Item 7.MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion of the financial condition and results of our operations should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes to those statements appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Some of the information contained in this discussion and analysis or set forth elsewhere in this report, including information with respect to our plans and strategy for our business, includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. You should read the Risk Factors set forth in Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results described in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in the following discussion and analysis.
Overview
We are a deep-sea minerals exploration company focused on the collection and processing of polymetallic nodules found on the seafloor in international waters of the CCZ, about 1,500 miles south-west of San Diego, California.
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The CCZ is a geological submarine fracture zone of abyssal plains and other formations in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, with a length of around 7,240 km (4,500 miles) that spans approximately 4,500,000 square kilometers (1,700,000 square miles). Polymetallic nodules are discrete rocks that sit unattached to the seafloor, occur in significant quantities in the CCZ and have high concentrations of nickel, manganese, cobalt and copper in a single rock. These four metals contained in the polymetallic nodules are critical for the transition to low carbon energy. Our resource definition work to date shows that nodules in our contract areas represent the world’s largest estimated undeveloped source of critical battery metals. If we are able to collect polymetallic nodules from the seafloor on a commercial scale, we plan to use such nodules to produce three types of metal products: (i) feedstock for battery cathode precursors (nickel and cobalt sulfates, or intermediate nickel-copper-cobalt matte) for EV and renewable energy storage markets, (ii) copper cathode for EV wiring, clean energy transmission and other applications and (iii) manganese silicate for manganese alloy production required for steel production. Our mission is to build a carefully managed shared stock of metal (a “metal commons”) that can be used, recovered and reused for generations to come. Significant quantities of newly mined metal are required because existing metal stocks are insufficient to meet rapidly rising demand.
Exploration and exploitation of seabed minerals in international waters is regulated by the ISA, an intergovernmental organization established pursuant to the 1994 Agreement Relating to the Implementation of the UNCLOS. The ISA grants contracts to sovereign states or to private contractors who are sponsored by a sovereign state. The ISA requires that a contractor must obtain and maintain sponsorship by a host nation that is a member of the ISA and signatory to UNCLOS, and such nation must maintain effective supervision and regulatory control over such sponsored contractor. The ISA has issued a total of 19 polymetallic nodule exploration contracts covering approximately 1.28 million km2, or 0.4% of the global seafloor, 17 of which are in the CCZ. We hold exclusive exploration and commercial rights to three of the 17 polymetallic nodule contract areas in the CCZ; two based on ISA exploration contracts through our subsidiaries NORI and TOML, sponsored by Nauru and Tonga, respectively, and exclusive commercial rights through our subsidiary, DGE, and its arrangement with Marawa, a company owned and sponsored by Kiribati.
We have key strategic alliances with (i) Allseas, a leading global offshore contractor, which developed and tested a pilot collection system, which is expected to be modified into an initial smaller scale commercial production system and serve as the basis for the design of a full-scale commercial production system and (ii) Glencore International AG (Glencore) which holds offtake rights to 50% of the NORI nickel and copper production. In addition, we have worked with an engineering firm Hatch and consultants KPM to develop a near-zero solid waste flowsheet. The primary processing stages of the flowsheet from nodule to NiCuCo matte intermediate were demonstrated as part of our pilot plant program at FLSmidth and Xpert Process Solutions’ (XPS, a Glencore company) facilities. The matte refining stages are being tested at SGS Lakefield. The near-zero solid waste flowsheet provides a design that is expected to serve as the basis for our onshore processing facilities. After several months of joint pre-feasibility work in 2022 and in consultation with Epsilon Carbon Pvt, LTD. (Epsilon Carbon) under our March 2022 business collaboration MoU, we decided to pause this work on a new build plant in India until Project Zero has started commercial production using an existing processing facility requiring lower capital expenditures and which we believe may offer a lower risk solution to get Project Zero into production. In November 2022, we entered into a non-binding MoU with Pacific Metals Co Ltd (PAMCO) of Japan, to evaluate the toll treatment of an initial quantity of 1.3 million tonnes of wet polymetallic nodules per year at PAMCO’s Hachinohe smelting facility starting in 2025. The toll treatment is intended to take place on a dedicated rotary kiln-electric arc furnace (RKEF) processing line and produce two products: nickel-copper-cobalt alloy — an intermediate product used as feedstock to produce Li-ion battery cathodes — and a manganese silicate product used to make silico-manganese alloy, a critical input into steel manufacturing. We expect this partnership to progress to a binding MoU and a strategic alliance in the second half of 2023, subject to successful evaluation study outcomes and agreement to mutually acceptable commercial terms, in lieu of continuing to pursue an opportunity to build a new Project Zero Plant in India together with Epsilon Carbon as was previously envisioned under our March 2022 business collaboration MoU with Epsilon Carbon. There can be no assurance that we will enter into such binding MoU or definitive strategic alliance in a particular time period, or at all, or on terms similar to those set forth in the MoU, or that if such binding MoU or definitive strategic alliance are entered into by us or that the existing facility will be able to successfully process nodules in a particular time period, or at all.
We are currently focused on applying for our first exploitation contract from the ISA on the NORI Area D contract area and, subject to regulatory review by the ISA, intend to start commercial production end of 2024 / start of 2025. To reach our objective and initiate commercial production, we are: (i) defining our resource and project economics, (ii) developing and testing an offshore nodule collection system, (iii) assessing the ESG impacts of offshore nodule collection, and (iv) developing and testing onshore technology and systems to process collected polymetallic nodules into a manganese silicate product, and an intermediate nickel-copper-cobalt matte product and/or end-products like nickel and cobalt sulfates, and copper cathode.
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We are still in the exploration phase and have not yet declared mineral reserves. We have yet to obtain any exploitation contracts from the ISA to commence commercial scale polymetallic nodule collection in the CCZ nor have we obtained the applicable environmental and other permits required to build and operate commercial scale polymetallic nodule processing and refining plants on land.
2022 Highlights
Below are a few of the developments that occurred in 2022.
NORI Area D Project:
● Pilot Collection System Trials and Monitoring Campaign:
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Onshore Processing:
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG):
Financing:
UAW Agreement:
In September 2022, we announced that we had entered into a labor neutrality agreement with the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (“UAW”) designed to bolster the critical mineral supply chain, which we believe lays the groundwork for sustainable production of electric car batteries while also creates a path to potential job growth in the United States.
Developments Subsequent to December 31, 2022
Consortium for ESG disclosure of marine minerals:
On February 14, 2023, we announced that we had joined a broad international consortium to develop a handbook for Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) disclosure in relation to marine minerals. The purpose of the guidance document is to enable evidence-based assessments of the ESG performance of marine mineral projects in the context of global standards. Marine minerals are emerging as a strong potential source to help meet growing metals demand. As with any extractive industries, consideration of ESG issues is key to ensuring transparent and responsible supply chains. The ESG handbook will provide guidance to addresses material topics related to marine mineral projects in the deep-sea environment using a standardized approach.
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Strategic Partnership on Low-Carbon Royalties:
On February 21, 2023, we and our wholly-owned subsidiary, NORI, entered into a strategic partnership with Low Carbon Royalties Inc. (“Low Carbon Royalties”), a private corporation formed under the laws of British Columbia, Canada to finance low carbon emitting energy production and technologies (natural gas, nuclear, renewables), transition metals and minerals required for energy storage and electrification (Cu, Li, Ni, Co, Mn), and the evolving environmental markets (the “Partnership”). In connection with the Partnership, NORI contributed a 2% gross overriding royalty (the “NORI Royalty”) on our NORI contract area to Low Carbon Royalties. We retained the right to repurchase up to 75% of the NORI Royalty at an agreed capped return, exercisable in two transactions, between the second and the tenth anniversary of the Partnership. If both repurchase transactions are executed, the NORI Royalty will be reduced to 0.5%. Low Carbon Royalties also owns a 1.6% gross overriding royalty on a producing natural gas field in Latin America. In consideration of the NORI Royalty, we received a 35.0% common ownership interest in Low Carbon Royalties on a fully-diluted basis as of closing and $5.0 million in cash
Engagement with Bechtel Australia Pty Ltd:
On March 9, 2023, we announced that we entered into an agreement with Bechtel Australia Pty Ltd (Bechtel), a global leader in engineering, procurement and construction, to collect and compile the techno-economic studies prepared by various consultants required for NORI to lodge its application for an exploitation contract for its NORI Area D Project with the ISA. Bechtel will collect and compile technical and economic studies prepared by various consultants that will underpin NORI’s application to the ISA for an exploitation contract, which we expect to have ready for submission in the second half of 2023.
New Credit Facility with Allseas:
On March 22, 2023, we entered into an Unsecured Credit Facility Agreement (“Credit Facility”) with Argentum Credit Virtuti GCV (the “Lender”), the parent of Allseas Investments S.A. and an affiliate of Allseas, pursuant to which, we may borrow from the Lender up to $25,000,000 in the aggregate, from time to time, subject to certain conditions. All amounts drawn under the Credit Facility will bear interest at the 6-month Secured Overnight Funding Rate (SOFR), 180-day average plus 4.0% per annum payable in cash semi-annually (or plus 5% if paid-in-kind at maturity, at our election) on the first business day of each of June and January. We will pay an underutilization fee equal to 4.0% per annum payable semi-annually for any amounts that remain undrawn under the Credit Facility. We have the right to pre-pay the entire amount outstanding under the Credit Facility at any time, before the Credit Facility’s maturity of May 21, 2024. The Credit Facility also contains customary events of default.
