As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 28,August 25, 2021

Registration No. 333-256636

 

Registration No. 333-__________

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER

UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

Meta Materials Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Torchlight Energy Resources, Inc.
Nevada74-3237581
(Exact NameState or other jurisdiction of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)incorporation or organization)(IRS Employer Identification No.)
1 Research Drive
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
B2Y 4M9
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)(Zip Code)

 

Nevada131174-3237581
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

5700 W. Plano Parkway, Suite 3600
Plano, Texas 75093
(214) 432-8002

George Palikaras

President

Meta Materials Inc.

1 Research Drive

Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B2Y 4M9

(902) 482-5729

(Name, address and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

Copies to:

Martin J. Waters

Tom Hornish

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C.

12335 El Camino Real

San Diego, CA 92130

(858) 350-2300

(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)

John A. Brda
President
5700 W. Plano Parkway, Suite 3600
Plano, Texas 75093
(214) 432-8002
(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)

Approximate Datedate of Commencementcommencement of Proposed Saleproposed sale to the Public:public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.statement becomes effective.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box:  o

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box:  x

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ooffering:  ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ooffering:  ☐

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. obox:  ☐

1

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. o

box:  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company”company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated fileroAccelerated filero
Non-accelerated filerxSmaller reporting companyx
Emerging growth companyo

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of Securities Act.  o

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

Title of Each Class of
Securities to be Registered
 Amount
to be
Registered
 Proposed
Maximum
Offering Price
Per Share
 Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price
 Amount of
Registration Fee (4)
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (1)(2) (3) (3) N/A
Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share (1)(2) (3) (3) N/A
Warrants (1)(2) (3) (3) N/A
Units (1)(2) (3) (3) N/A
Rights (1)(2) (3) (3) N/A
Total     $250,000,000 $27,275

(1)There is being registered hereunder an indeterminate number or amount of common stock and preferred stock, warrants to purchase common stock, units consisting of combinations of any of the foregoing or rights to purchase any of the foregoing as shall have an aggregate offering price not to exceed $250,000,000. Any securities registered hereunder may be sold separately or as units with other securities registered hereunder. The proposed maximum initial offering price per unit will be determined, from time to time, by the registrant in connection with the issuance by the registrant of the securities registered hereunder. Pursuant to Rule 457(i), the securities registered also include such indeterminate number of shares of common stock and preferred stock as may be issued upon conversion of or exchange for preferred stock that provide for conversion or exchange, upon exercise of warrants or rights or pursuant to the anti-dilution provisions of any such securities.

(2)Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement also registers a currently indeterminate number of additional shares of our common stock that may be issuable with respect to the shares being registered hereunder as a result of stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.

(3)The proposed maximum aggregate offering price per class of security will be determined from time to time by the registrant in connection with the issuance by the registrant of the securities registered hereunder and is not specified as to each class of security pursuant to General Instruction II.D. of Form S-3 under the Securities Act

(4)Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act.

 

LOGO

Up to 190,900,700 Shares

Common Stock

This prospectus relates to shares of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share, that we may issue, from time to time, upon exchange, retraction or redemption of exchangeable shares of Metamaterial Exchangeco Inc., a wholly-owned Canadian subsidiary of ours that is referred to in this prospectus as “Exchangeco.” We refer to the exchangeable shares of Exchangeco as the “exchangeable shares” and to Meta Materials Inc. as “Meta.”

The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessaryexchangeable shares were issued by Exchangeco in connection with our acquisition (the “Arrangement”) of all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Metamaterial Inc. (“Metamaterial”) to delay its effective date untilMetamaterial shareholders who made a valid election to receive exchangeable shares of Exchangeco in lieu of receiving shares of our common stock. The issuance of the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) ofexchangeable shares was not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and was issued in reliance upon the exemption from registration provided by section 3(a)(10) of the Securities Act on the basis of the approval of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. Each exchangeable share may be exchanged at the election of the holder for one share of our common stock. In addition, under certain circumstances, Exchangeco can redeem the exchangeable shares in exchange for shares of our common stock on a one-for-one basis.

Because the shares of our common stock offered by this prospectus will be issued only in exchange for or untilupon retraction or redemption of the exchangeable shares, we will not receive any cash proceeds from this offering. We are paying all expenses of registration statement shall become effectiveincurred in connection with this offering.

Meta’s common stock is listed on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.Nasdaq Stock Market LLC, or Nasdaq, under the symbol “MMAT.”

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The

Investing in our common stock involves risk. Please read carefully the section entitled “Risk Factors” on page 2 of this prospectus and the information included and incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission, nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not completetruthful or complete. Any representation to the offering and issue these securities until the registration statementcontrary is a criminal offense.

This prospectus is dated August [    ], 2021.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

i

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

i

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

1

OUR BUSINESS

1

RISK FACTORS

2

USE OF PROCEEDS

2

THE EXCHANGEABLE SHARES

2

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

2

INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

3

LEGAL MATTERS

12

EXPERTS

13

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

13

INFORMATION WE INCORPORATE BY REFERENCE

13

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

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EXPLANATORY NOTE

Meta Materials Inc. (fka Torchlight, Inc.), a Nevada corporation (the “Registrant”) hereby amends its Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-256636) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. The prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities nor a solicitation of an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer and sale is not permitted.

Subject to Completion, Dated(the “Commission”) on May 28, 2021 by filing this Pre-Effective

Amendment No. 1 on ProspectusForm S-3 relating

(TORCHLIGHT LOGO)

Torchlight Energy Resources, Inc.

$250,000,000

COMMON STOCK
PREFERRED STOCK
WARRANTS
UNITS
RIGHTS

We may offer and sell to the following securities from time to time in one or more classes or series and in amounts, at prices and on terms that we will determine at the timeshares of the offering, with an aggregate offering price not to exceed $250,000,000:

shares of common stock;

shares of preferred stock;

warrants;

units consisting of combinations of any of the foregoing; and/or

rights to purchase any of the foregoing.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of these securities. Each time we will offer and sell them, we will provide their specific terms in a supplement to this prospectus. Such prospectus supplement may add, update, or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, as well as all documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, carefully before you invest in our securities. This prospectus may not be used to offer and sell securities, unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

We may offer the securities directly, through agents designated from time to time, to or through underwriters or dealers, or through a combination of these methods. If any agents or underwriters are involved in the sale of any of the securities, their names, and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between or among them, will be set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth, in the applicable prospectus supplement. For more information on this topic, please see “Plan of Distribution.”

OurRegistrant’s common stock is listed onissuable upon the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “TRCH.”

Investing in anyexchange of our securities involves risk. Please see the “Risk Factors” section below for a discussionshares of certain risks that you should considerExchangeco issued in connection to certain holders. On June 28, 2021, the Registrant completed the acquisition of Metamaterial Inc., an Ontario corporation (“Metamaterial”), in accordance with an investment in the securities.terms of a statutory plan of arrangement (the “Arrangement”) under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) on June  28, 2021.

NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

The date of this prospectus is _________ __, 2021.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS5
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION5
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE6
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS7
THE COMPANY8
RISK FACTORS11
USE OF PROCEEDS11
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION11
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON AND PREFERRED STOCK13
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS15
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS16
DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS16
EXPERTS17
LEGAL MATTERS17

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”)(SEC) using what is commonly referred to as a shelf“shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may offer and sell any combinationAs permitted under the rules of the securities described inSEC, this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer to sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specificincorporates important information about the terms ofMeta that offering and the securities offered by us in that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update, or change informationis contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and a prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information provided in the prospectus supplement. This prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. The registration statement fileddocuments that we file with the SEC, includes exhibitsbut that provide more details about the matters discussedis not included in or delivered with this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus,may obtain copies of these documents, without charge, from the related exhibits filed withwebsite maintained by the SEC and any prospectus supplement, together with the additional information described below under the headingat www.sec.gov, as well as other sources. See “Where You Can Find AdditionalMore Information.”

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in any accompanying prospectus supplement.supplement or in any free writing prospectus that we may provide you. We have not authorized any other personanyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, youYou should not rely on it. We are not making an offer of the securities covered by this prospectus in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, and any other document incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of the respective document. Our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects may have changed since those dates.

Under no circumstances should the delivery of this prospectus to you create any implication that the information contained in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, any document incorporated by reference or any free writing prospectus is correctaccurate as of any time afterdate, other than the date mentioned on the cover page of this prospectus.

Unless otherwise indicated, or unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this prospectusthese documents. We are not making offers to “Torchlight,” “we,” “us,” and “our” mean Torchlight Energy Resources, Inc. and our consolidated subsidiaries. In this prospectus, we sometimes refer tosell the shares of common stock shares of preferred stock, warrants, units and rights consisting of combinations ofdescribed in this prospectus in any ofjurisdiction in which an offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the foregoing collectively as the “securities.”person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other documents with the SEC electronically. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. You can access the electronic versions of these filings on the SEC’s website found at www.sec.gov.

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 relating to the securities covered by this prospectus. This prospectus is a part of the registration statement and does not contain all the information in the registration statement. Whenever a reference is madeReferences in this prospectus to a contract, agreementthe terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “the Company” or “Meta” or other document,similar terms mean Meta Materials Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless we state otherwise or the reference is only a summary and you should refer to the exhibits that are filed with, or incorporated by reference into, the registration statement for a copy of the contract, agreement or other document. You may review a copy of the registration statement on the SEC’s website.

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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCEcontext indicates otherwise.

 

The rules of the SEC allow us to “incorporate by reference” into thisi


FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus the information we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to that information. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, and later information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede that information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below:

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the SEC on March 18, 2021;

our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on May 14, 2021;

our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A (for the 2021 special meeting of stockholders), filed with the SEC on May 7, 2021;

our Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on January 6, 2021, January 13, 2021, January 14, 2021, January 22, 2021, January 25, 2021, January 28, 2021, January 29, 2021, February 1, 2021, February 4, 2021, February 8, 2021, February 10, 2021, February 16, 2021, February 22, 2021, March 11, 2021, March 15, 2021, April 1, 2021 April 15, 2021, May 4, 2021, May 7, 2021 and May 25, 2021; and

the description of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share, contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A (Registration Statement No. 001-36247) filed with the SEC on December 13, 2013, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

All documents filed by us pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (excluding any information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01, or any corresponding information furnished under Item 9.01, on any Current Report on Form 8-K) after the date of the initial registration statement and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement and after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of each offering under this prospectus shall be deemed to be incorporated in this prospectus by reference and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.

