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2023-02-28 iso4217:USD xbrli:shares iso4217:USD xbrli:shares
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):
February 28, 2023
NioCorp Developments
Ltd.
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
British Columbia, Canada
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation) |
000-55710
(Commission File Number) |
98-1262185
(IRS Employer
Identification No.) |
7000 South Yosemite Street,
Suite 115
Centennial,
Colorado
80112
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s
telephone number, including area code: (720)
639-4647
(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:
☒ |
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 |
Not
Applicable |
Not
Applicable |
Not
Applicable |
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. ☐
Financial and Other Information Related to the GXII
Transaction
As previously disclosed, on September 25, 2022, NioCorp
Developments Ltd. (“NioCorp”), GX Acquisition Corp. II (“GXII”),
and Big Red Merger Sub Ltd, a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of
NioCorp, entered into a business combination agreement (the
“Business Combination Agreement”). As a result of the transactions
contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement (collectively,
the “Transaction”), GXII will become a subsidiary of NioCorp.
NioCorp is filing this Current Report on Form 8-K to provide
certain financial information with respect to GXII and the proposed
Transaction.
Included in this Current Report on Form 8-K are:
(a) the audited consolidated balance sheets of GXII as of December
31, 2022 and 2021, the related statements of operations, changes in
stockholders’ deficit, and cash flows for the years ended December
31, 2022 and 2021, the related notes, and the related report of
Marcum LLP, GXII’s independent registered public accounting firm,
which are included as Exhibit 99.1;
(b) the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements
of NioCorp giving effect to the Transaction (the “pro forma
financial information”), which includes the unaudited pro forma
condensed combined balance sheet as of December 31, 2022, the
unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations for
the six months ended December 31, 2022 and for the year ended June
30, 2022, and the notes related thereto, which are included as
Exhibit 99.2.
Also included in this Current Report on Form 8-K is the consent of
Marcum LLP consenting to the incorporation by reference in certain
of NioCorp’s Registration Statements of its report forming part of
Exhibit 99.1, which is included as Exhibit 23.1.
The pro forma financial information included in this Current Report
on Form 8-K has been presented for informational purposes only. It
does not purport to represent the actual results of operations that
NioCorp and GXII would have achieved had the companies been
combined during the periods presented in the pro forma financial
information and is not intended to project the future results of
operations that the combined company may achieve after the
Transaction is consummated.
Additional Information about the Proposed Transaction and Where
to Find It
In connection with the proposed Transaction, NioCorp has filed a
registration statement on Form S-4 (the “registration statement”)
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which
includes a document that serves as a prospectus and proxy circular
of NioCorp and a proxy statement of GXII, referred to as a “joint
proxy statement/prospectus.” The definitive joint proxy
statement/prospectus has been filed with the SEC as part of the
registration statement and, in the case of NioCorp, with the
applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities, and will be
sent to all NioCorp shareholders and GXII stockholders as of the
applicable record date. Each of NioCorp and GXII may also file
other relevant documents regarding the proposed Transaction with
the SEC and, in the case of NioCorp, with the applicable Canadian
securities regulatory authorities. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING OR
INVESTMENT DECISION, INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF NIOCORP AND
GXII ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, THE DEFINITIVE
JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND ALL OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS
FILED OR THAT WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC AND, IN THE CASE OF
NIOCORP, WITH THE APPLICABLE CANADIAN SECURITIES REGULATORY
AUTHORITIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION, INCLUDING
ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THESE DOCUMENTS, CAREFULLY AND IN
THEIR ENTIRETY BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION
ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION.
Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies
of the registration statement and the definitive joint proxy
statement/prospectus and all other relevant documents that are
filed or that will be filed with the SEC by NioCorp or GXII through
the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Investors and
security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the
definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus and all other relevant
documents that are
filed or that will be filed with the applicable Canadian securities
regulatory authorities by NioCorp through the website maintained by
the Canadian Securities Administrators at www.sedar.com. The
documents filed by NioCorp and GXII with the SEC and, in the case
of NioCorp, with the applicable Canadian securities regulatory
authorities also may be obtained by contacting NioCorp at 7000
South Yosemite, Suite 115, Centennial CO 80112, or by calling (720)
639-4650; or GXII at 1325 Avenue of the Americas, 28th Floor, New
York, NY 10019, or by calling (212) 616-3700.