The Business Combination
On September 9, 2021, we completed the Business Combination with SOAC. The transaction resulted in the combined company being renamed “TMC the metals company Inc.” and the combined company’s common shares and warrants to purchase common shares commenced trading on the Nasdaq on September 10, 2021, under the symbols “TMC” and “TMCWW,” respectively. As a result of the Business Combination, we received gross proceeds of approximately $137.6 million.
The Business Combination was accounted for as a reverse recapitalization and DeepGreen was deemed the accounting acquirer. Under this method of accounting, SOAC was treated as the acquired company for financial statement reporting purposes. The Business Combination was accounted for as a reverse acquisition with no goodwill or intangible assets being recorded. As SOAC had no operations, the net assets acquired were recorded at their historical cost. Adjustments related to the Business Combination including consideration paid to DeepGreen shareholders and any other adjustments to eliminate the historical equity of SOAC and recapitalize the equity of DeepGreen were recorded to common shares to reflect the effective issuance of common shares to SOAC and Private Investment in Public Equity investors in the Business Combination.
Following the Business Combination, we became the successor to an SEC-registered company, which resulted in us hiring additional personnel and implement procedures and processes to address public company regulatory requirements and customary practices to ensure ongoing compliance with applicable law and Nasdaq listing requirements. We expect to incur additional annual expenses as a public company for, among other things, directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, director fees, additional internal and external accounting, legal and administrative resources, including increased personnel costs, audit and other professional service fees.
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Exploration Contracts
We currently hold exclusive exploration rights to certain polymetallic nodule areas in the CCZ through our subsidiaries NORI and TOML, sponsored by the Republic of Nauru and the Kingdom of Tonga, respectively, and exclusive commercial rights through our subsidiary’s (DGE), arrangement with Marawa, a company owned and sponsored by the Republic of Kiribati.
NORI. NORI our wholly-owned subsidiary, holds exploration rights to four blocks (NORI Area A, B, C, and D, the “NORI Contract Area”) covering 74,830 km2 in the CCZ that were granted by the ISA in July 2011. NORI is sponsored by Nauru pursuant to a certificate of sponsorship signed by the Government of Nauru on April 11, 2011. The D block of the NORI area (“NORI Area D”) is the seafloor parcel where we have performed the most resource definition and environmental work to date. NORI commissioned AMC Consulting Ltd, a leading mining consulting firm (AMC), to undertake a preliminary economic assessment (“PEA”) of the mineral resource contained in NORI Area D and to compile a technical report compliant with Canadian National Instrument (NI 43-101), which was completed in March 2021. AMC subsequently compiled the NORI Technical Report Summary, dated March 2021, which included an initial assessment and an economic analysis of NORI Area D prepared in accordance with the SEC’s Modernization of Property Disclosures for Mining Registrants set forth in subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K (the “SEC Mining Rules”). The NORI Technical Report Summary is filed as Exhibit 96.1 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
TOML. TOML our wholly-owned subsidiary which we acquired in March 2020, holds exploration rights to an area covering 74,713 km2 in the CCZ that were granted by the ISA in January 2012 (the “TOML Contract Area”). On March 8, 2008, Tonga and TOML entered into a sponsorship agreement formalizing certain obligations of the parties in relation to TOML’s exploration application to the ISA (subsequently granted) for the TOML Contract Area. The sponsorship agreement was updated on September 23, 2021. TOML commissioned a Technical Report Summary by AMC, dated March 2021, which is filed as Exhibit 96.2 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Marawa. DGE, our wholly-owned subsidiary, entered into agreements with Marawa and Kiribati which provide DGE with exclusive exploration rights to an area covering 74,990 km2 in the CCZ (the “Marawa Contract Area”). The exploration contract between Marawa and the ISA (the “Marawa Exploration Contract”) was signed on January 19, 2015. To date, limited offshore marine resource definition activities in the Marawa Contract Area have occurred. We expect to collaborate with Marawa to assess the viability of any potential project in the Marawa Contract Area, although the timing of such assessment is uncertain. Marawa has delayed certain of its efforts in the Marawa Contract Area while it determines how it will move forward with additional assessment work.
Key Trends, Opportunities and Uncertainties
We are currently a pre-revenue company and we do not anticipate earning revenues until such time as NORI receives an exploitation contract from the ISA and we are able to successfully collect and process polymetallic nodules into saleable products on a commercial scale. We believe that our performance and future success pose risks and challenges, including those related to: finalization of ISA regulations to allow for commercial exploitation, approval of an application for the ISA exploitation contract, development of environmental regulations associated with our business and development of our technologies to collect and process polymetallic nodules. These risks, as well as other risks, are discussed in Item 7A entitled “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” and Item 1A entitled “Risk Factors” included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Impact of Climate Change
We are committed to adopting the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures recommendations. In our inaugural Impact Report published in May 2022, we provided climate-related disclosure and shared how we believe our mission is aligned with supporting the global energy transition and contributing to a circular metals economy. We recognize that climate change may have a meaningful impact on our financial performance over time, and we have begun the process of consolidating key risks and corresponding action plans to mitigate their negative impact of climate change on our operations.
Our climate related transition risks and opportunities are likely to be driven by changes in regulation, public policy, and technology as well as risk of business disruptions due to climate related events.
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Regulatory risks
Regulations related to emissions limits, such as cap and trade schemes and carbon taxes, would likely increase our future cost of operations, energy purchase, and equipment selection in addition to costs associated with potential carbon tax and/or purchase of carbon offsets. It is difficult to estimate the impact of potential future regulations on future operations.
We are working on a plan for continuous reduction of emissions and aiming to develop operations with near zero emissions. When selecting the location of our onshore plant, one of our requirements is access to renewable energy as our metallurgical process will be the most energy intensive step in our operations. In addition, we are seeking to replace metallurgical coal used as reductant during calcining of nodules and have tested potential renewable alternatives. We are also identifying the best approach for decarbonizing our offshore operations. To date, we have not experienced any material impact to our business related to potential regulations but will continue to evaluate and monitor future developments.
Public policy risks
Awareness of climate change related impacts and commitments made by companies and governments to achieve net zero emissions, continues to grow. We support the ambition of the U.S. to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by no later than 2050 and to reach half of all new vehicles sales to be EVs by 2030. We are committed to achieving zero emissions and are reviewing and designing technologies to achieve this goal. The location of our onshore plant will be key, and we will be working on science-based targets and scenario analysis.
To support the EV and battery storage value chain, we are seeking to close the emerging supply gap of critical battery metals needed for the transition to renewable energy and adoption of EVs. We plan to take advantage of this opportunity to supply lower carbon battery metals, avoid deforestation, and help reduce the cost of batteries.
Technology risks
The timing and deployment of technologies to support the transition to a lower carbon economy can be uncertain. Investments in assets with long lifespans require the selection of not only the proper technology, but also the proper timing to retain the ability to adapt to future developments. There are also risks associated with the additional costs of lower emissions technology and transition to renewables. To mitigate this risk, we based our flowsheet development on existing proven technology, while retaining sufficient flexibility to be able to retrofit processes with new lower carbon technology as they become available.
Physical risks
Our main activity currently consists of offshore exploration campaigns for research and testing purposes, and technology development at partner facilities. However, once a location is selected for our onshore metallurgical plant, we will assess the risks associated with hurricanes, floods, and extreme weather.
Impact of Global Inflation
In 2022, the global inflation rate rose sharply. Marine fuel prices and vessel day rates were higher year-over-year and have increased our exploration expenses beyond what we had originally expected. Additionally, we are experiencing higher offshore labor costs through our contractors.
As a pre-revenue company, persistent inflation may affect our ultimate cash requirements prior to our ability to begin commercial production.
Basis of Presentation
We currently conduct our business through one operating segment. As a pre-revenue company with no commercial operations, our activities to date have been limited. Our historical results are reported under U.S. GAAP and in U.S. dollars. All share and per share amounts have been adjusted to reflect the impact of the Business Combination.
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Components of Results of Operations
We are an exploration-stage company with no revenue to date and a net loss of $171 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to a net loss of $141.3 million in the prior year. We have an accumulated deficit of approximately $475.1 million from inception through December 31, 2022.
Our historical results may not be indicative of our future results for reasons that may be difficult to anticipate. Accordingly, the drivers of our future financial results, as well as the components of such results, may not be comparable to our historical or projected results of operations.
Revenue
To date, we have not generated any revenue. We do not expect to generate revenue until at least 2025 and only if NORI receives an exploitation contract from the ISA and we are able to successfully collect and process polymetallic nodules into saleable products on a commercial scale. Any revenue from initial production is difficult to predict.
