STANDBY PURCHASE AGREEMENT
Exhibit 4.1
Execution Copy
and
GLENCORE AG
Dated: May 6, 2019
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page
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| 1. DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION |
2
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| 2. THE RIGHTS OFFERING |
3
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| 3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES |
4
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| 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY |
4
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| 5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF GLENCORE |
4
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| 6. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS DURING RIGHTS OFFERING |
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| 7. AMENDED AND RESTATED CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AGREEMENT |
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| 8. DEMAND REGISTRATION |
6
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| 9. CONDITIONS AND TERMINATION RIGHTS |
6
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| 10. DOCUMENTATION FOR INSPECTION |
7 |
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| 11. TERMINATION RIGHTS |
7
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| 12. CONSEQUENCES OF TERMINATION |
7
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| 13. EXCLUSIVITY |
8
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| 14. CONFIDENTIALITY AND ANNOUNCEMENTS |
8
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| 15. FURTHER ASSURANCE |
10
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| 16. NOTICES |
10
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| 17. GENERAL |
11
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| 18. GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION |
14
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| SCHEDULE 1 DEFINITIONS |
1-1
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| SCHEDULE 2 PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE RIGHTS OFFERING |
2-1
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| SCHEDULE 3 FORM OF LAUNCH PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT |
3-1
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| SCHEDULE 4 FORM OF PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS |
4-1
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| SCHEDULE 4.3.3 |
4-1
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| SCHEDULE 5 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF POLYMET |
5-1
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| SCHEDULE 6 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF GLENCORE |
6-1
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SCHEDULE S1 MATERIAL AGREEMENTS
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1
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EXHIBIT 5.4(E) FORM OF CANADIAN COUNSEL OPINION
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2
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EXHIBIT 5.4(F) FORM OF US OPINION
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1
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THIS AGREEMENT is entered into as of May 6, 2019
PARTIES:
POLYMET MINING CORP., whose registered office is at 000 Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 0000, Xxxxxxx, XX X0X 0X0 (“PolyMet” or the “Company”); and
GLENCORE AG, a corporation formed under the laws of Switzerland whose registered office is at Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 0,
X.X. Xxx 0000, XX‑0000, Xxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxx (“Glencore”).
WHEREAS
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A.
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Pursuant to certain debentures (collectively, the “Debentures”)
issued pursuant to the purchase agreement made as of October 31, 2008 (as amended from time to time to the date hereof, the “Purchase Agreement”)
between Poly Met Mining Inc. (“PMI”, and together with the Company, “PLM”), the Company and Glencore, PMI is indebted to Glencore: (a) in the principal amount of US$25,000,000, plus accrued interest of US$33,815,052 pursuant to the Convertible Debentures (the “Convertible Debt”); and (b) in the principal amount of US$140,000,000 plus accrued interest of US$47,045,521 pursuant to the Non‑Convertible Debentures (the “Non‑Convertible Debt” together with the Convertible Debt, the “Glencore
Debt”), in each case as at the date of this Agreement, for an aggregate total of US$259,416,390, plus additional interest which accrues after the date of this Agreement.
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B.
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Pursuant to an extension agreement (the “Extension Agreement”)
made as of March 22, 2019 between PMI, the Company and Glencore, Glencore agreed to extend the maturity date of the Glencore Debt for a period of time to provide the Company with an opportunity to arrange a rights offering (the “Rights Offering”) and related transactions to effect a repayment of the Glencore Debt, and the Company agreed to extend the expiry date of and make
certain other amendments to the exchange warrant issued by the Company on October 31, 2008 relating to the Convertible Debentures (the “Exchange Warrant”)
and to issue new purchase warrants to replace certain purchase warrants issued in March 2018 (the “2018 Purchase Warrants”), each of which expired on March 31, 2019.
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C.
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As contemplated by the Extension Agreement, the Company and Glencore entered into a warrant amending agreement (the “Warrant Amending Agreement”) dated March 22, 2019 pursuant to which Company agreed to (a) extend the expiry date of the Exchange Warrant to the earlier of (x) March 31,
2020, and (y) the date on which the Convertible Debt is fully repaid (the “Expiry Date Extension”); (b) issue 6,458,001 new purchase warrants (the “2019 Purchase Warrants”) to Glencore having an expiry date of March 31, 2024 and an exercise price equal to the “market price” (as defined under the TSX
Company Manual, but otherwise have the same terms and conditions as the 2018 Purchase Warrants) of the Shares on the TSX as soon as written receipt of the TSX is obtained (the “2019 Purchase Warrant Issuance”); and (c) use its commercially reasonable best efforts to reduce the exercise price (the
“Exercise Price Reduction”) of the Exchange Warrant to the lowest price permitted by the TSX and NYSE American (collectively, the “Exchanges”), in each case subject to obtaining any necessary approvals or consents of the Exchanges.
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D.
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On March 29, 2019, Amendment 26 to the Purchase Agreement became effective. |
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E.
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On March 29, 2019, the 2019 Purchase Warrant Issuance occurred.
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F.
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On March 29, 2019, the Expiry Date Extension occurred.
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G.
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On April 18, 2019, the Exercise Price Reduction occurred.
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H.
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As contemplated by Section 3(d) and Schedule B of the Extension Agreement, the Company intends to raise US$265,000,000 (the “Gross Proceeds”) by way of the Rights Offering to its Shareholders on the terms and conditions set out herein and in the draft Preliminary Prospectus
attached hereto as Schedule 4.
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I.
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As contemplated by Schedule B of the Extension Agreement, Glencore has agreed to provide a standby commitment in respect of the Rights Offering on
the terms and conditions set out in Schedule 2.
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J.
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Glencore agrees to waive its right of first refusal contained in paragraphs 11, 12 and 13 of the subscription agreement (the “Subscription Agreement”) dated November 12, 2010 between the Company and Glencore (as confirmed by paragraph 13 of the subscription agreement dated
November 30, 2011 between the Company and Glencore), as applicable, to the issue of the Rights and the Rights Offering Shares and the Standby Shares.
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THE PARTIES AGREE as follows:
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1.
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Definitions and Interpretation
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1.1
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Words defined in Schedule 1 have, where used in this Agreement, the meanings given to them
in that Schedule.
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1.2
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In this Agreement:
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1.2.1
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the table of contents and the headings are inserted for convenience only and do not affect
the interpretation of this Agreement;
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1.2.2
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references to Sections, Articles and Schedules are to sections of this Agreement, sections of the Schedules, articles of the
Schedules and schedules to this Agreement respectively unless otherwise stated and references to “this Agreement” include the Schedules;
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1.2.3
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references to a statutory provision are references to it as from time to time amended, consolidated or re‑enacted (with or without modification) and include all instruments or orders made under it;
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1.2.4
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whenever a provision of this Agreement requires an approval or consent and the approval or consent is not delivered in writing
within the applicable time limit, then, unless otherwise specified, the Party whose consent or approval is required shall be conclusively deemed to have withheld its approval or consent;
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1.2.5
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unless the context requires otherwise any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document shall be
construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set out herein or in
any such agreement, instrument or other document) in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof. For the avoidance of doubt, if a “Further Extension Agreement” as defined in the Extension Agreement is entered into as contemplated by
the Extension Agreement any reference to the “Extension Agreement” shall be construed as referring to the Extension Agreement as amended and supplement by the “Further Extension Agreement”;
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1.2.6
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unless the context requires otherwise any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors
and permitted assigns;
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1.2.7
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unless the context requires otherwise the words “this Agreement”, “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder,” and words of similar
import, when used in this Agreement, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof;
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1.2.8
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where the “including” or “includes” is used in this Agreement it means “including (or includes) without limitation”;
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1.2.9
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words importing the plural include the singular and vice versa; and
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1.2.10
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except as otherwise provided herein, references to a time of day are to Vancouver, B.C. time.
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2.
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The Rights Offering
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2.1
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In accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Company agrees to make the Rights Offering and issue Rights
to the holders of its outstanding Shares on the Record Date and Glencore agrees to exercise its Basic Subscription Right in full and has informed the Company that it has yet to determine whether or not it will exercise its Additional
Subscription Privilege, and shall subscribe for the Standby Shares in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 2.
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2.2
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Glencore and the Company hereby acknowledge that the completion of the Rights Offering will trigger: (a) Section 13 of the 2016‑1 Purchase Warrants which will require the exercise price in the 2016‑1
Purchase Warrants to be adjusted in accordance with the formulae set forth in Section 13(b) of the 2016‑1 Purchase Warrants; (b) Article 4 of a warrant indenture between PolyMet and Computershare Trust Company of Canada dated October 18,
2016 (the “2016 Warrant Indenture”) with regards to the 2016‑2
Purchase Warrants which will require the exercise price of the 2016‑2 Purchase Warrants to be adjusted in accordance with the formulae set forth in
Section 4.1(b) of the 2016 Warrant Indenture; and (c) Section 13 of the 2019 Purchase Warrants which will require the exercise price in the 2019 Purchase Warrants to be adjusted in accordance with the formulae set forth in
Section 13(b) of the 2019 Purchase Warrants.
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2.3
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Glencore and the Company hereby acknowledge that the completion of the Rights Offering will trigger Section 12 in the Exchange
Warrant which will require the exercise prices in the Exchange Warrant to be adjusted in accordance with the formulae set forth in Section 12(d) of the Exchange Warrant.
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2.4
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Glencore waives the provisions of paragraphs 11, 12, and 13 of the Subscription Agreement with respect to the issue of the
Rights Offering Securities, provided that the waiver contemplated by this Section 2.4 shall be revoked upon the earlier of: (a) termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms; or (b) the Company having committed a material
breach of this Agreement.
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3.
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Representations and Warranties
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3.1
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All representations and warranties of PolyMet and Glencore contained in this Agreement shall survive the completion of the
transactions contemplated herein.
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4.
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Representations and Warranties of the Company
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4.1
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The Company represents and warrants to Glencore as set out in Schedule 5. Capitalized terms used in Schedule 5 shall have the same definitions as the defined terms in the Agreement.
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4.2
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The Company shall not do, or omit to do, anything which would or might reasonably be expected to cause a representation or
warranty set out in Schedule 5 to become untrue, inaccurate or misleading at any time (by reference to the circumstances subsisting at that time) before the Rights Offering Closing Date.
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4.3
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The Company shall notify Glencore immediately if it becomes aware of a fact or circumstance which has caused or would be
reasonably likely to cause a representation or warranty set out in Schedule 5 to become untrue, inaccurate or misleading at any time (by reference to circumstances subsisting at that time) before the Rights Offering Closing Date.
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4.4
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The Company accepts that Glencore is relying upon the representations and warranties set out in Schedule 5 in connection with
entering into this Agreement and consummating the transactions contemplated hereby.
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5.
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Representations and Warranties of Glencore
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5.1
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Glencore represents and warrants to the Company as set out in Schedule 6.
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5.2
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Glencore accepts that the Company is relying upon the representations and warranties set out in Schedule 6 in connection with
entering into this Agreement and consummating the transactions contemplated hereby.
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6.
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Conduct of Business During Rights Offering
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6.1
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The Company hereby undertakes that, except with the prior written approval of Glencore, between the date of this Agreement and
the Rights Offering Closing Date it shall (and shall procure that each of its Subsidiaries (including, for the avoidance of doubt, PMI) shall) conduct its business and operations in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice and without limiting the generality of the foregoing in accordance with the following terms:
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6.1.1
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it will perform and observe all of the terms and conditions contained in each of the Credit Documents (as defined in the
Extension Agreement) to which it is a party;
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6.1.2
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it will, at all times, undertake all appropriate efforts for the purposes of managing its property and undertaking in a
commercially reasonable manner and maintaining its properties and assets in accordance with usual and accepted proper practice for its industry so as to maintain the value and utility of such properties and assets;
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6.1.3
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not make any payments or disbursements, nor incur any liability, except in respect of ordinary course of business expenses
relating to the business of Company or PMI;
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6.1.4
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remit to the appropriate Governmental Entity when due all sales and other taxes collected or deemed to be collected by it
(including, without limitation, goods and services tax and provincial sales tax);
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6.1.5
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remit to the appropriate Governmental Entity all source deductions (including, without limitation, withholding taxes, employment
insurance and Canada Pension Plan contributions) at the same time as its payroll is paid; and
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6.1.6
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not enter into or agree to enter into, or amend, any material contracts.
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6.2
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The Company covenants and agrees with Glencore that, except with the prior written approval of Glencore, between the date of
this Agreement and the Rights Offering Closing Date it shall not (and procure that each of its Subsidiaries (including for the avoidance of doubt, PMI) shall not):
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6.2.1
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pay any amount to its employees, officers or directors in their capacities as such by way of salary, bonus, commission,
directors fees (other than (i) the special committee fees that have been disclosed in writing prior to the date of the Extension Agreement; and (ii) the annual cost of living salary increases approved at the meeting of the Board of
Directors of the Company on March 1, 2019) or otherwise in excess of the amounts currently being paid in accordance with contractual arrangements and policies existing as at 30 June 2018;
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6.2.2
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enter into any “change of control” agreement or any amendment or modification of any existing agreement to include “change of
control” provisions which have the effect of creating new payment obligations and/or accelerating existing payment obligations) or any new or amended employment or retention or bonus agreement or any other similar agreement with any of
its employees, officers or directors;
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6.2.3
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amend or propose any amendments to its constating documents;
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6.2.4
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amend or adopt any shareholder rights plan or issue any securities other than common shares in the ordinary course of business
and/or pursuant to the Rights Offering; or
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6.2.5
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guarantee, endorse or otherwise become surety for or upon any obligations of others.
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6.3
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The Company shall allow representatives of Glencore reasonable access to the operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries
(subject to the Company receiving reasonable notice), subject always to appropriate restrictions to ensure that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries does not breach any legal or contractual confidentiality obligations.
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7.
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Amended and Restated Corporate Governance Agreement
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7.1
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The Company covenants and agrees, on or prior to the Rights Offering Closing Date, to execute and deliver the amended and
restated corporate governance agreement in substantially the form set out in Schedule 4.3.3 (the “Amended and Restated Corporate Governance Agreement”)
to terminate the restrictions set out in Section 3(b) of the Existing Corporate Governance Agreement. For greater certainty, the Company shall not be
obligated to enter into the Amended and Restated Corporate Governance Agreement if this Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms prior to the completion and closing of the Rights Offering.
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8.
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Demand Registration
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8.1
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Effective as of the Rights Offering Closing Date, Glencore and the Company shall execute and deliver a registration rights
agreement (the “2019 Registration Rights Agreement”) in
customary form, pursuant to which the Company will agree to provide registration rights under the 1933 Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and applicable state securities laws, and qualification rights under
Canadian Securities Laws with respect to the Shares acquired by Glencore in connection with this Agreement and any Shares issued under the 2019 Purchase Warrants.
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9.
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Conditions and Termination Rights
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9.1
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For the avoidance of doubt, no obligation under this Agreement is subject to any conditions precedent other than as expressly
set out in this Section 9 or Article 6 of Schedule 2.
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9.2
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The Company will use its best efforts to procure that each of the conditions set out in Section 6.3 and Section 6.4 of Article 6
of Schedule 2 and this Section 9 are fulfilled by the time referred to therein or herein or by such later time as may be agreed in writing with Glencore. The Company shall notify Glencore immediately in the event that the Company or any
of its directors or officers become aware that any such condition has become or might reasonably be expected to become incapable of fulfilment by the time referred to therein or by such later time as may be agreed in writing with
Glencore.
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9.3
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Neither Party shall be entitled to claim that any obligation under this Agreement need not be performed as a result of any
condition set out in Section 6.3, Section 6.4 or Section 6.5 of Article 6 of Schedule 2 not being satisfied if the failure to satisfy such condition is as a result of any action or inaction constituting a breach of: (a) this Agreement;
(b) the Extension Agreement; (c) the Warrant Amending Agreement; or (d) the Purchase Agreement, by the Party seeking to rely on it.
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10.
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Documentation for Inspection
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10.1
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The Company shall promptly (and in any event within five Business Days) deliver to Glencore all due diligence materials reasonably requested by
Glencore.
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11.
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Termination Rights
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11.1
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Glencore may terminate this Agreement by providing written notice to the Company at any time if PolyMet shall have not prepared
and filed the Preliminary Prospectus with the Securities Authorities and the Registration Statement with the SEC and obtained a receipt or analogous decision document (the “Decision Document”) on or as of the date that this Agreement is executed.
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11.2
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For the avoidance of doubt, without limiting Glencore’s rights under Schedule 2, Glencore may terminate this Agreement by providing written notice to the Company at any time prior to, but not after, the date on which the Final Prospectus and Registration Statement is
mailed to the Qualifying Shareholders pursuant to Section 2.5(b) of Schedule 2 if:
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11.2.1
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the Company has committed a material breach of this Agreement (which shall include, for the avoidance of doubt, any material
breach of any representations or warranties set out in this Agreement) and, if capable of cure, has not cured it within a reasonable time; or
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11.2.2
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a Triggering Event has occurred; or
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11.2.3
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the Company or one of its Affiliates has otherwise committed a material breach of any other material agreement between the
Company and/or its Affiliates on the one hand and Glencore and/or its Affiliates on the other hand and if capable of cure, has not been cured in the time permitted under the applicable agreement.
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11.3
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The Company may terminate this Agreement by giving written notice to Glencore at any time prior to, but not after, the date on
which the Final Prospectus and Registration Statement is mailed to the Qualifying Shareholders pursuant to Section 2.5(b) of Schedule 2 if Glencore has committed a material breach of this Agreement and, if capable of cure, has not cured
it within a reasonable time.
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11.4
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Glencore or the Company may terminate this Agreement immediately by giving written notice to the other party if Glencore
delivers, or is deemed pursuant to Section 4.2 of Schedule 2 to have delivered, to the Company a Second Request Notification indicating that Glencore has elected not to respond and comply with a Second Request.
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12.
