ITEM
1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Contents
NioCorp Developments Ltd.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share data)
(unaudited)
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As
of
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Note
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December
31, 2018
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June
30,
2018
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ASSETS
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Current
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Cash
|
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$
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813
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$
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73
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Prepaid expenses and other
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129
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18
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Other current assets
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4
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580
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474
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Total current assets
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1,522
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565
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Non-current
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Deposits
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35
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35
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Available for sale securities at fair value
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10
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12
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Mineral interests
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10,617
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10,617
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Total assets
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$
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12,184
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$
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11,229
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LIABILITIES
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Current
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Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
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$
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2,370
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$
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1,686
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Related party loans
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7
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1,480
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1,480
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Convertible debt, current portion
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5
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800
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756
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Derivative liability, convertible debt
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30
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8
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Total current liabilities
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4,680
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3,930
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Convertible debt, net of current portion
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5
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3,339
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4,106
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Total liabilities
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8,019
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8,036
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SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
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Common
stock, unlimited shares authorized; shares outstanding: 223,936,708 and 213,405,372, respectively
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6
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79,320
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74,683
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Additional paid-in capital
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12,746
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12,379
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Accumulated deficit
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(87,553
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)
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(83,349
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Accumulated other comprehensive loss
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(348
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)
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(520
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)
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Total equity
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4,165
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3,193
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Total liabilities and equity
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$
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12,184
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$
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11,229
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The accompanying notes are an integral part
of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
NioCorp Developments Ltd.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss
(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data) (unaudited)
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For the three months ended
December 31,
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For the six months ended
December 31,
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Note
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2018
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2017
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2018
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2017
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Operating expenses
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Employee related costs
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$
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403
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$
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751
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$
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715
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$
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1,399
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Professional fees
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94
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118
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145
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393
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Exploration expenditures
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8
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1,228
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303
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2,005
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1,016
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Other operating expenses
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233
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391
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351
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687
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Total operating expenses
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1,958
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1,563
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3,216
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3,495
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Change in financial instrument fair value
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5
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140
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274
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633
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297
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Foreign exchange loss (gain)
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316
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36
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198
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(201
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)
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Interest expense
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56
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91
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155
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175
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(Gain) loss on available for sale securities
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3
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(4
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)
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2
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7
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Loss before income taxes
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2,473
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1.960
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4,204
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3,773
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Income tax benefit
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—
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—
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—
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—
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Net loss
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$
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2,473
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$
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1,960
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$
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4,204
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$
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3,773
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Other comprehensive loss:
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Net loss
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$
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2,473
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$
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1,960
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$
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4,204
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$
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3,773
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Other comprehensive (gain) loss:
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Reporting currency translation
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(275
|
)
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|
(27
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)
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(172
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)
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|
258
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|
Total comprehensive loss
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$
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2,198
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$
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1,933
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$
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4,032
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$
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4,031
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Loss per common share, basic and diluted
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$
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0.01
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$
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0.01
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$
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0.02
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$
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0.02
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Weighted average common shares outstanding
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222,247,889
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183,625,989
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218,817,905
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182,078,028
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The accompanying notes are an integral part
of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
NioCorp Developments Ltd.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars) (unaudited)
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For the six months
ended December 31,
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2018
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2017
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CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
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Total loss for the period
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$
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(4,204
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)
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$
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(3,773
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)
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Non-cash elements included in net loss:
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Depreciation
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—
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3
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Change in financial instrument fair value
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|
633
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297
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Unrealized loss on available-for-sale investments
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2
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7
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Accretion of convertible debt
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44
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75
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Foreign exchange loss (gain)
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218
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(197
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)
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Share-based compensation
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226
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1,113
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(3,081
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)
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(2,475
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)
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Change in working capital items:
