Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-252492
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus dated March 15, 2021)
2,000,000 Shares of Common Stock
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus relate to the offer and sale (the “offering”) from time to time of up to 2,000,000 shares (“Shares”) of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Common Stock”) of American Battery Technology Company (the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”). Sales of our Common Stock, if any, will be made directly by us at market prices, or to Tysadco Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Investor”), pursuant to the terms of a written sales agreement in substantially the form attached to this prospectus supplement as Annex A (“Sales Agreement”). See “Plan of Distribution” beginning on page S-15 of this prospectus supplement for more information regarding these arrangements.
Our Common Stock is traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”), under the symbol “ABAT.” On November 20, 2023, the last reported sale price of our Common Stock on Nasdaq was $4.11 per share.
We are a smaller reporting company under Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”) and, as such, have elected to comply with certain reduced public company reporting requirements for this prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference herein and future filings.
INVESTING IN OUR SECURITIES INVOLVES RISKS. WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU READ CAREFULLY THE RISKS WE DESCRIBE IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING BASE PROSPECTUS, AS WELL AS THE RISK FACTORS THAT ARE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING BASE PROSPECTUS FROM OUR FILINGS MADE WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. SEE “RISK FACTORS” BEGINNING ON PAGE S-5 OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND PAGE 4 OF THE ACCOMPANYING BASE PROSPECTUS.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus supplement. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus supplement is November 22, 2023
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Prospectus Supplement
Prospectus
You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus. Neither we nor any party on our behalf have authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase, the securities offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus in any jurisdiction where it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation. You should assume that the information contained in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying base prospectus, or any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying base prospectus, is accurate only as of the date of those respective documents. Neither the delivery of this prospectus supplement nor any distribution of securities pursuant to this prospectus supplement shall, under any circumstances, create any implication that there has been no change in the information set forth or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or in our affairs since the date of this prospectus supplement. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus relate to an offering of shares of our Common Stock. Before purchasing any shares of our Common Stock offered hereby, you should carefully read both this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus, together with the additional information described under the headings, “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation by Reference.”
On January 28, 2021, we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or (the “SEC”), a registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-252492) utilizing a shelf registration process relating to the securities described in this prospectus supplement, which registration statement was amended on February 25, 2021, and became effective on March 15, 2021. Under the shelf registration, we may, from time to time, offer and sell up to $250 million of our Common Stock and other securities, including in this current offering.
This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering of securities and also adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying base prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into the base prospectus and this prospectus supplement. The second part is the accompanying base prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference into the base prospectus, which provides more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering. You should read both this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus, including the information incorporated by reference herein and therein. To the extent the information contained in this prospectus supplement differs or varies from the information contained in the accompanying base prospectus or any document filed prior to the date of this prospectus supplement and incorporated herein or therein by reference, the information in this prospectus supplement will control; provided, that if any statement in one of these documents is inconsistent with a statement in another document having a later date, the statement in the document having the later date modifies or supersedes the earlier statement. In addition, this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus do not contain all of the information provided in the registration statement that we filed with the SEC that contains the accompanying base prospectus (including the exhibits to the registration statement). For further information about us, you should refer to that registration statement, which you can obtain from the SEC as described elsewhere in this prospectus supplement under “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation by Reference.” You may obtain a copy of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and any of the documents incorporated by reference without charge by requesting it from us in writing or by telephone at the following address or telephone number: American Battery Technology Company, 100 Washington Street, Suite 100 in Reno, Nevada, USA, telephone number (775) 473-4744.
You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus. We have not, and no other party on our behalf has not, authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We will not make an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus is accurate only as of the date on its cover and that any information incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, unless we indicate otherwise. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus incorporate by reference market data and industry statistics and forecasts that are based on independent industry publications and other publicly available information. Although we believe these sources are reliable, we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information and we have not independently verified this information. In addition, the market and industry data and forecasts that may be included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, or the accompanying base prospectus may involve estimates, assumptions and other risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus and under similar headings in other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying base prospectus. Accordingly, purchasers should not place undue reliance on this information.
Unless the context indicates otherwise, in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus, the terms “ABML,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our” and similar terms refer to American Battery Technology Company, together with our consolidated subsidiaries.
REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus, and the information incorporated by reference herein and therein contain or incorporate forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Such statements may include, but are not limited to, information related to: anticipated operating results; relationships with our customers; consumer demand; financial resources and condition; changes in revenues; changes in profitability; cost of sales; selling, general and administrative expenses; interest expense; the ability to produce the liquidity or enter into agreements to acquire the capital necessary to continue our operations and take advantage of opportunities; and legal proceedings and claims. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “seeks,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “potential,” “predicts,” “projects,” “should,” “would,” and similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements. Accordingly, these statements involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in them. Forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
The factors described under “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement and in any documents incorporated by reference herein, and other factors could cause our or our industry’s future results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated or expressed in any of our forward-looking statements. We operate in a continually changing business environment, and new risk factors emerge from time to time. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have material adverse effects on our future results, performance or achievements. We cannot assure you that projected results or events will be achieved or will occur.
You should read this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus, and the information incorporated by reference herein and therein, completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from our expectations. You should not assume that the information contained in such documents is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front cover of such documents.
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY
This summary description about us and our business highlights selected information contained elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus. It does not contain all the information you should consider before investing in our securities. Important information is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. To understand this offering fully, you should read carefully this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in their entirety, including “Risk Factors” included in this prospectus and incorporated by reference, “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the financial statements and the notes to those financial statements incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus, together with the additional information described under “Incorporation by Reference.”
American Battery Technology Company is a recent entrant in the lithium–ion battery industry that is working to increase the domestic US production of battery materials, such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese through its engagement in the exploration of new primary resources of battery metals, in the development and commercialization of new technologies for the extraction of these battery metals from primary resources, and in the commercialization of an internally developed integrated process for the recycling of lithium–ion batteries. Through this three–pronged approach, the Company is working to both increase the domestic production of these battery materials, and to ensure spent batteries have their elemental battery metals returned to the domestic manufacturing supply chain in an economical, environmentally-friendly, closed–loop fashion.
To implement this business strategy, the Company is currently constructing its first integrated lithium–ion battery recycling facility, which will take in waste and end–of–life battery materials from the electric vehicle, stationary storage, and consumer electronics industries. The construction, commissioning, and operations of this facility are of the highest priority to the Company, and as such it has significantly increased the resources devoted to its execution including the further internal hiring of technical staff, expansion of laboratory facilities, and purchasing of equipment. The Company has been awarded a competitively bid grant from the US Advanced Battery Consortium to accelerate the development and demonstration of this pre–commercial scale integrated lithium–ion battery recycling facility. The Company has been notified that it has been selected for an additional grant award under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to validate, test, and deploy three disruptive advanced separation and processing technologies in its existing lithium-ion battery recycling facilities.
Additionally, the Company is accelerating the demonstration and commercialization of its internally developed low–cost and low–environmental impact processing train for the manufacturing of battery grade lithium hydroxide from Nevada–based sedimentary claystone resources. The Company has been awarded a grant cooperative agreement from the US Department of Energy’s Advanced Manufacturing Office through the Critical Materials Innovation program to support the construction and operation of a multi–ton per day integrated continuous demonstration system to support the scale–up and commercialization of these technologies. The Company has been notified that it has been selected for an additional grant award under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to design, construct, and commission a first-of-kind commercial manufacturing facility to produce battery-grade lithium hydroxide from this resource.