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Consequences of Termination
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12.1
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If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 11.1, Section 11.2, Section 11.3 or Section 11.4, or Article 7 of
Schedule 2, then:
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12.1.1
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this Agreement shall terminate and the Parties’ obligations under this Agreement shall cease immediately, except as set out in
Section 12.1.4;
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12.1.2
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neither Party will have any claim against any other Party, provided however that this limitation shall not apply in respect of:
(x) any fraud; or (y) a breach of this Agreement which occurred on or prior to the termination of this Agreement (which fraud or breach and liability therefore shall not be effected by the termination of this Agreement);
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12.1.3
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the applications for the listing of the Rights Offering Securities shall be withdrawn and the Company shall procure that the
listing will not become effective (except to the extent such listing has already become effective); and
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12.1.4
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the provisions of Section 1, Section 14.5,
Section 14.6, Section 16 to Section 18 and Article 8 of Schedule 2 will remain in full force and effect.
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13.
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Exclusivity
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13.1
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The Company hereby agrees that, from the date of this Agreement until the earliest of: (a) the Rights Offering Closing Date; or
(b) the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms, it shall not, and shall procure that none of its Subsidiaries, representatives, advisers, agents or employees shall, directly or indirectly:
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13.1.1
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solicit, negotiate or initiate the submission of proposals, indications of interest or offers of any kind which could lead to a
Competing Transaction;
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13.1.2
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enter into or participate in any discussions or negotiations with any third party in relation to a proposal or request in
respect of a Competing Transaction, or which may lead to a Competing Transaction;
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13.1.3
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provide any information to any third party in connection with a possible Competing Transaction; or
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13.1.4
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recommend any Competing Transaction to its Shareholders.
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13.2
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The Company hereby agrees that, with immediate effect, it shall and shall procure that its Subsidiaries and its or their
representatives, advisors, agents or employees shall cease any ongoing activities that are prohibited pursuant to Section 13.1.
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13.3
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The Company will promptly (and in any event within one Business Day) inform Glencore if the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
or its or their representatives, advisors, agents or employees receives or is informed of any proposal that could lead to a Competing Transaction.
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14.
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Confidentiality and Announcements
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14.1
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The Company shall release the Launch Press Announcement immediately after the conclusion of trading on the TSX and NYSE American
on the date of execution of this Agreement or, in the event that this Agreement is executed outside of trading hours of the TSX and NYSE American, before the commencement of trading on the next trading day following the execution of this
Agreement.
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14.2
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The Company shall release press announcements as required in relation to:
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14.2.1
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obtaining a receipt for the Final Prospectus from the Securities Authorities and the filing of the Registration Statement, the
setting of the Record Date and the commencement of the Rights Offering; and
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14.2.2
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the levels of take up of Rights following the expiry of the Rights Offering; the above being referred to as the “Press Announcements”,
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provided that any Press Announcement shall, so far as is practicable, be made after consultation
with Glencore and after taking into account its reasonable requirements regarding the content, timing and manner of dispatch the Press Announcement.
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14.3
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Subject to Section 14.4, no announcement, circular or communication (each an “Announcement”) concerning the existence or content of this Agreement shall be made by either Party (or any of its Subsidiaries or, in the case of Glencore, any Subsidiaries of Glencore plc)
without the prior written approval of the other Party provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, Glencore hereby approves the release of the Launch Press Announcement.
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14.4
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Section 14.3 does not apply to any Announcement if, and to the extent that, it is required to be made by the rules of any
Securities Authority or any governmental, regulatory, stock exchange or supervisory body or court of competent jurisdiction (“Relevant Authority”) to
which the Party making the Announcement is subject, whether or not any of the same has the force of law, provided that any Announcement shall, so far as is practicable, be made after consultation with the other Party and after taking into
account its reasonable requirements regarding the content, timing and manner of despatch of the Announcement in question.
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14.5
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Subject to Section 14.6, each Party shall treat as strictly confidential all information received or obtained as a result of
entering into or performing this Agreement which relates to the subject matter and provisions of this Agreement; the negotiations relating to this Agreement; or the other Party.
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14.6
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A Party may disclose information which would otherwise be confidential if and to the extent:
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14.6.1
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required by the law of any relevant jurisdiction;
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14.6.2
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required by any Relevant Authority to which the Party making the disclosure is subject, whether or not such requirement has the
force of law;
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14.6.3
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disclosure is made to the professional advisers, auditors, insurance providers and bankers of either Party who have a bona fide need to know such information provided that the Party making such disclosure shall be responsible for the actions of any professional advisor,
auditor, insurance provider or banker to which information is disclosed to. That is, if any action by such persons would, if taken by a Party, constitute a violation of the provisions of this Agreement; the other Party shall be entitled
to claim against the first Party as though such Party had taken the relevant actions;
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14.6.4
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the information has come into the public domain through no fault of that Party; or
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14.6.5
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the other Party has given prior written approval to the disclosure, provided that any disclosure shall, so far as is
practicable, be made only after consultation with the other Party.
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15.
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Further Assurance
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15.1
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The Company and Glencore each undertake that they will execute such further documents and give any such further consents as may
be required in order to give effect to this Agreement.
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15.2
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The Company and Glencore will provide all reasonable assistance and co‑operation and supply all such information as may be required in order to obtain the necessary approvals for the transactions contemplated hereunder (subject always to any legal or contractual
confidentiality obligations owed to third parties).
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16.
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Notices
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16.1
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Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, a notice or other communication given under or in connection with this Agreement
(a “Notice”) must be:
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16.1.1
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in writing;
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16.1.2
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in the English language; and
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16.1.3
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sent by a Permitted Method to the Notified Address.
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16.2
|
A Permitted Method means any of the methods set out in the first column below. The second column sets out the time on which a
Notice given by such Permitted Method will be deemed to be given and in proving service of such Notice it will be sufficient to prove that delivery was made or that the Notice was properly addressed and posted or faxed or emailed in full
to the Notified Address.
|
|
(1)
Permitted Method |
(2)
Date on which Notice Deemed Given |
|
Personal delivery
|
When delivered at the Notified Address if delivered before 6.00 p.m. (recipient’s time) on any Business Day and in any other case at 9.00 a.m.
(recipient’s time) on the Business Day following delivery
|
|
First class pre‑paid post
|
Two Business Days after posting
|
|
Fax transmission
|
On completion of transmission if before 6.00 p.m. (recipient’s time) on any Business Day and in any other case at 9.00 a.m. (recipient’s time) on the
Business Day following transmission
|
|
Email transmission
|
On completion of transmission if before 6.00 p.m. (recipient’s time) on any Business Day and in any other case at 9.00 a.m. (recipient’s time) on the
Business Day following transmission
|
- 11 -
|
16.3
|
The Notified Addresses of each of the parties is as set out below:
|
|
Name of Party
|
Address
|
Fax number/Email
|
Attention:
|
|
Glencore
|
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 0
XX Xxx 0000, 0000 Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx |
xxxxxx@xxxxxxxx.xxx
|
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
|
|
Copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
|
XxXxxxxx Xxxxxxxx LLP
Suite 5300, 00 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxxx, XX X0X 0X0 Xxxxxx |
x0 000 000 0000
xxxxxxx@xxxxxxxx.xx
xxxxxxx@xxxxxxxx.xx
|
Xxxx Xxxxxx and Xxxxx Xxxxxx
|
|
Copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
|
Xxxxxx, Mallet‑Xxxxxxx, Colt & Mosle LLP
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000‑0061 |
+ 1 917 368 8918
xxxxxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxx |
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
|
|
Company
|
Suite 5700, 000 Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxx, XX X0X 0X0
|
x0 000 000 0000
|
Xxx Xxxxxx
|
|
Copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
|
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx LLP
The Chrysler Building 000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx |
+1 212‑704‑5950
xxxxxx.xxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx |
Xxxxxx Xxxxx
|
|
Copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
|
Norton Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx LLP
Suite 3800, 000 Xxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, XX X0X 0X0
Xxxxxx
|
+1 416‑216‑2967
Xxxxxx.xxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
|
Xxxxxx Xxxxx
|
|
Copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
|
Farris, Vaughan, Xxxxx & Xxxxxx LLP
Suite 2500, 000 Xxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, XX X0X 0X0
Xxxxxx
|
+1 604‑661‑9349
xxxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxx
|
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
|
or such other Notified Address as any of the parties may, by written notice to the other parties, substitute for their Notified Address
set out above.
|
17.
|
General
|
|
17.1
|
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when executed and delivered is an original and all
of which taken together evidence the same agreement.
|
- 12 -
|
17.2
|
This Agreement, and each other agreement or instrument entered into in connection herewith or therewith or contemplated hereby
or thereby, and any amendments hereto or thereto, to the extent signed and delivered by means of a facsimile machine or by a PDF attachment to an email, shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original agreement or instrument
and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effect as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. At the request of any Party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument, each other Party hereto or
thereto shall re‑execute original forms thereof and deliver them to all other Parties. No Party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument shall
raise the use of a facsimile machine or by a PDF attachment to an email to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through the use of a facsimile machine or email as
a defence to the formation or enforceability of a contract and each such Party forever waives any such defence.
|
|
17.3
|
This Agreement is binding on and enures for the benefit of the successors, permitted assigns or legal personal representatives
of the Parties.
|
|
17.4
|
No Party may assign its rights under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other Party. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, Glencore may assign its rights and interests in this Agreement to an Affiliate without PolyMet’s prior written consent subject to the transferee agreeing in writing to be bound by the terms and conditions hereof.
|
|
17.5
|
Other than in respect of the Glencore Indemnified Parties in Article 8 of Schedule 2, nothing in this Agreement, express or
implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any Person, other than the Parties, any right, benefit, or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement. With respect to those provisions of the Agreement applicable to
Glencore Indemnified Parties, Glencore is executing, delivering and holding this Agreement as agent and trustee for such Glencore Indemnified Parties.
|
|
17.6
|
The obligations of the Parties under this Agreement have effect notwithstanding anything revealed in any investigation made by
or on behalf of any Person.
|
|
17.7
|
The language used in this Agreement is the language chosen by the Parties to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict
construction shall apply against any Party.
|
|
17.8
|
No failure by any Party to exercise any right or remedy under any provision of this Agreement will operate as a waiver and no
single or partial exercise of any right or remedy of any Party will preclude the further exercise or enforcement of any such right or remedy. No waiver by either Party will be deemed to have been made unless it is in writing refers
specifically to this Agreement and executed by the waiving Party.
|
|
17.9
|
No amendment of this Agreement or of any of the documents referred to in this Agreement will be effective unless it is in
writing, refers specifically to this Agreement and is duly executed by each Party.
|
|
17.10
|
This Agreement shall not create, nor shall be deemed to create, any partnership, fiduciary relationship or duty between the
Parties or constitute either Party the agent or legal representative of the other.
|
|
17.11
|
Unless otherwise specified, time periods within or following which any payment is to be made or act is to be done, shall be
calculated by excluding the day on which the period commences and including the day on which the period ends and by extending the period to the next Business Day following if the last day of the period is not a Business Day.
|
- 13 -
|
17.12
|
If any provision of this Agreement is or becomes illegal, invalid or unenforceable under the law of any jurisdiction, neither
the legality, validity nor enforceability of the remaining parts of this Agreement will be affected or impaired in any way.
|
|
17.13
|
Each Party shall bear its own expenses in the preparation of this Agreement.
|
|
17.14
|
This Agreement, the Extension Agreement, the Purchase Agreement and the Warrant Amending Agreement and the documents
contemplated herein and therein represent the entire agreement with respect to the subject matter dealt with herein and supersede all prior discussions,
negotiations, agreements, understandings whether oral or written, Except as expressly represented and warranted herein, no Party shall be considered to have given any other express or implied representations or warranties, including as a
result of oral or written statements. In the event of a conflict between this Agreement on the one hand, and the Extension Agreement, the Warrant Amending Agreement or the Purchase Agreement on the other hand, the Extension Agreement
and/or the Warrant Amending Agreement and/or the Purchase Agreement (as the case may be) shall prevail.
|
|
17.15
|
Time is of the essence in this Agreement.
|
|
17.16
|
Unless otherwise provided, all dollar amounts referred to in this Agreement are to United States currency or “American dollars”.
If, in connection with any action or proceeding brought in connection with this Agreement or any resulting judgment, it becomes necessary to convert any amount due hereunder in one currency (the “first currency”) into another currency (the “second currency”), then the conversion
shall be made at the Judgment Conversion Rate on the first Business Day prior to the day on which payment is received. If the conversion is not able to be made in the manner contemplated by the preceding paragraph in the jurisdiction in
which the action or proceeding is brought, then the conversion shall be made at the Judgment Conversion Rate on the day on which the judgment is given. If the Judgment Conversion Rate on the date of payment is different from the Judgment
Conversion Rate on such first Business Day or on the date of judgment, as the case may be, the Party shall pay such additional amount (if any) in the second currency as may be necessary to ensure that the amount paid on such payment date
is the aggregate amount in the second currency which, when converted at the Judgment Conversion Rate on the date of payment, is the amount due in the first currency, together with all costs, charges and expenses of conversion. Any
additional amount owing pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be due as a separate debt and shall give rise to a separate cause of action and shall not be affected by or merged into any judgment obtained for any other amounts
due under or in respect of this Agreement.
|
|
17.17
|
The term “Judgment Conversion Rate” used
in this section means the noon rate of exchange for Canadian dollars in the other currency published by the Bank of Canada for the date in question.
|
- 14 -
|
18.
|
Governing Law and Jurisdiction
|
|
18.1
|
This Agreement shall be governed, including as to validity, interpretation and effect, by the laws of the Province of British
Columbia and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein, and shall be construed and treated in all respects as a British Columbia contract. Each Party hereby irrevocably attorns to the non‑exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Province of British Columbia in respect to all matters arising under and in relation to this Agreement.
|
Signatures to appear on the following page.
- 15 -
This Agreement has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Agreement.
