Exhibit 99.1
POLYMET MINING CORP.
CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the three months ended March 31, 2020
PolyMet Mining Corp.
Condensed Interim Consolidated Balance Sheets
Unaudited - All figures in thousands of U.S. Dollars
March 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||
Current | ||||||||
Cash | $ | 8,163 | $ | 7,401 | ||||
Amounts receivable | 541 | 472 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses | 812 | 1,039 | ||||||
9,516 | 8,912 | |||||||
Non-Current | ||||||||
Restricted deposits (Notes 6 and 11) | 9,802 | 11,449 | ||||||
Amounts receivable and other assets | 2,666 | 2,442 | ||||||
Mineral property, plant and equipment (Note 4) | 413,022 | 410,132 | ||||||
Intangibles (Note 5) | 24,429 | 24,380 | ||||||
Total Assets | 459,435 | 457,315 | ||||||
LIABILITIES | ||||||||
Current | ||||||||
Accounts payable and accruals | 5,909 | 4,533 | ||||||
Lease liabilities (Note 14) | 74 | 60 | ||||||
Environmental rehabilitation provision (Note 6) | 1,522 | 1,276 | ||||||
7,505 | 5,869 | |||||||
Non-Current | ||||||||
Lease liabilities (Note 14) | 531 | 556 | ||||||
Convertible debt (Note 8) | 5,232 | - | ||||||
Promissory note (Note 9) | 15,811 | 15,501 | ||||||
Environmental rehabilitation provision (Note 6) | 51,436 | 51,249 | ||||||
Total Liabilities | 80,515 | 73,175 | ||||||
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||
Share capital | 527,434 | 526,884 | ||||||
Equity reserves | 66,287 | 64,648 | ||||||
Deficit | (214,801 | ) | (207,392 | ) | ||||
Total Shareholders’ Equity | 378,920 | 384,140 | ||||||
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity | $ | 459,435 | $ | 457,315 | ||||
Nature of Business and Liquidity (Note 1)
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 13)
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
/s/ Jonathan Cherry | , Director | /s/ Dr. David Dreisinger | , Director |
- See Accompanying Notes –
PolyMet Mining Corp.
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Loss and Comprehensive Loss
Unaudited - All figures in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except for shares and per share amounts
Three months ended | ||||||||
March 31, 2020 | March 31, 2019 | |||||||
Operations Expense | ||||||||
Resource evaluation | $ | 2,698 | $ | - | ||||
Salaries, directors’ fees and related benefits | 1,210 | 637 | ||||||
Share-based compensation (Note 10) | 511 | 1,189 | ||||||
Public company and public relations | 294 | 439 | ||||||
Professional fees | 223 | 283 | ||||||
Office and administration | 218 | 163 | ||||||
Depreciation | 53 | 33 | ||||||
Loss From Operations | 5,207 | 2,744 | ||||||
Other Expenses (Income) | ||||||||
Finance costs - net (Note 11) | 2,497 | 1,123 | ||||||
Loss on foreign exchange | - | 18 | ||||||
Loss on debenture modification | - | 2,014 | ||||||
Gain on financial asset fair value | (292 | ) | (72 | ) | ||||
Other income | (3 | ) | (9 | ) | ||||
Total Other Expenses | 2,202 | 3,074 | ||||||
Total Loss and Comprehensive Loss for the Period | $ | 7,409 | $ | 5,818 | ||||
Basic and Diluted Loss per Share | $ | 0.01 | $ | 0.02 | ||||
Weighted Average Number of Shares – basic and diluted | 1,005,882,764 | 322,050,719 |
- See Accompanying Notes -
PolyMet Mining Corp.
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
Unaudited - All figures in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except for shares
Share Capital (authorized = unlimited) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
Issued | Share | Equity | Shareholders' | |||||||||||||||||
Shares | Capital | Reserves | Deficit | Equity | ||||||||||||||||
Balance – December 31, 2018 | 321,190,069 | $ | 272,420 | $ | 62,111 | $ | (149,489 | ) | $ | 185,042 | ||||||||||
Total comprehensive loss for the period | - | - | - | (5,818 | ) | (5,818 | ) | |||||||||||||
Debenture refinancing warrants | - | - | 1,564 | - | 1,564 | |||||||||||||||
Payment of land purchase options (Note 10) | 26,250 | 20 | - | - | 20 | |||||||||||||||
Exercise of share options (Note 10) | 400,171 | 572 | (298 | ) | - | 274 | ||||||||||||||
Vesting of restricted shares and RSU’s | 477,843 | 593 | (593 | ) | - | - | ||||||||||||||
Share-based compensation (Note 10) | 102,921 | 84 | 1,476 | - | 1,560 | |||||||||||||||
Balance – March 31, 2019 | 322,197,254 | $ | 273,689 | $ | 64,260 | $ | (155,307 | ) | $ | 182,642 |
Share Capital (authorized = unlimited) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
Issued | Share | Equity | Shareholders' | |||||||||||||||||
Shares | Capital | Reserves | Deficit | Equity | ||||||||||||||||
Balance – December 31, 2019 | 1,005,230,259 | $ | 526,884 | $ | 64,648 | $ | (207,392 | ) | $ | 384,140 | ||||||||||
Total comprehensive loss for the period | - | - | - | (7,409 | ) | (7,409 | ) | |||||||||||||
Debenture exchange warrants (Note 8) | - | - | 1,675 | - | 1,675 | |||||||||||||||
Vesting of restricted shares and RSU’s (Note 10) | 527,307 | 400 | (400 | ) | - | - | ||||||||||||||
Share-based compensation (Note 10) | 574,812 | 150 | 364 | - | 514 | |||||||||||||||
Balance – March 31, 2020 | 1,006,332,378 | $ | 527,434 | $ | 66,287 | $ | (214,801 | ) | $ | 378,920 |
- See Accompanying Notes -
PolyMet Mining Corp.