Forward-Looking Statements
This Current Report on Form 8-K contains forward-looking statements
within the meaning of the United States Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and forward-looking information
within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws.
Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to,
statements about the parties’ ability to close the proposed
Transaction, including NioCorp and GXII being able to receive all
required regulatory, third-party and shareholder approvals for the
proposed Transaction; the anticipated benefits of the proposed
Transaction, including the potential amount of cash that may be
available to the combined company upon consummation of the proposed
Transaction and the use of the net proceeds following the
redemptions by GXII public shareholders; NioCorp’s expectation that
its common shares will be accepted for listing on the Nasdaq Stock
Market following the closing of the proposed Transaction; the
consummation of the convertible debenture transaction and the
stand-by equity purchase facility contemplated by the definitive
agreements with YA II PN, Ltd., an investment fund managed by
Yorkville Advisors Global, LP (together with YA II PN, Ltd.,
“Yorkville”); the financial and business performance of NioCorp;
NioCorp’s anticipated results and developments in the operations of
NioCorp in future periods; NioCorp’s planned exploration
activities; the adequacy of NioCorp’s financial resources;
NioCorp’s ability to secure sufficient project financing to
complete construction and commence operation of the Elk Creek
Niobium/Scandium/Titanium property (the “Elk Creek Project”);
NioCorp’s expectation and ability to produce niobium, scandium and
titanium at the Elk Creek Project; the outcome of current recovery
process improvement testing, and NioCorp’s expectation that such
process improvements could lead to greater efficiencies and cost
savings in the Elk Creek Project; the Elk Creek Project’s ability
to produce multiple critical metals; the Elk Creek Project’s
projected ore production and mining operations over its expected
mine life; the completion of the demonstration plant and technical
and economic analyses on the potential addition of magnetic rare
earth oxides to NioCorp’s planned product suite; the exercise of
options to purchase additional land parcels; the execution of
contracts with engineering, procurement and construction companies;
NioCorp’s ongoing evaluation of the impact of inflation, supply
chain issues and geopolitical unrest on the Elk Creek Project’s
economic model; the impact of health epidemics, including the
COVID-19 pandemic, on NioCorp’s business and the actions NioCorp
may take in response thereto; and the creation of full time and
contract construction jobs over the construction period of the Elk
Creek Project. Forward-looking statements are typically identified
by words such as “plan,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,”
“intend,” “outlook,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” “continue,”
“could,” “may,” “might,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,”
“should,” “would” and other similar words and expressions, but the
absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not
forward-looking.
The forward-looking statements are based on the current
expectations of the management of NioCorp and GXII, as applicable,
and are inherently subject to uncertainties and changes in
circumstances and their potential effects and speak only as of the
date of such statement. There can be no assurance that future
developments will be those that have been anticipated.
