 

Material Weaknesses

 

A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim consolidated financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

 

Management concluded that the material weaknesses disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023 continued to exist as of June 30, 2024. Specifically, management identified deficiencies in the principles associated with the control environment, risk assessment, control activities, and monitoring components of internal control, based on the criteria established by the COSO Framework, that constitute material weaknesses, either individually or in the aggregate.

 

Control Environment: The Company does not have sufficient personnel with the appropriate levels of knowledge, experience, and training in accounting and internal control over financial reporting commensurate with the complexity of the Company’s financing transactions and associated reporting requirements. This material weakness contributed to additional material weaknesses further described below.

 

Risk Assessment: The Company does not have a formal process to identify, update, and assess financial reporting risks due to

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changes in the Company’s business practices, including entering into increasingly complex transactions that could significantly impact the design and operation of the Company’s control activities.

 

Control Activities: Management did not maintain effective controls over:

 

monitoring and assessing the work of third-party specialists, including the evaluation of the appropriateness of accounting conclusions, and

 

the evaluation of certain inputs and assumptions used to estimate the fair value of instruments and features associated with complex debt and equity transactions.

  

Monitoring Activities: Management did not appropriately:

 

select, develop, and perform ongoing evaluation to ascertain whether the components of internal controls are present and functioning, and

 

evaluate and communicate internal control deficiencies in a timely manner to those parties responsible for taking corrective action.

 

As previously disclosed, these material weaknesses resulted in errors that required the restatement of Company’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, as well as the restatement of the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements as of and for the interim periods ended September 30, 2021, December 31, 2021, March 31, 2022, September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2022. Additionally, these material weaknesses could result in a misstatement of the account balances or disclosures that would result in a material misstatement to the annual or interim consolidated financial statements that would not be prevented or timely detected.

 

Remediation Plan

 

To address our material weaknesses existing as of June 30, 2024, we have implemented a detailed plan to address each individual material weakness identified, including the following:

 

We have, and will continue to, engage outside accounting and internal control consultants with subject matter expertise to supplement our level of knowledge, experience, and training in accounting and internal control over financial reporting.

 

We plan to develop a formal risk assessment process to ensure that it is robust and frequent enough for the Company’s business, including the identification of risks, the level of detail in our risk assessment, and the clarity of the linkage between risks and internal controls associated with the material weaknesses. The results of this effort are expected to enable us to effectively identify, develop, evolve and implement controls and procedures to address risks.

 

We plan to develop and provide incremental training to the accounting and financial reporting team regarding accounting for and valuation of complex financial instruments.

 

Management will develop a monitoring program to periodically evaluate and assess whether those responsible for controls are conducting their activities in accordance with their design, such that there is contemporaneous evidence that the controls are present and functioning and will communicate internal control deficiencies in a timely manner to those parties responsible for taking corrective action.

 

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The process of designing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting is a continuous effort that requires management to anticipate and react to changes in our business, economic and regulatory environments and to expend significant resources. As we continue to evaluate our internal control over financial reporting, we may take additional actions to remediate the material weaknesses or modify the remediation actions described above.

 

While we continue to devote significant time and attention to these remediation efforts, the material weaknesses will not be considered remediated until management completes the design and implementation of the actions described above and the controls operate for a sufficient period of time, and management has concluded, through testing, that these controls are effective.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

Other than as discussed above, there has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended June 30, 2024, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 9B.OTHER INFORMATION

  

During the quarter ended June 30, 2024, no director or officer (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act) of the Company adopted or terminated a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” or “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” (as each term is defined in Item 408 of Regulation S-K).

 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities

 

Lind Contingent Consent Warrant Issuance

 

On September 17, 2024, the Company's Common Share price was below the threshold price set forth in the Lind Consent, and accordingly, the Company issued 2,816,742 Contingent Consent Warrants to Lind. Each Contingent Consent Warrant is exercisable for one Common Share at an exercise price of $2.308 and may be exercised at any time prior to their expiration on September 17, 2028. The number of Contingent Consent Warrants issued was based on $5.0 million divided by the five-day volume weighted average price of the Common Shares on September 16, 2024.

 

The Contingent Consent Warrants were issued as part of the consideration for entering into the Lind Consent, which included the following principal terms: (i) the consent of Lind to the GXII Transaction and Yorkville Financings disclosed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 hereof, including all actions taken by NioCorp as set out in the Business Combination Agreement to permit the completion of the 2023 Transactions; (ii) the consent of Lind to NioCorp’s expected cross-listing to the Nasdaq and the consolidation of the Common Shares in order to meet the minimum listing requirements thereof; (iii) the waiver of Lind of its participation right for up to 15% of the total offering in the Yorkville Equity Facility Financing; and (iv) the waiver of Lind of certain restrictive covenants in the Lind III Agreement.

 

As consideration for entering into the Lind Consent, Lind received, amongst other things: (i) the right to receive a payment of $500, which would have been reduced to $200 if the 2023 Transactions had not been consummated on or before April 30, 2023 (collectively, the “Consent Payment”); (ii) an extension of its existing participation rights under the Lind III Agreement in future financings of NioCorp for a further two-year period, subject to certain exceptions as well as an extension of such participation rights beyond the additional two-year period if Yorkville or any affiliate is a party to any such applicable transaction; and (iii) the right to receive Contingent Consent Warrants if on the date that is 18 months following the Closing Date, the closing trading price of the Common Shares on the TSX or such other stock exchange on which such shares may then be listed, is less than C$10.00 (on a post-Reverse Stock Split basis), subject to adjustments. The Lind Consent was signed as an amendment to the existing Lind III Agreement.

 

The Contingent Consent Warrants were issued pursuant to the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act provided by Section 4(a)(2) thereof based upon the representations and warranties of Lind in the Lind III Agreement. 

 

ITEM 9C.DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTION 

 

Not applicable.

 

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PART III 

 

ITEM 10.DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

Directors and Executive Officers

 

The following table sets forth as of September 20, 2024, the names and ages of, and position or positions held by, our executive officers and directors, the employment background of these persons, and any directorships held by the current directors during the last five years.

 

Name   Age   Position   Date of Appointment
Mark A. Smith   65   Chief Executive Officer, President, Executive Chairman, and Director  

Chief Executive Officer and Director:

September 23, 2013 

President and Executive Chairman:

May 31, 2015 

Neal Shah   50   Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary  

Chief Financial Officer:

July 1, 2016 

Corporate Secretary:

December 3, 2021 

Scott Honan   53   Chief Operating Officer   May 6, 2014
Jim Sims   63   Chief Communications Officer   November 2, 2015
Michael J. Morris   78   Lead Director   July 27, 2014
David C. Beling   83   Director   June 6, 2011
Nilsa Guerrero-Mahon   63   Director   September 28, 2017
Dean C. Kehler   67   Director   March 17, 2023
Michael G. Maselli    64   Director   March 17, 2023
Peter Oliver   61   Director   May 25, 2022

 

The following sets forth a brief description of the business experience of each executive officer and director of the Company, including current directorships and directorships held in, at least, the past five years for each director:

 

Mark A. Smith – Executive Chairman, Director, President, and Chief Executive Officer

 

Mr. Smith has over 42 years of experience in operating, developing, and financing mining and strategic materials projects in the Americas and abroad. In September 2013, he was appointed CEO and a Director of NioCorp. From April 2015 to September 2019, Mr. Smith served as the President and Director for Largo Resources Ltd. (“Largo”), a mineral company with an operating property in Brazil and projects in Brazil and Canada. In addition, from April 2015 to October 2018, Mr. Smith also served as the CEO of Largo. Mr. Smith has also served on the board of directors of IBC Advanced Alloys Corp., a leading beryllium and copper advanced alloys company (“IBC”), since May 2016 and as CEO of IBC since July 2020. From October 2008 through December 2012, Mr. Smith served as President, CEO and Director of Molycorp, Inc., a rare earths producer (“Molycorp”), where he was instrumentally involved in taking it from a private company to a publicly traded company with a producing mine. From November 2011 through May 2015, he served on the board of directors at Avanti Mining, a mining company (TSX-V: AVT; Avanti Mining changed its name to AlloyCorp in early 2015). From December 2012 through September 2013, he served as the Managing Director of KMSmith LLC, a business strategy and finance advisory firm, where he served as a consultant.

 

Prior to Molycorp, Mr. Smith held numerous engineering, environmental, and legal positions within Unocal Corporation, a former petroleum explorer and marketer (“Unocal”), and later served as the President and CEO of Chevron Mining Inc., a coal and metal mining company and wholly owned subsidiary of Chevron Corporation (“Chevron Mining”). Mr. Smith also served for over seven years as the shareholder representative of Companhia Brasileira Metalúrgica e Mineração (“CBMM”), a private company that currently produces approximately 85% of the world supply of niobium. During his tenure with Chevron Mining, Mr. Smith was responsible for Chevron Mining’s three coal mines, one molybdenum mine, a petroleum coke calcining operation and Molycorp’s Mountain Pass mine. At Unocal, he served as the Vice-President from June 2000 to April 2006, and managed the real estate, remediation, mining and carbon divisions. Mr. Smith is a Registered Professional Engineer and serves as an active member of the State Bars of California and Colorado. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural

 

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Engineering from Colorado State University in 1981 and his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Western State University, College of Law, in 1990.

 

Neal Shah – Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary

 

Mr. Shah joined NioCorp in September 2014 as Vice President of Finance, and now serves as the Company’s CFO and Corporate Secretary. Mr. Shah served as Finance Manager at Covidien Ltd., a medical device company since acquired by Medtronic, from May 2014 through September 2014. From April 2011 until May 2014, he held the positions of Senior Manager of Corporate Development and M&A and more recently the Director of Strategy and Business Planning at Molycorp. Mr. Shah graduated from the University of Colorado with a BSc in Mechanical Engineering in 1996, and from Purdue University with an MBA in 2002. Since the completion of his MBA, Mr. Shah also held key finance roles with Intel Corporation and IBM.

