| SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Principles of Consolidation: The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of MP Materials Corp. and its subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Concentration of Risk: As of December 31, 2020, Shenghe accounted for more than 90% of product sales. Shenghe, a related party of the Company, has entered into an arrangement to purchase substantially all of the Company’s production, and has previously purchased the Company’s stockpile inventory. While as with any contract there is risk of nonperformance, we do not believe that it is reasonably possible that the agreement will be terminated in the near term as it would significantly delay Shenghe’s recovery of non-interest-bearing advance payments that are recognized by the Company as debt. See Note 4, “Relationship and Agreements with Shenghe,” for additional information. Furthermore, while revenue is generated in the United States, our principal customer is located in China and may transport and sell products in the Chinese market; therefore, the Company’s gross profit is affected by Shenghe’s ultimate realized prices in China. In addition, there is an ongoing economic conflict between China and the United States that has resulted in tariffs and trade barriers that may negatively affect the Company’s business and results of operations. In December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus (known as “COVID-19”) began to impact the population of China, where our principal customer is located. The outbreak of COVID-19 has grown both in the United States and globally, and related government and private sector responsive actions have adversely affected the global economy, including significant business and supply chain disruption as well as broad-based changes in supply and demand. In December 2019, a series of emergency quarantine measures taken by the Chinese government disrupted domestic business activities in China during the weeks after the initial outbreak of COVID-19. Since that time, an increasing number of countries, including the United States, have imposed restrictions on travel to and from China and elsewhere, as well as general movement restrictions, business closures and other measures imposed to slow the spread of COVID-19. At the onset of the outbreak, we initially experienced shipping delays due to overseas port slowdowns and container shortages, but we did not experience a reduction in production or sales. However, in the fourth quarter of 2020, we began to again see shipping delays and container shortages from congestion at ports, which has been exacerbated by COVID-19. Congestion at U.S. and international ports could affect the capacity at ports to receive deliveries of products or the loading of shipments onto vessels. As the situation continues to develop, it is impossible to predict the effect and ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s business and results of operations. While the quarantine, social distancing and other regulatory measures instituted or recommended in response to COVID-19 are expected to be temporary, the duration of the business disruptions, and related financial impact, cannot be estimated at this time. Use of Estimates : The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect (i) the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, (ii) the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements, and (iii) the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The more significant areas requiring the use of management estimates and assumptions relate to the recoverability of inventory; the useful lives and recoverability of long-lived assets (such as the effects of mineral reserves and cash flows from operating the mine in determining the life of the mine); uncertain tax positions; the valuation allowance of deferred tax assets; asset retirement and environmental obligations; and determining the fair value of assets and liabilities in acquisitions and financial instruments in connection with transactions that require initial measurement to be at fair value. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Accordingly, actual results may differ from those estimates. Cash and cash equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents consist of all cash balances and highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased. Restricted cash consists of funds that are contractually restricted as to usage or withdrawal due to legal agreement. The Company determines current or non-current classification based on the expected duration of the restriction. Restricted cash principally relates to cash that is pledged as collateral in connection with surety bonds placed with California state and regional agencies related to closure and reclamation obligations. See also Note 6 , “ Restricted Cash .” Trade Accounts Receivable: Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. Management reviews the need for an allowance for doubtful accounts quarterly based on historical experience with each customer and the specifics of each arrangement. As of December 31, 2020, and 2019, the Company did not have an allowance for doubtful accounts, as principally all of our receivables are from sales to Shenghe and amounts not received in cash would be offset by reductions in the principal balance owed to Shenghe. Inventories: Inventories consist of raw materials and supplies, work in process (referred to as “in-process inventory”), and finished goods. Materials and supplies consist of raw materials, spare parts, reagent chemicals, and packaging materials. In-process inventory primarily consists of stockpiles of mined bastnaesite ore in various stages of the production process. Finished goods primarily consist of packaged bastnaesite concentrate. Raw materials, in-process inventory and finished goods are carried at average actual cost. Supplies are carried at moving average cost. All inventories are carried at the lower of cost or net realizable value, which represents the estimated selling price of the product during the ordinary course of business based on current market conditions. Inventory cost includes all expenses directly attributable to the manufacturing process, including labor and stripping costs, and an appropriate portion of production overhead, including depletion, based on normal operating capacity. Stockpiled ore tonnages are verified by periodic surveys. Management evaluates the carrying amount of inventory on a periodic basis, considering slow-moving items, obsolescence, excess inventory levels, and other factors and recognizes related write-downs in cost of sales. See also Note 7, “Inventories.” Property, Plant and Equipment: Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated over their useful