Any statement contained in a document incorporated, or deemed to be incorporated, by reference in this prospectus shall be deemed modified, superseded, or replaced for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or in any subsequently filed document that also is, or is deemed to be incorporated, by reference in this prospectus modifies, supersedes, or replaces such statement. Any statement so modified, superseded, or replaced shall not be deemed, except as so modified, superseded, or replaced, to constitute a part of this prospectus.

We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this prospectus is delivered, upon that person’s written or oral request, a copy of any or all of the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus (other than exhibits to those documents, unless the exhibitsmay include predictions, estimates and other information that are specifically incorporated by reference into those documents). Requests should be directed to:

John A. Brda, President
Torchlight Energy Resources, Inc.
5700 W. Plano Parkway, Suite 3600
Plano, Texas 75093
Telephone: (214) 432-8002
Email: john@torchlightenergy.com

You also may access these filings on our website at www.torchlightenergy.com. We do not incorporate the information on our website into this prospectus or any supplement to this prospectus and you should not consider any information on, or that can be accessed through, our website as part of this prospectus or any supplement to this prospectus (other than those filings with the SEC that we specifically incorporate by reference into this prospectus or any supplement to this prospectus).

6

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus, including information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any supplement to this prospectus, include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27Athe Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of the Securities Act and1995, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and Section 27A of the Securities Act . These forward-looking statements do not directly or exclusively relate to historical facts, including, without limitation, statements relating to the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our or our management’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regardingcompletion of the future and other statements that are other than statementsArrangement. Without limiting the generality of historical fact. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. Thethe foregoing, words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “can,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions may“will,” “would,” or the negative or other variations thereof or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not meanstatements. Stockholders are cautioned that a statement is not forward-looking.

Theany forward-looking statements in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and thereinare not guarantees of future performance. These statements are based upon variouson the beliefs of the management of Meta, as the case may be, as well as the current expectations and assumptions, many of which aresuch management believes to be reasonable, based in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, management’s examination of historical operating trends, data contained in our records, and other dataon available from third parties. While we believe such third-party information is reliable, we have not independently verified any third-party information and our internal data has not been verified by any independent source. Although we believe that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significantinvolve a number of risks and uncertainties, and contingenciesall of which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of which are beyond our control, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections, which speak only as of the date on which they are made.control. As a result, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on thesesuch, our actual results may differ significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statements.

In additionThese risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, these important factors and matters discussed elsewhere herein and in the documentsdescribed or incorporated by reference herein, important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include among other things:

factors relating to the proposed business combination transaction with Metamaterial, Inc. (“Meta”) in connection with the Arrangement Agreement entered into on December 14, 2020 (and as amended subsequently), including without limitation: (1) the ability of the parties to consummate the arrangement, (2) risks that the conditions to the closing of the arrangement are not satisfied, including the risk that required approvals for the arrangement from governmental authorities or the stockholders of Torchlight are not obtained; (3) litigation relating to the arrangement; (4) unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the arrangement; (5) risks that the proposed arrangement disrupts the current plans and operations of Torchlight and Meta; (6) the ability to realize anticipated benefits from the arrangement; (7) competition from larger and more established companies in the combined company’s markets; (8) the combined company’s ability to successfully grow following the closing of the arrangement; and (9) potential adverse reactions or changes to business relationships resulting from the completion of the arrangement;

our future operating or financial results;

our financial condition and liquidity, including our ability to pay amounts that we owe, obtain additional financing in the future to fund capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate activities;

our ability to continue as a going concern;

our development of successful operations;

the speculative nature of oil and gas exploration;

the volatile price of oil and natural gas;

the demand for oil and natural gas which demand could be materially affected by the economic impacts of COVID-19;

7

the risk of incurring liability or damages as we conduct business operations due to the inherent dangers involved in oil and gas operations;

our ability to rely on strategic relationships which are subject to change;

the competitive nature of the oil and gas market;

changes in governmental rules and regulations; and

other factors listed from time to time in registration statements, reports or other materials that we have filed with or furnished to the SEC, including the information under the “Risk Factors” sections of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A (for the 2021 special meeting of stockholders), which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

These factors and the other risk factors described in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference hereinfollowing factors: (1) litigation relating to the Arrangement; (2) unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the Arrangement; (3) the ability to realize anticipated benefits from the Arrangement; (4) competition from larger and thereinmore established companies in Meta’s markets; (5) Meta’s ability to successfully grow its business; and (6) legislative, regulatory and economic developments, including changing business conditions in the industries in which Meta operates and the economy in general as well as financial performance and expectations of Meta’s existing and prospective customers. Additional factors that may affect the future results of Meta are not necessarily allset forth in filings that Meta makes with the SEC from time to time, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2021, and its Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on July 2, 2021, which are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, as well as factors discussed under the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus.

In light of the important factors that could cause actual results or developments to differ materially from those expressedsignificant risks and uncertainties inherent in anythe forward-looking information included herein, the inclusion of our forward-looking statements. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could harm our results. Consequently, actual results or developments anticipatedsuch information should not be regarded as a representation by us may notor any other person that such results will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they may not have the expected consequences to, or effects on, us. Given these uncertainties, prospective investorsachieved, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

Weinformation, which speak only as of the date hereof. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise anythe forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, futurecontained herein to reflect events or otherwise, except as required by law. If onecircumstances after the date hereof or more forward-looking statements are updated, no inference should be drawn that additional updates will be made with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

THE COMPANY

Overview

We are an energy company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, exploitation and/or development of oil and natural gas properties in the United States. We are primarily focused on the acquisition of early-stage projects, the development and delineation of these projects, and then the monetization of those assets once these activities are completed.

Since 2010, our primary focus has been the development of interests in oil and gas projects we hold in the Permian Basin in West Texas. Presently, our primary interests include the Orogrande Project in Hudspeth County, Texas and the Hazel Project in the Midland Basin. In November 2020, we sold our interest in the project in Winkler County, Texas.

We employ a private equity model within a public platform, with the goal to (i) enter into a play at favorable valuations, (ii) “prove up” and delineate the play through committed capital and exhaustive geologic and engineering review, and (iii) monetize our position through an exit to public and private independents that can continue full-scale development.

In April 2018, we announced that we have commenced a process that could result in the monetization of the Hazel Project. Pursuant to our corporate strategy, in our opinion the development activity at the Hazel Project, coupled with nearby activities of other oil and gas operators, is indicative of this project having achieved a level of value that suggests monetization. We believe that the liquidity that would be provided from selling the Hazel Project could be redeployed into the Orogrande Project. In August 2020, our subsidiaries entered into an option agreement with a third party (which was amended in September 2020 and in April 2021), under which, in exchange for satisfying certain drilling obligations, the third party has the option to purchase the entire Hazel Project by a date no later than September 30, 2021. The option to purchase the Hazel Project may never be exercised.

8

We are also currently marketing the Orogrande Project for an outright sale or farm in partner. These efforts are continuing.

We operate our business through our wholly owned subsidiaries, including Torchlight Energy, Inc., a Nevada corporation, (“TEI”), Hudspeth Oil Corporation, a Texas corporation, (“Hudspeth”), and Torchlight Hazel, LLC, a Texas limited liability company. We are in the process of winding up our subsidiaries Warwink Properties, LLC and Torchlight Energy Operating, LLC. We currently have four full-time employees and we employ consultants for various roles as needed.

Our principal executive offices are located at 5700 W. Plano Parkway, Suite 3600, Plano, Texas 75093. The telephone number of our principal executive offices is (214) 432-8002.

Arrangement Agreement with Metamaterial

On December 14, 2020, we and our newly formed subsidiaries, Metamaterial Exchangeco Inc. (“Canco”) and 2798831 Ontario Inc. (“Callco”), both Ontario corporations, entered into an arrangement agreement (the “Arrangement Agreement”) with Metamaterial Inc., an Ontario corporation headquartered in Nova Scotia, Canada (“Meta”). Under the Arrangement Agreement, Canco is to acquire all of the outstanding common shares of Meta by way of a statutory plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario), or the Arrangement, on and subject to the terms and conditions of the Arrangement Agreement. The Arrangement Agreement was amended on February 3, 2021, March 11, 2021, March 31, 2021, April 15, 2021 and May 2, 2021.

The Arrangement Agreement provides that the Meta shareholders may elect to receive either shares of our common stock or shares of the capital stock of Canco, which are referred to as the Exchangeable Shares, in exchange for such holder’s Meta common shares, in each case based on an exchange ratio (the “Exchange Ratio”) to be determined based on the number of Meta common shares and shares of our common stock outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Arrangement (the “Effective Time”). After the Effective Time, each Exchangeable Share will be exchangeable by the holder for one share of the common stock of the combined company (subject to customary adjustments for stock splits or other reorganizations). In addition, we may require all outstanding Exchangeable Shares to be exchanged uponreflect the occurrence of certain events and at any time following the seventh anniversaryunanticipated events. For all of the closing of the Arrangement. While outstanding, holders of Exchangeable Shares will be entitled to cast votesthese reasons, Meta stockholders should not place undue reliance on matters for which holders of the common stock of the combined company are entitled to vote, and will be entitled to receive dividends economically equivalent to the dividends declared by the combined company with respect to its common stock. Eligibility to receive Exchangeable Shares will be subject to certain Canadian residency restrictions and tax statuses.forward-looking statements.

OUR BUSINESS

The Arrangement Agreement additionally makes provision for the conversion or amendmentdescription of other outstanding Meta securities, including options, deferred share units and warrants, such that they will be exercisable for shares of the common stock of the combined company, in each case with adjustments based on the Exchange Ratio.

Immediately following the Effective Time, based on the Exchange Ratio, the former shareholders of Meta are anticipated to own approximately 75% of the economic and voting interest of the combined company, with current Torchlight stockholders holding approximately 25% economic and voting interest. Following the Effective Time, the combined company’s board of directors will be comprised of seven directors, with five of such directors to be nominees of Meta, one to be jointly nominated by Meta and Torchlight and one director to be a nominee of Torchlight, subject to the reasonable approval of Meta. Additionally, the current management of Torchlight will resign and be replaced by George Palikaras as Chief Executive Officer and Kenneth Rice as Chief Financial Officer.