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Unaudited - All figures in thousands of U.S. Dollars
Three months ended | ||||||||
March 31, 2020 | March 31, 2019 | |||||||
Operating Activities | ||||||||
Loss for the period | $ | (7,409 | ) | $ | (5,818 | ) | ||
Items not involving cash: | ||||||||
Depreciation | 53 | 33 | ||||||
Finance costs (Note 11) | 329 | - | ||||||
Environmental rehabilitation provision accretion (Notes 6 and 11) | 525 | 438 | ||||||
Share-based compensation (Note 10) | 511 | 1,189 | ||||||
Unrealized loss/(gain) on foreign exchange | 4 | (1 | ) | |||||
Loss on debenture modification | - | 2,014 | ||||||
Gain on financial asset fair value | (292 | ) | (72 | ) | ||||
Changes in non-cash working capital | ||||||||
Restricted deposits | 1,647 | - | ||||||
Amounts receivable and other assets | (1 | ) | 493 | |||||
Prepaid expenses | 227 | 41 | ||||||
Accounts payable and accruals | 837 | (214 | ) | |||||
Net cash used in operating activities | (3,569 | ) | (1,897 | ) | ||||
Financing Activities | ||||||||
Share issuance proceeds | - | 274 | ||||||
Debenture funding, net of costs (Note 8) | 6,888 | - | ||||||
Cash settled RSU’s | - | (212 | ) | |||||
Net cash provided by financing activities | 6,888 | 62 | ||||||
Investing Activities | ||||||||
Property, plant and equipment purchases (Note 4) | (2,491 | ) | (5,664 | ) | ||||
Restricted deposits and earnings | - | (57 | ) | |||||
Intangible purchases (Note 5) | (62 | ) | - | |||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (2,553 | ) | (5,721 | ) | ||||
Net Increase/(Decrease) in Cash | 766 | (7,556 | ) | |||||
Effect of foreign exchange on Cash | (4 | ) | 1 | |||||
Cash - Beginning of period | 7,401 | 13,857 | ||||||
Cash - End of period | $ | 8,163 | $ | 6,302 | ||||
Supplemental information – non-cash investing and financing | ||||||||
Capitalization of accounts payable and accruals to mineral property | $ | 399 | $ | 699 | ||||
Capitalization of borrowing costs to mineral property | - | 7,296 | ||||||
Capitalization of share-based compensation to mineral property (Note 10) | 143 | 400 | ||||||
Capitalization of shares issued for land options to mineral property | $ | - | $ | 20 |
- See Accompanying Notes -
PolyMet Mining Corp.
Notes to Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
As at March 31, 2020 and for the three months ended March 31, 2020
Unaudited - Tabular amounts in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except for shares and per share amounts
1. | Nature of Business and Liquidity |
PolyMet Mining Corp. was incorporated in British Columbia, Canada on March 4, 1981 under the name Fleck Resources Ltd. and changed its name to PolyMet Mining Corp. on June 10, 1998. Through its 100%-owned subsidiary, Poly Met Mining, Inc. (“PolyMet US” and, together with PolyMet Mining Corp., “PolyMet” or the “Company”), the Company is engaged in the exploration and development of natural resource properties.
The corporate address and records office of the Company are located at 100 King Street West, Suite 5700, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5X 1C7, and 700 West Georgia, 25th Floor, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V7Y 1B3, respectively. The executive office of PolyMet US is located at 444 Cedar Street, Suite 2060, St. Paul, Minnesota, United States of America, 55101.
The Company has a majority shareholder relationship with Glencore AG, a wholly owned subsidiary of Glencore plc (together “Glencore”), as a result of Glencore’s ownership of 71.6% of the Company’s issued shares.
The Company’s primary mineral property is the NorthMet Project (“NorthMet” or “Project”), a polymetallic project in northeastern Minnesota, United States of America, which comprises the NorthMet copper-nickel-precious metals ore body and the Erie Plant, a processing facility located approximately six miles from the ore body.
PolyMet received its Permit to Mine from the State of Minnesota on November 1, 2018, a crucial permit for construction and operation of the Project. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (“MDNR”) also issued all other permits for which the Company had applied including dam safety, water appropriations, endangered and threatened species takings, and public waters work permits, along with Wetlands Conservation Act approval. In addition, PolyMet received air and water permits from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (“MPCA”) on December 18, 2018. Further, PolyMet received the federal Record of Decision and Section 404 Wetlands Permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on March 21, 2019, which was the last key permit or approval needed to construct and operate the Project.
Legal challenges were filed in the Minnesota Court of Appeals contesting various aspects of the MDNR and MPCA decisions. In June 2019, the Court of Appeals transferred a challenge to the MPCA water quality permit to the Ramsey County District Court for the limited purpose of an evidentiary hearing. During the first quarter of 2020, the Court of Appeals remanded the Permit to Mine and dam safety permits to the MDNR for a contested case hearing and the air permit to the MPCA to provide additional information. The Company, MDNR, MPCA and several other groups have petitioned the Minnesota Supreme Court to review these decisions. In March 2020, the Minnesota Supreme Court granted review of the Court of Appeals ruling on the Permit to Mine and dam safety permits. PolyMet cannot act on these permits until the litigation is resolved of which the timing is uncertain.
The realization of the Company’s investment in NorthMet and other assets is dependent upon various factors, including the existence of economically recoverable mineral reserves, the ability to obtain and maintain permits necessary to construct and operate NorthMet, the ability to obtain financing necessary to complete the development of NorthMet, and to conduct future profitable operations or alternatively, disposal of the investment on an advantageous basis.