lives. Expenditures for new property, plant and equipment and improvements that extend the useful life or functionality of the assets are recorded at their cost of acquisition or construction. Depreciation on property, plant and equipment is recognized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, as follows: Years Machinery and equipment 3-10 Buildings 40 Land improvements 25 Assets under construction include costs directly attributable to the construction or development of long-term assets. These costs may include labor and employee benefits associated with the construction of the asset, site preparation, permitting, engineering, installation and assembly, procurement, insurance, legal, commissioning, and interest on borrowings to finance the construction of the assets. Depreciation is not recorded on the related assets until they are placed in service or are ready for their intended use. Repair and maintenance costs that do not extend the useful life of an asset are expensed as incurred. Gains and losses arising from the disposal of property, plant and equipment are determined as the difference between the proceeds from disposal and the carrying amount of the asset and are included in “Other income, net” within our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Property, plant and equipment primarily relate to the Company’s Mountain Pass facility and open-pit mine. In addition to the mine, the facility includes a crusher and mill/flotation plant, mineral recovery and separation plants, tailings processing and storage facilities, on-site evaporation ponds, a combined heat and power plant, water treatment facilities, a Chlor-Alkali plant, as well as laboratory facilities to support research and development activities, offices, warehouses and support infrastructures. See also Note 8, “Property, Plant and Equipment.” Mineral Rights: The Company capitalizes costs for acquiring and leasing mining properties and expenses costs to maintain mineral rights as incurred. Depletion on mineral rights is recognized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the mine, which is approximately 24 years. In connection with the SNR Mineral Rights Acquisition, the Company recorded the additional cost of acquiring the mineral rights pertaining to the rare earth ores contained in the Mountain Pass mine, which was SNR’s sole operating asset. Prior to the SNR Mineral Rights Acquisition, MPMO and SNR were considered related parties (see Note 18, “Related Party Transactions” ). As discussed in Note 18, “Related Party Transactions,” upon entering into the Royalty Agreement (as defined in Note 18, “Related Party Transactions” ), the Company recognized an asset equal to the present value of minimum royalty payments owed to SNR under the Royalty Agreement as an acquisition cost of the 97.5% working interest. Mineral rights are classified as a component of “Property, plant and equipment” within our Consolidated Balance Sheets. See also Note 8, “Property, Plant and Equipment.” Mine Development Costs: Mine development costs include acquisition costs, drilling costs, and the cost of other development work, all of which are capitalized during the development phase. Production costs are capitalized into inventory or expensed as incurred. At the time of acquiring the 97.5% working interest, the mine had already been in a producing stage, but was idled and in care and maintenance; therefore, costs associated with the return to production were capitalized to inventory as incurred. Additionally, costs incurred above the amount required to return the mine to production, including certain overburden mining activities, were expensed as incurred. Leases: The Company determines if an arrangement is, or contains, a lease at contract inception. In some cases, the Company has determined that its lease arrangements include both lease and non-lease components. The Company has elected to use a practical expedient to account for each separate lease component and its associated non-lease components as a single lease component for the majority of its asset classes. The Company recognizes lease liabilities and right-of-use (“ROU”) assets upon commencement for all leases with a lease term greater than 12 months. The Company has elected to use a practical expedient to not recognize leases with a lease term of 12 months or less in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for the majority of its asset classes. These short-term leases are expensed on a straight-line basis over the lease term. ROU assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized at commencement date of the lease based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. When the rate implicit to the lease cannot be readily determined, the Company utilizes its incremental borrowing rate in determining the present value of the future lease payments. Lease liabilities are accreted each period and reduced for payments. The ROU asset also includes other adjustments, such as for the effects of escalating rents, rent abatements or initial lease costs. The lease term may include periods covered by options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise a renewal option, or reasonably certain it will not exercise an early termination option. For operating leases, lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the expected lease term. For finance leases, the ROU asset amortizes on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the lease term or useful life of the ROU asset and the lease liability accretes interest based on the interest method using the discount rate determined at lease commencement. See also Note 10, “Lease Obligations.” Impairment of Long-Lived Assets: Long-lived assets, including mineral rights, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable. In estimating undiscounted cash flows, assets are grouped at the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of undiscounted cash flows from other asset groups. Management’s estimates of undiscounted cash flows are based on numerous assumptions and it is possible that actual cash flows may differ significantly from estimates, as actual produced reserves, prices, commodity-based and other costs, and closure costs are each subject to significant risks and uncertainties. The estimated undiscounted cash flows used to assess recoverability of long-lived assets and to measure the fair value of the Company’s mining operations are derived from current business plans, which are developed using short-term price forecasts reflective of the current price environment and management’s projections for long-term average prices. In addition to short- and long-term price assumptions, other assumptions include estimates of production costs; proven and probable mineral reserves estimates, including the