Forward-looking statements reflect material expectations and
assumptions, including, without limitation, expectations and
assumptions relating to: the future price of metals; the stability
of the financial and capital markets; NioCorp and GXII being able
to receive all required regulatory, third-party and shareholder
approvals for the proposed Transaction; the amount of redemptions
by GXII public shareholders; the consummation of the convertible
debenture transaction and the stand-by equity purchase facility
contemplated by the definitive agreements with Yorkville; and other
current estimates and assumptions regarding the proposed
Transaction and its benefits. Such expectations and assumptions are
inherently subject to uncertainties and contingencies regarding
future events and, as such, are subject to change. Forward-looking
statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or other
factors that may cause actual results or performance to be
materially different from those expressed or implied by these
forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include,
but are not limited to, those discussed and identified in public
filings made by NioCorp and GXII with the SEC and, in the case of
NioCorp, with the applicable Canadian securities regulatory
authorities and the following: the amount of any redemptions by
existing holders of GXII Class A Shares being greater than
expected, which may reduce the cash in trust available to NioCorp
upon the consummation of the Transaction; the occurrence of any
event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the
termination of the Business Combination Agreement and/or payment of
the termination fees; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may
be instituted against NioCorp or GXII following announcement of the
Business Combination Agreement and
the Transaction; the inability to complete the proposed Transaction
due to, among other things, the failure to obtain NioCorp
shareholder approval or GXII shareholder approval or the
consummation of the convertible debenture transaction and the
stand-by equity purchase facility contemplated by the definitive
agreements with Yorkville; the inability to complete the
convertible debenture transaction and the stand-by equity purchase
facility contemplated by the definitive agreements with Yorkville
due to, among other things, the failure to obtain shareholder
approval or regulatory approval; the risk that the announcement and
consummation of the proposed Transaction disrupts NioCorp’s current
plans; the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the
proposed Transaction; unexpected costs related to the proposed
Transaction; the risks that the consummation of the proposed
Transaction is substantially delayed or does not occur, including
prior to the date on which GXII is required to liquidate under the
terms of its charter documents; NioCorp’s ability to operate as a
going concern; NioCorp’s requirement of significant additional
capital; NioCorp’s limited operating history; NioCorp’s history of
losses; cost increases for NioCorp’s exploration and, if warranted,
development projects; a disruption in, or failure of, NioCorp’s
information technology systems, including those related to
cybersecurity; equipment and supply shortages; current and future
offtake agreements, joint ventures, and partnerships; NioCorp’s
ability to attract qualified management; the effects of the
COVID-19 pandemic or other global health crises on NioCorp’s
business plans, financial condition and liquidity; estimates of
mineral resources and reserves; mineral exploration and production
activities; feasibility study results; changes in demand for and
price of commodities (such as fuel and electricity) and currencies;
changes or disruptions in the securities markets; legislative,
political or economic developments; the need to obtain permits and
comply with laws and regulations and other regulatory requirements;
the possibility that actual results of work may differ from
projections/expectations or may not realize the perceived potential
of NioCorp’s projects; risks of accidents, equipment breakdowns,
and labor disputes or other unanticipated difficulties or
interruptions; the possibility of cost overruns or unanticipated
expenses in development programs; operating or technical
difficulties in connection with exploration, mining, or development
activities; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and
development, including the risks of diminishing quantities of
grades of reserves and resources; claims on the title to NioCorp’s
properties; potential future litigation; and NioCorp’s lack of
insurance covering all of NioCorp’s operations.
Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize or
should any of the assumptions made by the management of NioCorp and
GXII prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects
from those projected in these forward-looking statements.
All
subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning
the proposed Transaction or other matters addressed in this Current
Report on Form 8-K and attributable to NioCorp, GXII or any person
acting on their behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by
the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this Current
Report on Form 8-K. Except to the extent required by applicable law
or regulation, NioCorp and GXII undertake no obligation to update
these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances
after the date of this Current Report on Form 8-K to reflect the
occurrence of unanticipated events.
|
Item 9.01 |
Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(d) Exhibits
Exhibit |
Description |
23.1 |
Consent of Marcum LLP, independent registered
public accounting firm of GXII. |
99.1 |
The audited consolidated balance sheets of GXII
as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the related statements of
operations, changes in stockholders’ deficit, and cash flows for
the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, the related notes, and
the related report of Marcum LLP, GXII’s independent registered
public accounting firm. |
99.2 |
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined
financial statements of NioCorp, giving effect to the
Transaction. |
104 |
Cover Page Interactive Data File – the cover page
XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. |
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.
|
NIOCORP
DEVELOPMENTS LTD. |
|
|
|
DATE: February 28,
2023 |
By: |
/s/ Neal S. Shah |
|
|
Neal
S. Shah
Chief Financial Officer
|
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