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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 17, 2020

 

 

MP MATERIALS CORP.

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-39277   84-4465489

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

6720 Via Austi Parkway, Suite 450

Las Vegas, Nevada

89119
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(702) 844-6111

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Fortress Value Acquisition Corp.

1345 Avenue of the Americas

46th Floor

New York, New York 10105

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

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

 

Title of each class

 

Trading

Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange

on which registered

Class A common stock, par value of $0.0001 per share   MP   New York Stock Exchange
Warrants to purchase MPMC Class A Common Stock   MPWS   New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company  ☒

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

 

 

 


INTRODUCTORY NOTE

On November 17, 2020, MP Materials Corp., formerly known as Fortress Value Acquisition Corp. (the “Company” or “MPMC” or, prior to the Business Combination (as defined below), “FVAC”), consummated the transactions contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger Agreement, dated as of July 15, 2020, as amended on August 26, 2020, the “Merger Agreement,” by and among FVAC, FVAC Merger Corp. I, a Delaware corporation and a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of FVAC (“MPMO Merger Corp.”), FVAC Merger LLC II, a Delaware limited liability company that is treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes and a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of FVAC (“SNR Merger Company”), FVAC Merger LLC III, a Delaware limited liability company and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of FVAC (“MPMO Merger LLC”), FVAC Merger LLC IV, a Delaware limited liability company and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of FVAC (“SNR Merger LLC” and, together with MPMO Merger Corp., SNR Merger Company and MPMO Merger LLC, the “Merger Subs”), MP Mine Operations LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“MPMO”) and Secure Natural Resources LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“SNR” and, together with MPMO, each a “Selling Company” and collectively, the “Selling Companies”). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, among other things, the Selling Companies became indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of FVAC. In connection with the completion of the Business Combination, the Company changed its name from Fortress Value Acquisition Corp. to MP Materials Corp. The above description of the Merger Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Merger Agreement, which is included as Exhibit 2.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Current Report on Form 8-K have the same meaning as set forth in the Proxy Statement/Consent Solicitation/Prospectus filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on October 27, 2020 (the “Proxy Statement/Consent Solicitation/Prospectus”).

 

Item 2.01.

Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.

Item 2.01(f) of Form 8-K states that, if the predecessor registrant was a “shell company” (as such term is defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), then the registrant must disclose the information that would be required if the registrant were filing a general form for registration of securities on Form 10. Prior to the completion of the transactions described above under “Introductory Note” and the Business Combination described in Item 2.01 “Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets” in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 17, 2020 which is incorporated in this Item 2.01 by reference, the Company was a “shell company.” As a result of the completion of the Business Combination, the Company has ceased to be a shell company. Accordingly, the Company is providing the information below that would be included in a Form 10 if the Company were to file a Form 10. Please note that the information provided below relates to the resultant company after the consummation of the Business Combination, unless otherwise specifically indicated or the context otherwise requires.

BUSINESS AND PROPERTIES

The business and properties of the Company after the Business Combination will be the business and properties of the Selling Companies prior to the Business Combination, which is described in the Proxy Statement/Consent Solicitation/Prospectus in the section entitled “Information about the Companies’ Business” beginning on page 185, which section is incorporated herein by reference.

RISK FACTORS

The risks associated with the Selling Companies’ business and the Business Combination are described in the Proxy Statement/Consent Solicitation/Prospectus in the sections entitled “Risk Factors - Risks Relating to the Companies’ Business and Industry”, “Risk Factors - Risks Related to Environmental Regulation”, and “Risk Factors - Risks Relating to FVAC and the Business Combination”, beginning on page 44, page 55 and page 60, respectively, which sections are incorporated herein by reference.

 

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FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Prior to the Business Combination, the Company had no operating assets but, upon consummation of the Business Combination, the business and operating assets of MPMO and SNR sold to the Company became the sole business and operating assets of the Company. Accordingly, the financial statements of MPMO and SNR as they existed prior to the Business Combination and reflecting the sole business and operating assets of MPMO and SNR going forward, are now the financial statements of the Company. Thus, the following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes of MPMO and SNR included as Exhibit 99.1, Exhibit 99.2, Exhibit 99.5 and Exhibit 99.6, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and in conjunction with the section “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information” in the Proxy Statement/Consent Solicitation/Prospectus beginning on page 150 and the updated unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information included as Exhibit 99.10 to this Current Report on Form 8-K. This discussion contains forward-looking statements reflecting the Company’s current expectations, estimates, plans and assumptions concerning events and financial trends that involve risks and may affect the Company’s future operating results or financial position. Actual results and the timing of events may differ materially from those contained in these forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those discussed in the Proxy Statement/Consent Solicitation/Prospectus in the sections entitled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors,” beginning on pages 169 and 44, respectively.

The information set forth in the sections of the Proxy Statement/Consent Solicitation/Prospectus entitled “MPMO’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “SNR’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” beginning on pages 214 and 238, respectively, thereof is incorporated herein by reference.

For information on FVAC prior to the Business Combination, see the section in the Proxy Statement/Consent Solicitation/Prospectus entitled “FVAC’s Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” beginning on page 181 and FVAC’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2020 filed on November 4, 2020, each of which is incorporated by reference.

Except where the context otherwise requires, the terms “we,” “us” and “our” in this discussion and analysis refer to MPMO prior to the Business Combination and to MPMC following the consummation of the Business Combination.

Overview

We own and operate one of the world’s largest integrated rare earth mining and processing facilities and the only major rare earths resource in the Western Hemisphere.

Rare earth elements (“REE”) are fundamental building blocks of the modern economy, enabling trillions of dollars in global GDP through the distribution of end products across industries, including transportation, consumer electronics, national defense and clean energy, among others. Neodymium (“Nd”) and praseodymium (“Pr”) are rare earth elements which in combination form neodymium-praseodymium (“NdPr”), which represents our primary revenue opportunity. NdPr is most often utilized in NdPr magnets, which are also commonly referred to as “neo,” “NdFeB,” “NIB” or permanent magnets and are made predominantly from an alloy of NdPr, iron and boron. NdPr magnets are the most widely used type of rare earth magnets and are critical for many advanced technologies that are experiencing strong secular growth, including electric vehicles, drones, defense systems, medical equipment, wind turbines, robotics and many others. Demand for NdPr is expected to grow rapidly as advanced motion technologies fuel a global industrial transformation of sectors, including transportation, clean energy, consumer electronics, and national defense.

We produce our materials at Mountain Pass, one of the world’s richest rare earth deposits, co-located with integrated state-of-the-art processing and separation facilities. We believe Mountain Pass is the only such integrated facility in the Western Hemisphere and one of the few separation facilities outside of Asia. Current ownership and management acquired the Mountain Pass assets out of bankruptcy in 2017, restarted operations from cold-idle status and embarked on a deliberate, two-stage plan to optimize the facility and position us for growth and profitability. See the Proxy Statement/Consent Solicitation/Prospectus in the section entitled “Information About the Companies’ Business—History of Ownership and Current Operations” beginning on page 185. Approximately $1.7 billion has been invested in the Mountain Pass facility since 2011, in addition to the

 

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investments in utilities and active infrastructure completed between the 1960s and 2008. We commenced mining, comminution, beneficiation and tailings management operations, which we designated Stage I of our multi-stage restart plan, between December 2017 and February 2018. We currently produce a rare earth concentrate that we sell to Shenghe Resources (Singapore) which, in turn, sells that product to end customers in China. These customers separate the constituent REEs contained in our concentrate and sell the separated products to various end users. We believe our concentrate represents approximately 15% of the rare earth content consumed in the global market during the last twelve (12) months. Upon completion of Stage II of our optimization plan, we anticipate separating REEs at Mountain Pass and selling our products directly to end users, at which time we would no longer sell our concentrate.

As technological innovation drives significant anticipated global growth in demand for REEs, we also believe global economic trends, geopolitical realities and sustainability mandates are combining to further support an opportunity for us to create shareholder value. We believe businesses are increasingly prioritizing diversification and security of their global supply chains so as to reduce reliance on a single producer or region for critical supplies. This trend has national security implications as well, illustrated by U.S. Presidential directives to seek the onshoring of production in industries deemed critical, including rare earth minerals. According to CRU, China was projected to account for approximately 83% of global REO production in 2020. We believe an even higher percentage of the NdPr magnet supply chain is based in China. Finally, public and private interests are increasingly demanding sustainability throughout production value chains to limit negative environmental and societal impacts from business activity, including pollution and acceleration of climate change. As the only scaled source in North America for critical rare earths, with a processing facility designed to operate with best-in-class sustainability and a competitive cost structure, we believe we are well-positioned to thrive in a transforming global economy.

Recent Developments and Comparability of Results

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

In December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) began to impact the population of China, where our customer, Shenghe Resources (Singapore) is located. The outbreak of COVID-19 has grown both in the United States and globally, and related government and private sector responsive actions have adversely affected the global economy. In December 2019, a series of emergency quarantine measures taken by the Chinese government disrupted domestic business activities in China during the weeks after the initial outbreak of COVID-19. Since that time, an increasing number of countries, including the United States, have imposed restrictions on travel to and from China and elsewhere, as well as general movement restrictions, business closures and other measures imposed to slow the spread of COVID-19. The situation continues to develop rapidly, however, and it is impossible to predict the effect and ultimate impact of the COVID 19 outbreak on our business operations and results. While the quarantine, social distancing and other regulatory measures instituted or recommended in response to COVID-19 are expected to be temporary, the duration of the business disruptions, and related financial impact, cannot be estimated at this time. We experienced shipping delays at the onset of the outbreak due to overseas port slowdowns and container shortages, however, we have not experienced a reduction in production, sales or shipments due to COVID-19, though we may in the future, for example as a result of the reduced consumption of products made with rare earth products by its end users, such as participants in the automotive industry supply chain.

The Business Combination

The Business Combination was consummated on November 17, 2020, pursuant to the terms of a merger agreement entered into on July 15, 2020. Pursuant to the agreement, we and Secure Natural Resources LLC (“SNR”), a company controlled by our majority equityholder and that holds the mineral rights to our mine, were combined with Fortress Value Acquisition Corp. (“FVAC”), a special purpose acquisition company (the “Business Combination”), and became indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of FVAC, which was in turn renamed MP Materials Corp. (“MPMC”).

MPMO’s merger with FVAC was accounted for as a reverse recapitalization, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded, in accordance with U.S. GAAP. SNR’s acquisition by FVAC was treated as an asset acquisition. The Business Combination is expected to significantly impact our reported financial position and results, as a consequence of reverse capitalization treatment (with respect to FVAC) and asset acquisition accounting

 

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(with respect to SNR). Our pro forma cash amounted to $512.7 million as of September 30, 2020. This pro forma cash amount is net of approximately $47.7 million in transaction-related costs and (x) the repayment of our existing related-party debt, which amounted to $21.8 million as of September 30, 2020, as described further below. See the section “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information” in the Proxy Statement/Consent Solicitation/Prospectus beginning on page 150 and the updated unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information, included as Exhibit 99.10 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

The acquisition of SNR, a company that was controlled by our majority equityholder (the “SNR Mineral Rights Acquisition”), did not meet the criteria for the acquisition of a business and was accounted for as an asset acquisition. The principal asset acquired in the SNR Mineral Rights Acquisition was the mineral rights for the rare earth ores contained in our mine, which SNR acquired in 2016 and which was SNR’s sole operating asset. The value attributed to the SNR Mineral Rights Acquisition in the Business Combination is approximately $433.3 million, which was recorded as an amortizable intangible asset on MPMC’s balance sheet and is amortized on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful life (approximately 24 years). As a result, we expect to record materially higher amortization charges in MPMC’s consolidated financial statements for periods following the Business Combination.

In April 2017, we entered into a 30-year lease and license agreement with SNR under which we pay royalties to SNR in the amount of 2.5% of gross revenue from the sale of rare earth products made from ores extracted from the mine, subject to a minimum non-refundable royalty of $0.5 million per year. Our consolidated results of operations for reporting periods following the consummation of the Business Combination will no longer reflect the payment of such royalties. SNR’s results of operations and cash-flows will be substantially eliminated in consolidation in our next consolidated financial statements and, except as otherwise disclosed above, we do not expect the SNR Mineral Rights Acquisition to materially impact the comparability of MPMO’s historical results of operations with MPMC’s results of operations for periods following the Business Combination.

Pursuant to the Parent Sponsor Letter Agreement entered into concurrently with the Merger Agreement, all of the shares of FVAC Class A common stock issued upon the conversion of the Founder Shares (shares of FVAC Class F common stock initially purchased by holders of Founder Shares prior to the FVAC IPO), shall be subject to certain vesting and forfeiture provisions (the “Vesting Shares”), as follows: (i) 50% of the Vesting Shares shall vest if a $12.00 stock price level is achieved, (ii) 25% of the Vesting Shares shall vest if a $14.00 stock price level is achieved and (iii) 25% of the Vesting Shares shall vest if a $16.00 stock price level is achieved, in each case for any twenty (20) trading days during any consecutive thirty (30) trading day period within ten years following the consummation of the Business Combination. In the event MPMC enters into a binding agreement with respect to a “Parent Sale” (as defined in the Parent Sponsor Letter Agreement) prior to the date that is ten (10) years following the Closing Date, such that the consideration paid for each share of Parent Stock (as defined in the Parent Sponsor Letter Agreement) in such Parent Sale is equal to or in excess of the respective earnout targets set forth in the Parent Sponsor Letter Agreement then such Vesting Shares shall be deemed vested as of one day prior to consummation of the Parent Sale.

The holders of MPMO HoldCo preferred stock and common stock, MPMO HoldCo and SNR HoldCo common stock immediately prior to the closing of the Business Combination have the contingent right to receive up to an additional 12,860,000 shares of MPMC Class A common stock (the “Earnout Shares”). Half of the Earnout Shares will be issued if the VWAP of MPMC Class A common stock exceeds $18.00 and the other half will be issued if the VWAP of MPMC Class A common stock exceeds $20.00, in each case, for any twenty (20) trading days during any consecutive thirty (30) trading day period within ten years following the consummation of the Business Combination. In the event MPMC enters into a binding agreement with respect to a “Parent Sale” (as defined in the Merger Agreement) prior to the date that is ten (10) years following the Closing Date, such that the consideration paid for each share of Parent Stock (as defined in the Merger Agreement) in such Parent Sale is equal to or in excess of the respective earnout targets set forth in the Merger Agreement, then such Earnout Shares shall be issued effective as of one day prior to consummation of the Parent Sale.

Public Company Costs

MPMC became the successor to an SEC-registered and NYSE-listed company, which requires us to hire additional staff and implement procedures and processes to address public company regulatory requirements and customary practices. We expect to incur additional annual expenses for, among other things, directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, director fees and additional internal and external accounting, legal and

 

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administrative resources and fees. MPMC estimates that these incremental costs will range between approximately $5.0 million and $7.0 million per year.

Our Relationship with Shenghe

In connection with the acquisition and development of the Mountain Pass facility, we entered into a set of commercial arrangements with Shenghe Resources (Singapore), including the Original Offtake Agreement, the TSA and the distribution and marketing agreement entered into in 2017 (the “DMA”). In addition, Leshan Shenghe Rare Earth Co., Ltd. (“Leshan Shenghe”), the majority stockholder of Shenghe Resources (Singapore), acquired MPMO preferred units, representing, on a current basis, a 9.24% interest in the overall equity of MPMO. See the Proxy Statement/Consent Solicitation/Prospectus in the section entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions—Companies—Shenghe Agreements” beginning on page 289 and Note 11 to our audited financial statements included as exhibit 99.1 in this Current Report on Form 8-K. Our Original Offtake Agreement, entered into in May 2017, required Shenghe Resources (Singapore) to advance to us an initial $50 million, in the form of prepayments for future deliveries of REO, to enable us to fund the restart of operations at our mine. In consideration of this and other obligations under the TSA and DMA, we agreed, upon the mine achieving certain milestones and being deemed commercially operational, to sell to Shenghe Resources (Singapore), and Shenghe Resources (Singapore) agreed to purchase on a firm take-or-pay basis, our entire rare earths production, until Shenghe Resources (Singapore)’s advances were fully recouped. Commercial operations were deemed to have commenced on July 1, 2019. From that date, until the modification of the Original Offtake Agreement on June 5, 2020, we would periodically agree upon a cash sales price with Shenghe Resources (Singapore) for each metric ton of rare earth concentrate delivered by us. This price was intended to approximate our cash cost of production. We recognized this amount as revenue upon each sale. Shenghe Resources (Singapore)’s gross profit, which, with respect to each sale of REO, was the difference between Shenghe Resources (Singapore)’s realized sales price to its customers (net of taxes, tariffs, and certain other adjustments, such as demurrage) and the agreed-upon cash price Shenghe Resources (Singapore) would pay to us, was retained by Shenghe Resources (Singapore) and was applied to reduce the prepayment balance and consequently our contractual commitments to Shenghe Resources (Singapore) (which we refer to as Shenghe Resources (Singapore)’s gross profit retention right), and was recognized as revenue in the manner described below. Shenghe Resources (Singapore)’s gross profit is influenced by market conditions as well as import duties, which were imposed on our products by the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China during this period. The drivers of our production costs are described below under “—Key Performance Indictors—Production Cost per REO MT.”

In June 2017, the Original Offtake Agreement was supplemented by a letter agreement that required Shenghe Resources (Singapore) to advance to us $30.0 million in the form of a non-interest-bearing loan. In consideration of the loan, the contractual balance that was subject to Shenghe Resources (Singapore)’s gross profit retention right was increased by an additional $30.0 million. Under the terms of these agreements, the amounts funded by Shenghe Resources (Singapore), other than the amount recorded as a non-interest-bearing loan, constituted prepayments for the rare earth products to be sold to Shenghe Resources (Singapore). Shenghe Resources (Singapore)’s initial advances were recorded as deferred revenue, which stood at $35.5 million at December 31, 2019, which amount included $3.5 million allocated from the $30.0 million advance received pursuant to the June 2017 modification, and the non-interest-bearing loan was recorded as debt in the amount of $26.5 million (based on a relative fair value allocation), an implicit debt issuance discount of $3.5 million. The $30.0 million increase in the contractual balance that remained subject to Shenghe Resources (Singapore)’s gross profit retention right was not recorded in our financial statements and was to be satisfied, together with the initial offtake advances, through an implied discount on our rare earth product sales to Shenghe Resources (Singapore) under the Original Offtake Agreement (this implied discount mechanism being referred to as the “Shenghe implied discount”).

The $30.0 million non-interest-bearing loan was repaid in 2018; however, Shenghe Resources (Singapore)’s gross profit retention right continued under the Original Offtake Agreement and the incremental $26.5 million of additional offtake product (the difference between the amount of the loan subject to Shenghe’s gross profit retention right ($30.0 million) and the amount of prepayments recognized as deferred revenue ($3.5 million)), which we refer to as the adjusted offtake product delivery amount, resulted in the Shenghe implied discount. The Mountain Pass facility reached commercial

 

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operations as of July 1, 2019, and from that date onwards all our rare earth product sales to Shenghe Resources (Singapore) were subject to a non-cash recoupment mechanism through Shenghe Resources (Singapore)’s gross profit. A portion of the gross profit (approximately 64%) was applied as a reduction to our deferred revenue balance and recognized as revenue, while the remainder, the Shenghe implied discount (approximately 36% of Shenghe Resources (Singapore)’s gross profit) was applied as a reduction to the adjusted offtake product delivery amount and therefore was not recognized as revenue. For example, for a hypothetical shipment of REO to Shenghe Resources (Singapore) on which it realized gross profit of $1.00 (the difference between its sales price to its customers and its cash cost paid to us), we recognized $0.64 as revenue, with a corollary reduction to deferred revenue, while the remaining $0.36 reduced the notional amount of our contractual commitment but was not recorded as revenue.

In addition, during the same period in which the Shenghe implied discount applied, Shenghe Resources (Singapore) was typically afforded a discount, which typically equaled between 3% and 6% of the initial cash price of our rare earth products sold to Shenghe Resources (Singapore) (the “Shenghe sales discount”), in consideration of Shenghe Resources (Singapore)’s sales efforts to resell our rare earth products. The Shenghe sales discount was not recognized as revenue and was not applied to reduce our other obligations to Shenghe Resources (Singapore), except that it was considered as part of Shenghe Resources (Singapore)’s cost of acquiring our product in the calculation of Shenghe Resources (Singapore)’s gross profit. Due to the revenue treatment resulting from the Shenghe implied discount described above, the amount of revenue we recorded for periods that included any portion of the period from July 1, 2019 until June 5, 2020 (the date the Original Offtake Agreement was modified, as described below), is not comparable, in the aggregate or on a per unit basis, to the amount of revenue recorded in other periods that concluded before July 1, 2019 or that commenced after June 5, 2020. See “—Key Performance Indicators—Realized Price per REO MT.

In May 2020, we entered into a framework agreement and amendment (the “Framework Agreement”) with Shenghe Resources (Singapore) that significantly restructured the parties’ relationship. Pursuant to the Framework Agreement, we entered into a new, amended and restated offtake agreement with Shenghe Resources (Singapore) (the “A&R Offtake Agreement”) and issued to Shenghe Resources (Singapore) a warrant (the “Shenghe Warrant”), exercisable at a nominal price for 89.88 of our preferred units, reflecting approximately 7.5% of our equity on a diluted basis, subject to certain restrictions. Pursuant to the Framework Agreement, Shenghe Resources (Singapore) funded the remaining portion of its initial $50.0 million advance commitment under the Original Offtake Agreement and agreed to fund an additional $35.5 million advance to us, which amounts were fully funded on June 5, 2020. Upon such funding, the DMA and TSA were terminated pursuant to the Framework Agreement, and the A&R Offtake Agreement and the Shenghe Warrant became effective.

In accounting for these modifications, we recorded the following impacts:

 

   

a $66.6 million one-time non-cash settlement charge (reflecting a deemed payment to terminate the DMA);

 

   

the issuance of a non-interest-bearing debt instrument in an original principal amount of $94.0 million, with a carrying value at June 30, 2020 of $84.7 million and an imputed debt issuance discount in the amount of $8.6 million (with an implied debt discount of 4.4%), corresponding, as of the modification date, to the elimination of $37.5 million of deferred revenue, $21.0 million in remaining adjusted offtake product delivery amounts, and the additional $35.5 million advance from Shenghe Resources (Singapore); and

 

   

the issuance of the Shenghe Warrant, with a fair value of $53.8 million as of the same date.

The A&R Offtake Agreement changed our repayment terms in relation to the advances from Shenghe Resources (Singapore). The Shenghe implied discount was effectively renegotiated (along with the associated accounting consequences) and, assuming static market prices, we expect to record more revenue per REO MT sold in subsequent periods. Due to the impacts of these modifications, our results for the year ending December 31, 2019 (or any interim portion thereof) will not be comparable to other periods. See “—Key Performance Indicators—Realized Price per REO MT.”

 

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Further, we eliminated the Shenghe sales discount and replaced it with a fixed monthly sales charge (which charge is accounted for in substantially the same way as the Shenghe sales discount - as a reduction to the transaction price); this did not and in the short-term is not expected to materially impact our results of operations.

The A&R Offtake Agreement maintains the core take-or-pay and other key terms of the original Offtake Agreement, making only the following material alterations to the original arrangements. In material part, the A&R Offtake Agreement: (i) modifies the definition of “offtake products” in order to remove from the scope of that definition lanthanum, cerium and other rare earth products that do not meet the specifications agreed to under the A&R Offtake Agreement; (ii) as to the offtake products subject to the A&R Offtake Agreement, provides that if we sell such offtake products to a third party, then, until the balance owed on actual and deemed advances from Shenghe Resources (Singapore) has been reduced to zero, we will pay an agreed percentage of our revenue from such sale to Shenghe Resources (Singapore), to be credited against the amounts owed on advances; (iii) replaces the Shenghe sales discount under the Original Offtake Agreement with the aforementioned fixed monthly sales charge; (iv) provides that the cash purchase price to be paid by Shenghe Resources (Singapore) for our rare earth products will be based on market prices (net of taxes, tariffs and certain other agreed charges) less applicable discounts, instead of our cash cost of production; (v) obliges us to pay Shenghe Resources (Singapore), on an annual basis, an amount equal to our annual net income, less any amounts recouped through Shenghe Resources (Singapore)’s gross profit recoupment mechanism over the course of the year, until the balance owed on actual and deemed advances from Shenghe Resources (Singapore) has been reduced to zero; (vi) obliges us to pay Shenghe Resources (Singapore) the net after-tax profits from certain sales of assets until the balance owed on actual and deemed advances from Shenghe Resources (Singapore) has been reduced to zero (this obligation was previously contained in the TSA); and (vii) provides for certain changes to the payment, invoicing and delivery terms and procedures for products. The cash purchase price and other terms applicable to a quantity of offtake products are set forth in monthly purchase agreements between MPMO and Shenghe Resources (Singapore). The A&R Offtake Agreement will terminate when Shenghe Resources (Singapore) has fully recouped the balance owed on actual and deemed advances from Shenghe Resources (Singapore) and following such termination we will have no contractual arrangements with Shenghe Resources (Singapore) for the distribution, marketing or sale of rare earth products.