| /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx | |
|
Authorised signatory
|
|
|
Signed by Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
for and on behalf of
GLENCORE AG |
/s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx |
|
Authorised signatory
|
|
|
Signed by Xxxxxx Xxxxx
for and on behalf of
GLENCORE AG |
/s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxx |
|
Authorised signatory
|
SCHEDULE 1
DEFINITIONS
DEFINITIONS
|
5 Day VWAP
|
has the meaning given to it in Section 2.5(a) of Schedule 2
|
|
1933 Act
|
means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder
|
|
1934 Act
|
means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder
|
|
2016 Warrant Indenture
|
has the meaning given to it in Section 2.2
|
|
2016‑1 Purchase Warrants
|
means purchase warrants to acquire 625,000 Shares that were issued by PolyMet to Glencore AG on October 28, 2016
|
|
2016‑2 Purchase Warrants
|
means the purchase warrants to acquire 7,055,626 Shares that were issued by PolyMet to Glencore AG on October 28, 2016
|
|
2018 Purchase Warrants
|
has the meaning given to it in the Recitals
|
|
2019 Purchase Warrant
|
has the meaning given to it in the Recitals
|
|
2019 Purchase Warrant Issuance
|
has the meaning given to it in the Recitals
|
|
2019 Registration Rights Agreement
|
has the meaning given to it in Section 8.1
|
|
ABC Violation
|
means any violation, or activity or conduct which would amount to a violation but for jurisdictional reasons, of:
(a) any Anti‑Corruption Laws;
(b) any Anti‑Money Laundering Laws; or
(c) any Trade Sanctions
|
|
Additional Subscription Privilege
|
has the meaning given to it in Section 2.2 of Schedule 2
|
|
Additional Subscription Shares
|
has the meaning given to it in Section 2.6(b) of Schedule 2
|
|
Affiliate
|
has the meaning given to it under NI 45‑106
|
|
Agreement
|
means this Standby Purchase Agreement
|
|
Amended and Restated Corporate Governance Agreement
|
has the meaning given to it in Section 7.1
|
|
Amendment 26 to the Purchase Agreement
|
means amendment 26 to the Purchase Agreement which was made effective as of March 29, 2019
|
|
Announcement
|
has the meaning given to it in Section 14.3
|
|
Annual Report
|
means the Company’s Annual Report on Form 40‑F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, as amended
|
- 1-2 -
|
Anti‑Corruption Laws
|
means:
(a) the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions, 1997 (the “OECD Convention”);
(b) the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 of the United States of America, as amended by the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Amendments of 1988 and 1998, and as may be further amended
and supplement from time to time (the “FCPA”);
(c) the UK Xxxxxxx Xxx 0000, Prevention of Corruptions Xxx 0000 and the 1916 and Public Bodies Corrupt Practices Xxx 0000;
(d) any other applicable law (including any: (i) statute, ordinance, rule or regulation; (ii) order of any court, tribunal or any other judicial body; and (iii) rule, regulation, guideline
or order of any public body, or any other administrative requirement) which:
i) prohibits the conferring of any gift, payment or other benefit to any Person or any officer, employee, agent or adviser of such Person; and/or
ii) is broadly equivalent to the FCPA and/or the above United Kingdom laws or was intended to enact the provisions of the OECD Convention or which has as its objective the prevention of
corruption
|
|
Anti‑Money Laundering Laws
|
means all laws and regulations related to money laundering and financial record keeping, including related reporting requirements which are applicable
to any of Glencore, PolyMet or PMI
|
|
Applicable Pension Legislation
|
means, at any time, any applicable Canadian or United States federal, state or provincial pension legislation, including all regulations made
thereunder and all rules, regulations, rulings, guidelines, directives and interpretations made or issued by any Governmental Entity in Canada or the United States having or asserting jurisdiction in respect thereof, each as amended or
replaced from time to time
|
|
Basic Entitlement Shares
|
has the meaning given to it in Section 2.4(d) of Schedule 2
|
|
Basic Subscription Right
|
has the meaning given to it in Section 2.4(c) of Schedule 2
|
|
BCSC
|
means the British Columbia Securities Commission
|
|
Benefit Plan
|
means all employee benefit plans or arrangements that are not Pension Plans, including all profit sharing, savings, supplemental retirement, retiring
allowance, severance, pension, deferred compensation, stock, stock option, welfare, bonus, incentive compensation, phantom stock, legal services, supplementary unemployment benefit plans or arrangements and all life, health, dental and
disability plans and arrangements in which the employees or former employees of the Company participate or are eligible to participate
|
|
Board or Board of Directors
|
means the Board of Directors of PolyMet
|
- 1-3 -
|
Business Day
|
means any day, other than a Saturday or a Sunday, upon which banks are open for business in the City of Vancouver, Canada and the City of Zurich,
Switzerland
|
|
claim
|
any actual or potential claims, actions, proceedings or investigations (whether by governmental or regulatory bodies or otherwise), demands, judgments
or awards
|
|
Closing Date Indebtedness
|
has the meaning given to it in the Extension Agreement
|
|
Company or PolyMet
|
has the meaning given to it in the Recitals
|
|
Competing Transaction
|
any transaction or proposed transaction involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under which a third party would: (a) acquire any of the
business (otherwise than in the ordinary course of business) or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (b) acquire, from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, any Shares or other securities in the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries; (c) undertake any merger, business combination, recapitalisation, amalgamation, plan of arrangement or similar transaction involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; or (d) provide any equity or debt financing to the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (provided that the Rights Offering shall not constitute a Competing Transaction)
|
|
Computershare
|
means Computershare Trust Company of Canada, the registrar and transfer agent of the Company
|
|
Convertible Debentures
|
means the Debentures that, in accordance with their provisions, are convertible or exchangeable into Shares pursuant to, and in accordance with, the
provisions set forth in the Exchange Warrant
|
|
Convertible Debt
|
has the meaning given to it in the Recitals
|
|
Debentures
|
has the meaning given to it in the Recitals
|
|
Decision Document
|
has the meaning given to it in Section 11.1
|
|
Disclosure Documents
|
means the Company’s Management Information Circular dated May 3, 2018 the Company’s Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2018 dated
March 28, 2019; and the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying management’s discussion and analysis and all interim financial statements, interim management’s discussion and analyses and material change reports filed
pursuant to applicable Securities Laws since December 31, 2018; any material change report required to be filed under Securities Laws since December 31, 2018; the Annual Report; all other reports filed by the Company pursuant to the 1934
Act since December 31, 2018 and any other disclosure documents incorporated by reference in the Prospectus or Registration Statement
|
|
Disclosure Letter
|
means the disclosure letter executed by the Company and delivered to and accepted by Glencore as of the date of this Agreement
|
- 1-4 -
|
Encumbrance
|
means any hypothec, mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien, charge, deposit arrangement, lease, adverse claim, right of set‑off or
agreement, trust, deemed trust or any other arrangement or condition that in substance secures payment or performance of an obligation of the Company or PMI, statutory and other non‑commercial leases or encumbrances and includes the
interest of a vendor or lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or other title retention agreement
|
|
Environmental Laws
|
has the meaning given to it in paragraph (aa) of Schedule 5
|
|
Erie Plant
|
means the owned taconite concentrator and pellet plant and supporting infrastructure and surrounding lands located approximately six miles west of the
NorthMet Deposit, together with all related property and assets
|
|
Event of Default
|
means: (a) an “Event of Default” as defined in the Debentures; or (b) a breach of a Material Agreement that has had, or reasonably could have, a
Material Adverse Effect
|
|
Exchanges
|
has the meaning given to it in the Recitals
|
|
Exchange Warrant
|
has the meaning given to it in the Recitals
|
|
Exercise Price Reduction
|
has the meaning given to it in the Recitals
|
|
Existing Corporate Governance Agreement
|
means the corporate governance agreement dated July 5, 2013 entered into between the Company and Glencore
|
|
Expiry Date Extension
|
has the meaning given to it in the Recitals
|
|
Extension Agreement
|
has the meaning given to it in the Recitals
|
|
Final Prospectus
|
means the (final) short form prospectus to be filed by PolyMet with the Securities Authorities (and the Prospectus to be filed with the SEC pursuant
to the Multi‑Jurisdictional Disclosure System) in connection with the Rights Offering, as amended by any Prospectus Amendment
|
|
first currency
|
has the meaning given to it in Section 17.16
|
|
Glencore
|
has the meaning given to it in the Recitals
|
|
Glencore Debt
|
has the meaning given to it in the Recitals
|
|
Glencore Indemnified Parties
|
has the meaning given to it in Section 8.1 of Schedule 2
|
|
Glencore Nominee
|
means a director nominated by Glencore to the Board
|
|
Governmental Entity
|
means: (a) any multinational, federal, provincial, state, regional, municipal, local or other government, governmental or public department, central
bank, court, tribunal, arbitral body, commission, board, bureau or agency, domestic or foreign; (b) any subdivision, agent, commission, board or authority of any of the foregoing; (c) any quasi‑governmental or private body, including any
tribunal, commission, regulatory agency or self‑regulatory organization, exercising any regulatory, expropriation or taxing authority under or for the account of any of the foregoing; or (d) any stock exchange, including the TSX and NYSE
American
|
- 1-5 -
|
Gross Proceeds
|
has the meaning given to it in the Recitals
|
|
HSR Act
|
means the Xxxx‑Xxxxx‑Xxxxxx Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and including any rules, regulations and requirements promulgated
thereunder
|
|
HSR Clearance
|
means the expiration or termination of any waiting period and any extensions thereof, or any timing agreements or legally binding commitments obtained
by request or other action of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and/or the U.S. Department of Justice, as applicable, under the HSR Act relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
|
|
IFRS
|
means international financial reporting standards, as issued by the International Accounting Standard Board and as adopted in Canada, as in effect
from time to time
|
|
Indemnified Party
|
has the meaning given to it in Section 8.6 of Schedule 2
|
|
Indemnifying Party
|
has the meaning given to it in Section 8.6 of Schedule 2
|
|
Intellectual Property Rights
|
has the meaning given to it in paragraph (z) of Schedule 5
|
|
Judgment Conversion Rate
|
has the meaning given to it in Section 17.17
|
|
Launch Press Announcement
|
means the press announcement, in form attached as Schedule 3
|
|
laws
|
means any and all applicable laws including all statutes, codes, ordinances, decrees, rules, regulations, municipal by‑laws, judicial or arbitral or
administrative or ministerial or departmental or regulatory judgments, orders, decisions, rulings or awards, instruments, policies, guidelines, and general principles of common law and equity, binding on or affecting the Person referred to
in the context in which the word is used
|
|
Leased Real Properties
|
means the land and premises listed on, and legally described in Schedule 5, paragraph (n)
with respect to which the Company or PMI holds a lease, license, easement, or other interest as further described in Schedule 5, paragraph (n)
|
|
Loss (or Losses)
|
has the meaning given to it in Section 8.1 of Schedule 2
|
|
M3 Technical Report
|
means the technical report entitled “NorthMet Project Form NI 43‑101F1 Technical Report, Minnesota, USA” dated March 26, 2018 prepared by M3
Engineering & Technology Corp.
|
- 1-6 -
|
Material Adverse Effect
|
means any event, occurrence or condition (or series of related events, occurrences or conditions) which, individually or in the aggregate, could
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on or results in a material adverse change in any of the following: (i) the condition (financial or otherwise), business, assets or results of operations of the Company and its
Subsidiaries considered as a whole; (ii) the ability of the Company to perform any of its obligations under the terms of this Agreement; and (iii) the validity or enforceability of any of this Agreement or the rights and remedies of
Glencore under the terms of this Agreement, except any such effect resulting from or arising in connection with: (a) any change in IFRS; (b) any change in the global, national or regional political conditions (including the outbreak of war
or acts of terrorism) or in the general economic, business, regulatory, political or market conditions or in the national or global financial or capital markets; (c) any change in the industry in which the Company and its Subsidiaries
operate, provided that for the purposes of (b) and (c) such effect does not primarily relate to (or have the effect primarily relating to) the Company and its Subsidiaries (considered as a whole) or disproportionately adversely affects the
Company and its Subsidiaries (considered as a whole) compared to other entities operating in the industries in which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate
|
|
Material Agreements
|
means: (a) those agreements listed on Schedule S1 (as amended, restated, supplemented or replaced as permitted hereunder); and (b) those agreements
(as amended, supplemented, revised or restated as permitted herein from time to time) of PolyMet or PMI, the breach, non‑performance or cancellation of which or the failure of which to renew could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect
|
|
material change
|
has the meaning given to it in the Securities Act
|
|
material fact
|
has the meaning given to it in the Securities Act
|
|
Mineral Rights
|
has the meaning given to it in paragraph (bb) of Schedule 5
|
|
Misrepresentation
|
means: (a) a “misrepresentation” as defined in Section 1(1) of the Securities Act; or (b) as to any document, any untrue statement of a material fact
or omission to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading
|
|
NI 45‑106
|
means National Instrument 45‑106 – Prospectus and Registration
Exemptions of the Canadian Securities Regulators
|
|
NI 54‑101
|
means National Instrument 54‑101 – Communication with Beneficial
Owners of Securities of a Reporting Issuer of the Canadian Securities Regulators
|
|
Non‑Convertible Debentures
|
means the Debentures other than the Convertible Debentures
|
|
Non‑Convertible Debt
|
has the meaning given to it in the Recitals
|
|
Non-Material Subsidiaries
|
has the meaning given to it in Schedule 5, paragraph (b)
|
|
NorthMet Deposit
|
means the polymetallic copper‑nickel‑cobalt‑platinum group element deposit situated on a mineral lease of approximately 4,200 acres located in St.
Louis County in northeastern Minnesota, U.S.A., at approximately latitude 47° 36’ north, longitude 91° 58’ west, about 70 miles north of the City of Duluth and 6.5 miles south of the town of Babbitt, together with all related property and
assets
|
- 1-7 -
|
NorthMet Project
|
means the mining project comprised of the NorthMet Deposit and the Erie Plant
|
|
Notice
|
has the meaning given to it in Section 16.1
|
|
NYSE American
|
means the NYSE American, LLC
|
|
Owned Real Property
|
means the land and premises listed on, and legally described in Schedule 5, paragraph (m)-1 and the buildings and fixtures thereon
|
|
Parties or Party
|
means Glencore and the Company; “Party” means any one of them and reference to either of them includes a reference to that Party’s legal personal
representatives, successors and permitted assigns
|
|
Pension Plan
|
means any plan, program, agreement or arrangement for the purpose of Applicable Pension Legislation or under the Tax Act (whether or not required
under such law) that is maintained or contributed to or to which there is or may be an obligation to contribute by the Company or PMI in respect of their respective employees or former employees
|
|
Permitted Encumbrances
|
means the following types of encumbrances: (a) statutory Encumbrances of landlords and Encumbrances of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, suppliers,
material men, repairmen and other Encumbrances imposed by law incurred in the ordinary course of business and Encumbrances for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims, in either case, for sums not yet overdue or being contested
in good faith by appropriate proceedings, if such reserve or other appropriate provision, if any, as shall be required by IFRS shall have been made in respect thereof; (b) Encumbrances incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of
business in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of social security, or to secure the performance of tenders, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, bids, leases, government contracts,
performance and return‑of‑money bonds and other similar obligations (exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed money); (c) Encumbrances upon specific items of inventory or other goods and proceeds of any Person securing such
Person’s obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods; (d) Encumbrances encumbering deposits made to secure
obligations arising from statutory, regulatory, contractual or warranty requirements of the Company or PMI, including rights of offset and setoff; (e) bankers’ liens, rights of setoff and other similar Encumbrances existing solely with
respect to cash on deposit in one or more accounts maintained by the Company or PMI, in each case granted in the ordinary course of business in favour of the bank or banks with which such accounts are maintained, securing amounts owing to
such bank with respect to cash management and operating account arrangements, including those involving pooled accounts and netting arrangements; provided, however, that in no case shall any such Encumbrances secure (either directly or
indirectly) the repayment of any debt; (f) leases or subleases (or any Encumbrances related thereto) granted to others that do not materially interfere with the ordinary course of business of the Company or PMI; (g) attachment or judgment
Encumbrances not giving rise to an Event of Default and which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings; (h) easements, rights‑of‑way, restrictions and other similar charges or encumbrances not materially interfering with
the ordinary course of business of the Company or PMI; (i) zoning restrictions, licenses, restrictions on the use of real property or minor irregularities in title thereto, which do not materially impair the use of such real property in the
ordinary course of business of the Company and its Subsidiaries or the value of such real property for the purpose of such business; and (h) Encumbrances securing hedging obligations entered into for bona fide hedging purposes of the Company or PMI not for the purpose of speculation
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- 1-8 -
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person
|
includes an individual, corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, limited liability company, association, trust,
estate, custodian, trustee, executor, administrator, nominee or other entity or organization, including (without limitation) a Governmental Entity or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality thereof
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|
PLM
|
has the meaning given to it in the Recitals
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PMI
|
has the meaning given to it in the Recitals
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|
Preliminary Prospectus
|
means the preliminary short form prospectus in the form attached as Schedule 4 to be filed by PolyMet with the Securities Authorities (including, for
the avoidance of doubt, the Preliminary Prospectus filed with the SEC in accordance with the Multi‑Jurisdictional Disclosure System) in connection with the Rights Offering, as amended by any Prospectus Amendment
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Press Announcements
|
has the meaning given to it in Section 14.2.2
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Prospectus
|
means, collectively, the Preliminary Prospectus, the Final Prospectus, and any Prospectus Amendment(s)
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Prospectus Amendment
|
means any amendment to the Preliminary Prospectus or the Final Prospectus
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Purchase Agreement
|
has the meaning given to it in the Recitals
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Qualifying Jurisdictions
|
means all provinces and territories in Canada
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Qualifying Shareholders
|
has the meaning given to it in Section 2.1 of Schedule 2
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- 1-9 -
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Record Date
|
means the record date established pursuant to Section 2.5(a) of Schedule 2 for the purpose of determining the holders of Shares who are entitled to
receive Rights pursuant to the Rights Offering
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registration
|
means the qualification of Shares under Securities Laws, by prospectus or otherwise, for distribution in any of the provinces or territories of Canada
in which PolyMet is a “reporting issuer”, or in the United States
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|
Registration Statement
|
means the registration statement on Form F‑10 of which the Prospectus shall form a part, as amended, registering, inter alia, the Rights Offering
Securities under the 1933 Act and prepared in accordance with the Multi‑Jurisdictional Disclosure System including the exhibits and any schedules thereto and the documents incorporated by reference therein
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Relevant Authority
|
has the meaning given to it in Section 14.4
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Rights
|
means the transferable rights to subscribe for Shares offered by PolyMet pursuant to the Rights Offering, with each holder of Shares receiving one
right per Share held
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Rights Certificate
|
has the meaning given to it in Section 2.5(b) of Schedule 2
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Rights Issue Date
|
means the date on which the Rights are issued by the Company to the holders of record of its Shares on the Record Date
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Rights Offering
|
has the meaning given to it in the Recitals to the Agreement
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Rights Offering Closing Date
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has the meaning given to it in Section 6.1 of Schedule 2
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Rights Offering Closing Time
|
has the meaning given to it in Section 6.1 of Schedule 2
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Rights Offering Expiry Date
|
means the date on which the Rights will expire and become null and void as set out in the Final Prospectus and Registration Statement, such date being
the 21st day following the date on which the Final Prospectus or Registration Statement is delivered to holders of record of the Shares on the Record Date, or such later date as may be agreed in writing by PolyMet and Glencore
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Rights Offering Expiry Time
|
means 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on the Rights Offering Expiry Date
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Rights Offering Ratio
|
has the meaning given to it in Section 2.4(d) of Schedule 2
|
|
Rights Offering Securities
|
means, collectively, the Rights, the Shares issuable upon exercise of the Rights and the Standby Shares
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Rights Offering Shares
|
means the Shares issuable pursuant to the Rights Offering
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Sarbanes‑Oxley Act
|
means the Sarbanes‑Oxley Act of 2002 and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder
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SEC
|
means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
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- 1-10 -
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second currency
|
has the meaning given to it in Section 17.16
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Second Request
|
has the meaning given to it in Section 4.2(d) of Schedule 2
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Second Request Notification
|
Has the meaning given to it in Section 4.2(d) of Schedule 2
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|
Securities Act
|
means the Securities Act (British Columbia) and the rules,
regulations and published policies made thereunder, as now in effect and as they may be promulgated or amended from time to time
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|
Securities Authorities
|
means the TSX, the BCSC, the SEC and the NYSE American and the applicable securities commissions and other securities regulatory authorities in each
of the other provinces and territories of Canada
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Securities Laws
|
means the Securities Act, together with all other applicable Canadian provincial and territorial securities laws, rules and regulations and published
policies thereunder, the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act and all other applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws and rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as now in effect and as they may be promulgated or amended from time to time,
together with the applicable rules of the TSX and NYSE American
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Shareholder
|
means a holder of Shares from time to time
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Shares
|
means common shares in the capital of PolyMet
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|
Standby Commitment
|
has the meaning given to it in Section 2.3(a) of Schedule 2
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|
Standby Fee
|
has the meaning given to it in Section 2.7 of Schedule 2
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|
Standby Purchaser
|
means Glencore
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|
Standby Shares
|
has the meaning given to it in Section 2.3(a) of Schedule 2
|
|
Subscription Agent
|
means Computershare
|
|
Subscription Agreement
|
has the meaning given to it in the Recitals
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Subscription Price
|
has the meaning given to it in Section 2.4(a) of Schedule 2
|
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Subsidiary
|
has the meaning given to it in NI 45‑106
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Tax Act
|
means the Income Tax Act (Canada), as amended
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Trade Sanctions
|
means all laws relating to economic or trade sanctions, including the laws or regulations implemented by the Office of Foreign Assets Controls of the
United States Department of the Treasury and any similar laws or regulations in other applicable jurisdictions which are applicable to any of Glencore, PolyMet or PMI
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Triggering Event
|
has the meaning given to it in the Extension Agreement
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TSX
|
means the Toronto Stock Exchange
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US or United States
|
means the United States of America its territories and possessions and any of the United States of America and the District of Columbia and other
areas subject to its jurisdiction
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- 1-11 -
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VWAP
|
has the meaning given to it in Section 2.4(a) of Schedule 2
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|
Warrant Amending Agreement
|
has the meaning given to it in the Recitals
|
SCHEDULE 2
PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE RIGHTS OFFERING
PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE RIGHTS OFFERING
ARTICLE 1
INTERPRETATION
INTERPRETATION
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1.1
|
Definitions. The defined terms used in
this Schedule 2, unless the context otherwise requires, are set out in Schedule 1.
|
ARTICLE 2
TIMING AND STANDBY COMMITMENT
TIMING AND STANDBY COMMITMENT
|
2.1
|
Conduct of Rights Offering. Subject to
and in accordance with the provisions hereof, PolyMet agrees to offer, in accordance with Securities Laws and pursuant to the Prospectus and Registration Statement, the Rights to Persons that are the holders of record of Shares on the
Record Date: (a) with an address in one of the Qualifying Jurisdictions; or (b) with an address in any other jurisdiction, where PolyMet has satisfied itself that such holder is entitled to receive the Rights Offering Securities under the
Rights Offering in accordance with the laws of such jurisdiction and without obliging PolyMet to register the Rights Offering Securities or file a prospectus or other disclosure document or to make any other filings or become subject to
any reporting or disclosure obligations that PolyMet is not already obligated to make (together, “Qualifying Shareholders”). The Parties hereby
acknowledge and agree that Glencore is a Qualifying Shareholder. With respect to non‑Qualifying Shareholders, the Parties acknowledge and agree that Rights will be issued to the Subscription Agent to hold for their benefit.
