Ramaco Resources, Inc.

Current report

Our growth prospects may be adversely affected by fluctuations in demand for, and prices of, rare earth and critical minerals.

Current report

Changes in the level of demand for, and the market price of (including taxes and other tariffs and fees imposed upon) rare earth and critical minerals could significantly affect our growth prospects, which depend in large part on our ability to successfully develop the Brook Mine into a producing mine. As is the case with any mining asset that is not yet in commercial production, there is no assurance that we will be able to successfully develop the Brook Mine into a commercial scale mine. In particular, the prices for rare earth and critical minerals may fluctuate and are likely to be affected by numerous factors beyond our control such as interest rates, exchange rates, taxes, inflation, fluctuation in the relative value of the U.S. dollar against foreign currencies, shipping and other transportation and logistics costs, global and regional supply and demand for rare earth minerals and products, potential industry trends and the political and economic conditions of countries that produce and procure rare earth and critical minerals. In addition, a future change in the U.S. federal administration could result in changing policies and priorities, including with respect to trade policy and tariffs, taxes and regulation generally, all of which may have a detrimental impact on the demand for rare earth and critical minerals and related products.

Current report

Furthermore, supply side factors may have a significant influence on price volatility for rare earth and critical minerals. Supply of rare earth and critical minerals is currently dominated by Chinese producers. The Chinese Central Government regulates production via export bans, quotas and looser environmental standards compared to other countries, and, to a lesser extent, regulation of imports, and has and may continue to change such export bans, production quotas, environmental standards, and import regulations. Over the past few years, there has been significant restructuring of the Chinese market in line with Chinese Central Government policy; however, periods of over-supply or speculative trading of rare earth and critical minerals can lead to significant fluctuations in the market price of such products. A prolonged or significant economic contraction in the U.S., China, or worldwide could put downward pressure on market prices of rare earth and critical minerals. Protracted periods of low prices for rare earth and critical minerals could significantly impact our growth prospects. Demand for rare earth and critical minerals may be impacted by demand for downstream products such as hybrid and electric vehicles, wind turbines, robotics, medical equipment, military equipment and other high-growth, advanced motion technologies, as well as demand in the general automotive and electronics industries. By contrast, extended periods of high commodity prices may create economic dislocations that may be destabilizing to rare earth and critical minerals supply and demand and ultimately to the broader markets. Strong rare earth and critical minerals prices may create economic pressure to identify or create alternate technologies that ultimately could depress long-term demand for rare earth minerals and products, and at the same time may incentivize development of competing mining properties.

Current report

Based on all of the above, we cannot provide assurance that mineralization can be mined or processed profitably.

Current report

An increase in the global supply of rare earth products, dumping, predatory pricing and other anti-competitive tactics taken by our competitors may materially adversely affect our growth prospects and the price of our common stock.

Current report

The pricing of and demand for rare earth products is affected by a number of factors beyond our control, including the global macroeconomic environment and the global supply and demand for products that use rare earth and critical minerals. China accounts for the significant majority of global rare earth and critical mineral production and also dominates the manufacture of metals from rare earths, capabilities that are not currently present at scale in the U.S. Over the past few years, there has been significant restructuring of the Chinese rare earth production industry, further centralizing control over production by state-owned enterprises. Chinese competitors may engage in predatory pricing or other behaviors designed to inhibit competition. Any increase in the amount of rare earth products exported from China or other nations and increased competition may adversely affect our ability to develop Brook Mine into an economically feasible producing mine or, in the future, our ability to ultimately profitably recover and sell rare earth and critical minerals, which could adversely impact our growth prospects and the price of our common stock. As a result of these factors, we may not be able to compete effectively against current and future competitors.

Current report

Chinese competitors may have greater financial resources, as well as other strategic advantages to operate, maintain, improve, and possibly expand their facilities. Additionally, our Chinese competitors have historically been able to produce at relatively low costs due to domestic economic and regulatory factors, including less stringent environmental and governmental regulations and lower labor and benefit costs. If we are not able to achieve consistent product quality at our anticipated costs of production, then any strategic advantages that our competitors may have over us, including, without limitation, lower labor, compliance, and production costs, could have a material adverse effect on our growth prospects and the price of our common stock.

Current report

Consolidation of the rare earth and critical minerals industry may result in increased competition.

Current report

Some of our competitors have made, or may make, acquisitions or enter into partnerships or other strategic relationships to achieve competitive advantages. In addition, new entrants not currently considered competitors may enter our market through acquisitions, partnerships, or strategic relationships. We expect these trends to continue as demand for rare earth materials increases. Industry consolidation may result in competitors with more compelling product offerings or greater pricing flexibility than we may have, or business practices that make it more difficult for us to compete effectively, including on the basis of price, sales, technology or supply. For example, in December 2021, China merged three state entities to establish the China Rare Earth Group Co. Ltd (“China Rare Earth Group”), that accounts for more than half of China’s heavy rare earths supplies. China Rare Earth Group has enhanced pricing power of key rare earths, such as dysprosium and terbium, which has brought changes to the global rare earth supply chain. These competitive pressures could have a material adverse effect on our growth prospectus and the price of our common stock.