UNITED STATES


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Washington, DC 20549

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the


Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No.      )

 

Filed by the Registrant [X]

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Check the appropriate box:

 Preliminary Proxy Statement 

[   ]

Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

 Definitive Proxy Statement 

 Definitive Additional Materials

 Soliciting Material under Rule 14a-12

Preliminary Proxy Statement

[   ]

Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

[X]

Definitive Proxy Statement

[   ]

Definitive Additional Materials

[   ]

Soliciting Material Under § 240.14a-12

 

TEXAS MINERAL RESOURCES CORP.

(Name of Registrantregistrant as Specified In Its Charter)specified in its charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement,person(s) filing proxy statement, if other than the Registrant)registrant)

 

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

 No fee required.

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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

1

Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

2

Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

3

Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

4

Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

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Total fee paid:

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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

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Amount previously paid:

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Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

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 Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. 

 Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a6(i)(1) and 0-11.

 

Texas Mineral Resources.jpg 

 

TEXAS MINERAL RESOURCES CORP.

539 El Paso Street
Sierra Blanca, TX 79851

NOTICE OF SPECIAL2024 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To Be Held on August 6, 2020

July 16, 2020
TO BE HELD ON MARCH 12, 2024

 

Dear Texas Mineral Resources Corp. Stockholder,Stockholder:

 

You are cordially invited to attend a special meetingNOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Special Meeting”Annual Meeting) of Texas Mineral Resources Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”Company), which will be held via live webcast on August 6, 2020,Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, by means of remote communications onlyTime. To participate in the Annual Meeting virtually via an audio webcast on the Internet, you must register in advance at https://stctransfer.zoom.us/s/93759717231?pwd=QWNwWDgxNGtGbjA4UnRtSlpEbFpUdz09.webinar/register/WN_Bat3SPM7Reqd6sIZZrPxpw prior to the deadline of March 11, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Upon completing your registration, you will receive further instructions via email, including the link that will allow you access to the Annual Meeting. If you hold your shares through a bank, broker or other nominee, you will need to take additional steps to participate in the Annual Meeting, as described in the Proxy Statement.

 

We are holding the SpecialThe Annual Meeting is for the following purposes, which are described in more detail in the accompanying proxy statement:as proposed by our Board of Directors:

 

(1)1. To elect Anthony Marchese, Dan Gorski, Peter Denetclaw Jr., LaVern Lund, Kevin Francis, Cecil Wall, Donald Hulse and Deepak Malhotra, the director nominees, to serve on the Company’s Board until the Company’s 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until their successors shall have been duly elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation, death or removal;

2. To approve, by advisory vote, the compensation of our named executive officers (“say-on-pay”);

3. To approve, by advisory vote, the frequency with which future stockholder advisory votes to approve, on a non-binding basis, the compensation of our named executive officers will be held (“say-on-frequency”);

4. To ratify the approval byappointment of Ham, Langston & Brezina, L.L.P. as our independent registered public accounting firm for the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”)fiscal year ending August 31, 2024; and subsequent execution by the Company of the amended and restated option agreement by and between the Company and USA Rare Earth, LLC (“USA Rare Earth”) dated August 23, 2019 and the first amendment dated June 29, 2020 (collectively, the “2019 Option Agreement” or “Option Agreement”), with respect to the Round Top Project without having obtained authorization by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (“2019 Option Agreement Ratification” or “Ratification”). 

 

(2)5. To approve an adjournment of the Special Meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes in favor of the Ratification (“Adjournment Proposal”). 

Our Board of Directors recommends that you vote “FOR” the Ratification. The failure to approve the Ratificationtransact such other business as may leave us exposed to potential claims from USA Rare Earth with respect to our potential lack of authority to enter into the Option Agreement, and could impact any strategic transaction that the Board may in the future determine is advisable, including, without limitation, a sale of the Company, a business combination, or a disposition of corporate assets of the Company. This could expose us to significant claims and have a material adverse effect on our liquidity, which could result in our filing for bankruptcy or an involuntary petition for bankruptcy being filed against us.

Only stockholders who held stockproperly be raised at the close of business on the record date, July 8, 2020, may vote at the SpecialAnnual Meeting includingor any adjournment or postponement thereof.

As described in the proxy statement accompanying this notice, because there may be uncertainty regarding our authority to enter into and perform, as well as the validity or effectiveness of, the Option Agreement, the Board is submitting the Ratification to the Company’s stockholders to eliminate such uncertainty. The Ratification is being submitted to stockholders pursuant to Section 204 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”). Under Section 204 of the DGCL, stockholders of record as of August 23, 2019 (the date of entry into the 2019 Option Agreement), other than holders whose identities or addresses cannot be determined from our records, are being given notice of the Special Meeting, but are not entitled to attend the Special Meeting or vote on any matter presented at the Special Meeting unless they were also holders of the Company’s common stock as of the Record Date.


This notice and the attached proxy statement constitute the notice required to be given to our stockholders under Section 204 of the DGCL in connection with the Ratification. Under Sections 204 and 205 of the DGCL, when a matter is submitted for ratification at a stockholder meeting, any claim that a defective corporate act ratified under Section 204 is void or voidable due to the failure of authorization, or that the Delaware Court of Chancery should declare in its discretion that a ratification in accordance with Section 204 of the DGCL not be effective or be effective only on certain conditions, must be brought within 120 days from the time at which the ratification is approved by the stockholders (which will be the validation effective time for purposes of Section 204 of the DGCL). Accordingly, any claim that the Option Agreement is void or voidable due to the failure to receive the requisite stockholder approval with respect to entering into the Option Agreement or that the Delaware Court of Chancery should declare, in its discretion, that the Option Agreement not be effective or be effective only on certain conditions, must be brought within 120 days from the time at which the Ratification is approved by the stockholders (August 6, 2020 if such Ratification is approved by the Company stockholders as provided for in this Proxy Statement).

Your vote at the Special Meeting is important. Whether or not you plan to attend the Special Meeting, please vote as soon as possible by Internet or mail as described in the accompanying Proxy Statement.

On behalf of our entire Board of Directors, we thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

/s/ Daniel E. Gorski

Daniel E. Gorski

Chief Executive Officer


Texas Mineral Resources.jpg 

TEXAS MINERAL RESOURCES CORP.

539 El Paso Ave.

Sierra Blanca, TX 79851

(361) 790-5831

PROXY STATEMENT

For the Special Meeting of Stockholders

To Be Held On August 6, 2020

This proxy statement (this “Proxy Statement”) and the enclosed proxy card are being furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors (“Board” or “Board of Directors”) of Texas Mineral Resources Corp. (“we” “us” “our” the “Company” or “TMRC”) for use at the 2020 Special Meeting of Stockholders (the “Special Meeting”) and any adjournment or postponement thereof. The Special Meeting will be held on August 6, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, by means of remote communications only via an audio webcast on the Internet at https://stctransfer.zoom.us/s/93759717231?pwd=QWNwWDgxNGtGbjA4UnRtSlpEbFpUdz09. Your proxies will be voted in accordance with your instructions. If no choice is specified, the proxies will be voted as recommended by the Board.

This Proxy Statement will be provided electronically, if elected, or otherwise is being mailed on or about July 16, 2020 to stockholders of record at the close of business on July 8, 2020 (the “Record Date”) as well as the other persons entitled to receive the Notice under Section 204 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”).

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE 2020 SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

What is the purpose of the Special Meeting?

We are holding the Special Meeting for the following purposes, which are described in more detail below in this Proxy Statement:

(1)To ratify the approval by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) and subsequent execution by the Company of the amended and restated option agreement by and between the Company and USA Rare Earth, LLC (“USA Rare Earth”) dated August 23, 2019 and the first amendment dated June 29, 2020 (collectively, “2019 Option Agreement” or “Option Agreement”), with respect to the Round Top Project without having obtained authorization by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (“2019 Option Agreement Ratification” or “Ratification”). 

(2)To approve an adjournment of the Special Meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes in favor of the Ratification (“Adjournment Proposal”). 

Because there may be uncertainty regarding our authority to enter into and perform, as well as the validity or effectiveness of, the Option Agreement, the Board is submitting the Ratification to the Company’s stockholders to eliminate such uncertainty. The Ratification is being submitted to stockholders pursuant to Section 204 of the DGCL. Under Section 204 of the DGCL, stockholders of record as of August 23, 2019 (the date of entry into the 2019 Option Agreement), other than holders whose identities or addresses cannot be determined from our records, are being given notice of the Special Meeting, but are not entitled to attend the Special Meeting or vote on any matter presented at the Special Meeting unless they were also holders of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Common Stock”), as of the Record Date. For further information, see proposal 1.



What is a proxy?

A proxy is a legal designation of another person to vote the stock you own. That other person is called a proxy. The written document by which you designate someone as your proxy is also called a proxy. You may also designate a proxy over the Internet. By completing, signing and returning the accompanying proxy card or submitting a proxy as a record holder over the Internet, you are designating Daniel E. Gorski, our CEO, or Anthony Marchese, our Chairman of the Board, as your proxies for the Special Meeting and you are authorizing either Mr. Gorski or Mr. Marchese to vote your shares at the Special Meeting as you have instructed on the proxy card. This way, your shares will be voted whether or not you attend the Special Meeting. Even if you plan to attend the Special Meeting, we urge you to return the accompanying proxy card, or vote in the other method described below under “How can I vote my shares without attending the Special Meeting?” so that your vote will be counted if you later decide not to attend the Special Meeting or are unable to attend.

What is a Proxy Statement?

A proxy statement is a document that we are required to give you pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regulations when we ask you to designate Mr. Gorski and Mr. Marchese as your proxies to vote on your behalf.

What is in this Proxy Statement?

This Proxy Statement describes the proposals on which we would like you, as a stockholder, to vote at the Special Meeting. It gives you information on the proposals, as well as other information about us, so that you can make an informed decision whether or how to vote your stock.

Who is entitled to vote at the Special Meeting?

 

Only stockholders of record at the close of business on July 8, 2020, the Record Date for the Special Meeting,January 22, 2024 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the SpecialAnnual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

 

WhereYour vote is important. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we encourage you to read the accompanying Proxy Statement and when isto submit your proxy or voting instructions as soon as possible. For specific instructions on how to vote your shares, please refer to the Special Meeting?instructions on the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials you received in the mail or, if you received printed proxy materials, on the enclosed Proxy Card.

 

Our SpecialBy Order of the Board of Directors,

​/s/ Daniel E. Gorski  

Daniel E. Gorski

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Sierra Blanca, Texas 

January 25, 2024

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting to be Held on March 12, 2024:

The Proxy Statement and the 2024 Annual Report to Stockholders, which consists of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2023, are available at http://onlineproxyvote.com/tmrc/. We expect the proxy materials to be mailed and/or made available to each stockholder entitled to vote on or before January 25, 2024.

Table of Contents

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE 2024 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS1
PROPOSAL NO. 1 – ELECTION OF DIRECTORS6
INFORMATION REGARDING DIRECTOR NOMINEES7
INFORMATION REGARDING THE BOARD AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE9
Board Leadership Structure9
NTEC Nomination Rights9
Director Independence9
Meetings of the Board9
Committees of the Board9
Audit Committee and Audit Committee Financial Expert10
Audit Committee Report10
Compensation Committee11
CGN Committee11
Procedure for Nominating Directors11
Code of Business and Ethical Conduct12
Prohibition against Hedging and Pledging Transactions12
Board’s Role in Risk Oversight12
Board Diversity12
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION12
PROPOSAL NO. 2 – APPROVAL, BY ADVISORY VOTE, OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION14
PROPOSAL NO. 3 – APPROVAL, BY ADVISORY VOTE, OF THE FREQUENCY OF ADVISORY VOTES ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION15
PROPOSAL NO. 4 – RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM16
Principal Accountant Fees and Services16
Audit Fees16
Audit Related Fees16
Tax Fees16
All Other Fees16
Policy on Pre-Approval of Services Performed by Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm16
Vote Required17
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS18
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION18
Compensation Discussion and Analysis18
Summary Compensation Table19
Pay Versus Performance Table19
Executive Compensation Agreements20
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End20
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation20
Change of Control Payments20
CEO Pay Ratio21
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS21
Indemnification of Officers and Directors21
Policies and Procedures for Related Party Transactions21
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS, DIRECTORS AND MANAGEMENT22
Change in Control23
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance; Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports23
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION23
Stockholder Proposals23
Householding of Proxy Materials23
Communications with the Board of Directors23
Other Business24
Annual Report on Form 10-K24

-i-

TEXAS MINERAL RESOURCES CORP.
539 El Paso Street
Sierra Blanca, TX 79851

PROXY STATEMENT
FOR THE 2024 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MARCH 12, 2024

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE 2024 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

Why am I receiving these materials?

These proxy materials are being furnished to you in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Texas Mineral Resources Corp. (the “Company,” “TMRC,” “we,” “us” or “our”) of proxies to be voted at our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) or at any adjournment or postponement thereof. The Annual Meeting will be held via live webcast on Thursday, August 6, 2020,Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern TimeTime. In accordance with the rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), we sent out a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials on or before January 25, 2024 and provided access to the proxy materials over the Internet on or before that date, to the holders of record and beneficial owners of our common stock at the close of business on January 22, 2024 (the “Record Date”).

Why did I receive a one-page notice in the mail regarding the Internet availability of proxy materials instead of a full set of proxy materials?

Pursuant to rules adopted by meansthe SEC, we have elected to provide access to our proxy materials over the Internet. Accordingly, we mailed a Notice of remote communications only via an audio webcastInternet Availability of Proxy Materials to our stockholders (other than those who previously requested paper copies) on or before January 25, 2024. The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials contains instructions on how to (i) access and view the proxy materials over the Internet, (ii) vote and (iii) request a paper or electronic copy of the proxy materials. In addition, if you received paper copies of our proxy materials and wish to receive all future proxy materials, proxy cards and annual reports electronically, please vote over the Internet and follow the instructions for electing electronic delivery. We encourage stockholders to take advantage of the availability of the proxy materials on the Internet to help reduce both costs and the environmental impact of the Annual Meeting.

What am I being asked to vote on?

You are being asked to vote on the following items:

the election of eight nominees to the Company’s Board (of which six nominees currently serve as directors and two nominees do not currently serve as directors) to serve until the Company’s 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their successors shall have been duly elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation, death or removal;

the approval, by advisory vote, of the compensation of our named executive officers, which is commonly referred to as the “say-on pay” vote;

to approve, by advisory vote, of the frequency with which future stockholder advisory votes to approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers will be held, which is commonly referred to as the “say-on-frequency” vote; and

the ratification of the appointment of Ham, Langston & Brezina, L.L.P. as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2024.

In addition, you are entitled to vote on any other matters that are properly brought before the Annual Meeting or at https://stctransfer.zoom.us/s/93759717231?pwd=QWNwWDgxNGtGbjA4UnRtSlpEbFpUdz09. Duringany adjournments or postponements thereof.

How does the Board recommend that I vote?

Our Board recommends that you vote your shares as indicated below. If you return a properly completed proxy card, or vote your shares by Internet, email or facsimile, your shares of common stock will be voted on your behalf as you direct. If not otherwise specified, the shares of common stock represented by proxies will be voted, and our Board recommends that you vote, as follows:

FOR” the election of the eight director nominees;

FOR” the approval of the compensation of our named executive officers;

“THREE YEARS” as the frequency with which future stockholder advisory votes to approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers will be held; and


FOR” the ratification of the appointment of Ham, Langston & Brezina, L.L.P. as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2024.

Who is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting?

The Record Date for the Annual Meeting is January 22, 2024. You are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting only if you were a Company stockholder at the close of business on that date, or if you hold a valid proxy for the Annual Meeting. On each matter to be voted on at the Annual Meeting, you will participate in an audio webcastare entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held as a “listen only” participant. Whileof the SpecialRecord Date. Stockholders have no right to cumulative voting as to any matter, including the election of directors. Dissenters’ rights are not applicable to any of the matters being voted upon. At the close of business on the Record Date, there were 74,320,648 shares of common stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.

A list of registered stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will start at 10:00 A.M. Eastern Time on August 6, 2020, we encourage yoube available for inspection by any stockholder for any purpose germane to access the SpecialAnnual Meeting, website at least 15 minutesduring regular business hours, for a period of 10 days prior to the start time. WeAnnual Meeting, at the Company’s principal place of business at 539 El Paso Street, Sierra Blanca, TX 79851. A list of registered stockholders will follow established meeting rulesbe available for inspection during the whole time of the Annual Meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network through an electric link provided in the live webcast. For health and procedures. Ifsafety reasons related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, you need help accessingmust schedule an appointment to review the Speciallist of registered stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting please contact Janet Stackhouse at (469) 633-0101 or at jstackhouse@stctransfer.com.by sending an email to: dgorski@tmrcorp.com.

 

Stockholders mayHow can I attend the SpecialAnnual Meeting?

The Annual Meeting by completingwill be virtual, rather than in person. You are entitled to attend the Annual Meeting only if you were a pre-registrationCompany stockholder as of the Record Date or you hold a valid proxy for the Annual Meeting. If your shares of our common stock are registered directly in your name with Securities Transfer Corporation, the Company’sour stock transfer agent (“STC”), you are considered the “stockholder of record” with respect to those shares. To participate in the Annual Meeting virtually via the Internet, you must register in advance at https://stctransfer.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Bat3SPM7Reqd6sIZZrPxpw prior to the deadline of March 11, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Upon completing your registration, you will receive further instructions via email, including the link that will allow you access to the Annual Meeting. You will not be able to attend the Annual Meeting in person.

If your shares of our common stock are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank, broker or other nominee, the bank, broker or other nominee is considered the record holder of those shares. You are considered the beneficial owner of those shares, and your shares are held in “street name.” In order to attend the Annual Meeting as a beneficial owner of our common stock held in street name, you must obtain a legal proxy by contacting your account representative at the bank, broker or other nominee that holds your shares. You should then e-mail a copy (a legible photograph is sufficient) of your legal proxy to STC at proxyvote@stctransfer.com no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on August 5, 2020. To pre-register,Monday, March 11, 2024. After contacting STC, you must contact Securities Transfer Corporationregister at jstackhouse@stctransfer.com. Only stockholdershttps://stctransfer.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Bat3SPM7Reqd6sIZZrPxpw prior to the deadline of recordMarch 11, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Upon completing your registration, you will receive an e-mail prior to the close of business on July 8, 2020 are permitted to registerAnnual Meeting with a link and attendinstructions for attending the SpecialAnnual Meeting.

If you do not pre-register,don’t register prior to the deadline of March 11, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, you will not be able to attend the SpecialAnnual Meeting. Once pre-registered,Stockholders participating in the virtual meeting will be in a listen-only mode. However, virtual attendees will be able to vote and submit questions during the Annual Meeting using the virtual meeting website. Stockholders can also listen to the Annual Meeting over the phone, provided that you may attend the Special Meetinghave timely registered at https://stctransfer.zoom.us/s/93759717231?pwd=QWNwWDgxNGtGbjA4UnRtSlpEbFpUdz09.webinar/register/WN_Bat3SPM7Reqd6sIZZrPxpw.

 

EvenHow can I ask questions at the Annual Meeting?

The Company intends the virtual meeting format to approximate an in-person experience for our stockholders. During the Annual Meeting, stockholders may submit questions by typing in the “Q & A” box on the virtual meeting website. Our administrator will review all questions submitted during the Annual Meeting, and we intend to answer pertinent questions submitted, as time permits.

Where can I get technical assistance?

Technical support in connection with the virtual meeting platform will be available by telephone or e-mail at jstackhouse@stctransfer.com or call Janet Stackhouse, (469) 633-0101, beginning at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 through the conclusion of the Annual Meeting.

The virtual meeting platform is fully supported across browsers (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome and Safari) and devices (desktops, laptops, tablets and cell phones) running the most updated version of applicable software and plugins. You should ensure that you have a strong Internet or telephone connection, as applicable, wherever you intend to participate in the Annual Meeting, and you should allow plenty of time to log in or call in and ensure that you can hear audio prior to the start of the Annual Meeting.


How many shares must be present or represented to hold the Annual Meeting?

A quorum must be present at the Annual Meeting for any business to be conducted, which means that a majority of the outstanding voting shares of the Company as of the Record Date must be present virtually or represented by proxy. The Company’s common stock is the only type of security entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Based on 74,320,648 shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of the Record Date, 37,160,325 shares of common stock would be required to be present virtually or represented by proxy for there to be a quorum. If a quorum is not present at the Annual Meeting, no business can be transacted at that time, and the meeting will be adjourned or postponed to a later date. A stockholder’s instruction to “withhold” authority, abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted as present for purposes of determining quorum. See “What is a ‘broker non-vote?” and “What is an abstention and how will votes withheld and abstentions be treated?” below for an explanation of broker non-votes, abstentions and votes withheld.

What is the difference between a “stockholder of record” and a “street name” holder?

As described above, if your shares of our common stock are registered directly in your name with STC, you are considered the “stockholder of record” with respect to those shares. If your shares of our common stock are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank, broker or other nominee, the bank, broker or other nominee is considered the record holder of those shares. You are considered the beneficial owner of those shares, and your shares are held in “street name.”

How do I vote if I am a stockholder of record?

We recommend that stockholders vote by proxy even if they plan to attend the Special Meeting, we urgeAnnual Meeting. If you to vote in one of the ways described below so that your vote will be counted if you later decide not to attend the Special Meeting or are unable to attend. Attendance at the Special Meeting will not cause your previously granted proxy to be revoked unless you change your proxy instructions as described below under “—Can I change my vote or revoke my proxy?”

How do I participate in the Special Meeting?

In order to participate in this Special Meeting as well as to submit any questions you may have during the meeting to the Company, you must have pre-registered by 5:00 p.m. on August 5, 2020, by completing a pre-registration with Securities Transfer Corporation (as described above), and then you must attend the Special Meeting via https://stctransfer.zoom.us/s/93759717231?pwd=QWNwWDgxNGtGbjA4UnRtSlpEbFpUdz09.

Additionally, if you hold your shares in “street name” through a broker or other nominee, you will need to contact Securities Transfer Corporation at jstackhouse@stctransfer.com regarding the necessary steps to follow to attend the Special Meeting.



How can I vote my shares without attending the Special Meeting?

Whether you hold shares directly as the stockholder of record, or beneficially in street name, you may direct your vote without attending the Special Meeting. You maythere are four ways to vote by granting a proxy or, for shares held in street name, by submitting voting instructions to your broker or other nominee. In most instances, you will be able to do this over the Internet or by mail. Please refer to the summary instructions below and the instructions included on your proxy card or, for shares held in street name, the voting instruction card provided by your broker or other nominee.proxy:

 

By Internet:   You can vote over the Internet at http://onlineproxyvote.com/tmrc/. Have your Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or proxy card available as you will need your control number to log in to vote;

·Online: http://onlineproxyvote.com/tmrc/. Log in using the control number in the top left-hand corner of your proxy card. 

By Email:   You can vote, sign, date, scan and email your proxy card to: proxyvote@stctransfer.com;

By Facsimile: You can vote, sign, date, scan and fax your proxy card to STC at (469) 633-0088; or

By Mail:   You can vote by mail by signing, dating and mailing the proxy card, which you may have received by mail to:

 

·Scan: Vote, sign, date, scan and email your proxy card to: info@stctransfer.com. 

·Facsimile: Vote, sign, date, scan and fax your proxy card to Securities Transfer Corporation: (469) 633-0088. 