Certain Tariff-related Rebates

Starting in May 2020, the government of the People’s Republic of China granted retroactive tariff relief to certain importers of rare earth minerals including Shenghe Resources (Singapore) and its affiliates, relating to periods prior to the formal lifting of the tariffs. As a result, Shenghe Resources (Singapore)’s actual realized prices for the REO sold prior to May 2020 were higher than originally reported to us and resulted in rebates to Shenghe Resources (Singapore). On account of these rebates in the second and third quarter of 2020, we received from Shenghe Resources (Singapore) certain credits against our contractual commitments to them. As a result of these credits, we recognized non-cash revenue of $10.3 million and a reduction in debt principal of $9.7 million and implied debt discount of $0.8 million.

Key Performance Indicators

Our management uses the following key performance indicators to evaluate the performance of our business and prospects. Our calculation of these performance indicators may differ from similarly-titled measures published by other companies in our industry or in other industries.

The following table presents our key performance indicators for the periods indicated:

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30,      Year Ended December 31,  
     2020      2019      2019      2018  
     (in whole units or dollars)  

REO Production Volume (MTs)

     29,166        18,947        27,620        13,914  

REO Sales Volume (MTs)

     28,047        18,260        26,821        13,378  

Realized Price per REO MT

   $ 3,031      $ 2,982      $ 2,793      $ 3,382  

Cost of Production per REO MT

   $ 1,371      $ 2,157      $ 1,980      $ 2,822  

 

8


REO Production Volume (MTs)

We measure our rare earth oxide equivalent (“REO”) production volume for a given period in metric tons (“MTs”), our principal unit of sale. This refers to the REO content contained in the rare earth concentrate we produce. Our REO production volume is a key indicator of our mining and processing capacity and efficiency.

The rare earth concentrate we currently produce is a processed, concentrated form of our mined rare earth-bearing ores. While our unit of production and sale is an MT of embedded REO, the actual weight of our rare earth concentrate is significantly greater, as the concentrate also contains non-REO minerals and water. We target REO content of greater than 60% (“REO grade”) per dry metric ton of concentrate. The elemental distribution of REO in our concentrate is relatively consistent over time and batch. We consider this the natural distribution, as it reflects the distribution of elements contained, on average, in our ore. Upon the completion of our Stage II optimization project, we expect to refine our rare earth concentrate to produce separated rare earths, including separated NdPr oxide. See “—Key Factors Affecting Our Performance—Development of Our Refining Capabilities and Other Opportunities.

In connection with our acquisition of Mountain Pass in July 2017, we also inherited a stockpile of rare earth fluoride (“REF”) and certain other inventories, which were not included in our REO production volume for any period reported in this Current Report on Form 8-K. These stockpiles had largely been sold by the end of 2018.

REO Sales Volume (MTs)

Our REO sales volume for a given period is calculated in MTs. A unit, or MT, is considered sold once we recognize revenue on its sale. See “Key Components of Sales and Expenses—Product Sales.” Our REO sales volume is a key measure of our ability to convert our production into revenue.

In addition to the rare earth concentrate we sold for the periods presented in this Current Report on Form 8-K, we completed the sale of our acquired legacy stockpiles in 2018. Our REO sales volume excludes the sale of REF and other acquired stockpiles. We recognized approximately $22.2 million in revenue from our legacy stockpile sales in 2018.

Realized Price per REO MT

We calculate the realized price per REO MT for a given period as the quotient of (i) our total value realized for a given period and (ii) our REO sales volume for the same period. We calculate our total value realized as the sum of (x) the revenue recognized on our sales of REO in a given period (excluding the revenue impact of tariff-related credits from Shenghe Resources (Singapore) on account of prior sales) and (y) in connection with our sales of REO to Shenghe Resources (Singapore) between July 1, 2019 and June 5, 2020, the total amount of the Shenghe implied discount, which reduced the adjusted offtake product delivery amount. The consideration described in clause (y) is the difference between (1) Shenghe Resources (Singapore)’s average realized price, net of taxes, tariffs and certain other agreed-upon charges (such as one-time demurrage charges) on our products when they sold them to their customers and (2) the amount of revenue we recognized on the sales of those products to Shenghe Resources (Singapore) in the period, which includes a non-cash portion (as discussed above). For sales under the Original Offtake Agreement, a portion of this non-cash consideration - the Shenghe implied discount - was not recorded as revenue in our financial statements but was applied as a reduction to the adjusted offtake product delivery amount to Shenghe Resources (Singapore). Under the terms of the Original Offtake Agreement, for the period between July 1, 2019 and June 5, 2020, Shenghe Resources (Singapore) purchased our rare earth products at an agreed price per MT, which was net of the Shenghe Resources (Singapore) gross profit, and in turn resold it at market prices. Our treatment of this non-cash consideration resulted from the effects of prior modifications to the Original Offtake Agreement and the resulting relative fair value allocations of Shenghe Resources (Singapore)’s prepaid advances, which differed from the amounts we owed contractually. The contractual amounts effectively provided Shenghe Resources (Singapore) with an enhanced margin in consideration of the $30 million deemed additional advance (as discussed above). This arrangement was terminated effective June 5, 2020, whereupon we began to recognize revenue at the full value of our product. Accordingly, we calculate realized price per REO MT for the period between July 1, 2019 and June 5, 2020 by adding back the value of the Shenghe implied discount. See “—Recent Developments and Comparability of Results—Our Relationship with Shenghe.

 

9


The table below presents our total realized price on our REO Sales Volumes for the periods indicated, reconciled to our GAAP product sales for the same periods (numbers in the table may not foot due to rounding):

 

     REO Sales
Volume
     Realized
Price per
REO MT
     Total
Realized
Price (1)
     Other (2)      Shenghe
Implied
Discount (3)
    Product Sales
(GAAP)
 
     (MTs)      (in whole
dollars)
     (in thousands of dollars)  

Year Ended December 31, 2018

     13,378      $ 3,382      $ 45,238      $ 22,180        —       $ 67,418  

Year Ended December 31, 2019

     26,821      $ 2,793      $ 74,899      $ 394      $ (1,882   $ 73,411  

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019

     18,260      $ 2,982      $ 54,446      $ 315      $ (2,398   $ 52,363  

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020

     28,047      $ 3,031      $ 85,016      $ 10,780      $ (3,664   $ 92,132  

 

(1)

REO Sales Volume multiplied by Realized Price per REO MT.

(2)

Includes mainly sales of existing REF stockpiles in 2018 and the net impact of a tariff rebate from Shenghe Resources (Singapore) due to the retroactive effect of lifting of a Chinese tariff in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 (an additional $10.3 million in tariff “rebate” was applied to reduce our adjusted offtake product delivery amount). For all other periods, this reflects mainly sales of PhosFix stockpiles.

(3)

Shenghe implied discount represents to the difference between the contractual amount realized by Shenghe and the amount of deferred revenue we recognized.

Realized price per REO MT is an important measure of the market price of our product and, therefore, our ultimate revenue opportunity. Accordingly, we calculate realized price per REO MT as described above, to reflect a consistent basis between periods by eliminating the impact of recognizing revenue at a discount in the period between July 1, 2019 and June 5, 2020.

Production Cost per REO MT

Our production cost per REO MT is a non-GAAP financial measure, which we calculate as our cost of sales (excluding depletion, depreciation and amortization), less costs attributable to sales of legacy stockpiles and shipping and freight costs, for a given period divided by our REO sales volume for the same period. Production cost per REO MT sold is a key indicator of our production efficiency. See “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for a reconciliation of our production cost to our cost of sales (excluding depletion, depreciation and amortization).

As our cash costs of Stage I production are largely fixed, our production cost per MT is influenced by mineral recovery, REO grade, plant feed rate and production uptime.

Key Factors Affecting Our Performance

We believe we are uniquely positioned to capitalize on the key trends of electrification and supply chain security, particularly as domestic EV production grows. Our success depends to a significant extent on our ability to take advantage of the following opportunities and meet the challenges associated with them.

Demand for REE

The key demand driver for REEs is their use in a diverse array of growing end markets, including: Clean-Energy and Transportation Technologies (e.g., traction motors in EVs and generators in wind power turbines); High-Technology Applications (e.g., miniaturization of smart phones and other mobile devices, fiber optics, lasers, robotics, medical devices, etc.); Critical Defense Applications (e.g., guidance and control systems, global positioning systems, radar and sonar, drones, etc.); and essential Industrial Infrastructure (e.g., advanced catalyst applications in oil refining and pollution-control systems in traditional internal-combustion automobiles, etc.). We believe these drivers will fuel the continued growth of the rare earth market, particularly the market for NdPr. See the Proxy Statement/Consent Solicitation/Prospectus in the section entitled “Information About the Companies’ Business—Rare Earth Industry Overview and Market Opportunity” beginning on page 189.

 

10


We believe we benefit from several demand tailwinds for REEs, and particularly for NdPr. These include the trend toward geographic supply chain diversification, particularly in relation to China, which is expected to account for approximately 83% of global REE production in 2020, U.S. government strategy to restore domestic supply of key minerals, and increasing acceptance of environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) mandates, which impact global capital allocation throughout production value chains to limit negative environmental and societal impacts.

However, changes in technology may drive down the use of REEs, including NdPr, in the components in which they are now used, or lead to a decline in reliance on such components altogether. We also operate in a competitive industry, and many of our key competitors are based in China, where production costs are typically lower than in the United States. If our assumptions about the growth in demand for REE, and particularly NdPr, prove wrong, our business prospects and results of operations could suffer materially.

Our Mineral Reserves

Our ore body has proven over more than 60 years of operations to be one of the world’s largest and highest-grade rare earth resources. As of July 1, 2020, SRK, an independent consulting firm that we have retained to assess our reserves, estimates total proven and probable reserves of 1.5 million short tons of REO contained in 21.1 million short tons of ore at Mountain Pass, with an average ore grade of 7.06%. In each case, these estimates use an estimated economical cut-off of 3.83% total rare earth oxide. Based on these estimated reserves and our expected annual production rate of REO upon completion of our Stage II optimization project, our expected mine life is approximately 24 years. We expect to be able to significantly grow our expected mine life through exploratory drilling programs and incorporation of the profitability uplift of our Stage II optimization plan over time.

Mining activities in the United States are heavily regulated, particularly in California. Regulatory changes may make it more challenging for us to access our reserves. In addition, new mineral deposits may be discovered elsewhere, which could make our operations less competitive.

Maximizing Production Efficiency

Over the last twelve months REO production is approximately 3.2x greater than the highest ever production in a twelve-month period by the former operator using the same capital equipment. We have achieved these results through an optimized reagent scheme, lower temperature, better management of the tailings facility, and a commitment to operational excellence, driving approximately 94% uptime—a significant improvement to that of our predecessor. We also believe that these “Stage I” optimization initiatives have enabled us to achieve world-class production cost levels for rare earth concentrate. All of these achievements have enabled us to become cash flow positive, despite significant Chinese trade tariffs on ore and concentrates in place over the optimization period. These trade tariffs have recently been suspended, further enhancing the earnings power of our Stage I operations. See the Proxy Statement/Consent Solicitation/Prospectus in the section entitled “Information About the Companies’ Business—History of Ownership and Current Operations—Stage I Execution Successful” beginning on page 187.

We believe that the success of our business will reflect our ability to manage our costs. Our “Stage II” optimization plan, discussed below, is designed to enable us to manage our cost structure for separating REE through a revised facility process flow. The reintroduction of the oxidizing roasting step will allow us to capitalize on the inherent advantages of the bastnasite ore at Mountain Pass, which is uniquely suitable to low-cost refining by selectively eliminating the need to carry lower-value cerium through the separations process. The recommissioning of our natural gas-powered combined heat and power (“CHP”) facility will reduce energy, heating and steam costs as well as minimize or eliminate our reliance on the regional electric power grid. The anticipated re-start of chlor-alkali operations (with a revised, higher-reliability process flow as well as redundancy for the discharge of waste brine) will enable us to produce our own hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide at the Mountain Pass facility and recycle our acid and base inputs, thereby reducing our reliance on external sources of reagents, and providing additional cost leverage with suppliers as a leading consumer of hydrochloric acid in the United States. Further, our location offers significant transportation advantages that create meaningful cost efficiencies in securing incoming supplies and shipping of our final products.

 

11


We currently operate a single site in a single location, and any stoppage in activity, including for reasons outside of our control, could adversely impact our production, results of operations and cash flows. “—Key Performance Indictors—Production Cost per REO MT.” In addition, several of our current and potential competitors are government supported and may have access to substantially greater capital, which may allow them to make similar or greater efficiency improvements or undercut market prices for our product.

Development of Our REE Refining Capabilities and Other Opportunities

Our “Stage II” optimization process is focused on advancing from concentrate production to the separation of individual REEs. Engineering, procurement, preliminary construction and other recommissioning activities are underway and involve upgrades and enhancements to the existing facility process flow to produce separated REEs more reliably, at significantly lower cost and with an expected smaller environmental footprint per volume of REO produced than the prior operator of the Mountain Pass facility. As part of our Stage II optimization plan, we plan to reintroduce a roasting circuit, reorient the plant process flow, increase product finishing capacity, improve wastewater management and make other improvements to materials handling and storage, in addition to restarting our currently idled CHP plant to produce electricity and steam and our chlor-alkali facility to produce chemical reagents. Our process redesign and engineering for our Stage II optimization plan is substantially complete and we believe that our Stage II optimization plan investments will enable us to materially increase the recovery of NdPr from our concentrate, increase NdPr production and dramatically lower the cost of production, in each case, as compared to the prior owner’s operations. Upon the completion of Stage II, we expect to be a low-cost producer of separated NdPr oxide, which represents a majority of the value contained in our ore. See the Proxy Statement/Consent Solicitation/Prospectus in the section entitled “Information About the Companies’ Business—History of Ownership and Current Operations—Stage II Underway” beginning on page 187.

In the longer term, following our completion of the Stage II optimization plan, we believe we will then be in a position to consider opportunities to integrate further downstream into the business of upgrading NdPr into metal alloys and magnets, ultimately expanding our presence as a global source for rare earth magnetics. We also believe integration into magnet production would provide some protection from commodity pricing volatility, while enhancing our business profile as the producer of a critical industrial output in addition to a producer of resources. We expect these “Stage III” downstream opportunities to be driven by geopolitical developments, including bringing critical rare earth mining and refining production capability to the United States, as well as the restoration of the full U.S. magnetics supply chain. See the Proxy Statement/Consent Solicitation/Prospectus in the section entitled “Information About the Companies’ Business—History of Ownership and Current Operations—Stage III Downstream Expansion Opportunity” beginning on page 189.

The completion of our Stage II optimization plan and any development of Stage III is expected to be capital intensive. We expect to invest approximately $170 million to complete our Stage II optimization plan and reach anticipated production rates for the separation of REEs by the end of 2022, and our estimated costs or estimated time to completion may increase, potentially significantly, due to factors outside of our control. See the Proxy Statement/Consent Solicitation/Prospectus in the section entitled “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to the Companies’ Business and Industry” beginning on page 44. While we believe that the proceeds we obtain in the Business Combination and the PIPE Investment will be sufficient to fund our Stage II optimization and operating working capital in the near term, we cannot assure this. Any delays in our ongoing optimization plans or substantial cost increases related to their execution could significantly impact our ability to maximize our revenue opportunities and adversely impact our business and cash flows.

Key Components of Sales and Expenses

Product sales

A substantial majority of our product sales are generated from the sale of REO concentrate to Shenghe Resources (Singapore), although we also sell small amounts to third parties. The table below presents our product sales by customer type for the periods indicated:

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
     Year Ended December 31,  
     2020      2019      2019      2018  
     (in thousands)  

Product sales - Shenghe

   $ 91,699      $ 52,048      $ 73,017      $ 67,013  

Product sales - third parties

     433        315        394        405  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total product sales

   $ 92,132      $ 52,363      $ 73,411      $ 67,418  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

12


We recognize a product sale when we have a binding purchase agreement and the product is loaded at the agreed-upon shipping point, at which point the control of the product is transferred to the customer. The transaction price is typically based on an agreed upon price per REO MT, subject to certain quality adjustments and discounts. Product sales are recorded net of taxes collected from customers that are remitted to governmental authorities. See Note 2 to our audited financial statements included as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Costs and expenses

Cost of sales (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization). Our cost of sales (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization) consists of production- and processing-related labor costs (including wages and salaries, benefits and bonuses), mining and processing supplies (such as reagents), parts and labor for the maintenance of our processing facility, facilities-related costs, packaging materials and freight and shipping costs.

Royalty expense paid to related party. Our royalty expense paid to related party relates to our obligation to pay SNR for the right to extract REO from our mine and is based on 2.5% of product sales, subject to certain minimums. See Note 11 to our audited financial statements included as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K. On a consolidated basis, we will not incur royalty expenses following the Business Combination.

General and administrative expenses. Our general and administrative expenses (“G&A”) expenses consist primarily of accounting, finance and administrative personnel costs, professional services (including legal, regulatory, audit and others), certain engineering expenses, insurance, license and permit costs, facilities rent and other costs, office supplies, property taxes, general facilities expenses, and certain environmental, health, and safety expenses.

Depreciation, depletion and amortization. Our depreciation, depletion and amortization expenses consist of depreciation of property, plant, and equipment related to our mining equipment and processing facility, amortization of capitalized computer software and depletion of our mineral resources.

Accretion of asset retirement obligations (ARO) and environmental remediation obligations. Our accretion of ARO is based on the requirement to reclaim and remediate the land surrounding our mine and processing facility upon the expiration of the lease. Our accretion of environmental obligations is based on the estimated future cash flow requirement to monitor groundwater contamination related to prior owners’ activities.

Other income, net. Other income consists mainly of gains on the disposal of idle mining assets and interest income on restricted cash. Other expense consists mainly of settlements of advances from Shenghe Resources (Singapore).

Interest expense. Interest expense consists mainly of the amortization of the discount on our debt obligations to Shenghe Resources (Singapore) (all of which is non-cash) and, to a lesser extent, interest on other debt instruments.

Income tax expense. Provision for income taxes consists of an estimate of U.S. federal and state income taxes and income taxes in the jurisdictions in which we conduct business, adjusted for federal, state and local allowable income tax benefits, the effect of permanent differences and the valuation allowance against deferred tax assets. We have not incurred material tax expense until the first half of 2020, and we anticipate that the only tax expense for all of 2020 will be for California state income tax expense, mainly attributable to our inability to offset this obligation with state net operating losses due to new legislation. See Note 10 to our audited financial statements included elsewhere in this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

13


Results of Operations

Comparison of Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019

The following table summarizes our statement of operations for the periods indicated:

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30,         
     2020      2019      $ Change      % Change  
     (in thousands, except percentages)  

Product sales (including sales to related parties)

   $ 92,132      $ 52,363      $ 39,769        76
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Operating expenses:

           

Cost of sales (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization)

     (44,957      (45,033      76        0

Royalty expense paid to related party

     (1,908      (1,085      (823      76

General and administrative expenses

     (14,573      (10,167      (4,406      43

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     (4,832      (3,735      (1,097      29

Accretion of asset retirement obligation and environmental remediation obligation

     (1,691      (1,577      (114      7

One-time settlement charge

     (66,615      —          (66,615      n.m.  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total operating expenses

     (134,576      (61,596      (72,979      118

Operating loss

     (42,444      (9,234      (33,210      n.m.  

Other income, net

     298        4,114        (3,816      -93

Interest expense

     (3,582      (2,671      (911      34
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Loss before income taxes

     (45,728      (7,791      (37,937      n.m.  

Income tax expense

     (211      (1      (210      n.m.  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net loss

   $ (45,939    $ (7,792    $ (38,147      -490
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

n.m. = not meaningful.

Product sales. Product sales increased by $39.8 million, or 76%, to $92.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2020, from $52.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The increase was driven primarily by higher REO sales volume, which increased to 28,047 MTs in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 from 18,260 MTs in the nine months ended September 30, 2019, reflecting the improved efficiency of our processing operations, while our average realized price per REO MT increased approximately 2% between periods, primarily reflecting the lower tariffs. Tariff credits from Shenghe Resources (Singapore) contributed $10.3 million in product sales in the nine months ended September 30, 2020. However, product sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 were negatively impacted by the accounting treatment of the Shenghe implied discount in connection with the Original Offtake Agreement, pursuant to which approximately $3.7 million of the value of products sold to Shenghe Resources (Singapore) from January 1, 2020 until June 5, 2020 was not recognized as product sales but was applied as a reduction of the adjusted offtake product delivery amount to Shenghe Resources (Singapore). See “—Recent Developments and Comparability of Results—Our Relationship with Shenghe.” Starting June 5, 2020, the accounting impact of the Shenghe implied discount was eliminated under the A&R Offtake Agreement and, going forward, we will recognize product sales on the full value of our sales to Shenghe Resources (Singapore).

Cost of sales (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization). Cost of sales (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization) decreased by $0.1 million to $45.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2020, from $45.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The decrease was driven by lower per unit production costs and offset by higher sales volume and higher shipping costs, reflecting more shipments to less accessible overseas ports. Cost of sales (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization) improved significantly on a per unit basis. The significant decrease in production cost per REO MT, from $2,157 in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 to $1,371 in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 reflected the increased efficiency in processing our rare earth concentrate, driven by higher mineral recoveries in our froth flotation circuit and improved operational uptime. See “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for a reconciliation of our total production cost to our cost of sales

 

14


(excluding depletion, depreciation and amortization). We believe our cost of sales (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization) on a per unit basis has stabilized in the short-term, although we anticipate additional efficiency opportunities as we increase REO production volumes in our milling and flotation circuit over time.

Royalty expense paid to related party. Royalty expense paid to related party increased by $0.8 million, or 76%, to $1.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2020, from $1.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019, reflecting our increased product sales (the royalty rate is 2.5% of our gross revenue from products derived from mined ore).

General and administrative expenses. General and administrative expenses increased by $4.4 million, or 43%, to $14.6 million in the nine-months ended September 30, 2020, from $10.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019, reflecting a $3.4 million increase in professional service fees, mainly accounting advisory services related to the Business Combination.

Depreciation, depletion and amortization. Depreciation, depletion and amortization increased by $1.1 million, or 29%, to $4.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2020, from $3.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019, reflecting the impact of additional equipment purchases.

Accretion of asset retirement obligations (ARO) and environmental remediation obligations. Accretion of ARO and environmental remediation obligations remained relatively flat between periods.

One-time settlement charge. We recorded a one-time non-cash settlement charge of $66.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 in connection with the termination of the DMA. See “—Recent Developments and Comparability of Results—Our Relationship with Shenghe.”

Other income, net. Other income, net, was $0.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2020, reflecting interest income on restricted cash and an environmental incentive credit, compared to other income, net of $4.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019, mainly reflecting a gain on the disposal of idle assets and interest income.

Interest expense. Interest expense increased by $0.9 million, or 34%, to $3.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2020, from $2.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2018, mainly reflecting an increase in the interest expense from the issuance of a non-interest-bearing debt instrument to Shenghe Resources (Singapore) in connection with the amended offtake agreement that was entered in June 2020. See “—Recent Developments and Comparability of Results—Our Relationship with Shenghe.”

Income tax expense. Income tax expense was $0.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and negligible in the nine months ended September 30, 2019.

Net income (loss). Net loss increased by $38.1 million to $45.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2020, from $7.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019, due to the one-time settlement charge and the other reasons discussed above.