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Receivables
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—
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7
|
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Prepaid expenses
|
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|
(111
|
)
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144
|
|
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
|
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697
|
|
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(242
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)
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Net cash used in operating activities
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(2,495
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)
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|
(2,566
|
)
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CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
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Deposits
|
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|
—
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15
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|
Net cash used in investing activities
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|
—
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15
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CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
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Proceeds from issuance of capital stock
|
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2,476
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|
1,545
|
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Share issue costs
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|
(76
|
)
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|
(189
|
)
|
Issuance of convertible debt
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|
1,000
|
|
|
|
1,000
|
|
Related party debt drawdown
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
180
|
|
Other current assets
|
|
|
(106
|
)
|
|
|
(422
|
)
|
Net cash provided by financing activities
|
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|
3,294
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|
|
|
2,114
|
|
Exchange rate effect on cash and cash equivalents
|
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|
(59
|
)
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|
14
|
|
Change in cash and cash equivalents during period
|
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|
740
|
|
|
|
(423
|
)
|
cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
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|
73
|
|
|
|
503
|
|
Cash and cash equivalent, end of period
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$
|
813
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|
$
|
80
|
|
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|
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Supplemental cash flow information:
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Amounts paid for interest
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$
|
32
|
|
|
$
|
32
|
|
Amounts paid for income taxes
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$
|
—
|
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|
$
|
—
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|
Non-cash financing transactions
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|
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|
Lind conversions
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|
$
|
2,222
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|
|
$
|
3,030
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|
Debt to equity conversion
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
207
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part
of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
NioCorp Developments Ltd.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for Common Shares outstanding) (unaudited)
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Six months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
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Common
Shares
Outstanding
|
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|
Common
Stock
|
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|
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
|
|
|
Deficit
|
|
|
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
|
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|
Total
|
|
Balance, June 30, 2017
|
|
|
198,776,337
|
|
|
$
|
68,029
|
|
|
$
|
10,320
|
|
|
$
|
(74,852
|
)
|
|
$
|
(606
|
)
|
|
$
|
2,891
|
|
Exercise of options
|
|
|
10,091
|
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
Fair value of broker warrants granted
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
41
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
41
|
|
Fair value of Lind Warrants granted
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
127
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
127
|
|
Private placement – July 2017
|
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|
2,962,500
|
|
|
|
1,540
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
1,540
|
|
Private placement – September 2017
|
|
|
415,747
|
|
|
|
207
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
207
|
|
Debt conversions
|
|
|
6,696,590
|
|
|
|
3,030
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
3,030
|
|
Share issuance costs
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
(230
|
)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
(230
|
)
|
Share-based payments
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
1,113
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
1,113
|
|
Reporting currency presentation
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
(259
|
)
|
|
|
(259
|
)
|
Loss for the year
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
(3,773
|
)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
(3,773
|
)
|
Balance, December 31, 2017
|
|
|
208,861,265
|
|
|
$
|
72,583
|
|
|
$
|
11,599
|
|
|
$
|
(78,625
|
)
|
|
$
|
(865
|
)
|
|
$
|
4,692
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, June 30, 2018
|
|
|
213,405,372
|
|
|
$
|
74,683
|
|
|
$
|
12,379
|
|
|
$
|
(83,349
|
)
|
|
$
|
(520
|
)
|
|
$
|
3,193
|
|
Exercise of Warrants
|
|
|
115,000
|
|
|
|
64
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
64
|
|
Exercise of options
|
|
|
16,203
|
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
|
(15
|
)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Fair value of Lind warrants granted
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
156
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
156
|
|
Private placements – September 2018
|
|
|
4,975,158
|
|
|
|
2,412
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
2,412
|
|
Debt conversions
|
|
|
5,424,975
|
|
|
|
2,222
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
2,222
|
|
Share issuance costs
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
(76
|
)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
(76
|
)
|
Share-based payments
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
226
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
226
|
|
Reporting currency presentation
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
172
|
|
|
|
172
|
|
Loss for the period
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
(4,204
|
)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
(4,204
|
)
|
Balance, December 31, 2018
|
|
|
223,936,708
|
|
|
$
|
79,320
|
|
|
$
|
12,746
|
|
|
$
|
(87,553
|
)
|
|
$
|
(348
|
)
|
|
$
|
4,165
|
|
|
|
Three months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
|
|
|
|
Common
Shares
Outstanding
|
|
|
Common
Stock
|
|
|
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
|
|
|
Deficit
|
|
|
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Balance, September 30, 2017
|
|
|
204,518,956
|
|
|
$
|
70,993
|
|
|
$
|
10,876
|
|
|
$
|
(76,665
|
)
|
|
$
|
(892
|
)
|
|
$
|
4,312
|
|
Fair value of Lind Warrants granted
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
61
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
61
|
|
Debt conversions
|
|
|
4,342,309
|
|
|
|
1,590
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
1,590
|
|
Share-based payments
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
662
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
662
|
|
Reporting currency presentation
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
27
|
|
|
|
27
|
|
Loss for the year
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
(1,960
|
)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
(1,960
|
)
|
Balance, December 31, 2017
|
|
|
208,861,265
|
|
|
$
|
72,583
|
|
|
$
|
11,599
|
|
|
$
|
(78,625
|
)
|
|
$
|
(865
|
)
|
|
$
|
4,692
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, September 30, 2018
|
|
|
220,944,160
|
|
|
$
|
78,143
|
|
|
$
|
12,561
|
|
|
$
|
(85,080
|
)
|
|
$
|
(623
|
)
|
|
$
|
5,001
|
|
Exercise of Warrants
|
|
|
115,000
|
|
|
|
64
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
64
|
|
Debt conversions
|
|
|
2,877,548
|
|
|
|
1,145
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
1,145
|
|
Share issuance costs
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
(32
|
)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
(32
|
)
|
Share-based payments
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
185
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
185
|
|
Reporting currency presentation
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
275
|
|
|
|
275
|
|
Loss for the period
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
(2,473
|
)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
(2,473
|
)
|
Balance, December 31, 2018
|
|
|
223,936,708
|
|
|
$
|
79,320
|
|
|
$
|
12,746
|
|
|
$
|
(87,553
|
)
|
|
$
|
(348
|
)
|
|
$
|
4,165
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part
of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
NioCorp Developments Ltd.
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2018
(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts
or as otherwise stated) (unaudited)
|
1.
|
DESCRIPTION
OF BUSINESS
|
NioCorp
Developments Ltd. (“NioCorp” or the “Company”) was incorporated on February 27, 1987 under the laws of
the Province of British Columbia and currently operates in one reportable operating segment consisting of exploration and development
of mineral deposits in North America, specifically, the Elk Creek Niobium/Scandium/Titanium property (the “Elk Creek Project”)
located in southeastern Nebraska.
These
financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis that contemplates the realization of assets and discharge of
liabilities at their carrying values in the normal course of business for the foreseeable future. These financial statements do
not reflect any adjustments that may be necessary if the Company is unable to continue as a going concern.
The
Company currently earns no operating revenues and will require additional capital in order to advance the Elk Creek Project. The
Company’s ability to continue as a going concern is uncertain and is dependent upon the generation of profits from mineral
properties, obtaining additional financing, and maintaining continued support from its shareholders and creditors.
|
a)
|
Basis
of Preparation and Consolidation
|
The
accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles of the United States of America (“US GAAP”) and the rules and regulations of the Securities
and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The interim condensed consolidated financial statements include the consolidated
accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries with all significant intercompany transactions eliminated. The accounting
policies followed in preparing these interim condensed consolidated financial statements are those used by the Company as set
out in the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2018.
In
the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary (including reclassifications and normal recurring adjustments)
to present fairly the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows at December 31, 2018, and for all periods presented,
have been included in these interim condensed consolidated financial statements. Certain information and footnote disclosures
normally included in the consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP have been condensed or omitted
pursuant to appropriate SEC rules and regulations. These interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in
conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2018. The interim results are not necessarily
indicative of results for the full year ending June 30, 2019, or future operating periods.
|
b)
|
Recent
Accounting Standards
|
Issued
and Not Effective
From
time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) that are
adopted by the Company as of the specified effective date. Unless otherwise discussed, management believes that the impact of
recently issued standards did not or will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements
upon adoption.
In
February 2016, Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02 was issued related to leases, which was further amended
in September 2017 by ASU 2017-13, in January 2018 by ASU 2018-01 and in July 2018 by ASU 2018-10 and 2018-11. The new guidance
modifies the classification criteria and requires lessees to recognize the assets and liabilities arising from most leases on
the balance sheet. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and early adoption
is permitted. The Company anticipates adopting the new guidance effective with our fiscal year beginning July 1, 2019. Adoption
of this guidance is not expected to materially increase the Company’s assets and liabilities.
NioCorp Developments Ltd.
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2018
(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts
or as otherwise stated) (unaudited)
In
June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07, Compensation - Stock Compensation — Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based
Payment Accounting. This update aims to simplify the accounting for share-based payments awarded to non-employees for goods or
services acquired. The update specifies that the measurement date is the grant date and that awards are required to be measured
at fair value. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim
periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this guidance on its consolidated
financial statements.
In
August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13 - Fair Value Measurements (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure
Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. This update modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic
820 and eliminates ‘at a minimum’ from the phrase ‘an entity shall disclose at a minimum’ to promote the
appropriate exercise of discretion by entities when considering fair value disclosures and to clarify that materiality is an appropriate
consideration. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December
15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impacts that adoption of this guidance will have
on its consolidated financial statements.
The
preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions
that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date
of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. The Company regularly evaluates
estimates and assumptions related to the deferred income tax asset valuations, convertible debt valuations, and share-based compensation.
The Company bases its estimates and assumptions on current facts, historical experience, and various other factors that it believes
to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the other sources. The
actual results experienced by the Company may differ materially and adversely from the Company’s estimates. To the extent
there are material differences between estimates and the actual results, future results of operations will be affected.