 

Scott Honan – Chief Operating Officer

 

Mr. Honan joined NioCorp in May 2014 as Vice President, Business Development, and since July 2020, has served as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer (“COO”). He also serves as President of Elk Creek Resources Corporation, the NioCorp subsidiary that is developing the Elk Creek Project in Nebraska. Prior to his work at NioCorp, Mr. Honan served in several leadership capacities at Molycorp from February 2001 until May 2014, including as Vice President/Director Health, Environment, Safety and Sustainability and General Manager and Environmental Manager from July 2011 to May 2014. With over 31 years of experience in the gold and rare earth industries, Mr. Honan is a graduate of Queen’s University in Mining Engineering in both Mineral Processing (B.Sc. Honors) and Environmental Management (M.Sc.) disciplines.

 

Jim Sims – Chief Communications Officer

 

Mr. Sims has more than 31 years of experience in devising and executing marketing, media relations, public affairs, and investor relations operations for companies in the mining, chemical, manufacturing, utility, and renewable energy sectors. He joined NioCorp in November 2015 as Vice President, External Affairs, and now serves as its Chief Communications Officer, effective June 7, 2022. Prior to NioCorp, Mr. Sims served for more than five years as Director (and then Vice President) of Corporate Communications for Molycorp from March 2010 through November 2015. Since May 2016, Mr. Sims has also served as Director of Investor and Public Relations for IBC. Mr. Sims was President and CEO of Policy Communications, Inc. from 1998 until 2010, and served as White House Director of Communications for the Energy Policy Development Group. A former U.S. Senate Chief of Staff, he is the co-founder and former Executive Director of the Geothermal Energy Association, and he has served as Board Chairman of the Rare Earth Technology Alliance. He is an honors graduate of Georgetown University.

 

Michael J. Morris – Director

 

Mr. Morris was formerly the Chairman of the board of directors of Heritage Oaks Bankcorp (“Heritage Oaks”), the holding company of Heritage Oaks Bank. When Heritage Oaks Bank merged with Pacific Premier Bancorp on April 1, 2017, Mr. Morris became a member of the Pacific Premier Bancorp’s board of directors, a position he held until May 31, 2020. He joined Heritage Oaks’ board of directors in January 2001 and assumed the board’s chairmanship in 2007. In addition, Mr. Morris has worked since 1972 at Andre, Morris & Buttery, a professional law corporation, where he serves as Senior Principal and has served as Chairman of the board since 2005. From 2000 to late 2006, Mr. Morris served on the board of Molycorp, a rare earths producer, which at the time was a wholly owned subsidiary of Unocal and then Chevron Mining. Mr. Morris was the only independent director of Molycorp at that time. Mr. Morris is a graduate of Georgetown University and received his law degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law. He has practiced business and environmental law for over 41 years. Mr. Morris served as a member of the Board of Governors and Vice President of the State Bar of California. He served as a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army from 1970 to 1972.

 

David C. Beling – Director

 

Mr. Beling is a Registered Professional Mining Engineer with 59 years of project and corporate experience. He has served as a director on the boards of 14 mining companies starting in 1981, including NioCorp since 2011. Mr. Beling is the owner of D.C. Beling & Assoc., LLC, which provides strategic advisory, project, and corporate development services to the mining industry. His previous employment and consulting included 14 years with five

 

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major mining companies and then 44 years with 30+ U.S. and Canadian junior mining companies. He was the President, CEO, and Director of Bullfrog Gold Corp. from 2011 until October 2020; and the Executive Vice President and COO of Geovic Mining Corp. from 2004 through 2010. Mr. Beling has examined, significantly reviewed, or been directly involved with 90 underground mines, 136 open pit mines, and 174 process plants in the global metal, energy, and industrial mineral sectors.

 

Nilsa Guerrero-Mahon – Director

 

A former CFO and Controller for global corporations in the technology, energy, and government sectors, Ms. Guerrero-Mahon provides consulting services to domestic and international corporations as the principal at NG Mahon Business Consulting, LLC. In addition, Ms. Guerrero-Mahon was appointed to the Board of FinGoal Inc. in April 2022, a finance technology company building artificial intelligence tools for the financial services industry and other financial technology developers. She also serves on the Board of the State of Colorado Division of Securities. From 2016 to August 2019, she served on the board of directors of Centura Health Mountains & North Denver Operating Group, the largest division in the Centura Health Care System. From 2014 to 2016, she served as the Vice Chair of the board of directors and Chaired the Strategy Committee at St. Anthony Hospital. From 2009 to 2017, Ms. Guerrero-Mahon served as a gubernatorial appointed Board Member of the State of Colorado Financial Services Commission. Among other prior positions, from 2004 to 2007, she was the Global Services Controller at Microsoft Corporation, overseeing internal controls and corporate finance activities.

 

Ms. Guerrero-Mahon stays current with the latest Corporate Governance practices and the integration of ESG into the strategy. She is an NACD Board Leadership Fellow, a member of the SASB Alliance, holds a CERT Certificate in Cybersecurity Oversight from the Carnegie Mellon University and is currently enrolled in the Climate Leadership Certification program with Diligent Corporation. Ms. Guerrero-Mahon received an Executive MBA from the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver, a BS in Business Administration - Accounting from the Interamerican University in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and an AS in Computer Science from the EDP School of Computer Programming in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She is a Certified Public Accountant registered in the State of Colorado.

 

Peter Oliver – Director

 

With a background in chemistry, Mr. Oliver began working at Greenbushes, Western Australia, for Sons of Gwalia, a mining company, in May 2003. After Sons of Gwalia went into administration in 2004, Mr. Oliver was hired by Talison Lithium Limited (“Talison”), a mining company, where he served as General Manager of Talison’s Greenbushes and Wodgina Mines and as Talison’s COO, until Mr. Oliver was appointed as the CEO/Managing director. As Talison’s CEO/Managing director, Mr. Oliver led the listing of Talison on the Toronto Stock Exchange in September 2010.

 

Mr. Oliver guided Talison through its acquisition in 2013 by Tianqi Lithium Corporation (“Tianqi”). He then served as a corporate adviser to Tianqi, focusing on M&A opportunities and global expansion, including advising on the sale of 49% of Talison to Albermarle Corp. and the acquisition of 24% of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A., as well as significant expansions of Talison’s Greenbushes lithium concentrate production.

 

Mr. Oliver also was a founding member of Tianqi Lithium Energy Australia Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tianqi, which was established to build a major Lithium Hydroxide manufacturing facility in Western Australia. Until June 2021, Mr. Oliver remained as a director of Talison, a joint venture between Tianqi and Albemarle Corp. In September 2022, Mr. Oliver was appointed to the Board of Latin Resources, a lithium exploration company in Australia.

 

Dean C. Kehler – Director

 

Mr. Kehler co-founded Trimaran Fund Management, L.L.C. (“Trimaran Fund”) in 1998, where he is a Managing Partner, and serves as a Manager of Trimaran Fund II. Mr. Kehler was also the Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GX Acquisition Corp. II, a position he held from August 2018 to March 2023. From 1995 to 2000, Mr. Kehler held senior positions at Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (“CIBC”), including Vice Chairman of CIBC World Markets Corp. Mr. Kehler currently serves on the Boards of Directors of Portman Ridge Finance Corporation (formerly KCAP Financial Inc.) and Celularity, Inc. Within the last five years, he has served a director of Inviva Inc.,

 

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Security First Corp. and Graphene Frontiers, LLC. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

 

Michael G. Maselli – Director

 

Mr. Maselli is a managing director of Trimaran Fund, a position he has held since 2006, and was the President of Acquisitions of GX Acquisition Corp. II from August 2018 to March 2023. Before joining Trimaran Fund in February 2006, Mr. Maselli worked in the Corporate and Leverage Finance Groups of CIBC World Markets. Prior to joining CIBC in 1997, Mr. Maselli served as a Managing Director in Bear Stearns’ corporate finance group and, prior to that, as a Vice President at Kidder Peabody & Co. Incorporated. Since 2010, Mr. Maselli served on the board of directors of El Pollo Loco Holdings from 2010 to 2024, and he served as their Chairman of the Board from 2011 to 2023.  He served on the board of ChanceLight, Inc. (f/k/a Educational Services of America, Inc.) until 2018. From 2013 to 2015, he served on the board of directors of Norcraft Companies, Inc., and also served on the board of managers of its predecessor company beginning in 2003. Additionally, Mr. Maselli served on the board of directors of Standard Steel, LLC, and was director as well as Chairman of the Board of CB Holding Corp. Mr. Maselli received an MBA with distinction from The A.B. Freeman School at Tulane University and a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Colorado.

 

Other Directorships

 

The following is a list of directorships held over the past five years by our directors. Except as listed below, no directors of the Company are also directors of reporting issuers.

 

Name of Director   Other Reporting Issuer (or equivalent)   Exchange
David C. Beling   Bullfrog Gold   CSE
Michael J. Morris   Pacific Premier Bancorp   Nasdaq
Mark A. Smith   IBC Advanced Alloys Corp.   TSX-V
Peter Oliver   Latin Resources   ASX
Dean C. Kehler  

El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc.

 

Nasdaq

    Portman Ridge Finance Corporation    Nasdaq
    Celularity, Inc.   Nasdaq
    GX Acquisition Corp. II    Nasdaq
Michael G. Maselli   El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc.   Nasdaq

 

Legal Proceedings

 

No director or executive officer of the Company is a party adverse to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or has a material interest adverse to the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

 

During the past ten years, none of the persons serving as executive officers and/or directors of the Company and, with respect to promoters or control persons, for the past five years, none have been the subject matter of any of the legal proceedings that are required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 401(f) of Regulation S-K. Further, no such legal proceedings are believed to be contemplated by governmental authorities against any director or executive officer.

 

Ethical Business Conduct

 

The Board expects management to operate the business of the Company in a manner that enhances shareholder value and is consistent with the highest level of integrity. Management is expected to execute the Company’s business plan and to meet performance goals and objectives according to the highest ethical standards.