·Mail: Vote, sign, date and return your proxy card in the enclosed stamped envelope addressed to Securities Transfer Corporation, or mail to: 

AttentionAttention: Proxy Department

Securities Transfer Corporation

29012501 N. Dallas Parkway, Suite 380

Plano, TX 75093

 

Note that Internet voting for eligible stockholders of record will close at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, March 11, 2024. The giving of an Internet proxy will not affect your right to vote virtually at the day priorAnnual Meeting should you choose to attend. If you choose to attend the Special Meeting.Annual Meeting, you will have the ability to change your vote.

 

What is the difference between holdingHow do I vote if my shares as a stockholder of record and as a beneficial owner?are held in “street name”?

 

Many of our stockholders hold their shares through a broker, bank or other nominee rather than directly in their own name as the stockholder of record. As summarized below, there are some important distinctions between shares held of record and those owned beneficially.

·Stockholder of Record: If your shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Securities Transfer Corporation, you are considered the stockholder of record with respect to these shares. As the stockholder of record, you have the right to grant your voting proxy directly to us or to vote over the Internet prior to the Special Meeting or at the Special Meeting. 

·Beneficial Owner: If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or bystreet name through a bank, broker or other nominee, you are considered the beneficial owner of shares held in street name and your broker or nominee is considered the stockholder of record with respect to those shares. As the beneficial owner of these shares, you have the right to direct your broker or nomineewill receive instructions on how to vote thesefrom your bank, broker or other nominee. You must follow those instructions in order for your shares to be voted. If your shares are not registered in your own name and are also invitedyou would like to vote your shares virtually at the Annual Meeting, you must obtain a valid proxy from the bank, broker or other nominee that holds your shares giving you the right to vote the shares at the Annual Meeting. See “How can I attend the Special Meeting. However, since you are not the stockholder of record, you may not vote these shares over the Internet or at the Special Meeting unless you receive a proxy from your broker or nominee. Your broker or nominee has provided voting instructions for you to use.  Annual Meeting?” above.

 

What constitutes a quorum?

Our bylaws provide that the presence, in person or by proxy, at the Special Meeting of the holders of a majority of outstanding shares of our Common Stock will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. On the Record Date, there were 72,688,854 shares of our Common Stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote.

For the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum, proxies marked “abstain” will be counted as present. Shares represented by proxies that include so-called broker non-votes, also will be counted as shares present for purposes of establishing a quorum.

What are the voting rights of the holders of TMRC Common Stock?

Each share of our Common Stock entitles the holder to one vote on all matters to come before the Special Meeting. As to the Ratification, you may vote “FOR,” “AGAINST,” or “ABSTAIN”.



What are Abstentions?

An “ABSTENTION” occurs when a stockholder sends in a proxy marked “ABSTAIN” regarding a particular proposal. For purposes of establishing a quorum, shares that the holders abstain from voting in person and shares covered by proxies received but marked “ABSTAIN” as to any or all proposals count as present at the Special Meeting.

Abstentions will have the same effect as a vote:

·“AGAINST” the 2019 Option Agreement Ratification; and 

·“AGAINST” the Adjournment Proposal. 

What are “broker non-votes” and what is their effect on the voting outcome?

Broker non-votes occur when shares are held indirectly through a broker, bank or other intermediary on behalf of a beneficial owner (referred to as held in “street name”) and the broker submits a proxy but does not vote for a matter because the broker has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner and (i) the broker does not have discretionary voting authority on the matter or (ii) the broker chooses not to vote on a matter for which it has discretionary voting authority. Under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) that govern how brokers may vote shares for which they have not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner, brokers are permitted to exercise discretionary voting authority only on “routine” matters when voting instructions have not been timely received from a beneficial owner. All of the proposals in this Proxy Statement are deemed “non-routine.”

Broker non-votes, if any will have the same effect as a vote:

·“AGAINST” the 2019 Option Agreement Ratification; and 

·“AGAINST” the Adjournment Proposal. 

How will my shares be voted if I am a stockholder of record?

Your proxy will be voted according to your instructions. If you are a stockholder of record and do not vote via the Internet or by returning a signed proxy card, your shares will not be voted unless you attend the Special Meeting and vote your shares. If you vote via the Internet and do not specify contrary voting instructions, your shares will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of our Board. Similarly, if you sign and submit your proxy card or voting instruction card with no instructions, your shares will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of our Board.

If I am a beneficial owner of shares, can my brokerage firm vote my shares?

If you are a beneficial owner and do not vote via the Internet or by returning a signed voting instruction card to your broker, your shares may be voted only with respect to so-called “routine” matters where your broker has discretionary voting authority over your shares. Under the rules of the NYSE, the Ratification and the Adjournment Proposal are “non-routine” matters. Accordingly, brokers will not have such discretionary authority to vote on the Ratification and the Adjournment Proposal.

We encourage you to provide voting instructions to your brokerage firm via the Internet or by returning your signed voting instruction card. This ensures that your shares will be voted at the Special Meeting with respect to all of the proposals described in this Proxy Statement.

How does the Board recommend that I vote?

The Board recommends that you vote:

·“FOR” the 2019 Option Agreement Ratification; and 

·“FOR” the Adjournment Proposal. 



How many votes are needed to approve each proposal?

The following table summarizes the minimum vote needed to approve each proposal:

Proposal Number

Proposal Description

Vote Required for Approval

1

2019 Option Agreement Ratification

“FOR” votes from the holders of a majority of shares of our Common Stock outstanding as of the Record Date

2

Adjournment Proposal

“FOR” votes from the holders of a majority of shares of our Common Stock present or represented at the Special Meeting and entitled to vote

Can I change my vote or revoke my proxy?

 

YouIf you are a stockholder of record, you may change your vote or revoke your proxy instructions at any time prior to the final vote at the Special Meeting. For shares held directly asAnnual Meeting by:

granting a new proxy bearing a later date (which automatically revokes the earlier proxy) using any of the methods described above (and until the applicable deadline for each method);

providing written notice of revocation to our Secretary at Texas Mineral Resources Corp., 539 El Paso Street, Sierra Blanca, TX 79851, prior to or at the Annual Meeting; or

attending the Annual Meeting and voting virtually.


Your most recent proxy submitted by proxy card or Internet is the stockholder of record, you may accomplish this by granting another proxyone that is properly signed and bears a later date, by sending a properly signed written notice to Securities Transfer Corporation, as set forth above under “How can I vote my Shares without attending the Special Meeting?” or by attending the Special Meeting and voting in person over the Internet. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Proxy Statement, all proxies received by us will be effective, notwithstanding any transfer of the shares to which those proxies relate, unless prior to the closing of the pollscounted. Your attendance at the SpecialAnnual Meeting we receive a written notice of revocation signed by the person who, as of the Record Date, was the registered holder of those shares. The notice of revocation must indicate the certificate number and numbers of shares to which the revocation relates and the aggregate number of shares represented by the certificate(s). All written notices should be addressed as follows: Texas Mineral Resources Corp. c/o Securities Transfer Corporation, 2901 N. Dallas Pkwy., Suite 380, Plano, TX 75093, Attention: Janet Stackhouse.

To revoke a proxy previously submitted through the Internet, you may simply vote again at a later date, using the same procedures, in which case your later submitted vote will be recorded and your earlier vote revoked. Attendance at the Special Meetingitself will not causeautomatically revoke your previously granted proxy to be revoked unless you change your proxy instructions as described above.proxy.

 

For shares heldyou hold beneficially by you in “street name”,street name, you may change your vote by submitting new voting instructions to your bank, broker or other nominee following the instructions they provided, or, if you have obtained a legal proxy from your bank, broker or other nominee giving you the right to vote your shares, by attending the Annual Meeting and voting virtually.

How many votes are needed to approve each proposal?

The following table summarizes the votes needed to approve each proposal, the effect of withhold votes/abstentions and whether broker discretionary voting is permitted.

ProposalVote RequiredWithheld
Votes/
Abstentions
Counted as
a “No” Vote?
Discretionary
Vote
Allowed?
Election of directorsPluralityNoNo
Compensation of named executive officers (“say-on-pay”)Majority of QuorumYesNo
Frequency of approval of compensation of named executive officers (“say-on-frequency”)PluralityNoNo
Ratification of the appointment of independent registered public accounting firmMajority of QuorumYesYes

Under our bylaws (the “Bylaws”), directors are elected by a plurality of the voting power of our shares of common stock present virtually or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors. A “plurality” means that the director nominees receiving the highest number of “FOR” votes from holders of our shares of common stock present virtually or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors will be elected. Votes “withheld” and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the election of directors.

Under the Bylaws, the matters other than the election of directors will be decided by a majority of the voting power of our shares of common stock present virtually or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on such matter. Any matter or proposal for which the vote required is a “majority of quorum” will be approved if the votes “FOR” such proposal exceed the number of votes “AGAINST” such proposal (i.e., a majority of the voting power of the shares present virtually or by proxy at the Annual Meeting vote FOR the proposal). Abstentions and broker non-votes, as applicable, will have the same effect as voting “AGAINST” such proposal as our bylaws state that matters presented at a meeting of the stockholders must be approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of the shares of common stock present virtually or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting. With respect to the “say-on-frequency” proposal, a plurality of the affirmative votes cast is required for the approval, on an advisory, non-binding basis, of the frequency selection of a stockholder vote on our executive compensation program (i.e., the frequency selection receiving the greatest number of votes will be approved).

What is a “broker non-vote”?

If you are a beneficial owner whose shares are held of record by a broker, you must instruct the broker how to vote your shares. If you do not provide voting instructions, your shares will not be voted on any proposal on which the broker does not have discretionary authority to vote. This is called a “broker non-vote.” In these cases, the broker can register your shares as being present at the Annual Meeting for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum, but will not be able to vote your shares with respect to “non-discretionary” matters unless you provide instructions on how to vote in accordance with the information and procedures established by it. Please contactthat your broker or other nominee and follow its directionshas provided to change your vote.you in accordance with the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) rules governing brokers.

 

If you are a beneficial owner whose shares are held of record by a broker, your broker has “discretionary voting” authority under NYSE rules governing brokers to vote your shares on “routine” matters, such as the ratification of Ham, Langston & Brezina, L.L.P. as our independent registered public accounting firm, even if the broker does not receive voting instructions from you. However, your broker does not have discretionary authority absent specific instructions from you to vote on the election of directors, the “say-on-pay” vote, and the “say-on- frequency” vote, which are considered “non-routine” matters. If you don’t vote on non-routine matters, a broker non-vote will occur and such non votes will have no impact with respect to the election of directors (except to the extent that the failure to vote for an individual results in another individual receiving a larger proportion of votes cast for the election of directors), will have the same effect as a vote against the proposal to approve the compensation of our named executive officers, and will not count for or against any of the frequency selections with respect to the proposal for determining the frequency of conducting future votes on executive compensation.


What is an abstention and how will votes withheld and abstentions be treated?

A “vote withheld,” in the case of the proposal regarding the election of directors, or an “abstention,” in the case of the proposals regarding the “say-on-pay” vote, “say-on-frequency” vote, and the ratification of the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm, represents a stockholder’s affirmative choice to decline to vote on a proposal. Votes withheld and abstentions, though counted for the purposes of determining a quorum, will have no impact in the election of directors, will be counted as a vote against the approval of the compensation of our named executive officers, will be counted as a vote against the ratification of the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm, and will not be voted and will not count for or against any of the frequency selections with respect to the “say-on-frequency” proposal.

Who is paying for this proxy solicitation?will count the votes?

 

We have engaged STC as our independent agent to tabulate stockholder votes. If you are a stockholder of record, your executed proxy card is returned directly to STC for tabulation. As noted above, if you hold your shares through a broker, your broker returns one proxy card to STC on behalf of all its clients. STC will payserve as Inspector of Elections at the Annual Meeting.

Where can I find the voting results of the Annual Meeting?

We plan to announce preliminary voting results at the Annual Meeting and will report the final voting results in a Current Report on Form 8-K, which we intend to file with the SEC within four business days after the Annual Meeting.

What if I return a proxy card but do not make specific choices?

If you submit a proxy but do not indicate any voting instructions, the persons named as proxies will vote in accordance with the recommendations of the Board. The Board’s recommendations are indicated on pages 1 and 2 of this Proxy Statement, as well as with the description of each proposal in this Proxy Statement.

Will any other business be conducted at the Annual Meeting?

We know of no other business that will be presented at the Annual Meeting. If any other matter properly comes before the stockholders for a vote at the Annual Meeting, however, the proxy holders named in the proxy card will vote your shares in accordance with their best judgment.

Who pays for the entire costexpenses of solicitation?

Our Board is soliciting proxies. In addition to theseyour proxy on behalf of the Company. The Company pays for the costs of the distribution of the proxy materials and solicitation of proxies. As part of this process, we reimburse brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for their expenses for forwarding proxy and solicitation materials to our stockholders. Our directors, officers and employees may also solicit proxies on our behalf in person, by telephone or by other means of communication. Directors, officers and employees will not be paid any additional compensation for soliciting proxies. We will reimburse brokerage firms, banks and other agents for the cost of forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners.

 

What does it mean if I receive more than one proxy card?set of materials?

 

ItIf you receive more than one set of materials, that means thatyour shares are registered in more than one name or are registered in different accounts. In order to vote all of the shares you have multiple accounts at our transfer agent or with your broker, bank or other nominee. Please complete,own, you must either sign and return all of the proxy cards to ensure that all your shares are voted. Unlessor follow the instructions for any alternative voting procedure on each proxy card or Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials you need multiple accounts for specific purposes, it may be less confusing if you consolidate as many of your transfer agent or brokerage accounts as possible under the same name and address.receive.


PROPOSAL NO. 1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

Is my vote kept confidential?The Board presently has six members, being Anthony Marchese, Dan Gorski, Peter Denetclaw Jr., LaVern Lund, Kevin Francis, and Cecil Wall. Messrs. Hulse and Malhotra are not members of the Board. Messrs. Anthony Marchese, Dan Gorski, Peter Denetclaw Jr., LaVern Lund, Kevin Francis, Cecil Wall, Donald Hulse and Deepak Malhotra have been nominated by the Board for election by the stockholders at the Annual Meeting to serve as directors until the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

 

The nominees have consented to be named in the Proxy Statement and to serve as directors if elected. If, however, any nominee is unavailable for election, your proxy authorizes us to vote for a replacement nominee if the Board names one. As an alternative, the Board may reduce the number of directors to be elected at the Annual Meeting. Proxies ballots and voting tabulations identifying stockholders are kept confidential and willmay not be disclosed to third parties except as may be necessary to meet legal requirements.voted for a greater number of persons than the nominees presented.

 

The Board is not divided into classes and directors serve one-year terms until their successors are elected and qualified at the next Annual Meeting or until their earlier resignation, death or removal.

A brief biography of each director nominee is set forth below under “Where can I findInformation Regarding Director Nominees.” The biographies below include information regarding specific experience, qualifications, attributes or skills of each director nominee that led the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee (“CGN Committee”) to determine that such individuals are qualified to serve as members of the Board, if elected, as of the date of this Proxy Statement.

Vote Required

The proposal regarding the election of directors requires the approval of a plurality of the voting resultspower of our common stock present virtually or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Votes withheld or “broker non-votes” will have no effect on the outcome of the Special Meeting?vote on this proposal.

 

We will announce preliminary voting resultsThe Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the election of Anthony Marchese, Dan Gorski, Peter Denetclaw Jr., LaVern Lund, Kevin Francis, Cecil Wall, Donald Hulse and Deepak Malhotra as directors.


INFORMATION REGARDING DIRECTOR NOMINEES

Nominees for Election

The current directors of the Company are Messrs. Gorski, Marchese, Wall, Denetclaw, Lund and Francis. Messrs. Hulse and Malhotra are not directors of the Company.

Daniel E. Gorski, 86, has served as a director of the Company since January 2007 and as the Company’s chief executive officer since August 2012. Prior thereto, Mr. Gorski served as the Company’s president and chief executive officer from January 2007 to May 2011 and chief operating officer from May 2011 to December 2011. From July 2004 to January 2006, Mr. Gorski was the co-founder and vice president of operations for High Plains Uranium Inc., a uranium exploration and development company that went public on the Toronto Stock Exchange in December 2005. Between June 1996 to May 2004, Mr. Gorski served as an officer and director of Metalline Mining Co., a publicly traded mining and development company with holdings in the Sierra Mojada Mining District, Coahuila, Mexico. From January 1992 to June 1996, Mr. Gorski was the exploration geologist under contract to USMX Inc. and worked exclusively in Latin America. Mr. Gorski earned a BS degree in 1960 from Sul Ross State College, in Alpine, Texas and an MA degree in 1970 from the University of Texas in Austin, Texas. Mr. Gorski has over forty-five years of experience in the mining industry. Mr. Gorski’s extensive technical knowledge and experience in the mining industry combined with his historical relationship with the Company’s principal property, the Round Top project, permits Mr. Gorski to provide the Board with valuable insight to the exploration and development of the Round Top project. Accordingly, the Board believes that Mr. Gorski is qualified to serve on the Board.

Anthony Marchese, 67, has served as a director of the Company since December 2009. Since July 2018, Mr. Marchese has served as president of Marchese Management Co., LLC, a strategic advisory firm that consults to both public and private emerging growth companies. Mr. Marchese also serves as the general partner and chief investment officer of the Insiders Trend Fund, LP, an investment partnership whose mandate is to invest in those public companies whose officers and/or directors have been active acquirers of their own stock. Mr. Marchese’s prior experience includes TriPoint Global Equities (managing director/Capital Markets- 2012-2018), Axiom Capital Management, Inc. (managing director – 2011-2012), Monarch Capital Group, LLC (president and chief operating officer – 2003 to 2011), Laidlaw Equities (senior vice president - April 1997 to March 2002), Southcoast Capital (senior vice president – May 1988 to April 1997), Oppenheimer & Co (limited partner – September 1982 to May 1988), Prudential-Bache (vice president – July 1981 to August 1982) and the General Motors Corporation (analyst – June 1980 to June 1981). Mr. Marchese served in the military with the Army Security Agency and the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command. Mr. Marchese received an MBA in Finance from the University of Chicago. Mr. Marchese provides the Board with exceptional leadership and management knowledge, having gained extensive management and corporate finance experience during the course of his career. Mr. Marchese’s specific experience, qualifications, attributes and skills described above led the Board to believe that Mr. Marchese is qualified to serve as a member of the Board.

Cecil Wall, 92, has served as a director of the Company since 2007. Mr. Wall attended Carbon County College and Utah State University. In 1969, he acquired control of a publicly traded company, Altex Oil Co. (formerly known as Mountain Valley Uranium), listed on the American Stock Exchange. Under Mr. Wall’s leadership, Altex established a 20,000 acre position in what became the Greater Altamont Field at Altamont, Utah. Mr. Wall sold his interest in Altex in 1985. Mr. Wall was also part of the Special Meeting. We expectfounding group for the 2007 reorganization of Standard Silver Corp. which became TMRC. Mr. Wall served as the secretary and treasurer of TMRC from 2007 to publish final voting results2012. He is currently the manager for C-Wall Investment Company, LLC, a Utah limited liability company. In addition, he is the president of several family-owned private companies, and he brings wide business experience and close relations with many of the original shareholders. Mr. Wall’s past experience with the Company as its secretary and treasurer and his past experience with public companies serve the Board at this time by providing needed guidance on public company matters and insight into the Company’s historical operations. Mr. Wall’s specific experience, qualifications, attributes and skills described above led the Board to believe that Mr. Wall is qualified to serve as a member of the Board.

Peter Denetclaw, Jr., 64, has served as a director of the Company since August 2019. Mr. Denetclaw has served as a manager of Freeport McMoran since 2008. Mr. Denetclaw has served as vice-chair of the management committee for Navajo Transitional Energy Company (“NTEC”) since 2014. Mr. Denetclaw’s specific mining and business experience and qualifications led the Board to believe that Mr. Denetclaw, Jr. is qualified serve as a member of the Board.

LaVern Kenneth Lund, 50, has served as a director of the Company since May 2022. Mr. Lund began his career as an engineer with North American Coal Corporation (NACoal) in 1996. Mr. Lund has served as chief executive officer of NTEC since February 1, 2022. Over the past 25 years prior to NTEC, Mr. Lund had held various technical, operational management and executive level positions, including over 18 years of field operating experience while working at five different surface mines located in North Dakota, Texas and Mississippi. Mr. Lund is a Registered Professional Engineer in the state of Mississippi. He also holds a Masters of Business Administration from Auburn University and is a graduate of Wharton Advanced Management Program. Mr. Lund’s specific mining and business experience and qualifications led the Board to believe that Mr. Lund is qualified to serve as a member of the Board.


Kevin Francis, 63, has served as a director of the Company since November 2020. Mr. Francis has served as a principal of Mineral Resource Management LLC since April 2016, providing project management, technical and expert witness services, and permitting leadership to the mining industry. Mr. Francis served as vice president of project development of Aurcana Corporation from March 2017 to June 2019, managing and advancing all technical studies. Mr. Francis served as vice president, technical services and general manager of Oracle Mining Corp. from May 2012 to May 2016 (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Oracle Mining Corp. was placed into a court-ordered receivership in 2015), managing interdisciplinary technical functions including direction of geologists, mining engineers and consultants, as well as developing scopes of work, managing budgets and reviewing deliverables of studies. Mr. Francis’ specific mining and business experience and qualifications led the Board to believe that Mr. Francis is qualified to serve as a member of the Board.

Donald Hulse, 64, has served as director of business development and mining at Forte Dynamics, Inc. since January 2023, served as a corporate vice-president of WSP USA from July 2021 until December 2023, and as vice president mining of Gustavson Associates LLC from February 2008 until July 2021. Mr. Hulse has 40 years of experience in the mining industry, including technical and general management in a Current Report on Form 8-K filedmulti-cultural/multi-lingual environment. Mr. Hulse has performed due diligence review and consulting in mineral resources and mine design and planning in North and South America, Europe and Asia. Mr. Hulse’s project experience includes involvement with gold, silver, base metals, and industrial minerals. Mr. Dulse has led project teams through permitting, construction and commissioning of two mines in Mexico, and has been a team member for strategic re-engineering three gold operations. Mr. Hulse was an adjunct professor at Colorado School of Mines from August 2022 through December 2022 and received a B.S. degree in 1982 from the SEC within four business days followingColorado School of Mines. Mr. Hulse’s mining experience and qualifications led the Special Meeting.



Board to believe that Mr. Hulse is qualified to serve as a member of the Board.

 

If I amDeepak Malhotra, 75, has served as president and principal of Resource Development Inc., a stockholdermetallurgical testing and consulting company that he formed, since 1990. Mr. Malhotra has over 40 years of record, how do I consentexperience providing consulting services in process design, process development, plant auditing, project management, and capital and opening cost estimates. Mr. Malhotra serves or has served as a director of the following public companies: (i) Rare Earth Ridge Resources since 2023; (ii) Euro Pacific Materials since 2018; (iii) Magellan Gold Corp. from 2016 to receive my Special Meeting materials electronically?December 2023; (iv) Teako Gold Corp. from 2020 to 2022; (v) Cardero Resources from 2016 to 2021; (vi) Canagold Corp. from 2015 to 2022; (vii) Pro Solv Consulting from 2018 to 2022; and (viii) Resources Development Inc. from 1990 to 2022. Mr. Malhotra holds a Ph.D. in mineral economics and a M.S. in metallurgical engineering. Mr. Malhotra specializes in strategic planning due diligence, acquisitions, divestures, training, feasibility studies, preparation of N143-101 documents, and more. Mr. Malhotra has managed projects in research, process development for new projects, processing plant troubleshooting, plant audits, detailed engineering and overall business management. Mr. Malhotra has assisted in the commercialization of 15 plants worldwide with capital ranging from $50 to $750 million and has performed more than 25 audits of mining operations worldwide. Mr. Malhotra holds four patents and has published over 60 articles and edited several books. Mr. Malhotra’s mining experience and qualifications led the Board to believe that Mr. Malhotra is qualified to serve as a member of the Board.