Comparison of Year Ended December 31, 2019 to Year Ended December 31, 2018

The following table summarizes our statement of operations for the periods indicated:

 

     Year Ended December 31,      2019 vs. 2018  
     2019      2018      $
Change
     %
Change
 
     (in thousands, except percentages)  

Product sales (including sales to related parties)

   $ 73,411      $ 67,418      $ 5,993        9

Operating expenses:

           

Cost of sales (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization)

     (61,261      (56,252      (5,009      9

Royalty expense paid to related party

     (1,885      (1,032      (853      83

General and administrative expenses

     (11,104      (14,565      3,461        -24

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     (4,687      (2,455      (2,232      91

Accretion of asset retirement obligation and environmental remediation obligation

     (2,094      (1,998      (96      5
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total operating expenses

     (81,031      (76,302      (4,729      6

Operating loss

     (7,620      (8,884      1,264        -14

Other income, net

     4,278        839        3,439        410

Interest expense

     (3,412      (5,420      2,008        -37
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Loss before income taxes

     (6,754      (13,465      6,711        -50

Income tax expense

     (1      (1      —          n.m.  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net loss

   $ (6,755    $ (13,466    $ 6,711        -50
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

15


Product sales. Product sales increased by $6.0 million, or 9%, to $73.4 million in 2019 from $67.4 million in 2018. The increase was primarily driven by higher REO sales volume, which increased to 26,821 MTs in 2019 from 13,378 MTs in 2018, reflecting mainly the improved efficiency of our processing operations starting in the second half of 2019. In 2018, we sold $22.2 million in acquired stockpiles of REF; we had no such sales in 2019. Realized price per REO MT decreased from $3,382 in 2018 to $2,793 in 2019, mainly due to the imposition of a 10% Chinese import duty on our product in July 2018 and its increase to 25% which took effect in May 2019. Product sales for the second half of 2019 were also negatively impacted by the accounting treatment of the Shenghe implied discount in connection with the Original Offtake Agreement, where approximately $1.9 million of the value of products sold to Shenghe Resources (Singapore) in 2019 was not recognized as product sales but was applied as a reduction of the adjusted offtake product delivery amount to Shenghe Resources (Singapore), while in 2018 we recognized product sales on the full market value of our REO concentrate sales. See “—Recent Developments and Comparability of Results—Our Relationship with Shenghe.

Cost of sales (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization). Cost of sales (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization) increased by $5.0 million, or 9%, to $61.3 million in 2019 from $56.3 million in 2018. The increase was driven by our higher sales volume and, to a lesser extent, the need to ship certain deliveries to less accessible overseas ports. Cost of sales (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization) improved significantly on a per unit basis. The significant decrease in production cost per REO MT, from $2,822 in 2018 to $1,980 in 2019, was driven by a significant efficiency improvement in processing our rare earth concentrate starting in the second half of 2019, for the reasons discussed above. See “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for a reconciliation of our total production cost to our cost of sales (excluding depletion, depreciation and amortization).

Royalty expense paid to related party. Royalty expense paid to related party increased by $0.9 million, or 83%, to $1.9 million in 2019 from $1.0 million in 2018, reflecting our increased product sales.

General and administrative expenses. General and administrative expenses decreased by $3.5 million, or 24%, to $11.1 million in 2019, from $14.6 million in 2018, primarily due to reclassification of certain facilities expenses to cost of sales as portions of the mine and processing facilities entered commercial operations, and lower premiums on surety bonding.

Depletion, depreciation and amortization. Depletion, depreciation and amortization increased by $2.2 million, or 91%, to $4.7 million in 2019, from $2.5 million in 2018, reflecting the impact of equipment purchases following the Mountain Pass acquisition.

Accretion of asset retirement obligation ARO and environmental remediation obligations. Accretion of ARO and environmental remediation obligations remained relatively flat between periods.

Other income, net. Other income, net increased by $3.5 million to $4.3 million in 2019 from $0.8 million in 2018. The increase was primary due to a higher gain on sales of idle equipment in 2019 compared to 2018.

 

16


Interest expense. Interest expense decreased by $2.0 million, or 37%, to $3.4 million in 2019, from $5.4 million in 2018, mainly reflecting our repayment of Shenghe Resources (Singapore)’s $30.0 million loan (which was non-interest-bearing for the first 12 months) in November 2018. At the time of repayment, we accrued $2.1 million on the loan in 2018, mainly in amortized debt discount. See Note 7 to our audited financial statements included as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Income tax expense. Income tax expense was negligible in both periods.

Net loss. Net loss decreased by $6.7 million, or 50%, to $6.8 million in 2019, from $13.5 million in 2018, for the reasons discussed above.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This Current Report on Form 8-K includes Production Costs, Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow, which are non-GAAP financial measures that we use to supplement our results presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These measures are similar to measures reported by other companies in our industry and are regularly used by securities analysts and investors to measure companies’ financial performance. Production Costs, Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow are not intended to be a substitute for any U.S. GAAP financial measure and, as calculated, may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of performance or liquidity of other companies within our industry or in other industries.

Production Costs

Production cost, which we use to calculate our key performance indicator, production cost per REO MT, is a non-GAAP financial measure that we define as our cost of sales (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization), less costs attributable to sales of legacy stockpiles and shipping and freight costs. The table below presents our production cost reconciled to our cost of sales (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization) for the periods indicated:

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
     Year Ended December 31,  
     2020      2019      2019      2018  
     (in thousands)  

Cost of sales—as reported

   $ 44,957      $ 45,033      $ 61,261      $ 56,252  

Adjusted for:

           

Costs attributable to sales of stockpiles

     (406      (300      (374      (13,309

Shipping and freight

     (6,096      (5,352      (7,793      (5,188
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-GAAP production cost

   $ 38,455      $ 39,381      $ 53,094      $ 37,755  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

We define and calculate Adjusted EBITDA as our U.S. GAAP net income (loss) before depreciation, depletion and amortization, interest expense and income tax expense or benefit for a given period, further adjusted to eliminate the impact of transaction-related costs, other non-recurring costs, accretion of asset retirement obligations (ARO) and environmental reserves and gain on sale or disposal of long-lived assets. We present Adjusted EBITDA because it is used by management to evaluate our underlying operating and financial performance and trends.

Adjusted EBITDA excludes certain expenses that are required in accordance with U.S. GAAP because they are non-recurring, non-cash or are not related to our underlying business performance. This non-GAAP financial measure is intended to supplement our U.S. GAAP results and should not be used as a substitute for financial measures presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Our Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect our results of operations on a comparable basis between periods because of the accounting consequences of the modifications of our agreements with Shenghe Resources (Singapore). See “—Recent Developments and Comparability of Results—Our Relationship with Shenghe.” Accordingly, our Adjusted EBITDA trend for the periods presented in this Current Report on Form 8-K may not be indicative of future trends. If the adjusted offtake product delivery amount to Shenghe Resources (Singapore) pursuant to the Original Offtake Agreement had been included in our deferred revenue (See “—Recent Developments and Comparability of Results—Our Relationship with Shenghe.”), our Adjusted EBITDA for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and for fiscal year 2019 would have been higher by $3.7 million and $1.9 million, respectively.

 

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The table below presents our Adjusted EBITDA reconciled to our net income (loss), the closest U.S. GAAP measure, for the periods indicated:

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
     Year Ended December 31,  
     2020      2019      2019      2018  
     (in thousands)  

Net income (loss)

   $ (45,939    $ (7,792    $ (6,755    $ (13,466

Adjusted for:

           

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     4,832        3,735        4,687        2,455  

Interest expense

     3,582        2,671        3,412        5,420  

Income tax expense

     211        1        1        1  

Transaction-related costs(1)

     1,652        —          270        —    

Accretion of ARO and environmental reserves

     1,691        1,577        2,094        1,998  

Other non-recurring costs(2)

     738        250        618        —    

Royalties to SNR(3)

     1,908        1,085        1,885        1,032  

One-time settlement charge(4)

     66,615        —          —          —    

Tariff credits (5)

     (10,347      —          —          —    

Other income, net(6)

     (298      (4,114      (4,278      (839
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 24,645      $ (2,587    $ 1,934      $ (3,399
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Includes mainly advisory, consulting, accounting and legal expenses in connection with the Business Combination.

(2)

Includes mainly non-recurring costs for SAP implementation in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and, in 2019, one-time severance payments to certain former members of our executive team.

(3)

Our royalty payments to SNR will be eliminated upon the consummation of the Business Combination. See “—Recent Developments and Comparability of Results—The Business Combination.

(4)

One-time settlement charge in connection with the termination of the DMA. See “—Recent Developments and Comparability of Results—Our Relationship with Shenghe.

(5)

Represents non-cash revenue recognized in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 in connection with the tariff credits received from Shenghe Resources (Singapore) relating to product sales prior to May 2020. See “—Recent Developments and Comparability of Results— Certain Tariff-related Rebates.

(6)

Includes gains on sale of idle mining equipment following the 2017 acquisition of Mountain Pass and interest income on restricted cash.

Free Cash Flow

We calculate Free Cash Flow as net cash provided by (used in) operating activities less additions to property, plant and equipment. We believe Free Cash Flow is useful for comparing our ability to generate cash with that of our peers. The presentation of Free Cash Flow is not meant to be considered in isolation or as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities and does not necessarily indicate whether cash flows will be sufficient to fund cash needs.

The following table presents a reconciliation of Free Cash Flow to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities, for the periods indicated:

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
     Year Ended December 31,  
     2020      2019      2019      2018  
     (in thousands)  

Cash used in operating activities

   $ (318    $ (2,501    $ (437    $ 20,196  

Additions to property, plant and equipment

     (9,695      (2,388      (2,274      (7,790
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Free Cash Flow

   $ (10,013    $ (4,889    $ (2,711    $ 12,406  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Quarterly Performance Trend

While our business is not significantly seasonal in nature, we sometimes experience a timing lag between production and sales, which may result in volatility in our results of operations between periods. In addition, the efficiency improvements we made in the processing of our rare earth materials has resulted in significantly higher production of REO starting in the second half of 2019. Our realized price per REO MT was also adversely impacted by the imposition of Chinese import duties in July 2018, and the subsequent increase of such tariffs in May 2019. The lifting of tariffs contributed to the improvement in realized price per REO MT in the second and third quarter of 2020.

The following table presents our REO production and sales volumes, as well as our realized price per REO MT, for the quarterly periods indicated:

 

     FY2018      FY2019      FY2020  
     Q1      Q2      Q3      Q4      Q1      Q2      Q3      Q4      Q1      Q2      Q3  
     (in whole units or dollars)         

REO Production Volume (MTs)

     2,168        4,030        4,289        3,427        4,040        5,490        9,417        8,673        9,682        9,287        10,197  

REO Sales Volume (MTs)

     2,231        3,361        4,736        3,050        3,875        4,533        9,852        8,561        8,321        10,297        9,429  

Realized Price per REO MT (1)

     $2,646        $4,118        $3,508        $2,912        $2,902        $3,081        $2,967        $2,389        $2,544        $3,093        $3,393  

 

(1)

Realized price per REO MT for certain periods prior to May 2020 would have generally been higher if the tariff credits received from Shenghe Resources (Singapore) were applied in the same periods the relevant sales occurred. See “—Recent Developments and Comparability of Results— Certain Tariff-related Rebates.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity refers to our ability to generate sufficient cash flows to meet the cash requirements of our business operations, including working capital and capital expenditure needs, contractual obligations, debt service and other commitments. Our principal sources of liquidity to date have included customer advances and loans from Shenghe Resources (Singapore), cash from operating activities and debt.

We believe that our cash flows from operations and cash on hand, together with the proceeds of the PIPE Investment and FVAC’s cash in trust that we received upon the consummation of the Business Combination will be adequate to meet our liquidity requirements for at least the 12 months following the date of this Current Report on Form 8-K. Our current working capital needs relate mainly to our mining and beneficiation operations. Our principal capital expenditure requirements relate mainly to the periodic replacement of mining or processing equipment, as well as funding our Stage II project to optimize and recommission our idled refining facilities. Our future capital requirements will depend on several factors, including future acquisitions and potential additional investments in further downstream production (for example, if we move forward with plans to develop our Stage III project for the production of rare-earth based magnets and/or other finished components). If our available resources prove inadequate to fund our plans or commitments, we may be forced to revise our strategy and business plans or could be required, or elect, to seek additional funding through public or private equity or debt financings; however, such funding may not be available on terms acceptable to us, if at all.

We had cash and cash equivalents of $30.2 million as of September 30, 2020. On a pro forma basis, assuming the consummation of the Business Combination on September 30, 2020, we would have had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $512.7 million. As of September 30, 2020, we had $90.9 million of related-party debt, of which $72.1 million (excluding the recorded implied discount discussed below) relates to amounts owed to Shenghe Resources (Singapore) due to the June 2020 contract modifications described above. The promissory notes with JHL Capital Group and QVT Financial and their affiliates (described below), which amounted to $21.8 million (including accrued interest) as of September 30, 2020, were repaid in full upon the consummation of the Business Combination.

 

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Debt

As of September 30, 2020, we had $90.9 million in outstanding related-party debt, as further described below. For additional information, the Proxy Statement/Consent Solicitation/Prospectus in the section “Description of Certain Indebtedness” beginning on page 267.

Debt for offtake advances (Shenghe). As of September 30, 2020, we had recorded debt to Shenghe Resources (Singapore) in a total amount of $78.4 million, of which $72.1 million was deemed principal and $6.3 million was deemed to be amortizable debt discount. The debt is an accounting consequence of the June 2020 modifications to our agreements with Shenghe Resources (Singapore). The debt to Shenghe Resources (Singapore) is to be satisfied primarily through sales of offtake products, as described above, where partial non-cash consideration is received by MPMO in the form of debt relief (generally equal to approximately 15% of the ultimate market value of the REO, excluding tariffs, duties and certain other charges). See “ —Recent Developments and Comparability of Results—Our Relationship with Shenghe.” Following an imputed interest rate model to calculate the embedded discount, the amortization of which is recognized as non-cash interest expense, as of September 30, 2020, we estimated the timing of repayment at approximately four years from the date of the modification, and an updated imputed interest rate of 5.3%.

Promissory note. On April 4, 2017, we issued an unsecured promissory note (the “MPMO Unsecured Note”) to certain investment funds managed by or affiliated with JHL Capital Group and QVT Financial, in exchange for loans extended by those entities. The MPMO Unsecured Note bears interest at a rate of 5% per annum and is payable in arrears on the maturity date. Amounts owed under the MPMO Unsecured Note are due upon demand by the lenders and may be prepaid at any time without premium or penalty. As of September 30, 2020, the principal amount outstanding (including accrued interest) under the MPMO Unsecured Note was approximately $6.3 million. This note was repaid in full upon the consummation of the Business Combination.

Secured promissory note. On August 7, 2017, we issued a secured promissory note (the “MPMO Secured Note”) to certain investment funds managed by and/or affiliated with JHL Capital Group and QVT Financial, in exchange for a loan extended by those entities to enable us to purchase certain equipment. The MPMO Secured Note is secured by a lien on certain equipment that was purchased by us with the proceeds of the note. The MPMO Secured Note bears interest at a rate of 10% per annum, payable in kind on each date on which a payment on the principal amount is made, with the amount of such interest being added to the principal balance. Payments on the principal amount under the MPMO Secured Note are due (i) at any time we sell any of the equipment securing the loans under the MPMO Secured Note, with the proceeds of such sale being used to repay the loans, and (ii) upon the final maturity date, February 15, 2021. The MPMO Secured Note may be prepaid at any time without premium or penalty. As of September 30, 2020, the principal amount (including accrued interest) under the MPMO Secured Note was approximately $15.2 million. This note was repaid in full upon the consummation of the Business Combination.

Equipment notes. We entered into several financing agreements for the purchase of equipment, including trucks, tractors, loaders, graders, and various other machinery. As of September 30, 2020, we had approximately $2.3 million in principal (and accrued interest) outstanding under the equipment notes.

PPP loan. On April 16, 2020, we obtained a loan of $3.4 million pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP”) under Division A, Title I of the CARES Act, which was enacted on March 27, 2020. The loan, which was in the form of a Note dated April 15, 2020 issued by CIBC Bank USA, matures on April 14, 2022 and bears interest at a rate of 1% per annum, payable monthly commencing on November 15, 2020. Under the terms of the PPP, the loan may be forgiven if they are used for qualifying expenses as described in the CARES Act, which include payroll costs, costs used to continue group health care benefits, rent and utilities. We have used the entire loan amount for qualifying expenses. While we may apply for forgiveness of the PPP loan in accordance with the requirements and limitations under the CARES Act and Small Business Administration (“SBA”) regulations and requirements, no assurance can be given that any portion of the PPP loan will be forgiven. Based on guidance from the United States Department of the Treasury, since our total PPP loan proceeds exceeded $2.0 million, our forgiveness application will be subject to audit by the SBA. We applied for forgiveness of the entire loan in November 2020 and are awaiting a determination.

 

20


Cash Flows

The following table summarizes our cash flows for the period indicated:

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
     Year Ended December 31,  
     2020      2019      2019      2018  
     (in thousands)  

Net cash used in operating activities

   $ (318    $ (2,501    $ (437    $ 20,196  

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

   $ (9,695    $ 6,240      $ 5,624      $ (5,880

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

   $ 36,186      $ (3,934    $ (4,096    $ (30,740

Cash Flows Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities. Our cash used in operating activities was $0.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to $2.5 million in cash used in the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The improvement mainly reflected the improvement in our net income, excluding non-cash items such as one-time settlement charge in connection with the termination of the DMA, revenue recognized in exchange for debt principal reduction and gain on the partial debt extinguishment, between periods, for the reasons discussed above under “—Results of Operations,” partially offset by changes in operating working capital items, mainly a $7.0 million increase in inventory in the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to an increase of $1.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019, reflecting the significant ramp in commercial production starting in the second half of 2019.

Net cash used in operating activities was $0.4 million in 2019 compared to $20.2 million in net cash provided by operating activities in 2018, mainly reflecting a $20.6 million negative net change in operating working capital items, mainly reflecting a $9.6 million net increase in inventory in 2019, attributable to the ramp in commercial production discussed above, compared to a $4.3 million decrease in inventory in 2018, reflecting the sale of stockpiles acquired in the Mountain Pass acquisition. The change in accounts receivable, which increased slightly in 2019, compared to a $4.7 million decrease in 2018, also contributed to the change in trend, reflecting the acceleration of prepayments for REO shipments from Shenghe Resources (Singapore) upon our mine achieving commercial operations (as defined in the Original Offtake Agreement) in July 2019. Deferred revenue increased by $7.1 million in 2019, compared to an increase of $11.0 million in 2018, reflecting the impact of the higher non-cash consideration component in our 2019 sales relative to 2018. See “—Recent Developments and Comparability of Results—Our Relationship with Shenghe.” Our improved operating results, from a net loss of $13.5 million in 2018 to a net loss of $6.8 million in 2019, for the reasons discussed above under “—Results of Operations,” partially offset the negative working capital impact.

Cash Flows Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities. Our current, recurring capital expenditure needs consist mainly of purchases of property, plant and equipment, including mining equipment.

Net cash used in investing activities amounted to $9.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to net cash provided by investing activities of $6.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The change was mainly attributable to capitalized costs related to our Stage II optimization plan in the nine months ended September 30, 2020. Conversely, we sold long-lived assets in the nine months ended September 30, 2019, from which we received $8.6 million.

Net cash provided by investing activities amounted to $5.6 million in 2019 compared to net cash used in investing activities of $5.9 million in 2018. The change was primary due to a $6.0 million increase in cash received from the sale of idled equipment in 2019 and a $5.5 million decrease in additions to property, plant and equipment compared to 2018, primarily due to the impact of the implementation of our SAP ERP system in 2018.

Cash Flows Provided by Financing Activities. Net cash provided by financing activities was $36.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to $3.9 million cash used in the nine months ended September 30, 2019, primarily reflecting the advances from Shenghe Resources (Singapore) in June 2020 in connection with the agreement modifications described elsewhere in this Current Report on Form 8-K, a $1.6 million increase in the payment of underwriting and transaction costs and a reduction of $5.9 million in net principal repayments on our financing obligations between periods.

 

21


Net cash used in financing activities decreased by $26.6 million, to $4.1 million in 2019 from $30.7 million in 2018, reflecting a reduction in net principal repayments on our financing obligations and an increase in net borrowing in 2019.

Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations and commitments as of September 30, 2020.

 

     Payments due by period  
     Total      Less than
1 year
     1 - 3
Years
     3-5
Years
     More
than

5 Years
 
     (in thousands)  

Lease obligations(1)

   $ 3,393      $ 2,369      $ 933      $ 91        —    

Debt obligations(2)

     27,178        24,180        2,750        248        —    

Debt for offtake advances (Shenghe)(3)

     78,414        19,452        58,962        —          —    

ARO and environmental obligations(4)

     42,315        543        1,076        1,067        39,629  

Service contracts(5)

     592        592        —          —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 151,892      $ 47,136      $ 63,721      $ 1,406      $ 39,629  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
(1)

Includes future minimum lease payments required under non-cancellable operating leases and finance leases that have initial or remaining non-cancellable lease terms in excess of one year.

(2)

Includes scheduled or expected cash principal payments on our debt obligations, including accrued interest, original issuance discount and debt issuance costs on the promissory notes; equipment notes; and the PPP loan (excluding accrued interest).

(3)

Represents the debt obligation with Shenghe Resources (Singapore), including the unamortized debt discount.

(4)

Represents payments that we are expecting to make in the future based on our estimates of asset retirement obligations and environmental obligations.

(5)

Represents a contractual commitment related to services for the overburden stripping of our mine.

The promissory note and secured promissory note were repaid in full upon the consummation of the Business Combination. See “—Liquidity and Capital Resources— Debt.

Off-Balance Sheet Commitments and Arrangements

We do not currently have any interests in variable interest entities or any off-balance sheet arrangements of the type required to be reported under SEC rules.

Critical Accounting Policies

Our financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or U.S. GAAP. Preparation of the financial statements requires our management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that impact the reported amount of product sales and operating expenses, assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We consider an accounting judgment, estimate or assumption to be critical when (1) the estimate or assumption is complex in nature or requires a high degree of judgment and (2) the use of different judgments, estimates and assumptions could have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 2 to our audited financial statements included as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K. Our critical accounting policies are described below.

Revenue

We recognize revenue from sales of rare earth products produced from our mine. Our principal customer, Shenghe Resources (Singapore), purchased substantially all of our production in the periods presented in this Current Report on Form 8-K and is an affiliate of an equityholder of MPMO. We recognize revenue at the point in time control of the products transfers to the customer and, under our offtake arrangements with Shenghe

 

22


Resources (Singapore), our performance obligation is satisfied when we deliver products to the agreed delivery point. The transaction price with Shenghe Resources (Singapore) is typically based on an agreed upon price per MT but subject to certain quality adjustments based on REO content, with an adjustment for the ultimate market price of the product realized by Shenghe Resources (Singapore), adjusted for certain contractually negotiated amounts. We typically negotiate with and bill an initial price to Shenghe Resources (Singapore); such prices are then updated based on final adjustments for REO content and/or actual sales prices realized by Shenghe Resources (Singapore). Sales to Shenghe under the Original Offtake Agreement also reflect an adjustment for the Shenghe implied discount, which did not apply to sales prior to July 1, 2019 or after June 5, 2020. See “ —Recent Developments and Comparability of Results—Our Relationship with Shenghe.

Debt obligations and imputed interest rate applied to debt discount

In connection with our entry into the A&R Offtake Agreement, we recorded a total principal amount of $94.0 million in debt due to the nature of our obligations, including a carrying amount upon issuance of $85.7 million based on the fair value of the instrument upon issuance, and offset by the resulting discount on debt issuance of $8.3 million. See “Recent Developments and Comparability of Results—Our Relationship with Shenghe.” Since the arrangement does not have a stated rate, and the timing and method of repayment is contingent on several factors, including our production and sale volumes, market prices realized by Shenghe Resources (Singapore), our sales to other parties, our asset sales and the amount of our annual net income, we estimated the timing of payments and other reductions to the outstanding balance to determine an imputed interest rate. The debt discount represents the difference between the fair value of the debt liability issued and the total amount of the contractual obligation as a consequence of our entry into the A&R Offtake Agreement. The imputed interest rate is calculated by amortizing the debt discount over the time period that management expects to bring the total outstanding principal balance to zero and determining the annualized interest rate necessary to fully amortize the discount in the same period when final principal reduction is expected to occur. Actual repayments or reductions in the principal balance may differ in timing and amount from our estimates, and we therefore expect to update our estimates on a quarterly basis. Accordingly, the imputed interest rate is likely to differ in future periods. We have determined that we will recognize adjustments from these estimates using the prospective method. Under the prospective method, we will update our estimate of the effective imputed interest rate in future periods based on revised estimates of the timing of remaining principal reductions. This rate will then be used to recognize interest expense for subsequent reporting periods, until the estimates are updated again. Under this method, the effective interest rate is not constant, and changes are recognized prospectively as an adjustment to the effective yield. See Note 6 to our unaudited financial statements included as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K for further discussion.