 

In addition, directors and senior officers are bound by the provisions of the Company’s Articles and the British Columbia Business Corporations Act (“BCBCA”), which set forth how any conflicts of interest are to be dealt with. In particular, any director who has a material interest in a particular transaction is required to disclose such interest and to refrain from voting with respect to the approval of any such transaction.

 

Insider Trading Policy

 

The Board has also adopted an insider trading policy (the “Insider Trading Policy”) to help ensure, among other things: (i) that persons to whom the policy applies understand their obligations to preserve the confidentiality of

 

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“Material Nonpublic Information” (as defined in the Insider Trading Policy); (ii) strict compliance by all insiders with all requirements relating to the reporting of insider trading and with respect to trading when in possession of “Material Nonpublic Information”; and (iii) that individuals subject to scheduled and unscheduled blackout periods adhere to the restrictions on trading as set out in the Insider Trading Policy.

 

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

 

Our Board has adopted a written Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable to our employees, officers, and directors, including those officers responsible for financial reporting. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available on our website at www.niocorp.com. If the Board amends the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics or grants a waiver, including an implicit waiver, from the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, the Company will disclose the information on its internet website. The waiver information will remain on the website for at least 12 months after the initial disclosure of such waiver. Given the current size of the Company workforce, and the lack of significant operations, the Board monitors compliance through periodic discussions with executive management.

 

Audit Committee and Audit Committee Financial Experts

 

Our Audit Committee is currently comprised of Nilsa Guerrero-Mahon, Michael J. Morris, and Michael Maselli, all of whom are independent directors. Our Board has determined that each of the three members are audit committee financial experts, as defined by the rules of the SEC. Further, all Audit Committee members are financially literate as defined in NI 52-110. The Audit Committee was established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act.

 

ITEM 11.EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

The following table sets out the compensation for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 for the individual who served as the Company’s CEO during fiscal year 2024, as well as the Company’s two other most highly compensated executive officers other than the CEO who were serving at the end of the last fiscal year (collectively, the “named executive officers”): 

 

Fiscal 2024 Summary Compensation Table

 

Name and Principal

Position

 

Fiscal

Year 

 

Salary 

($)

 

Bonus

($) 

 

Option

Awards (1) 

($)

 

Total

($) 

Mark A. Smith, Chief Executive Officer, President (2)   2024   $325,000   $ —   $641,250   $966,250
    2023   304,000   100,000   216,300   620,300
Scott Honan, Chief Operating Officer   2024   280,000     427,500   707,500
    2023   265,000   50,000   123,600   438,600
Neal Shah, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary   2024   250,000     427,500   677,500
    2023   227,500   50,000   123,600   401,100

 

(1) Reflects the grant date fair value of the stock options (“Options”) granted during the reported fiscal years. Fiscal year 2024 grants consisted of 375,000 Options for Mr. Smith and 250,000 Options for each of Messrs. Honan and Shah, in each case at an exercise price of $2.99 per share. Fiscal year 2023 grants consisted of 70,000 Options for Mr. Smith and 40,000 Options for each of Messrs. Honan and Shah, in each case at an exercise price of $6.95 per share. Grant date fair values were computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are described in Note 11 in the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. These Options were fully vested on the grant date and generally remain exercisable until a period of three or five years after the grant date.

 

(2) Disclosed amounts were paid to 76 Resources, LLC, an entity controlled by Mr. Smith, as further described below under “Employment Agreements and Severance Arrangements.”

 

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Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table

 

Compensation Governance

 

The Company’s Compensation Committee determines the amount of compensation for the Company’s executives, which is designed to reflect the need to provide incentives and compensation for the time and effort expended by the executives while taking into account the financial and other resources of the Company. The Compensation Committee has the authority to engage and compensate, at the expense of the Company, any outside advisor that it determines to be necessary to permit it to carry out its duties (including compensation consultants and advisers), and generally utilized information provided by Insperity PEO Services LP (“Insperity”), the Company’s Professional Employer Organization, in February 2023, to assess employee salaries relative to industry and market peers and engaged Bedford Resources Inc. (“Bedford”) in November 2023 to provide competitive data in executive compensation. The Company has assessed the independence of both Insperity and Bedford, and has found no conflicts of interest raised by their work.

 

Compensation Program Design

 

The Board, in conjunction with the Compensation Committee, determines compensation and rewards to senior management on the basis of individual and corporate performance, both in the short term and the long term, while at the same time being mindful of the responsibility that the Company has to its shareholders. In general, the Compensation Committee considers that its compensation program should be relatively simple in concept, given the current stage of the Company’s development, and that its focus should be balanced between reasonable current compensation and longer-term compensation tied to performance of the Company as a whole.

 

The Compensation Committee has not established a formal set of benchmarks or performance criteria to be met by the Company’s named executive officers; rather, the members of the Compensation Committee use the information provided by Insperity and Bedford, and their own subjective assessments of the level of success of the Company to determine, collectively, whether or not the named executive officers are successfully achieving the Company’s business plan and strategy and the degree to which they have performed in that regard. The Compensation Committee has not established any set or formal formula for determining named executive officer compensation, either as to the amount thereof or the specific mix of compensation elements, and compensation (and adjustments from time to time) is set through informal discussions at the Compensation Committee level.

 

Key Elements of Named Executive Officer Compensation

 

Base Salaries

 

The members of the Compensation Committee use their own experience and familiarity with the industry, and consider the factors described above, to determine what they believe to be reasonable base salaries for our named executive officers. The base salaries of the named executive officers are set at levels which are considered by the members of the Compensation Committee to be competitive, thereby enabling the Company to compete for and retain executives critical to the long-term success of the Company. Initially, base salaries (or, for Mr. Smith, base consulting fees) are set through negotiation when executive officers join the Company (with direct input from the Compensation Committee) and are subsequently reviewed each fiscal year to determine if adjustments are required.

 

Bonus Compensation

 

The Board has discretion, where deemed appropriate and financially affordable for the Company, to grant a cash bonus to a named executive officer based on the performance of both the individual named executive officer and the Company. No cash bonuses were approved or paid for the named executive officers for fiscal year 2024.

 

Option-Based Awards

 

The incentive portion of each named executive officer’s compensation package consists primarily of Options awarded under the 2017 Amended Long-Term Incentive Plan. Share ownership opportunities through the grant of Options are provided to align the interests of senior management of the Company with the longer-term interests of the shareholders of the Company.

 

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The 2017 Amended Long-Term Incentive Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee, and is intended to advance the interests of the Company through the motivation, attraction and retention of officers and other key employees, directors and consultants of the Company and affiliates of the Company and to secure for the Company and its shareholders the benefits inherent in the ownership of Common Shares of the Company by officers and other key employees, directors and consultants of the Company and affiliates of the Company. Grants of Options under the 2017 Amended Long-Term Incentive Plan are proposed and recommended by the CEO and reviewed by the Compensation Committee, or are proposed by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee can approve, modify, or reject any proposed grants, in whole or in part. In general, the allocation of available Options among the eligible participants in the 2017 Amended Long-Term Incentive Plan is on an ad hoc basis, and there is no set formula for allocating available Options, nor is there any fixed benchmark or performance criteria to be achieved in order to receive an award of or vest in Options.

 

The Compensation Committee does not consider the accounting value of any such Option grants in determining the number of Options to award to any individual, as any such “value” is an accounting measure that is not relevant to incentivizing the individual. The timing of the grants of Options is determined by the Compensation Committee, and there is no regular interval for the awarding of Option grants. In general, a higher level of responsibility will result in a larger grant of Options. Because the number of Options available is limited, in general, the Compensation Committee aims to have individuals at what it subjectively considers to be the same levels of responsibility holding equivalent numbers of Options, with additional grants being allocated for individuals who the Compensation Committee believes are in a position to more directly affect the success of the Company through their efforts.

 

The Compensation Committee looks at the overall number of Options held by an individual (plus the exercise prices and remaining terms of existing Options and whether any previously granted Options have expired out of the money or were exercised) and takes such information into consideration when reviewing proposed new grants. After considering the CEO’s recommendations, if any, and the foregoing factors, the resulting proposed Option grant is then submitted to the Board for final approval.

 

During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, the Compensation Committee approved all recommendations for the grant of Options proposed by management, and the named executive officers were granted the following number of Options effective February 15, 2024, each with an exercise price per share of $2.99 per share: Mr. Smith, 375,000 Options; Mr. Honan, 250,000 Options; and Mr. Shah, 250,000 Options. These Options were fully vested and exercisable on the grant date and generally remain exercisable until five years after the grant date.

 

On March 28, 2024, the Board approved a modification to Options previously issued on March 27, 2023, with dual strike prices of $6.95 and C$9.52, under which the option to exercise in C$ was removed. No other terms or conditions were amended by the Board.

 

Employment Agreements and Severance Arrangements

 

The Company and KMSmith, LLC (“KMSmith”), an entity controlled by Mark A. Smith, entered into a Consulting Agreement effective September 23, 2013 (as amended, the “Smith Agreement”). On August 31, 2020, the Company, KMSmith and 76 Resources, Inc., an entity controlled by Mr. Smith, entered into a Contract Assignment and Novation Agreement, pursuant to which KMSmith assigned all of its rights under the Smith Agreement to 76 Resources, Inc. and 76 Resources, Inc. assumed all of KMSmith’s obligations under the Smith Agreement by novation. On August 1, 2021, the Company, 76 Resources, Inc. and 76 Resources, LLC, an entity controlled by Mr. Smith, entered into a Contract Assignment and Novation Agreement, pursuant to which 76 Resources, Inc. assigned all of its rights under the Smith Agreement to 76 Resources, LLC and 76 Resources, LLC assumed all of 76 Resources, Inc.’s obligations under the Smith Agreement by novation. Under the terms of the Smith Agreement, 76 Resources, LLC (as ultimate successor in interest to KMSmith), through Mr. Smith, performs the duties and responsibilities of the CEO of the Company and related services, for an indefinite term at a base rate of $325,000 per year, generally payable in equal monthly installments of $27,083. Any bonuses and incentive payments are payable at the discretion of the Board. Mr. Smith is eligible to receive Options under the 2017 Amended Long-Term Incentive Plan, as determined by the Board.