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|
2.2
|
Additional Subscription Privilege.
PolyMet shall ensure that each Qualifying Shareholder who has exercised its Rights in full by the Rights Offering Expiry Time shall have the right to subscribe for additional Shares immediately prior to the Rights Offering Expiry Time (if
such are available) as a result of Rights that are not exercised by the Rights Offering Expiry Time, subject to pro ration as provided for in the Prospectus (the “Additional Subscription Privilege”).
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|
2.3
|
Standby Commitment.
|
|
(a)
|
Subject to and in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, Glencore hereby agrees to subscribe for and PolyMet hereby
agrees to issue to Glencore at the Subscription Price and on the Rights Offering Closing Date, as fully paid and non‑assessable Shares, such number of Shares (the “Standby Shares”) equal to the result of (x) minus (y), where: (x) equals the number of Shares determined by dividing the Gross Proceeds by the Subscription Price; and (y) equals the number of Shares subscribed for and
taken up under the Rights Offering by holders of Rights, including Glencore, pursuant to the Basic Subscription Right and Additional Subscription Privilege (if any) (such commitment referred to as the “Standby Commitment”).
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(b)
|
Glencore and PolyMet hereby agree that it is the intent of both Parties that Glencore, by virtue of acting as Standby Purchaser
hereunder, shall not be deemed an “underwriter” or deemed to be engaged in broker‑dealer activity requiring registration as defined in Applicable Securities Laws, and Glencore and PolyMet shall in the fulfillment of their obligations
hereunder act in accordance with this mutual understanding.
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- 2-2 -
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2.4
|
Offering Size and Price Determination
|
|
(a)
|
The gross proceeds from the Rights Offering will, subject as provided in Section 2.4(d) of this Schedule 2 below, be equal (as
nearly as reasonably practicable) to the Gross Proceeds. The subscription price per Rights Offering Share (the “Subscription Price”) will be payable
in US dollars (and the US dollar price will be fixed on the date of the filing of the Final Prospectus). The Subscription Price will be determined by the Parties at the date of filing of the Final Prospectus and shall be discounted by no
more than 20% from the then 5 day VWAP for the Shares on the TSX. For the purposes of this Section 2.4(a), “5 day VWAP” means the VWAP on TSX for the
five trading days ending on the trading date immediately preceding the date of filing of the Final Prospectus, and “VWAP” means the volume weighted
average trading price of the Shares on the TSX, calculated by dividing the total value by the total volume of securities traded for the relevant period and by converting the total value of the trading prices of such securities on the TSX
into U.S. dollars at the Judgment Conversion Rate.
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|
(b)
|
The aggregate number of Rights Offering Shares (as nearly as practicable) which are issuable will be determined by dividing the
Gross Proceeds by the Subscription Price, which number will be subject to increase as described in Section 2.4(d) of this Schedule 2 below.
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(c)
|
For each Right held, the holder thereof will be entitled to subscribe for a fractional number of Shares (the “Basic Subscription Right”) determined by dividing the total number of Rights Offering Shares (calculated in accordance with Section 2.4(b) of this
Schedule 2 above) by the total the number of Shares outstanding determined on the latest practicable date before the date of the filing of the Final Prospectus.
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|
(d)
|
The ratio of new Rights Offering Shares offered pursuant to the Basic Subscription Right (“Basic Entitlement Shares”) for each existing Share held will be fixed at the date of the filing of the Final Prospectus as described above (“Rights Offering Ratio”). However, if any Shares are issued prior to the Record Date (where such Shares are not already included in the number of shares determined on the Record
Date), the Rights Offering Ratio will remain fixed as determined in the Prospectus and consequently, the number of Rights issued and the Rights Offering Shares will be increased. For the avoidance of doubt, this will not increase the
Standby Commitment of Glencore.
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|
(e)
|
Where a holder’s exercise of Rights would otherwise entitle such holder to fractional Shares, such holder’s entitlement will be
reduced to the next lowest whole number of Shares. PolyMet will not be required to issue fractional Shares or to pay cash in lieu thereof.
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- 2-3 -
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2.5
|
Timing of Rights Offering. Subject to
and in accordance with the provisions hereof, PolyMet agrees that it will file with the Securities Authorities in the Qualifying Jurisdictions and with the SEC: (a) the Preliminary Prospectus and the Registration Statement as soon as
practicable following the execution of this Agreement and for the avoidance of doubt, no later than the close of business on the date on which this Agreement is executed; and (b) the Final Prospectus and the Registration Statement on or
before the day which is five Business Days immediately following the later of the date on which: (x) all necessary approvals and consents are received from the Securities Authorities that are necessary or advisable, in PolyMet’s
opinion, acting reasonably, to proceed with the filing of the Final Prospectus and the Registration Statement and completion of the Rights Offering; or (y) the HSR Clearance shall have been obtained on terms acceptable to Glencore in
its sole discretion (or such other date as the Parties may agree acting reasonably). PolyMet will use its best efforts to obtain a Decision Document as soon as possible following the filing of each of the Preliminary Prospectus and
Final Prospectus with the Securities Authorities and to obtain final TSX and NYSE American approval of the Rights Offering as soon as possible following the filing of the Preliminary Prospectus with the Securities Authorities and the
Registration Statement with the SEC. On receipt of the Decision Document and final TSX and NYSE American approval, PolyMet shall:
|
|
(a)
|
as soon as reasonably practicable announce that the record date will be the date falling not less than seven trading days after that
announcement (the “Record Date”); and
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|
(b)
|
(i) within two Business Days after the Record Date, mail to holders of record in a Qualifying Jurisdiction a certificate (a “Rights Certificate”) evidencing the total number of rights to which a Qualifying Shareholder is entitled, together with a commercial copy of the Final
Prospectus or the Registration Statement, as applicable; (ii) within six Business Days after the Record Date, mail to beneficial holders in a Qualifying Jurisdiction (determined pursuant to and in the manner contemplated by NI 54‑101) a
Rights Certificate evidencing the total number of Rights to which a Qualifying Shareholder is entitled, together with a commercial copy of the Final Prospectus or the Registration Statement, as applicable; (iii) within two Business Days
after the Record Date, mail to holders of record not in a Qualifying Jurisdiction a commercial copy of the Final Prospectus or the Registration Statement, as applicable, together with a letter advising them that their Rights Certificates
will be issued on their behalf to the Subscription Agent; and (iv) within six Business Days after the Record Date, mail to beneficial holders not in a Qualifying Jurisdiction (determined pursuant to and in the manner contemplated by NI
54‑101) a commercial copy of the Final Prospectus or the Registration Statement, as applicable together with a letter advising them that their Rights Certificates will be issued on their behalf to the Subscription Agent.
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|
2.6
|
Additional Subscription Shares and Standby
Shares.
|
|
(a)
|
Subject to and in accordance with the provisions hereof, on the Rights Offering Closing Date, Glencore will pay in immediately
available funds by wire transfer to an account designated by PolyMet, the aggregate Subscription Price that is payable for the Basic Entitlement Shares and the Standby Shares to be purchased by it hereunder, and PolyMet will issue the
Basic Entitlement Shares and the Standby Shares to Glencore as fully paid and non‑assessable Shares, shall update the share register of the Company to enter Glencore as a holder of record of those Shares, and shall deliver to Glencore a
certificate in respect of those Shares.
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|
(b)
|
In the event that Glencore exercises, in full or in part, its Additional Subscription Privilege, Glencore shall be obligated to pay
for such Shares (“Additional Subscription Shares”) in accordance with the provisions of the Rights Offering, and on the Rights Offering Closing Date
PolyMet will issue the Additional Subscription Shares to Glencore as fully paid and non‑assessable Shares, shall update the share register of the Company to enter Glencore as a holder of record of those Shares, and shall deliver to
Glencore a certificate in respect of those Shares.
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- 2-4 -
|
2.7
|
Standby Fee to Glencore. Subject to
the successful completion of the Rights Offering and the Standby Commitment on the Rights Offering Closing Date, in consideration of Glencore providing the Standby Commitment, the Company shall pay Glencore a standby commitment fee (the
“Standby Fee”) equal to 3.00% of the sum of: (x) the Closing Date Indebtedness (excluding for these purposes the Standby Fee); and (y) US$6,000,000
(for the avoidance of doubt, all as detailed in Schedule 5(dd) of the Disclosure Letter). Such fee shall be payable in cash on the Rights Offering Closing Date.
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|
2.8
|
Payment Mechanics. Notwithstanding
Section 2.6 and 2.7 of this Schedule 2, PolyMet hereby irrevocably authorizes and directs Glencore to pay and apply such amount of the funds owing by Glencore under Section 2.6 of this Schedule 2 against and in satisfaction of: (a) the
Closing Date Indebtedness other than the Standby Fee; (b) the Standby Fee; and (c) to pay the balance of the funds owing by Glencore to PolyMet under Section 2.6 of this Schedule 2 in immediately available funds by wire transfer to an
account designated by PolyMet.
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|
2.9
|
Dealer Manager. The Company shall have
the right to retain the services of a managing dealer, soliciting dealer or similar advisor, provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, any fees payable to any such managing dealer, soliciting dealer or similar advisor shall be for the
account for the Company and shall not be deducted (if at all) from the proceeds of Rights Offering until the Company has repaid the Closing Date Indebtedness and paid the Standby Fee, in each case in full.
|
|
2.10
|
Miscellaneous. Any Shares held by a
member of the Glencore plc group of companies, other than Glencore, shall for all purposes of this Schedule 2, be deemed to be held by Glencore and Glencore shall be entitled to execute and deliver (as agent or otherwise for such other
members of the Glencore plc group of companies) any and all notices and/or other documents to be executed and/or delivered by a holder of Shares or Rights and PolyMet shall accept any such notices or other documents so executed and/or
delivered.
|
ARTICLE 3
COVENANTS OF POLYMET
COVENANTS OF POLYMET
|
3.1
|
Subject to and in accordance with the provisions hereof, PolyMet undertakes and agrees with and in favour of Glencore that:
|
|
(a)
|
Preliminary Prospectus. As provided in
Section 2.5 of this Schedule 2, PolyMet will file with the Securities Authorities in the Qualifying Jurisdictions, the Preliminary Prospectus and with the SEC the Registration Statement relating to the proposed distribution of the Rights
Offering Securities. The Company will provide Glencore with the reasonable opportunity to review and comment on the Preliminary Prospectus and Registration Statement and will take into account Glencore’s reasonable comments thereon. If
requested by PolyMet (acting reasonably), Glencore shall provide to PolyMet, for the purposes of the Prospectus, Registration Statement and any Press Announcement, information regarding Glencore’s future intentions for its holding in
PolyMet and will confirm the accuracy of such information provided.
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- 2-5 -
|
(b)
|
Final Prospectus and Qualification. As
provided in Section 2.5 of this Schedule 2, PolyMet will file with the Securities Authorities in the Qualifying Jurisdictions the Final Prospectus and with the SEC the Registration Statement relating to the proposed distribution of the
Rights Offering Securities, and take all other reasonable steps and proceedings that may be necessary in order to qualify the distribution of the Rights Offering Securities in each of the Qualifying Jurisdictions in which the Final
Prospectus and Registration Statement has been filed. The Company will provide Glencore with the reasonable opportunity to review and comment on the Final Prospectus and Registration Statement and will take into account Glencore’s
reasonable comments thereon.
|
|
(c)
|
Supplementary Material. If required by
Securities Laws, PolyMet will prepare any Prospectus Amendments or amendments to the Registration Statement and/or any documentation supplemental thereto and/or any amending or supplemental documentation and/or any similar document
required to be filed by it under the Securities Laws. PolyMet will also promptly, and in any event within any applicable time limitation, comply with all applicable filing and other requirements under the Securities Laws as a result of
any material change. The Company will provide Glencore with the reasonable opportunity to review and comment on any such documentation and will take into account Glencore’s reasonable comments thereon.
|
|
(d)
|
Consents and Approvals. PolyMet will use
its best efforts to obtain all necessary consents, approvals or exemptions for the creation, offering and issuance of the Rights Offering Securities in all Qualifying Jurisdictions and to Glencore as contemplated herein and in the
Prospectus and Registration Statement and the entering into and performance by it of the Agreement (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the issuance of the Rights Offering Securities).
|
|
(e)
|
Cease Trade Order or Other Investigation.
From the date hereof through the earlier of: (a) the Rights Offering Closing Date; and (b) the termination of the Agreement in accordance with its terms, PolyMet will immediately notify Glencore in writing of any written demand, request
or inquiry (formal or informal) by any of the Securities Authorities or other Governmental Entity that concerns any matter relating to the affairs of PolyMet that may affect the Rights Offering, the transactions contemplated herein, or
any other matter contemplated by the Agreement, or that relates to the issuance, or threatened issuance, by any such authority of any cease trading or similar order or ruling relating to any securities of PolyMet. Any notice delivered to
Glencore as aforesaid will contain reasonable details of the demand, request, inquiry, order or ruling in question. PolyMet will use its best efforts to prevent the issuance of any orders contemplated in this Section 3.1(e) of this
Schedule 2 and, if issued, to obtain their prompt withdrawal.
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|
(f)
|
Listing. PolyMet will take all lawful
action as may be required and appropriate so that the Rights Offering Securities have been conditionally approved for listing on the TSX and NYSE American, subject to receipt of customary final documentation.
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- 2-6 -
|
(g)
|
Securities Laws. PolyMet will take all
lawful action as may be necessary and appropriate so that the Rights Offering and the other transactions contemplated in the Agreement will be effected in accordance with Securities Laws. It will consult with Glencore and its advisors
upon their reasonable request regarding the manner in which the Rights Offering and the other transactions contemplated herein will comply with applicable Securities Laws, and it will provide to Glencore and its advisors copies of any
documents that are to be submitted by it to any Securities Authorities or other regulatory authority for such purpose prior to being so submitted and it will give Glencore and its advisors an opportunity to comment on same and will take
into account Glencore's reasonable comments thereon.
|
|
(h)
|
Obtaining of Report. PolyMet will cause
Computershare to deliver to Glencore, as soon as is practicable following the Rights Offering Expiry Time, details concerning the total number of Shares duly subscribed and paid for by holders of Rights under the Rights Offering,
including (without limitation) those Shares subscribed and paid for pursuant to the Additional Subscription Privilege, and accordingly the number of Standby Shares for which Glencore must subscribe pursuant to Section 2.3 of this
Schedule 2.
|
|
(i)
|
Mailing of Materials. PolyMet will effect
and complete the mailing of commercial copies of the Final Prospectus and Registration Statement and the other materials as set out in Section 2.5(b) of this Schedule 2.
|
|
(j)
|
Application of Proceeds. PolyMet shall
immediately apply the proceeds of the Rights Offering to repay in full the Closing Date Indebtedness (including, for the avoidance doubt, the Standby Fee) provided for the avoidance of doubt, PolyMet acknowledges Glencore`s rights under
Section 2.8 of this Schedule 2. The balance of the proceeds from the Rights Offering shall be applied in the manner and for the purposes described in the Final Prospectus and Registration Statement.
|
|
(k)
|
Registration Rights Agreement. On or before
the Rights Offering Closing Date, PolyMet shall execute and deliver the Registration Rights Agreement to Glencore.
|
|
(l)
|
Amended and Restated Corporate Governance
Agreement. On or before the Rights Offering Closing Date, PolyMet shall execute and deliver the Amended and Restated Corporate Governance Agreement to Glencore.
|
|
3.2
|
PolyMet undertakes to Glencore that it will not knowingly and intentionally use the proceeds from the Rights Offering, or lend,
contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds in any manner that results in an ABC Violation.
|
ARTICLE 4
REGULATORY COVENANTS
REGULATORY COVENANTS
|
4.1
|
General Obligation. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, prior to the Rights Offering Closing Time, each of the Company and Glencore shall use its respective
commercially reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions and do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable under the HSR Act to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including:
(a) making all appropriate applications, notifications and filings (and applications, notifications and filings considered by Glencore to be advisable) under the HSR Act as promptly as practicable; and (b) cooperating with each other in
connection with any such application, notification or filing. Glencore shall pay all filing fees for the filings required under the HSR Act.
|
- 2-7 -
|
4.2
|
Cooperation.
|
|
(a)
|
To the extent not prohibited by applicable law and subject to any applicable privileges (including attorney‑client privilege), each
of the Company and Glencore shall use its respective reasonable best efforts to furnish to the other Party all information required for any application, notification or other filing to be made pursuant to the HSR Act in connection with
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Company and Glencore shall promptly inform the other Party of any oral communication with, and provide copies of written communications with, any Governmental Entity regarding any such
applications, notifications and filings.
|
|
(b)
|
The Company and Glencore shall give each other reasonable prior notice of any communication with, and any proposed understanding,
undertaking or agreement with, any Governmental Entity regarding any such applications, notifications or filings or any such transaction. The Parties agree that both the Company and Glencore shall be represented at all in‑person meetings
and in all substantive conversations with any Governmental Entity regarding the matters set forth in this Article 4 of this Schedule 2, except if, and to the extent that, any Governmental Entity objects to any Party’s being represented at
any such meeting or in any such conversation. To the extent not prohibited by applicable law or any Governmental Entity and subject to any applicable privileges (including attorney‑client privilege), the Parties shall consult and
cooperate with one another in connection with any analyses, appearances, presentations, memoranda, briefs, arguments, opinions and proposals made or submitted by or on behalf of any Party hereto in connection with proceedings under or
relating to the HSR Act. Unless the Company and Glencore agree otherwise in writing, Glencore shall take the lead in coordinating any applications, notifications or filings, obtaining any necessary approvals, and resolving any
investigation or other inquiry of any such agency or other Governmental Entity under the HSR Act.
|
|
(c)
|
The Company shall not, without Glencore’s prior written consent, enter into any timing, settlement or similar agreement, or
otherwise agree or commit to any arrangement, that would have the effect of extending, suspending, lengthening or otherwise tolling the expiration or termination of the waiting period applicable to the contemplated transactions under the
HSR Act.
|
|
(d)
|
Glencore shall not have an obligation to respond or comply if the U.S. Federal Trade Commission or the U.S. Department of Justice
issues a request for additional information or documentary material under 15 U.S.C. Section 18a(e) (a “Second Request”) in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided, further, that Glencore shall notify the Company in writing within 10 Business Days of receiving a Second Request whether Glencore elects to respond and comply with a Second Request (a
“Second Request Notification”) and, to the extent Glencore fails to deliver such Second Request Notification within such 10 Business Day period, a
Second Request Notification indicating that Glencore has elected not to respond and comply with such Second Request shall be deemed delivered by Glencore and Glencore or the Company may terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 11.4.