The Arrangement Agreement also provides that Torchlight is to submit to its stockholders a proposal to approve the issuance of stockour business under the Arrangement Agreement and amend Torchlight’s articlesheading “Business – Business Description of incorporation to effect a reverse split (the “Reverse Split”), to maintain complianceMeta” in our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the listing standards of Nasdaq.

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Following the Reverse Split, and priorSEC on July 2, 2021, which may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to the Effective Time, Torchlight will declare and issue a dividend, on a pro rata basis, of shares of Series A preferred stock (the “Series A Preferred Stock”), to the holders of its common stock. Following the Effective Time, the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to a dividend based on the net proceeds of the sale of any assets that are used or held for use in our oil and gas exploration business (the “O&G Assets”), subject to certain holdbacks. Such asset sales must occur prior to the earlier of (i) December 31, 2021 or (ii) the date which is six months from the closing of the Arrangement (the “Sale Expiration Date”). Following the Sale Expiration Date, subject to certain conditions, the combined company will effect a spin-off of any remaining O&G Assetstime by other reports we file with the Series A Preferred Stock holders to receive their pro rata equity interestSEC in the spin-off entity.future, is incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

The transaction has been unanimously approved by the board of directors of Meta, and shareholders representing 48.06% of Meta’s common shares have entered into voting and support agreements in connection with the Arrangement. The transaction has also been unanimously approved by our board of directors, and stockholders representing 19.74% of our common stock have entered into voting and support agreements in connection with the Arrangement.

The consummation of the Arrangement is subject to certain closing conditions, including without limitation the requirement that (i) prior to the effective time of the Arrangement, we raise gross proceeds of at least $10 million through the issuance of common stock or securities convertible into or exercisable for common stock, less the aggregate principal amount and accrued interest on certain loans that we have made to Meta (the “Pre-Closing Financing”) which condition has been met (ii) all of our debt is converted into shares of our common stock or repaid in full, with certain exceptions available and (iii) the shares issuable in connection with the arrangement have been approved for listing on Nasdaq. Other closing conditions include without limitation the receipt of all required approvals from our stockholders and Meta’s shareholders and from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List) (the “Court”) and all other required regulatory approvals, as well as other customary closing conditions, including the absence of a material adverse effect with respect to either us or Meta. As of the date of this prospectus all of our notes payable have been retired.

The Arrangement is expected to close in the first half of 2021 and is to be implemented by way of an arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario). The Arrangement Agreement provides for customary representations, warranties and covenants, including covenants of each party to (i) subject to certain exceptions, carry on its business in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice during the period between the execution of the Arrangement Agreement and the Effective Time and (ii) not solicit any alternate transactions or, subject to certain exceptions, to engage in any discussions or negotiations with respect thereto. Subject to certain terms and conditions, the Arrangement Agreement may be terminated by either party after June 18, 2021, and if the Arrangement Agreement is terminated prior to that date by either party as a result of obtaining a superior proposal from a third party, such terminating party is required to pay a termination fee of $2 million.

Under the Arrangement Agreement, we loaned Meta $500,000 on December 16, 2020, in exchange for an unsecured convertible promissory note in substantially the same form as the 8% unsecured convertible promissory note that evidences our loan to Meta of $500,000 on September 20, 2020. On February 18, 2021, Torchlight loaned to Meta $10,000,000, evidenced by an unsecured convertible promissory note issued by Meta (the “Promissory Note”), substantially in the same form as the previous bridge notes issued by Meta to us, to satisfy Torchlight’s requirement to provide additional bridge financing to Meta pursuant to the Arrangement Agreement. These three bridge loans, including the aggregate principal and unpaid interest, will be included in, and credited against, the funds we are obligated to raise in the Pre-Closing Financing. Upon the closing of the Arrangement, all of the bridge notes will be deemed cancelled and paid in full.

On May 7, 2021, we filed a definitive proxy statement for the special meeting of the stockholders in connection with the business combination transaction with Meta. The record date of stockholders entitled to vote is May 5, 2021 and the meeting date is June 11, 2021 (the meeting will be virtual).

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securitiescommon stock involves risk. Prior to making a high degree of risk. Before deciding to purchase any ofdecision about investing in our securities,common stock, you should carefully consider the discussion of risksspecific factors discussed below and uncertainties:

under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A (for the 2021 special meeting of stockholders), which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus; and

in any other place in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement as well as in any document that is incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

See the section entitled “Where You Can Find Additional Information”heading “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus.prospectus and which may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC in the future, under the heading “Risk Factors” in our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus and which may be amended, supplements or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC in the future, and under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on July 2, 2021, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus and which may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC in the future. The risks and uncertainties we discuss inhave described are not the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus are thoseonly risks we currently believe may materially affect us.face. Additional risks and uncertainties that we do not presently know aboutknown to us or that we currently believe are not materialdeem immaterial may also adversely affect our business.operations. If any of thethese risks and uncertainties described in this prospectus or the documents incorporated by reference herein actually occur,occurs, our business, financial condition and results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected in a material way. This could causesuffer. In that case, the trading price of theour common stock tocould decline, perhaps significantly, and you maycould lose part or all of your investment.

Risks Related to the Exchangeable Shares

Holders of exchangeable shares are expected to experience a delay in receiving shares of our common stock from the date they request an exchange, which may affect the value of the shares the holder receives in an exchange.

Holders of exchangeable shares who request to receive shares of our common stock in exchange for their exchangeable shares will not receive shares of our common stock until several business days after the applicable request is received. During this period, the market price of our common stock may increase or decrease. Any such increase or decrease would affect the value of the consideration to be received by such holder of exchangeable shares upon a subsequent sale of the common stock received in the exchange.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise specified in an accompanying prospectus supplement,Because the common stock will be issued upon exchange of the exchangeable shares, we expect to use the netwill receive no cash proceeds from the sale of the securities offered by this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things:

additions to our working capital;

capital expenditures;

reduction of accounts payable or other corporate obligations; and

potential future acquisitions or strategic transactions.

Any specific allocation of the net proceeds of an offering of securities to a specific purpose will be determined at the time of the offering and will be described in an accompanying prospectus supplement. We may invest funds not required immediately for these purposes in marketable securities and short-term investments. The precise amount and timing of the application of these proceeds will depend upon our funding requirements and the availability and cost of other funds. We have not determined the amounts we plan to spend on the areas listed above or the timing of these expenditures. As a result, our management will have broad discretion to allocate the net proceeds of any offering.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTIONTHE EXCHANGEABLE SHARES

We may sell the securities offered by this prospectus and applicable prospectus supplements in one or more of the following ways from time to time:

through underwriters or dealers;

through agents;

directly to purchasers, including institutional investors and our affiliates;

through a combination of any such methods of sale; or

through any other methods described in a prospectus supplement.

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Any such underwriter, dealer, or agent may be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act.

The applicable prospectus supplement relating to the securities will set forth:

the offering terms, including the name or names of any underwriters, dealers, or agents;

the purchase price of the securities and the estimated net proceeds to us from such sales;

any underwriting discounts, commissions, and other items constituting compensation to underwriters, dealers, or agents;

any initial public offering price, if applicable;

any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid by underwriters or dealers to other dealers;

any delayed delivery arrangements; and

any securities exchanges on which the securities may be listed.

If underwriters or dealers are used in the sale, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters or dealers for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions:

at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed;

at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or

at negotiated prices.

The securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more of such firms. Unless otherwise stated in an applicable prospectus supplement, the obligations of underwriters or dealers to purchase the securities will be subject to certain customary closing conditions and the underwriters or dealers will be obligated to purchase all the securities if any of the securities are purchased. Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid by underwriters or dealers to other dealers may be changed from time to time.

Securities may be sold directly by us, or through agents designated by us, from time to time. Any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus and a prospectus supplement is delivered will be named, and any commissions payable by us to such agent will be set forth, in the prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment. Any agent selling the securities covered by this prospectus may be deemed to be an underwriter as that term is defined in the Securities Act.

If so indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will authorize underwriters, dealers, or agents to solicit offers from certain specified institutions to purchase securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. Such contracts will be subject to any conditions set forth in the prospectus supplement and the prospectus supplement will set forth the commission payable for solicitation of such contracts. The underwriters and other persons soliciting such contracts will have no responsibility for the validity or performance of any such contracts.

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Underwriters, dealers, and agents may be entitled under agreements entered into with us to be indemnified by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution by us to payments which they may be required to make. The terms and conditions of such indemnification will be described in an applicable prospectus supplement. Underwriters, dealers, and agents may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

Each class or series of securities will be a new issue of securities with no established trading market, other than the common stock, which is listed on NASDAQ. We may elect to list any other class or series of securities on any exchange, other than the common stock, but we are not obligated to do so. Any underwriters to whom securities are sold by us for public offering and sale may make a market in such securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for any securities.

Certain persons participating in any offering of securities may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities offered in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act. In connection with any such offering, the underwriters or agents, as the case may be, may purchase and sell securities in the open market. These transactions may include over-allotment and stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover syndicate short positions created in connection with the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of certain bids or purchases for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the securities; and syndicate short positions involve the sale by the underwriters or agents, as the case may be, of a greater number of securities than they are required to purchase from us, as the case may be, in the offering. The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid, whereby selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other broker-dealers for the securities sold for their account may be reclaimed by the syndicate if such securities are repurchased by the syndicate in stabilizing or covering transactions. These activities may stabilize, maintain, or otherwise affect the market price of the securities, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market, and if commenced, may be discontinued at any time. These transactions may be effected on NASDAQ, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise. These activities will be described in more detail in the sections entitled “Plan of Distribution” or “Underwriting” in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, as applicable, will set forth the anticipated delivery date of the securities being sold at that time.

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON AND PREFERRED STOCK

The following is a description of certain provisions relating to our capital stock. For additional information regarding our stock, please refer to our Articles of Incorporation (as amended) and our Amended and Restated Bylaws (“Bylaws”), all of which have previously been filed with the SEC.

General

Our authorized capital stock consists of 150,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share. As of May 14, 2021, there were approximately 145,563,667 shares of common stock outstanding (including 262,001 shares of unvested restricted stock), and no shares of preferred stock designated or outstanding. Additionally, we currently have warrants and stock options outstanding that are exercisable into a total of approximately 8.7 million shares of common stock.