 

The Company may terminate the Smith Agreement at any time without notice or payment if (1) 76 Resources, LLC commits a material breach of the Smith Agreement (subject to a cure period in certain circumstances), (2) Mr. Smith dies or becomes permanently disabled, or (3) certain other “for cause” scenarios occur (as further described in the Smith Agreement). In the event the Smith Agreement is terminated by the Company for any other reason or if 76

 

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Resources, LLC terminates the Smith Agreement on the occurrence of a Triggering Event, the Company shall pay 76 Resources, LLC a lump sum termination fee equal to the base fee in effect at the termination date as well as the average of any annual bonuses or other cash incentive payments for two calendar years immediately preceding the year the termination occurs. A Triggering Event is defined as: a substantial change in the nature of services to be performed by 76 Resources, LLC; a material breach by the Company of the Smith Agreement that is not remedied within 30 days of notice; the cessation of the Company as a going concern; the failure of the Company to pay a material amount due pursuant to the Smith Agreement within 30 days of the due date; or a material reduction in base fee or any other form of compensation payable by the Company to 76 Resources, LLC, except where all senior executives or consultants of the Company are subject to relatively similar reductions in such values. 76 Resources, LLC may terminate the Smith Agreement for a reason other than a Triggering Event on 90 days’ written notice and, should the Company immediately accept such termination notice, it shall pay 76 Resources, LLC the sum of $69,904. Should a change of control of the Company occur (as that term is defined in the Smith Agreement) and, within one year, either a Triggering Event occurs and 76 Resources, LLC terminates the Smith Agreement or 76 Resources, LLC’s engagement is terminated by the Company under circumstances that would give rise to a termination payment in the absence of a change of control, then 76 Resources, LLC shall be entitled to receive an amount equal to the base fee in effect at the termination date as well as the average of any annual bonuses or other cash payments for two calendar years immediately preceding the year the termination occurs. In the event 76 Resources, LLC is entitled to a termination payment with respect to a change of control, any Options previously granted to Mr. Smith shall become fully vested and shall remain exercisable for the original term of grant despite a termination of the services of 76 Resources, LLC. Termination payments under the Smith Agreement are generally contingent on a release of claims by 76 Resources, LLC. The Smith Agreement also includes customary confidentiality and six-month employee non-solicitation provisions.

 

If the Smith Agreement had been terminated by the Company for any reason other than as set out in the Smith Agreement, if 76 Resources, LLC terminated the Smith Agreement on the occurrence of a Triggering Event, or had a change of control of the Company occurred and within one year, either a Triggering Event occurred and 76 Resources, LLC terminated the Smith Agreement or 76 Resources, LLC’s engagement was terminated by the Company without the occurrence of a Triggering Event for any reason other than as set out in the Smith Agreement, effective as of June 30, 2024, 76 Resources, LLC (as ultimate successor in interest to KMSmith) would have been entitled to a payment of $375,000.

 

As previously disclosed, on September 25, 2022, in connection with our entry into the Business Combination Agreement, Messrs. Shah and Honan (the “Covered Officers”) entered into employment agreements with a United States affiliate (the “U.S. Affiliate”) of the Company (the “Employment Agreements”). The Employment Agreements became effective upon the closing of the GXII Transaction, and will continue until either the Covered Officer or the U.S. Affiliate terminates the Covered Officer’s employment for any reason. Pursuant to the Employment Agreements, Mr. Shah continues to serve as Chief Financial Officer of the Company, and Mr. Honan continues to serve as the COO of the Company and serves as President of the U.S. Affiliate.

 

The Employment Agreement for Mr. Shah provides for an initial annual base salary of $220,000 per year, and Mr. Honan’s Employment Agreement provides for an initial annual base salary of $260,000 per year. The annual base salary rates for the Covered Officers will be reviewed at least annually for potential increases. As described above, the base salary rates of Messrs. Shah and Honan were increased in fiscal 2023 to $250,000 for Mr. Shah and $280,000 for Mr. Honan. The Employment Agreements also provide each of the Covered Officers with eligibility to participate in (1) any annual cash bonus plan and/or any long-term incentive compensation plan as may be established by the U.S. Affiliate or its affiliates, and (2) any employee benefit plan, program, or policy of the U.S. Affiliate or its affiliates as may be in effect for senior executives of the U.S. Affiliate or its affiliates generally. The Employment Agreements also include the following additional features: (1) severance benefits upon certain qualifying terminations of employment, consisting of: (a) for a qualifying termination of the Covered Officer’s employment by the U.S. Affiliate without Cause (as such term is defined in the Employment Agreements) that does not occur within two years after a Change in Control of the U.S. Affiliate (as defined in the Employment Agreements), certain accrued obligations, plus 12 months of salary continuation, and (b) for a qualifying termination of the Covered Officer’s employment by the U.S. Affiliate without Cause or by the Covered Officer for Good Reason (as such term is defined in the Employment Agreements) that occurs within two years after a Change in Control (a “Change in Control Termination”), certain accrued obligations, and a lump sum cash amount equal to two times the Covered Officer’s annual base salary as in effect at the time of such termination; and (2) a requirement that each Covered Executive execute a customary release of claims in favor of the U.S. Affiliate to receive severance compensation. In connection

 

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with the Covered Officers entering into the Employment Agreements each Covered Officer also entered into a restrictive covenant agreement (a “Restrictive Covenant Agreement”). The Restrictive Covenant Agreements include customary restrictive covenants, including non-competition and non-solicitation obligations that remain in effect both during the employment term and for one year following termination of the Covered Officer’s employment other than a Change in Control Termination (in which case the period will be two years following such Change in Control Termination), as well as other customary restrictive covenants, such as confidentiality provisions.

 

Stock Options Under the 2017 Amended Long-Term Incentive Plan

 

In accordance with the 2017 Amended Long-Term Incentive Plan, the Company granted Options to its named executive officers during the Company’s 2024 fiscal year; no other equity-based awards were granted to the named executive officers during the 2024 fiscal year.

 

The following table sets forth the outstanding equity awards for each named executive officer at June 30, 2024. The Company has not granted full value stock-based awards to any of its named executive officers.

 

Outstanding Equity Awards at 2024 Fiscal Year-End

 

    Option Awards
Name   Grant Date  

Number of

Securities

Underlying

Unexercised

Options

(#)

Exercisable

 

Number of

Securities

Underlying

Unexercised

Options

(#)

Unexercisable

 

Option

Exercise 

Price ($)

 

Option

Expiration 

Date

Mark A. Smith   12/17/2021   65,000     $9.94 (1) 12/17/2024
    03/27/2023   70,000     6.95   03/27/2026
    02/15/2024   375,000     2.99   02/15/2029
                     
Scott Honan    12/17/2021   30,000     9.94 (1) 12/17/2024
    03/27/2023   40,000     6.95   03/27/2026
    02/15/2024   250,000     2.99   02/15/2029
                     
Neal Shah    12/17/2021   30,000     9.94 (1) 12/17/2024
    03/27/2023   40,000     6.95   03/27/2026
    02/15/2024   250,000     2.99   02/15/2029

 

  (1) Option exercise price based on a spot exchange rate of C$1.3687 to US$1.00 on June 30, 2024.

 

Retirement Plan Benefits

 

Messrs. Honan and Shah are each eligible to participate in the Company’s 401(k) savings plan, which is designed to reward continued employment with the Company and assist participants with financial preparation for retirement. All amounts credited under the 401(k) savings plan relate to participant contributions. The Company does not currently make matching or other contributions to the 401(k) savings plan.

 

Termination and Change of Control Benefits

 

Except as described above, the Company has not entered into any plans or arrangements in respect of remuneration received or that may be received by the named executive officers in respect of compensating such officers or directors in the event of a change of control, termination of employment (as a result of resignation, retirement, change of control, etc.) or a change in responsibilities following a change of control. Options are generally subject to clawback provisions, and provide for post-employment exercise periods, pursuant to the terms of such awards and the 2017 Amended Long-Term Incentive Plan.

 

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Fiscal 2024 Director Compensation

 

One of the directors serving on the Board (Mark A. Smith) is also a named executive officer. For a description of the compensation paid to Mr. Smith, see “Fiscal 2024 Summary Compensation Table” above.

 

The following table sets forth all compensation the Company granted to our directors, other than Mr. Smith, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024:

 

Name  

Fees Earned or Paid in Cash

($) 

  Option Awards
($)(1)
 

All Other Compensation

($) 

  Total
($)
David C. Beling   $–   $85,500   $–   $85,500
Michael J. Morris     128,250     128,250
Nilsa Guerrero-Mahon     128,250     128,250
Peter Oliver     85,500     85,500
Dean C. Kehler     85,500     85,500
Michael G. Maselli     85,500     85,500
Anna Castner Wightman (2)        

 

(1) Reflects the grant date fair value of Options granted during the 2024 fiscal year, consisting of 75,000 Options each for Mr. Morris, and Ms. Guerrero-Mahon, and 50,000 Options each for Messrs. Beling, Oliver, Kehler, and Maselli, in each case at an exercise price of $2.99 per share, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are described in Note 11 in the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. These Options were fully vested on the grant date and generally remain exercisable until three years after the grant date.

 

(2)Ms. Wightman served as a member of the Board until January 19, 2024, and did not receive a grant of Options during the 2024 fiscal year.

 

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, the directors of the Company did not receive any cash fees for serving on the Board. The directors of the Company have no standard compensation arrangements, or any other arrangements, with the Company, except as herein disclosed. Option grants are determined by the Compensation and Organization Committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”) on a discretionary basis each year. Executive officers of the Company who also act as directors of the Company do not receive any additional compensation for services rendered in such capacity. See “Fiscal 2024 Summary Compensation Table” above.

 

The aggregate number of Option awards outstanding at the end of fiscal year 2024 for each non-employee director who served during fiscal 2024 was as follows: Mr. Beling, 117,500 Options; Mr. Morris, 157,500 Options; Ms. Guerrero-Mahon, 150,000 Options; Mr. Oliver, 140,000 Options; Mr. Kehler, 50,000 Options; and Mr. Maselli, 50,000 Options. As of June 30, 2024, all the above Options were 100% vested.