1
PolyMet Mining Corp.
Notes to Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
As at March 31, 2020 and for the three months ended March 31, 2020
Unaudited - Tabular amounts in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except for shares and per share amounts
1. | Nature of Business and Liquidity - Continued |
Given the ongoing development of the Project, the Company has experienced recurring losses from operations and net cash outflows for operating and investing activities, which are expected to continue until the Project is constructed and operational. As at March 31, 2020, the Company had cash of $8.163 million, working capital of $2.011 million, and an agreement with Glencore to issue unsecured convertible debentures to Glencore in four tranches during 2020 with a total minimum principal amount of $20.0 million and total maximum principal amount of $30.0 million, the amount of each tranche to be determined jointly by the Company and Glencore. As of March 31, 2020, the Company had issued $7.0 million of convertible debentures to Glencore under this agreement (see Note 8). Since 2008, the Company and Glencore have entered into a series of financing transactions to fund the Company’s operations.
The Company believes that it is probable that they will continue to receive funding from Glencore or other financing sources, including funding from the issuance of unsecured convertible debentures, allowing the Company to satisfy future financial obligations, complete development of the Project and to conduct future profitable operations. Management’s belief is based upon the underlying value of the Project, progress on obtaining and maintaining permits, ongoing discussions with potential financiers and the majority shareholder relationship with Glencore.
In late December 2019, a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was identified as originating in China, which subsequently spread worldwide and on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared it was a pandemic. The continued spread of COVID-19 globally, prolonged restrictive measures put in place to help control the outbreak of COVID-19 or other adverse public health developments could adversely affect global economies and financial markets. This could result in volatility or an economic downturn having adverse effects on the future demand and prices for metals the Company will produce and on the ability to raise sufficient funds to finance ongoing development of the Project. The extent to which COVID-19 impacts the Company’s business, including the market for its securities, the ability to raise capital and valuation of non-financial assets including mineral property, plant and equipment and intangibles, have not been material to date but will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted at this time.
2
PolyMet Mining Corp.
Notes to Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
As at March 31, 2020 and for the three months ended March 31, 2020
Unaudited - Tabular amounts in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except for shares and per share amounts
2. | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies |
Statement of Compliance
These unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”), applicable to the preparation of interim financial statements, including IAS 34, Interim Financial Reporting and follow the same accounting policies and methods of application as set out in Note 2 of the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019. These condensed interim consolidated financial statements do not include all the information and note disclosures required by IFRS for annual financial statements and therefore should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019. The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on May 7, 2020.
3. | Mineral Property Agreements |
NorthMet, Minnesota, U.S.A.
Pursuant to an agreement dated January 4, 1989, subsequently amended and assigned, the Company leases certain mineral property rights in St. Louis County, Minnesota from RGGS Land & Minerals Ltd., L.P. Provided the Company continues to make annual lease payments, the lease period continues until June 12, 2048 with an option to extend the lease for up to five additional ten-year periods on the same terms and further extend as long as there are commercial mining operations. All lease payments have been paid to date with the next annual payment of $0.175 million due in January 2021.
Pursuant to an agreement dated December 1, 2008, the Company leases certain mineral property rights in St. Louis County, Minnesota from LMC Minerals. Provided the Company continues to make annual lease payments, the lease period continues until December 1, 2028 with an option to extend the lease for up to four additional five-year periods on the same terms. All lease payments have been paid to date with the next annual payment of $0.030 million due in November 2020.
The lease payments are considered advance royalty payments and will be deducted from future production royalties payable to the lessor, which range from 3% to 5% based on the net smelter return per ton received by the Company. The Company’s recovery of $3.186 million in advance royalty payments to RGGS Land & Minerals Ltd., L.P. is subject to the lessor receiving an amount not less than the amount of the annual lease payment due for that year. The Company’s recovery of $0.249 million in advance royalty payments to LMC Minerals is subject to the lessor receiving an amount not less than the amount of the annual lease payment due for that year.
3
PolyMet Mining Corp.
Notes to Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
As at March 31, 2020 and for the three months ended March 31, 2020
Unaudited - Tabular amounts in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except for shares and per share amounts
4. | Mineral Property, Plant and Equipment |
Details of the Mineral Property, Plant, and Equipment are as follows:
Net Book Value | Mineral Property | Plant and Equipment | Total | |||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2019 | $ | 409,356 | $ | 776 | $ | 410,132 | ||||||
Additions | 2,908 | - | 2,908 | |||||||||
Changes to environmental rehabilitation provision (Note 6) | 22 | - | 22 | |||||||||
Amortization and Depreciation | - | (40 | ) | (40 | ) | |||||||
Balance at March 31, 2020 | 412,286 | 736 | 413,022 | |||||||||
Gross carrying value | 459,454 | 1,931 | 461,385 | |||||||||
Accumulated depreciation and impairment | $ | (47,168 | ) | $ | (1,195 | ) | $ | (48,363 | ) |
Mineral Property | March 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||||
Mineral property acquisition and interest costs | $ | 79,625 | $ | 79,625 | ||||
Mine plan and development | 51,598 | 51,388 | ||||||
Environmental | 144,356 | 142,814 | ||||||
Consulting and wages | 59,508 | 58,610 | ||||||
Reclamation and remediation (Note 6) | 46,921 | 46,899 | ||||||
Site activities | 30,200 | 29,942 | ||||||
Mine equipment | 78 | 78 | ||||||
Total | $ | 412,286 | $ | 409,356 |
In November 2005, the Company acquired from Cliffs Erie LLC, a subsidiary of Cleveland Cliffs Inc. (together “Cliffs”) large parts of the Erie Plant, a processing facility located approximately six miles from the ore body. In December 2006, the Company acquired from Cliffs additional property and associated rights sufficient to provide it with a railroad connection linking the mine development site and the processing facility. The transaction also included a railcar fleet, locomotive fueling and maintenance facilities, water rights and pipelines, administrative offices on site and an additional 6,000 acres of land to the east and west of the existing tailings storage facilities. The consideration paid for the Erie Plant and associated infrastructure was $18.9 million in cash and 9,200,547 shares at a fair market value of $13.953 million. As part of the consideration, the Company indemnified Cliffs for reclamation and remediation obligations of the acquired property (see Note 6).