Asset Retirement Obligations

We recognize asset retirement obligations for estimated costs of legally and contractually required closure, dismantlement, and reclamation activities associated with the Mountain Pass facility and the mine. Asset retirement obligations are initially recognized at their estimated fair value in the period in which the obligation is incurred. Fair value is based on the expected timing of reclamation activities, cash flows to perform activities, amount and uncertainty associated with the cash flows, including adjustments for a market risk premium, and discounted using a credit-adjusted risk-free rate. The liability is accreted over time through periodic charges to earnings and reduced as reclamation activities occur; differences between estimated and actual amounts are recognized as an adjustment to operating expense. Subsequent increments in expected undiscounted cash flows are measured at their discounted values using updated estimates of our credit-adjusted risk-free rate applied to the increment only. Subsequent decrements are reduced based on the weighted average discount rate associated with the obligation. As of December 31, 2019, the credit-adjusted risk-free rate ranges between 7.1% and 8.2%, depending on the timing of expected settlement and when the layer or increment was recognized. Associated asset retirement costs, including the effect of increments and decrements, are recognized as adjustments to the related asset’s carrying value and depreciated over its remaining useful life.

 

23


Environmental Obligations

We have assumed certain environmental remediation obligations that primarily relate to groundwater monitoring activities. Estimated remediation costs are accrued based on management’s best estimate at the end of each period of the costs expected to be incurred at a site to settle the obligation when those amounts are probable and estimable. Such cost estimates may include ongoing care, maintenance and monitoring costs associated with remediation activities. Changes in remediation estimates are reflected in earnings in the period. Remediation costs included in environmental remediation obligations are discounted to their present value as cash flows when payments are readily estimable, and are discounted using a risk-free rate, which we derive from US Treasury yields. Our discounted obligations primarily relate to groundwater monitoring activities.

Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Pronouncements and Regulatory Items

Recently issued and adopted accounting pronouncements are described in Note 2 to our audited financial statements included as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Emerging Growth Company Accounting Election

Section 102(b)(1) of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (“JOBS Act”) exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can choose not to take advantage of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies, and any such election to not take advantage of the extended transition period is irrevocable. FVAC is an “emerging growth company” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, and has irrevocably elected to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period, which means that when a standard is issued or revised and has different application dates for public or private companies, FVAC or, following the consummation of the Business Combination, we, for so long as we remain an emerging growth company, may adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies are required to adopt the new or revised standard.

Following the consummation of the Business Combination, we expect to remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of: (1) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following the fifth anniversary of the closing of the FVAC IPO, (b) in which we have total annual revenue of at least $1.07 billion, or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our common equity that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the end of the prior fiscal year’s second fiscal quarter and our net sales for the year exceed $100 million; and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the preceding, rolling three-year period.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We have in the past and may in the future be exposed to certain market risks, including commodity price risks, in the ordinary course of our business, as discussed further below.

In addition to commodity pricing risk, our product sales are highly concentrated, with Shenghe Resources (Singapore) accounting for more than 90% of our product sales for all periods presented in this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Commodity Price Risk

The results of our operations depend in large part upon the market prices of REO and particularly the price of rare earth concentrate. Concentrate prices are less transparent than those of many other commodities. Rare earth concentrate is not quoted on any major commodities market or exchange and demand is currently limited to a relatively limited number of refiners, a significant majority of which are based in China. We believe that we are a leading, low-cost producer of rare earth concentrate containing significant levels of embedded NdPr. We expect demand for NdPr to continue to grow driving demand for our concentrate and ultimately, upon the completion of our Stage II optimization, separated NdPr oxide, but actual demand and pricing may fluctuate for numerous reasons beyond our control, including, among other things, discoveries of new mineral properties, technological changes that lead to diminished reliance on NdPr and/or permanent magnets, and shifts in underlying end-user demand for products or components

 

24


manufactured with NdPr. See “ —Key Factors Affecting Our Performance—Demand for REO.” While we currently generate revenue in the United States and in U.S. dollars, the market transactions are denominated mainly in the Chinese Yuan and we are therefore indirectly exposed to currency volatility and devaluation risks. For example, we negotiate monthly U.S. dollar REO prices with Shenghe Resources (Singapore), which are based in part on the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Chinese Yuan. Geopolitical tensions between the United States and China may lead to increased tariffs, preferences for local producers, some of which may be government-supported, changes in taxing regimes or other trade barriers. We have not entered into derivative contracts to protect the selling price for our REO and do not expect to do so in the foreseeable future, as there is no liquid market for such contracts and their cost may be prohibitive, if they could be obtained at all.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth certain information concerning the ownership of MPMC Class A Common Stock immediately following the completion of the Business Combination on November 17, 2020, by (i) those persons who are known to the Company to be the beneficial owner(s) of more than five percent of the MPMC Class A Common Stock, (ii) each of the Company’s directors and named executive officers and (iii) all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group.

The number of shares of MPMC Class A Common Stock beneficially owned by each entity, person, director or executive officer is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC, and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under such rules, beneficial ownership generally includes any shares of MPMC Class A Common Stock over which the individual has sole or shared voting power or investment power as well as any shares of MPMC Class A Common Stock that the individual has the right to acquire within 60 days of November 17, 2020, through the exercise of warrants or other rights. Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes to this table, the Company believes each of the stockholders named in this table has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares of MPMC Class A Common Stock indicated as beneficially owned.

 

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner

   Shares
Beneficially
Owned
     Percentage of
Beneficial
Ownership
 

5% or Greater Stockholders

     

JHL Capital Group LLC and affiliated entities (1)(11)

     41,706,001        26.7

Fourth Avenue FF Opportunities LP—Series E (2)(11)

     10,142,787        6.5

QVT Financial LP and affiliated entities (3)(11)

     9,879,479        6.3

Shenghe Resources Holding Co., Ltd. and affiliated entities (4)(11)

     12,033,190        7.7

Fortress Acquisition Sponsor LLC (5)

     9,965,000        6.4

James Henry Litinsky, Trustee of James Henry Litinsky Revocable Trust u/a/d 10/19/2011(11)

     15,940,281        10.2

James H. Litinsky(1)(7)(11)

     57,646,282        37.0

Daniel Gold(2)(3)(11)

     20,022,266        12.8

Named Executive Officers and Directors(6)

     

James H. Litinsky(1)(7)(11)

     57,646,282        37.0

Andrew A. McKnight(8)

     —          —    

Daniel Gold(2)(3)(11)

     20,022,266        12.8

Gen. Richard B. Myers(9)

     3,998        *  

Randall Weisenburger(9)

     3,998        *  

Maryanne R. Lavan(9)

     3,998        *  

Connie K. Duckworth(9)

     3,998        *  

Ryan Corbett(10)

     280,917        *  

Michael Rosenthal(10)

     1,563,006        *  

Sheila Bangalore(10)

     100,000        *  

All current executive officers and directors as a group (10 individuals)

     79,628,463        51.1

 

*

Less than one percent.

 

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(1)

Represents 2,208 shares of MPMC Class A common stock held directly by JHL Capital Group (as defined below), 10,498,799 shares of MPMC Class A common stock held directly by JHL Capital Group Holdings One LLC, and 31,204,994 shares of MPMC Class A common stock held directly by JHL Capital Group Holdings Two LLC. JHL Capital Group Master Fund L.P., a Cayman Islands limited partnership (“JHL Master Fund”), is the 100% owner of each of JHL Capital Group Holdings One LLC and JHL Capital Group Holdings Two LLC. JHL Capital Group Master Fund GP Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“JHL Master Fund GP”), is the general partner of JHL Master Fund. JHL Capital Group LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“JHL Capital Group”), is the investment manager of JHL Master Fund, and is also the 100% owner of JHL Master Fund GP. JHL Capital Group L.P. is the 100% owner of JHL Capital Group. James H. Litinsky holds a controlling interest in JHL Capital Group L.P. and serves as Chief Executive Officer of JHL Capital Group, as well as director of JHL Master Fund GP. Accordingly, JHL Master Fund, JHL Master Fund GP, JHL Capital Group, JHL Capital Group L.P. and Mr. Litinsky may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of MPMC Class A common stock held directly by JHL Capital Group Holdings One LLC and JHL Capital Group Holdings Two LLC. Each such person or entity disclaims any beneficial ownership of such shares, other than to the extent of any pecuniary interest they may have therein, directly or indirectly. The business and/or mailing address of each such person or entity is c/o JHL Capital Group LLC, 900 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 2000, Chicago, Illinois 60611.

 

(2)

Represents shares of MPMC Class A common stock held directly by Fourth Avenue FF Opportunities LP - Series E (“Fourth Avenue FF-E”). Management of Fourth Avenue FF-E is vested in its general partner, Fourth Avenue Capital Partners GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Fourth Avenue GP”), which may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of MPMC Class A common stock held directly by Fourth Avenue FF-E. The Managing Members of Fourth Avenue GP are Daniel Gold, Nicholas Brumm, Arthur Chu and Tracy Fu, each of whom shares voting and investment control over the shares of MPMC Class A common stock held directly by Fourth Avenue FF-E and may be deemed to beneficially own such shares. Each such person or entity disclaims any beneficial ownership of such shares, other than to the extent of any pecuniary interest they may have therein, directly or indirectly. The business and/or mailing address of each such person or entity is c/o QVT Financial LP, 444 Madison Avenue, 21st Floor, New York, New York 10022.

 

(3)

Represents 1,661,002 shares of MPMC Class A common stock held directly by QVT Family Office Onshore LP (“QVT Onshore”), and 8,218,477 shares of MPMC Class A common stock held directly by Saratoga Park Ltd. (“Saratoga”). Management of QVT Onshore is vested in its general partner, QVT Associates GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“QVT Associates GP”), which may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of MPMC Class A common stock held directly by QVT Onshore. QVT Financial LP, a Delaware limited partnership, is the investment manager of QVT Onshore and Saratoga, and shares voting and investment control over the shares of MPMC Class A common stock held directly by QVT Onshore and Saratoga. QVT Financial GP LLC (“QVT Financial GP”), a Delaware limited liability company, is the general partner of QVT Financial LP. The Managing Members of each of QVT Associates GP and QVT Financial GP are Daniel Gold, Nicholas Brumm, Arthur Chu and Tracy Fu, each of whom shares voting and investment control over the shares of MPMC Class A common stock held directly by QVT Onshore and Saratoga and may be deemed to beneficially own such shares. Each such person or entity disclaims any beneficial ownership of such shares, other than to the extent of any pecuniary interest they may have therein, directly or indirectly. The business and/or mailing address for each of the foregoing is c/o QVT Financial LP, 444 Madison Avenue, 21st Floor, New York, New York 10022.

 

26


(4)

Represents 6,648,628 shares of MPMC Class A common stock held directly by Shenghe Resources (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. (“Shenghe Resources (Singapore)”) and 5,384,562 shares of MPMC Class A common stock held directly by Shenghe Resources (Singapore) International Trading Pte. Ltd. (“Shenghe Resources (Singapore) International”). Shenghe Resources (Singapore) and Shenghe Resources (Singapore) International are controlled by Shenghe Resources Holding Co., Ltd. (“Shenghe Resources Holding”). Accordingly, Shenghe Resources Holding may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of MPMC Class A common stock held directly by Shenghe Resources (Singapore) and Shenghe Resources (Singapore) International. Shenghe Resources Holding disclaims any beneficial ownership of such shares, other than to the extent of any pecuniary interest it may have therein, directly or indirectly. The business and/or mailing address of (i) Shenghe Resources (Singapore) is 10 Anson Road #13-15, International Plaza Singapore (079903) (ii) Shenghe Resources (Singapore) International is 60 Paya Lebar Road #08-05, Paya Lebar Square Singapore (409051), and (iii) Shenghe Resources Holding is 7/F Chengnan Tianfu, No. 66 Shenghe Yilu, High-tech Zone, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China.

 

(5)

Represents shares of MPMC Class A common stock directly held by Fortress Acquisition Sponsor LLC (“Sponsor”). The managing member of Sponsor is Principal Holdings I LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Principal Holdings”), which may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of the MPMC Class A common stock held directly by Sponsor and has voting and investment discretion in respect of such shares. Each of Sponsor and Principal Holdings disclaims any beneficial ownership of the reported shares other than to the extent of any pecuniary interest they may have therein, directly or indirectly. The address of Sponsor and Principal Holdings is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10105.

 

(6)

The business address of the individuals is 6720 Via Austi Parkway, Suite 450 Las Vegas, Nevada.

 

(7)

Includes 15,940,281 shares of MPMC Class A Common Stock held by James Henry Litinsky, Trustee of James Henry Litinsky Revocable Trust u/a/d 10/19/2011.

 

(8)

Such individual has an indirect pecuniary interest in shares of MPMC Class A common stock of the issuer through his ownership of membership interests of Fortress Acquisition Sponsor LLC, a Delaware limited liability company but does not beneficially own such shares.

 

(9)

Represents restricted stock units, which represent a contingent right to receive one share of MPMC Class A common stock.

 

(10)

Represents shares of restricted stock granted to such individual on the Closing Date of the Business Combination pursuant to the terms of his or her employment agreement.

 

(11)

Each of the entities that directly hold these shares of MPMC Class A Common Stock acquired them on November 17, 2020, as consideration for such entity’s shares of MPMO Holding Company and/or SNR Holding Company, LLC, which MPMC acquired in the Business Combination on November 17, 2020. Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, the entities will have the contingent right to receive additional shares of MPMC Class A Common Stock, (a) if, at any time during the ten years following the closing of the Business Combination, the VWAP of the shares of MPMC Class A Common Stock is greater than or equal to $18.00 for any twenty trading days within any thirty-trading day period; and (b) if, at any time during the ten years following the closing of the Business Combination, the VWAP of the shares of MPMC Class A Common Stock is greater than or equal to $20.00 for any twenty trading days within any thirty-trading day period.

DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The directors and executive officers of the Company following the Business Combination and the remaining information required to be provided herein are described in the disclosure in Item 5.02 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 17, 2020 and in the Proxy Statement/Consent Solicitation/Prospectus in the section entitled “Management After the Business Combination” beginning on page 246, which are each incorporated herein by reference.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The executive compensation of the Company’s executive officers and directors is set forth in the Proxy Statement/Consent Solicitation/Prospectus in the section entitled “Executive Compensation-Companies” beginning on page 240, which section is incorporated herein by reference.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The certain relationships and related party transactions of the Company are described in the Proxy Statement/Consent Solicitation/Prospectus in the section entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” beginning on page 288, which section is incorporated herein by reference.

The Company’s board of directors has determined that General (Retired) Richard B. Myers, Andrew A. McKnight, Daniel Gold, Randall Weisenburger, Maryanne R. Lavan and Connie K. Duckworth are independent within the meaning of Section 303.A.02 of the NYSE Listing Manual and the independence requirements of Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act. The Company’s board of directors reviews independence on an annual basis and has also determined that each current member of the Company’s Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is independent as defined under the applicable New York Stock Exchange listing standards and SEC rules. The Company’s board of directors further determined that Randall Weisenburger and Maryanne R. Lavan, each qualifies as an audit committee financial expert in accordance

 

27


with applicable rules and guidance. In making these determinations, the Company’s board of directors found that none of these directors had a material or other disqualifying relationship with the Company.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

On September 4, 2020, Jose Figueredo, a purported stockholder of FVAC, filed a lawsuit in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, captioned Jose Figueredo v. Fortress Value Acquisition, Corp., et al., against FVAC and the members of its board directors (the “Figueredo Complaint”). The Figueredo Complaint asserts a breach of fiduciary duty claim against the individual defendants and an aiding and abetting claim against FVAC in connection with the proposed transaction between FVAC, MPMO and SNR. The Figueredo Complaint alleges, among other things, that (i) defendants engaged in an unfair sales process and agreed to inadequate consideration in connection with the proposed transaction, and (ii) that the Registration Statement filed with the SEC on August 27, 2020 in connection with the proposed Business Combination is materially misleading. The Figueredo Complaint seeks, among other things, to enjoin the proposed Business Combination, rescind the transaction or award rescissory damages, and an award of attorneys’ fees and expenses. The Figueredo Complaint was voluntarily dismissed by the plaintiff on November 16, 2020.

MARKET PRICE OF AND DIVIDENDS ON COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Information about the market price, number of stockholders and dividends for the FVAC’s securities is set forth in the Proxy Statement/Consent Solicitation/Prospectus in the section entitled “Price Range of Securities and Dividends” beginning on page 301, which is incorporated herein by reference. On November 17, 2020, the closing sale price of FVAC’s publicly traded units, warrants and Class A Common Stock was $15.61 per unit, $4.26 per warrant and $14.39 per share, respectively. During the period from October 1, 2020 through November 17, 2020, the high and low sales prices for our units were $16.51 and $12.00, respectively, the high and low sales prices for our warrants were $3.05 and $4.33, respectively and the high and low sales prices for our Class A Common Stock were $15.48 and $11.31, respectively.

In connection with the closing of the Business Combination, the Company’s Class A Common Stock trading symbol was changed to “MP” and its warrant trading symbol was changed to “MPWS” on the NYSE. As of the Closing Date of the Business Combination, there were 37 holders of record of the Company’s Class A Common Stock.

RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES

The disclosure concerning the Founder Shares, the Private Placement Warrants and the shares of MPMC Class A Common Stock issued pursuant to the Subscription Agreements in connection with the PIPE Financing contained in the section of the Proxy Statement/Consent Solicitation/Prospectus entitled, respectively, “Description of Securities - Authorized and Outstanding Stock- Common Stock”, “- Warrants” beginning on page 251 and page 255, respectively, are incorporated by reference. The Company’s Founder Shares, the Private Placement Warrants and the shares of MPMC Class A Common Stock issued pursuant to the Subscription Agreements in connection with the PIPE Financing, have not been registered under the Securities Act, and were issued in reliance on the exemption from registration requirements thereof provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and/or Regulation D promulgated thereunder as a transaction by an issuer not involving a public offering without any form of general solicitation or general advertising.

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

Authorized Capital Stock

The Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the issuance of 500,000,000 shares of capital stock, consisting of (i) 450,000,000 shares of common stock, consisting entirely of 450,000,000 shares of MPMC Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value per share and (ii) 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share.

 

28


Common Stock

A description of the Company’s Common Stock is included in the section titled “Description of Securities - Common Stock” beginning on page 251 of the Proxy Statement/Consent Solicitation/Prospectus, which is incorporated herein by reference. As of the consummation of the Business Combination, there were 155,920,632 shares (including Vesting Shares) of the Company’s Common Stock outstanding.

Preferred Stock

A description of the Company’s preferred stock is included in the section titled “Description of Securities - Preferred Stock” beginning on page 252 of the Proxy Statement/Consent Solicitation/Prospectus, which is incorporated herein by reference. As of the consummation of the Business Combination, there are no shares of Company preferred stock outstanding.

Warrants

Public Stockholders’ Warrants

A description of the Company’s public stockholders’ warrants is included in the Company’s Proxy Statement/Consent Solicitation/Prospectus, in the section titled “Description of Securities - Warrants - Public Stockholders’ Warrants” beginning on page 255 of the Proxy Statement/Consent Solicitation/Prospectus, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Private Placement Warrants

A description of the Company’s Private Placement Warrants is included in the Proxy Statement/Consent Solicitation/Prospectus, in the section titled “Description of Securities - Warrants - Private Placement Warrants” beginning on page 261 of the Proxy Statement/Consent Solicitation/Prospectus, which is incorporated herein by reference. Immediately prior to the Business Combination, all of the Private Placement Warrants were exchanged for shares of FVAC Class F Common Stock which were then converted into shares of MPMC Class A Common Stock upon consummation of the Business Combination.

INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

The disclosure in Item 5.02(d) of this Current Report on Form 8-K concerning indemnification agreements entered into by the Company’s directors and executive officers is incorporated herein by reference.

The indemnification agreements, the Second Amended and Restated Charter and the Amended and Restated Bylaws require the Company to indemnify all directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law against any and all expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties, and amounts paid in settlement of any claims. The indemnification agreements, the Second Amended and Restated Charter and the Amended and Restated Bylaws require the Company also provide for the advancement or payment of all expenses to the indemnitee and for reimbursement to the Company, provided that the indemnified officer or director agree to repay all amounts so advanced if it is found that such indemnitee is not entitled to such indemnification under applicable law.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Reference is made to the disclosure set forth in Item 9.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K concerning FVAC’s, MPMO’s and SNR’s financial statements, which are incorporated herein by reference.

Further reference is made to the section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” as set forth above in Item 2.01, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

29


Item 4.01

Changes in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant

Change of the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

On November 17, 2020, the Audit Committee of the Company’s board of directors approved the engagement of KPMG LLP (“KPMG”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm to audit the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020. KPMG served as the independent registered public accounting firm of MPMO prior to the Business Combination. Accordingly, WithumSmith+Brown, PC (“Withum”), FVAC’s independent registered public accounting firm prior to the Business Combination, was informed that it would be replaced by KPMG as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm following completion of the Business Combination.

Withum’s report on FVAC’s balance sheet as of June 30, 2020, and the related statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows, for the period from January 24, 2020 (inception) through June 30, 2020 did not contain any adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, nor were they qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.

During the period from January 24, 2020 (inception) through June 30, 2020 and the subsequent period through November 17, 2020, there were no: (i) disagreements with Withum on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosures or audited scope or procedures, which disagreements if not resolved to Withum’s satisfaction would have caused Withum to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with its report or (ii) reportable events as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.

During the year period from January 24, 2020 (inception) through June 30, 2020 and the interim period through November 17, 2020, FVAC did not consult KPMG with respect to either (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed; or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on FVAC’s financial statements, and no written report or oral advice was provided to FVAC by KPMG that KPMG concluded was an important factor considered by FVAC in reaching a decision as to the accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue; or (ii) any matter that was either the subject of a disagreement, as that term is described in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act and the related instructions to Item 304 of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act, or a reportable event, as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act.

FVAC has provided Withum with a copy of the disclosures made by the Company in response to this Item 4.01 and has requested that Withum furnish the Company with a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether it agrees with the statements made by the registrant in response to this Item 304(a) and, if not, stating the respects in which it does not agree. A letter from Withum is attached as Exhibit 16.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

Item 5.05

Amendments to the Registrant’s Code of Ethics, or Waiver of a Provision of the Code of Ethics.

In connection with the Business Combination, on November 17, 2020, the Company’s board of directors approved and adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable to all employees, officers, consultants and independent contractors of the Company, and a Code of Ethics for Senior Executive and Financial Officers applicable to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer (or persons performing similar functions to the aforementioned officers regardless of whether such persons are employed directly by the Company).

 

Item 9.01.

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(a)    Financial statements of business acquired.

Audited financial statements for each of MPMO and SNR for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 were previously filed as part of Amendment No. 2 to the registration statement filed with the SEC on October 10, 2020 (File No. 333-248433) (the “Amended Registration Statement”), beginning on pages F-19 and F-72, respectively, which information is incorporated herein by reference. The unaudited financial statements for each of MPMO and SNR for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 were previously filed as part of the Amended Registration Statement, beginning on pages F-50 and F-82, respectively, which information is incorporated herein by reference. The unaudited financial statements for each of MPMO and SNR for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 are included as Exhibits 99.5 and 99.6, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

30


Audited financial statements of FVAC for the period from January 24, 2020 (inception) through June 30, 2020 were previously filed as part of the Amended Registration Statement, beginning on page F-2, which information is incorporated herein. Unaudited financial statements of FVAC for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 were previously filed on the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2020, filed on November 4, 2020, which information is incorporated herein by reference.

(b)    Pro forma financial information.

Unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information for the year ended December 31, 2019 and the six months ended June 30, 2020 was previously filed as part of the Proxy Statement/Consent Solicitation/Prospectus in the section entitled “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information” beginning on page 150, which information is incorporated herein by reference. Updated unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is included as Exhibit 99.10 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

(c)    Shell company.

See (a) and (b) of this Item 9.01.

