Table of Contents


UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-Q


xQuarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


For the quarterly period ended March 31, 20182019


Or


Or

oTransition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


For the transition period from to


Commission file number 001-33404


WESTWATER RESOURCES, INC.

(Exact Name of IssuerRegistrant as Specified in Its Charter)


DELAWARE

 

75-2212772

(State of Incorporation)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)


6950 S. Potomac Street, Suite 300, Centennial, Colorado 80112

(Address of Principal Executive Offices, Including Zip Code)


(303) 531-0416                         531-0516

(Issuer’sRegistrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yesx Noo


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yesx Noo


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.


Large accelerated filero

 

Accelerated filero

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filerox

 

Smaller reporting companyx

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

 

 

 

Emerging growth companyo


If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  o


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yeso Nox


Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered

Common Stock, $0.001 par value

WWR

Nasdaq Capital Market

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.


Title of Each Class of Common Stock

Number of Shares Outstanding

Common Stock, $0.001 par value

 

42,279,7751,494,153 as of May 7, 20182019



Table of Contents







WESTWATER RESOURCES, INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS


PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

3

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

3

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

20

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

25

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

26

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

26

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

26

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.

26

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

35

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.

35

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.

35

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION.

35

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS.

36

SIGNATURES

37

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

3

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

3

ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

17

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

23

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

23

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

24

ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

24

ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS.

25

ITEM 2.  UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

25

ITEM 3.  DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.

25

ITEM 4.  MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.

25

ITEM 5.  OTHER INFORMATION.

25

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS.

25

SIGNATURES

26








PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION


ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

WESTWATER RESOURCES, INC.


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

WESTWATER RESOURCES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(expressed in thousands of dollars, except share amounts)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

Notes

 

2018

 

2017

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

$

1,637 

 

$

4,054 

Marketable securities

 

4

 

605 

 

1,361 

Notes receivable – current

 

3

 

1,795 

 

1,750 

Prepaid and other current assets

 

 

 

683 

 

668 

Total Current Assets

 

 

 

4,720 

 

7,833 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, at cost:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

 

 

101,146 

 

101,187 

Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and impairment

 

 

 

(65,771)

 

(65,778)

Net property, plant and equipment

 

5

 

35,375 

 

35,409 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted cash

 

 

 

3,668 

 

3,668 

Notes receivable – non-current

 

3

 

2,548 

 

3,328 

Total Assets

 

 

 

$

46,311 

 

$

50,238 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

 

 

$

1,000 

 

$

538 

Accrued liabilities

 

 

 

1,595 

 

2,352 

Current portion of asset retirement obligations

 

7

 

936 

 

1,078 

Total Current Liabilities

 

 

 

3,531 

 

3,968 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asset retirement obligations, net of current portion

 

7

 

4,787 

 

4,653 

Other long-term liabilities and deferred credits

 

 

 

500 

 

500 

Total Liabilities

 

 

 

8,818 

 

9,121 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies

 

11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders' Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, 100,000,000 shares authorized, $.001 par value;

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issued shares – 28,831,409 and 27,790,324, respectively

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding shares – 28,823,384 and 27,782,299, respectively

 

8

 

29 

 

28 

Paid-in capital

 

8,9

 

297,981 

 

297,250 

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

 

 

 

(650)

 

287 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

 

(259,609)

 

(256,190)

Treasury stock (8,025 and 8,025 shares, respectively), at cost

 

 

 

(258)

 

(258)

Total Stockholders' Equity

 

 

 

37,493 

 

41,117 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

 

 

 

$

46,311 

 

$

50,238 

The accompanying notes are an integral part(expressed in thousands of these condensed consolidated financial statements.dollars, except share amounts)


(unaudited)




 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

Notes

 

2019

 

2018

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

1

 

$

1,019

 

$

1,577

 

Marketable securities

 

6

 

 

415

 

Assets held for sale

 

4,5

 

1,617

 

1,545

 

Prepaid and other current assets

 

 

 

722

 

643

 

Total Current Assets

 

 

 

3,358

 

4,180

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, at cost:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

 

 

91,771

 

91,772

 

Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and impairment

 

 

 

(71,242

)

(71,219

)

Net property, plant and equipment

 

7

 

20,529

 

20,553

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

14

 

569

 

 

Restricted cash

 

1,6

 

3,750

 

3,732

 

Assets held for sale — non-current

 

4

 

 

1,493

 

Total Assets

 

 

 

$

28,206

 

$

29,958

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

 

 

$

969

 

$

776

 

Accrued liabilities

 

 

 

2,038

 

1,688

 

Asset retirement obligations - current

 

9

 

894

 

708

 

Operating lease liability - current

 

14

 

151

 

 

Total Current Liabilities

 

 

 

4,052

 

3,172

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asset retirement obligations, net of current portion

 

9

 

5,100

 

5,495

 

Other long-term liabilities and deferred credits

 

5

 

500

 

500

 

Operating lease liability, net of current

 

14

 

424

��

 

Total Liabilities

 

 

 

10,076

 

9,167

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies

 

9,13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, 100,000,000 shares authorized, $.001 par value;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issued shares — 1,494,314 and 1,436,555, respectively

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding shares —1,494,153 and 1,436,394, respectively

 

10

 

1

 

1

 

Paid-in capital

 

10,11

 

313,435

 

313,012

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

(90

)

Accumulated deficit

 

 

 

(295,048

)

(291,874

)

Treasury stock (161 and 161 shares, respectively), at cost

 

 

 

(258

)

(258

)

Total Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

18,130

 

20,791

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

$

28,206

 

$

29,958

 




WESTWATER RESOURCES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS)/INCOME

(expressed in thousands of dollars, except share and per share amounts)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

Notes

 

2018

 

2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mineral property expenses

 

6

 

$

(782)

 

$

(769)

 

General and administrative expenses

 

 

 

(1,805)

 

(1,668)

 

Acquisition related costs

 

13

 

(755)

 

 

Accretion of asset retirement obligations

 

7

 

(134)

 

(132)

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

 

(34)

 

(38)

 

        Total operating expenses

 

 

 

(3,510)

 

(2,607)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Operating Income/(Expenses):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss on sale of marketable securities

 

 

 

(93)

 

 

Loss on extinguishment of convertible debt

 

 

 

 

(39)

 

Gain on disposal of uranium properties

 

 

 

 

4,422 

 

Interest income

 

3

 

174 

 

52 

 

Other income/(expense), net

 

 

 

10 

 

17 

 

         Total other income

 

 

 

91 

 

4,452 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (Loss)/Income

 

 

 

$

(3,419)

 

$

1,845 

 

Other Comprehensive (Loss)/Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized fair value (decrease)/increase on available-for-sale securities

 

 

 

(937)

 

430 

 

Comprehensive (Loss)/Income

 

 

 

$

(4,356)

 

$

2,275 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BASIC AND DILUTED (LOSS)/INCOME PER SHARE

 

 

 

$

(0.12)

 

$

0.09 

 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING

 

 

 

27,967,842 

 

21,601,847 

 


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.






WESTWATER RESOURCES, INC.


WESTWATER RESOURCES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS AND SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

(expressed in thousands of dollars)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

Notes

 

2018

 

2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss)/income

 

 

 

$

(3,419)

 

$

1,845 

Reconciliation of net (loss) income to cash used in operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accretion of asset retirement obligations

 

7

 

134 

 

132 

Amortization of debt discount

 

 

 

 

30 

Amortization of notes receivable discount

 

 

 

(168)

 

(175)

Loss on extinguishment of convertible debt

 

 

 

 

39 

Loss on sale of marketable securities

 

 

 

93 

 

Costs incurred for restoration and reclamation activities

 

7

 

(142)

 

(14)

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

 

34 

 

38 

Stock compensation expense

 

9

 

81 

 

22 

Gain on disposal of uranium properties

 

 

 

 

(4,422)

Amortization of non-cash investor relations fees

 

 

 

 

25 

Effect of changes in operating working capital items:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase in receivables

 

 

 

 

(5)

Increase in prepaid and other current assets

 

 

 

(14)

 

(151)

Decrease in payables, accrued liabilities and deferred credits

 

 

 

(295)

 

(651)

Net Cash Used In Operating Activities

 

 

 

(3,696)

 

(3,287)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from the sale of securities, net

 

 

 

475 

 

Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment

 

 

 

 

1,950 

Proceeds from note receivable

 

 

 

750 

 

Note advances for Alabama Graphite Corp. acquisition

 

 

 

(597)

 

Net Cash Provided By Investing Activities

 

 

 

628 

 

1,950 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payments on borrowings

 

 

 

 

(5,500)

Issuance of common stock, net

 

8

 

651 

 

13,388 

Payment of minimum withholding taxes on net share settlements of equity awards  

 

 

 

 

(1)

Net Cash Provided By Financing Activities

 

 

 

651 

 

7,887 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (decrease)/increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

 

 

(2,417)

 

6,550 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period

 

 

 

7,722 

 

7,273 

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash, End of Period

 

 

 

$

5,305 

 

$

13,823 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid during the period for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest

 

 

 

$

 

$

227 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental Non-Cash Information for Investing and Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Securities received for payment of notes receivable - Laramide

 

 

 

$

750 

 

$

Securities received for asset disposal - Laramide

 

 

 

$

 

$

568 


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

The accompanying notes are an integral part(expressed in thousands of these condensed consolidated financial statements.    dollars, except share and per share amounts)


(unaudited)




 

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

Notes

 

2019

 

2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mineral property expenses

 

8

 

$

(634

)

$

(782

)

General and administrative expenses

 

 

 

(1,836

)

(1,805

)

Acquisition costs

 

3

 

 

(755

)

Accretion of asset retirement obligations

 

9

 

(126

)

(134

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

 

(23

)

(34

)

Total operating expenses

 

 

 

(2,619

)

(3,510

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Operating Income/(Expenses):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss on sale of marketable securities

 

4,6

 

(720

)

(93

)

Interest income

 

4

 

166

 

174 

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

(1

)

10 

 

Total other (expense)/income

 

 

 

(555

)

91 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Loss

 

 

 

$

(3,174

)

$

(3,419

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized fair value decrease on marketable securities

 

 

 

$

 

$

(937

)

Transfer to realized loss upon sale of available-for-sale securities

 

 

 

90

 

 

Comprehensive Loss

 

 

 

$

(3,084

)

$

(4,356

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BASIC AND DILUTED LOSS PER SHARE

 

 

 

$

(2.15

)

$

(6.11

)

WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING

 

 

 

1,478,233

 

559,357

 




WESTWATER RESOURCES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

(expressed in thousands of dollars, except share amounts)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Paid-In Capital

Accumulated  Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

Accumulated Deficit

 

Treasury Stock

 

Total

Balances, January 1, 2018

27,790,324

 

$

28

 

$

297,250

$

287 

 

$

(256,190)

 

$

(258)

 

$

41,117 

Net loss

-

 

-

 

-

 

(3,419)

 

 

(3,419)

Common stock issued, net of issuance costs

1,040,095

 

1

 

650

 

 

 

651 

Stock compensation expense and related share

issuances, net of shares withheld for payment

of taxes

990

 

-

 

81

 

 

 

81 

Unrealized holding loss on marketable securities

-

 

-

 

-

(937)

 

 

 

(937)

Balances, March 31, 2018

28,831,409

 

$

29

 

$

297,981

$

(650)

 

$

(259,609)

 

$

(258)

 

$

37,493 


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.


WESTWATER RESOURCES, INC.





CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS AND SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION


(expressed in thousands of dollars)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

Notes

 

2019

 

2018

 

Operating Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

 

 

$

(3,174

)

$

(3,419

)

Reconciliation of net loss to cash used in operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-cash lease expense

 

 

 

5

 

 

Accretion of asset retirement obligations

 

9

 

126

 

134

 

Amortization of notes receivable discount

 

4

 

(123

)

(168

)

Loss on sale of marketable securities

 

 

 

720

 

93

 

Costs incurred for restoration and reclamation activities

 

9

 

(335

)

(142

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

 

23

 

34

 

Stock compensation expense

 

11

 

8

 

81

 

Increase in prepaids and other

 

 

 

(32

)

(14

)

Increase/(decrease) in payables and deferred credits

 

 

 

42

 

(295

)

Net Cash Used in Operating Activities

 

 

 

(2,740

)

(3,696

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deposit for sale of assets

 

5

 

500

 

 

Proceeds from the sale of marketable securities, net

 

4

 

536

 

475

 

Proceeds from collection on note receivable

 

4

 

750

 

750

 

Note advances for Alabama Graphite corporate merger

 

3

 

 

(597

)

Net Cash Provided by Investing Activities

 

 

 

1,786

 

628

 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of common stock, net

 

10

 

415

 

651

 

Payment of withholding taxes on net share settlements of equity awards

 

 

 

(1

)

 

Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities

 

 

 

414

 

651

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

 

 

(540

)

(2,417

)

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period

 

 

 

5,309

 

7,722

 

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash, End of Period

 

 

 

$

4,769

 

$

5,305

 

Cash paid during the period for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest

 

 

 

$

1

 

$

3

 

Supplemental Non-Cash Information for Investing and Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Securities received for payment of notes receivable - Laramide

 

 

 

$

750

 

$

750

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities for the Period

 

 

 

$

750

 

$

750

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

WESTWATER RESOURCES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(expressed in thousands of dollars, except share amounts)

(unaudited)

 

 

Common
Stock
Shares

 

Amount

 

Paid-In
Capital

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)

 

Accumulated
Deficit

 

Treasury
Stock

 

Total

 

Balances, January 1, 2018

 

555,806

 

$

 

$

297,278

 

$

287

 

$

(256,190

)

$

(258

)

$

41,117

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

(3,419

)

 

(3,419

)

Common stock issued, net of issuance costs

 

20,802

 

 

651

 

 

 

 

651

 

Stock compensation expense and related share issuances, net of shares withheld for payment of taxes

 

20

 

 

81

 

 

 

 

81

 

Unrealized holding loss on marketable securities

 

 

 

 

(937

)

 

 

(937

)

Balances, March 31, 2018

 

576,628

 

$

 

$

298,010

 

$

(650

)

$

(259,609

)

$

(258

)

$

37,493

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balances, January 1, 2019

 

1,436,555

 

$

1

 

$

313,012 

 

$

(90

)

$

(291,874

)

$

(258

)

$

20,791

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

(3,174

)

 

(3,174

)

Common stock issued, net of issuance costs

 

57,205

 

 

416

 

 

 

 

416

 

Stock compensation expense and related share issuances, net of shares withheld for payment of taxes

 

393

 

 

8

 

 

 

 

8

 

Minimum withholding taxes on net share settlements of equity awards

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1

)

Transfer to realized loss upon sale of available for sale securities

 

 

 

 

90

 

 

 

90

 

Balances, March 31, 2019

 

1,494,153

 

$

1

 

$

313,435

 

$

0

 

$

(295,048

)

$

(258

)

$

18,130

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for Westwater Resources, Inc. (the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “WWR” or “WWR”“Westwater”), formerly known as Uranium Resources, Inc., have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 8-03 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. The accompanying statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements included in Westwater Resources, Inc.’s 20172018 Annual Report on Form 10-K. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which are of a normal, recurring nature) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 20182019 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other period including the full year ending December 31, 2018.2019.

Significant Accounting Policies

Our significant accounting policies are detailed in Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements within our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.  Refer to Note 14 for revisions made to our lease accounting policies resulting from our adoption of the new lease accounting standard effective January 1, 2019.

Reverse Stock Split

Immediately following the close of trading on April 22, 2019, the Company effected a one-for-fifty reverse stock split of its common stock.  With the reverse stock split, every fifty shares of the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock were combined into one issued and outstanding share of common stock.  The reverse stock split reduced the number of shares outstanding from approximately 74.7 million shares to approximately 1.5 million shares.  The reverse stock split did not have any effect on the par value of the Company’s common stock.  No fractional shares were issued as a result of the reverse stock split.  Any fractional shares that would have resulted were settled in cash.  All share data herein has been retroactively adjusted for the reverse stock split.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

 

In NovemberFebruary 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842),” which supersedes existing guidance for lease accounting. This new standard requires lessees to recognize leases on their balance sheets, and leaves lessor accounting largely unchanged. The new standard requires a dual approach for lessee accounting under which a lessee accounts for leases as finance leases or operating leases with the recognition of a right-of-use asset and a corresponding lease liability. For finance leases, the lessee recognizes interest expense and amortization of the right-of-use asset, and for operating leases, the lessee recognizes straight-line lease expense. The new lease accounting standard along with the clarifying amendments subsequently issued by the FASB, collectively became effective for the Company on January 1, 2019. The Company adopted the new lease accounting standard by applying the new lease guidance at the adoption date on January 1, 2019, and as allowed under the transition relief provided in ASU 2018-11, elected not to restate comparative periods. In addition, we elected the package of practical expedients for our existing leases as permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard and did not reassess (1) lease classification for existing leases, (2) whether existing contracts contained leases, (3) if any indirect costs were incurred, and (4) whether existing land easements should be accounted for as leases. As of January 1, 2019, in connection with the adoption of the new lease accounting standard, the Company recorded a right-of-use lease asset totaling $0.6 million with a corresponding lease liability totaling $0.6 million. Refer to Note 14 for further details on our adoption of the new lease accounting standard.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments”. ASU 2016-13 will change how companies account for credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments. For trade receivables, loans and held-to-maturity debt securities, companies will be required to estimate lifetime expected credit losses and recognize an allowance against the related instruments. For available for sale debt securities, companies will be required to recognize an allowance for credit losses rather than reducing the carrying value of the asset. The adoption of this update, if applicable, will result in earlier recognition of losses and impairments.