During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company capitalized development costs of $2.908 million (March 31, 2019 - $6.701 million) necessary to bring the Project to commercial production. In addition, borrowing costs directly attributable to the Project were capitalized in the amount of $nil million (March 31, 2019 - $7.296 million) due to suspension of capitalization following the asset impairment during the three months ended December 31, 2019. As Project assets are not in use or capable of operating in a manner intended by management, no depreciation or amortization of these assets has been recorded to March 31, 2020.
The Company regularly assesses whether there are indicators of asset impairment. During the first quarter of 2020, indicators were identified, including updates to the Project and developments related to ongoing legal challenges, which potentially affect the timing of the Project. The recoverable amounts of mineral property, plant and equipment and intangibles were measured based on FVLCD, determined by assessing future expected cash flows based on future business plans, both underpinned and supported by life of mine plans. The valuation assessment uses the most recent reserve and resource estimates, relevant cost assumptions and market forecasts of commodity prices discounted using an operation specific weighted average cost of capital. The determination of FVLCD used Level 3 valuation techniques. Based on the results of our recoverability analysis, the FVLCD exceeded the carrying amount of the assets and no impairment was required.
4
PolyMet Mining Corp.
Notes to Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
As at March 31, 2020 and for the three months ended March 31, 2020
Unaudited - Tabular amounts in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except for shares and per share amounts
5. | Intangible |
Details of the Intangible are as follows:
Three months ended March 31, 2020 | Year ended December 31, 2019 | |||||||
Intangibles – beginning of period | $ | 24,380 | $ | 24,185 | ||||
Additions | 62 | 195 | ||||||
Amortization | (13 | ) | - | |||||
Intangibles – end of period | $ | 24,429 | $ | 24,380 |
In October 2017, the Company entered into an agreement with EIP Credit Co., LLC to reserve wetland mitigation bank credits the Company can use for the Project for a minimum of five years in exchange for an initial down payment applicable to the purchase price, contractual transfer of certain lands, and annual option payments not applicable to the purchase price. Annual option payments of $0.250 million are expensed as incurred whereas option exercise payments will be recorded to Intangibles and transferred to Mineral Property, Plant and Equipment once placed into service. As at March 31, 2020, the carrying amount of wetland mitigation bank credit intangibles was $24.185 million (December 31, 2019 – $24.185 million).
During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company recorded $0.062 million related to software costs (December 31, 2019 - $0.195 million). As at March 31, 2020, the carrying amount of software intangibles was $0.244 million (December 31, 2019 – $0.195 million).
6. | Environmental Rehabilitation Provision |
Details of the Environmental Rehabilitation Provision are as follows:
Three months ended March 31, 2020 | Year ended December 31, 2019 | |||||||
Environmental Rehabilitation Provision – beginning of period | $ | 52,525 | $ | 61,107 | ||||
Change in estimate | 22 | (9,912 | ) | |||||
Liabilities discharged | (114 | ) | (742 | ) | ||||
Accretion expense | 525 | 2,072 | ||||||
Environmental Rehabilitation Provision – end of period | 52,958 | 52,525 | ||||||
Less current portion | (1,522 | ) | (1,276 | ) | ||||
Non-current portion | $ | 51,436 | $ | 51,249 |
Federal, state and local laws and regulations concerning environmental protection affect the Company’s assets. As part of the consideration for the asset acquisitions from Cliffs (see Note 4), the Company indemnified Cliffs for reclamation and remediation obligations of the acquired property. The Company’s provisions are based upon existing laws and regulations. It is not currently possible to estimate the impact on operating results, if any, of future legislative or regulatory developments.
The Company’s best estimate of the environmental rehabilitation provision as at March 31, 2020 was $52.958 million (December 31, 2019 - $52.525 million) based on estimated cash flows required to settle this obligation in present day costs of $70.366 million (December 31, 2019 - $70.480 million), a projected inflation rate of 2.1% (December 31, 2019 – 2.2%), a market risk-free nominal interest rate of 3.9% (December 31, 2019 – 4.0%) and expenditures expected to occur over a period of approximately 30 years. The carrying value of the provision is sensitive to the estimates and assumptions used in its measurement. If the discount rate had been 1% lower than management’s estimate, the liability would have increased by $8.2 million as at March 31, 2020 and conversely, if the discount rate had been 1% higher than management’s estimate, the liability would have decreased by $6.6 million as at March 31, 2020.
5
PolyMet Mining Corp.
