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Prospectus Supplement (to Prospectus dated June 1, 2021) |
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5) |
 URANIUM ENERGY CORP.
Up to $100,000,000 of Shares Common Stock
| |
Uranium Energy Corp. (which we refer to as “UEC,” the “Company,” “we,” or “us”) has entered into an at the market offering agreement, with H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC (the “Lead Manager”) and the co-managers (collectively with the Lead Manager, the “Managers” and each, a “Manager”) set forth on the signature page to the at the market offering agreement, relating to shares of our common stock offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. In accordance with the terms of the at the market offering agreement, we may offer and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $100,000,000 from time to time through the Manager selected by the Company (the “Designated Manager”), acting as sales agent and/or principal.
Our shares of common stock are traded on the NYSE American LLC (which we refer to as the “NYSE American”) under the symbol “UEC.” On November 24, 2021, the closing price of our shares of common stock on the NYSE American was $4.32 per share of common stock.
Sales of our common stock, if any, under this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may be made in sales deemed to be “at-the-market” equity offerings as defined in Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), including sales made directly on or through NYSE American, the existing trading market for our common stock, sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange or otherwise, directly to the sales agent as principal, in negotiated transactions at market prices prevailing at the time of sale or at prices related to such prevailing market prices, and/or in any other method permitted by law. If we and the Designated Manager agree on any method of distribution other than sales of shares of our common stock into the NYSE American or another existing trading market in the United States at market prices, we will file a further prospectus supplement providing all information about such offering as required by Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act. None of our shares of common stock will be offered or sold in Canada under this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The Designated Manager will act as sales agent on a commercially reasonable efforts basis consistent with its normal trading and sales practices. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in any escrow, trust or similar arrangement.
The Designated Manager will be entitled to a placement fee of 2.25% of the gross sales price per share sold. In connection with the sale of our common stock on our behalf, the Designated Manager will be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and the compensation of the Designated Manager will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts.
The Company currently has $13,530,041 remaining under the $100,000,000 at the market offering prospectus dated June 1, 2021 and, when taken together with this prospectus supplement for $100,000,000 leaves the Company with $113,530,041 of shares of common stock for issuance under its at the market offering.
Investing in our securities involves risks. Before buying any of our securities, you should read the discussion of material risks of investing in our securities in the “Risk Factors” section beginning on page S-9 of this prospectus supplement and the “Risk Factors” section beginning on page 11 of the accompanying base prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein.
Neither the United States Securities Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying base prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Lead Manager
H.C. WAINWRIGHT & CO.
Co-Managers
| TD SECURITIES (USA) LLC | HAYWOOD SECURITIES (USA) INC. | ROTH CAPITAL PARTNERS |
| EIGHT CAPITAL | BMO CAPITAL MARKETS CORP. |
The date of this prospectus supplement is November 26, 2021.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
This prospectus supplement relates to a registration statement that we filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (which we refer to as the “SEC”) utilizing a shelf registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may, from time to time, offer, sell and issue any of the securities or any combination of the securities described in the accompanying base prospectus in one or more offerings. The accompanying base prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. This prospectus supplement contains specific information about the terms of this offering by us. This prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus filed by us (unless otherwise specifically stated therein) may add, update or change information contained in the accompanying base prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein. You should read this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and any free writing prospectus filed by us together with the information described under the sections entitled, “Where to Find Additional Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” in this prospectus supplement and any additional information you may need to make your investment decision.
Prospective investors should be aware that the acquisition of the securities described herein may have tax consequences both in the United States and Canada, as applicable. Such consequences for investors who are resident in, or citizens of, the United States may not be described fully in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying base prospectus. See “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” in the accompanying base prospectus.
Unless otherwise stated, currency amounts in this prospectus supplement are stated in United States dollars. The financial statements incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus, and the selected consolidated financial data derived therefrom included in this prospectus supplement, are presented in United States dollars. The financial statements incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus, and the selected consolidated financial data derived therefrom included in this prospectus supplement, have been prepared in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
The registration statement that contains the accompanying base prospectus (SEC File No. 333-256170) (including the exhibits filed with and the information incorporated by reference into the registration statement) contains additional important business and financial information about us and the securities offered hereby that is not presented or delivered with this prospectus supplement. That registration statement, including the exhibits filed with the registration statement and the information incorporated by reference into the registration statement, can be read at the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov, or at the SEC office mentioned under the section of this prospectus supplement entitled “Where to Find Additional Information” below.
You should rely only on information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We have not, and the Lead Manager and co-managers have not, authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different. We are offering to sell and seeking offers to buy shares of our common stock only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, the documents and information incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering are accurate only as of their respective dates, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus supplement or of any sale of our common stock. To the extent that any statement made in this prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus (unless otherwise specifically indicated therein) differs from those in the accompanying base prospectus, the statements made in the accompanying base prospectus and the information incorporated by reference herein and therein are deemed modified or superseded by the statements made by this prospectus supplement.
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WHERE TO FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy materials we have filed with the SEC at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of its public reference room. Our SEC filings also are available to the public on the SEC’s Internet site at www.sec.gov. In addition, we maintain a website that contains information about us, including our SEC filings, at www.uraniumenergy.com. The information contained on our website does not constitute a part of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus, or any other report or documents we file with or furnish to the SEC.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and the documents incorporated herein and therein by reference contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (which we refer to as the “Securities Act”), Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (which we refer to as the “Exchange Act”) and Canadian securities laws. Such forward-looking statements concern our anticipated results and developments in our operations in future periods, planned exploration and, if warranted, development of our properties, plans related to our business and other matters that may occur in the future. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management.
Forward-looking statements, and any estimates and assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our views and expectations for the future as of the date of such statements, which can change significantly. Furthermore, forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results, performance, achievements or events to be materially different from any future results, performance, achievements or events implied, suggested or expressed by such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, forward-looking statements in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus or in any documents incorporate herein and therein by reference should not be unduly relied upon.
Forward-looking statements may be based on a number of material estimates and assumptions, of which any one or more may prove to be incorrect. Forward-looking statements may be identifiable by terminology concerning the future, such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “continue”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”, “forecast”, “intend”, “goal”, “likely”, “may”, “might”, “outlook”, “plan”, “predict”, “potential”, “project”, “should”, “schedule”, “strategy”, “target”, “will” or “would”, and similar expressions or variations thereof including the negative use of such terminology. Examples in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus or in any documents incorporated herein and therein by reference include, but are not limited to, such forward-looking statements reflecting or pertaining to:
| · | our overall strategy, objectives, plans and expectations for Fiscal 2021 and beyond; | |
| · | our expectations for worldwide nuclear power generation and future uranium supply and demand, including long-term market prices for U3O8; | |
| · | our belief and expectations of ISR mining for our uranium projects, where applicable; | |
| · | our estimation of mineralized materials, which are based on certain estimates and assumptions, and the economics of future production for our uranium projects including the Palangana Mine; | |
| · | our plans and expectations including anticipated expenditures relating to exploration, pre- extraction, extraction and reclamation activities for our uranium projects including the Palangana Mine; | |
| · | our ability to obtain, maintain and amend, within a reasonable period of time, required rights, permits and licenses from landowners, governments and regulatory authorities; |
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| · | our ability to obtain adequate additional financing including access to the equity and credit markets; | |
| · | our ability to remain in compliance with the terms of our indebtedness; and | |
| · | our belief and expectations including the possible impact of any legal proceedings or regulatory actions against us. |
Forward-looking statements, and any estimates and assumptions upon which they are based, are made as of the date of this prospectus supplement, the date of the accompanying base prospectus or the date of any documents incorporated herein or therein by reference, as applicable, and we do not intend or undertake to revise, update or supplement any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, future events or changes in estimates and assumptions or other factors affecting such forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable securities laws. Should one or more forward-looking statements be revised, updated or supplemented, no inference should be made that we will revise, update or supplement any other forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation:
| · | our limited financial and operating history; | |
| · | our need for additional financing; | |
| · | our ability to service our indebtedness; | |
| · | our limited uranium extraction and sales history; | |
| · | our operations are inherently subject to numerous significant risks and uncertainties, many are beyond our control; | |
| · | our exploration activities on our mineral properties may not result in commercially recoverable quantities of uranium; | |
| · | limits to our insurance coverage; | |
| · | the level of government regulation, including environmental regulation; | |
| · | changes in governmental regulation and administrative practices; | |
| · | nuclear incidents; | |
| · | the marketability of uranium concentrates; | |
| · | the competitive environment in which we operate; | |
| · | our dependence on key personnel; and | |
| · | conflicts of interest of our directors and officers. |
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For a more detailed discussion of such risks and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements please see the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-9 of this prospectus supplement and the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 11 of the accompanying base prospectus and, to the extent applicable, the “Risk Factors” sections in our annual reports on Form 10-K and our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q as filed with the SEC and the Canadian securities authorities that are incorporated by reference herein. Although we have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that these statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in the statements. Investors should review our subsequent reports filed with the SEC on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K and with the Canadian securities authorities, and any amendments thereto. We qualify all forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
This prospectus supplement is deemed, as of the date hereof, to be incorporated by reference into the accompanying base prospectus solely for the purpose of offering the shares of common stock. Other documents are also incorporated, or are deemed to be incorporated, by reference into the accompanying base prospectus, and reference should be made to the accompanying base prospectus for full particulars thereof.
The following documents which have been filed by us with the SEC and with securities commissions or similar authorities in Canada, are also specifically incorporated by reference into, and form an integral part of the accompanying base prospectus, as supplemented by this prospectus supplement (excluding, unless otherwise provided therein or herein, information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 and Item 7.01 of any Current Report on Form 8-K):
| (a) | our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2021, that we filed with the SEC on October 28, 2021; | |
| (b) | our Current Report on Form 8-K, that we filed with the SEC on November 9, 2021; | |
| (c) | our proxy statement on Schedule 14A that we filed with the SEC on June 11, 2021; and | |
| (d) | the description of our common stock contained in the Registration Statement on Form 8-A, as filed with the SEC on December 12, 2005, as updated in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on February 9, 2006, which disclosed the increase in the Company’s authorized share capital to 750,000,000 shares of common stock. |
All documents that we file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, after the date of this prospectus supplement but before the end of the offering of the securities made by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus shall be incorporated by reference in the accompanying base prospectus, as supplemented by this prospectus supplement, from the date of filing of such documents. Information that we file later with the SEC and prior to the completion of the offering of securities made by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus will automatically update information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus. In all cases, you should rely on the information we file later with the SEC over different information included in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus.
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You may obtain copies of any of these documents by contacting us at the address and telephone number indicated below or by contacting the SEC as described under the section entitled “Where to Find Additional Information.” You may request a copy of these documents, and any exhibits that have specifically been incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement forms a part, at no cost, by writing to or telephoning:
Uranium Energy Corp.
Amir Adnani, President and Chief Executive Officer
1030 West Georgia Street, Suite 1830
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6E 2Y3
Telephone: (604) 682-9775
You should rely only on the information provided or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and any free writing prospectus. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus, any free writing prospectus or any document incorporated herein or therein, is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front cover of the applicable document.
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| Our fully-licensed and 100%-owned Hobson Processing Facility forms the basis for our regional operating strategy in the State of Texas, specifically in the South Texas Uranium Belt, where we utilize ISR mining. We utilize a “hub-and-spoke” strategy whereby the Hobson Processing Facility acts as the central processing site (the “hub”) for our Palangana Mine and future satellite uranium mining activities, such as our Burke Hollow and Goliad Projects, located within the South Texas Uranium Belt (the “spokes”). The Hobson Processing Facility has a physical capacity to process uranium-loaded resins up to a total of two million pounds of U3O8 annually and is licensed to process up to one million pounds of U3O8 annually. |
| As at November 25, 2021, we hold certain mineral rights in various stages in the States of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas and Wyoming, in Canada and in the Republic of Paraguay, many of which are located in historically successful mining areas and have been the subject of past exploration and pre-extraction activities by other mining companies. |
| Since we completed the acquisition of the Alto Paraná Titanium Project located in Paraguay in July 2017, we are also involved in titanium mining and related activities, including exploration, development, extraction and processing of titanium minerals such as ilmenite. |
| On November 8 2021, we entered into a share purchase agreement (the “Share Purchase Agreement”) with Uranium One Investments Inc. (“Uranium Investments”), a Canadian corporation, pursuant to which we will acquire from Uranium Investments all of the issued and outstanding shares of Uranium One Americas, Inc. (“U1A”), a Nevada corporation, which, in turn, owns all of the issued and outstanding shares of Uranium One USA Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Acquisition”). The consideration for the proposed Acquisition totals $125.4 million comprised of (i) $111.6 million in cash plus (ii) a further cash payment of $13.8 million (equal to the amount of cash deposited by U1A in a surety deposit account that will remain with us after the Acquisition), subject to a closing working capital adjustment. We will also assume or replace the existing government reclamation bonds that are currently in place for the benefit of U1A. In the event that the bonds surety requirement is less than $19 million at closing, we will pay Uranium Investments an additional cash amount equal to the difference between the bonds surety requirement and $19 million. U1A is engaged in the ownership, operations, activities or services with respect to certain mining sites located in Wyoming. In particular, the portfolio of projects being acquired through U1A includes, among others, seven projects located in the Power River Basin, three of which are fully permitted, and five in the Great Divide Basin. The closing of the Acquisition is subject to certain conditions, including receipt of certain regulatory approvals. |
| Our operating and strategic framework is based on expanding our uranium extraction activities, which includes advancing certain uranium projects with established mineralized materials towards uranium extraction, and establishing additional mineralized materials on our existing uranium projects or through acquisition of additional uranium projects. |
| As at July 31, 2021, we had a working capital of $61.8 million including cash and cash equivalents of $44.3 million and uranium inventory holdings of $29.0 million. Subsequent to July 31, 2021, we issued 23,826,214 common shares at a weighted average price of $3.36 per common share under our 2021 ATM Offering for net cash proceeds of $78.4 million. |
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The Offering
The following is a brief summary of certain terms of this offering and is not intended to be complete. It does not contain all of the information that will be important to a holder of our securities. For a more complete description of our securities, see the section entitled “Description of Securities” in this prospectus supplement and the relevant portions of accompanying base prospectus.
| Issuer: | Uranium Energy Corp. |
| Offering: | Shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $100,000,000. |
| Common stock to be outstanding after this offering: |
Up to 285,821,424 shares (as more fully described in the notes following this table), assuming sales of 23,148,148 shares of our common stock in this offering at an offering price of $4.32 per share, which was the last reported sale of our common stock on the NYSE American on November 24, 2021. The actual number of shares issued will vary depending on the sales price under this offering. |
| Manner of offering: | “At-the-market” offering that may be made from time to time through the Designated Manager. See the section entitled “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus supplement. |
| Use of Proceeds: | We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate and working capital purposes. See the section entitled “Use of Proceeds” in this prospectus supplement. |
| Risk Factors: | You should read the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement for a discussion of factors to consider before deciding to purchase shares of our common stock. |
| Listing symbol: | Our shares of common stock are listed for trading on the NYSE American under the symbol “UEC.” |
The number of shares of common stock shown above to be outstanding after this offering is based on 262,673,276 shares outstanding as of November 25, 2021, and excludes:
| • | 9,099,894 shares of common stock reserved for issuance pursuant to outstanding stock options, which are exercisable at a weighted average price of $1.20 per share, as at November 25, 2021; | |
| • | 4,509,438 shares of common stock reserved for issuance pursuant to outstanding stock purchase warrants, which are exercisable at a weighted average price of $1.90 per share, as at November 25, 2021; | |
| • | 997,612 shares underlying outstanding unvested restricted stock units as at November 25, 2021; and | |
| • | 1,250,451 shares underlying outstanding unvested performance based restricted stock units as at November 25, 2021. |
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Investing in our securities involves a number of very significant risks. Prospective investors should carefully consider the following risks, as well as the other information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, including the risks described in the base prospectus, our annual report on Form 10-K and our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, before investing in our securities. Any one of these material risks and uncertainties has the potential to cause actual results, performance, achievements or events to be materially different from any future results, performance, achievements or events implied, suggested or expressed by any forward-looking statements made by us or by persons acting on our behalf. Refer to "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements".
There is no assurance that we will be successful in preventing the material adverse effects that any one or more of the following material risks and uncertainties may cause on our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results, which may result in a significant decrease in the market price of our common stock. Furthermore, there is no assurance that these material risks and uncertainties represent a complete list of the material risks and uncertainties facing us. There may be additional risks and uncertainties of a material nature that, as of the date of this prospectus, we are unaware of or that we consider immaterial that may become material in the future, any one or more of which may result in a material adverse effect on us. You could lose all or a significant portion of your investment due to any of these risks and uncertainties.
Risks Related to Our Company and Business
Evaluating our future performance may be difficult since we have a limited financial and operating history, with significant negative cash flow and accumulated deficit to date. Our long-term success will depend ultimately on our ability to achieve and maintain profitability and to develop positive cash flow from our mining activities.
As more fully described under Item 1, Business in our Form 10-K Annual Report for Fiscal 2021, we were incorporated under the laws of the State of Nevada on May 16, 2003, and since 2004, we have been engaged in uranium mining and related activities, including exploration, pre-extraction, extraction and processing, on projects located in the United States, Canada and the Republic of Paraguay. In November 2010, we commenced uranium extraction for the first time at our Palangana Mine utilizing ISR methods and processed those materials at our Hobson Processing Facility into drums of U3O8, our only sales product and source of revenue. We also hold uranium projects in various stages of exploration and pre-extraction in the States of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas and Wyoming, in Canada and the Republic of Paraguay. Since we completed the acquisition of our Alto Paraná Project located in the Republic of Paraguay in July 2017, we are also involved in mining and related activities, including exploration, pre-extraction, extraction and processing of titanium minerals.
As more fully described under “Liquidity and Capital Resources” of Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Result of Operations in our Form 10-K Annual Report for Fiscal 2021, we have a history of significant negative cash flow and net losses, with an accumulated deficit balance of $291.6 million as at July 31, 2021. Historically, we have been reliant primarily on equity financings from the sale of our common stock and on debt financing in order to fund our operations. Although we generated revenues from sales of U3O8 during Fiscal 2015, Fiscal 2013 and Fiscal 2012 of $3.1 million, $9.0 million and $13.8 million, respectively, with no revenues from sales of U3O8 generated during any other fiscal years, we have yet to achieve profitability or develop positive cash flow from our operations, and we do not expect to achieve profitability or develop positive cash flow from operations in the near term. As a result of our limited financial and operating history, including our significant negative cash flow from operations and net losses to date, it may be difficult to evaluate our future performance.
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As at July 31, 2021, we had a working capital of $61.8 million including cash and cash equivalents of $44.3 million and uranium inventory holdings of $29.0 million. Subsequent to July 31, 2021, we received additional cash proceeds of $62.7 million under our at-the-market offering (the “2021 ATM Offering”). During the year ended and subsequent to July 31, 2021, we entered into agreements to purchase 4.1 million pounds of uranium concentrates under our Physical Uranium Portfolio for a total purchase price of $131.7 million, of which $22.0 million will become due in the next 12 months from the date of this prospectus supplement. In addition, as at July 31, 2021, we had $10.0 million of term debt with a maturity date on January 31, 2022. We believe that our existing cash resources will provide sufficient funds to fulfill our uranium inventory purchase commitments, repay the debt principal of $10.0 million when it becomes due and carry out our planned operations for 12 months from the date of this prospectus supplement. Our continuation as a going concern for a period beyond those 12 months will be dependent upon our ability to obtain adequate additional financing, as our operations are capital intensive and future capital expenditures are expected to be substantial. Our continued operations, including the recoverability of the carrying values of our assets, are dependent ultimately on our ability to achieve and maintain profitability and positive cash flow from our operations.
Our reliance on equity and debt financings is expected to continue for the foreseeable future, and their availability whenever such additional financing is required will be dependent on many factors beyond our control including, but not limited to, the market price of uranium, the continuing public support of nuclear power as a viable source of electrical generation, the volatility in the global financial markets affecting our stock price and the status of the worldwide economy, any one of which may cause significant challenges in our ability to access additional financing, including access to the equity and credit markets. We may also be required to seek other forms of financing, such as asset divestitures or joint venture arrangements, to continue advancing our projects which would depend entirely on finding a suitable third party willing to enter into such an arrangement, typically involving an assignment of a percentage interest in the mineral project.
Our long-term success, including the recoverability of the carrying values of our assets and our ability to acquire additional uranium projects and continue with exploration and pre-extraction activities and mining activities on our existing uranium projects, will depend ultimately on our ability to achieve and maintain profitability and positive cash flow from our operations by establishing ore bodies that contain commercially recoverable uranium and to develop these into profitable mining activities. The economic viability of our mining activities, including the expected duration and profitability of our Palangana Mine and of any future satellite ISR mines, such as our Burke Hollow and Goliad Projects located within the South Texas Uranium Belt, our Reno Creek Project located in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming, and our projects in Canada and in the Republic of Paraguay, have many risks and uncertainties. These include, but are not limited to: (i) a significant, prolonged decrease in the market price of uranium and titanium minerals; (ii) difficulty in marketing and/or selling uranium concentrates; (iii) significantly higher than expected capital costs to construct a mine and/or processing plant; (iv) significantly higher than expected extraction costs; (v) significantly lower than expected mineral extraction; (vi) significant delays, reductions or stoppages of uranium extraction activities; and (vi) the introduction of significantly more stringent regulatory laws and regulations. Our mining activities may change as a result of any one or more of these risks and uncertainties and there is no assurance that any ore body that we extract mineralized materials from will result in achieving and maintaining profitability and developing positive cash flow.
Our operations are capital intensive and we will require significant additional financing to acquire additional mineral projects and continue with our exploration and pre-extraction activities on our existing projects.
Our operations are capital intensive and future capital expenditures are expected to be substantial. We will require significant additional financing to fund our operations, including acquiring additional mineral projects and continuing with our exploration and pre-extraction activities which include assaying, drilling, geological and geochemical analysis and mine construction costs. In the absence of such additional financing we would not be able to fund our operations or continue with our exploration and pre-extraction activities, which may result in delays, curtailment or abandonment of any one or all of our projects.
If we are unable to service our indebtedness, we may be faced with accelerated repayments or lose the assets securing our indebtedness. Furthermore, restrictive covenants governing our indebtedness may restrict our ability to pursue our business strategies.
During Fiscal 2019, we entered into the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement”) with our lenders (the “Lenders”) under which we had previously drawn down the maximum of $20 million in principal under our credit facility (the “Credit Facility”). During Fiscal 2021, we made voluntary payments totaling $10 million to certain Lenders, reducing the principal amount outstanding to $10 million. The Credit Facility requires monthly interest payments calculated at 8% per annum and other periodic fees. Our ability to continue making these scheduled payments will be dependent on and may change as a result of our financial condition and operating results. Failure to make any of these scheduled payments will put us in default with the Credit Facility which, if not addressed or waived, could require accelerated repayment of our indebtedness and/or enforcement by the Lenders against our assets. Enforcement against our assets would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and operating results. Furthermore, our Credit Facility includes restrictive covenants that, among other things, limit our ability to sell our assets or to incur additional indebtedness other than permitted indebtedness, which may restrict our ability to pursue certain business strategies from time to time. If we do not comply with these restrictive covenants, we could be in default which, if not addressed or waived, could require accelerated repayment of our indebtedness and/or enforcement by the Lenders against our assets.
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Our uranium extraction and sales history is limited, with our uranium extraction to date originating from a single uranium mine. Our ability to continue generating revenue is subject to a number of factors, any one or more of which may adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.
We have a limited history of uranium extraction and generating revenue. In November 2010, we commenced uranium extraction at our Palangana Mine, which has been our sole source of revenues from the sales of produced U3O8 during Fiscal 2015, Fiscal 2013 and Fiscal 2012, with no revenues from sales of produced U3O8 during other fiscal years.
During Fiscal 2021, we continued to operate our Palangana Mine at a reduced pace since implementing our strategic plan in September 2013 to align our operations to a weak uranium commodity market in a challenging post-Fukushima environment. This strategy has included the deferral of major pre-extraction expenditures and remaining in a state of operational readiness in anticipation of a recovery in uranium prices. Our ability to continue generating revenue from the Palangana Mine is subject to a number of factors which include, but are not limited to: (i) a significant, prolonged decrease in the market price of uranium; (ii) difficulty in marketing and/or selling uranium concentrates; (iii) significantly higher than expected extraction costs; (iv) significantly lower than expected uranium extraction; (v) significant delays, reductions or stoppages of uranium extraction activities; and (vi) the introduction of significantly more stringent regulatory laws and regulations. Furthermore, continued mining activities at the Palangana Mine will eventually deplete the Palangana Mine or cause such activities to become uneconomical, and if we are unable to directly acquire or develop existing uranium projects, such as our Reno Creek, Burke Hollow and Goliad Projects, into additional uranium mines from which we can commence uranium extraction, it will negatively impact our ability to generate revenues. Any one or more of these occurrences may adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.
Exploration and pre-extraction programs and mining activities are inherently subject to numerous significant risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ significantly from expectations or anticipated amounts. Furthermore, exploration programs conducted on our projects may not result in the establishment of ore bodies that contain commercially recoverable uranium.
Exploration and pre-extraction programs and mining activities are inherently subject to numerous significant risks and uncertainties, with many beyond our control and including, but not limited to: (i) unanticipated ground and water conditions and adverse claims to water rights; (ii) unusual or unexpected geological formations; (iii) metallurgical and other processing problems; (iv) the occurrence of unusual weather or operating conditions and other force majeure events; (v) lower than expected ore grades; (vi) industrial accidents; (vii) delays in the receipt of or failure to receive necessary government permits; (viii) delays in transportation; (ix) availability of contractors and labor; (x) government permit restrictions and regulation restrictions; (xi) unavailability of materials and equipment; and (xii) the failure of equipment or processes to operate in accordance with specifications or expectations. These risks and uncertainties could result in: (i) delays, reductions or stoppages in our mining activities; (ii) increased capital and/or extraction costs; (iii) damage to, or destruction of, our mineral projects, extraction facilities or other properties; (iv) personal injuries; (v) environmental damage; (vi) monetary losses; and (vii) legal claims.
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Success in mineral exploration is dependent on many factors, including, without limitation, the experience and capabilities of a company’s management, the availability of geological expertise and the availability of sufficient funds to conduct the exploration program. Even if an exploration program is successful and commercially recoverable material is established, it may take a number of years from the initial phases of drilling and identification of the mineralization until extraction is possible, during which time the economic feasibility of extraction may change such that the material ceases to be economically recoverable. Exploration is frequently non-productive due, for example, to poor exploration results or the inability to establish ore bodies that contain commercially recoverable material, in which case the project may be abandoned and written-off. Furthermore, we will not be able to benefit from our exploration efforts and recover the expenditures that we incur on our exploration programs if we do not establish ore bodies that contain commercially recoverable material and develop these projects into profitable mining activities, and there is no assurance that we will be successful in doing so for any of our projects.