In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-19, “Codification Improvements to ASC 326, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses.” ASU 2016-13 introduced an expected credit loss methodology for the impairment of financial assets measured at amortized

cost basis. That methodology replaces the probable, incurred loss model for those assets. ASU 2018-19 is the final version of Proposed Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-18, Statement2018-270, which has been deleted. Additionally, the amendments clarify that receivables arising from operating leases are not within the scope of Cash Flows: Restricted Cash, which will require that a statementSubtopic 326-20. Instead, impairment of cash flows explain the change during a period in the total of cash, cash equivalents and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. As a result, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalentsreceivables arising from operating leases should be includedaccounted for in accordance with cashASC 842, Leases.

These updates are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-periodCompany is currently evaluating ASU 2016-13 and end-of-period total amounts shown2018-19 and the potential impact of adopting this guidance on its financial reporting.

In August 2018, the statement of cash flows. TheFASB issued ASU applies2018- 13, “Fair Value Measurement (ASC 820): Disclosure Framework — Changes to all entities andthe Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement”. This update modifies the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements by removing, modifying or adding disclosures. ASU 2018-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 20182019 and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption is permitted. Upon adopting ASU 2016-18,Certain disclosures in the Company has included the restricted cash amount in its beginning-of-period and end-of-period reconciliations of cash on its statement of cash flows and has removed restricted cash releases of $23,000 from the investing activities section of the cash flow statement for the three months ended March 31, 2017.


 In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-01 (ASU 2017-01), Business Combinations: Clarifying the Definition of a Business, which clarifies the definition of a business when determining whether a company has acquired or sold a business. The ASU applies to all entities and is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2017, and interim periods thereafter, with early adoption permitted under certain circumstances.update are applied retrospectively, while others are applied prospectively. The Company does not believe thatis currently evaluating the adoptionpotential impact of adopting this guidance will have a material impact on its financial statements.


Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02,Leases (Topic 842), which requires lessees to recognize all leases, including operating leases, unless the lease is a short-term lease or a land lease for mineral properties. ASU 2016-02 also requires additional disclosures regarding leasing arrangements. ASU 2016-02 is effective for interim periods and fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and early application is permitted. Currently, the only affected leases the Company holds are for equipment, office space and storage space. The Company has gathered the necessary information for proper disclosure of the leases once the ASU is effective. The Company will continue to monitor any new leases to ensure that it has all the information necessary to handle the transition to the new standard and properly report the transactions. The Company does not anticipate the new standard will affect its net income materially, but will result in additional fixed assets and the related lease liabilities.


Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash


The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash as reported within the consolidated balance sheet that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the statement of cash flows.


For the three months ended March 31,

 

As of March 31,

 

(thousands of dollars)

2018

 

2017

 

2019

 

2018

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

1,637

 

$

9,882

 

$

1,019

 

$

1,637

 

Restricted cash - pledged deposits for performance bonds

3,668

 

3,941

 

3,750

 

3,668

 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows

$

5,305

 

$

13,823

 

$

4,769

 

$

5,305

 

 

 

 

Funds deposited by the Company for collateralization of performance obligations are not available for the payment of general corporate obligations and are not included in cash equivalents.  Restricted cash consists of pledged certificates of deposit and money market accounts. The bonds are collateralized performance bonds required for future restoration and reclamation obligations related to the Company’s South Texas production properties.





Notes Receivable2. LIQUIDITY AND GOING CONCERN


These assets are non-derivative financial assets with fixedThe interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company have been prepared on a “going concern” basis, which means that the continuation of the Company is presumed even though events and conditions exist that, when considered in the aggregate, raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern because it is possible that the Company will be required to adversely change its current business plan or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market.  Assets with lives beyondmay be unable to meet its obligations as they become due within one year are carried at amortized cost usingafter the effective interest method less any provision for impairment. Assets with lives underdate that these financial statements were issued.

The Company last recorded revenues from operations in 2009 and expects to continue to incur losses as a year are undiscountedresult of costs and carried at full cost. Management monitors these assets for credit qualityexpenses related to maintaining its properties and recoverability on a quarterly basis, including the value of any collateral. If the value of the collateral, less selling or recovery costs, exceeds the recorded investment in the asset, no impairment costs would be recorded.  


2. LIQUIDITY

At March 31, 2018, the Company had working capital of $1.2 million, which along with the anticipated funding from the financing agreements described below is expected to provide it with the necessary liquidity through June 30, 2019.  At December 31, 2017, the Company had working capital of $3.9 million.  The decrease in working capital of $2.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was primarily due to the following:

acquisition related costs incurred for the Alabama Graphite Corp. (“Alabama Graphite”) acquisition of $0.8 million.

loan advances to Alabama Graphite to fund their operatinggeneral and transaction costs of $0.6 million.

a decrease of $0.8 million in the fair value of Laramide Resources Ltd. (“Laramide”) securities as of March 31, 2018.

During 2017, the Company entered into the following financing agreements and anticipates funding from these sources to sustain operations through June 30, 2019:

Controlled Equity Offering Sales Agreement


On April 14, 2017, the Company entered into a Controlled Equity Offering Sales Agreement with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. (“Cantor”) acting as sales agent, pursuant to whichadministrative expenses.  Since 2009, the Company has registered the offerrelied on equity financings, debt financings and sale from timeasset sales to time of shares offund its common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $30.0 million (the “ATM Offering”), of which approximately $28.6 million is available for future sales as of May 7, 2018.  The Company is unable to sell shares of its common stock through the Controlled Equity Offering Sales Agreement on dates that it places shares with Aspire Capital through its CSPA, as discussed below.


Common Stock Purchase Agreement


On September 25, 2017,operations and the Company entered into a Common Stock Purchase Agreement (“CSPA”) with Aspire Capital Fund, LLC (“Aspire Capital”)expects to place up to $22.0 million in the aggregaterely on these forms of its common stock over a term of 30 months.  Upon execution of the CSPA, the Company issued 880,000 shares of common stock to Aspire Capital as a commitment fee.  The Company cannot sell in excess of 5,033,677 shares of common stock, including the 880,000 commitment shares (“Exchange Cap”), unless (i) stockholder approval is obtained, or (ii) the average price paid for all shares issued under the CSPA (including the 880,000 commitment shares) is equal to or greater than $1.38.  In addition, the Company cannot sell shares under the CSPA when the closing sales price for its common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market is less than $0.25 per share. As of May 7, 2018, the Company has dollar capacity of $18.7 million of common stock available for future sales, limited by the Exchange Cap to the issuance of no more than an additional 2.7 million shares of common stock unless conditions (i) or (ii) above are met. See Note 8 below for further details.

The Company believes that the ATM Offering and the CSPA, along with its existing working capital balance, will provide it with the necessary liquidityfinancing to fund its operations through June 30, 2019.into the near future. The Company will also continue to explore additional opportunities to raise capital, further monetize its non-core assets and identify ways to reduce its cash expenditures.

The Company’s current business plan requires working capital to fund non-discretionary expenditures for uranium reclamation activities, mineral property holding costs, business development costs and administrative costs.  The Company intends to pursue project financing to support execution of the graphite business plan, including discretionary capital expenditures associated with graphite battery-material product development, construction of pilot plant facilities and construction of commercial production facilities.  The Company’s current lithium business plan will be funded by working capital; however, the Company is pursuing project financing including possible joint venture partners to fund discretionary greenfield exploration activities.

At March 31, 2019 the Company’s cash balances were $1.0 million and the Company had a working capital deficit balance of $1.0 million.  Subsequent to May 7, 2019, the Company expects to fund operations as follows:

·                  Payment due June 30, 2019 or earlier in the amount of $2.25 million from sale of uranium royalty interests and the Laramide Resources Ltd. promissory note (Note 4) to Uranium Royalty Corp. (Note 5).

·                  Anticipated public equity offering for up to $10.0 million in gross proceeds, for which the Company filed a registration statement on Form S-1 on April 24, 2019.

·                  Other debt and equity financings and asset sales.

On March 13, 2018, the Nasdaq Stock Market notified Westwater that the Company did not meet Nasdaq’s $1.00 per share minimum bid price requirement under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) (the “Rule”) for continued listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market, and the Company was given an initial grace period of 180 days, or until September 10, 2018, to regain compliance with the Rule. Subsequently, on September 12, 2018, the Company was provided an additional 180-day compliance period, or until March 11, 2019, to regain compliance with the Rule.  On March 12, 2019, the Company received a letter from the Listing Qualifications Staff of Nasdaq notifying the Company that, based upon the Company’s continuing non-compliance with the Rule, the Staff had determined that the Company’s common stock would be delisted from Nasdaq.  The Company appealed the Staff’s determination and requested a hearing before a Nasdaq hearings panel, which hearing was conducted on May 2, 2019. The hearings panel has 30 days after the hearing to promulgate a formal decision.

On April 18, 2019, the Company’s shareholders approved a reverse split of not less than 1-for-5 and not more than 1-for-50.  Subsequently, the Board of Directors approved a 1-for-50 reverse split, which was effected after market close on April 22, 2019. As a result, the Company’s share price traded above the $1.00 per share minimum bid price for seven trading days prior to the hearing date and reached 10-consecutive trading days on May 6, 2019.  While the Nasdaq appeal is pending, the Company’s common stock will continue to trade on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “WWR.” There can be no assurance that the hearings panel will grant the Company’s request for continued listing. If the Company’s common stock ceases to be listed for trading on Nasdaq, the Company expects that its common stock would be traded on the over-the-counter market, which could adversely affect the market liquidity and price of the Company’s common stock.

While the Company has been successful in the past in raising funds through equity and debt financings as well as through the sale of non-core assets, no assurance can be given that additional financing will be available to it in amounts sufficient to meet the Company’sits needs, or on terms acceptable to the Company.  In the event that we are unable to raise sufficient additional funds, are not available, the Companywe may be required to materially changedelay, reduce or severely curtail our operations or otherwise impede our on-going business efforts, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, financial condition, long-term prospects and ability to continue as a viable business.  Considering all of the factors above, the Company believes there is substantial doubt regarding its business plans.



ability to continue as a going concern.

 





3.NOTES RECEIVABLEACQUISITIONS

 

Acquisition of Alabama Graphite Corp. Note Receivable

In conjunction with its entry into the arrangement agreement to acquire Alabama Graphite, on December 13, 2017, the Company executed a secured convertible non-revolving line of credit agreement (the “Alabama Graphite Loan”), whereby the Company agreed to provide up to USD $2,000,000 to Alabama Graphite for the purpose of funding operations until the merger could be finalized. As of March 31, 2018, the Company had advanced $1,420,675 on the Alabama Graphite Loan and had accrued interest receivable of $10,554. With completion of the acquisition on April 23, 2018 (as discussed in Note 13), the Alabama Graphite Loan became an amount outstanding between the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary. As ofOn April 23, 2018, the Company had advanced approximatelycompleted its acquisition of 100% of the outstanding securities of Alabama Graphite Corp. (“Alabama Graphite”) for total consideration of $8.9 million.  Alabama Graphite is a Canadian entity that indirectly holds a 100% interest in the Coosa graphite project and Coosa mineral properties located in Alabama.  The consideration was comprised of $2.4 million in cash used to fund Alabama Graphite’s operating activities prior to completion of the Alabama Graphite transaction and certain related transaction costs, $6.4 million in common stock of the Company and $89,000 for warrants and options in the Company.  Each Alabama Graphite ordinary share was exchanged for 0.0016 common share of WWR.  Each warrant and option of Alabama Graphite was also exchanged for warrants and options exercisable for common shares of WWR on the same terms and conditions as were applicable prior to the Alabama Graphite transaction, except that the exercise price was converted for the 0.0016 share exchange ratio and for the USD exchange rate on the agreement date which was $0.77809 (CAD to USD) on December 13, 2017.  As a result, the Company issued 232,504 new shares, 7,280 options and 42,888 warrants.  The value of the Company’s common stock issued as consideration was based upon the opening share price on April 23, 2018 of $27.50.  The operating results of Alabama Graphite are included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations commencing April 23, 2018.

The Alabama Graphite loan from WWR was $1.8 million on April 23, 2018 and was incorporated into the final acquisition accounting and therefore was eliminated as of June 30, 2018.  Acquisition related costs were $1.9 million as of June 30, 2018, of which, $0.6 million was capitalized as additional cash consideration at the acquisition date for certain transaction costs that were directly related to the asset acquisition.

The acquisition of Alabama Graphite was accounted for as an asset acquisition in accordance with the Alabama Graphite Loan.  This represents the total advances prior to the closing of the acquisition. The Alabama Graphite Loan will be part of the consideration paid for the acquisition and ultimately partASC 360 as “substantially all” of the purchase price allocation toconsideration was concentrated in a single identifiable asset for graphite mineral interests.  WWR controls the assetsBoard of Directors and liabilitiessenior management positions of Alabama Graphite and has overall control over the day-to-day activities of the acquired company. Dueentity.

The following summarizes the preliminary allocation of purchase price to the expected inclusionfair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date (in thousands):

Consideration:

 

 

 

Cash

 

$

2,397

 

Issuance of 232,504 common shares for replacement of Alabama Graphite shares

 

6,394

 

Issuance of 7,280 options for replacement of Alabama Graphite options

 

35

 

Issuance of 42,888 warrants for replacement of Alabama Graphite warrants

 

54

 

 

 

$

8,880

 

 

 

 

 

The fair value of the consideration given was allocated as follows:

 

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

17

 

Short-term receivables

 

113

 

Prepaid expenses

 

42

 

Property, plant, equipment and graphite mineral interests

 

8,973

 

Total assets

 

9,145

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

265

 

Total liabilities

 

265

 

Net assets

 

$

8,880

 

The carrying value of the current assets acquired and liabilities assumed approximated the fair value due to the short-term nature of these items.  The fair value of the graphite mineral interests was estimated using a discounted cash flow approach and market comparables.  Key assumptions used in the acquisition purchase price, it has been classified as a non-current asset at March 31, 2018discounted cash flow analysis include discount rates, mineral resources, future timing of production, recovery rates and December 31, 2017.future capital and operating costs.


4. NOTES RECEIVABLE

 

Laramide Note Receivable

As part of the consideration for the sale of Hydro Resources, Inc. (HRI), the Company currently holds a $3.5 million promissory note with a current balance of $2.0 million, secured by a mortgage over the Churchrock and Crownpoint projects.properties owned by Laramide Resources Ltd. (“Laramide”). The note hasis in the final year of a three-year term and carries an initial interest rate of 5% which then increases to 10% upon Laramide’s decision regarding commercial production at the Churchrock project. Principal. The final principal payment of $1.5$2.0 million is due and payable on January 5, 2019, with the balance of $2.0 million due and payable on January 5, 2020. Interest is payable on a quarterly basis provided however that no interest was payable until March 31, 2018.during the final year. Laramide will have the right to satisfy up to half of each of thesethe final principal paymentspayment by delivering shares of its common stock to the Company, which shares will be valued by reference to the volume weighted average price (“VWAP”) for Laramide’s common stock for the 20 trading days before the respective anniversary of January 5, on which each payment is due.2020. The fair value of the notesthis note receivable was determined using the present value of the future cash receipts discounted at a market rate of 9.5%.


As of March 31, 2019, the Company has received three tranches of Laramide madecommon shares as partial consideration for the sale of HRI, which has resulted in the receipt of 2,218,133, 1,982,483 and 2,483,034 Laramide common shares in January 2017, January 2018 and January 2019, respectively.  These share payments represent the initial consideration from the January 2017 sale of HRI and two note installments in January 2018 and January 2019.  The first required principal paymentnote installment in the amount of $1.5 million on the promissory note in January 2018, consistingconsisted of $750,000 in cash and the issuance of 1,982,483 of Laramide’s common shares.  Also, Laramide madeThe second note installment in the first interest payment in April 2018 for approximately $0.3amount of $1.5 million in cash.January 2019, consisted of $750,000 in cash and the issuance of 2,483,034 of Laramide’s common shares.  Additionally, Laramide has made interest payments of $70,764 in cash during the three months ending March 31, 2019.


For the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company sold the third tranche of 2,483,034 Laramide common shares and 2,218,133 Laramide warrants resulting in net proceeds of $0.5 million and a net loss on sale of marketable securities of $0.7 million.

The following tables show the notes receivable, accrued interest and unamortized discount on the Company’s notes receivable as of March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 2017. 2018.

