NIOCORP DEVELOPMENTS LTD - Quarter Report: 2021 December (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

☒  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2021

OR

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from        to      

Commission file number: 000-55710

NioCorp Developments Ltd.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

As of February 4, 2022, the registrant had 264,903,954 Common Shares outstanding.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Contents

NioCorp Developments Ltd.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

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

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

NioCorp Developments Ltd.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss

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

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

NioCorp Developments Ltd.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars) (unaudited)

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

NioCorp Developments Ltd.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for Common Shares outstanding) (unaudited)

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

NioCorp Developments Ltd.

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2021 

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts or as otherwise stated) (unaudited)

NioCorp Developments Ltd. (“NioCorp” or the “Company”) 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.

These financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis that contemplates the realization of assets and discharge of liabilities at their carrying values in the normal course of business for the foreseeable future. These financial statements do not reflect any adjustments that may be necessary if the Company is unable to continue as a going concern.

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 3, the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern is uncertain and is dependent upon obtaining sufficient financing, the generation of profits from mineral properties, and maintaining continued support from its shareholders and creditors.

The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles of the United States of America (“US GAAP”) and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The interim condensed consolidated financial statements include the consolidated accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries with all significant intercompany transactions eliminated. The accounting policies followed in preparing these interim condensed consolidated financial statements are those used by the Company as set out in the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2021.

In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary (including reclassifications and normal recurring adjustments) to present fairly the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows at December 31, 2021, and for all periods presented, have been included in these interim condensed consolidated financial statements. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to appropriate SEC rules and regulations. These interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2021. The interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year ending June 30, 2022, or future operating periods.

During fiscal year 2021 the Company combined the presentation of Additional Paid in Capital into the Common Shares line item in Shareholders’ Equity on the consolidated balance sheets. This presentation change was made as the Company’s common shares (“Common Shares”) are issued at no par value, and the fiscal year 2020 presentations were changed to conform with the current period presentation.

Issued and Adopted

In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes” (“ASU 2019-12”). ASU 2019-12 removes certain exceptions to the general principles in ASC Topic 740. ASU 2019-12 is effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2019-12 on July 1, 2021, with no material effect on the Company’ s current financial position, results of operations or financial statement disclosures.

NioCorp Developments Ltd.

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2021

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts or as otherwise stated) (unaudited)

Issued and Not Effective

In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-06, Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging - Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40) (“ASU 2020-06”), which simplifies the accounting for convertible instruments. ASU 2020-06 removes certain accounting models which separate the embedded conversion features from the host contract for convertible instruments. Either a modified retrospective method of transition or a fully retrospective method of transition is permissible for the adoption of this standard. ASU 2020-06 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of the new guidance on our financial statements.

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.

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with US 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 financial statements, and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. The Company regularly evaluates estimates and assumptions related to the deferred income tax asset valuations, convertible debt valuations, 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.

The Company incurred a loss of $5,418 for the six months ended December 31, 2021 (2020 - $2,134) and had an accumulated deficit of $104,494 as of December 31, 2021. As an exploration stage entity, the Company has not yet commenced its mining operations and accordingly does not generate any revenue. As of December 31, 2021, the Company had cash of $4,866, which may not be sufficient to fund normal operations and meet debt obligations for the next twelve months without deferring payment on certain current liabilities and raising additional funds. In addition, the Company will be required to raise additional funds for construction and commencement of operations. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

The Company’s ability to continue operations and fund its expenditures, which have historically averaged approximately $1,050 per quarter, is dependent on management’s ability to secure additional financing. Management is actively pursuing 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. The Company did not have any further funding commitments or arrangements for additional financing as of December 31, 2021. These consolidated financial statements do not give effect to any adjustments required to realize the Company’s assets and discharge its liabilities in other than the normal course of business and at amounts different from those reflected in the accompanying financial statements.