The
Company incurred a loss of $4,204 for the six months ended December 31, 2018 (2017 - $3,773) and had a working capital deficit
and an accumulated deficit of $3,158 and $87,553, respectively, as of December 31, 2018. These factors indicate the existence
of a material uncertainty that raises substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern.
The
Company’s ability to continue operations and fund its expenditures is dependent on management’s ability to secure
additional financing. Management is actively pursuing such additional sources of financing, and while it has been successful in
doing so in the past, there can be no assurance it will be able to do so in the future. These consolidated financial statements
do not give effect to any adjustments required to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities in other than the normal course
of business and at amounts different from those reflected in the accompanying financial statements.
Other
current assets include legal and other professional fees associated with obtaining project debt financing for the Elk Creek Project.
Amounts will be deferred until funding is completed, at which time the balance will become a direct deduction from the related
debt liability.
NioCorp Developments Ltd.
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2018
(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts
or as otherwise stated) (unaudited)
|
|
As of
|
|
|
|
December
31,
2018
|
|
|
June
30,
2018
|
|
Convertible
notes, current portion
|
|
$
|
800
|
|
|
$
|
756
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Convertible
security, noncurrent
|
|
$
|
3,339
|
|
|
$
|
4,106
|
|
Convertible
Security Funding
Changes
in the Lind Asset Management IV, LLC (“Lind”) convertible securities balance are comprised of the following:
|
|
Convertible
Security
|
|
Balance, June 30, 2018
|
|
$
|
4,106
|
|
Additional
debt drawdown
|
|
|
1,000
|
|
Conversions,
at fair value
|
|
|
(2,222
|
)
|
Change
in fair market value
|
|
|
455
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2018
|
|
$
|
3,339
|
|
On
June 27, 2018, the Company signed a definitive convertible security funding agreement (the "Subsequent Lind Agreement")
with Lind. Pursuant to the issuance of a convertible security (the “Subsequent Convertible Security” and, together
with the previous Lind convertible security (the “Original Lind Security), the “Convertible Securities”), a
total of $1,000 was funded on July 9, 2018. The Subsequent Lind Agreement replaces the Convertible Security Funding Agreement,
dated December 14, 2015, between the Company and Lind (the “Original Lind Agreement”) in respect of the remaining
$1,000 funding amount available under the Original Lind Agreement and accordingly, no further funding will be provided by Lind
to the Company under the Original Lind Agreement. The terms of the Subsequent Convertible Security are substantially similar to
the terms governing like securities under the Original Lind Agreement. As a result, upon payment of the $1,000 in funding by Lind
to the Company, the Subsequent Convertible Security was issued in the amount of $1,200 ($1,000 in funding plus implied interest),
and the Company issued warrants (“Warrants”) to Lind, as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Black
Scholes Pricing Model Inputs
|
Funding
Date
|
|
|
Face
Value
1
|
|
|
Warrants
Issued
2
|
|
|
Issue
Price
3
|
|
|
Warrant
Expiry Date
|
|
Risk-free
Rate
|
|
|
Yield
|
|
|
|
Volatility
|
|
|
Expected
Life
|
July 9, 2018
|
|
$
|
1,200
|
|
|
1,035,319
|
|
|
C$0.77
|
|
|
July 9, 2021
|
|
2.0%
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
|
58.3
|
%
|
|
3 years
|
1
Includes
implied interest.
2
The
value of Warrants issued totaled $156, which was expensed to Change in Financial Instrument Fair Value.
3
The
price to convert one Warrant into one common share of the Company (“Common Share”).
The
Convertible Securities are convertible into Common Shares at a conversion price equal to 85% of the volume weighted average trading
price of the Common Shares (in Canadian dollars) on the Toronto Stock Exchange for the five consecutive trading days immediately
prior to the date on which Lind provides the Company with notice of its intention to convert an amount of the applicable Convertible
Security from time to time. During the six-month period ended December 31, 2018, $2,050 principal amount of the Original Convertible
Security was converted into 5,424,975 Common Shares.
The
Convertible Securities contains financial and non-financial covenants customary for a facility of its size and nature, and includes
a financial covenant defining an event of default as all present and future liabilities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries,
exclusive of related party loans, for an amount or amounts exceeding $2,000 and which have not been satisfied on time or within
90 days of invoice, or have become prematurely payable as a result of its default or breach. The Company was in compliance with
these covenants as of December 31, 2018.
NioCorp Developments Ltd.
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2018
(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts
or as otherwise stated) (unaudited)
Convertible
Notes
Changes
in the Company’s outstanding convertible promissory notes (the “Convertible Notes”) balance are comprised of
the following:
|
|
Convertible
Notes
|
|
Balance, June 30, 2018
|
|
$
|
756
|
|
Accreted
interest, net of interest paid
|
|
|
44
|
|
Balance, December
31, 2018
|
|
$
|
800
|
|
The
changes in the derivative liability related to the conversion feature of the Convertible Notes are as follows:
|
|
Derivative
Liability
|
|
Balance, June 30, 2018
|
|
$
|
8
|
|
Change
in fair value of derivative liability
|
|
|
22
|
|
Balance, December
31, 2018
|
|
$
|
30
|
|
Effective
October 10, 2018, the due date for the Convertible Notes was extended for one year to October 14, 2019. All other terms and conditions
remained unchanged.
On
September 14, 2018, the Company completed the first tranche closing (the “First Tranche Closing”) of a non-brokered
private placement (the “September 2018 Offering”) of units (each a “Unit”). The First Tranche Closing
consisted of the issuance of 2,917,587 Units, at a price of C$0.63 per Unit, for gross proceeds of C$1,838. Each Unit issued in
connection with the First Tranche Closing consists of one Common Share and one-half of one Warrant. Each Warrant entitles the
holder thereof to purchase one additional Common Share at a price of C$0.75 until September 14, 2020.
On
September 28, 2018, the Company completed the second and final tranche closing (the “Second Tranche Closing”) of the
September 2018 Offering. The Second Tranche Closing consisted of the issuance of 2,057,571 Units, at a price of C$0.63 per Unit,
for gross proceeds of C$1,296. Each Unit issued in connection with the Second Tranche Closing consists of one Common Share and
one-half of one Warrant. Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one additional Common Share at a price of C$0.75
until September 28, 2020.
Net
proceeds from the September 2018 Offering will be used by the Company for continued development of NioCorp’s Elk Creek Project
and for general corporate purposes. The Company paid cash commissions of C$18 in connection with the September 2018 Offering to
brokers outside of the United States.
|
|
Number
of
Options
|
|
|
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price(C$)
|
|
Balance,
June 30, 2018
|
|
|
15,587,409
|
|
|
$
|
0.65
|
|
Issued
|
|
|
4,445,000
|
|
|
|
0.54
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
(16,203
|
)
|
|
|
0.47
|
|
Cancelled/expired
|
|
|
(466,297
|
)
|
|
|
0.76
|
|
Balance, December 31,
2018
|
|
|
19,549,909
|
|
|
$
|
0.62
|
|
NioCorp
Developments Ltd.