(d)    Exhibits

The list of exhibits is set forth on the Exhibit Index of this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

31


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

Number

  

Description

16.1    Letter from WithumSmith+Brown, PC to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission dated November 23, 2020.*
21.1    Subsidiaries of the Registrant.*
99.1    Audited financial statements of MPMO for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 (incorporated by reference to the financial statements beginning on Page F-19 included in the Registration Statement on Form S-4/A filed with the SEC on October 27, 2020).
99.2    Audited financial statements of SNR for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 (incorporated by reference to the financial statements beginning on Page F-72 included in the Registration Statement on Form S-4/A filed with the SEC on October 27, 2020).
99.3    Unaudited financial statements of MPMO for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 (incorporated by reference to the financial statements beginning on Page F-50 included in the Registration Statement on Form S-4/A filed with the SEC on October 27, 2020).
99.4    Unaudited financial statements of SNR for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 (incorporated by reference to the financial statements beginning on Page F-82 included in the Registration Statement on Form S-4/A filed with the SEC on October 27, 2020).
99.5    Unaudited financial statements of MPMO for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.*
99.6    Unaudited financial statements of SNR for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.*
99.7    Audited financial statements of Fortress Value Acquisition Corporation for the period ended June 30, 2020 (incorporated by reference to the financial statements beginning on Page F-2 included in the Registration Statement on Form S-4/A filed with the SEC on October 27, 2020).
99.8    Unaudited financial statements of Fortress Value Acquisition Corporation for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 (incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2020, filed with the SEC on November 4, 2020).
99.9    Unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information for the year ended December 31, 2019 and the six months ended June 30, 2020 (Incorporated by reference to the section entitled “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information” beginning on page 150 in the Registration Statement on Form S-4/A filed with the SEC on October 27, 2020).
99.10    Updated unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information. *
104    Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

 

*

Filed herewith

 

32


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

Dated: November 23, 2020     MP Materials Corp.
    By:  

/s/ Ryan Corbett

           

Ryan Corbett

Chief Financial Officer

 

33

Exhibit 16.1

November 23, 2020

Office of the Chief Accountant

Securities and Exchange Commission

100 F Street, NE

Washington, D.C. 20549

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have read the statements of MP Materials Corp. (formally known as Fortress Value Acquisition Corp.) included under Item 4.01 of its Form 8-K dated November 23, 2020. We agree with the statements concerning our Firm under Item 4.01, in which we were informed of our dismissal on November 17, 2020. We are not in a position to agree or disagree with other statements contained therein.

Very truly yours,

/s/ WithumSmith+Brown, PC

New York, New York

Exhibit 21.1

MP MATERIALS CORP.

Subsidiaries

 

Company

   State or
Jurisdiction of
Incorporation
 

MP Mine Operations LLC

     Delaware  

MPMO Merger LLC

     Delaware  

Secure Natural Resources LLC

     Delaware  

SNR Merger LLC

     Delaware  

Exhibit 99.5

MP MINE OPERATIONS LLC

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)

 

     September 30,     December 31,  
     2020     2019  
     (in thousands, except per unit amounts and units)  

Assets

    

Current Assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 30,244     $ 2,757  

Trade accounts receivable from related party

     3,574       370  

Inventories (Note 4)

     31,040       23,048  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets (Note 5)

     8,810       1,234  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     73,668       27,409  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-current Assets:

    

Restricted cash (Note 3)

     25,405       26,791  

Net property, plant, and equipment (Note 6)

     57,325       46,972  

Other non-current assets

     789       622  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-current assets

     83,519       74,385  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

     157,187       101,794  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities and Members’ Equity

    

Current Liabilities:

    

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     16,700       12,029  

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities - related parties

     2,154       2,146  

Deferred revenue – related parties

     —         6,609  

Current installments of long-term debt - third party (Note 7)

     2,056       —    

Current installments of long-term debt - related parties (Note 7)

     38,248       4,484  

Finance lease liabilities

     2,011       194  

Other current liabilities

     4,179       2,623  

Other current liabilities - related parties

     484       3,230  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     65,832       31,315  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-current Liabilities:

    

Asset retirement obligation

     25,157       23,894  

Environmental obligation

     16,604       16,628  

Deferred revenue – related parties, net of current portion

     —         28,934  

Long-term debt - third party, net of current portion (Note 7)

     1,308       —    

Long-term debt - related parties, net of current portion (Note 7)

     52,649       13,594  

Finance lease liabilities, net of current portion

     473       399  

Other non-current liabilities

     5,280       5,052  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-current liabilities

     101,471       88,501  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     167,303       119,816  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)

    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Members’ Equity (Note 12):

    

Common Units, $0.00 par value (unlimited authorized, 1,000 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019)

     20,500       20,500  

Preferred Units, $0.00 par value (unlimited authorized, 110.98 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019)

     2,275       2,275  

Preferred Warrants $0.01 exercise price (89.88 units issued at September 30, 2020; 0.00 units issued at December 31, 2019)

     53,846       —    

Accumulated deficit

     (86,737     (40,797
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total members’ deficit

     (10,116     (18,022
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and members’ deficit

   $ 157,187     $ 101,794  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

 

1


MP MINE OPERATIONS LLC

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

 

     Nine months ended September 30,  
     2020     2019  
(In thousands, except per unit amounts)             

Product sales (including sales to related parties, see Note 9)

   $ 92,132     $ 52,363  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating costs and expenses:

    

Cost of sales (including cost of sales to related parties, see Note 8)(1)

     (44,957     (45,033

Royalty expense paid to related party (Note 9)

     (1,908     (1,085

General and administrative expenses

     (14,573     (10,167

Depreciation, depletion and amortization (Note 6)

     (4,832     (3,735

Accretion of asset retirement obligation and environmental remediation obligation

     (1,691     (1,577

One-time settlement charge

     (66,615     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     (134,576     (61,597
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating loss

     (42,444     (9,234
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other income, net (Note 16)

     298       4,114  

Interest expense

     (3,582     (2,671
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss before income taxes

     (45,728     (7,791
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax expense

     (211     (1
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Loss

   $ (45,939   $ (7,792
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss per common unit, basic and diluted (Note 14)

   $ (45,939   $ (7,792

 

(1)

Excludes depletion, depreciation and amortization

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

 

2


MP MINE OPERATIONS LLC

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF MEMBERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

 

     Preferred Units      Common Units      Preferred
Warrants
     Accumulated
Deficit
    Total
Members’
Deficit
 
Nine Months ended September 30, 2020    Units      Amount      Units      Amount  
     (in thousands, except units)  

Balance at December 31, 2019

     110.98      $ 2,275        1,000      $ 20,500      $ —        $ (40,798   $ (18,023
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Issuance of Warrant

     —          —          —          —          53,846          53,846  

Net loss

     —          —          —          —          —          (45,939     (45,939
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2020

     110.98      $ 2,275        1,000      $ 20,500      $ 53,846      $ (86,737   $ (10,116
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
     Preferred Units      Common Units      Preferred
Warrants
     Accumulated
Deficit
    Total
Members’
Deficit
 
Nine Months ended September 30, 2019    Units      Amount      Units      Amount  
     (in thousands, except units)  

Balance at December 31, 2018

     110.98      $ 2,275        1,000      $ 20,500      $ —        $ (34,042   $ (11,267

Net loss

     —          —          —          —          —          (7,792     (7,792
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2019

     110.98      $ 2,275        1,000      $ 20,500      $ —        $ (41,834   $ (19,059
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

 

3


MP MINE OPERATIONS LLC

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
     2020     2019  
     (in thousands)  

Operating activities:

    

Net Loss

   $ (45,939   $ (7,792

Adjustments:

    

Depletion, depreciation and amortization

     4,832       3,735  

Accrued interest expense

     1,716       1,909  

Accretion of asset retirement obligation

     1,316       1,202  

Accretion of environmental obligation

     375       374  

Gain on sale or disposal of long-lived assets

     —         (2,974

Accretion of debt discount

     1,866       762  

Noncash one-time settlement charge

     66,615       —    

Revenue recognized in exchange for debt principal reduction (Note 2 and 15)

     (14,741     —    

Decrease (increase) in operating assets

    

Trade accounts receivable from related party

     (3,204     (2,104

Inventory

     (7,992     (952

Prepaid expenses, other current and non-current assets

     (1,204     (382

Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities

    

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     (2,874     3,206  

Refund liability to related party

     (2,746     662  

Deferred revenue from related party

     1,933       3,933  

Other current and non-current liabilities

     (271     (4,080

Deferred income taxes

     —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in operating activities

     (318     (2,501
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investing activities:

    

Purchase of property, plant, and equipment

     (9,695     (2,388

Proceeds from disposal of property, plant, and equipment

     —         8,628  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     (9,695     6,240  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Financing activities:

    

Issuance of debt

     3,364       3,004  

Proceeds from modification of Offtake Agreement (Note 11)

     35,450       —    

Principal payments on financing obligations

     (1,049     (6,938

Payment of underwriting and transaction costs

     (1,579     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     36,186       (3,934
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

     26,173       (195

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash beginning balance

     29,572       28,481  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash ending balance

   $ 55,745       28,286  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

     30,244       1,686  

Restricted cash current

     96       24  

Restricted cash non-current

     25,405       26,576  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

   $ 55,745       28,286  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

 

4


MP MINE OPERATIONS LLC

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(tabular amounts in thousands, except units and per unit amounts)

NOTE 1 BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Business

MP Mine Operations LLC (the “Company”) is a Delaware limited liability company that was formed in April 2017 and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Company is the owner and operator of a working interest in a rare earth mine (the “Mine”) and processing facility (“Facility”) located in Mountain Pass (San Bernardino County), California. This is the only operating rare earths mine in the United States. The Company acquired certain of its assets, along with its inventory, from Paul E. Harner, as Chapter 11 Trustee for Molycorp Minerals, LLC (“Molycorp”, or the “Trustee”) and the Other Debtors (the “Debtors”) under the Asset Purchase Agreement dated June 19, 2017 (the “Acquisition”). The Company has since resumed mining and restored the Mine and beneficiation facilities to commercial operations, and is working to restore the remainder of the Facility for use in processing separated rare earth products. Commercial operations are deemed to have commenced based on terms in the Offtake Agreement, further described below, primarily based on when mineral recoveries reached their expected production level. The Mine achieved commercial operations in July 2019.

On May 22, 2017, the Company entered into a series of agreements with Shenghe Resources (Singapore) International Trading PTE. LTD. (“Shenghe”) to fund the Company’s operations, identify operational efficiencies, and sell products to Shenghe and third parties. Shenghe is an affiliate of Shenghe Resources Holding Co. Ltd., a global leader in rare earth minerals mining and distribution and a publicly traded company on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. Shenghe has significant knowledge of the mining, processing, marketing and distribution of rare earth products, as well as access to customers in the Chinese market for these products. As part of these arrangements, Shenghe (and its controlled affiliates) became both the principal customer and a related party of the Company when Leshan Shenghe Rare Earth Company, Ltd. (“Leshan Shenghe”), Shenghe’s majority shareholder, obtained a 9.99% non-voting preferred interest in the Company. See Note 9 – Related-Party Transactions for additional information regarding the relationship between the Company and Shenghe. On July 15, 2020, MP Materials announced a definitive agreement to merge with Fortress Value Acquisition Corp. (NYSE: FVAC), a special purpose acquisition company sponsored by an affiliate of Fortress Investment Group LLC (“Fortress”). Upon completion of the transaction, the combined company will be named MP Materials Corp. and will remain NYSE-listed under the new ticker symbol “MP”. The transaction includes a $200 million fully committed common stock Private Investment in Public Entity (“PIPE”) at $10.00 per share. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2020. Currently, the Company’s outstanding common units are held by JHL Capital Group Two, LLC, Saratoga Park Ltd., QVT Family Office Onshore LP, and Fourth Avenue FF Opportunities LP – Series E. The Company acquired the Mine and other assets in 2017 and agreed to pay for all costs associated with production of the mine and a 2.5% royalty payment to Secure Natural Resources LLC (“SNR”). See Note 6 – Property, Plant, and Equipment and Note 9 – Related-Party Transactions for additional information regarding the acquisition of the Mine and royalty payment.

The Company operates as a single operating segment. All property, plant and equipment are physically located within the United States.

The cash flows and profitability of the Company’s operations are significantly affected by the market price of rare earth products. The prices of rare earth products are affected by numerous factors beyond the Company’s control. The products of the Company are sold globally, with a primary focus in the Asia market due to the refining capabilities of the region. Rare earth products are critical inputs in hundreds of existing and emerging clean-tech applications including electric vehicles and wind turbines, as well as drones and defense applications.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. The accompanying statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which are of a normal, recurring nature) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other period including the full year ending December 31, 2020.

Concentration of Risk

In December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) began to impact the population of China and expanded into a worldwide pandemic during 2020, leading to significant business and supply-chain disruption, as well as broad-based changes in supply and demand. The Company had initially delayed some finished product shipments at the onset of the

 

5


MP MINE OPERATIONS LLC

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(tabular amounts in thousands, except units and per unit amounts)

 

outbreak; however, the Company has not seen any reduction in mining or processing activities or sales due to COVID-19. Certain employee schedules have been adjusted and, in some cases, employee hours have been temporarily reduced without reducing employee pay. There were no impairment indicators or impairments recognized for the nine months ended September 30, 2020.

As the situation continues to develop, it is impossible to predict the effect and ultimate impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the Company’s business operations and results. While the quarantine, social distancing and other regulatory measures instituted or recommended in response to COVID-19 are expected to be temporary the duration of the business disruptions, and related financial impact, cannot be estimated at this time.

Significant Accounting Policies

The significant accounting policies and estimates used in the preparation of the accompanying condensed financial statements are described further in the Company’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Revenue Recognition

The Company’s revenue comes from sales of rare earth products produced at the Mine. The Company’s sales are primarily to an affiliate of Shenghe. The Company’s performance obligation is to deliver rare earth products to the agreed delivery point, and the Company recognizes revenue at the point in time control of the products transfers to the customer, which is typically when the rare earth products are loaded at the agreed-upon shipping point. At that point, the customer has the ability to direct the use of and obtain substantially all of the remaining benefits from the products, and the customer bears the risk of loss.

For sales to third parties, the transaction price is agreed to at the time the sale is entered into. For sales entered into with the related party, the transaction price typically is based on an agreed upon price per ton, subject to certain quality adjustments depending on the measured characteristics of the product, with an adjustment for the ultimate market price of the product realized by Shenghe and certain other discounts. These ultimate market prices are forms of variable consideration. The Company typically negotiates with and bills an initial price to Shenghe; such prices are then updated based on final adjustments for quality differences and/or actual sales prices realized by Shenghe. Initial pricing is typically billed upon loading the product and paid within 30 days or less. Final adjustments to prices may take longer to resolve. Sales to Shenghe under the Offtake Agreement beginning in July 2019, including the period from January 2020 to early June 2020, also reflect an adjustment for an implicit discount that results from modifications of the agreement before sales commenced (referred to herein as the “Shenghe implied discount”), and is based on a percentage of Shenghe’s realized gross profit on its own sales to its customers. Sales prior to July 2019, including for the nine-month period ending September 30, 2019, do not include a similar adjustment. In June 2020, the Company renegotiated the terms of the Offtake Agreement, discussed more fully in Note 2 and Note 7. As a result of this modification, except for updates to estimates of variable consideration related to performance obligations satisfied prior to the June 2020 modification, revenue recognized under the Offtake Agreement after that June 2020 modification no longer includes an implicit discount.

When the final price has not been resolved by the end of the reporting period, the Company estimates the expected sales price based on the initial price, current market pricing and known quality measurements, and further constrains such amounts to an amount that is probable not to result in a significant reversal of previously recognized revenue. When appropriate, the Company applies a portfolio approach in estimating a refund obligation.

Prior to the June 5, 2020 modification of the arrangement, the Company had also received significant prepayments from Shenghe, discussed further in Note 2 – Revenue Recognition below. The Company determined that the prepayment did not have a significant financing component, based on the uncertainty associated with the timing of delivery, and on the relationship of the payment to the other payments required under the contract.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Management does not believe that any recently issued, but not effective, accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

NOTE 2 REVENUE RECOGNITION

In connection with the acquisition and development of the Mountain Pass facility, the Company entered into a set of commercial arrangements with Shenghe, including the Offtake Agreement, the Technical Services Agreement (“TSA”) and the Distribution and Marketing Agreement (“DMA”) in May 2017. In June 2017, the Company modified the Offtake Agreement

 

6


MP MINE OPERATIONS LLC

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(tabular amounts in thousands, except units and per unit amounts)

 

based on certain additional funding requirements that included a debt instrument the Company repaid in 2018, and an adjustment to the Offtake Agreement. As a result of this modification (as further described below in the Amended Offtake Agreement section of Note 7 – Debt Obligations), Shenghe would be entitled to an additional $30 million recovery of advances, but only $3.5 million of proceeds were allocated to the modification based on a relative fair value allocation, given the uncertainties that existed at the time. Based on the relationship between the deemed proceeds the Company would receive and the contractual amount Shenghe would be entitled to, the modification resulted in an implied discount on the Company’s sales prices to Shenghe under the arrangement. The Shenghe implied discount is only attributable to Shenghe’s gross profit on its subsequent sales of rare earth products to its own customers. That gross profit is a contractually determined amount based on Shenghe’s realized sales price, net of taxes, tariffs, and other adjustments (such as demurrage) compared to the agreed-upon cash cost Shenghe would pay to the Company. The Shenghe implied discount amounted to 36% of that contractually determined gross profit amount.

Prior to reaching commercial operations in July 2019, the Company sold to Shenghe under individual sales agreements that did not include the Shenghe implied discount.

Commercial operations were deemed to have commenced on July 1, 2019. From that date, until the modification of the Offtake Agreement on June 5, 2020, the Company would periodically agree to a cash sales price with Shenghe for each metric ton of rare earth concentrate delivered by the Company. The Company recognized this amount as revenue upon each sale as well as the amount of deferred revenue from the prepaid advances that Shenghe realized, subject to the Shenghe implied discount.

On June 5, 2020, the Company modified the Offtake Agreement. Under the modified arrangement, the Company continues to sell to Shenghe on a take-or-pay basis; however, pricing is based on Shenghe’s realized prices, excluding taxes, duties and tariffs, and less a fixed monthly contractual adjustment. A portion of the sales price is in the form of debt forgiveness, with the remainder paid in cash. Refer to Note 7 – Debt Obligations for the other effects of this modification.

Deferred Revenue –The Offtake Agreement previously discussed required Shenghe to advance up to $50 million over time as requested by the Company, which constituted prepayments toward the future sale of products exclusively to Shenghe on a take-or-pay basis when the mine reached commercial operations, based on the terms of the arrangement until Shenghe’s advances were fully recouped.

The deferred revenue as of December 31, 2019, primarily related to these prepayments, was $35.5 million. Of this amount, $6.6 million is classified as current at December 31, 2019, based on amounts expected to be realized within the next year. Of the originally agreed-upon $50 million, the Company still had the ability to call on remaining commitments from Shenghe of $11.1 million at December 31, 2019. The remaining amount of these advances was received by May 2020.

In May 2020, the Chinese government suspended certain tariffs that had been charged to Shenghe on product sales, which affected the sales price the Company realized. In addition, Shenghe began negotiating for certain tariff rebates from prior sales, which affect the Company’s realized prices on prior sales and, as a result, the Shenghe implied discount on our prior sales. The Company realized $1.4 million of revenue related to these tariff rebates received in May 2020, which include amounts related to prior periods.

On June 5, 2020, the Company modified the arrangement with Shenghe, as discussed in Note 7 – Debt Obligations. As a result of this modification, the remaining deferred revenue was exchanged for a debt obligation and warrant, along with other proceeds.

Subsequent to the modification, in the period ended September 2020, the Company recognized $9.3 million of revenue, primarily related to additional tariff credits realized for sales from the pre-modification period. These were recognized as a reduction of the contractual balance of the debt, offset by a reduction in the related debt discount, as discussed in Note 7 – Debt Obligations. While it is possible that Shenghe will realize further tariff rebates in the future from prior sales, the amount is currently not known, is subject to significant uncertainty, and is outside of the Company’s control. As such, the potential effects of such additional rebates on revenue have been fully constrained.

Significant activity for the deferred revenue balance (including current portion):

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2020
 

Opening balance, January 1

   $ 35,543  

Advance payments received

     11,050  

Revenue recognized

     (9,117

Exchange for debt obligation (Refer to Note 7)

     (37,476
  

 

 

 

Ending balance, September 30

   $ —    
  

 

 

 

 

7


MP MINE OPERATIONS LLC

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(tabular amounts in thousands, except units and per unit amounts)

 

Refund Liability – In 2018 and the first half of 2019, prior to the Mine reaching commercial operations, the Company entered into individual product sales with the same affiliate of Shenghe based on standardized product quality specifications. The product quality was expected to be below the standard and would result in quality adjustments for ultimate repayment of the refund liability. As such, the Company estimated and recognized a refund liability based on expected differences.

During September 2019, the Company negotiated with Shenghe to settle all outstanding quality differences for a total of $2.3 million. The Company paid $0.5 million of the refund obligation in December of 2019, and the remaining $1.8 million in May 2020.

In addition, the Company had agreed to a separate refund of $0.9 million to Shenghe related to other sales from 2018, which was paid in May 2020.

NOTE 3 RESTRICTED CASH

The Company’s restricted cash balances as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, are as follows:

 

     September 30,
2020
     December 31,
2019
 

Restricted cash, current

   $ 96      $ 24  

Restricted cash, non-current

     25,405        26,791  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total restricted cash

   $ 25,501      $ 26,815  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The noncurrent restricted cash is related to closure bonding on the Mine and a trust setup with the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (“CalRecycle”), which is the state of California’s recycling and waste management program.

NOTE 4 INVENTORIES

At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company’s inventories consisted of the following

 

     September 30,
2020
     December 31,
2019
 

Materials and supplies (1)

   $ 4,267      $ 4,156  

In-process (2)

     23,173        15,710  

Finished goods (3)

     3,600        3,182  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total inventory

   $ 31,040      $ 23,048  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Materials and supplies inventory includes reagents, packaging materials, maintenance parts and spare parts used in the production of rare earth elements.

(2)

In-process inventory is primarily comprised of stockpiles of mined bastnasite ore in various stages of the production process that are drawn down based on the demands of our mine production plan.

(3)

Finished goods is primarily comprised of packaged bastnasite ore that is ready for sale. It also includes remaining stockpiles of other rare earth elements acquired with the mine.

 

8


MP MINE OPERATIONS LLC

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(tabular amounts in thousands, except units and per unit amounts)

 

NOTE 5 PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS

At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company’s prepaid expenses and other current assets consisted of the following:

 

     September 30,
2020
     December 31,
2019
 

Other down payments

   $ 1,317      $ 329  

Capitalized transactions costs

     6,467        —    

Prepaid expenses

     930        881  

Restricted cash

     96        24  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total prepaid expenses and other current assets

   $ 8,810      $ 1,234  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

NOTE 6 PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Depletion, depreciation and amortization expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 was $4.8 million and $3.7 million, respectively.

At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company’s property, plant, and equipment consisted of the following:

 

     Depreciable
Life (in years)
   September 30,
2020
     December 31,
2019
 

Machinery and equipment

   5 - 7    $ 20,576      $ 18,313  

Buildings

   39      3,152        3,152  

Land

        6,045        6,045  

Assets under construction

        33,741        23,735  

Finance leases

        2,463        586  

Mineral rights

   23      2,967        2,967  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

        68,944        54,798  

Accumulated depletion, depreciation and amortization

        (11,619      (7,826
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

      $ 57,325      $ 46,972  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Depletion in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 was not material.

NOTE 7 DEBT OBLIGATIONS

The Company’s current and noncurrent portions of related-party debt at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, were:

 

     September 30,
2020
     December 31,
2019
 

Related party debt

     

Amended Offtake Agreement

   $ 78,414      $ —    

Promissory note

     5,563        5,563  

Secured promissory note

     13,594        13,594  

Less: unamortized debt discount

     (6,674      (1,079
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net carrying amount

     90,897        18,078  

Less: current installments of long-term debt to related parties

     (38,248      (4,484
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term debt to related party, net of current portion

   $ 52,649      $ 13,594  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Amended Offtake Agreement

On June 5, 2020, the Company and Shenghe modified their existing Offtake Agreement, previously discussed under Note 2 – Revenue Recognition. In connection with this modification, Shenghe paid an additional $35.5 million of cash, and the Company issued a warrant for 89.88 convertible preferred units. The modifications to the Offtake Agreement effectively exchanged the existing prepaid advances classified as deferred revenue for a debt obligation and the warrant.