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- 2-8 -
|
(e)
|
If Glencore delivers a Second Request Notification confirming Glencore’s affirmative election to respond and comply with the
Second Request, then Glencore, at any time and in its sole discretion, may deliver an updated Second Request Notification to the Company indicating that Glencore no longer elects to respond and comply with such Second Request and
Glencore or the Company may terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 11.4.
|
|
4.3
|
No Obligation to Make Divestiture or take
Certain Other Actions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Article 4 of this Schedule 2 or otherwise in this Agreement shall require Glencore or any Affiliate of Glencore to (i) propose, negotiate, effect or agree to,
the sale, divestiture, license, holding separate or other disposition of any assets or businesses of Glencore or any Affiliate of Glencore; (ii) terminate, restrict, modify or amend any existing relationships, ventures, contractual rights
or obligations of Glencore or any Affiliate of Glencore (including pursuant to this Agreement); (iii) expend any material funds or incur any material burden; (iv) create any relationship, contractual rights or obligations; (v) effectuate
any other change or restructuring to Glencore or any Affiliate of Glencore; (vi) commence or participate in any litigation in order to obtain any waivers, consents or approvals of any Governmental Entity; (vii) litigation, defend,
challenge or contest any action, suit or proceeding (including any action, suit or proceeding seeking a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction) challenging this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or otherwise
take any action that limits the freedom of action with respect to; (viii) or Glencore’s ability to retain any of the businesses or assets of, Glencore or any Affiliate of Glencore.
|
ARTICLE 5
CHANGES
CHANGES
|
5.1
|
Material Change During Distribution.
|
|
(a)
|
During the period from the date of the Agreement to the Rights Offering Closing Date, PolyMet will promptly (and in any event within
one Business Day) notify Glencore in writing of any material change (actual, anticipated, contemplated or threatened, financial or otherwise) in the business, affairs, operations, assets, liabilities (contingent or otherwise) or capital
of PolyMet and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
|
|
(b)
|
During the period from the date hereof to the Rights Offering Closing Date, PolyMet will promptly (and in any event within one
Business Day) notify Glencore in writing of:
|
- 2-9 -
|
(i)
|
any material fact that has arisen or been discovered and that would be required to be disclosed in the Prospectus or Registration
Statement if filed on such date; and
|
|
(ii)
|
any change in any material fact contained in the Prospectus or Registration Statement, including (without limitation) all documents
incorporated by reference, which fact or change is, or may be, of such a nature as to result in a Misrepresentation in the Prospectus or Registration Statement or that would result in the Prospectus or Registration Statement not complying
with applicable Securities Laws.
|
|
(c)
|
PolyMet will promptly, and in any event within any applicable time limitation, comply, to the satisfaction of Glencore, acting
reasonably, with all applicable filings and other requirements under the Securities Laws as a result of such fact or change.
|
|
5.2
|
Change in Securities Laws. If during
the period of distribution to the public of the Rights, there is any change in the Securities Laws that, in the opinion of Glencore, acting reasonably, requires the filing of a Prospectus Amendment or an amendment to the Registration
Statement, PolyMet will promptly prepare and file such Prospectus Amendment with the appropriate Securities Authority in each of the Qualifying Jurisdictions where such filing is required and file any amendment to the Registration
Statement with the SEC. PolyMet will provide Glencore with the reasonable opportunity to review any comment on any Prospectus Amendment and any amendment to the Registration Statement and will take into account Glencore’s reasonable
comments thereon.
|
|
5.3
|
Change in Rights Offering Closing Date. If
a material change occurs after the date of filing of the Final Prospectus with the Securities Authorities and the filing of the Registration Statement with the SEC and prior to the Rights Offering Closing Date, the Rights Offering Closing
Date will be, unless PolyMet and Glencore otherwise agree in writing, the later of the previously scheduled Rights Offering Closing Date and the sixth Business Day following the date on which all applicable filings or other requirements
of the Securities Laws with respect to such material change have been complied with in all Qualifying Jurisdictions and any appropriate documents obtained for such filings and notice of such filings from PolyMet or PolyMet’s counsel have
been received by Glencore, provided that in no event shall the Rights Offering Closing Date be later than June 30, 2019.
|
ARTICLE 6
RIGHTS OFFERING CLOSINGS AND CONDITIONS
RIGHTS OFFERING CLOSINGS AND CONDITIONS
|
6.1
|
Rights Offering Closing. The closing of
the Rights Offering, including the closing of the purchase by Glencore and sale by PolyMet of the Standby Shares, if any, to be purchased by Glencore hereunder will be completed at 8:30 a.m. (Vancouver time) (the “Rights Offering Closing Time”) on the second Business Day following the Rights Offering Expiry Date (the “Rights Offering Closing Date”) or at such other time and/or on such other date as PolyMet and Glencore may agree upon in writing. On such date, and upon payment being made by Glencore in
accordance with Sections 2.6 and 2.8 of this Schedule 2 PolyMet will: (x) deliver (or cause to be delivered) to Glencore definitive certificates representing the number of Shares that is equal to the aggregate of: (a) the number of Basic
Entitlement Shares to be purchased by Glencore; (b) the number of any Standby Shares to be purchased by Glencore; and (c) the number of any Additional Subscription Shares to be purchased by Glencore, such certificates to be registered in
the name of Glencore or one or more designees of Glencore, as applicable; and (y) pay the Standby Fee to Glencore or one or more of its designees.
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- 2-10 -
|
6.2
|
Electronic Closing. On or before the
Rights Offering Closing Time, the Company will deliver to Xxxxxxx Xxxxx at xxxxxxx.xxxxx@xxxxxxxx.xxx, with a copy to Xxxx Xxxxxx at xxxxxxx@xxxxxxxx.xx and Xxxxx Xxxxxx xxxxxxx@xxxxxxxx.xx by electronic delivery of all documents
(including, for the avoidance of doubt, certificates representing the Basic Entitlement Shares to be purchased by Glencore) and instruments to be executed and delivered by or on behalf of the Company other than the delivery at the
Rights Offering Closing Time, as the case may be, the certificates representing the number of Shares that is equal to the number of Standby Shares (and, if applicable any Additional Subscription Shares) to be purchased by Glencore,
which certificates will be delivered by Computershare to Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 0, XX Xxx 0000, XX‑0000, Xxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxx and Glencore will deliver to Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx at xxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx, with a copy to Xxxxxx Xxxxx
at xxxxxx.xxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx and Xxxxxx Xxxxxx at xxxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxx by electronic delivery all documents and instruments to be executed and delivered by or on behalf of Glencore and will wire, in immediately available funds,
the amounts to be paid by Glencore on the Rights Offering Closing Date to an account designated in writing by the Company at least two Business Days prior to the Rights Offering Closing Date for receipt by the Company at the Rights
Offering Closing Time. All documents and instruments delivered to Xxxxxxx Xxxxx on behalf of Glencore or Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx on behalf of the Company are to be held for delivery to the appropriate Party at the Rights Offering Closing Time if
and when all such documents and instruments have been delivered and such certificates have been delivered as aforesaid and such funds have been received.
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|
6.3
|
Mutual Conditions. The respective
obligations of each of PolyMet and Glencore to complete the issuance by PolyMet and the subscription by Glencore for the Rights Offering Shares are subject to the following conditions being satisfied in full, provided that in the case of
PolyMet, only if PolyMet has used its best efforts to comply with (or cause to be complied with) such conditions:
|
|
(a)
|
There shall not be any order issued by a Governmental Entity pursuant to laws, nor shall there be any determination or change of
law, in either case which suspends, ceases, restricts or suspends trading in the Rights or the Shares or operates to prevent or restrict the lawful sale or distribution of the Rights Offering Securities (which suspension, cessation,
prevention or restriction, as the case may be, is continuing).
|
|
(b)
|
The Rights shall be listed on the TSX and NYSE American.
|
|
(c)
|
The TSX and NYSE American shall have approved the listing of the Rights Offering Shares, subject to the filing of customary
documents with the TSX and NYSE American.
|
|
6.4
|
Conditions in Favour of Glencore. The
obligation of Glencore to complete the subscription of the Rights Offering Share is subject to the following conditions being satisfied in full, which conditions are for the exclusive benefit of Glencore, any of which may be waived, in
whole or in part, by Glencore, in its sole and absolute discretion:
|
- 2-11 -
|
(a)
|
The Parties shall have entered into the Amended and Restated Corporate Governance Agreement.
|
|
(b)
|
The Parties shall have entered into the 2019 Registration Rights Agreement.
|
|
(c)
|
None of this Agreement, the Extension Agreement and Warrant Amending Agreement shall have been terminated in accordance with its
provisions.
|
|
(d)
|
No Triggering Event shall have occurred.
|
|
(e)
|
All actions required to be taken by or on behalf of PolyMet including the passing of all requisite resolutions of the directors of
PolyMet and all requisite filings with any Governmental Entity will have occurred on or prior to the Rights Offering Closing Date, so as to validly authorize the execution and filing of the Preliminary Prospectus, the Final Prospectus,
any Prospectus Amendment and Registration Statement and to create and issue the Rights Offering Securities, in each case having the attributes contemplated by the Prospectus and Registration Statement, and PolyMet will have taken all
requisite actions, including the passing of all requisite resolutions of the directors of PolyMet, and have made and/or obtained all necessary filings, approvals, orders, rulings and consents of all relevant securities regulatory
authorities and other Governmental Entities required in connection with the Rights Offering, the other transactions contemplated in the Agreement and the purchase of Standby Shares by Glencore as contemplated herein.
|
|
(f)
|
Glencore shall have received a legal opinion as to matters of the laws of Canada dated as of the Rights Offering Closing Date from
PolyMet’s Canadian counsel (who may rely, to the extent appropriate in the circumstances, as to matters of fact, on certificates of officers of PolyMet) substantially in the form of Exhibit 5.4(E).
|
|
(g)
|
Glencore shall have received a legal opinion as to matters of the laws of the United States dated as of the Rights Offering Closing
Date from Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx LLP, United States counsel to the Company (who may rely, to the extent appropriate in the circumstances, as to matters of fact, on certificates of officers of PolyMet) substantially in the form of Exhibit
5.4(F).
|
|
(h)
|
Glencore shall have received at the Rights Offering Closing Date, a certificate or certificates dated the Rights Offering Closing
Date signed on behalf of PolyMet by the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of PolyMet or such other officers of PolyMet acceptable to Glencore, acting reasonably, in form and content satisfactory to Glencore, acting
reasonably, addressed to Glencore certifying for and on behalf of PolyMet and not in their personal capacity after having made due enquiry, with respect to the following matters:
|
|
(i)
|
its constating documents;
|
- 2-12 -
|
(ii)
|
the resolutions of its board of directors relevant to the approval of the Preliminary Prospectus, the Final Prospectus and
Registration Statement and the signing and filing thereof, the allotment and issue of the Rights Offering Securities and the authorization of the Agreement and the transactions contemplated therein; and
|
|
(iii)
|
the incumbency and signatures of certain of its authorized signing officers.
|
|
(i)
|
PolyMet shall have performed or complied with, in all material respects, each of its covenants contained in the Agreement and each
of its representations and warranties which are qualified as to materiality shall be true and correct, and all representations and warranties not so qualified shall be true and correct in all material respects, and Glencore shall have
received at the Rights Offering Closing Date a certificate or certificates dated the Rights Offering Closing Date, and signed on behalf of PolyMet by the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of PolyMet or such other
officers of PolyMet acceptable to Glencore, acting reasonably, in form and content satisfactory to Glencore, acting reasonably, addressed to Glencore certifying for and on behalf of PolyMet and not in their personal capacity after having
made due enquiry and after having carefully examined the Prospectus and Registration Statement, including all documents incorporated by reference that:
|
|
(i)
|
since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Final Prospectus or Registration Statement, as amended or
supplemented which has been filed and receipted, as required, there has been no requirement to file a Prospectus Amendment under Securities Laws or an amendment of the Registration Statement with the SEC;
|
|
(ii)
|
no order, ruling, determination or change in law, in any such case, having the effect of preventing, restricting or suspending the
sale or distribution of the Rights suspending the sale or ceasing the trading of the Rights Offering Securities or any other securities of PolyMet or prohibiting the sale of the Rights Offering Securities has been issued by any regulatory
authority and is continuing in effect and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to the knowledge of such officers, contemplated or threatened under Securities Laws or by any Governmental Entity;
|
|
(iii)
|
all representations and warranties of PolyMet made in this Agreement, the Extension Agreement and the Warrant Amending Agreement
which are qualified as to materiality shall be true and correct, and all representations and warranties not so qualified shall be true and correct in all material respects, as of the Rights Offering Closing Time, as though made on and as
of the Rights Offering Closing Time;
|
|
(iv)
|
all covenants of PolyMet in this Agreement, the Extension Agreement and the Warrant Amending Agreement to be performed on or before
the Rights Offering Closing Time, shall have been duly performed by PolyMet in all material respects;
|
- 2-13 -
|
(v)
|
neither the Rights nor any Shares will have been delisted or suspended or halted from trading for a period of greater than one
Business Day at any time prior to the Rights Offering Closing Date; and
|
|
(vi)
|
no Material Adverse Effect will have occurred or have been disclosed (if previously undisclosed) at any time after the date hereof
and prior to the Rights Offering Closing Date; and
|
|
(j)
|
The HSR Clearance shall have been obtained on terms acceptable to Glencore in its sole discretion and shall remain in full force and
effect.
|
|
(k)
|
Rights Offering Closing Date shall have occurred on or before June 30, 2019.
|
|
6.5
|
Conditions in Favour of PolyMet. The
obligation of PolyMet to issue the Standby Shares to Glencore is subject to the following conditions being satisfied in full which conditions are for the exclusive benefit of PolyMet, any of which may be waived, in whole or in part, by
PolyMet, in its sole and absolute discretion:
|
|
(a)
|
Glencore shall have performed or complied with, in all material respects, each of its covenants contained in the Agreement and each
of its representations and warranties shall be true and correct and PolyMet shall have received at the Rights Offering Closing a certificate or certificates dated the Rights Offering Closing Date and signed on behalf of Glencore by such
officers of Glencore acceptable to PolyMet, acting reasonably, addressed to PolyMet certifying for and on behalf of Glencore and not in their personal capacity after having made due enquiry that:
|
|
(i)
|
all representations and warranties of Glencore made in the Agreement shall be true and correct as of the Rights Offering Closing
Time, as though made on and as of the Rights Offering Closing Time; and
|
|
(ii)
|
all covenants of Glencore in the Agreement to be performed on or before the Rights Offering Closing Time, shall have been duly
performed by Glencore in all material respects.
|
ARTICLE 7
TERMINATION
TERMINATION
|
7.1
|
Termination by PolyMet or Glencore.