The Company’s corporate headquarters are in Reno, Nevada, USA. It is also constructing a pilot plant for recycling lithium-ion batteries in Fernley, Nevada, USA, and completing a build-out of a commercial lithium-ion battery recycling facility in the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center, and its exploration office is located in Tonopah, Nevada, USA.
The Company was incorporated as Oroplata Resources, Inc. under the laws of the State of Nevada on October 6, 2011, for the purpose of acquiring rights to mineral properties with the eventual objective of being a producing mineral company. On August 8, 2016, the Company formed Lithortech Resources Inc. as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company to serve as its operating subsidiary for lithium resource exploration and development. On June 29, 2018, the Company changed the name of Lithortech Resources to LithiumOre Corp. (“LithiumOre”); on May 3, 2019, the Company changed its name to American Battery Metals Corporation; and on August 12, 2021, the Company changed its name to American Battery Technology Company, which better aligns with the Company’s current business activities and future objectives. The Company has limited operating history and has not yet generated or realized revenues from its primary business activities. On September 11, 2023, the Company effected a one-for-fifteen (1:15) reverse stock split (the “Reverse Stock Split”) of the Company’s authorized, issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock, and the authorized shares of preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share (the “Preferred Stock”). All share numbers and prices herein reflect the effectiveness of the Reverse Stock Split.
Our mailing address and telephone number of our principal executive offices are:
American Battery Technology Company
100 Washington Street, Suite 100
Reno, Nevada 89503
Tel: (775) 473-4744
THE OFFERING
Shares of Common Stock Offered | | 2,000,000 Shares of Common Stock |
Common Stock outstanding prior to offering | | 47,756,851 shares of Common Stock |
Common Stock to be outstanding following this offering | | 49,756,851 shares of Common Stock, assuming the sale of 2,000,000 Shares. |
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Plan of Distribution | | Sales of our Common Stock, if any, will be made directly by us to purchasers at market prices, or to Investor pursuant to the terms of the Sales Agreement at a price per share equal to 95% of the lowest volume weighted average price (VWAP) of any trading day reported by the Principal Market (as defined in the Sales Agreement) during the five (5) trading days immediately preceding the date of the applicable Sales Agreement. See “Plan of Distribution” on page S-15 of this prospectus supplement. |
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Use of proceeds | | We intend to use the net proceeds that we receive from this offering, if any, for general corporate purposes which may include working capital and capital expenditures. See “Use of Proceeds” on page S-11 of this prospectus supplement. |
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Dividend Policy | | We do not anticipate declaring or paying any cash dividends to holders of our Common Stock in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain future earnings, if any, to finance the growth of our business. If we decide to pay cash dividends in the future, the declaration and payment of such dividends will be at the sole discretion of our board of directors and may be discontinued at any time. In determining the amount of any future dividends, our board of directors will take into account any legal or contractual limitations, our actual and anticipated future earnings, cash flow, debt service and capital requirements and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant. |
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Nasdaq symbol | | “ABAT.” |
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Risk Factors | | An investment in our Common Stock involves a high degree of risk. See the section entitled “Risk Factors” included in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, incorporated by reference herein, and any other risk factors described in the documents incorporated by reference herein, for a discussion of certain factors to consider carefully before deciding to invest in our Common Stock. |
Unless we indicate otherwise, all information in this prospectus is based on 47,756,851 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of November 20, 2023, and excludes, as of that date, approximately 5,696,026 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants, with a weighted average exercise price was $14.61 per share.
Unless otherwise stated, all information in this prospectus assumes no exercise of the outstanding warrants described above into Common Stock.
RISK FACTORS
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. In addition to other information contained in this prospectus supplement and in the accompanying base prospectus, before investing in our securities, you should carefully consider the risks described under the heading “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K and in any other documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, as updated by our future filings. These risks are not the only ones faced by us. Additional risks not known or that are deemed immaterial could also materially and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, our products, business and prospects. Any of these risks might cause you to lose all or a part of your investment. See also “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
RISKS RELATED TO THE OFFERING
The number of shares of our Common Stock available for future issuance or sale could adversely affect the per share trading price of our Common Stock.
We cannot predict whether future issuances or sales of our Common Stock or the availability of shares for resale in the open market will decrease the per share trading price of our Common Stock. The issuance of a substantial number of shares of our Common Stock in the public market or the perception that such issuances might occur could adversely affect the per share trading price of our Common Stock. In addition to the shares being registered pursuant to this prospectus supplement, we have issued pursuant to the base prospectus or registered for resale a total of 9,166,972 shares in connection with several transactions that have occurred during the last two fiscal years.
If you purchase securities sold in this offering, you will experience immediate dilution as a result of this offering.
Because the price per share of our Common Stock being offered may be higher than the net tangible book value per share of our Common Stock, you will experience dilution to the extent of the difference between the offering price per share of Common Stock you pay in this offering and the net tangible book value per share of our Common Stock immediately after this offering. Our net tangible book value as of September 30, 2023, was approximately $59.2 million, or $1.28 per share. Net tangible book value per share is equal to our total tangible assets minus total liabilities, all divided by the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding.
If you purchase shares of our securities in this offering, you may experience future dilution as a result of future equity offerings or other equity issuances.
In order to raise additional capital, we believe that we will offer and issue additional shares of our Common Stock or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for our Common Stock in the future. We cannot assure you that we will be able to sell shares or other securities in any other offering at a price per share that is equal to or greater than the price per share paid by purchasers in this offering, and investors purchasing other securities in the future could have rights superior to existing stockholders. The price per share at which we sell additional shares of our Common Stock or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for our Common Stock in future transactions may be higher or lower than the price per share in this offering.
In addition, we have a significant number of warrants outstanding. To the extent that outstanding warrants have been or may be exercised or other shares issued, you may experience further dilution. Further, we may choose to raise additional capital due to market conditions or strategic considerations even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans.
The Common Stock offered hereby will be sold, if at all, from time to time in the Company’s discretion, and investors who buy shares at different times will likely pay different prices.
Investors who purchase shares in this offering at different times will likely pay different prices, and so may experience different levels of dilution, and different outcomes in their investment results. We will have discretion, subject to market demand, to vary the timing, prices, and numbers of shares sold in this offering. Investors may experience a decline in the value of the shares they purchase in this offering as a result of sales made at prices lower than the prices they paid.
Management will have broad discretion as to the use of the proceeds from this offering, and we may not use the proceeds effectively.
We have not allocated specific amounts of the net proceeds from this offering for any specific purpose. Accordingly, our management will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds from this offering and could spend the proceeds in ways that you do not agree with or that do not improve our results of operations or enhance the value of our Common Stock. See “Use of Proceeds.” Our failure to apply these funds effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial results, operating results or cash flow and could cause the price of our Common Stock to decline.
The market price of our Common Stock has been, and may continue to be, highly volatile, and such volatility could cause the market price of our Common Stock to decrease and could cause you to lose some or all of your investment in our Common Stock.
During the first fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2023, the market price of our Common Stock fluctuated from a high of $13.78 per share to a low of $7.53 per share, and our stock price continues to fluctuate. The market price of our Common Stock may continue to fluctuate significantly in response to numerous factors, some of which are beyond our control, such as:
| ● | our ability to generate revenue and develop a consistent customer base; |
| ● | our ability to develop and scale our proprietary technology; |
| ● | the announcement and acceptance of new products or technology or related enhancements by us or our competitors; |
| ● | developments concerning regulatory oversight and approvals; |
| ● | variations in our and our competitors’ results of operations; |
| ● | successes or challenges in our collaborative arrangements or alternative funding sources; |
| ● | developments in our industry generally; |
| ● | future issuances of Common Stock or other securities; |
| ● | the addition or departure of key personnel; |
| ● | announcements by us or our competitors of acquisitions, investments or strategic alliances; and |
| ● | general market conditions and other factors, including factors unrelated to our operating performance. |
Further, the stock market in general, and our industry in particular, has recently experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations. The volatility of our Common Stock is further exacerbated due to its low trading volume. Continued market fluctuations could result in extreme volatility in the price of our Common Stock, which could cause a decline in the value of our Common Stock and the loss of some or all of your investment.