Whether an ore body contains commercially recoverable material depends on many factors including, without limitation: (i) the particular attributes, including material changes to those attributes, of the ore body such as size, grade, recovery rates and proximity to infrastructure; (ii) the market price of uranium, which may be volatile; and (iii) government regulations and regulatory requirements including, without limitation, those relating to environmental protection, permitting and land use, taxes, land tenure and transportation.
We have not established proven or probable reserves through the completion of a “final” or “bankable” feasibility study for any of our projects, including the Palangana Mine. Furthermore, we have no plans to establish proven or probable reserves for any of our uranium projects for which we plan on utilizing ISR mining, such as the Palangana Mine. Since we commenced extraction of mineralized materials from the Palangana Mine without having established proven or probable reserves, it may result in our mining activities at the Palangana Mine, and at any future projects for which proven or probable reserves are not established, being inherently riskier than other mining activities for which proven or probable reserves have been established.
We have established the existence of mineralized materials for certain of our projects, including the Palangana Mine. We have not established proven or probable reserves, as defined by the SEC under Industry Guide 7, through the completion of a “final” or “bankable” feasibility study for any of our projects, including the Palangana Mine. Furthermore, we have no plans to establish proven or probable reserves for any of our projects for which we plan on utilizing ISR mining, such as the Palangana Mine. Since we commenced uranium extraction at the Palangana Mine without having established proven or probable reserves, there may be greater inherent uncertainty as to whether or not any mineralized material can be economically extracted as originally planned and anticipated. Any mineralized materials established or extracted from the Palangana Mine should not in any way be associated with having established or produced from proven or probable reserves.
On October 31, 2018, the SEC adopted the Modernization of Property Disclosures for Mining Registrants (again, the “New Rule”), introducing significant changes to the existing mining disclosure framework to better align it with international industry and regulatory practice, including NI 43-101. The New Rule became effective as of February 25, 2019, and issuers are required to comply with the New Rule as of the annual report for their first fiscal year beginning on or after January 1, 2021, and earlier in certain circumstances. The Company does not anticipate needing to comply with the New Rule until the filing of our annual report for the fiscal year ending July 31, 2022 and, at this time, the Company does not know the full effect of the New Rule on its mineral resources and, therefore, the disclosure related to the Company’s mineral resources may be significantly different when computed using the requirements set forth in the New Rule.
Since we are in the Exploration Stage, pre-production expenditures including those related to pre-extraction activities are expensed as incurred, the effects of which may result in our consolidated financial statements not being directly comparable to the financial statements of companies in the Production Stage.
Despite the fact that we commenced uranium extraction at the Palangana Mine in November 2010, we remain in the Exploration Stage and will continue to remain in the Exploration Stage until such time as proven or probable reserves have been established, which may never occur. We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) under which acquisition costs of mineral rights are initially capitalized as incurred while pre-production expenditures are expensed as incurred until such time as we exit the Exploration Stage. Expenditures relating to exploration activities are expensed as incurred and expenditures relating to pre-extraction activities are expensed as incurred until such time as proven or probable reserves are established for that uranium project, after which subsequent expenditures relating to mine development activities for that particular project are capitalized as incurred.
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We have neither established nor have any plans to establish proven or probable reserves for our uranium projects for which we plan on utilizing ISR mining, such as the Palangana Mine. Companies in the Production Stage, as defined by the SEC, having established proven and probable reserves and exited the Exploration Stage, typically capitalize expenditures relating to ongoing development activities, with corresponding depletion calculated over proven and probable reserves using the units-of-production method and allocated to inventory and, as that inventory is sold, to cost of goods sold. As we are in the Exploration Stage, it has resulted in us reporting larger losses than if we had been in the Production Stage due to the expensing, instead of capitalization, of expenditures relating to ongoing processing facility and mine pre-extraction activities. Additionally, there would be no corresponding amortization allocated to our future reporting periods since those costs would have been expensed previously, resulting in both lower inventory costs and costs of goods sold and results of operations with higher gross profits and lower losses than if we had been in the Production Stage. Any capitalized costs, such as acquisition costs of mineral rights, are depleted over the estimated extraction life using the straight-line method. As a result, our consolidated financial statements may not be directly comparable to the financial statements of companies in the Production Stage.
Estimated costs of future reclamation obligations may be significantly exceeded by actual costs incurred in the future. Furthermore, only a portion of the financial assurance required for the future reclamation obligations has been funded.
We are responsible for certain remediation and decommissioning activities in the future, primarily for our Hobson Processing Facility, our Palangana Mine, our Reno Creek Project and our Alto Paraná Project, and have recorded a liability of $3.9 million on our balance sheet at July 31, 2021, to recognize the present value of the estimated costs of such reclamation obligations. Should the actual costs to fulfill these future reclamation obligations materially exceed these estimated costs, it may have an adverse effect on our financial condition and operating results, including not having the financial resources required to fulfill such obligations when required to do so.
During Fiscal 2015, we secured $5.6 million of surety bonds as an alternate source of financial assurance for the estimated costs of the reclamation obligations of our Hobson Processing Facility and Palangana Mine, of which we have $1.7 million funded and held as restricted cash for collateral purposes as required by the surety. We may be required at any time to fund the remaining $3.9 million or any portion thereof for a number of reasons including, but not limited to, the following: (i) the terms of the surety bonds are amended, such as an increase in collateral requirements; (ii) we are in default with the terms of the surety bonds; (iii) the surety bonds are no longer acceptable as an alternate source of financial assurance by the regulatory authorities; or (iv) the surety encounters financial difficulties. Should any one or more of these events occur in the future, we may not have the financial resources to fund the remaining amount or any portion thereof when required to do so.
We cannot provide any assurance that our Physical Uranium Portfolio involving the strategic acquisition of physical uranium will be successful, which may have an adverse effect on our results of operations.
We have used or allocated a large portion of our cash on hand in order to fund the acquisition of drummed uranium. This strategy will be subject to a number of risks and there is no assurance that the strategy will be successful. Future deliveries are subject to performance by other parties and there is a possibility of default by those parties, thus depriving us of potential benefits.
Due to the fluctuation of uranium prices, the price of uranium will fluctuate and we will be subject to losses should we ultimately determine to sell the uranium at prices lower than the acquisition cost. The primary risks associated with physical uranium will be the normal risks associated with supply and demand fundamentals affecting price movements.
We may be required to sell a portion or all of the physical uranium accumulated to fund our operations should other forms of financing not be available to meet our capital requirements.
Since there is no public market for uranium, selling the uranium may take extended periods of time and suitable purchasers may be difficult to find, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and may have a material adverse effect on our securities.
There is no public market for the sale of uranium, although there are several trading and brokerage houses that serve the industry with bid and ask data as well as locations and quantities. The uranium futures market on the New York Mercantile Exchange does not provide for physical delivery of uranium, only cash on settlement, and that trading forum does not offer a formal market but rather facilitates the introduction of buyers to sellers.
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The pool of potential purchasers and sellers is limited, and each transaction may require the negotiation of specific provisions. Accordingly, a sale may take several weeks or months to complete. If we determine to sell any physical uranium that we have acquired, we may likewise experience difficulties in finding purchasers that are able to accept a material quantity of physical uranium at a price and at a location that is compatible with our interests. The inability to sell on a timely basis in sufficient quantities and at a desired price and location could have a material adverse effect on our securities.
As part of our Physical Uranium Portfolio, we have entered into commitments to purchase U3O8 and may purchase additional quantities. There is no certainty that any future purchases contemplated by us will be completed.
Storage arrangements, including the extension of storage arrangements, along with credit and operational risks of uranium storage facilities, may result in the loss or damage of our physical uranium which may not be covered by insurance or indemnity provisions and could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.
Currently, the uranium we purchased will be stored at the licensed uranium conversion facility of ConverDyn owned by Honeywell. There can be no assurance that storage arrangements that have been negotiated will be extended indefinitely, forcing actions or costs not currently contemplated. Failure to negotiate commercially reasonable storage terms for a subsequent storage period with ConverDyn may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.
By holding our uranium investments at the ConverDyn conversion facility we are exposed to the credit and operational risks of the facility. There is no guarantee that we can fully recover all of our investment in uranium held with the facility in the event of a disruptive event. Failure to recover all uranium holdings could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition. Any loss or damage of the uranium may not be fully covered or absolved by contractual arrangements with ConverDyn or our insurance arrangements, and we may be financially and legally responsible for losses and/or damages not covered by indemnity provisions or insurance. Such responsibility could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.
The uranium industry is subject to influential political and regulatory factors which could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.
The international uranium industry, including the supply of uranium concentrates, is relatively small, competitive and heavily regulated. Worldwide demand for uranium is directly tied to the demand for electricity produced by the nuclear power industry, which is also subject to extensive government regulation and policies. In addition, the international marketing and trade of uranium is subject to political changes in governmental policies, regulatory requirements and international trade restrictions (including trade agreements, customs, duties and/or taxes). International agreements, governmental policies and trade restrictions are beyond our control. Changes in regulatory requirements, customs, duties or taxes may affect the availability of uranium, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.
We do not insure against all of the risks we face in our operations.
In general, where coverage is available and not prohibitively expensive relative to the perceived risk, we will maintain insurance against such risk, subject to exclusions and limitations. We currently maintain insurance against certain risks, including securities and general commercial liability claims and certain physical assets used in our operations, subject to exclusions and limitations, however, we do not maintain insurance to cover all of the potential risks and hazards associated with our operations. We may be subject to liability for environmental, pollution or other hazards associated with our exploration, pre-extraction and extraction activities, which we may not be insured against, which may exceed the limits of our insurance coverage or which we may elect not to insure against because of high premiums or other reasons. Furthermore, we cannot provide assurance that any insurance coverage we currently have will continue to be available at reasonable premiums or that such insurance will adequately cover any resulting liability.
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Acquisitions that we may make from time to time could have an adverse impact on us.
From time to time we examine opportunities to acquire additional mining assets and businesses. Any acquisition that we may choose to complete may be of a significant size, may change the scale of our business and operations and may expose us to new geographic, political, operating, financial and geological risks. Our success in our acquisition activities depends on our ability to identify suitable acquisition candidates, negotiate acceptable terms for any such acquisition and integrate the acquired operations successfully with those of our Company. Any acquisitions would be accompanied by risks which could have a material adverse effect on our business. For example: (i) there may be a significant change in commodity prices after we have committed to complete the transaction and established the purchase price or exchange ratio; (ii) a material ore body may prove to be below expectations; (iii) we may have difficulty integrating and assimilating the operations and personnel of any acquired companies, realizing anticipated synergies and maximizing the financial and strategic position of the combined enterprise and maintaining uniform standards, policies and controls across the organization; (iv) the integration of the acquired business or assets may disrupt our ongoing business and our relationships with employees, customers, suppliers and contractors; and (v) the acquired business or assets may have unknown liabilities which may be significant. In the event that we choose to raise debt capital to finance any such acquisition, our leverage will be increased. If we choose to use equity as consideration for such acquisition, existing shareholders may suffer dilution. Alternatively, we may choose to finance any such acquisition with our existing resources. There can be no assurance that we would be successful in overcoming these risks or any other problems encountered in connection with such acquisitions.
The uranium and titanium industries are subject to numerous stringent laws, regulations and standards, including environmental protection laws and regulations. If any changes occur that would make these laws, regulations and standards more stringent, it may require capital outlays in excess of those anticipated or cause substantial delays, which would have a material adverse effect on our operations.
Uranium and titanium exploration and pre-extraction programs and mining activities are subject to numerous stringent laws, regulations and standards at the federal, state and local levels governing permitting, pre-extraction, extraction, exports, taxes, labor standards, occupational health, waste disposal, protection and reclamation of the environment, protection of endangered and protected species, mine safety, hazardous substances and other matters. Our compliance with these requirements requires significant financial and personnel resources.
The laws, regulations, policies or current administrative practices of any government body, organization or regulatory agency in the United States, or any other applicable jurisdiction, may change or be applied or interpreted in a manner which may also have a material adverse effect on our operations. The actions, policies or regulations, or changes thereto, of any government body or regulatory agency or special interest group may also have a material adverse effect on our operations.
Uranium and titanium exploration and pre-extraction programs and mining activities are subject to stringent environmental protection laws and regulations at the federal, state and local levels. These laws and regulations include permitting and reclamation requirements, regulate emissions, water storage and discharges and disposal of hazardous wastes. Uranium mining activities are also subject to laws and regulations which seek to maintain health and safety standards by regulating the design and use of mining methods. Various permits from governmental and regulatory bodies are required for mining to commence or continue, and no assurance can be provided that required permits will be received in a timely manner.
Our compliance costs, including the posting of surety bonds associated with environmental protection laws and regulations and health and safety standards, have been significant to date, and are expected to increase in scale and scope as we expand our operations in the future. Furthermore, environmental protection laws and regulations may become more stringent in the future, and compliance with such changes may require capital outlays in excess of those anticipated or cause substantial delays, which would have a material adverse effect on our operations.
While the very heart of our business – uranium extraction, which is the fuel for carbon-free, emission-free baseload nuclear power – and our recycling programs, help address global climate change and reduce air pollution, the world’s focus on addressing climate change will require the Company to continue to conduct all of its operations in a manner that minimizes the use of resources, including the unnecessary use of energy resources, in order to continue to minimize air emissions at our facilities, which can also increase mine and facility, construction, development and operating costs. Regulatory and environmental standards may also change over time to address global climate change, which could further increase these costs.
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To the best of our knowledge, our operations are in compliance, in all material respects, with all applicable laws, regulations and standards. If we become subject to liability for any violations, we may not be able or may elect not to insure against such risk due to high insurance premiums or other reasons. Where coverage is available and not prohibitively expensive relative to the perceived risk, we will maintain insurance against such risk, subject to exclusions and limitations. However, we cannot provide any assurance that such insurance will continue to be available at reasonable premiums or that such insurance will be adequate to cover any resulting liability.
We may not be able to obtain, maintain or amend rights, authorizations, licenses, permits or consents required for our operations.
Our exploration and mining activities are dependent upon the grant of appropriate rights, authorizations, licences, permits and consents, as well as continuation and amendment of these rights, authorizations, licences, permits and consents already granted, which may be granted for a defined period of time, or may not be granted or may be withdrawn or made subject to limitations. There can be no assurance that all necessary rights, authorizations, licences, permits and consents will be granted to us, or that authorizations, licences, permits and consents already granted will not be withdrawn or made subject to limitations.
Major nuclear incidents may have adverse effects on the nuclear and uranium industries.
The nuclear incident that occurred in Japan in March 2011 had significant and adverse effects on both the nuclear and uranium industries. If another nuclear incident were to occur, it may have further adverse effects for both industries. Public opinion of nuclear power as a source of electrical generation may be adversely affected, which may cause governments of certain countries to further increase regulation for the nuclear industry, reduce or abandon current reliance on nuclear power or reduce or abandon existing plans for nuclear power expansion. Any one of these occurrences has the potential to reduce current and/or future demand for nuclear power, resulting in lower demand for uranium and lower market prices for uranium, adversely affecting the operations and prospects of our Company. Furthermore, the growth of the nuclear and uranium industries is dependent on continuing and growing public support of nuclear power as a viable source of electrical generation.
In March 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a black swan event impacting about 50% of the world’s uranium production and has accelerated the market rebalancing. In 2020 significant production cuts were announced in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, including uranium facilities in Canada, Kazakhstan, and Namibia. In 2021, although most production impacted by COVID-19 has returned to an operating status, some production has continued to be affected. It is unknown at this time exactly how long all the impacts will last or how much uranium production will ultimately be removed from the market as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company also believes that a large degree of uncertainty exists in the market, primarily due to the size of mobile uranium inventories, transportation issues, premature reactor shutdowns in the U.S. and the length of time of any uranium mine, conversion or enrichment facility shutdowns.
The marketability of uranium concentrates will be affected by numerous factors beyond our control which may result in our inability to receive an adequate return on our invested capital.
The marketability of uranium concentrates extracted by us or from the sale of purchased product will be affected by numerous factors beyond our control. These factors include: (i) macroeconomic factors; (ii) fluctuations in the market price of uranium; (iii) governmental regulations; (iv) land tenure and use; (v) regulations concerning the importing and exporting of uranium; and (vi) environmental protection regulations. The future effects of these factors cannot be accurately predicted, but any one or a combination of these factors may result in our inability to receive an adequate return on our invested capital.
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The titanium industry is affected by global economic factors, including risks associated with volatile economic conditions, and the market for many titanium products is cyclical and volatile, and we may experience depressed market conditions for such products.
Titanium is used in many “quality of life” products for which demand historically has been linked to global, regional and local GDP and discretionary spending, which can be negatively impacted by regional and world events or economic conditions. Such events are likely to cause a decrease in demand for products and, as a result, may have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. The timing and extent of any changes to currently prevailing market conditions is uncertain, and supply and demand may be unbalanced at any time. Uncertain economic conditions and market instability make it particularly difficult for us to forecast demand trends. As a consequence, we may not be able to accurately predict future economic conditions or the effect of such conditions on our financial condition or results of operations. We can give no assurances as to the timing, extent or duration of the current or future economic cycles impacting the industries in which we operate.
Historically, the market for large volume titanium applications, including coatings, paper and plastics, has experienced alternating periods of tight supply, causing prices and margins to increase, followed by periods of lower capacity utilization, resulting in declining prices and margins. The volatility this market experiences occurs as a result of significant changes in the demand for products as a consequence of global economic activity and changes in customers’ requirements. The supply-demand balance is also impacted by capacity additions or reductions that result in changes of utilization rates. In addition, titanium margins are impacted by significant changes in major input costs, such as energy and feedstock. Demand for titanium depends in part on the housing and construction industries. These industries are cyclical in nature and have historically been impacted by downturns in the economy. In addition, pricing may affect customer inventory levels as customers may from time to time accelerate purchases of titanium in advance of anticipated price increases or defer purchases of titanium in advance of anticipated price decreases. The cyclicality and volatility of the titanium industry results in significant fluctuations in profits and cash flow from period to period and over the business cycle.
The uranium industry is highly competitive and we may not be successful in acquiring additional projects.
The uranium industry is highly competitive, and our competition includes larger, more established companies with longer operating histories that not only explore for and produce uranium, but also market uranium and other products on a regional, national or worldwide basis. Due to their greater financial and technical resources, we may not be able to acquire additional uranium projects in a competitive bidding process involving such companies. Additionally, these larger companies have greater resources to continue with their operations during periods of depressed market conditions.
The titanium industry is concentrated and highly competitive, and we may not be able to compete effectively with our competitors that have greater financial resources or those that are vertically integrated, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
The global titanium market is highly competitive, with the top six producers accounting for approximately 60% of the world’s production capacity. Competition is based on a number of factors, such as price, product quality and service. Among our competitors are companies that are vertically-integrated (those that have their own raw material resources). Changes in the competitive landscape could make it difficult for us to retain our competitive position in various products and markets throughout the world. Our competitors with their own raw material resources may have a competitive advantage during periods of higher raw material prices. In addition, some of the companies with whom we compete may be able to produce products more economically than we can. Furthermore, some of our competitors have greater financial resources, which may enable them to invest significant capital into their businesses, including expenditures for research and development.
We hold mineral rights in foreign jurisdictions which could be subject to additional risks due to political, taxation, economic and cultural factors.
We hold certain mineral rights located in the Republic of Paraguay through Piedra Rica Mining S.A., Transandes Paraguay S.A., Trier S.A. and Metalicos Y No Metalicos S.R.L., which are incorporated in Paraguay. Operations in foreign jurisdictions outside of the United States and Canada, especially in developing countries, may be subject to additional risks as they may have different political, regulatory, taxation, economic and cultural environments that may adversely affect the value or continued viability of our rights. These additional risks include, but are not limited to: (i) changes in governments or senior government officials; (ii) changes to existing laws or policies on foreign investments, environmental protection, mining and ownership of mineral interests; (iii) renegotiation, cancellation, expropriation and nationalization of existing permits or contracts; (iv) foreign currency controls and fluctuations; and (v) civil disturbances, terrorism and war.
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In the event of a dispute arising at our foreign operations in Paraguay, we may be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of foreign courts or may not be successful in subjecting foreign persons to the jurisdiction of the courts in the United States or Canada. We may also be hindered or prevented from enforcing our rights with respect to a government entity or instrumentality because of the doctrine of sovereign immunity. Any adverse or arbitrary decision of a foreign court may have a material and adverse impact on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
The title to our mineral property interests may be challenged.
Although we have taken reasonable measures to ensure proper title to our interests in mineral properties and other assets, there is no guarantee that the title to any of such interests will not be challenged. No assurance can be given that we will be able to secure the grant or the renewal of existing mineral rights and tenures on terms satisfactory to us, or that governments in the jurisdictions in which we operate will not revoke or significantly alter such rights or tenures or that such rights or tenures will not be challenged or impugned by third parties, including local governments, aboriginal peoples or other claimants. The Company has had communications and filings with the MOPC, whereby the MOPC is taking the position that certain concessions forming part of the Company’s Yuty Project and Alto Paraná Project are not eligible for extension as to exploration or continuation to exploitation in their current stages. While we remain fully committed to our development path forward in Paraguay, we have filed certain applications and appeals in Paraguay to reverse the MOPC’s position in order to protect the Company’s continuing rights in those concessions. Our mineral properties may be subject to prior unregistered agreements, transfers or claims, and title may be affected by, among other things, undetected defects. A successful challenge to the precise area and location of our claims could result in us being unable to operate on our properties as permitted or being unable to enforce our rights with respect to our properties.
Due to the nature of our business, we may be subject to legal proceedings which may divert management’s time and attention from our business and result in substantial damage awards.
Due to the nature of our business, we may be subject to numerous regulatory investigations, securities claims, civil claims, lawsuits and other proceedings in the ordinary course of our business including those described under Item 3. Legal Proceedings in our Form 10-K Annual Report for Fiscal 2021. The outcome of these lawsuits is uncertain and subject to inherent uncertainties, and the actual costs to be incurred will depend upon many unknown factors. We may be forced to expend significant resources in the defense of these suits, and we may not prevail. Defending against these and other lawsuits in the future may not only require us to incur significant legal fees and expenses, but may become time-consuming for us and detract from our ability to fully focus our internal resources on our business activities. The results of any legal proceeding cannot be predicted with certainty due to the uncertainty inherent in litigation, the difficulty of predicting decisions of regulators, judges and juries and the possibility that decisions may be reversed on appeal. There can be no assurances that these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position or operating results.
We depend on certain key personnel, and our success will depend on our continued ability to retain and attract such qualified personnel.
Our success is dependent on the efforts, abilities and continued service of certain senior officers and key employees and consultants. A number of our key employees and consultants have significant experience in the uranium industry. A loss of service from any one of these individuals may adversely affect our operations, and we may have difficulty or may not be able to locate and hire a suitable replacement.
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Certain directors and officers may be subject to conflicts of interest.
The majority of our directors and officers are involved in other business ventures including similar capacities with other private or publicly-traded companies. Such individuals may have significant responsibilities to these other business ventures, including consulting relationships, which may require significant amounts of their available time. Conflicts of interest may include decisions on how much time to devote to our business affairs and what business opportunities should be presented to us. Our Code of Conduct and Ethics provides for guidance on conflicts of interest.
The laws of the State of Nevada and our Articles of Incorporation may protect our directors and officers from certain types of lawsuits.
The laws of the State of Nevada provide that our directors and officers will not be liable to our Company or to our stockholders for monetary damages for all but certain types of conduct as directors and officers. Our Bylaws provide for broad indemnification powers to all persons against all damages incurred in connection with our business to the fullest extent provided or allowed by law. These indemnification provisions may require us to use our limited assets to defend our directors and officers against claims, and may have the effect of preventing stockholders from recovering damages against our directors and officers caused by their negligence, poor judgment or other circumstances.
Several of our directors and officers are residents outside of the United States, and it may be difficult for stockholders to enforce within the United States any judgments obtained against such directors or officers.
Several of our directors and officers are nationals and/or residents of countries other than the United States, and all or a substantial portion of such persons’ assets are located outside of the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to effect service of process on such directors and officers, or enforce within the United States any judgments obtained against such directors and officers, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state thereof. Consequently, stockholders may be effectively prevented from pursuing remedies against such directors and officers under United States federal securities laws. In addition, stockholders may not be able to commence an action in a Canadian court predicated upon the civil liability provisions under United States federal securities laws. The foregoing risks also apply to those experts identified in this document that are not residents of the United States.
Disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting, no matter how well designed and operated, are designed to obtain reasonable, and not absolute, assurance as to its reliability and effectiveness.
Management’s evaluation on the effectiveness of disclosure controls and procedures is designed to ensure that information required for disclosure in our public filings is recorded, processed, summarized and reported on a timely basis to our senior management, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management’s report on internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance that transactions are properly authorized, assets are safeguarded against unauthorized or improper use and transactions are properly recorded and reported. However, any system of controls, no matter how well designed and operated, is based in part upon certain assumptions designed to obtain reasonable, and not absolute, assurance as to its reliability and effectiveness. Any failure to maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures in the future may result in our inability to continue meeting our reporting obligations in a timely manner, qualified audit opinions or restatements of our financial reports, any one of which may affect the market price for our common stock and our ability to access the capital markets.
Closing of our Acquisition of U1A is subject to certain conditions precedent which may not be met.
The closing of our Acquisition of U1A is subject to certain conditions precedent, including receipt of certain regulatory approvals, which may not be met.
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Risks Related to Our Common Stock
Historically, the market price of our common stock has been and may continue to fluctuate significantly.
On September 28, 2007, our common stock commenced trading on the NYSE American (formerly known as the American Stock Exchange, the NYSE Amex Equities Exchange and the NYSE MKT) and prior to that, traded on the OTC Bulletin Board.
The global markets have experienced significant and increased volatility in the past, and have been impacted by the effects of mass sub-prime mortgage defaults and liquidity problems of the asset-backed commercial paper market, resulting in a number of large financial institutions requiring government bailouts or filing for bankruptcy. The effects of these past events and any similar events in the future may continue to or further affect the global markets, which may directly affect the market price of our common stock and our accessibility for additional financing. Although this volatility may be unrelated to specific company performance, it can have an adverse effect on the market price of our shares which, historically, has fluctuated significantly and may continue to do so in the future.
In addition to the volatility associated with general economic trends and market conditions, the market price of our common stock could decline significantly due to the impact of any one or more events including, but not limited to, the following: (i) volatility in the uranium market; (ii) occurrence of a major nuclear incident such as the events in Fukushima in March 2011; (iii) changes in the outlook for the nuclear power and uranium industries; (iv) failure to meet market expectations on our exploration, pre-extraction or extraction activities, including abandonment of key uranium projects; (v) sales of a large number of our shares held by certain stockholders including institutions and insiders; (vi) downward revisions to previous estimates on us by analysts; (vii) removal from market indices; (viii) legal claims brought forth against us; and (ix) introduction of technological innovations by competitors or in competing technologies.
A prolonged decline in the market price of our common stock could affect our ability to obtain additional financing which would adversely affect our operations.