Since March 2020, several measures have been implemented in the United States, Canada, and the rest of the world in response to the increased impact from the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic. The full extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic and our precautionary measures may continue to impact our business will depend on future developments, which continue to be highly uncertain and cannot be predicted at this time, including, but not limited to, the duration and geographic spread of the pandemic, its severity, the actions to contain the virus or treat its impact, future spikes of COVID-19 infections resulting in additional preventative measures to contain or mitigate the spread of the virus, the effectiveness, distribution and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines, including the vaccines’ efficacy against emerging COVID-19 variants, and how quickly and to what extent normal economic and operating conditions can resume. We believe this could have an adverse impact on our ability to obtain financing, development plans, results of operations, financial position, and cash flows during the current fiscal year.  

NioCorp Developments Ltd.

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2021

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts or as otherwise stated) (unaudited)

 Schedule of account payable and accrued liabilities

 Schedule of convertible debt

Changes in the convertible security (the “Lind III Convertible Security”) issued to Lind Global Asset Management III, LLC, and the convertible note issued to Nordmin Engineering Ltd. (the “Nordmin Note”), are as follows:

Based on the Company’s closing Common Share price of C$1.29 as of December 31, 2021, conversion of the remaining Lind III Convertible Security balance, including accrued interest, would require the issuance of approximately 7,804,000 Common Shares. For each C$0.01 change in the fair value of one Common Share, the total Common Shares the Company would be obligated to issue would change by approximately 61,000 shares.

Schedule of stock option

NioCorp Developments Ltd.

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2021

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts or as otherwise stated) (unaudited)

On December 17, 2021, the Company granted 3,975,000 options to purchase Common Shares (“Options”) at a fair value price of $C0.50 per Option, based on Black-Scholes models with an average risk-free rate of 1.18%, average share price volatility of 53.9%, and a three-year expected option life.

 The following table summarizes information about Options outstanding at December 31, 2021: 

The aggregate intrinsic value in the preceding table represents the total intrinsic value, based on the Company’s closing Common Share price of C$1.29 as of December 31, 2021, that would have been received by the Option holders had all Option holders exercised their Options as of that date. The total number of in-the-money Options vested and exercisable as of December 31, 2021, was 14,340,000. As of December 31, 2021, there was $0 of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the Option plans.

Schedule of warrant transactions

At December 31, 2021, the Company had outstanding exercisable Common Share purchase warrants (“Warrants”), as follows: 

Borrowings under the non-revolving credit facility agreement (the “Smith Credit Facility”) with Mark Smith, Chief Executive Officer, President, and Executive Chairman of NioCorp, bear interest at a rate of 10% and drawdowns from the Smith Credit Facility are subject to a 2.5% establishment fee. Amounts outstanding under the Smith Credit Facility are secured by all of the Company’s assets pursuant to a general security agreement. The Smith Credit Facility contains financial and non-financial covenants customary for a facility of its size and nature. On December 13, 2021, the maturity date for the Smith Credit Facility was extended from December 15, 2021, to June 30, 2022. As of December 31, 2021, the principal amount outstanding under the Smith Credit Facility was $2,000.

NioCorp Developments Ltd.

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2021

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts or as otherwise stated) (unaudited)

On July 23, 2021, the Company paid Mr. Smith $40 related to accrued interest through June 30, 2021. Accounts payable and accrued liabilities as of December 31, 2021, include accrued interest of $104 payable under the Smith Credit Facility. 

Schedule of exploration expenditures

The Company incurred lease costs as follows:

The maturities of lease liabilities are as follows at December 31, 2021:

NioCorp Developments Ltd.

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2021

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts or as otherwise stated) (unaudited)

The Company measures the fair value of financial assets and liabilities based on US 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 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 December 31, 2021, and June 30, 2021, 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.

Schedule of fair values determined by level 3 inputs are unobservable data

The Lind III Convertible Security discussed in Note 5 was initially recorded at fair value, which represented a nonrecurring fair value measurement using a Level 3 input. At December 31, 2021, the estimated fair value of this instrument approximates carrying value given that the instrument was issued in fiscal 2021 and has a short time period until maturity.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements as of, and for the three and six months ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes thereto, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“US GAAP”). This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information that involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements and information as a result of many factors, including, but not limited to, those set forth elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. See “Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” below.

All currency amounts are stated in thousands of U.S. dollars unless noted otherwise.