Notes to Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
As at March 31, 2020 and for the three months ended March 31, 2020
Unaudited - Tabular amounts in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except for shares and per share amounts
6. Environmental Rehabilitation Provision - Continued
On November 1, 2018, the Company received the Permit to Mine for the Project and certain other permits from the MDNR which included a schedule for financial assurance obligations, including required cash contributions to a trust fund. The Company has satisfied its current financial assurance obligations primarily by establishing and contributing $10.0 million in restricted deposits to a trust fund and providing $65.0 million in surety bonds and letters of credit, with the MDNR as the beneficiary in each case. Financial assurance obligations are reviewed annually based on the Company’s planned reclamation activities, with the total assurance and related financial instruments adjusted accordingly. The Company may terminate these financial instruments, partially or in full, only upon fulfilling site reclamation requirements and receiving approval from the MDNR. Future required cash contributions to the trust fund are $2.0 million per year beginning in the first year of mining operations and continue until the eighth year after which annual contributions will be prorated based on the expected reclamation obligation at the end of mining. In addition, the Company provided Cliffs with a $13.4 million letter of credit to satisfy requirements under the asset acquisition agreements and related obligations. There were no changes in the financial assurance obligations during the three month period ended March 31, 2020. As at March 31, 2020, the trust fund balance was $9.551 million (December 31, 2019 - $11.198 million).
7. | Glencore Financing |
Since October 2008, the Company and Glencore have entered into a series of financing agreements comprising:
• Equity – $25.0 million placement of common shares in 2009; $30.0 million placement of common shares in 2010; $20.0 million placement of common shares in 2011; $20.960 million purchase of common shares in 2013; $10.583 million purchase of common shares in the 2016 Private Placement; and a $243.435 million purchase of common shares in the 2019 Rights Offering;
• Convertible debt (see Note 8) – $25.0 million initial principal secured convertible debentures drawn in 2008 and 2009 and up to $30 million initial principal unsecured convertible debentures drawn and to be drawn in 2020. The 2008 and 2009 convertible debt balance was fully repaid with proceeds from the 2019 Rights Offering;
• Non-convertible debt (see Note 9) – $30.0 million initial principal secured debentures drawn in 2015; $11.0 million initial principal secured debenture drawn in 2016; $14.0 million initial principal secured debentures drawn in 2016; $20.0 million initial principal secured debentures drawn in 2017 and 2018; and $80.0 million initial principal secured debenture drawn in 2018 with the final tranche in the amount of $15.0 million cancelled by the Company. The non-convertible balance was fully repaid with proceeds from the 2019 Rights Offering; and
• Promissory note (see Note 9) – agreement comprising $15.0 million initial principal note drawn in August 2019.
6
PolyMet Mining Corp.
Notes to Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
As at March 31, 2020 and for the three months ended March 31, 2020
Unaudited - Tabular amounts in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except for shares and per share amounts
8. | Convertible Debt |
Details of the Convertible Debt are as follows:
Three months ended March 31, 2020 | Year ended December 31, 2019 | |||||||
Convertible Debt – beginning of period | $ | - | $ | 56,984 | ||||
Fair value of debenture funding | 5,213 | - | ||||||
Change due to modification | - | 792 | ||||||
Accretion and capitalized interest | 19 | 2,105 | ||||||
Repayment | - | (59,881 | ) | |||||
Convertible Debt – end of period | $ | 5,232 | $ | - |
During 2008 and 2009, the Company issued $25.0 million of secured convertible debentures to Glencore. The Company provided security on these debentures covering all of the assets of PolyMet. Interest was compounded quarterly and payable by increasing the principal amount of the debentures. Since inception, $34.881 million of interest was capitalized to the principal amount of the debenture. All borrowing costs were eligible for capitalization and $2.105 million was capitalized during 2019. Upon closing of the Rights Offering, these debentures were fully repaid on June 28, 2019.
On March 17, 2020, the Company agreed to issue unsecured convertible debentures to Glencore in four tranches during 2020 with a total minimum principal amount of $20.0 million and total maximum principal amount of $30.0 million, the amount of each tranche to be determined jointly by the Company and Glencore. The debentures are due on the earlier of March 31, 2023 or upon US$100 million of project financing. Interest accrues on the unsecured debentures balance drawn at 4% per annum and the principal amount of the debentures is convertible into common shares of the Company at a conversion price equal to $0.2223. The first tranche in the amount of $7.0 million was issued on March 18, 2020 with the issuance of the remaining tranches expected quarterly to maintain sufficient liquidity.
The convertible debenture proceeds were bifurcated between the debt and equity components. The fair value of the debt portion of $5.213 million was estimated using a discounted cash flow model method. The residual of $1.675 million was allocated to equity. The debt portion has been recorded at amortized cost, net of transaction costs, and is being accreted to face value over the expected life using the effective interest method. Transaction costs for the financing were $0.112 million.
7
PolyMet Mining Corp.
Notes to Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
As at March 31, 2020 and for the three months ended March 31, 2020
Unaudited - Tabular amounts in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except for shares and per share amounts
9. | Non-Convertible Debt and Promissory Note |
Details of Non-Convertible Debt are as follows:
Three months ended March 31, 2020 | Year ended December 31, 2019 | |||||||
Non-Convertible Debt – beginning of period | $ | - | $ | 178,483 | ||||
Change due to modification | - | (352 | ) | |||||
Accretion and capitalized interest | - | 12,305 | ||||||
Repayment | - | (190,436 | ) | |||||
Non-Convertible Debt – end of period | $ | - | $ | - |
From 2015 to 2018, the Company issued $140.0 million of secured non-convertible debentures to Glencore. The Company provided security on these debentures covering all of the assets of PolyMet. Interest was compounded quarterly and payable by increasing the principal amount of the debentures. Since inception, $50.436 million of interest was capitalized to the principal amount of the debenture. All borrowing costs were eligible for capitalization and $12.305 million was capitalized during 2019. Upon closing of the Rights Offering, these debentures were fully repaid on June 28, 2019.