RISKS RELATING TO OUR COMPANY
Since we have a limited operating history and have not commenced revenue-producing operations, it is difficult for potential investors to evaluate our business.
Since formation, we have not commenced revenue-producing operations. To date, our operations have consisted of the prior exploratory activities, development and limited testing of our recycling process and the development of our business plan. Our limited operating history makes it difficult for potential investors to evaluate our technology or prospective operations. As an early-stage company, we are subject to all the risks inherent in the initial organization, financing, expenditures, complications and delays in a new business. Investors should evaluate an investment in us in light of the uncertainties encountered by developing companies in a competitive environment. There can be no assurance that our efforts will be successful or that we will ultimately be able to attain profitability.
We may need additional financing to execute our business plan and fund operations, which additional financing may not be available on reasonable terms or at all.
We believe that we will require significant working capital in the near term in order to fund our current operations. We will likely need to raise capital over the next 12 months to satisfy such requirements, the receipt of which cannot be assured. We will also require significant capital in order to fully develop our recycling facilities. We intend to seek additional funds through various financing sources, including the private sale of our equity and debt securities, joint ventures with capital partners and project financing of our recycling facilities. In addition, we will consider alternatives to our current business plan that may enable to us to achieve revenue producing operations and meaningful commercial success with a smaller amount of capital. However, there can be no guarantees that such funds will be available on commercially reasonable terms, if at all. If such financing is not available on satisfactory terms, we may be unable to further pursue our business plan and we may be unable to continue operations, in which case you may lose your entire investment.
We must effectively manage the growth of our operations, or our company will suffer.
Our ability to successfully implement our business plan requires an effective planning and management process. If funding is available, we may elect to increase the scope of our operations and acquire complementary businesses. Implementing our business plan will require significant additional funding and resources. If we grow our operations, we will need to hire additional employees and make significant capital investments. If we grow our operations, it will place a significant strain on our existing management and resources. Additionally, we will need to improve our financial and managerial controls and reporting systems and procedures, and we will need to expand, train and manage our workforce. Any failure to manage any of the foregoing areas efficiently and effectively would cause our business to suffer.
We may be unable to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, and as a result we may be unable to accurately report our financial results.
Our reporting obligations as a public company place a significant strain on our management, operational and financial resources and systems. We do not currently have effective internal controls. If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we could experience delays or inaccuracies in our reporting of financial information, or non-compliance with the Commission, reporting and other regulatory requirements. This could subject us to regulatory scrutiny and result in a loss of public confidence in our management, which could, among other things, cause our stock price to drop.
We have been and expect to be significantly dependent on consulting agreements for the development of our battery recycling facilities, which exposes us to the risk of reliance on the performance of third parties.
In developing our battery recycling technology, we rely to some extent on consulting agreements with third parties as the Company does not have the resources to employ all the necessary staff required for such activities. The failure to obtain and maintain such consulting agreements would substantially disrupt or delay our battery recycling activities. Any such loss would likely increase our expenses and materially harm our business, financial condition and results of operation.
If we are not successful in attracting and retaining highly qualified personnel, we may not be able to successfully implement our business strategy. In addition, the loss of the services of certain key employees would adversely impact our business prospects.
If we are not successful in attracting and retaining highly qualified personnel, we may not be able to successfully implement our business strategy. In addition, the loss of the services of certain key employees, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Technology Officer, would adversely impact our business prospects. Our ability to compete in the highly competitive battery recycling technology business depends in large part upon our ability to attract highly qualified managerial, scientific, and engineering personnel. In order to induce valuable employees to remain with us, we intend to provide employees with stock grants that vest over time. The value to employees of stock grants that vest over time will be significantly affected by movements in our stock price that we will not be able to control and may at any time be insufficient to counteract more lucrative offers from other companies. Other technology companies with which we compete for qualified personnel have greater financial and other resources, different risk profiles, and a longer history in the industry than we do. They also may provide more diverse opportunities and better chances for career advancement. Some of these characteristics may be more appealing to high-quality candidates than what we have to offer. If we are unable to continue to attract and retain high-quality personnel, the rate and success at which we can develop and commercialize products would be limited.
RISKS RELATING TO OUR BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
Battery recycling is a highly competitive and speculative business and we may not be successful in seeking available opportunities.
The process of battery recycling is a highly competitive and speculative business. In seeking available opportunities, we will compete with a number of other companies, including established, multi-national companies that have more experience and resources than we do. There also may be other small companies that are developing similar processes and are farther along than the Company. Because we may not have the financial and managerial resources to compete with other companies, we may not be successful in our efforts to develop technology which is commercially viable.
Our new business model has not been proven by us or anyone else.
We intend to engage in the business of lithium recycling through a proprietary recycling technology. While the production of lithium-ion recycling is an established business, to date most lithium-ion recycling has been produced by way of performing bulk high temperature calcinations or bulk acid dissolutions. We have developed a highly strategic recycling processing train that does not employ any high temperature operations or any bulk chemical treatments of the full battery. We have tested our recycling process on a small scale and to a limited degree; however, there can be no assurance that we will be able to produce battery metals in commercial quantities at a cost of production that will provide us with an adequate profit margin. The uniqueness of our process presents potential risks associated with the development of a business model that is untried and unproven.
While the testing of our recycling process has been successful to date, there can be no assurance that we will be able to replicate the process, along with all of the expected economic advantages, on a large commercial scale.
As of the date of this prospectus, we have built and operated our recycling process on a very small scale. While we believe that our development and testing to date has proven the concept of our recycling process, we have not undertaken the build-out or operation of a large-scale facility capable of recycling large commercial quantities. There can be no assurance that as we commence large scale manufacturing or operations that we will not incur unexpected costs or hurdles that might restrict the desired scale of our intended operations or negatively impact our projected gross profit margin.
Our intellectual property rights may not be adequate to protect our business.
We currently do not hold any patents for our products. Although we expect to file applications related to our technology, no assurances can be given that any patent will be issued on such patent applications or that, if such patents are issued, they will be sufficiently broad to adequately protect our technology. In addition, we cannot assure you that any patents that may be issued to us will not be challenged, invalidated, or circumvented. Even if we are issued patents, they may not stop a competitor from illegally using our patented processes and materials. In such event, we would incur substantial costs and expenses, including lost time of management in addressing and litigating, if necessary, such matters. Additionally, we rely upon a combination of trade secret laws and nondisclosure agreements with third parties and employees having access to confidential information or receiving unpatented proprietary know-how, trade secrets and technology to protect our proprietary rights and technology. These laws and agreements provide only limited protection. We can give no assurance that these measures will adequately protect us from misappropriation of proprietary information.
Our processes may infringe on the intellectual property rights of others, which could lead to costly disputes or disruptions.
The applied science industry is characterized by frequent allegations of intellectual property infringement. Though we do not expect to be subject to any of these allegations, any allegation of infringement could be time consuming and expensive to defend or resolve, result in substantial diversion of management resources, cause suspension of operations or force us to enter into royalty, license, or other agreements rather than dispute the merits of such allegation. If patent holders or other holders of intellectual property initiate legal proceedings, we may be forced into protracted and costly litigation. We may not be successful in defending such litigation and may not be able to procure any required royalty or license agreements on acceptable terms or at all.