As used in this report, unless the context otherwise indicates, references to “we,” “our,” the “Company,” “NioCorp,” and “us” refer to NioCorp Developments Ltd. and its subsidiaries, collectively.

Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the exhibits attached hereto contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation (collectively, “forward-looking statements”). Such forward-looking statements concern our anticipated results and developments in the operations of the Company in future periods, planned exploration activities, the adequacy of the Company’s financial resources, and other events or conditions that may occur in the future. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “potential,” “possible,” and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results “will,” “may,” “could,” or “should” (or the negative and grammatical variations of any of these terms) occur or be achieved. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as “expects” or “does not expect,” “is expected,” “anticipates” or “does not anticipate,” “plans,” “estimates,” or “intends,” or stating that certain actions, events, or results “may,” “could,” “would,” “might,” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events and are subject to certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Many factors could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, among others, risks related to the following:

Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company’s forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements about the future and are inherently uncertain, and actual achievements of the Company or other future events or conditions may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks, uncertainties, and other factors, including without limitation those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, as well as other factors described elsewhere in this report and the Company’s other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

The Company’s forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are based on the beliefs, expectations, and opinions of management as of the date of this report. The Company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management’s beliefs, expectations, or opinions should change, except as required by law. For the reasons set forth above, investors should not attribute undue certainty to, or place undue reliance on, forward-looking statements.

National Instrument 43-101 Compliance

Scott Honan, M.Sc., SME-RM, a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”), has supervised the preparation of the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for the Elk Creek Project disclosure in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and has approved the disclosure in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q related thereto. Mr. Honan is not independent of the Company, as he is the Chief Operating Officer. Additional information on the updated Feasibility Study for the Elk Creek Project (the “2019 Feasibility Study”) is available in our NI 43-101 Technical Report, issued May 29, 2019, which is available under NioCorp’s profile on the Canadian Administrators website at www.sedar.com and on our website at www.niocorp.com/wp-content/uploads/180001_FINAL_43-101_FS_NioCorp_AS_FILED.pdf. 

Company Overview

NioCorp is developing the Elk Creek Project, located in southeast Nebraska. The Elk Creek Project is an advanced Niobium (“Nb”)/Scandium (“Sc”)/Titanium (“Ti”) and Rare Earths exploration project. Niobium is used to produce various superalloys that are extensively used in high performance aircraft and jet turbines. It also is used in High-Strength, Low-Alloy (“HSLA”) steel, a stronger steel used in automobiles, bridges, structural systems, buildings, pipelines, and other applications that generally increases strength and/or reduces weight, which can result in environmental benefits, including reduced fuel consumption and material usage and fewer air emissions. Scandium can be combined with aluminum to make high-performance alloys with increased strength and improved corrosion resistance. Scandium also is a critical component of advanced solid oxide fuel cells, an environmentally preferred technology for high-reliability, distributed electricity generation. Titanium is a component of various superalloys and other applications that are used for aerospace applications, weapons systems, protective armor, medical implants and many others. It also is used in pigments for paper, paint, and plastics. Rare Earths are critical to electrification and decarbonization initiatives and can be used to manufacture the strongest permanent magnets commercially available.

Our primary business strategy is to advance our Elk Creek Project to commercial production. We are focused on obtaining additional funds to carry out our near-term planned work programs associated with securing the project financing necessary to complete mine development, construction, commissioning, and operation of the Elk Creek Project.

Emerging Growth Company Status

We qualify as an “emerging growth company” as defined in Section 101 of the Jumpstart our Business Startups Act (“JOBs Act”) as we did not have more than $1.07 billion in annual gross revenue during our most recently completed fiscal year.

We will lose our status as an emerging growth company on June 30, 2022, which is the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the date of the first sale of Common Shares pursuant to an effective registration statement.

As an emerging growth company under the JOBS Act, we have elected to opt out of the extended transition period for complying with new or revised standards pursuant to Section 107(b) of the JOBS Act. The election is irrevocable.

As an emerging growth company, we are exempt from Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and Section 14A(a) and (b) of the Exchange Act. Such sections are described below:

Because we will lose our status as an emerging growth company as of June 30, 2022, we will become subject to Section 14A(a) and (b) of the Exchange Act beginning next fiscal year. However, notwithstanding the loss of our status as an emerging growth company, we will continue to be exempt from Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for so long as we are neither a “large accelerated filer” nor an “accelerated filer” as those terms are defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act.

