In connection with entering into the WCF (as defined below), the Company contributed $18,200 to the LGJV in May 2019 to provide funding for partial repayment of principal and interest related to the Dowa MPR Loan. In late May 2019, the Dowa MPR Loan was fully extinguished with a cash payment of $18,200 and the conversion of the remaining $50,737 of principal and interest. The conversion of the remaining principal and interest increased Dowa’s ownership in the LGJV entities by 18.5% to 48.5%. On March 11, 2021, the Company repurchased the 18.5% interest from Dowa, for a total consideration of $71,550, increasing the Company’s ownership in the LGJV to 70.0%. These transactions resulted in a $47,400 higher basis than the underlying net assets of the LGJV Entities. This basis difference is being amortized as the LGJV Entities’ proven and probable reserves are processed.
On May 30, 2019, the LGJV entered into a working capital facility agreement (the “WCF”) with Dowa whereby the LGJV could borrow up to $60,000 to fund the working capital and sustaining capital requirements of the LGD. Interest on this loan accrued daily at LIBOR plus 3.0% per annum and all outstanding principal and interest was to mature on June 28, 2021. The Company was required to pay an arrangement fee on the borrowing, calculated as 15.0% per annum of 70.0% of the average daily principal amount outstanding under the WCF during such fiscal quarter. On March 11, 2021, the $60,000 outstanding under the WCF was extinguished using funds contributed to the LGJV. The Company’s pro-rata capital contribution to the LGJV was $42,000.
The Company guarantees the payment of all obligations, including accrued interest, under the LGJV equipment loan agreements. As of September 30, 2022, the LGJV had $1,195 outstanding under the LGJV equipment loan agreements, net of unamortized debt discount of $3, with maturity dates through August 2023.
10.Debt
On July 12, 2021, the Company entered into a Revolving Credit Facility (the “Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility provides for a revolving line of credit in a principal amount of $50,000 and has an accordion feature which at the time allowed for an increase in the total line of credit up to $100,000, subject to certain conditions. Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest at a rate equal to either the LIBOR rate plus a margin ranging from 3.00% to 4.00% or the U.S. Base Rate plus a margin ranging from 2.00% to 3.00%, as selected by the Company, in each case, with such margin determined in accordance with the Company’s consolidated net leverage ratio as of the end of the applicable period. The Credit Facility contains affirmative and negative covenants that are customary for credit agreements of this nature. The affirmative covenants consist of a leverage ratio, a liquidity covenant and an interest coverage ratio. The negative covenants include, among other things, limitations on asset sales, mergers, acquisitions, indebtedness, liens, dividends and distributions, investments and transactions with affiliates. Obligations under the Credit Facility may be accelerated upon the occurrence of certain customary events of default. The Company was in compliance with all covenants under the Credit Facility, as amended, as of March 31, 2022.
On July 19, 2021, the Company borrowed $13,000 under the Credit Facility at a rate of LIBOR plus 3%. Debt issuance costs of $442 were to be amortized through July 31, 2024, prior to the amended and restated Credit Facility (see terms below). The current balance outstanding on the Credit Facility is $9,000, following a $4,000 principal repayment in December 2022.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company recognized interest expense of $142 and $368, respectively, with an effective interest rate of 4.4% and 3.8%, respectively, which has been recorded on the statements of operations under other income (expense), and $36 and $110, respectively, for amortization of debt issuance costs. The Company paid interest of $158 and $385 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022.
On March 7, 2022, the Company amended the Credit Facility with the lender, Bank of Montreal (“BMO”), to address potential loan covenant deficiencies. The amendment included the following revisions:
| ● | audited financial statements were to be provided prior to November 15, 2022; |
| ● | the credit limit was reduced to $30,000, until the Company delivered a new LOM CLG financial model with updated mineral reserves; |
| ● | upon assessment of the new CLG financial model, BMO, in its sole discretion, could increase the credit limit up to the original $50,000; |
| ● | requirement to provide updated financial projections for the CLG by September 30, 2022. The financial projections were provided by the required date and were used as the basis for the amendment entered into on December 19, 2022 discussed below; and |
| ● | waivers of certain defaults, events of default, representations and warranties and covenants arising out of the facts that led to the potential reduction in metal content of the Company’s previously stated mineral reserve figures. |