 

Description of the 2017 Amended Long-Term Incentive Plan

 

On January 19, 2024, NioCorp’s shareholders approved the adoption of the 2017 Amended Long-Term Incentive Plan. Under the 2017 Amended Long-Term Incentive Plan, the Board may in its discretion from time-to-time grant stock options, share units (in the form of restricted share units (“RSUs”) and performance share units (“PSUs”)) and dividend equivalents to non-employee directors, employees and certain other service providers (as further described in the 2017 Amended Long-Term Incentive Plan) of the Company and affiliated entities selected by the Board. Subject to adjustment as provided in the 2017 Amended Long-Term Incentive Plan, the aggregate number of Common Shares that may be reserved for issuance to participants under the 2017 Amended Long-Term Incentive Plan, together with all other security-based compensation arrangements of the Company, may not exceed 10% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares from time to time, and the Common Shares reserved for issuance upon settlement of share units shall not exceed 5% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares from time to time. Further, the aggregate number of Common Shares reserved for issuance to any one participant under the 2017 Amended Long-Term Incentive Plan, together with all other security-based compensation arrangements of the Company, must not exceed 5% of the then issued and outstanding Common Shares (on a non-diluted basis). The maximum number of Common Shares (1) issued to insiders (for purposes of the Toronto Stock Exchange Company Manual) within any one-year period and (2) issuable to insiders at any time, under the 2017 Amended Long-Term

 

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Incentive Plan, or when combined with the Company’s other security-based compensation arrangements, will not exceed 10% of the number of the then issued and outstanding Common Shares.

 

The following table presents the burn rates for the 2017 Amended Long-Term Incentive Plan since inception:

 

Fiscal Year
Ending June 30
 

Number of awards

granted (1)

 

Weighted average number of Common

Shares outstanding

  Burn rate
2024   1,625,000   34,320,024   4.7%
2023   578,000   28,705,840   2.0%
2022   447,500   26,373,722   1.7%
2021   370,000   24,196,711   1.5%
2020     23,461,012   0.0%

 

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ITEM 12.SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

 

The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of Common Shares of NioCorp for the following: (1) each person who is known by NioCorp to beneficially own more than 5% of the outstanding shares of NioCorp’s Common Shares; (2) each of the named executive officers (as defined in the “Fiscal 2024 Summary Compensation Table,” above); (3) each of NioCorp’s directors; and (4) all directors and executive officers of NioCorp as a group.

 

Beneficial ownership of Common Shares in the table below is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and includes voting or investment power with respect to the Common Shares. Common Shares that may be acquired by an individual or group within 60 days of September 20, 2024, pursuant to the exercise of options to purchase Common Shares (“Options”), the exercise of Common Share purchase warrants (“Warrants”) or the exchange of shares of Class B common stock of ECRC (formerly known as GXII), are deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of such individual or group but are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person shown in the table. Percentage of ownership is based on 38,660,244 Common Shares outstanding as of September 20, 2024. Unless otherwise noted in the table below, Options vested at the grant date.

 

Except as indicated in footnotes to this table, we believe that the shareholders named in this table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all Common Shares shown to be beneficially owned by them, based on information provided to us by such shareholders. Unless otherwise indicated, the address for each director and executive officer listed is: c/o NioCorp Developments Ltd., 7000 South Yosemite Street, Suite 115, Centennial, CO 80112.

 

111

 

 

Name and Address of
Beneficial Owner
  Position  

Amount and

Nature of

Beneficial

Ownership
(1)

 

Percent of

Common Shares

Mark A. Smith, PE, Esq.

Highlands Ranch, Colorado, USA 

  Chief Executive Officer, President, Executive Chairman and Director   2,645,397 (2) 6.75%

Neal Shah

Superior, Colorado, USA 

  Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary   395,032 (3) 1.01%

Scott Honan

Centennial, Colorado, USA 

  Chief Operating Officer   375,762 (4) *

Jim Sims

Golden Colorado, USA 

  VP – External Affairs   377,928 (5) *

Michael J. Morris

San Luis Obispo, California, USA 

  Lead Director   219,698 (6) *

David C. Beling

Grand Junction, Colorado, USA 

  Director   189,513 (7) *

Nilsa Guerrero-Mahon

Brighton, Colorado, USA 

  Director   196,068 (8) *
Dean Kehler
New York, New York, USA
 

Director

 

  3,500,369 (9) 8.32%

Michael Maselli

Pelham, New York, USA 

  Director   588,235 (10) 1.50%

Peter Oliver

Bunbury, Western Australia, Australia 

  Director   140,000 (11) *
All current directors, executive officers and named executive officers as a group (11 persons)   8,628,002   19.28%

Cooper Road, LLC

Miami Beach, Florida, USA 

  3,126,231 (12) 7.48%

* Represents ownership of less than 1%.

 

(1)Calculated in accordance with Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act.

 

(2)As of September 20, 2024, Mr. Smith beneficially owns 2,088,596 outstanding Common Shares. In addition, Mr. Smith beneficially owns 46,801 Common Shares issuable upon exercise of 46,801 Warrants issued in connection with the December 2023 Private Placement. In addition, he beneficially owns 510,000 vested Options comprised of the following: (i) on December 17, 2021, Mr. Smith was granted 65,000 Options for a period of three years at a price of C$13.60 per Common Share; (ii) on March 27, 2023, Mr. Smith was granted 70,000 Options for a period of three years at a price of $6.95 per Common Share, and (iii) on February 15, 2024, Mr. Smith was granted 375,000 Options for a period of five years at a price of $2.99 per Common Share.

 

(3)As of September 20, 2024, Mr. Shah beneficially owns 65,671 outstanding Common Shares. In addition, Mr. Shah beneficially owns 9,361 Common Shares issuable upon exercise of 9,361 Warrants issued in connection with the December 2023 Private Placement. In addition, he beneficially owns 320,000 vested Options comprised of the following: (i) on December 17, 2021, Mr. Shah was granted 30,000 Options for a period of three years at a price of C$13.60 per Common Share; (ii) on March 27, 2023, Mr. Shah was granted 40,000 Options for a period of three years at a price of $6.95 per Common Share; and (iii) on February 15, 2024, Mr. Shah was granted 250,000 Options for a period of five years at a price of $2.99 per Common Share.

 

(4)As of September 20, 2024, Mr. Honan beneficially owns 55,762 outstanding Common Shares. In addition, he beneficially owns 320,000 vested Options comprised of the following: (i) on December 17, 2021, Mr. Honan was granted 30,000 Options for a period of three years at a price of C$13.60 per Common Share; (ii) on March 27, 2023, Mr. Honan was granted 40,000 Options for a period of three years at a price of $6.95 per Common Share; and (iii) on February 15, 2024, Mr. Honan was granted 250,000 Options for a period of five years at a price of $2.99 per Common Share.

 

(5)As of September 20, 2024, Mr. Sims beneficially owns 57,928 outstanding Common Shares In addition, he beneficially owns 320,000 vested Options comprised of the following: (i) on December 17, 2021, Mr. Sims was granted 30,000 Options for a period of three years at a price of C$13.60 per Common Share; (ii) on March 27, 2023, Mr. Sims was granted 40,000 Options for a period of three years at a price of $6.95 per Common Share; and (iii) on February 15, 2024, Mr. Sims was granted 250,000 Options for a period of five years at a price of $2.99 per Common Share.

 

(6)As of September 20, 2024, Mr. Morris beneficially owns 62,198 outstanding Common Shares. He shares both voting and investment power with respect to 5,525 of such Common Shares with his wife as the only trustees of the Michael

 

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and Sandra Morris Trust. In addition, he beneficially owns 157,500 vested Options comprised of the following: (i) on December 17, 2021, Mr. Morris was granted 32,500 Options for a period of three years at a price of C$13.60 per Common Share; (ii) on March 27, 2023, Mr. Morris was granted 50,000 Options for a period of three years at a price of $6.95 per Common Share; and (iii) on February 15, 2024, Mr. Morris was granted 75,000 Options for a period of five years at a price of $2.99 per Common Share.

 

(7)As of September 20, 2024, Mr. Beling beneficially owns 72,013 outstanding Common Shares. In addition, he beneficially owns 117,500 vested Options comprised of the following: (i) on December 17, 2021, Mr. Beling was granted 27,500 Options for a period of three years at a price of C$13.60 per Common Share; (ii) on March 27, 2023, Mr. Beling was granted 40,000 Options for a period of three years at a price of $6.95 per Common Share; and (iii) on February 15, 2024, Mr. Behling was granted 50,000 Options for a period of five years at a price of $2.99 per Common Share.

 

(8)As of September 20, 2024, Ms. Guerrero-Mahon beneficially owns 46,068 Common Shares. In addition, she beneficially owns 150,000 vested Options comprised of the following: (i) on December 17, 2021, Ms. Guerrero-Mahon was granted 30,000 Options for a period of three years at a price of C$13.60 per Common Share; (ii) on March 27, 2023, Ms. Guerrero-Mahon was granted 45,000 Options for a period of three years at a price of $6.95 per Common Share; and (iii) on February 15, 2024, Ms. Guerrero-Mahon was granted 75,000 Options for a period of five years at a price of $2.99 per Common Share.