Exploration and Evaluation Expenses
We expense all costs relating to exploration and development of mineral claims. Such exploration and development costs include, but are not limited to, ISA contract management, geological, geochemical and geophysical studies, environmental baseline studies, process development and payments to Allseas for the PMTS. Our exploration expenses are impacted by the amount of exploration work conducted during each period. The acquisition cost of ISA polymetallic nodule exploration contracts will be charged to operations as amortization expense on a unit-of-production method based on proven and probable reserves should commercial production commence in the future.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative (“G&A”) expenses consist primarily of compensation for employees, consultants and directors, including share-based compensation, consulting fees, investor relations expenses, expenses related to advertising and marketing functions, insurance costs, office and sundry expenses, professional fees (including legal, audit and tax fees), travel expenses and transfer and filing fees.
Share-based compensation costs from the issuance of stock options and restricted share units (“RSUs”) is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized over the related service period. Share-based compensation costs are charged to exploration expenses and general and administrative expenses depending on the function fulfilled by the holder of the award. In instances where an award is issued for financing related services, the costs are included within equity as part of the financing costs. We recognize forfeiture of any awards as they occur.
Interest Income/Expense
Interest income consists primarily of interest income earned on our cash and cash equivalents.
Interest expense resulted from our financing transactions, specifically the convertible debentures issued in February 2021, which accrued interest at 7% per annum. The convertible debentures were fully converted into DeepGreen common shares on September 9, 2021.
Foreign Exchange Loss
The foreign exchange income or loss for the periods primarily relates to our cash held in Canadian dollars and to the settlement of costs incurred in foreign currencies, depending on either the strengthening or weakening of the U.S. dollar.
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Change in Fair Value of Warrants Liabilities
Change in fair value of warrants liabilities primarily consists of the change in the fair value of the 9,500,000 warrants issued to Sustainable Opportunities Holdings LLC concurrently with SOAC’s initial public offering (the “Private Warrants”). For accounting purposes, the Company was considered to have issued the Private Warrants as part of the Business Combination.
Results of Operations
DeepGreen was determined to be the accounting acquirer and therefore, all information prior to the Business Combination, including the prior period financial information, represent the financial condition and operating results of DeepGreen.
Comparison of the periods ended December 31, 2022 and 2021
For the Three Months Ended For the Year Ended
(Dollar amounts in thousands, December 31, December 31,
Tax expense 77 — N/A 77 — N/A
Full Year 2022 compared to Full Year 2021
Exploration and Evaluation Expenses
Exploration and evaluation expenses for the year ended December 31, 2022 were $144.6 million, compared to $93.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase of $51.6 million was primarily due to the increased work and completion of the PMTS in November 2022, which included the recognition of the grant date value of the Allseas Warrant of $69.9 million which became exercisable with the completion of the PMTS. The increase in 2022 was partially offset by a decrease in expenses associated with environmental studies of $2.2 million, due to the completion of the NORI Area D environmental baseline campaigns in the fourth quarter of 2021, and a reduction in share-based compensation of $18.5 million, as a significant number of stock options were awarded in March 2021, in recognition of past services and in anticipation of the Business Combination, while no stock options were awarded in 2022. In 2021, offshore campaign costs in support of environmental studies included a fair value increase of $12.2 million that was recognized on the issuance of DeepGreen common shares to our former supplier Maersk Supply Service A/S (“Maersk”).
General and Administrative (“G&A”) Expenses
G&A expenses for the year ended December 31, 2022 were $29.5 million compared to $56.6 million in the prior year. The decrease of $27.1 million in G&A in 2022 was mainly as a result of lower share-based compensation in 2022 of $24.8 million, as 2021 included the award of a significant number of stock options in recognition of past services and in anticipation of the Business Combination. This decrease was partially offset by higher G&A expenses in 2022, for personnel, legal and other expenses associated with being a public company. In addition, 2021 included higher expenses for consulting and communications related to the Business Combination.
Interest Expense
During 2022, we earned interest of $1.1 million mainly from the investment of our cash on hand, as compared to 2021 where we recognized interest expense of $1.0 million mainly as a result of the issuance of 7% convertible debentures of $26.0 million during February 2021, prior to their conversion into our common shares in connection with the Business Combination.
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Change in Fair Value of Warrants Liability
Change in fair value of warrants liability primarily consists of the change in the fair value of the 9,500,000 Private Warrants. The credit recorded in both years reflects the decrease in the market price of our warrants.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Prior to closing of the Business Combination, our primary sources of capital have been private placements of DeepGreen common shares and DeepGreen preferred shares and the issuance of convertible debentures completed in February 2021, which were automatically converted into DeepGreen common shares immediately prior to the completion of the Business Combination, which were converted into common shares as part of the Business Combination. In addition, on September 9, 2021, we completed the Business Combination with SOAC, and as a result we received gross proceeds of approximately $137.6 million. On August 12, 2022, we completed a private placement raising gross cash proceeds of $30.4 million (approximately $30 million net of transaction fees). As of December 31, 2022, we had cash on hand of $46.8 million.
We received lower than expected cash proceeds upon closing of the Business Combination resulting from higher-than-expected redemptions of SOAC’s Class A ordinary shares and the default by certain PIPE investors in their funding obligations in connection with the closing of the Business Combination. As a result, we revised our work plan to focus on activities necessary to have an application ready for submission to the ISA in the second half of 2023 for an exploitation contract for the NORI Area D and stopped and/or deferred work and expenses associated with other activities.
In light of the significant deficit in expected funding following the closing of the Business Combination in September 2021, we adopted what we call a “capital-light” strategy whereby we removed any allocation of funds to capital expenditures that were not deemed necessary to support the submission of an application for an exploitation contract for the NORI Area D, and by negotiating the settlement of program expenditures with our equity whenever possible.
We have yet to generate any revenue from our business operations. We are an exploration-stage company and the recovery of our investment in mineral exploration contracts and attainment of profitable operations is dependent upon many factors including, among other things, the development of commercial production system for collecting polymetallic nodules from the seafloor as well as the development of our processing technology for the metallurgical treatment of such nodules, the establishment of mineable reserves, the demonstration of commercial and technical feasibility of seafloor polymetallic nodule collection and processing systems, metal prices, and securing ISA exploitation contracts. While we have obtained financing in the past, there is no assurance that such financing will continue to be available on favorable terms, in sufficient amounts, or at all.
We expect to incur significant expenses and operating losses for the foreseeable future, particularly as we advance towards our application to the ISA for an exploitation contract and preparation for potential commercialization. Based on our cash balance and availability of borrowing under our recently signed credit facility with Allseas, when compared with our forecasted cash expenditures, we believe we will have sufficient funds to meet our obligations that become due within the next twelve months. Our estimates used in reaching this conclusion are based on information available as at the date of filing this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Accordingly, actual results could differ from these estimates and resulting variances may result in our need for additional funding in amount greater or earlier than expected, due to changes in business conditions or other developments, including, but not limited to, deferral of approvals, capital and operating cost escalation, currently unrecognized technical and development challenges, our ability to pay certain vendors or suppliers in our common shares or changes in external business environment.
In addition, we will need and are seeking additional financing to fund our continued operations. These financings could include additional public or private equity, debt financings, equity-linked financings or other sources of financing, including through non-dilutive asset, royalty or project-based financings. If these financing or other financing sources are not available, or if the terms of financing are less desirable than we expect, or if in insufficient amounts, we may be forced to delay our exploration and/or exploitation activities or further scale back our operations, which could have a material adverse impact on our business and financial prospects.
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On September 16, 2022, we filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which the SEC declared effective on October 14, 2022, to sell up to $100 million of securities, before any fees or expenses of the offering, which includes the $30 million that may be sold under the At-the-Market Equity Distribution Agreement discussed below. Securities that may be sold include common shares, preferred shares, debt securities, warrants and units. Any such offering, if it does occur, may happen in one or more transactions. Specific terms of any securities to be sold will be described in supplemental filings with the SEC.
On December 22, 2022, we entered into an At-the-Market Equity Distribution Agreement with Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated and Wedbush Securities Inc., as sales agents, allowing us, from time to time, to issue and sell common shares with an aggregate offering price of up to $30 million. The offer and sales of the shares are made under our effective “shelf” registration statement on Form S-3 filed with the SEC on September 16, 2022, which the SEC declared effective on October 14, 2022. As of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, no sales of common shares have been made under this offering.
On March 22, 2023, we entered into a Credit Facility with Argentum Credit Virtuti GCV, the parent of Allseas Investments S.A. and an affiliate of Allseas, pursuant to which, we may borrow from the Lender up to $25,000,000 in the aggregate, from time to time, subject to certain conditions. All amounts drawn under the Credit Facility will bear interest at the 6-month Secured Overnight Funding Rate (SOFR), 180-day average plus 4.0% per annum payable in cash semi-annually (or plus 5% if paid-in-kind at maturity, our election) on the first business day of each of June and January. We will pay an underutilization fee equal to 4.0% per annum payable semi-annually for any amounts that remain undrawn under the Credit Facility. We have the right to pre-pay the entire amount outstanding under the Credit Facility at any time, before the Credit Facility’s maturity of May 21, 2024. The Credit Facility also contains customary events of default.