Common Stock

The rights of all holders of the common stockexchangeable shares, including exchange rights, are identicaldescribed in all respects.  Each stockholder is entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders.  The holders of the common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends, if any, as may be declared by the Board of Directors out of legally available funds. The current policy of the Board of Directors, however, is to retain earnings, if any, for reinvestment.

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Upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the holders of the common stock are entitled to share ratably in all aspects of the Company that are legally available for distribution, after payment of or provision for all debts and liabilities and after payment to the holders of preferred stock, if any.  The holders of the common stock do not have preemptive subscription, redemption or conversion rights under our Articles of Incorporation. Cumulative voting in the election of Directors is not permitted. There are no sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock. The outstanding shares of common stock are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

The transfer agent for our common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC.

Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “TRCH.”

Preferred Stock

Our Board of Directors can, without approval of our stockholders, issue one or more series of preferred stock and determine the number of shares of each series and the rights, preferences, and limitations of each series. The following description of the terms of the preferred stock sets forth certain general terms and provisionsPlan of our authorized preferred stock. If we offer preferred stock, a more specific description will be filed with the SEC, and the designations and rights of such preferred stock will be described in a prospectus supplement, including the following terms:

the series, the number of shares offered, and the liquidation value of the preferred stock;

the price at which the preferred stock will be issued;

the dividend rate, the dates on which the dividends will be payable, and other terms relating to the payment of dividends on the preferred stock;

the liquidation preference of the preferred stock;

the voting rights of the preferred stock;

whether the preferred stock is redeemable, or subject to a sinking fund, and the terms of any such redemption or sinking fund;

whether the preferred stock is convertible, or exchangeable for any other securities, and the terms of any such conversion or exchange; and

any additional rights, preferences, qualifications, limitations, and restrictions of the preferred stock.

The description of the terms of the preferred stock that will be set forth in an applicable prospectus supplement will not be complete and will be subject to and qualified in its entirety by referenceArrangement, which is included as Schedule A to the certificate of designation relatingArrangement Agreement that is included as Exhibit 2.1 to the applicable series of preferred stock. Thethis registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, will incorporate by reference the certificate of designation as an exhibit.part.

Undesignated preferred stock may enable our board of directors to render more difficult or to discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a tender offer, proxy contest, merger, or otherwise and to thereby protect the continuity of our management. The issuance of shares of preferred stock may adversely affect the rights of the holders of our common stock. For example, any preferred stock issued may:

rank prior to our common stock as to dividend rights, liquidation preference, or both;

have full or limited voting rights; and

be convertible into shares of common stock.

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As a result, the issuance of shares of preferred stock may:

discourage bids for our common stock; or

otherwise adversely affect the market price of our common stock or any then existing preferred stock.

Any preferred stock will, when issued, be fully paid and non-assessable.

Anti-Takeover Provisions

Our Bylaws and Nevada law include certain provisions which may have the effect of delaying or deterring a change in control or in our management or encouraging persons considering unsolicited tender offers or other unilateral takeover proposals to negotiate with our board of directors rather than pursue non-negotiated takeover attempts. These provisions include authorized blank check preferred stock, restrictions on business combinations, and the availability of authorized but unissued common stock.

DESCRIPTIONPLAN OF WARRANTSDISTRIBUTION

We may issue warrants to purchase equity securities. Warrants may be issued independently or together with any other securities and may be attached to, or separate from, such securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and any warrant agent. The terms of any warrants to be issued and a description of the material provisions of the applicable warrant agreement will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The applicable prospectus supplement will specify the following terms of any warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:

the title of such warrants;

the aggregate number of such warrants;

the price or prices at which such warrants will be issued;

any changes or adjustments to the exercise price;

the securities or other rights, including rights to receive payment in cash or securities based on the value, rate, or price of one or more specified commodities, currencies, securities, or indices, or any combination of the foregoing, purchasable upon exercise of such warrants;

the price at which, and the currency or currencies in which the securities or other rights purchasable upon exercise of, such warrants may be purchased;

the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire;

if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of such warrants that may be exercised at any one time;

if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which such warrants are issued and the number of such warrants issued with each such security;

if applicable, the date on and after which such warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable;

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information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;

if applicable, a discussion of any material United States federal income tax considerations; and

any other terms of such warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such warrants.

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

As specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may issue units consisting of one or more shares of common stock shares of preferred stock, or warrants or any combination of such securities.

The applicable prospectus supplement will specify the following terms of any unitsoffered in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:

the terms of the units and of any of the common stock, preferred stock, and warrants comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances the securities comprising the units may be traded separately;

a description of the terms of any unit agreement governing the units; and

a description of the provisions for the payment, settlement, transfer, or exchange of the units.

DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS

We may issue rights to purchase our common stock, preferred stock, warrants or units. These rights may be issued independently or together with any other security offered hereby and may or may not be transferable by the person receiving the rights in such offering. In connection with any offering of such rights, we may enter into a standby arrangement with one or more underwriters or other purchasers pursuant to which the underwriters or other purchasers may be required to purchase any securities remaining unsubscribed for after such offering.

Each series of rights will be issued under a separate rights agreement that we will enter into with a bank or trust company,in exchange for exchangeable shares as rights agent, all as set forthdescribed in the applicable prospectus supplement. The rights agent will act solelyterms of the Plan of Arrangement, which is included as our agent in connection with the certificates relatingSchedule A to the rights and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holders of rights certificates or beneficial owners of rights. We will file the rights agreement and the rights certificates relatingArrangement Agreement that is included as Exhibit 2.1 to each series of rights with the SEC, and incorporate them by reference as an exhibit to thethis registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. No broker, dealer or underwriter has been engaged in connection with this offering.

INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

Material Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations

The following summary describes the material Canadian federal income tax considerations in respect of an exchange or redemption of exchangeable shares, and the holding and disposition of shares of Meta common stock acquired upon the exchange or redemption of the exchangeable shares, generally applicable to a holder of exchangeable shares who, at all relevant times and for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and the regulations adopted thereunder (the “Tax Act”) and any applicable income tax treaty is, or is deemed to be, a resident of Canada at all relevant times (a “Resident Holder”) and who, for purposes of the Tax Act: (i) deals at arm’s length with Meta, Exchangeco, and Callco (as defined in the Plan of Arrangement); (ii) is not affiliated with Meta, Exchangeco, or Callco (as defined in the Plan of Arrangement); and (iii) holds exchangeable shares, and will hold the shares of Meta common stock acquired upon the exchange or redemption of such exchangeable shares, as capital property. Exchangeable shares and shares of Meta common stock will generally be considered to be capital property to a holder unless such exchangeable shares or shares of Meta common stock are held by the holder in the course of carrying on a business of buying and selling securities or were acquired in one or more transactions considered to be an adventure or concern in the nature of trade.

Certain Resident Holders whose exchangeable shares might not otherwise qualify as capital property may be entitled to make an irrevocable election in accordance with subsection 39(4) of the Tax Act to have their exchangeable shares, and every other “Canadian security” (as defined in the Tax Act) owned by such Resident Holder in the taxation year of the election and in all subsequent taxation years, deemed to be capital property. Where a Resident Holder has made an election with Exchangeco under section 85 of the Tax Act in respect of their shares exchanged for exchangeable shares, any exchangeable share received under the Arrangement will not be a Canadian security to such Resident Holder for this purpose. Resident Holders should consult their own tax advisors for advice as to whether the election is available or advisable in their own particular circumstances.

This summary does not apply to a Resident Holder: (i) with respect to whom Meta is or will be a “foreign affiliate” within the meaning of the Tax Act; (ii) that is a part“specified financial institution” for the purposes of the Tax Act; (iii) that is a “financial institution” for the purposes of the mark-to-market rules in the Tax Act; (iv) an interest in which is a “tax shelter investment” for the purposes of the Tax Act; (v) that reports its “Canadian tax results” (as defined in the Tax Act) in a currency other than Canadian currency; or (vi) that has entered into or will enter into a “derivative forward agreement”, as defined in the Tax Act, in respect of exchangeable shares. Such holders should consult their own tax advisors.

This summary is based on the current provisions of the Tax Act and the regulations thereunder, and an understanding of the current administrative policies and assessing practices of the Canada Revenue Agency (the “CRA”) published in writing prior to the date hereof. This summary takes into account all specific proposals to amend the Tax Act and the regulations thereunder publicly announced in writing by or beforeon behalf of the time we issue a seriesMinister of rights.

The applicable prospectus supplementFinance (Canada) prior to the date hereof (the “Proposed Tax Amendments”) and assumes that all Proposed Tax Amendments will describebe enacted in the specific termsform proposed. However, no assurances can be given that the Proposed Tax Amendments will be enacted as proposed, or at all. This summary does not otherwise take into account or anticipate any changes in law whether by legislative, regulatory, administrative or judicial action or administrative policy or assessing practice nor does it take into account tax legislation or considerations of any offeringprovince, territory or foreign jurisdiction, which may differ from those discussed herein.

This summary is of rights for which this prospectusa general nature only and is being delivered, includingnot, and is not intended to be, and should not be construed to be, legal, business, or tax advice to any particular holder. This summary is not exhaustive of all Canadian federal income tax considerations. Consequently, holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors to determine the following:particular tax effects to them under Canadian federal, provincial, territorial or local tax laws and under foreign tax laws, having regard to their own particular circumstances.

For purposes of the Tax Act, all amounts relating to the acquisition, holding or disposition of securities (including dividends, adjusted cost base and proceeds of disposition) must be expressed in Canadian dollars.

Amounts denominated in U.S. dollars must be converted into Canadian dollars, generally based on the Bank of Canada exchange rate on the date such amounts arise.

Redemption, Exchange and Disposition of Exchangeable Shares

A Resident Holder will be considered to have disposed of exchangeable shares:

 

(i)the date

on a redemption (including pursuant to a retraction request) of determining the stockholders entitled to the rights distribution;such exchangeable shares by Exchangeco; and

 

(ii)the number

on an acquisition of rights issuedsuch exchangeable shares by Meta or Callco pursuant to be issued to each stockholder;a call right (acquired by Meta and Callco under Arrangement).

the exercise price payable for each share of preferred stock, common stock or other securities upon the exercise of the rights;

the number and terms of the shares of preferred stock, common stock or other securities which may be purchased per each right;

the extent to which the rights are transferable;

the date on which the holder’s ability to exercise the rights shall commence, and the date on which the rights shall expire;

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the extent to which the rights may include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities;

if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting or purchase arrangement entered into by us in connection with the offering of such rights;

any other terms of the rights, including the terms, procedures, conditions and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the rights; and

any other information we think is important about the rights.