 

(9) As of September 20, 2024, Mr. Kehler beneficially owns 78,003 Common Shares. In addition, Mr. Kehler beneficially owns 78,003 Common Shares issuable upon exercise of 78,003 Warrants issued in connection with the December 2023 Private Placement, and he beneficially owns 50,000 vested Options comprised of the following: on February 15, 2024, Mr. Kehler was granted 50,000 Options for a period of five years at a price of $2.99 per Common Share. In addition, Mr. Kehler beneficially owns 1,441,290 Common Shares issuable upon the exchange of shares of Vested Shares. He shares both voting and investment power with respect to 318,480 such Vested Shares with U.S. Trust Company of Delaware, as co-trustee of the Elizabeth Kehler 2012 Family Trust under Declaration of Trust dated December 12, 2012 (the “Elizabeth Kehler Trust”). In addition, Mr. Kehler beneficially owns 1,853,073 Common Shares issuable upon exercise of 1,657,057 Private Warrants held by Mr. Kehler. Does not include Common Shares that may be issuable upon exchange of (i) 417,030 Common Shares issuable upon the exchange of Earnout Shares held by Mr. Kehler that will vest when the volume-weighted average price of the Common Shares on the principal exchange of the Common Shares as reported by Bloomberg (“VWAP”) equals or exceeds approximately $12.00 per share for 20 of any 30 consecutive trading days during the period from March 17, 2023 to March 17, 2033 (such period, the “Earnout Share Period”) on any stock exchange on which the Common Shares are then trading (such Common Shares, the “Tranche I Earnout Shares”), (ii) 417,030 Common Shares issuable upon the exchange of Earnout Shares held by Mr. Kehler that will vest when the VWAP of the Common Shares equals or exceeds approximately $15.00 per share for 20 of any 30 consecutive trading days during the Earnout Share Period on any stock exchange on which the Common Shares are then trading (such Common Shares, the “Tranche II Earnout Shares”), (iii) 118,284 Tranche I Earnout Shares held by the Elizabeth Kehler Trust and (iv) 118,284 Tranche II Earnout Shares held by the Elizabeth Kehler Trust.

  

(10) As of September 20, 2024, Mr. Maselli beneficially owns 323, 085 Common Shares issuable upon the exchange of Vested Shares. In addition, he beneficially owns 50,000 vested Options comprised of the following: on February 15, 2024, Mr. Maselli was granted 50,000 Options for a period of five years at a price of $2.99 per Common Share. In addition, Mr. Maselli beneficially owns 215,150 Common Shares issuable upon exercise of 192,392 Private Warrants held by Mr. Maselli. Does not include Common Shares that may be issuable upon exchange of (i) 119,998 Tranche I Earnout Shares held by Mr. Maselli and (ii) 119,998 Tranche II Earnout Shares held by Mr. Maselli.

   

(11)As of September 20, 2024, Mr. Oliver beneficially owns 140,000 vested Options comprised of the following: (i) on May 30, 2022, Mr. Oliver was granted 50,000 Options for a period of three years at a price of C$11.00; and (ii) on March 27, 2023, Mr. Oliver was granted 40,000 Options for a period of three years at a price of $6.95 per Common Share; and (iii) on February 15, 2024, Mr. Oliver was granted 50,000 Options for a period of five years at a price of $2.99 per Common Share.

 

(12)As reported by Cooper Road, LLC on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on December 18, 2023. Cooper Road, LLC is controlled by Jay Bloom.

 

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS

 

The Company has maintained equity compensation plans under which Options have been granted. Option grants have been determined by the Company’s directors and are only provided in compliance with applicable laws and regulatory policy. The following information is provided with respect to compensation plans (including individual compensation arrangements) under which equity securities were authorized for issuance as of June 30, 2024.

 

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Equity Compensation Plan Information
 
Plan Category   

Number of Securities

to be Issued Upon

Exercise of

Outstanding Options,

Warrants, and Rights

 

Weighted-Average

Exercise Price of

Outstanding

Options, Warrants,

and Rights

 

Number of Securities Remaining

Available for Future Issuance Under

Equity Compensation Plans

(Excluding Securities Reflected in

Second Column)

Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Security Holders (1)   2,495,500   $4.78   1,310,764(2)
Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Security Holders   -   -   -
Total(3)   2,495,500   $4.78   1,310,764(3)

 

  (1) Represents Options granted pursuant to the 2017 Amended Long-Term Incentive Plan.

  

  (2) Generally, the aggregate number of Common Shares reserved for issuance to participants under the 2017 Amended Long-Term Incentive Plan, together with all other security-based compensation arrangements of the Company may not exceed 10% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares from time to time, and the Common Shares reserved for issuance upon settlement of share units shall not exceed 5% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares from time to time. Common Shares subject to any grant (or any portion thereof) that are issued upon exercise or settlement, forfeited, surrendered, cancelled, unearned, or otherwise terminated will again be available for grant under the 2017 Amended Long-Term Incentive Plan.
     
  (3) As of the date of this report there are: (i) 2,455,500 outstanding securities awarded under the 2017 Amended Long-Term Incentive Plan representing 6.35% of the Company’s currently issued and outstanding Common Shares; and (ii) 1,410,524 remaining securities available for grant representing 3.65% of the Company’s currently issued and outstanding Common Shares.

 

Performance Graph

 

The following graph compares total cumulative shareholder return for $100 invested in Common Shares from July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2024, with cumulative total returns for the S&P/TSX Composite Index and S&P/TSX Mining Index:

 

 

Overall, the Company’s cumulative return for the five-year period ended below the range of returns for the two selected indices. As an exploration stage company, executive officer compensation has not historically been adjusted to reflect share performance trends. Compensation to executive officers remained flat from 2013 through February 2023, except for increases supported by additional job responsibilities and/or job promotions. Effective September 1, 2019, the Board approved a 10% base rate increase for all NioCorp employees and effective April 1, 2023, the Compensation Committee approved a base rate average increase of 12% for all NioCorp employees. There were no salary increases granted during fiscal year 2024.

 

ITEM 13.CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

 

The following sets forth certain information regarding transactions between the Company (and its subsidiaries) and its officers, directors, and significant shareholders. There have been no other transactions since the end of the Company’s most recently completed fiscal year and there are no currently proposed transactions in which the Company was or is to be a participant and the amount involved exceeds $120,000, and in which any related person (for purposes of Item 404 of Regulation S-K) had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.

 

Loan Transactions:

 

Mr. Smith is our Chief Executive Officer, President, Executive Chairman, and Director. On January 16, 2017, the Company and Mr. Smith entered into a credit agreement (the “Smith Credit Agreement”) pursuant to which Mr. Smith agreed to make available to the Company a credit facility of initially up to $2,000,000. On January 17, 2020, the Company entered into an amending agreement to the Smith Credit Agreement, increasing the limit of the credit facility to $2,500,000 from the previous limit of $2,000,000. On April 3, 2020, the Smith Credit Agreement was amended to increase the limit of the credit facility to $3,000,000 and on June 10, 2020, the Smith Credit Agreement was amended to increase the limit of the credit facility to $3,500,000. In addition, on June 10, 2020, the maturity date for the Smith Credit Agreement was extended to December 15, 2020. On December 14, 2020, the maturity date for the Smith Credit Agreement was extended to December 15, 2021. On December 13, 2021, the maturity date for the Smith Credit Agreement was extended to June 30, 2022. On June 29, 2022, the maturity date for the Smith Credit Agreement was extended to June 30, 2023. On February 28, 2023, the Smith Credit Agreement was amended to increase the borrowing limit to $4,000,000 from the previous limit of $3,500,000. The Company subsequently drew down $1,130,000, leaving an available balance under the Smith Credit Agreement of $52,000.

 

The largest aggregate amount of principal outstanding under the Smith Credit Agreement during the year ended June 30, 2023, was $3,130,000. Principal repayments of $3,130,000 were made under the Smith Credit Agreement during the year ended June 30, 2023. In addition, interest payments of $183,343 were paid under the Smith Credit Agreement during the year ended June 30, 2023, and $0 of interest remained payable as of June 30, 2023. As of June 30, 2023, all principal and accrued interest outstanding under the Smith Credit Agreement had been repaid and the

 

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Smith Credit Agreement expired on June 30, 2023. Accounts payable and accrued liabilities as of June 30, 2024, includes $28,250 of origination fees payable under the Smith Credit Agreement.

 

On September 11, 2024, the Company and Mr. Mark Smith entered into a Loan Agreement (the “Smith Loan Agreement”) pursuant to which Mr. Smith agreed to make available to the Company a non-revolving, multiple draw credit facility of up to $2,000,000 (the “Loan”). The Loan is non-revolving and amounts paid back under the terms of the Smith Loan Agreement do not again become available for drawdowns at the request of the Company.

 

The Company will pay interest to Mr. Smith on amounts outstanding under the Loan and on any overdue interest at a rate equal to 10% per annum, calculated monthly in arrears, through to the date of repayment of the Loan. Mr. Smith will also receive an establishment fee equal to 2.5% of the amount of any drawdown payable at the time of the drawdown as consideration of the advancement of such drawdown. Any outstanding balance on the Loan, including accrued interest, shall be immediately due and payable by the Company on the earlier of the date of expiration of the Smith Loan Agreement on June 30, 2025 and the occurrence of an event of default thereunder, (the “Due Date”). The Company can repay the Loan at any time without notice and without penalty, but any amount of principal or interest repaid by the Company prior to the Due Date will be subject to an early payment fee of 2.5% of the value of any such payment. Amounts outstanding under the Smith Loan Agreement are secured by all of the Company’s assets pursuant to a general security agreement between the Company and Mr. Smith, dated September 11, 2024.

 

As of September 20, 2024, $33,000 had been borrowed under the Smith Loan Agreement. The largest aggregate amount of principal outstanding under the Smith Loan Agreement during the period ended September 20, 2024, was $33,000, and there have been no loan repayments or interest repayments as of September 20, 2024.

 

Related Person Transactions Entered into in Connection with the 2023 Transactions

 

The disclosure under Item 1, “Business—Historical Development of the Business—The 2023 Transactions,” is incorporated by reference herein.

 

In connection with the Closing, all of the shares of Class B common stock of ECRC were issued to the Sponsor in respect of shares of Class B common stock of GXII that were originally issued to the Sponsor for $25,000 in the aggregate. In connection with the Closing, the Sponsor distributed all of the outstanding shares of Class B common stock of ECRC to its members, including Messrs. Maselli and Kehler, for no additional consideration, and such members joined the Sponsor Support Agreement and the Exchange Agreement, as parties thereto.