Notes
to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
December
31, 2018
(expressed
in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts or as otherwise stated) (unaudited)
The
following table summarizes information about options to purchase Common Shares (“Options”) outstanding at December
31, 2018:
Exercise Price
(C$)
|
|
|
Expiry
Date
|
|
Number
Outstanding
|
|
|
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value (C$)
|
|
|
Number
Exercisable
|
|
|
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value (C$)
|
|
$
|
0.47
|
|
|
November 9, 2022
|
|
|
3,800,000
|
|
|
$
|
532
|
|
|
|
3,800,000
|
|
|
$
|
532
|
|
$
|
0.54
|
|
|
November 15, 2023
|
|
|
4,445,000
|
|
|
|
311
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
$
|
0.62
|
|
|
January 19, 2021
|
|
|
5,264,909
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
5,264,909
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
$
|
0.76
|
|
|
March 6, 2022
|
|
|
5,400,000
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
5,400,000
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
$
|
0.94
|
|
|
April 28, 2019
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
$
|
0.94
|
|
|
July 21, 2021
|
|
|
540,000
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
540,000
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19,549,909
|
|
|
$
|
843
|
|
|
|
15,104,909
|
|
|
$
|
532
|
|
The
aggregate intrinsic value in the preceding table represents the total intrinsic value, based on the Company’s closing Common
Share price of C$0.61 as of December 31, 2018, that would have been received by the Option holders had all Option holders exercised
their Options as of that date. The total number of in-the-money Options vested and exercisable as of December 31, 2018, was 3,800,000.
The total intrinsic value of Options exercised during the six months ended December 31, 2018, was C$8.
As
of December 31, 2018, there was $539 of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested share-based compensation
arrangements granted under the Option plans.
|
|
|
Warrants
|
|
|
Weighted
Average Exercise Price (C$)
|
|
Balance
June 30, 2018
|
|
|
|
28,648,610
|
|
|
$
|
0.77
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
|
3,522,896
|
|
|
|
0.76
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
|
(115,000
|
)
|
|
|
0.75
|
|
Expired
|
|
|
|
(3,125,000
|
)
|
|
|
0.72
|
|
Balance,
December 31, 2018
|
|
|
|
28,931,506
|
|
|
$
|
0.78
|
|
As
discussed above under Note 5, the Company granted 1,035,319 Warrants to Lind in connection with the Convertible Security funding
increases. As discussed above under Note 6a, the Company granted 2,487,577 Warrants in conjunction with the September 2018 Offering.
NioCorp
Developments Ltd.
Notes
to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
December
31, 2018
(expressed
in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts or as otherwise stated) (unaudited)
At
December 31, 2018, the Company has outstanding exercisable Warrants, as follows:
Number
|
|
|
Exercise
Price (C$)
|
|
|
Expiry
Date
|
|
355,132
|
|
|
|
0.54
|
|
|
December 6, 2020
|
|
308,901
|
|
|
|
0.62
|
|
|
October 31, 2020
|
|
283,413
|
|
|
|
0.66
|
|
|
September 28, 2020
|
|
541,435
|
|
|
|
0.69
|
|
|
February 7, 2021
|
|
529,344
|
|
|
|
0.70
|
|
|
February 5, 2021
|
|
1,546,882
|
|
|
|
0.72
|
|
|
January 30, 2021
|
|
1,058,872
|
|
|
|
0.72
|
|
|
April 5, 2021
|
|
260,483
|
|
|
|
0.73
|
|
|
August 15, 2020
|
|
9,035,285
|
|
|
|
0.75
|
|
|
January 19, 2019
|
|
1,458,792
|
|
|
|
0.75
|
|
|
September 14, 2020
|
|
1,028,785
|
|
|
|
0.75
|
|
|
September 28, 2020
|
|
1,035,319
|
|
|
|
0.77
|
|
|
July 9, 2021
|
|
3,155,062
|
|
|
|
0.79
|
|
|
July 26, 2021
|
|
3,860,800
|
|
|
|
0.85
|
|
|
February 14, 2020
|
|
3,043,024
|
|
|
|
0.85
|
|
|
February 21, 2020
|
|
539,307
|
|
|
|
0.85
|
|
|
February 28, 2020
|
|
890,670
|
|
|
|
0.90
|
|
|
March 31, 2020
|
|
28,931,506
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.
|
RELATED
PARTY TRANSACTIONS AND BALANCES
|
The
Company has a loan with Mark Smith, President, Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Executive Chairman of NioCorp (the
“Original Smith Loan”), that bears an interest rate of 10%, is secured by the Company’s assets pursuant to a
concurrently executed general security agreement (the “General Security Agreement”), and is subject to both a 2.5%
establishment fee and 2.5% prepayment fee. As of December 31, 2018, the principal amount outstanding under the Original Smith
Loan is $1,000.
The
Company also has a non-revolving credit facility agreement (the “Credit Facility”) in the amount of $2,000 with Mr.
Smith. The Credit Facility bears an interest rate of 10% and drawdowns from the Credit Facility are subject to a 2.5% establishment
fee. Amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility are secured by all of the Company’s assets pursuant to the General Security
Agreement. The Credit Facility contains financial and non-financial covenants customary for a facility of its size and nature.
As of December 31, 2018, the principal amount outstanding under the Credit Facility was $480.
Accounts
payable and accrued liabilities included interest payable to Mr. Smith of $149.
|
8.
|
Exploration
Expenditures
|
|
|
For the Three Months Ended
December 31,
|
|
|
For the Six Months Ended
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2018
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2018
|
|
|
2017
|
|
Technical studies and engineering
|
|
$
|
1,041
|
|
|
$
|
59
|
|
|
$
|
1,650
|
|
|
$
|
454
|
|
Field management and other
|
|
|
144
|
|
|
|
132
|
|
|
|
273
|
|
|
|
342
|
|
Metallurgical development
|
|
|
43
|
|
|
|
89
|
|
|
|
82
|
|
|
|
172
|
|
Geologists and
field staff
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
23
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
48
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
1,228
|
|
|
$
|
303
|
|
|
$
|
2,005
|
|
|
$
|
1,016
|
|
NioCorp
Developments Ltd.
Notes
to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
December
31, 2018
(expressed
in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts or as otherwise stated) (unaudited)
|
9.
|
Fair
Value Measurements
|
The
Company measures the fair value of financial assets and liabilities based on US GAAP guidance which defines fair value, establishes
a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.
The
Company classifies financial assets and liabilities as held-for-trading, available-for-sale, held-to-maturity, loans and receivables,
or other financial liabilities depending on their nature. Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognized at fair value
on their initial recognition.
Financial
assets and liabilities classified as held-for-trading are measured at fair value, with gains and losses recognized in net income.
