NexMetals Mining Corp.
For the period ended Dec 31, 2024. Filed Mar 20, 2025.
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FY2024 · Filed Mar 20, 2025
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Item 1A. RISK FACTORS
The business of the Company being the exploration and evaluation of mineral properties in Botswana and Canada is speculative and involves a high degree of risk. These risks may have a material and adverse impact on the future operations, financial performance and condition of the Company and the value of the Common Shares. Although the Company has been successful in its past fund-raising activities, there is no assurance as to the success of future fundraising efforts or as to the sufficiency of funds raised in the future.
An investment in the Company’s Common Shares involves a high degree of risk. The following discussion highlights the risks and uncertainties we believe are material to the Company, but the following discussion does not necessarily include all the risks we may face and an investor in the Company’s Common Shares should not interpret the disclosure of a risk in the following discussion to state or imply that the risk has not already materialized. In evaluating an investment in the Company, the risks and uncertainties described below should be carefully considered. If any such risks occur, the business, financial condition and/or liquidity and results of operations of the Company could be materially adversely affected. In this event, the value of the Common Shares could decline and shareholders could lose all or part of their investment.
Further, the Company’s view of risks is not static, and readers are cautioned that there can be no assurance that all risks to the Company, at any point in time, can be accurately identified, assessed as to significance or impact, managed or effectively controlled or mitigated. There can be additional new or elevated risks to the Company that are not described herein or in the Company’s public filings to date.
The summary and risks that follow are organized under headings as determined to be most applicable, but such risks also may be relevant to other headings.
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I. RISKS RELATED TO EXPLORATION & EVALUATION PROJECTS
Inherent risks associated with discovering commercially-viable deposits
The Company’s projects are in their exploration and evaluation stages. The exploration of mineral deposits involves significant financial risks over a prolonged period of time, which may not be eliminated even through a combination of careful evaluation, experience and knowledge.
Most exploration projects do not result in the discovery of commercially-mineralized deposits. The commercial viability of exploiting any precious or base-metal deposit is dependent on a number of factors including infrastructure and governmental regulation, in particular those relating to environment, taxes and royalties. No assurance can be given that minerals will be discovered of sufficient quality, size and grade on any of the Company’s properties to justify a commercial operation.
Development of the Company’s properties will occur only after obtaining satisfactory exploration results. Although the Company’s properties were past producing, few properties which are explored are ultimately developed into economically viable operating mines. There is no assurance that the Company’s mineral exploration activities will result in the discovery of a body of commercial ore on its exploration properties. Several years may pass between the discovery and development of commercial mineable mineralized deposits.
Exploration projects also face significant operational risks including but not limited to an inability to obtain access rights to properties, accidents, equipment breakdowns, labour disputes (including work stoppages and strikes), impact of health epidemics and other outbreaks of communicable diseases and other unanticipated interruptions
Ability to establish our mineral reserves
The Company is a mineral exploration and development company that is focused on the redevelopment of the previously producing Mines. To that end, the Company’s properties have no established mineral reserves at this time. While the Selebi and Selkirk projects have mineral resource estimates (“MREs”), the Company has not yet established any proven or probable mineral reserves on the Selebi Mines or Selkirk Mine projects. The lack of established mineral reserves means that the economic viability of the Selebi and Selkirk projects has not been confirmed. There is no assurance that further exploration will lead to the discovery of an economically viable mineral deposit.
Further, there is no assurance that any of the Company’s projects can be mined profitably. Accordingly, it is not assured that the Company will realize any profits in the short to medium term, if at all. Any profitability in the future from the business of the Company will be dependent upon the development and commercial mining of economically viable mineral deposits, which in itself is subject to numerous risk factors.
The exploration and development of mineral deposits involves a high degree of financial risk over a significant period of time that even a combination of management’s careful evaluation, experience and knowledge may not eliminate. Few properties that are explored are ultimately developed into producing mines. Major expenses may be required to establish resources and reserves by drilling and to construct mining and processing facilities at a particular site. It is impossible to ensure that current work programs of the Company will result in profitable commercial mining operations. The profitability of the Company’s operations will be, in part, directly related to the cost and success of its work programs, which may be affected by a number of factors. Substantial expenditures are required to establish mineral reserves that are sufficient to support commercial mining operations.