Either PolyMet or Glencore may terminate the Agreement by giving written notice to the other Party, if the conditions set out in Section 6.3 of this Schedule 2 are not satisfied on or before the Rights Offering Closing Date or such other
date as may be agreed in writing by PolyMet and Glencore.
|
|
7.2
|
Termination by PolyMet. PolyMet may
terminate the Agreement by giving written notice to Glencore at any time if any of the conditions set out in Section 6.5 of this Schedule 2 are not satisfied on or before the Rights Offering Closing Date, provided however that PolyMet
will be entitled to make such election to terminate only if PolyMet has complied with its obligations under the Agreement.
|
|
7.3
|
Termination by Glencore. Glencore may
terminate the Agreement by giving written notice to PolyMet at any time if:
|
- 2-14 -
|
(a)
|
PolyMet fails to: (i) obtain final listing approval from the TSX or NYSE American for the Rights at least two days prior to the
date named as the Record Date in the Final Prospectus; (ii) obtain conditional listing approval from the TSX and NYSE American in respect of the Shares issuable upon exercise of the Rights and the Standby Shares, prior to or on the
Rights Offering Closing Date, subject to receipt of customary final documentation;
|
|
(b)
|
any of the conditions set out in Section 6.4 of this Schedule 2 are not satisfied on or before the Rights Offering Closing Date;
|
|
(c)
|
the Rights Offering Closing Date shall not have occurred on or before June 30, 2019;
|
|
(d)
|
the Shares are de‑listed or suspended or halted for trading for a period greater than one Business Day for any reason by the TSX
or NYSE American at any time; or
|
|
(e)
|
if the Rights Offering is otherwise terminated or cancelled.
|
ARTICLE 8
INDEMNIFICATION
INDEMNIFICATION
|
8.1
|
PolyMet covenants and agrees to protect, indemnify and hold harmless Glencore for and on behalf of itself and for and on behalf
of and in trust for each of its Affiliates and Glencore’s and their respective directors, officers, shareholders, partners, employees and agents (collectively, the “Glencore Indemnified Parties”) from and against any and all direct and indirect losses, claims, damages, demands, costs, expenses and other liabilities of any kind, (“Losses”) which any of them may be subject to or suffer or incur to any third party:
|
|
(a)
|
by reason of or in any way arising, directly or indirectly, out of any Misrepresentation or alleged Misrepresentation in the
Prospectus or Registration Statement (other than a Misrepresentation in the Prospectus or Registration Statement attributable to information provided by or on behalf of Glencore in respect of itself expressly for inclusion in the
Prospectus or Registration Statement); and/or
|
- 2-15 -
|
(b)
|
by reason of or in any way, directly or indirectly, out of any order made or any inquiry, investigation or proceeding instituted,
threatened or announced by any Governmental Entity or by any other Person, based upon any Misrepresentation or alleged Misrepresentation in the Prospectus or Registration Statement (other than a Misrepresentation in the Prospectus or
Registration Statement attributable to information provided by or on behalf of the Glencore Indemnified Parties in respect of themselves for inclusion in the Prospectus or Registration Statement); and/or
|
|
(c)
|
the non‑compliance or alleged non‑compliance by PolyMet with any requirement of Securities Laws or any other laws in connection with
the Rights Offering; and/or
|
|
(d)
|
by reason of, or in any way arising, directly or indirectly, out of any breach or default of or under any representation, warranty,
covenant or agreement of PolyMet contained in the Agreement.
|
|
8.2
|
The indemnification in this Article 8 may not be used by Glencore to bring a claim against PolyMet in circumstances where
Glencore has not suffered any Losses to a third party. The indemnification in this Article 8 may not be used by PolyMet to bring a claim against Glencore in circumstances where PolyMet has not suffered any Losses.
|
|
8.3
|
Glencore covenants and agrees to protect, indemnify and hold harmless PolyMet for and on behalf of itself and for and on behalf
of and in trust for each of its directors, officers, employees and agents from and against any and all Losses caused or incurred to any third party by reason of, or in any way arising, directly or indirectly, out of: (a) any breach or
default of or under any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement of Glencore contained herein; or (b) any information relating solely to Glencore that Glencore provided to PolyMet in writing expressly for inclusion in the
Prospectus or Registration Statement.
|
|
8.4
|
The indemnification by PolyMet contained in Section 8.1 of this Schedule 2 will not apply in respect of any Losses caused or
incurred by reason of or arising out of any Misrepresentation, order, inquiry, investigation or other matter or thing referred to herein which is based upon or results directly from any information relating solely to Glencore that
Glencore provided to PolyMet in writing expressly for inclusion in the Prospectus or Registration Statement.
|
|
8.5
|
Nothing in this Article 8 shall affect the ability of the Company to bring a claim against Glencore in respect of any breach of
this Agreement by Glencore, and nothing in this Article 8 shall affect the ability of Glencore to bring a claim against the Company in respect of any breach of this Agreement by the Company.
|
|
8.6
|
In the event that any claim, action, suit or proceeding, including, without limitation, any inquiry or investigation (whether
formal or informal), is brought or instituted against any of the Persons in respect of which indemnification is or might reasonably be considered to be provided for herein, such Person (an “Indemnified Party”) shall promptly notify the Person from whom indemnification is being sought (being either PolyMet under Section 8.1 of this Schedule 2 or Glencore under Section 8.2 of this
Schedule 2, as the case may be (the “Indemnifying Party”)) and the Indemnifying Party shall promptly retain counsel who shall be reasonably
satisfactory to the Indemnified Party to represent the Indemnified Party in such claim, action, suit or proceeding, and the Indemnifying Party shall pay all of the reasonable fees and disbursements of such counsel relating to such claim,
action, suit or proceeding.
|
- 2-16 -
|
8.7
|
In any such claim, action, suit or proceeding, the Indemnified Party shall have the right to retain other counsel to act on
such Person’s behalf, provided that the fees and disbursements of such other counsel shall be paid by the Indemnified Party unless:
|
|
(a)
|
the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party shall have mutually agreed in writing to the retention of such other counsel; or
|
|
(b)
|
the named parties to any such claim, action, suit or proceeding (including any added, third or impleaded parties) include both the
Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them (such as the availability of different defenses),
|
provided, however, the Indemnifying Party shall not, in connection with any such claim, action, suit or proceeding in
the same jurisdiction, be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate legal firm for all Persons or corporations in respect of which indemnification is or might reasonably be considered to be provided for herein and such
firm shall be designated in writing by the Indemnified Party (on behalf of itself and its directors, officers, employees and agents).
|
8.8
|
Notwithstanding anything herein contained, neither PolyMet nor Glencore shall agree to any settlement of any such claim, action,
suit or proceeding unless the other has consented in writing thereto, and neither Party shall be liable for any settlement of any such claim, action, suit or proceeding unless it has consented in writing thereto.
|
|
8.9
|
If the indemnification provided for in this Article 8 is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to an
Indemnified Party with respect to any Losses referred to herein, the Indemnifying Party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party thereunder, shall to the extent permitted by law contribute to the amount paid or payable by such
Indemnified Party as a result of such Loss in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party on the one hand and of the Indemnified Party on the other in connection with the act or omission that
resulted in such Loss, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the Indemnifying Party and of the Indemnified Party shall be determined by a court of law by reference to, among other things, whether
the untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact or the omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Indemnifying Party or by the Indemnified Party and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to
information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
|
|
8.10
|
The obligations of PolyMet and Glencore under this Article 8 shall survive completion of any offerings described herein and any
termination of the Agreement. No Indemnifying Party, in the defense of any such claim or litigation, shall, except with the consent of the Indemnified Party, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which does not
include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such Indemnified Party of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation.
|
|
8.11
|
To the extent any indemnification by an Indemnifying Party is prohibited or limited by law, the Indemnifying Party agrees to
make the maximum contribution with respect to any amounts for which it would otherwise be liable under this Article 8 to the fullest extent permitted by law; provided, however, that no Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation shall
be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
|
- 3-1 -
SCHEDULE 3
FORM OF LAUNCH PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT
FORM OF LAUNCH PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT
(See attached)
- 4-1 -
SCHEDULE 4
FORM OF PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS
FORM OF PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS
(See attached)
- 4-1 -
SCHEDULE 4.3.3
FORM OF AMENDED AND RESTATED CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AGREEMENT
FORM OF AMENDED AND RESTATED CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AGREEMENT
AMENDED AND RESTATED CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
AGREEMENT
DATED the ___ day of________________, 2019.
WHEREAS:
|
A.
|
PolyMet Mining Corp. (“PolyMet” or the “Company”) and Glencore AG (“Glencore”) are party to a standby
purchase agreement dated May 6, 2019 (the “Standby Purchase Agreement”).
|
|
B.
|
The Parties have previously entered into the Existing Corporate Governance Agreement.
|
|
C.
|
Pursuant to Section 7.1 of the Standby Purchase Agreement, the Parties have agreed to enter into this Amended and Restated Corporate
Governance Agreement to amend and restate the Existing Corporate Governance Agreement.
|
NOW THEREFORE in consideration of the foregoing,
and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows.
|
1.
|
Upon the execution of this Agreement, the Existing Corporate Governance Agreement shall be amended and restated and superseded and
replaced in its entirety by this Agreement. 1
|
|
2.
|
All capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given thereto in the Standby Purchase Agreement.
|
|
3.
|
From and after the date of this Agreement, the Company hereby covenants and agrees that:
|
|
(a)
|
at the relevant time, as long as the number of issued and outstanding Shares held by Glencore (on a fully diluted basis) relative to
all the issued and outstanding Shares (on a fully diluted basis) is at least 10%, Glencore shall have the right but not the obligation to designate that number of Glencore Nominees that is the greater of:
|
|
(i)
|
one; and
|
|
(ii)
|
the number of the directors of the Company out of the total number of directors of the Company which is proportionate to Glencore's
holdings of issued and outstanding Shares (on a fully diluted basis) relative to all the issued and outstanding Shares (on a fully diluted basis), provided that if the foregoing calculation does not result in a whole number, the number of
Glencore Nominees which Glencore is entitled to designate will be rounded down to the nearest whole number;
|
1 This agreement will not be executed until closing, the signatures will be held in escrow.
- 4-2 -
|
(b)
|
to take all such actions to appoint the Glencore Nominees to the Board as soon as reasonably practicable following notice of
Glencore’s request to appoint the Glencore Nominees, which, for the avoidance of doubt, such actions may include increasing the number of directors on the Board or procuring the resignation of members of the Board at the time of
appointing the Glencore Nominees.
|
|
(c)
|
to mail to Shareholders in accordance with applicable corporate and Securities Laws, a management proxy circular in which the Board
will:
|
|
(i)
|
nominate all of the Glencore Nominees for election at the Company’s annual general meetings held after the date of this Agreement
where directors are elected (and every such Company meeting thereafter) (“Company AGM”); and
|
|
(ii)
|
make a written recommendation to Shareholders in favour of the election of all of the Glencore Nominees;
|
|
(d)
|
to solicit proxies for the Company AGM in favour of Shareholder approval of the election of all of the Glencore Nominees;
|
|
(e)
|
to notify Glencore in advance of any meeting of shareholders of PolyMet to be called by PolyMet after the completion of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, of the intention of PolyMet to include the election of directors of PolyMet as business to be conducted at such meeting in sufficient time for Glencore to designate the Glencore Nominees to be
included in the proxy circular for such meeting and the Company agrees to include such individuals so designated by Glencore among managements nominees as directors of the Company at such meeting; and
|
|
(f)
|
that if any individual nominated or designated by Glencore as aforesaid as a director of PolyMet and elected or appointed as a
director of PolyMet should resign, other than at an annual general meeting of shareholders of PolyMet, then Glencore shall be entitled to designate another individual as a director of PolyMet in place of the individual who so resigned.
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4.
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Glencore hereby covenants and agrees to nominate or designate as a director of PolyMet only individuals who are qualified to serve
as a director of PolyMet under applicable law (notwithstanding that such individual may not be “independent” under Securities Laws).
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5.
|
All rights previously granted by PolyMet to Glencore to appoint directors to the Board remain in full force and effect unamended by
this Agreement.
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6.
|
This agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of British Columbia and the laws of
Canada applicable therein. Each of the parties hereto hereby attorn to the jurisdiction of the courts of the Province of British Columbia.
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- 4-3 -
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7.
|
No supplement, modification, amendment, waiver, discharge or termination of this agreement is binding unless it is executed in
writing by each of the parties to this agreement. No waiver of, failure to exercise or delay in exercising any provision of this agreement constitutes a waiver of any other provision (whether or not similar) nor does such waiver
constitute a continuing waiver unless otherwise expressly provided.
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8.
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This agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which will be considered one and the same agreement, and will become
effective when one or more counterparts will have been signed by each Party and delivered to the other Party. Delivery of an executed counterpart of this agreement by facsimile or transmitted electronically shall be equally effective as
delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.
|
[Signature page follows]
- 4-4 -
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the
parties hereto have executed this Amended and Restated Corporate Governance Agreement as of the date first above written.
| By: |
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| Name: |
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| Title: |
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GLENCORE AG
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| By: |
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| Name: |
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| Title: |
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SCHEDULE 5
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF POLYMET
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF POLYMET
PolyMet represents and warrants to Glencore as at the date of the Agreement, the Rights Issue Date and the Rights Offering Closing Date
(by reference to the circumstances subsisting on each respective date), that:
|
(a)
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The Company is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
incorporation and has the corporate power and authority to own its properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted. The Company is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing in each
jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted or property owned or leased by it makes such qualification necessary.
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(b)
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The only Subsidiaries of the Company are PMI and the companies set out in Schedule 5(b) of the Disclosure Letter.
The companies set out in Schedule 5(b)of the Disclosure Letter are non-material subsidiaries (the “Non-Material Subsidiaries”). PMI is incorporated under the laws of the State of Minnesota and is wholly‑owned by the Company. Except as set out in Schedule 5(b) of the Disclosure Letter, the Non-Material Subsidiaries are incorporated under the laws of the State of
Minnesota and are wholly-owned by the Company. PMI is duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation and has the corporate power and authority to own its
properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted. Except as set out in Schedule 5(b) of the Disclosure Letter, the Non-Material Subsidiaries are duly incorporated, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of their incorporation and have the corporate power and authority to own their properties and to carry on their business as now being conducted. PMI is duly qualified to do
business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted or property owned or leased by it makes such qualification necessary. Except as set out in Schedule 5(b) of the Disclosure Letter, the Non-Material Subsidiaries are duly qualified to do business as foreign corporations and are in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the
nature of the business conducted or property owned or leased by them makes such qualification necessary.
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(c)
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The Company has full corporate power and authority and has taken all requisite action on its part necessary for: (i) the
authorization, execution and delivery of the Agreement; (ii) authorization of the performance of all of its obligations hereunder; and (iii) in respect of the Company, the authorization, issuance (or reservation for issuance) and delivery
of the Rights Offering Securities.
|
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(d)
|
The Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and the Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding
obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by: (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium,
liquidation or similar laws relating to, or affecting generally the enforcement of, creditors’ rights and remedies; or (ii) equitable principles relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief and other equitable
remedies.
|
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(e)
|
No notice, registration and filing or report with, and no consent, approval, order or other authorization of, any Governmental
Entity is required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents by the Company or PMI, other than those that are set out in Schedule 5(e) of the Disclosure Letter.
|
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(f)
|
There has been no voluntary or involuntary action taken either by or against the Company or PMI for any such Person’s winding‑up,
dissolution, liquidation, bankruptcy, receivership, administration or similar or analogous events in respect of such Person or all or any part of its assets or revenues.
|
- 5-2 -
|
(g)
|
Set forth on Schedule 5(g) of the Disclosure Letter, is a description of: (i) the authorized capital stock of the Company and PMI;
(ii) the number of Shares of capital stock of the Company issued and outstanding; the number of shares of capital stock of PMI issued and outstanding; (iii) the number of Shares of capital stock of the Company issuable pursuant to the
Company’s equity compensation plans (including those issuable subject to approval by the Company’s shareholders); (iv) the number of Shares of capital stock of the Company issuable and reserved for issuance pursuant to securities
exercisable for, or convertible into or exchangeable for any Shares of capital stock of the Company; and (v) the number of shares of capital stock of PMI issuable and reserved for issuance pursuant to securities exercisable for, or
convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of capital stock of PMI. All of: (x) the issued and outstanding Shares of the Company’s capital stock; and (y) issued and outstanding shares of PMI’ capital stock, have been duly
authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non‑assessable. Except as set forth on Schedule 5(g) of the Disclosure Letter, no Person is entitled to pre‑emptive or similar statutory or contractual rights with respect to any
securities of the Company or PMI. There is no shareholder rights plan or similar “poison pill” arrangement with respect to the Shares, the Company or any securities of the Company. Except as set forth on Schedule 5(g) of the Disclosure
Letter, there are no outstanding warrants, options, convertible securities or other rights, agreements or arrangements of any character under which the Company or PMI is or may be obligated to issue any equity securities of any kind,
and except as contemplated by this Agreement, the Company’s equity compensation plans (including those issuable subject to approval by the Company’s shareholders), neither the Company nor PMI are currently in negotiations for the
issuance of any equity securities of any kind. Except as set forth on Schedule 5(g) of the Disclosure Letter, the Company has no knowledge of any voting agreements, buy‑sell agreements, option or right of first purchase agreements or
other agreements of any kind among any of the securityholders of the Company or PMI relating to the securities of the Company or PMI held by them. Except as set forth on Schedule 5(g) of the Disclosure Letter, neither the Company nor
PMI has granted any Person the right to require the Company or PMI to register any securities of the Company or PMI under the 1933 Act or Securities Laws, whether on a demand basis or in connection with the registration of securities of
the Company or PMI for its own account or for the account of any other Person.
|
|
(h)
|
The Company has filed all Disclosure Documents with the Securities Authorities and SEC pursuant to Canadian Securities Laws and 1934
Act, respectively, since December 31, 2018. When filed, all Disclosure Documents complied as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the applicable Securities Laws and 1934 Act, respectively, and did not contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein, not misleading. The Company and PMI are engaged only in the business described in the Disclosure Documents, and
the Disclosure Documents contain a complete and accurate description of the business of the Company and PMI in all material respects.
|
|
(i)
|
Since December 31, 2018, there has not been:
|
- 5-3 -
|
(i)
|
any change in the consolidated assets, liabilities, financial condition or operating results of PLM from that reflected in the
financial statements included in the Annual Report, except changes in the ordinary course of business which have not had, in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect;
|
|
(ii)
|
any declaration or payment of any dividend, or any authorization or payment of any distribution, on any of the capital stock of the
Company or PMI, or any redemption or repurchase of any securities of the Company or PMI;
|
|
(iii)
|
material damage, destruction or loss, whether or not covered by insurance, to any assets or properties of the Company or PMI;
|
|
(iv)
|
any waiver by the Company or PMI of a material right or of a material debt owed to it;
|
|
(v)
|
any satisfaction or discharge of any Encumbrance or payment of any obligation by the Company or PMI, except in the ordinary course
of business and which is not material to the assets, properties, financial condition, operating results or business of the Company and PMI taken as a whole (as such business is presently conducted and as it is proposed to be conducted);
|
|
(vi)
|
any material change or amendment to a material agreement by which the Company or PMI or any of their respective assets or properties
are bound or subject;
|
|
(vii)
|
any material labour difficulties or labour union organizing activities with respect to employees of the Company or PMI;
|
|
(viii)
|
any material transaction entered into by the Company or PMI other than in the ordinary course of business; or
|
|
(ix)
|
any other event or condition of any character that may have a Material Adverse Effect.
|
|
(j)
|
The execution, delivery and performance of the Agreement by the Company and the issuance and sale of the Rights Offering Securities
by the Company will not conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute a default under: (i) the Company’s constating documents (including any certificates of designation) or articles
or any shareholders agreement relating to it; or (ii) except where it could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect: (A) any statute, rule, regulation or order of any
Governmental Entity having jurisdiction over the Company or PMI or any of their respective properties; or (B) any agreement or instrument to which the Company or PMI is a party or by which the Company or PMI is bound or to which any of
the properties of the Company or PMI is subject (including an event that with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default, and including any event that would give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or
cancellation, with or without notice, lapse of time or both). Except where it could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, neither the Company nor PMI, to the Company’s
knowledge: (x) is in violation of any statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Company or PMI or their respective assets or activities; (y) is in violation of any judgment, order or decree applicable to the Company or PMI or their
respective assets or activities; and (z) is in breach or violation of any agreement, note or instrument to which they or their assets are a party or are bound or subject. Except as provided in Schedule 5(cc) of the Disclosure Letter,
neither the Company nor PMI has received written notice from any Person of any claim or investigation that, if adversely determined, would render the preceding sentence untrue or incomplete.
|
- 5-4 -
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(k)
|
Each of the Company and PMI have prepared and filed all tax returns required to have been filed by it with all appropriate
Governmental Entities and paid all taxes due owed by it, taking into account permitted extensions. The charges, accruals and reserves on the books of the Company and PMI in respect of taxes for all fiscal periods are adequate, and there
are no unpaid assessments against the Company or PMI nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any basis for the assessment of any additional taxes, penalties or interest for any fiscal period or audits by any federal, state or local taxing
authority except such as which are not material. All taxes and assessments and levies that either the Company or PMI is required to withhold or to collect for payment have been duly withheld and collected and paid to the proper
Governmental Entity or third party when due, taking into account permitted extensions. There are no tax liens or claims pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened against the Company or PMI or any of their respective assets or
property. There are no outstanding tax sharing agreements or other such arrangements between the Company or PMI and any other Person.
|
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(l)
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The only jurisdictions (or registration districts within such jurisdictions) in which the Company or PMI has any place of business
or stores any material tangible assets are as set forth in Schedule 5(l) of the Disclosure Letter.