 

9


MP MINE OPERATIONS LLC

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(tabular amounts in thousands, except units and per unit amounts)

 

Proceeds for the modification were the existing $37.5 million prepaid advances previously classified as deferred revenue and the $35.5 million of additional cash paid by Shenghe. The debt obligation and warrant, were recognized at fair value of $85.7 million and $53.8 million, respectively. See further discussion of the debt arrangement below, and warrant in Note 12 – Members’ Equity. The Company determined that the modified revenue arrangement, described in Note 2 – Revenue Recognition, is at market, and as such, was not allocated any proceeds as a result of the modification.

Under the debt obligation, a portion of the sales prices of products sold to Shenghe are paid in the form of debt reduction, rather than cash. In addition, the Company must pay the following amounts to Shenghe in cash to reduce the obligation until the obligation is repaid: (a) an agreed-upon percentage of sales of products that are subject to Shenghe’s exclusivity rights to parties other than Shenghe, (b) 100% of net profits from sales of assets, and (c) 100% of net income determined under US GAAP, less the tax-effected amount of total non-cash recoupment from sales of products to Shenghe, within five days of the completion of the annual external audit of the Company’s financial statements. Because these additional cash payments are required regardless of sales to Shenghe, the Company determined that amounts due to Shenghe related to this feature are more appropriately classified as debt.

The obligation initially had an ultimate principal amount of $94.0 million Because the debt was recognized at fair value, the carrying amount of the debt after the modification was $85.7 million, reflecting a $8.3 million discount. The arrangement does not have a stated rate (and is not interest-bearing), and repayment is contingent on a number of factors, including market prices realized by Shenghe, the Company’s sales to other parties and asset sales, and the Company’s annual net income. The amount of the debt discount is a result of contractual negotiations and recognizing the debt fair value. The imputed interest rate is a function of this discount taken together with management’s expectations about the timing of the anticipated reductions of the principal balance.

The actual amounts repaid may differ in timing and amount from the Company’s estimates and will be updated on a periodic basis to compute the imputed interest rate, which will likely differ from the current estimated rate. The Company has determined that it will recognize adjustments from these estimates following the prospective method. Under the prospective method, the Company will update its estimate of the effective interest rate in future periods based on revised estimates of the timing of remaining principal reductions at that time. The new rate will be the discount rate that equates the present value of those revised estimates of remaining reductions with the carrying amount of the debt, and it will be used to recognize interest expense for the remaining periods. Under this method, the effective interest rate is not constant, and changes are recognized prospectively as an adjustment to the effective yield. The effective rate applicable from the June 5, 2020 inception to September 30, 2020 was 4.41%. Based on the revised estimates of the timing of the remaining principal reductions as of September 30, 2020, the Company updated its estimate of the effective interest rate to 5.27% to be applied prospectively to future periods.

From the date of the modification through the end of the period, the Company received approximately $5.5 million in debt reduction as a result of sales to Shenghe. No amounts were required to be paid based on sales to other parties or due to net profits from asset sales.

In addition, the Company recognized a debt reduction due to a tariff rebate and changes in estimate of the realized price of prior period sales. As discussed in Note 2 – Revenue Recognition, Shenghe was able to negotiate a refund of certain tariffs paid to the Chinese government. In August 2020, the Company was informed of an additional $9.7 million rebate Shenghe received which increased the gross profit earned by Shenghe on certain sales. In addition, Shenghe realized a higher gross profit than estimated by the Company for other prior period sales as a result of higher market prices. For the nine months ending September 30, 2020, the Company recorded a reduction in the principal amount of the Amended Offtake Agreement of $10.1 million and a reduction to the debt discount of $0.8 million related to changes in estimates of the realized price of prior period sales.

Based on current forecasts, the Company expects to repay the obligation within the next four years. $19.5 million has been classified as current based on the Company’s expectations of the timing of repayment.

Promissory Note

The Company entered into a 5% callable promissory note with JHL Capital Group Holdings Two LLC; Saratoga Park Ltd.; QVT Family Office Fund LP; QVT Family Office Onshore LP; and Fourth Avenue FF-Series E as the lenders. The initial borrowed amount, $0.2 million, was subsequently increased to a total of $5.6 million as of the date of the latest amendment, June 20, 2019. The principal balance and accrued interest are payable in arrears when called by the lenders. No principal payments were made in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 or 2019. The lenders may call the debt at any time, and there is no penalty for early payment by the Company. This balance is classified as current.

 

10


MP MINE OPERATIONS LLC

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(tabular amounts in thousands, except units and per unit amounts)

 

Secured Promissory Note

The Company entered into a $15.5 million, 10% secured promissory note in August 2017 with JHL Capital Group Holdings Two LLC; Saratoga Park Ltd.; QVT Family Office Fund LP; QVT Family Office Onshore LP; and Fourth Avenue FF-Series E. In February 2019, the Company modified the arrangement to add the accrued interest of $2.3 million to the principal balance, and to add $1.9 million to the principal balance, which is treated as a discount, in exchange for the modification. The Company is accreting the discount over the term of the note. The maturity date of the note as of the latest amendment is February 15, 2021. Interest on the promissory note is accrued on the unpaid principal amount of the loans and such interest is payable at the payment of principal amounts. The Company made no payments of principal during the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The Company paid $6.1 million of principal during the nine months ended September 30, 2019. As of September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, the carrying amounts are $13.6 million and $13.6 million, respectively. These balances are classified as current in 2020 and non-current in 2019.

All accruals of interest are included in accrued liabilities and are classified as current.

Equipment Notes

The Company has entered into several financing agreements for the purchase of equipment, including trucks, tractors, loaders, graders, and various other machinery. The current and noncurrent portions of the equipment notes at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, were:

 

     September 30, 2020      December 31, 2019  
     Current      Non-current      Total      Current      Non-current      Total  

Equipment notes

   $ 828        1,478        2,306        515        1,145        1,660  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company’s various equipment notes, which are secured by the purchased equipment, have terms of between 4 to 5 years and interest rates of between 0.0% and 6.5% per annum.

Paycheck Protection Loan

On April 15, 2020 the Company entered into a Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) promissory note (the “Paycheck Protection Loan”). On April 16, 2020, the Company received the loan proceeds in the amount of approximately $3.4 million under the PPP. The PPP, established as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”), provides for loans to qualifying businesses for amounts up to 2.5 times of the average monthly payroll expenses of the qualifying business. The loans and accrued interest are eligible for forgiveness after twenty-four weeks from the date of loan origination as long as the borrower uses the loan proceeds for eligible purposes within this time period, including payroll, benefits, rent and utilities, and maintains its payroll levels. The amount of loan forgiveness will be reduced if the borrower terminates employees or reduces salaries during the twenty-four week period.

The current and noncurrent portions of the Paycheck Protection Loan at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, were:

 

     September 30, 2020      December 31, 2019  
     Current      Non-current      Total      Current      Non-current      Total  

Paycheck protection loan

   $ 2,056        1,308        3,364               —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The unforgiven portion of the PPP loan is payable over two years at a fixed interest rate of 1%, with a deferral of payments for the first six months. The Company believes it has used the entire loan amount for purposes consistent with the PPP. While the Company may apply for forgiveness of the PPP loan in accordance with the requirements and limitations under the CARES Act and Small Business Administration (“SBA”) regulations and requirements, no assurance can be given that any portion of the PPP loan will be forgiven. Based on guidance from the United States Department of the Treasury, since the total PPP loan proceeds exceeded $2.0 million, the Company’s forgiveness application will be subject to audit by the SBA.

 

11


MP MINE OPERATIONS LLC

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(tabular amounts in thousands, except units and per unit amounts)

 

Interest

Interest cost incurred on each instrument from the table above was as follows for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:

 

     Nine months ended September 30,  
     2020      2019  

Offtake Advances

   $ 1,148      $ —    

Secured promissory note

     1,738        2,033  

Promissory note

     209        208  

Paycheck protection loan

     15        —    

Equipment notes

     55        48  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total interest

   $ 3,165      $ 2,289  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The interest expense amount disclosed above does not include $0.4 million and $0.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 respectively of interest expense associated with the royalty agreement with Secured Natural Resources LLC (“SNR”). Refer to Note 9 – Related-Party Transactions for an expanded discussion of these amounts.

Debt Maturities

The Company’s debt maturities at September 30, 2020, were:

 

     Debt maturities,
excluding leases
     Expected debt
reductions,
Amended Offtake
Agreement*
     Total  

2020

     8,447        4,240        12,687  

2021

     15,675        19,945        35,620  

2022

     496        35,085        35,581  

2023

     209        19,144        19,353  

2024

     —          —          —    

Thereafter

     —          —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     24,827        78,414        103,241  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

*

Amounts for the Amended Offtake Agreement are based on management’s expected repayments, considering expected production volumes, forecast prices and cost projections. Actual amounts may differ from these estimates.

As of September 30, 2020, the Company was in compliance with all applicable covenants related to its indebtedness.

NOTE 8 INCOME TAXES

During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company reported estimated income and mining tax expense of approximately $211 thousand, resulting in an effective tax rate of 1.01%. This compares to income tax expense of $0.9 thousand for an effective tax rate of (0.01)% during the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The only tax expense that the Company is forecasting for 2020 relates to California state income tax expense mainly attributable to the inability of the Company to utilize state net operating losses due to AB 85. On June 29, 2020, California’s Governor Newsom signed AB 85 suspending California net operating loss (“NOL”) utilization and imposing a cap on the amount of business incentive tax credits companies can utilize, effective for tax years 2020, 2021 and 2022. The tax expense for 2019 is related solely to California minimum taxes.

A valuation allowance is provided for deferred tax assets for which it is more likely than not that the related tax benefits will not be realized. The Company analyzes its deferred tax assets and, if it is determined that the Company will not realize all or a portion of its deferred tax assets, it will record or increase a valuation allowance. Conversely, if it is determined that the Company ultimately will be more likely than not able to realize all or a portion of the related benefits for which a valuation allowance has been provided, all or a portion of the related valuation allowance will be reduced. There are a number of factors that impact the Company’s ability to realize its deferred tax assets and as of September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019, the Company has recorded a full valuation allowance on its deferred tax assets, net of any available deferred tax liabilities.

 

12


MP MINE OPERATIONS LLC

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(tabular amounts in thousands, except units and per unit amounts)

 

At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company did not have any gross unrecognized tax benefits. The Company’s continuing practice is to recognize potential interest and/or penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as part of its income tax expense.

NOTE 9 RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Except as noted elsewhere in the financial statements, related-party transactions are disclosed as follows:

Royalty Agreement

In April 2017, the Company entered into a lease and license agreement for mining the mineral rights of SNR for the rare earth minerals contained in the Mine. SNR and the Company have shareholders common to both entities; however, they are not partners in business nor do they hold any other joint interest. SNR has the right to terminate the agreement if the Company does not expend the following amounts in connection with the reopening and resumption of operations of the Mountain Pass facility: $20 million, $35 million, and $50 million before the respective 12-month, 24-month, and 36-month anniversary of the purchase of the Mountain Pass facility, which occurred in July 2017.

This agreement subjects the Company to pay royalties to SNR based on 2.5% of mining proceeds, subject to certain minimums. The Company is committed to pay minimum non-refundable royalties of $0.5 million for each remaining year of the 30-year arrangement. The present value of the minimum royalty payments was recognized as an acquisition cost of the mineral interest. Refer to Note 6 – Property, Plant and Equipment. Remaining payments on the minimum royalty are reflected as an obligation on a discounted basis, with interest imputed at a rate of 12.7%.

Excluding payment of these minimums (which are treated as a reduction to the obligation), royalty expense was $1.9 million and $1.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The company paid out approximately $2.8 million and $1.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Indebtedness

The Company’s related-party debt is described in Note 7 – Debt Obligations.

Purchases

The Company purchases reagent products used in the milling process. Total purchases totalled approximately $2.3 million and $1.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively from standard purchase orders to Shenghe.

Sales

The Company and Shenghe entered into separate product sales agreements in which Shenghe will purchase certain existing stockpile inventory and all newly produced material at specified prices. Sales from these agreements were approximately $91.7 million and $52.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and are discussed in more detail in Note 2 – Revenue Recognition, including amounts recognized as Deferred revenue and Refund liabilities. The Offtake Agreement was modified in June 2020.

Cost of Sales

The Company and Shenghe entered into separate product sales agreements in which Shenghe will purchase certain existing stockpile inventory and all newly produced material at specified prices. Cost of Sales related to these agreements were approximately $44.6 million and $44.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Accounts Receivable

All accounts receivable as of September 30, 2020 with the exception of less than $0.1 million and December 31, 2019, as stated on the balance sheet are receivable from related parties due to the Company’s sales agreements with Shenghe which requires Shenghe to purchase certain existing stockpile inventory and all newly produced material at specified prices.

 

13


MP MINE OPERATIONS LLC

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(tabular amounts in thousands, except units and per unit amounts)

 

Marketing Agreement

In May 2017, the Company entered into a distribution and marketing agreement with Shenghe for the purpose of appointing Shenghe as the Company’s authorized marketing agent and distributor for products during the term of the agreement. The agreement was to commence after the advanced payments from the Offtake Agreement had been fully repaid and ending on the effective date of termination of the Technical Services Agreement. In return, Shenghe would have received 35% of the net profits from sales of products. This agreement, and the related profit interest, was terminated as part of the modification of the Offtake Agreement in June 2020, as discussed in Note 7 – Debt Obligations and Note 11 – Modification of Shenghe Relationship and Related Settlement Charge.

Services Reimbursed

The Company reimbursed JHL Capital Group (“JHL”) for travel-related expenses in the amounts of $0.1 million and $0.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Accrued Liabilities

The Company has accrued liabilities owed to JHL and SNR in the amount of less than $0.1 million for travel-related expenses and had no liabilities for patent maintenance fees and property taxes, respectively, as of September 30, 2020. Additionally, the Company has accrued liabilities owed to JHL and SNR in the amount of $0.1 million for travel-related expenses and less than $0.1 million for patent maintenance fees and property taxes, respectively, as of December 31, 2019.

Accrued liabilities at December 31, 2019 also include $0.3 million of accrued interest owed to Shenghe related to the Additional Advance, as discussed in Note 7 – Debt Obligations. The accrued interest was ultimately paid to Shenghe in June 2020.

Accounts Payable

The Company has no accounts payable to Shenghe as of September 30, 2020 and had payables to Shenghe in the amount of $1.5 million as of December 31, 2019.

NOTE 10 COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

Estimated losses from contingencies are accrued by a charge to income when information available prior to issuance of the financial statements indicates that it is probable that a liability could be incurred, and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Legal expenses associated with the contingency are expensed as incurred. If a loss contingency is not probable or reasonably estimable, disclosure of the contingency and estimated range of loss, if determinable, is made in the financial statements when it is at least reasonably possible that a material loss could be incurred.

Pending or threatened litigation - In the ordinary course of business, the Company becomes party to lawsuits, administrative proceedings and government investigations, including environmental, regulatory, and other matters. Large, and sometimes unspecified, damages or penalties may be sought in some matters, and certain matters may require years to resolve.

On January 14, 2019, a former employee filed a complaint with the California Labor & Workforce Development Agency alleging numerous violations of the California labor law. The Company strongly disagrees with the accusations, has retained counsel, and is vigorously defending the matter. Although management does not believe that a loss is probable, it is reasonably possible that it may incur a material loss on this matter. There is no reasonable estimate of the range of the potential loss.

Environmental obligations - The Company assumed certain environmental liabilities related to groundwater contamination of the prior operators. The Company engaged an environmental consultant to develop a remediation plan and remediation cost projections based upon that plan. As of September 30, 2020, management estimates the cash outflows related to these environmental activities will be incurred over the next 27 years.

The total estimated aggregate undiscounted cost of $28.3 million and $28.6 million at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively is principally related to water monitoring activities required by state and local agencies. Based on management’s best estimate of the cost and timing and that payments are considered to be fixed and reliably determinable, the Company has discounted the liability using a discount rate of 2.93%. The balance as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, includes current portions of $0.5 million and $0.5 million, respectively.

 

14


MP MINE OPERATIONS LLC

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(tabular amounts in thousands, except units and per unit amounts)

 

Right of way agreements - The Company has been issued certain right-of-way grants by the U.S. Department of the Interior for purposes of installing water pipelines, groundwater monitoring wells, and access roads on public lands located in San Bernardino County, CA. The accrual for right of way agreements is included within the Accrued liabilities line item within the Company’s balance sheet with the corresponding expense in G&A expenses on the Statement of Operations. The Company accrued and expensed less than $0.1 million related to right-of-way agreements for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.

NOTE 11 MODIFICATION OF SHENGHE RELATIONSHIP AND RELATED SETTLEMENT CHARGE

In 2017, before the Company closed on its acquisition of the Mountain Pass Mine and Facility, the Company entered into a series of agreements with Shenghe and its affiliates. These included the issuance of a preferred interest (discussed in Note 12 – Members Equity), a revenue arrangement, referred to as the Offtake Agreement (discussed in Note 2 – Revenue Recognition), and certain other legacy agreements. Among these agreements was a distribution and marketing arrangement or “DMA” (discussed in Note 9 – Related-Party Transactions). In addition, the Company also obtained a short-term loan from Shenghe that was issued in 2017 and repaid in 2018 that resulted in a modification to the Offtake Agreement which has been recognized and discussed as the “Shenghe implied discount” in Note 2 – Revenue Recognition.

In May 2020, the Company renegotiated various aspects of its relationship with Shenghe and entered into a Framework Agreement to significantly restructure this group of agreements, subject to terms that were ultimately effective in June 2020. Among the changes was the modification of the Offtake Agreement, which exchanged the existing deferred revenue arrangement (discussed in Note 2 – Revenue Recognition) for a debt instrument referred to as the Amended Offtake Agreement (discussed in Note 7 – Debt Obligations) and the issuance of a warrant (discussed in Note 12 – Members’ Equity).

In connection with this renegotiation, the Company also terminated the DMA, which had not yet commenced, but would have provided Shenghe with the right of first refusal to be the Company’s distribution and marketing agent for product sales after the expiration of the Offtake Agreement and until April 2047. In exchange for its services, Shenghe would have received 35% of the net profits from the resulting sales. Under this arrangement, Shenghe would also have been responsible for funding additional advance payments toward the next phase of the mine and facility’s development. The agency relationship would not commence until those additional amounts were also recovered under the existing Offtake Agreement. Although it had not yet commenced, the DMA was enforceable, and could only be terminated upon the mutual agreement of the parties.

At its inception in 2017, the DMA was determined to provide a commission to Shenghe for its services that was consistent with the Company’s expectations for a regular sales commission based on its revenue and cost expectations at that time.

As part of negotiating the June 5, 2020 modification, the Company determined that this arrangement provided Shenghe with a favorable, off-market return for these future services, due in part to (1) favorable changes in expected profitability, driven partially by changes in tariffs, as well as cost performance in Stage 1; (2) favorable estimates of the capital cost of the next phase of development (“Stage 2”); and (3) favorable changes in expected production, based on higher than forecast REO production in Stage 1.

Taken together, the above will likely result in materially lower per-unit costs (including depreciation) and higher profitability versus the Company’s original estimates. Therefore, these changes in circumstance meant that the 35% net profit-based commission would no longer be commensurate with the value of the service and therefore created an off-market feature. These same factors would also result in the Company fulfilling its obligations under the Offtake Agreement more quickly, which would in turn result in a longer period of payments under the now-unfavorable terms of the DMA.

Under the agreement, Shenghe would still have had to provide the additional advances required to bring the mine and facilities to Stage 2, which would have created a near-term cash commitment for Shenghe. While these costs are now expected to be approximately $200 million, Shenghe would have remained exposed to the potential that actual costs exceed these estimates and remained committed to fund them. Further, these upfront payments were to be non-interest bearing, exposing Shenghe to economic cost from the time value of money.

As part of the renegotiation with Shenghe, then, the Company arranged to terminate the DMA, and incurred a non-cash charge of $66.6 million, reflected as a one-time settlement charge.

 

15


MP MINE OPERATIONS LLC

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(tabular amounts in thousands, except units and per unit amounts)

 

Ultimately, the renegotiations resulted in the following exchange, which is also referenced in Note 15 – Supplemental Cash Flow Information as a transaction with significant non-cash components:

 

     as of June 2020
modification
 

Deemed proceeds for fair value of debt issuance (Note 7)

   $ 85,695  

Deemed proceeds for fair value of warrant issuance (Note 12)

     53,846  
  

 

 

 

Total deemed proceeds

   $ 139,541  
  

 

 

 

Non-cash exchange of existing deferred revenue (Note 2)

   $ (37,476

Deemed payment for termination of unfavorable distribution and marketing arrangement

     (66,615
  

 

 

 

Total deemed payments

   $ (104,091
  

 

 

 

Net cash proceeds received

   $ 35,450  
  

 

 

 

NOTE 12 MEMBERS’ EQUITY

Common Units

Issued and outstanding capital stock includes 1,000 common units with no par value. The number of common units authorized for issuance is not limited, and the Company may issue additional common units in the future. Holders of common units are entitled to one vote per unit, and upon liquidation or dissolution, are entitled to receive all assets available for distribution to members after distributions are made to holders of preferred units, as discussed in the section on preferred units below. The holders have no pre-emptive or other subscription rights, and there is no redemption or sinking fund provisions with respect to such units. Common units are subordinate to preferred units with respect to dividend rights. The Company did not make any dividend pay-outs as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

Preferred Units

Outstanding capital stock includes 110.98 preferred units with no par value held by Leshan Shenghe. The number of preferred units authorized for issuance is not limited, and the Company may issue additional preferred units in the future. In the case of an event such as a sale, dissolution, winding up, or liquidation of the Company, the holders of these preferred units are entitled to receive the greater of the aggregate amount of capital contributions made with respect to each unit (less the aggregate amount distributed by the Company with respect to each unit) and the amount the holders of these units would have received (determined on a converted basis) of the amount payable to all common members. The Company’s preferred units have no voting rights. Each preferred unit shall be convertible at the option of the holder into a common unit on a one-for-one basis at any time. However, ownership by Leshan Shenghe is limited to 9.99% of the issued and outstanding common units.

Warrants

In June 2020, in connection with the modification of the Offtake Agreement as discussed in Note 7 – Debt Obligations, the Company issued warrants that permit Shenghe to acquire an additional 89.88 convertible preferred units at $0.01 per unit, representing (on an as-converted basis) an additional 7.485% interest in the fully diluted equity of the Company. The warrants contain certain dividend protections that allow it to participate in dividends declared while the warrant is outstanding and contains similar dilution protections as the preferred units.

NOTE 13 FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT

Guidance on fair value measurement for accounting purposes establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

 

Level 1    Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;
Level 2    Quoted prices in markets that are not active, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices or inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability and model-based valuation techniques (e.g. the Black-Scholes model) for which all significant inputs are observable in active markets.
Level 3    Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (supported by little or no market activity).

 

16


MP MINE OPERATIONS LLC

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(tabular amounts in thousands, except units and per unit amounts)

 

The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheets for accounts receivable, accounts payable, short-term debt and accrued liabilities approximate fair values because of the immediate or short-term maturity of these financial instruments. Consequently, such financial instruments are not included in the following tables that set forth the Company’s other assets and liabilities (Cash and cash equivalents, Restricted cash, Secured promissory notes and equipment notes) measured at fair value on a recurring basis (at least annually) by level within the fair value hierarchy. The assets and liabilities disclosed in the tables below are presented in the Company’s balance sheet at their carrying value.

As required by accounting guidance, assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

 

     Fair Value at September 30, 2020  
     Carrying
Amount
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  

Assets:

           

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 30,244        30,244      $ —        $ —    

Restricted cash

     25,501        25,501        —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 55,745        55,745      $ —        $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     Fair Value at December 31, 2019  
     Carrying
Amount
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  

Assets:

           

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 2,757      $ 2,757      $ —        $ —    

Restricted cash

     26,815        26,815        —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 29,572      $ 29,572      $ —        $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company’s cash equivalents and restricted cash (which includes restricted cash and cash equivalents) are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet approximate the fair value of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash due to the short-term nature of these assets.