 

 

March 31, 2019

 

(thousands of dollars)

 

Note
Amount

 

Plus Accrued
Interest

 

Less
Unamortized
Note
Discount

 

Note Balance
per Balance
Sheet

 

Current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes receivable Laramide — current

 

$

2,000

 

 

 

(383

)

1,617

 

Total Notes Receivable — current and non-current

 

$

2,000

 

$

 

 

$

(383

)

$

1,617

 



 

 

March 31, 2018

 

(thousands of dollars)

 

Note
Amount

 

 

Plus Accrued
Interest

 

 

Less
Unamortized
Note
Discount

 

 

Note Balance
per Balance
Sheet

 

Current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes receivable Laramide – current

 

$

1,500

 

 

$

295

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

1,795

 

Subtotal Notes Receivable – current

 

$

1,500

 

 

$

295

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

1,795

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes receivable – Laramide – non-current

 

$

2,000

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

(883

)

 

$

1,117

 

Notes receivable – Alabama Graphite Corp.

 

 

1,420

 

 

 

11

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,431

 

Subtotal Notes Receivable – non-current

 

$

3,420

 

 

$

11

 

 

$

(883

)

 

$

2,548

 

Total Notes Receivable – current and non-current

 

$

4,920

 

 

$

306

 

 

$

(883

)

 

$

4,343

 

 

 

December 31, 2018

 

(thousands of dollars)

 

Note
Amount

 

Plus Accrued
Interest

 

Less
Unamortized
Note
Discount

 

Note Balance
per Balance
Sheet

 

Current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes receivable Laramide — current

 

$

1,500

 

$

45

 

$

 

$

1,545

 

Subtotal Notes Receivable — current

 

$

1,500

 

$

45

 

$

 

$

1,545

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes receivable — Laramide — non-current

 

$

2,000

 

$

 

$

(507

)

$

1,493

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subtotal Notes Receivable — non-current

 

$

2,000

 

$

 

$

(507

)

$

1,493

 

Total Notes Receivable — current and non-current

 

$

3,500

 

$

45

 

$

(507

)

$

3,038

 

 





5. ASSETS HELD FOR SALE


 

 

December 31, 2017

 

(thousands of dollars)

 

Note
Amount

 

 

Plus Accrued
Interest

 

 

Less
Unamortized
Note
Discount

 

 

Note Balance
per Balance
Sheet

 

Current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes receivable Laramide – current

 

$

1,500

 

 

$

250

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

1,750

 

Subtotal Notes Receivable – current

 

$

1,500

 

 

$

250

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

1,750

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes receivable – Laramide – non-current

 

$

3,500

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

(1,005

)

 

$

2,495

 

Notes receivable – Alabama Graphite Corp.

 

 

832

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

833

 

Subtotal Notes Receivable – non-current

 

$

4,332

 

 

$

1

 

 

$

(1,005

)

 

$

3,328

 

Total Notes Receivable – current and non-current

 

$

5,832

 

 

$

251

 

 

$

(1,005

)

 

$

5,078

 


4.On March 5, 2019, the Company entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (“Agreement”) with Uranium Royalty (USA) Corp. and Uranium Royalty Corp. (together “URC”) for the sale of four of its royalty interests on future uranium production from mineral properties located in South Dakota, Wyoming and New Mexico, as well as the remaining amount of the Laramide promissory note in the amount of $2.0 million as discussed above. Under the terms of the Agreement, the Company is set to transfer ownership of the royalties and promissory note at the closing date which is to be no later than June 30, 2019. In exchange for these assets URC has agreed to pay the Company a total of $2.75 million, consisting of the following consideration:

·                  $0.5 million in cash, paid as a deposit at signing on March 5, 2019; and

·                  $2.25 million cash to be paid in full on or before June 30, 2019.

The transaction will close following satisfaction or waiver of the closing conditions, which conditions include, among other things, the execution of various assignment agreements.  The Agreement contains certain termination rights and remedies for both URC and the Company.  Subject to certain limitations, in the event that the transaction does not close by July 31, 2019, the Company may terminate the Agreement and retain the $500,000 deposit. In the event that there is a material uncured inaccuracy in any representation or warranty or a material breach of any covenant of the Company, URC has the right to terminate the Agreement and seek a return of the deposit or to seek specific performance of the Agreement. In the event that there is a material uncured inaccuracy in any representation or warranty or a material breach of any covenant of URC, the Company has the right to terminate the Agreement or to seek specific performance of the Agreement. The Agreement will terminate automatically on July 31, 2019 if the closing thereunder has not occurred by July 31, 2019, unless otherwise agreed by the parties.

As a result of execution of the Agreement, the Laramide promissory note has been re-classified as held for sale and is recorded at its carrying value of $1.6 million on the March 31, 2019 financials since the carrying value does not exceed its fair value. The $0.5 million cash deposit received from URC on March 5, 2019 could be forfeited in the event that the Agreement is terminated due to the Company’s breach of certain terms of the Agreement. Accordingly, the Company has recorded the deposit as a liability on the balance sheet and will only recognize income when all conditions of the Agreement have been met and closing is complete. The royalty interests being purchased by URC have no carrying value and accordingly, no subsequent adjustments have been made.

6. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Applicable accounting standards define fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price) and establishes a fair-value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value using the following definitions (from highest to lowest priority):

·Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that are observable at the measurement date.

·Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (i.e., interest rates, yield curves, etc.), and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means (market corroborated inputs).

·Level 3 includes unobservable inputs that reflect management’s assumptions about what factors market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. These inputs are developed based on the best information available, including internal data.


The Company believes that the fair value of its assets and liabilities approximate their reported carrying amounts.  The following table presents information about assets that were recorded at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis as of March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 20172018 and indicate the fair value hierarchy.


 

March 31, 2018

 

 

March 31, 2019

 

(thousands of dollars)

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

Current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term available-for-sale investments

 

$

605

 

$

-

 

$

-

 

$

605

 

Total current assets recorded at fair value

 

$

605

 

$

-

 

$

-

 

$

605

 

Non-current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted cash

 

$

3,668

 

$

-

 

 

-

 

$

3,668

 

 

$

3,750

 

$

 

 

$

3,750

 

Total non-current assets recorded at fair value

 

$

3,668

 

$

-

 

$

-

 

$

3,668

 

 

$

3,750

 

$

 

$

 

$

3,750

 


 

December 31, 2017

 

(thousands of dollars)

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

Current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term available-for-sale investments

 

$

1,361

 

$

-

 

$

-

 

$

1,361

 

Total current assets recorded at fair value

 

$

1,361

 

$

-

 

$

-

 

$

1,361

 

Non-current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted cash

 

$

3,668

 

$

-

 

 

-

 

$

3,668

 

Total non-current assets recorded at fair value

 

$

3,668

 

$

-

 

$

-

 

$

3,668

 

 

 

December 31, 2018

 

(thousands of dollars)

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

Current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term available-for-sale investments

 

$

415

 

$

 

$

 

$

415

 

Total current assets recorded at fair value

 

$

415

 

$

 

$

 

$

415

 

Non-current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted cash

 

$

3,732

 

$

 

 

$

3,732

 

Total non-current assets recorded at fair value

 

$

3,732

 

$

 

$

 

$

3,732

 

Assets that are measured on a recurring basis include the Company’s marketable securities and restricted cash.





5.7. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

 

 

Net Book Value of Property, Plant and Equipment at March 31, 2018

(thousands of dollars)

 

Turkey

 

Texas

 

New Mexico

 

Corporate

 

Total

Uranium plant

 

$

-

 

$

8,304

 

$

-

 

$

-

 

$

8,304

Mineral rights and properties

 

17,968

 

-

 

7,806

 

-

 

25,774

Other property, plant and equipment

10

 

1,089

 

-

 

198

 

1,297

     Total

 

$

17,978

 

$

9,393

 

$

7,806

 

$

198

 

$

35,375

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Book Value of Property, Plant and Equipment at December 31, 2017

(thousands of dollars)

 

Turkey

 

Texas

 

New Mexico

 

Corporate

 

Total

Uranium plant

 

$

-

 

$

8,304

 

$

-

 

$

-

 

$

8,304

Mineral rights and properties

 

17,968

 

-

 

7,806

 

-

 

25,774

Other property, plant and equipment

11

 

1,109

 

-

 

211

 

1,331

     Total

 

$

17,979

 

$

9,413

 

$

7,806

 

$

211

 

$

35,409



 

 

Net Book Value of Property, Plant and Equipment at March 31, 2019

 

(thousands of dollars)

 

Turkey

 

Texas

 

Alabama

 

New Mexico

 

Corporate

 

Total

 

Uranium plant

 

$

 

$

3,143

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

3,143

 

Mineral rights and properties

 

 

 

8,972

 

7,806

 

 

16,778

 

Other property, plant and equipment

 

7

 

451

 

 

 

150

 

608

 

Total

 

$

7

 

$

3,594

 

$

8,972

 

$

7,806

 

$

150

 

$

20,529

 

 

 

Net Book Value of Property, Plant and Equipment at December 31, 2018

 

(thousands of dollars)

 

Turkey

 

Texas

 

Alabama

 

New Mexico

 

Corporate

 

Total

 

Uranium plant

 

$

 

$

3,256

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

3,256

 

Mineral rights and properties

 

 

 

8,973

 

7,806

 

 

16,779

 

Other property, plant and equipment

 

8

 

348

 

 

 

162

 

518

 

Total

 

$

8

 

$

3,604

 

$

8,973

 

$

7,806

 

$

162

 

$

20,553

 

Impairment of Temrezli and Sefaatli Projects

6.

On June 20, 2018, the General Directorate of Mining Affairs, a department of the Turkish Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, notified the Company that the mining and exploration licenses for its Temrezli and Sefaatli projects located in Turkey had been revoked and potential compensation will be proffered. While the Company is investigating the legality of this action and what remedies, including compensation, might be available to the Company, the Company has determined that it is more likely than not that the Company will be unable to explore, develop, mine or otherwise benefit from the mineral properties. Therefore, the Company has determined that all of the uranium mineral holding property assets located in Turkey were fully impaired. The Company will recognize compensation for the mining and exploration licenses when the amount of the full and fair compensation is fixed and determinable and the ability to collect is probable.

The Company reviews and evaluates its long-lived assets for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the related carrying amounts may not be recoverable.

8. MINERAL PROPERTY EXPENDITURES


Mineral property expenditures by geographical location for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 and 2017areare as follows:


 

For the Three Months Ended March 31,

 

For the Three Months Ended Mar 31,

 

 

2018

 

2017

 

2019

 

2018

 

 

(thousands of dollars)

 

(thousands of dollars)

 

Temrezli project, Turkey

 

$

79

 

$

98

 

$

 

$

79

 

Total Turkey projects

 

79

 

98

 

 

79

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kingsville Dome project, Texas

 

251

 

262

 

244

 

251

 

Rosita project, Texas

 

197

 

112

 

117

 

197

 

Vasquez project, Texas

 

235

 

169

 

186

 

235

 

Other projects, Texas

 

6

 

1

 

 

6

 

Total Texas projects

 

689

 

544

 

547

 

689

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cebolleta project, New Mexico

 

 

 

Juan Tafoya project, New Mexico

 

6

 

6

 

6

 

6

 

Total New Mexico projects

 

6

 

6

 

6

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Columbus Basin project, Nevada

 

2

 

117

 

 

2

 

Railroad Valley, Nevada

 

4

 

4

Railroad Valley project, Nevada

 

 

4

 

Total Nevada projects

 

6

 

121

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sal Rica project, Utah

 

2

 

-

 

1

 

2

 

Total Utah projects

 

2

 

-

 

1

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coosa project, Alabama

 

80

 

 

Total Alabama Projects

 

80

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total expense for the period

 

$

782

 

$

769

 

$

634

 

782

 






7.9. ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

 

The following table summarizes the changes in the reserve for future restoration and reclamation costs on the balance sheet:

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

2018

 

2017

(thousands of dollars)

 

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of period

 

$

5,731 

 

$

4,789 

Liabilities settled

 

(142)

 

(97)

Accretion expense

 

134 

 

1,039 

Balance, end of period

 

5,723 

 

5,731 

     Less: Current portion

 

(936)

 

(1,078)

Non-current portion

 

$

4,787 

 

$

4,653 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

(thousands of dollars)

 

2019

 

2018

 

Balance, beginning of period

 

$

6,203

 

$

5,731

 

Liabilities settled

 

(335

)

(521

)

Accretion expense

 

126

 

993

 

Balance, end of period

 

5,994

 

6,203

 

Less: Current portion

 

(894

)

(708

)

Non-current portion

 

$

5,100

 

$

5,495

 

The Company is currently performing plugging and surface reclamation activities at its Rosita and Vasquez projects located in Duval County, Texas.  The Company’s current liability of $0.9 million consists of the estimated costs associated with current reclamation activities through March 20192020 at the Company’s Rosita and Vasquez projects.

8.

10. COMMON STOCK

Common Stock Issued, Net of Issuance Costs

Reverse Stock Split

Immediately following the close of trading on April 22, 2019, the Company effected a one-for-fifty reverse stock split of its common stock.  With the reverse stock split, every fifty shares of the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock were combined into one issued and outstanding share of common stock.  The reverse stock split reduced the number of shares outstanding from approximately 74.7 million shares to approximately 1.5 million shares.  The reverse stock split did not have any effect on the par value of the Company’s common stock.  No fractional shares were issued as a result of the reverse stock split.  Any fractional shares that would have resulted were settled in cash.  All share data herein has been retroactively adjusted for the reverse stock split.

Controlled Equity Offering Sales Agreement with Cantor Fitzgerald (“Cantor”)

On April 14, 2017, the Company entered into an at-the-market offer (the “ATM Offering”)the ATM Offering with Cantor acting as sales agent. Under the ATM Offering, the Company may from time to time sell shares of its common stock having an aggregate offering amount up to $30.0 million in “at-the-market” offerings, $8.0 million of which shares are registered for sale under a registration statement on Form S-3, which was declared effective on March 9, 2017. The Company pays Cantor a commission equalof up to 2.5% of the gross proceeds from the sale of any shares pursuant to the ATM Offering. As of May 7, 2018,March 31, 2019, the Company had sold 1,200,565488,685 shares of common stock for net proceeds of $1.4$6.1 million under the ATM Offering.Offering, of which, 57,205 shares of common stock and net proceeds of $0.4 million was sold in the three months ended March 31, 2019. As a result, the Company had approximately $28.6$23.8 million remaining available for future sales under the ATM Offering. The Company’s previous ATM Offering, with BTIG LLC was fully utilizedbut has nil registered for sale as of DecemberMarch 31, 2016.2019.

Common Stock Purchase Agreement (“CSPA”) with Aspire CapitalIssued for Acquisition of Alabama Graphite

On September 25, 2017, the Company entered into the CSPA with Aspire Capital to place up to $22.0 millionAs discussed in the aggregate of the Company’s common stockNote 3 above, on an ongoing basis when required by the Company over a term of 30 months. The Company will control the timing and amount of sales to Aspire Capital, and at a price based on market prices at that time. As consideration for Aspire Capital entering into the purchase agreement,April 23, 2018, the Company issued 880,000 shares of its common stock to Aspire Capital. The232,504 shares of common stock subject toin exchange for 100% of the CSPA were registered pursuant to the Company’s effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3. The parties terminated the April 8, 2016 CSPA with Aspire Capital upon entering into the September 25, 2017 CSPA.


On September 27, 2017, pursuant to the CSPA and after satisfaction of certain commencement conditions, Aspire Capital made an initial purchase of 1,428,571outstanding shares of common stock for which the Company received net proceeds of $2.0 million. Additionally, on December 14, 2017, Aspire Capital purchased 150,000 shares of common stock for which the Company received net proceeds of $0.2 million. Finally,Alabama Graphite as of May 7, 2018, Aspire Capital had purchased 1,951,896 shares pursuant to the agreement for which the Company received net proceeds of $1.1 million. As of May 7, 2018, $18.7 millionpart of the aggregate $22.0 million remained available for future sales under the CSPA, limited by the Exchange Cappurchase consideration paid to the issuance of no more than an additional 2.7 million shares of common stock unless (i) stockholder approval is obtained, or (ii) the average price paid for all shares issued under the CSPA (including the 880,000 commitment shares) is equal to or greater than $1.38.acquire Alabama Graphite.





9.11. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Stock-based compensation awards consist of stock options, restricted stock units restricted stock awards and bonus shares issued under the Company’s equity incentive plans which include: the 2013 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2013 Plan”); the 2007 Restricted Stock Plan (the “2007 Plan”);, the Amended and Restated 2004 Directors’ Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan (the “2004 Directors’ Plan”); and the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2004 Plan”). Upon approval of the 2013 Plan by the Company’s stockholders on June 4, 2013, the Company’s authority to grant new awards under all plans other than the 2013 Plan was terminated. On July 18, 2017 and April 18, 2019, the Company’s stockholders approved an amendmentamendments to the 2013 Plan to increase the authorized number of shares of common stock available and reserved for issuance under the 2013 Plan by 1.0 million20,000 shares and re-approve the material terms of the performance goals under such plan.66,000 shares, respectively. Under the 2013 Plan, the Company may grant awards of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards (“RSAs”), restricted stock units (“RSUs”), unrestricted stock, dividend equivalent rights, performance shares and other performance-based awards, other equity-based awards and cash bonus awards to eligible persons. The maximum number of the Company’s common stock that may be reserved for issuance under the 2013 Plan is 1,083,333currently 66,278 shares of common stock, plus unissued shares under the prior plans. Equity awards under the 2013 Plan are granted from time to time at the discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Committee”), with vesting periods and

other terms as determined by the Committee with a maximum term of 10 years. The 2013 Plan is administered by the Committee, which can delegate the administration to the Board, other Committees or to such other officers and employees of the Company as designated by the Committee.Committee and permitted by the 2013 Plan.