 COVID-19

Since March 2020, several measures have been implemented in the United States, Canada, and the rest of the world in response to the increased impact from the COVID-19 pandemic. The full extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic and our precautionary measures may continue to impact our business will depend on future developments, which continue to be highly uncertain and cannot be predicted at this time, including, but not limited to, the duration and geographic spread of the pandemic, its severity, the actions to contain the virus or treat its impact, future spikes of COVID-19 infections resulting in additional preventative measures to contain or mitigate the spread of the virus, the effectiveness, distribution and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines, including the vaccines’ efficacy against emerging COVID-19 variants, and how quickly and to what extent normal economic and operating conditions can resume. We believe this could have an adverse impact on our ability to obtain financing, development plans, results of operations, financial position, and cash flows during the current fiscal year. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company is following, and will continue to follow, social distancing, health and safety protocol, business-related social gathering restrictions, and other similar guidelines promulgated by both Colorado and Nebraska governmental officials.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to create uncertainty with regards to overall project funding timelines and has heightened the risk that we may be unable to secure sufficient additional capital, including but not limited to equity and debt offerings, to fund future expenditures or to maintain our liquidity. It is also possible that the COVID-19 pandemic could further adversely affect our business plans, results of operations, financial condition or liquidity in the future. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is fluid and continues to evolve, and therefore, we cannot currently predict the extent to which our business plans, results of operations, financial condition or liquidity will ultimately be impacted.

Recent Corporate Events

On November 1, 2021, the Company announced the planned retirement of John F. Ashburn, Jr., Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary of NioCorp effective at the close of business on December 2, 2021. Mr. Ashburn continues to provide NioCorp with consulting services on a part-time basis. On December 3, 2021, in connection with the retirement of John Ashburn, Neal S. Shah was appointed as the Corporate Secretary for the Company.

On November 2, 2021, the Company announced the filing of a US $200 million shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (the “Shelf Registration Statement”) with the SEC. This Shelf Registration Statement, which was declared effective by the SEC on November 16, 2021, will allow the Company the flexibility from time to time to offer and sell up to $200 million of securities, including common shares, on a registered basis in the U.S. The specific securities and terms of each such future offering of securities, if any, along with the intended use of any net proceeds therefrom, would be described in detail under a separate prospectus supplement at the time of any such offering.

Elk Creek Project Update

On August 11, 2021, the Company announced completion of the first stage of metallurgical testing that is designed to optimize the Elk Creek flowsheet and evaluate the potential integration of Rare Earth recovery to the Elk Creek Project. The metallurgical work was conducted by Salt Lake City-based L3 Process Development (“L3”), which has worked with NioCorp over the past several years on the development and optimization of NioCorp’s planned metallurgical processing facility for the Elk Creek Project.

This new metallurgical testing program is the next step in NioCorp’s goal of implementing the optimization recommendations in the 2019 Feasibility Study for the production of niobium, scandium, and titanium, as well as to demonstrate the potential extraction and recovery of REEs from the ore that NioCorp expects to mine from the Elk Creek Project site, subject to receipt of necessary project funding. L3’s testing recently achieved success by demonstrating, at the bench scale, (1) process alternatives to hydrochloric acid (“HCl”) leach in NioCorp’s planned hydrometallurgical plant, and (2) the ability to selectively reject non-pay metals in the ore samples, including calcium, magnesium, and iron.  This selective rejection would facilitate efficient extraction of all pay metals, including REEs.

L3’s process optimization work also includes extensive efforts to re-use and recycle key reagents from NioCorp’s planned hydrometallurgical plant, which further NioCorp’s goal of maximizing the environmentally efficient operation of the Elk Creek mine and processing facility, following the receipt of necessary project funding and construction of the mine and processing facility. We expect that L3’s work will continue in the coming quarters and will include the construction and subsequent operation of a small-scale demonstration plant at their lab facility in Quebec.