INFORMATION REGARDING THE BOARD AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

Stockholders of record that choose to vote their shares via the Internet will be asked to choose a delivery preference prior to voting their shares. After entering the access information requested by the electronic voting site, click “Login” and then respond as to whether you would like to receive proxy material via electronic delivery. If you would like to receive future proxy materials electronically, which we urge you to do, click the applicable button, enter and verify your current email address and then click “Continue.” Stockholders of record with multiple Company accounts will need to consent to electronic delivery for each account separately.



PROPOSAL 1: 2019 OPTION AGREEMENT RATIFICATIONBoard Leadership Structure

 

The Board has reviewed the Company’s current Board leadership structure in light of the composition of the Board, the Company’s size, the nature of the Company’s business, the regulatory framework under which the Company operates, the Company’s stockholder base, the Company’s peer group and other relevant factors. Considering these factors the Board has determined to have a separate Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board is a non-executive position. The Board has determined that this structure is currently the most appropriate Board leadership structure for the Company.

Given the composition of the Board with a strong slate of independent directors, the Board does not believe that it is necessary to formally designate a lead independent director at this time, and Mr. Marchese as Chairman serve in that role.

NTEC Nomination Rights

Pursuant to the investment by NTEC in 2019, NTEC has the right to appoint two director nominees as long as its ownership is at least 2,555,813 shares of our common stock. Messrs. Denetclaw and Lund are the NTEC nominees and currently serve as directors.

Director Independence

Our Board has undertaken a review of the independence of each director. Based on information provided by each director concerning his background, employment, and affiliations, our Board has affirmatively determined that each director nominee, other than Messrs. Gorski, Denetclaw, Lund and Hulse, does not have a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director and is “independent” (as that term is defined under the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and OTC Markets Group (“OTCQB”) independence standard). Our Board has also determined that the majority of the members of the Audit Committee are independent and will continue to be independent following the date of the Annual Meeting for purposes of serving on our Audit Committee, as determined in accordance with the applicable OTCQB standards. Our Board has determined that each member of the Compensation Committee is independent for purposes of serving on our Compensation Committee, as determined in accordance with applicable OTCQB standards and Rule 10C promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Additionally, our Board has determined that the member of the CGN Committee is independent and will continue to be independent following the date of the Annual Meeting for purposes of serving on our CGN Committee, as determined in accordance with applicable OTC listing standards. In making these determinations, the Board considered the current and prior relationships that each non-employee director has with our Company and all other facts and circumstances the Board deemed relevant in determining independence, including the beneficial ownership of our common stock by each non-employee director, related party transactions involving them, if any, and lack of family relationships between any officer or director.

Meetings of the Board

During the fiscal year ending August 31, 2023, the Board held four (4) meetings of the Board. None of the incumbent Directors attended fewer than 75% of the board meetings which occurred during their tenure on the Board.

Committees of the Board

Our Board currently has three standing committees. The current composition and responsibilities of each of the committees is described below and it is expected that the composition of these committees will remain the same after the Annual Meeting if all director nominees are elected to serve as directors. Members serve on these committees until their resignation or until otherwise determined by our Board. Each of our Board committees operates under a written charter adopted by the Board. The committee charters are available on the Investor Relations section of our website at www.TMRC.com. A printed copy of each charter is available upon request. The information on our website is not part of this Proxy Statement.

DirectorIndependentAudit CommitteeCompensation
Committee
CGN
Committee
Daniel E. Gorski
Anthony Marchese
Cecil Wall
Peter Denetclaw
LaVern (Vern) Kenneth Lund
Kevin Francis

 

Chairperson

 

Member

 

Audit Committee Financial Expert


Audit Committee and Audit Committee Financial Expert

The Company has a standing Audit Committee and audit committee charter. The Audit Committee is currently comprised of three directors, two of whom, in the opinion of the Board, are independent (in accordance with the OTC Markets Group, Inc. OTCQB independence standards), being Anthony Marchese (Chairman), LaVern Lund (appointed on November 25, 2023 and is not deemed independent) and Cecil Wall. Mr. Marchese is a “financial expert” as defined under Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K.

The Audit Committee is responsible for the oversight of the Company’s accounting and financial reporting processes. This includes the selection and engagement of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and review of the scope of the annual audit, audit fees and results of the audit.

The Audit Committee monitors the Company’s audit and the preparation of financial statements and all financial disclosure contained in the Company’s SEC filings. The Audit Committee appoints the Company’s external auditors, monitors their qualifications and independence and determines the appropriate level of their remuneration. The external auditors report directly to the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee has the authority to terminate the Company’s external auditors’ engagement and approve in advance any services to be provided by the external auditors that are not related to the audit.

Audit Committee Report

The Company’s Audit Committee oversees the Company’s financial reporting process on behalf of the Board. The Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board.

The Committee assists the Board by overseeing the (1) integrity of the Company’s financial reporting and internal control, (2) independence and performance of the Company’s independent auditors, (3) and provides an avenue of communication between management, the independent auditors and the Board.

In the course of providing its oversight responsibilities regarding the audited annual financial statements for the year ended August 31, 2023, the Committee reviewed the audited annual financial statements for the year ended August 31, 2023 with management and the Company’s independent auditors. The Committee reviewed accounting principles, practices, and judgments as well as the adequacy and clarity of the notes to the financial statements.

The Committee reviewed the independence and performance of the independent auditors who are responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of those audited financial statements with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, and such other matters as required to be communicated by the independent auditors in accordance with Auditing Standard No. 1301, Communications with Audit Committees, issued by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”). 

The Committee meets with the independent auditors to discuss their audit plans, scope and timing on a regular basis, with or without management present. The Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent auditors required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board for independent auditor communications with Audit Committees concerning independence, as may be modified or supplemented.

In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Committee recommended to the Board, and the Board has approved, that the audited financial statements be included in the Annual Report to the SEC on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2023. The Committee and the Board have also recommended the selection of Ham, Langston & Brezina, L.L.P. as independent auditors for the Company for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2023.


Submitted by the Audit Committee Members (for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2023)

Anthony Marchese (Chairman)

Cecil Wall

Compensation Committee

The Company has a Compensation Committee comprised of three directors, each of whom, in the opinion of the Board, are independent (as determined under the OTC Markets Group OTCQB independence standards): Cecil Wall (Chairman), Kevin Francis and Anthony Marchese.

The Compensation Committee has adopted a charter. The Compensation Committee is responsible for considering and authorizing terms of employment and compensation of executive officers and providing advice on compensation structures in the various jurisdictions in which the Company operates. The Company’s chief executive officer may not be present during the voting determination or deliberations of his or her compensation; however, the Compensation Committee does consult with the Company’s chief executive officer in determining and recommending the compensation of directors and other executive officers.

In addition, the Company’s Compensation Committee reviews both our overall salary objectives and significant modifications made to employee benefit plans, including those applicable to executive officers, and proposes awards of stock options. The Compensation Committee has determined that the Company’s compensation policies and practices for its employees generally, not just executive officers, are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

The Compensation Committee does not and cannot delegate its authority to determine director and executive officer compensation. Our Compensation Committee and management did not engage the services of an external compensation consultant during fiscal year 2023.

CGN Committee

The Company has a CGN Committee, composed of one director, Anthony Marchese, with two vacancies.

The Company’s CGN Committee is responsible for developing the Company’s approach to corporate governance issues. The Committee evaluates the qualifications of potential candidates for director and recommends to the Board nominees for election at the next annual meeting or any special meeting of stockholders, and any person to be considered to fill a Board vacancy resulting from death, disability, removal, resignation or an increase in Board size. The CGN Committee has not adopted a formal policy which sets forth the criteria the Board will assess in connection with the consideration of a candidate. Instead the Committee considers a multitude of qualifications and characteristics, including the candidate’s integrity, reputation, judgment, knowledge, independence, experience, accomplishments, commitment and skills, all in the context of an assessment of the perceived needs of the Board at that time.

Procedure for Nominating Directors

The Board has delegated to the CGN Committee the responsibility of identifying suitable candidates for nomination to our Board (including candidates to fill any vacancies) and assessing candidate qualifications in light of the policies and principles in our corporate governance guidelines and the CGN Committee charter. The CGN Committee has not adopted a written policy regarding stockholder nominations for directors. The CGN Committee will consider stockholder nominations for directors. We did not receive any stockholder nominations or recommendations for any director in connection with the Annual Meeting. The CGN Committee will recommend prospective director candidates for the Board’s consideration, including any that may be nominated by stockholders, and will review the prospective candidates’ qualifications with the Board. The CGN Committee recommended to the Board the two director nominees, that are not current directors of the Company, to be considered by the stockholders at the 2024 Annual Meeting, as well as the recommendation to the Board for the re-election of the current Board members. The Board retains the ultimate authority to nominate a candidate for election by the stockholders as a director or to fill any vacancy that may occur. In identifying prospective director candidates, the CGN Committee may consider all facts and circumstances that it deems appropriate or advisable, including, among other things, the skills of the prospective director candidate, his or her depth and breadth of business experience or other background characteristics, his or her independence, factors relating to the composition of the Board (including its size and structure), principles of diversity and the needs of the Board. The CGN Committee evaluates each director’s performance based on the same factors it uses to determine new director qualifications.

In evaluating director candidates, the CGN Committee will look for specific minimum qualifications in a candidate, including the ability to understand basic financial statements, familiarity with our business and industry, high moral character and the ability to work collegially with others. Although we do not have a formal diversity policy at this time, the CGN Committee seeks to nominate candidates with a diverse range of background, knowledge, experience, skills, expertise and other qualities that will contribute to the overall effectiveness of the Board.


The Board continues to evaluate the composition of the Board and the qualifications and expertise of its directors and may retain a third-party search firm to assist the CGN Committee in identifying director candidates.

Code of Business and Ethical Conduct

The Company has adopted a corporate Code of Business and Ethical Conduct administered by its president and chief executive officer, Daniel Gorski. The Company believes its Code of Business and Ethical Conduct is reasonably designed to deter wrongdoing and promote honest and ethical conduct, to provide full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in public reports, to comply with applicable laws, to ensure prompt internal reporting of code violations, and to provide accountability for adherence to the code. The Company’s Code of Business and Ethical Conduct provides written standards that are reasonably designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote:

honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;

full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that are filed with, or submitted to, the Commission and in other public communications made by an issuer;

compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations;

the prompt internal reporting of violations of the code to an appropriate person or persons identified in the code; and

accountability for adherence to the code.

The Company’s Code of Business and Ethical Conduct is available on our web site at www.TMRC.com. A copy of the Code of Business and Ethical Conduct will be provided to any person without charge upon written request to the Company at its executive offices. We intend to disclose any waiver from a provision of the Code of Business and Ethical Conduct that applies to any of the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller or persons performing similar functions that relates to any element of the Company’s Code of Business and Ethical Conduct on the Company’s website. No waivers were granted from the requirements of the Code of Business and Ethical Conduct during the year ended August 31, 2023, or during the subsequent period thereto. 

Incorporated in the Code of Business and Ethical Conduct, as well as set forth in a separate insider trading policy, is our policy and procedures governing the purchase, sale and/or other disposition of common stock by officers, directors and employees.

Prohibition against Hedging and Pledging Transactions

The Board has adopted an insider trading policy that prohibits the ability of officers, employees or directors to purchase financial instruments or otherwise engage in transactions that hedge any decrease in market value of common stock owned by such person.

Board’s Role in Risk Oversight

The Board is engaged in risk management oversight. At the present time, our Board has not established a separate committee to facilitate its risk oversight responsibilities, but expects to continue to monitor and assess whether such a committee would be appropriate. The understanding, identification and management of risk are essential elements for the successful management of the Company. Risk oversight begins with the Board and the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee reviews and discusses policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management. The Audit Committee also has oversight responsibility with respect to the integrity of the Company’s financial reporting process and systems of internal control regarding finance and accounting, as well as its financial statements. Annually, management presents to the Audit Committee a report summarizing the review of the Company’s methods for identifying and managing risks. Based on a review of the nature of operations, the Board does not believe that any areas of the Company have incentive to take excessive risks that would likely have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operations.

Board Diversity

The Company does not have a formal policy regarding diversity in the selection of nominees for directors. The CGN Committee does, however, consider diversity on an informal basis as part of its overall selection strategy.

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

The following table sets forth the compensation granted to our directors during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2023. No cash director fees are paid and this has been the Company’s policy for more than the last two fiscal years. All director fees for services rendered are paid through the issuance of shares of Company Common Stock or through non-qualified options to purchase shares of Company Common Stock. No director compensation is paid to Mr. Gorski.


  Fees Paid or  Fee Paid or       
  Earned in  Earned in  Option    
  Cash  Stock  Awards  Total 
Name ($)  ($)  ($)  ($) 
Anthony Marchese $  $55,000(1) $637,548(2) $692,548 
Cecil Wall $  $25,000(1) $  $25,000 
Peter Denetclaw, Jr. $  $25,000(1) $  $25,000 
LaVern Lund $  $25,000(1) $  $25,000 
Kevin Francis $  $33,000(1) $  $33,000 

(1) This value calculation equates to the market value of our Common Stock on the date of grant of shares of Common Stock issued for director services rendered, less a 20% discount.  

(2) During the year ended August 31, 2023, the Company granted Mr. Marchese a five-year non-qualified option to purchase 500,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $1.31 per share, with a Black-Scholes option pricing model valuation of $637,548 on the date of grant, for services rendered as chairman of the board of directors.

Each of our directors is reimbursed reasonable out of pocket expenses associated with attending our board meetings.


PROPOSAL NO. 2 — APPROVAL, BY ADVISORY VOTE, OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Under Section 14A of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), the Company’s stockholders are entitled to vote to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this Proxy Statement in accordance with the rules of the SEC. This “say-on-pay” vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our named executive officers and the philosophy and policies described in this Proxy Statement. At the Annual Meeting, the stockholders will be asked to cast an advisory vote on how frequently the Company should seek an advisory “say-on-pay” vote. See Proposal No. 3 below. In particular, the Company is asking whether the “say-on-pay” vote should occur every three years, every two years, or every one year. As stated in Proposal No. 3 below, the Board is recommending that stockholders vote for a frequency of every THREE YEARS on the “say-on-pay” vote, believing that this frequency is sufficient to enable the Board and the Compensation Committee to understand and incorporate the views of the Company’s stockholders in structuring the Company’s executive compensation programs. The Company is asking stockholders to indicate their support at the Annual Meeting for the compensation of our named executive officers as described in this Proxy Statement by casting an advisory vote “FOR” the following resolution:

“RESOLVED, that the stockholders approve the compensation of the “named executive officers” of Texas Mineral Resources Corp., as disclosed in the section entitled “Executive Compensation” in the Proxy Statement for the Texas Mineral Resources Corp. 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC.”

Vote Required

The affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of our shares of common stock present virtually or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote is required to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as described in the section entitled “Executive Compensation” below. Because the vote is advisory, it will not be binding on the Company, the Board or the Compensation Committee. Nevertheless, the views expressed by our stockholders, whether through this vote or otherwise, are important to us and, accordingly, the Board and the Compensation Committee intend to consider the results of this vote in making determinations in the future regarding executive compensation arrangements.

The Board recommends that you vote FOR the proposal to approve the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers, as described in this Proxy Statement.


PROPOSAL NO. 3 – APPROVAL, BY ADVISORY VOTE, OF THE FREQUENCY OF ADVISORY VOTES ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The Dodd-Frank Act also enables our stockholders to indicate how frequently we should seek an advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to the SEC’s compensation disclosure rules, such as Proposal No. 2. As required by Section 14A of the Exchange Act and in accordance with the Dodd-Frank Act, the Company is providing our stockholders with the opportunity to vote, on a non-binding, advisory basis, on whether the Company will seek an advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers every three years, two years, or one year.

The optimal frequency of the advisory vote on executive compensation depends on a balancing of the benefits and burdens of more or less frequent votes. Many have expressed a belief that less frequent votes are appropriate as they enable stockholders to focus on a company’s overall compensation program design, as opposed to short-term decisions, and provide sufficient time to evaluate how a company’s compensation program drives longer-term performance and the creation of longer-term stockholder value. Many also believe that a less frequent voting cycle will give companies sufficient time to respond thoughtfully to stockholder views and to implement any necessary changes to executive compensation programs and allow stockholders to evaluate the results of these changes before the next stockholder advisory vote.

Others believe more frequent stockholder votes are optimal as they provide stockholders with the opportunity to react promptly to emerging trends in compensation and to provide rapid feedback to companies with respect to their views on the effectiveness and appropriateness of their executive compensation programs. This more frequent feedback would provide boards of directors and compensation committees with the opportunity to evaluate individual compensation decisions each year in light of the stockholder feedback and to better incorporate current stockholder views into companies’ compensation programs.

Our Board believes that the most appropriate outcome at this time is to have a stockholder advisory vote on compensation every THREE YEARS, as that level of frequency will best enable the Board and the Compensation Committee to understand and incorporate the views of our stockholders in structuring our executive compensation programs.

You may cast your vote on your preferred voting frequency, by choosing the option of three years, two years, one year or abstain from voting when you vote on this Proposal No. 3.

Vote Required

The option of three years, two years or one year that receives the highest number of votes cast by stockholders will be the frequency for the advisory vote on executive compensation that has been selected by stockholders. As with your vote on Proposal No. 2 above, your vote on this Proposal No. 3 is advisory, and therefore not binding on the Company, the Compensation Committee, or our Board, and the Board may decide that it is in the best interests of our stockholders and the Company to hold an advisory vote on executive compensation more or less frequently than the option approved by our stockholders. However, our Board and our Compensation Committee value the opinions of our stockholders and we will take our stockholders’ preferences into account in making determinations regarding the frequency of the say-on-pay vote.

The Board recommends that stockholders vote for a frequency of every THREE YEARS for future advisory stockholder votes on executive compensation.


PROPOSAL NO. 4 — RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Audit Committee has appointed Ham, Langston & Brezina, L.L.P. as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2024 and recommends that stockholders vote for ratification of such selection. Although we are not required by law to obtain such ratification from our stockholders, we have determined that it is desirable to do so. If our stockholders do not ratify the selection of Ham, Langston & Brezina, L.L.P., the Audit Committee may reconsider its selection. The Audit Committee, in its discretion, may appoint a new independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if the Audit Committee believes that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and our stockholdersstockholders.

Ham, Langston & Brezina, L.L.P. has audited our consolidated financial statements since 2020. We expect that representatives of Ham, Langston & Brezina, L.L.P. will be present virtually at the Annual Meeting to ratify,respond to appropriate questions and to make a statement if they so desire.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

The following table sets forth information regarding the amount billed to us by our independent auditor, Ham, Langston & Brezina, L.L.P., for our two fiscal years ended August 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively:

  Years Ended August 31, 
  2023  2022 
Audit Fees $79,000  $66,855 
Audit Related Fees      
Tax Fees  5,000   5,000 
All Other Fees      
         
Total $84,000  $71,855 

All of the professional services described above were pre-approved by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee was provided with regular updates as to the nature of such services and fees paid for such services.

None of the hours expended on the independent registered public accounting firm’s engagement to audit the Company’s financial statements for the most recent fiscal year were attributed to work performed by persons other than the independent registered public accounting firm’s full-time permanent employees.

Audit Fees

Consist of fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of our financial statements and review of interim financial statements included in quarterly reports and services that are normally provided by the principal accountants in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.

Audit Related Fees

There were no “Audit Related Fees” charged which would have consisted of fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and are not reported under “Audit Fees”.

Tax Fees

Consist of fees billed for professional services for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. These services include preparation of federal and state income tax returns.

All Other Fees

There were no “All Other Fees” which would have consisted of fees for product and services other than the services reported above.

Policy on Pre-Approval by Audit Committee of Services Performed by Independent Auditors

The Audit Committee has adopted procedures requiring the Audit Committee to review and approve in advance, all particular engagements for services provided by the Company’s independent auditor. Consistent with applicable laws, the procedures permit limited amounts of services, other than audit, review or attest services, to be approved by one or more members of the Audit Committee pursuant to Section 204authority delegated by the Audit Committee, provided the Audit Committee is informed of each particular service. All of the DGCL, the approvalengagements and fees for 2023 were pre-approved by the Board and subsequent execution byAudit Committee. The Audit Committee reviews with Ham, Langston & Brezina, L.L.P., whether the Company ofnon-audit services to be provided are compatible with maintaining the 2019 Option Agreement without having obtained authorization by the holdersauditor’s independence.


Vote Required

The affirmative vote of a majority of the outstandingvoting power of our shares of Common Stockcommon stock present virtually or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote is required to ratify the appointment of Ham, Langston & Brezina, L.L.P. as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2024. If you are a beneficial owner whose shares are held of record by a broker, your broker has discretionary voting authority to vote your shares on this Proposal No. 4, even if the broker does not receive voting instructions from you.

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the ratification of the Company. This ratification shall be retroactive toselection of Ham, Langston & Brezina, L.L.P as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending August 23, 2019, the date the 2019 Option Agreement was executed by the Company.31, 2024.


EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

BackgroundSet forth below is a list and biographical information (except for Daniel E. Gorski who also serves as a director and whose biography is listed in the section entitled “Information Regarding Director Nominees”) for each of our current executive officers.

NameAgeCurrent Office with CompanyPositions Held Since
Daniel E. Gorski86Chief Executive Officer   August 2012
Wm Chris Mathers64Chief Financial OfficerFebruary 2016

Wm. Chris Mathers – Mr. Mathers is a senior finance and accounting professional with more than 40 years of experience in financial accounting, mergers and acquisition, SEC compliance and operational and administrative support and has served as Chief Financial Officer of the Company since February 2016. Mr. Mathers holds a BBA in Accounting from Southwestern University at Georgetown, Texas, and is a certified public accountant. Mr. Mathers began his career in public accounting in 1981 with the accounting firm of Price Waterhouse focusing on multi-national public audits. From 1983 through 1989, Mr. Mathers was in private practice focusing on tax preparation, and the financial audits of corporations, partnerships and individuals. From 1989 through 1993, Mr. Mathers was a controller and administrative officer of GJR Investments, Inc., a national real estate firm.

 

The Round Top ProjectEXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

We are a mining company engaged inCompensation Discussion and Analysis

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”) describes the businessobjectives and principles underlying our executive compensation program and outlines the material elements of compensation for the acquisition, exploration and development of mining properties. Substantially allindividuals identified below, referred to herein as our named executive officers (“NEOs” or “Named Executive Officers”), who consist of our assets consistprincipal executive officer and principal financial officer, our only two employees as of the Round Top Project, or Round Top, as set forth below:August 31, 2023.

 

Dan Gorski, Director and Chief Executive Officer;

·two eleven year leases with the Texas General Land Office (“GLO”), executed in September 2011 and November 2011, respectively, to explore and develop a 950 acre rare earths project located in Hudspeth County, Texas, known as the Round Top Project or Round Top; 

Chris Mathers, Chief Financial Officer;

 

·the 54,990 acre surface lease at the Round Top Project, known as the West Lease, that provides unrestricted surface access for the potential developmentExecutive Summary and mining of our Round Top Project;  

·an option to purchase from the GLO the surface rights covering approximately 5,670 acres over the mining lease and additional acreage adequate to the site to handle potential heap leaching and processing operations as currently anticipated at the Round Top Project; and 

·a ground water lease securing the right to develop the ground water within a 13,120-acre lease area located approximately 4 miles from Round Top, containing five existing water wells. 

We intend to transfer the properties comprising the Round Top Project into Round Top Mountain Development, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.