 

     Fair Value at September 30, 2020  
     Carrying
Amount
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  

Liabilities:

           

Secured promissory note (Level 2)

   $ 13,594      $ —        $ 14,253      $ —    

Equipment notes (Level 2)

     2,306        —          2,306        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 15,900      $ —        $ 16,559      $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The secured promissory note is classified as current on the company’s statement of financial position due to the maturity date being less than one year from the balance sheet date of September 30, 2020. As such, the carrying value of the debt approximates its fair value due to the immediate short-term maturity of the note.

 

     Fair Value at December 31, 2019  
     Carrying
Amount
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  

Liabilities:

           

Secured promissory note (Level 2)

   $ 13,594      $ —        $ 14,107      $ —    

Equipment notes (Level 2)

     1,660        —          1,646        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 15,254      $ —        $ 15,753      $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

17


MP MINE OPERATIONS LLC

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(tabular amounts in thousands, except units and per unit amounts)

 

The Company’s secured promissory note and equipment notes are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy because there are inputs that are directly observable for substantially the full term of the liability. Model-based valuation techniques for which all significant inputs are observable in active markets were used to calculate the fair values of liabilities classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

NOTE 14 NET INCOME (LOSS) PER UNIT

Basic and diluted net income (loss) per unit attributable to common members of the Company was calculated as follows:

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
     2020      2019  

Numerator:

     

Net income (loss)

   $ (45,939    $ (7,792

Denominator:

     

Weighted-average common units outstanding

     1,000        1,000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

   $ (45,939    $ (7,792

The Company computes basic income (loss) per unit by dividing income (loss) attributable to common members by the weighted-average number of common units outstanding for the period. Diluted income (loss) per unit is computed by dividing income (loss) attributable to common members by the weighted-average number of common units increased by the dilutive effect of the convertible preferred units and warrants for preferred units shown in the table above using the if-converted method.

The Company excluded the effects of dilutive preferred units from the computation of diluted net loss per unit as the effect would be to reduce the net loss per unit. Therefore, the weighted average number of common units outstanding used to calculate both basic and diluted net loss per unit attributable to common members of the Company is the same.

NOTE 15 SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

As discussed in Note 7 – Debt Obligations, in June 2020 the Company modified its existing Offtake Agreement with Shenghe, which included exchange of certain non-cash items in addition to cash proceeds. The deemed proceeds, payments, and net cash received of $35.5 million are described in Note 11. In addition, during the nine-months ended September 30, 2020, the Company received $5.5 million of non-cash debt reduction as a form of consideration from its sales to Shenghe under the Amended Offtake Agreement and an additional $9.3 million in non-cash debt reduction from a tariff rebate and changes in estimate of the realized price of prior period sales, as discussed in Note 2 – Revenue Recognition and Note 7 – Debt Obligations.

Non-cash investing and financing activities and other supplemental cash flow information are as follows:

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2020      2019  

Supplemental cash flow information:

     

Cash paid for interest

   $ 433        847  

Supplemental non-cash investing and financing activities:

     

Property, plant, and equipment acquired with seller-financed equipment notes

     1,216        569  

Property, plant, and equipment purchased but not yet paid

     2,613        —    

Transaction costs capitalized but not yet paid

   $ 4,889      $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

18


MP MINE OPERATIONS LLC

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(tabular amounts in thousands, except units and per unit amounts)

 

NOTE 16 OTHER INCOME, NET

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2020      2019  

Gain on sale of equipment

   $ —          3,797  

Interest income

     120        389  

Advertising

     12        7  

Scrap metals and other materials

     3        4  

Environmental incentive credit

     130        —    

Legal, settlement and other fines

     —          (83

Other

     33        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 298        4,114  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

NOTE 17 SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The Company evaluated subsequent events through November 23, 2020, the date the financial statements were available for issuance.

PPP Loan

On October 16, 2020, the “covered period” ended related to the Company’s PPP loan (discussed in Note 7). The covered period was the duration in which the funds received in connection with the loan could be applied towards eligible expenses under the PPP loan program guidelines. The Company is now eligible to apply for forgiveness of the loan balance. The Company applied for forgiveness of the entire loan on November 6, 2020 and is awaiting a determination.

Business Combination

The Business Combination was consummated on November 17, 2020, pursuant to the terms of a merger agreement entered into on July 15, 2020. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company and SNR, a company controlled by the Company’s majority equityholder and that holds the mineral rights to the Company’s mine, were combined with FVAC, a special purpose acquisition company (the “Business Combination”), and became indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of FVAC, which was in turn renamed MP Materials Corp. (“MPMC”).

MPMO’s merger with FVAC was accounted for as a reverse recapitalization, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded, in accordance with U.S. GAAP. SNR’s acquisition by FVAC was treated as an asset acquisition. The acquisition of SNR, a company that was controlled by the Company’s majority equityholder (the “SNR Mineral Rights Acquisition”), did not meet the criteria for the acquisition of a business and was accounted for as an asset acquisition. The principal asset acquired in the SNR Mineral Rights Acquisition was the mineral rights for the rare earth ores contained in the Company’s mine, which was SNR’s sole operating asset.

Pursuant to the Parent Sponsor Letter Agreement entered into concurrently with the Merger Agreement, all of the shares of FVAC Class A common stock issued upon the conversion of the Founder Shares (shares of FVAC Class F common stock initially purchased by holders of Founder Shares prior to the FVAC IPO), other than the Surrendered Shares, shall be subject to certain vesting and forfeiture provisions (the “Vesting Shares”), as follows: (i) 50% of the Vesting Shares shall vest if a $12.00 stock price level is achieved, (ii) 25% of the Vesting Shares shall vest if a $14.00 stock price level is achieved and (iii) 25% of the Vesting Shares shall vest if a $16.00 stock price level is achieved, in each case for any twenty (20) trading days during any consecutive thirty (30) trading day period within ten years following the consummation of the Business Combination. In the event MPMC enters into a binding agreement with respect to a “Parent Sale” (as defined in the Parent Sponsor Letter Agreement) prior to the date that is ten (10) years following the Closing Date, such that the consideration paid for each share of Parent Stock (as defined in the Parent Sponsor Letter Agreement) in such Parent Sale is equal to or in excess of the respective earnout targets set forth in the Parent Sponsor Letter Agreement then such Vesting Shares shall be issued effective as of one day prior to consummation of the Parent Sale.

 

19


MP MINE OPERATIONS LLC

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(tabular amounts in thousands, except units and per unit amounts)

 

The holders of MPMO HoldCo preferred stock and common stock, MPMO HoldCo and SNR HoldCo common stock immediately prior to the closing of the Business Combination have the contingent right to receive up to an additional 12,860,000 shares of MPMC Class A common stock (the “Earnout Shares”). Half of the Earnout Shares will be issued if the VWAP of MPMC Class A common stock exceeds $18.00 and the other half will be issued if the VWAP of MPMC Class A common stock exceeds $20.00, in each case for any twenty (20) trading days during any consecutive thirty (30) trading day period within ten (10) years following the consummation of the Business Combination. In the event MPMC enters into a binding agreement with respect to a “Parent Sale” (as defined in the Merger Agreement) prior to the date that is ten (10) years following the Closing Date, such that the consideration paid for each share of Parent Stock (as defined in the Merger Agreement) in such Parent Sale is equal to or in excess of the respective earnout targets set forth in the Merger Agreement then such Earnout Shares shall be issued effective as of one day prior to consummation of the Parent Sale.

The Company incurred $1.7 million in transaction costs relating to the Business Combination and the transaction costs were included in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying Statement of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2020.

 

20

Exhibit 99.6

Secure Natural Resources LLC

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)    

 

 

     September 30,      December 31,  
     2020      2019  

Assets

     

Current assets:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 6,463,868      $ 4,232,326  

Royalty revenue receivable from related party

     1,053,880        1,370,336  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     91,542        94,490  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

     7,609,290        5,697,152  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Noncurrent assets:

     

Deferred tax assets

     130,772        368,259  

Mineral rights and intangible assets (net of depletion)

     200,236        206,516  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total noncurrent assets

     331,008        574,775  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 7,940,298      $ 6,271,927  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities and members’ equity

     

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

   $ 1,963,368      $ 181,146  

State and Federal tax payable

     41,000        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     2,004,368        181,146  

Members’ equity

     5,935,930        6,090,781  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and members’ equity

   $ 7,940,298      $ 6,271,927  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

 

1


Secure Natural Resources LLC

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)    

 

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
     2020     2019  

Revenue

    

Royalty revenue from related party

   $ 2,463,615     $ 1,151,802  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue

     2,463,615       1,151,802  

Expenses

    

General and administrative expenses

     2,112,862       506,522  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     350,753       645,280  

Other Income

    

Interest income

     12,205       57,213  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     362,958       702,493  

Income tax expense

     368,487       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income / (loss)

   $ (5,529 )    $ 702,493  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

 

2


Secure Natural Resources LLC

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Members’ Equity (Unaudited)    

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2019

   $ 6,090,781  

Repurchase of units

     (149,322

Net income / (loss)

     (5,529
  

 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2020

   $ 5,935,930  
  

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2018

   $ 4,219,646  

Net income

     702,493  
  

 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2019

   $ 4,922,139  
  

 

 

 

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

 

3


Secure Natural Resources LLC

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow (Unaudited)    

 

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
     2020     2019  

Cash flows from operating activities

    

Net income / (loss)

   $ (5,529   $ 702,493  

Adjustments to reconcile net income / (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Amortization of mineral rights and intangible assets

     6,280       4,993  

Changes in assets and liabilities:

    

Royalty revenue receivable from related party

     316,455       (127,277

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     2,949       (26,502

Deferred tax assets

     237,487       —    

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

     1,782,222       (14,085

State and federal tax payable

     41,000    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     2,380,864       539,622  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

    

Repurchase of units

     (149,322     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by / used in financing activities

     (149,322     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     2,231,542       539,622  

Cash and cash equivalents

    

Beginning of period

     4,232,326       3,766,629  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

   $ 6,463,868     $ 4,306,251  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental cash flow disclosure:

    

Cash paid for income taxes, net

   $ 90,000     $ —    

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

 

4


Secure Natural Resources LLC

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

 

 

1.

Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies

Secure Natural Resources LLC (“SNR”) was formed on February 24, 2016 as a Delaware limited liability company. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of SNR and its wholly owned subsidiary, SNR Patented Holdings LLC (the “Subsidiary”). The Subsidiary was formed on April 6, 2016 as a Delaware limited liability company and dissolved on March 28, 2019. SNR and its wholly owned Subsidiary will hereafter be referred to collectively as the “Company”.

SNR was organized pursuant to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Bid Agreement and Direction dated April 15, 2016. The Company was formed to acquire certain assets out of the Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings of Molycorp, Inc. and certain related affiliates. The Company acquired from certain affiliates of Molycorp, Inc. rights, title and interest in and to the subterranean mineral rights under a rare earth mining facility located in San Bernardino County, California, certain intellectual property assets including those related to the design, development, marketing, and sale of rare earth-based products for the removal of contaminants from water, certain trademarks, and cash.

On July 15, 2020, the Company entered into a merger agreement pursuant to which the Company will combine with Fortress Value Acquisition Corp. (“FVAC”), a special purpose acquisition company, and MP Mine Operations LLC (“MPMO”), a company controlled by our majority shareholder and that owns the mine (the “Business Combination”) that utilizes the mineral rights owned by SNR. Upon the consummation of the Business Combination, MPMO and SNR will each become indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of FVAC, which in turn will be renamed MP Materials Corp. (“MPMC”).

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. The accompanying statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019. In the opinion of management, the financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring items, necessary to present fairly the financial position and results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. Operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other period including the full year ending December 31, 2020. A description of the accounting policies significant to the Company follows below.

Consolidation

All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates. The Company makes estimates and assumptions that affect both the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements as well as the reported amounts of expenses during the year. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

5


Secure Natural Resources LLC

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

    

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company maintains its cash in a bank deposit account which, at times, may exceed federally insured limits. Management believes the Company is not exposed to any significant risk on cash balances.

Mineral Rights and Intangible Assets

Mineral rights and intangible assets consist of rights, title and interest in and to certain subterranean mineral rights under a rare earth mining facility located in San Bernardino County, California, certain intellectual property assets including those related to the design, development, marketing, and sale of rare earth-based products for the removal of contaminants from water, including certain patents and trademarks acquired from the bankruptcy proceedings of Molycorp, Inc. and certain affiliates. During 2018 the third-party operator, MPMO, a related party through affiliated common ownership, under a lease and license agreement as described in Note 6, began mining operations. The Company determined the useful life for amortization for the mineral rights based on mining production. The amortization of $6,280 and $4,993 for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 respectively is included in general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of operations. As of September 30, 2020 and 2019, accumulated amortization associated with the mineral rights was $16,903 and $9,367 respectively. The intangible assets (i.e., certain patents and trademarks) were not used during the period. Therefore, the costs associated with renewing the intangible assets are expensed and included in general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of operations.

The assets are tested for impairment upon certain events or circumstances which indicate an impairment loss may have occurred. No impairment loss has been recognized since inception of the Company

Revenue Recognition

The Company adopted the new ASC 606 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”) guidance using the modified retrospective method of transition as of January 1, 2019. Under ASC 606 a performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer control of a distinct good or service (or integrated package of goods and/or services) to a customer. A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, a performance obligation is satisfied. In accordance with this guidance, revenue attributable to our royalty interests is generally recognized at the point in time that MPMO sells the goods to the end customer. The amount of revenue we recognize further reflects the consideration to which we are entitled under the royalty agreement. There was no impact to our reported revenue and no cumulative catch-up adjustment was required.

Royalty Revenue

Royalties are non-operating interests in a mining facility, located in San Bernardino County, California, that provides the Company payments based upon gross proceeds received by the facility from the sale, lease or other disposition of rare earth minerals and certain products or by-products, as well as from the realization of any other benefits from the leased mineral rights and/or the leased intellectual property rights. The Company is entitled to payment for the royalty interest in the mining project based on a contractually specified rate. As a royalty holder, the Company acts as a passive entity in the production and operations of the mining facility, and the operator of the mining facility is responsible for all mining activities, including subsequent marketing and delivery of all mining production to the customer.

 

6


Secure Natural Resources LLC

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

    

 

 

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of legal costs associated to the Business Combination, organizational, accounting, legal, directors, management services, and other expenses. The cost associated with maintaining and renewing mineral rights and other patents are also included in general and administrative expenses.

The Company entered into an agreement with a certain board member that was retained to conduct an independent review of the Business Combination described in Note 1. In addition to the board member’s independent review, the board member also reviewed, negotiated and evaluated the merger agreement. In connection with the board member’s service, the Company has agreed to a one-time transaction bonus payment in the amount of $500,000, which is included in general and administrative expense.

Income Taxes

The Company follows authoritative guidance related to the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes. Management has evaluated the Company’s tax positions and concluded that the Company had taken no uncertain tax positions that require adjustments to comply with this guidance. The Company files tax returns in all appropriate jurisdictions. Income tax filings for the year ended December 31, 2019 will generally be open for review by taxing authorities for three years after filing the return. Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect of a change in rates, if any, on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

 

2.

Members’ Equity

Pursuant to SNR’s limited liability company agreement, SNR is authorized to create and issue equity interests. On April 15, 2016, the Company issued 1,000,000 common units in exchange for the contribution of $1,000,000 of debt of Molycorp, Inc. and affiliates held by the members.

On August 2, 2016, the Company issued 6,000,000 additional common units, to all current unit holders, at a cash subscription price of $1 per unit.

On March 19, 2020 the Company entered into a unit redemption agreement with two members and agreed to repurchase 149,322.03 units at $1 per unit.

All of the units authorized and issued are common units with the same rights. When declared, distributions will be made pro rata in accordance with the number of common units held by a member.

 

3.

Income Taxes

During the third quarter of 2020, the Company reported estimated income tax expense of approximately $368,000, resulting in an effective tax rate of 95.9%. This compares to no income tax expense or benefit for an effective tax rate of 0.0% during the third quarter of 2019. The Company is forecasting tax expense for 2020 relating to the utilization of federal net operating

 

7


Secure Natural Resources LLC

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

    

 

 

losses (NOL) and California state income tax expense partially attributable to the inability of the Company to utilize state net operating losses due to AB 85. On June 29, 2020, California’s Governor Newsom signed AB 85 suspending California NOL utilization and imposing a cap on the amount of business incentive tax credits companies can utilize, effective for tax years 2020, 2021 and 2022. Additionally, during the third quarter of 2020 the Company incurred approximately $1,300,000 of transaction costs included in general and administrative expenses, associated with the Business Combination that are non-deductible for tax purposes. The non-recognition of tax expense or benefit for third quarter 2019 is related to the Company’s continued recording of a full valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets. The valuation allowance was released in the fourth quarter of 2019. Please refer to the 2019 year-end financials for additional information.

A valuation allowance is provided for deferred tax assets for which it is more likely than not that the related tax benefits will not be realized. The Company analyzes its deferred tax assets and, if it is determined that the Company will not realize all or a portion of its deferred tax assets, it will record or increase a valuation allowance. Conversely, if it is determined that the Company ultimately will more likely than not realize all or a portion of the related benefits for which a valuation allowance has been provided, all or a portion of the related valuation allowance will be reduced.

The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 included federal and state current and deferred income tax expense.

 

4.

Related Parties

The Company entered into a management services agreement with JHL Capital Group LLC, the investment manager of a member, that provides for certain management, consulting, financial, or other services to the Company. Expenses related to the services for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 were $140,368 and $57,998 respectively.

 

5.

Commitments and Contingencies

In the normal course of business, the Company may enter into contracts that contain a number of representations and warranties, which may provide for general or specific indemnifications. The Company’s exposure under these contracts is not currently known as any such exposure would be based on future claims which could be made against the Company. There have been no such claims since the inception of the Company. Management does not anticipate any such claims and expects any risk of loss to be remote.

 

6.

Risk Factors

The Company is subject to numerous operational and business risks. The Company continues to be in the development stage and has limited operating history. The Company owns certain mineral rights, but the Company does not own any facilities required for the production and processing of rare earth minerals or other products that may be obtained from exploring such mineral rights. The Company is dependent on key personnel that are provided through the management services agreement, for which certain potential conflicts of interest exist or may arise. The cash flow and profitability of the Company is significantly affected by the demand for and market price of rare earth products. The price of rare earth products is affected by a number of factors beyond the Company’s control.

 

8


Secure Natural Resources LLC

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

    

 

 

The Company continues to explore ways to monetize the mineral rights, intellectual property, and patents. On April 3, 2017, the Company entered into a lease and license agreement with MPMO, a Delaware limited liability company and a related party through affiliated common ownership, the terms of which are confidential. The Company agreed to lease certain mineral rights and license the intellectual property to MPMO for a fee. In consideration of the leased mineral rights and licensed intellectual property, MPMO will make royalty payments to the Company, based upon gross proceeds from the sale, lease or other disposition of rare earth minerals and certain products or by-products thereof, as well as from the realization of any other benefits from the leased mineral rights and/or the leased intellectual property rights.

In December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) began to impact the population of China and expanded into a worldwide pandemic during 2020, leading to significant business and supply-chain disruption for the Company’s related party, MPMO, as well as broad-based changes in supply and demand for rare earth products.

As the situation continues to develop, it is impossible to predict the effect and ultimate impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the Company’s business operations and results. While the quarantine, social distancing and other regulatory measures instituted or recommended in response to COVID-19 are expected to be temporary, the duration of the business disruptions, and related financial impact, cannot be estimated at this time.

 

7.

Subsequent Events

The Company evaluated subsequent events through November 23, 2020 the date the financial statements were available for issuance.

The Business Combination was consummated on November 17, 2020, pursuant to the terms of a merger agreement entered into on July 15, 2020. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company and MPMO, a company controlled by the Company’s majority equityholder and that operates the mine for which the Company owns the mineral rights, were combined with FVAC, a special purpose acquisition company and became indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of FVAC, which was in turn renamed MP Materials Corp. (“MPMC”).

 

9

Exhibit 99.10

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Capitalized terms used but not defined below have the same meaning as set forth in the Current Report on Form 8-K to which this Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information has been filed as an exhibit (the “Form 8-K”). Capitalized terms used but not defined below or in the Form 8-K have the same meaning as set forth in the Proxy Statement/Consent Solicitation/Prospectus filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on October 27, 2020.Unless the context otherwise requires, the “Company” refers to MPMC and its subsidiaries after closing of the Business Combination, and FVAC prior to the closing of the Business Combination.

The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information present the combination of the financial information of FVAC, MPMO, and SNR adjusted to give effect to the Business Combination. The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of September 30, 2020 combines the historical balance sheet of FVAC, the historical balance sheet of MPMO, and the historical balance sheet of SNR on a pro forma basis as if the Business Combination, summarized below, had been consummated on September 30, 2020. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2019 and the nine months ended September 30, 2020, combine the historical statements of operations of FVAC, MPMO, and SNR for such periods on a pro forma basis as if the Business Combination, summarized below, had been consummated on January 1, 2019, the beginning of the earliest period presented, giving effect to:

 

   

the Reverse Recapitalization between FVAC and MPMO;

 

   

FVAC’s acquisition of SNR, via the SNR Mergers;

 

   

the issuance and sale of 20,000,000 shares of FVAC Class A common stock at a purchase price of $10.00 per share and an aggregate purchase price of $200 million pursuant to the PIPE Investment;

 

   

the exchange of 5,933,333 of FVAC Private Placement Warrants for an aggregate of 890,000 shares of FVAC Class A common stock pursuant to the Parent Sponsor Warrant Exchange Agreement; and

 

   

the redemption of 35,849 shares of FVAC Class A common stock at a redemption price of $10.00 per share

The historical financial statements have been adjusted in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements to give pro forma effect to events that are: (i) directly attributable to the Business Combination; (ii) factually supportable; and (iii) with respect to the statement of operations, expected to have a continuing impact on the results following the completion of the Business Combination.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements have been developed from and should be read in conjunction with:

 

   

the accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements;

 

   

the historical audited financial statements of MPMO for the year ended December 31, 2019 and the related notes which is incorporated by reference in the Form 8-K;

 

   

the historical unaudited financial statements of MPMO as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and the related notes filed as Exhibit 99.5 to the Form 8-K;

 

   

the historical audited financial statements of SNR for the year ended December 31, 2019 and the related notes which is incorporated by reference in the Form 8-K;

 

   

the historical unaudited financial statements of SNR as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and the related notes filed as Exhibit 99.6 to the Form 8-K;

 

   

the historical audited financial statements of FVAC for the period ended January 24, 2020 (inception) and the historical unaudited financial statements of FVAC as of and for the period from inception through September 30, 2020 and the related notes which is incorporated by reference in the Form 8-K; and

 

   

other information relating to FVAC, MPMO and SNR contained in the Current Report on the Form 8-K or incorporated by reference therein, including the Merger Agreement.

 

1


The Business Combination will be accounted for as a reverse recapitalization, in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Under this method of accounting, FVAC will be treated as the “acquired” company for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the Business Combination will be treated as the equivalent of MPMO issuing stock for the net assets of FVAC, accompanied by a recapitalization. The net assets of FVAC will be stated at historical cost, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded. Operations prior to the Business Combination will be those of MPMO. The SNR Mineral Rights Acquisition will be treated as an asset acquisition as it does not meet the definition of a business under ASC 805, and is accounted for in accordance with the “Acquisition of Assets Rather Than a Business” subsections of ASC 805-50 by using a cost accumulation model.

MPMO has been determined to be the accounting acquirer based on the following predominate factors:

 

   

MPMO’s unitholders have the greatest voting interest in the combined entity with approximately 48.8%;

 

   

MPMO’s former executive management will make up the vast majority of the management of MPMC;

 

   

MPMO’s existing directors and individuals designated by, or representing, MPMO unitholders will constitute a majority of the initial MPMC board of directors following the consummation of the Business Combination;

 

   

MPMC will continue to operate under the MP Materials tradename and the headquarters of MPMC will remain as MPMO’s headquarters; and

 

   

MPMO has a larger employee base and substantive operations.

Assumptions and estimates underlying the unaudited pro forma adjustments set forth in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements are described in the accompanying notes. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements have been presented for illustrative purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of the operating results and financial position that would have been achieved had the Business Combination occurred on the dates indicated. Further, the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements do not purport to project the future operating results or financial position of the Company following the completion of the Business Combination. The unaudited pro forma adjustments represent management’s estimates based on information available as of the date of these unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements and are subject to change as additional information becomes available and analyses are performed.