Historically, we have relied on equity financing and, more recently, on debt financing, as primary sources of financing. A prolonged decline in the market price of our common stock or a reduction in our accessibility to the global markets may result in our inability to secure additional financing which would have an adverse effect on our operations.
Additional issuances of our common stock may result in significant dilution to our existing shareholders and reduce the market value of their investment.
We are authorized to issue 750,000,000 shares of common stock of which 262,673,276 shares were issued and outstanding as of November 25, 2021. Future issuances for financings, mergers and acquisitions, exercise of stock options and share purchase warrants and for other reasons may result in significant dilution to and be issued at prices substantially below the price paid for our shares held by our existing stockholders. Significant dilution would reduce the proportionate ownership and voting power held by our existing stockholders and may result in a decrease in the market price of our shares.
We are subject to the Continued Listing Criteria of the NYSE American and our failure to satisfy these criteria may result in delisting of our common stock.
Our common stock is currently listed on the NYSE American. In order to maintain this listing, we must maintain certain share prices, financial and share distribution targets, including maintaining a minimum amount of shareholders’ equity and a minimum number of public shareholders. In addition to these objective standards, the NYSE American may delist the securities of any issuer if: (i) in its opinion, the issuer’s financial condition and/or operating results appear unsatisfactory; (ii) it appears that the extent of public distribution or the aggregate market value of the security has become so reduced as to make continued listing on the NYSE American inadvisable; (iii) the issuer sells or disposes of principal operating assets or ceases to be an operating company; (iv) an issuer fails to comply with the NYSE American’s listing requirements; (v) an issuer’s common stock sells at what the NYSE American considers a “low selling price” and the issuer fails to correct this via a reverse split of shares after notification by the NYSE American; or (vi) any other event occurs or any condition exists which makes continued listing on the NYSE American, in its opinion, inadvisable.
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If the NYSE American delists our common stock, investors may face material adverse consequences including, but not limited to, a lack of trading market for our securities, reduced liquidity, decreased analyst coverage of our securities, and an inability for us to obtain additional financing to fund our operations.
The common stock offered hereby will be sold in “at-the-market” offerings, and investors that buy shares at different times will likely pay different prices.
Investors that purchase shares in this offering at different times will likely pay different prices, and so may experience different outcomes in their investment results. We will have discretion, subject to market demand, to vary the timing, prices, and numbers of shares sold, and there is no minimum or maximum sales price. Investors may experience a decline in the value of their shares as a result of sales made at share prices lower than the prices they paid.
The actual number of shares we will issue under the at the market offering agreement, at any one time or in total, is uncertain.
Subject to certain limitations in the at the market offering agreement and compliance with applicable law, we have the discretion to deliver a sales notice to the Designated Manager at any time throughout the term of the sales agreement. The number of shares that are sold by the Designated Manager after delivering a sales notice will fluctuate based on the market price of our common stock during the sales period and limits we set with the Designated Manager. Because the price per share of each share sold in this offering will fluctuate based on the market price of our common stock during the sales period, it is not possible at this stage to predict the number of shares that will be ultimately issued.
You may experience immediate and substantial dilution in the net tangible book value per share of the common stock you purchase.
The price per share of our common stock being offered may be higher than the net tangible book value per share of our common stock outstanding prior to this offering. The shares sold in this offering, if any, will be sold from time to time at various prices. After giving effect to the sale of shares of our common stock in the aggregate amount of $100,000,000 at an assumed offering price of $4.32 per share, the closing sales price of our common stock on November 24, 2021 on the NYSE American, and after deducting commissions and estimated offering expenses, our as adjusted net tangible book value as of July 31, 2021 would have been approximately $249,080,144 or approximately $0.96 per share. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of approximately $0.32 per share to our existing stockholders and immediate dilution in as adjusted net tangible book value of approximately $3.36 per share to purchasers of our common stock in this offering. See the section entitled “Dilution” below for a more detailed discussion of the dilution you will incur if you purchase common stock in this offering.
The amount of proceeds from this offering will depend upon the number of shares of our common stock sold and the market price at which they are sold. There can be no assurance that we will be able to sell any shares under or fully utilize the at the market offering agreement with H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC and the co-managers as a source of financing. We intend to use the net proceeds, if any, from this offering for general corporate and working capital purposes.
Until such time as the net proceeds of the offering are used as described above, we intend to invest the net proceeds primarily in short-term bank guaranteed deposits or other substantially similar secure deposits.
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If you invest in our shares of common stock, your ownership interest will be immediately diluted to the extent of the difference between the public offering price per share of common stock and the adjusted net tangible book value per share of common stock after the offering. Dilution results from the fact that the per share offering price is substantially in excess of the book value per share of common stock attributable to the existing shareholders for our presently outstanding shares of common stock. Our net tangible book value attributable to shareholders at July 31, 2021 was approximately $151,455,144, or approximately $0.64 per share of common stock. Net tangible book value per share of common stock as of July 31, 2021 represents the amount of our total tangible assets less total liabilities, divided by the number of our shares of common stock outstanding.
After giving effect to the sale of our shares of common stock in an amount equal to $100,000,000, and after deducting commissions to the Managers, and estimated offering expenses payable by us, our as adjusted net tangible book value as of July 31, 2021 would have been approximately $249,080,144 or $0.96 per share of common stock. These amounts, which give effect to receipt of the net proceeds from the offering and issuance of additional shares in the offering but does not take into consideration any other changes in our net tangible book value after July 31, 2021, represent an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $0.32 per share of common stock to our existing shareholders, and immediate dilution in net tangible book value of $3.36 per share of common stock to new investors purchasing shares of common stock in this offering. We determine dilution by subtracting the as adjusted net tangible book value per share of common stock after this offering from the price per share of common stock paid by an investor in this offering.
The following table illustrates this dilution.
| Offering | ||||
| Assumed public offering price per common share | $ | 4.32 | ||
| Net tangible book value per common share as of July 31, 2021 | $ | 0.64 | ||
| Increase in net tangible book value per common share attributable to this offering | $ | 0.32 | ||
| As adjusted net tangible book value per common share after this offering | $ | 0.96 | ||
| Dilution per common share to new investors in this offering(1) | $ | 3.36 | ||
Notes:
| 1. | Dilution is determined by subtracting adjusted net tangible book value per share after giving effect to this offering from the assumed public offering price per share paid by a new investor. |
If any shares of common stock are issued upon exercise of outstanding options or warrants, you may experience further dilution.
The table above assumes for illustrative purposes that an aggregate of 23,148,148 shares of common stock are sold during the term of the at the market offering agreement with the Managers, at a price of $4.32 per share, the last reported sale price of our common shares on NYSE American on November 24, 2021, for aggregate gross proceeds of $100,000,000. The shares of common stock subject to the at the market offering agreement with the Managers are being sold from time to time at various prices. An increase of $1.00 per share in the price at which the shares are sold from the assumed offering price of $4.32 per share reflected in the table above, assuming all of our shares of common stock in the aggregate amount of $100,000,000 during the term of the at the market offering agreement is sold at that increased price, would increase our adjusted net tangible book value per share after the offering to $0.97 per share, and would increase the dilution in net tangible book value per share to new investors in this offering to $4.35 per share, after deducting commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. A decrease of $1.00 per share in the price at which the shares are sold from the assumed offering price of $4.32 per share reflected in the table above, assuming all of our common shares in the amount of $100,000,000 during the term of the at the market offering agreement are sold at that decreased price, would decrease our adjusted net tangible book value per share after the offering to $0.93 per share and would decrease the dilution in net tangible book value per share to new investors in this offering to $2.39 per share, after deducting commissions and estimated aggregate offering expenses payable by us. This information is supplied for illustrative purposes only and may differ based on the actual offering price and the actual number of shares offered.
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The table above is based on 236,796,866 shares of common stock outstanding as of July 31, 2021 and does not include, as of that date:
| · | 4,282,495 shares of our common stock reserved for issuance in connection with future awards under our stock incentive plan; |
| · | 10,404,333 shares of common stock reserved for issuance pursuant to outstanding stock options, which are exercisable at a weighted average price of $1.21 per share, as at July 31, 2021; |
| · | 5,387,323 shares of common stock reserved for issuance pursuant to outstanding stock purchase warrants, which are exercisable at a weighted average price of $1.90 per share, as at July 31, 2021; |
| · | 997,612 shares underlying outstanding unvested restricted stock units as at July 31, 2021; and |
| · | 1,250,451 shares underlying outstanding unvested performance based restricted stock units as at July 31, 2021. |
In this offering, we are offering shares of our common stock.
The material terms and provisions of our common stock are described under the caption “Description of Common Shares” starting on page 25 of the accompanying prospectus.
MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following is a general summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences arising from and relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our common stock (“Shares”) acquired pursuant to this prospectus supplement.
Scope of this Summary
This summary is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be a complete analysis or listing of all potential United States federal income tax consequences related to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of Shares. Except as specifically set forth below, this summary does not discuss applicable tax reporting requirements. In addition, this summary does not take into account the individual facts and circumstances of any particular holder that may affect the United States federal income tax consequences to such holder. Accordingly, this summary is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, legal or United States federal income tax advice with respect to any particular holder. Each holder should consult its own tax advisors regarding the United States federal, state and local, and non-U.S. tax consequences related to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of Shares.
No legal opinion from United States legal counsel or ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) has been requested, or will be obtained, regarding the United States federal income tax consequences related to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of Shares. This summary is not binding on the IRS, and the IRS is not precluded from taking a position that is different from, and contrary to, the positions taken in this summary.
Authorities
This summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), Treasury Regulations (whether final, temporary, or proposed), published rulings of the IRS, published administrative positions of the IRS, and United States court decisions that are applicable and, in each case, as in effect and available, as of the date of this prospectus supplement. Any of the authorities on which this summary is based could be changed or subject to differing interpretations in a material and adverse manner at any time, and any such change could be applied on a retroactive basis. This summary does not discuss the potential effects, whether adverse or beneficial, of any proposed legislation that, if enacted, could be applied on a retroactive basis.
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U.S. Holders
As used in this summary, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of Shares acquired pursuant to this prospectus supplement that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
| · | an individual who is a citizen or resident of the U.S.; |
| · | a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the U.S., any state thereof or the District of Columbia; |
| · | an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or |
| · | a trust that (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the U.S. and the control of one or more U.S. persons for all substantial decisions or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person. |
Non-U.S. Holders
The term “Non-U.S. Holder” means any beneficial owner of Shares acquired pursuant to this prospectus supplement that is neither a U.S. Holder nor a partnership nor other entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A Non-U.S. Holder should review the discussion under the heading “U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders of the Acquisition, Ownership and Disposition of Shares” below for more information.
Holders Subject to Special United States Federal Income Tax Rules
This summary deals only with persons or entities who hold Shares as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment purposes). This summary does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be applicable to holders in light of their particular circumstances or to holders subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax law, such as (without limitation): banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions; dealers or traders in securities, commodities or foreign currencies; regulated investment companies; former citizens or former long-term residents of the U.S.; persons holding Shares as part of a straddle, appreciated financial position, synthetic security, hedge, conversion transaction or other integrated investment; persons holding Shares as a result of a constructive sale; entities that acquire Shares that are treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes and partners in such partnerships; real estate investment trusts; U.S. Holders that have a “functional currency” other than the U.S. dollar; holders that acquired Shares in connection with the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as consideration for services; or holders that are “controlled foreign corporations” or “passive foreign investment companies.” Holders that are subject to special provisions under the Code, including holders described immediately above, should consult their own tax advisors regarding the United States federal, state and local, and non-U.S. tax consequences arising from and relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of Shares.
If an entity or arrangement that is classified as a partnership (or other “pass-through” entity) for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds Shares, the U.S. federal income tax consequences to such entity and the partners (or other owners) of such entity generally will depend on the activities of the entity and the status of such partners (or owners). This summary does not address the tax consequences to any such owner or entity. Partners (or other owners) of entities or arrangements that are classified as partnerships or as “pass-through” entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences arising from and relating to the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of Shares.
Tax Consequences Not Addressed
This summary does not address the United States state and local, United States federal estate and gift, United States federal alternative minimum tax, or non-U.S. tax consequences to holders of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of Shares. Each holder should consult its own tax advisors regarding the United States state and local, United States federal estate and gift, United States federal net investment income tax, United States federal alternative minimum tax, and non-U.S. tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of Shares.
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Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Purchase of Shares to U.S. Holders and Non-U.S. Holders
For purposes of determining the initial tax basis, the entire purchase price of $3.30 will be allocated to the price for each Share. Each holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the allocation of the purchase price for the Units.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders of the Acquisition, Ownership and Disposition of Shares
Distributions
Distributions (including constructive distributions) made on Shares generally will be included in a U.S. Holder’s income as ordinary dividend income to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits (determined under U.S. federal income tax principles) as of the end of our taxable year in which the distribution occurs. However, with respect to dividends received by certain non-corporate U.S. Holders (including individuals), such dividends are generally taxed at the applicable long-term capital gains rates (currently at a maximum tax rate of 20%), provided certain holding period and other requirements are satisfied. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of a U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Shares and thereafter as capital gain from the sale or exchange of such Shares, which will be taxable according to rules discussed under the heading “Sale, Certain Redemptions or Other Taxable Dispositions of Shares,” below. Dividends received by a corporate holder may be eligible for a dividends received deduction, subject to applicable limitations.
Sale, Certain Redemptions or Other Taxable Dispositions of Shares
Upon the sale, certain qualifying redemptions, or other taxable disposition of Shares, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between (i) the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received upon such taxable disposition and (ii) the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Shares. Such capital gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if a U.S. Holder’s holding period in the Shares is more than one year at the time of the taxable disposition. Long-term capital gains recognized by certain non-corporate U.S. Holders (including individuals) will generally be subject to a current maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 20%. Deductions for capital losses are subject to complex limitations under the Code.
Other U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences Applicable to U.S. Holders
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Information reporting requirements generally will apply to payments of dividends on Shares and to the proceeds of a sale of Shares paid to a U.S. Holder unless the U.S. Holder is an exempt recipient (such as a corporation). Backup withholding will apply to those payments if the U.S. Holder fails to provide its correct taxpayer identification number, or certification of exempt status, or if the U.S. Holder is notified by the IRS that it has failed to report in full payments of interest and dividend income. Backup withholding is not an additional tax, and any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules generally will be allowed as a refund or a credit against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided the required information is furnished in a timely manner to the IRS.
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U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders of the Acquisition, Ownership and Disposition of Shares
Dividends
Distributions on Shares will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current and accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. To the extent those distributions exceed our current and accumulated earnings and profits, they will constitute a return of capital and will first reduce a Non-U.S. Holder’s basis in Shares, but not below zero, and then will be treated as gain from the sale of stock, which will be taxable according to rules discussed under the heading “Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Shares,” below. Any dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Holder with respect to Shares generally will be subject to withholding tax at a 30% gross rate, subject to any exemption or lower rate under an applicable treaty if the Non-U.S. Holder provides us with a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, unless the Non-U.S. Holder provides us with a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI (or other applicable form) relating to income effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the U.S. If we are a USRPHC (as defined below) and we do not qualify for the Regularly Traded Exception (as defined below), distributions which constitute a return of capital will be subject to withholding tax unless an application for a withholding certificate is filed to reduce or eliminate such withholding.
Dividends that are effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the U.S. and includible in the Non-U.S. Holder’s gross income are not subject to the withholding tax (assuming proper certification and disclosure), but instead are subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at applicable graduated individual or corporate rates. Any such effectively connected income received by a non-U.S. corporation may, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate, subject to any exemption or lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.
A Non-U.S. Holder of Shares who wishes to claim the benefit of an applicable treaty rate or exemption is required to satisfy certain certification and other requirements. If a Non-U.S. Holder is eligible for an exemption from or a reduced rate of U.S. withholding tax pursuant to an income tax treaty, it may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS.
Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Shares
In general, a Non-U.S. Holder of Shares will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on gain recognized from a sale, exchange, or other taxable disposition of such Shares, unless:
| · | the gain is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business carried on by the Non-U.S. Holder (and, where an income tax treaty applies, is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment of the Non-U.S. Holder), in which case the Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to tax on the net gain from the sale at regular graduated U.S. federal income tax rates, and if the Non-U.S. Holder is a corporation, may be subject to an additional U.S. branch profits tax at a gross rate equal to 30% of its effectively connected earnings and profits for that taxable year, subject to any exemption or lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty; | |
| · | the Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the U.S. for 183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition and certain other conditions are met, in which case the Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to a 30% tax on the gain from the sale, which may be offset by U.S. source capital losses; or |
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| · | we are or have been a “United States real property holding corporation” (“USRPHC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes at any time during the shorter of the Non-U.S. Holder’s holding period or the 5-year period ending on the date of disposition of Shares; provided, with respect to the Shares, that as long as our common stock is regularly traded on an established securities market as determined under the Treasury Regulations (the “Regularly Traded Exception”), a Non-U.S. Holder would not be subject to taxation on the gain on the sale of Shares under this rule unless the Non-U.S. Holder has owned: (i) more than 5% of our common stock at any time during such 5-year or shorter period; or (ii) aggregate equity securities of the Company with a fair market value on the date acquired in excess of 5% of the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on such date (in any case, a “5% Shareholder”). In determining whether a Non-U.S. Holder is a 5% Shareholder, certain attribution rules apply in determining ownership for this purpose. Non-U.S. Holders should be aware that we have made no determination as to whether we are or have been a USRPHC, and we can provide no assurances that we are not and will not become a USRPHC in the future. In addition, in the event that we are or become a USRPHC, we can provide no assurances that the Shares will meet the Regularly Traded Exception at the time a Non-U.S. Holder purchases such securities or sells, exchanges or otherwise disposes of such securities. Non-U.S. Holders should consult with their own tax advisors regarding the consequences to them of investing in a USRPHC. As a USRPHC, a Non-U.S. Holder will be taxed as if any gain or loss were effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business as described above in “Dividends” in the event that (i) such holder is a 5% Shareholder, or (ii) the Regularly Traded Exception is not satisfied during the relevant period. |
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Generally, we must report annually to the IRS and to Non-U.S. Holders the amount of dividends paid on the Shares to Non-U.S. Holders and the amount of tax, if any, withheld with respect to those payments. Copies of the information returns reporting such dividends and withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which a Non-U.S. Holder resides under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty.
In general, a Non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to backup withholding with respect to payments of dividends that we make, provided we receive a statement meeting certain requirements to the effect that the Non-U.S. Holder is not a U.S. person and we do not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the holder is a U.S. person, as defined under the Code, that is not an exempt recipient. The requirements for the statement will be met if (1) the Non-U.S. Holder provides its name, address and U.S. taxpayer identification number, if any, and certifies, under penalty of perjury, that it is not a U.S. person (which certification may be made on IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E) or (2) a financial institution holding the instrument on behalf of the Non-U.S. Holder certifies, under penalty of perjury, that such statement has been received by it and furnishes us or our paying agent with a copy of the statement. In addition, a Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to information reporting and, depending on the circumstances, backup withholding with respect to payments of the proceeds of a sale of Shares within the U.S. or conducted through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries, unless the statement described above has been received, and we do not have actual knowledge or reason to know that a holder is a U.S. person, as defined under the Code, that is not an exempt recipient, or the Non-U.S. Holder otherwise establishes an exemption. Backup withholding is not an additional tax and any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against a Non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided the required information is furnished in a timely manner to the IRS.
Rules Relating to Foreign Accounts
Withholding taxes may be imposed under Sections 1471 to 1474 of the Code, the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder and other official guidance (commonly referred to as “FATCA”) on certain types of payments made to non-U.S. financial institutions and certain other non-U.S. entities. Specifically, a 30% withholding tax may be imposed on dividends on Shares paid to a “foreign financial institution” or a “non-financial foreign entity” (each as defined in the Code), unless (1) the foreign financial institution undertakes certain diligence, reporting and withholding obligations, (2) the non- financial foreign entity either certifies it does not have any “substantial United States owners” (as defined in the Code) or furnishes identifying information regarding each substantial United States owner, or (3) the foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity otherwise qualifies for an exemption from these rules. If the payee is a foreign financial institution and is subject to the diligence, reporting and withholding requirements in (1) above, it must enter into an agreement with the U.S. Department of the Treasury requiring, among other things, that it undertake to identify accounts held by certain “specified United States persons” or “United States-owned foreign entities” (each as defined in the Code), annually report certain information about such accounts, and withhold 30% on certain payments to non-compliant foreign financial institutions and certain other account holders. Accordingly, the entity through which the Shares is held will affect the determination of whether such withholding is required. Foreign financial institutions located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing FATCA may be subject to different rules. Future Treasury Regulations or other official guidance may modify these requirements.
Under the applicable Treasury Regulations, withholding under FATCA generally applies to payments of dividends on the Shares. While withholding under FATCA would have also applied to payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of the Shares on or after January 1, 2019, recently proposed Treasury Regulations eliminate FATCA withholding on payments of gross proceeds. The preamble to these proposed regulations indicates that taxpayers may rely on them pending their finalization. The FATCA withholding tax will apply to all withholdable payments without regard to whether the beneficial owner of the payment would otherwise be entitled to an exemption from imposition of withholding tax pursuant to an applicable income tax treaty with the United States or U.S. domestic law. We will not pay additional amounts to holders of Shares in respect of amounts withheld.
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FATCA is particularly complex and its application remains uncertain. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the potential application of withholding under FATCA to their investment in Shares.
We have entered into an at the market offering agreement with the Managers, under which we may issue and sell from time to time shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of not more than $100,000,000 through the Designated Manager as our sales agent. Sales of the common stock, if any, will be made by any method permitted by law deemed to be an "at the market offering" as defined in Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act. If we and the Designated Manager agree on any method of distribution other than sales of shares of our common stock into the NYSE American or another existing trading market in the United States at market prices, we will file a further prospectus supplement providing all information about such offering as required by Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act. None of our shares of common stock will be offered or sold in Canada.
The Designated Manager will offer our common stock at prevailing market prices subject to the terms and conditions of the at the market offering agreement as agreed upon by us and the Designated Manager. We will designate the number of shares which we desire to sell, the time period during which sales are requested to be made, any limitation on the number of shares that may be sold in one day and any minimum price below which sales may not be made. Subject to the terms and conditions of the at the market offering agreement, the Designated Manager will use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices and applicable law and regulations to sell on our behalf all of the shares of common stock requested to be sold by us. We or the Designated Manager may suspend the offering of the common stock being made through the Designated Manager under the at the market offering agreement upon proper notice to the other party. Neither we nor the Designated Manager will undertake any act, advertisement, solicitation, conduct or negotiation directly or indirectly in furtherance of the sale of our shares of common stock in Canada, undertake an offer or sale of any of our shares of common stock to a person that it knows or has reason to believe is in Canada or has been pre-arranged with a buyer in Canada, or to any person who it knows or has reason to believe is acting on behalf of persons in Canada or to any person whom it knows or has reason to believe intends to reoffer, resell or deliver our shares of common stock to any persons in Canada or acting on behalf of persons in Canada. Eight Capital will not, directly or indirectly, solicit offers to purchase or sell the shares of our common stock in the United States.
Settlement for sales of common stock will occur on the second business day or such shorter settlement cycle as may be in effect under Exchange Act Rule 15c6-1 from time to time, following the date on which any sales are made, or on some other date that is agreed upon by us and the Designated Manager in connection with a particular transaction, in return for payment of the net proceeds to us. Sales of our common stock as contemplated in this prospectus supplement will be settled through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company or by such other means as we and the Designated Manager may agree upon. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in an escrow, trust or similar arrangement.
We will pay the Designated Manager in cash, upon each sale of our shares of common stock pursuant to the at the market offering agreement, a commission equal to 2.25% of the gross proceeds from each sale of shares of our common stock. Because there is no minimum offering amount required as a condition to this offering, the actual total public offering amount, commissions and proceeds to us, if any, are not determinable at this time. Pursuant to the terms of the at the market offering agreement, we agreed to reimburse the Lead Manager for the documented fees and costs of its legal counsel reasonably incurred in connection with entering into the transactions contemplated by the at the market offering agreement in an amount not to exceed $50,000 in the aggregate. Additionally, pursuant to the terms of the at the market offering agreement, we agreed to reimburse the Lead Manager for the documented fees and costs of its legal counsel reasonably incurred in connection with the Lead Manager’s ongoing diligence requirements arising from the transactions contemplated by the at the market offering agreement in an amount not to exceed $5,000 in the aggregate per calendar quarter. We estimate that the total expenses of the offering payable by us, excluding commissions payable to the Designated Manager under the at the market offering agreement, will be approximately $125,000. We will report at least quarterly the number of shares of common stock sold through the Designated Manager under the at the market offering agreement, the net proceeds to us and the compensation paid by us to the Designated Manager in connection with the sales of common stock.
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In connection with the sales of common stock on our behalf, the Designated Manager will be deemed to be an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act, and the compensation paid to the Designated Manager will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have agreed in the at the market offering agreement to provide indemnification and contribution to the Managers against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
The offering of our shares of common stock pursuant to the at the market offering agreement will terminate upon the earlier of (i) the sale of all shares of our shares of common stock provided for in this prospectus supplement, or (ii) termination of the at the market offering agreement, as amended, as permitted therein.
The Managers and their affiliates may in the future provide various investment banking and other financial services for us and our affiliates, for which services they may in the future receive customary fees. To the extent required by Regulation M, the Managers will not engage in any market making activities involving our shares of common stock while the offering is ongoing under this prospectus supplement. This summary of the material provisions of the at the market offering agreement does not purport to be a complete statement of its terms and conditions. A copy of the at the market offering agreement will be incorporated by reference into the Current Report on Form 8-K within the time required by the Exchange Act, which at the market offering agreement was originally filed as an exhibit to our Form S-3 registration statement filed with the SEC on May 17, 2021.
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in electronic format may be made available on a website maintained by the Managers and the Managers may distribute this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus electronically.
Certain legal matters relating to the securities offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement will be passed upon for us by McMillan LLP. The Lead Manager is being represented in connection with this offering by Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP, New York, New York.
The consolidated financial statements of the Company appearing in the Company’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended July 31, 2021, have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon, included therein and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration No. 333-256170
URANIUM ENERGY CORP.
$200,000,000
Common Shares
Debt Securities
Warrants
Subscription Receipts
Units
Uranium Energy Corp. (“we” or the “Company”) may offer and sell, from time to time, up to $200,000,000 aggregate initial offering price of our common shares (“Common Shares”), debt securities (“Debt Securities”), warrants to purchase Common Shares or Debt Securities (“Warrants”), subscription receipts for Common Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants or any combination thereof (“Subscription Receipts”), or any combination of Common Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants or Subscription Receipts (“Units”) (collectively, the Common Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants, Subscription Receipts and Units are referred to as the “Securities”) in one or more transactions under this prospectus (the “Prospectus”).