Financial assets classified as held-to-maturity, loans and receivables, and financial liabilities other than those classified
as held-for-trading are measured at amortized cost, using the effective interest method of amortization. Financial assets classified
as available-for-sale are measured at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses being recognized in income.
Financial
instruments including receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, and related party loans are carried at amortized
cost, which management believes approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.
The
following tables present information about the assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as
of December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2018, respectively, and indicate the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques the Company
utilized to determine such fair value. In general, fair values determined by Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted)
in active markets for identical instruments. Fair values determined by Level 2 inputs utilize data points that are observable,
such as quoted prices, interest rates, and yield curves. Fair values determined by Level 3 inputs are unobservable data points
for the financial instrument and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the instrument.
|
|
As
of December 31, 2018
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Level
1
|
|
|
Level
2
|
|
|
Level
3
|
|
Assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
813
|
|
|
$
|
813
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
Available-for-sale
securities
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
823
|
|
|
$
|
823
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Convertible debt
|
|
$
|
3,339
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
3,339
|
|
Derivative
liability, convertible debt
|
|
|
30
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
30
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
3,369
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
3,369
|
|
|
|
As
of June 30, 2018
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Level
1
|
|
|
Level
2
|
|
|
Level
3
|
|
Assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
73
|
|
|
$
|
73
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
Available-for-sale
securities
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
85
|
|
|
$
|
85
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Convertible debt
|
|
$
|
4,106
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
4,106
|
|
Derivative
liability, convertible debt
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
8
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
4,114
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
4,114
|
|
The
Company measures the fair market value of the Level 3 components using the Black Scholes model and discounted cash flows, as appropriate.
These models take into account management’s best estimate of the conversion price of the stock, an estimate of the expected
time to conversion, an estimate of the stock’s volatility, and the risk-free rate of return expected for an instrument with
a term equal to the duration of the convertible debt.
NioCorp
Developments Ltd.
Notes
to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
December
31, 2018
(expressed
in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts or as otherwise stated) (unaudited)
The
following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the fair value of the Company’s convertible debt components classified
as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy:
Balance, June 30, 2018
|
|
$
|
4,114
|
|
Additional debt
drawdown
|
|
|
1,000
|
|
Conversions to equity
|
|
|
(2,222
|
)
|
Realized
and unrealized losses
|
|
|
477
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2018
|
|
$
|
3,369
|
|
|
ITEM
2.
|
MANAGEMENT’S
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
|
The
following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements
as of, and for the three and six months ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes thereto, which have been prepared in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“US GAAP”). This discussion and analysis contains
forward-looking statements and forward-looking information that involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Our actual results
may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements and information as a result of many factors,
including, but not limited to, those set forth elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. See “Note Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements” below.
All
currency amounts are stated in
thousands of U.S. dollars
unless noted otherwise.
As
used in this report, unless the context otherwise indicates, references to “we,” “our,” the “Company,”
“NioCorp,” and “us” refer to NioCorp Developments Ltd. and its subsidiaries, collectively.
Note
Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the exhibits attached hereto contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning
of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and “forward-looking information” within the meaning
of applicable Canadian securities legislation (collectively, “forward-looking statements”). Such forward-looking statements
concern our anticipated results and developments in the operations of the Company in future periods, planned exploration activities,
the adequacy of the Company’s financial resources, and other events or conditions that may occur in the future. Forward-looking
statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,”
“intends,” “estimates,” “potential,” “possible,” and similar expressions, or statements
that events, conditions, or results “will,” “may,” “could,” or “should” (or the
negative and grammatical variations of any of these terms) occur or be achieved. Any statements that express or involve discussions
with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, or future events or performance
(often, but not always, using words or phrases such as “expects” or “does not expect,” “is expected,”
“anticipates” or “does not anticipate,” “plans,” “estimates,” or “intends,”
or stating that certain actions, events, or results “may,” “could,” “would,” “might,”
or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements.
Such forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events and are subject to certain
known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Many factors could cause actual results, performance, or achievements
to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements, including, among others, risks related to the following:
|
●
|
risks
related to our ability to operate as a going concern;
|
|
●
|
risks
related to our requirement of significant additional capital;
|
|
●
|
risks
related to our limited operating history;
|
|
●
|
risks
related to changes in economic valuations of the Elk Creek Project, such as net present
value calculations, changes, or disruptions in the securities markets;
|
|
●
|
risks
related to our history of losses;
|
|
●
|
risks
related to cost increases for our exploration and, if warranted, development projects;
|
|
●
|
risks
related to feasibility study results;
|
|
●
|
risks
related to the determination of the economic viability of a deposit;
|
|
●
|
risks
related to mineral exploration and production activities;
|
|
●
|
risks
related to our lack of mineral production from our properties;
|
|
●
|
risks
related to the results of our metallurgical testing;
|
|
●
|
risks
related to the price volatility of commodities;
|
|
●
|
risks
related to estimates of mineral resources and reserves;
|
|
●
|
risks
related to changes in mineral resource and reserve estimates;
|
|
●
|
risks
related to differences in United States and Canadian reserve and resource reporting;
|
|
●
|
risks
related to our exploration activities being unsuccessful;
|
|
●
|
risks
related to our ability to obtain permits and licenses for production;
|
|
●
|
risks
related to government and environmental regulations that may increase our costs of doing
business or restrict our operations;
|
|
●
|
risks
related to proposed legislation that may significantly affect the mining industry;
|
|
●
|
risks
related to land reclamation requirements;
|
|
●
|
risks
related to competition in the mining industry;
|
|
●
|
risks
related to the difficulties of handling the disposal of mine water at our Elk Creek Project;
|
|
●
|
risks
related to equipment and supply shortages;
|
|
●
|
risks
related to current and future joint ventures and partnerships;
|
|
●
|
risks
related to our ability to attract qualified management;
|
|
●
|
risks
related to the ability to enforce judgment against certain of our Directors;
|
|
●
|
risks
related to currency fluctuations;
|
|
●
|
risks
related to claims on the title to our properties;
|
|
●
|
risks
related to surface access on our properties;
|
|
●
|
risks
related to potential future litigation;
|
|
●
|
risks
related to our lack of insurance covering all our operations;
|
|
●
|
risks
related to covenants contained in agreements with our secured creditors that may affect
our assets;
|
|
●
|
risks
related to the extent to which our level of indebtedness may impair our ability to obtain
additional financing;
|
|
●
|
risks
related to our status as a “passive foreign investment company” under the
United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended;
|
|
●
|
risks
related to the Common Shares, including price volatility, lack of dividend payments,
dilution, and penny stock rules; and
|
|
●
|
risks
related to our debt.
|
Should
one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may
vary materially from those described herein. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company’s
forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements about the future and are inherently uncertain, and actual
achievements of the Company or other future events or conditions may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking
statements due to a variety of risks, uncertainties, and other factors, including without limitation those discussed under the
heading “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018, as well as other
factors described elsewhere in this report and the Company’s other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(“SEC”).