As of March 31, 2018, 560,242April 18, 2019, 66,278 shares were available for future issuances under the 2013 Plan.  For the three months ending March 31, 20182019 and 2017,2018, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense of $81,000$7,719 and $22,000, respectively, which has been included$80,673, respectively.  Stock compensation expense is recorded in general and administrative expense.expenses.

In addition to the plans above, upon closing of the Company’s acquisition of Anatolia Energy LtdLimited in November 2015, the Company issued 374,7497,495 replacement options and performance shares to the option holders and performance shareholders of Anatolia Energy Ltd.Limited.  The number of replacement options and performance shares was based upon the Black-Scholes value with the exercise prices of the replacement options and performance shares determined using the exchange rate of 0.00548.0.0001096.  The options and performance shares were issued with the same terms and conditions as were applicable prior to the acquisition of Anatolia Energy Ltd.Limited. As of March 31, 2018,2019, there were 85,233449 replacement options outstanding and no performance shares outstanding.

In addition to the plans above, upon closing of the Company’s acquisition of Alabama Graphite in April 2018, the Company issued 50,168 replacement options and warrants to the option and warrant holders of Alabama Graphite.  The number of replacement options and warrants shares was determined using the arrangement exchange rate of 0.0016.  The exercise prices for the option and warrant shares were first converted for the exchange rate of 0.0016 and then converted to USD using the exchange rate on December 13, 2017 of 0.77809 (CAD to USD). The options and warrant shares were issued with the same terms and conditions as were applicable prior to the acquisition of Alabama Graphite. As of March 31, 2019, there were 5,568 replacement options and 11,440 replacement warrants outstanding.

Stock Options

The following table summarizes stock options outstanding and changes for the three-month periods ending March 31, 20182019 and 2017:2018:

 

 

March 31, 2018

 

March 31, 2017

 

 

Number of Stock Options

 

Weighted Average Exercise Price

 

Number of Stock Options

 

Weighted Average Exercise Price

Stock options outstanding at beginning of period

 

286,174 

 

$

5.53

 

110,828 

 

$

18.24

Expired

 

(5,595)

 

12.48

 

(5,583)

 

11.04

Stock options outstanding at end of period

 

280,579 

 

$

5.39

 

105,245 

 

$

18.62

Stock options exercisable at end of period

 

91,415 

 

$

13.65

 

105,139 

 

$

18.60

 

 

March 31, 2019

 

March 31, 2018

 

 

 

Number of
Stock
Options

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 

Number of
Stock
Options

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 

Stock options outstanding at beginning of period

 

19,170

 

$

79.78

 

5,723

 

$

276.50

 

Granted

 

 

 

 

 

Expired

 

(280

)

179.68

 

(112

)

624.00

 

Stock options outstanding at end of period

 

18,890

 

$

78.21

 

5611

 

$

269.50

 

Stock options exercisable at end of period

 

18,890

 

$

78.21

 

1,828

 

$

682.50

 

The following table summarizes stock options outstanding and exercisable by stock option plan at March 31, 2018:

 

 

Outstanding Stock Options

 

Exercisable Stock Options

Stock Option Plan

 

Number of Outstanding Stock Options

 

Weighted Average Exercise  Price

 

Number of

Exercisable

Stock Options

 

Weighted Average Exercise  Price

2004 Plan

 

4,792

 

$

35.14

 

4,792

 

$

35.14

2004 Directors’ Plan

 

973

 

317.14

 

973

 

317.14

2013 Plan

 

189,581

 

1.48

 

417

 

35.88

Replacement Stock Options

 

85,233

 

8.87

 

85,233

 

8.87

 

 

280,579

 

$

5.39

 

91,415

 

$

13.65


2019:




 

 

Outstanding Stock Options

 

Exercisable Stock Options

 

Stock Option Plan

 

Number of
Outstanding
Stock Options

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise Price

 

Number of
Exercisable
Stock Options

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise Price

 

2004 Plan

 

96

 

$

1,752.25

 

96

 

$

1,752.25

 

2004 Directors’ Plan

 

11

 

9,332.73

 

11

 

9,332.73

 

2013 Plan

 

12,766

 

35.41

 

12,766

 

35.41

 

Replacement Stock Options-Alabama Graphite

 

5,568

 

80.96

 

5,568

 

80.96

 

Replacement Stock Options-Anatolia Energy

 

449

 

676.22

 

449

 

676.22

 

 

 

18,890

 

$

78.21

 

18,890

 

$

78.21

 


Restricted Stock Units

Time-based and performance-based RSUs are valued using the closing share price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The final number of shares issued under performance-based RSUs is generally based on the Company’s prior year

performance as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors at each vesting date, and the valuation of such awards assumes full satisfaction of all performance criteria.

The following table summarizes RSU activity for the three-month periods ended March 31, 20182019 and 2017:

 

 

March 31,

 

March 31,

 

 

2018

 

2017

 

 

Number of RSUs

 

Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value

 

Number of RSUs

 

Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value

Unvested RSUs at beginning of period

 

178,897 

 

$

1.40

 

8,649 

 

$

43.71

Forfeited

 

(9,429)

 

1.40

 

 

-

Vested

 

 

-

 

(2,513)

 

31.32

Unvested RSUs at end of period

 

169,468 

 

$

1.40

 

6,136 

 

$

48.78


2018:

10.

 

 

March 31,

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

2018

 

 

 

Number of
RSUs

 

Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

 

Number of
RSUs

 

Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

 

Unvested RSUs at beginning of period

 

2,260

 

$

70.00

 

3,578

 

$

70.00

 

Granted

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

(565

)

70.00

 

(189

)

70.00

 

Vested

 

 

 

 

 

Unvested RSUs at end of period

 

1,695

 

$

70.00

 

3,389

 

$

70.00

 

12. EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic and diluted loss per common share have been calculated based on the weighted-average shares outstanding during the period.  PotentiallyAdditionally, potentially dilutive shares of 633,38035,691 were excluded from the calculation of earnings per share because the effect on the basic income per share would be anti-dilutive for the quarterthree months ended March 31, 2018.2019.

11.

13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company’s uranium recovery operations are subject to federal and state regulations for the protection of the environment, including water quality.  Future closure and reclamation costs are provided for as each pound of uranium is produced on a unit-of-production basis. The Company reviews its reclamation obligations each year and determines the appropriate unit charge. The Company also evaluates the status of current environmental laws and their potential impact on their accrual for costs. The Company believes its operations are materially compliant with current environmental regulations.

At any given time, the Company may enter into negotiations to settle outstanding legal proceedings and any resulting accruals will be estimated based on the relevant facts and circumstances applicable at that time.  We do not expect that such settlements will, individually or in the aggregate, have a material effect on itsthe Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

12.

14. LEASES

Lease Adoption January 1, 2019

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)”. This new standard requires lessees to recognize leases on their balance sheets. It also requires a dual approach for lessee accounting under which a lessee accounts for leases as finance leases or operating leases with the recognition of a right-of-use asset and a corresponding lease liability. For operating leases, the lessee recognizes straight-line lease expense. The new lease accounting standard along with the clarifying amendments subsequently issued by the FASB, collectively became effective for the Company on January 1, 2019. The Company adopted the new lease accounting standard by applying the new lease guidance at the adoption date on January 1, 2019, and as allowed under the transition relief provided in ASU 2018-11, elected not to restate comparative periods. In addition, we elected the package of practical expedients for our existing leases as permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard and did not reassess (1) lease classification for existing leases, (2) whether existing contracts contained leases, (3) if any indirect costs were incurred, and (4) whether existing land easements should be accounted for as leases . As of January 1, 2019, in connection with the adoption of the new lease accounting standard, the Company recorded a right-of-use lease asset totaling $595,870 with a corresponding lease liability totaling $599,596.

The right-of-use asset represents our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and the lease liability represents our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the commencement date of the lease based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term using a discount rate of 9.5%. This rate is the Company’s current estimated incremental borrowing rate.

The Company has operating leases for corporate offices, storage space and equipment.  The leases have remaining lease terms of 1 to 5 years, one of which includes an option to extend the corporate office lease for 3 years. Under our corporate office lease, we are required to reimburse the lessor each month for common use expenses such as maintenance and security services. Because these amounts are variable from year to year and not specifically set in the lease terms, they are not included in the measurement of the right-of-use asset and related lease liability, but rather expensed in the period incurred.

The Company is party to several leases that are for under one year in length. The majority of these leases are for office equipment, machinery, office space and storage. The Company has elected the short-term lease exemption allowed under the new leasing standards, whereby leases with initial terms of one year or less are not capitalized and instead expensed on a straight-line basis over the lease term. In addition, the Company holds numerous leases related to mineral exploration and production to which it has not applied the new leasing standard. Leases to explore or use minerals and similar nonregenerative resources are specifically excluded by ASC 842-10.

The components of lease expense were as follows:

 

 

March 31

 

(thousands of dollars)

 

2019

 

Operating lease cost

 

$

40

 

Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows:

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2019

 

Cash paid for amounts included in lease liabilities:

 

 

 

(thousands of dollars)

 

 

 

Operating cash flows from operating leases

 

$

39

 

 

 

 

 

Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:

 

 

 

Operating leases

 

$

569

 

Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows:

(thousands of dollars, except lease term and discount rate)

 

March 31,
2019

 

Operating Leases

 

 

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

$

569

 

 

 

 

 

Current portion of lease liabilities

 

$

151

 

Operating lease liabilities — long term portion

 

424

 

Total operating lease liabilities

 

$

575

 

March 31,

2019

Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term

Operating leases

4.4 Years

Discount Rate

Operating leases

9.5%

 

 

Lease payments by year

 

Operating

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Leases

 

 

 

2019

 

$

117

 

 

 

2020

 

159

 

 

 

2021

 

161

 

 

 

2022

 

162

 

 

 

2023

 

94

 

Maturities of lease liabilities are as follows:

 

Total lease payments

 

693

 

 

 

Less imputed interest

 

(118

)

 

 

Total

 

$

575

 

As of March 31, 2019, the Company has $0.6 million in right-of-use assets and $0.6 million in related lease liabilities ($0.2 million of which is current). The most significant operating lease is for the Company’s corporate office in Centennial, Colorado, with $0.7 million remaining in undiscounted cash payments through the end of the lease term in 2023. The total undiscounted cash payments remaining on operating leases through the end of their respective terms is $0.7 million.

15. GEOGRAPHIC AND SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company currently operates in twothree reportable segments, which are uranium, lithium and lithiumgraphite mining activities, including exploration, standby operations and restoration and reclamation activities.  As a part of these activities, the Company also explores, evaluates and, if warranted, permits uranium, lithium and lithiumgraphite properties.  The Company’s long-term assets were $41.6$24.4 million and $42.4$25.8 million as of March 31, 20182019 and December 31, 2017,2018, respectively. The100% of the long-term assets are located in the United States totaled $23.6 million or 57% and $24.4 million or 58% of total long-term assets as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.States.  The Company reported no revenues during the three months ended March 31, 20182019 and March 31, 2017.2018.

The reportable segments are those operations whose operating results are reviewed by the Chief Executive Officer to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and assess its performance provided those operations pass certain quantitative thresholds.  Operations whose revenues, earnings or losses or assets exceed or are expected to exceed 10% of the total consolidated revenue, earnings or losses or assets are reportable segments.  Information about current assets and liabilities of the segments has not been provided because the information is not used to assess performance.






The table below provides a breakdown of the long-term assets by reportable segments as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018:

 

 

March 31, 2018

(thousands of dollars)

 

Corporate

 

Uranium

 

Lithium

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net property, plant and equipment

 

$

198

 

$

35,177

 

$

-

 

$

35,375

Restricted cash

 

-

 

3,668

 

-

 

3,668

Notes receivable, non-current

1,431

 

1,117

 

-

 

2,548

Total long term assets

 

$

1,629

 

$

39,962

 

$

-

 

$

41,591


 

December 31, 2017

 

March 31, 2019

 

(thousands of dollars)

 

Corporate

 

Uranium

 

Lithium

 

Total

 

Corporate

 

Uranium

 

Lithium

 

Graphite

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net property, plant and equipment

 

$

211

 

$

35,198

 

$

-

 

$

35,409

 

$

150

 

$

11,407

 

$

 

$

8,972

 

$

20,529

 

Restricted cash

 

-

 

3,668

 

-

 

3,668

 

 

3,740

 

 

10

 

3,750

 

Notes receivable, non-current

834

 

2,494

 

-

 

3,328

Total long term assets

 

$

1,045

 

$

41,360

 

$

-

 

$

42,405

Operating lease right of use assets, non-current

 

543

 

26

 

 

 

569

 

Total long-term assets

 

$

693

 

$

15,173

 

$

 

$

8,982

 

$

24,848

 

 

 

December 31, 2018

 

(thousands of dollars)

 

Corporate

 

Uranium

 

Lithium

 

Graphite

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net property, plant and equipment

 

$

162

 

$

11,418

 

$

 

$

8,973

 

$

20,553

 

Restricted cash

 

 

3,722

 

 

10

 

3,732

 

Notes receivable, non-current

 

 

1,493

 

 

 

1,493

 

Total long-term assets

 

$

162

 

$

16,633

 

$

 

$

8,983

 

$

25,778

 

The table below provides a breakdown of the reportable segments for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018.  Non-mining activities and other administrative operations are reported in the Corporate column.  The table below provides a breakdown of the long-term assets by geographic segments as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31, 2019

 

(thousands of dollars)

 

Corporate

 

Uranium

 

Lithium

 

Graphite

 

Total

 

Statement of Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mineral property expenses

 

$

 

$

553

 

$

1

 

$

80

 

$

634

 

General and administrative expenses

 

1,279

 

392

 

 

147

 

1,818

 

Sales and marketing expenses

 

 

 

 

18

 

18

 

Accretion of asset retirement costs

 

 

126

 

 

 

126

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

1

 

22

 

 

 

23

 

Loss from operations

 

1,280

 

1,093

 

1

 

245

 

2,619

 

Other (expense) income

 

(555

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(555

)

Loss before taxes

 

$

(1,835

)

$

(1,093

)

$

(1

)

$

(245

)

$

(3,174

)



 

March 31, 2018

(thousands of dollars)

 

Corporate

 

Uranium

 

Lithium

 

Total

Statement of Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mineral property expenses

 

$

 

$

774 

 

$

 

$

782 

General and administrative

 

1,353 

 

452 

 

 

1,805 

Acquisition related expenses

 

755 

 

 

 

755 

Accretion of asset retirement costs

 

 

134 

 

 

134 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

33 

 

 

34 

 

 

2,109 

 

1,393 

 

 

3,510 

Loss from operations

 

(2,109)

 

(1,393)

 

(8)

 

(3,510)

Other income

 

81 

 

10 

 

 

91 

Loss before taxes

 

$

(2,028)

 

$

(1,383)

 

$

(8)

 

$

(3,419)


 

March 31, 2017

(thousands of dollars)

 

Corporate

 

Uranium

 

Lithium

 

Total

Statement of Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mineral property expenses

 

$

 

$

648 

 

$

121 

 

$

769 

General and administrative

 

1,312 

 

356 

 

 

1,668 

Accretion of asset retirement costs

 

 

132 

 

 

132 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

37 

 

 

38 

 

 

1,313 

 

1,173 

 

121 

 

2,607 

Loss from operations

 

(1,313)

 

(1,173)

 

(121)

 

(2,607)

Other (expense) income

 

(39)

 

4,491 

 

 

4,452 

Income (loss) before taxes

 

$

(1,352)

 

$

3,318 

 

$

(121)

 

$

1,845 







13. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Completion of the Acquisition of Alabama Graphite

On March 9, 2018, Alabama Graphite securityholders approved the arrangement agreement between the Company and Alabama Graphite and the plan of arrangement attached thereto, and on March 19, 2018, the Supreme Court of British Columbia granted orders approving the Alabama Graphite plan of arrangement. Further, on April 19, 2018, the Company’s stockholders also approved the issuance of Company securities for the acquisition.

Following customary Canadian regulatory approvals, the Company completed the acquisition on April 23, 2018, pursuant to which the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding securities of Alabama Graphite by way of the acquisition, with Alabama Graphite surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. In connection with the acquisition, each share of Alabama Graphite common stock issued and outstanding as of 12:01 a.m. on April 23, 2018, Pacific Daylight Time (the “Record Date”) was converted to 0.08 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company. The Company issued 11,625,210 total shares of its common stock upon completion. Pursuant to the terms of the arrangement agreement, Alabama Graphite’s unlisted warrants and options outstanding as of the Record Date were assumed by the Company and converted into unlisted warrants and options to purchase shares of Company common stock on substantially the same terms and conditions as were applicable to such Alabama Graphite unlisted warrants and option, with appropriate adjustments based upon the same exchange ratio. As a result of the completion of the acquisition, the Company owns 100% of the outstanding stock of Alabama Graphite.