We may receive up to approximately $281.8 million in aggregate gross proceeds from cash exercises of the Public Warrants and the Private Warrants, based on the per share exercise price of such warrants. However, the exercise price for the outstanding Public Warrants and Private Warrants is $11.50 per common share and there can be no assurance that such warrants will be in the money prior to their expiration, and as such, such warrants may expire worthless. Based on the current trading price of our common shares we do not expect to receive any proceeds from the exercise of the Public Warrants and Private Warrants unless there is a significant increase in the price of our common shares. In certain circumstances, the Public Warrants and Private Warrants may be exercised on a cashless basis and the proceeds from the exercise of such warrants will decrease. Furthermore, even if the warrants will be in the money, the holders of the warrants are not obligated to exercise their warrants, and we cannot predict whether holders of the warrants will choose to exercise all or any of their warrants.
We expect our capital expenditures and working capital requirements to increase materially in the near future as NORI and TOML seek to obtain exploitation contracts, perform the required environmental studies, complete pre-feasibility and feasibility studies. We believe that our cash on hand and availability of borrowing under our recently entered into credit facility with Allseas will be sufficient to meet our working capital and capital expenditure requirements over the next twelve months. With these funds, we expect to be able to complete our assessment of the offshore environmental impacts based on data collected during our campaigns completed in 2022 and lodge our application in the second half of 2023 to move from exploration phase to exploitation phase. We may, however, need additional cash resources due to changes in business conditions or other developments, including, but not limited to, deferral of approvals, capital cost escalation, currently unrecognized technical and development challenges or changes in external business environment. To the extent that our current resources are insufficient to satisfy our cash requirements, we may need to seek additional equity, debt or other financing. If the financing is not available, or if the terms of financing are less desirable than we expect, we may be forced to delay our exploration and/or exploitation activities or scale back our operations, which could have a material adverse impact on our business and financial prospects.
Cash Flows Summary
Comparison of the Periods Ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021
The following table summarizes our sources and uses of cash for the three months and years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021.
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Presented below is a summary of our operating, investing and financing cash flows:
For the Three Months Ended For the Year Ended
December 31, December 31,
Net cash (used in) investing activities $ (210) $ — $ (1,169) $ (3,842)
Full Year 2022 compared to Full Year 2021
Cash flows used in Operating Activities
Net cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $66.6 million, attributable to a net loss of $171 million, a net change in net operating assets and liabilities of $17.8 million and non-cash adjustments of $86.5 million. Non-cash adjustments primarily consisted of $69.9 million from the vesting of the Allseas Warrant in November 2022 and $18.4 million of share-based payments related to the value of the incentive stock options and RSUs recognized during the year ended December 31, 2022. The change in our net operating assets and liabilities was primarily due to a $17 million increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities due to the timing of payments.
Net cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $56.1 million, attributable to a net loss of $141.3 million and a net change in net operating assets and liabilities of $18.6 million and non-cash adjustments of $66.6 million. Non-cash adjustments primarily consisted of $12.8 million for the value of shares issued to Maersk at the end of 2020 and $60.3 million of share-based payments related to the value of the incentive stock options and RSUs recognized during the year ended December 31, 2021. The change in our net operating assets and liabilities was primarily due to a $22.0 million increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities due to the timing of payments.
Cash flows used in Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $1.2 million for the purchase of equipment.
Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $3.8 million and related to the payments made to Deep Sea Mining Finance Ltd., from whom we acquired TOML and other related entities for the deferred consideration that became due during the period.
Cash flows provided by Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $29.7 million, primarily related to proceeds of $30.4 million from a private placement financing, less financing expenses.
Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $134.7 million related to proceeds of $104.5 million from the Business Combination, proceeds of $26.0 million from the issuance of convertible debentures and $4.2 million from the exercise of incentive stock options.
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Contractual Obligations and Commitments
NORI Exploration Contract
As part of the NORI Exploration Contract with the ISA, NORI submitted a periodic review report to the ISA in 2021, covering the 2017-2021 period. The periodic review report, which included a proposed work plan and estimated budget for 2022 to 2026, has been reviewed by and agreed with the ISA, and we are implementing the next five-year plan. NORI has estimated its work plan for 2023 to be approximately $25 million, which may be settled in cash or equity. The cost of the estimated work plan for 2024 onwards is contingent on the ISA’s approval of the NORI Area D exploitation application. Should the approval of NORI’s exploitation application for NORI Area D be delayed or rejected, NORI intends to revise its estimated future work plan in respect of its NORI Area. Work plans are reviewed annually by us, agreed with the ISA and may be subject to change depending on our progress to date.
Marawa Option Agreement and Services Agreement
As part of DGE’s Marawa Option Agreement and Services Agreement with Marawa with respect to the Marawa Area, Marawa committed to spend a defined amount of funds on exploration activities on an annual basis. The commitment for fiscal 2023 and 2024 is Australian dollar (“AUD”) $3 million and AUD $2 million, respectively. Such commitment is negotiated with the ISA for five-year plans and is subject to regular periodic reviews. To date, limited offshore marine resource definition activities in the Marawa Contract Area have occurred. We expect to collaborate with Marawa to assess the viability of any potential project in the Marawa Contract Area, although the timing of such assessment is unclear. Marawa has delayed certain of its efforts in the Marawa Contract Area while it determines how it will move forward with additional assessment work.
TOML Exploration Contract
As part of the TOML Exploration Contract, TOML submitted a periodic review report to the ISA in 2021, covering the 2017-2021 period. The periodic review report included a summary of work completed over the five-year period and a program of activities and estimated budget for the next five-year period. The five-year period ending in 2021 included activities of both TOML (from its acquisition in 2020) and its predecessor. Although the stated program objectives from 2017-2021 were not achieved by the contractors, the ISA accepted TOML’s submission and explanations, and agreed on the path forward. On December 23, 2022, the ISA accepted TOML’s proposed program of activities for the 2022-2026 five-year period, which included an estimated five-year expenditure of up to $44 million. The five-year estimated expenditure is indicative and subject to change, TOML will review the program regularly and TOML will inform the ISA of any changes through its annual reports.
Regulatory Obligations Relating to Exploration Contracts
Each of TOML and NORI require sponsorship from their host sponsoring nations, Tonga and Nauru, respectively. Each company has been registered and incorporated within the applicable host nation’s jurisdiction. The ISA requires that a contractor must obtain and maintain sponsorship by a host nation that is a member of the ISA and such state must maintain effective supervision and regulatory control over such sponsored contractor. Each of TOML and NORI is subject to the registration and incorporation requirements of these nations. In the event the sponsorship is otherwise terminated, such subsidiary will be required to obtain new sponsorship from another state that is a member of the ISA. Failure to obtain such new sponsorship would have a material impact on the operations of such subsidiary and us.
Sponsorship Agreements
On July 5, 2017, Nauru, the Nauru Seabed Minerals Authority and NORI entered into the NORI Sponsorship Agreement formalizing certain obligations of the parties in relation to NORI’s exploration and potential exploitation of the NORI Area. Upon reaching the minimum recovery level within the exploitation contract area, NORI will pay Nauru a seabed mineral recovery payment based on the polymetallic nodules recovered from the exploitation contract area. In addition, NORI will pay an administration fee each year to Nauru for such administration and sponsorship, which is subject to review and increase in the event NORI is granted an ISA exploitation contract. NORI has begun discussions with the Government of Nauru to renegotiate the existing sponsorship agreement and has also committed to ensuring NORI pays corporate income tax within Nauru.
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On March 8, 2008, Tonga and TOML entered into the TOML Sponsorship Agreement formalizing certain obligations of the parties in relation to TOML’s exploration and potential exploitation of the TOML Area. Upon reaching the minimum recovery level within the exploitation contract area, TOML has agreed to pay Tonga a seabed mineral recovery payment based on the polymetallic nodules recovered from the exploitation contract area. In addition, TOML has agreed to pay the reasonable direct costs incurred by Tonga to administer the obligations of Tonga to the ISA. On September 23, 2021, Tonga updated the TOML Sponsorship Agreement harmonizing the terms of its engagement with TOML with those held by NORI with Nauru. TOML expects to renegotiate the existing sponsorship agreement with Tonga prior to entering into operations in the TOML area and has committed to paying corporate income tax within Tonga.
Allseas Agreements
On March 29, 2019, we entered into a strategic alliance with Allseas to develop a system to collect, lift and transport nodules from the seafloor to shore and agreed to enter into a nodule collection and shipping agreement whereby Allseas would provide commercial services for the collection of the first 200 million metric tonnes of polymetallic nodules on a cost plus 50% profit basis. In furtherance of this agreement, on July 8, 2019, we entered into a Pilot Mining Test Agreement with Allseas (“PMTA”), which was amended on five occasions through February 2023, to develop and deploy a PMTS, successful completion of which is a prerequisite for our application for an exploitation contract with the ISA. Under the PMTA, Allseas agreed to cover the development cost of the project in exchange for a payment from us upon successful completion of the pilot trial of the PMTS in NORI Area D.