However, as discussed below, the Canadian federal income tax consequences of the disposition for the Resident Holder will be different depending on whether the event giving rise to the disposition is a redemption or retraction by Exchangeco or an acquisition by Meta or Callco.

A Resident Holder who exercises the right to require the redemption of an exchangeable share by giving a retraction request cannot control whether the exchangeable share will be acquired by Meta or Callco under a call right (acquired by Meta or Callco under the Arrangement) or redeemed by Exchangeco.

Redemption or Retraction of Exchangeable Shares

On a redemption (including a retraction) of an exchangeable share by Exchangeco, the Resident Holder of that exchangeable share will be deemed to have received a dividend equal to the amount, if any, by which the “redemption proceeds” exceed the paid-up capital (for purposes of the Tax Act) of the exchangeable share at the time of redemption. See “Dividends on Exchangeable Shares” below. On the redemption, the Resident Holder of an exchangeable share will also be considered to have disposed of the exchangeable share for proceeds of disposition equal to the “redemption proceeds” less the amount of such deemed dividend. The descriptionResident Holder will, in general, realize a capital gain (or a capital loss) equal to the applicable prospectus supplementamount by which such proceeds of disposition, net of any rights that we may offerreasonable costs of disposition, exceed (or are less than) the adjusted cost base to the Resident Holder of the exchangeable shares. For this purpose, the “redemption proceeds” of an exchangeable share will be equal to the sum of (i) the fair market value at the time of the redemption of the shares of Meta common stock received by the Resident Holder, (ii) the amount, if any, of all declared, payable and unpaid cash dividends on the exchangeable share received by the Resident Holder, (iii) the amount, if any, of all dividends declared and payable or paid in respect of each share of Meta common stock which have not, necessarilyat such time, been declared or paid on the exchangeable share and are received by the holder on the redemption, and (iv) the fair market value at the time of the redemption of any stock or other property constituting any declared, payable and unpaid non-cash dividends on the exchangeable share received by the Resident Holder. For a description of the tax treatment of capital gains and capital losses, see “Taxation of Capital Gains and Capital Losses” below.

Dividends on Exchangeable Shares

In the case of a Resident Holder who is an individual (other than certain trusts), dividends received or deemed to be completereceived on the exchangeable shares will be included in computing the Resident Holder’s income and will be qualifiedsubject to the gross-up and dividend tax credit rules that apply to taxable dividends received from taxable Canadian corporations. Provided that appropriate designations are made by Exchangeco at the time the dividend or deemed dividend is paid, such dividend will be treated as an “eligible dividend” for the purposes of the Tax Act and a Resident Holder who is an individual resident in Canada will be entitled to an enhanced dividend tax credit in respect of such dividend. There are limitations on the ability of a corporation to designate dividends and deemed dividends as eligible dividends.

In the case of a Resident Holder that is a corporation, dividends received or deemed to be received on the exchangeable shares will be required to be included in computing the corporation’s income for the taxation year in which such dividends are received, and such dividends will generally be deductible in computing the corporation’s taxable income. In certain circumstances, subsection 55(2) of the Tax Act will treat a taxable dividend received by a Resident Holder that is a corporation as proceeds of disposition or a capital gain. Resident Holders that are corporations should consult their own tax advisors having regard to their own circumstances.

A Resident Holder that is a “private corporation” (as defined in the Tax Act) or any other corporation resident in Canada and controlled or deemed to be controlled by or for the benefit of an individual or a related group of individuals may be liable under Part IV of the Tax Act to pay a refundable tax of 38 1/3% on dividends received or deemed to be received on the exchangeable shares to the extent that such dividends are deductible in computing the Resident Holder’s taxable income.

A Resident Holder that, throughout the relevant taxation year, is a “Canadian-controlled private corporation” (as defined in the Tax Act) may be liable to pay a refundable tax of 10 2/3% on its entirety“aggregate investment income” (as defined in the Tax Act), including any dividends that are not deductible in computing taxable income.

The exchangeable shares will be taxable preferred shares and short-term preferred shares for the purpose of the Tax Act. However, a Resident Holder of exchangeable shares who receives or is deemed to receive dividends on such shares will not be subject to the 10% tax under Part IV.1 of the Tax Act.

Meta intends to take the position that the exchangeable shares are properly characterized as stock of Meta for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If the exchangeable shares are treated as stock of Meta for U.S. federal income tax purposes, any dividends paid by Exchangeco with respect to the exchangeable shares would generally be subject to U.S. non-resident withholding tax. Exchangeco currently intends to withhold U.S. non-resident withholding tax from such dividends paid to a Resident Holder. Any U.S. non-resident withholding tax on such dividends may be eligible to be credited against the Resident Holder’s income tax (where such Resident Holder is entitled to benefits under the Canada – United States Tax Convention (1980)) or deducted from income subject to certain limitations under the Tax Act. Such Resident Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors having regard to their own particular circumstances.

Exchange of Exchangeable Shares with Meta or Callco

On the exchange of an exchangeable share by the Resident Holder with Meta or Callco for shares of the Meta common stock, the Resident Holder will generally realize a capital gain (or a capital loss) to the extent the proceeds of disposition of the exchangeable share, net of any reasonable costs of disposition, exceed (or are less than) the adjusted cost base to the Resident Holder of the exchangeable share. For these purposes, the proceeds of disposition will be the fair market value of the shares of Meta common stock received upon exchange plus an amount equal to declared and unpaid dividends on the exchangeable share. For a description of the tax treatment of capital gains and capital losses, see “Taxation of Capital Gains and Capital Losses” below. The acquisition by Meta or Callco of an exchangeable share from the Resident Holder thereof will not generally result in a deemed dividend to the Resident Holder.

Disposition of Exchangeable Shares other than on Redemption, Retraction or Exchange

A disposition or deemed disposition of exchangeable shares by a Resident Holder, other than on the redemption, retraction or exchange of the shares, will generally result in a capital gain (or a capital loss) to the extent that the proceeds of disposition, net of any reasonable costs of disposition, exceed (or are less than) the adjusted cost base to the Resident Holder of those exchangeable shares immediately before the disposition. For a description of the tax treatment of capital gains and capital losses, see “Taxation of Capital Gains and Capital Losses” below.

Dividends on Shares of Meta Common Stock

In the case of a Resident Holder who is an individual, dividends received or deemed to be received by the individual on the shares of Meta common stock will be required to be included in computing the individual’s income for the taxation year in which such dividends are received and will not be subject to the gross-up and dividend tax credit rules in the Tax Act.

In the case of a Resident Holder that is a corporation, dividends received or deemed to be received by the corporation on the shares of Meta common stock will be required to be included in computing the corporation’s income for the taxation year in which such dividends are received and generally will not be deductible in computing the corporation’s taxable income.

Any U.S. non-resident withholding tax on such dividends generally should be eligible, subject to certain limitations under the Tax Act, to be credited against the Resident Holder’s income tax or deducted from income.

Acquisition and Disposition of Shares of Meta Common Stock

The cost of shares of Meta common stock received on the retraction, redemption or exchange of an exchangeable share will be equal to the fair market value of such shares of Meta common stock at the time of such event and will generally be averaged with the adjusted cost base of any other shares of Meta common stock held at that time by the Resident Holder as capital property for the purpose of determining the Resident Holder’s adjusted cost base of such shares of Meta common stock.

Generally, on a disposition or deemed disposition of shares of Meta common stock, a Resident Holder will realize a capital gain (or a capital loss) equal to the amount, if any, by which the proceeds of disposition exceed (or are less than) the aggregate of the adjusted cost base to the Resident Holder of the shares of Meta common stock immediately before the disposition or deemed disposition and any reasonable costs of disposition. For a description of the tax treatment of capital gains and capital losses, see “Taxation of Capital Gains and Capital Losses” below.

Taxation of Capital Gains and Capital Losses

Generally, one-half of any capital gain (a “taxable capital gain”) realized by a Resident Holder in a taxation year must be included in the Resident Holder’s income for the year, and one-half of any capital loss (an “allowable capital loss”) realized by a Resident Holder in a taxation year must be deducted from taxable capital gains realized by the holder in that year (subject to and in accordance with rules contained in the Tax Act). Allowable capital losses for a taxation year in excess of taxable capital gains realized in a taxation year generally may be carried back and deducted in any of the three preceding taxation years or carried forward and deducted in any subsequent taxation year against net taxable capital gains realized in such years, to the extent and under the circumstances described in the Tax Act.

A Resident Holder that throughout the relevant taxation year, is a “Canadian-controlled private corporation” (as defined in the Tax Act) may be liable to pay a refundable tax on its “aggregate investment income” (as defined in the Tax Act), including amounts in respect of net taxable capital gains.

The amount of any capital loss realized by a Resident Holder that is a corporation on the disposition of a share may be reduced by the amount of certain dividends previously received (or deemed to be received) by the Resident Holder on such share (or another share where the share has been acquired in exchange for such other share) to the extent and under circumstances prescribed by the Tax Act. Similar rules may apply where a share is owned by a partnership or trust of which a corporation, trust or partnership is a member or beneficiary. Holders to whom these rules may be relevant should consult their own tax advisors.

Foreign Property Information Reporting

In general, a “specified Canadian entity” for a taxation year or fiscal period whose total cost amount of “specified foreign property” (both as defined in the Tax Act) at any time in the year or fiscal period exceeds $100,000, is required to file an information return for the year or period disclosing prescribed information, including the cost amount, any dividends received in the year, and any gains or losses realized in the year in respect of such property.

Exchangeable shares and shares of Meta Common Stock will constitute specified foreign property to a holder. Accordingly, holders of exchangeable shares and shares of Meta common stock should consult their own tax advisors regarding compliance with these rules.

Offshore Investment Fund Property

The Tax Act contains rules which may require a taxpayer to include in income in each taxation year an amount in respect of the holding of an “offshore investment fund property”. These rules could apply to a Resident Holder in respect of a share of Meta common stock or an exchangeable share if two conditions are both satisfied.