Our business strategy includes entering into joint ventures and strategic alliances. Failure to successfully integrate such joint ventures or strategic alliances into our operations could adversely affect our business.
We propose to commercially exploit our recycling process, in part, by entering into joint ventures and strategic relationships with parties involved in the manufacture and recycling of lithium-ion products. Joint ventures and strategic alliances may involve significant other risks and uncertainties, including distraction of management’s attention away from normal business operations, insufficient revenue generation to offset liabilities assumed and expenses associated with the transaction, and unidentified issues not discovered in our due diligence process, such as product quality, technology issues and legal contingencies. In addition, we may be unable to effectively integrate any such programs and ventures into our operations. Our operating results could be adversely affected by any problems arising during or from any joint ventures or strategic alliances.
If we are unable to manage future expansion effectively, our business, operations and financial condition may suffer significantly, resulting in decreased productivity.
If our recycling process proves to be commercially valuable, it is likely that we will experience a rapid growth phase that could place a significant strain on our managerial, administrative, technical, operational and financial resources. Our organization, procedures and management may not be adequate to fully support the expansion of our operations or the efficient execution of our business strategy. If we are unable to manage future expansion effectively, our business, operations and financial condition may suffer significantly, resulting in decreased productivity.
The global economic conditions could negatively affect our prospects for growth and operating results.
Our prospects for growth and operating results will be directly affected by the general global economic conditions of the industries in which our suppliers, partners and customer groups operate. We believe that the market price of our principal product, recycled lithium- ion, is relatively volatile and reacts to general global economic conditions. A decline in the price of lithium-ion resulting from over supply or a global economic slowdown and the other global economic conditions could negatively affect our business. There can be no assurance that global economic conditions will not, at times, negatively impact our liquidity, growth prospects and results of operations.
Government regulation and environmental, health and safety concerns may adversely affect our business.
Our operations in the United States will be subject to the Federal, State and local environmental, health and safety laws applicable to the reclamation of lithium-ion batteries. Depending on how any particular operation is structured, our facilities will probably have to obtain environmental permits or approvals to operate, including those associated with air emissions, water discharges, and waste management and storage. We may face opposition from local residents or public interest groups to the installation and operation of our facilities. Failure to secure (or significant delays in securing) the necessary approvals could prevent us from pursuing some of our planned operations and adversely affect our business, financial results and growth prospects. In addition to permitting requirements, our operations are subject to environmental health, safety and transportation laws and regulations that govern the management of and exposure to hazardous materials such as the heavy metals and acids involved in battery reclamation. These include hazard communication and other occupational safety requirements for employees, which may mandate industrial hygiene monitoring of employees for potential exposure to hazardous materials. Failure to comply with these requirements could subject our business to significant penalties (civil or criminal) and other sanctions that could adversely affect our business.
The nature of our operations involves risks, including the potential for exposure to hazardous materials such as heavy metals, that could result in personal injury and property damage claims from third parties, including employees and neighbors, which claims could result in significant costs or other environmental liability. Our operations also pose a risk of releases of hazardous substances, such as heavy metals or acids, into the environment, which can result in liabilities for the removal or remediation of such hazardous substances from the properties at which they have been released, liabilities which can be imposed regardless of fault, and our business could be held liable for the entire cost of cleanup even if we were only partially responsible. Like any manufacturer, we are also subject to the possibility that we may receive notices of potential liability in connection with materials that were sent to third-party recycling, treatment, or disposal facilities under the Federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (“CERCLA”), and comparable state statutes, which impose liability for investigation and remediation of contamination without regard to fault or the legality of the conduct that contributed to the contamination, and for damages to natural resources. Liability under CERCLA is retroactive, and, under certain circumstances, liability for the entire cost of a cleanup can be imposed on any responsible party.
In the event we are unable to present and operate our recycling process and operations as safe and environmentally responsible, we may face opposition from local governments, residents or public interest groups to the installation and operation of our facilities.
RISKS RELATED TO AN INVESTMENT IN OUR SECURITIES
We expect to experience volatility in the price of our Common Stock, which could negatively affect stockholders’ investments.
The trading price of our Common Stock may be highly volatile and could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to various factors, some of which are beyond our control. The stock market in general has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of companies with securities traded in those markets. Broad market and industry factors may seriously affect the market price of companies’ stock, including ours, regardless of actual operating performance. All of these factors could adversely affect your ability to sell your shares of Common Stock or, if you are able to sell your shares, to sell your shares at a price that you determine to be fair or favorable.
The relative lack of public company experience of our management team could adversely impact our ability to comply with the reporting requirements of U.S. securities laws.
Our management team lacks significant public company experience, which could impair our ability to comply with legal and regulatory requirements such as those imposed by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Our senior management has little experience in managing a publicly traded company. Such responsibilities include complying with federal securities laws and making required disclosures on a timely basis. Our senior management may not be able to implement programs and policies in an effective and timely manner that adequately respond to such increased legal, regulatory compliance and reporting requirements, including the establishing and maintaining of internal controls over financial reporting. Any such deficiencies, weaknesses or lack of compliance could have a materially adverse effect on our ability to comply with the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, which is necessary to maintain our public company status. If we were to fail to fulfill those obligations, our ability to continue as a U.S. public company would be in jeopardy, we could be subject to the imposition of fines and penalties and our management would have to divert resources from attending to our business plan.
The elimination of monetary liability against our directors, officers and employees under Nevada law and the existence of indemnification rights for or obligations to our directors, officers and employees may result in substantial expenditures by us and may discourage lawsuits against our directors, officers and employees.
Our articles of incorporation (as amended, “Articles of Incorporation”) contain a provision permitting us to eliminate the personal liability of our directors to us and our stockholders for damages for the breach of a fiduciary duty as a director or officer to the extent provided by Nevada law. We may also have contractual indemnification obligations under any future employment agreements with our officers. The foregoing indemnification obligations could result in us incurring substantial expenditures to cover the cost of settlement or damage awards against directors and officers, which we may be unable to recoup. These provisions and the resulting costs may also discourage us from bringing a lawsuit against directors and officers for breaches of their fiduciary duties, and may similarly discourage the filing of derivative litigation by our stockholders against our directors and officers even though such actions, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our stockholders.
We may issue additional shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock in the future, which could cause significant dilution to all stockholders.
Our Articles of Incorporation authorize the issuance of up to 81,667,000 shares, including 80,000,000 shares of Common Stock and 1,667,000 shares of Preferred Stock, each with a $0.001 par value per share. As of November 20, 2023, we had 47,756,851 shares of Common Stock outstanding and no shares of Preferred Stock outstanding; however, we may issue additional shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock in the future in connection with a financing or an acquisition. Such issuances may not require the approval of our stockholders. In addition, certain of our outstanding rights to purchase additional shares of Common Stock or securities convertible into our Common Stock are subject to some form of anti-dilution protection, which could result in the right to purchase significantly more shares of Common Stock being issued or a reduction in the purchase price for any such shares or both. Any issuance of additional shares of our Common Stock, or equity securities convertible into our Common Stock, including but not limited to, preferred stock, warrants and options, will dilute the percentage ownership interest of all stockholders, may dilute the book value per share of our Common Stock, and may negatively impact the market price of our Common Stock.
Anti-takeover effects of certain provisions of Nevada state law hinder a potential takeover of us.
Certain provisions of the Nevada Revised Statutes have anti-takeover effects and may inhibit a non-negotiated merger or other business combination. These provisions are intended to encourage any person interested in acquiring us to negotiate with, and to obtain the approval of, our board of directors in connection with such a transaction. However, certain of these provisions may discourage a future acquisition of us, including an acquisition in which the stockholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares. As a result, stockholders who might desire to participate in such a transaction may not have the opportunity to do so.