On March 16, 2022, NORI and Allseas entered into a non-binding term sheet for the development and operation of a commercial nodule collection system. The pilot nodule collection system developed and tested by Allseas is expected to be upgraded to a commercial system with a targeted production capacity of 1.3 million tonnes of wet nodules per year with expected production readiness by the fourth quarter of 2024. NORI and Allseas intended to equally finance all costs related to developing and getting the first commercial system into production that were estimated at less than EUR100 million. It was anticipated that NORI will not have to make any payments related to the commercial system to Allseas until March 31, 2023. Once in production, NORI expected to pay Allseas a nodule collection and transshipment fee estimated at approximately EUR 150 per wet tonne in the first year of operations and expected to be reduced by more than 20% in the following years as Allseas scaled up production to at least 1.3 million wet tonnes of nodules per year. Following the successful completion of the NORI Area D pilot collection system trials in November 2022 and subsequent analysis of pilot data, the parties are reviewing Project Zero System production targets (up to 3 Mtpa of wet nodules), system design and cost estimates and intend to enter into a binding Heads of Terms in the second half of 2023. The parties expect to further detail their relationship in three separate definitive agreements for engineering, conversion/build and commercial operations phase, respectively. Subject to the necessary regulatory approvals, Allseas and NORI also intend to investigate acquiring a second production vessel similar to the Hidden Gem, a further Samsung 10000, with the potential for it to be engineered to support a higher production rate of three million tonnes of wet nodules per year and lower associated per tonne production cost. There can be no assurances, however, that we will enter into definitive agreements with Allseas contemplated by the non-binding term sheet in a particular time period, or at all, or on terms similar to those set forth in the non-binding term sheet, or that if such definitive agreements are entered into by us that the proposed commercial systems and second production vessel will be successfully developed or operated in a particular time period, or at all.
Through December 31, 2022, we have made the following payments to Allseas under the PMTA: (a) $10 million in cash in February 2020, (b) $10 million through the issuance of 3.2 million common shares valued at $3.11 per share in February 2020, (c) issued Allseas a warrant to purchase 11.6 million common shares at a nominal exercise price per share in March 2021 and (d) $10 million in cash in October 2021, following the closing of the Business Combination and meeting certain progress targets on the PMTS.
On November 11, 2022, the Board approved the successful completion and testing of the PMTS in the NORI Area D and payment of the third milestone amounting to $10 million by issuing 10 million shares to Allseas on February 23, 2023. In relation to the third milestone payment, we have recorded a charge amounting to $8.7 million based on the fair market value of our shares on November 11, 2022. We also issued 850,000 common shares at the same time as payment of additional costs owed Allseas under the PMTA.
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Offtake Agreement
On May 25, 2012, DGE and Glencore International AG (“Glencore”) entered into a copper offtake agreement and a nickel offtake agreement. DGE has agreed to deliver to Glencore 50% of the annual quantity of copper and nickel produced by a DGE-owned facility from nodules derived from the NORI Area at London Metal Exchange referenced market pricing with allowances for product quality and delivery location. Either party may terminate the agreement upon a material breach or insolvency of the other party. Glencore may also terminate the agreement by giving twelve months’ notice.
As described above, on March 22, 2023 we entered into the Credit Facility under which we may borrow up to $25 million pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Credit Facility.
Off-balance sheet arrangements
We are not party to any off-balance sheet arrangements.
Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates
Our financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In the preparation of these financial statements, we are required to use judgment in making estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported expenses incurred during the reporting periods.
We consider an accounting judgment, estimate or assumption to be critical when (1) the estimate or assumption is complex in nature or requires a high degree of judgment and (2) the use of different judgments, estimates and assumptions could have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 2 to our audited consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We have the critical accounting policies and estimates which are described below.
Value of Common Share-Based Payments
We recognize the cost of share-based awards granted to employees and directors based on the estimated grant-date fair value of the awards. We determine the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which is impacted by the following assumptions:
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This valuation approach involves the use of estimates, judgments and assumptions that are subjective, such as those regarding the probability of future events. Changes in these estimates and assumptions impact our valuation as of the valuation date and may have a material impact on the valuation of the Company’s common shares. Changes in these assumptions used to determine the fair value of incentive stock options, including the vesting timeline of granted stock options, could have a material impact on our loss and comprehensive loss.
Valuation of Warrants Liability
We re-measure the fair value of the Private Warrants at the end of each reporting period. The fair value of the Private Warrants is estimated using a Black-Scholes option pricing model whereby the expected volatility is estimated using a binomial model based on consideration of the implied volatility from the Company’s Public Warrants adjusted to account for the call feature of the Public Warrants at prices above $18.00 during 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period.
Evaluation of Going Concern
We assess quarterly whether the Company has the ability to meets its committed cash requirements for the next twelve months and continue to operate as a going concern. This assessment requires the use of forecasts of our business activities and related estimates of future cost obligations which can be subject to change. Changes in these assumptions could have a material impact on our assessment and related disclosures.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 3 to the audited consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information about recent accounting pronouncements, the timing of their adoption, and our assessment, to the extent we have made one, of their potential impact on our financial condition and our results of operations and cash flows.
Emerging Growth Company Status
Section 102(b)(1) of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (“JOBS”) Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can choose not to take advantage of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies, and any such election to not take advantage of the extended transition period is irrevocable.
We are an “emerging growth company” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act and have elected to take advantage of the benefits of the extended transition period for new or revised financial accounting standards. Following the closing of the Business Combination, we expect to remain an emerging growth company at least through the end of the 2023 fiscal year and we expect to continue to take advantage of the benefits of the extended transition period at least through the end of the 2023 fiscal year, although we may decide to early adopt such new or revised accounting standards to the extent permitted by such standards. This may make it difficult or impossible to compare our financial results with the financial results of another public company that is either not an emerging growth company or is an emerging growth company that has chosen not to take advantage of the extended transition period exemptions because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.
Item 7A.QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We are exposed to a variety of markets and other risks including the effects of change in interest rates, inflation and foreign currency translation and transaction risks as well as risks to the availability of funding sources, hazard events and specific asset risks. We also expect to be exposed to commodity risks if and when we commence commercial production.
Interest Rate Risk and Credit Risk
Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value of our future cash flows and our financial instruments will fluctuate because of changes in market interest rates.
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Our current practice is to invest excess cash in investment-grade short-term deposit certificates issued by reputable Canadian financial institutions with which we keep our bank accounts and management believes the risk of loss to be remote. We periodically monitor the investments we make and are satisfied with the credit ratings of our banks. Due to the current high cash need of our operating plan, we have kept our funds readily available, placed in secure, highly liquid interest-bearing investments, as at December 31, 2022.
Credit risk is a risk of loss that may arise on outstanding financial instruments should a counter party default on its obligation. Our receivables consist primarily of general sales tax due from the Federal Government of Canada and as a result, the risk of default is considered to be low. Once we commence commercial production, we expect our credit risk to rise with our increased customer base.
Foreign Currency Risk
Foreign currency risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of an exposure will fluctuate because of changes in foreign exchange rates. Our exposure to the risk of changes in foreign exchange rates relates our transactions in foreign currencies, primarily in the Canadian dollar, the Australian dollar, and the Great British Pound. We primarily hold our cash in U.S. dollars and settle our foreign currency payables soon after the receipt of invoices thereby minimizing the foreign currency exposure.
Once we commence commercial production, we expect to be exposed to both currency transaction and translation risk. To date, we have not had material exposure to foreign currency fluctuations and have not hedged such exposure, although we may do so in the future.
Commodity Price Risk
We expect to engage in the collection, transport, processing and sale of products containing nickel, copper, manganese and cobalt from the polymetallic nodules collected from our contract areas of the CCZ. Accordingly, we expect the principal source of future revenue to be the sale of products containing nickel, copper, manganese and cobalt. A significant and sustained decrease in the price of these metals from current levels could have a material and negative impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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Item 8.FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
TMC THE METALS COMPANY INC.
Page
Index to Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules Number
Financial Statements:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID: 1263) 114
Consolidated Balance Sheets as at December 31, 2022 and 2021 115
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 119
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of TMC the metals company Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of TMC the metals company Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the related consolidated statements of loss and comprehensive loss, changes in equity and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (the “PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2012.