This Prospectus provides you with a general description of the Securities that we may offer. Each time we offer Securities, we will provide you with a prospectus supplement (the “Prospectus Supplement”) that describes specific information about the particular Securities being offered and may add, update or change information contained in this Prospectus. You should read both this Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement, together with any additional information which is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. This Prospectus may not be used to offer or sell securities without the Prospectus Supplement which includes a description of the method and terms of that offering.
We may sell the Securities on a continuous or delayed basis to or through underwriters, dealers or agents or directly to purchasers. The Prospectus Supplement, which we will provide to you each time we offer Securities, will set forth the names of any underwriters, dealers or agents involved in the sale of the Securities, and any applicable fee, commission or discount arrangements with them. For additional information on the methods of sale, you should refer to the section entitled “Plan of Distribution” in this Prospectus.
The Common Shares are traded on the NYSE American LLC (“NYSE American”) under the symbol “UEC”. On May 13, 2021, the last reported sale price of the Common Shares on NYSE American was $2.70 per Common Share. There is currently no market through which the Securities, other than the Common Shares, may be sold and purchasers may not be able to resell the Securities purchased under this Prospectus. This may affect the pricing of the Securities, other than the Common Shares, in the secondary market, the transparency and availability of trading prices, the liquidity of these Securities and the extent of issuer regulation.
This Prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of any Securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
We will sell these Securities directly to investors, through agents designated from time to time or to or through underwriters or dealers, on a continuous or delayed basis. For additional information on the methods of sale, you should refer to the section entitled “Plan of Distribution” in this Prospectus. If any agents or underwriters are involved in the sale of any Securities with respect to which this Prospectus is being delivered, the names of such agents or underwriters and any applicable fees, commissions, discounts or over-allotment options will be set forth in a Prospectus Supplement. The price to the public of such Securities and the net proceeds we expect to receive from such sale will also be set forth in a Prospectus Supplement.
Investing in our Securities involves a high degree of risk. You should review carefully the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this Prospectus as described on page 12 of this Prospectus.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these Securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this Prospectus is June 1, 2021
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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This Prospectus is a part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may sell any combination of the Securities described in this Prospectus in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of initial aggregate offering price of $200,000,000.
This Prospectus provides you with a general description of the Securities that we may offer. The specific terms of the Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered will be set forth in a Prospectus Supplement and may include, where applicable: (i) in the case of Common Shares, the number of Common Shares offered, the offering price and any other specific terms of the offering; (ii) in the case of Debt Securities, the specific designation, aggregate principal amount, currency or the currency unit for which such Debt Securities may be purchased, maturity, interest provisions, authorized denominations, offering price, covenants, events of default, any redemption terms, any sinking fund provisions, any exchange or conversion terms, whether payment on the Debt Securities will be senior or subordinated to our other liabilities and obligations and any other specific terms; (iii) in the case of Warrants, the designation, number and terms of the Common Shares or Debt Securities purchasable upon exercise of the Warrants, any procedures that will result in the adjustment of those numbers, the exercise price, dates and periods of exercise, and the currency or the currency unit in which the exercise price must be paid and any other specific terms; (iv) in the case of Subscription Receipts, the designation, number and terms of the Common Shares, Warrants or Debt Securities receivable upon satisfaction of certain release conditions, any procedures that will result in the adjustment of those numbers, any additional payments to be made to holders of Subscription Receipts upon satisfaction of the release conditions, the terms of the release conditions, terms governing the escrow of all or a portion of the gross proceeds from the sale of the Subscription Receipts, terms for the refund of all or a portion of the purchase price for Subscription Receipts in the event the release conditions are not met and any other specific terms; and (v) in the case of Units, the designation, number and terms of the Common Shares, Warrants, Debt Securities or Subscription Receipts comprising the Units. A Prospectus Supplement may include specific variable terms pertaining to the Securities that are not within the alternatives and parameters set forth in this Prospectus.
In connection with any offering of the Securities (unless otherwise specified in a Prospectus Supplement), the underwriters or agents may over-allot or effect transactions which stabilize or maintain the market price of the Securities offered at a higher level than that which might exist in the open market. Such transactions, if commenced, may be interrupted or discontinued at any time. See “Plan of Distribution”.
Please carefully read both this Prospectus and any Prospectus Supplement together with the documents incorporated herein by reference under “Documents Incorporated by Reference”.
Each time we sell securities under this Prospectus, we will provide a Prospectus Supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you that may contain material information relating to these offerings. The Prospectus Supplement and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you may also add, update or change information contained in this Prospectus or in any documents that we have incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. You should read this Prospectus, any applicable Prospectus Supplement and any related free writing prospectus, together with the information incorporated herein by reference as described under the heading “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference,” before investing in any of the Securities offered.
THIS PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE USED TO CONSUMMATE A SALE OF SECURITIES UNLESS IT IS ACCOMPANIED BY A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.
Neither we, nor any agent, underwriter or dealer has authorized any person to give any information or to make any representation other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, any applicable Prospectus Supplement or any related free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. This Prospectus, any applicable Prospectus Supplement to this Prospectus or any related free writing prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the registered Securities to which they relate, nor do this Prospectus, any applicable Prospectus Supplement to this Prospectus or any related free writing prospectus constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy Securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction.
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You should not assume that the information contained in this Prospectus, any applicable Prospectus Supplement or any related free writing prospectus is accurate on any date subsequent to the date set forth on the front of the document or that any information we have incorporated by reference is correct on any date subsequent to the date of the document incorporated by reference, even though this Prospectus, any applicable Prospectus Supplement or any related free writing prospectus is delivered, or Securities are sold, on a later date.
This Prospectus and the information incorporated herein by reference contain summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of some of the documents referred to herein have been filed, will be filed or will be incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this Prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”
Owning Securities may subject you to tax consequences in the United States. This Prospectus or any applicable Prospectus Supplement may not describe these tax consequences fully. You should read the tax discussion in any Prospectus Supplement with respect to a particular offering and consult your own tax advisor with respect to your own particular circumstances.
References in this Prospectus to “$” are to United States dollars.
You should rely only on the information contained in this Prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained in this Prospectus. The distribution or possession of this Prospectus in or from certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. This Prospectus is not an offer to sell these Securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these Securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted or where the person making the offer or sale is not qualified to do so or to any person to whom it is not permitted to make such offer or sale. The information contained in this Prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this Prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this Prospectus or of any sale of the Securities. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.
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The following summary highlights selected information contained elsewhere or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and does not contain all of the information that you should consider in making your investment decision. Before investing in Securities, you should carefully read this entire Prospectus, the applicable Prospectus Supplement and any related free writing prospectus, including our financial statements and the related notes and other documents incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, as well as the information under the caption “Risk Factors” contained in the applicable Prospectus Supplement and any related free writing prospectus and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and the exhibits to the registration statement of which this Prospectus is a part.
Our Company
Corporate Organization
Uranium Energy Corp. was incorporated under the laws of the State of Nevada on May 16, 2003 under the name Carlin Gold Inc. During 2004 we changed our business operations and focus from precious metals exploration to uranium exploration in the United States. On January 24, 2005, we completed a reverse stock split of our common stock on the basis of one share for each two outstanding shares and amended our Articles of Incorporation to change our name to Uranium Energy Corp. Effective February 28, 2006, we completed a forward stock split of our common stock on the basis of 1.5 shares for each outstanding share and amended our Articles of Incorporation to increase our authorized capital from 75,000,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $0.001 per share to 750,000,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $0.001 per share. In June 2007 we changed our fiscal year end from December 31 to July 31 (in each instance our “Fiscal” year now).
On December 31, 2007, we incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary, UEC Resources Ltd., under the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada. On December 18, 2009, we acquired a 100% interest in the South Texas Mining Venture, L.L.P. (“STMV”), a Texas limited liability partnership, from each of URN Resources Inc., a subsidiary of Uranium One Inc., and Everest Exploration, Inc. On September 3, 2010, we incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary, UEC Paraguay Corp., under the laws of the State of Nevada. On May 24, 2011, we acquired a 100% interest in Piedra Rica Mining S.A., a private company incorporated in Paraguay. On September 9, 2011, we acquired a 100% interest in Concentric Energy Corp., a private company incorporated in the State of Nevada. On March 30, 2012, we acquired a 100% interest in Cue Resources Ltd. (“Cue”), a formerly publicly-traded company incorporated in the Province of British Columbia, Canada. On March 4, 2016, we acquired a 100% interest in JDL Resources Inc., a private company incorporated in Cayman Islands. On July 7, 2017, we acquired a 100% interest in CIC Resources (Paraguay) Inc., a private company incorporated in Cayman Islands. On August 9, 2017, we acquired a 100% interest in AUC Holdings (US), Inc. On January 31, 2018, we incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary under the laws of the Province of Saskatchewan, Canada, UEC Resources (SK) Corp.
On May 1, 2018, we acquired 100% of Uranerz Energy Corporation’s advanced stage North Reno Creek project located immediately adjacent to and within our existing Reno Creek project permitting boundary in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming.
Our principal offices are located at 500 North Shoreline Boulevard, Suite 800N, Corpus Christi, Texas, 78401, and at 1030 West Georgia Street, Suite 1830, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6E 2Y3.
Our Business
We are pre-dominantly engaged in uranium mining and related activities, including exploration, pre-extraction, extraction and processing, on uranium projects located in the United States and Paraguay. We utilize in-situ recovery (“ISR”) mining where possible which we believe, when compared to conventional open pit or underground mining, requires lower capital and operating expenditures with a shorter lead time to extraction and a reduced impact on the environment. We do not expect, however, to utilize ISR mining for all of our mineral rights in which case we would expect to rely on conventional open pit and/or underground mining techniques. We have one uranium mine located in the State of Texas, the Palangana Mine, which utilizes ISR mining and commenced extraction of uranium oxide (“U3O8”), or yellowcake, in November 2010. We have one uranium processing facility located in the State of Texas, the Hobson Processing Facility, which processes material from the Palangana Mine into drums of U3O8, our only sales product and source of revenue, for shipping to a third-party storage and sales facility. Since commencement of uranium extraction from the Palangana Mine in November 2010 to July 31, 2020, the Hobson Processing Facility has processed 580,100 pounds of U3O8. At January 31, 2021, we had no uranium supply or “off-take” agreements in place.
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Our fully-licensed and 100%-owned Hobson Processing Facility forms the basis for our regional operating strategy in the State of Texas, specifically in the South Texas Uranium Belt, where we utilize ISR mining. We utilize a “hub-and-spoke” strategy whereby the Hobson Processing Facility acts as the central processing site (the “hub”) for our Palangana Mine and future satellite uranium mining activities, such as our Burke Hollow and Goliad Projects, located within the South Texas Uranium Belt (the “spokes”). The Hobson Processing Facility has a physical capacity to process uranium-loaded resins up to a total of two million pounds of U3O8 annually and is licensed to process up to one million pounds of U3O8 annually.
We hold certain mineral rights in various stages in the States of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas and Wyoming, in Canada and in the Republic of Paraguay, many of which are located in historically successful mining areas and have been the subject of past exploration and pre-extraction activities by other mining companies. We do not expect, however, to utilize ISR mining for all of our mineral rights in which case we would expect to rely on conventional open pit and/or underground mining techniques.
Since we completed the acquisition of the Alto Paraná Titanium Project located in Paraguay in July 2017, we are also involved in titanium mining and related activities, including exploration, development, extraction and processing of titanium minerals such as ilmenite.
Our operating and strategic framework is based on expanding our uranium and titanium extraction activities, which includes advancing certain projects with established mineralized materials towards extraction and establishing additional mineralized materials on our existing uranium and titanium projects or through the acquisition of additional projects.
We continued to operate the Palangana Mine at a reduced pace since implementing our strategic plan in September 2013, to align our operations to a weak uranium market in a challenging post-Fukushima environment. This strategy has included the deferral of major pre-extraction expenditures and remaining in a state of operational readiness in anticipation of a recovery in uranium prices.
During Fiscal 2020, we made significant advancements in various aspects of our operations, including:
| · | completing a drilling campaign to prepare for the development of the first production area where we drilled 57 exploration/delineation holes and completed 76 monitor wells totaling 54,724 feet at our Burke Hollow Project. We enlarged our first production area with the discovery of additional mineralization in new and existing trends; | |
| · | completing a drilling campaign to prepare for a Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”) where we drilled 49 holes at our Alto Parana Project; | |
| · | maintaining our strategic focus of acquiring and developing U.S. ISR projects that are environmentally friendly and are a lower cost alternative to conventional mining and controlling the largest U.S. resource base of fully permitted ISR projects in Texas and Wyoming. We are ideally positioned to supply potential U.S. government purchases for a national uranium reserve as well as longer-term utility demand; | |
| · | maintaining a perfect safety record with no lost-time accidents and no reportable medical aids during the year. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we arranged for our teams at our Vancouver, Corpus Christi and Paraguay offices to work remotely. Maintenance protocols at our Hobson Processing Facility and at our Palangana Mine remained unchanged. Our Hobson Processing Facility and Palangana Mine remain on standby for future extraction. We postponed plans to resume drilling at our Burke Hollow Project; and | |
| · | the Company’s shares remain listed on the Russell 3000 and related growth and value indexes. |
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Uranium Market Developments
Over the past few years, global uranium market fundamentals have been improving as the market transitions from being an inventory driven to more of a production driven market. The spot market bottomed in November 2016 at about $17.75 per pound U3O8 and stood at about $27.72 per pound at January 31, 2021. Curtailments in production from several global producers have lowered uranium supply over the past few years. In 2020, about 50% of global production was shutdown attributable to the COVID-19 virus. This event has accelerated a rebalancing in the market, resulting in about 19 million pounds of supply being removed that will not be made up. Supply and demand projections show a structural deficit between production and utility requirements of about 40 million pounds per year through 2026 that approaches 70 million pounds by 2030. The gap is being filled with secondary market sources, including finite inventory that is projected to decline in upcoming years.
Higher priced contracts that have supported production are continuing to roll out of producer and utility supply portfolios. These higher priced contracts are not replaceable with current market prices below production costs for the vast majority of western producers. This will likely continue the trend of production cuts and deferrals until prices rise sufficiently to sustain long-term mining operations. In late 2020, one of the world’s largest and low-cost mines shut down again because of COVID-19 concerns and is currently reducing expected supply by another 1.5 million pounds per month. In addition, some of the more significant global projects have recently shut down or are in their final stages of production as their resources become depleted.
On the demand side of the equation, the global nuclear energy industry continues robust growth, with 53 new reactors connected to the grid since the start of 2013 and another 52 reactors under construction as of February 2021. Nuclear generation has continued to increase over the past several years and has eclipsed pre-Fukushima production volumes. In the 2020 edition (World Energy Outlook 2020), the International Energy Agency “Stated Policies Scenario” sees installed nuclear capacity growth of over 15% from 2019 to 2040, reaching about 480 GWE. Further upside market pressure also appears likely as utilities finally return to a longer-term contracting cycle to replace expiring contracts, something the market has not experienced for several years.
In the U.S., significant political developments are improving the outlook for American uranium producers. In September 2020, for the first time in 48 years, the Democratic Party platform endorsed nuclear power, creating a solid base of bipartisan political support for the nuclear industry. In October 2020, the U.S. Department of Commerce concluded an amendment to the Agreement Suspending the Antidumping Investigation on Uranium from the Russian Federation that reduces America’s dependence on Russian natural uranium concentrates up to 75% from prior levels. In December, the U.S. Federal Government omnibus spending bill passed by Congress includes $75 million for initial funding of the 10-year U.S. Uranium Reserve. More recently, the Nuclear Prosperity and Security Act was reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representative that would direct the Secretary of Energy to establish and operate a U.S. Uranium Reserve.
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Uranium Inventory Initiative
We are investing to build the next generation of low-cost and environmentally friendly uranium projects that will be competitive on a global basis. Despite our focus on low cost in-situ recovery mining with its low capital requirements, we saw a unique opportunity to purchase drummed uranium at prevailing spot prices which are below most global industry mining costs. Hence, we recently established a physical uranium inventory initiative (the “Initiative”) and have entered into fully funded cash on hand agreements to purchase 2.305 million pounds of U.S. warehoused uranium. Various deliveries have or are scheduled to occur in March 2021 into June 2023 at the ConverDyn conversion facility located in Metropolis, Illinois at a volume weighted average price of about $30 per pound.
This Initiative will support three objectives for us: (i) to bolster our balance sheet as uranium prices appreciate; (ii) to provide strategic inventory to support future marketing efforts with utilities that could compliment production and accelerate cashflows; and (iii) to increase the availability of our Texas and Wyoming production capacity for emerging U.S. origin specific opportunities which may command premium pricing due to scarcity of domestic uranium. One such U.S. origin specific opportunity is our plan to participate in supplying the U.S. Uranium Reserve (“UR”), as outlined in the Nuclear Fuel Working Group report published by the U.S. Department of Energy. The UR is designed as a 10-year, $1.5 billion program to purchase newly mined U.S. origin uranium that fits well with our production ready, fully licensed domestic mining capabilities.
Response to COVID-19 Pandemic
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have taken proactive steps to lower our operating expenses and to adjust our timing of capital expenditures. For the protection of our employees, we have arranged for our teams at our Vancouver, Corpus Christi and Paraguay offices to work remotely. In the meantime, we continued to operate our Palangana Mine at a reduced pace to capture residual uranium only and continue to advance our ISR projects with engineering and geologic evaluations that support the Company’s extraction readiness strategy.
The Securities Offered under this Prospectus
We may offer the Common Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants, Subscription Receipts or Units with a total value of up to $200,000,000 from time to time under this Prospectus, together with any applicable Prospectus Supplement and related free writing prospectus, at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions at the time of offering. This Prospectus provides you with a general description of the Securities we may offer. Each time we offer Securities, we will provide a Prospectus Supplement that will describe the specific amounts, prices and other important terms of the Securities, including, to the extent applicable:
| · | designation or classification; | |
| · | aggregate principal amount or aggregate offering price; | |
| · | maturity, if applicable; | |
| · | original issue discount, if any; | |
| · | rates and times of payment of interest or dividends, if any; | |
| · | redemption, conversion, exchange or sinking fund terms, if any; | |
| · | conversion or exchange prices or rates, if any, and, if applicable, any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the conversion or exchange prices or rates, and in the securities or other property receivable upon conversion or exchange; | |
| · | ranking; |
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| · | restrictive covenants, if any; | |
| · | voting or other rights, if any; and | |
| · | important United States federal income tax considerations. | |
A Prospectus Supplement and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you may also add, update or change information contained in this Prospectus or in documents we have incorporated by reference. However, no Prospectus Supplement or free writing prospectus will offer a security that is not registered and described in this Prospectus at the time of the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this Prospectus is a part.
We may sell the Securities on a continuous or delayed basis to or through underwriters, dealers or agents or directly to purchasers. The Prospectus Supplement, which we will provide to you each time we offer Securities, will set forth the names of any underwriters, dealers or agents involved in the sale of the Securities, and any applicable fee, commission or discount arrangements with them.
Common Shares
We may offer Common Shares. Holders of Common Shares are entitled to one vote per Common Share on all matters that require shareholder approval. Holders of our Common Shares are entitled to dividends when and if declared by our Board of Directors. Our Common Shares are described in greater detail in this Prospectus under “Description of Common Shares.”
Debt Securities
We may offer Debt Securities from time to time, in one or more series, as either senior or subordinated debt or as senior or subordinated convertible debt. The Debt Securities may be issued under one or more documents called indentures, which are contracts between our Company and a trustee for the holders of the Debt Securities, or may be issued without the use of an indenture. If Debt Securities are issued without the use of an indenture, all the terms of such Debt Security shall be included in the form of such Debt Security. In this Prospectus, we have summarized certain general features of the Debt Securities under “Description of Debt Securities”. We urge you, however, to read any Prospectus Supplement and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you related to the series of Debt Securities being offered, as well as the complete indentures, if any, or the forms of such Debt Securities, as applicable, that contain the terms of the Debt Securities. A form of indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this Prospectus is a part, and supplemental indentures and/or forms of Debt Securities containing the terms of Debt Securities being offered will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this Prospectus is a part, or incorporated by reference from a current report on Form 8-K that we file with the SEC.
Warrants
We may offer Warrants for the purchase of Common Shares or Debt Securities, in one or more series, from time to time. We may issue Warrants independently or together with Common Shares, Debt Securities, or Subscription Receipts, and the Warrants may be attached to or separate from such securities.
The Warrants will be evidenced by warrant certificates and may be issued under one or more warrant indentures, which are contracts between our Company and a warrant trustee for the holders of the Warrants. We may also choose to act as our own warrant trustee. In this Prospectus, we have summarized certain general features of the Warrants under “Description of Warrants”. We urge you, however, to read any Prospectus Supplement and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you related to the series of Warrants being offered, as well as the warrant certificates and, if applicable, the warrant indentures, that contain the terms of the Warrants. Specific warrant certificates and, if applicable, warrant indentures, will contain additional important terms and provisions and will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this Prospectus is a part, or incorporated by reference from a current report on Form 8-K that we file with the SEC.
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Subscription Receipts
We may issue Subscription Receipts, which will entitle holders to receive upon satisfaction of certain release conditions and for no additional consideration, Common Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants or any combination thereof. Subscription Receipts will be issued pursuant to one or more subscription receipt agreements, each to be entered into between our Company and an escrow agent, which will establish the terms and conditions of the Subscription Receipts. Each escrow agent will be a financial institution organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof, or Canada or a province thereof, and authorized to carry on business as a trustee. A copy of the form of subscription receipt agreement will be filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this Prospectus is a part, or will be incorporated by reference from a current report on Form 8-K that we file with the SEC.
Units
We may offer Units consisting of Common Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants and/or Subscription Receipts to purchase any of such securities in one or more series. In this Prospectus, we have summarized certain general features of the Units under “Description of Units”. We urge you, however, to read any Prospectus Supplement and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you related to the series of Units being offered. We may evidence each series of units by unit certificates that we will issue under a separate unit agreement with a unit agent. We may also choose to act as our own unit agent. We will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this Prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from a current report on Form 8-K that we file with the SEC, any unit agreements that describe the terms of the series of Units we are offering before the issuance of the related series of Units.
THIS PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE USED TO OFFER OR SELL ANY SECURITIES UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.
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Prospective investors should carefully consider the following risks, as well as the other information contained in this prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference herein, including the risks described in our annual report on Form 10-K and our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, before investing in our securities. Any one of these material risks and uncertainties has the potential to cause actual results, performance, achievements or events to be materially different from any future results, performance, achievements or events implied, suggested or expressed by any forward-looking statements made by us or by persons acting on our behalf. Refer to "Forward-Looking Statements".
There is no assurance that we will be successful in preventing the material adverse effects that any one or more of the following material risks and uncertainties may cause on our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results, which may result in a significant decrease in the market price of our common stock. Furthermore, there is no assurance that these material risks and uncertainties represent a complete list of the material risks and uncertainties facing us. There may be additional risks and uncertainties of a material nature that, as of the date of this prospectus, we are unaware of or that we consider immaterial that may become material in the future, any one or more of which may result in a material adverse effect on us. You could lose all or a significant portion of your investment due to any of these risks and uncertainties.
Risks Related to Our Company and Business
Evaluating our future performance may be difficult since we have a limited financial and operating history, with significant negative cash flow and accumulated deficit to date. Our long-term success will depend ultimately on our ability to achieve and maintain profitability and to develop positive cash flow from our mining activities.
As more fully described under Item 1, Business, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for Fiscal 2020, Uranium Energy Corp. was incorporated under the laws of the State of Nevada on May 16, 2003, and since 2004 we have been engaged in uranium mining and related activities, including exploration, pre-extraction, extraction and processing, on projects located in the United States, Canada and Paraguay. In November 2010 we commenced uranium extraction for the first time at our Palangana Mine utilizing ISR methods and processed those materials at our Hobson Processing Facility into drums of U3O8, our only sales product and source of revenue. We also hold uranium projects in various stages of exploration and pre-extraction in the States of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas and Wyoming, in Canada and the Republic of Paraguay. Since we completed the acquisition of our Alto Paraná Project located in the Republic of Paraguay in July 2017, we are also involved in mining and related activities, including exploration, pre-extraction, extraction and processing, of titanium minerals.
As more fully described under “Liquidity and Capital Resources” of Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Result of Operation in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended January 31, 2021, we have a history of significant negative cash flow and net losses, with an accumulated deficit balance of $285.2 million at January 31, 2021. Historically, we have been reliant primarily on equity financings from the sale of our common stock and on debt financing in order to fund our operations. Although we generated revenues from sales of U3O8 during Fiscal 2015, Fiscal 2013 and Fiscal 2012 of $3.1 million, $9.0 million and $13.8 million, respectively, we have yet to achieve profitability or develop positive cash flow from our operations, and we do not expect to achieve profitability or develop positive cash flow from operations in the near term. As a result of our limited financial and operating history, including our significant negative cash flow and net losses to date, it may be difficult to evaluate our future performance.
At January 31, 2021, we had cash and cash equivalents of $8.7 million and term deposits of $4.0 million. Subsequent to January 31, 2021, we received net proceeds of $28.2 million under the ATM Offering. Our existing cash resources are expected to provide sufficient funds to repay our long-term debt of $18.0 million under our Credit Facility when it comes due and carry out our planned operations for 12 months from the date of this Quarterly Report. Our continuation as a going concern beyond those 12 months will be dependent upon our ability to obtain adequate additional financing as our operations are capital intensive and future capital expenditures are expected to be substantial. Our continued operations, including the recoverability of the carrying values of our assets, are dependent ultimately on our ability to achieve and maintain profitability and positive cash flow from our operations.
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Our reliance on equity and debt financings is expected to continue for the foreseeable future, and their availability whenever such additional financing is required will be dependent on many factors beyond our control including, but not limited to, the market price of uranium, the continuing public support of nuclear power as a viable source of electrical generation, the volatility in the global financial markets affecting our stock price and the status of the worldwide economy, any one of which may cause significant challenges in our ability to access additional financing, including access to the equity and credit markets. We may also be required to seek other forms of financing, such as asset divestitures or joint venture arrangements, to continue advancing our uranium projects which would depend entirely on finding a suitable third party willing to enter into such an arrangement, typically involving an assignment of a percentage interest in the mineral project.
Our long-term success, including the recoverability of the carrying values of our assets and our ability to acquire additional uranium projects and continue with exploration and pre-extraction activities and mining activities on our existing uranium projects, will depend ultimately on our ability to achieve and maintain profitability and positive cash flow from our operations by establishing ore bodies that contain commercially recoverable uranium and to develop these into profitable mining activities. The economic viability of our mining activities, including the expected duration and profitability of our Palangana Mine and of any future satellite ISR mines, such as our Burke Hollow and Goliad Projects, located within the South Texas Uranium Belt, and our Reno Creek Project located in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming, and our projects in Canada and in the Republic of Paraguay, have many risks and uncertainties. These include, but are not limited to: (i) a significant, prolonged decrease in the market price of uranium and titanium minerals; (ii) difficulty in marketing and/or selling uranium concentrates; (iii) significantly higher than expected capital costs to construct the mine and/or processing plant; (iv) significantly higher than expected extraction costs; (v) significantly lower than expected mineral extraction; (vi) significant delays, reductions or stoppages of uranium extraction activities; and (vii) the introduction of significantly more stringent regulatory laws and regulations. Our mining activities may change as a result of any one or more of these risks and uncertainties and there is no assurance that any ore body that we extract mineralized materials from will result in achieving and maintaining profitability and developing positive cash flow.