On September 9, 2021, the Company announced that it will analyze historic drilling core samples from the Elk Creek deposit in southeast Nebraska in order to compile sufficient data with the aim of publishing an updated Mineral Resource for the Elk Creek Project that includes individual REE grades and tonnage that may exist in the deposit. The focus of this effort is within the boundaries of the current Mineral Resource. The Company’s REE initiative was launched in response to intense interest by governments, shareholders, and industrial consumers around the world for additional sources of Rare Earths beyond current suppliers.

On October 4, 2021, the Company announced that elemental analysis of 1,094 historic drill core samples from the Elk Creek Project to ascertain concentrations of REEs and other elements had commenced at Activation Laboratories Ltd.’s facility in Ancaster, Ontario. Results from this analysis may support an update to the Project’s Mineral Resource to include individual REE grades and tonnage.

On October 6, 2021, the Company’s senior management team hosted a large group of current investors as well as representatives of the local community at the Elk Creek Project site for a tour, briefing, and question and answer session.

On November 11, 2021, the Company announced that the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (“NDEE”) granted to NioCorp an extension until April 4, 2022, as to when construction must be initiated at the Elk Creek Project under the current construction air permit. The Elk Creek Project’s construction air permit was issued by NDEE on June 2, 2020, and required that “construction, reconstruction, or modification of the source” be commenced within 18 months of the permit’s issuance. The six-month extension recently granted by NDEE was based on the date of the Company’s October 4, 2021, request for such an extension.

On December 14, 2021, the Company announced the results of Rare Earth assays completed on drill core samples from the Elk Creek Project that were obtained through an agreement with the University of Nebraska’s Conservation and Survey Division (“CSD”). A total of 1,094 samples originating from 18 diamond drill holes completed by previous operators of the Elk Creek Project were obtained pursuant to an agreement between the Company and CSD and were assayed for REE content at Actlabs in Ancaster, Ontario. With the completion of this recent assay work, the Rare Earth assay database is considered complete for the purposes of calculating the potential Rare Earth content within the footprint of the previously announced niobium, scandium, and titanium Mineral Resource at the Elk Creek Project. 

On January 3, 2022, the Company announced positive results from its ongoing metallurgical work regarding the process to extract REEs from ore samples sourced at its Elk Creek Project. Salt Lake City-based L3 Process Development (“L3”) has been conducting small-scale testing for NioCorp on Rare Earth recovery and flowsheet improvement, with the following results and planned work steps:

During the quarter ended December 31, 2021, NioCorp completed an engagement with Cementation US, Inc. (“Cementation”) to provide a detailed cost estimate for the engineering associated with the temporary and permanent construction associated with the Elk Creek Project’s underground mine, along with a series of technical reviews and optimization studies around key elements of the existing mine design. Should project financing be obtained, this work will accelerate Cementation’s ability to mobilize and commence mine construction and may result in cost savings during project execution should Cementation’s optimization recommendations be adopted by the Company.

During the quarter ended December 31, 2021, NioCorp engaged Olsson to assist with the preparation of an Equator Principles program for the Company, which includes an environmental and social assessment of the Elk Creek Project along with internal procedures and management systems to formalize the Company’s longstanding commitment to leading Environmental and Social Governance (“ESG”) practices. The Equator Principles are used by signatory financing entities to assess the ESG practices of financing opportunities.

Other Activities

Our long-term financing efforts continued during the quarter ended December 31, 2021. However, as noted above under “COVID-19,” the COVID-19 pandemic has created uncertainty and continues to impact processes related to the Company’s efforts to obtain project financing. As funds become available through the Company’s fundraising efforts, we expect to undertake the following activities:

Financial and Operating Results

The Company has no revenues from mining operations. Operating expenses incurred related primarily to performing exploration activities, as well as the activities necessary to support corporate and shareholder duties, and are detailed in the following table.

Six months ended December 31, 2021 compared to six months ended December 31, 2020

Significant items affecting operating expenses are noted below:

Employee-related costs increased in 2021 as compared to 2020 due to increased share-based compensation costs, which primarily reflected the impact of increased Common Share values in the Black Scholes model. Options issued in both 2021 and 2020 were fully vested and expensed on the grant date.