Vancouver, Canada
March 27, 2023
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TMC the metals company Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands of US Dollars, except share amounts)
As at As at
December 31, December 31,
ASSETS Note
Current
Non-current
LIABILITIES
Current
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 41,614 26,573
Non-current
EQUITY
Special Shares 14 — —
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (1,216) (1,216)
Nature of Operations (Note 1)
Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (Note 20)
Subsequent Events (Note 24)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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TMC the metals company Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Loss and Comprehensive Loss
(in thousands of US Dollars, except share and per share amounts)
For the year ended For the year ended
December 31, December 31,
Note
Operating expenses
Other items
Change in fair value of private warrants liability 13 (2,143) (9,375)
Foreign exchange loss 24 82
Loss and comprehensive loss for the year, before tax $ 170,887 $ 141,299
Tax expense 23 77 —
Loss and comprehensive loss for the year, after tax $ 170,964 $ 141,299
Loss per share - Basic and diluted 16 $ 0.71 $ 0.69
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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TMC the metals company Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
(in thousands of US Dollars, except share amounts)
Common Shares Preferred Special Additional Accumulated Other
Exercise of stock options (Note 15) 118,461 142 — — (66) — — 76
Loss for the year — — — — — — (170,964) (170,964)
Common Shares Preferred Special Additional Accumulated Other
Common shares issued for services 187,575 1,296 — — — — — 1,296
Loss for the year — — — — — — (141,299) (141,299)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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TMC the metals company Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands of US Dollars)
For the year ended For the year ended
December 31, December 31,
Note
Cash resources provided by (used in)
Operating activities
Items not affecting cash:
Expenses settled with share-based payments 15 18,394 74,571
Interest on convertible debentures 12 — 1,003
Change in fair value of warrants liability 13 (2,143) (9,375)
Vesting of Allseas Warrant 10, 13 69,900 —
Unrealized foreign exchange (53) (15)
Changes in working capital:
Receivables and prepayments 851 (3,479)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 16,960 22,049
Net cash used in operating activities (66,637) (56,092)
Investing activities
Settlement of deferred acquisition costs 7 — (3,440)
Acquisition of equipment 9 (1,169) (402)
Net cash used in investing activities (1,169) (3,842)
Financing activities
Proceeds from PIPE financing 19 30,399 —
Expenses paid for PIPE financing 19 (797) —
Proceeds from exercise of stock options 15 76 4,236
Proceeds from issuance of convertible debentures 12 — 26,000
Proceeds from employee share purchase plan 15 114 —
Taxes withheld and paid on share-based compensation (70) —
Proceeds from Business Combination (net of fees and other costs) 6 — 104,465
Net cash provided by financing activities 29,722 134,701
Impact of exchange rate changes on cash 53 10
Supplemental cash flow information (Note 21)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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TMC the metals company Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(in thousands of US Dollars, except share, per share amounts and unless otherwise stated)
1. Nature of Operations
TMC the metals company Inc. (“TMC” or the “Company”), formerly known as Sustainable Opportunities Acquisition Corporation (“SOAC”), was incorporated as a Cayman Islands exempted company limited by shares on December 18, 2019 and continued as a corporation under the laws of the province of British Columbia, Canada on September 9, 2021. On September 9, 2021, the Company completed its business combination (the “Business Combination”) with DeepGreen Metals Inc. (“DeepGreen”) (Note 6). The Company’s corporate office, registered address and records office is located at 10th floor, 595 Howe Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6C 2T5. The Company’s common shares and warrants to purchase common shares are listed for trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (“Nasdaq”) under tickers “TMC” and “TMCWW”, respectively. In connection with closing of the Business Combination, DeepGreen merged with a wholly-owned subsidiary of SOAC and became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. DeepGreen was determined to be the accounting acquirer and therefore, all information prior to the Business Combination, including the prior year financial information, represents the financial condition and operating results of DeepGreen.
The Company is a deep-sea minerals exploration company focused on the collection and processing of polymetallic nodules found on the seafloor in international waters of the Clarion Clipperton Zone in the Pacific Ocean (“CCZ”), located approximately 1,300 nautical miles southwest of San Diego, California. These nodules contain high grades of four metals (nickel, copper, cobalt, manganese) which can be used as (i) feedstock for battery cathode precursors (nickel and cobalt sulfates, or intermediate nickel-copper-cobalt matte) for electric vehicles (“EV”) and renewable energy storage markets, (ii) copper cathode for EV wiring, clean energy transmission and other applications and (iii) manganese silicate for manganese alloy production required for steel production.
Exploration and exploitation of seabed minerals in international waters is regulated by the International Seabed Authority (“ISA”), an intergovernmental organization established pursuant to the 1994 Agreement Relating to the Implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The ISA grants contracts to sovereign states or to private contractors who are sponsored by a sovereign state. The Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Nauru Ocean Resources Inc. (“NORI”), was granted an exploration contract (the “NORI Exploration Contract”) by the ISA in July 2011 under the sponsorship of the Republic of Nauru (“Nauru”) giving NORI exclusive rights to explore for polymetallic nodules in an area covering 74,830 km2 in the CCZ (“NORI Area”). On March 31, 2020, the Company acquired Tonga Offshore Mining Limited (“TOML”), which was granted an exploration contract (the “TOML Exploration Contract”) by the ISA in January 2012 under the sponsorship of the Kingdom of Tonga (“Tonga”) and has exclusive rights to explore for polymetallic nodules covering an area of 74,713 km2 in the CCZ (“TOML Area”). Marawa Research and Exploration Limited (“Marawa”), an entity owned and sponsored by the Republic of Kiribati (“Kiribati”), was granted rights by the ISA to polymetallic nodules exploration in an area of 74,990 km2 in the CCZ (“Marawa Area”). In 2013, the Company through its subsidiary DeepGreen Engineering Pte. Ltd. (“DGE”) entered into an option agreement (the “Marawa Option Agreement”) with Marawa which granted DGE exclusive rights to manage and carry out all exploration and exploitation in the Marawa Area in return for a royalty payable to Marawa. The Company is working with its strategic partner and investor, Allseas Group S.A. (“Allseas”), to develop a system to collect, lift and transport nodules from the seafloor to shore and to subsequently convert that system into an early commercial production system (Note 10).
The realization of the Company’s assets and attainment of profitable operations is dependent upon many factors including, among other things: financing being arranged by the Company to continue operations, development of a nodule collection system for the recovery of polymetallic nodules from the seafloor as well as development of processing technology for the treatment of polymetallic nodules, the establishment of mineable reserves, the commercial and technical feasibility of seafloor polymetallic nodule collection and processing, metal prices, and regulatory approvals and environmental permitting for commercial operations. The outcome of these matters cannot presently be determined because they are contingent on future events and may not be fully under the Company’s control.
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TMC the metals company Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(in thousands of US Dollars, except share, per share amounts and unless otherwise stated)
2. Basis of Presentation
Statement of Compliance
These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) and include the accounts of TMC and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. The Company has applied the same accounting policies as in the prior year, except as disclosed below.
All share and per share amounts have been adjusted to reflect the impact of the Business Combination (Note 6).
Certain comparative figures in Note 10 have been reclassified to conform to the current period’s presentation.
Basis of Measurement
These consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, except for warrants liability that has been measured at fair value and are presented in United States (“US”) dollars.
Consolidation
These consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries. The principal subsidiaries of the Company, their activities, and their geographic locations as at December 31, 2022 were as follows:
Proportion of
Interest Held
Subsidiary Principal Activity Location by the Company
DeepGreen Metals ULC Mineral exploration Canada 100%
DeepGreen Engineering Pte. Ltd. Mineral exploration Singapore 100%
DeepGreen Resources, LLC Holding Company USA 100%
Nauru Ocean Resources Inc. Mineral exploration Republic of Nauru 100%
Tonga Offshore Mining Ltd. Mineral exploration Kingdom of Tonga 100%
Koloa Moana Resources Ltd. Holding Company Canada 100%
Offshore Minerals Pty. Ltd. Mineral exploration Australia 100%
DeepGreen TOML Singapore Pte. Ltd. Mineral exploration Singapore 100%
DeepGreen TOML Holding 1 Ltd. Holding Company British Virgin Islands 100%
DeepGreen TOML Holding 2 Ltd. Holding Company British Virgin Islands 100%
The Metals Company Australia Pty Ltd Holding Company Australia 100%
TMC The Metals Company UK Limited Holding Company United Kingdom 100%
All inter-group balances have been eliminated on consolidation.
3. Significant Accounting Policies
i. Foreign Currencies
The functional currency is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates. The functional currency of the Company and all its subsidiaries is the U.S. Dollar, except for NEAT and NHEF, whose functional currency is the Australian Dollar.
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TMC the metals company Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(in thousands of US Dollars, except share, per share amounts and unless otherwise stated)
At the end of each reporting period, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are translated into the functional currency at the rates prevailing at that date. Non-monetary assets and liabilities carried at fair value that are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar are translated at rates prevailing at the date when the fair value was determined. All gains and losses on translation of these foreign currency transactions are included in the statements of loss and comprehensive loss. Non-monetary items that are measured at historical cost in a foreign currency are not retranslated.