USE OF PROCEEDS
We may issue and sell up to 2,000,000 shares of our Common Stock from time to time under this prospectus supplement and accompanying base prospectus. The amount of proceeds from this offering will depend on the number of shares of our Common Stock sold and the market price at which they are sold. There can be no assurance that we will be able to sell any Shares. Because there is no minimum offering amount required as a condition to close this offering, the net proceeds to us, if any, are not determinable at this time.
We intend to use the net proceeds that we receive from this offering, if any, for general corporate purposes which may include working capital and capital expenditures. Our management will retain broad discretion in the allocation and use of the net proceeds of this offering, and investors will be relying on the judgment of our management with regard to the use of these net proceeds. The precise amount, use and timing of the application of such proceeds will depend on our funding requirements and the availability and cost of other capital.
Until we use the net proceeds of this offering for the above purposes, we intend to invest the funds in short-term, investment grade, interest-bearing securities. We cannot predict whether the proceeds invested will yield a favorable return. We have not yet determined the amount or timing of the expenditures for the categories listed above, and these expenditures may vary significantly depending on a variety of factors. As a result, we will retain broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds from this offering.
DIVIDEND POLICY
We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our Common Stock. We currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings to support our operations and finance the growth and development of our business. We do not intend to pay cash dividends on our Common Stock for the foreseeable future. Any future determination related to our dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our Board of Directors.
The current and future holders of our Common Stock are entitled to receive dividends pro rata based on the number of shares held, when and if declared by our board of directors, from funds legally available for that purpose. Nevada Revised Statutes prohibits us from declaring dividends where, after giving effect to the distribution of the dividend, we would not be able to pay our debts as they become due in the ordinary course of business, or our total assets would be less than the sum of our total liabilities.
Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws do not contain provisions restricting our ability to pay dividends of our Common Stock.
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth our consolidated cash and cash equivalents and capitalization as of September 30, 2023. Such information is set forth on the following basis:
| ● | on an actual basis; and |
| | |
| ● | on an unaudited, as adjusted basis to reflect the issuance and sale by us of 2,000,000 shares of our Common Stock in this offering at an assumed average sales price of $4.11 per share (which was the closing price of our Common Stock on Nasdaq on November 20, 2023), after deducting, in each case, commissions and estimated offering expenses, payable by us, of approximately 5.0%. |
You should read this information together with the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus, and our consolidated financial statements and related notes incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus.
| | As of September 30, 2023 |
| | Actual | | As adjusted |
| | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 5,457,540 | | | $ | 13,266,540 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total liabilities | | | 24,749,731 | | | | 24,749,731 | |
Stockholders’ equity: | | | | | | | | |
Preferred Stock: 1,666,667 shares of Preferred Stock authorized, of which the Company has designated 33,334 shares as Series A Preferred Stock with a par value of $0.001 per share, nil shares of Series A Preferred Stock issued and outstanding; 133,334 shares as Series B Preferred Stock with a par value of $10.00 per share, nil shares of Series B Preferred Stock issued and outstanding; and 66,667 shares as Series C Preferred Stock with a par value of $10.00 per share, and nil shares of Series C Preferred Stock issued and outstanding | | | - | | | | - | |
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share; 80,000,000 shares authorized; 46,304,354 shares outstanding actual; 48,304,354 shares outstanding as adjusted | | | 46,306 | | | | 48,306 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 226,317,285 | | | | 234,126,285 | |
Common stock issuable | | | 37,500 | | | | 37,500 | |
Accumulated deficit | | | (167,205,560 | ) | | | (167,205,560 | ) |
Total stockholders’ equity | | $ | 59,195,531 | | | $ | 67,006,531 | |
The above table and discussion excludes approximately 5,696,026 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants, with a weighted average exercise price was $14.61 per share.
DILUTION
If you invest in this offering, your ownership interest will be immediately diluted to the extent of the difference between the public offering price per share and the as adjusted net tangible book value per share after giving effect to this offering. We calculate net tangible book value per share by dividing the net tangible book value, which is the total tangible assets less total liabilities, by the number of outstanding shares of our Common Stock. Dilution represents the difference between the portion of the amount per share paid by purchasers of shares in this offering and the as adjusted net tangible book value per share of our Common Stock immediately after giving effect to this offering.
After giving effect to the adjustments described in the “Capitalization” section, our net tangible book value as of September 30, 2023, would have been approximately $67,006,531 million or approximately $1.39 per share of Common Stock. This represents an immediate increase in the net tangible book value of approximately $0.11 per share to our existing stockholders and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value of approximately $2.72 per share to new investors.
The following table illustrates this per share dilution based on shares outstanding as of September 30, 2023:
Public offering price per share of Common Stock | | $ | 4.11 | |
Net tangible book value per share as of September 30, 2023 | | $ | 1.28 | |
Increase in net tangible book value per share attributable to existing investors | | $ | 0.11 | |
As adjusted net tangible book value per share as of September 30, 2023, after giving effect to this offering | | $ | 1.39 | |
Dilution in net tangible book value per share to new investors in this offering | | $ | 2.72 | |
The above table and discussion excludes approximately 5,696,026 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants, with a weighted average exercise price of $14.61 per share and a weighted average remaining term of 2.62 years.
The table above assumes for illustrative purposes the issuance and sale by us of 2,000,000 shares of our Common Stock in this offering at an assumed sales price of $4.11 per share (which was the closing price of our Common Stock on Nasdaq on November 20, 2023). The Shares, if sold, may be sold from time to time at various prices.
DESCRIPTION OF REGISTRANT’S SECURITIES
The following description of our capital stock is not complete and may not contain all the information you should consider before investing in our capital stock. This description is summarized from, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws which have been publicly filed with the SEC. See “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation by Reference.”
Authorized and Outstanding Securities
The Company is authorized to issue two classes of shares, designated “Common Stock” and “Preferred Stock.” The total number of shares that the Company is authorized to issue is 81,666,667. The Company is authorized to issue 1,666,667 shares of Preferred Stock, of which the Company has designated 33,334 shares as Series A Preferred Stock with a $0.001 par value per share, 133,334 shares as Series B Preferred Stock with a $10.00 par value per share, and 66,667 shares as Series C Preferred Stock with a $10.00 par value per share. The number of shares of Common Stock which the Company is authorized to issue is 80,000,000 with a $0.001 par value per share. As of November 20, 2023, there were nil shares of Series A Preferred Stock, nil shares of Series B Preferred Stock, nil shares of Series C Preferred Stock, and 47,756,851 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding.
Common Stock
The holders of our Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters requiring a vote of the stockholders, including the election of directors. Holders of Common Stock do not have cumulative voting rights. Holders of Common Stock are entitled to share ratably in dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by the Board in its discretion from funds legally available therefor, subject to preferences that may be applicable to preferred stock, if any, then outstanding. At present, we have no plans to issue dividends. See “Dividend Policy” for additional information. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the holders of Common Stock are entitled to share pro rata all assets remaining after payment in full of all liabilities, subject to prior distribution rights of preferred stock, if any, then outstanding. The Common Stock has no preemptive or conversion rights or other subscription rights. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the Common Stock.
Preferred Stock
Our Articles of Incorporation authorize shares of Preferred Stock and provide that shares of Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. Our board of directors will be authorized to fix the voting rights, if any, designations, powers, preferences, the relative, participating, optional or other special rights and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, applicable to the shares of each series. Our board of directors will be able to, without stockholder approval, issue shares of preferred stock with voting and other rights that could adversely affect the voting power and other rights of the holders of the common stock and could have anti-takeover effects. The ability of our board of directors to issue shares of preferred stock without stockholder approval could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of us or the removal of existing management.