The first condition for such rules to apply is that the value of the share of Meta common stock may reasonably be considered to be derived, directly or indirectly, primarily from portfolio investments in: (i) shares of one or more corporations, (ii) indebtedness or annuities, (iii) interests in one or more corporations, trusts, partnerships, organizations, funds or entities, (iv) commodities, (v) real estate, (vi) Canadian or foreign resource properties, (vii) currency of a country other than Canada, (viii) rights or options to acquire or dispose of any of the foregoing, or (ix) any combination of the foregoing (“Investment Assets”).

The second condition for such rules to apply to a Resident Holder is that it must be reasonable to conclude that one of the main reasons for the Resident Holder acquiring or holding a share of Meta common stock or an exchangeable share was to derive a benefit from portfolio investments in Investment Assets in such a manner that the taxes, if any, on the income, profits and gains from such Investment Assets for any particular year are significantly less than the tax that would have been applicable under Part I of the Tax Act had the income, profits and gains been earned directly by the Resident Holder.

If applicable, these rules would generally require a Resident Holder to include in income for each taxation year in which the Resident Holder owns a share of Meta common stock or an exchangeable share (i) an imputed return for the taxation year computed on a monthly basis and determined by multiplying the Resident Holder’s “designated cost” (as defined in the Tax Act) of such share at the end of the month by 1/12th of the aggregate of the applicable prescribed rate of interest for the period that includes such month and two percent, less the amount of (ii) the Resident Holder’s income for the year (other than a capital gain) from such share determined without reference to these rules. Any amount required to be included in computing a Resident Holder’s income under these provisions will be added to the adjusted cost base to the Resident Holder of its share of Meta common stock or its exchangeable share, as the case may be.

The application of these rules depends, in part, on the reasons for a Resident Holder acquiring or holding shares of Meta common stock or exchangeable shares. Resident Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the application and consequences of these rules, in their own particular circumstances.

Eligibility for Investment

Provided that the shares of Meta common stock are listed on a “designated stock exchange” within the meaning of the Tax Act (which includes the NASDAQ) at a particular time, the shares of Meta common stock will be qualified investments under the Tax Act for trusts governed by a registered retirement savings plan

(“RRSP”), a registered retirement income fund (“RRIF”), a registered education savings plan, a deferred profit sharing plan, a registered disability savings plan and a tax-free savings account (“TFSA”), all as defined in the Tax Act.

Notwithstanding that the shares of the Meta common stock may be qualified investments for trusts governed by a TFSA, an RRSP or a RRIF, the holder of a TFSA or the annuitant of an RRSP or RRIF, as the case may be, may be subject to a penalty tax under the Tax Act if such shares are a “prohibited investment” within the meaning of the Tax Act for the particular TFSA, RRSP or RRIF. The shares of Meta common stock will generally not be a prohibited investment for a TFSA, an RRSP or RRIF provided that the holder of the TFSA, or the annuitant of the RRSP or RRIF, as applicable, deals at arm’s length with Meta within the meaning of the Tax Act and does not have a “significant interest” within the meaning of the Tax Act in Meta. Resident Holders should consult their own tax advisors to ensure that the shares of Meta common stock will not be a prohibited investment for a trust governed by a TFSA, RRSP or RRIF in their particular circumstances.

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

The following is a summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations generally applicable to Non-U.S. Holders (as defined below) who receive solely shares of Meta common stock in exchange for exchangeable shares (the “Exchange” for purposes of this summary).

The following summary is based on the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), U.S. Treasury Regulations thereunder, published rulings of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and judicial and administrative interpretations thereof, in each case as in effect and available on the date of this prospectus. Any of the authorities on which this summary is based could be changed in a material and adverse manner at any time, and any such change could be applied on a retroactive basis. Except as explicitly set forth herein, this summary does not discuss the potential effects, whether adverse or beneficial, of any proposed legislation or regulations. No legal opinion from U.S. legal counsel or ruling from the IRS has been requested, or will be obtained, regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Plan of Arrangement, including the exchange of exchangeable shares for Meta common stock. This summary is not binding on the IRS, and the IRS is not precluded from taking a position that is different from, and contrary to, the positions taken in this summary. In addition, because the authorities on which this summary is based are subject to various interpretations, the IRS and the U.S. courts could disagree with one or more of the positions taken in this summary.

This summary is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be a complete analysis or listing of all potential U.S. federal income tax consequences that may apply to a Non-U.S. Holders as a result of the Exchange. In addition, this summary does not address U.S. Holders (as defined below) and does not take into account the individual facts and circumstances of any particular Non-U.S. Holder that may affect the U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to such Non-U.S. Holder, nor does this summary address the U.S. federal income tax considerations of the Exchange to holders that are subject to special provisions under the Code, including the following holders: (a) holders that are tax-exempt organizations, qualified retirement plans, individual retirement accounts, or other tax-deferred accounts; (b) holders that are financial institutions, insurance companies, real estate investment trusts, or regulated investment companies; (c) holders that are dealers in securities or currencies or holders that are traders in securities that elect to apply a mark-to-market accounting method; (d) holders subject to the alternative minimum tax provisions of the Code; (e) holders that own exchangeable shares as part of a straddle, hedging transaction, conversion transaction, constructive sale, or other arrangement involving more than one position; (f) holders that hold exchangeable shares other than as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code; (g) holders that own or have owned directly, indirectly or constructively, 10% or more of Exchangeco’s voting securities; (h) holders that are controlled foreign corporations, passive foreign investment companies and corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax; (i) holders that are U.S. expatriates or former long-term residents of the United States; (j) holders that hold, have held, or will hold, directly, indirectly or constructively, more than 5% of the shares of

Meta common stock; (k) certain former citizens or long-term residents of the United States; and (l) holders that are classified for U.S. federal income tax purposes as partnerships and other pass-through entities and investors therein. Exchangeable share holders that are subject to special provisions under the Code, including holders described above, should consult their own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal, U.S. state and local, and foreign tax consequences relating to the Exchange.

If an entity or arrangement classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes owns exchangeable shares, the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Exchange to such partnership and the partners of such partnership generally will depend upon the activities of the partnership and status of such partners. Holders that are classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and the partners of such entities, should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Exchange.

This summary does not address any U.S. estate, state, local or foreign tax consequences relating to the Exchange or any consequences under the alternative minimum tax provisions of the Code or the tax on net investment income imposed by Section 1411 of the Code. Each Non-U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the U.S. estate, state, local and foreign tax consequences arising from and relating to the Exchange.

For purposes of this summary, a “U.S. Holder” means for U.S. federal income tax purposes, (a) an individual who is a citizen or resident of the U.S., (b) a corporation, or other entity classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, that is created or organized in or under the laws of the U.S., any state in the U.S. or the District of Columbia, (c) an estate if the income of such estate is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of the source of such income, or (d) a trust if (i) such trust has validly elected to be treated as a U.S. person for U.S. federal income tax purposes or (ii) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of such trust. This summary does not address the tax consequences of the Exchange to any U.S. Holder.

For purposes of this summary, a “Non-U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner (for U.S. federal income tax purposes) of exchangeable shares other than a U.S. Holder. The U.S. federal income tax consequences to Non-U.S. Holders depend in significant part on the provisions of the specific treaty, if any, in place from time to time between the United States and the Non-U.S. Holder’s jurisdiction. Non-U.S. Holders are urged to consult a tax advisor who has knowledge of the particular treaty provisions applicable to the Non-U.S. Holder in order to accurately determine the specific tax treatment applicable to them. The following is therefore a very general discussion of such treatment without specific reference to any particular treaty.

U.S. Federal Income Tax Characterization of the Exchangeable Shares

There is no direct authority addressing the characterization and treatment for U.S. federal income tax purposes of instruments with the terms of the exchangeable shares under the facts of the Scheme of Arrangement. Because the exchangeable shares are exchangeable into Meta common stock, have dividend rights based on the dividends paid with respect to Meta common stock, and have the benefit of voting rights similar to the voting rights attributable to Meta common stock, Meta and Exchangeco intend to take the position that the exchangeable shares constitute voting common stock of Meta for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

However, this characterization is not binding on the IRS, and the IRS or the courts could treat the exchangeable shares as stock of Exchangeco for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Neither Meta nor Exchangeco has requested, nor do they intend to request, an opinion from United States legal counsel or a ruling from the IRS regarding the U.S. federal income tax classification of the exchangeable shares.

Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders Arising from the Exchange

Consequences if the Exchangeable Shares Are Treated as Stock of Meta

If the exchangeable shares are treated as stock of Meta for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as discussed above in the discussion titled “U.S. Federal Income Tax Characterization of the Exchangeable Shares,” Non-U.S. Holders will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the gain (if any) realized in the Exchange.

However, if Meta is or has been a “U.S. real property holding corporation,” or “USRPHC,” for U.S. federal income tax purposes during the shorter of the five-year period preceding the Exchange, or the Non-U.S. Holder’s holding period for the exchangeable shares, a Non-U.S. Holder in the Exchange nonetheless would generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax as described below in “Dispositions of Shares of Meta Common Stock” as a result of Meta constituting a USRPHC, unless the common stock of Meta is regularly traded on an established securities market, under applicable Treasury Regulations, and: (i) the exchangeable shares are regularly traded on an established securities market and such Non-U.S. Holder has never beneficially owned, directly, indirectly, or constructively, more than 5% of the exchangeable shares, (ii) the exchangeable shares are not regularly traded on an established securities market and on the date such Non-U.S. Holder acquired the exchangeable shares such exchangeable shares had a fair market value no greater than 5% of the fair market value of the then outstanding shares of Meta common stock, or (iii) such non-U.S. Holder files a United States federal income tax return that contains a statement meeting the requirements of Temporary Treasury Regulations Section 1.897-5T(d)(1)(iii), in each case determined under applicable Treasury Regulations.

Meta does not believe it is a USRPHC or that it will become one in the future. The provisions of the Code and Treasury Regulations regarding these determinations are complex and subject to differing interpretations. Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of these rules.