Description of the Business Combination

MPMO and SNR unitholders received 71,941,543 and 20,000,000 of Class A common stock, respectively, as a result of the Business Combination. Therefore, the aggregate consideration for the Business Combination is $1,323.0 million based on the FVAC trading share price as of the date of closing.

Additionally, MPMO and SNR unitholders have the contingent right to receive up to 12,860,000 additional shares of Class A common stock contingent upon achieving certain market share price milestones within a period of 10 years post Business Combination.

The following summarizes the pro forma Class A common stock shares outstanding (excluding the potential dilutive effect of the Earnout Shares, Vesting Shares, and exercise of FVAC public warrants):

 

     Final Redemption      %  

FVAC Public Stockholders

     34,464,151        23.4

Private Placement Warrants (upon conversion to FVAC Class A common stock)

     890,000        0.6
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

FVAC Total

     35,354,151        24.0

MPMO Unitholders

     71,941,543        48.8

SNR Unitholders

     20,000,000        13.6

PIPE Investment

     20,000,000        13.6
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Pro Forma Common Stock at September 30, 2020

     147,295,694        100
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

2


UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEET

AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

(in thousands)

 

     As of September 30, 2020     

 

    As of September 30, 2020  
     Fortress Value
Acquisition Corp.
(Historical)
     MP Mine
Operations LLC
(Historical)
     Secure Natural
Resources LLC
(Historical)
     Reclassification
Adjustments
(Note 2)
    Pro Forma
Adjustments
          Pro Forma
Combined
 

ASSETS

                 

Current Assets:

                 

Cash and cash equivalents

     909        30,244        6,464        —         345,069       (A)       512,721  
                200,000       (B)    
                (12,075     (C)    
                (21,753     (D)    
                (23,899     (F)    
                (11,742     (G)    
                (137     (N)    
                (359     (M)    

Trade accounts receivable from related party

        3,574        —          —         —           3,574  

Inventories

        31,040        —          —         —           31,040  

Royalty revenue receivable from related party

        —          1,054        —         (1,054     (H)       —    

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     334        8,810        92        —         (506     (H)       2,679  
                (6,051     (F)    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total current assets

     1,243        73,668        7,610        —         467,493         550,014  

Non-current Assets:

                 

Restricted cash

        25,405        —          —         —           25,405  

Net property, plant, and equipment

        57,325        —          (2,967     —           54,358  

Deferred tax assets

           131          —           131  

Mineral rights and intangible assets (net of depletion)

           200        2,967       433,142       (E)       433,342  
                (2,967     (H)    

Other non-current assets

        789           —         —           789  

Investments held in Trust Account

     345,069              —         (345,069     (A)       —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total non-current assets

     345,069        83,519        331        —         85,106         514,025  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Assets

     346,312        157,187        7,941          552,599         1,064,039  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

3


UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEET (cont.)

AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

(in thousands)

 

 

    As of September 30, 2020     As of September 30, 2020  
    Fortress Value
Acquisition Corp.
(Historical)
    MP Mine
Operations LLC
(Historical)
    Secure Natural
Resources LLC
(Historical)
    Reclassification
Adjustments
(Note 2)
    Pro Forma
Adjustments
          Pro Forma
Combined
 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

             

Current liabilities:

             

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

    3,396       16,700       1,964       173       (2,595     (D     11,048  
            (6,487     (F  
            (2,516     (G  
            550       (O  
            (137     (N  

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities - related parties

      2,154         5       —           2,159  

Deferred revenue - related parties

      —           —         —           —    

Current installments of long-term debt - third party

      2,056         —         —           2,056  

Franchise tax payable

    137       —           (137     —           —    

State tax payable

      —         41       (41     —           —    

Current installments of long-term debt - related parties

      38,248         —         (5,201     (D     33,047  

Finance lease liabilities

      2,011         —         —           2,011  

Other current liabilities

      4,179         —         —           4,179  

Other current liabilities -related parties

      484         —         484       (H     —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

    3,533       65,832       2,005       —         (16,870       54,500  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Non-current Liabilities:

          —          

Asset retirement obligation

      25,157         —         —           25,157  

Environmental obligation

      16,604         —         —           16,604  

Deferred revenue - related parties, net of current portion

      —           —         —           —    

Long-term debt - third party, net of current portion

      1,308         —         —           1,308  

Deferred underwriting commissions

    12,075           —         (12,075     (C     —    

Long-term debt - related parties, net of current portion

      52,649         —         (13,595     (D     39,054  

Finance lease liabilities, net of current portion

      473           —           473  

Deferred tax liabilities

            111,369       (Q     111,369  

Other non-current liabilities

      5,280           (3,323     (H     1,957  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total non-current liabilities

    12,075       101,471       —           82,376         195,922  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    15,608       167,303       2,005         65,506         250,422  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

             

Class A common stock subject to possible redemption

    325,704           —         (325,704     (I     —    

Stockholders’ Equity:

             

Common Units

    —         20,500       —         —         (20,500     (J     —    

Class A common stock

    —         —         —         —         3       (I     15  
            2       (B  
            8       (J  
            2       (E  
            (0     (M  

Class F common stock

    1       —         —         —         (1     (K     —    

Preferred Units

    —         2,275       —         —         (2,275     (J     —    

Preferred Warrants

      53,846       —         —         (53,846     (J     —    

Additional paid-in capital

    8,388       —         —         —         325,701       (I     901,251  
            199,998       (B  
            (3,389     (L  
            76,613       (J  
            (720     (H  
            321,771       (E  
            (23,463     (F  
            (9,226     (G  
            5,936       (P  
            1       (K  
            (359     (M  

Accumulated deficit

    (3,389     (86,737     —         —         3,389       (L     (87,649
            (362     (D  
            (550     (O  

Members’ Equity

        5,936       —         (5,936     (P     —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)

    5,000       (10,116     5,936       —         812,797         813,617  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    346,312       157,187       7,941       —         552,599         1,064,039  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

4


UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

    For the Period
from January 24,
2020 (inception)
to September 30,
    For the nine months ended
September 30, 2020
                      For the nine
months ended
September 30.
2020
 
    Fortress Value
Acquisition Corp.

(Historical)
    MP Mine
Operations LLC

(Historical)
    Secure Natural
Resources LLC

(Historical)
    Reclassification
Adjustments
(Note 2)
    Pro Forma
Adjustments
          Pro Forma
Combined
 

Product sales (including sales to related parties)

    —         92,132       2,464       —         —           92,132  

Royalty revenue from related party

            (2,464     (AA)       —    

Total revenue

    —         92,132       2,464       —         (2,464       92,132  

Operating costs and expenses:

             

Cost of sales (including cost of sales to related parties)

      44,957         —         —           44,957  

Royalty expense paid to related party

      1,908         —         (1,908     (AA)       —    

General and administrative expenses

    3,321       14,573       2,113       —         (1,652     (BB)       18,936  
            (2,825     (CC)    
            (101     (DD)    
            3,507       (II)    

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

      4,832         —         13,456       (EE)       18,288  

Accretion of asset retirement obligation and environmental remediation obligation

      1,691         —         —           1,691  

One-time settlement charge

      66,615         —         —           66,615  

Franchise tax expense

    137           —         —           137  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total operating cost and expenses

    3,458       134,576       2,113       —         10,477         150,624  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

    (3,458     (42,444     351       —         (12,941       (58,492

Other income, net

      298         —         —           298  

Gain on partial extinguishment of debt

      —           —         —           —    

Interest income

    69         12       —         (69     (FF)       12  

Interest expense

      (3,582       —         1,947       (GG)       (1,287
            348       (AA)    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

    (3,389     (45,728     363       —         (10,715       (59,469

Income tax benefit (expense)

      (211     (368     —         2,748       (HH)       2,169  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

  $ (3,389   $ (45,939   $ (5   $ —       $ (7,967     $ (57,300
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding - Class A common stock

    34,500,000                 147,295,694  

Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share - Class A

  $ —                 $ (0.39

Weighted average shares outstanding - Class F common stock

    8,625,000              

Basic and diluted net loss per share - Class F

  $ (0.39            

 

5


UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

     For the Year ended December 31, 2019                  For the Year ended
December 31, 2019
 
     Fortress Value
Acquisition Corp
(Historical) (1)
     MP Mine
Operations LLC
(Historical)
    Secure Natural
Resources LLC
(Historical)
     Pro Forma
Adjustments
          Pro Forma
Combined
 

Product sales (including sales to related parties)

     —          73,411       —          —           73,411  

Royalty revenue from related party

          2,020        (2,020     (AA)       —    

Total revenue

     —          73,411       2,020        (2,020       73,411  

Operating costs and expenses:

              

Cost of sales (including cost of sales to related parties)

        61,261          —           61,261  

Royalty expense paid to related party

        1,885          (1,885     (AA)       —    

General and administrative expenses

        11,104       590        8,752       (II)       20,446  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

        4,687          17,942       (EE)       22,629  

Accretion of asset retirement obligation and environmental remediation obligation

        2,094          —           2,094  

Franchise tax expense

                 —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total operating cost and expenses

     —          81,031       590        24,809         106,430  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

     —          (7,620     1,430        (26,829       (33,019

Other income, net

        4,278          —           4,278  

Interest income

          73        —           73  

Interest expense

        (3,412        2,890       (GG)       (50
             472       (AA)    
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

     —          (6,754     1,503        (23,467       (28,718

Income tax benefit (expense)

        (1     368        6,020       (HH)       6,387  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

   $
 

  

 
   $ (6,755   $ 1,871      $ (17,447     $ (22,331
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding - Class A common stock

                 147,295,694  

Basic and diluted net loss per share - Class A

               $ (0.15

 

(1) 

As FVAC’s date of inception is January 24, 2020, no statement of operations data exists for the year ended December 31, 2019.

 

6


NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

1. Basis of Presentation

The Business Combination will be accounted for as a reverse recapitalization in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Under this method of accounting, FVAC will be treated as the “acquired” company for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the Business Combination will be treated as the equivalent of MPMO issuing stock for the net assets of FVAC, accompanied by a recapitalization. The net assets of the FVAC will be stated at historical cost, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded. Operations prior to the Business Combination will be those of MPMO. The SNR Mineral Rights Acquisition will be treated as an asset acquisition under ASC 805, and is accounted for in accordance with the “Acquisition of Assets Rather Than a Business” subsections of ASC 805-50 by using a cost accumulation model.

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, MPMO and SNR unitholders have the contingent right to receive up to 12,860,000 additional shares of Class A common stock contingent upon achieving certain market share price milestones within a period of 10 years post-Business Combination.

In connection with the closing of the Business Combination, 8,625,000 Founder Shares will be Vesting Shares and will vest upon achieving certain market share price milestones within a period of ten years post-Business Combination. These shares will be forfeited if the set milestones are not reached.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of September 30, 2020 assumes that the Business Combination occurred on September 30, 2020. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and the year ended December 31, 2019 give pro forma effect to the Business Combination as if it had been completed on January 1, 2019. All periods are presented on the basis of MPMO as the accounting acquirer.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of September 30, 2020 has been prepared using, and should be read in conjunction with, the following:

 

   

FVAC’s unaudited balance sheet as of September 30, 2020 and the related notes for the period ended September 30, 2020, which is incorporated by reference in the Form 8-K;

 

   

MPMO’s unaudited balance sheet as of September 30, 2020 and the related notes for the period ended September 30, 2020, filed as Exhibit 99.5 to the Form 8-K; and

 

   

SNR’s unaudited balance sheet as of September 30, 2020 and the related notes for the period ended September 30, 2020, filed as Exhibit 99.6 to the Form 8-K.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 has been prepared using, and should be read in conjunction with, the following:

 

   

FVAC’s audited statement of operations for the period ended January 24, 2020 (inception) and the related notes, which is incorporated by reference in the Form 8-K;

 

   

FVAC’s unaudited statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and the related notes, which is incorporated by reference in the Form 8-K;

 

   

MPMO’s unaudited statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and the related notes, filed as Exhibit 99.5 to the Form 8-K; and

 

   

SNR’s unaudited statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and the related notes, filed as Exhibit 99.6 to the Form 8-K.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2019 has been prepared using, and should be read in conjunction with, the following:

 

   

MPMO’s audited statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2019 and the related notes, which is incorporated by reference in the Form 8-K; and

 

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SNR’s audited statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2019 and the related notes, which is incorporated by reference in the Form 8-K.

Management has made significant estimates and assumptions in its determination of the pro forma adjustments. As the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared based on these preliminary estimates, the final amounts recorded may differ materially from the information presented.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information does not give effect to any anticipated synergies, operating efficiencies, tax savings, or cost savings that may be associated with the Business Combination.

The pro forma adjustments reflecting the consummation of the Business Combination are based on certain currently available information and certain assumptions and methodologies that the Company believes are reasonable under the circumstances. The unaudited pro forma adjustments, which are described in the accompanying notes, may be revised as additional information becomes available and is evaluated. Therefore, it is likely that the actual adjustments will differ from the pro forma adjustments and it is possible the difference may be material. The Company believes that its assumptions and methodologies provide a reasonable basis for presenting all of the significant effects of the Business Combination based on information available to management at this time and that the pro forma adjustments give appropriate effect to those assumptions and are properly applied in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is not necessarily indicative of what the actual results of operations and financial position would have been had the Business Combination taken place on the dates indicated, nor are they indicative of the future consolidated results of operations or financial position of the post-combination company. They should be read in conjunction with the historical financial statements and notes thereto of FVAC, MPMO, and SNR.

2. Accounting Policies

Management will perform a comprehensive review of the three entities’ accounting policies. As a result of the review, management may identify differences between the accounting policies of the three entities which, when conformed, could have a material impact on the financial statements of the post-combination company. Based on its initial analysis, management did not identify any differences that would have a material impact on the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information. As a result, the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information does not assume any differences in accounting policies.

As part of the preparation of these unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements, certain reclassifications were made to align FVAC, MPMO and SNR’s financial statement presentation.

Reclassification Adjustments to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheet

 

MPMO Reclassifications

   Historical      Reclassification Amount  
     (in thousands)  

Net property, plant, and equipment

   $ 57,325      $ (2,967 )(a)      

Mineral rights and intangible assets (net of depletion)

   $ —        $ 2,967 (a) 

 

(a)

Reflects the reclassification of mineral rights of $2,967 thousand from net property, plant, and equipment to mineral rights and intangible assets.

 

FVAC Reclassifications

   Historical      Reclassification Amount  
     (in thousands)  

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

   $   3,396      $ 132 (a), (b) 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities—related parties

   $ —        $ 5 (b) 

Franchise tax payable

   $ 137      $ (137 )(a) 

 

(a)

Reflects the reclassification of franchise tax payable of $137 thousand to accounts payable and accrued liabilities.

(b)

Reflects the reclassification of $5 thousand from accounts payable and accrued liabilities to accounts payable and accrued liabilities – related parties.

 

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SNR Reclassifications

   Historical      Reclassification Amount  
     (in thousands)  

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

   $ 1,964      $ 41 (a) 

State tax payable

   $ 41      $ (41 )(a) 

 

(a)

Reflects the reclassification of state tax payable of $41 thousand to accounts payable and accrued liabilities.

3. Adjustments to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared to illustrate the effect of the Business Combination and has been prepared for informational purposes only.

The historical financial statements have been adjusted in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information to give pro forma effect to events that are (1) directly attributable to the Business Combination, (2) factually supportable, and (3) with respect to the statements of operations, expected to have a continuing impact on the results of the post-combination company. MPMO and FVAC have not had any historical relationship prior to the Business Combination. Accordingly, no pro forma adjustments were required to eliminate activities between the companies. As it relates to the Mineral Rights Lease and Intellectual Property License between MPMO and SNR, certain pro forma adjustments were included in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information to eliminate such activities between MPMO and SNR.

The pro forma combined provision for income taxes does not necessarily reflect the amounts that would have resulted had the post-combination company filed consolidated income tax returns during the periods presented.

The pro forma basic and diluted earnings per share amounts presented in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations are based upon the number of the post-combination company’s shares outstanding, assuming the Business Combination occurred on January 1, 2019.

Adjustments to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheet

The adjustments included in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of September 30, 2020 are as follows:

 

  (A)

Reflects the reclassification of $345.1 million of investments held in the Trust Account that becomes available following the Business Combination.

 

  (B)

Reflects the net proceeds of $200.0 million from the issuance and sale of 20,000,000 shares of FVAC Class A common stock at $10.00 per share in the PIPE Investment.

 

  (C)

Reflects the settlement of $12.1 million of deferred underwriters’ fees.

 

  (D)

Reflects the settlement of MPMO’s historical debt that will be settled concurrently with the close of the transaction comprised of the MPMO Unsecured Note and the MPMO Secured Note. The adjustments related to debt reflected in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet are summarized as follows:

 

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     (in thousands)  

Represents current portion of MPMO historical debt paid off

   $ (5,563

Represents noncurrent portion of MPMO historical debt paid off

     (13,595

Represents accrued interest of MPMO historical debt paid off (1)

     (2,595
  

 

 

 

Total pro forma adjustments to cash and cash equivalents

   $ (21,753
  

 

 

 

Represents current portion of MPMO historical debt paid off

   $ (5,563

Represents discount on current portion of MPMO historical debt paid off

     362  
  

 

 

 

Total pro forma adjustments to current installments of long-term debt—related parties

   $ (5,201
  

 

 

 

 

  (1)

Represents $2.4 million of accrued interest as of September 30, 2020 and an additional $0.2 million of accrued interest for the period October 1, 2020 to the close of the transaction.

 

 

  (E)

Reflects the fair value adjustment to the mineral rights acquired in the SNR Mineral Rights Acquisition recognized on the basis of relative fair value in accordance with ASC 805.

 

     (in thousands)  

Consideration transferred to SNR (1)

   $ 287,800  

Add: Transaction costs

     1,607  

Add: Fair Value of SNR’s Earnout Shares (2)

     37,248  
  

 

 

 

Total Cost of Acquisition

     326,655  

Less: Total value non-qualifying assets

     (4,682
  

 

 

 

Relative Fair Value Mineral Rights

     321,973  

Add: Deferred tax liability(3)

     111,369  
  

 

 

 

Final Carrying Value Mineral Rights

   $ 433,342  
  

 

 

 

 

  (1) 

Represents consideration transferred to SNR based on the fair value of 20,000,000 shares of Class A common stock transferred using a price per share of $14.39, the closing price on the date the Business Combination was consummated.

 
  (2)

Represents the estimated fair value of the Earnout Shares upon the achievement of certain stock price milestones during a specified post-merger measurement period, and subject to certain additional terms, as outlined in the Merger Agreement. FVAC obtained the fair value based on a Monte Carlo simulation model using certain underlying assumptions such as stock price, volatility, risk-free interest rates and dividend payments. The fair value of the Earnout Shares was allocated to SNR based on the amount of total Earnout Shares of 91,941,543 that are attributable to SNR Holdco common stock, which is 20,000,000 shares, or 21.8%.

 
  (3)

Represents the recognition of the deferred tax impact of the mineral rights acquired in the SNR Mineral Rights Acquisition in accordance with ASC 740.

 

 

  (F)

Represents the payment of $23.9 million in total transaction costs incurred by MPMO. Of this amount, $6.1 million was capitalized and $6.5 million had been accrued as of September 30, 2020. These costs are not included in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations as they are nonrecurring.

 

  (G)

Represents transaction costs incurred by FVAC that are not capitalized as part of the Business Combination. These costs are not included in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations as they are nonrecurring.

 

  (H)

Reflects the settlement of the pre-existing relationship balances between MPMO and SNR.

 

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  (I)

Reflects the reclassification of $325.7 million of FVAC Class A common stock subject to possible redemption to permanent equity.

 

  (J)

Reflects the recapitalization of MPMO and issuance of 71,941,543 of the post-combination company’s Class A common stock to MPMO equity holders as consideration in the Business Combination. Additionally, reflects the conversion of 890,000 Private Placement Warrants to Class F common stock pursuant to the Parent Sponsor Warrant Exchange Agreement, which convert to Class A common stock upon consummation of the Business Combination.

 

  (K)

Reflects the adjustment to the historical Founder Shares as a result of the Surrender Shares pursuant to the Parent Sponsor Letter Agreement.

 

  (L)

Reflects the elimination of FVAC’s historical accumulated deficit.

 

  (M)

Reflects redemptions of 34,849 FVAC public shares for $0.4 million at a redemption price of $10.00 per share on the date the Business Combination was consummated.

 

  (N)

Reflects the reduction to cash used to settle SNR’s franchise tax payable.

 

  (O)

Reflects one-time, lump-sum payments payable immediately following the closing of the Business Combination in accordance with new executed executive employment agreements.

 

  (P)

Reflects the elimination of SNR’s historical members’ equity.

 

  (Q)

Reflects an increase in deferred tax liabilities as a result of the SNR Mineral Rights Acquisition. The deferred tax liability and resulting adjustment to the carrying amount of the acquired mineral rights were calculated using the simultaneous equations method under ASC 740. The initial temporary difference was calculated based on the book to tax basis difference of approximately $322.0 million. A factor was applied to the initial temporary difference resulting in an estimated deferred tax liability of $111.4 million. The tax rate was based on an estimated blended federal and state statutory tax rate of 25.7%. The estimated blended federal and state tax rate is not necessarily indicative of the effective tax rate of the combined company.

Adjustments to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statements of Operations

The pro forma adjustments included in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations for the period ended September 30, 2020 and the year ended December 31, 2019 are as follows:

 

  (AA)

Reflects elimination of MPMO and SNR related party transactions.

 

  (BB)

Reflects elimination of MPMO historical transaction costs incurred for the Reverse Recapitalization.

 

  (CC)

Reflects elimination of FVAC historical transaction costs incurred for the Reverse Recapitalization.

 

  (DD)

Reflects elimination of historical expenses related to FVAC’s office space and related support services, which will terminate upon consummation of the Business Combination.

 

  (EE)

Reflects the elimination of historical depletion and the recognition of new depletion based on the relative fair value of the mineral rights acquired through the SNR Mineral Rights Acquisition. The new depletion is based on the estimated useful life of the mineral rights of 24 years, which is based on proven and probable reserves, and is calculated on a straight-line basis.

 

     For the nine months
ended September 30, 2020
     For the year ended
December 31, 2019
 
     (in thousands)  

Represents new depletion of acquired mineral rights

   $  13,542      $  18,056  

Represents elimination of historical depletion

     (86      (114
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total pro forma adjustments to depreciation, depletion and amortization

   $ 13,456      $ 17,942  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (FF)

Reflects elimination of investment income related to the investment held in the Trust Account.

 

  (GG)

Reflects elimination of historical interest expense recorded by MPMO related to MPMO’s historical debt that will be settled concurrently with the close of the Business Combination, comprised of the MPMO Unsecured Note and the MPMO Secured Note.

 

  (HH)

Reflects the income tax effect of pro forma adjustments using the estimated statutory tax rate of 25.7%, compromised of the federal statutory corporate tax rate of 21.0% and a blended state tax rate of 4.7%.

 

  (II)

Reflects stock compensation expense related to time-based incentive awards granted to two executives and the partial vesting of the initial equity award equal to 1.7% of the pre-money Combined Company Equity Value in the form of a restricted stock award granted to one executive upon the closing of the Business Combination. Additionally, reflects the base salary expense increases contingent upon the closing of the Business Combination in accordance with new executed executive employment agreements that were entered into in connection with the Business Combination.

 

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4. Net Loss per Share

Represents the net loss per share calculated using the historical weighted average shares outstanding, and the issuance of additional shares in connection with the Business Combination, assuming the shares were outstanding since January 1, 2019. As the Business Combination is being reflected as if it had occurred at the beginning of the periods presented, the calculation of weighted average shares outstanding for basic and diluted net loss per share assumes that the shares issuable in connection with the Business Combination have been outstanding for the entire periods presented. For shares redeemed, this calculation is retroactively adjusted to eliminate such shares for the entire period.

 

     For the
nine months ended
September 30, 2020
     For the year
ended December 31, 2019
 

Pro forma net loss (in thousands)

   $ (57,300    $ (22,331

Weighted average shares outstanding of Class A common stock

     147,295,694        147,295,694  

Basic and diluted net loss per share—Class A (1)

   $ (0.39    $ (0.15

 

  (1)

For the purposes of applying the if converted method for calculating diluted earnings per share, it was assumed that all outstanding public warrants are exchanged for MPMO Class A common stock. However, since this results in anti-dilution, the effect of such exchange was not included in calculation of diluted loss per share.

 

 

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