Details of Promissory Note are as follows:
Three months ended March 31, 2020 | Year ended December 31, 2019 | |||||||
Promissory Note – beginning of period | $ | 15,501 | $ | - | ||||
Funding, net of costs | - | 15,000 | ||||||
Accretion and capitalized interest | 310 | 501 | ||||||
Promissory Note – end of period | 15,811 | 15,501 | ||||||
Less current portion | - | - | ||||||
Non-current portion | $ | 15,811 | $ | 15,501 |
On August 7, 2019, the Company issued to Glencore a promissory note in the amount of $15.0 million with proceeds to be used for general corporate purposes. The promissory note bears interest at three month U.S. dollar LIBOR plus 6.0% and is payable on the earlier of (i) December 31, 2021 or (ii) the availability of at least $100 million of debt or equity financing, on which date all principal and interest accrued to such date will be due and payable. Since inception, $0.811 million of interest was capitalized to the principal amount of the promissory note. Borrowing costs of $0.341 million were eligible for capitalization and these costs were capitalized during 2019.
8
PolyMet Mining Corp.
Notes to Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
As at March 31, 2020 and for the three months ended March 31, 2020
Unaudited - Tabular amounts in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except for shares and per share amounts
10. Share Capital
a) | Issuances for Cash and Land Acquisition |
During the three months ended March 31, 2020 the Company issued nil shares (March 31, 2019 – 400,171 shares) pursuant to the exercise of share options for proceeds of $nil (March 31, 2019 - $0.274 million).
During the three months ended March 31, 2020 the Company issued nil shares (March 31, 2019 – 26,250 shares) to maintain land purchase options with the shares valued at $nil (March 31, 2019 - $0.020 million).
b) | Share-Based Compensation |
The Omnibus Share Compensation Plan (“Omnibus Plan”) was created to align the interests of the Company’s employees, directors, officers and consultants with those of shareholders. Effective May 25, 2007, the Company adopted the Omnibus Plan, which was approved by the Company’s shareholders on June 27, 2007, modified and further ratified and reconfirmed by the Company’s shareholders most recently on June 27, 2018. The Omnibus Plan restricts the award of share options, restricted shares, restricted share units, and other share-based awards to 10% of the common shares issued and outstanding on the grant date, excluding 2,500,000 common shares underlying options pursuant to an exemption approved by the Toronto Stock Exchange.
During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company recorded $0.654 million for share-based compensation (March 31, 2019 - $1.589 million) with $0.511 million expensed to share-based compensation (March 31, 2019 - $1.189 million) and $0.143 million capitalized to mineral property, plant and equipment (March 31, 2019 - $0.400 million). The offsetting entries were to equity reserves for $0.364 million (March 31, 2019 - $1.476 million), share capital for $0.150 million (March 31, 2019 - $0.084 million) and payables for $0.140 million (March 31, 2019 - $0.029 million). Total share-based compensation for the period comprised $0.029 for share options (March 31, 2019 - $1.079 million), $0.475 million for restricted shares and restricted share units (March 31, 2019 - $0.426 million), and $0.150 million for issuance of 574,812 unrestricted shares (March 31, 2019 - $0.084 million for 102,921 shares). Vesting of restricted share units during the period resulted in $0.400 million being transferred from equity reserves to share capital (March 31, 2019 - $0.891 million).
c) | Share Options |
Share options granted may not exceed a term of ten years and are forfeited if the grantee ceases to be an eligible person under the Omnibus Plan.
9
PolyMet Mining Corp.
Notes to Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
As at March 31, 2020 and for the three months ended March 31, 2020
Unaudited - Tabular amounts in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except for shares and per share amounts
10. Share Capital - continued
Details of the share options are as follows:
Three months ended March 31, 2020 | Year ended December 31, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
Number of Options | Weighted Average Exercise Price | Number of Options | Weighted Average Exercise Price | |||||||||||||
Outstanding – beginning of period | 24,066,000 | $ | 0.77 | 22,692,002 | $ | 0.91 | ||||||||||
Granted | - | - | 3,625,000 | 0.81 | ||||||||||||
Exercised | - | - | (625,000 | ) | 0.71 | |||||||||||
Expired | (1,255,000 | ) | 1.01 | (1,626,002 | ) | 1.01 | ||||||||||
Anti-dilution price adjustment | - | - | - | (0.12 | ) | |||||||||||
Outstanding – end of period | 22,811,000 | $ | 0.75 | 24,066,000 | $ | 0.77 |
The fair value of share options granted were estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:
Three months ended March 31, 2020 | Year ended December 31, 2019 | |||||||
Risk-free interest rate | - | 2.52 | % | |||||
Expected dividend yield | - | - | ||||||
Expected forfeiture rate | - | - | ||||||
Expected volatility | - | 54.56 | % | |||||
Expected life in years | - | 2.50 | ||||||
Weighted average fair value of each option | - | $ | 0.29 |
The expected volatility reflects the Company’s expectation that historical volatility over a period similar to the life of the option is indicative of future trends, which may or may not necessarily be the actual outcome.
Details of the share options outstanding as at March 31, 2020 are as follows:
Range of Exercise Prices | Number of options outstanding | Number of options exercisable | Weighted Average Exercise Price | Weighted Average Remaining Life |
0.61 to 0.80 | 10,294,000 | 9,994,000 | $ 0.63 | 1.99 |
0.81 to 1.00 | 8,522,000 | 7,823,000 | 0.77 | 3.54 |
1.01 to 1.50 | 2,945,000 | 2,945,000 | 0.92 | 3.13 |
1.51 to 2.00 | 1,050,000 | 1,050,000 | 1.56 | 0.91 |
22,811,000 | 21,812,000 | $ 0.75 | 2.69 |
As at March 31, 2020 all outstanding share options had vested and were exercisable, with the exception of 999,000, which are scheduled to vest upon completion of specific targets or dates (June 2020 – 300,000 Production – 699,000). The outstanding share options have expiry periods between 0.82 and 7.93 years and are expected to be settled in shares upon exercise.
d) Restricted Shares and Restricted Share Units
Restricted shares and restricted share units granted are forfeited if the grantee ceases to be an eligible person under the Omnibus Plan.