Our operations are capital intensive and we will require significant additional financing to acquire additional mineral projects and continue with our exploration and pre-extraction activities on our existing projects.
Our operations are capital intensive and future capital expenditures are expected to be substantial. We will require significant additional financing to fund our operations, including acquiring additional mineral projects and continuing with our exploration and pre-extraction activities which include assaying, drilling, geological and geochemical analysis and mine construction costs. In the absence of such additional financing we would not be able to fund our operations or continue with our exploration and pre-extraction activities, which may result in delays, curtailment or abandonment of any one or all of our projects.
If we are unable to service our indebtedness, we may be faced with accelerated repayments or lose the assets securing our indebtedness. Furthermore, restrictive covenants governing our indebtedness may restrict our ability to pursue our business strategies.
During Fiscal 2019, we entered into the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement under our Credit Facility with our Lenders under which we had previously drawn down the maximum $20 million in principal. During the three months ended January 31, 2021, we made a voluntary payment of $2 million to one of our Lenders, reducing the principal outstanding to $18 million at January 31, 2021, and subsequent to January 31, 2021, we made a further voluntary principal payment to our Lenders to reduce the principal outstanding to $10 million at March 16, 2021. The Credit Facility requires monthly interest payments calculated at 8% per annum and other periodic fees. Our ability to continue making these scheduled payments will be dependent on and may change as a result of our financial condition and operating results. Failure to make any of these scheduled payments will put us in default with the Credit Facility which, if not addressed or waived, could require accelerated repayment of our indebtedness and/or enforcement by the Lenders against our assets. Enforcement against our assets would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and operating results.
Furthermore, our Credit Facility includes restrictive covenants that, among other things, limit our ability to sell our assets or to incur additional indebtedness other than permitted indebtedness, which may restrict our ability to pursue certain business strategies from time to time. If we do not comply with these restrictive covenants, we could be in default which, if not addressed or waived, could require accelerated repayment of our indebtedness and/or enforcement by the Lenders against our assets.
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Our uranium extraction and sales history is limited, with our uranium extraction to date originating from a single uranium mine. Our ability to continue generating revenue is subject to a number of factors, any one or more of which may adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.
We have a limited history of uranium extraction and generating revenue. In November 2010 we commenced uranium extraction at our Palangana Mine, which has been our sole source of revenues from the sales of U3O8 during Fiscal 2015, Fiscal 2013 and Fiscal 2012, with no revenues from sales of U3O8 generated during the three months ended January 31, 2021, and any other fiscal years.
During the six months ended January 31, 2021, we continued to operate our Palangana Mine at a reduced pace since implementing our strategic plan in September 2013 to align our operations to a weak uranium commodity market in a challenging post-Fukushima environment. This strategy has included the deferral of major pre-extraction expenditures and remaining in a state of operational readiness in anticipation of a recovery in uranium prices. Our ability to continue generating revenue from the Palangana Mine is subject to a number of factors which include, but are not limited to: (i) a significant, prolonged decrease in the market price of uranium; (ii) difficulty in marketing and/or selling uranium concentrates; (iii) significantly higher than expected capital costs to construct the mine and/or processing plant; (iv) significantly higher than expected extraction costs; (v) significantly lower than expected uranium extraction; (vi) significant delays, reductions or stoppages of uranium extraction activities; and (vii) the introduction of significantly more stringent regulatory laws and regulations. Furthermore, continued mining activities at the Palangana Mine will eventually deplete the Palangana Mine or cause such activities to become uneconomical, and if we are unable to directly acquire or develop existing uranium projects, such as our Burke Hollow and Goliad Projects, into additional uranium mines from which we can commence uranium extraction, it will negatively impact our ability to generate revenues. Any one or more of these occurrences may adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.
Exploration and pre-extraction programs and mining activities are inherently subject to numerous significant risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ significantly from expectations or anticipated amounts. Furthermore, exploration programs conducted on our projects may not result in the establishment of ore bodies that contain commercially recoverable uranium.
Exploration and pre-extraction programs and mining activities are inherently subject to numerous significant risks and uncertainties, with many beyond our control and including, but not limited to: (i) unanticipated ground and water conditions and adverse claims to water rights; (ii) unusual or unexpected geological formations; (iii) metallurgical and other processing problems; (iv) the occurrence of unusual weather or operating conditions and other force majeure events; (v) lower than expected ore grades; (vi) industrial accidents; (vii) delays in the receipt of or failure to receive necessary government permits; (viii) delays in transportation; (ix) availability of contractors and labor; (x) government permit restrictions and regulation restrictions; (xi) unavailability of materials and equipment; and (xii) the failure of equipment or processes to operate in accordance with specifications or expectations. These risks and uncertainties could result in: (i) delays, reductions or stoppages in our mining activities; (ii) increased capital and/or extraction costs; (iii) damage to, or destruction of, our mineral projects, extraction facilities or other properties; (iv) personal injuries; (v) environmental damage; (vi) monetary losses; and (vii) legal claims.
Success in mineral exploration is dependent on many factors, including, without limitation, the experience and capabilities of a company’s management, the availability of geological expertise and the availability of sufficient funds to conduct the exploration program. Even if an exploration program is successful and commercially recoverable material is established, it may take a number of years from the initial phases of drilling and identification of the mineralization until extraction is possible, during which time the economic feasibility of extraction may change such that the material ceases to be economically recoverable. Exploration is frequently non-productive due, for example, to poor exploration results or the inability to establish ore bodies that contain commercially recoverable material, in which case the project may be abandoned and written-off. Furthermore, we will not be able to benefit from our exploration efforts and recover the expenditures that we incur on our exploration programs if we do not establish ore bodies that contain commercially recoverable material and develop these projects into profitable mining activities, and there is no assurance that we will be successful in doing so for any of our projects.
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Whether an ore body contains commercially recoverable material depends on many factors including, without limitation: (i) the particular attributes, including material changes to those attributes, of the ore body such as size, grade, recovery rates and proximity to infrastructure; (ii) the market price of uranium, which may be volatile; and (iii) government regulations and regulatory requirements including, without limitation, those relating to environmental protection, permitting and land use, taxes, land tenure and transportation.
We have not established proven or probable reserves through the completion of a “final” or “bankable” feasibility study for any of our projects, including the Palangana Mine. Furthermore, we have no plans to establish proven or probable reserves for any of our uranium projects for which we plan on utilizing ISR mining, such as the Palangana Mine. Since we commenced extraction of mineralized materials from the Palangana Mine without having established proven or probable reserves, it may result in our mining activities at the Palangana Mine, and at any future projects for which proven or probable reserves are not established, being inherently riskier than other mining activities for which proven or probable reserves have been established.
We have established the existence of mineralized materials for certain projects, including the Palangana Mine. We have not established proven or probable reserves, as defined by the SEC under Industry Guide 7, through the completion of a “final” or “bankable” feasibility study for any of our projects, including the Palangana Mine. Furthermore, we have no plans to establish proven or probable reserves for any of our projects for which we plan on utilizing ISR mining, such as the Palangana Mine. Since we commenced uranium extraction at the Palangana Mine without having established proven or probable reserves, there may be greater inherent uncertainty as to whether or not any mineralized material can be economically extracted as originally planned and anticipated. Any mineralized materials established or extracted from the Palangana Mine should not in any way be associated with having established or produced from proven or probable reserves.
Since we are in the Exploration Stage, pre-production expenditures including those related to pre-extraction activities are expensed as incurred, the effects of which may result in our consolidated financial statements not being directly comparable to the financial statements of companies in the Production Stage.
Despite the fact that we commenced uranium extraction at the Palangana Mine in November 2010, we remain in the Exploration Stage as defined under Industry Guide 7, and will continue to remain in the Exploration Stage until such time proven or probable reserves have been established, which may never occur. We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP under which acquisition costs of mineral rights are initially capitalized as incurred while pre-production expenditures are expensed as incurred until such time we exit the Exploration Stage. Expenditures relating to exploration activities are expensed as incurred and expenditures relating to pre-extraction activities are expensed as incurred until such time proven or probable reserves are established for that uranium project, after which subsequent expenditures relating to mine development activities for that particular project are capitalized as incurred.
We have neither established nor have any plans to establish proven or probable reserves for our uranium projects for which we plan on utilizing ISR mining, such as the Palangana Mine. Companies in the Production Stage as defined by the SEC under Industry Guide 7, having established proven and probable reserves and exited the Exploration Stage, typically capitalize expenditures relating to ongoing development activities, with corresponding depletion calculated over proven and probable reserves using the units-of-production method and allocated to future reporting periods to inventory and, as that inventory is sold, to cost of goods sold. As we are in the Exploration Stage it has resulted in us reporting larger losses than if we had been in the Production Stage due to the expensing, instead of capitalization, of expenditures relating to ongoing mill and mine pre-extraction activities. Additionally, there would be no corresponding amortization allocated to our future reporting periods since those costs would have been expensed previously, resulting in both lower inventory costs and cost of goods sold and results of operations with higher gross profits and lower losses than if we had been in the Production Stage. Any capitalized costs, such as acquisition costs of mineral rights, are depleted over the estimated extraction life using the straight-line method. As a result, our consolidated financial statements may not be directly comparable to the financial statements of companies in the Production Stage.
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Estimated costs of future reclamation obligations may be significantly exceeded by actual costs incurred in the future. Furthermore, only a portion of the financial assurance required for the future reclamation obligations has been funded.
We are responsible for certain remediation and decommissioning activities in the future primarily for our Hobson Processing Facility, our Palangana Mine, our Reno Creek Project and our Alto Paraná Project and have recorded a liability of $3.8 million on our balance sheet at January 31, 2021 to recognize the present value of the estimated costs of such reclamation obligations. Should the actual costs to fulfill these future reclamation obligations materially exceed these estimated costs, it may have an adverse effect on our financial condition and operating results, including not having the financial resources required to fulfill such obligations when required to do so.
During Fiscal 2015 we secured $5.6 million of surety bonds as an alternate source of financial assurance for the estimated costs of the reclamation obligations of our Hobson Processing Facility and Palangana Mine, of which we have $1.8 million funded and held as restricted cash for collateral purposes as required by the surety. We may be required at any time to fund the remaining $3.9 million or any portion thereof for a number of reasons including, but not limited to, the following: (i) the terms of the surety bonds are amended, such as an increase in collateral requirements; (ii) we are in default with the terms of the surety bonds; (iii) the surety bonds are no longer acceptable as an alternate source of financial assurance by the regulatory authorities; or (iv) the surety encounters financial difficulties. Should any one or more of these events occur in the future, we may not have the financial resources to fund the remaining amount or any portion thereof when required to do so.
We cannot provide any assurance that our initiative involving the strategic acquisition of physical uranium will be successful, which may have an adverse effect on our results of operations.
We have used or allocated a large portion of our cash on hand in order to fund the acquisition of drummed uranium. This strategy will be subject to a number of risks and there is no assurance that the strategy will be successful. Future deliveries are subject to performance by other parties and there is a possibility of default by those parties, thus depriving us of potential benefits.
Due to the fluctuation of uranium prices, the price of uranium will fluctuate and we will be subject to losses should we ultimately determine to sell the uranium at prices lower than the acquisition cost. In addition, we may incur income statement losses, should uranium prices decrease in future financial periods. The primary risks associated with physical uranium will be the normal risks associated with supply and demand fundamentals affecting price movements.
We may be required to sell a portion or all of the physical uranium accumulated to fund our operations should other forms of financing not be available to meet our capital requirements.
Since there is no public market for uranium, selling the uranium may take extended periods of time and suitable purchasers may be difficult to find, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and may have a material adverse effect on our securities.
There is no public market for the sale of uranium, although there are several trading and brokerage houses that serve the industry with bid and ask data as well as locations and quantities. The uranium futures market on the New York Mercantile Exchange does not provide for physical delivery of uranium, only cash on settlement, and that trading forum does not offer a formal market but rather facilitates the introduction of buyers to sellers. The pool of potential purchasers and sellers is limited, and each transaction may require the negotiation of specific provisions. Accordingly, a sale may take several weeks or months to complete. If we determine to sell any physical uranium that we have acquired, we may likewise experience difficulties in finding purchasers that are able to accept a material quantity of physical uranium at a price and at a location that is compatible with our interests. The inability to sell on a timely basis in sufficient quantities and at a desired price and location could have a material adverse effect on our securities.
As part of our uranium inventory initiative, we have entered into commitments to purchase U3O8 and may purchase additional quantities. There is no certainty that any future purchases contemplated by us will be completed.
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Storage arrangements, including the extension of storage arrangements, along with credit and operational risks of uranium storage facilities may result in the loss or damage of our physical uranium which may not be covered by insurance or indemnity provisions and could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.
Currently, the uranium we purchased will be stored at the licensed uranium conversion facility of ConverDyn owned by Honeywell. There can be no assurance that storage arrangements that have been negotiated will be extended indefinitely, forcing actions or costs not currently contemplated. Failure to negotiate commercially reasonable storage terms for a subsequent storage period with ConverDyn may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.
By holding our uranium investments at the ConverDyn conversion facility we are exposed to the credit and operational risks of the facility. There is no guarantee that we can fully recover all of our investment in uranium held with the facility in the event of a disruptive event. Failure to recover all uranium holdings could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition. Any loss or damage of the uranium may not be fully covered or absolved by contractual arrangements with ConverDyn or our insurance arrangements, and we may be financially and legally responsible for losses and/or damages not covered by indemnity provisions or insurance. Such responsibility could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.
The uranium industry is subject to influential political and regulatory factors which could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.
The international uranium industry, including the supply of uranium concentrates, is relatively small, competitive and heavily regulated. Worldwide demand for uranium is directly tied to the demand for electricity produced by the nuclear power industry, which is also subject to extensive government regulation and policies. In addition, the international marketing and trade of uranium is subject to political changes in governmental policies, regulatory requirements, and international trade restrictions (including trade agreements, customs, duties and/or taxes). International agreements, governmental policies and trade restrictions are beyond our control. Changes in regulatory requirements, customs, duties or taxes may affect the availability of uranium, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.
We do not insure against all of the risks we face in our operations.
In general, where coverage is available and not prohibitively expensive relative to the perceived risk, we will maintain insurance against such risk, subject to exclusions and limitations. We currently maintain insurance against certain risks including securities and general commercial liability claims and certain physical assets used in our operations, subject to exclusions and limitations, however, we do not maintain insurance to cover all of the potential risks and hazards associated with our operations. We may be subject to liability for environmental, pollution or other hazards associated with our exploration, pre-extraction and extraction activities, which we may not be insured against, which may exceed the limits of our insurance coverage or which we may elect not to insure against because of high premiums or other reasons. Furthermore, we cannot provide assurance that any insurance coverage we currently have will continue to be available at reasonable premiums or that such insurance will adequately cover any resulting liability.
Acquisitions that we may make from time to time could have an adverse impact on us.
From time to time we examine opportunities to acquire additional mining assets and businesses. Any acquisition that we may choose to complete may be of a significant size, may change the scale of our business and operations, and may expose us to new geographic, political, operating, financial and geological risks. Our success in our acquisition activities depends on our ability to identify suitable acquisition candidates, negotiate acceptable terms for any such acquisition, and integrate the acquired operations successfully with those of our Company. Any acquisitions would be accompanied by risks which could have a material adverse effect on our business. For example: (i) there may be a significant change in commodity prices after we have committed to complete the transaction and established the purchase price or exchange ratio; (ii) a material ore body may prove to be below expectations; (iii) we may have difficulty integrating and assimilating the operations and personnel of any acquired companies, realizing anticipated synergies and maximizing the financial and strategic position of the combined enterprise, and maintaining uniform standards, policies and controls across the organization; (iv) the integration of the acquired business or assets may disrupt our ongoing business and our relationships with employees, customers, suppliers and contractors; and (v) the acquired business or assets may have unknown liabilities which may be significant. In the event that we choose to raise debt capital to finance any such acquisition, our leverage will be increased. If we choose to use equity as consideration for such acquisition, existing shareholders may suffer dilution. Alternatively, we may choose to finance any such acquisition with our existing resources. There can be no assurance that we would be successful in overcoming these risks or any other problems encountered in connection with such acquisitions.
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The uranium and titanium industries are subject to numerous stringent laws, regulations and standards, including environmental protection laws and regulations. If any changes occur that would make these laws, regulations and standards more stringent, it may require capital outlays in excess of those anticipated or cause substantial delays, which would have a material adverse effect on our operations.
Uranium and titanium exploration and pre-extraction programs and mining activities are subject to numerous stringent laws, regulations and standards at the federal, state and local levels governing permitting, pre-extraction, extraction, exports, taxes, labor standards, occupational health, waste disposal, protection and reclamation of the environment, protection of endangered and protected species, mine safety, hazardous substances and other matters. Our compliance with these requirements requires significant financial and personnel resources.
The laws, regulations, policies or current administrative practices of any government body, organization or regulatory agency in the United States or any other applicable jurisdiction, may change or be applied or interpreted in a manner which may also have a material adverse effect on our operations. The actions, policies or regulations, or changes thereto, of any government body or regulatory agency or special interest group, may also have a material adverse effect on our operations.
Uranium and titanium exploration and pre-extraction programs and mining activities are subject to stringent environmental protection laws and regulations at the federal, state and local levels. These laws and regulations include permitting and reclamation requirements, regulate emissions, water storage and discharges and disposal of hazardous wastes. Uranium mining activities are also subject to laws and regulations which seek to maintain health and safety standards by regulating the design and use of mining methods. Various permits from governmental and regulatory bodies are required for mining to commence or continue, and no assurance can be provided that required permits will be received in a timely manner.
Our compliance costs, including the posting of surety bonds associated with environmental protection laws and regulations and health and safety standards have been significant to date and are expected to increase in scale and scope as we expand our operations in the future. Furthermore, environmental protection laws and regulations may become more stringent in the future, and compliance with such changes may require capital outlays in excess of those anticipated or cause substantial delays, which would have a material adverse effect on our operations.
To the best of our knowledge, our operations are in compliance, in all material respects, with all applicable laws, regulations and standards. If we become subject to liability for any violations, we may not be able or may elect not to insure against such risk due to high insurance premiums or other reasons. Where coverage is available and not prohibitively expensive relative to the perceived risk, we will maintain insurance against such risk, subject to exclusions and limitations. However, we cannot provide any assurance that such insurance will continue to be available at reasonable premiums or that such insurance will be adequate to cover any resulting liability.
We may not be able to obtain, maintain or amend rights, authorizations, licenses, permits or consents required for our operations.
Our exploration and mining activities are dependent upon the grant of appropriate rights, authorizations, licences, permits and consents, as well as continuation and amendment of these rights, authorizations, licences, permits and consents already granted, which may be granted for a defined period of time, or may not be granted or may be withdrawn or made subject to limitations. There can be no assurance that all necessary rights, authorizations, licences, permits and consents will be granted to us, or that authorizations, licences, permits and consents already granted will not be withdrawn or made subject to limitations.
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Major nuclear and global market incidents may have adverse effects on the nuclear and uranium industries.
The nuclear incident that occurred in Japan in March 2011 had significant and adverse effects on both the nuclear and uranium industries. If another nuclear incident were to occur, it may have further adverse effects for both industries. Public opinion of nuclear power as a source of electrical generation may be adversely affected, which may cause governments of certain countries to further increase regulation for the nuclear industry, reduce or abandon current reliance on nuclear power or reduce or abandon existing plans for nuclear power expansion. Any one of these occurrences has the potential to reduce current and/or future demand for nuclear power, resulting in lower demand for uranium and lower market prices for uranium, adversely affecting the operations and prospects of our Company. Furthermore, the growth of the nuclear and uranium industries is dependent on continuing and growing public support of nuclear power as a viable source of electrical generation.
In March 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a black swan event impacting about 50% of the world’s uranium production and has accelerated the market rebalancing. The timing for the return of global uranium production to pre-COVID-19 levels is highly uncertain as of the date of this Registration Statement. Recent and significant production cuts were announced in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, including uranium facilities in Canada, Kazakhstan, and Namibia. It is unknown at this time exactly how long the shutdowns will last or how much uranium production will ultimately be removed from the market as a result of these shutdowns. It is the Company’s belief that the recent shutdowns are only going to further tighten the market. The Company also believes that a large degree of uncertainty exists in the market, primarily due to the size of mobile uranium inventories, transportation issues, premature reactor shutdowns in the U.S. and the length of time of any uranium mine, conversion or enrichment shutdowns.
The marketability of uranium concentrates will be affected by numerous factors beyond our control which may result in our inability to receive an adequate return on our invested capital.
The marketability of uranium concentrates extracted by us will be affected by numerous factors beyond our control. These factors include macroeconomic factors, fluctuations in the market price of uranium, governmental regulations, land tenure and use, regulations concerning the importing and exporting of uranium and environmental protection regulations. The future effects of these factors cannot be accurately predicted, but any one or a combination of these factors may result in our inability to receive an adequate return on our invested capital.
The titanium industry is affected by global economic factors, including risks associated with volatile economic conditions, and the market for many titanium products is cyclical and volatile, and we may experience depressed market conditions for such products.
Titanium is used in many "quality of life" products for which demand historically has been linked to global, regional and local GDP and discretionary spending, which can be negatively impacted by regional and world events or economic conditions. Such events are likely to cause a decrease in demand for products and, as a result, may have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. The timing and extent of any changes to currently prevailing market conditions is uncertain, and supply and demand may be unbalanced at any time. Uncertain economic conditions and market instability make it particularly difficult for us to forecast demand trends. As a consequence, we may not be able to accurately predict future economic conditions or the effect of such conditions on our financial condition or results of operations. We can give no assurances as to the timing, extent or duration of the current or future economic cycles impacting the industries in which we operate.
Historically, the market for large volume titanium applications, including coatings, paper and plastics, has experienced alternating periods of tight supply, causing prices and margins to increase, followed by periods of lower capacity utilization resulting in declining prices and margins. The volatility this market experiences occurs as a result of significant changes in the demand for products as a consequence of global economic activity and changes in customers’ requirements. The supply-demand balance is also impacted by capacity additions or reductions that result in changes of utilization rates. In addition, titanium margins are impacted by significant changes in major input costs such as energy and feedstock. Demand for titanium depends in part on the housing and construction industries. These industries are cyclical in nature and have historically been impacted by downturns in the economy. In addition, pricing may affect customer inventory levels as customers may from time to time accelerate purchases of titanium in advance of anticipated price increases or defer purchases of titanium in advance of anticipated price decreases. The cyclicality and volatility of the titanium industry results in significant fluctuations in profits and cash flow from period to period and over the business cycle.
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The uranium industry is highly competitive and we may not be successful in acquiring additional projects.
The uranium industry is highly competitive, and our competition includes larger, more established companies with longer operating histories that not only explore for and produce uranium, but also market uranium and other products on a regional, national or worldwide basis. Due to their greater financial and technical resources, we may not be able to acquire additional uranium projects in a competitive bidding process involving such companies. Additionally, these larger companies have greater resources to continue with their operations during periods of depressed market conditions.
The titanium industry is concentrated and highly competitive, and we may not be able to compete effectively with our competitors that have greater financial resources or those that are vertically integrated, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
The global titanium market is highly competitive, with the top six producers accounting for approximately 60% of the world’s production capacity. Competition is based on a number of factors, such as price, product quality and service. Competition is based on a number of factors, such as price, product quality and service. Among our competitors are companies that are vertically-integrated (those that have their own raw material resources). Changes in the competitive landscape could make it difficult for us to retain our competitive position in various products and markets throughout the world. Our competitors with their own raw material resources may have a competitive advantage during periods of higher raw material prices. In addition, some of the companies with whom we compete may be able to produce products more economically than we can. Furthermore, some of our competitors have greater financial resources, which may enable them to invest significant capital into their businesses, including expenditures for research and development.
We hold mineral rights in foreign jurisdictions which could be subject to additional risks due to political, taxation, economic and cultural factors.
We hold certain mineral rights located in the Republic of Paraguay through Piedra Rica Mining S.A., Transandes Paraguay S.A., Trier S.A. and Metalicos Y No Metalicos S.R.L., which are incorporated in Paraguay. Operations in foreign jurisdictions outside of the United States and Canada, especially in developing countries, may be subject to additional risks as they may have different political, regulatory, taxation, economic and cultural environments that may adversely affect the value or continued viability of our rights. These additional risks include, but are not limited to: (i) changes in governments or senior government officials; (ii) changes to existing laws or policies on foreign investments, environmental protection, mining and ownership of mineral interests; (iii) renegotiation, cancellation, expropriation and nationalization of existing permits or contracts; (iv) foreign currency controls and fluctuations; and (v) civil disturbances, terrorism and war.
In the event of a dispute arising at our foreign operations in Paraguay, we may be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of foreign courts or may not be successful in subjecting foreign persons to the jurisdiction of the courts in the United States or Canada. We may also be hindered or prevented from enforcing our rights with respect to a government entity or instrumentality because of the doctrine of sovereign immunity. Any adverse or arbitrary decision of a foreign court may have a material and adverse impact on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
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The title to our mineral property interests may be challenged.
Although we have taken reasonable measures to ensure proper title to our interests in mineral properties and other assets, there is no guarantee that the title to any of such interests will not be challenged. No assurance can be given that we will be able to secure the grant or the renewal of existing mineral rights and tenures on terms satisfactory to us, or that governments in the jurisdictions in which we operate will not revoke or significantly alter such rights or tenures or that such rights or tenures will not be challenged or impugned by third parties, including local governments, aboriginal peoples or other claimants. The Company has had communications and filings with the MOPC, the mining regulator in Paraguay, whereby the MOPC is taking the position that certain concessions forming part of the Company’s Yuty Project and Alto Paraná Project are not eligible for extension as to exploration or continuation to exploitation in their current stages. While we remain fully committed to our development path forward in Paraguay, we have filed certain applications and appeals in Paraguay to reverse the MOPC’s position in order to protect the Company’s continuing rights in those concessions. Our mineral properties may be subject to prior unregistered agreements, transfers or claims, and title may be affected by, among other things, undetected defects. A successful challenge to the precise area and location of our claims could result in us being unable to operate on our properties as permitted or being unable to enforce our rights with respect to our properties.
Due to the nature of our business, we may be subject to legal proceedings which may divert management’s time and attention from our business and result in substantial damage awards.