 

In connection with the Closing, the Private Warrants and shares of Class B common stock of ECRC issued to the Sponsor were subsequently distributed by the Sponsor to its members, including Messrs. Maselli and Kehler, for no additional consideration, and such members joined the Sponsor Support Agreement and the Exchange Agreement, as parties thereto. The Sponsor acquired the shares of Class B common stock of GXII in respect of which the shares of Class B common stock of ECRC were issued for $25,000 in the aggregate. The Sponsor acquired the GXII Warrants in respect of which the Private Warrants were issued in a private placement that occurred simultaneously with the closing of the initial public offering of GXII at a purchase price of $1.50 per GXII Warrant.

 

Pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, at the Closing, NioCorp, ECRC, the Sponsor, the pre-Closing directors and officers of NioCorp and the other parties thereto, including Messrs. Maselli and Kehler (collectively, the “RRA Shareholders”), entered into the Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated March 17, 2023 (the “Registration Rights and Lockup Agreement”), pursuant to which, among other things, NioCorp became obligated to file a shelf registration statement to register the resale of (i) outstanding Common Shares, (ii) Common Shares exchangeable for the shares of Class B common stock of ECRC, (iii) Private Warrants and (iv) Common Shares issuable upon exercise of the NioCorp Assumed Warrants, in each case, held by the RRA Shareholders immediately after the Closing. The Registration Rights and Lockup Agreement also provides the RRA Shareholders with certain “demand” and “piggy-back” registration rights, subject to certain requirements and customary conditions, and provides for certain “lock-up” restrictions on transfer by the RRA Shareholders of such securities held by them after the Closing.

 

The shares of Class B common stock of ECRC and Private Warrants beneficially owned by Messrs. Maselli and Kehler, as disclosed under Item 12, “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters” above, have an aggregate market value of approximately $3.0 million and $0.2 million, respectively, based on the closing price of the Common Shares of $1.72 and the closing price of the Public Warrants of $0.10 on Nasdaq on September 19, 2024.

 

Effective immediately upon the Closing, the Board increased the size of the Board to nine members and appointed each of Messrs. Maselli and Kehler to the Board. Messrs. Maselli and Kehler served on the board of directors of GXII prior to the Closing. Pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, the Company was required to cause two directors identified by GXII to become directors of the Company as of Closing, and the Board appointed Messrs. Maselli and Kehler to the Board pursuant to such requirement.

 

December 2023 Private Placement

 

Certain of the Company’s officers and directors, including Messrs. Kehler, Smith and Shah, subscribed to purchase an aggregate of 138,845 December 2023 Units in the December 2023 Private Placement. Each officer and director of the Company who subscribed to purchase December 2023 Units in the December 2023 Private Placement paid a purchase price of US$3.205 per unit (the “Insider Unit Price”) upon the closing of the December 2023 Private Placement. The Insider Unit Price included US$0.125 per December 2023 Warrant underlying each December 2023 Unit purchased by officers and directors of the Company. Messrs. Kehler, Smith and Shah purchased 78,003 December 2023 Units, 46,801 December 2023 Units, and 9,361 December 2023 Units, respectively, for aggregate purchase prices of $249,999.62, $149,997.21, and $30,002.01, respectively. The remaining investors in the December 2023 Private Placement, who are not affiliated with the Company but with whom the Company had a pre-existing relationship, subscribed to purchase an aggregate of 274,587 December 2023 Units at a purchase price per December 2023 Unit of US$3.08, which is equal to the consolidated closing bid price for the Common Shares as reported by Nasdaq on December 13, 2023. Gross proceeds to the Company from the December 2023 Private Placement were approximately US$1.29 million.

  

Review, Approval or Ratification of Related Person Transactions

 

Other than as described below, the Company does not currently have in place any specific policy or procedure in respect of the review, approval or ratification of any transaction required to be reported under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K. Sections 147-153 of the BCBCA set out rules and procedures applicable to all British Columbia corporations, pursuant to which a director presented with a resolution in respect of any matter (including an equity issuance) in respect of which he/she has an interest must disclose that interest in writing to the corporation’s board of directors prior to the approval of such matter. This procedure ensures that each equity issuance to a director or officer of the Company is approved by all directors of the Company not involved in such sale. All loan transactions from directors and officers are typically subject to review and approval by the Board prior to acceptance and are documented in the meeting minutes or resolutions related to same. Under its charter, the Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving any related party transaction in advance of such transaction, unless the Chief Financial Officer or General Counsel determines that it is not practicable to wait until the next Audit Committee meeting, in which case the related party transaction will be submitted to the Chair of the Audit Committee, who will have delegated authority to act between Audit Committee meetings.

 

Director Independence

 

The Company’s Board consists of Messrs. Smith, Morris, Beling, Oliver, Kehler, and Maselli and Ms. Guerrero-Mahon. The Company utilizes the definition of “independent” as it is set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(a)(2) (“Rule 5605(a)(2)”) and National Instrument 52-110 Audit Committees (“NI 52-110”). Further, the Board considers all relevant facts and circumstances in its determination of independence of all members of the Board (including any relationships). Currently, Messrs. Morris, Beling, Oliver, Kehler, and Maselli and Ms. Guerrero-Mahon are considered independent directors.

 

ITEM 14.PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

 

The following table presents fees for professional services rendered by Deloitte & Touche LLP for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024 and BDO USA, P.C. for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023 for the audit of the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements and review of consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s filings and fees billed for other services rendered by the firms during those periods.

 

115

 

 

Fiscal Year Ending

June 30,

  Audit Fees(1) ($)  

Audit-Related

Fees(2) ($)

 

Tax Fees(3)

($)

 

All Other

Fees(4) ($)

2024   1,292,312     48,263  
2023   1,205,765     23,356  

 

(1)“Audit Fees” include fees necessary to perform the annual audit and quarterly reviews of the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Audit Fees include fees for review of tax provisions and for accounting consultations on matters reflected in the consolidated financial statements. Audit Fees also include audit or other attest services required by legislation or regulation, such as comfort letters, consents, reviews of securities filings and statutory audits.

 

(2)“Audit-Related Fees” include services that are traditionally performed by the auditor. These audit-related services include employee benefit audits, due diligence assistance, accounting consultations on proposed transactions, internal control reviews and audit or attest services not required by legislation or regulation.

 

(3)“Tax Fees” include fees for all tax services other than those included in “Audit Fees” and “Audit-Related Fees.” This category includes fees for tax compliance, tax planning and tax advice. Tax planning and tax advice includes assistance with tax audits and appeals, tax advice related to mergers and acquisitions, and requests for rulings or technical advice from tax authorities. For the financial years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, these tax services included the preparation of Canadian and U.S. federal and state tax returns and tax planning and tax advice services.

 

(4)“All Other Fees” includes all other non-audit services.

 

Pre-approval Policies

 

The policy of the Audit Committee has been to pre-approve all audit, audit-related and non-audit services performed by our independent auditors and to subsequently review the actual fees and expenses paid to our independent auditors. Accordingly, the Audit Committee pre-approved all audit, audit-related and non-audit services performed by Deloitte & Touche LLP and BDO and subsequently reviewed the actual fees and expenses paid for these services. The Audit Committee has determined that the fees paid to Deloitte & Touche LLP for services are compatible with maintaining Deloitte & Touche LLP’s independence as our auditor. All of the services provided during the year ended June 30, 2024, were approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

 

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PART IV 

 

ITEM  15.EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES 

 

The following documents are filed as a part of this report:

 

(a)Financial Statements 

 

(1)The Consolidated Financial Statements, together with the reports thereon of Deloitte & Touche LLP, dated September 20, 2024, and BDO USA, P.C., dated October 6, 2023, are included as part of Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” commencing on page 59 above.

 

    Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms
 (Deloitte & Touche LLP; Denver, Colorado; PCAOB ID#34)
 
  60
     
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms
 (BDO USA, P.C.; Spokane, Washington; PCAOB ID#243)
 
  63
     
Consolidated Balance Sheets   64
     
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss   65
     
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows   66
     
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ (Deficit) Equity and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest   67
     
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements   68

 

(b)Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.

 

Title

     
2.1(1)**   Business Combination Agreement, dated September 25, 2022, by and among NioCorp Developments Ltd., GX Acquisition Corp. II and Big Red Merger Sub Ltd
3.1(2)   Notice of Articles of NioCorp Developments Ltd., dated April 5, 2016
3.2(2)   Articles of NioCorp Developments Ltd., as amended, effective as of January 27, 2015
3.3(3)   Amendment to Articles, effective March 17, 2023
4.1(4)   Convertible Security Funding Agreement, dated February 16, 2021, between the Company and Lind Global Asset Management III, LLC
4.2(4)   Form of Lind III Warrant Certificate, in respect of the Lind III Warrants
4.3(5)   Amendment #1 to Convertible Security Funding Agreement, dated December 2, 2021, between the Company and Lind Global Asset Management III, LLC
4.4(6)   Waiver and Consent Agreement, dated September 25, 2022, between NioCorp Developments Ltd. and Lind Global Asset Management III, LLC
4.5   Form of Lind Contingent Consent Warrants
4.6(1)   Sponsor Support Agreement, dated as of September 25, 2022, by and among GX Acquisition Corp. II, NioCorp Developments Ltd., GX Sponsor II LLC, in its capacity as a shareholder of GX Acquisition Corp. II, and certain other shareholders of GX Acquisition Corp. II
4.7(7)   Joinder to Sponsor Support Agreement, dated as of March 17, 2023, by and among NioCorp Developments Ltd. and each of the Holders party thereto
4.8(3)   Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of March 17, 2023, by and among NioCorp Developments Ltd., GX Acquisition Corp. II, GX Sponsor II LLC, certain holders of the common shares of the NioCorp Developments Ltd. listed on Schedule 1 thereto, certain current and former stockholders of GX Acquisition Corp. II, and other persons and entities listed on Schedule 2 thereto
4.9(3)   Registration Rights Agreement Joinder, dated as of March 17, 2023, by and among NioCorp Developments Ltd. and each of the parties listed on Schedule A thereto
4.10(3)   Exchange Agreement, dated as of March 17, 2023, by and among NioCorp Developments Ltd., GX Acquisition Corp. II and GX Sponsor II LLC