Professional fees increased in 2021 as compared to 2020, primarily due to the timing of legal services related to SEC filings, including our shelf registration statement on Form S-3 filed in November 2021.

Exploration expenditures increased in 2021 as compared to 2020, reflecting costs incurred in connection with high pressure grinding rolls comminution testing, process optimization, demonstration plant EPC efforts, Equator Principles program development and efforts to update the existing mineral resource with REEs.

Other operating expenses include investor relations, general office expenditures, equity offering and proxy expenditures, board-related expenditures and other miscellaneous costs. These costs increased in 2021 as compared to 2020 primarily due to increased financial advisory fees and investor relations fees associated with our ongoing financing efforts. In addition, share-based compensation for directors and other advisors increased in 2021 as compared to 2020 due to increased share-based compensation costs, which primarily reflected the impact of increased Common Share values in the Black Scholes model. Options issued in both 2021 and 2020 were fully vested and expensed on the grant date.

Other significant items impacting the change in the Company’s net loss are noted below:

Other income for 2020 represents the one-time forgiveness of the Company’s U.S. Small Business Administration Loan, which occurred on November 18, 2020.

Loss on extinguishment for 2020 represents the one-time loss incurred in connection with the December 18, 2020, conversion of the Nordmin accounts payable balance to a one-year convertible note (the “Nordmin Note”).

Foreign exchange (gain) loss is primarily due to changes in the U.S. dollar against the Canadian dollar and reflects the timing of foreign currency transactions, primarily U.S. dollar-based related party loans, and subsequent changes in exchange rates, and the loss during 2021 as compared to a gain in 2020 is due to an increase in the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar in 2021, and a decrease in the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar in 2020.

Interest expense increased in 2021 as compared to 2020 primarily due to the accretion of the Nordmin Note, which was issued in December 2020, as well as accretion of the convertible security issued to Lind Global Asset Management III, LLC, which was issued in February 2021.

Three months ended December 31, 2021 compared to three months ended December 31, 2020

Overall, the increase in net loss for the three months ended December 31, 2021, as compared to the same period in 2020, is primarily the result of the same factors underlying the six-month changes as discussed above.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We have no revenue generating operations from which we can internally generate funds. To date, our ongoing operations have been financed by the sale of our equity securities by way of private placements, convertible securities issuances, the exercise of incentive stock options and share purchase warrants, and related party loans. While the COVID-19 pandemic has created uncertainty with respect to overall project funding timelines, we believe that we will be able to secure additional private placement financings in the future, although we cannot predict the timing, size, or pricing of any such financings. In addition, we could raise funds through the sale of interests in our mineral properties, although current market conditions and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have substantially reduced the number of potential buyers/acquirers of any such interests. However, we cannot provide any assurances that we will be able to be successful in raising such funds.

As of December 31, 2021, the Company had cash of $4.9 million and a working capital surplus of $2.6 million, compared to cash of $7.3 million and working capital surplus of $3.4 million on June 30, 2021.

We expect that the Company will operate at a loss for the foreseeable future. The Company’s current planned operational needs are approximately $6.5 million until June 30, 2022. In addition to outstanding accounts payable and short-term liabilities, our average monthly planned expenditures are approximately $677 per month where approximately $259 is for corporate overhead and estimated costs related to securing financing necessary for advancement of the Elk Creek Project. Approximately $418 per month is planned for expenditures relating to the advancement of Elk Creek Project by NioCorp’s wholly owned subsidiary, Elk Creek Resources Corp. The Company’s ability to continue operations and fund our current work plan is dependent on management’s ability to secure additional financing.

The Company anticipates that it may not have sufficient cash to continue to fund basic operations for the next twelve months, and additional funds totaling $1.0 million to $2.0 million are likely to be necessary to continue advancing the project in the areas of financing, permitting, and detailed engineering. Management is actively pursuing such additional sources of debt and equity 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.

Elk Creek property lease commitments are $13 until June 30, 2022. To maintain our currently held properties and fund our currently anticipated general and administrative costs and planned exploration and development activities at the Elk Creek Project for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, the Company will likely require additional financing during the current fiscal year. Should such financing not be available in that timeframe, we will be required to reduce our activities and will not be able to carry out all our presently planned activities at the Elk Creek Project. 