The Company will account for the transaction as an acquisition. Due to the limited time between the acquisition date and the filing of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, the initial purchase accounting has not been completed. As such, it is not practicable for the Company to disclose: (i) the allocation of purchase price to assets acquired and liabilities assumed, and (ii) pro forma revenues and earnings of the combined company for the quarter ended March 31, 2018. The Company will provide this information in its second quarter Form 10-Q for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018. There are $755,339 in acquisition-related costs included in general and administrative expenses for the three-month period ending March 31, 2018.  In addition, upon completion of the acquisition, the Alabama Graphite Loan will be incorporated into the final purchase price accounting and therefore will be eliminated.





 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31, 2018

 

(thousands of dollars)

 

Corporate

 

Uranium

 

Lithium

 

Graphite

 

Total

 

Statement of Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mineral property expenses

 

$

 

$

774

 

$

8

 

$

 

$

782

 

General and administrative

 

1,353

 

452

 

 

 

1,805

 

Acquisition related expenses

 

755

 

 

 

 

755

 

Accretion of asset retirement costs

 

 

134

 

 

 

134

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

1

 

33

 

 

 

34

 

Loss from operations

 

2,109

 

1,393

 

8

 

 

3,510

 

Other income

 

81

 

10

 

 

 

91

 

Loss before taxes

 

$

(2,028

)

$

(1,383

)

$

(8

)

$

 

$

(3,419

)



ITEM 2.2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following management’s discussion and analysis of the consolidated financial results and condition of WWRWestwater for the three months ended March 31, 20182019 has been prepared based on information available to us as of May 10, 2018.7, 2019. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included herewith and the audited Consolidated Financial Statements of WWR for the period ended December 31, 20172018 and the related notes thereto filed with our Annual Report on Form 10-K, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions.  Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including, but not limited to, those set forth elsewhere in this report. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

INTRODUCTION

 

WWRWestwater is an energy minerals exploration and energy-related materials development company. The Company’s battery materials projects include lithiumgraphite and graphitelithium mineral properties. We established our lithium business in 2016 and currently control mineral rights encompassing approximately 36,730 acres across three prospective lithium brine basins in Nevada and Utah. We continue exploration and geological evaluation of these properties in 2018 for potential development of any lithium resources that may be discovered there. We established our graphite business with the acquisition of Alabama Graphite on April 23, 2018 and its Coosa Graphite Project andalong with the associated Coosa Graphite Mine located across 41,900 acres in east-central Alabama.  We established our lithium business in 2016 and currently control mineral rights encompassing approximately 36,920 acres across three prospective lithium brine basins in Nevada and Utah. We have continued exploration activities as well as geological evaluation of these properties in 2018 for potential development of lithium resources that may be discovered.


The Company maintains optionality on future rising uranium prices with significant uranium property holdings located in Texas and New Mexico and the Republic of Turkey.  WWR remains focused on advancing the Temrezli in-situ recovery (ISR) uranium project in Central Turkey when uranium prices permit economic development of this project.Mexico.  In Texas, the Company has two licensed and currently idled uranium processing facilities and approximately 11,000 acres (4,400 ha) of prospective in-situ recovery uranium projects. In New Mexico, the Company controls mineral rights encompassing approximately 188,700 acres (76,394 ha) in the prolific Grants Mineral Belt, which is one of the largest concentrations of sandstone-hosted uranium deposits in the world. Incorporated in 1977 as Uranium Resources, Inc., WWR also owns an extensive uranium information database of historic drill hole logs, assay certificates, maps and technical reports for the Westernwestern United States.


Graphite, Lithium Graphite and Uranium Listed as Critical Materials


A Presidential Executive Order on a Federal Strategy to Ensure Secure and Reliable Supplies of Critical Minerals was issued on December 20, 2017, and WWR believes thiswhich we believe will accelerate important energy related mineral development in the United States.  In conjunction with Professional Paper 1802, published by the USU.S. Geological Service (“USGS”), where 23 minerals are identified as critical to the Country’s security and economy, WWR believes these actions are important steps in support of domestic minerals development.  One of the important steps outlined in the Executive Order required a list of critical minerals to be provided by the US Secretary of the Interior.  This list was provided and included all three of WWR’s contemplated portfolio products.  Comments are being solicited at this time, and a report is to be delivered to the President (by August 17, 2018) that includes recommendations to streamline permitting and leasing processes, and to support domestic refiningproducts consisting of those critical materials.  


WWR is involved in the development of three of the critical minerals identified by the US Secretary of the Interior:   uranium,graphite, lithium and graphite.  Lithiumuranium.  Graphite and graphite,lithium, in particular, are critical to the development of batteries and other energy storage systems essential to the electric vehicle, solar and wind power industries.


Section 232 Investigation

The U.S. Department of Commerce initiated a Section 232 investigation in July 2018 to determine whether the present quantity of uranium ore and product imports threaten to impair U.S. national security.  U.S. uranium production has declined significantly since 1987, with domestic uranium producers experiencing a major slowdown in operations and employment.  As Westwater commented on April 29, 2019, U.S. uranium producers are expected to benefit, and the price of uranium produced in the U.S. is anticipated to rise, if President Trump imposes tariffs or quotas on imported uranium or takes other action to support domestic uranium production.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

 

AcquisitionTurkish Government Taking of Alabama GraphiteTemrezli and Sefaatli Licenses and Westwater’s Arbitration Filing

In December 2018, Westwater filed a Request for Arbitration against the Republic of Turkey for its unlawful actions against the Company’s investments, most notably, the June 2018 illegal taking of its Temrezli and Şefaatli uranium projects. These projects were owned by Westwater’s Turkish subsidiary Adur Madencilik Limited Sirketi (“Adur”).

Since 2007, Adur has held the exclusive rights for the exploration and development of uranium at Temrezli and Şefaatli, two sites located around 200 kilometers from Ankara, which include the largest and highest-grade deposits of uranium known to be in Turkey. To date, Adur and its shareholders have invested substantially in these two projects, using their technical expertise and carrying out extensive drilling, testing and studies to move the projects towards production. Having successfully completed the exploration stage in 2013-2014, Adur was granted a number of operating licenses by the Turkish government to develop the Temrezli mine. As a direct result of Adur’s efforts, Temrezli is the most advanced uranium project in Turkey. Experts have estimated that the mine will generate revenues of up to $644 million over its life, netting Westwater an estimated future return on its investment of $267 million as described in the Prefeasibility Study completed for the Temrezli project in 2015.

For many years, Adur and Westwater worked closely with the Turkish authorities and shared their technical expertise in uranium mining. However, Turkey’s most recent actions have undermined this longstanding relationship. In particular, in June 2018, the Turkish government cancelled all of Adur’s exploration and operating licenses with retroactive effect, rendering Westwater’s investment in Adur effectively worthless. While the Turkish authorities had variously issued, renewed and overseen these licenses for more than a decade, they now assert that these were issued by mistake and that the Turkish government has a governmental monopoly over all uranium mining activities in Turkey, in violation of Westwater’s rights under Turkish and international law. Westwater has reached out on numerous occasions to the Turkish government to resolve this dispute amicably, to reinstate the licenses and to remedy its unlawful actions, but to no avail.

As a result, on December 13, 2018 Westwater filed a Request for Arbitration against the Republic of Turkey before the International Center for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (“ICSID”) pursuant to the Treaty between the United States of America and the Republic of Turkey concerning the Reciprocal Encouragement and Protection of Investments. The ICSID proceeding has not yet begun, and there are no schedules yet for any arbitration milestones; however, the parties have each appointed a party-arbitrator and those party-arbitrators are in the process of appointing a chair of the panel.

Royalty and Promissory Note Sale

On March 5, 2019, Westwater entered into an agreement to sell four royalties on uranium properties located in South Dakota, Wyoming and New Mexico and a promissory note due in 2020 to Uranium Royalty Corp. for $2.75 million, including $0.5 million paid at signing. The balance of $2.25 million will become due and payable at the earlier of June 30, 2019, or following the date upon which the closing conditions are satisfied.

Nasdaq Minimum Bid Non-compliance

On March 13, 2018, the Nasdaq Stock Market notified Westwater that the Company did not meet Nasdaq’s $1.00 per share minimum bid price requirement under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) (the “Rule”) for continued listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market, and the Company was given an initial grace period of 180 days, or until September 10, 2018, to regain compliance with the Rule. Subsequently, on September 12, 2018, the Company was provided an additional 180-day compliance period, or until March 11, 2019, to regain compliance with the Rule.

On March 12, 2019, the Company received a letter from the Listing Qualifications Staff of Nasdaq notifying the Company that, based upon the Company’s continuing non-compliance with the Rule, the Staff had determined that the Company’s common stock would be delisted from Nasdaq unless the Company timely requests an appeal of such determination to a Nasdaq hearings panel. The Company appealed the Staff’s determination by requesting a hearing before a Nasdaq hearings panel, which hearing was conducted on May 2, 2019. While the appeal is pending, the Company’s common stock will continue to trade on Nasdaq under the symbol “WWR.” There can be no assurance that the hearings panel will grant the Company’s request for continued listing. If the Company’s common stock ceases to be listed for trading on Nasdaq, the Company expects that its common stock would be traded on the over-the-counter market.

Vanadium Target Identification

In late November 2018, Westwater announced the discovery of significant levels of vanadium concentrations at several locales within the graphitic schists at the Company’s Coosa Project. Westwater subsequently commenced the first of a four-phase exploration program designed to determine the extent, character and quality of the vanadium mineralization at Coosa. As announced by the Company on February 19, 2019, the first phase demonstrated widespread positive values for vanadium that extended beyond the graphite resource defined in the 2015 Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Coosa Project.

Reclamation Success in Texas

Westwater has completed wellfield plugging at the Vasquez Project and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has approved this phase of reclamation. This paves the way for bond releases in 2019, including the release of a surety bond posted by the Company in the amount of $208,657 as announced by the Company on March 4, 2019. Reclamation of the waste disposal well and its associated pond, as well as the remainder of the surface, is scheduled for completion in 2019.

At the Rosita Project, also located in Texas, the wellfield Production Areas 1 & 2 are plugged, and surface reclamation in those areas is also expected to be completed in 2019.

Reverse Stock Split

 

On December 13, 2017,April 22, 2019, following the Company entered intoclose of trading, Westwater effected a binding arrangement agreement to acquire allone-for-fifty reverse split of the issued and outstanding securities of Alabama Graphite Corp. through the issuance of new securities in the Company by way ofits common shares.  The consolidated common shares began trading on a court-sanctioned plan of arrangement under the Business Corporation Act of British Columbia. Eligible shareholders of Alabama Graphite were offered .08 shares of the Company’s common stock for every one share of Alabama Graphite they owned.  Alabama Graphite’s shareholders approved the arrangement on March 9, 2018, and on March 19, 2018, the Supreme Court of British Columbia granted orders approving the Alabama Graphite plan of arrangement implementing the acquisition. On April 19, 2018, the Company’s stockholders approved the arrangement. Following customary Canadian regulatory approvals, the Company closed the acquisitionsplit-adjusted basis on April 23, 2018.  At closing,2019.  On April 18, 2019, at the Company issued 11,625,210Annual Meeting of Stockholders, Westwater received approval for a charter amendment permitting Westwater to effect a reverse split.  The primary purpose of the reverse split was to bring Westwater into compliance with Nasdaq’s $1.00 minimum bid price requirement to maintain the listing of Westwater’s common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market.

The reverse split reduced the number of Westwater’s outstanding common stock from 74,707,659 shares to 1,494,153 shares of its common stock to the stockholders of Alabama Graphite who received





approximately 28%stock.  No fractional shares were issued as a result of the combined company and current stockholdersreverse stock split.  Any fractional shares that would have resulted were settled in cash.

All share data herein has been retroactively adjusted for the reverse stock split.

Results of the Company retained approximately 72%. The Company also issued replacement options and warrants relating to 2,508,378 shares of its common stock to the previous holders of Alabama Graphite options and warrants.


Lithium BusinessOperations

Option Agreement for Lithium Brine Claims

On March 24, 2017, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary Lithium Holdings Nevada LLC entered into an option agreement to purchase a block of unpatented placer mining claims covering an area of approximately 3,000 acres within the Columbus Salt Marsh area of Esmeralda County, Nevada. The claims adjoin a portion of the Company’s current property holdings at its Columbus Basin project, expanding the project area within the basin to approximately 14,200 acres. On March 24, 2018, the Company exercised the option and acquired the mineral property claims in exchange for 200,000 shares of WWR common stock, which were issued on April 18, 2018 and a 1% net smelter return royalty on the claims.

 

Equity FinancingsSummary

 

Controlled Equity Offering Sales Agreement with Cantor Fitzgerald (“Cantor”)

On April 14, 2017, the Company entered into an at-the-market offer (the “ATM Offering”) with Cantor acting as sales agent. Under the ATM Offering, the Company may from time to time sell shares of its common stock having an aggregate offering amount up to $30.0 million in “at-the-market” offerings, which shares are registered under a registration statement on Form S-3, which was declared effective on March 9, 2017. The Company pays Cantor a commission equal to 2.5% of the gross proceeds from the sale of any shares pursuant to the ATM Offering. As of May 7, 2018, the Company had sold 1,200,565 shares of common stock for net proceeds of $1.4 million under the ATM Offering. As a result, the Company had approximately $28.6 million remaining available for future sales under the ATM Offering. The Company’s previous ATM Offering with BTIG LLC was fully utilized as of December 31, 2016.

Common Stock Purchase Agreement (“CSPA”) with Aspire Capital

On September 25, 2017, the Company entered into the CSPA with Aspire Capital to place up to $22.0 million in the aggregate of the Company’s common stock on an ongoing basis when required by the Company over a term of 30 months. The Company will control the timing and amount of sales to Aspire Capital, and at a price based on market prices at that time. As consideration for Aspire Capital entering into the purchase agreement, the Company issued 880,000 shares of its common stock to Aspire Capital. The shares of common stock subject to the CSPA were registered pursuant to the Company’s effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3. The parties terminated the April 8, 2016 CSPA with Aspire Capital upon entering into the September 25, 2017 CSPA.

On September 27, 2017, pursuant to the CSPA and after satisfaction of certain commencement conditions, Aspire Capital made an initial purchase of 1,428,571 shares of common stock for which the Company received net proceeds of $2.0 million. Additionally, on December 14, 2017, Aspire Capital purchased 150,000 shares of common stock for which the Company received net proceeds of $0.2 million. As of May 7, 2018, the Company has dollar capacity of $18.7 million of common stock available for future sales, limited by the Exchange Cap to the issuance of no more than an additional 2.7 million shares of common stock unless (i) stockholder approval is obtained, or (ii) the average price paid for all shares issued under the CSPA (including the 880,000 commitment shares) is equal to or greater than $1.38.

Results of Operations

Summary

Our consolidated net loss for the three months ended March 31, 20182019 was $3.4$3.2 million, or $0.12$2.15 per share, as compared with a consolidated net gainloss of $1.8$3.4 million, or $0.09$6.11 per share for the same period in 2017.  For the three months ended March 31, 2018, the decrease in our consolidated net income of $5.2 million from the respective prior period was mostly the result of a 2017 one-time gain on the disposal of our Churchrock and Crownpoint projects of $4.4 million.  Additionally, for the three months ended March 31, 2018, there was  an increase in acquisition related costs of $0.8 million, an increase in loss on sale of marketable securities of $0.1 million and an increase of general and administrative expenses of $0.1 million.    2018.





Mineral Property Expenses

Mineral property expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017 were $0.8 million, respectively.

The following table details our mineral property expenses for the three months ended March 31, 20182019 and 2017:2018:

 

For the Three Months Ended March 31,

 

2018

 

2017

 

(thousands of dollars)

Restoration/Recovery expenses

 

 

 

     Rosita project

$                      99

 

$                      38

     Vasquez project

83

 

-

          Total restoration/recovery expenses

182

 

38

 

 

 

 

Standby care and maintenance expenses

 

 

 

     Kingsville Dome project

159

 

170

     Rosita project

93

 

69

     Vasquez project

75

 

92

     Temrezli project

79

 

98

          Total standby care and maintenance expenses

406

 

429

 

 

 

 

Exploration and evaluation costs

10

 

110

 

 

 

 

Land maintenance and holding costs

184

 

192

 

 

 

 

Total mineral property expenses

$                     782

 

$                     769

 

 

For the Three Months Ended
March 31

 

(thousands of dollars) 

 

2019

 

2018

 

Restoration/Recovery expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Vasquez and Rosita Projects

 

$

18

 

$

182

 

Total restoration/recovery expenses

 

18

 

182

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Standby care and maintenance expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Kingsville Dome Project

 

154

 

159

 

Rosita Project

 

118

 

93

 

Vasquez Project

 

73

 

75

 

Temrezli Project

 

 

79

 

Total standby care and maintenance expenses

 

345

 

406

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exploration and evaluation costs

 

80

 

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Land maintenance and holding costs

 

191

 

184

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total mineral property expenses

 

$

634

 

$

782

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2018,2019, mineral property expenses were slightly increaseddecreased by $0.2 million from the corresponding periodperiods during 2017.  This increase2018.  The decrease was mostlyprimarily due to a reduction in operating activities at the resultTemrezli Project of an increase$0.1 million due

to the revocation of the mining licenses by the government of Turkey in June 2018 and by a reduction of $0.2 million in reclamation activities forat the Vasquez project of $0.1 million during 2018, and was mostly offset by the decreaseRosita Projects due to adverse weather conditions in exploration activities in the Lithium projects of $0.1 million during 2018.2019.