Rationale for Entering into the 2019 Option AgreementCompensation Philosophy

 

The Company historicallybelieves it is in our stockholders’ best interests to attract, motivate and retain highly qualified individuals in critical positions by providing competitive compensation opportunities. Our guiding compensation principles endeavor to align executive compensation with our strategic objectives. Most importantly, we believe that our executive compensation programs appropriately link pay to performance and are well aligned with the long-term interests of our stockholders. We further believe that our executive compensation principles are competitive with similarly situated companies in our industry and other companies that are our peers in terms of annual revenues and appropriately recognize executive performance. Our Compensation Committee is responsible for establishing, implementing and maintaining the compensation program for our NEOs.

At the Annual Meeting, stockholders will be asked to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our NEOs, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement, thus ratifying our compensation philosophy and approach. Such an approval will assist our Board and Compensation Committee in determining whether the fundamental characteristics of our executive compensation program should remain.

Use of Compensation Consultants and Peer Group Data

The Compensation Committee did not consult with any compensation consultants in conjunction with its executive compensation determinations for fiscal 2023. The Compensation Committee did not set executives’ compensation to a specific percentile of the range of total compensation represented by a specified peer group when making its executive compensation determinations for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2023 (which compensation remained unchanged from the prior fiscal year).

Role of Executives in Establishing Compensation

Our executives do not play a role in recommending compensation for NEOs. Our Chairman, Mr. Marchese, plays an integral role in recommending compensation for NEOs. Compensation Committee members develop their own opinions regarding the annual performance of our NEOs based on interactions with them. Our chief executive officer does not participate in deliberations concerning, or vote on, the compensation arrangements for himself. The Compensation Committee approves the compensation for all NEOs.


Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

None of our Compensation Committee members was an officer or employee of the Company during fiscal 2023, has lackedformerly been an officer of the necessary capitalCompany, or has or had any related party transaction relationship with our Company of a type that is required to be disclosed under Item 404 of Regulation S-K. None of our executive officers has served as a member of the board of directors, or as a member of the compensation or similar committee, of any entity that has one or more executive officers who served on our Board or Compensation Committee during fiscal 2023.

Material Elements of Executive Compensation

The key element of our executive compensation program consists of base salary. We pay a base salary to each of our NEOs, the objective of which is to provide a fixed component of cash compensation to an executive that reflects the level of responsibility associated with the executive’s position and been unableis competitive with the base compensation the executive could earn in a similar position at comparable companies. Base salary for our NEOs is reviewed as appropriate in light of market compensation, tenure, individual performance, Company performance and other subjective considerations.

The following summary compensation tables set forth information concerning the annual and long-term compensation for services in all capacities to raise sufficient capitalthe Company for the years stated for those persons who were Named Executive Officers at August 31, 2023. “Named Executive Officer” means: (a) each principal executive officer, (b) the two most highly compensated executive officers other than the principal executive officer, at the end of the most recently completed financial year; and (c) up to advance the Round Top Project. In August 2019, due totwo additional individuals who would be an Named Executive Officer under paragraph (b) but for the fact that the Company lacked the working capital necessary to advance the Round Top Project, the Board believed that entering into the 2019 Option Agreement with USA Rare Earthindividual was in the best interestsnot serving as an executive officer of the Company and its stockholders, as it presentedat the end of that financial year. There are only practical method to advance the potential developmenttwo Named Executive Officers (we only have two employees), each of the Round Top Project. The Board continues to believe that the entry into the 2019 Option Agreement was instrumental in advancing the interests of the Company in its quest to develop the Round Top Project.which is listed below.

 

The 2019 Option AgreementSummary Compensation Table

 

On August 28, 2018, the Company and Morzev Pty. Ltd. (“Morzev”) entered into an agreement (the “2018 Option Agreement”) whereby Morzev was granted the exclusive right to earn and acquire a 70% interest, increasable to an 80% interest, in the Round Top Project from the Company by funding certain expenditures described below.  The 2018 Option Agreement contained customary representations, warranties and covenants.  In September 2018 and October 2018, the Company and Morzev entered into minor, non-substantive amendments to the 2018 Option Agreement and, under that agreement, in November 2018 Morzev purchased from the Company 646,054 shares of Company Common Stock for $140,000.  Morzev started to do business as USA Rare Earth and, in May 2019, Morzev d/b/a USA Rare Earth notified the Company that it was nominating USA Rare Earth as the optionee under the terms of the 2018 Option Agreement.  The 2019 Option Agreement was executed on August 23, 2019, whereby the Company restated its agreement to grant USA Rare Earth the exclusive right to earn and acquire a 70% interest, increasable to an 80% interest, in the Round Top Project from the Company by funding certain expenditures described below.  The 2019 Option Agreement has substantially similar terms to the 2018 Option Agreement except that that 2019 Option Agreement acknowledges the investment by USA Rare Earth into the Company and recognized a broader range of expenditures advancing the Round Top Project as contributing to the total $10,000,000 earn-in commitment for the initial 70% interest.  The agreement contained customary representations, warranties and covenants.  In order to acquire and earn the 70% interest in the Round Top Project, USA Rare Earth must perform and complete the following:

        Option  All Other  Total 
     Salary  Awards  Compensation  Compensation 
Name and principal position Year  (US$)  (US$)  (US$)  (US$) 
Daniel Gorski 2023  $120,000  $  $  $120,000 
Chief Executive Officer 2022  $120,000  $  $  $120,000 
                    
Wm Chris Mathers 2023  $60,000  $  $  $60,000 
Chief Financial Officer 2022  $60,000  $  $  $60,000 

 

·commit to expend a total of $2,500,000 for mining operations (as described below) on the Round Top Project prior to December 13, 2020 (inclusive of the $140,000 Morzev 2018 stock purchase); and 



·expend amounts for mining operations on the Round Top Project, up to a maximum of $10,000,000 (including the $2,500,000 referred to above), which mining operations include: (i) the work of de-risking Round Top (including specifically optimizing the leaching cycle and determining final leach pad design, undertaking the pilot plant, and developing the process and procedure to separate and purify other economically important elements from the primary leach solution including but not limited to lithium, aluminum sulfate, hafnium and other fertilizer and industrial products); (ii) property maintenance; (iii) process development solar evaporation; (iv) chemical processing; (v) baseline studies; (vi) engineering; (vii) assessment, geophysical, geochemical and geological surveys; (viii) studies and mapping; (ix) investigating, drilling, assaying, prospecting, designing, examining, equipping, improving, surveying, shaft-sinking, raising, cross-cutting and drifting, searching for, digging, trucking, sampling, working and procuring minerals, ores and metals; (x) surveying and bringing any mining claims to lease or patent; (xi) reclaiming and all other work usually considered to be prospecting, exploration, development, mining and reclamation work; (xii) paying wages and salaries of workers engaged in the work and in supplying food, lodging, transportation and other reasonable needs of the workers; (xiii) paying assessments or premiums for workers’ compensation insurance, contributions for unemployment insurance or other pay allowances or benefits customarily paid in the district to those workers; (xiv) paying rentals, license renewal fees, taxes and other governmental charges required to keep the mineral interests comprising the Round Top Project in good standing; (xv) purchasing or renting plant, buildings, machinery, tools, appliances, equipment or supplies and in installing, erecting, detaching and removing them; and (xvi) mining, milling, concentrating, rehabilitation, reclamation, and environmental protections and in the management of any work which may be done on Round Top or in any other respect necessary for the due carrying out of the prospecting, exploration and development work or any other expenditure approved the Operating Committee. USA Rare Earth has the right to fund the balance of the $10,000,000 of mining operations expenditures into Round Top Mountain Development, LLC at any time and, simultaneously with such funding, USA Rare Earth will acquire a 70% interest in Round Top. 

If and when USA Rare Earth acquires the 70% interest in the Round Top Project, the Company’s interest in Round Top will immediately reduce to 30% and each party will be required to contribute to future expenditures with respect to Round Top in proportion to their ownership and all budgets and timelines to be determined and agreed by an operating committee established between the parties, consisting of 2 appointees of USA Rare Earth and one appointee of the Company. Additionally, the failure of a party to fund its proportionate expenditure request shall result in dilution of an ownership interest.

USA Rare Earth shall have the option to acquire an additional 10% in the Round Top Project by:

·providing written notice to the Company at any time prior to the 180-day anniversary of the date of the completion of the bankable feasibility study; and 

·paying to the Company $3,000,000. 

The additional option is only effective if USA Rare Earth earns a 70% interest in the Round Top Project.

USA Rare Earth serves as the project manager of Round Top, with responsibility to manage, supervise, direct, and control the mining operation with respect to Round Top. Specifically, the project manager responsibilities include:

·arranging for and carrying out the mining operations at Round Top; 

·making payments to maintain the mining interests and leases free of encumbrances and in good standing; 

·maintaining insurance; and 

·customary indemnification obligations in connection with its mining properties. 

Currently Mr. Gorski is paid $120,000 per year by USA Rare Earth for serving as project supervisor.

The parties have agreed not to transfer any rights under the 2019 Option Agreement, without consent of the other, providing each other with a customary right of first refusal, andIn August 2012, the Company agreed to participatepay to Mr. Daniel Gorski the amount of $120,000 annually in a customary drag-along provision if USA Rare Earth sells its interest in the 2019 Option Agreement to an unrelated third party.

The 2019 Option Agreement can be terminated by the Company if USA Rare Earth fails to timely pay for mining operation expendituresconnection with his appointment as set forth in the 2019 Option Agreement.



The Board, in consultation with counsel, has determined that the failure to obtain shareholder approval prior to entering into the 2019 Option Agreement may create some uncertainty as to whether proper authority existed for the Company to enter into the 2019 Option Agreement. As a result, our Board has determined that it is in the best interestschief executive officer of the Company. The Company and our stockholdersMr. Gorski have not entered into a formal written employment agreement in relation to ratify the approval by the BoardMr. Gorski’s compensation and subsequent execution by the Company of the 2019 Option Agreement pursuant to Section 204 of the DGCL to eliminate any uncertainty related to the authority and effectiveness of this corporate act. If the 2019 Option Agreement Ratification is approved by our stockholders and becomes effective, the ratification will be retroactive to August 23, 2019, which was the date of the execution by the Company of the 2019 Option Agreement.

Among other consequences, the 2019 Option Agreement Ratification will (i) confirm that, at all times since the execution by the Company of the 2019 Option Agreement on August 23, 2019, the Company had sufficient corporate authority to perform its obligations under the 2019 Option Agreement and (ii) facilitate potential future transactions, including, without limitation, capital-raising transactions, and strategic transactions, including, without limitation, a sale of the Company, a business combination, or a disposition of corporate assets of the Company.

The address for USA Rare Earth is 315 West 36th St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10018, and the telephone number is (212) 739-0468. The management team of USA Rare Earth includes:

·Pini Althaus,employment terms as chief executive officer. As an executive officer in the mining and resource sector since 2002, Mr. Althaus has identified and acquired several significant mining projects in the United States, Canada, Australia, China and Latin America.Gorski is currently being paid $120,000 per year. Mr. Althaus’ responsibilities have included executive duties, as well as operational ones such as fund-raising, liaising with government officials, and the implementation and upkeep of social economics programs with the indigenous groups in surrounding areas and compliance with securities regulations.

·Douglas Newby, chief financial officer. Mr. Newby has more than 35 years’ experience in mine evaluation, finance and corporate management. Most recently, Mr. Newby was chief financial officer of PolyMet Mining Corp., a Canadian company developing a copper-nickel project in Minnesota, where he secured more than $300 million in financing, and established and maintained a strategic relationship with Glencore plc. Mr. Newby was responsible for maintaining compliance with securities regulations and has extensive experience around the world including South America, Africa, Australasia, and Europe as well as the U.S. and Canada.

The technical team of USA Rare Earth includes:

·Mike Vaisey, chief technology officer. Mr. VaiseyMathers is an experienced mining and chemical industry executive and chemical engineer, with 30 years operating and project development experience across mining and refining operations, project development, operational leadership, research and technology. Mr. Vaisey has occupied numerous positions with Lynas Corporation, including chief technology officer, leading the technical development of the Mt Weld Rare Earths Project that reached full production rates in March 2017.

·Richard Shawis experienced in the development and commercial implementation of ion exchange processes, a well-established process utilized in many different applications. Mr. Shaw has worked extensively in the pharmaceutical, nuclear, chemical and metals processing industries and has participated in many assignments for major companies such as BHP, Anglo American, Barrick Gold, Newmont/Goldcorp and Freeport-McMoRan. 

·Inventure Renewables. Inventure Renewables’primary business is assisting agri-business, oleo-chemical and biofuel companies to turn waste products and by-products into value-added materials to increase overall profitability. It has extensive experience in commercial CIX applications separating low concentrations of metals and minerals from plant and waste solutions.

·Resource Development, Inc. Resource Development is a leader in mining process technology. Its laboratory, located near USA Rare Earth’s Wheat Ridge, Colorado facility, includes flotation, column leaching, hydro- and pyro-metallurgical, magnetic/electrostatic separation, pressure oxidation, and solid/liquid separation equipment to support flow sheet optimization. 

General

The 2019 Option Agreement is attached hereto as Appendix A and the above summary of the 2019 Option Agreement is qualified in its entirety by the 2019 Option Agreement attached as Appendix A.



Information with respect to the Company’s business and financial condition (including its recent financial statements) is incorporated by reference into this Proxy Statement from the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K/A, filed with the SEC on June 3, 2020, which accompanies, and iscurrently being sent to stockholders with, this Proxy Statement.

Our Board Has Approved the 2019 Option Agreement Ratification

Section 204 of the DGCL allows a Delaware corporation to ratify a corporate act retroactive to the date the corporate act was originally taken. On June 29, 2020, our Board determined that it would be advisable and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders to ratify the approval by the Board and subsequent execution by the Company of the 2019 Option Agreement without having obtained authorization by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Companypaid $60,000 per year pursuant to Section 204 of the DGCL to eliminate any uncertainty related to its validity or effectiveness and adopted the resolutions attached hereto as Appendix B (such resolutions are incorporated herein by reference) approving the 2019 Option Agreement Ratification.an at-will employment arrangement. The Board also recommended that our stockholders approve the 2019 Option Agreement Ratification for purposes of Section 204, and directed that the 2019 Option Agreement Ratification be submitted to our stockholders for approval.

The text of Sections 204 and 205 of the DGCL are attached hereto as Appendix C.

Retroactive Ratification of the 2019 Option Agreement

Subject to the 120-day period for bringing claims discussed below, if the 2019 Option Agreement is approved by the stockholders at the Special Meeting on August 6, 2020, it should eliminate any possible uncertainty as to whether the 2019 Option Agreement is void or voidable as a result of the potential failure of authorization described above, and the effect of the ratification will be retroactive to August 23, 2019, the date of entry into the 2019 Option Agreement.

Time Limitations on Legal Challenges to the Ratification of the 2019 Option Agreement

If the 2019 Option Agreement Ratification becomes effective, under the DGCL, any claim that (i) the 2019 Option Agreement ratified pursuant to the 2019 Option Agreement Ratification is void or voidable due to a failure of authorization, or (ii) the Delaware Court of Chancery should declare in its discretion that the 2019 Option Agreement not be effective or be effective only on certain conditions, must be brought within 120 days from the date of the Special Meeting, August 6, 2020, if the 2019 Option Agreement Ratification is approved at such meeting.

The Consequences if the 2019 Option Agreement Ratification is Not Approved by Our Stockholders

If the 2019 Option Agreement Ratification is not approved by the requisite vote of our stockholders, the 2019 Option Agreement Ratification will not become effective in accordance with the DGCL statute, Section 204, providing for a non-exclusive method to ratify a transaction. The DGCL specifically states that compliance with Section 204 is not the exclusive means of ratifying any transaction or act. The failure to approve the 2019 Option Agreement Ratification may leave us exposed to potential claims that (i) the entry into and performance by the Company of the 2019 Option Agreement did not receive requisite stockholder approval, (ii) the 2019 Option Agreement therefore was not validly adopted, and (iii) as a result, (a) the Company does not have authority to perform the obligations set forth in the 2019 Option Agreement, which could impact our relationshipbelieve that its compensation arrangements with USA Rare Earth. This could expose us to significant claims andits Named Executive Officers creates inherent risks that may have a material adverse effect on the Company. There are no change of control arrangements, severance agreements or retirement benefits to be paid to or with our liquidity, which could result in our filing for bankruptcy or an involuntary petition for bankruptcy being filed against us.NEOs.

 

InterestsAs required under SEC rules adopted pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act and Item 402(v) of DirectorsRegulation S-K, we are providing the following information about the relationship between executive compensation and Executive Officerscertain measurements of the Company’s performance.

 

OurThe following table sets forth the information of our NEOs, consisting of the Company’s primary executive officer (“PEO”) and primary financial officer (“PFO”) for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2023 and 2022, the only NEOs and only Company employees. The amounts represented under “compensation actually paid” (“CAP”) were computed in accordance with SEC rules relative to Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K.

Pay Versus Performance Table

Year  Summary compensation table total for first PEO (1)  Summary compensation table total for second PEO (2)  Compensation actually paid to first PEO  Compensation actually paid to second PEO  Average summary compensation table total for non-PEO NEOs (3)  Average compensation actually paid to non-PEO and NEOs (3)  Value of initial fixed $100 investment based on total shareholder return  

Net income  

(Loss) 

 
8/31/2022  $120,000  $60,000  $120,000  $60,000  $  $  $142.03  $(2,903,739)
8/31/2023  $120,000  $60,000  $120,000  $60,000  $  $  $40.31  $(2,591,961)

(1) Represents amounts actually paid to our CEO Daniel E Gorski. 


(2) Represents amounts actually paid to our CFO Wm Chris Mathers.  

(3) No non-PEO NEOs were paid by the Company.

Compensation Committee Report

During the year ended August 31, 2023, the Board and the Company’s Compensation Committee were responsible for establishing a compensation policy and administering the compensation programs of the Company’s executive officers.

Salary

The amount of compensation paid by the Company to each of the Company’s officers and the terms of those persons’ employment is determined by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee evaluates past performance and considers future incentive and retention in considering the appropriate compensation for the Company’s officers. The Company believes that the compensation paid to the Company’s directors and executive officers have no substantial interests, directly or indirectly, in the matters set forth in this proposal except (i)is fair to the extent of their ownership of shares of our Common Stock and equity awards granted to them under our equity incentive plans, (ii) Mr. Gorski is paid $120,000 per year by USA Rare Earth for his role and in his capacity as Round Top Project supervisor, which funds comprise part of the “mining operations” expenditures required to be funded by USA Rare Earth to earn the Round Top Project ownership interest, and (iii) Peter Denetclaw and Clark Moseley, two of our seven directors and representatives of the Navajo Transitional Energy Company which owns 18% of our common stock and also owns approximately 5% of the common stock of USA Rare Earth.



Company.

 

Interests of USA Rare EarthStock Incentive Awards

 

To our knowledge,The Compensation Committee believes that the only interestuse of USA Rare Earthdirect stock awards is at times appropriate for employees, and in the Companyfuture may use direct stock awards to reward outstanding service or to attract and retain individuals with exceptional talent and credentials. The use of stock options and other awards is evidenced throughintended to strengthen the interest inalignment of interests of executive officers and other key employees with those of our stockholders.

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed this Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management. Based on this review and discussion, the Option Agreement.

Vote Required; Recommendation ofCompensation Committee has recommended to the Board of Directorsthat the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement for the year ended August 31, 2023 for filing with the SEC.

 

Approval of the 2019 Option Agreement Ratification requires “For” votes from the holders of a majority of shares of our Common Stock outstanding as of the Record Date.

By the Compensation Committee,
Cecil Wall, Chair
Anthony Marchese
Kevin Francis

Executive Compensation Agreements

 

OUR BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE 2019 OPTION AGREEMENT RATIFICATION.



PROPOSAL 2: THE ADJOURNMENT PROPOSALAgreement with Mr. Gorski

 

The Company is asking its stockholders to approvepays Mr. Daniel Gorski a salary in the Adjournment Proposal.amount of $120,000 annually in connection with his appointment as Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The Company and Mr. Gorski have not entered into a formal written employment agreement. 

 

Vote Required; RecommendationAgreement with Wm. Chris Mathers

The Company pays Mr. Wm. Chris Mathers a salary in the amount of $60,000 annually in connection with his appointment as Chief Financial Officer of the Board of DirectorsCompany. The Company and Mr. Mathers have not entered into a formal written employment agreement.

 

ApprovalOutstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

There were no awarded stock options previously issued to Named Executive Officers that were outstanding as of August 31, 2023.

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

The Company does not offer nonqualified deferred compensation to any of its named executive officers.

Change of Control Payments

There are no change of control payments or golden parachute compensation arrangements.


CEO Pay Ratio

Pursuant to SEC rules, we are required to disclose the annual total compensation of our median employee, the annual total compensation of our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), and the ratio of these two amounts.

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2023, the annual total compensation of the Adjournment Proposal requires “For” votesmedian of all Company employees (other than the CEO) was $60,000, one employee. The annual total compensation of the CEO, as reported in the Summary Compensation Table of this Proxy Statement, was $120,000. Based on this information, for fiscal 2023, the ratio of the annual total compensation of the CEO to the annual total compensation of our median employee, as required to be reported pursuant to Regulation 402 of Regulation S-K, was 2:1.

The median employee was identified using a listing of all full-time employees as of August 31, 2023, which was one employee. Once we identified our median employee (being the one employee), we calculated such employee’s annual total compensation for fiscal 2023 in accordance with the requirements of Item 402 of Regulation S-K.

This pay ratio is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with SEC rules based on the Company’s payroll and employment records and the methodology described above. The SEC rules for identifying the median of the annual total compensation of our employees and calculating the pay ratio based on that employee’s annual total compensation allow companies to adopt a variety of methodologies, to apply certain exclusions, and to make reasonable estimates and assumptions that reflect their compensation practices. As such, the pay ratio reported by other companies may not be comparable to the pay ratio reported above, as other companies may have different employment and compensation practices and may utilize different methodologies, exclusions, estimates and assumptions in calculating their own pay ratios.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS

Indemnification of Officers and Directors

Our Charter contains provisions that limit the liability of our directors for monetary damages to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware corporation law (“DGCL”). Consequently, our directors will not be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages resulting from any breach of their fiduciary duties as directors, except liability for the holdersfollowing:

any breach of their duty of loyalty to the Company or our stockholders;

any act or omission not in good faith or that involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions as provided in Section 174 of the DGCL; or

any transaction from which they derived an improper personal benefit.

Any amendment to, or repeal of, these provisions will not eliminate or reduce the effect of these provisions in respect of any act, omission or claim that occurred or arose prior to that amendment or repeal. If the DGCL is amended to provide for further limitations on the personal liability of directors of corporations, then the personal liability of our directors will be further limited to the greatest extent permitted by the DGCL.

Our Bylaws provide that we will indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any person who is or was a party or is threatened to be made a party to any action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she is or was one of our directors or officers or is or was serving at our request as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise. Our Bylaws also provide that we must advance expenses incurred by or on behalf of a majoritydirector or officer in advance of sharesthe final disposition of our Common Stock presentany action or represented at the Special Meeting and entitledproceeding, subject to vote.very limited exceptions.

 

OUR BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL.



We believe that these Charter and Bylaws provisions are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as officers and members of the Board. We also maintain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance.

