Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This quarterly report on Form 10-Q, including the documents incorporated by reference, contain “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation, and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively referred to herein as “forward-looking statements” (“FLS”)). All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are FLS and can be identified by the use of statements that include, but are not limited to, words, such as “anticipate,” “plan,” “continues,” “estimate,” “expect,” “may,” “will,” “projects,” “predict,” “proposes,” “potential,” “target,” “implement,” “scheduled,” “forecast,” “intend,” “would,” “could,” “might,” “should,” “believe” and similar terminology, or statements that certain actions, events or results “may,” “could,” “would,” “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. FLS in this quarterly report, including the documents incorporated by reference, includes, but is not limited to: statements relating to the anticipated sources and uses of funds to complete project financing, statements relating to the JV Transaction (as defined herein) with GM (as defined herein), the DOE Loan (as defined herein) and the Orion Investment (as defined herein), including statements regarding satisfaction of draw down conditions on the DOE Loan and expected timing for first draw down on the DOE Loan; expectations about the extent that the JV Transaction, DOE Loan, the investment from GM and cash on hand would fund the development and construction of the Thacker Pass project (the “Thacker Pass Project”) on schedule or at all; expectations and timing on the commencement of major construction and first production; project de-risking initiatives; expectations related to the construction build, job creation and nameplate capacity of the Thacker Pass Project as well as other statements with respect to the Company’s future objectives and strategies to achieve these objectives, including the future prospects of the Company; the estimated cash flow, capitalization and adequacy thereof for the Company; the estimated costs of the development of the Thacker Pass Project, including timing, progress, approach, continuity or change in plans, construction, commissioning, milestones, anticipated production and results thereof and expansion plans; cost and expected benefits of the transloading terminal; cost and expected benefit of the limestone quarry; anticipated timing to resolve, and the expected outcome of, any complaints or claims made or that could be made concerning the permitting process in the United States for the Thacker Pass Project; the timely completion of environmental reviews and related consultations, and receipt or issuance of permits and approvals, in the United States for the Company’s development and resultant operations; outcomes or timing of judicial proceedings; capital expenditures and programs; estimates, and any change in estimates, of the mineral resources and mineral reserves at the Thacker Pass Project; development of mineral resources and mineral reserves; the realization of mineral resources and mineral reserves estimates, including whether certain mineral resources will ever be developed into mineral reserves, and information and underlying assumptions related thereto; government regulation of mining operations and treatment under governmental and taxation regimes; the future price of commodities, including lithium; the creation of a battery supply chain in the United States to support the electric vehicle market; the timing and amount of future production, currency exchange and interest rates; the Company’s ability to raise capital; expected expenditures to be made by the Company on the Thacker Pass Project; statements relating to revised capital cost estimates; ability to produce high purity battery grade lithium products; settlement of agreements related to the operation and sale of mineral production as well as contracts in respect of operations and inputs required in the course of production; the timing, cost, quantity, capacity and product quality of production at the Thacker Pass Project; successful development of the Thacker Pass Project, including successful results from the Company’s testing facility and third-party tests related thereto; statements with respect to the expected economics of the Thacker Pass Project, including capital costs, operating costs, sustaining capital requirements, after tax net present value and internal rate of return, pricing assumptions, payback period, sensitivity analyses, net cash flows and life of mine; anticipated job creation and the completion of the workforce hub; the expectation that the National Construction Agreement (Project Labor Agreement) with North America’s Building Trades Unions for construction of Phase 1 of the Thacker Pass Project will minimize construction risk, ensure availability of skilled labor, address the challenges associated with the Thacker Pass Project’s remote location and be effective in prioritizing employment of local and regional skilled craft workers, including members of underrepresented communities; the expected workforce development training program being prepared with Great Basin College; the Company’s commitment to sustainable development, limiting the environmental impact at the Thacker Pass Project and plans for phased reclamation during the life of mine including use benefits of growth media; ability to achieve capital cost efficiencies; anticipated use of any future proceeds related to the Thacker Pass Project; anticipated plans regarding the payment or non-payment of dividends; as well as other statements with respect to management’s beliefs, plans, estimates and intentions, and similar statements concerning anticipated future events, results, circumstances, performance or expectations that are not historical facts.
FLS involves known and unknown risks, assumptions and other factors that may cause actual results or performance to differ materially. FLS reflects the Company’s current views about future events, and while considered reasonable by the Company as of the date of this quarterly report, are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies. Accordingly, there can be no certainty that they will accurately reflect actual results. Assumptions and other factors upon