General and Administrative Expenses

Significant expenditures for general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 and 2017 were:

 

For the Three Months Ended March 31,

 

2018

 

2017

 

(thousands of dollars)

Stock compensation expense

$

81

 

$

22

Salaries and payroll burden

729

 

610

Legal, accounting, public company expenses

677

 

774

Insurance and bank fees

141

 

122

Consulting and professional services

15

 

13

Office expenses

122

 

107

Other expenses

40

 

20

Total

$

1,805

 

$

1,668

General

 

 

For the Three Months Ended March 31,

 

(thousands of dollars)

 

2019

 

2018

 

Stock compensation expense

 

$

8

 

$

81

 

Salaries and payroll burden

 

684

 

729

 

Legal, accounting, public company expenses

 

845

 

677

 

Insurance and bank fees

 

142

 

141

 

Consulting and professional services

 

21

 

15

 

Office expenses

 

104

 

122

 

Other expenses

 

32

 

40

 

Total

 

$

1,836

 

$

1,805

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2019, general and administrative expensescharges increased by $0.1 milliononly slightly as compared with the corresponding period in 2017.  This increase was mostly due to increases2018.  Increases in legal, accounting and public company expenses of $0.2 million were offset by decreases in stock compensation expense of $61,000 and salaries and payroll burden of $0.1 million.salary costs.

Other Income and Expenses

Loss on Sale of Marketable Securities

During

For the three months ended March 31, 2018, we received2019, the Company sold the third tranche of 2,483,034 Laramide common shares along with 2,218,333 Laramide warrants resulting in net proceeds of $0.5 million from theand a net loss on sale of our 2,218,133 sharesmarketable securities of Laramide common stock that we received as initial consideration for the sale of our HRI assets during 2017.  We recorded a loss of $0.1 million as the difference between the fair value on the date we received the shares of $0.6 million and the proceeds received of $0.5$0.7 million.





Financial Position

Operating Activities

Net cash used in operating activities was $3.7$2.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018,2019, as compared with $3.3$3.7 million for the same period in 2017.2018. The increase of $0.4 million in cash used isdecrease was primarily due to an increase in cash used for acquisition relatednon-recurring costs of $0.8 million.  The increase in cash used was slightly offset by a decrease in cash used for payables of $0.4 million.million related to the Alabama Graphite Corp. acquisition incurred during the three months ending March 31, 2018.

Investing Activities

Net cash provided by investing activities was $0.6$1.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018,2019, as compared with $2.0$0.6 million of cash provided by investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2017.2018.  For the 2019 period, the Company received note and related interest payments on the Laramide note in the amount of $0.8 million in cash.  Additionally, the Company received net proceeds of $0.5 million from the sale of Laramide securities and $0.5 million from URC as a deposit in accordance with the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement signed on March 5, 2019.  For the 2018 period, the Company received a note payment on the Laramide note in the amount of $750,000 in cash.  Additionally, the Company received net proceeds of $0.5 million from the sale of Laramide securities.  These increases were partially offset by cash used for note advances to Alabama Graphite of $0.6 million.  For the 2017 period, cash provided of $2.0 million relates to initial proceeds from the sale of our wholly-owned subsidiary, HRI to Laramide which closed on January 5, 2017.

Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities was $0.7$0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018.  2019 from the sale of common stock through the Company’s Cantor ATM Offering agreement.

For the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company received net cash proceeds of $0.6 million and $0.1 million from the sale of common stock sold through the Company’s Aspire CSPA and Cantor ATM Offering agreements, respectively.

Net cash provided by financing activities was $7.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017.  For the three months ended March 31, 2017, net cash proceeds of $8.9 million and $4.5 million were received upon equity financings completed in January and February 2017, respectively.  This increase was offset by the repayment of $5.5 million outstanding under the RCF Loan.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

At March 31, 2018, the Company had working capital of $1.2 million, which along with the anticipated funding from the financing agreements described below is expected to provide it with the necessary liquidity through June 30, 2019.  At December 31, 2017, the Company had working capital of $3.9 million.  The decrease in working capital of $2.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was primarily due to the following:

acquisition related costs incurred for the Alabama Graphite acquisition of $0.8 million.

loan advances to Alabama Graphite to fund their operating and transaction costs of $0.6 million.

a decrease of $0.8 million in the fair value of Laramide Resources Ltd. (“Laramide”) securities as of March 31, 2018.

During 2017, the Company entered into the following financing agreements and anticipates funding from these sources to sustain operations through June 30, 2019:

Controlled Equity Offering Sales Agreement


On April 14, 2017, the Company entered into a Controlled Equity Offering Sales Agreement with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. (“Cantor”) acting as sales agent, pursuant to which the Company has registered the offer and sale from time to time of shares of its common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $30.0 million (the “ATM Offering”), of which approximately $28.6 million is available for future sales as of May 7, 2018.  The Company is unable to sell shares of its common stock through the Controlled Equity Offering Sales Agreement on dates that it places shares with Aspire Capital through its CSPA, as discussed below.


Common Stock Purchase Agreement


On September 25, 2017, the Company entered into a Common Stock Purchase Agreement (“CSPA”) with Aspire Capital Fund, LLC (“Aspire Capital”) to place up to $22.0 millionand the Cantor ATM Offering agreement, respectively.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company have been prepared on a “going concern” basis, which means that the continuation of the Company is presumed even though events and conditions exist that, when considered in the aggregate, of its common stock overraise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a term of 30 months.  Upon execution of the CSPA,going concern because it is possible that the Company issued 880,000 shares of common stockwill be required to Aspire Capitaladversely change its current business plan or may be unable to meet its obligations as they become due within one year after the date that these financial statements were issued.

The Company last recorded revenues from operations in 2009 and expects to continue to incur losses as a commitment fee.  The Company cannot sell in excessresult of 5,033,677 shares of common stock, including the 880,000 commitment shares (“Exchange Cap”), unless (i) stockholder approval is obtained, or (ii) the average price paid for all shares issued under the CSPA (including the 880,000 commitment shares) is equalcosts and expenses related to or greater than $1.38.  In addition, the Company cannot sell shares under the CSPA when the closing sales price formaintaining its common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market is less than $0.25 per





share.  As of May 7, 2018,properties and general and administrative expenses.  Since 2009, the Company has dollar capacity of $18.7 million of common stock available for futurerelied on equity financings, debt financings and asset sales limited by the Exchange Cap to the issuance of no more than an additional 2.7 million shares of common stock unless conditions (i) or (ii) above are met. See Note 8 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for further details.

The Company believes that the ATM Offeringfund its operations and the CSPA, along with its existing working capital balance, will provide it with the necessary liquidityCompany expects to rely on these forms of financing to fund its operations through June 30, 2019.into the near future. The Company will also continue to explore additional opportunities to raise capital, further monetize its non-core assets and identify ways to reduce its cash expenditures.

The Company’s current business plan requires working capital to fund non-discretionary expenditures for uranium reclamation activities, mineral property holding costs, business development costs and administrative costs.  The Company intends to pursue project financing to support execution of the graphite business plan, including discretionary capital expenditures associated with graphite battery-material product development, construction of pilot plant facilities and construction of commercial production facilities.  The Company’s current lithium business plan will be funded by working capital; however, the Company is pursuing project financing including possible joint venture partners to fund discretionary greenfield exploration activities.

At March 31, 2019 the Company’s cash balances were $1.0 million and the Company had a working capital deficit balance of $1.0 million.  Subsequent to May 7, 2019, the Company expects to fund operations as follows:

·                  Payment due June 30, 2019 or earlier in the amount of $2.25 million from sale of uranium royalty interests and the Laramide Resources Ltd. promissory note (Note 4) to Uranium Royalty Corp. (Note 5).

·                  Anticipated public equity offering for up to $10.0 million in gross proceeds, for which the Company filed a registration statement on Form S-1 on April 24, 2019.

·                  Other debt and equity financings and asset sales.

On March 13, 2018, the Nasdaq Stock Market notified Westwater that the Company did not meet Nasdaq’s $1.00 per share minimum bid price requirement under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) (the “Rule”) for continued listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market, and the Company was given an initial grace period of 180 days, or until September 10, 2018, to regain compliance with the Rule. Subsequently, on September 12, 2018, the Company was provided an additional 180-day compliance period, or until March 11, 2019, to regain compliance with the Rule.  On March 12, 2019, the Company received a letter from the Listing Qualifications Staff of Nasdaq notifying the Company that, based upon the Company’s continuing non-compliance with the Rule, the Staff had determined that the Company’s common stock would be delisted from Nasdaq.  The Company appealed the Staff’s determination and requested a hearing before a Nasdaq hearings panel, which hearing was conducted on May 2, 2019. The hearings panel has 30 days after the hearing to promulgate a formal decision.

On April 18, 2019, the Company’s shareholders approved a reverse split of not less than 1-for-5 and not more than 1-for-50.  Subsequently, the Board of Directors approved a 1-for-50 reverse split, which was effected after market close on April 22, 2019. As a result, the Company’s share price traded above the $1.00 per share minimum bid price for seven trading days prior to the hearing date and reached 10-consecutive trading days on May 6, 2019.  While the Nasdaq appeal is pending, the Company’s common stock will continue to trade on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “WWR.” There can be no assurance that the hearings panel will grant the Company’s request for continued listing. If the Company’s common stock ceases to be listed for trading on Nasdaq, the Company expects that its common stock would be traded on the over-the-counter market, which could adversely affect the market liquidity and price of the Company’s common stock.

While the Company has been successful in the past in raising funds through equity and debt financings as well as through the sale of non-core assets, no assurance can be given that additional financing will be available to it in amounts sufficient to meet the Company’sits needs, or on terms acceptable to the Company.  In the event that we are unable to raise sufficient additional funds, are not available, the Companywe may be required to materially changedelay, reduce or severely curtail our operations or otherwise impede our on-going business efforts, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, financial condition, long-term prospects and ability to continue as a viable business.  Considering all of the factors above, the Company believes there is substantial doubt regarding its business plans.ability to continue as a going concern.

Off- Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements.





CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

With the exception of historical matters, the matters discussed in this report are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from projections or estimates contained herein. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the adequacy of funding, liquidity, the timing or occurrence of any future drilling or production from the Company’s properties, the ability of the Company to acquire additional properties or partner with other companies, the potential improvements containedrealization of expected benefits from recent business combinations, the anticipated benefits from any action taken by the Trump Administration in response to the Company’s initial optimization study of the Coosa Graphite Project, the future production of graphite, including on a pilot scale,Section 232 investigation, and the Company’s anticipated cash burn rate and capital requirements. Words such as “may,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “forecast,” “potential,” “intend,” “continue,” “project” and variations of these words, comparable words and similar expressions generally indicate forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include, among others:

·the availability of capital to WWR;

·                  the availability of the Company to continue to satisfy the listing requirements of the Nasdaq Capital Market;

·the spot price and long-term contract price of graphite, uraniumvanadium, lithium and lithium;uranium;

risks associated with our foreign and domestic operations;

·the ability of WWR to enter into and successfully close acquisitions, dispositions or other material transactions, and to successfully integrate acquired businesses, including Alabama Graphite;transactions;

·government and tribal regulation of the graphite industry, uranium industry and lithiummining industry and the nuclear power industry;industry in the United States;

·operating conditions at our mining projects;

·the world-wide supply and demand of graphite, uraniumvanadium, lithium and lithium;uranium;

·weather conditions;

·unanticipated geological, processing, regulatory and legal or other problems we may encounter;

·the results of our exploration activities, and the possibility that future exploration results may be materially less promising than initial exploration result;

·any graphite, vanadium, lithium or uranium discoveries not being in high enough concentration to make it economic to extract the metals;

·currently pending or new litigation;litigation or arbitration; and

·our ability to maintain and timely receive mining and other permits from regulatory agenciesagencies.

as well as other factors described elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, our 20172018 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the other reports we file with the SEC. Most of these factors are beyond our ability to predict or control. Future events and actual results could differ materially from those set forth herein, contemplated by or underlying the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. We disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statements made herein, except as required by law.







ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

As a smaller reporting company, we are not required to provide this information in our Quarterly Reports.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management has recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management is required to apply judgment in evaluating the Company’s controls and procedures.

During the fiscal period covered by this report, the Company’s management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2018.2019.

Changes in Internal Controls

During

We implemented ASU 2016-02 as of January 1, 2019. As a result, we made the three months ended March 31, 2018,following significant modifications to internal controls over financial reporting, including changes to accounting policies and procedures, operational processes, and documentation practices:

·                  Updated our policies and procedures related to accounting for lease assets and liabilities and related income and expense.

·                  Modified our contract review controls to consider the new criteria for determining whether a contract is or contains a lease, specifically to clarify the definition of a lease and align with the concept of control.

·                  Added controls for reevaluating our significant assumptions and judgments on a quarterly basis.

·                  Added controls to address related required disclosures regarding leases, including our significant assumptions and judgments used in applying ASC 842.

Other than the items described above, there were no changes have been made in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2019 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.






PART II - OTHER INFORMATION


ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Information regarding reportable legal proceedings is contained in Part I, Item 3.,3, “Legal Proceedings,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.  The following disclosure updates2018.  There have been no material changes to the legal proceeding set forth under the heading “— Dispute Over Kleburg Settlement Agreement”proceedings previously disclosed in the 2017Annual Report on Form 10-K, to reflect developments during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and other recent legal proceedings, and should be read together with the corresponding disclosure in the 2017 Form 10-K.which are incorporated by reference herein.

DISPUTE WITH KLEBERG COUNTY

On March 23, 2018, the Supreme Court of the State of Texas issued a decision in favor of the Company’s Texas-based subsidiary, URI, Inc., (“URI”) that finally resolved a decade-long legal dispute with Kleberg County, Texas.  The dispute began in September 2007 when URI filed suit against Kleberg County in the 105th Judicial District Court for declaratory relief interpreting the December 2004 Settlement Agreement between Kleberg County and URI.  Kleberg County filed counterclaims alleging URI breached the Settlement Agreement.  The key issue in the lawsuit was the level of groundwater restoration that URI was required to achieve at its Kingsville Dome project under the Settlement Agreement.  In December 2012, the District Court ruled that URI was permitted to continue operations at the Kingsville Dome project but must continue to restore one particular well to its previous use.  The District Court also ruled that URI breached the Settlement Agreement and could not rely on 1987 data (in addition to original 1985 data) drawn from that one specific well to establish clean-up standards applicable under the Settlement Agreement for the well.  In November 2013, the Court found that neither URI nor Kleberg County were entitled to attorney’s fees.

In February 2014, Kleberg County appealed the District Court’s decision to the 13th Court of Appeals, and URI cross-appealed.  Almost two years later, in January 2016, the Court of Appeals issued a memorandum opinion that found in favor of Kleberg County on the key issue, ruling that only the 1985 data could be used to establish the clean-up standard for the one specific well.  The Court of Appeals also affirmed the District Court’s finding that URI breached the Settlement Agreement and, as a result, concluded that Kleberg County was entitled to its attorney fees for prevailing on that claim.  In March 2016, URI filed a motion for rehearing and reconsideration en banc before the Court of Appeals, and shortly thereafter the motion was denied.  


In June 2016, URI filed a petition for review with the Texas Supreme Court raising the legal question of whether a court may alter the explicit terms of an unambiguous contract (namely the 2004 Settlement Agreement) based on one party’s subjective belief regarding whether certain data (only the 1985 data for the specific well) meets the requirements of the contract.  Oral argument was held on October 12, 2017.  In its decision, issued on March 23, 2018, the Texas Supreme Court concluded that when construing an unambiguous contract courts may not allow one parties’ subjective intent to alter the plain meaning of language used in the contract.  The Supreme Court concluded that the Court of Appeals decision was a clear error, reversed that decision, ruled that URI had not breached the Settlement Agreement in relying on both 1987 and 1985 data to establish the clean-up standard for the specific well, and rendered judgment for URI and against Kleberg County.  As a result, the legal dispute between URI and Kleberg County is over and resolved in favor of URI.


LITIGATION INVOLVING ALABAMA GRAPHITE


On April 23, 2018, Westwater Resources, Inc. closed its acquisition of Alabama Graphite, and as a result Alabama Graphite became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Westwater Resources, Inc.