Inherent risks associated with the economics of developing mineral properties
Substantial expenses are required to establish and upgrade mineral resources and mineral reserves through drilling, to develop metallurgical processes to extract metal from ore and to develop the mining and processing facilities and infrastructure at any site chosen for mining. No assurance can be given that minerals will be discovered in sufficient quantities to justify commercial operation or that the funds required for development can be obtained on a timely basis.
The marketability of any minerals acquired or discovered may be affected by numerous factors which are beyond the Company’s control and which cannot be predicted, such as market fluctuations, the proximity and capacity of milling facilities, mineral markets and processing equipment, and such other factors as government regulations, including regulations relating to royalties, allowable production, importing and exporting of minerals, and environmental protection. Depending on the price of minerals produced, the Company may determine that it is impractical to commence commercial production.
II. FINANCIAL RISKS
Negative operating cash flow, reliance on additional financing, and ability to continue operations as a going concern
The Company has negative cash flow from operations. As a result of the expected expenditures to be incurred by the Company for the exploration and advancement of the Company’s material projects, the Company anticipates that negative operating cash flows will continue until one or both of the Company’s material projects enters commercial production (if at all). There can be no assurance that the Company will generate positive cash flow from operations in the future.
The Company will require additional capital in order to fund its future activities for its material projects and maintain and grow its operations. Furthermore, additional financing, whether through the issue of additional equity and/or debt securities and/or project level debt, will be required to continue the development of the Company’s material projects and there is no assurance that additional capital or other types of financing will be available or that these financings will be on terms at least as favourable to the Company as those previously obtained, or at all. These material uncertainties cast substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying Financial Statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts and classification of liabilities, and the reported expenses and comprehensive loss that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern. These adjustments could be material. In assessing whether a going concern assumption is appropriate, management considers all available information about the future, which is at least, but not limited to, twelve months from the date of this Report.
From time to time, the Company may issue new shares, seek debt financing, dispose of assets, or enter into transactions to acquire assets or shares of other corporations. These transactions may be financed wholly or partially with debt, which may temporarily increase the Company’s debt levels above industry standards.
Failure to obtain additional financing or to achieve profitability and positive operating cash flows will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition and results of operations.
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III. OPERATIONAL RISKS
Uninsured risks and hazards
Mining is capital intensive and subject to a number of risks and hazards, including environmental pollution, accidents or spills, industrial and transportation accidents, labour disputes, changes in the regulatory environment, natural phenomena (such as inclement weather conditions, earthquakes, pit wall failures and cave-ins) and encountering unusual or unexpected geological conditions. Such risks and hazards might impact the Company’s business. Consequently, many of the foregoing risks and hazards could result in damage to, or destruction of, the Company’s mineral properties or future processing facilities, personal injury or death, environmental damage, delays in or interruption of or cessation of exploration or other activities, delay in or inability to receive required regulatory approvals, or costs, monetary losses and potential legal liability and adverse governmental action. The Company may be subject to liability or sustain loss for certain risks and hazards against which it does not or cannot insure or against which it may reasonably elect not to insure because of the cost. This lack of insurance coverage could result in material economic harm to the Company.
Risks of doing business outside Canada
The Company’s material mineral projects are located in the Republic of Botswana. The Company’s anticipated operations outside North America could subject the Company to a variety of additional risks that may negatively impact its business and operations including any of the following: changes in rules and regulations (including required royalties); failure of local parties to honour contractual relations; delays in obtaining or the inability to obtain necessary governmental permits; opposition to mining from environmental or other non-governmental organizations; limitations on foreign ownership; limitations on the repatriation of earnings; economic or tax policies; tariffs and trade barriers; regulations related to customs and import/export matters; longer payment cycles; tax issues; currency fluctuations and exchange controls; rates of inflation; challenges in collecting receivables; cultural and language differences; employment regulations; crimes, strikes, riots, civil disturbances, terrorist attacks, and wars; and deterioration of political relations with Canada or other governments or sanctions imposed by Canada or other governments. There will also be currency exchange risks in connection with the operations of the Company’s foreign mineral assets, including the Mines.