 

Policies and Procedures for Related Party Transactions

Related Party Transaction Policy

The Company has a policy for the review of transactions with related persons as set forth in the Company’s Audit Committee Charter and internal practices. The policy requires review, approval or ratification of all transactions in which the Company is a participant and in which any of the Company’s directors, executive officers, significant stockholders or an immediate family member of any of the foregoing persons has a direct or indirect material interest, subject to certain categories of transactions that are deemed to be pre-approved under the policy - including employment of executive officers, director compensation (in general, where such transactions are required to be reported in the Company’s proxy statement pursuant to SEC compensation disclosure requirements), as well as certain transactions where the amounts involved do not exceed specified thresholds.


SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS, DIRECTORS AND MANAGEMENT

AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

 

Beneficial Ownership of TMRC’s Common Stock

The following tables set forth information as of our Record Date,January 22, 2024, regarding the ownership of the Company’s common stock by: (i) each named officer,Named Executive Officer, each director, each director nominee and all of the Company’s directors and executive officers as a group; and (ii) each person who is known by us to own more than 5% of the Company’s shares of common stock. The number of shares beneficially owned and the percentage of shares beneficially owned are based on 72,688,85474,320,648 shares of common stock outstanding as of our Record Date.January 22, 2024.

 

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. Shares subject to options that are exercisable within 60 days following our Record DateJanuary 22, 2024 are deemed to be outstanding and beneficially owned by the optionee for the purpose of computing share and percentage ownership of that optionee but are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. Except as indicated in the footnotes to this table, and as affected by applicable community property laws, all persons listed have sole voting and investment power for all shares shown as beneficially owned by them. 

 

 

Number of

 

 

 

Shares of

 

 

 

Common

 

Percent of

 

Stock

 

Class

 

Beneficially

 

Beneficially

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner

 

Owned

 

Owned

 

Number of 

Shares of 

Common Stock 

Beneficially 

Owned  

 

Percent of 

Class 

Beneficially 

Owned 

 

Daniel E. Gorski

 

7,653,068(1)

 

10.5%

 7,006,423(1)  9.5%

Anthony Marchese

 

5,486,563

 

7.5%

 6,637,814(2)  8.9%

Cecil Wall

 

906,662

 

1.2%

 1,885,265(3)  2.6%

Nicholas Pingitore

 

970,239(2)

 

1.3%

James Wolfe

 

630,351(3)

 

*

Wm Chris Mathers

 

488,454

 

*

 488,454(4)  * 

Peter Denetclaw, Jr.

 

10,111,883(4)

 

13.9%

 10,169,464(5)  13.8%

Clark A. Moseley

 

10,111,883(5)

 

13.9%

All directors and executive officers as a group (8 persons)

 

26,247,220

 

35.5%

 

 

 

 

SC Fundamental Value Fund LP

 

3,600,000(6)

 

5.0%

LaVern Lund 10,146,744(6)  13.8%
Kevin Francis 64,217(7)  * 
Donald Hulse -- * 
Deepak Malhotra -- * 
All directors and executive officers as a group (7 persons) 26,350,715 35.5%

Navajo Transitional Energy Company

 

10,111,833(7)

 

13.9%

 10,111,883(8)  13.7%

____________________

* Less than 1%.

 

(1)

Includes 363,640(1)

Represents 7,006,423 shares of Common Stock.

(2)Consists of (i) 4,113,774 shares of Common Stock owned individually, (ii) 2,024,040 shares of common stock registered in the name of the Insiders Trend Fund, LP., an entity in which Mr. Marchese serves as general partner and chief investment officer and (iii) 500,000 shares of common stock underlying a currently exercisable warrants with exercise prices between $0.35 and $0.50 per share and expiring the lateroption.

(3)Consists of December 2020.

(2)

Includes 526,944(i) 26,732 shares of Common Stock underlying currently exercisable optionsowned by Cecil Wall individually and warrants with exercise prices between $0.10 and $0.50 per share and expiring the later of October 2028.

(3)

Includes 320,000(ii) 1,858,533 shares of Common Stock underlying currently exercisable optionsowned by various trusts controlled by Mr. Wall.

(4)Comprised of 488,454 shares of Common Stock. 

(5)Comprised of (i) 57,581 shares of Common Stock owned individually and warrants with exercise prices between $0.10 and $0.50 per share and expiring the later of October 2028.

(4)

Mr. Denetclaw is deemed to be a beneficial owner of the(ii) 10,111,883 shares of common stock owned by Navajo Transitional Energy Company.

(5)

Company, of which Mr. MoseleyDenetclaw is deemed to be a beneficial ownerowner.

(6)Comprised of the(i) 34,861, shares of Common Stock owned individually and (ii) 10,111,883 shares of common stock owned by Navajo Transitional Energy Company. 

Company, of which Mr. Lund is deemed to be a beneficial owner.

 

(7)Comprised of 64,217 shares of Common Stock

 

(6)

Represents shares held by related persons and entities SC Fundamental Value Fund, L.P., SC Fundamental LLC, Peter M. Collery, Neil H. Koffler, John T. Bird, David Hurwitz and SC Fundamental LLC Employee Savings & Profit Sharing Plan.

(8)

(7)

Represents shares held by Navajo Transitional Energy Corp. Messrs. Denetclaw and MoseleyLund have voting and investment power with respect to these shares.


It is believed by the Company that all persons named have full voting and investment power with respect to the shares indicated, unless otherwise noted in the table and the footnotes thereto. Under the rules of the SEC, a person (or group of persons) is deemed to be a “beneficial owner” of a security if he or she, directly or indirectly, has or shares the power to vote or to direct the voting of such security, or the power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of such security. Accordingly, more than one person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of the same security. A person is also deemed to be a beneficial owner of any security, which that person has the right to acquire within 60 days, such as options or warrants to purchase our common stock.


The Company is not, to the best of our knowledge, directly or indirectly owned or controlled by another corporation or foreign government.

 

Change in Control

 

The Company is not aware of any arrangement that might result in a change in control of the ownership of Company’s capital stock in the future. WhileThe Company has no knowledge of any arrangements, including any pledge by any person of our securities, the fulfillment by USA Rare Earthoperation of which may at a subsequent date result in a change in the Company’s control.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance; Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports

Section 16(a) of the terms ofExchange Act requires the 2019 Option Agreement will not result in the issuance by the Company of any of its capital stock (thereby not altering any percentage ownership interest in the Company by holders of the Common Stock), it will result in the sale of a 70% interest, increasable to an 80% interest, in the Round Top Project, comprising substantially allCompany’s officers, directors, and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of the Company’s assets.common stock, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC.

 

FUTURE STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALSBased solely on our review of the copies of such forms received by us, or written representations from certain reporting persons, the Company believes that during fiscal year ended August 31, 2023 the filing requirements applicable to its officers, directors and greater than 10% percent beneficial owners were complied with, except for : (i) Mr. Lund was issued 6,546 shares of the Company’s Common Stock on October 18, 2022 and December 28, 2022, respectively, as a director and failed to timely file a Form 4; (ii) Mr. Lund was issued 11,336 shares of the Company’s Common Stock on March 31, 2023 and April 10, 2023, respectively, as a director and failed to timely file a Form 4; (iii) Mr. Denetclaw was issued 57,581 shares of the Company’s Common Stock on dates between October 27, 2020 and October 9, 2023 as a director and failed to timely file a Form 4; (iv) Mr. Wall was issued 3,313 shares of the Company’s Common Stock on October 18, 2022 and December 28, 2022, respectively, as a director and failed to timely file a Form 4; (v) Mr. Francis was issued 4,526 and 4,638 shares of the Company’s Common Stock on October 18, 2022 and December 28, 2022, respectively, as a director and failed to timely file a Form 4; (vi) Mr. Francis was issued 7,557 shares of the Company’s Common Stock on March 31, 2023 as a director and failed to timely file a Form 4; (vii) Mr. Francis was issued 2,476 shares of the Company’s Common Stock on June 22, 2023 as a director and failed to timely file a Form 4; and (viii) Mr. Marchese was issued 8,082 and 8,282 shares of the Company’s Common Stock on October 18, 2022 and December 28, 2022, respectively, as a director and failed to timely file a Form 4.

 

With respectADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Stockholder Proposals

Stockholders who intend to proposals not to be includedhave a proposal considered for inclusion in our proxy statementmaterials for our 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders pursuant to Rule 14a-8 ofunder the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), our bylaws do not address notice provisions governing stockholders who wish to propose other business to be brought before the stockholders at the annual meeting. For the 2021 annual meeting, stockholders wishing to present proposals for consideration must submit their proposals within a reasonable time before the Company begins to print and send its proxy materials for the 2021 annual meeting. Only proper proposals under Rule 14a-8 which are timely received will be included in the Proxy Statement for our 2021 annual meeting.

Proposals should be sentproposal in writing to our Secretary at Texas Mineral Resources Corp., 539 El Paso Avenue,Street, Sierra Blanca, TX 79851 Attention: Corporate Secretary.by no later than September 26, 2024 and otherwise comply with the requirements of the SEC for stockholder proposals.

 

STOCKHOLDERS SHARING THE SAME ADDRESSHouseholding of Proxy Materials

 

The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries such as brokers,(e.g., brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for SpecialNotices of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or Other Annual Meeting materialsMaterials with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single setNotice of SpecialInternet Availability of Proxy Materials or Other Annual Meeting materialsMaterials addressed to thosesuch stockholders. This process, commonlydelivery method is referred to as “householding,” potentially provides“householding” and can result in extra convenience for stockholders and cost savings for companies. We planThis year, we will be “householding” our proxy materials. A single Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or Other Annual Meeting Materials will be delivered to sendmultiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from affected stockholders prior to the mailing date. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in “householding” and would prefer to receive a separate Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy StatementMaterials or Other Annual Meeting Materials, or if you currently receive multiple copies and would like to each stockholder, asrequest “householding” of your communications, please contact the Company by phone at (361) 790-5831 or by mail to Texas Mineral Resources Corp., 539 El Paso Street, Sierra Blanca, TX 79851, Attn: Secretary. Upon written or oral request, we do not utilize the “householding” rules.will promptly deliver separate proxy materials to any stockholders who receive one paper copy at a shared address.

 

OTHER MATTERSCommunications with the Board of Directors

All interested parties, including our stockholders, may contact one or more of our directors in his or her capacity as a member of the Board, or the Board as a whole, about bona fide issues or questions about the Company, in writing via U.S. Mail or Expedited Delivery Service to the address below:


Texas Mineral Resources Corp.
539 El Paso Street
Sierra Blanca, Texas 79851
Attn: Secretary

 

Our management does not intendcounsel will review all incoming stockholder communications and, if appropriate, will forward such communications to presentthe appropriate member(s) of the Board or, if none is specified, to the Chairman of the Board. Our counsel may decide in the exercise of its judgment whether a response to any stockholder communication is necessary.

Other Business

The Board knows of no other items of business and is not aware of any matters other than those set forth in this Proxy Statement that will be presented for action atmay come before the SpecialAnnual Meeting. However, if any other matters are properly come beforepresented at the Special Meeting,meeting, the persons named in the enclosed proxy intend toholders will vote the shares of our Common Stock that they representupon them in accordance with their best judgment.



 

APPENDIX A—2019 OPTION AGREEMENT DATED AUGUST 29, 2019

AND FIRST AMENDMENT DATED JUNE 29, 2020Annual Report on Form 10-K

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED OPTION AGREEMENT

BETWEEN

TEXAS MINERAL RESOURCES CORP.,

AND

USA RARE EARTH, LLC

DATED: AUGUST-23, 2019

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED OPTION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) made effectiveA stockholder may obtain a copy of our 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, free of charge, by visiting our website at https://tmrcorp.com. Any stockholder who would like a copy of our 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the 23 dayrelated financial statements and the financial statement schedules, may obtain one, without charge, by submitting a written request to the attention of August 2019 betweenour Secretary, Texas Mineral Resources Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Texas Mineral Resources”), and USA Rare Earth, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“USA Rare Earth”).

RECITALS:

A.Texas Mineral Resources is539 El Paso Street, Sierra Blanca, TX 79851. Additionally, we will provide copies of the sole holder of Round Top Rare Earth project in Hudspeth County, Texas, as more fully set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto (the “Concession”). 

B.Texas Mineral Resources and Morzev Pty Ltd (“Morzev”) entered into that certain Option Agreement dated August 28, 2018, as modified by that certain Variation of Option Agreement between Texas Mineral Resources and Morzev dated October 9, 2018 (the “Variation”), and amended by that certain First Amendment to Option Agreement among Texas Mineral Resources, Morzev, and USA Rare Earth dated July 31, 2019 (as modified and amended, the “Original Option Agreement”). 

C.Under the Original Option Agreement, Texas Mineral Resources granted Morzev an exclusive option to earn a seventy percent (70%) interest. increasable to an eighty percent (80%) interest, in the Round Top Rare Earth project from Texas Mineral Resources (the “Option”), and as evidenced in the Variation, Morzev exercised its option. 

D.Pursuantexhibits to the terms of the Original Option Agreement, Morzev nominated USA Rare Earth as the optionee under the Original Option Agreement as evidenced by that certain letter executed by Pini Althaus dated July 16, 2019, and USA Rare Earth became a party to Original Option Agreement as a result thereat: 

E.Texas Mineral Resources and USA Rare Earth desire to amend and restate the terms of the Original Option Agreement, among other reasons, to modify certain terms related to the Option and to serve as a definitive agreement governing the rights and obligations of the parties. 

NOW, THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION of the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, Texas Mineral Resources and USA Rare Earth agree as follows:

Article 1

Definitions

1.01Definitions. In this Agreement unless the context otherwise requires, the following words and terms set forth in this Article l shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them: 

(a)$” or “dollar” means the currency of the United States of America. 

(b)“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person. For the purposes of this definition, the term “controls,” “is controlled by” or ‘‘under common control with” means (i} the direct or indirect ownership of in excess of fifty percent (50%) of the equity interests (or interests convertible into or otherwise exchangeable for equity interests) in a Person, or (ii) possession of the direct or indirect right to vote in excess of fifty percent (50%) of the voting securities or elect in excess of fifty percent (50%) of the board of directors or other governing bodyAnnual Report on Form 10-K, upon payment of a Person. 



(c)Agreement” means this agreement and all amendments made hereto in accordance with the provisions hereof 

(d)Area of Interest” means the area within a distance of two (2) miles from the external perimeter of the property that is subject to the Concession, as the property subject to the Concession existed at the Effective Date. 

(e)[Reserved]. 

(f)Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in Wilmington, Delaware and New York, New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed. 

(g)Concession” means, as reflected on Exhibit A l, the area enclosed by Texas Mineral Resources option to purchase the surface from the Texas General Land office and the area enclosed by the Water Lease purchased from the Texas General Land Office. All Surface acreage owned by Texas Minerals Resources and surface leases owned by Texas Mineral Resources within this area are included in the Concession. 

(h)Effective Date” means August 28th, 2018 (being, the date of execution of the Original Option Agreement). 

(i)Encumbrance” means any mortgage, pledge, assessment, security interest, deed of trust, lease, lien, adverse claim, levy, charge or other encumbrance of any kind, or any conditional sale or title retention agreement or other agreement to give any of the foregoing in the future. 

(j)Environment” means soil, land surface or subsurface strata, surface waters (including navigable waters, ocean waters, streams, ponds, drainage basins, and wetlands), groundwater, drinking water supply, stream sediments, ambient air (including indoor air), plant and animal life, and any other environmental medium or natural resource. 

(k)Environmental Laws” means any law that requires or relates to: 

(i)advising appropriate authorities, employees, and the public of intended or actual releases of pollutants, hazardous substances or hazardous materials, violations of discharge limits, or other prohibitions and of the commencements of activities, such as resource extraction or construction, that could have significant impact on the Environment; 

(ii)preventing or reducing to acceptable levels the release of pollutants, hazardous substances or hazardous materials into the Environment; 

(iii)reducing the quantities, preventing the release, or minimizing the hazardous characteristics of wastes or hazardous materials that are generated; 

(iv)assuring that products are designed, formulated, packaged, and used so that they do not present unreasonable risks to human health or the Environment when used or disposed of: 

(v)protecting resources, species, or ecological amenities; 

(vi)reducing to acceptable levels the risks inherent in the transportation of hazardous substances or hazardous materials, pollutants, oil, or other potentially harmful substances; 

(vii)cleaning up pollutants or hazardous materials that have been released, preventing the threat of release, or paying the costs of such clean up or prevention; or 

(viii)making responsible parties pay private parties, or groups of them, for damages done to their health or the Environment. or permitting self­ appointed representatives of the public interest to recover for injuries done to public assets. 

(l)“Expenditures” means all costs, expenses and charges, direct or indirect, of, or incidental to, the Mining Operations. 

(m)“Force Majeure Event” means any act, event or cause (other than lack of funds) which is beyond the reasonable control of the Party concerned, including: 

(i)acts of God, including storms or cyclones, action of the elements, fire, epidemics, landslides, earthquakes, floods, road closures due to washouts or impassability and natural disaster; 



(ii)strikes, stoppages, restraints of labour, or other industrial disturbances; 

(iii)acts of the public enemy, including wars which are either declared or undeclared, blockades, invasions and insurrections; 

(iv)acts or threats of terrorism, rebellion, riots or civil commotion; 

(v)riots, malicious damage, sabotage and civil disturbance; 

(vi)accident (including accidental emissions of pollutants or hazardous substances), fire, explosion, radioactive contamination and toxic or dangerous chemical contamination; 

(vii)the adverse application of any laws or enforcement actions of any court or government agency not resulting from any wrongful act or omission of the affected Party; 

(viii) the refusal of or delay in obtaining any necessary consents from any government agency, provided that the affected Party has acted in a timely manner in endeavoring to secure them;

(ix)the catastrophic failure of: or the breakdown of or accident to, plant or machinery; 

(x)the breach by any third party supplier of its obligations to supply goods or services to the affected Party, provided that the affected Party has acted in a timely manner in endeavoring to secure such supply, and provided that the affected Party itself is not in breach of any relevant obligation; and 

(xi)any production shutdown or interruption which is validly required or directed by any government agency which is not due to the act or default of the affected Party, and which the affected Party is not reasonably able to prevent or overcome, or the effects of which the affected Party is not reasonably able to predict and take measures to avoid, by the exercise of reasonable technical and commercial diligence and prudence. 

(n)Investment” means an amount of $140,000 funded by Morzev on November 13, 2018 (the “Investment Date”), for 646,054 common shares of Texas Mineral Resources as contemplated under Section 3.03 of the Original Option Agreement. 

(o)Mineral Lease” means, as reflected on Exhibit A2, the mineral lease granted to Texas Mineral Resources by the Texas General Land Office. 

(p)Mining Operations” means every kind of work financed by USA Rare Earth during the Option Period from the Effective Date, in the conduct of exploration and development activities for the benefit of the Concession, including, without limitation the work of de-risking the project (including specifically optimizing the leaching cycle and determining final leach pad design, undertaking the Pilot Plant, and developing the process and procedure to separate and purify other economically important elements from the primary leach solution including but not limited to lithium, aluminum sulfate, hafnium and other fertilizer and industrial products); property maintenance; process development solar evaporation; chemical processing; baseline studies; engineering; assessment, geophysical, geochemical and geological surveys; studies and mapping; investigating, drilling, assaying, prospecting, designing, examining, equipping, improving, surveying, shaft-sinking, raising, cross-cutting and drifting, searching for, digging, trucking, sampling, working and procuring minerals, ores and metals; surveying and bringing any mining claims to lease or patent; reclaiming and all other work usually considered to be prospecting, exploration, development, mining and reclamation work; in paying wages and salaries of workers engaged in the work and in supplying food, lodging, transportation and other reasonable needs of the workers; in paying assessments or premiums for workers’ compensation insurance, contributions for unemployment insurance or other pay allowances or benefits customarily paid in the district to those workers; in paying rentals, license renewal fees, taxes and other governmental charges required to keep the mineral interests comprising the Concession in good standing; in purchasing or renting plant, buildings, machinery, tools, appliances, equipment or supplies and in installing, erecting, detaching and removing them; mining, milling, concentrating, rehabilitation, reclamation, and environmental protections and in the management of any work which may be done on the property subject to the Concession or in any other respect necessary for the due carrying out of the prospecting, exploration and development work or any other expenditure approved the Operating Committee. 

(q)Option Period” means that period of time commencing on the Effective Date and terminating on the date upon which this Agreement is terminated by the provisions of Article 6. 



(r)Party” means Texas Mineral Resources or USA Rare Earth and each of their respective successors and permitted assigns. 

(s)Person” includes a natural person, firm, corporation, company. association, partnership, joint venture, unincorporated syndicate, unincorporated organization, trust, trustee, executive, administrator or other legal representative, governmental instrumentality or any group or combination thereof. 

(t)Pilot Plant” means a pilot plant demonstration of the CIX/CIC processing of REE, Uranium and Thorium. 

1.02Morzev and USA. Rare Earth. Within the context of and subject to the terms of this Agreement, USA Rare Earth shall be responsible for and receive the benefit of any actions undertaken by Morzev prior to the nomination of USA Rare Earth as optionee under the Original Option Agreement. By way of example and not limitation, phrases such as “work financed by USA Rare Earth during the Option Period” shall include work financed by Morzev under the Original Option Agreement, and any Expenditures made by Morzev would be attributed to and counted as Expenditures by USA Rare Earth. 

Article 2

Representations and Warranties

2.01Representations and Warranties and Covenants

(a)Texas Mineral Resources, represents, warrants and covenants to USA Rare Earth as of the date of this Agreement and at all tirn.es during the Option Period that: 

(i)Texas Mineral Resources is an entity duly organized, validly existing and, where applicable, in good standing under the laws of its respective jurisdiction of organization. 

(ii)Texas Mineral Resources has full power and authority to carry on its business to enter into this Agreement and any agreement or instrument referred to or contemplated by this Agreement. 

(iii)This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by Texas Mineral Resources and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of it enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally and except as limited by the application of equitable principles when equitable remedies are sought. 

(iv)No proceedings are pending for, and Texas Mineral Resources has no Knowledge (defined below) of any basis for the institution of any proceeding leading to, Texas Mineral Resources’ dissolution or winding up or being placed into bankruptcy or subject to any other laws governing the affairs of insolvent corporations. 

(v)There is no contract, option or any other right binding upon Texas Mineral Resources to option, sell, transfer, assign, pledge, charge, mortgage, explore or in any other way option, dispose of or encumber all or part of the mineral interests comprising the Concession other than pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement 

(vi)The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Texas Mineral Resources and the consummation of the transactions herein contemplatedfee (which will not (i) violate or conflict with any term or provision of any of the articles, by laws or other constating documents of Texas Mineral Resources; (ii) violate or conflict with any term or provision of any order of any court, government or regulatory authority or any law or regulation of any jurisdiction in which Texas Mineral Resources’ business is carried on; or (iii) conflict with, accelerate the performance required by or result in the breach of any agreement to which it is a party. 

(vii)Texas Mineral Resources is the sole record and beneficial owner of a 100% undivided interest in the Concession. 

(viii)The Concession and Mineral Lease are each accurately described in Exhibits Al and A2 respectively attached hereto. 

(ix)All taxes, assessments, deposits, rentals, levies or other payments relating to the mineral interests comprising the Mineral Lease, and required to be made to any federal, provincial or municipal governmental instrumentality have been made. 



(x)The mineral interests comprising the Mineral Lease are free and clear of any and all Encumbrances, agreements, obligations, adverse claims (including, without limitation, any order or judgment relating to such claim or any legal proceedings in process, pending or threatened which might result in any such order or judgment), royalties, profit interests or other payments in the nature of a rent or royalty, or other interests of whatsoever nature or kind, recorded or unrecorded. 