 

117

 

 

4.11(7)   Joinder to Exchange Agreement, dated as of March 17, 2023, by and among NioCorp Developments Ltd., Elk Creek Resources Corp (f/k/a GX Acquisition Corp. II) and each of the Holders party thereto
4.12(8)   Warrant Agreement, dated March 17, 2021, by and between GX Acquisition Corp. II and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
4.13(3)   Assignment, Assumption and Amendment Agreement, dated as of March 17, 2023, by and among GX Acquisition Corp. II, NioCorp Developments Ltd., Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as the existing Warrant Agent, and Computershare Inc. and its affiliate Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as the successor Warrant Agent
4.14(3)   Form of Warrant (included in Exhibit 4.13)
4.15(9)   Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 26, 2023, by and between NioCorp Developments Ltd. and each of the investors listed on the Schedule of Buyers attached thereto
4.16(10)   Amendment No. 1 to Securities Purchase Agreement, dated February 24, 2023, by and between NioCorp Developments Ltd. and YA II PN, Ltd.
4.17(10)   Form of Convertible Debenture (included in Exhibit 4.16)
4.18(9)   Form of Financing Warrants (included in Exhibit 4.15)
4.19(9)   Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of January 26, 2023, by and between NioCorp Developments Ltd. and YA II PN, Ltd.
4.20(11)   Form of Subscription Agreement in respect of units issued in September 2023
4.21(11)   Form of Warrants issued in September 2023
4.22(12)   Form of Subscription Agreement in respect of units issued in December 2023
4.23(12)   Form of Warrants issued in December 2023
4.24(13)   Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 11, 2024, by and between NioCorp Developments Ltd. and each of YA II PN, Ltd. and Lind Global Fund II LP
4.25(13)   Form of Unsecured Convertible Note (included in Exhibit 4.24)
4.26(13)   Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant (included in Exhibit 4.24)
4.27(13)   Global Guaranty Agreement, dated as of April 11, 2024, by Elk Creek Resources Corporation and 0896800 B.C. Ltd.
4.28(13)   Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 11, 2024, by and between NioCorp Developments Ltd. and each of YA II PN, Ltd. and Lind Global Fund II LP
4.29   Consent and Waiver, dated as of September 4, 2024, between NioCorp Developments Ltd. and YA II PN, Ltd.
4.30   Consent and Waiver, dated as of September 4, 2024, between NioCorp Developments Ltd. and Lind Global Fund II LP
4.31(14)   Form of Subscription Agreement in respect of units issued in June 2024
4.32(14)   Form of Warrants issued in June 2024
4.33   Description of Securities
10.1(15)#   NioCorp Developments Ltd. Long Term Incentive Plan, effective as of November 9, 2017
10.2(2)#   Consulting Agreement, dated May 13, 2014, between the Company and KMSmith, LLC
10.3(16)#   Amendment to Contract, dated September 1, 2019, between the Company and KMSmith, LLC
10.4(16)#   Contract Assignment and Novation Agreement, dated as of August 31, 2020, among the Company, KMSmith, LLC and 76 Resources, Inc.
10.5(17)#   Contract Assignment and Novation Agreement, dated as of August 1, 2021, among the Company, 76 Resources, Inc. and 76 Resources, LLC
10.6(18)#   Amendment to Contract, dated April 1, 2023, between the Company and 76 Resources, LLC
10.7(19)*   Offtake agreement, dated June 13, 2016, between the Company and CMC Cometals, a division of Commercial Metals Company
10.8(20)   Amendment No. 1 to Offtake Agreement, dated April 13, 2020, between the Company and Traxys North America LLC, as assignee
10.9(21)   Offtake agreement with ThyssenKrupp Metallurgical Products GmbH
10.10(16)*, **   Woltemath 003J Amended and Restated Option to Purchase, dated January 4, 2017, among ECRC and Victor L. and Juanita E. Woltemath
10.11(16)*, **   Woltemath 003J Extension to Option to Purchase, dated December 23, 2019, among ECRC and Victor L. and Juanita E. Woltemath
10.13(22)#   NioCorp Developments Ltd. Long Term Incentive Plan, as amended
10.14(9)   Standby Equity Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 26, 2023, by and between NioCorp Developments Ltd. and YA II PN, Ltd.
10.15(23)   Amendment #1 to Standby Equity Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 3, 2024, by and between NioCorp Developments Ltd. and YA II PN, Ltd.
10.16(3)#   Form of Director and Officer Indemnification Agreement
10.17(1)#   Employment Agreement, dated as of September 25, 2022, by and between Elk Creek Resources Corporation and Neal Shah
10.18(1)#   Employment Agreement, dated as of September 25, 2022, by and between Elk Creek Resources Corporation and Scott Honan

 

118

 

 

10.19(1)#   Employment Agreement, dated as of September 25, 2022, by and between Elk Creek Resources Corporation and Jim Sims

10.20(1)#   Form of Restrictive Covenant Agreement
10.21(24)   Loan Agreement, dated as of September 11, 2024, between the Company and Mark Smith
10.22(24)   Security Agreement, dated as of September 11, 2024, between the Company and Mark Smith
19.1   NioCorp Developments Ltd. Insider Trading Policy
21.1   Subsidiaries of NioCorp Developments Ltd.
23.1   Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
23.2   Consent of BDO USA, P.C.
23.3   Consent of Dahrouge Geological Consulting USA Ltd.
23.4   Consent of Understood Mineral Resources Ltd.
23.5   Consent of Optimize Group Inc.
23.6   Consent of Tetra Tech
23.7   Consent of Adrian Brown Consultants Inc.
23.8   Consent of Magemi Mining Inc.
23.9   Consent of L3 Process Development
23.10   Consent of Olsson
23.11   Consent of A2GC
23.12   Consent of Metallurgy Concept Solutions
23.13   Consent of Scott Honan, M.Sc., SME-RM, NioCorp
23.14   Consent of Cementation
23.15   Consent of Mahmood Khwaja, P.E., CDM Smith
23.16   Consent of Wynand Marx, M.Eng., BBE Consulting
31.1   Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2   Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1   Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2   Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
96.1(25)   S-K 1300 Elk Creek Technical Report Summary
97.1   Compensation Clawback Policy
101.INS(26)   XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH(26)   XBRL Taxonomy Extension – Schema
101.CAL(26)   XBRL Taxonomy Extension – Calculations
101.DEF(26)   XBRL Taxonomy Extension – Definitions
101.LAB(26)   XBRL Taxonomy Extension – Labels
101.PRE(26)   XBRL Taxonomy Extension – Presentations
104   Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

   

# Management compensation plan, arrangement or agreement.

   

* Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(10)(iv) of Regulation S-K, which portions will be furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.

   

** Certain exhibits to this agreement have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. A copy of any omitted exhibit will be furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.

   

(1)

Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-55710) filed with the SEC on September 29, 2022 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

(2) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Draft Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 377-01354) submitted to the SEC on July 26, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference.
   
(3) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-41655) filed with the SEC on March 17, 2023 and incorporated herein by reference.
   
(4) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-55710) filed with the SEC on February 17, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference.
   
(5) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 000-55710) filed with the SEC on February 4, 2022 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

119

 

 

(6) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No. 333-268227) filed with the SEC on November 7, 2022 and incorporated herein by reference.
   
(7) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-271268) filed with the SEC on April 14, 2023 and incorporated herein by reference.
   
(8) Previously filed as an exhibit to Elk Creek Resources Corp.’s (f/k/a GX Acquisition Corp. II) Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-40226) filed with the SEC on March 22, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference.
   
(9) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-55710) filed with the SEC on January 27, 2023 and incorporated herein by reference.
   
(10) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-55710) filed with the SEC on February 24, 2023 and incorporated herein by reference.
   
(11) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-41655) filed with the SEC on September 1, 2023 and incorporated herein by reference.
   
(12) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-41655) filed with the SEC on December 20, 2023 and incorporated herein by reference.
   
(13) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-41655) filed with the SEC on April 12, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference.
   
(14) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-41655) filed with the SEC on June 24, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference.
   
(15) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-55710) filed with the SEC on November 13, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference.
   
(16) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 000-55710) filed with the SEC on September 16, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference.
   
(17) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 000-55710) filed with the SEC on September 8, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference.
   
(18)

Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 on Form S-1 (File No. 333-271268) filed with the SEC on August 22, 2023 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

(19) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-213451) filed with the SEC on September 2, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference.
   
(20) Previously filed as an exhibit to Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K/A (File No. 000-55710) filed with the SEC on October 31, 2022 and incorporated herein by reference.
   
(21) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 000-55710) filed with the SEC on August 29, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference.

   
(22)

Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-55710) filed with the SEC on January 22, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference.

   
(23) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-41655) filed with the SEC on May 3, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference.
   
(24) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-41655) filed with the SEC on September 11, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference.
   
(25) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 000-55710) filed with the SEC on September 6, 2022 and incorporated herein by reference.
   
(26) Submitted Electronically Herewith. Attached as Exhibit 101 to this report are the following formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit) and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest for the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, (v) the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
   
ITEM 16.FORM 10–K SUMMARY 

 

None.

 

120

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

  NIOCORP DEVELOPMENTS LTD.
     
  By: /s/ Neal Shah
   

Neal Shah 

Chief Financial Officer 

 

September 20, 2024

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on September 20, 2024.

 

Signature   Title
/s/ Mark A. Smith   President, Chief Executive Officer (Principal
Mark A. Smith   Executive Officer and Authorized U.S. Representative)
    and Chairman of the Board of Directors
     
/s/ Neal Shah   Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and
Neal Shah   Accounting Officer)
     

/s/ Michael Morris

  Director
Michael Morris    
     

/s/ David C. Beling

  Director
David C. Beling    
     
/s/ Nilsa Guerrero-Mahon   Director
Nilsa Guerrero-Mahon    
     
/s/ Dean C. Kehler   Director
Dean C. Kehler    
     
/s/ Michael G. Maselli   Director  
Michael G. Maselli      
     
/s/ Peter Oliver   Director
Peter Oliver    

 

121