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(m)
|
Subject to Schedule 5(m‑1) of the Disclosure Letter, each of the Company and PMI has good and marketable title to all real
properties and all other properties and assets owned by it and material to its operations, in each case free from Encumbrances other than Permitted Encumbrances and defects that would materially affect the value thereof or materially
interfere with the use made or currently planned to be made thereof by them; and subject to Schedule 5(n) of the Disclosure Letter, each of the Company and PMI directly or indirectly holds any leased real or personal property material to
its operations under valid and enforceable leases with no exceptions that would materially interfere with the use made or currently planned to be made thereof by them. Schedule 5(m-1) of the Disclosure Letter sets forth a complete and
accurate legal description of all the real property owned in fee by the Company and/or PMI. Each of the Company and PMI has adequate rights of ingress and egress for the operation of the business in the ordinary course from and to the
Owned Real Property. Except as set forth in Schedule 5(m‑2) of the Disclosure Letter, neither the Company nor PMI owns any real property other than the Owned Real Property, and neither the Company nor PMI has agreed to acquire any real
property or interest in real property other than the Owned Real Property.
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- 5-5 -
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(n)
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Neither the Company nor PMI is party to any lease, sublease, agreement to lease, offer to lease, renewal of lease or other right
or interest in or to real property (each a “Lease”) except in respect of the Leased Real Properties. Each Lease is in good standing in all material
respects and all amounts owing thereunder have been paid by the Company or PMI. Schedule 5(n) of the Disclosure Letter identifies the Leased Real Properties of the Company or PMI material to their operations. Each of the Company and PMI
has adequate rights of ingress and egress for the operation of the business from and to Leased Real Property.
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(o)
|
The uses to which the Owned Real Property and the Leased Real Property are being put by the Company and PMI are not in breach, in
any material respect, of any applicable law.
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(p)
|
No part of the Owned Real Property or the Leased Real Property of the Company or PMI has been taken or expropriated by any
Governmental Entity nor has any written notice or proceeding in respect thereof been given or commenced nor is the Company aware of any intent or proposal to give any such notice or commence any such proceedings.
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(q)
|
Subject to Schedule 5(q) of the Disclosure Letter, each of the Company and PMI possesses adequate certificates, authorities or
permits issued by appropriate Governmental Entities necessary to conduct the business now operated by it which could, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect if not obtained, and has
not received any written notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such certificate, authority or permit except as identified in Schedule 5(q) of the Disclosure Letter. Each of the Company and PMI is in
compliance with all applicable laws, non‑compliance with which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
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|
(r)
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Neither the Company nor PMI is in default, nor has any event or circumstance occurred which, but for the passage of time or the
giving of notice, or both, would constitute a default under any material agreement. No Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.
|
|
(s)
|
There are no existing Encumbrances relating to the assets of the Company or PMI other than Permitted Encumbrances except as set out
on Schedule 5(s) of the Disclosure Letter.
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|
(t)
|
There are no Pension Plans in existence. All Benefit Plans to which the Company or PMI is a party are described in Schedule 5(t) of
the Disclosure Letter. There has not been any improper withdrawal or application of any asset of the Benefit Plans. There is no proceeding, action, suit or claim, including by any Governmental Entity (other than routine claims for
benefits) pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened involving the Benefit Plans, and no fact exists which could give rise to that type of proceeding, action, suit or claim. All contributions or premiums required to be made or
paid by the Company or PMI in respect of the Benefit Plans have been made or paid in accordance with the terms of such plans and all applicable law. All contributions to the Benefit Plans by way of authorized payroll deduction or
otherwise have been properly withheld or collected by the Company or PMI and have been fully paid into those plans in compliance with the plans and applicable law. All reports and disclosures relating to the Benefit Plans required by
those plans and any applicable law to be filed or distributed have been filed or distributed in compliance with the plans and applicable law.
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- 5-6 -
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(u)
|
No material labor dispute with the employees of the Company or PMI exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent.
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(v)
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Each of the Company and PMI has paid all wages and other forms of compensation due and owing and have made and remitted all required
statutory and other deductions and there are no outstanding or pending labor or employment‑related liabilities.
|
|
(w)
|
(i) Neither the Company nor PMI is a party to any collective agreement or other labour contract except as set out on Schedule 5(w)
of the Disclosure Letter; (ii) no union or other labor organization is actively seeking to organize, or to be recognized as, a collective bargaining unit of employees of the Company or PMI; and (iii) there is no pending or, to the
Company’s knowledge, threatened, strike, work stoppage, material unfair labor practice claim, or other material labor dispute against or affecting the Company or PMI.
|
|
(x)
|
All Material Agreements of the Company and PMI are in full force and effect, unamended, and the Company or, to the Company’s
knowledge, any other party to any such agreement is not in material default with respect thereto.
|
|
(y)
|
All books and records of the Company and PMI have been fully, properly and accurately kept and completed in accordance with IFRS and
there are no material inaccuracies or discrepancies of any kind contained or reflected therein.
|
|
(z)
|
Each of the Company and PMI owns or possesses adequate rights or licenses to the inventions, know‑how, patents, patent rights,
copyrights, trademarks, trade names, licenses, approvals, governmental authorizations, trade secrets, confidential information and other intellectual property rights, free and clear of all Encumbrances, equities and other adverse claims,
necessary to conduct the business now operated by it and presently contemplated to be operated by it (collectively, “Intellectual Property Rights”),
and neither the Company nor PMI has received any written notice of infringement of or conflict with asserted rights of others with respect to any Intellectual Property Rights.
|
|
(aa)
|
The following representations are, in their entirety, subject to Schedule 5(aa) of the Disclosure Letter. To the knowledge of the
Company, neither the Company nor PMI: (i) is in violation of any statute, rule, regulation, decision or order of any Governmental Entity relating to the use, disposal or release of hazardous or toxic substances or relating to the
protection or restoration of the environment or human exposure to hazardous or toxic substances (collectively, “Environmental Laws”); (ii) own or
operate any real property contaminated with any substance that is subject to any Environmental Laws, are not liable for any off‑site disposal or contamination pursuant to any Environmental Laws; and (iii) are subject to any claim relating
to any Environmental Laws, which violation, contamination, ownership, operation, liability or claim would individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect except as set forth in Schedule 5(aa) of the Disclosure Letter, and
the Company is not aware of any other pending investigation that might lead to such a claim. The business and operations each of the Company and PMI complies in all material respects with Environmental Laws and each the Company and PMI
holds all permits and licenses necessary to conduct its business and operations in compliance with Environmental Laws. All material costs to ensure compliance with Environmental Laws, including those with respect to future closure and
rehabilitation costs, are accurately reflected in the Company’s financial statements in accordance with IFRS.
|
- 5-7 -
|
(bb)
|
Schedule 5(bb) of the Disclosure Letter lists all mineral interests and rights, including claims, concessions, surface rights,
easements, exploration licenses and exploitation licenses and leases (collectively, the “Mineral Rights”) associated with the NorthMet Project
which are held directly or indirectly by the Company or PMI or to which the Company or PMI is a party. Except as identified in Schedule 5(bb) of the Disclosure Letter or would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect:
|
|
(i)
|
the Company is the sole legal and beneficial owner of all right, title and interest in and to the Mineral Rights, free and clear of
any Encumbrances, except Permitted Encumbrances;
|
|
(ii)
|
all of the Mineral Rights have been properly located and recorded in compliance with applicable Laws and are comprised of valid and
subsisting mineral claims;
|
|
(iii)
|
the Mineral Rights are in good standing under applicable Laws and all work required to be performed and filed in respect thereof has
been performed and filed, all taxes, rentals, fees, expenditures and other payments in respect thereof have been paid or incurred and all filings in respect thereof have been made;
|
|
(iv)
|
there is no adverse claim against or challenge to the title to or ownership of any of the Mineral Rights;
|
|
(v)
|
the Company has the exclusive right to deal with all of the Mineral Rights;
|
|
(vi)
|
no person other than the Company has any interest in any of the Mineral Rights or the production or profits therefrom or any royalty
in respect thereof or any right to acquire any such interest;
|
|
(vii)
|
there are no options, back‑in rights, earn‑in rights, rights of first refusal or similar provisions or rights which would affect the
interest of the Company or PMI in any of the Mineral Rights;
|
|
(viii)
|
there are no restrictions on the ability of the Company or PMI to use, transfer or exploit any of the Mineral Rights, except
pursuant to applicable laws;
|
- 5-8 -
|
(ix)
|
neither the Company nor PMI has received any written notice from any Governmental Entity of any revocation or intention to revoke
any interest of the Company or PMI in any of the Mineral Rights; and
|
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(x)
|
the Company has all surface rights, including easements and rights of way from landowners or Governmental Entities, that are
required to develop and exploit the NorthMet Project as contemplated in the M3 Technical Report and no third party or group holds any such rights that would be required by the Company or PMI to develop and exploit the NorthMet Project as
contemplated in the M3 Technical Report.
|
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(cc)
|
Except as identified in Schedule 5(cc) of the Disclosure Letter, there are no pending actions, suits or proceedings against or
affecting the Company or PMI or any of their respective properties that, if determined adversely, would individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect and, to the knowledge of the Company, no such actions, suits or
proceedings are threatened or contemplated. There are no pending actions, suits or proceedings against or affecting the Company or PMI that involve this Agreement or the rights of Glencore or the obligations of the Company thereunder and,
to the knowledge of the Company, no such actions, suits or proceedings are threatened or contemplated.
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|
(dd)
|
The financial statements included in the Disclosure Documents present fairly and accurately in all material respects the consolidated balance sheets of the
Company as of the dates shown and its consolidated statements of loss and comprehensive loss, consolidated statements of changes in shareholder equity and consolidated statement of cash flows for the periods shown, and such other
financial statements have been prepared in conformity with IFRS in effect from time to time in Canada applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved except as set forth in the notes thereto. Except as set forth in the
annual financial statements of the Company included in the Annual Report, neither the Company nor PMI has any liabilities, contingent or otherwise, which individually or in the aggregate would result in a Material Adverse Effect subject
to Schedule 5(dd) of the Disclosure Letter. The amount of the Closing Date Indebtedness is
anticipated to be US$264,183,982 if the Rights Offering Closing Date occurs on June 30, 2019. Set out in Schedule 5(dd) of the Disclosure Letter is the Closing Date Indebtedness calculated for each day of the months of
April, May and June, 2019.
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(ee)
|
Each of the Company and PMI maintains in full force and effect insurance coverage that the Company reasonably believes to be
adequate against all liabilities, claims and risks against which it is customary for comparably situated companies to insure. All such insurance policies are: (i) sufficient for compliance with all requirements of applicable Law and of
all Material Agreements; (ii) are valid, outstanding and enforceable policies; and (iii) provide adequate insurance coverage in at least such amounts and against at least such risks (but including in any event, public liability) as are
usually insured against in the same general area by companies engaged in the same or a similar business. All premiums with respect thereto have been paid in accordance with their respective terms, and no written notice of cancellation or
termination has been received with respect to any such policy.
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- 5-9 -
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(ff)
|
There are no proceedings pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened against the Company relating to the continued listing
of the Shares on the TSX or the NYSE American.
|
|
(gg)
|
The Company is in material compliance with all applicable provisions of the Sarbanes‑Oxley Act that are in effect.
|
|
(hh)
|
The Company is in material compliance with all applicable corporate governance requirements set forth in the rules of the NYSE
American currently in effect.
|
|
(ii)
|
In respect of financial reporting for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 and all subsequent periods, the Company maintains a
system of internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a‑15(f) and 15d‑15(f) of the 0000 Xxx) sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that: (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s
general or specific authorization; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements of the Company in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain accountability for
assets; (iii) access to the Company’s assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets of the Company is compared with existing assets at
reasonable intervals and appropriate actions is taken with respect to any differences. The Company has not been advised of (x) any significant deficiencies in the design or operation of its internal control over financial reporting that
could adversely affect its ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data; (y) any material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting; or (z) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management
or other employees who have significant role in the internal control over its financial reporting.
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(jj)
|
The Company has established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a‑15(e) and
15d‑15(e) of the 1934 Act), which are effective in all material respects to perform the functions for which they are established.
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(kk)
|
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, which has audited certain financial statements of the Company and delivered its report with respect to
the audited financial statements included in the Annual Report, is, with respect to the Company, an independent registered public accounting firm within the meaning of the 1933 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC
thereunder (including without limitation pursuant to the Sarbanes‑Oxley Act).
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(ll)
|
Neither the aggregate value of the assets in Canada of PolyMet and its Subsidiaries, nor the gross revenues from sales in or from
Canada generated from those assets, as determined in accordance with Part IX of the Competition Act (Canada) and the Notifiable Transactions
Regulations (Canada), SOR 87‑348, exceeds the prescribed value referred to in Section 110 of the Competition Act (Canada).
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(mm)
|
The “enterprise value” of PolyMet is less than C$1.045 billion, as determined in accordance with Section 3.3 of the Investment Canada Regulations (Canada) SOR 65‑611.
|
- 5-10 -
|
(nn)
|
The Rights Offering Shares issuable to Glencore will be duly and validly issued and registered in the name of Glencore (or as it
may direct in writing) and upon receipt of the Subscription Price in respect of the Basic Entitlement Shares and Additional Subscription Shares and on fulfillment of the Standby Commitment, the Rights Offering Shares will be validly
issued, fully paid, non‑assessable and will be free and clear of all liens, pledges, claims, encumbrances, security interests or other restrictions except for any restrictions on resale or transfer imposed by Securities Laws and not
subject to any option to purchase or similar right (it being acknowledged by Glencore that the number of Standby Shares that it may be entitled to receive pursuant to the Rights Offering will depend on the number of Shares issued to
those Persons who have exercised Rights prior to the Rights Offering Expiry Time).
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(oo)
|
The Rights Offering Shares will be allotted and issued subject to the notice of articles and articles of PolyMet, and on terms that
they will, when issued, be fully paid, non‑assessable and free and clear of all encumbrances and restrictions, except for restrictions on transfer imposed by applicable securities laws.