(xi)There are no actions, suits or proceedings pending, or to Texas Mineral Resources’ Knowledge, threatened, against or materially adversely affecting, or which could materially adversely affect, any or all of the mineral interests comprising the Mineral Lease before or by any federal, provincial, municipal or other governmental authority, department, court, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, whether or not insured, and which might involve the possibility of any Encumbrance or any other right of another against the mineral interests comprising the Mineral Lease. 

(xii)To Texas Mineral Resources’ Knowledge, conditions relating to the Concession respecting all past and current operations thereon are in compliance with all applicable federal, provincial and municipal laws including all Environmental Laws. 

(xiii)The operation of the mineral interests within the Concession are not subject to any written or verbal operating, management, maintenance or other agreements with any third party. 

(xiv)All required consents from The Texas General Land Office for the sale and transfer the mineral and other interests by Texas Mineral Resources to USA Rare Earth is subject to approval by the Texas Land Commissioner, which shall not be unreasonable withheld. 

(xv)To the best of Texas Mineral Resources’ Knowledge and belief, there are no environmental liabilities relating to or affecting the mineral interests comprising the Concession, nor are there any circumstances relating to the mineral interests comprising the Concession which may reasonably be expected to give rise to future environmental liabilities. 

(xvi)Any information known or which should be known to Texas Mineral Resources concerning the mineral and other interests comprising the Concession which might reasonably be regarded as material has been disclosed in writing to USA Rare Earth and accurate copies of any document evidencing such matter have been provided to USA Rare Earth, including but not limited to any contract, transaction, arrangement or liability to which Texas Mineral Resources is a party that involves, or is likely to involve, obligations or liabilities that, by reason of their nature or magnitude ought reasonably be made known to an intending joint venture partner of the Concession. 

(xvii)Texas Mineral Resources shall: 

(l)promptly provide USA Rare Earth with any and all notices and correspondence from government or regulatory authorities in respect of the Concession; 

(2)obtain any permits or licenses required by authorities in The State of Texas; 

(3)not do or permit or suffer to be done any act or thing which would or might in any way adversely affect the rights of USA Rare Earth hereunder; 

(4)use commercially reasonable efforts to comply with all reasonable requests for due diligence materials and provide USA Rare Earth with the requested materials as soon a practicable following the request; and 

(5)maintain its corporate existence. 

(b)USA Rare Earth represents, warrants and covenants to Texas Mineral Resources as of the date of this Agreement and at all times during the Option Period that: 

(i)It is a entity duly organized, validly existing and is in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization. 

(ii)It has full power and authority to carry on its business to enter into this Agreement and any agreement or instrument referred to or contemplated by this Agreement. 



(iii)This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of it enforceable against it in accordance with its; terms, except as enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally and except as limited by the application of equitable principles when equitable remedies are sought. 

(iv)No proceedings are pending for, and USA Rare Earth has no Knowledge of any basis for the institution of any proceeding leading to, its dissolution or wining up or being paced into bankruptcy or subject to any other laws governing the affairs of insolvent corporations. 

(v)The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by it, and the consummation of the transactions herein contemplated will not (i) violate or conflict with any term or provision of any of its articles, by laws or other constating documents of USA Rare Earth; (ii) violate or conflict with any term or provision of any order of any court, government or regulatory authority or any law or regulation of any jurisdiction in which its business is carried on; or (iii) conflict with, accelerate the performance required by or result in the breach of any agreement to which it is a party or by which it is currently bound.  

(vi)USA Rare Earth shall: 

(1)promptly provide Texas Mineral Resources with any and all notices and correspondence from government or regulatory authorities in respect of the Concession; 

(2)co-operate with Texas Mineral Resources in obtaining any permits or licenses required by authorities in The State of Texas; 

(3)not do or permit or suffer to be done any act or thing which would or might in any way adversely affect the rights of Texas Mineral Resources hereunder; and 

(4)maintain its corporate existence. 

(c)The representations and warranties set forth above are conditions on which the Parties have relied in entering into this Agreement. 

(d)A Party (“Indemnifying Party”) shall indemnify and keep indemnified the other Party from and against all loss, damage and costs suffered by the other Party arising in consequence of any of the representatives and warranties and covenants by the Indemnifying Party set out in this Article 3 being false, misleading or incorrect but nothing in this clause is intended to require the Indemnifying Party to be liable for consequential loss, indirect loss or loss of profits of the other Party. 

(e)Where a representation or warranty is given “to the knowledge” of a Party, or “so far as it is aware” or with a similar qualification as to that Parties’ awareness or knowledge (in each case, “Knowledge”), the Party will be deemed to know or be aware of a particular fact, matter or circumstance if the Party: 

(i)is aware of that fact, matter or circumstance on the date the representation or warranty is given; or 

(ii)would reasonably be expected to be aware of that fact, matter or circumstance if, on the date the representation or warranty is given or deemed to be given, the Party had made reasonable enquiries as to the accuracy of such representation or warranty, including enquiries of directors and officers of the Party or its professional advisers. 

Article 3

Option to Acquire Interest

3.01Nature of Option. Subject to USA Rare Earth satisfying the obligations described in Section 3.02, and based upon the representations, warranties and covenants herein contained, USA Rare Earth possesses the Option to earn and acquire a seventy percent (70%) interest, increasable to an eighty percent (80%) interest, in the Round Top Rare Earth project from Texas Mineral Resources by incurring the Expenditures described in Section 3.03 within the periods prescribed by that section (unless otherwise agreed between the parties). 

3.02Consideration

Texas Mineral Resources and USA Rare Earth acknowledge and agree that good and valuable consideration was received and was sufficient to support the Option under the terms of the Original Option Agreement, as amended and restated in this Agreement.



3.03Earn In

(a)During the Option Period, USA Rare Earth must (unless the Parties otherwise agree in writing): 

(i)Phase l: on or before the date which is the later of (A) the expiration of the 13th month following the Investment Date or (B) 90 days following the day on which the Operating Committee has authorized and directed at least $2,360,000 of Expenditures (the “Phase 1 Deadline”), expend a total amount for the Investment and for Mining Operations on the Concession equal to an aggregate amount of $2.500,000; for the avoidance of doubt, the $140,000 paid by Morzev for the Investment and Expenditures for the Pilot Plant shall count toward the required amounts above; 

(ii)Phase 2: expend a total amount for the Mining Operations on the Concession (including all amounts contemplated in Phase 1 above, including the Investment) equal to an aggregate amount of $10,000,000. 

(b)Upon USA Rare Earth satisfying the minimum Expenditure in Section 3.03(a)(ii) above, each party shall be required to contribute to future Expenditures on the Concession in proportion to their interest in the Concession, and all budgets and timelines shall be determined and agreed by a management committee established between the parties, consisting of two appointees of USA Rare Earth and one appointee of TMRC (any such Expenditure being referred to herein as a “Joint Venture Expenditure”) subject to each of the Parties having the right to elect to dilute its interest in the Concession when a call for funding is made. 

(c)The Parties hereby acknowledge and agree that the seventy percent (70%) interest in the Concession will only be earned by USA Rare Earth if USA Rare Earth has expended the Expenditures described in Section 3.03(a), within the periods prescribed by Section 3.03(a) (unless otherwise agreed by the Parties), and at such time USA Rare Earth’s beneficial interest in the Concession will immediately increase to 70% and Texas Mineral Resources’ interest in the Concession will immediately reduce to 30% and the Parties agree to do everything reasonably necessary and within their respective powers to register and effect the change in the interest in the Concession. 

(d)[Reserved]. 

(e)[Reserved]. 

(f)Where a party fails to contribute any Joint Venture Expenditure, its interest in the Concession shall be diluted on a proportional basis. 

(g)USA Rare Earth will have the right to lodge a caveat or register a security over the Concession to protect its interests under this Agreement. 

(h)[Reserved]. 

(i)USA Rare Earth shall have the option (the “Additional Option”) at any time during the Option Period to acquire from Texas Mineral Resources an additional 10 percent interest (10%) in the Concession by: 

(i)providing written notice to Texas Mineral Resources within 180 days of the completion of a bankable feasibility study (the date of such notice shall be referred to as the “Additional Option Notice Date”) of its intention to exercise the Additional Option; and 

(ii)paying to Texas Mineral Resources on the Additional Option Notice Date, a one-off payment of $3,000,000 by wire transfer of immediately available funds. 

(j)The Parties acknowledge that the Additional Option shall be null and void if USA Rare Earth failed to comply with any of the provisions of Sections 3.02, 3.03(a), and 3.03(b) hereof 

(k)Upon receipt of the $3,000,000 by Texas Mineral Resources on the Additional Option Notice Date, USA Rare Earth will earn the right to acquire from Texas Mineral Resources an additional 10 percent (10%) interest in the Concession, increasing its beneficial ownership of the Concession to eighty percent (80%) and reducing Texas Mineral Resources beneficial ownership of the Concession to twenty percent (20%), and the Parties agree to do everything reasonably necessary and within their respective powers to register and effect the change in the interest in the Concession. 



Article 4

Manager; Option Period Rights and Obligations

4.01Designation. The Parties hereby designate, ratify and affirm USA Rare Earth as the project manager of the Concession to manage, supervise, direct, and control the Mining Operations with respect to the Concession and shall be the operator of the Concession under the laws of the State of Texas and shall have the responsibilities set forth in Section 4.03 hereof. 

4.02USARare Earth’s Obligations. Subject to Section 4.03 hereof, USA Rare Earth is obligated during the Option Period: 

(a)to arrange for and carry out the Mining Operations with respect to the Concession; 

(b)(Reserved]. 

(c)to keep the mining interests comprising the Concession in good standing by the doing all necessary work and by the doing of all other acts and things and making all other payments which may be necessary in that regard; 

(d)to keep the mining interests in the Concession free and clear of all Encumbrances arising from its operations hereunder (except liens for taxes not yet due); 

(e)to take all actions and incur such expenditures as are required to maintain the title and interest of the Parties in and to the mineral rights comprising the Concession in accordance with this Agreement including, without limitation, the payment of all taxes, royalties, rents, and other amounts required to be paid with respect to the mineral rights comprising the Concession and the performance of all duties required to maintain the interest of the Parties in and to the mineral rights comprising the Concession: 

(f)to permit Texas Mineral Resources and its employees, designated consultants and agents and persons or representatives at their own risk, access to the property subject to the Concession at all reasonable times; 

(g)to deliver copies of all assays and technical reports to Texas Mineral Resources as the same become available and shall permit Texas Mineral Resources or its agents to enter upon the property subject to the Concession at any reasonable time to inspect the workings thereon and all assays, plans, maps, diamond drill cores, records and other data in USA Rare Earth’s possession relating to the work done by it in connection with the Concession; provided that such inspections shall not unreasonably interfere with the work being carried out thereon by USA Rare Earth and shall be at the sole risk of Texas Mineral Resources; 

(h)to submit to Texas Mineral Resources on or before thirty (30) days following the end of each calendar quarter (l) a report disclosing any significant technical data learned or obtained in connection with work in respect of the Concession; (2) a summary report on the Mining Operations completed by or on behalf of USA Rare Earth; and (3) a reasonably detailed statement of Expenditures incurred during such calendar quarter, together with a copy of any report prepared by or on behalf of USA Rare Earth during such period; 

(i)to maintain true and correct books, accounts and records of Expenditures and to make them fully and readily available to Texas Mineral Resources as requested from time to time; 

(j)to conduct all exploration and other operations in connection with the Concession in a good and workmanlike manner in accordance with good mining and engineering practices and in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and orders; and 

(k)to maintain general liability insurance with respect to its operations in connection with the Concession in reasonable amounts in accordance with acceptable industry practices, but in any event at the commencement of Mining Operations in amounts of no less than $1,000,000 for personal injury, death or damage to property and provide proof of such insurance naming Texas Mineral Resources as an additional insured within ninety (90) days following the exercising of its Option. 

4.03Texas Mineral Resources and USA Rare Earth’s Obligations

(a)Texas Mineral Resources is obligated during the Option Period to provide assistance as necessary to USA Rare Earth in the exploration and development of the Concession, dealing with any and all land right registration and transfer issues, to ensure this Agreement remains in good standing, and are carried out in accordance with its intent. 



(b)At all times following the date hereof, Texas Mineral Resources shall continue to have the sole and absolute responsibility to communicate, interact and deal with, including, without limitation, for the purposes of filing and obtaining all necessary permits or licenses, any federal, provincial, municipal or other governmental authority, department, court, commission, board, bureau or agency in the State of Texas until such time that USA Rare Earth earns its 70% interest in the Concession. 

4.04Operating Committee

An Operating Committee will be formed by the Parties to oversee the work programs, budgets and technical aspects of the Concession, with USA Rare Earth appointing two members to the Operating Committee and Texas Mineral Resources appointing one member to the Operating Committee (the “Operating Committee”).

4.05Resignation, Removal or Change of USA Rare Earth as Project Manager

(a)USA Rare Earth shall be deemed to have resigned from its duties and obligations as project manager upon the occurrences of any of the following: 

(i)upon voluntary resignation; 

(ii)USA Rare Earth defaults in any of its obligations pursuant to Sections 3.01, 3.02 and 4.02; 

(iii)by voluntary or involuntary liquidation, insolvency or termination of USA Rare Earth’s corporate existence and 

(iv)by court order. 

Upon USA Rare Earth’s resignation as project manager of the Concession pursuant to this Section 4.04 hereof, Texas Mineral Resources shall automatically be appointed the project manager of the Concession to manage, supervise, direct, and control the Mining Operations with respect to the Concession effective as of the date of such resignation.

Article 5

Transfer or Encumbrance of Interest

5.01Prohibition and Right of Approval. During the Option Period: 

(a)no Party may sell, assign, or transfer all or any part of their interest in this Agreement or the mineral rights comprising the Concession without the prior written consent of the other Party, which will not be unreasonably withheld: and 

(b)no Party shall be entitled to Encumber its interest in this Agreement and or the mineral rights comprising the Concession. 

5.02Exceptions. Section 5.0l(a) shall not apply to the following: 

(a)a transfer by a Party of all or any part of its interest in this Agreement to the other Party, a subsidiary or related body corporate of that Party; or 

(b)a corporate merger, consolidation, amalgamation, plan of arrangement or reorganization of a Party by which the surviving entity shall be subject to all of the liabilities and obligations of the Party hereunder. 

5.03Novation. Right of First Offer. If a Party (in this Article 5, the “Selling Party”), wishes to sell any of its holding or its rights under this Agreement (in this Article 5, the (“Holdings”) other than as contemplated under Section 5.02, then it must, prior to any such transfer, first offer to sell the Holdings to the other Party for a cash consideration and upon such other terms and conditions as the selling Party deems fit (in this Section 5.03, the “Offer”). If the other Party accepts the Offer within the 30-day period following its receipt, then the sale will be concluded no later than 30 days after such acceptance. If the other Party does not accept the Offer within such 30-day period, then the Selling Party will be free to sell the Holdings to a third party at any time after the expiry of such 30-day period and prior to the expiry of the succeeding 90-day period, but only for a cash consideration equal to or greater than the cash consideration stated in the Offer and upon other terms and conditions no less favorable to the Selling Party than those contained in the Offer. If the Selling Party’s transfer of the Holdings to the other Party or to a third party is not concluded prior to the expiry of such 30-day or 90-day period as aforesaid, any subsequent sale by the Selling Party will be subject to the provisions of this Section 5.03. 



5.04Conditions of Sale. As a condition of any transfer other than to another Party, the buyer must covenant and agree to be bound by this Agreement, including this Article 5, and prior to the completion of any such sale, the Selling Party must deliver to the other Party evidence thereof in a form satisfactory to such other Party. Notwithstanding any such sale, the Selling Party will remain liable for all of its obligations hereunder, unless the Holdings have been sold to a third party pursuant to Section 5.03. 

5.05Drag Along. If USA Rare Earth receives a bona fide offer to purchase its interest or Option in the Concession from an unrelated third party, then USA Rare Earth must issue by written notice given to Texas Mineral Resources (a “Drag-Along Notice”) requiring Texas Mineral Resources to sell all (but not part only) of Texas Mineral Resources’ interest in the Concession to the same relevant third party on the same terms and conditions as those contained in the offer notice (provided that USA Rare Earth also sells all (but not part only) of its interest in the Concession to such third party on such same terms and conditions) and upon such Drag-Along Notice being given to Texas Mineral Resources, Texas Mineral Resources shall be obliged to sell its interest to such third party on the same terms and conditions as set out in the offer notice. 

5.06Partial Transfers

(a)If the transferring Party transfers less than all of its interests under this Agreement, the transferring Party and its transferee shall act and be treated as one Party and, for such transfer to be effective, the transferring Party must first deliver to the other Party the agreement in writing of the transferring Party and its transferee in favor of the other Party in which: 

(i)as between the transferring Party and the transferee, the one of them who is authorized to act as the sole agent (in this section the “Agent”) on behalf of both of them with respect to all matters pertaining to this Agreement is designated; and 

(ii)the transferring Party and its transferee agree between each other and jointly represent and warrant to other Party that: 

(1)the Agent has the sole authority to act on behalf of, and to bind, the transferring Party and its transferee with respect to all matters pertaining to this Agreement; 

(2)the other Party may rely on all decisions of, notices and other communications from, and failures to respond by, the Agent, as if given (or not given) by both the transferring Party and its transferee; and 

(3)all decisions of. notices and other communications from, and failures to respond by, the other Party to the Agent shall be deemed to have been given (or not given) concurrently to the transferring Party and its transferee. 

Article 6

Non-Exercise; Termination

6.01Non-Exercise. The right to exercise the Option (that is, the right to acquire the percentage interest as contemplated herein) shall become null and void and this Agreement shall terminate if: 

(a)USA Rare Earth notifies Texas Mineral Resources in writing at any time of its intention not to exercise the Option; 

(b)USA Rare Earth fails to make the payments to Texas Mineral Resources described in Section 3.02 hereof as scheduled (unless as otherwise agreed between the Parties); or 

(c)USA Rare Earth fails to expend all of the Expenditures described in Section 3.03 hereof as scheduled (unless as otherwise agreed between the Parties) and shall have failed within thirty (30) days after the end of the period in which such Expenditures must be incurred in order to maintain the Option in force and effect either to: 

(i)pay the amount of such deficiency to Texas Mineral Resources; or 

(ii)commit to Texas Mineral Resources to be legally bound to incur Expenditures in the amount of the deficiency within thirty (30) days after the end of such period and thereafter incur such Expenditures within such thirty (30) day period. 



6.02Termination. On the termination of this Agreement in accordance with this Section 6.02: 

(a)the mineral rights comprising the Concession shall be free of all Encumbrances created by or through USA Rare Earth; 

(b)all plant, machinery, equipment and supplies owned by USA Rare Earth and brought and placed upon the property subject to the Concession shall remain USA Rare Earth’s exclusive property and, if this Agreement terminates without USA Rare Earth exercising any part of the Option, shall be removed by USA Rare Earth at any time or times within a period of one (1) month next following the termination of this Agreement; provided that if USA Rare Earth has not removed all such plant, machinery, equipment or supplies within the said one (l) month period, then such plant, machinery, equipment and supplies not so removed thereafter shall at the option of Texas Mineral Resources (i) become the property of Texas Mineral Resources or, (ii) within a further one (1) month be removed by Texas Mineral Resources at USA Rare Earth’s expense. All plant, machinery, equipment and supplies, until it becomes Texas Mineral Resources’ property or is removed from the Concession, shall be the sole responsibility of USA Rare Earth and Texas Mineral Resources shall have no liability with regard thereto; 

(c)USA Rare Earth shall forthwith deliver to Texas Mineral Resources all data and factual and interpretative information generated by USA Rare Earth through its exploration activities with respect to the Concession; 

(d)USA Rare Earth shall forthwith assign to Texas Mineral Resources its interest in any mineral dispositions, mining leases and other mineral interests lying within the Area of Interest and which then comprise part of the Concession, at no cost to Texas Mineral Resources, subject to all Encumbrances, agreements, obligations, royalties, profit interests or other payments in the nature of a rent or royalty, and other interests of whatsoever nature or kind which then exist other than those in favor of USA Rare Earth or any Affiliate; 

(e)USA Rare Earth shall be solely liable for all costs and expenses accrued by USA Rare Earth to third parties as a result of its activities in connection with the Concession on and from the Effective Date, during the Option Period and up to the date of termination of this Agreement; 

(f)USA Rare Earth shall promptly as reasonably possible perform all remaining reclamation, rehabilitation and remediation work required by law, including Environmental Law associated with its activities in connection with Concession on and from the Effective Date, during the Option Period and up to the date of termination of this Agreement; and 

(g) The provisions of Articles 2, 6, 7 and 10 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

Article 7

Confidentiality

7.01Covenant. All matters concerning the execution, contents and performance of the Agreement and the Concession shall be treated as and kept confidential by the Parties and shall only be disclosed as provided in this Article 7. 

7.02Disclosure to Satisfy Regulatory Requirements. If any Party or an Affiliate, by reason of any legal requirement or requirement of any regulatory body having jurisdiction over a Party, must disclose any matter concerning the execution or content of this Agreement or the Concession, then the affected Party shall, prior to making any disclosure, forward the text of the disclosure to the other Party. The other Party shall be given the opportunity to make reasonable suggestions for changes therein. The disclosing Party shall consider said suggestions and, to the extent practicable, advise the other Party prior to the disclosure if said suggestions are not to be the incorporated into the disclosure. 

7.03Disclosure to other Parties. Either Party or an Affiliate may disclose confidential information to: 

(a)public or private financing agencies or institutions; 

(b)consultants, contractors or subcontractors which the Parties may engage; or 

(c)third parties to which a Party contemplates the permitted transfer, assignment, sale, Encumbrance or other disposition of all or part of its interest herein and in the Concession; 

provided that in any such case, only such confidential information as such recipient shall have a legitimate business need to know shall be disclosed and further provided that the recipient shall first enter into a written agreement with the Party disclosing the information to protect the confidentiality of such information.



7.04Free Utilization. Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, each Party shall be free to utilize information or knowledge obtained pursuant to the Agreement in connection with the conduct by such Party for exploration or mining operations for its own benefit and account or for the benefit and account of any partnership, joint venture or corporation of which it is a partner or member. 

Article 8

Area of Interest

8.01Area of Interest. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, both during the Option Period and subsequently, either Party may buy surface or mineral acreage, purchase prospecting permits from the Texas General Land Office, or lease surface or mineral acreage within the Area of Interest. The Party so purchasing or leasing such mineral or surface interest shall deliver notice to the other Patty within thirty (30} days of such acquisition stating the its position, the reason for its purchase or lease and the costs of the acquisition. The Party receiving such notice may add such acquisition to the Concession by, within thirty (30) days of receipt of such notice, delivering to the other Party its own notice indicating that such acquisition is to be added to the Concession, together with a certified check for the Party’s share of the costs of its purchase or lease (which for the avoidance of doubt, shall be proportionate to that Party’s then interest in the Concession). If a Party fails to deliver such notice and check to the other Party within such thirty (30) day period, the acquisition which was the subject of the original notice under this Section 8.01 shall not form part of the Concession and shall no longer be subject to this Agreement. Each acquisition so purchased or leased within the Area of Interest will be independently subject to the right of the other Party to add to the Concession, even though more than one such acquisition may be purchased or leased within the Area of Interest at the same time. 

Article 9

Force Majeure

9.01Suspension of obligations

(a)Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement. a Party will not be liable for any failure to perform, or delay in the performance of its obligations, under this Agreement if the failure or delay is caused, whether directly or indirectly, by a Force Majeure Event for as long as the Force Majeure Event continues, and no liability or claim shall result on account of a. failure of that Party to perform the obligations. 