timing and cost to develop and produce the reserves; value beyond proven and probable estimates; and estimated future closure costs. If the carrying amount of the long-lived asset or asset groups is not recoverable on an undiscounted cash flows basis, an impairment is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds its fair value. Fair value is determined through various valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow models, quoted market values, and third-party independent appraisals, based on the approach the Company believes a market participant would use. An impairment loss, if any, is recorded for the excess of the asset’s (or asset group’s) carrying amount over its fair value, as determined by a valuation technique appropriate to the given circumstances. There were no impairment indicators or impairments recognized for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. Offtake Advances Accounted for as Debt Obligations and Debt Discount: Subsequent to the June 2020 Modification to the Original Offtake Agreement, the Company accounts for net prepayments or other advances received from Shenghe prior to or in connection with the June 2020 Modification as debt. The associated debt discount is amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method over management’s estimated contractual term of the underlying indebtedness. The debt discount reduces the carrying amount of the associated debt. See also, Note 9, “ Debt Obligations. ” Asset Retirement Obligations: The Company recognizes asset retirement obligations (“AROs”) for estimated costs of legally and contractually required closure, dismantlement, and reclamation activities associated with the Mountain Pass mine and processing facility. AROs are initially recognized at their estimated fair value in the period in which the obligation originates. Fair value is based on the expected timing of reclamation activities, cash flows to perform activities, amount and uncertainty associated with the cash flows, including adjustments for a market risk premium, and discounted using a credit-adjusted risk-free rate. The liability is accreted over time through periodic charges to earnings and reduced as reclamation activities occur with differences between estimated and actual amounts recognized as an adjustment to operating expenses. Subsequent increments in expected undiscounted cash flows are measured at their discounted values using updated estimates of the Company’s credit-adjusted risk-free rate applied to the increment only. Subsequent decrements are reduced based on the weighted-average discount rate associated with the obligation. As of December 31, 2020, the credit-adjusted risk-free rate ranged between 7.1% and 8.2% depending on the timing of expected settlement and when the layer or increment was recognized. There were no increments or decrements for the year ended December 31, 2020. Associated asset retirement costs, including the effect of increments and decrements, are recognized as adjustments to the related asset’s carrying amount and depreciated over its remaining useful life. See also Note 11, “Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations.” Environmental Obligations: The Company has assumed certain environmental remediation obligations that primarily relate to groundwater monitoring activities. Estimated remediation costs are accrued based on management’s best estimate at the end of each reporting period of the costs expected to be incurred at a site to settle the obligation when those amounts are probable and estimable. Such cost estimates may include ongoing care, maintenance and monitoring costs associated with remediation activities. Changes in remediation estimates are reflected in earnings in the period an estimate is revised. Remediation costs included in environmental obligations are discounted to their present value when payments are readily estimable, and are discounted using a risk-free rate, which the Company derives from U.S. Treasury yields. See also N ote 11, “Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations.” Revenue Recognition: The Company’s revenue comes from sales of rare earth products produced at the Mountain Pass facility. The Company’s sales are primarily to an affiliate of Shenghe. The Company’s performance obligation is to deliver rare earth products to the agreed-upon delivery point, and the Company recognizes revenue at the point in time control of the products transfers to the customer, which is typically when the rare earth products are delivered to the agreed-upon shipping point. At that point, the customer has the ability to direct the use of and obtain substantially all of the remaining benefits from the products, and the customer bears the risk of loss. For sales to third parties, the transaction price is agreed to at the time the sale is entered into. For sales entered into with the related party, the transaction price is typically based on an agreed-upon price per metric ton, subject to certain quality adjustments depending on the measured characteristics of the product, with an adjustment for the ultimate market price of the product realized by Shenghe and certain other discounts. These ultimate market prices are forms of variable consideration. The Company typically negotiates with and bills an initial price to Shenghe; such prices are then updated based on final adjustments for quality differences and/or actual sales prices realized by Shenghe. Initial pricing is typically billed upon delivering the product to the agreed-upon shipping point and paid within 30 days or less. Final adjustments to prices may take longer to resolve. When the final price has not been resolved by the end of a reporting period, the Company estimates the expected sales price based on the initial price, current market pricing and known quality measurements, and further constrains such amounts to an amount that is probable not to result in a significant reversal of previously-recognized revenue. Revenue from product sales is recorded net of taxes collected from customers that are remitted to governmental authorities. When appropriate, the Company applies a portfolio approach in estimating a refund obligation. Prior to the June 2020 Modification (as defined in Note 4, “Relationship and Agreements with Shenghe” ), the Company had also received significant prepayments (referred to as “Offtake Advances”) from Shenghe. The Company had determined that the prepayments did not have a significant financing component, based on the uncertainty associated with the timing of delivery and on the relationship of the payment to the other payments required under the Original Offtake Agreement. See Note 4, “Relationship and Agreements with Shenghe,” for further information on the June 2020 Modification as well