On June 29, 2017, Alabama Graphite, two of its officers and one director were named as defendants in a lawsuit filed in the Superior Court of Justice in Ontario, Canada and styledFabrice Taylor v. Alabama Graphite Corp., et. al., CV-17-578049.  The plaintiff in the lawsuit is the publisher of an investment newsletter and the complaint alleges that the defendants made certain postings on an internet website that were allegedly defamatory of the plaintiff and made certain oral statements to third parties that were allegedly slanderous of the plaintiff, and as a result the complaint seeks damages in the amount of CAD$3 million, unspecified punitive damages and permanent injunctive relief.  On August 9, 2017, as amended on August 29, 2017, the defendants responded to the complaint, denied the allegations contained in the complaint, filed counter-claims alleging that plaintiff made certain statements on the internet that were defamatory of the defendants, and set forth general, specific, aggravated and punitive damages in the total amount of CAD $7.0 million as well as permanent injunctive relief.  The lawsuit is still in the preliminary stages and no schedule yet exists for its resolution or a trial on the merits.





ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS.

Our business activities are subject to significant risks, including those described below. Every investor or potential investor in our securities should carefully consider these risks. If any of the described risks actually occurs, our business, financial position and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. Such risks are not the only ones we face and additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our business.

Risks Related to Our Business

There is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.

The accompanying financial statements have been no material changes from those risk factors set forthprepared assuming Westwater will continue as a going concern. This assumes continuing operations and the realization of assets and liabilities in the normal course of business.

We have incurred significant losses since ceasing production of uranium in 2009 and expect to continue to incur losses as a result of costs and expenses related to maintaining our properties and general and administrative expenses. As of March 31, 2019, we had a

net working capital deficit of approximately $1.0 million, cash of approximately $1.0 million and an accumulated deficit of approximately $295 million. As a result of our evaluation of the Company’s liquidity for the next twelve months, we have included a discussion about our ability to continue as a going concern in our Annual Report on Form 10-Kfinancial statements, and our independent auditor’s report for the year ended December 31, 2017.2018 includes an explanatory paragraph that expresses substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a “going concern.”

If we are unable to raise additional capital, our business may fail and holders of our securities may lose their entire investment.

We had approximately $1.0 million in cash at March 31, 2019 and have raised approximately $2.2 million through April 22, 2019 from payments on the promissory note due from Laramide Resources Ltd., sales of Laramide Resources stock delivered to us pursuant to the terms of the promissory note, sales under our Controlled Equity Offering Sales Agreement with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., and receipt of the deposit from Uranium Royalty Corp upon signing the Asset Purchase Agreement on March 5, 2019. On average, Westwater expended approximately $1.0 million of cash per month during 2018, which is expected to continue during 2019. However, the Company has taken measures to reduce general and administrative costs going forward and has reduced activity in Texas while preserving regulatory compliance. There can be no assurance that Westwater will be able to obtain additional capital after it exhausts its current cash. Our capital needs have, in recent years, been funded through sales of our debt and equity securities. To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the issuance of such securities would likely result in substantial dilution to existing holders of our securities. If we borrow money, we will have to pay interest and may also have to agree to restrictions that limit our operating flexibility.

If additional capital is not available in sufficient amounts or on a timely basis, Westwater will experience liquidity problems, and Westwater could face the need to delay, reduce or significantly curtail current operations, change our planned business strategies and pursue other remedial measures. Any curtailment of business operations would have a material negative effect on our business, operating results, financial condition, long-term prospects and ability to continue as a viable business, the value of our outstanding stock is likely to fall, and our business may fail, causing holders of our securities to lose their entire investment.

Westwater is not producing any minerals at this time. As a result, we currently have no sources of operating cash. If we cannot monetize certain existing assets, partner with another company that has cash resources, find other means of generating revenue other than producing graphite, vanadium, lithium or uranium and/or access additional sources of private or public capital, we may not be able to remain in business.

As a result of low uranium prices, we ceased production of uranium in 2009. We are not planning to commence production at any of our South Texas properties until we are able to acquire additional reserves or mineralized material and uranium prices recover to levels that will ensure that production, once resumed, is sustainable in the 300,000 to 500,000 pound per year range. Our ability to begin plant construction and mine development in Texas, New Mexico or Alabama is subject to availability of financing and activation of our permits and licenses. All of our lithium activities in Nevada and Utah are highly prospective and may never generate revenue. We do not have a committed source of financing for the development of our graphite, vanadium, lithium or uranium projects. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain financing for our projects. Our inability to develop our properties would have a material adverse effect on our future operations.

Until we begin graphite, vanadium, lithium or uranium production, we have no way to generate cash inflows unless we monetize certain of our assets or through financing activities. Our future graphite production is dependent on completion of processing facilities and successful implementation of graphite purification technology. Our future lithium or uranium production, cash flow and income are dependent upon the results of exploration as well as our ability to bring on new, as yet unidentified wellfields and to acquire and develop additional reserves. Our future vanadium production is dependent upon the completion of an evaluation plan that will assess the amount, location and size of vanadium concentrations at our Coosa mine in Alabama. We can provide no assurance that we will successfully produce graphite, that our properties will be placed into production or that we will be able to continue to find, develop, acquire and finance additional reserves. If we cannot monetize certain existing assets, partner with another company that has cash resources, find other means of generating revenue other than producing graphite, vanadium, lithium or uranium and/or access additional sources of private or public capital, we may not be able to remain in business and holders of our securities may lose their entire investment.

The success of our mining operations is dependent on our ability to develop our properties and then mine them at a profit sufficient to finance further mining activities and for the acquisition and development of additional properties. The volatility of graphite, vanadium, lithium and uranium prices makes long-range planning uncertain and raising capital difficult.

The success of our mining operations is dependent on our ability to develop our properties and then operate them at a profit sufficient to finance further mining activities and for the acquisition and development of additional properties. The volatility of graphite, vanadium, lithium and uranium prices makes long-range planning uncertain and raising capital difficult.

Our ability to obtain positive cash flow will be dependent on developing and then mining sufficient quantities of graphite, vanadium, lithium and uranium at a profit sufficient to finance our operations and for the acquisition and development of additional mining properties. Any profit will necessarily be dependent upon, and affected by, the long and short-term market prices of graphite, vanadium, lithium and uranium, which are subject to significant fluctuation. For example, uranium prices have been and will continue to be affected by numerous factors beyond our control, such as the demand for nuclear power, political and economic conditions in uranium producing and consuming countries, uranium supply from secondary sources and uranium production levels and costs of production. A significant, sustained drop in graphite, vanadium, lithium and uranium prices would cause us to recognize impairment of the carrying value of our graphite, vanadium, lithium, uranium or other assets.

The timing and amount of compensation relating to the revocation of the mining and exploration licenses for our Temrezli and Sefaatli projects in Turkey is yet to be determined.

On June 20, 2018, the General Directorate of Mining Affairs, a department of the Turkish Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, notified the Company that the mining and exploration licenses for its Temrezli and Sefaatli projects located in Turkey had been revoked and potential compensation would be proffered. Since 2007, Westwater’s Turkish subsidiary Adur Madencilik Limited Sirketi (“Adur”) has held the exclusive rights for the exploration and development of uranium at Temrezli and Şefaatli, two sites located around 200 kilometers from Ankara, which include the largest and highest-grade deposits of uranium known to be in Turkey. To date, Adur and its shareholders have invested substantially in these two projects, using their technical expertise and carrying out extensive drilling, testing and studies to move the projects towards production. As a direct result of Adur’s efforts, Temrezli is the most advanced uranium project in Turkey. Experts have estimated that the mine will generate revenues of up to $644 million over its life, netting Westwater an estimated future return on its investment of $267 million as described in the Prefeasibility Study completed for the Temrezli project in 2015.

Having successfully completed the exploration stage in 2013-2014, Adur was granted a number of operating licenses by the Turkish government to develop the Temrezli mine. While the Turkish authorities had variously issued, renewed and overseen these licenses for more than a decade, they now assert that these were issued by mistake and that the Turkish government has a governmental monopoly over all uranium mining activities in Turkey, in violation of Westwater’s rights under Turkish and international law.

Westwater has reached out on numerous occasions to the Turkish government to resolve this dispute amicably, to reinstate the licenses and to remedy its unlawful actions, but to no avail. As a result, on December 13, 2018 Westwater filed a Request for Arbitration against the Republic of Turkey before the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (“ICSID”), pursuant to the Treaty between the United States of America and the Republic of Turkey concerning the Reciprocal Encouragement and Protection of Investments. On December 21, 2018, ICSID advised that it had formally “registered” the Request for Arbitration.

While the Company intends to seek full and fair compensation for the licenses through the Request for Arbitration filed with ICSID, the timing of such compensation is yet to be determined. In addition, the Company can provide no assurance about the amount of any compensation, if any, and an adverse result could have an adverse impact on the Company’s financial conditions and results of operations.

We face a variety of risks related to our proposed battery-graphite manufacturing business.

We plan to develop a battery-graphite manufacturing business that produces advanced, high-quality and high-margin products for battery manufacturers. The proposed battery-graphite manufacturing business is significantly different from our historic mining operations and carries a number of risks, including, without limitation:

·                  the potential diversion of management’s attention and other resources, including available cash, from our existing mining business;

·                  unanticipated liabilities or contingencies, including related to intellectual property;

·                  the need for additional capital and other resources to expand into the battery-graphite manufacturing business;

·                  competition from better-funded public and private companies, including from producers of synthetic graphite, and competition from foreign companies that are not subject to the same environmental and other regulations as the Company; and

·                  difficulty in hiring personnel or acquiring the intellectual property rights and know-how needed for the proposed battery-graphite manufacturing business.

Entry into a new line of business may also subject us to new laws and regulations with which we are not familiar, and may lead to increased litigation and regulatory risk. Further, our battery-graphite manufacturing business model and strategy are still evolving and are continually being reviewed and revised, and we may not be able to successfully implement our business model and strategy. We may not be able to produce graphite with the characteristics needed for battery production, and we may not be able to attract a sufficiently large number of customers. Neither the Company nor any member of its management team has directly engaged in producing graphite or similar materials before, and our lack of experience may result in delays or further complications to the new business. If we are unable to successfully implement our new battery-graphite manufacturing business, our revenue and profitability may not grow as we expect, our competitiveness may be materially and adversely affected, and our reputation and business may be harmed.

In developing our proposed battery-graphite manufacturing business, we may invest significant time and resources. Initial timetables for the development of our battery-graphite manufacturing business may not be achieved. Failure to successfully manage these risks in the development and implementation of our new battery-graphite manufacturing business could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

The construction and operation of pilot plant facilities and commercial production facilities in Alabama or other manufacturing facilities are subject to regulatory approvals and may be subject to delays, cost overruns or may not produce expected benefits.

We plan to begin construction of a pilot plant for our battery-graphite manufacturing business in late 2019, for operation in 2020, followed by construction of a commercial scale processing facility beginning in 2020, for operation in 2022, that purifies readily available graphite flake concentrates to 99.95% pure carbon. Construction projects of this scale are subject to risks and will require significant capital. Any failure to complete these plants on schedule and within budget could adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Construction projects are also subject to broad and strict government supervision and approval procedures, including but not limited to project approvals and filings, construction land and project planning approvals, environment protection approvals, pollution discharge permits, work safety approvals and the completion of inspection and acceptance by relevant authorities. As a result, we may be subject to administrative uncertainty, fines or the suspension of work on such projects. To the extent we are unable to successfully complete construction on time or at all, our ability to develop our proposed battery-graphite manufacturing business could be adversely affected, which in turn could impact our growth prospects.

The Company has no known lithium or vanadium mineral reserves and it may not find any lithium or vanadium and, even if it finds lithium or vanadium, it may not be in economic quantities.

The Company has no known lithium mineral reserves at its Columbus Basin Project or its Railroad Valley Project both in Nevada, or its Sal Rica Project in Utah, and no known vanadium mineral reserves at its Coosa Project in Alabama. Additionally, even if the Company finds lithium or vanadium in sufficient quantities to warrant recovery, it ultimately may not be recoverable. Finally, even if any lithium or vanadium is recoverable, the Company does not know whether recovery can be done at a profit. Our lithium and vanadium activities are highly prospective and may not result in any benefit to the Company.

Because of the unique difficulties and uncertainties inherent in new mineral exploration ventures, the Company’s lithium exploration activities face a high risk of business failure.

Potential investors should be aware of the difficulties normally encountered by new mineral exploration ventures and the high rate of failure of such ventures. The likelihood of success of the Company’s lithium exploration activities must be considered in light of the potential problems, expenses, difficulties, complications and delays encountered in connection with the exploration of new mineral properties. These potential problems include, but are not limited to, unanticipated problems relating to exploration and additional costs and expenses that may exceed current estimates. The expenditures to be made by the Company in the exploration of its new lithium claims may not result in the discovery of lithium deposits. Problems such as unusual or unexpected formations and other conditions are involved in new mineral exploration and often result in unsuccessful exploration efforts. If the results of the Company’s new exploration ventures do not reveal viable commercial mineralization, it may decide to abandon its claims. If this happens, the Company will not benefit from any of the expenditures it will incur in pursuing the claims.

The benefits of integrating Westwater and Alabama Graphite may not be realized.

To be successful on a going forward basis, we will need to combine and integrate the operations of Westwater and Alabama Graphite into one company. Integration will require substantial management attention and could detract attention from the day-to-day business of the combined company. We could encounter difficulties in the integration process, such as the need to revisit assumptions about future production, revenues, capital expenditures and operating costs, including synergies, the loss of key employees or commercial relationships or the need to address unanticipated liabilities. If we cannot integrate Westwater’s and Alabama Graphite’s businesses successfully, we may fail to realize the expected benefits of our acquisition of Alabama Graphite.

Certain of our mineral properties may be subject to defects in title and we are at risk of loss of ownership.

Many of our mining properties are unpatented mining claims to which we have only possessory title. The validity of unpatented mining claims is often uncertain and such validity is always subject to contest. Unpatented mining claims are generally considered subject to greater title risk than patented mining claims or other real property interests that are owned in fee simple. Because unpatented mining claims are self-initiated and self-maintained, they possess some unique vulnerabilities not associated with other types of property interests. It is impossible to ascertain the validity of unpatented mining claims from public real property records, and, therefore, it can be difficult or impossible to confirm that all of the requisite steps have been followed for location, perfection and maintenance of an unpatented mining claim. The present status of our unpatented mining claims located on public lands allows us the exclusive right to remove locatable minerals, such as graphite, lithium and uranium. We are also allowed to use the surface of the land solely for purposes related to mining and processing the mineral-bearing ores. However, legal ownership of the public land remains with the federal government. We remain at risk that the mining claims may be lost either to the federal government or to rival private claimants due to failure to comply with statutory requirements. In addition, we may not have, or may not be able to obtain, all necessary surface rights to develop a property.

We may incur significant costs related to defending the title to our properties. A successful claim contesting our title to a property may cause us to compensate other persons or perhaps reduce our interest in the affected property or lose our rights to explore and develop that property. This could result in us not being compensated for our prior expenditures relating to the property.

Exploration and development of graphite, vanadium, lithium and uranium properties are risky and subject to great uncertainties.

The exploration for and development of graphite, vanadium, lithium and uranium deposits involves significant risks. It is impossible to ensure that the current and future exploration programs on our existing properties will establish reserves. Whether an ore body will be commercially viable depends on a number of factors, including, but not limited to: the particular attributes of the deposit, such as size, grade and proximity to infrastructure; graphite, vanadium, lithium and uranium prices, which cannot be predicted and which have been highly volatile in the past; mining, processing and transportation costs; perceived levels of political risk and the willingness of lenders and investors to provide project financing; availability of labor, labor costs and possible labor strikes; availability of drilling rigs; and governmental regulations, including, without limitation, regulations relating to prices, taxes, royalties, land tenure, land use, importing and exporting materials, foreign exchange, environmental protection, employment, worker safety, transportation, and reclamation and closure obligations. Most exploration projects do not result in the discovery of commercially mineable deposits of minerals and there can be no assurance that any of our exploration stage properties will be commercially mineable or can be brought into production.

We may enter into acquisitions, dispositions or other material transactions at any time.

We are regularly engaged in a review of opportunities to acquire or dispose of properties, to partner with other companies on projects or to acquire or merge with companies. We currently, and generally at any time, have such opportunities in various stages of active review, including, for example, our engagement of consultants and advisors to analyze particular opportunities, technical, financial and other confidential information, submission of indications of interest and participation in discussions or negotiations for acquisitions or dispositions. Any such acquisition or disposition could be material to us. We could issue common stock or incur additional indebtedness to fund our acquisitions. Issuances of common stock may dilute existing holders of our securities. In addition, any such acquisition, disposition or other transaction may have other transaction specific risks associated with it, including risks related to the completion of the transaction, the project or the jurisdictions in which the project is located. We could enter into one or more acquisitions, dispositions or other transactions at any time.

The developments at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Japan continue to have a negative impact on the uranium markets and public acceptance of nuclear energy is uncertain.