10
PolyMet Mining Corp.
Notes to Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
As at March 31, 2020 and for the three months ended March 31, 2020
Unaudited - Tabular amounts in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except for shares and per share amounts
10. Share Capital - continued
Details of the restricted shares and restricted share units are as follows:
Three months ended March 31, 2020 | Year ended December 31, 2019 | |||||||
Outstanding - beginning of period | 4,648,864 | 3,347,907 | ||||||
Issued | 9,182,521 | 1,725,869 | ||||||
Vested | (810,368 | ) | (1,049,364 | ) | ||||
Anti-dilution quantity adjustment | - | 624,452 | ||||||
Outstanding - end of period | 13,021,017 | 4,648,864 |
During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company issued 9,182,521 restricted share units (March 31, 2019 – 1,632,119) which had a fair value of $2.389 million (March 31, 2019 - $1.325 million) to be expensed and capitalized over the vesting periods.
During the three months ended March 31, 2020, there were nil restricted shares (March 31, 2019 – 95,500) settled upon vesting in shares, 527,307 restricted share units (March 31, 2019 – 477,843) settled upon vesting with shares and 283,061 restricted share units (March 31, 2019 – 258,900) settled upon vesting with cash for $0.065 million (March 31, 2019 – $0.212 million).
As at March 31, 2020, outstanding restricted shares and restricted share units are scheduled to vest upon completion of specific targets or dates (Construction Finance – 865,575; Production – 459,272; June 2020 – 451,130; December 2020 – 325,000; January 2021 – 1,522,380; January 2022 – 8,099,805 and Other – 93,750). The remaining 1,204,105 outstanding restricted shares and restricted share units have vested but share delivery is deferred until retirement, termination, or death. The Company expects 4,452,897 outstanding restricted share units will be settled in cash and the remainder will be settled in shares as allowed under the Omnibus Plan.
e) | Bonus Shares |
The bonus share incentive plan was established for the Company’s directors and key employees and was approved by the disinterested shareholders at the Company’s shareholders’ meeting held in May 2004. The Company has authorized 3,640,000 bonus shares for the achievement of Milestone 4 representing commencement of commercial production at NorthMet. At the Company’s Annual General Meeting of shareholders held in June 2008, the disinterested shareholders approved issuance of these shares upon achievement of Milestone 4. Regulatory approval is also required prior to issuance of these shares.
Details of the bonus shares are as follows:
Three months ended March 31, 2020 | Year ended December 31, 2019 | |||
Allocated | Authorized & Unissued | Allocated | Authorized & Unissued | |
Outstanding – beginning of period | 2,700,000 | 3,640,000 | 2,700,000 | 3,640,000 |
Outstanding – end of period | 2,700,000 | 3,640,000 | 2,700,000 | 3,640,000 |
The fair value of these unissued bonus shares was being amortized until the estimated date of issuance and has now been fully amortized.
11
PolyMet Mining Corp.
Notes to Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
As at March 31, 2020 and for the three months ended March 31, 2020
Unaudited - Tabular amounts in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except for shares and per share amounts
10. Share Capital - continued
f) Share Purchase Warrants
Details of the share purchase warrants are as follows:
Three months ended March 31, 2020 | Year ended December 31, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
Number of Purchase Warrants | Weighted Average Exercise Price | Number of Purchase Warrants | Weighted Average Exercise Price | |||||||||||||
Outstanding – beginning of period | 31,379,179 | $ | 0.80 | 27,189,713 | $ | 0.95 | ||||||||||
Issued | - | - | 6,458,001 | 0.74 | ||||||||||||
Anti-dilution price adjustment | - | - | - | (0.12 | ) | |||||||||||
Anti-dilution quantity adjustment | - | - | 4,189,466 | - | ||||||||||||
Expiration | - | - | (6,458,001 | ) | 0.82 | |||||||||||
Outstanding – end of period | 31,379,179 | $ | 0.80 | 31,379,179 | $ | 0.80 |
The outstanding share purchase warrants have expiry periods between 1.55 years and 4.00 years, subject to acceleration in certain circumstances.
The fair value of share purchase warrants granted were estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:
Three months ended March 31, 2020 | Year ended December 31, 2019 | |||||||
Risk-free interest rate | - | 2.18 | % | |||||
Expected dividend yield | - | - | ||||||
Expected forfeiture rate | - | - | ||||||
Expected volatility | - | 52.59 | % | |||||
Expected life in years | - | 3.00 | ||||||
Weighted average fair value of each warrant | - | $ | 0.24 |
The expected volatility reflects the Company’s expectation that historical volatility over a period similar to the life of the warrant is indicative of future trends, which may or may not necessarily be the actual outcome.
12
PolyMet Mining Corp.