In addition, Botswana is considered an emerging market. Emerging market investments generally pose a greater degree of risk than investments in more mature market economies because the economies in the developing world are more susceptible to destabilization resulting from domestic and international developments. Further, the current, or a future government may adopt substantially different policies, take arbitrary action which might halt exploration or production, re-nationalize private assets or cancel contracts, or cancel mining or exploration rights, any of which could result in a material and adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.
Dependence on business and technical expertise of Management Team
The Company is dependent on the business and technical expertise of its management team. If it is unable to rely on this business and technical expertise, or if any of the expertise is inadequately performed, the business, financial condition and results of the operations of the Company could be materially adversely affected until such time as the expertise could be replaced.
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IV. RISKS RELATED TO OUR COMMON STOCK
Internal and external factors could impact the volatility of our Common Share price
The price of Common Shares may be affected by a number of factors, including global macroeconomic developments and market perceptions of the attractiveness of particular industries and location of assets, which may increase the volatility of Common Share prices. The price of Common Shares will also be affected by the Company’s financial conditions or results of operations as reflected in its liquidity position and earnings reports.
Other factors unrelated to the Company’s operations and performance that may have an effect on the price of Common Shares include: reduced trading volume and general market interest in the Company’s securities may affect an investor’s ability to trade significant numbers of shares; the size of the Company’s public float may limit the ability of some institutions to invest in the Company’s securities; and a substantial decline in the price of Common Shares that persists for a significant period of time could cause the Company’s securities to be delisted, further reducing market liquidity.
As a result of any of these factors, the market price of Common Shares at any given point in time may not accurately reflect the Company’s long-term value. Securities class action litigation often has been brought against companies following periods of volatility in the market price of their securities. The Company may in the future be the target of similar litigation. Securities litigation could result in substantial costs and damages and divert management’s attention and resources.
V. ECONOMIC AND MARKET RISKS
The volatility of commodity prices could affect the economic viability of our projects
The advancement of the Company’s properties is dependent on the future prices of minerals and metals. As well, should any of the Company’s properties eventually enter commercial production, the Company’s profitability will be significantly affected by changes in the market prices of minerals and metals.
Base and precious metals prices are subject to volatile price movements, which can be material and occur over short periods of time and which are affected by numerous factors, all of which are beyond the Company’s control. Such factors include, but are not limited to, actual and expected macroeconomic and political conditions, interest and exchange rates, inflation or deflation, fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies, global and regional supply and demand, speculative trading, the costs of and levels of base and precious metals production, the availability and costs of substitutes, investments by commodity funds and other actions of participants in the commodity markets. Such external economic factors are in turn influenced by changes in international investment patterns, monetary systems, the strength of and confidence in the U.S. dollar (the currency in which the prices of base and precious metals are generally quoted), and political developments. The effect of these factors on the prices of base and precious metals, and therefore the economic viability of any of the Company’s exploration projects, cannot be accurately determined. The prices of commodities have historically fluctuated widely, and future price declines could cause the development of (and any future commercial production from) the Company’s properties to be impracticable or uneconomical. As such, the Company may determine that it is not economically feasible to commence commercial production at some or all of its properties, which could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. In such a circumstance, the Company may also curtail or suspend some or all of its exploration and evaluation activities.
Foreign currency and equity market fluctuations
The Company is also exposed to risks relating to its financial instruments and foreign currency. The Company operates in Canada, Barbados and Botswana and undertakes transactions denominated in foreign currencies such as United States dollars, Euros, and the Botswanan pula, and consequently is exposed to exchange rate risks. The Company is also exposed to equity price risk; the movements in individual equity prices or general movements in the level of the stock market may potentially have an adverse impact on the Company’s earnings. The Company closely monitors individual equity movements and the stock market to determine the appropriate course of action to be taken.