For consolidation purposes, the assets and liabilities of entities with functional currencies other than the US Dollar are translated at the period end rates of exchange, and the results of their operations are translated at average rates of exchange for the period. The resulting changes are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss within equity as currency translation differences.
ii. Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto. Significant estimates and assumptions reflected in these consolidated financial statements include, but are not limited to, the valuation of share-based payments, including valuation of incentive stock options (Note 15), as well as the valuation of warrants liability (Note 13). Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
iii. Loss Per Share
Basic loss per share is computed by dividing loss available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. The computation of diluted loss per share assumes the conversion, exercise or contingent issuance of securities only when such conversion, exercise or issuance would have a dilutive effect on the loss per share. The dilutive effect of convertible securities is reflected in the diluted loss per share by application of the “if converted” method. The dilutive effect of outstanding options and their equivalents is reflected in the diluted loss per share by application of the treasury stock method.
iv. Financial Instruments
Financial assets and liabilities are recognized when the Company becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Financial assets are derecognized when the rights to receive cash flows from the assets have expired, or have been transferred, and the Company has transferred substantially all risks and rewards of ownership. A financial liability is derecognized when the obligation specified in the contract is discharged, cancelled, or expires.
The Company’s financial instruments consists of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, and deferred acquisition costs which are recorded at amortized cost as well as warrants to acquire common shares of the Company which are measured at fair value.
v. Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair value estimates of financial instruments are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant information about financial markets and specific financial instruments. As these estimates are subjective in nature, involving uncertainties and matters of significant judgment, they cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions can significantly affect estimated fair value.
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(in thousands of US Dollars, except share, per share amounts and unless otherwise stated)
The Company measures fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the reporting date. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company utilizes a three-tier hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in the valuation methodologies in measuring fair value:
In some circumstances, the inputs used to measure fair value might be categorized within different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In those instances, the fair value measurement is categorized in its entirety in the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
There were no transfers between fair value measurement levels during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.
As at December 31, 2022 and 2021, the carrying values of cash, receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate their fair values due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The financial instruments also include public and private warrants issued by the Company. The warrants are valued at fair value which is disclosed in Note 13.
vi. Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and term deposits with a remaining term to maturity at acquisition of three months or less. As at December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company had no cash equivalents.
vii. Equipment
Equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. Cost includes expenditures that are directly attributable to the acquisition of the asset. Subsequent costs are included in the asset’s carrying amount or recognized as a separate asset, as appropriate, when it is probable that future economic benefits from such assets will flow to the Company and the cost of such assets can be measured reliably. The carrying amount of an asset is derecognized when it is replaced or taken out of service. Repairs and maintenance costs are charged to the statement of loss and comprehensive loss during the period they are incurred.
The major categories of equipment are amortized on a declining balance basis as follows:
Exploration and other equipment 30 %
Office equipment 30 %
The Company allocates the amount initially recognized to each asset’s significant components and depreciates each component separately. Amortization methods and useful life of the assets are reviewed at each financial period end and adjusted on a prospective basis, if required.
Gains and losses on disposals of equipment are determined by comparing the proceeds with the carrying amount of the asset and are included in the statement of loss and comprehensive loss.
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(in thousands of US Dollars, except share, per share amounts and unless otherwise stated)
viii. Leases
The Company determines if an arrangement is or contains a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and operating lease liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. The Company does not have any finance leases.
ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. When leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the estimated rate of interest for collateralized borrowing over a similar term of the lease payments at commencement date. The operating lease ROU asset also includes any lease payments made and excludes lease incentives. Lease expense for operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Differences between the calculated lease payment and actual payment are expensed as incurred. Amortization of finance lease assets is recognized over the lease term. Interest expense on finance lease liabilities is recognized over the lease term in interest expense. The lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option.
The Company elected to apply the short-term lease recognition exemption to all of its lease arrangements and recorded an expense of $132 (2021: $132) for lease payments during the year ended December 31, 2022 relating to office premises and employee accommodations. Such lease expense is disclosed under general and administrative expenses within the statement of loss and comprehensive loss and forms part of cash flow from operating activities.
ix. Exploration Contracts
The Company is in the exploration stage with respect to its investment in exploration contracts and follows the practice of capitalizing costs related to the acquisition of such exploration contracts. The cost of exploration contracts will be charged to operations using a unit-of-production method based on proven and probable reserves once commercial production commences in the future.
x.Exploration and Evaluation Expenses
The Company expenses all costs related to exploration and development of exploration contracts. Such exploration and development costs include, but are not limited to, exploration contract management, geological, geochemical and geophysical studies, environmental studies and process development.
xi. Share-Based Compensation
Share-based compensation is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized over the requisite service period. Share-based compensation costs are charged to exploration and evaluation expenses or general and administrative expenses in the statement of loss and comprehensive loss. The Company recognizes forfeiture of any awards as they occur. The Company records share-based compensation from the issuance of stock options and restricted share units (“RSUs”) to employees with service-based conditions using the accelerated attribution method.
For stock options and restricted share units issued with performance conditions (Note 15), the Company recognizes share-based compensation cost when the specific performance targets become probable of being achieved using the accelerated attribution method. When these costs relate to equity financing, they are netted against share capital as a share issuance cost. The fair value of stock option awards with only service and/or performance conditions is estimated on the grant date using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model.
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(in thousands of US Dollars, except share, per share amounts and unless otherwise stated)
For stock options issued with market conditions (Note 15), the Company recognizes share-based compensation cost over the expected achievement period for the related market capitalization milestone determined on the grant date. If the related market capitalization milestone is achieved earlier than its expected achievement period, then any unamortized share-based compensation cost for that milestone is recognized at that time. The fair value of market-based stock option awards is estimated on the grant date using Monte-Carlo simulations.
The Company at times grants common shares, stock options or RSUs in lieu of cash to certain vendors for their services to the Company. The Company recognizes the associated cost in the same period and manner as if the Company paid cash for the services provided.
xii. Warrants Liability
The Company evaluates all of its financial instruments, including issued share purchase warrants, to determine if such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives, pursuant to U.S. GAAP Accounting Standard Coding (“ASC”) 480, Distinguishing Liability from Equity, and ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. The classification of derivative instruments, including whether such instruments should be recorded as liabilities or as equity, is re-assessed at the end of each reporting period.
The Company accounts for the Public Warrants and Private Warrants (as defined below) in accordance with the guidance contained in ASC 815 (Subtopic 40), Derivative and Hedging – Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (“ASC 815-40”), and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Division of Corporation Finance’s April 12, 2021 Public Statement, Staff Statement on Accounting and Reporting Considerations for Warrants Issued by Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (“SEC Statement”), under which, subsequent to the Business Combination, the 15,000,000 common share warrants issued by SOAC as part of the units offered in its initial public offering (“Public Warrants”) were determined to meet the criteria for equity classification, while the 9,500,000 private placement common share warrants issued by SOAC in a private placement simultaneously with the closing of the initial public offering (“Private Warrants”) did not meet the criteria for equity classification and must be recorded as liabilities. Specifically, the terms of the Private Warrants provide for potential changes to the settlement amounts dependent upon the characteristics of the warrant holder, and, because the holder of a Private Warrant is not an input into the pricing of a fixed-for-fixed option on equity shares, such provision would preclude the Private Warrants from being classified in equity and should be classified as a liability. Accordingly, the Company classified the Private Warrants as liabilities measured at fair value and adjusts the Private Warrants to their fair value at the end of each reporting period. The warrants liability is subject to re-measurement at each balance sheet date until exercised with any changes in fair value being recognized in the Company’s statement of loss and comprehensive loss.
The Company granted warrants to Allseas on March 4, 2021 to acquire 11.6 million TMC common shares at a nominal value (the “Allseas Warrant”). The Allseas Warrant vested and became exercisable upon successful completion of the PMTS in the fourth quarter of 2022, and have been accounted for as equity, since the warrants do not meet the criteria to be classified as liability as defined in ASC Topic 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.
xiii. Income Taxes
Income tax expense represents the sum of current tax expense and deferred tax expense.
Current tax expense is based on taxable profit for the year and includes any adjustments to tax payable in respect of previous years. Taxable profit differs from accounting profit or loss as reported in the consolidated income statement because it excludes (i) items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and (ii) items that are never taxable or deductible. The Company’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted by the balance sheet date. The Company’s policy is to account for income tax related interest and penalties in income tax expense in the accompanying statements of loss and comprehensive loss.
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(in thousands of US Dollars, except share, per share amounts and unless otherwise stated)
Deferred tax income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are based on temporary differences, which are differences between the accounting basis and tax basis of assets and liabilities, non-capital loss, capital loss, and tax credits carryforwards and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws expected to apply when these differences reverse. Deferred tax benefits, including non-capital loss, capital loss, and tax credits carryforwards are recognized to the extent that realization of such benefits is considered more likely than not. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the consolidated income statement in the period that enactment occurs. When realization of deferred income tax assets does not meet the more likely than not criterion for recognition, a valuation allowance is provided.
Significant Accounting Policies Adopted during the year
Share-Based Compensation under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan
During the second quarter of 2022, the Company adopted an employee stock purchase plan (the “ESPP”) whereby employees can purchase common shares of the Company at a 15% discount to its share price at the time of purchase, through payroll deductions (Note 15). Employee contributions are converted into common shares at a discount to the lower of the share price at the beginning of the offering period and the share price at the end of the purchase period. The fair value of the shares purchased under the ESPP is estimated on the grant date using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model and is reported as share-based compensation over the offering period, using the accelerated attribution method. Share-based compensation costs are charged to exploration and evaluation expenses or general and administrative expenses in the statement of loss and comprehensive loss.