as the Offtake Advances from Shenghe. See also Note 5, “Revenue Recognition.” Stock-Based Compensation: The cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments is based on the grant-date fair value of the award and the expense is recognized ratably over the requisite service period. The fair value of Stock Awards (as defined in Note 15, “Stock-based Compensation,” ) is equal to the fair value of the Company’s stock on the grant date. Stock Awards with graded vesting schedules are recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for each separately vesting portion of the award. The Company accounts for forfeitures in the period in which they occur based on actual amounts. See also Note 15, “Stock-based Compensation.” Earnings (Loss) Per Share: Basic earnings (loss) per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS reflects the additional dilution for all potentially-dilutive securities such as unvested restricted stock awards. See also Note 17, “Earnings (Loss) per Share.” Commitments and Contingencies: Liabilities for loss contingencies arising from claims, assessments, litigation, fines and penalties, and other sources are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Legal costs incurred in connection with loss contingencies are expensed as incurred. See also Note 13, “Commitments and Contingent Liabilities.” Income Taxes: The Company accounts for income taxes using the balance sheet method, recognizing certain temporary differences between the book basis of the liabilities and assets and the related income tax basis for such liabilities and assets. This method generates either a net deferred income tax liability or asset for the Company, as measured by the statutory tax rates in effect. Management derives a deferred income tax expense or benefit by recording the change in either the net deferred income tax liability or asset balance for the year. See also Note 12, “Income Taxes.” Valuation of Deferred Tax Assets: The Company’s deferred income tax assets include certain future tax benefits. Management records a valuation allowance against any portion of those deferred income tax assets when it believes, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred income tax asset will not be realized. In determining the requirement for a valuation allowance, the Company evaluated all available positive and negative evidence. Certain categories of evidence carry more weight in the analysis than others based upon the extent to which the evidence may be objectively verified. Management looks to the nature and severity of cumulative pretax losses (if any) in the current three-year period ending on the evaluation date, recent pretax losses and/or expectations of future pretax losses. Other factors considered in the determination of the probability of the realization of the deferred tax assets include, but are not limited to: • Earnings history; • Projected future financial and taxable income based upon existing reserves and long-term estimates of commodity prices; • The duration of statutory carry forward periods; • Prudent and feasible tax planning strategies readily available that may alter the timing of reversal of the temporary difference; • Nature of temporary differences and predictability of reversal patterns of existing temporary differences; and • The sensitivity of future forecasted results to commodity prices and other factors. Concluding that a valuation allowance is not required is difficult when there is significant negative evidence which is objective and verifiable, such as cumulative losses in recent years. However, recent cumulative losses are not solely determinative of the need for a valuation allowance. Management also considers all other available positive and negative evidence in its analysis. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements: As an “emerging growth company,” the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (“JOBS Act”) allows the Company to delay adoption of new or revised accounting pronouncements applicable to public companies until such pronouncements are made applicable to private companies. The Company has elected to use this extended transition period under the JOBS Act. The adoption dates discussed below reflect this election. In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurements of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” (“ASU 2016-13”), which sets forth a “current expected credit loss” model which requires the Company to measure all expected credit losses for financial instruments held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable supportable forecasts. ASU 2016-13 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2021, with early adoption permitted. The provisions of ASU 2016-13 must be applied through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. We have elected to adopt ASU 2016-13 effective January 1, 2021, and its impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements is not material. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract” (“ASU 2018-15”), which aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. ASU 2018-15 requires capitalized costs to be amortized on a straight-line basis generally over the term of the arrangement, and the financial statement presentation for these capitalized costs would be the same as that of the fees related to the hosting arrangements. ASU 2018-15 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2021, with early adoption permitted. The provisions of ASU 2018-15 may be applied either retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. We have elected to adopt ASU 2018-15 effective January 1, 2021, and its impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements is not material. In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740) - Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes” (“ASU 2019-12”), which is intended to simplify accounting for income taxes. ASU 2019-12 removes certain exceptions to the general principles in ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes,” and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. ASU 2019-12 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2021, and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2022, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of ASU 2019-12 will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements. Reclassifications: To conform to the current year presentation, the Company reclassified the balance of its right-of-use assets associated with finance lease in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2019, from “Property, plant and equipment, net” to “Finance lease right-of-use assets.” This reclassification had no effect on net loss, total assets or accumulated deficit as previously reported. |
