In May 2021, ABR entered into a non-binding letter of intent with Compass Minerals America Inc. (“Compass Minerals”), a subsidiary of NYSE-listed Compass Minerals, Inc., to progress negotiations with respect to Compass Minerals taking responsibility for the sales and marketing of SOP from our operations.
In September 2021, ABR entered into a non-binding letter of intent with Borman Specialty Materials. Under the terms of the letter of intent, we agreed to work together towards a binding agreement for the supply of boric acid and other boron specialty and advanced materials, which will be used to manufacture products with critical applications for future facing global markets, including the semi-conductor, life sciences, aerospace, military and automotive markets.
In May 2022, we signed a non-binding letter of intent with Rose Mill Co. for boron advanced materials that focus on industrial and military applications. In June 2022, we signed a non-binding letter of intent with Corning Incorporated for the supply of boron and lithium materials, technical collaboration to develop advanced materials and potential financial accommodations in support of a commercial agreement. We continue to advance discussions with other potential customers for boron advanced materials.
In parallel with ongoing test works, we plan to explore options to sell by-product gypsum into the Californian gypsum market.
Governmental Regulation
We are subject to numerous and extensive federal, state and local laws, regulations, permits and other legal requirements applicable to the mining and mineral processing industry, including those pertaining to employee health and safety, air emissions, water usage, wastewater and stormwater discharges, air quality standards, greenhouse gas emissions, waste management, plant and wildlife protection, handling and disposal of hazardous and radioactive substances, remediation of soil and groundwater contamination, land use, reclamation and restoration of properties, the discharge of materials into the environment and groundwater quality and availability. Our business may be affected in varying degrees by government regulation such as restrictions on production, price controls, tax increases, expropriation of property, environmental and pollution controls or changes in conditions under which minerals may be marketed. An excess supply of certain minerals may exist from time to time due to lack of markets, restrictions on exports, and numerous factors beyond our control. These factors include market fluctuations and government regulations relating to prices, taxes, royalties, allowable production and importing and exporting minerals. These laws, regulations, permits and legal requirements have had, and will continue to have, a significant effect on our results of operations, earnings and competitive position.
Federal legislation and implementing regulations adopted and administered by the Environmental Protection Agency, the Bureau of Land Management, the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Army Corps of Engineers and other agencies, including legislation such as the federal Clean Water Act (“CWA”), the Safe Drinking Water Act (“SDWA”), the Clean Air Act, as amended (“CAA”), the National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”), the Endangered Species Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”), and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”), have a direct bearing on our proposed solution mining and processing operations. These federal initiatives are often administered and enforced through state agencies operating under parallel state statutes and regulations.
CERCLA, and comparable state statutes, impose strict, joint and several liability on current and former owners and operators of sites and on persons who disposed of or arranged for the disposal of hazardous substances found at such sites. It is not uncommon for the government to file claims requiring clean-up actions, demands for reimbursement for government-incurred clean-up costs, or natural resource damages, or for neighboring landowners and other third parties to file claims for personal injury and property damage allegedly caused by hazardous substances released into the environment. The RCRA, and comparable state statutes, govern the disposal of solid waste and hazardous waste and authorize the imposition of substantial fines and penalties for noncompliance, as well as requirements for corrective actions. CERCLA, RCRA, and comparable state statutes
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