Due to the nature of our business, we may be subject to numerous regulatory investigations, securities claims, civil claims, lawsuits and other proceedings in the ordinary course of our business including those described under Item 1, Legal Proceedings. The outcome of these lawsuits is uncertain and subject to inherent uncertainties, and the actual costs to be incurred will depend upon many unknown factors. We may be forced to expend significant resources in the defense of these suits, and we may not prevail. Defending against these and other lawsuits in the future may not only require us to incur significant legal fees and expenses, but may become time-consuming for us and detract from our ability to fully focus our internal resources on our business activities. The results of any legal proceeding cannot be predicted with certainty due to the uncertainty inherent in litigation, the difficulty of predicting decisions of regulators, judges and juries and the possibility that decisions may be reversed on appeal. There can be no assurances that these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position or operating results.
We depend on certain key personnel, and our success will depend on our continued ability to retain and attract such qualified personnel.
Our success is dependent on the efforts, abilities and continued service of certain senior officers and key employees and consultants. A number of our key employees and consultants have significant experience in the uranium industry. A loss of service from any one of these individuals may adversely affect our operations, and we may have difficulty or may not be able to locate and hire a suitable replacement.
Certain directors and officers may be subject to conflicts of interest.
The majority of our directors and officers are involved in other business ventures including similar capacities with other private or publicly-traded companies. Such individuals may have significant responsibilities to these other business ventures, including consulting relationships, which may require significant amounts of their available time. Conflicts of interest may include decisions on how much time to devote to our business affairs and what business opportunities should be presented to us. Our Code of Conduct and Ethics provides for guidance on conflicts of interest.
The laws of the State of Nevada and our Articles of Incorporation may protect our directors and officers from certain types of lawsuits.
The laws of the State of Nevada provide that our directors and officers will not be liable to our Company or to our stockholders for monetary damages for all but certain types of conduct as directors and officers. Our Bylaws provide for broad indemnification powers to all persons against all damages incurred in connection with our business to the fullest extent provided or allowed by law. These indemnification provisions may require us to use our limited assets to defend our directors and officers against claims, and may have the effect of preventing stockholders from recovering damages against our directors and officers caused by their negligence, poor judgment or other circumstances.
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Several of our directors and officers are residents outside of the United States, and it may be difficult for stockholders to enforce within the United States any judgments obtained against such directors or officers.
Several of our directors and officers are nationals and/or residents of countries other than the United States, and all or a substantial portion of such persons’ assets are located outside of the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to effect service of process on such directors and officers, or enforce within the United States any judgments obtained against such directors and officers, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state thereof. Consequently, stockholders may be effectively prevented from pursuing remedies against such directors and officers under United States federal securities laws. In addition, stockholders may not be able to commence an action in a Canadian court predicated upon the civil liability provisions under United States federal securities laws. The foregoing risks also apply to those experts identified in this document that are not residents of the United States.
Disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting, no matter how well designed and operated, are designed to obtain reasonable, and not absolute, assurance as to its reliability and effectiveness.
Management’s evaluation on the effectiveness of disclosure controls and procedures is designed to ensure that information required for disclosure in our public filings is recorded, processed, summarized and reported on a timely basis to our senior management, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management’s report on internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance that transactions are properly authorized, assets are safeguarded against unauthorized or improper use and transactions are properly recorded and reported. However, any system of controls, no matter how well designed and operated, is based in part upon certain assumptions designed to obtain reasonable, and not absolute, assurance as to its reliability and effectiveness. Any failure to maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures in the future may result in our inability to continue meeting our reporting obligations in a timely manner, qualified audit opinions or restatements of our financial reports, any one of which may affect the market price for our common stock and our ability to access the capital markets.
Risks Related to Our Common Stock
Historically, the market price of our common stock has been and may continue to fluctuate significantly.
On September 28, 2007 our common stock commenced trading on the NYSE American (formerly known as the American Stock Exchange, the NYSE Amex Equities Exchange and the NYSE MKT) and prior to that, traded on the OTC Bulletin Board.
The global markets have experienced significant and increased volatility in the past and have been impacted by the effects of mass sub-prime mortgage defaults and liquidity problems of the asset-backed commercial paper market, resulting in a number of large financial institutions requiring government bailouts or filing for bankruptcy. The effects of these past events and any similar events in the future may continue to or further affect the global markets, which may directly affect the market price of our common stock and our accessibility for additional financing. Although this volatility may be unrelated to specific company performance, it can have an adverse effect on the market price of our shares which, historically, has fluctuated significantly and may continue to do so in the future.
In addition to the volatility associated with general economic trends and market conditions, the market price of our common stock could decline significantly due to the impact of any one or more events, including, but not limited to, the following: (i) volatility in the uranium market; (ii) occurrence of a major nuclear incident such as the events in Fukushima in March 2011; (iii) changes in the outlook for the nuclear power and uranium industries; (iv) failure to meet market expectations on our exploration, pre-extraction or extraction activities, including abandonment of key uranium projects; (v) sales of a large number of our shares held by certain stockholders including institutions and insiders; (vi) downward revisions to previous estimates on us by analysts; (vii) removal from market indices; (viii) legal claims brought forth against us; and (ix) introduction of technological innovations by competitors or in competing technologies.
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A prolonged decline in the market price of our common stock could affect our ability to obtain additional financing which would adversely affect our operations.
Historically we have relied on equity financing and, more recently, on debt financing, as primary sources of financing. A prolonged decline in the market price of our common stock or a reduction in our accessibility to the global markets may result in our inability to secure additional financing which would have an adverse effect on our operations.
Additional issuances of our common stock may result in significant dilution to our existing shareholders and reduce the market value of their investment.
We are authorized to issue 750,000,000 shares of common stock of which 232,810,361 shares were issued and outstanding as of May 13, 2021. Future issuances for financings, mergers and acquisitions, exercise of stock options and share purchase warrants and for other reasons may result in significant dilution to and be issued at prices substantially below the price paid for our shares held by our existing stockholders. Significant dilution would reduce the proportionate ownership and voting power held by our existing stockholders and may result in a decrease in the market price of our shares.
We are subject to the Continued Listing Criteria of the NYSE American and our failure to satisfy these criteria may result in delisting of our common stock.
Our common stock is currently listed on the NYSE American. In order to maintain this listing, we must maintain certain share prices, financial and share distribution targets, including maintaining a minimum amount of shareholders’ equity and a minimum number of public shareholders. In addition to these objective standards, the NYSE American may delist the securities of any issuer: (i) if, in its opinion, the issuer’s financial condition and/or operating results appear unsatisfactory; (ii) if it appears that the extent of public distribution or the aggregate market value of the security has become so reduced as to make continued listing on the NYSE American inadvisable; (iii) if the issuer sells or disposes of principal operating assets or ceases to be an operating company; (iv) if an issuer fails to comply with the NYSE American’s listing requirements; (v) if an issuer’s common stock sells at what the NYSE American considers a “low selling price” and the issuer fails to correct this via a reverse split of shares after notification by the NYSE American; or (vi) if any other event occurs or any condition exists which makes continued listing on the NYSE American, in its opinion, inadvisable.
If the NYSE American delists our common stock, investors may face material adverse consequences, including, but not limited to, a lack of trading market for our securities, reduced liquidity, decreased analyst coverage of our securities and an inability for us to obtain additional financing to fund our operations.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Prospectus, including the documents that are and will be incorporated by reference into this Prospectus, include statements and information about our strategy, objectives, plans and expectations for the future that are not statements or information of historical fact. These statements and information are considered to be forward-looking statements, or forward-looking information, within the meaning of and under the protection provided by the safe harbor provision for forward-looking statements as contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and similar Canadian securities laws.
Forward-looking statements, and any estimates and assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our views and expectations for the future as of the date of such statements, which can change significantly. Furthermore, forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results, performance, achievements or events to be materially different from any future results, performance, achievements or events implied, suggested or expressed by such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, forward-looking statements in this Prospectus or in any documents incorporate by reference into this Prospectus should not be unduly relied upon.
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Forward-looking statements may be based on a number of material estimates and assumptions, of which any one or more may prove to be incorrect. Forward-looking statements may be identifiable by terminology concerning the future, such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “continue”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”, “forecast”, “intend”, “goal”, “likely”, “may”, “might”, “outlook”, “plan”, “predict”, “potential”, “project”, “should”, “schedule”, “strategy”, “target”, “will” or “would”, and similar expressions or variations thereof including the negative use of such terminology. Examples in this Prospectus or in any documents incorporated by reference include, but are not limited to, such forward-looking statements reflecting or pertaining to:
| · | our overall strategy, objectives, plans and expectations for Fiscal 2021 and beyond; | |
| · | our expectations for worldwide nuclear power generation and future uranium supply and demand, including long-term market prices for U3O8; | |
| · | our belief and expectations of ISR mining for our uranium projects, where applicable; | |
| · | our estimation of mineralized materials, which are based on certain estimates and assumptions, and the economics of future production for our uranium projects including the Palangana Mine; | |
| · | our plans and expectations including anticipated expenditures relating to exploration, pre-extraction, extraction and reclamation activities for our uranium projects including the Palangana Mine; | |
| · | our ability to obtain, maintain and amend, within a reasonable period of time, required rights, permits and licenses from landowners, governments and regulatory authorities; | |
| · | our ability to obtain adequate additional financing including access to the equity and credit markets; | |
| · | our ability to remain in compliance with the terms of our indebtedness; and | |
| · | our belief and expectations including the possible impact of any legal proceedings or regulatory actions against us. | |
Forward-looking statements, and any estimates and assumptions upon which they are based, are made as of the date of this Prospectus or the date of any documents incorporated by reference into this Prospectus, as applicable, and we do not intend or undertake to revise, update or supplement any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, future events or changes in estimates and assumptions or other factors affecting such forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable securities laws. Should one or more forward-looking statements be revised, updated or supplemented, no inference should be made that we will revise, update or supplement any other forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties. As discussed in more detail under “Risk Factors” in this Prospectus, we have identified a number of material risks and uncertainties which reflect our outlook and conditions known to us as of the date of this Prospectus and including, but not limited to, the following:
| · | our limited financial and operating history; | |
| · | our need for additional financing; | |
| · | our ability to service our indebtedness; | |
| · | our limited uranium extraction and sales history; |
| · | our operations are inherently subject to numerous significant risks and uncertainties, many beyond our control; |
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| · | our exploration activities on our mineral properties may not result in commercially recoverable quantities of uranium; |
| · | limits to our insurance coverage; | |
| · | the level of government regulation, including environmental regulation; | |
| · | changes in governmental regulation and administrative practices; | |
| · | nuclear incidents; | |
| · | the marketability of uranium concentrates; | |
| · | the competitive environment in which we operate; | |
| · | our dependence on key personnel; and | |
| · | conflicts of interest of our directors and officers. |
Any one of the foregoing material risks and uncertainties has the potential to cause actual results, performance, achievements or events to be materially different from any future results, performance, achievements or events implied, suggested or expressed by any forward-looking statements made by us or by persons acting on our behalf. Furthermore, there is no assurance that we will be successful in preventing the material adverse effects that any one or more of these material risks and uncertainties may cause on our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results, or that the foregoing list represents a complete list of the material risks and uncertainties facing us. There may be additional risks and uncertainties of a material nature that, as of the date of this Prospectus, we are unaware of or that we consider immaterial that may become material in the future, any one or more of which may result in a material adverse effect on us.
Forward-looking statements made by us or by persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary information.
Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the Securities covered by this Prospectus for general corporate purposes, which may include working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, exploration and development of existing or acquired mineral properties, uranium purchases or repayment of indebtedness.
We are authorized to issue 750,000,000 common shares with a par value of $0.001. Upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our Company, the holders of our common shares are entitled to share ratably in all net assets available for distribution to common stockholders after payment to creditors. Our common stock is not convertible or redeemable and has no preemptive, subscription or conversion rights. Each outstanding share of common stock is entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. There are no cumulative voting rights.
The holders of outstanding shares of common stock are entitled to receive dividends out of assets legally available therefore at such times and in such amounts as our board of directors may from time to time determine. Holders of common stock will share equally on a per share basis in any dividend declared by the board of directors. We have not paid any dividends on our common stock and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on such stock in the foreseeable future.
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We may, from time to time, issue Common Shares or other securities otherwise than through the Offering of Securities pursuant to this Prospectus.
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
We may issue Debt Securities in one or more series under an indenture (the “Indenture”), to be entered into between us and Transfer Online, Inc. as trustee, or may be issued without the use of an indenture. If such Debt Securities are issued with the use of an Indenture, the Indenture will be subject to and governed by the United States Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”). A copy of the form of the Indenture will be filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this Prospectus forms a part and will be filed on SEDAR. The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the Debt Securities and is not intended to be complete. For a more complete description, prospective investors should refer to the Indenture and/or the terms of the Debt Securities, as applicable. If Debt Securities are issued without the use of an Indenture, all the terms of such Debt Security shall be included in the form of such Debt Security. If Debt Securities are issued, whether pursuant to an Indenture or without an Indenture, we will describe in the applicable Prospectus Supplement the particular terms and provisions of any series of Debt Securities and a description of how the general terms and provisions described below may apply to that series of Debt Securities. Prospective investors should rely on information in the applicable Prospectus Supplement and not on the following information to the extent that the information in such Prospectus Supplement is different from the following information. We will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this Prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from a current report on Form 8-K that we file with the SEC, any supplemental indenture describing the terms and conditions of Debt Securities we are offering before the issuance of such Debt Securities.
We may issue debt securities and incur additional indebtedness other than through the offering of Debt Securities pursuant to this Prospectus.
If we issue Debt Securities pursuant to an Indenture, the following provisions shall apply unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement with respect to such issuance of Debt Securities:
General
The Indenture will not limit the aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities that we may issue under the Indenture and will not limit the amount of other indebtedness that we may incur. The Indenture will provide that we may issue Debt Securities from time to time in one or more series and may be denominated and payable in U.S. dollars, Canadian dollars or any foreign currency. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Debt Securities will be unsecured obligations of our Company. The Indenture will also permit our Company to increase the principal amount of any series of the Debt Securities previously issued and to issue that increased principal amount.
The applicable Prospectus Supplement for any series of Debt Securities that we offer will describe the specific terms of the Debt Securities and may include, but is not limited to, any of the following:
| · | the title of the Debt Securities; | |
| · | the aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities; | |
| · | the percentage of principal amount at which the Debt Securities will be issued; | |
| · | whether payment on the Debt Securities will be senior or subordinated to our other liabilities or obligations; |
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| · | whether payment of the Debt Securities will be guaranteed by any other person; |
| · | the date or dates, or the methods by which such dates will be determined or extended, on which we may issue the Debt Securities and the date or dates, or the methods by which such dates will be determined or extended, on which we will pay the principal and any premium on the Debt Securities and the portion (if less than the principal amount) of Debt Securities to be payable upon a declaration of acceleration of maturity; |
| · | whether the Debt Securities will bear interest, the interest rate (whether fixed or variable) or the method of determining the interest rate, the date from which interest will accrue, the dates on which we will pay interest and the record dates for interest payments, or the methods by which such dates will be determined or extended; |
| · | the place or places we will pay principal, premium, if any, and interest and the place or places where Debt Securities can be presented for registration of transfer or exchange; |
| · | whether and under what circumstances we will be required to pay any additional amounts for withholding or deduction for taxes with respect to the Debt Securities, and whether and on what terms we will have the option to redeem the Debt Securities rather than pay the additional amounts; |
| · | whether we will be obligated to redeem or repurchase the Debt Securities pursuant to any sinking or purchase fund or other provisions, or at the option of a holder and the terms and conditions of such redemption; |
| · | whether we may redeem the Debt Securities prior to maturity and the terms and conditions of any such redemption; |
| · | the denominations in which we will issue any registered Debt Securities, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any multiple of $l,000 and, if other than denominations of $5,000, the denominations in which any unregistered debt security shall be issuable; |
| · | whether we will make payments on the Debt Securities in a currency or currency unit other than U.S. dollars or by delivery of our common shares or other property; |
| · | whether payments on the Debt Securities will be payable with reference to any index, formula or other method; |
| · | whether we will issue the Debt Securities as global securities and, if so, the identity of the depositary for the global securities; |
| · | whether we will issue the Debt Securities as unregistered securities, registered securities or both; |
| · | any changes or additions to events of default or covenants whether or not such events of default or covenants are consistent with the events of default or covenants in the Indenture; |
| · | the applicability of, and any changes or additions to, the provisions for defeasance described under “Defeasance” below; |
| · | whether the holders of any series of Debt Securities have special rights if specified events occur; |
| · | the terms, if any, for any conversion or exchange of the Debt Securities for any other securities; |
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| · | provisions as to modification, amendment or variation of any rights or terms attaching to the Debt Securities; and |
| · | any other terms, conditions, rights and preferences (or limitations on such rights and preferences) including covenants and events of default which apply solely to a particular series of the Debt Securities being offered which do not apply generally to other Debt Securities, or any covenants or events of default generally applicable to the Debt Securities which do not apply to a particular series of the Debt Securities. |
Unless stated otherwise in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, no holder of Debt Securities will have the right to require our Company to repurchase the Debt Securities and there will be no increase in the interest rate if we become involved in a highly leveraged transaction or if our Company has a change of control.
We may issue Debt Securities bearing no interest or interest at a rate below the prevailing market rate at the time of issuance, and offer and sell the Debt Securities at a discount below their stated principal amount. We may also sell any of the Debt Securities for a foreign currency or currency unit, and payments on the Debt Securities may be payable in a foreign currency or currency unit. In any of these cases, we will describe certain Canadian federal and U.S. federal income tax consequences and other special considerations in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
We may issue Debt Securities with terms different from those of Debt Securities previously issued and, without the consent of the holders thereof, we may reopen a previous issue of a series of Debt Securities and issue additional Debt Securities of such series (unless the reopening was restricted when such series was created).
Ranking and Other Indebtedness
Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Debt Securities will be unsecured obligations and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and other subordinated debt from time to time outstanding and equally with other Debt Securities issued under the Indenture. The Indenture will provide that the Debt Securities will be subordinated to and junior in right of payment to all present and future Senior Indebtedness. “Senior Indebtedness” will be defined in the Indenture as: (a) all indebtedness of our Company in respect of borrowed money, other than: (i) indebtedness evidenced by the Debt Securities; and (ii) indebtedness which, by the terms of the instrument creating or evidencing it, is expressed to rank in right of payment equally with or subordinate to the indebtedness evidenced by the Debt Securities; (b) all obligations of our Company for the reimbursement of amounts paid pursuant to any letter of credit, banker’s acceptance or similar credit transaction; and (c) all obligations of the type referred to in paragraphs (a) through (b) above of other persons for the payment of which we are responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or otherwise. For greater certainty, “Senior Indebtedness” will include all indebtedness of our Company for borrowed money which is outstanding as at the date of the Indenture.
Our Board of Directors may establish the extent and manner, if any, to which payment on or in respect of a series of Debt Securities will be senior or will be subordinated to the prior payment of our other liabilities and obligations, other than Senior Indebtedness, and whether the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, will be guaranteed by any other person and the nature and priority of any security.
Debt Securities in Global Form
The Depositary and Book-Entry
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, a series of the Debt Securities may be issued in whole or in part in global form as a “global security” and will be registered in the name of or issued in bearer form and be deposited with a depositary, or its nominee, each of which will be identified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement relating to that series. Unless and until exchanged, in whole or in part, for the Debt Securities in definitive registered form, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary for such global security to a nominee of the depositary, by a nominee of the depositary to the depositary or another nominee of the depositary or by the depositary or any such nominee to a successor of the depositary or a nominee of the successor.
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The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any portion of a particular series of the Debt Securities to be represented by a global security will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement relating to such series. We anticipate that the provisions described in this section will apply to all depositary arrangements.
Upon the issuance of a global security, the depositary therefor or its nominee will credit, on its book entry and registration system, the respective principal amounts of the Debt Securities represented by the global security to the accounts of such persons, designated as “participants”, having accounts with such depositary or its nominee. Such accounts shall be designated by the underwriters, dealers or agents participating in the distribution of the Debt Securities or by our Company if such Debt Securities are offered and sold directly by our Company. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to participants or persons that may hold beneficial interests through participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary therefor or its nominee (with respect to interests of participants) or by participants or persons that hold through participants (with respect to interests of persons other than participants). The laws of some states in the United States may require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form.
So long as the depositary for a global security or its nominee is the registered owner of the global security or holder of a global security in bearer form, such depositary or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the Debt Securities represented by the global security for all purposes under the Indenture. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in a global security will not be entitled to have a series of the Debt Securities represented by the global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of such series of the Debt Securities in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the Indenture.
Any payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on global securities registered in the name of a depositary or securities registrar will be made to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the global security representing such Debt Securities. None of our Company, any trustee or any paying agent for the Debt Securities represented by the global securities will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of the global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
We expect that the depositary for a global security or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if any, will credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of the global security as shown on the records of such depositary or its nominee. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a global security held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers registered in “street name”, and will be the responsibility of such participants.
Discontinuance of Depositary’s Services
If a depositary for a global security representing a particular series of the Debt Securities is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or, if at any time the depositary for such series shall no longer be registered or in good standing under the Exchange Act, and a successor depositary is not appointed by us within 90 days, we will issue such series of the Debt Securities in definitive form in exchange for a global security representing such series of the Debt Securities. If an event of default under the Indenture has occurred and is continuing, Debt Securities in definitive form will be printed and delivered upon written request by the holder to the trustee. In addition, we may at any time and in our sole discretion determine not to have a series of the Debt Securities represented by a global security and, in such event, will issue a series of the Debt Securities in definitive form in exchange for all of the global securities representing that series of Debt Securities.
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Debt Securities in Definitive Form
A series of the Debt Securities may be issued in definitive form, solely as registered securities, solely as unregistered securities or as both registered securities and unregistered securities. Registered securities will be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 and unregistered securities will be issuable in denominations of $5,000 and integral multiples of $5,000 or, in each case, in such other denominations as may be set out in the terms of the Debt Securities of any particular series. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, unregistered securities will have interest coupons attached.
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Debt Securities (other than global securities) will be made at the office or agency designated by our Company, or at our option we can pay principal, interest, if any, and premium, if any, by cheque mailed or delivered to the address of the person entitled at the address appearing in the security register of the trustee or electronic funds wire or other transmission to an account of persons who meet certain thresholds set out in the Indenture who are entitled to receive payments by wire transfer. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment of interest, if any, will be made to the persons in whose name the Debt Securities are registered at the close of business on the day or days specified by us.
At the option of the holder of Debt Securities, registered securities of any series will be exchangeable for other registered securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination and of a like aggregate principal amount. If, but only if, provided in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, unregistered securities (with all unmatured coupons, except as provided below, and all matured coupons in default) of any series may be exchanged for registered securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor. In such event, unregistered securities surrendered in a permitted exchange for registered securities between a regular record date or a special record date and the relevant date for payment of interest shall be surrendered without the coupon relating to such date for payment of interest, and interest will not be payable on such date for payment of interest in respect of the registered security issued in exchange for such unregistered security, but will be payable only to the holder of such coupon when due in accordance with the terms of the Indenture. Unless otherwise specified in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, unregistered securities will not be issued in exchange for registered securities.
The applicable Prospectus Supplement may indicate the places to register a transfer of the Debt Securities in definitive form. Service charges may be payable by the holder for any registration of transfer or exchange of the Debt Securities in definitive form, and we may, in certain instances, require a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charges payable in connection with these transactions.
We shall not be required to:
| · | issue or register the transfer of or exchange any series of the Debt Securities in definitive form during a period beginning at the opening of 15 business days before any selection of securities of that series of the Debt Securities to be redeemed and ending on the relevant date of notice of such redemption, as provided in the Indenture; |
| · | register the transfer of or exchange any registered security in definitive form, or portion thereof, called for redemption, except the unredeemed portion of any registered security being redeemed in part; |
| · | exchange any unregistered security called for redemption except to the extent that such unregistered security may be exchanged for a registered security of that series and like tenor; provided that such registered security will be simultaneously surrendered for redemption with written instructions for payment consistent with the provisions of the Indenture; or |
| · | issue or register the transfer of or exchange any of the Debt Securities in definitive form which have been surrendered for repayment at the option of the holder, except the portion, if any, of such Debt Securities not to be so repaid. |
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Merger, Amalgamation or Consolidation
The Indenture will provide that we may not amalgamate or consolidate with, merge into or enter into any statutory arrangement with any other person or, directly or indirectly, convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our properties and assets to another person, unless among other items:
| · | the resulting, surviving or transferee person is organized and existing under the laws of Canada, or any province or territory thereof, the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, or, if the amalgamation, merger, consolidation, statutory arrangement or other transaction would not impair the rights of holders, any other country; |
| · | the resulting, surviving or transferee person, if other than our Company, assumes all of our obligations under the Debt Securities and the Indenture; and |
| · | immediately after the transaction, no default or event of default under the Indenture shall have happened and be continuing. |
When such a successor person assumes our obligations in such circumstances, subject to certain exceptions, we shall be discharged from all obligations and covenants under the Debt Securities and the Indenture.
Provision of Financial Information
We will file with the trustee, within 20 days after we file or furnish them with the SEC, copies of our annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe) which we are required to file or furnish with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
Notwithstanding that we may not remain subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or otherwise report on an annual and quarterly basis on forms provided for such annual and quarterly reporting pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, we will continue to provide the trustee, within 20 days after the time periods required for the filing or furnishing of such forms by the SEC, annual reports on Form 10-K or any successor form, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or any successor form and current reports of Form 8-K or any successor form.
Events of Default
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement relating to a particular series of Debt Securities, the following is a summary of events which will, with respect to any series of the Debt Securities, constitute an event of default under the Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities of that series:
| · | we fail to pay principal of, or any premium on, or any Additional Amounts in respect of, any Debt Security of that series when it is due and payable; |
| · | we fail to pay interest (including Additional Amounts) payable on any Debt Security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and such default continues for 30 days; |
| · | we fail to make any required sinking fund or analogous payment for that series of Debt Securities; |
| · | we fail to observe or perform any of our covenants or agreements in the Indenture that affect or are applicable to the Debt Securities of that series for 90 days after written notice to us by the trustee or to us and the trustee by holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of that series; |
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| · | a default (as defined in any indenture or instrument under which we or one of our subsidiaries has at the date of the Indenture or will thereafter have outstanding any indebtedness) has occurred and is continuing, or we or any of our subsidiaries has failed to pay principal amounts with respect to such indebtedness at maturity and such event of default or failure to pay has resulted in such indebtedness under such indenture or instrument being declared due, payable or otherwise being accelerated, in either event so that an amount in excess of the greater of $15,000,000 and 2% of our shareholders’ equity will be or become due, payable and accelerated upon such declaration or prior to the date on which the same would otherwise have become due, payable and accelerated (the “Accelerated Indebtedness”), and such acceleration will not be rescinded or annulled, or such event of default or failure to pay under such indenture or instrument will not be remedied or cured, whether by payment or otherwise, or waived by the holders of such Accelerated Indebtedness, then: (i) if the Accelerated Indebtedness will be as a result of an event of default which is not related to the failure to pay principal or interest on the terms, at the times, and on the conditions set out in any such indenture or instrument, it will not be considered an event of default for the purposes of the indenture governing the Debt Securities until 30 days after such indebtedness has been accelerated; or (ii) if the Accelerated Indebtedness will occur as a result of such failure to pay principal or interest or as a result of an event of default which is related to the failure to pay principal or interest on the terms, at the times, and on the conditions set out in any such indenture or instrument, then: (A) if such Accelerated Indebtedness is, by its terms, non-recourse to our Company or our subsidiaries, it will be considered an event of default for purposes of the Indenture governing the Debt Securities; or (B) if such Accelerated Indebtedness is recourse to our Company or our subsidiaries, any requirement in connection with such failure to pay or event of default for the giving of notice or the lapse of time or the happening of any further condition, event or act under such indenture or instrument in connection with such failure to pay or event of default will be applicable together with an additional seven days before being considered an event of default for the purposes of the Indenture; |
| · | certain events involving our bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization; and |
| · | any other event of default provided for in that series of Debt Securities. |
A default under one series of Debt Securities will not necessarily be a default under another series. The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of the Debt Securities of any default, except in the payment of principal or premium, if any, or interest, if any, if in good faith it considers it in the interests of the holders to do so and so advises us in writing.