The
Company’s forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are based on the beliefs, expectations,
and opinions of management as of the date of this report. The Company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking
statements if circumstances or management’s beliefs, expectations, or opinions should change, except as required by law.
For the reasons set forth above, investors should not attribute undue certainty to, or place undue reliance on, forward-looking
statements.
National
Instrument 43-101 Compliance
Scott
Honan, M.Sc., SME-RM, a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects
(“NI 43-101”), has supervised the preparation of the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for
the Elk Creek Project disclosure in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and has approved the disclosure in this Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q related thereto. Mr. Honan is not independent of the Company, as he is the Vice President, Business Development.
For additional information on the Elk Creek Project, including information relating to exploration, data verification, the mineral
resource estimates and the mineral reserve estimates, see the Revised NI 43-101 Technical Report (the “Revised Elk Creek
Feasibility Study”), dated December 15, 2017, which is available under NioCorp’s profile on the Canadian Securities
Administrators website at www.sedar.com.
Company
Overview
NioCorp
is developing the Elk Creek Project, located in southeast Nebraska. The Elk Creek Project is an advanced Niobium (Nb)/Scandium
(Sc)/Titanium (Ti) exploration project. Niobium is used to produce various superalloys that are extensively used in high performance
aircraft and jet turbines. It also is used in High-Strength, Low-Alloy (“HSLA”) steel, a stronger steel used in automotive,
bridges, structural systems, buildings, pipelines, and other applications that generally reduces the weight of those applications,
which can result in environmental benefits, including reduced fuel consumption and material usage and fewer air emissions. Scandium
can be combined with aluminum to make high-performance alloys with increased strength and improved corrosion resistance. Scandium
also is a critical component of advanced solid oxide fuel cells, an environmentally preferred technology for high-reliability,
distributed electricity generation. Titanium is a component of various superalloys and other applications that are used for aerospace
applications, weapons systems, protective armor, medical implants and many others. It also is used in pigments for paper, paint,
and plastics.
Our
primary business strategy is to advance our Elk Creek Project to commercial production. We are focused on obtaining additional
funds to carry out our near-term planned work programs associated with securing the project financing necessary to complete mine
development and construction of the Elk Creek Project.
Emerging
Growth Company Status
We
qualify as an “emerging growth company” as defined in Section 101 of the Jumpstart our Business Startups Act (“JOBS
Act”) as we do not have more than $1.07 billion in annual gross revenue and did not have such amount as of June 30, 2018,
this being the last day of our most recently completed fiscal year.
We
may lose our status as an emerging growth company on the last day of our fiscal year during which (i) our annual gross revenue
exceeds $1.07 billion or (ii) we issue more than $1.07 billion in non-convertible debt in a three-year period. We will lose our
status as an emerging growth company if at any time we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, as defined in Rule 405 under
the Exchange Act. We will lose our status as an emerging growth company on the last day of our fiscal year following the fifth
anniversary of the date of our first sale of Common Shares pursuant to an effective registration statement.
As
an emerging growth company under the JOBS Act, we have elected to opt out of the extended transition period for complying with
new or revised standards pursuant to Section 107(b) of the JOBS Act. The election is irrevocable.
As
an emerging growth company, we are exempt from Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and Section 14A(a) and (b) of
the Exchange Act. Such sections are described below:
|
●
|
Section
404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires a public company’s auditor to
attest to, and report on, management’s assessment of its internal controls.
|
|
●
|
Sections
14A(a) and (b) of the Exchange Act, implemented by Section 951 of the Dodd-Frank Wall
Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”)
Act, require companies to hold shareholder advisory votes on executive compensation and
golden parachute compensation.
|
As
long as we qualify as an emerging growth company, we will not be required to comply with the requirements of Section 404(b) of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and Section 14A (a) and (b) of the Exchange Act.
Recent
Corporate Events
On
October 10, 2018, the Company announced that it signed a commercial sales agreement with Traxys North America LLC (“Traxys”)
for up to 120 tonnes of scandium trioxide over the first 10 years of operation of the Elk Creek Project. The contract presupposes
the Company securing project financing, obtaining all necessary approvals, and constructing a mine and processing facility at
Elk Creek. Under the sales agreement, Traxys is obligated to purchase 12 tonnes per year of scandium trioxide for the first 10
years of the Elk Creek Project’s production, subject to satisfaction of certain conditions. That annual amount represents
approximately 10 percent of NioCorp’s planned annual production of Scandium. Traxys can purchase more than 12 tonnes per
year from NioCorp, and the agreement can be extended beyond the 10-year term, by mutual agreement. Pursuant to the commercial
sales agreement, Traxys will focus its scandium sales and marketing efforts on customers in the aerospace and sporting goods sectors,
and it retains the exclusive right to sell NioCorp scandium to those sectors. In return, pursuant to the commercial sales agreement,
Traxys has agreed to purchase its entire needs of scandium trioxide, scandium alloys, scandium master alloy and other scandium-based
products exclusively from NioCorp, including for scandium sales to other sectors, subject to availability of adequate supplies
by NioCorp and other conditions. Pursuant to the commercial sales agreement, NioCorp will work with Traxys to promote and market
scandium to the aerospace, sporting goods and other industry sectors. NioCorp retains the right to make direct sales of scandium
to markets outside of aerospace and sporting goods, as well as direct sales to the U.S. Government.
Elk
Creek Project Update
On
July 10, 2018, we announced that ongoing work on detailed underground engineering being conducted by the Nordmin Group of Companies
(“Nordmin”) shows that the proposed waterline to the Missouri River, as contemplated in the Revised Elk Creek Feasibility
Study, is no longer needed. Nordmin’s ongoing design engineering of the underground mine, and recently updated hydrogeological
findings, show that significantly less bedrock water may be encountered during mining operations than was estimated in the Revised
Elk Creek Feasibility Study. This has allowed removal of the waterline, proposed in the Revised Elk Creek Feasibility Study, from
the new mine plan. Removing the proposed waterline will eliminate the Elk Creek Project’s need for Section 404 and Section
408 federal permits from the U.S. Army Corps. of Engineers (the “USACE”).