We currently have no further funding commitments or arrangements for additional financing at this time, other than the potential exercise of options and warrants, and there is no assurance that we will be able to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms, if at all. There is significant uncertainty that we will be able to secure any additional financing in the current equity or debt markets. The quantity of funds to be raised and the terms of any proposed equity or debt financing that may be undertaken will be negotiated by management as opportunities to raise funds arise. Management is currently pursuing funding sources of both debt and equity financing, including but not limited to the issuance of equity securities in the form of Common Shares, Warrants, subscription receipts, or any combination thereof in units of the Company pursuant to private placements to accredited investors or pursuant to equity lines of credit or public offerings in the form of underwritten/brokered offerings, at-the-market offerings, registered direct offerings, or other forms of equity financing and public or private issuances of debt securities including secured and unsecured convertible debt instruments or secured debt project financing. Management does not currently know the terms pursuant to which such financings may be completed in the future, but any such financings will be negotiated at arm’s length. Future financings involving the issuance of equity securities or derivatives thereof will likely be completed at a discount to the then-current market price of the Company’s securities and will likely be dilutive to current shareholders.

Based on the conditions described within, management has concluded and the audit opinion and notes that accompany our financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2021, disclose that substantial doubt exists as to our ability to continue in business. The financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q have been prepared under the assumption that we will continue as a going concern. We are an exploration stage company and we have incurred losses since our inception. We may not have sufficient cash to fund normal operations and meet debt obligations for the next twelve months without deferring payment on certain current liabilities and raising additional funds. The continuing COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in business travel restrictions and capital market disruptions, and this has had an adverse impact on our ability to obtain financing, development plans, results of operations, financial position, and cash flows during the current fiscal year. We believe that the going concern uncertainty cannot be alleviated with confidence until the Company has entered into a business climate where funding of its planned ongoing operating activities is secured. Therefore, these factors raise substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern.

We have no exposure to any asset-backed commercial paper. Other than cash held by our subsidiaries for their immediate operating needs in Colorado and Nebraska, all of our cash reserves are on deposit with major United States and Canadian chartered banks. We do not believe that the credit, liquidity, or market risks with respect thereto have increased as a result of the current market conditions. However, in order to achieve greater security for the preservation of our capital, we have, of necessity, been required to accept lower rates of interest, which has also lowered our potential interest income.

Operating Activities

During the six months ended December 31, 2021, the Company’s operating activities consumed $3.0 million of cash (2020: $1.8 million). The cash used in operating activities for the six months ended December 31, 2021, reflects the Company’s funding of losses of $5.4 million, partially offset by the accretion of convertible debt, share-based compensations costs and other non-cash transactions and a $0.3 million increase in prepaid expenses. Overall, operational outflows during the six months ended December 31, 2021, increased from the corresponding period of 2020 due to an increase in spending at the Elk Creek Project and a prepayment related to planned process optimization testing. Going forward, the Company’s working capital requirements are expected to increase substantially in connection with the development of the Elk Creek Project.

Financing Activities

Financing inflows were $0.6 million during the six months ended December 31, 2021, as compared to $1.6 million during the corresponding period in 2020, primarily reflecting the timing of warrant and option exercises and related party debt repayments during the comparative periods.

Cash Flow Considerations

As noted above under “COVID-19,” the COVID-19 pandemic has created uncertainty with respect to overall project funding timelines. The Company has historically relied upon debt and equity financings to finance its activities. The Company may pursue additional debt and/or equity financing in the medium term; however, there can be no assurance the Company will be able to obtain any required financing in the future on acceptable terms.

The Company has limited financial resources compared to its proposed expenditures, no source of operating income, and no assurance that additional funding will be available to it for current or future projects, although the Company has been successful in the past in financing its activities through the sale of equity securities.

The ability of the Company to arrange additional financing in the future will depend, in part, on the prevailing capital market conditions, including the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the timing and availability of funding, and its success in developing the Elk Creek Project. Any quoted market for the Common Shares may be subject to market trends generally, notwithstanding any potential success of the Company in creating revenue, cash flows, or earnings, and any depression of the trading price of the Common Shares could impact its ability to obtain equity financing on acceptable terms.