Anti-Takeover Effects of Nevada Law and Our Charter Documents
Certain provisions of Nevada law and our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws could make more difficult the acquisition of us by means of a tender offer or otherwise, and the removal of incumbent officers and directors. These provisions are expected to discourage certain types of coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us.
Transfer Agent
The transfer agent for our Common Stock is Securities Transfer Corporation at 2901 N. Dallas Parkway, Suite 380, Plano, TX 75093. The transfer agent’s telephone number is (469) 633-0101.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus relate to the offer and sale from time to time of up to 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock. Sales of our Common Stock, if any, will be made directly by us at market prices, or to Investor pursuant to the terms of the Sales Agreement discussed below, the form of which is attached to this prospectus supplement as Annex A.
We will enter into a securities purchase agreement directly with each of the purchasers in this Offering. Sales made to Investor will be made pursuant to the terms of the Sales Agreement discussed below. Neither Investor nor any purchaser is obligated to purchase Shares from us, and we are not obligated to sell Shares to Investor or any other purchaser. Because there is no minimum amount of Shares that must be sold as a condition to closing this Offering, the actual number of shares sold in this Offering is not presently determinable and may be substantially less than the total Shares.
Unless the parties agree otherwise, settlement for sales of Common Stock will occur on the second business day following the date on which any sales are made, or on some other date that is agreed upon by us and the applicable purchaser in connection with a particular transaction, in return for payment of the purchase price for the shares to us. Sales of our Common Stock as contemplated in this prospectus will be settled through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) or by such other means as we and the applicable purchaser may agree upon. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in an escrow, trust or similar arrangement. This offering of our Common Stock will terminate automatically upon the sale of all shares of our Common Stock subject to this prospectus supplement.
We will report at least quarterly the number of shares of common stock sold in this Offering, the net proceeds to us, and the compensation paid by us, if any, to agents in connection with the sales of shares of common stock during the relevant period.
Form of Sales Agreement with Investor
For sales made to Investor, we will enter into a Sales Agreement in substantially the form attached to this prospectus supplement as Annex A. We are under no obligation to sell any Shares to Investor, and Investor is under no obligation to purchase Shares from us.
Pursuant to the terms of the Sales Agreement, the purchase price for Shares will be at a price per share equal to 95% of the lowest volume weighted average price (VWAP) of any trading day reported by the Principal Market (as defined in the Sales Agreement) during the five (5) trading days immediately preceding the date of the applicable Sales Agreement.
The Sales Agreement contains customary representations and warranties by us and Investor. We will also agree in the Sales Agreement to provide indemnification and contribution to Investor with respect to certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
At the closing of any purchase pursuant to a Sales Agreement, (i) we shall direct the issuance of the Shares in electronic form to Investor and cause the timely crediting of the Shares to Investor’s (or its designee’s) specified deposit/withdrawal account with DTC under its Fast Automated Securities Transfer (FAST) Program, or any similar program hereafter adopted by DTC performing substantially the same function and, (ii) Investor shall pay to us 10% of the purchase price, with the remaining 90% of the purchase price paid to us no later than 14 days after closing, via wire transfer of immediately available funds to such account as we designate in writing.
Investor may be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act, and any consideration received by Investor and any profit realized on the resale of the securities sold Investor while acting as principal might be deemed to be underwriting discounts or commissions under the Securities Act. As an underwriter, Investor would be required to comply with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), including, without limitation, Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act and Rule 10b-5 and Regulation M under the Exchange Act.
The foregoing description of the form Sales Agreement is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of such agreement, a copy of which is attached to this prospectus supplement as Annex A and is incorporated herein by reference.
Other Relationships
Investor and its affiliates, have in the past provided, and may in the future provide, various investment banking, commercial banking and other financial services for us and our affiliates for which they may in the future receive customary fees.
Foreign Regulatory Restrictions on Purchase of Securities Offered Hereby Generally
No action has been or will be taken in any jurisdiction (except in the United States) that would permit a public offering of the securities offered by this prospectus supplement and accompanying base prospectus, or the possession, circulation or distribution of this prospectus supplement and accompanying base prospectus or any other material relating to us or the securities offered hereby in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. Accordingly, the securities offered hereby may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, and neither of this prospectus supplement and accompanying base prospectus nor any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the securities offered hereby may be distributed or published, in or from any country.
Trading
Our Common Stock is traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC under the symbol “ABAT.” The transfer agent for our Common Stock is Securities Transfer Corporation at 2901 N. Dallas Parkway, Suite 380, Plano, TX 75093. The transfer agent’s telephone number is (469) 633-0101.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters in connection with the offering, including the validity of the issuance of the securities offered by this prospectus supplement, will be passed upon for us by Holland & Hart LLP, Denver, Colorado.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of American Battery Technology Company for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, appearing in American Battery Technology Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2023, have been audited by Marcum LLP, as set forth in its report thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and special reports, along with other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3, of which this prospectus supplement is a part, with respect to the Common Stock that we will offer. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus do not contain all the information contained in the registration statement, including its exhibits and schedules. You should refer to the registration statement, including the exhibits and schedules, for further information about us and the Common Stock we may offer. Statements we make in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus about certain contracts or other documents are not necessarily complete. When we make such statements, we refer you to the copies of the contracts or documents that are filed as exhibits to the registration statement, because those statements are qualified in all respects by reference to those exhibits. The registration statement, including exhibits and schedules, is on file at the office of the SEC and may be inspected without charge at the SEC’s website.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC’s rules allow us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus, and subsequent information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede that information. Any statement contained in this prospectus or a previously filed document incorporated by reference will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or a subsequently filed document incorporated by reference modifies or replaces that statement.
We incorporate by reference the following documents in this prospectus, which you should review in connection with this prospectus, as well as each of the documents that we file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, between the date of this prospectus and the termination of the offering. We are not, however, incorporating by reference any documents or portions thereof, whether specifically listed below or filed in the future, that are not deemed “filed” with the SEC, including any information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K or related exhibits furnished pursuant to Item 9.01 of Form 8-K.
This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement incorporate by reference the documents set forth below that have previously been filed with the SEC:
● | Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the annual period ended June 30, 2023, filed with the SEC on September 28, 2022; |
| |
● | Our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2023, filed with the SEC on November 14, 2023, as amended on Form 10-Q/A filed with the SEC on November 15, 2023; |
| |
● | Our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on the following dates: September 28, 2023; and |
| |
● | The description of our capital stock in our Form 8-A filed with the SEC on October 17, 2013, and any amendment or report filed with the SEC for the purpose of updating the description. |
You may request a copy of any of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus, at no cost to you, by writing or telephoning us at the following address:
American Battery Technology Company
100 Washington Street, Suite 100
Reno, Nevada 89503
Tel: (775) 473-4744
Exhibits to the filings will not be sent, however, unless those exhibits have specifically been incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement.
Annex A
PURCHASE AGREEMENT
THIS PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of [_______], is entered into by and between AMERICAN BATTERY TECHNOLOGY COMPANY, a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), and TYSADCO PARTNERS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Investor”).
WHEREAS, Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Company wishes to sell to the Investor, and the Investor wishes to purchase from the Company, [____] shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”).
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Investor hereby agree as follows:
1. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
(a) “Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code, or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.
(b) “Business Day” means any day on which the Principal Market is open for trading, including any day on which the Principal Market is open for trading for a period of time less than the customary time.
(c) “Closing” means the consummation of the transaction contemplated in this Agreement on the date of execution of this Agreement.