Acquisition of Botswana assets and related purchase commitments
On January 31, 2022, the Company closed the acquisition of the Selebi project. However, pursuant to the terms of the acquisition, the Company has to comply with certain milestone payments, which if not satisfied, will result in the Selebi project reverting to the BCL Liquidator. There are approximately US$55 million in contingent post-closing milestone payments due to the BCL Liquidator in connection with the Selebi project, with (i) US$25 million due on January 31, 2026, and (ii) another US$30 million due upon the earlier of the commissioning and start of production at the Selebi project or four years from the Selebi mining licence renewal date. The failure of the Company to comply with all the post-closing covenants and contingent milestone payments relating to the Selebi project (if and when those milestones are achieved), could materially adversely affect the business, operations and financial conditions of the Company and impact the market price of the Common Shares. In addition, PREM closed its purchase of the Selkirk Mine in August 2022.
VI. REGULATORY RISKS
Compliance with governmental regulation
Exploration, development, and operations on the Company’s properties will be affected to varying degrees by: (i) government regulations relating to such matters as environmental protection, health, safety and labor; (ii) mining law reform; (iii) restrictions on production, price controls, and tax increases; (iv) maintenance of claims; (v) tenure; and (vi) expropriation of property. There is no assurance that future changes in such regulation, if any, will not adversely affect the Company’s operations. Changes in such regulation could result in additional expenses and capital expenditures, availability of capital, competition, reserve uncertainty, potential conflicts of interest, title risks, dilution, and restrictions and delays in operations, the extent of which cannot be predicted. The Company is at the exploration and evaluation stages on its material properties. Exploration on the Company’s properties requires responsible best-exploration practices to comply with the Company’s policies, government regulations, and maintenance of claims and tenure.
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If any of the Company’s projects advance to the development stage, those operations will also be subject to various laws concerning development, production, taxes, labour standards, environmental protection, mine safety and other matters. In addition, new laws governing operations and activities of mining companies could have a material adverse impact on any project in the mine development stage that the Company may possess.
Ability to obtain or adhere to permits, licences and approvals
The operations of the Company require licences and permits from various governmental authorities. The Company believes it holds or is in the process of obtaining all necessary licences and permits to carry on the activities which it is currently conducting under applicable laws and regulations. Such licences and permits are subject to changes in regulations and in various operating circumstances. There can be no guarantee that the Company will be able to obtain all necessary licences and permits that may be required to maintain its mining activities or advance its mineral properties. In addition, if the Company proceeds to production on any exploration property, it must obtain and comply with permits and licences which may contain specific conditions concerning operating procedures, water use, the discharge of various materials into or on land, air or water, waste disposal, spills, environmental studies, abandonment and restoration plans and financial assurances. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain such permits and licences or that it will be able to comply with any such conditions.
Compliance with environmental regulations
All phases of the Company’s operations are subject to environmental regulation in the jurisdictions in which the Company operates. Environmental legislation is evolving in a manner which has been subject to stricter standards and enforcement, increased fines and penalties for non-compliance, more stringent environmental assessments of proposed properties and a heightened degree of responsibility for companies and their officers, directors and employees. There is no assurance that future changes in environmental regulations, if any, will not adversely affect the Company’s operations. The cost of compliance with changes in governmental regulations has the potential to preclude entirely the economic development of a property. The Company has or will, as applicable, adopt environmental practices designed to ensure that it will comply with or exceed all environmental regulations currently applicable to it.
Changes in tax legislation or accounting rules could affect the profitability of the Company
Changes to, or differing interpretation of, taxation laws in Canada, Barbados, Botswana, or any of the countries in which the Company’s assets or relevant contracting parties are located, could result in some or all of the Company’s profits being subject to additional taxation. New taxation rules or accounting policies enacted could result in the Company’s profits being subject to additional taxation and could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s profitability, results of operations, financial condition and the trading price of the Company’s securities. In addition, the introduction of new tax rules or accounting policies, or changes to, or differing interpretations of, or application of, existing tax rules or accounting policies could make acquiring additional resource properties by the Company less attractive to counterparties. Such changes could adversely affect the Company’s ability to acquire new assets or make future investments.