If an event of default (except for events involving our bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) for any series of Debt Securities occurs and continues, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of that series may require us to repay immediately:
| · | the entire principal and interest of the Debt Securities of the series; or |
| · | if the Debt Securities are discounted securities, that portion of the principal as is described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. |
If an event of default relates to events involving our bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the principal of all Debt Securities will become immediately due and payable without any action by the trustee or any holder.
Subject to certain conditions, the holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of the affected series can rescind and annul an accelerated payment requirement. If Debt Securities are discounted securities, the applicable Prospectus Supplement will contain provisions relating to the acceleration of maturity of a portion of the principal amount of the discounted securities upon the occurrence or continuance of an event of default.
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Other than its duties in case of a default, the trustee is not obligated to exercise any of the rights or powers that it will have under the Indenture at the request or direction of any holders, unless the holders offer the trustee reasonable security or indemnity. If they provide this reasonable security or indemnity, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of any series of Debt Securities may, subject to certain limitations, direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the trustee, for any series of Debt Securities.
We will be required to furnish to the trustee a statement annually as to our compliance with all conditions and covenants under the Indenture and, if we are not in compliance, we must specify any defaults. We will also be required to notify the trustee as soon as practicable upon becoming aware of any event of default.
No holder of a Debt Security of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding with respect to the Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or a trustee, or for any other remedy, unless:
| · | the holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default with respect to the Debt Securities of the affected series; |
| · | the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of the series affected by an event of default have made a written request, and the holders have offered reasonable indemnity, to the trustee to institute a proceeding as trustee; and |
| · | the trustee has failed to institute a proceeding, and has not received from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of the series affected by an event of default a direction inconsistent with the request, within 60 days after receipt of the holders’ notice, request and offer of indemnity. |
However, such above-mentioned limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by the holder of a Debt Security for the enforcement of payment of the principal of or any premium, if any, or interest on such Debt Security on or after the applicable due date specified in such Debt Security.
Defeasance
When we use the term “defeasance”, it means discharge from our obligations with respect to any Debt Securities of or within a series under the Indenture. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, if we deposit with the trustee cash, government securities or a combination thereof sufficient to pay the principal, interest, if any, premium, if any, and any other sums due to the stated maturity date or a redemption date of the Debt Securities of a series, then at our option:
| · | we will be discharged from the obligations with respect to the Debt Securities of that series; or |
| · | we will no longer be under any obligation to comply with certain restrictive covenants under the Indenture and certain events of default will no longer apply to us. |
If this happens, the holders of the Debt Securities of the affected series will not be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture except for registration of transfer and exchange of Debt Securities and the replacement of lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Debt Securities. These holders may look only to the deposited fund for payment on their Debt Securities.
To exercise the defeasance option, we must deliver to the trustee:
| · | an opinion of counsel in the United States to the effect that the holders of the outstanding Debt Securities of the affected series will not recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of a defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the defeasance had not occurred; |
| · | an opinion of counsel in Canada or a ruling from the Canada Revenue Agency to the effect that the holders of the outstanding Debt Securities of the affected series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Canadian federal, provincial or territorial income or other tax purposes as a result of a defeasance and will be subject to Canadian federal, provincial or territorial income tax and other tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case had the defeasance not occurred; and |
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| · | a certificate of one of our officers and an opinion of counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for relating to defeasance have been complied with. |
If we are to be discharged from our obligations with respect to the Debt Securities, and not just from our covenants, the U.S. opinion must be based upon a ruling from or published by the United States Internal Revenue Service or a change in law to that effect.
In addition to the delivery of the opinions described above, the following conditions must be met before we may exercise our defeasance option:
| · | no event of default or event that, with the passing of time or the giving of notice, or both, shall constitute an event of default shall have occurred and be continuing for the Debt Securities of the affected series; |
| · | we are not an “insolvent person” within the meaning of applicable bankruptcy and insolvency legislation; and |
| · | other customary conditions precedent are satisfied. |
Modification and Waiver
Modifications and amendments of the Indenture may be made by our Company and the trustee pursuant to one or more Supplemental Indentures (a “Supplemental Indenture”) with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of each series affected by the modification. However, without the consent of each holder affected, no such modification may:
| · | change the stated maturity of the principal of, premium, if any, or any installment of interest, if any, on any Debt Security; |
| · | reduce the principal, premium, if any, or rate of interest, if any, or change any obligation of our Company to pay any Additional Amounts; |
| · | reduce the amount of principal of a debt security payable upon acceleration of its maturity or the amount provable in bankruptcy; |
| · | change the place or currency of any payment; |
| · | affect the holder’s right to require our Company to repurchase the Debt Securities at the holder’s option; |
| · | impair the right of the holders to institute a suit to enforce their rights to payment; |
| · | adversely affect any conversion or exchange right related to a series of Debt Securities; |
| · | reduce the percentage of Debt Securities required to modify the Indenture or to waive compliance with certain provisions of the Indenture; or |
| · | reduce the percentage in principal amount of outstanding Debt Securities necessary to take certain actions. |
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The holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding Debt Securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all Debt Securities of that series waive, insofar as only that series is concerned, past defaults under the Indenture and compliance by our Company with certain restrictive provisions of the Indenture. However, these holders may not waive a default in any payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on any Debt Security or compliance with a provision that cannot be modified without the consent of each holder affected.
We may modify the Indenture pursuant to a Supplemental Indenture without the consent of any holders to:
| · | evidence a successor under the Indenture; |
| · | add covenants or surrender any right or power for the benefit of holders; |
| · | add events of default; |
| · | provide for unregistered securities to become registered securities under the Indenture and make other such changes to unregistered securities that in each case do not materially and adversely affect the interests of holders of outstanding Debt Securities; |
| · | establish the forms of the Debt Securities; |
| · | appoint a successor trustee under the Indenture; |
| · | add provisions to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of the Debt Securities as long as there is no material adverse effect on the holders; |
| · | cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any defective or inconsistent provision or make any other provisions in each case that would not materially and adversely affect the interests of holders of outstanding Debt Securities, if any; |
| · | comply with any applicable laws of the United States and Canada in order to effect and maintain the qualification of the Indenture under such laws to the extent they do not conflict with the applicable laws of the United States; or |
| · | change or eliminate any provisions of the Indenture where such change takes effect when there are no Debt Securities outstanding under the Indenture. |
Governing Law
The Indenture and the Debt Securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
The Trustee
Any trustee under the Indenture or its affiliates may provide other services to our Company in the ordinary course of their business. If the trustee or any affiliate acquires any conflicting interest and a default occurs with respect to the Debt Securities, the trustee must eliminate the conflict or resign.
Resignation and Removal of Trustee
The trustee may resign or be removed with respect to one or more series of the Debt Securities and a successor trustee may be appointed to act with respect to such series.
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Consent to Service
In connection with the Indenture, we will irrevocably designate and appoint CT Corporation System, 111 8th Avenue, 13th Floor, New York, New York, U.S.A., 10011, as our Company’s authorized agent upon which process may be served in any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to the Indenture or the Debt Securities that may be instituted in any U.S. federal or New York State court located in The Borough of Manhattan, in the City of New York, or brought by the trustee (whether in its individual capacity or in its capacity as trustee under the Indenture), and will irrevocably submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of such courts.
Enforceability of Judgments
Because all or substantially all of our assets, as well as the assets of certain of the directors of our Company, are within the United States, any judgment obtained in Canada against our Company or certain of our directors, including judgments with respect to the payment of principal on the Debt Securities, may not be collectible within Canada.
We have been advised that there is doubt as to the enforceability in the United States, by a court in original actions or actions to enforce judgments of Canadian courts, of civil liabilities predicated solely upon Canadian federal or provincial securities laws.
The following description, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable Prospectus Supplements and free writing prospectuses, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the Warrants that we may offer under this Prospectus, which may consist of Warrants to purchase Common Shares or Debt Securities and may be issued in one or more series. Warrants may be offered independently or together with Common Shares, Debt Securities or Subscription Receipts offered by any Prospectus Supplement, and may be attached to or separate from those Securities. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any Warrants that we may offer under this Prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any series of Warrants that we may offer in more detail in the applicable Prospectus Supplement and any applicable free writing prospectus. The terms of any Warrants offered under a Prospectus Supplement may differ from the terms described below.
General
We will evidence each series of Warrants by Warrant certificates (“Warrant Certificates”) that we may issue under one or more warrant indentures (each, a “Warrant Indenture”), which we may enter into with a warrant trustee (the “Warrant Trustee”) that we will name in the relevant Prospectus Supplement. We may also choose to act as our own Warrant Trustee. We may also issue Warrants without the use of a Warrant Indenture, and in such case, all the terms of the Warrants shall be included in the form of Warrant.
This summary of some of the provisions of the Warrants is not complete. The statements made in this Prospectus relating to any Warrant Indenture and Warrants to be issued under this Prospectus are summaries of certain anticipated provisions thereof and do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all provisions of the applicable Warrant Certificate and, if applicable, Warrant Indenture. Prospective investors should refer to the Warrant Certificate and/or Warrant Indenture relating to the specific Warrants being offered for the complete terms of the Warrants. We will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this Prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from a current report on Form 8-K that we file with the SEC, any Warrant Certificate and/or Warrant Indenture describing the terms and conditions of Warrants we are offering before the issuance of such Warrants.
The applicable Prospectus Supplement relating to any Warrants offered by our Company will describe the particular terms of those Warrants and include specific terms relating to the offering.
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Equity Warrants
The particular terms of each issue of equity warrants (“Equity Warrants”) will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. This description will include, where applicable:
| · | the designation and aggregate number of Equity Warrants; |
| · | the price at which the Equity Warrants will be offered; |
| · | the currency or currencies in which the Equity Warrants will be offered; |
| · | the date on which the right to exercise the Equity Warrants will commence and the date on which the right will expire; |
| · | the number of Common Shares that may be purchased upon exercise of each Equity Warrant and the price at which and currency or currencies in which the Common Shares may be purchased upon exercise of each Equity Warrant; |
| · | the designation and terms of any Securities with which the Equity Warrants will be offered, if any, and the number of the Equity Warrants that will be offered with each Security; |
| · | the date or dates, if any, on or after which the Equity Warrants and the other Securities with which the Equity Warrants will be offered will be transferable separately; |
| · | whether the Equity Warrants will be subject to redemption and, if so, the terms of such redemption provisions; |
| · | whether we will issue the Equity Warrants as global securities and, if so, the identity of the depositary of the global securities; |
| · | whether the Equity Warrants will be listed on any exchange; |
| · | material United States and Canadian federal income tax consequences of owning the Equity Warrants; and |
| · | any other material terms or conditions of the Equity Warrants. |
Debt Warrants
The particular terms of each issue of debt warrants (“Debt Warrants”) will be described in the related Prospectus Supplement. This description will include, where applicable:
| · | the designation and aggregate number of Debt Warrants; |
| · | the price at which the Debt Warrants will be offered; |
| · | the currency or currencies in which the Debt Warrants will be offered; |
| · | the date on which the right to exercise the Debt Warrants will commence and the date on which the right will expire; |
| · | the principal amount of Debt Securities that may be purchased upon exercise of each Debt Warrant and the price at which and currency or currencies in which that principal amount of Debt Securities may be purchased upon exercise of each Debt Warrant; |
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| · | the designation and terms of any Securities with which the Debt Warrants will be offered, if any, and the number of the Debt Warrants that will be offered with each Security; |
| · | the date or dates, if any, on or after which the Debt Warrants and the other Securities with which the Debt Warrants will be offered will be transferable separately; |
| · | the terms and provisions of the Debt Securities issuable upon the exercise of the Debt Warrants; |
| · | the minimum or maximum amount of Debt Warrants that may be exercised at any one time; |
| · | whether the Debt Warrants will be subject to redemption, and, if so, the terms of such redemption provisions; |
| · | whether we will issue the Debt Warrants as global securities and, if so, the identity of the depositary of the global securities; |
| · | whether the Debt Warrants will be listed on any exchange; |
| · | material United States and Canadian federal income tax consequences of owning the Debt Warrants; and |
| · | any other material terms or conditions of the Debt Warrants. |
Rights of Holders Prior to Exercise
Prior to the exercise of their Warrants, holders of Warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the Common Shares or Debt Securities issuable upon exercise of the Warrants.
Exercise of Warrants
Each Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase the Securities that we specify in the applicable Prospectus Supplement at the exercise price that we describe therein. Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, holders of the Warrants may exercise the Warrants at any time up to the specified time on the expiration date that we set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised Warrants will become void.
Holders of the Warrants may exercise the Warrants by delivering the Warrant Certificate representing the Warrants to be exercised together with specified information, and paying the required amount to our Company or, if applicable, the Warrant Trustee, in immediately available funds, as provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. We will set forth on the Warrant Certificate and in the applicable Prospectus Supplement the information that the holder of the Warrant will be required to deliver to our Company or, if applicable, the Warrant Trustee.
Upon receipt of the required payment and the Warrant Certificate properly completed and duly executed at our Company or, if applicable, the corporate trust office of the Warrant Trustee or any other office indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, we will issue and deliver the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If fewer than all of the Warrants represented by the Warrant Certificate are exercised, then we will issue a new Warrant Certificate for the remaining amount of Warrants. If we so indicate in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, holders of the Warrants may surrender securities as all or part of the exercise price for Warrants.
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Anti-Dilution
The Warrant Certificate and/or Warrant Indenture will specify that upon the subdivision, consolidation, reclassification or other material change of the Common Shares or Debt Securities or any other reorganization, amalgamation, merger or sale of all or substantially all of our assets, the Warrants will thereafter evidence the right of the holder to receive the securities, property or cash deliverable in exchange for or on the conversion of or in respect of the Common Shares or Debt Securities to which the holder of a Common Share or Debt Security would have been entitled immediately after such event. Similarly, any distribution to all or substantially all of the holders of Common Shares of rights, options, warrants, evidences of indebtedness or assets will result in an adjustment in the number of Common Shares to be issued to holders of Equity Warrants.
Global Securities
We may issue Warrants in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities, which will be registered in the name of and be deposited with a depositary, or its nominee, each of which will be identified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. The global securities may be in temporary or permanent form. The applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe the terms of any depositary arrangement and the rights and limitations of owners of beneficial interests in any global security. The applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe the exchange, registration and transfer rights relating to any global security.
Modifications
The Warrant Certificate and/or Warrant Indenture will provide for modifications and alterations to the Warrants issued thereunder by way of a resolution of holders of Warrants at a meeting of such holders or a consent in writing from such holders. The number of holders of Warrants required to pass such a resolution or execute such a written consent will be specified in the Warrant Certificate and/or Warrant Indenture.
We may amend any Warrant Certificate and/or Warrant Indenture and the Warrants, without the consent of the holders of the Warrants, to cure any ambiguity, to cure, correct or supplement any defective or inconsistent provision, or in any other manner that will not materially and adversely affect the interests of holders of outstanding Warrants.
DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RECEIPTS
We may issue Subscription Receipts, which will entitle holders to receive upon satisfaction of certain release conditions and for no additional consideration, Common Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants or any combination thereof. Subscription Receipts will be issued pursuant to one or more subscription receipt agreements (each, a “Subscription Receipt Agreement”), each to be entered into between our Company and an escrow agent (the “Escrow Agent”), which will establish the terms and conditions of the Subscription Receipts. Each Escrow Agent will be a financial institution organized under the laws of the United States or a state thereof, or Canada or a province thereof, and authorized to carry on business as an escrow agent. We will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this Prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from a current report on Form 8-K that we file with the SEC, any Subscription Receipt Agreement describing the terms and conditions of Subscription Receipts we are offering before the issuance of such Subscription Receipts.
The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of Subscription Receipts and is not intended to be complete. The statements made in this Prospectus relating to any Subscription Receipt Agreement and Subscription Receipts to be issued thereunder are summaries of certain anticipated provisions thereof and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all provisions of the applicable Subscription Receipt Agreement and the Prospectus Supplement describing such Subscription Receipt Agreement.
The Prospectus Supplement relating to any Subscription Receipts we offer will describe the Subscription Receipts and include specific terms relating to their offering. All such terms will comply with the requirements of NYSE American relating to Subscription Receipts. If underwriters or agents are used in the sale of Subscription Receipts, one or more of such underwriters or agents may also be parties to the Subscription Receipt Agreement governing the Subscription Receipts sold to or through such underwriters or agents.
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General
The Prospectus Supplement and the Subscription Receipt Agreement for any Subscription Receipts we offer will describe the specific terms of the Subscription Receipts and may include, but are not limited to, any of the following:
| · | the designation and aggregate number of Subscription Receipts offered; |
| · | the price at which the Subscription Receipts will be offered; |
| · | the currency or currencies in which the Subscription Receipts will be offered; |
| · | the designation, number and terms of the Common Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants or combination thereof to be received by holders of Subscription Receipts upon satisfaction of the release conditions, and the procedures that will result in the adjustment of those numbers; |
| · | the conditions (the “Release Conditions”) that must be met in order for holders of Subscription Receipts to receive for no additional consideration Common Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants or a combination thereof; |
| · | the procedures for the issuance and delivery of Common Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants or a combination thereof to holders of Subscription Receipts upon satisfaction of the Release Conditions; |
| · | whether any payments will be made to holders of Subscription Receipts upon delivery of the Common Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants or a combination thereof upon satisfaction of the Release Conditions (e.g., an amount equal to dividends declared on Common Shares by our Company to holders of record during the period from the date of issuance of the Subscription Receipts to the date of issuance of any Common Shares pursuant to the terms of the Subscription Receipt Agreement, or an amount equal to interest payable by our Company in respect of Debt Securities during the period from the date of issuance of the Subscription Receipts to the date of issuance of the Debt Securities pursuant to the terms of the Subscription Receipt Agreement); |
| · | the terms and conditions under which the Escrow Agent will hold all or a portion of the gross proceeds from the sale of Subscription Receipts, together with interest and income earned thereon (collectively, the “Escrowed Funds”), pending satisfaction of the Release Conditions; |
| · | the terms and conditions pursuant to which the Escrow Agent will hold Common Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants or a combination thereof pending satisfaction of the Release Conditions; |
| · | the terms and conditions under which the Escrow Agent will release all or a portion of the Escrowed Funds to our Company upon satisfaction of the Release Conditions; |
| · | if the Subscription Receipts are sold to or through underwriters or agents, the terms and conditions under which the Escrow Agent will release a portion of the Escrowed Funds to such underwriters or agents in payment of all or a portion of their fees or commission in connection with the sale of the Subscription Receipts; |
| · | procedures for the refund by the Escrow Agent to holders of Subscription Receipts of all or a portion of the subscription price for their Subscription Receipts, plus any pro rata entitlement to interest earned or income generated on such amount, if the Release Conditions are not satisfied; |
| · | any entitlement of our Company to purchase the Subscription Receipts in the open market by private agreement or otherwise; |
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| · | whether we will issue the Subscription Receipts as global securities and, if so, the identity of the depositary for the global securities; |
| · | whether we will issue the Subscription Receipts as bearer securities, registered securities or both; |
| · | provisions as to modification, amendment or variation of the Subscription Receipt Agreement or any rights or terms attaching to the Subscription Receipts; |
| · | the identity of the Escrow Agent; |
| · | whether the Subscription Receipts will be listed on any exchange; |
| · | material United States and Canadian federal tax consequences of owning the Subscription Receipts; and |
| · | any other terms of the Subscription Receipts. |
In addition, the Prospectus Supplement and the Subscription Receipt Agreement for any Subscription Receipts we offer will describe all contractual rights of rescission that will be granted to initial purchasers of Subscription Receipts in the event this Prospectus, the Prospectus Supplement under which Subscription Receipts are issued or any amendment hereto or thereto contains a misrepresentation, as discussed further under the sub-paragraph entitled “Rescission” below.
The holders of Subscription Receipts will not be shareholders of our Company. Holders of Subscription Receipts are entitled only to receive Common Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants or a combination thereof on exchange of their Subscription Receipts, plus any cash payments provided for under the Subscription Receipt Agreement, if the Release Conditions are satisfied. If the Release Conditions are not satisfied, the holders of Subscription Receipts shall be entitled to a refund of all or a portion of the subscription price therefor and all or a portion of the pro rata share of interest earned or income generated thereon, as provided in the Subscription Receipt Agreement.
Escrow
The Escrowed Funds will be held in escrow by the Escrow Agent, and such Escrowed Funds will be released to our Company (and, if the Subscription Receipts are sold to or through underwriters or agents, a portion of the Escrowed Funds may be released to such underwriters or agents in payment of all or a portion of their fees in connection with the sale of the Subscription Receipts) at the time and under the terms specified by the Subscription Receipt Agreement. If the Release Conditions are not satisfied, holders of Subscription Receipts will receive a refund of all or a portion of the subscription price for their Subscription Receipts plus their pro rata entitlement to interest earned or income generated on such amount, in accordance with the terms of the Subscription Receipt Agreement. Common Shares, Debt Securities or Warrants may be held in escrow by the Escrow Agent and will be released to the holders of Subscription Receipts following satisfaction of the Release Conditions at the time and under the terms specified in the Subscription Receipt Agreement.
Anti-Dilution
The Subscription Receipt Agreement will specify that upon the subdivision, consolidation, reclassification or other material change of the Common Shares, Debt Securities or Warrants or any other reorganization, amalgamation, merger or sale of all or substantially all of our assets, the Subscription Receipts will thereafter evidence the right of the holder to receive the securities, property or cash deliverable in exchange for or on the conversion of or in respect of the Common Shares, Debt Securities or Warrants to which the holder of a Common Share, Debt Security or Warrant would have been entitled immediately after such event. Similarly, any distribution to all or substantially all of the holders of Common Shares of rights, options, warrants, evidences of indebtedness or assets will result in an adjustment in the number of Common Shares to be issued to holders of Subscription Receipts whose Subscription Receipts entitle the holders thereof to receive Common Shares. Alternatively, such securities, evidences of indebtedness or assets may, at the option of our Company, be issued to the Escrow Agent and delivered to holders of Subscription Receipts on exercise thereof. The Subscription Receipt Agreement will also provide that if other actions of our Company affect the Common Shares, Debt Securities or Warrants, which, in the reasonable opinion of the directors of our Company, would materially affect the rights of the holders of Subscription Receipts and/or the rights attached to the Subscription Receipts, the number of Common Shares, Debt Securities or Warrants which are to be received pursuant to the Subscription Receipts shall be adjusted in such manner, if any, and at such time as our directors may in their discretion reasonably determine to be equitable to the holders of Subscription Receipts in such circumstances.
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Rescission
The Subscription Receipt Agreement will also provide that any misrepresentation in this Prospectus, the Prospectus Supplement under which the Subscription Receipts are offered, or any amendment thereto, will entitle each initial purchaser of Subscription Receipts to a contractual right of rescission following the issuance of the Common Shares, Debt Securities or Warrants to such purchaser entitling such purchaser to receive the amount paid for the Subscription Receipts upon surrender of the Common Shares, Debt Securities or Warrants, provided that such remedy for rescission is exercised in the time stipulated in the Subscription Receipt Agreement. This right of rescission does not extend to holders of Subscription Receipts who acquire such Subscription Receipts from an initial purchaser, on the open market or otherwise, or to initial purchasers who acquire Subscription Receipts in the United States.
Global Securities
We may issue Subscription Receipts in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities, which will be registered in the name of and be deposited with a depositary, or its nominee, each of which will be identified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. The global securities may be in temporary or permanent form. The applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe the terms of any depositary arrangement and the rights and limitations of owners of beneficial interests in any global security. The applicable Prospectus Supplement also will describe the exchange, registration and transfer rights relating to any global security.
Modifications
The Subscription Receipt Agreement will provide for modifications and alterations to the Subscription Receipts issued thereunder by way of a resolution of holders of Subscription Receipts at a meeting of such holders or a consent in writing from such holders. The number of holders of Subscriptions Receipts required to pass such a resolution or execute such a written consent will be specified in the Subscription Receipt Agreement.
The following description, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable Prospectus Supplements, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the Units that we may offer under this Prospectus. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any Units that we may offer under this Prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any series of Units in more detail in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. The terms of any Units offered under a Prospectus Supplement may differ from the terms described below.
We will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this Prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from a current report on Form 8-K that we file with the SEC, the form of unit agreement, if any (“Unit Agreement”), between our Company and a unit agent, if any (“Unit Agent”), that describes the terms and conditions of the series of Units we are offering, and any supplemental agreements, before the issuance of the related series of Units. We may also choose to act as our own Unit Agent. The following summaries of material terms and provisions of the Units are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the Unit Agreement, if applicable, and any supplemental agreements applicable to a particular series of Units. We urge you to read the applicable Prospectus Supplements related to the particular series of Units that we sell under this
Prospectus, as well as the complete Unit Agreement, if applicable, and any supplemental agreements that contain the terms of the Units.
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General
We may issue units comprising one or more of Common Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants and Subscription Receipts in any combination. Each Unit will be issued so that the holder of the Unit is also the holder of each security included in the Unit. Thus, the holder of a Unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The Unit Agreement, if applicable, under which a Unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the Unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date.
We will describe in the applicable Prospectus Supplement the terms of the series of Units, including:
| · | the designation and terms of the Units and of the securities comprising the Units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately; |
| · | if applicable, any provisions of the governing Unit Agreement that differ from those described below; and |
| · | any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the Units or of the securities comprising the Units. |
The provisions described in this section, as well as those described under “Description of Common Shares,” “Description of Debt Securities,” “Description of Warrants,” and “Description of Subscription Receipts” will apply to each Unit and to any Common Share, Debt Security, Warrant or Subscription Receipt included in each Unit, respectively.
Issuance in Series
We may issue Units in such amounts and in numerous distinct series as we determine.