(d) “Confidential Information” means any information disclosed by either party to the other party, either directly or indirectly, in writing, orally or by inspection of tangible objects (including, without limitation, documents, prototypes, samples, plant and equipment) Confidential Information may also include information disclosed to a disclosing party by third parties. Confidential Information shall not, however, include any information which (i) was publicly known and made generally available in the public domain prior to the time of disclosure by the disclosing party; (ii) becomes publicly known and made generally available after disclosure by the disclosing party to the receiving party through no action or inaction of the receiving party; (iii) is already in the possession of the receiving party without confidential restriction by the disclosing party as shown by the receiving party’s files and records immediately prior to the time of disclosure; (iv) is obtained by the receiving party from a third party without a breach of such third party’s obligations of confidentiality; (v) is independently developed by the receiving party without use of or reference to the disclosing party’s Confidential Information, as shown by documents and other competent evidence in the receiving party’s possession; or (vi) is required by law to be disclosed by the receiving party, provided that the receiving party gives the disclosing party prompt written notice of such requirement prior to such disclosure and assistance in obtaining an order protecting the information from public disclosure.
(e) “DTC” means The Depository Trust Company, or any successor performing substantially the same function for the Company.
(f) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(g) “Material Adverse Effect” means any material adverse effect on (i) the enforceability of any Transaction Document, (ii) the results of operations, assets, business or financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, other than any material adverse effect that resulted exclusively from (A) any change in the United States or foreign economies or securities or financial markets in general that does not have a disproportionate effect on the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (B) any change that generally affects the industry in which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate that does not have a disproportionate effect on the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (C) any change arising in connection with earthquakes, hostilities, acts of war, sabotage or terrorism, military actions, or pandemics or any escalation or material worsening of any such hostilities, acts of war, sabotage or terrorism, military actions or pandemic existing as of the date hereof, (D) any action taken by the Investor, its affiliates or its or their successors and assigns with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (E) the effect of any change in applicable laws or accounting rules that does not have a disproportionate effect on the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (F) any change resulting from compliance with terms of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or (iii) the Company’s ability to perform in any material respect on a timely basis its obligations under any Transaction Document to be performed as of the date of determination.
(h) “Person” means an individual or entity including but not limited to any limited liability company, a partnership, a joint venture, a corporation, a trust, an unincorporated organization and a government or any department or agency thereof.
(i) “Principal Market” means the OTCQX operated by the OTC Markets Group, Inc. (or any nationally recognized successor thereto); provided, however, that in the event the Company’s Common Stock is ever listed or traded on The Nasdaq Global Market, The Nasdaq Global Select Market, the New York Stock Exchange, the NYSE American, the NYSE Arca, the OTCQB operated by the OTC Markets Group, Inc. or the OTC Pink operated by the OTC Markets Group, Inc. (or any nationally recognized successor to any of the foregoing), then the “Principal Market” shall mean such other market or exchange on which the Company’s Common Stock is then listed or traded.
(j) “Purchase Price” means the price per share of common stock equal to 95% of the lowest volume weighted average price (VWAP) of any trading day reported by the Principal Market during the Valuation Period (in each case, to be appropriately adjusted for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split or other similar transaction that occurs during the Valuation Period).
(k) “Registration Statement” means a registration statement filed with the SEC on Form S-1 or Form S-3 (including any supplemental prospectus) registering the Securities.
(l) “SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
(m) “Securities” means the shares of Common Stock of the Company purchased by the Investor under this Agreement.
(n) “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(o) “Subsidiary” means any Person the Company wholly-owns or controls, or in which the Company, directly or indirectly, owns a majority of the voting stock or similar voting interest, in each case that would be disclosable pursuant to Item 601(b)(21) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act.
(p) “Transaction Documents” means, collectively, this Agreement and the schedules and exhibits hereto and each of the other agreements, documents, certificates and instruments entered into or furnished by the parties hereto in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.
(q) “Transfer Agent” means Securities Transfer Corporation, or such other Person who is then serving as the transfer agent for the Company in respect of the Common Stock.
(r) “Valuation Period” means five (5) trading days immediately preceding the date of this Agreement.
2. PURCHASE OF COMMON STOCK.
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Company hereby sells to the Investor, and the Investor hereby purchases from the Company, the Securities on the following terms:
(a) Purchase of Securities. At Closing, the Company shall direct the issuance of the Securities in electronic form to the Investor and cause the timely crediting of the Securities to the Investor’s or its designee’s specified deposit/withdrawal account with DTC under its Fast Automated Securities Transfer (FAST) Program, or any similar program hereafter adopted by DTC performing substantially the same function and, in exchange, the Investor shall pay to the Company 10% of the Purchase Price at Closing and 90% of the Purchase Price no later than 14 days after Closing, via wire transfer of immediately available funds to such account as the Company designates in writing.
(b) Compliance with Principal Market Rules. The Company agrees that it shall not issue any Securities pursuant to this Agreement if, at the time of such issuance (i) the effectiveness of the Registration Statement registering the Securities has lapsed for any reason (including, without limitation, the issuance of a stop order or similar order) or (ii) the Registration Statement is unavailable for the sale by the Company to the Investor of any or all of the Securities to be issued to the Investor under the Transaction Documents. The provisions of this Section shall be implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms hereof only if necessary to ensure compliance with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Principal Market.
3. INVESTOR’S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
The Investor represents and warrants to the Company that as of the date hereof:
(a) Investment Purpose. The Investor is acquiring the Securities as principal for its own account and not with a view to or for distributing or reselling such Securities or any part thereof in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law, has no present intention of distributing any of such Securities in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law and has no direct or indirect arrangement or understandings with any other Persons to distribute or regarding the distribution of such Securities in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law (this representation and warranty not limiting the Investor’s right to sell the Securities at any time pursuant to the Registration Statement described herein or otherwise in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws). The Investor is acquiring the Securities hereunder in the ordinary course of its business.
(b) Accredited Investor Status. The Investor is an “accredited investor” as that term is defined in Rule 501(a)(3) of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act.
(c) Reliance on Exemptions. The Investor understands that the Securities may be offered and sold to it in reliance on specific exemptions from the registration requirements of United States federal and state securities laws and that the Company is relying in part upon the truth and accuracy of, and the Investor’s compliance with, the representations, warranties, agreements, acknowledgments and understandings of the Investor set forth herein in order to determine the availability of such exemptions and the eligibility of the Investor to acquire the Securities.
(d) Information. The Investor understands that its investment in the Securities involves a high degree of risk. The Investor (i) is able to bear the economic risk of an investment in the Securities including a total loss thereof, (ii) has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the proposed investment in the Securities and (iii) has had an opportunity to ask questions of and receive answers from the officers of the Company concerning the financial condition and business of the Company and other matters related to an investment in the Securities. Neither such inquiries nor any other due diligence investigations conducted by the Investor or its representatives shall modify, amend or affect the Investor’s right to rely on the Company’s representations and warranties contained in Section 4 below. The Investor has sought such accounting, legal and tax advice from its own independent advisor as it has considered necessary to make an informed investment decision with respect to its acquisition of the Securities and is not relying on any such advice or similar advice from the Company, its officers, directors, representatives, or advisors.
(e) No Governmental Review. The Investor understands that no U.S. federal or state agency or any other government or governmental agency has passed on or made any recommendation or endorsement of the Securities or the fairness or suitability of an investment in the Securities nor have such authorities passed upon or endorsed the merits of the offering of the Securities.