Historically, the Company has used net proceeds from issuances of Common Shares to provide sufficient funds to meet its near-term exploration and development plans and other contractual obligations when due. However, development and construction of the Elk Creek Project will require substantial additional capital resources. This includes near-term funding and, ultimately, funding for Elk Creek Project construction and other costs. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” above for the Company’s discussion of arrangements related to possible future financings.

Contractual Obligations

There have been no material changes to our contractual obligations discussed in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” under the heading “Contractual Obligations” as of June 30, 2021, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, other than reductions in convertible debt balances as noted in Note 5 to the financial statements accompanying this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and the extension of the term of the related party credit facility as discussed in Note 7 to the financial statements accompanying this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company has no off-balance sheet arrangements.

Critical Accounting Policies

There have been no material changes in our critical accounting policies discussed in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” under the heading “Critical Accounting Policies” as of June 30, 2021, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021.

Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations

The Company has been a “passive foreign investment company” (“PFIC”) as defined under Section 1297 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, in recent years and expects to continue to be a PFIC in the future. Current and prospective United States shareholders should consult their tax advisors as to the tax consequences of PFIC classification and the U.S. federal tax treatment of PFICs. Additional information on this matter is included in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, under the heading “Risks Related to the Common Shares.”

Other

The Company has one class of shares, being Common Shares. A summary of outstanding shares, share options, warrants, and convertible debt option as of February 4, 2022, is set out below, on a fully-diluted basis.

 ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Interest rate risk

The Company’s exposure to changes in market interest rates, relates primarily to the Company’s earned interest income on cash deposits and short-term investments. The Company maintains a balance between the liquidity of cash assets and the interest rate return thereon. The carrying amount of financial assets, net of any provisions for losses, represents the Company’s maximum exposure to credit risk. 

Foreign currency exchange risk

The Company incurs expenditures in both U.S. dollars and Canadian dollars. Canadian dollar expenditures are primarily related to certain Common Share-related costs and corporate professional services. As a result, currency exchange fluctuations may impact the costs of our operating activities. To reduce this risk, we maintain sufficient cash balances in Canadian dollars to fund expected near-term expenditures.

 Commodity price risk

The Company is exposed to commodity price risk related to the elements associated with the Elk Creek Project. A significant decrease in the global demand for these elements may have a material adverse effect on our business. The Elk Creek Project is not in production, and the Company does not currently hold any commodity derivative positions.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

At the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2021, an evaluation was carried out under the supervision of and with the participation of our management, including the CEO and the Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness of the design and operations of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act). Based on that evaluation, the CEO and the CFO have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that: (i) information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit to the SEC under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in applicable rules and forms and (ii) material information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the CEO and the CFO, as appropriate, to allow for accurate and timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Management does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures will prevent all error and all fraud. The effectiveness of our or any system of disclosure controls and procedures, however well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance that the objectives of the system will be met and is subject to certain limitations, including the exercise of judgment in designing, implementing and evaluating controls and procedures and the assumptions used in identifying the likelihood of future events.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended December 31, 2021, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We know of no material, active, or pending legal proceedings against the Company, nor are we involved as a plaintiff in any material proceeding or pending litigation. There are no proceedings in which any of our directors, officers, or affiliates, or any registered or beneficial shareholder, is an adverse party or has a material interest adverse to our interest.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

There have been no changes to the risk factors set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

The following Common Shares were issued pursuant to Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act, in connection with the voluntary conversion of a portion of the amount outstanding under the Nordmin Note and based upon representations and warranties of Nordmin in connection therewith.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

 ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Pursuant to Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Act, issuers that are operators, or that have a subsidiary that is an operator, of a coal or other mine in the United States are required to disclose specified information about mine health and safety in their periodic reports. These reporting requirements are based on the safety and health requirements applicable to mines under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (the “Mine Act”) which is administered by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (“MSHA”). During the three-month period ended December 31, 2021, the Company and its subsidiaries and their properties or operations were not subject to regulation by MSHA under the Mine Act and thus no disclosure is required under Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Act.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements 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. 

(Registrant)