(b)The Party unable to perform its obligations (“Affected Party”) must: 

(i)notify the other Party immediately of the Force Majeure Event, including describing the impact or anticipated impact of the Force Majeure Event on the Affected Party’s performance and its estimate of the likely duration of the Force Majeure Event; 

(ii)use its reasonable endeavours to continue or resume its performance in accordance with this Agreement as soon as possible, including: 

(1)using its reasonable endeavors to remedy or cause to be remedied any impact of the Force Majeure Event that is capable of remedy as quickly as possible; or 

(2)making alternative arrangements with a third party or parties to enable it to fulfil its obligations, provided those alternative arrangements are satisfactory to the other Party and do not involve any additional cost to the other Party (unless the other Party agrees otherwise); and 

(3)keep the other Party informed in relation to any change in its ability to continue or resume its performance. 

(c)An Affected Party is not obliged to undertake uneconomic measures so as to overcome a Force Majeure Event. 

9.02Extended Force Majeure: In the event that any Force Majeure Event cannot be removed, overcome or abated within 6 months (or such other period as the Parties shall mutually agree) from the date the Parties affected first became so affected, a meeting of the Parties will be convened for the purpose of considering the modification or termination of this Agreement. 



Article 10

Indemnification

10.01Indemnity

(a)USA Rare Earth shall and does hereby indemnify and save Texas Mineral Resources harmless from and against all losses, liabilities, claims, demands, damages, expenses, suits, injury or death in any way referable to Mining Operations conducted by or on behalf of USA Rare Earth during the Option Period; provided. that Texas Mineral Resources shall not be indemnified for any loss, liability, claim, demand, damage, expense, suit, injury or death resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Texas Mineral Resources or any of its employees, agents or contractors. For further clarity, the Parties intend that USA Rare Earth shall be responsible for all liabilities, known or unknown, contingent or otherwise, which were incurred or arose during the Option Period, relating to or arising out of: 

(i)the conduct of all Mining Operations; and 

(ii)the environmental protection, clean-up, remediation, and reclamation in connection with the Concession including, but not limited to, the obligations and liabilities arising out of or related to: 

(1)the disturbance or contamination of land, water (above or below surface) or the environment by exploration, mining, processing or waste disposal activities; 

(2)any failure to comply with all past, current or future governmental or regulatory authorizations, licenses, 

(3)permits, and orders and all non-governmental prohibitions, covenants, contracts and indemnities; 

(4)any act or omission causing or resulting in the spill, discharge, leak, emission, ejection, escape, dumping or release of hazardous or toxic substances, materials, or wastes as defined in any federal, provincial, or local law or regulation in connection with or emanating from the Concession; and 

(5)the long-term reclamation and remediation of the property subject to the Concession and the care and monitoring of the property subject to the Concession, and the posting and maintaining of bonds or other financial assurances required in connection therewith. 

(b)Each Party shall indemnify and save harmless the other, as well as its officers, directors, employees, agents and shareholders, from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities, damages, fees, fines, penalties, interests, deficiencies, costs and expenses, of any nature or kind whatsoever, arising by virtue or in respect of any breach of covenant contained herein or failure to comply with any provision herein, or any inaccuracy, misstatement, misrepresentation or omission made by such party in connection with any matter set out herein, and any and all actions, suits, proceedings, demands, claims, costs, legal and other expenses related or incidental thereto. 

(c)Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement and any termination of this Agreement, the indemnities provided herein shall remain in full force and effect until all possible liabilities of the persons indemnified thereby are extinguished by the operation of law and will not be limited to or affected by any other indemnity obtained byour reasonable expenses in furnishing such indemnified persons from any other person. exhibits).

 


Article 11YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. PLEASE VOTE TODAY.

General ProvisionsVote by Internet – QUICK * * * EASY

11.01Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of law. 

11.02Dispute Resolution. The Parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (a) submit to the jurisdiction of the federal and state courts located within the geographical boundaries of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York for the purpose of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement, (b) agree not to commence any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement except in the federal and state courts located within the geographical boundaries of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and (c) hereby waive, and agree not to assert, by way of motion, asIMMEDIATE – 24 Hours a defense, or otherwise, in any such suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution., that the suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of the suit, action or proceeding is improper or that this Agreement or the subject matter hereof may not be enforced inDay, 7 Days a Week or by such court. 



11.03Entire Agreement. This Agreement supersedes all other prior oralMail, Email or written agreements between the Parties, their affiliates and persons acting on their behalf with respect to the matters discussed herein, and this Agreement and the Exhibits and the instruments referenced herein and therein contain the entire understanding of the Parties with respect to the matters covered herein and therein and, except as specifically set forth herein or therein, no Party makes any representation, warranty, covenant or undertaking with respect to such matters. No provision of this Agreement may be amended other than by an instrument in writing signed by the Parties, No provision hereof may be waived other than by an instrument in writing signed by the Party against whom enforcement is sought. 

11.04Notices

(a)Any notices, consents, waivers or other communications required or permitted to be given under the terms of this Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed to have been delivered: (i) upon receipt, when delivered personally; (ii) upon receipt, when sent by facsimile (provided confirmation of transmission is mechanically or electronically generated and kept on file by the sending Party}; or (iii) one (l) Business Day after deposit with an overnight courier service, in each case properly addressed to the Party to receive the same. The addresses and facsimile numbers for such communications shall be: 

If to the Texas Mineral Resources:

Texas Mineral Resources Corp.

516 South Spring Avenue

Tyler, Texas 75702

Attention: Dan Gorski

Tel: +1 915 539-5494

Email: bluemtn@sbcglobal.net

with a copy to:

Thomas C. Pritchard

Brewer & Pritchard PC

800 Bering Dr. Suite 20 I

Houston, Texas 77057

713-809-2911

pritchard@bplaw.com

If to USA Rare Earth:

85 Broad Street, I 6th Floor

New York, NY 10004 USA

Attention: Pini Althaus

Tel: 212-739-0468

Email: pini@usarareearth.com

with a copy to:

Barnes & Thornburg LLP

2121 North Pearl Street, Suite 700

Dallas, Texas 75201

Attention: John Willding

Tel: 214-258-41 39

Email: john.willding@btlaw.com

or to such other address and/or email address and/or to the attention of such other Person as the recipient Party has specified by written notice given to each other Party five (5) days prior to the effectiveness of such change. Written confirmation of receipt (A) given by the recipient of such notice, consent, waiver or other communication, (B) mechanically or electronically generated by the sender’s facsimile machine containing the time, date, recipient facsimile number and an image of the first page of such transmission or (C) provided by an overnight courier service shall be rebuttable evidence of personal service, receipt by facsimile or receipt from an overnight courier service in accordance with clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, respectively.



11.05No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is intended for the benefit of the Parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any other person. 

11.06Further Assurances. The Parties hereto shall from time to time at the request of any of the other Parties hereto and without further consideration, execute and deliver all such other additional assignments, transfers, instruments, notices, releases and other documents and shall do all such other acts and things as may be necessary or desirable to assure more fully the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. 

11.07Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by facsimile and in as many counterparts as are necessary md shall be binding on each Party when each Party hereto has signed and delivered one such counterpart. When a counterpart of this Agreement has been executed by each Patty, all counterparts together shall constitute one agreement. 

11.08No StrictConstruction. The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the language chosen by the Parties to express their mutual intent, and no rules of strict construction will be applied against any Party. 

11.09Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement in that jurisdiction or the validity or enforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction 

11.10DescriptiveHeadings. Descriptive headings of the several Articles and Sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof. 



IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Parties have duly executed this Agreement as of the 23rd day of August, 2019.Facsimile

 

Your Internet vote authorizes the named proxies to vote your shares in the same manner as if you marked, signed and returned your proxy card.  Votes submitted electronically over the Internet must be received by 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on March 11, 2024.

TEXAS MINERAL RESOURCES CORP.INTERNET –

http://onlineproxyvote.com/tmrc/

Use the Internet to vote your proxy. Have your Notice available when you access the above website. Login using the control number included in the Notice. 

Follow the prompts to vote your shares. 

EMAIL –

Vote, sign, date, scan and email your proxy card to: proxyvote@stctransfer.com

Vote at the Meeting –

If you plan to attend the virtual online Annual Meeting, you will need your control number to vote electronically at the Annual Meeting. After completing your registration with STC prior to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on March 11, 2024 at https://stctransfer.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Bat3SPM7Reqd6sIZZrPxpw, you will receive further instruction via email, including the link that will allow you access to the Annual Meeting. 

FACSIMILE –

Vote, sign, date, scan and fax your proxy card to STC at (469) 633-0088. 

By:

/s/ Daniel E. Gorski

MAIL – Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope provided.

Name:

Daniel E. Gorski

Title:

CEO

 

USA RARE EARTH, LLC

By:

/s/ Pini Althaus

Name:

Pini Althaus

Title:

Chief Executive Officer

PLEASE DO NOT RETURN THE PROXY CARD IF YOU ARE VOTING ELECTRONICALLY.


 

FIRST AMENDMENT

FIRST AMENDMENT dated as of June 29, 2020 (this “Amendment”), to the Amended and Restated Option Agreement (the “Option Agreement”), dated as of August 23, 2019, between Texas Mineral Resources Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Texas Mineral Resources”), and USA Rare Earth, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“USA Rare Earth”).

WHEREAS, each of Texas Mineral Resources and USA Rare Earth desire to amend certain provisions of the Option Agreement as set forth herein,

WHEREAS, as soon as practicable after the date hereof, Texas Mineral Resources will transfer to a wholly owned subsidiary of Texas Mineral Resources (the “Round Top Subsidiary”) all of the assets relating to the Round Top Rare Earth project in Hudspeth County, Texas, as more fully set forth in Exhibit A attached to, and as contemplated in, the Option Agreement, and

.

WHEREAS, the Round Top Subsidiary shall be managed by the Operating Committee.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the terms and conditions contained in this Amendment, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:

Section 1.Definitions. Capitalized terms not defined in this Amendment shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Option Agreement.  

Section 2.Amendment to the Option Agreement.

(a)Amendment to Section 3.03 – Earn In.  

(i)Section 3.03(a)(ii) is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:  

Phase 2: expend a total amount for the Mining Operations on the Concession (including all amounts contemplated in Phase 1 above, including the Investment) equal to an aggregate amount of $10,000,000; provided however, that USA Rare Earth shall have the right to accelerate its acquisition of seventy percent (70%) of the Round Top Subsidiary (which shall be managed by the Operating Committee) by making an investment into the Round Top Subsidiary (which shall be managed by the Operating Committee) of an aggregate amount equal to $10,000,000 to be spent on Mining Operations as outlined and agreed to by the Parties upon receipt of the investment (“Qualifying Investment”), which $10,000,000 shall include (a) all amounts expended by USA Rare Earth for Mining Operations after August 28, 2018 and prior to the date of the Qualifying Investment (for clarity, including all amounts expended by USA Rare Earth pursuant to Section 3(a)(i) hereof) and (b) the Investment ($140,000).”

(ii)Section 3.03(c) is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows: 

“(c) Intentionally Omitted.”

(iii)Section 3.03(i) is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows: 

“(i) USA Rare Earth shall have the option (the “Additional Option”) at any time during the Option Period to acquire from Texas Mineral Resources an additional 10 percent interest (10%) in the Concession by:

(i)providing written notice to Texas Mineral Resources prior to the 180-day anniversary of the date of the completion of a bankable feasibility study (the date of such notice shall be referred to as the “Additional Option Notice Date”) of its intention to exercise the Additional Option; and 

(ii)paying to Texas Mineral Resources on the Additional Option Notice Date, a one-off payment of $3,000,000 by wire transfer of immediately available funds.” 



For the avoidance of doubt, Texas Mineral Resources and USA Rare Earth hereby agree that USA Rare Earth may exercise the Additional Option at any time following the date that USA Rare Earth acquires seventy percent (70%) of the Round Top Subsidiary until the 180 day anniversary of the date that the bankable feasibility study is completed.

Section 3.Agreements and Acknowledgments. Texas Mineral Resources hereby covenants, agrees and acknowledges as follows:  

(a)Following the transfer of the assets relating to the Round Top Rare Earth project in Hudspeth County, Texas, referred in Section 3(a), (1) Texas Mineral Resources will be the record and beneficial owner of one hundred percent (100%) of the ownership interests of the Round Top Subsidiary, and (2) the Round Top Subsidiary will be the holder of Round Top Rare Earth project in Hudspeth County, Texas, as more fully set forth in Exhibit A of the Option Agreement, including, without limitation, the Concession. 

(b)As of December 10, 2019, USA Rare Earth has authorized and directed expenditure of $2,378,700 for the Investment and for Mining Operations on the Concession and, as a result, has met the minimum Expenditure requirements set forth in Section 3.03(a)(i) of the Option Agreement.  

Section 4.Effect on Option Agreement. The foregoing amendments and agreements are given solely in respect of the transactions described herein. Except as expressly set forth herein, all of the terms and conditions of the Option Agreement and schedules thereto shall continue in full force and effect after the execution of this Amendment, and shall not be in any way changed, modified or superseded by the terms set forth herein. 

Section 5.Execution and Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in separate counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Amendment by facsimile or other electronic transmission (including in Adobe PDF format) will be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart to this Amendment. 

Section 6.Further Assurances. The parties shall execute and deliver all such further instruments and documents and take all such other actions as may reasonably be required to carry out the transactions contemplated hereby and to evidence the fulfillment of the agreements herein contained. 

Section 7.Governing Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Amendment shall be determined in accordance with Section 11.01 of the Option Agreement. 

Section 8.Dispute Resolution. The parties agree to the dispute resolution process set forth below in this Article 11.02 of the Option Agreement. 

Section 9.Headings. The headings in this Amendment are for convenience only, do not constitute a part of the Amendment and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof. 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]



FOLD HERE • DO NOT SEPARATE • INSERT IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be duly executed as of the date first written above.ENVELOPE PROVIDED

 

TEXAS MINERAL RESOURCES CORP.

PROXY
Please mark your votes like this

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” PROPOSALS 1, 2 AND 4 AND FOR“THREE YEARS” UNDER PROPOSAL 3.

1.

Election of director nominees

 

 

 

(1) Anthony Marchese

(2) Dan Gorski

(3) Peter Denetclaw, Jr.

(4) LaVern Lund

(5) Kevin Francis

(6) Cecil Wall

(7) Donald Hulse

(8) Deepak Malhotra

FOR 

Nominee listed to the left

☐ 

☐ 

☐ 

☐ 

☐ 

☐ 

☐ 

☐ 

WITHHOLD AUTHORITY 

to vote (except as marked to the contrary for nominee listed to the left)

☐ 

☐ 

☐ 

☐ 

☐ 

☐ 

☐ 

☐ 

 4.Ratification of Ham, Langston & Brezina, L.L.P. as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2024.

FOR

 

 

AGAINST

 

 

ABSTAIN

 

 

(Instruction: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, strike a line through that nominee’s name in the list above.    
2.Approval, by advisory vote, of executive compensation (“say-on-pay”).

FOR 

 

AGAINST 

 

ABSTAIN 

 

      
3.Approval, by advisory vote, of the frequency of advisory votes on executive compensation (say-on-frequency”)

ONE
YEAR
 

 

TWO
YEARS
 

 

THREE YEARS 

 

 

ABSTAIN 

 

 CONTROL NUMBER

 

 

                   

Signature ________________________________ Signature, if held jointly ______________________________ Date ________________, 2024

Note: Please sign exactly as name appears hereon. When shares are held by joint owners, both should sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, or corporate officer, please give title as such.

 

By:

/s/ Daniel E. Gorski

Name:

Daniel E. Gorski

Title:

CEO

USA RARE EARTH, LLC

By:

/s/ Pini Althaus

Name:

Pini Althaus

Title:

Chief Executive Officer



 

APPENDIX B—BOARD RESOLUTIONS APPROVING RATIFICATION

 

RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY THEImportant Notice Regarding the Internet Availability of Proxy

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OF

TEXAS MINERAL RESOURCES CORP.

June 29, 2020Materials for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders

 

Ratification of Defective Corporate ActTo view the 2024 Proxy Statement and 2024 Annual Report,

please go to:

http://onlineproxyvote.com/tmrc/

 

WHEREAS, on August 28, 2018 the Corporation executed that certain Option Agreement, among the Corporation and Morzev Pty Ltd. (the “Original Option AgreementFOLD HERE • DO NOT SEPARATE • INSERT IN ENVELOPE PROVIDED”), after Board approval of the same in August 2018;

 

WHEREAS, on May 31, 2019, Morzev Pty Ltd. notified the Corporation that it was nominating USA Rare Earth, LLC as Optionee under the Original Option Agreement;PROXY

 

WHEREAS, on August 23, 2019 the Corporation executed that certain Amended and Restated Option Agreement, among the Corporation and USA Rare Earth, LLC (the “Restated Option Agreement”), after Board approval of the same in July 2019;

WHEREAS, under the Original Option Agreement, the Corporation granted Morzev Pty Ltd. an exclusive option to earn a seventy percent (70%) interest, increasable to an eighty percent (80%) interest, in the Round Top Rare Earth project from the Corporation (the “Option”), and Morzev Pty Ltd. subsequently exercised the Option;

WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Original Option Agreement, Morzev Pty Ltd. subsequently nominated USA Rare Earth, LLC as the optionee under the Original Option Agreement and USA Rare Earth, LLC became a party to the Original Option Agreement as a result thereof;

WHEREAS, the Corporation and USA Rare Earth, LLC entered into the Restated Option Agreement in order to modify certain terms related to the Original Option Agreement, among other reasons, to modify certain terms related to the Option, as well as the party to the Option, and to serve as a definitive agreement governing the rights and obligations of the parties going forward;

WHEREAS, it has subsequently come to the attention of the Board that the grant of the Option likely constituted a sale of all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Corporation within the meaning of Delaware law, and that, accordingly, authorization by the holders of a majority of the outstanding stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon was required pursuant to Section 271 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”);

WHEREAS, the approval by the Board and subsequent execution by the Corporation of the Restated Option Agreement without obtaining authorization by the holders of a majority of the outstanding stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon constituted a defective corporate act (the “Defective Corporate Act”);

WHEREAS, Section 204 of the DGCL provides that no defective act shall be void or voidable as a result of a failure of authorization if ratified as provided in Section 204 of the DGCL;

WHEREAS, the Board determines it to be in the best interests of the Corporation and its stockholders to approve the ratification of the Defective Corporate Act;

WHEREAS, the Board directs that the approval of the ratification of the Defective Corporate Act be submitted to the stockholders of the Corporation for their approval; and

WHEREAS, any claim that any Defective Corporate Act referenced herein being ratified under Section 204 of the DGCL is void or voidable due to the identified failures of authorization, or that the Delaware Court of Chancery should declare in its discretion that the ratification thereof in accordance with Section 204 of the DGCL not be effective or be effective only on certain conditions, must be brought within 120 days from the relevant validation effective time.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that, pursuant to and in accordance with Section 204 of the DGCL, the ratification of the Defective Corporate Act be, and hereby is, approved and confirmed in all respects; and

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the ratification of the Defective Corporate Act be submitted for approval or disapproval by the stockholders of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, in accordance with the requirements of the DGCL, and the Board recommends the approval and adoption by the stockholders; and



First Amendment

WHEREAS, the Board determined that it is in the best interest of the Corporation to approve the entry into the first amendment to the Restated Option Agreement dated June 29, 2020, which allows USA Rare Earth the right to fund the balance of the required $10,000,000 into Round Top Mountain Development, LLC to be used for mining operations and then earn a 70% interest in Round Top Mountain Development, LLC (“Amendment”);

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the officers are authorized, directed and instructed to execute, enter into and perform the Amendment.

RESOLVED FURTHER, that the Amendment be submitted as part of the Restated Option Agreement for approval or disapproval by the shareholders of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon and the Board recommends approval and adoption by the stockholders.

Securities Law Filings

FURTHER RESOLVED, that, in order for the Corporation to comply with applicable securities law requirements, the officers of the Corporation be, and each of them acting alone hereby is, authorized and directed, in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, with the assistance of counsel, to prepare, execute, deliver, and file or cause to be prepared, executed, delivered, and filed all reports, statements, documents, and information required to be filed by the Corporation pursuant to applicable securities laws; and

Fees and Expenses

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the officers of the Corporation be, and each of them acting alone hereby is, authorized and directed, in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, to pay all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the matters contemplated in the foregoing resolutions, including, but not limited to, all fees and expenses required in order to complete and file the requisite securities law filings; and

Retention of Advisors

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the action of the officers of the Corporation with respect to the engagement of legal counsel to the Corporation in connection with the matters contemplated in the foregoing resolutions be, and the same hereby is, ratified, confirmed and approved in all respects; and

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the officers of the Corporation be, and each of them individually hereby is, authorized and directed, in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, to retain other advisors in connection with the matters contemplated in the foregoing resolutions upon such terms and conditions as such officer or officers shall determine appropriate; and

General Authorizations

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the officers of the Corporation be, and each of them hereby is, authorized, in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, to take all such actions, to cause to be prepared and filed all such other documents, to make all expenditures and to execute all instruments deemed by them to be necessary or desirable in carrying out and effectuating each of the foregoing resolutions and each of the transactions contemplated thereby, including, without limitation, the employment or retention of all such counsel and experts as may be deemed advisable by them, and the taking of such actions, the execution and filing or delivery of such documents, and the performance of such acts by them shall be conclusive evidence of their approval thereof and the approval thereof and authority therefor by and from the Corporation; and

FURTHER RESOLVED, that any person dealing with any officer or officers of the Corporation in connection with any of the foregoing matters shall be conclusively entitled to rely upon the authority of such officer and by his execution of any document, agreement or instrument, the same shall be a valid and binding obligation of the Corporation enforceable in accordance with its terms; and

FURTHER RESOLVED, that any and all actions heretofore taken by any officer of the Corporation in connection with the foregoing matters be, and they hereby are, ratified, approved, confirmed and accepted in all respects.



APPENDIX C – SECTIONS 204 AND 205 OF THE DGCL

§ 204 Ratification of defective corporate acts and stock

(a)Subject to subsection (f) of this section, no defective corporate act or putative stock shall be void or voidable solely as a result of a failure of authorization if ratified as provided in this section or validated by the Court of Chancery in a proceeding brought under § 205 of this title. 

(b)(1)In order to ratify 1 or more defective corporate acts pursuant to this section (other than the ratification of an election of the initial board of directors pursuant to paragraph (b)(2) of this section), the board of directors of the corporation shall adopt resolutions stating: 

(A)The defective corporate act or acts to be ratified; 

(B)The date of each defective corporate act or acts; 

(C)If such defective corporate act or acts involved the issuance of shares of putative stock, the number and type of shares of putative stock issued and the date or dates upon which such putative shares were purported to have been issued; 

(D)The nature of the failure of authorization in respect of each defective corporate act to be ratified; and 

(E)That the board of directors approves the ratification of the defective corporate act or acts. 

Such resolutions may also provide that, at any time before the validation effective time in respect of any defective corporate act set forth therein, notwithstanding the approval of the ratification of such defective corporate act by stockholders, the board of directors may abandon the ratification of such defective corporate act without further action of the stockholders. The quorum and voting requirements applicable to the ratification by the board of directors of any defective corporate act shall be the quorum and voting requirements applicable to the type of defective corporate act proposed to be ratified at the time the board adopts the resolutions ratifying the defective corporate act; provided that if the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the corporation, any plan or agreement to which the corporation was a party or any provision of this title, in each case as in effect as of the time of the defective corporate act, would have required a larger number or portion of directors or of specified directors for a quorum to be present or to approve the defective corporate act, such larger number or portion of such directors or such specified directors shall be required for a quorum to be present or to adopt the resolutions to ratify the defective corporate act, as applicable, except that the presence or approval of any director elected, appointed or nominated by holders of any class or series of which no shares are then outstanding, or by any person that is no longer a stockholder, shall not be required.