Notes to Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
As at March 31, 2020 and for the three months ended March 31, 2020
Unaudited - Tabular amounts in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except for shares and per share amounts
11. | Finance Costs - Net |
Details of net finance costs are as follows:
Three months ended | ||||||||
March 31, 2020 | March 31, 2019 | |||||||
Debt accretion and capitalized interest: | ||||||||
Convertible debt (Note 8) | $ | 19 | $ | 1,085 | ||||
Promissory note (Note 9) | 310 | - | ||||||
Non-convertible debt (Note 9) | - | 6,211 | ||||||
Environmental rehabilitation accretion (Note 6) | 525 | 438 | ||||||
Other finance costs | 14 | 809 | ||||||
Less: amounts capitalized on qualifying assets | - | (7,296 | ) | |||||
Finance costs | 868 | 1,247 | ||||||
Cash interest income | (18 | ) | (67 | ) | ||||
Restricted deposits income (expense) | 1,647 | (57 | ) | |||||
Finance income (expense) | 1,629 | (124 | ) | |||||
Finance costs - net | $ | 2,497 | $ | 1,123 |
12. | Related Party Transactions |
The Company conducted transactions with senior management, directors and persons or companies related to these individuals, and paid or accrued amounts as follows:
Three months ended | ||||||||
March 31, 2020 | March 31, 2019 | |||||||
Salaries and other short-term benefits | $ | 1,344 | $ | 1,249 | ||||
Other long-term benefits | 20 | 14 | ||||||
Share-based payment (1) | 594 | 1,294 | ||||||
Total | $ | 1,958 | $ | 2,557 |
(1) | Share-based payment represents the amount capitalized or expensed during the period (see Note 10). |
Agreements with senior management contain severance provisions for termination without cause or in the event of a change in control. Other than the President and CEO, no PolyMet director has an agreement providing for benefits upon termination.
As a result of Glencore’s ownership of 71.6% it is also a related party. In addition to the transactions described in Notes 7, 8 and 9, the Company has entered into a Technical Services Agreement with Glencore whereby the Company reimburses Glencore for Project technical support costs requested under an agreed scope of work, primarily in detailed project design and mineral processing. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company recorded $0.083 million (March 31, 2019 - $0.060 million) for services under this agreement.
13
PolyMet Mining Corp.
Notes to Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
As at March 31, 2020 and for the three months ended March 31, 2020
Unaudited - Tabular amounts in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except for shares and per share amounts
13. | Commitments and Contingencies |
In the normal course of business, the Company enters into contracts that give rise to firm commitments for future minimum payments. In addition to items described elsewhere in these financial statements, as at March 31, 2020, the Company had firm commitments of approximately $2.323 million with approximately $2.125 million due over the next year and the remainder due over the following two years.
The Company is involved in various claims, litigation and other matters arising in the ordinary course and conduct of business. While it is not possible to determine the ultimate outcome of such actions at this time, and inherent uncertainties exist in predicting such outcomes, it is the Company's belief that the ultimate resolution of such actions is not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position or results of operations. The assessment of contingencies inherently involves the exercise of significant judgment and estimates of the outcome of future events. As a result of the assessment, no significant contingent liabilities were recorded as at March 31, 2020.
14. | Financial Instruments and Risk Management |
The carrying values of each classification of financial instrument as at March 31, 2020 are:
Amortized Cost | Fair value through profit or loss | Total carrying value | ||||||||||
Financial assets | ||||||||||||
Cash | $ | 8,163 | $ | - | $ | 8,163 | ||||||
Restricted deposits | 585 | 9,217 | 9,802 | |||||||||
Amounts receivable and other assets | 807 | 2,400 | 3,207 | |||||||||
Total financial assets | 9,555 | 11,617 | 21,172 | |||||||||
Financial liabilities | ||||||||||||
Accounts payable and accruals | 5,645 | 264 | 5,909 | |||||||||
Promissory note | 15,811 | - | 15,811 | |||||||||
Convertible debt | 5,232 | - | 5,232 | |||||||||
Lease liabilities | 605 | - | 605 | |||||||||
Total financial liabilities | $ | 27,293 | $ | 264 | $ | 27,557 |
The carrying values of each classification of financial instrument as at December 31, 2019 are:
Amortized Cost | Fair value through profit or loss | Total carrying value | ||||||||||
Financial assets | ||||||||||||
Cash | $ | 7,401 | $ | - | $ | 7,401 | ||||||
Restricted deposits | 809 | 10,640 | 11,449 | |||||||||
Amounts receivable and other assets | 738 | 2,176 | 2,914 | |||||||||
Total financial assets | 8,948 | 12,816 | 21,764 | |||||||||
Financial liabilities | ||||||||||||
Accounts payable and accruals | 4,408 | 125 | 4,533 | |||||||||
Promissory note | 15,501 | - | 15,501 | |||||||||
Lease liabilities | 616 | - | 616 | |||||||||
Total financial liabilities | $ | 20,525 | $ | 125 | $ | 20,650 |
14
PolyMet Mining Corp.
Notes to Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
As at March 31, 2020 and for the three months ended March 31, 2020
Unaudited - Tabular amounts in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except for shares and per share amounts
14. Financial Instruments and Risk Management - Continued
Fair Value Measurements
The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:
Level 1 – | Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. | |
Level 2 – | Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. | |
Level 3 – | Inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data. |
Financial instruments measured at fair value subsequent to recognition include the restricted deposits (see Note 6) which are measured at fair value through profit or loss using Level 1 inputs resulting in a carrying value of $9.217 million (December 31, 2019 - $10.640 million), the amounts receivable measured at fair value through profit or loss using Level 3 inputs resulting in a carrying value of $2.400 million (December 31, 2019 - $2.176 million) and accruals representing expected payments to settle restricted share units measured at fair value through profit or loss using Level 2 inputs resulting in a carrying value of $0.264 million (December 31, 2019 - $0.125 million).
The fair values of the convertible debt and promissory note approximate the carrying amount at amortized cost using the effective interest method. The fair values of other financial assets and other financial liabilities approximate their carrying amounts due to their short-term nature.
Liquidity Risk
Liquidity risk is the risk the Company will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they become due and arises through the excess of financial obligations over available financial assets due at any point in time. The Company’s objective in managing liquidity risk is to maintain sufficient readily available reserves in order to meet its liquidity requirements at any point in time and is achieved by maintaining sufficient cash. See additional discussion in Note 1.
15