The developments at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant following the earthquake and tsunami that struck parts of Japan in March 2011 created heightened concerns regarding the safety of nuclear power plants and the ability to safeguard the material used to fuel nuclear power plants. The impact on the perception of the safety of nuclear power resulting from this event may cause increased volatility of uranium prices as well as uncertainty involving the continued use and expansion of nuclear power in certain

countries. A reduction in the current or the future generation of electricity from nuclear power could result in a reduced requirement for uranium to fuel nuclear power plants which may negatively impact Westwater in the future.

Maintaining the demand for uranium at current levels and future growth in demand will depend upon acceptance of nuclear technology as a means of generating electricity. The developments at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant may affect public acceptance of nuclear technology. Lack of public acceptance of nuclear technology would adversely affect the demand for nuclear power and potentially increase the regulation of the nuclear power industry.

The only significant market for uranium is nuclear power plants world-wide, and there are a limited number of customers; the nuclear power industry continues to experience an overproduction of uranium.

We are dependent on a limited number of electric utilities that buy uranium for nuclear power plants. Because of the limited market for uranium, a reduction in purchases of newly produced uranium by electric utilities for any reason (such as plant closings) would adversely affect the viability of our business.

Since 2011, the nuclear power industry continues to experience an overproduction of uranium along with high inventories of uranium in various stages of production as a fuel source. These factors impact our position in the market and can adversely impact our business.

The price of alternative energy sources affects the demand for and price of uranium.

The attractiveness of uranium as an alternative fuel to generate electricity may be dependent on the relative prices of oil, gas, coal, wind, solar and hydro-electricity and the possibility of developing other low-cost sources of energy. If the prices of alternative energy sources decrease or new low-cost alternative energy sources are developed, the demand for uranium could decrease, which may result in a decrease in the price of uranium.

The Company’s experience in uranium exploration may not apply to its plans for graphite, vanadium and lithium exploration or development.

Although the Company and the members of its management team have significant experience in uranium exploration and development that appears to be synergistic with graphite, vanadium and lithium exploration and development, neither the Company nor any member of its management team has directly engaged in the exploration for or development of graphite, vanadium or lithium deposits. In particular, the Company believes there are similarities between the exploration for and development of lithium brines and the ISR of uranium, but it may not have sufficiently detailed expertise to effectively explore for and develop lithium deposits. The Company’s lack of specific graphite, vanadium and lithium experience may lead it to fail to realize the anticipated benefits of its acquisition of Alabama Graphite or the Company’s vanadium or lithium exploration and development activities and may adversely affect its financial condition and results of operations. In addition, the Company may need to hire employees or retain consultants with the requisite experience in graphite production and vanadium or lithium exploration and development that are not currently anticipated in the near-term.

Volatility in graphite, vanadium and lithium prices may make it commercially infeasible for the Company to develop its mining claims and may result in the Company not receiving an adequate return on invested capital.

The Company’s graphite, vanadium and lithium exploration and development activities may be significantly adversely affected by volatility in the price of graphite, vanadium or lithium. Mineral prices fluctuate widely and are affected by numerous factors beyond our control such as global and regional supply and demand, interest rates, exchange rates, inflation or deflation, fluctuation in the value of the United States dollar and foreign currencies, and the political and economic conditions of mineral-producing countries throughout the world. The exact effect of these factors cannot be accurately predicted, but the combination of these factors may result in our graphite and lithium activities not producing an adequate return on invested capital to be profitable or viable.

Our operations are each subject to environmental risks.

We are required to comply with environmental protection laws, regulations and permitting requirements in the United States, and we anticipate that we will be required to continue to do so in the future. We have expended significant resources, both financial and managerial, to comply with environmental protection laws, regulations and permitting requirements, and we anticipate that we will be required to continue to do so in the future. The material laws and regulations within the U.S. include the Atomic Energy Act, Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act of 1978 (“UMTRCA”), Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Federal Land Policy Management Act, National Park System Mining Regulations Act, the State Mined Land Reclamation Acts or State Department

of Environmental Quality regulations and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and the rules and regulations of the NEPA, the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) as applicable.

We are required to comply with the Atomic Energy Act, as amended by UMTRCA, by applying for and maintaining an operating license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (“NRC”) and the State of Texas. Uranium operations must conform to the terms of such licenses, which include provisions for protection of human health and the environment from endangerment due to radioactive materials. The licenses encompass protective measures consistent with the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act. Mining operations may be subject to other laws administered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and other agencies.

The uranium industry is subject not only to the worker health and safety and environmental risks associated with all mining businesses, but also to additional risks uniquely associated with uranium ISR, mining and milling. The possibility of more stringent regulations exists in the areas of worker health and safety, storage of hazardous materials, standards for heavy equipment used in ISR, mining or milling, the disposition of wastes, the decommissioning and reclamation of exploration, mining and ISR sites, climate change and other environmental matters, each of which could have a material adverse effect on the cost or the viability of a particular project.

We cannot predict what environmental legislation, regulation or policy will be enacted or adopted in the future or how future laws and regulations will be administered or interpreted. The recent trend in environmental legislation and regulation, generally, is toward stricter standards, and this trend is likely to continue in the future. This recent trend includes, without limitation, laws and regulations relating to air and water quality, reclamation, waste handling and disposal, the protection of certain species and the preservation of certain lands. These regulations may require the acquisition of permits or other authorizations for certain activities. These laws and regulations may also limit or prohibit activities on certain lands. Compliance with more stringent laws and regulations, as well as potentially more vigorous enforcement policies or stricter interpretation of existing laws, may necessitate significant capital outlays, may materially affect our results of operations and business or may cause material changes or delay to our intended activities.

Our operations may require additional analysis in the future including environmental, cultural and social impact and other related studies. Certain activities require the submission and approval of environmental impact assessments. Environmental assessments of proposed projects carry a heightened degree of responsibility for companies and directors, officers and employees. We cannot provide assurance that we will be able to obtain or maintain all necessary permits that may be required to continue our operation or exploration of our properties or, if feasible, to commence development, construction or operation of mining facilities at such properties on terms which enable operations to be conducted at economically justifiable costs. If we are unable to obtain or maintain permits or water rights for development of our properties or otherwise fail to manage adequately future environmental issues, our operations could be materially and adversely affected.

Closure and remediation costs for environmental liabilities may exceed the provisions we have made.

Natural resource companies are required to close their operations and rehabilitate the lands in accordance with a variety of environmental laws and regulations. Estimates of the total ultimate closure and rehabilitation costs for extractive operations are significant and based principally on current legal and regulatory requirements and closure plans that may change materially. Any underestimated or unanticipated rehabilitation costs could materially affect our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. Environmental liabilities are accrued when they become known, are probable and can be reasonably estimated. Whenever a previously unrecognized remediation liability becomes known, or a previously estimated reclamation cost is increased, the amount of that liability and additional cost will be recorded at that time and could materially reduce our consolidated net income in the related period.

The laws and regulations governing closure and remediation in a particular jurisdiction are subject to review at any time and may be amended to impose additional requirements and conditions which may cause our provisions for environmental liabilities to be underestimated and could materially affect our financial position or results of operations.

Because mineral exploration and development activities are inherently risky, we may be exposed to environmental liabilities and other dangers. If we are unable to maintain adequate insurance, or liabilities exceed the limits of our insurance policies, we may be unable to continue operations.

The business of mineral exploration and extraction involves a high degree of risk. Few properties that are explored are ultimately developed into production. Unusual or unexpected formations, formation pressures, fires, power outages, labor disruptions, flooding, explosions, cave-ins, landslides and the inability to obtain suitable or adequate machinery, equipment or labor are other risks involved in extraction operations and the conduct of exploration programs. Previous mining operations may have caused environmental damage at certain of our properties. It may be difficult or impossible to assess the extent to which such damage was caused by us or by the activities of previous operators, in which case, any indemnities and exemptions from liability may be ineffective. If any of our

properties are found to have commercial quantities of minerals, we would be subject to additional risks respecting any development and production activities.

Although we carry liability insurance with respect to our mineral exploration operations, we may become subject to liability for damage to life and property, environmental damage, cave-ins or hazards against which we cannot insure or against which we may elect not to insure because of cost or other business reasons. In addition, the insurance industry is undergoing change and premiums are being increased. If we are unable to procure adequate insurance because of cost, unavailability or otherwise, we might be forced to cease operations.

Reserve and other mineralized material calculations are estimates only, and are subject to uncertainty due to factors including the prices of graphite, vanadium, lithium and uranium, inherent variability of the ore and recoverability of graphite, lithium and uranium in the recovery process.

The calculation of reserves, other mineralized material tons and grades are estimates and depend upon geological interpretation and geostatistical relationships or assumptions drawn from drilling and sampling analysis, which may prove to be unpredictable. There is a degree of uncertainty attributable to the calculation of reserves and mineralized material and their corresponding grades. Until reserves and other mineralized materials are actually mined and processed, the quantity of ore and grades must be considered as an estimate only. In addition, the quantity of reserves and other mineralized materials may vary depending on the price of graphite, vanadium, lithium and uranium. Any material change in the quantity of reserves, other mineralized materials, mineralization or grade may affect the economic viability of our properties.

Our inability to obtain financial surety would threaten our ability to continue in business.

Future financial surety requirements to comply with federal and state environmental and remediation requirements and to secure necessary licenses and approvals will increase significantly as future development and production occurs at certain of our sites in the United States. The amount of the financial surety for each producing property is subject to annual review and revision by regulators. We expect that the issuer of the financial surety instruments will require us to provide cash collateral for a significant amount of the face amount of the bond to secure the obligation. In the event we are not able to raise, secure or generate sufficient funds necessary to satisfy these requirements, we will be unable to develop our sites and bring them into production, which inability will have a material adverse impact on our business and may negatively affect our ability to continue to operate.

Competition from better-capitalized companies affects prices and our ability to acquire both properties and personnel.

There is global competition for graphite, vanadium, lithium and uranium properties, capital, customers and the employment and retention of qualified personnel. In the production and marketing of graphite, vanadium, lithium and uranium, there are a number of producing entities, some of which are government controlled and most of which are significantly larger and better capitalized than we are. Many of these organizations also have substantially greater financial, technical, manufacturing and distribution resources than we have.

Our future uranium production will also compete with uranium recovered from the de-enrichment of highly enriched uranium obtained from the dismantlement of United States and Russian nuclear weapons and imports to the United States of uranium from the former Soviet Union states and from the sale of uranium inventory held by the United States Department of Energy. In addition, there are numerous entities in the market that compete with us for properties and are attempting to become licensed to operate ISR and/or underground mining facilities. If we are unable to successfully compete for properties, capital, customers or employees or with alternative uranium sources, it could have a materially adverse effect on our results of operations.

Because we have limited capital, inherent mining risks pose a significant threat to us compared with our larger competitors.

Because we have limited capital, we may be unable to withstand significant losses that can result from inherent risks associated with mining, including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, flooding, earthquake, interruptions due to weather conditions and other acts of nature which larger competitors could withstand. Such risks could result in damage to or destruction of our infrastructure and production facilities, as well as to adjacent properties, personal injury, environmental damage and processing and production delays, causing monetary losses and possible legal liability. Our business could be harmed if we lose the services of our key personnel.

Our business and mineral exploration programs depend upon our ability to employ the services of geologists, engineers and other experts. In operating our business and in order to continue our programs, we compete for the services of professionals with other mineral exploration companies and businesses. In addition, several entities have expressed an interest in hiring certain of our employees. Our ability to maintain and expand our business and continue our exploration programs may be impaired if we are unable to continue to employ or engage those parties currently providing services and expertise to us or identify and engage other qualified

personnel to do so in their place. To retain key employees, we may face increased compensation costs, including potential new stock incentive grants and there can be no assurance that the incentive measures we implement will be successful in helping us retain our key personnel.

The Company has no history of paying dividends on its common stock, and we do not anticipate paying dividends in the foreseeable future.

The Company has not previously paid dividends on its common stock. We currently anticipate that we will retain all of our available cash, if any, for use as working capital and for other general corporate purposes. Any payment of future dividends will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend upon, among other things, our earnings, financial condition, capital requirements, level of indebtedness, statutory and contractual restrictions applicable to the payment of dividends and other considerations that our Board of Directors deems relevant.

Terms of subsequent financings may adversely impact holders of our securities.

In order to finance our future production plans and working capital needs, we may have to raise funds through the issuance of equity or debt securities. Depending on the type and the terms of any financing we pursue, holders of our securities’ rights and the value of their investment in our securities could be reduced. A financing could involve one or more types of securities including common stock, convertible debt or warrants to acquire common stock. Any issuance of additional shares of our common stock could be dilutive to existing holders of our securities and could adversely affect the market price of our common stock. These securities could be issued at or below the then prevailing market price for our common stock. We currently have no authorized preferred stock. In addition, if we issue secured debt securities, the holders of the debt would have a claim to our assets that would be prior to the rights of holders of our securities until the debt is paid. Interest on these debt securities would increase costs and negatively impact operating results. If the issuance of new securities results in diminished rights to holders of our common stock, the market price of our common stock could be negatively impacted.

We may not be able to maintain compliance with the continued listing requirements of The Nasdaq Capital Market.

On March 13, 2018, the Nasdaq Stock Market notified us that the Company did not meet Nasdaq’s $1.00 per share minimum bid price requirement under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) (the “Rule”) for continued listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market, and we were given an initial grace period of 180 days, or until September 10, 2018, to regain compliance with the Rule. Subsequently, on September 12, 2018, we were provided an additional 180 day compliance period, or until March 11, 2019, to regain compliance with the Rule.

On March 12, 2019, we received a letter from the Listing Qualifications Staff of Nasdaq (the “Staff”) notifying us that, based upon the Company’s continuing non-compliance with the Rule, the Staff had determined that our common stock would be delisted from Nasdaq unless we timely requested an appeal of such determination to a Nasdaq hearings panel. We appealed the Staff’s determination by requesting a hearing before a Nasdaq hearings panel, which hearing was held on May 2, 2019. While the appeal is pending, our common stock will continue to trade on Nasdaq under the symbol “WWR.” There can be no assurance that the hearings panel will grant our request for continued listing. If our common stock ceases to be listed for trading on Nasdaq, we expect that our common stock would be traded on the over-the-counter market.

Delisting from the Nasdaq Capital Market could adversely affect our ability to raise additional financing through the public or private sale of equity securities, significantly affect the ability of investors to trade our common stock and negatively affect the value and liquidity of our common stock. We could also face other adverse consequences if its common stock were delisted including, among others:

·                  a limited availability of market quotations for our common stock;

·                  a determination that our common stock is a “penny stock” which will require brokers trading in the common stock to adhere to more stringent rules and possibly result in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for our securities;

·                  a limited amount of news and little or no analyst coverage for the Company; and

·                  a decreased ability to issue additional securities (including pursuant to short-form registration statements on Form S-3), the loss of the ability to issue securities in “at-the-market” offerings (including pursuant to the Controlled Equity

OfferingSM Sales Agreement between the Company and Cantor Fitzgerald & Co.), or obtain additional financing in the future.

The effect of comprehensive U.S. tax reform legislation on Westwater and its affiliates, whether adverse or favorable, is uncertain.

On December 22, 2017, President Trump signed into law the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Among a number of significant changes to the current U.S. federal income tax rules, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act reduces the marginal U.S. corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%, limits the deduction for net interest expense, shifts the United States toward a more territorial tax system, and imposes new taxes to combat erosion of the U.S. federal income tax base. The effect of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on Westwater and its affiliates, whether adverse or favorable, is uncertain, and may not become evident for some period of time. You are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding the implications of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

ITEM 2.  UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

On March 24, 2017, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary Lithium Holdings Nevada LLC entered into an option agreement to purchase a block of unpatented placer mining claims covering an area of approximately 3,000 acres within the Columbus Salt Marsh area of Esmeralda County, Nevada. On March 24, 2018, the Company exercised the option and acquired the mineral property claims in exchange for 200,000 shares of WWR common stock, which were issued on April 18, 2018 and a 1% net smelter return royalty on the claims. The 200,000 shares were issued pursuant to the exemption from registration set forth in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

None.

ITEM 3.  DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.

None.

ITEM 4.  MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.

Not applicable.

ITEM 5.  OTHER INFORMATION.

None

None.

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS.


Exhibit
Number

Description

Exhibit Number

 

Description

2.1

Asset Purchase Agreement, dated March 5, 2019, among the Company, Uranium Royalty (USA) Corp., and Uranium Royalty Corp.

 

 

 

31.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

32.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

101.INS:

 

XBRL Instance Document

 

 

 

101.SCH:

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

 

 

 

101.CAL:

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

 

 

 

101.DEF:

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

 

 

 

101.LAB:

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

 

 

 

101.PRE:

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document







SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


WESTWATER RESOURCES, INC.

Dated: May 10, 20187, 2019

By:

/s/ Christopher M. Jones

 

 

Christopher M. Jones

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

Dated: May 10, 20187, 2019

By:

/s/ Jeffrey L. Vigil

 

 

Jeffrey L. Vigil

 

 

Vice President - Finance and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)




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