Consequences if the Exchangeable Shares Are Not Treated as Stock of Meta

If the exchangeable shares are not treated as stock of Meta for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as discussed above in the discussion titled “U.S. Federal Income Tax Characterization of the Exchangeable Shares,” the tax consequences of the Exchange to a Non-U.S. Holder generally will be subject to the rules discussed below in the discussion titled “Dispositions of Shares of Meta Common Stock.” In general, a Non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the gain (if any) realized in the Exchange unless (i) the gain is effectively connected with the conduct by the Non-U.S. Holder of a trade or business, or, if required by an applicable treaty, attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder, in the United States or (ii) the Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition and certain other conditions are met, unless an applicable income tax treaty provides otherwise. Non-U.S. Holders described in (i) and (ii) above should consult the corresponding descriptions contained in the discussion entitled “Dispositions of Shares of Meta Common Stock” for a description of the applicable rights certificate,tax consequences of the Exchange.

In addition, if Meta is or has been a USRPHC, the description under “Consequences if the Exchangeable Shares Are Treated as Stock of Meta” relating to the consequences of USRPHC status would generally apply, except that (iii) in such discussion would not apply.

Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders Arising from the Ownership or Disposition of Shares of Meta Common Stock

Receipt of Distributions on Shares of Meta Common Stock

Distributions, if any, received with respect to the shares of Meta common stock out of Meta’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes, will be subject to U.S.

withholding tax at a rate of 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate) unless the Non-U.S. Holder establishes that such dividends are effectively connected with such holder’s U.S. trade or business. A Non-U.S. Holder may be able to claim benefits (if any) under an applicable treaty with respect to such withholding taxes. However, there can be no assurance that treaty benefits will be available and Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors as to the applicability of treaty benefits in such circumstances. In addition, a Non-U.S. Holder will be taxed in the same manner as a U.S. Holder on dividends received that are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business or, if required by an applicable treaty attributable to a permanent establishment by the Non-U.S. Holder, in the United States. A Non-U.S. Holder that is classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes may also be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate (or lower applicable treaty rate) on dividend income that is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business. To the extent a distribution exceeds Meta’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, it will first constitute a tax-free return of capital that is applied against and reduces, but not below zero, the adjusted tax basis of a Non-U.S. Holder’s shares of Meta common stock. Any remainder will constitute capital gain from the disposition of Meta common stock, the treatment of which is described below.

Dispositions of Shares of Meta Common Stock

Except as otherwise described below in the discussions of backup withholding and FATCA, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain realized upon the sale or other disposition of Meta common stock unless:

the gain is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the gain is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder in the United States);

the Non-U.S. Holder is a non-resident alien individual who is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the calendar year in which the sale or disposition occurs, and other conditions are met; or

the Meta common stock constitutes a United States real property interest by reason of Meta’s status as a USRPHC for U.S. federal income tax purposes at any time within the shorter of the five-year period preceding the Non-U.S. Holder’s disposition of, or the Non-U.S. Holder’s holding period for, the Meta common stock, and, in the case where shares of our common stock are regularly traded on an established securities market, the Non-U.S. Holder owns, or are treated as owning, more than 5% of our common stock at any time during the foregoing period.

Generally, a corporation is a “United States real property holding corporation” if the fair market value of its United States real property interests equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market value of its worldwide real property interests and its other assets used or held for use in a trade or business (all as determined for United States federal income tax purposes). Meta does not believe that it is a USRPHC, or that it will become a USRPHC in the future, and this discussion assumes this is the case. However, because the determination of whether Meta is a USRPHC depends on the fair market value of Meta’s U.S. real property relative to the fair market value of Meta’s other business assets, there can be no assurance that Meta will not become a USRPHC in the future. Even if Meta becomes a USRPHC, however, as long as Meta’s common stock is regularly traded on an established securities market, such common stock will be treated as U.S. real property interests only if a Non-U.S. Holder actually or constructively hold more than 5% of such regularly traded common stock at any time during the shorter of the five-year period preceding the Non-U.S. Holder’s disposition of, or the Non-U.S. Holder’s holding period for, the Meta common stock. No assurance can be provided that Meta’s common stock will be regularly traded on an established securities market at all times for purposes of the rules described above.

A Non-U.S. Holder described in the first bullet above will generally be required to pay tax on the net gain derived from the sale under regular graduated U.S. federal income tax rates (and a corporate Non-U.S. Holder described in the first bullet above also may be subject to the branch profits tax at a 30% rate), unless otherwise

provided by an applicable income tax treaty. A Non-U.S. Holder described in the second bullet above will generally be required to pay a flat 30% tax (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on the gain derived from the sale, which gain may be offset by U.S. source capital losses for the year (provided the Non-U.S. Holder has timely filed U.S. federal income tax returns with respect to such losses). Non-U.S. Holders should consult your tax advisor with respect to whether any applicable income tax or other treaties may provide for different rules.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

Information returns may be filed with the SEC. To the extent the information containedIRS in the prospectus supplement differs from this summary description, you should relyconnection with payments on the shares of Meta common stock or exchangeable shares and the proceeds from a sale or other disposition of such shares. Holders of shares of Meta common stock or exchangeable shares may be subject to U.S. backup withholding tax on these payments if they fail to provide their taxpayer identification numbers to the paying agent and comply with certification procedures or otherwise establish an exemption from backup withholding. The amount of any backup withholding from a payment will be allowed as a credit against the holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle the holder to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act Withholding

The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, collectively, FATCA, generally imposes withholding tax at a rate of 30% on dividends on and gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of Meta common stock paid to “foreign financial institutions” (as specially defined under these rules), unless such institution enters into an agreement with the U.S. government to withhold on certain payments and to collect and provide to the U.S. tax authorities substantial information regarding the U.S. account holders of such institution (which includes certain equity and debt holders of such institution, as well as certain account holders that are foreign entities with U.S. owners) or otherwise establishes an exemption. FATCA also generally imposes a U.S. federal withholding tax of 30% on dividends on and gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of Meta common stock paid to a “non-financial foreign entities” (as specially defined under these rules) unless such entity provides the withholding agent with a certification identifying certain substantial direct and indirect U.S. owners of the entity and provides certain information with respect to such U.S. owners, certifies that there are none or otherwise establishes and certifies to an exemption. The withholding provisions under FATCA generally apply to dividends on Meta common stock. The Treasury Secretary has issued proposed regulations providing that the withholding provisions under FATCA do not apply with respect to the gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of Meta common stock, which may be relied upon by taxpayers until final regulations are issued. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and your country of tax residence may modify the requirements described in this paragraph. If a dividend payment is both subject to withholding under FATCA and subject to the prospectus supplement.withholding tax discussed above under “Receipt of Distributions on Shares of Meta Common Stock,” the withholding under FATCA may be credited against, and therefore reduce, such other withholding tax. Non-U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the possible implications of FATCA on their investment in our common stock.

THE PRECEDING DISCUSSION OF U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND IS NOT LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE. EACH HOLDER IS ENCOURAGED TO CONSULT ITS OWN TAX ADVISOR AS TO PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES RELATING TO THE ARRANGEMENT, INCLUDING THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF ANY U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN TAX LAWS.

LEGAL MATTERS

Ballard Spahr LLP will pass upon the validity of the shares of common stock being offered hereby.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference from Torchlight Energy Resources,Meta Materials Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 have been audited by Briggs & Veselka Co., which was our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ended December 31, 2020, as stated in its report included in such consolidated financial statements, and have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon its authority as experts in accounting and auditing. The financial statements of Metamaterial, Inc. incorporated in this prospectus by reference to our Proxy Statement forCurrent Report on Form 8-K/A filed with the 2021 special meeting of stockholdersSEC on Schedule 14A, filed on May 7,August 17, 2021 have been so incorporated in reliance on the reportsreport of KPMG LLP, and Ernst & Young LLP,our independent auditors,registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firmssuch firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

LEGAL MATTERSWHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

Ballard Spahr LLP will pass uponWe are subject to the validityinformational reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or Exchange Act. We file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available over the Internet at the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov. You may also inspect our SEC reports, statements and other information at our web site at http://www.metamaterial.com. We do not intend for information contained in our web site to be part of this prospectus, other than documents that we file with the SEC that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

INFORMATION WE INCORPORATE BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the documents we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, and information in documents that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede information in this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we will make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, other than any portions of the respective filings that were furnished, rather than filed, pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Current Reports on Form 8-K (including exhibits related thereto) or other applicable SEC rules, until the offering of our securities being offered hereby. Any underwritersunder this registration statement is completed or withdrawn:

1. our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, filed on March 18, 2021;

2. our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2021, filed on May 14, 2021and August 13, 2021, respectively;

3. our Current Reports on Form 8-K as filed on January 6, 2021, January  13, 2021, January  14, 2021, January  22, 2021, January  25, 2021, January  28, 2021, January  29, 2021, February  1, 2021, February  4, 2021, February  8, 2021, February  10, 2021, February  16, 2021, February  22, 2021, March  11, 2021, March  15, 2021, April  1, 2021April  15, 2021, May  4, 2021, May  7, 2021, May  25, 2021, June  11, 2021, June  16, 2021, June  21, 2021, June  29, 2021, as amended on August  17, 2021, July  2, 2021, July  23, 2021, and August 10, 2021; and

4. the description of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share, contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A (Registration Statement No. 001-36247) filed with the SEC on December 13, 2013, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

We also incorporate by reference each of the documents that we file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act until the offering of the common stock covered by this prospectus

terminates, including all such documents we may file with the SEC after the date of the initial registration statement and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement. We will be advised about legal mattersnot, however, incorporate by their own counsel, whoreference in this prospectus any documents or portions thereof that are not deemed “filed” with the SEC, including any information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of our Current Reports on Form 8-K after the date of this prospectus unless, and except to the extent, specified in such Current Reports.

We will be named inprovide you with a copy of any of these filings (other than an exhibit to these filings, unless the applicable prospectus supplement.exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference into the filing requested) at no cost, if you submit a request to us by writing or telephoning us at the following address and telephone number:

Meta Materials Inc.

1 Research Drive

Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B2Y 4M9

(902) 482-5729

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The following table sets forthis a statement of the variousestimated expenses, allto be paid solely by the registrant, of which will be borne by us, in connection with the saleissuance and distribution of the securities being registered.registered hereby:

 

Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fee$27,275.00
Printing and Engraving Expenses*
Accounting Fees and Expenses*
Legal Fees and Expenses*
Blue Sky Qualification Fees and Expenses*
Miscellaneous*
TOTAL*

*These fees are calculated based on the number of issuances and amount of securities offered and accordingly cannot be estimated at this time. An estimate of the aggregate amount of these expenses will be reflected in the applicable prospectus supplement.