Enforceability of Rights by Holders of Units
Each Unit Agent, if applicable, will act solely as our agent under the applicable Unit Agreement, if any, and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holder of any Unit. A single bank or trust company may act as Unit Agent for more than one series of Units. A Unit Agent will have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by our Company under the applicable Unit Agreement, if any, or Unit, including any duty or responsibility to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise, or to make any demand upon our Company. Any holder of a Unit may, without the consent of the related Unit Agent, if applicable, or the holder of any other Unit, enforce by appropriate legal action its rights as holder under any security included in the Unit.
Our Company, any Unit Agent, and any of their agents may treat the registered holder of any Unit Certificate as an absolute owner of the Units evidenced by that certificate for any purpose and as the person entitled to exercise the rights attaching to the Units so requested, despite any notice to the contrary.
General
We may offer and sell the Securities, separately or together: (i) to one or more underwriters or dealers; (ii) through one or more agents; or (iii) directly to one or more other purchasers. The Securities offered pursuant to any Prospectus Supplement may be sold from time to time in one or more transactions at: (i) a fixed price or prices, which may be changed from time to time; (ii) market prices prevailing at the time of sale; (iii) prices related to such prevailing market prices; or (iv) other negotiated prices.
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We may also sell equity securities covered by this registration statement in an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act. Such offering may be made into an existing trading market for such securities in transactions at other than a fixed price, either: (i) on or through the facilities of NYSE American or any other securities exchange or quotation or trading service on which such securities may be listed, quoted or traded at the time of sale; and/or (ii) other than on NYSE American or such other securities exchange or quotation or trading services. Such at the market offerings, if any, may be conducted by underwriters acting as principal or agent.
We may only offer and sell the Securities pursuant to a Prospectus Supplement during the period that this Prospectus, including any amendments hereto, remains effective. The Prospectus Supplement for any of the Securities being offered thereby will set forth the terms of the offering of such Securities, including the type of Security being offered, the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents, the purchase price of such Securities, the proceeds to our Company from such sale, any underwriting commissions or discounts and other items constituting underwriters’ compensation and any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers. Only underwriters so named in the Prospectus Supplement are deemed to be underwriters in connection with the Securities offered thereby.
By Underwriters
If underwriters are used in the sale, the Securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. Unless otherwise set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto, the obligations of underwriters to purchase the Securities will be subject to certain conditions, but the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the Securities offered by the Prospectus Supplement if any of such Securities are purchased. We may offer the Securities to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or by underwriters without a syndicate. We may agree to pay the underwriters a fee or commission for various services relating to the offering of any Securities. Any such fee or commission will be paid out of the general corporate funds of our Company. We may use underwriters with whom we have a material relationship. We will describe in the Prospectus Supplement, naming the underwriter, the nature of any such relationship.
By Dealers
If dealers are used, and if so specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, we will sell such Securities to the dealers as principals. The dealers may then resell such Securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by such dealers at the time of resale. Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time. We will set forth the names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
By Agents
The Securities may also be sold through agents designated by our Company. Any agent involved will be named, and any fees or commissions payable by our Company to such agent will be set forth, in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Any such fees or commissions will be paid out of the general corporate funds of our Company. Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.
Direct Sales
Securities may also be sold directly by our Company at such prices and upon such terms as agreed to by our Company and the purchaser. In this case, no underwriters, dealers or agents would be involved in the offering.
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General Information
Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the Securities offered by this Prospectus may be deemed underwriters under the Securities Act, and any discounts or commissions they receive from us and any profit on their resale of the securities may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act.
Underwriters, dealers or agents who participate in the distribution of Securities may be entitled under agreements to be entered into with our Company to indemnification by our Company against certain liabilities, including liabilities under Canadian provincial and territorial and United States securities legislation, or to contribution with respect to payments which such underwriters, dealers or agents may be required to make in respect thereof. Such underwriters, dealers or agents may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for, our Company in the ordinary course of business.
We may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this Prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable Prospectus Supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this Prospectus and the applicable Prospectus Supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third parties may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third parties in such sale transactions will be identified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
One or more firms, referred to as “remarketing firms,” may also offer or sell the Securities, if the Prospectus Supplement so indicates, in connection with a remarketing arrangement upon their purchase. Remarketing firms will act as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us. These remarketing firms will offer or sell the Securities in accordance with the terms of the Securities. The Prospectus Supplement will identify any remarketing firm and the terms of its agreement, if any, with us and will describe the remarketing firm’s compensation. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters in connection with the Securities they remarket.
In connection with any offering of Securities, underwriters may over-allot or effect transactions which stabilize or maintain the market price of the Securities offered at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. Such transactions may be commenced, interrupted or discontinued at any time.
MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following is a general summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to a beneficial owner of Debt Securities and Common Shares acquired pursuant to this Prospectus. This summary does not address the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership, and exercise of Warrants, Subscription Receipts, or Units.
Scope of this Summary
This summary is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be a complete analysis or listing of all potential U.S. federal income tax consequences related to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of Debt Securities and Common Shares. Except as specifically set forth below, this summary does not discuss applicable tax reporting requirements. In addition, this summary does not take into account the individual facts and circumstances of any particular holder that may affect the U.S. federal income tax consequences to such holder. Accordingly, this summary is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, legal or U.S. federal income tax advice with respect to any particular holder. Each holder should consult its own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal, state and local, and non-U.S. tax consequences related to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of Debt Securities and Common Shares.
No legal opinion from U.S. legal counsel or ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) has been requested, or will be obtained, regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences related to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of Debt Securities and Common Shares. This summary is not binding on the IRS, and the IRS is not precluded from taking a position that is different from, and contrary to, the positions taken in this summary.
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Authorities
This summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), Treasury Regulations (whether final, temporary, or proposed), published rulings of the IRS, published administrative positions of the IRS, and U.S. court decisions that are applicable and, in each case, as in effect and available, as of the date of this Prospectus. Any of the authorities on which this summary is based could be changed in a material and adverse manner at any time, and any such change could be applied on a retroactive basis. This summary does not discuss the potential effects, whether adverse or beneficial, of any proposed legislation that, if enacted, could be applied on a retroactive basis.
U.S. Holders
As used in this summary, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of Debt Securities or Common Shares acquired pursuant to this Prospectus that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
| · | an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States; |
| · | a corporation (or other entity classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia; |
| · | an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or |
| · | a trust that: (i) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and the control of one or more U.S. persons for all substantial decisions of the trust; or (ii) has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person. |
Non-U.S. Holders
The term “Non-U.S. Holder” means any beneficial owner of Debt Securities or Common Shares acquired pursuant to this Prospectus that is neither a U.S. Holder nor a partnership (nor other entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes).
Holders Subject to Special U.S. Federal Income Tax Rules
This summary deals only with persons or entities who hold Debt Securities or Common Shares as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment purposes). This summary does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be applicable to holders in light of their particular circumstances or to holders subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax law, such as (without limitation):
| · | banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions; |
| · | dealers or traders in securities, commodities or foreign currencies; |
| · | regulated investment companies; |
| · | tax-exempt entities, qualified retirement plans, individual retirement accounts, or other tax-deferred accounts; |
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| · | U.S. expatriates or former long-term residents of the United States; |
| · | persons holding Debt Securities or Common Shares as part of a straddle, appreciated financial position, synthetic security, hedge, conversion or constructive sale transaction or other integrated investment; |
| · | entities that acquire Debt Securities or Common Shares that are treated as partnerships and other pass-through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes and partners and investors in such entities; |
| · | real estate investment trusts; |
| · | S corporations; |
| · | U.S. Holders that have a “functional currency” other than the U.S. dollar; |
| · | U.S. Holders that are required to accelerate the recognition of any item of gross income with respect to Debt Securities or Common Shares as a result of such income being recognized on an applicable financial statement; |
| · | holders that acquired Debt Securities or Common Shares in connection with the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as consideration for services; or |
| · | holders that are “controlled foreign corporations”, “passive foreign investment companies” and corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax. |
Holders that are subject to special provisions under the Code, including holders described immediately above, should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal, state and local, and non-U.S. tax consequences arising from and relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of Debt Securities and Common Shares.
If an entity or arrangement that is classified as a partnership (or other “pass-through” entity) for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds Debt Securities or Common Shares, the U.S. federal income tax consequences to such entity and the partners (or other owners) of such entity generally will depend on the activities of the entity and the status of such partners (or owners). This summary does not address the tax consequences to any such partner, owner or entity. Partners (or other owners) of entities or arrangements that are classified as partnerships or as “pass-through” entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences arising from and relating to the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of Debt Securities and Common Shares.
Tax Consequences Not Addressed
This summary does not address the U.S. state and local, U.S. federal estate and gift, U.S. federal net investment income, U.S. federal alternative minimum, or non-U.S. tax consequences to holders of Debt Securities and Common Shares. Each holder should consult its own tax advisors regarding the U.S. state and local, U.S. federal estate and gift, U.S. federal net investment income, U.S. federal alternative minimum, and non-U.S. tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of Debt Securities and Common Shares.
Debt Securities
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders
Payments of Interest
Interest on a Debt Security generally will be taxable to a U.S. Holder as ordinary interest income at the time of receipt or accrual in accordance with the U.S. Holder’s method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
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Sale, Exchange or Retirement of Debt Securities
Upon the sale, exchange, retirement or other taxable disposition of a Debt Security, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the disposition, less any accrued but unpaid interest, which will be taxable as ordinary income in the manner described above under “Payments of Interest,” and the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Debt Security. The adjusted tax basis of a Debt Security generally will equal its initial cost reduced by principal payments previously received on the Debt Security. Gain or loss recognized by a U.S. Holder generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the Debt Security exceeds one year at the time of the disposition. Deductions for capital losses are subject to complex limitations under the Code.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Information reporting requirements generally will apply to payments of interest on Debt Securities and to the proceeds of a sale of Debt Securities paid to a U.S. Holder unless the U.S. Holder is an exempt recipient (such as a corporation). Backup withholding will apply to those payments if the U.S. Holder fails to provide its correct taxpayer identification number or certification of exempt status, or if the U.S. Holder is notified by the IRS that it has failed to report in full payments of interest and dividend income. Backup withholding is not an additional tax, and any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules generally will be allowed as a refund or a credit against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided the required information is furnished in a timely manner to the IRS.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders
U.S. Federal Withholding Tax
The 30% U.S. federal withholding tax will not apply to any payment of interest on a Debt Security to a Non-U.S. Holder under the “portfolio interest rule” if certain requirements are satisfied and provided that:
| · | interest paid on the Debt Securities is not effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States; |
| · | the Non-U.S. Holder does not actually (or constructively) own 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of the Company’s voting stock within the meaning of the Code and applicable Treasury Regulations; |
| · | the Non-U.S. Holder is not a controlled foreign corporation that is related directly or constructively to the Company through stock ownership; or |
| · | the Non-U.S. Holder provides its name and address on an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or other applicable form), and certifies, under penalties of perjury, that it is not a United States person as defined under the Code (generally through the provision of an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E or other applicable form). |
If a Non-U.S. Holder cannot satisfy the requirements above, payments of interest will generally be subject to the 30% U.S. federal withholding tax, unless such Non-U.S. Holder provides the Company with a properly executed:
| · | IRS Form W-8BEN (or other applicable form) claiming an exemption from or reduction in withholding under the benefit of an applicable income tax treaty; or |
| · | IRS Form W-8ECI (or other applicable form) stating that interest paid on the Debt Securities is not subject to withholding tax because it is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States (as discussed below under “U.S. Federal Income Tax”). |
The 30% U.S. federal withholding tax generally will not apply to any payment of principal or gain that a Non-U.S. Holder realizes on the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of a Debt Security.
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U.S. Federal Income Tax
If a Non-U.S. Holder is engaged in a trade or business in the United States and interest on the Debt Securities is effectively connected with the conduct of that trade or business (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment), then such Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on that interest on a net income basis in the same manner as if such Non-U.S. Holder were a U.S. person as defined under the Code, and such Non-U.S. Holder will be exempt from the 30% U.S. federal withholding tax, provided the certification requirements discussed above in “U.S. Federal Withholding Tax” are satisfied. In addition, if the Non-U.S. Holder is a foreign corporation, such holder may be subject to a branch profits tax equal to 30% (or lower applicable income tax treaty rate) of such interest, subject to adjustments.
Any gain realized on the disposition of a Debt Security, including as redemption by the Company as discussed below, generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless:
| · | the gain is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business carried on by the Non-U.S. Holder (and, where an income tax treaty applies, is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment of the Non-U.S. Holder), in which case the Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to tax on the net gain from the disposition at regular graduated U.S. federal income tax rates, and if the Non-U.S. Holder is a corporation, may be subject to an additional U.S. branch profits tax at a gross rate equal to 30% of its effectively connected earnings and profits for that taxable year, subject to any exemption or lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty; or |
| · | the Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition and certain other conditions are met, in which case the Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to a 30% tax on the gain from the sale, which may be offset by U.S. source capital losses. |
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Generally, the Company must report to the IRS and to a Non-U.S. Holder the amount of interest paid to such Non-U.S. Holder and the amount of tax, if any, withheld with respect to those payments. Copies of the information returns reporting such interest payments and any withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which such Non-U.S. Holder resides under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty.
In general, a Non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to backup withholding with respect to payments on the Debt Securities that the Company makes to such Non-U.S. Holder provided that the Company does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that such Non-U.S. Holder is a U.S. person as defined under the Code, and the Company received from such Non-U.S. Holder the statement described above under “U.S. Federal Withholding Tax.”
Information reporting and, depending on the circumstances, backup withholding will apply to the proceeds of a sale of the Debt Securities within the United States or conducted through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries, unless the Non-U.S. Holder certifies, under penalties of perjury, that such holder is a Non-U.S. Holder (and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that such holder is a U.S. person as defined under the Code), or such holder otherwise establishes an exemption.
Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against a Non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is furnished to the IRS.
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Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act
Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code (commonly referred to as “FATCA”) impose a reporting regime and potentially a 30% withholding tax on certain payments made to or through: (i) a “foreign financial institution” (as specifically defined in the Code) that does not enter into an agreement with the IRS to provide the IRS with certain information in respect of its account holders and investors; or (ii) a “non-financial foreign entity” (as specifically defined in the Code) that does not provide sufficient information with respect to its substantial U.S. owners (if any). The United States has entered into, and continues to negotiate, intergovernmental agreements (each, an “IGA”) with a number of other jurisdictions to facilitate the implementation of FATCA. An IGA may significantly alter the application of FATCA and its information reporting and withholding requirements with respect to any particular investor.
FATCA withholding may apply to payments in respect of the Debt Securities if the payee does not provide documentation (typically IRS Form W-9 or the relevant IRS Form W-8) providing the required information or establishing compliance with, or an exemption from, FATCA. In addition, subject to the discussion regarding proposed Treasury Regulations, the FATCA withholding tax would apply to the gross proceeds payable upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of the Debt Securities. Proposed Treasury Regulations eliminate the FATCA withholding tax on payments of gross proceeds and taxpayers may rely on these proposed Treasury regulations until final U.S. Treasury Regulations are issued. There can be no assurance that final Treasury Regulations would provide an exemption from the FATCA withholding tax for gross proceeds.
FATCA is particularly complex and its application remains uncertain. Non-U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding how these rules may apply in their particular circumstances.
Common Shares
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders
Distributions
Distributions made on Common Shares generally will be included in a U.S. Holder’s income as ordinary dividend income to the extent of the Company’s current and accumulated earnings and profits (determined under U.S. federal income tax principles) as of the end of the taxable year in which the distribution occurs. However, with respect to dividends received by certain non-corporate U.S. Holders (including individuals), such dividends are generally taxed at the applicable long-term capital gains rates (currently at a maximum tax rate of 20%), provided certain holding period and other requirements are satisfied. Distributions in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of a U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Common Shares and thereafter as capital gain from the sale or exchange of the Common Shares, which will be taxable according to rules discussed under the heading “Sale, Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Shares”, below. Dividends received by a corporate holder may be eligible for a dividends received deduction, subject to applicable limitations.
Sale, Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Shares
Upon the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of Common Shares, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between: (i) the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received upon such taxable disposition; and (ii) the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Common Shares. Such capital gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if a U.S. Holder’s holding period in the Common Shares is more than one year at the time of the taxable disposition. Long-term capital gains recognized by certain non-corporate U.S. Holders (including individuals) will generally be subject to a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 20%. Deductions for capital losses are subject to complex limitations under the Code.
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Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Information reporting requirements generally will apply to payments of dividends on Common Shares and to the proceeds of a sale of Common Shares paid to a U.S. Holder unless the U.S. Holder is an exempt recipient (such as a corporation). Backup withholding will apply to those payments if the U.S. Holder fails to provide its correct taxpayer identification number or certification of exempt status, or if the U.S. Holder is notified by the IRS that it has failed to report in full payments of interest and dividend income. Backup withholding is not an additional tax, and any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules generally will be allowed as a refund or a credit against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided the required information is furnished in a timely manner to the IRS.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders
Dividends
Distributions on Common Shares paid to Non-U.S. Holders will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from the Company’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. To the extent those distributions exceed current and accumulated earnings and profits, they will constitute a return of capital and will first reduce a Non-U.S. Holder’s basis in Common Shares, but not below zero, and then will be treated as gain from the sale of stock, which will be taxable according to rules discussed below under the heading “Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Shares”. Any dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Holder with respect to Common Shares generally will be subject to withholding tax at a 30% gross rate, subject to any exemption or lower rate under an applicable treaty if the Non-U.S. Holder provides the Company with a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN, unless the Non-U.S. Holder provides the Company with a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI (or other applicable form) relating to income effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the United States.
Dividends that are effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the United States and includible in the Non-U.S. Holder’s gross income are not subject to the withholding tax (assuming proper certification and disclosure), but instead are subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at applicable graduated individual or corporate rates. Any such effectively connected income received by a non-U.S. corporation may, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate, subject to any exemption or lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.
A Non-U.S. Holder of Common Shares who wishes to claim the benefit of an applicable treaty rate or exemption is required to satisfy certain certification and other requirements. If a Non-U.S. Holder is eligible for an exemption from or a reduced rate of U.S. withholding tax pursuant to an income tax treaty, it may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS.
Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Shares
In general, a Non-U.S. Holder of Common Shares will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on gain recognized from a sale, exchange, or other taxable disposition of such Common Shares, unless:
| · | the gain is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business carried on by the Non-U.S. Holder (and, where an income tax treaty applies, is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment of the Non-U.S. Holder), in which case the Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to tax on the net gain from the disposition at regular graduated U.S. federal income tax rates, and if the Non-U.S. Holder is a corporation, may be subject to an additional U.S. branch profits tax at a gross rate equal to 30% of its effectively connected earnings and profits for that taxable year, subject to any exemption or lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty; |
| · | the Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the disposition and certain other conditions are met, in which case the Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to a 30% tax on the gain from the sale, which may be offset by U.S. source capital losses; or |
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| · | the Company is or has been a “United States real property holding corporation” (“USRPHC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes at any time during the shorter of the Non-U.S. Holder’s holding period or the 5-year period ending on the date of the disposition; provided that, as long as the Company’s Common Shares regularly traded on an established securities market as determined under the Treasury Regulations (the “Regularly Traded Exception”), a Non-U.S. Holder would not be subject to taxation on the gain on the disposition of Common Shares under this rule unless the Non-U.S. Holder has owned more than 5% of our common stock at any time during such 5-year or shorter period (a “5% Shareholder”). Non-U.S. Holders should be aware that the Company has made no determination as to whether the Company is or has been a USRPHC, and the Company can provide no assurances that it is not and will not become a USRPHC in the future. In addition, in the event that the Company is or becomes a USRPHC, the Company can provide no assurances that the Common Shares will meet the Regularly Traded Exception at the time a Non-U.S. Holder purchases such Common Shares or sells, exchanges or otherwise disposes of such Common Shares. Non-U.S. Holders should consult with their own tax advisors regarding the consequences to them of investing in a USRPHC. If the Company is a USRPHC, a Non-U.S. Holder will be taxed as if any gain or loss were effectively connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business as described above in “Dividends” in the event that: (i) such holder is a 5% Shareholder; or (ii) the Regularly Traded Exception is not satisfied during the relevant period. |
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Generally, the Company must report annually to the IRS and to Non-U.S. Holders the amount of dividends paid on the Common Shares to Non-U.S. Holders and the amount of tax, if any, withheld with respect to those dividends. Copies of the information returns reporting such dividends and withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which a Non-U.S. Holder resides under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty.
In general, a Non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to backup withholding with respect to payments of dividends by the Company, provided the Company receives a statement meeting certain requirements to the effect that the Non-U.S. Holder is not a U.S. person and the Company does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the holder is a U.S. person, as defined under the Code, or the Non-U.S. Holder otherwise establishes an exemption. The requirements for the statement will be met if: (i) the Non-U.S. Holder provides its name, address and U.S. taxpayer identification number, if any, and certifies, under penalty of perjury, that it is not a U.S. person (which certification may be made on IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E or other applicable form); or (ii) a financial institution holding the instrument on behalf of the Non-U.S. Holder certifies, under penalty of perjury, that such statement has been received by it and furnishes the Company or the paying agent with a copy of the statement. In addition, a Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to information reporting and, depending on the circumstances, backup withholding with respect to payments of the proceeds of a sale of Common Shares within the United States or conducted through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries, unless the statement described above has been received, and the Company does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that a holder is a U.S. person, as defined under the Code, or the Non-U.S. Holder otherwise establishes an exemption. Backup withholding is not an additional tax and any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against a Non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided the required information is furnished in a timely manner to the IRS.
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Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act
FATCA imposes a reporting regime and potentially a 30% withholding tax on certain payments made to or through: (i) a “foreign financial institution” (as specifically defined in the Code) that does not enter into an agreement with the IRS to provide the IRS with certain information in respect of its account holders and investors; or (ii) a “non-financial foreign entity” (as specifically defined in the Code) that does not provide sufficient information with respect to its substantial U.S. owners (if any). The United States has entered into, and continues to negotiate, IGAs with a number of other jurisdictions to facilitate the implementation of FATCA. An IGA may significantly alter the application of FATCA and its information reporting and withholding requirements with respect to any particular investor.
FATCA withholding may apply to dividends and other payments in respect of Common Shares if the payee does not provide documentation (typically IRS Form W-9 or the relevant IRS Form W-8) providing the required information or establishing compliance with, or an exemption from, FATCA. In addition, subject to the discussion regarding proposed Treasury Regulations, the FATCA withholding tax would apply to the gross proceeds payable upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of the Common Shares. Proposed Treasury Regulations eliminate the FATCA withholding tax on payments of gross proceeds and taxpayers may rely on these proposed Treasury regulations until final U.S. Treasury Regulations are issued. There can be no assurance that final Treasury Regulations would provide an exemption from the FATCA withholding tax for gross proceeds.
FATCA is particularly complex and its application remains uncertain. Non-U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding how these rules may apply in their particular circumstances.
The law firm of McMillan LLP has acted as our Company’s legal counsel by providing an opinion on the validity of the securities, other than Debt Securities, offered in this Prospectus and applicable Prospectus Supplements.
The law firm of Kelley Drye & Warren LLP has acted as special New York legal counsel to our Company by providing an opinion on the validity of the Debt Securities offered in this Prospectus.
Counsel named in the applicable Prospectus Supplement will pass upon legal matters for any underwriters, dealers or agents.
No counsel named in this prospectus as having prepared any part of this prospectus or having given an opinion upon the validity of the securities being registered or upon other legal matters in connection with the registration or offering of the common stock was employed on a contingency basis, or had, or is to receive, in connection with the offering, a substantial interest, direct or indirect, in the registrant, nor was any such person connected with the registrant as a promoter, managing or principal underwriter, voting trustee, director, officer, or employee.
The consolidated financial statements of the Company appearing in the Company’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended July 31, 2020, have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon, included therein and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The consolidated financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2019 that appear in the Company’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended July 31, 2020, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm up and until their termination as the Company’s auditors on May 29, 2020, as set forth in their report thereon. Such consolidated financial statements have been incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
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Our registrar and transfer agent for our common shares is Transfer Online, Inc. located at 512 SE Salmon Street, Portland, Oregon, U.S.A., 97214.
Filing of Canadian Prospectus
On May 14, 2021, we filed a Prospectus pursuant to the multi-jurisdictional disclosure system between the United States and Canada with the securities regulatory authorities in the Provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island, which upon final receipt, will permit our Company to offer and sell the Securities for gross proceeds of up to $200,000,000. The Securities that may be sold in the Provinces of Canada named above, together with the Securities to be sold in the United States pursuant to this Prospectus, will not exceed $200,000,000.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be a part of this prospectus, except for any information superseded by information in this prospectus.
The following documents filed by our company with the SEC are incorporated herein by reference:
| (a) | our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020, that we filed with the SEC on October 29, 2020; |
| (b) | our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for our fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2020, that we filed with the SEC on December 15, 2020; |
| (c) | our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for our fiscal quarter ended January 31, 2021, that we filed with the SEC on March 16, 2021; |
| (d) | our proxy statement on Schedule 14A that we filed with the SEC on June 12, 2020; |
| (e) | our Current Report on Form 8-K that we filed with the SEC on March 19, 2021; |
| (f) | our Current Report on Form 8-K that we filed with the SEC on April 8, 2021; and |
| (g) | the description of our common stock contained in the Registration Statement on Form 8-A, as filed with the SEC on December 12, 2005, as updated in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on February 9, 2006, which disclosed the increase in the Company’s authorized share capital to 750,000,000 shares of common stock. |
All reports and other documents subsequently filed by us pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the date of the filing of such reports and documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference in this registration statement shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this registration statement to the extent that a statement contained in this registration statement or in any subsequently filed document that is also incorporated by reference in this registration statement modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this registration statement.
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We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a Prospectus is delivered, a copy of any or all of the information that has been incorporated by reference in the Prospectus but not delivered with the Prospectus. We will provide this information, at no cost to the requester, upon written or oral request to us at the following address or telephone number:
Amir
Adnani, President and Chief Executive Officer
1030 West Georgia Street, Suite 1830
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6E 2Y3
Telephone: (604) 682-9775
We file annual and quarterly reports, current reports on Form 8-K and proxy statements with the SEC. Our SEC filings also are available to the public on the SEC’s Internet site at www.sec.gov. In addition, we maintain a website that contains information about us, including our SEC filings, at www.uraniumenergy.com. The information contained on our website does not constitute a part of this prospectus or any other report or documents we file with or furnish to the SEC or with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada.
We have filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC for the securities we are offering by this Prospectus. This Prospectus does not include all of the information contained in the registration statement. You should refer to the registration statement and its exhibits for additional information.
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URANIUM ENERGY CORP.
Up to $100,000,000 of Shares
Common Stock
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
Lead Manager
H.C. WAINWRIGHT & CO.
Co-Managers
| TD SECURITIES (USA) LLC | HAYWOOD SECURITIES (USA) INC. | ROTH CAPITAL PARTNERS |
| EIGHT CAPITAL | BMO CAPITAL MARKETS CORP. |
November 26, 2021