(2)In order to ratify a defective corporate act in respect of the election of the initial board of directors of the corporation pursuant to § 108 of this title, a majority of the persons who, at the time the resolutions required by this paragraph (b)(2) of this section are adopted, are exercising the powers of directors under claim and color of an election or appointment as such may adopt resolutions stating: 

(A)The name of the person or persons who first took action in the name of the corporation as the initial board of directors of the corporation; 

(B)The earlier of the date on which such persons first took such action or were purported to have been elected as the initial board of directors; and 

(C)That the ratification of the election of such person or persons as the initial board of directors is approved. 

(c)Each defective corporate act ratified pursuant to paragraph (b)(1) of this section shall be submitted to stockholders for approval as provided in subsection (d) of this section, unless: 

(c)(1)(A)No other provision of this title, and no provision of the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the corporation, or of any plan or agreement to which the corporation is a party, would have required stockholder approval of such defective corporate act to be ratified, either at the time of such defective corporate act or at the time the board of directors adopts the resolutions ratifying such defective corporate act pursuant to paragraph (b)(1) of this section; and 

(B)Such defective corporate act did not result from a failure to comply with § 203 of this title; or 



(2)As of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote on the ratification of such defective corporate act, there are no shares of valid stock outstanding and entitled to vote thereon, regardless of whether there then exist any shares of putative stock.

(d)If the ratification of a defective corporate act is required to be submitted to stockholders for approval pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, due notice of the time, place, if any, and purpose of the meeting shall be given at least 20 days before the date of the meeting to each holder of valid stock and putative stock, whether voting or nonvoting, at the address of such holder as it appears or most recently appeared, as appropriate, on the records of the corporation. The notice shall also be given to the holders of record of valid stock and putative stock, whether voting or nonvoting, as of the time of the defective corporate act (or, in the case of any defective corporate act that involved the establishment of a record date for notice of or voting at any meeting of stockholders, for action by written consent of stockholders in lieu of a meeting, or for any other purpose, the record date for notice of or voting at such meeting, the record date for action by written consent, or the record date for such other action, as the case may be), other than holders whose identities or addresses cannot be determined from the records of the corporation. The notice shall contain a copy of the resolutions adopted by the board of directors pursuant to paragraph (b)(1) of this section or the information required by paragraphs (b)(1)(A) through (E) of this section and a statement that any claim that the defective corporate act or putative stock ratified hereunder is void or voidable due to the failure of authorization, or that the Court of Chancery should declare in its discretion that a ratification in accordance with this section not be effective or be effective only on certain conditions must be brought within 120 days from the applicable validation effective time. At such meeting, the quorum and voting requirements applicable to ratification of such defective corporate act shall be the quorum and voting requirements applicable to the type of defective corporate act proposed to be ratified at the time of the approval of the ratification, except that

(1)If the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the corporation, any plan or agreement to which the corporation was a party or any provision of this title in effect as of the time of the defective corporate act would have required a larger number or portion of stock or of any class or series thereof or of specified stockholders for a quorum to be present or to approve the defective corporate act, the presence or approval of such larger number or portion of stock or of such class or series thereof or of such specified stockholders shall be required for a quorum to be present or to approve the ratification of the defective corporate act, as applicable, except that the presence or approval of shares of any class or series of which no shares are then outstanding, or of any person that is no longer a stockholder, shall not be required;

(2)The approval by stockholders of the ratification of the election of a director shall require the affirmative vote of the majority of shares present at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of such director, except that if the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the corporation then in effect or in effect at the time of the defective election require or required a larger number or portion of stock or of any class or series thereof or of specified stockholders to elect such director, the affirmative vote of such larger number or portion of stock or of any class or series thereof or of such specified stockholders shall be required to ratify the election of such director, except that the presence or approval of shares of any class or series of which no shares are then outstanding, or of any person that is no longer a stockholder, shall not be required; and

(3)In the event of a failure of authorization resulting from failure to comply with the provisions of § 203 of this title, the ratification of the defective corporate act shall require the vote set forth in § 203(a)(3) of this title, regardless of whether such vote would have otherwise been required. 

Shares of putative stock on the record date for determining stockholders entitled to vote on any matter submitted to stockholders pursuant to subsection (c) of this section (and without giving effect to any ratification that becomes effective after such record date) shall neither be entitled to vote nor counted for quorum purposes in any vote to ratify any defective corporate act.

(e)If a defective corporate act ratified pursuant to this section would have required under any other section of this title the filing of a certificate in accordance with § 103 of this title, then, whether or not a certificate was previously filed in respect of such defective corporate act and in lieu of filing the certificate otherwise required by this title, the corporation shall file a certificate of validation with respect to such defective corporate act in accordance with § 103 of this title. A separate certificate of validation shall be required for each defective corporate act requiring the filing of a certificate of validation under this section, except that (i) 2 or more defective corporate acts may be included in a single certificate of validation if the corporation filed, or to comply with this title would have filed, a single certificate under another provision of this title to effect such acts, and (ii) 2 or more overissues of shares of any class, classes or series of stock may be included in a single certificate of validation, provided that the increase in the number of authorized shares of each such class or series set forth in the certificate of validation shall be effective as of the date of the first such overissue. The certificate of validation shall set forth: 



(1)Each defective corporate act that is the subject of the certificate of validation (including, in the case of any defective corporate act involving the issuance of shares of putative stock, the number and type of shares of putative stock issued and the date or dates upon which such putative shares were purported to have been issued), the date of such defective corporate act, and the nature of the failure of authorization in respect of such defective corporate act;

(2)A statement that such defective corporate act was ratified in accordance with this section, including the date on which the board of directors ratified such defective corporate act and the date, if any, on which the stockholders approved the ratification of such defective corporate act; and

(3)Information required by 1 of the following paragraphs: 

a.If a certificate was previously filed under § 103 of this title in respect of such defective corporate act and no changes to such certificate are required to give effect to such defective corporate act in accordance with this section, the certificate of validation shall set forth (x) the name, title and filing date of the certificate previously filed and of any certificate of correction thereto and (y) a statement that a copy of the certificate previously filed, together with any certificate of correction thereto, is attached as an exhibit to the certificate of validation; 

b.If a certificate was previously filed under § 103 of this title in respect of the defective corporate act and such certificate requires any change to give effect to the defective corporate act in accordance with this section (including a change to the date and time of the effectiveness of such certificate), the certificate of validation shall set forth (x) the name, title and filing date of the certificate so previously filed and of any certificate of correction thereto, (y) a statement that a certificate containing all of the information required to be included under the applicable section or sections of this title to give effect to the defective corporate act is attached as an exhibit to the certificate of validation, and (z) the date and time that such certificate shall be deemed to have become effective pursuant to this section; or 

c.If a certificate was not previously filed under § 103 of this title in respect of the defective corporate act and the defective corporate act ratified pursuant to this section would have required under any other section of this title the filing of a certificate in accordance with § 103 of this title, the certificate of validation shall set forth (x) a statement that a certificate containing all of the information required to be included under the applicable section or sections of this title to give effect to the defective corporate act is attached as an exhibit to the certificate of validation, and (y) the date and time that such certificate shall be deemed to have become effective pursuant to this section. 

A certificate attached to a certificate of validation pursuant to paragraph (e)(3)b. or c. of this section need not be separately executed and acknowledged and need not include any statement required by any other section of this title that such instrument has been approved and adopted in accordance with the provisions of such other section.

(f)From and after the validation effective time, unless otherwise determined in an action brought pursuant to § 205 of this title: 

(1)Subject to the last sentence of subsection (d) of this section, each defective corporate act ratified in accordance with this section shall no longer be deemed void or voidable as a result of the failure of authorization described in the resolutions adopted pursuant to subsection (b) of this section and such effect shall be retroactive to the time of the defective corporate act; and

(2)Subject to the last sentence of subsection (d) of this section, each share or fraction of a share of putative stock issued or purportedly issued pursuant to any such defective corporate act shall no longer be deemed void or voidable and shall be deemed to be an identical share or fraction of a share of outstanding stock as of the time it was purportedly issued. 



(g)In respect of each defective corporate act ratified by the board of directors pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, prompt notice of the ratification shall be given to all holders of valid stock and putative stock, whether voting or nonvoting, as of the date the board of directors adopts the resolutions approving such defective corporate act, or as of a date within 60 days after such date of adoption, as established by the board of directors, at the address of such holder as it appears or most recently appeared, as appropriate, on the records of the corporation. The notice shall also be given to the holders of record of valid stock and putative stock, whether voting or nonvoting, as of the time of the defective corporate act, other than holders whose identities or addresses cannot be determined from the records of the corporation. The notice shall contain a copy of the resolutions adopted pursuant to subsection (b) of this section or the information specified in paragraphs (b)(1)(A) through (E) or paragraphs (b)(2)(A) through (C) of this section, as applicable, and a statement that any claim that the defective corporate act or putative stock ratified hereunder is void or voidable due to the failure of authorization, or that the Court of Chancery should declare in its discretion that a ratification in accordance with this section not be effective or be effective only on certain conditions must be brought within 120 days from the later of the validation effective time or the time at which the notice required by this subsection is given. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) no such notice shall be required if notice of the ratification of the defective corporate act is to be given in accordance with subsection (d) of this section, and (ii) in the case of a corporation that has a class of stock listed on a national securities exchange, the notice required by this subsection and the second sentence of subsection (d) of this section may be deemed given if disclosed in a document publicly filed by the corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to § 13, § 14 or § 15(d) (15 U.S.C. § 78m, § 77n or § 78o(d)) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, or the corresponding provisions of any subsequent United States federal securities laws, rules or regulations. If any defective corporate act has been approved by stockholders acting pursuant to § 228 of this title, the notice required by this subsection may be included in any notice required to be given pursuant to § 228(e) of this title and, if so given, shall be sent to the stockholders entitled thereto under § 228(e) and to all holders of valid and putative stock to whom notice would be required under this subsection if the defective corporate act had been approved at a meeting other than any stockholder who approved the action by consent in lieu of a meeting pursuant to § 228 of this title or any holder of putative stock who otherwise consented thereto in writing. Solely for purposes of subsection (d) of this section and this subsection, notice to holders of putative stock, and notice to holders of valid stock and putative stock as of the time of the defective corporate act, shall be treated as notice to holders of valid stock for purposes of §§ 222 and 228, 229, 230, 232 and 233 of this title

(h)As used in this section and in § 205 of this title only, the term: 

(1)“Defective corporate act” means an overissue, an election or appointment of directors that is void or voidable due to a failure of authorization, or any act or transaction purportedly taken by or on behalf of the corporation that is, and at the time such act or transaction was purportedly taken would have been, within the power of a corporation under subchapter II of this chapter (without regard to the failure of authorization identified in § 204(b)(1)(D) of this title), but is void or voidable due to a failure of authorization;

(2)“Failure of authorization” means: (i) the failure to authorize or effect an act or transaction in compliance with (A) the provisions of this title, (B) the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the corporation, or (C) any plan or agreement to which the corporation is a party or the disclosure set forth in any proxy or consent solicitation statement, if and to the extent such failure would render such act or transaction void or voidable; or (ii) the failure of the board of directors or any officer of the corporation to authorize or approve any act or transaction taken by or on behalf of the corporation that would have required for its due authorization the approval of the board of directors or such officer;

(3)“Overissue” means the purported issuance of: 

a.Shares of capital stock of a class or series in excess of the number of shares of such class or series the corporation has the power to issue under § 161 of this title at the time of such issuance; or 

b.Shares of any class or series of capital stock that is not then authorized for issuance by the certificate of incorporation of the corporation; 

(4)“Putative stock” means the shares of any class or series of capital stock of the corporation (including shares issued upon exercise of options, rights, warrants or other securities convertible into shares of capital stock of the corporation, or interests with respect thereto that were created or issued pursuant to a defective corporate act) that: 

a.But for any failure of authorization, would constitute valid stock; or 

b.Cannot be determined by the board of directors to be valid stock; 



(5)“Time of the defective corporate act” means the date and time the defective corporate act was purported to have been taken; 

(6)“Validation effective time” with respect to any defective corporate act ratified pursuant to this section means the latest of: 

a.The time at which the defective corporate act submitted to the stockholders for approval pursuant to subsection (c) of this section is approved by such stockholders or if no such vote of stockholders is required to approve the ratification of the defective corporate act, the time at which the board of directors adopts the resolutions required by paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2) of this section; 

b.Where no certificate of validation is required to be filed pursuant to subsection (e) of this section, the time, if any, specified by the board of directors in the resolutions adopted pursuant to paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2) of this section, which time shall not precede the time at which such resolutions are adopted; and 

c.The time at which any certificate of validation filed pursuant to subsection (e) of this section shall become effective in accordance with § 103 of this title. 

(7)“Valid stock” means the shares of any class or series of capital stock of the corporation that have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with this title. 

In the absence of actual fraud in the transaction, the judgment of the board of directors that shares of stock are valid stock or putative stock shall be conclusive, unless otherwise determined by the Court of Chancery in a proceeding brought pursuant to § 205 of this title.

(i)Ratification under this section or validation under § 205 of this title shall not be deemed to be the exclusive means of ratifying or validating any act or transaction taken by or on behalf of the corporation, including any defective corporate act, or any issuance of stock, including any putative stock, or of adopting or endorsing any act or transaction taken by or in the name of the corporation prior to the commencement of its existence, and the absence or failure of ratification in accordance with either this section or validation under § 205 of this title shall not, of itself, affect the validity or effectiveness of any act or transaction or the issuance of any stock properly ratified under common law or otherwise, nor shall it create a presumption that any such act or transaction is or was a defective corporate act or that such stock is void or voidable. 

79 Del. Laws, c. 72, § 4; 80 Del. Laws, c. 40, § 8; 81 Del. Laws, c. 354, §§ 4-8.

§ 205 Proceedings regarding validity of defective corporate acts and stock

(a)Subject to subsection (f) of this section, upon application by the corporation, any successor entity to the corporation, any member of the board of directors, any record or beneficial holder of valid stock or putative stock, any record or beneficial holder of valid or putative stock as of the time of a defective corporate act ratified pursuant to § 204 of this title, or any other person claiming to be substantially and adversely affected by a ratification pursuant to § 204 of this title, the Court of Chancery may: 

(1)Determine the validity and effectiveness of any defective corporate act ratified pursuant to § 204 of this title; 

(2)Determine the validity and effectiveness of the ratification of any defective corporate act pursuant to § 204 of this title; 

(3)Determine the validity and effectiveness of any defective corporate act not ratified or not ratified effectively pursuant to § 204 of this title; 

(4)Determine the validity of any corporate act or transaction and any stock, rights or options to acquire stock; and 

(5)Modify or waive any of the procedures set forth in § 204 of this title to ratify a defective corporate act. 

(b)In connection with an action under this section, the Court of Chancery may: 

(1)Declare that a ratification in accordance with and pursuant to § 204 of this title is not effective or shall only be effective at a time or upon conditions established by the Court; 



(2)Validate and declare effective any defective corporate act or putative stock and impose conditions upon such validation by the Court; 

(3)Require measures to remedy or avoid harm to any person substantially and adversely affected by a ratification pursuant to § 204 of this title or from any order of the Court pursuant to this section, excluding any harm that would have resulted if the defective corporate act had been valid when approved or effectuated; 

(4)Order the Secretary of State to accept an instrument for filing with an effective time specified by the Court, which effective time may be prior or subsequent to the time of such order, provided that the filing date of such instrument shall be determined in accordance with § 103(c)(3) of this title; 

(5)Approve a stock ledger for the corporation that includes any stock ratified or validated in accordance with this section or with § 204 of this title; 

(6)Declare that shares of putative stock are shares of valid stock or require a corporation to issue and deliver shares of valid stock in place of any shares of putative stock; 

(7)Order that a meeting of holders of valid stock or putative stock be held and exercise the powers provided to the Court under § 227 of this title with respect to such a meeting; 

(8)Declare that a defective corporate act validated by the Court shall be effective as of the time of the defective corporate act or at such other time as the Court shall determine; 

(9)Declare that putative stock validated by the Court shall be deemed to be an identical share or fraction of a share of valid stock as of the time originally issued or purportedly issued or at such other time as the Court shall determine; and 

(10)Make such other orders regarding such matters as it deems proper under the circumstances. 

(c)Service of the application under subsection (a) of this section upon the registered agent of the corporation shall be deemed to be service upon the corporation, and no other party need be joined in order for the Court of Chancery to adjudicate the matter. In an action filed by the corporation, the Court may require notice of the action be provided to other persons specified by the Court and permit such other persons to intervene in the action. 

(d)In connection with the resolution of matters pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of this section, the Court of Chancery may consider the following: 

(1)Whether the defective corporate act was originally approved or effectuated with the belief that the approval or effectuation was in compliance with the provisions of this title, the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the corporation; 

(2)Whether the corporation and board of directors has treated the defective corporate act as a valid act or transaction and whether any person has acted in reliance on the public record that such defective corporate act was valid; 

(3)Whether any person will be or was harmed by the ratification or validation of the defective corporate act, excluding any harm that would have resulted if the defective corporate act had been valid when approved or effectuated; 

(4)Whether any person will be harmed by the failure to ratify or validate the defective corporate act; and 

(5)Any other factors or considerations the Court deems just and equitable. 

(e)The Court of Chancery is hereby vested with exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine all actions brought under this section. 

(f)Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, no action asserting: 

(1)That a defective corporate act or putative stock ratified in accordance with § 204 of this title is void or voidable due to a failure of authorization identified in the resolution adopted in accordance with 204(b) of this title; or 



(2)That the Court of Chancery should declare in its discretion that a ratification in accordance with § 204 of this title not be effective or be effective only on certain conditions, may be brought after the expiration of 120 days from the later of the validation effective time and the time notice, if any, that is required to be given pursuant to § 204(g) of this title is given with respect to such ratification, except that this subsection shall not apply to an action asserting that a ratification was not accomplished in accordance with § 204 of this title or to any person to whom notice of the ratification was required to have been given pursuant to § 204(d) or (g) of this title, but to whom such notice was not given. 

79 Del. Laws, c. 72, § 5; 80 Del. Laws, c. 40, § 9.



PROXY

TEXAS MINERAL RESOURCES CORP.

SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

AUGUST 6, 2020

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

The undersigned shareholderappoints Anthony Marchese and Dan Gorski, and each of them, as proxies, each with the power to appoint his substitute, and authorizes each of them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse hereof, all of the shares of common stock of Texas Mineral Resources Corp. (the “Company”) hereby acknowledges receiptheld of the Notice of Special Meeting of Shareholders and appoints Daniel E. Gorski and Anthony Marchese with full power of substitution, as Proxy or Proxies, to vote as specified in this Proxy all the shares of Common Stock of the Company ofrecord by the undersigned at the Specialclose of business on January 22, 2024, at the Annual Meeting of ShareholdersStockholders of the CompanyTexas Mineral Resources Corp. to thebe held virtually on March 12, 2024 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, by means of remote communications onlyor any adjournment thereof. To participate in the Annual Meeting virtually via an audio webcast on the Internet, you must register prior to March 11, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time at https://stctransfer.zoom.us/s/93759717231?pwd=QWNwWDgxNGtGbjA4UnRtSlpEbFpUdz09, and any and all adjournments or postponements thereof. Either of such Proxies or substitutes shall have and may exercise all ofwebinar/register/WN_Bat3SPM7Reqd6sIZZrPxpw. Upon completing your registration, you will receive further instructions via email, including the powers of said Proxies hereunder.  The undersigned shareholder hereby revokes any proxy or proxies heretofore executed for such matters.link that will allow you access to the Annual Meeting.

 

THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER AS DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER.INDICATED. IF NO DIRECTIONCONTRARY INDICATION IS MADE, THISTHE PROXY WILL BE VOTED:

·“FOR” PROPOSAL 1VOTED IN FAVOR OF ELECTING THE NOMINEES TO RATIFY THE APPROVAL BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, OF THE COMPANY (THE “BOARD”) AND SUBSEQUENT EXECUTION BY THE COMPANY OF THE AMENDED AND RESTATED OPTION AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND USA RARE EARTH, LLC (“USA RARE EARTH”) DATED AUGUST 23, 2019 AND THE FIRST AMENDMENT DATED JUNE 29, 2020 (COLLECTIVELY, THE “2019 OPTION AGREEMENT” OR “OPTION AGREEMENT”), WITH RESPECT TO THE ROUND TOP PROJECT WITHOUT HAVING OBTAINED AUTHORIZATION BY THE HOLDERS OF A MAJORITY OF THE OUTSTANDING SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OF THE COMPANY (“2019 OPTION AGREEMENT RATIFICATION” OR “RATIFICATION”) 

·“FOR” PROPOSAL 2TO APPROVE AN ADJOURNMENT OF THE SPECIAL MEETING, IF NECESSARY, TO SOLICIT ADDITIONAL PROXIES IF THERE ARE NOT SUFFICIENT VOTES IN FAVOR OF ANYSAY-ON-PAY, IN FAVOR OF EVERY THREE YEARS FOR SAY-ON-FREQUENCY, IN FAVOR OF RATIFICATION OF THE RATIFICATION (“ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL”) 

(1)

ADOPT THE 2019 OPTION AGREEMENT RATIFICATION

[   ] FOR

[   ] AGAINST

[   ] ABSTAIN

(2)

ADOPT ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL

[   ] FOR

[   ] AGAINST

[   ] ABSTAIN

COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM, AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE JUDGMENT OF THE PERSONS NAMED AS PROXY HEREIN ON ANY OTHER MATTERS THAT MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING. THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED INIS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER.BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

 

IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR EACH OF THE PROPOSALS.

(Continued and to be marked, dated and signed, on the other side)

 

[Signature page follows]



 

Dated: ______________________, 2020

Signature:

Signature if held jointly:

(Please sign exactly using the name(s) in which the stock is titled. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by the president or other authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by an authorized person.)

To be represented at the Special Meeting, this proxy form must be received at the office of the Company’s transfer agent, Securities Transfer Corporation, by email, mail or facsimile voting no later than August 6, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time or may be accepted by the Chairman of the Special Meeting prior to the commencement of the Special Meeting. The voting instructions are:

PLEASE MARK, SIGN AND DATE YOUR PROXY CARD AND SEND IT TO THE COMPANY’S TRANSFER AGENT, ATTN: JANET STACKHOUSE, BY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING METHODS:

Whether you hold shares directly as the stockholder of record or beneficially in street name, you may direct your vote without attending the Special Meeting. You may vote by granting a proxy or, for shares held in street name, by submitting voting instructions to your broker or other nominee. In most instances, you will be able to do this over the Internet or by mail. Please refer to the summary instructions below and the instructions included on your proxy card or, for shares held in street name, the voting instruction card provided by your broker or other nominee.

·Online:  http://onlineproxyvote.com/tmrc/.  Log in using the control number in the top left-hand corner of your proxy card

·Scan:  Vote, sign, date, scan and email your proxy card to: info@stctransfer.com. 

·Facsimile:  Vote, sign, date, scan and fax your proxy card to Securities Transfer Corporation: (469) 633-0088. 

·Mail:  Vote, sign, date and return your proxy card in the enclosed stamped envelope addressed to Securities Transfer Corporation, or mail to: 

Attention Proxy Department

Securities Transfer Corporation

2901 N. Dallas Parkway, Suite 380

Plano, TX  75093

Note that Internet voting for eligible stockholders of record will close at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the day prior to the Special Meeting.

Should you have any questions, or need additional assistance with voting, contact Securities Transfer Corporation at jstackhouse@stctransfer.com or call (469) 633-0101.