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Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee

  $46,653.08 

Printing expenses

   500.00 

Accounting fees and expenses

   10,000.00 

Legal fees and expenses

   25,000.00 

Miscellaneous expenses

   5,000.00 
  

 

 

 

Total

  $87,153.08 
  

 

 

 

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Our Bylaws provide that we shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, except an action by or in our right, by reason of the fact that the person is or was our director, officer, employee or agent, or is or was serving at our request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another enterprise, against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the action, suit or proceeding if the person: (a) is not liable pursuant to Section 78.138 of the Nevada Revised Statutes (“NRS”); or (b) acted in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to our best interests, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, does not, of itself, create a presumption that the person is liable pursuant to NRS 78.138 or did not act in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to our best interests, or that, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, he or she had reasonable cause to believe that the conduct was unlawful.

Our Bylaws also provide that we shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in our right to procure a judgment in our favor by reason of the fact that the person is or was our director, officer, employee or agent, or is or was serving at our request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another enterprise against expenses, including amounts paid in settlement and attorneys’ fees actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of the action or suit if the person: (a) is not liable pursuant to NRS 78.138; or (b) acted in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to our best interests. Indemnification may not be made for any claim, issue or matter as to which such a person has been adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction, after exhaustion of all appeals therefrom, to be liable to us or for amounts paid in settlement to us, unless and only to the extent that the court in which the action or suit was brought or other court of competent jurisdiction determines upon application that in view of all the circumstances of the case, the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses as the court deems proper.

Further, our Bylaws provide that the expenses of officers and directors incurred in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding must be paid by the Corporation as they are incurred and in advance of the final disposition of the action, suit or proceeding, upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay the amount if it is ultimately determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that the director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified by us.

Sections 78.7502 and 78.751 of the NRS permit the indemnifications described above. Further, Section 78.7502 provides that, to the extent that a director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to above, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, we are required to indemnify him or her against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with the defense.

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Item 16. Exhibits.

The following is a list of exhibits filed as part of this registration statement. Where so indicated by footnote, exhibits which were previously filed are incorporated herein by reference. Any statement contained in an incorporated document will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposesSee the Exhibit Index beginning on page II-6 of this registration statement, to the extent that a statement containedwhich is incorporated herein or in any other subsequently filed incorporated document modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this registration statement.by reference.

Item 17. Undertakings.

 

Exhibit No.(a)Description
1.1Form of Underwriting Agreement **
2.1Share Exchange Agreement dated November 23, 2010.  (Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 24, 2010.) *
2.2Arrangement Agreement with Metamaterial Inc., dated December 14, 2020 (Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 14, 2020.) *
2.3Amendment to Arrangement Agreement dated February 3, 2021 (Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 4, 2021.) *
2.4Amendment to Arrangement Agreement dated March 11, 2021 (Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 15, 2021.) *
2.5Amendment to Arrangement Agreement dated March 31, 2021 (Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 1, 2021.) *
2.6Amendment to Arrangement Agreement dated April 15, 2021 (Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 15, 2021.) *
2.7Amendment to Arrangement Agreement dated May 2, 2021 (Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 4, 2021.) *
3.1Articles of Incorporation. (Incorporated by reference from Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 18, 2019.) *
3.2Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation dated December 10, 2014. (Incorporated by reference from Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 15, 2015.) *
3.3Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation dated September 15, 2015. (Incorporated by reference from Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 12, 2015.) *
3.4Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation dated August 18, 2017 (Incorporated by reference from Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 9, 2018.) *
3.5Amended and Restated Bylaws (Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 26, 2016.) *
4.1Form of Certificate of Designation of Preferred Stock and Preferred Stock Certificate **
4.2Form of Common Stock Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate **
4.3Form of Preferred Stock Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate **
4.4Form of Unit Agreement and Unit Certificate **
4.5Form of Rights Agreement, including Form of Rights Certificate **
5.1Legal Opinion of Ballard Spahr LLP
23.1Consent of Briggs & Veselka Co.
23.2Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
23.3Consent of KPMG LLP
23.4Consent of Ballard Spahr LLP (incorporated in Exhibit 5.1)
24.1Power of Attorney (included in signature page hereto)

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

 

*(1)Incorporated by reference from our previous filings with the SEC.

To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

**To be filed, if necessary, by amendment or as an exhibit to a current report on Form 8-K of the registrant.

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Item 17. Undertakings.

(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i) To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

Act of 1933;

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;

statement.

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii), and (a)(1)(iii) of this section do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to sectionSection 13 or sectionSection 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

 

(2)

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(3)

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 

(4)

That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:

(A)(i) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(B)(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of

the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date; or

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(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:date.

 

(5)

That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities: The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

 

(6)

(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

(d)        The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

(1)For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the information omitted fromregistrant’s annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the formSecurities Exchange Act of prospectus filed as part1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of thisan employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

(2)For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

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(7)

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

SIGNATURES

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the Citycity of Plano, StateDartmouth, Province of Texas,Nova Scotia, Country of Canada, on May 28,the 25 day of August, 2021.

 

TORCHLIGHT ENERGY RESOURCES, INC.
 Meta Materials Inc.
Date: August 25, 2021 By:/s/ John A. Brda
 John A. Brda/s/ George Palikaras
 President and George Palikaras
Chief Executive Officer

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SIGNATURE PAGE AND POWER OF ATTORNEY

We the undersigned officers and directors of Torchlight Energy Resources,Meta Materials Inc., hereby, severally constitute and appoint John A. BrdaGeorge Palikaras and Gregory McCabe,Kenneth L, Rice, each of them singly, our true and lawful attorneys with full power to them and each of them singly, to sign for us and in our names in the capacities indicated below, the registration statement on Form S-3 filed herewith and any and all pre-effective and post-effective amendments to said registration statement and any subsequent registration statement for the same offering which may be filed under Rule 462(b) and generally to do all such things in our names and on our behalf in our capacities as officers and directors to enable Torchlight Energy Resources,Meta Materials Inc. to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, and all requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming our signatures as they may be signed by our said attorneys, or any of them, to said registration statement and any and all amendments thereto or to any subsequent registration statement for the same offering which may be filed under Rule 462(b).

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ John A. Brda

John A. BrdaGeorge Palikaras

George Palikaras

  Director, Chief Executive Officer, and President and Secretary(Principal Executive Officer) May 28,August 25, 2021

/s/ Gregory McCabe

Gregory McCabeRamamritham Ramkumar

Ramamritham Ramkumar

  Director (Chairman of the Board)) May 28,August 25, 2021

/s/ Roger N. Wurtele

Roger N. WurteleKenneth L. Rice

Kenneth L. Rice

  Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President and PrincipalSecretary (Principal Financial and Accounting OfficerOfficer) May 28,August 25, 2021

/s/ Robert Lance Cook

Robert Lance CookMaurice Guitton

Maurice Guitton

  Director May 28,August 25, 2021

/s/ Alexandre Zyngier

Alexandre ZyngierAllison Christilaw

Allison Christilaw

  Director May 28,August 25, 2021

/s/ Michael J. Graves

Michael J. GravesSteen Karsbo

Steen Karsbo

  Director May 28,August 25, 2021

/s/ Eric M. Leslie

Eric M. Leslie

DirectorAugust 25, 2021

/s/ Kenneth Hannah

Kenneth Hannah

DirectorAugust 25, 2021

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EXHIBIT LISTINDEX

 

Exhibit No.
Number

  

Description

1.1
  2.1  Form of Underwriting Agreement **
2.1Share Exchange Agreement dated November 23, 2010.  (Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 24, 2010.) *
2.2Arrangement Agreement with Metamaterial Inc., dated December  14, 20202020. (the “Arrangement Agreement”) (Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 14, 2020.) *
  2.2  
2.3Amendment to Arrangement Agreement, dated February  3, 2021 (Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 4, 2021.) *
  2.3  
2.4Amendment to Arrangement Agreement, dated March  11, 2021 (Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 15, 2021.) *
  2.4  
2.5Amendment to Arrangement Agreement, dated March  31, 20212021. (Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 1, 2021.) *
  2.5  
2.6Amendment to Arrangement Agreement, dated April  15, 20212021. (Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 15, 2021.) *
  2.6  
2.7Amendment to Arrangement Agreement, dated May 2, 20212021. (Incorporated by reference from Form  8-K filed with the SEC on May 4, 2021, 2021.) *
  2.7  Amendment to Arrangement Agreement, dated June 18, 2021. (Incorporated by reference from Form  8-K filed with the SEC on June 21, 2021.)
3.1  Articles of Incorporation. (Incorporated by reference from Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 18, 2019.) *2019)
  3.2  
3.2Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation dated December 10, 2014. (Incorporated by reference from Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 15, 2015.) *
  3.3  
3.3Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation dated September 15, 2015. (Incorporated by reference from Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 12, 2015.) *
  3.4  
3.4Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation dated August 18, 20172017. (Incorporated by reference from Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 9, 2018.) *
  3.5  
3.5Amended and Restated BylawsCertificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation dated June 14, 2021. (Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 16, 2021.)
  3.6Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation dated June 25, 2021. (Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 29, 2021.)
  3.7Amended and Restated Bylaws. (Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 26, 2016.) *
  5.1^  
4.1Form of Certificate of Designation of Preferred Stock and Preferred Stock Certificate **
4.2Form of Common Stock Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate **
4.3Form of Preferred Stock Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate **
4.4Form of Unit Agreement and Unit Certificate **
4.5Form of Rights Agreement, including Form of Rights Certificate **
5.1Legal Opinion of Ballard Spahr LLP with respect to the legality of the securities registered hereunder.
23.1*  
23.1Consent of Briggs & Veselka Co.
23.2*  
23.2Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
23.3Consent of KPMG LLP
23.3^  
23.4Consent of Ballard Spahr LLP (incorporated(included in Exhibit 5.1)
24.1*  
24.1Power of Attorney (included in(set forth on the signature page hereto)pages to this registration statement)

 

*Incorporated by reference from our previous filings with the SEC.

Filed herewith.

^

Previously filed.

 

**To be filed, if necessary, by amendment or as an exhibit to a current report on Form 8-K of the registrant.

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