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(pp)
|
PolyMet has provided Glencore with a good faith estimate of PolyMet’s out‑of‑pocket expenses relating to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. Such expenses shall not exceed US$6,000,000.
|
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(qq)
|
PolyMet is a reporting issuer in good standing in the Provinces of British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario.
|
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(rr)
|
PolyMet is qualified to file a prospectus in the form of a short form prospectus pursuant to the provisions of NI 44‑101 – Short
Form Prospectus Distributions.
|
|
(ss)
|
The Company has filed all of the technical reports required to be filed under National Instrument 43‑101 – Standards of Disclosure
for Mineral Projects in respect of each property material to the Company.
|
|
(tt)
|
The Company has not, at any time since June 30, 2018, entered into any agreement or amendment or executed any payment that would
have breached Section 6.1 of this Agreement if such provisions had been in force as at June 30, 2018.
|
|
(uu)
|
(i) the common shares, without par value, of PolyMet are registered under Section 12(b) of the 1934 Act; (ii) PolyMet is required to
file reports pursuant to Section 13 of the 1934 Act; (iii) PolyMet has filed all reports required to be filed pursuant to Section 13 of the 1934 Act; and (iv) PolyMet is in compliance with all of its other obligations under the 1934 Act.
|
|
(vv)
|
PolyMet is a “foreign private issuer” within the meaning of Rule 3b‑4 under the 1934 Act, and PolyMet meets the requirements for use
of Form F‑10 under the 1933 Act for registration under the 1933 Act of the offering of the Rights Offering Securities to be issued in connection with the Rights Offering.
|
- 5-11 -
|
(ww)
|
No order halting or suspending trading in securities of PolyMet or prohibiting the sale of such securities is outstanding against
PolyMet, and to the knowledge of PolyMet and the directors and officers thereof, no investigations or proceedings for such purpose are pending or threatened.
|
|
(xx)
|
No approval of the Company’s Shareholders or valuation is required for: (i) the execution and delivery by the Company of this
Agreement; (ii) the issuance of any of the Rights, the Shares issuable upon exercise of the Rights and/or the Standby Shares as contemplated by this Agreement; (iii) the Extension Agreement; (iv) the Warrant Amending Agreement; (v) the
issuance of the 2019 Purchase Warrants; (vi) the Proposed Expiry Date Amendments (as defined in the Extension Agreement); (vii) the Extension Agreement; or (viii) the consummation of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
the Extension Agreement, the Warrant Amending Agreement and the Extension Agreement.
|
|
(yy)
|
At the time of its filing with any Securities Authority and the SEC or otherwise and as at the Rights Offering Closing Date, the
Prospectus and Registration Statement did and will comply with the requirements of Securities Laws in all material respects; and at the time of its filing and as at the Rights Offering Closing Date, the information and statements
contained therein are true and correct in all material respects, contain no Misrepresentation and constitute full, true and plain disclosure of all material facts and do not omit any material facts relating to PolyMet and its Subsidiaries
taken as a whole and as concerns the Rights Offering and the transactions contemplated herein; provided that the foregoing will not apply to any information or statements contained in the Prospectus or Registration Statement relating
solely to Glencore that Glencore has specifically provided to PolyMet in writing for inclusion in such Prospectus and Registration Statement. The information disclosed
to Glencore by or on behalf of Polymet in connection with the negotiation of the Extension Agreement and this Agreement, including any information disclosed in any representation and warranty, including any related disclosure schedule,
contained herein or therein, does not include any information that is “material” within the meaning of the Securities Act, the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act, with respect to the Company, and which is not disclosed in the Prospectus.
|
|
(zz)
|
Neither PolyMet nor PMI (nor to the knowledge of PolyMet, any officer, director, employee, advisor or agent of PolyMet or PMI) has
engaged in any activity or conduct that has resulted or could result in an ABC Violation and PolyMet and PMI have established and maintained policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with: (x) Anti‑Corruption Laws;
(y) Anti‑Money Laundering Laws; and (z) Trade Sanctions.
|
|
(aaa)
|
The Company has received relief from the Autorité des Marchés Financiers for the translation requirements under Québec law.
|
- 6-1 -
SCHEDULE 6
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF GLENCORE
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF GLENCORE
Glencore represents and warrants to the Company as at the date of this Agreement that:
|
(a)
|
Glencore is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
incorporation and has the corporate power and authority to own its properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted.
|
|
(b)
|
Glencore has full corporate power and authority and has taken all requisite action on its part necessary for: (i) the authorization,
execution and delivery of the Agreement; and (ii) authorization of the performance of all of its obligations thereunder.
|
|
(c)
|
The Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Glencore and the Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation
of Glencore, enforceable against Glencore in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by: (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation or similar laws
relating to, or affecting generally the enforcement of, creditors’ rights and remedies; or (ii) equitable principles relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief and other equitable remedies.
|
|
(d)
|
No notice, registration and filing or report with, and no consent, approval, order or other authorization of, any Governmental
Entity is required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents by Glencore, other than: (i) HSR Clearance; (ii) an amendment to the Schedule 13D filed with the SEC by Glencore and certain of its
affiliates with respect to their beneficial ownership of Shares; and (iii) “Early Warning Reports”, news releases and “insider report” filings under Canadian Securities Laws.
|
|
(e)
|
There has been no voluntary or involuntary action taken either by or against Glencore for any winding‑up, dissolution, liquidation,
bankruptcy, receivership, administration or similar or analogous events in respect of Glencore or all or any material part of its assets or revenues.
|
|
(f)
|
The execution and delivery of this Agreement by Glencore will not result in any material breach of any agreement to which it is a
party which would have a material adverse effect on its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement.
|
- S1-1 -
SCHEDULE S1
MATERIAL AGREEMENTS
MATERIAL AGREEMENTS
See Disclosure Letter.
- 5.4-1 -
EXHIBIT 5.4(E)
FORM OF CANADIAN COUNSEL OPINION
FORM OF CANADIAN COUNSEL OPINION
[. . .]
Glencore AG
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 0
XX Xxx 0000, 0000 Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 0
XX Xxx 0000, 0000 Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxx
Dear Sirs:
|
1.
|
SCOPE OF REVIEW
|
|
1.1
|
We have acted as counsel to PolyMet Mining Corp. (the “Company”) in connection with the negotiation, execution and delivery of a Standby Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”) dated [. . .] 2019 between the Company and Glencore AG (“Glencore”).
|
|
1.2
|
This opinion is being provided pursuant to Section 5.4(e) of the Agreement. Capitalized terms used but otherwise not defined in
this opinion have the same meaning herein as are ascribed thereto in the Agreement.
|
|
1.3
|
For the purposes of giving this opinion, we have examined and reviewed execution copies of the following documents:
|
|
(a)
|
the Agreement;
|
|
(b)
|
the Registration Rights Agreement;
|
|
(c)
|
the Rights Certificate (and together with the Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement, the “Transaction Documents”);
|
|
(d)
|
the Preliminary Prospectus dated [. . .] 2019; and
|
|
(e)
|
the Final Prospectus dated [. . .], 2019.
|
|
2.
|
LEGAL SYSTEM
|
|
2.1
|
The scope of our review is restricted to and this opinion is rendered solely with respect to the laws of the Province of [. . .], and the federal laws of Canada having application therein as of the date hereof.
|
|
3.
|
RELIANCE AND ASSUMPTIONS
|
|
3.1
|
In the examination and consideration of the documents (including the Transaction Documents) required to deliver this opinion, we
have assumed the genuineness of all signatures thereto, the legal capacity of all individuals, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to authentic original documents of all documents submitted to us
as photostatted, telecopied or certified copies and the accuracy and completeness of any information provided to us by any office of public record. We have assumed the Transaction Documents are the legal, valid and binding obligations of
the Parties thereto, other than the Company, enforceable against such Parties in accordance with their respective terms.
|
- 5.4-2 -
|
3.2
|
For the purposes of this opinion, we have also examined such other records, certificates and documents and have considered
such questions of law and made such investigations and inquiries as we have considered necessary or advisable for the purposes of this opinion, including the following:
|
|
(a)
|
Certificates of Good Standing for the Company dated [. . .], 2019 and issued by the Registrar under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia)
|
|
(b)
|
An officer's certificate of the Company dated [. . .], 2019 (the “Officer’s Certificate”) attaching thereto a copy of each of the following:
|
|
(i)
|
the Company’s constating documents; and
|
|
(ii)
|
resolutions of the Board (“Corporate
Resolutions”).
|
|
3.3
|
In expressing the opinion in paragraph 4.1 we have relied exclusively upon the certificate referred to in paragraph 3.2(a).
|
|
3.4
|
In expressing the opinion in paragraph 4.3, with respect to the number of common shares of the Company (the “Shares”) that are issued and outstanding, we have relied exclusively upon a letter dated [. . .], 2019 and provided to us by Computershare Investor
Services Inc., acting in its capacity as registrar and transfer agent to the Company, a copy of which has been delivered to you.
|
|
3.5
|
In expressing the opinion in paragraph 4.4, we have relied exclusively upon our review of the reporting issuers list prepared by
the British Columbia Securities Commission (“BCSC”) and published on the BCSC's website on [. . .], 2019 which list we assume continues to be accurate
as of the date hereof.
|
|
3.6
|
In expressing the opinion in paragraphs 4.5 to 4.9 inclusive we have relied upon our review of the Officer’s Certificate
referred to in paragraph 3.2(b).
|
|
3.7
|
In expressing the opinion in paragraphs 4.14, we have relied exclusively upon the letter from the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) dated [. . .], 2019, a copy of which has been provided to you.
|
|
3.8
|
Whenever our opinion herein with respect to the existence or absence of any agreement or other instrument or any agreement or
other instrument or any judgment, writ, injunction, decree, order, award or ruling is qualified by the expression “to our knowledge” or “of which we are aware” or words to like effect, it is based solely on the actual knowledge of our
current partners and associate lawyers directly involved in, and obtained during the course of, representing the Company in connection with the matters contemplated by the Transaction Documents.
|
|
3.9
|
We understand that the assumptions, qualifications and reliances expressed in the preceding paragraphs are satisfactory to you.
|
- 5.4-3 -
|
4.
|
OPINION
|
Based upon and subject to the foregoing and subject to the qualifications hereinafter set forth, we are of the opinion
that:
|
4.1
|
The Company exists as a company under the Business
Corporations Act (British Columbia) and is, with respect to the filing of annual reports, in good standing with the Office of the Registrar of Companies for the Province of British Columbia.
|
|
4.2
|
The Company has the necessary corporate power and capacity to enter into and carry out its obligations under each Transaction
Document and to issue the Rights Offering Securities as contemplated by the Agreement.
|
|
4.3
|
The authorized capital of the Company consists of an unlimited number of Shares of which [. . .] Shares are issued and
outstanding.
|
|
4.4
|
The Company is a “reporting issuer” under the Securities
Act (British Columbia) and is not included in the list of issuers in default prepared by the BCSC.
|
|
4.5
|
Each Transaction Document and the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder have been duly authorized by all
necessary corporate action by the Company.
|
|
4.6
|
Each Transaction Document has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and constitutes a legal, valid and binding
obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms.
|
|
4.7
|
All necessary corporate action has been taken by the Company to authorize the creation, issuance and distribution of the Rights
Offering Securities.
|
|
4.8
|
The execution and delivery of the Prospectus and the filing of the Prospectus pursuant to Securities Laws of the Province of
British Columbia has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action by the Company.
|
|
4.9
|
The Rights have been duly authorized and validly issued by the Company and upon the valid exercise of the Rights and payment of
the subscription price for the Rights Offering Shares as provided for in the Rights Certificate, the Rights Offering Shares issued upon the exercise of the Rights will be duly authorized and validly issued as fully paid and non‑assessable
common shares in the capital of the Company.
|
|
4.10
|
Upon the payment of the subscription price for the Standby Shares as provided for in the Agreement, the Standby Shares will be
duly authorized and validly issued as fully paid and non‑assessable common shares in the capital of the Company.
|
|
4.11
|
Neither the execution and delivery by the Company of a Transaction Document nor the consummation of the transactions
contemplated thereby results in a breach (whether after notice or lapse of time or both) of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of or constitute a default under: (i) the notice of articles or articles of the Company; (ii) any
applicable law of the of the Province of British Columbia, and the federal laws of Canada having application therein; (iii) any agreement of which we are aware to which the Company is a party or by which the Company is bound; or (iv) any
judgment, writ, injunction, decree, order award or ruling of a Governmental Entity of the Province of British Columbia or of Canada and of which we are aware and to which the Company is subject.
|
- 5.4-4 -
|
4.12
|
All documents required to have been filed or delivered by the Company and all proceedings, approvals, consents, authorizations
and permits required to have been taken or obtained by the Company under Securities Laws have been filed, delivered, taken or obtained to qualify the distribution of the Rights in the Qualifying Jurisdictions.
|
|
4.13
|
No prospectus or other documents are required to be filed or delivered, proceedings taken or approvals, permits, consents or
authorizations required to be obtained under the Securities Laws of the Qualifying Jurisdictions (other than such as have been filed or obtained) to permit the issue and delivery of the Rights Offering Shares and the Standby Shares.
|
|
4.14
|
The Rights have been approved for listing on the TSX and the Rights Offering Shares and Standby Shares have been conditionally
approved for listing on the TSX subject only to the listing conditions set out in the letter from the TSX referred to in paragraph 3.5.
|
|
4.15
|
No notice, registration and filing or report with, an no consent, approval, order or other authorization of, any Governmental
Entity having jurisdiction in British Columbia is require in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents by the Company, other than those that have been obtained.
|
|
4.16
|
Based on the provisions of the Tax Act the Regulations thereunder, and the proposals to amend the Tax Act and the Regulations
publicly announced by or on behalf of the Minister of Finance (Canada) prior to the date hereof, the Rights Offering Securities, when issued, will be qualified investments under the Tax Act and the regulations thereunder for trusts
governed by registered retirement savings plans, registered retirement income funds, deferred profit sharing plans and registered education savings plans, provided that the Rights and common shares of the Company are listed at that time
on a “designated” stock exchange in Canada (which currently includes the TSX).
|
|
4.17
|
The statements set forth under the heading “Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations” and “Eligibility for Investment” in the
Final Prospectus are accurate subject to the assumptions and other qualifications referred to therein.
|
|
5.
|
QUALIFICATIONS
|
|
5.1
|
The opinions expressed herein are subject to the following qualifications:
|
|
(a)
|
the effects of any applicable bankruptcy, winding up, liquidation, insolvency, fraudulent preference, reorganization, moratorium
or any other laws or judicial decisions of whatsoever nature or kind affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights and remedies generally, including, without limitation, the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada), Winding‑Up and Restructuring Act (Canada),
Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada) and British Columbia
Business Corporations Act;
|
- 5.4-5 -
|
(b)
|
general principles of equity which may apply to any proceeding, whether in equity or at law, including, without limitation:
|
|
(i)
|
the powers of the court to stay proceedings before it and to stay the execution of judgments and to relieve from the
consequences of default;
|
|
(ii)
|
the concepts of materiality, good faith and fair dealing;
|
|
(iii)
|
equitable remedies, such as specific performance and injunctive relief, may only be available in the discretion of the court and
accordingly may not be available as a remedy in any particular circumstance;
|
|
(iv)
|
principles limiting the availability of a remedy under a circumstance where Glencore has elected another remedy;
|
|
(v)
|
limitations which may be imposed by law on the effectiveness of terms exculpating or exempting a party from a liability; and
|
|
(vi)
|
the requirement that determinations, requests or demands which may be made pursuant to the exercise of discretion must be made
reasonably;
|
|
(c)
|
the ability to recover certain costs, fees and expenses in connection with litigation brought before the British Columbia Courts
to enforce provisions of the Transaction Documents is in the discretion of the British Columbia Courts and counsel fees are subject to taxation;
|
|
(d)
|
claims becoming barred under laws regarding limitation of actions;
|
|
(e)
|
the Judgment Interest Act (British
Columbia) limits interest on a judgment debt;
|
|
(f)
|
determinations, calculations, demands, requests, instructions and acts made by Glencore in the exercise of a discretion given to
it under any Transaction Document, may not be enforceable if made or performed unreasonably or arbitrarily, and may not be treated as conclusive notwithstanding contrary provisions in any Transaction Document;
|
|
(g)
|
the Currency Act (Canada) precludes a
court in Canada from giving a judgment in any currency other than Canadian currency;
|
|
(h)
|
limitations upon the right of Glencore to receive immediate payment of amounts stated to be payable on demand;
|
|
(i)
|
limitations upon the right of Glencore to enforce any Transaction Document on the basis of a default of a minor or
non‑substantive nature or having insubstantial consequences to Glencore;
|
|
(j)
|
we express no opinion on provisions of the Transaction Documents:
|
- 5.4-6 -
|
(i)
|
directly or indirectly purporting to exclude unwritten variations, amendments, waivers or consents or to establish evidentiary
standards;
|
|
(ii)
|
purporting to bind or confer a benefit upon, persons who are not parties to that document;
|
|
(iii)
|
purporting to allow severance of invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions;
|
|
(iv)
|
dealing with the waiving by a party of certain legal, statutory or equitable rights or doctrines;
|
|
(v)
|
purporting to relieve Glencore from the consequence of its own negligence;
|
|
(vi)
|
which deem the Company to be holding certain assets in trust for Glencore on behalf of Glencore, since third parties dealing
with the Company might otherwise have a preferential interest in the assets which are the subject of the deemed trust; or
|
|
(vii)
|
which provide or have the effect of providing for a higher rate of interest after than before default or for the payment of
rates and/or fees which may exceed the “criminal interest rate” provisions of the Criminal Code (Canada); and
|
|
(viii)
|
which constitute an agreement to agree;
|
|
(k)
|
provisions providing indemnification for a party's own acts or omissions when such act or omission involves negligence, a wilful
or unlawful conduct or is found to constitute a penalty or be against public policy may not be enforceable and the enforceability of rights of indemnity may be limited to the extent that any such indemnity is found by a court to indemnify
a party against the consequences of an unlawful act or is found to constitute a penalty or be against public policy; and
|
|
(l)
|
to the extent that a particular contractual provision (including the obligation to pay default interest) is characterized by the
British Columbia Courts as a penalty, and not as a genuine pre‑estimate of damages, it will not be enforceable notwithstanding its characterization by the parties.
|
|
6.
|
RELIANCE LIMITATION
|
This opinion is intended for the sole benefit of the addressees and may not be made available to or relied upon by
any other person, firm or entity without our prior written consent. This opinion is limited to the matters expressly set forth in this letter, and no opinion has been implied, or may be inferred, beyond the matters expressly stated. This opinion
speaks only as to law and facts in effect or existing as of the date hereof and we undertake no obligation or responsibility to update or supplement this opinion to reflect any facts or circumstances that may hereafter come to our attention or any
changes in any law that may hereafter occur.
Yours truly,
- 5.4-7 -
EXHIBIT 5.4(F)
FORM OF US OPINION
FORM OF US OPINION
|
1.
|
The Registration Statement became effective upon filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. To the best of our knowledge,
no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended no proceedings for such purpose have been instituted or are pending, contemplated or threatened by the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
|
|
2.
|
The execution and delivery each of the Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement and the Rights Certificate, by the Company and
the performance by the Company of obligations thereunder (i) will not result in any violation of the United States federal securities law or the laws of the State of New York and (iii) will not require any consent, approval, authorization
or other order of, or registration with, any New York or United States court or other governmental or regulatory authority or agency, except for such consents, approvals, authorizations, orders, or registrations which have been obtained
or made by the Company or its subsidiaries and are in full force and effect under the Securities Act of 1933 or applicable state securities or blue sky laws.
|
|
3.
|
Based solely on the review of a letter, dated [. . .], 2019, from the NYSE Regulation delivered to you on the date hereof, the
Rights Offering Shares and the Standby Shares have been conditionally approved for listing on the NYSE American.
|
|
4.
|
Based solely on the review of a letter, dated [. . .], 2019, from the NYSE Regulation delivered to you on the date hereof, the
Rights have been approved for listing on the NYSE American.
|
|
5.
|
The statements under the heading “Certain United States Federal Income Tax Consideration” in the Final Prospectus, to the extent
that such statements purport to constitute summaries of matters of law or regulation or legal conclusions, fairly and accurately summarize the matters described therein in all material respects, except that we render no opinion as to the
Company’s status as a “passive foreign investment company” within the meaning of such term in the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
|