4. Significant Accounting Estimates and Judgements
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of policies and reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income and expenses. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis of making the judgments about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
Significant management judgments and estimates were applied to the following areas:
i. Valuation of Share-Based Payments
TMC recognized the cost of share-based awards granted to employees, non-employees and directors based on the estimated grant-date fair value of the awards. TMC determined the fair value of stock options and Restricted Share Units using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which was impacted by the following assumptions:
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(in thousands of US Dollars, except share, per share amounts and unless otherwise stated)
This valuation approach involves the use of estimates, judgments and assumptions that are subjective, such as those regarding the probability of future events. Changes in these estimates and assumptions impact the Company’s valuation as of the valuation date and may have a material impact on the valuation of the Company’s common shares. Changes in these assumptions used to determine the fair value of incentive stock options, including the vesting timeline of granted stock options, could have a material impact on the Company’s loss and comprehensive loss.
Prior to closing of the Business Combination, TMC estimated the fair value of common shares issued for services using the Probability Weighted Expected Return Method (“PWERM”). The Company applied the PWERM by first defining the range of potential future liquidity outcomes, including the share price used for its most recent private placements and the share price used for the Business Combination, then allocating its value based on the probability of that event occurring.
ii.Valuation of Warrants Liability
The Company re-measures the fair value of the Private Warrants at the end of each reporting period. The fair value of the Private Warrants was estimated using a Black-Scholes option pricing model whereby the expected volatility was estimated using a binomial model based on consideration of the implied volatility from the Company’s Public Warrants adjusted to account for the call feature of the Public Warrants at prices above $18.00 during 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period.
iii.Evaluation of Going Concern
The Company evaluates its ability to operate as a going concern at each reporting period. This evaluation requires the Company to estimate its cash flow commitments over a forecast period of twelve months and whether it has the financial ability to pay for such commitments. Changes in these estimates and assumptions may have a material impact on this assessment.
5. Recent Accounting Pronouncements Issued and Adopted
Accounting for Certain Modifications or Exchanges of Freestanding Equity-Classified Written Call Options
In May 2021, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2021-04, “Earnings Per Share (Topic 260), Debt—Modifications and Extinguishments (Subtopic 470-50), Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718), and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Issuer’s Accounting for Certain Modifications or Exchanges of Freestanding Equity-Classified Written Call Options”, which clarified and reduced diversity in an issuer’s accounting for modifications or exchanges of freestanding equity-classified written call options that remain equity classified after modification or exchange. Specifically, an issuer should treat a modification of the terms or conditions or an exchange of a freestanding equity-classified written call option that remains equity classified after modification or exchange as an exchange of the original instrument for a new instrument. Modification or an exchange that is a part of or directly related to a modification or an exchange of an existing debt instrument should be measured as the difference between the fair value of the modified or exchanged written call option and the fair value of that written call option immediately before it is modified or exchanged. The effect of a modification or an exchange of a freestanding equity-classified written call option that remains equity classified after modification or exchange on the basis of the substance of the transaction should be recognized in the same manner as if cash had been paid as consideration. ASU 2021-04 is effective for fiscal periods ending on or after December 15, 2021, with early adoption permitted. ASU 2021-04 is applied prospectively to modifications or exchanges occurring on or after the effective date. The adoption of ASU 2021-04 on January 1, 2022 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
6. Business Combination
On March 4, 2021, SOAC and DeepGreen entered into a business combination agreement (“BCA”) in which SOAC would combine with DeepGreen, relist on the Nasdaq and SOAC would be renamed to TMC. The Business Combination was consummated on September 9, 2021, whereby SOAC acquired all of the outstanding common shares of DeepGreen.
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(in thousands of US Dollars, except share, per share amounts and unless otherwise stated)
Pursuant to the BCA, shareholders of DeepGreen exchanged their DeepGreen common shares at a ratio of 1.157862 TMC common shares per DeepGreen common share (“Exchange Ratio”) and received approximately 203.9 million TMC common shares and a total of 120.1 million Class A to H special shares (“Special Shares”). Each class of Special Shares automatically convert to TMC common shares if TMC common shares trade at a price on any 20 trading days within any 30- trading day period that is greater than or equal to the specific trigger price for the respective class of Special Share. The trigger prices range from $15 per share to $200 per share.
In connection with the Business Combination, the SOAC sponsors were entitled to an additional 0.5 million Class I Special Shares and 0.7 million Class J Special Shares which are convertible to TMC common shares if TMC common shares trade for a price on any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period that is greater than or equal to $50.00 per share and $12.00 per share, respectively.
Additionally, existing DeepGreen options were automatically adopted by TMC (the “Rollover Options”) after application of the Exchange Ratio to both the underlying number of common shares and the exercise price. These Rollover Options did not change in value as a result of the Business Combination. The Rollover Options also entitle holders thereof to a pro-rata portion of up to an aggregate of 14.9 million Special Shares if exercised.
Lastly, the warrants granted to Allseas to acquire 10 million DeepGreen common shares at a nominal value (the “Allseas Warrant”) have been assumed by TMC and have become warrants to purchase 11.6 million TMC common shares, in accordance with its terms.
Below is a summary of the Special Shares and their respective vesting thresholds, assuming the full amount of Special Shares from Rollover Options are issued:
Special Share Class A B C D E F G H I J
The following table reconciles the cash proceeds from the Business Combination:
Cash proceeds from SOAC $ 27,328
Cash proceeds from sale of equity securities 110,300
Gross cash received by TMC from Business Combination 137,628
Less: Transaction costs settled in cash (33,163)
Net contributions from Business Combination $ 104,465
In addition to the transaction costs settled in cash above, the Company incurred $3.5 million of transaction costs which were settled by the issuance of 873,953 common shares on October 7, 2021.
Prior to the Business Combination, SOAC had 30.0 million Class A common shares with a par value of $0.0001 per share (“SOAC Class A Shares”) outstanding and 7.5 million Class B common shares with a par value of $0.0001 per share (“SOAC Class B Shares”) held by Sustainable Opportunities Holdings LLC (the “Sponsor”).
In connection with the Business Combination, 27.3 million SOAC Class A Shares were redeemed by public shareholders. On September 9, 2021, each remaining issued and outstanding share of SOAC Class A Shares automatically converted, on a one-for-one basis, into TMC common shares and 6.8 million outstanding shares of SOAC Class B Shares automatically converted, on a one-for-one basis, into TMC common shares and 0.7 million outstanding shares of SOAC Class B Shares converted into Class J Special Shares. The TMC common shares also changed from having a par value of $0.0001 per share to no par value.
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(in thousands of US Dollars, except share, per share amounts and unless otherwise stated)
The number of TMC common shares issued immediately following the consummation of the Business Combination is summarized as follows:
Number of
Shares by type shares
SOAC Class A shares outstanding prior to the Business Combination 30,000,000
Less: Redemption of SOAC Class A shares (27,278,657)
SOAC Class A shares outstanding and converted to TMC common shares 2,721,343
Shares issued in the Private Investment in Public Equity (“PIPE”) 11,030,000
Conversion of SOAC Class B shares to TMC common shares 6,759,000
Shares issued to SOAC and PIPE investors 20,510,343
Shares issued to the DeepGreen shareholders 203,874,981
Total TMC common shares outstanding at close of Business Combination 224,385,324
The Company incurred transaction costs related to the Business Combination of approximately $42.1 million, of which $5.4 million, incurred prior to the closing of the Business Combination becoming probable, are included in general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of loss and other comprehensive loss. The remaining $36.7 million of transaction costs were capitalized to common shares on the consolidated balance sheet.
The Business Combination was accounted for as a reverse acquisition with no goodwill or intangible assets being recorded. As SOAC had no operations, the net assets acquired were recorded at their historical cost. Adjustments related to the Business Combination including consideration paid to DeepGreen shareholders and any other adjustments to eliminate the historical equity of SOAC and recapitalize the equity of DeepGreen were recorded to common shares to reflect the effective issuance of common shares to SOAC and PIPE investors in the Business Combination.
7.TOML Acquisition
On March 31, 2020, the Company entered into an acquisition agreement to wholly acquire TOML and other entities in the group from Deep Sea Mining Finance Ltd. (the “TOML Acquisition”). Total purchase price of the TOML Acquisition, before transaction costs, was $32.0 million. TOML holds an ISA exploration contract in the CCZ (“TOML Exploration Contract”) and some exploration related equipment.
The net assets acquired as part of the TOML Acquisition were as follows:
Net assets acquired
Total acquisition cost $ 32,047
Allocated to:
Equipment 21
Exploration contracts (Note 10) 42,701
Deferred tax liability1 (10,675)
Net assets acquired $ 32,047
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(in thousands of US Dollars, except share, per share amounts and unless otherwise stated)
8. Receivables and Prepayments
The amounts of outstanding receivables and prepayments at December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:
Taxes and other receivables $ 117 $ 64
9. Equipment
The movements in the Company’s capital equipment are as follows:
Exploration and