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VII. EMERGING MARKETS RISKS
Operations in emerging markets
The Company has its material properties and operating subsidiaries in Botswana. It is possible that operating in Botswana may expose the Company to a certain degree of political, economic and other risks and uncertainties. In conducting its operations in Botswana, the Company has, among other things: (i) engaged and maintained experienced management and technical teams located in Botswana and/or with extensive experience in operating properties in Africa; (ii) certain members of the Board of Directors and management routinely visit the Company’s Botswana properties; (iii) retained advisors and technical experts in Botswana including its local counsel, Bookbinder Business Law (“Bookbinder”); and (iv) generally maintained robust internal control over its foreign subsidiaries, all of which are more particularly described below.
Subsidiaries and operations in Botswana
The Company’s principal business activity in Botswana is the re-development of the Mines.
The establishment and development of PNGPL and PNRPL, each of which is a Botswanan entity, adds an additional regulatory framework within which the Company operates and is supplementary to the regulatory framework existing in Canada. The Company holds its interest in the Selebi Mines and the Selkirk Mine indirectly through its 100% owned subsidiaries PNRPL and PNGPL, respectively.
The Company’s operating entities in Botswana are governed in accordance with applicable local laws and entity-wide governance principles. The directors and management of the Company’s operating entities in Botswana are generally comprised of a majority of senior management employees and where required by local laws, local residents, who are generally longstanding local management level employees, or local corporate counsel. In addition, certain members of the Company’s management have experience conducting business in Botswana, as detailed below, where the Company has maintained operations since 2021. Operating in Botswana requires greater internal controls and adherence to a regulatory framework which creates challenges in relation to decision-making, communication, and compliance. The Company has experienced management and has retained local legal advisors and consultants to help facilitate adherence to regulatory requirements of Botswana in order to meet this challenge.
We rely on our experienced Board and management
In addition to their experience with the Company, the Board of Directors and management also has extensive experience operating and managing investments and projects in Africa. Furthermore, they bring diverse expertise in areas such as global strategy, finance, exploration, technology, and corporate development. Their collective experience spans several decades and includes successful ventures in both public and private sectors. Certain members of the Board of Directors, management and senior officers of the Company have made trips to Botswana to gain a deeper understanding of the Company’s operations and projects as well as to impart their experience and knowledge of the local business, culture and practices to the other members of the Board of Directors and officers.
The Company also relies on the expertise of its local Botswana-based personnel, Mr. Borris Kamstra, Mr. Kneipe Setlhare, and Mr. Karabo Monepe, all of whom have extensive mining and government relations experience in Botswana.
Overall, the Company benefits from and relies on the collective wealth of expertise and experience in the Company’s business and operations in Botswana of its Board of Directors, management, locally based personnel and technical teams.
Use of and reliance on experts and local advisors
The Company has retained Bookbinder, a Botswanan law firm to advise on various corporate and regulatory legal issues, including the Company’s right to conduct business in Botswana and title verification over the Botswanan assets, and has relied on advice from Bookbinder with respect to such matters. Additionally, the Company has retained engineering and geoscientific services firms including SRK Consulting, SLR Consulting, DRA Global (“DRA”), SGS Mineral Services, and Expert Process Solutions. The Company ensures that any such counsel or provider retained has their credentials vetted and referenced, with considerable diligence and adherence to local licences, professional associations and regulators.
The Company’s officers and Board of Directors benefit from the advice and guidance provided by its Botswanan legal advisor as well as personnel based in Botswana of new developments in local mining regimes and new requirements that come into force from time to time, as they pertain to and affect the Company’s business and operations in Botswana. Any material developments are subject to oversight and discussion by the Board of Directors.
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Language, cultural differences and business practices
English is the official language of Botswana, in which the Audit and Risk Management Committee of the Company and the Company’s external auditors are proficient. The most widely spoken language in Botswana is Setswana. The languages spoken by the Board, management and technical team of the Company and its subsidiaries include Afrikaans, English and Setswana.
The financial records of the Company and both PNGPL and PNRPL, existing under the laws of Botswana are maintained in English. The Company does not believe that any material language or cultural barriers exist.
The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.