On
August 27, 2018, the Company announced the receipt of a new proposed design for the underground portion of the Elk Creek Project
by Nordmin. The new mine design confirms the technical feasibility of several innovative approaches to mining Elk Creek’s
critical minerals which, if accepted by NioCorp, could further streamline the process of moving the Elk Creek Project to initial
construction. In its mine design, Nordmin’s top-level recommendations to NioCorp include the following:
|
●
|
Artificial
ground freezing is technically feasible for use when the Company sinks the production
and ventilation shafts for the mine. Such technology can assist in controlling the inflow
of water encountered during shaft sinking operations. The technology may also improve
productivity during shaft sinking operations and eliminate the need for substantial dewatering
operations prior to the onset of shaft sinking.
|
|
●
|
Bedrock
water encountered during mining operations can be handled without the 33-mile waterline
to the Missouri River that was included in the Revised Elk Creek Feasibility Study.
|
|
●
|
NioCorp
has already secured a Section 404 permit from the USACE under Nationwide Permit 12 for
the Elk Creek Project. Removing plans for a waterline to the Missouri River eliminates
the Elk Creek Project’s need for an additional Section 404 permit, as well as a
Section 408 permit, from the USACE. The Section 408 permit would have triggered the need
for an Environmental Assessment under the National Environmental Policy Act, a process
that can take months or more to complete.
|
|
●
|
Additionally,
removing the waterline eliminates the need for the Elk Creek Project to secure a National
Pollutant Discharge Elimination Permit from the Nebraska Department of Environmental
Quality.
|
The
mine design recommendations submitted to NioCorp by Nordmin are under review and analysis by NioCorp. If adopted, they will then
be integrated into the project plan and overall impacts to the economics of the Elk Creek Project can be assessed and, if material,
an update to the Revised Elk Creek Feasibility Study will be completed.
In
addition to the mine design work completed under the Nordmin Agreement, we continued to advance other Elk Creek Project-related
work during the quarter. Primary activities included:
|
●
|
Continued
development of an air construction permit (the “Air Permit”) application
with the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality, including the detailed engineering
necessary to support the submission of the Air Permit application , which we expect to
file in calendar 2019; and
|
|
●
|
Continued
the competitive process to identify and select engineering, procurement and construction
firms for surface development.
|
Our
long-term financing efforts continued during the quarter ended December 31, 2018.
In
addition to the underground engineering and permit application work noted above, we expect to undertake the following planned
activities to advance the Elk Creek Project through to the construction phase as funds become available through the Company’s
fundraising efforts:
|
●
|
Acquisition
of key land parcels currently subject to the Company’s Option to Purchase agreements;
|
|
●
|
Construction
of natural gas and electrical infrastructure under existing agreements to serve the project
site;
|
|
●
|
Initiation
and completion of detailed engineering for surface project facilities;
|
|
●
|
Negotiation
and completion of engineering, procurement and construction agreements;
|
|
●
|
Initiation
of mine groundwater control activities; and
|
|
●
|
Initiation
of long-lead equipment procurement activities.
|
Financial
and Operating Results
The
Company continues to expense all expenditures when incurred, except for equipment, which is capitalized. The Company has no revenues
from mining operations. Operating expenses incurred related primarily to performing exploration activities, as well as the activities
necessary to support corporate and shareholder duties and are detailed in the following table.
|
|
For the Three Months Ended
December 31,
|
|
|
For the Six Months Ended
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2018
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2018
|
|
|
2017
|
|
Operating expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employee-related
costs
|
|
$
|
403
|
|
|
$
|
751
|
|
|
$
|
715
|
|
|
$
|
1,399
|
|
Professional fees
|
|
|
94
|
|
|
|
118
|
|
|
|
145
|
|
|
|
393
|
|
Exploration expenditures
|
|
|
1,228
|
|
|
|
303
|
|
|
|
2,005
|
|
|
|
1,016
|
|
Other
operating expenses
|
|
|
233
|
|
|
|
391
|
|
|
|
351
|
|
|
|
687
|
|
Total operating
expenses
|
|
|
1,958
|
|
|
|
1,563
|
|
|
|
3,216
|
|
|
|
3,495
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change
in financial instrument fair value
|
|
|
140
|
|
|
|
274
|
|
|
|
633
|
|
|
|
297
|
|
Foreign
exchange loss (gain)
|
|
|
316
|
|
|
|
36
|
|
|
|
198
|
|
|
|
(201
|
)
|
Interest
expense
|
|
|
56
|
|
|
|
91
|
|
|
|
155
|
|
|
|
175
|
|
(Gain)
loss on available for sale securities
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
(4
|
)
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
|
7
|
|
Income
tax expense
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Net Loss
|
|
$
|
2,473
|
|
|
$
|
1,960
|
|
|
$
|
4,204
|
|
|
$
|
3,773
|
|
Six
months ended December 31, 2018 compared to six months ended December 31, 2017
Significant
items affecting operating expenses are noted below:
Employee
related costs
decreased due to decreased share-based compensation costs reflecting the timing of Option issuances and the
corresponding vesting periods, as well as the number of Options granted and associated fair value calculations.
Professional
fees
include legal and accounting services. Overall, these fees decreased, reflecting the timing of legal fees associated
with SEC filings and ongoing compliance efforts.
Exploration
expenditures
increased reflecting our ongoing efforts to evaluate the mine engineering design changes proposed by Nordmin
and their potential impacts on the economics of the Elk Creek Project, and costs incurred to develop the detailed engineering
necessary to support the submission of the Air Permit application.
Other
operating expenses
include investor relations, general office expenditures, equity offering and proxy expenditures and other
miscellaneous costs. These costs decreased primarily due to the timing of Option issuances, the corresponding vesting periods,
the number of Options granted, and associated fair value calculations for Board members, as well as the timing of financial and
investor relations services.
Other
significant items impacting the change in the Company’s net loss are noted below
:
Change
in financial instrument fair value
represents non-cash changes in the market value of the Convertible Securities, which are
carried at fair value, as well as changes in the market value of the derivative liability component of the Company’s outstanding
convertible promissory notes, and the fair market value of Warrants issued in connection with the funding of the Original Convertible
Security and the Subsequent Convertible Security. The 2018 loss includes the value of Warrants issued to Lind in connection with
the Subsequent Convertible Security funding, as well as recognition of prepaid interest incurred on funding.
Foreign
exchange (gain) loss
is primarily due to changes in the United States dollar (“USD”) against the Canadian dollar
(“C$”) and reflects the timing of foreign currency transactions and subsequent changes in exchange rates. The impact
in 2018 primarily relates to strengthening USD rates as applied to the USD-denominated convertible debt instruments and related-party
debt, which are recorded on the Canadian parent company books in C$.
Three
months ended December 31, 2018 compared to three months ended December 31, 2017
Overall,
the increase in net loss for the three months ended December 31, 2018 as compared to the same period in 2017 is the result of
primarily the same factors underlying the six-month changes, as discussed above, with respect to employee-related costs, professional
fees, exploration expenditures, and foreign exchange (gain) loss. The decrease in loss for changes in financial instrument fair
values in 2018 as compared to 2017 relates to warrant expense associated with Lind fundings which occurred in 2017.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
We
have no revenue generating operations from which we can internally generate funds. To date, our ongoing operations have been financed
by the sale of our equity securities by way of private placements, convertible securities issuances, and the exercise of incentive
stock options and share purchase warrants. We believe that we will be able to secure additional private placement financings in
the future, although we cannot predict the size or pricing of any such financings. In addition, we may raise funds through the
sale of interests in our mineral properties, although current market conditions have substantially reduced the number of potential
buyers/acquirers of any such interests.
As
of December 31, 2018, the Company had cash of $0.8 million and a working capital deficit of $3.2 million, compared to cash of
$0.1 million and working capital deficit of $3.4 million on June 30, 2018. Working capital remained relatively unchanged as cash
inflows from financing initiatives were offset by operating expenditures.
We
expect that the Company will operate at a loss for the foreseeable future. The Company’s current planned operational needs
are approximately $7 million until June 30, 2019. In addition to outstanding accounts payable and short-term liabilities, our
average monthly expenditures are approximately $430 per month where approximately $270 is for corporate overhead and estimated
costs related to securing financing necessary for advancement of the Elk Creek Project. Approximately $160 per month is planned
for expenditures relating to the advancement of Elk Creek Project by NioCorp’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Elk Creek Resources
Corp. The Company’s ability to continue operations and fund our current work plan is dependent on management’s ability
to secure additional financing.
The
Company anticipates that it may need to raise $7.0 million - $8.0 million to continue planned operations for the next twelve months
focused on financing and detailed engineering efforts related to the Elk Creek Project. Management is actively pursuing such additional
sources of debt and equity financing, and while it has been successful in doing so in the past, there can be no assurance it will
be able to do so in the future.
Elk
Creek property lease commitments are $24 until June 30, 2019. To maintain its currently held properties and fund its currently
anticipated general and administrative costs and planned exploration and development activities at the Elk Creek Project for the
fiscal year ending June 30, 2019, the Company will likely require additional financing during the current fiscal year. Should
such financing not be available in that time-frame, we will be required to reduce our activities and will not be able to carry
out all our presently planned activities at the Elk Creek Project.
We
currently have no further funding commitments or arrangements for additional financing at this time (other than the potential
exercise of Options and Warrants) and there is no assurance that we will be able to obtain additional financing on acceptable
terms, if at all. Following the end of the quarter, on January 15, 2019, 9,035,285 outstanding warrants priced at C$0.75 expired
unexercised. There is significant uncertainty that we will be able to secure any additional financing in the current equity or
debt markets. The quantity of funds to be raised and the terms of any proposed equity or debt financing that may be undertaken
will be negotiated by management as opportunities to raise funds arise. management intends to pursue funding sources of both debt
and equity financing, including but not limited to the issuance of equity securities in the form of Common Shares, Warrants, subscription
receipts, or any combination thereof in units of the Company pursuant to private placements to accredited investors or pursuant
to equity lines of credit or public offerings in the form of underwritten/brokered offerings, at-the-market offerings, registered
direct offerings, or other forms of equity financing and public or private issuances of debt securities including secured and
unsecured convertible debt instruments or secured debt project financing. Management does not currently know the terms pursuant
to which such financings may be completed in the future, but any such financings will be negotiated at arm’s-length. Future
financings involving the issuance of equity securities or derivatives thereof will likely be completed at a discount to the then-current
market price of the Company’s securities and will likely be dilutive to current shareholders.
The
audit opinion and notes that accompany our financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2018 disclose a “going concern”
qualification and disclosures to our ability to continue in business. The financial statements included in this Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q have been prepared under the assumption that we will continue as a going concern. We are an exploration stage company
and we have incurred losses since our inception. We do not have sufficient cash to fund normal operations and meet debt obligations
for the next twelve months without deferring payment on certain current liabilities and raising additional funds. We believe that
the going concern condition cannot be removed with confidence until the Company has entered into a business climate where funding
of its planned ongoing operating activities is secured.
We
have no exposure to any asset-backed commercial paper. Other than cash held by our subsidiaries for their immediate operating
needs in Colorado and Nebraska, all of our cash reserves are on deposit with major United States and Canadian chartered banks.
We do not believe that the credit, liquidity, or market risks with respect thereto have increased as a result of the current market
conditions. However, in order to achieve greater security for the preservation of our capital, we have, of necessity, been required
to accept lower rates of interest, which has also lowered our potential interest income.
Operating
Activities
During
the six months ended December 31, 2018, the Company’s operating activities consumed $2.5 million of cash (2017: $2.6 million).
The cash used in operating activities for 2018 reflects the Company’s funding of losses of $4.2 million, partially offset
by share-based compensation charges and other non-cash transactions. Overall, 2018 operational outflows were unchanged from 2017.
Going forward, the Company’s working capital requirements are expected to increase substantially in connection the development
of the Elk Creek Project.
Financing
Activities
Financing
inflows were $3.3 million during the three months ended December 31, 2018 as compared to $2.1 million during the corresponding
period in 2017, primarily reflecting the timing of private placement issuances initiated during the comparative periods.
Cash
Flow Considerations
The
Company has historically relied upon equity financings and, to a lesser degree, debt financings, to satisfy its capital requirements
and will continue to depend heavily upon equity capital to finance its activities. The Company may pursue debt financing in the
medium term if it is able to procure such financing on terms more favorable than available equity financing; however, there can
be no assurance the Company will be able to obtain any required financing in the future on acceptable terms.
The
Company has limited financial resources compared to its proposed expenditures, no source of operating income, and no assurance
that additional funding will be available to it for current or future projects, although the Company has been successful in the
past in financing its activities through the sale of equity securities.
The
ability of the Company to arrange additional financing in the future will depend, in part, on the prevailing capital market conditions
and its success in developing the Elk Creek Project. Any quoted market for the Common Shares may be subject to market trends generally,
notwithstanding any potential success of the Company in creating revenue, cash flows, or earnings, and any depression of the trading
price of the Common Shares could impact its ability to obtain equity financing on acceptable terms.
Historically,
the Company has used net proceeds from issuances of Common Shares to provide sufficient funds to meet its near-term exploration
and development plans and other contractual obligations when due. However, further development and construction of the Elk Creek
Project will require substantial additional capital resources. This includes near-term funding and, ultimately, funding for Elk
Creek Project construction and other costs. See “
Liquidity and Capital Resources
” above for the Company’s
discussion of arrangements related to possible future financings.
Contractual
Obligations
There
have been no material changes to our contractual obligations discussed in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations” under the heading “Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations”
as of June 30, 2018, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018.
Off
Balance Sheet Arrangements
The
Company has no off balance sheet arrangements.
Critical
Accounting Policies
There
have been no material changes in our critical accounting policies discussed in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” under the heading “Critical Accounting Policies” as of June
30, 2018, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018.
Certain
U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
The
Company has been a “passive foreign investment company” (“PFIC”) as defined under Section 1297 of the
U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, in recent years and expects to continue to be a PFIC in the future. Current and
prospective United States shareholders should consult their tax advisors as to the tax consequences of PFIC classification and
the U.S. federal tax treatment of PFICs. Additional information on this matter is included in the Company’s Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018, under the heading “Risks Related to the Common Shares.”