(f) Transfer or Sale. The Investor understands that (i) the Securities may not be offered for sale, sold, assigned or transferred unless (A) registered pursuant to the Securities Act or (B) an exemption exists permitting such Securities to be sold, assigned or transferred without such registration; (ii) any sale of the Securities made in reliance on Rule 144 may be made only in accordance with the terms of Rule 144 and further, if Rule 144 is not applicable, any resale of the Securities under circumstances in which the seller (or the Person through whom the sale is made) may be deemed to be an underwriter (as that term is defined in the Securities Act) may require compliance with some other exemption under the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder.
(g) Validity; Enforcement. This Agreement has been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered on behalf of the Investor and is a valid and binding agreement of the Investor enforceable against the Investor in accordance with its terms, subject as to enforceability to general principles of equity and to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation and other similar laws relating to, or affecting generally, the enforcement of applicable creditors’ rights and remedies.
(h) No Short Selling. The Investor represents and warrants to the Company that at no time prior to the date of this Agreement has any of the Investor, its agents, representatives or affiliates engaged in or effected, in any manner whatsoever, directly or indirectly, any (i) “short sale” (as such term is defined in Rule 200 of Regulation SHO of the Exchange Act) of the Common Stock or (ii) hedging transaction, which establishes a net short position with respect to the Common Stock.
4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY.
The Company represents and warrants to the Investor that, except as set forth in the SEC Documents, which exceptions shall be deemed to be a part of the representations and warranties made hereunder, as of the date hereof:
(a) Organization and Qualification. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries is an entity duly incorporated or otherwise organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, with the requisite corporate power and authority to own and use its properties and assets and to carry on its business as currently conducted. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation or default of any of the provisions of its respective articles or certificate of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational or charter documents. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries is duly qualified to conduct business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation or other entity in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted or property owned by it makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing, as the case may be, could not have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect and no proceeding has been instituted in any such jurisdiction revoking, limiting or curtailing or seeking to revoke, limit or curtail such power and authority or qualification.
(b) Authorization; Enforcement; Validity. (i) The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents, and to issue the Securities in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof, (ii) the execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents by the Company and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by the Company’s Board of Directors and no further consent or authorization is required by the Company, its Board of Directors or its stockholders, (iii) this Agreement has been, and each other Transaction Document shall be, duly executed and delivered by the Company and (iv) this Agreement constitutes, and each other Transaction Document upon its execution on behalf of the Company, shall constitute, the valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by general principles of equity or applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation or similar laws relating to, or affecting generally, the enforcement of creditors’ rights and remedies. The Board of Directors of the Company has approved the resolutions (the “Signing Resolutions”) to authorize this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. The Signing Resolutions are valid, in full force and effect and have not been modified or supplemented in any respect. Except as set forth in this Agreement, no other approvals or consents of the Company’s Board of Directors, any authorized committee thereof, and/or stockholders is necessary under applicable laws and the Articles of Incorporation and/or Bylaws to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, including, but not limited to, the issuance of the Securities.
(c) Issuance of Securities. Upon issuance and payment therefor in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Securities shall be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens, charges, restrictions, rights of first refusal and preemptive rights with respect to the issue thereof, with the holders being entitled to all rights accorded to a holder of Common Stock.
(d) No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including, without limitation, the issuance of the Securities) will not (i) result in a violation of the Articles of Incorporation, any certificate of designations, preferences and rights of any outstanding series of preferred stock of the Company or the Bylaws or (ii) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any agreement, indenture or instrument to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party, or result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree (including federal and state securities laws and regulations and the rules and regulations of the Principal Market applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) or by which any property or asset of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound or affected, except in the case of conflicts, defaults, terminations, amendments, accelerations, cancellations and violations under clause (ii), which could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries is in violation of any term of or in default under its articles of incorporation, any certificate of designation, preferences and rights of any outstanding series of preferred stock of the Company or Bylaws or their organizational charter or bylaws, respectively. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of any term of or is in default under any material contract, agreement, mortgage, indebtedness, indenture, instrument, judgment, decree or order or any statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Company or its Subsidiaries, except for possible conflicts, defaults, terminations or amendments that could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The business of the Company and its Subsidiaries is not being conducted, and shall not be conducted, in violation of any law, ordinance, regulation of any governmental entity, except for possible violations, the sanctions for which either individually or in the aggregate could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as specifically contemplated by this Agreement and the related documents and as required under the Securities Act or applicable state securities laws and the rules and regulations of the Principal Market, the Company is not required to obtain any consent, authorization or order of, or make any filing or registration with, any court or governmental agency or any regulatory or self-regulatory agency in order for it to execute, deliver or perform any of its obligations under or contemplated by the Transaction Documents in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof. Except as set forth elsewhere in this Agreement, all consents, authorizations, orders, filings and registrations which the Company is required to obtain pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be obtained or effected on or prior to the Commencement Date. Except as set forth in the SEC Documents, since one year prior to the date hereof, the Company has not received nor delivered any notices or correspondence from or to the Principal Market. To the Company’s knowledge, the Principal Market has not commenced any delisting proceedings against the Company.
(e) SEC Documents; Financial Statements. The Company has substantially filed all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents required to be filed by the Company under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, including pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) thereof, for the 24 months preceding the date hereof (or such shorter period as the Company was required by law or regulation to file such material) (the foregoing materials, including the exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein, being collectively referred to herein as the “SEC Documents”) on a timely basis or has received a valid extension of such time of filing and has filed any such SEC Documents prior to the expiration of any such extension. As of their respective dates, the SEC Documents substantially complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, as applicable. None of the SEC Documents, when filed, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The financial statements of the Company included in the SEC Documents comply in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and the rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto as in effect at the time of filing. Such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (“GAAP”), except as may be otherwise specified in such financial statements or the notes thereto and except that unaudited financial statements may not contain all footnotes required by GAAP, and fairly present in all material respects the financial position of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of and for the dates thereof and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods then ended, subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal, immaterial, year-end audit adjustments. The SEC has not commenced any enforcement proceedings against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
(f) Absence of Certain Changes. Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents, since June 30, 2022, there has been no material adverse change in the business, properties, operations, financial condition or results of operations of the Company or its Subsidiaries. The Company has not taken any steps, and does not currently expect to take any steps, to seek protection pursuant to any Bankruptcy Law nor does the Company or any of its Subsidiaries have any knowledge or reason to believe that its creditors intend to initiate involuntary bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings.
(g) Absence of Litigation. There is no undisclosed action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or by any court, public board, government agency, self-regulatory organization or body pending or, to the knowledge of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, threatened against or affecting the Company, the Common Stock or any of the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ officers or directors in their capacities as such, which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(h) Acknowledgment Regarding Investor’s Status. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Investor is acting solely in the capacity of arm’s length purchaser with respect to the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The Company further acknowledges that the Investor is not acting as a financial advisor or fiduciary of the Company (or in any similar capacity) with respect to the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and any advice given by the Investor or any of its representatives or agents in connection with the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby is merely incidental to the Investor’s purchase of the Securities. The Company further represents to the Investor that the Company’s decision to enter into the Transaction Documents has been based solely on the independent evaluation by the Company and its representatives and advisors.
(i) No General Solicitation; No Aggregated or Integrated Offering. Neither the Company, nor any of its affiliates, nor any Person acting on its or their behalf, has engaged in any form of general solicitation or general advertising (within the meaning of Regulation D under the Securities Act) in connection with the offer or sale of the Securities. Neither the Company, nor or any of its affiliates, nor any Person acting on their behalf has, directly or indirectly, made any offers or sales of any security or solicited any offers to purchase any security, under circumstances that would require registration of the offer and sale of any of the Securities under the Securities Act, whether through aggregation or integration with prior offerings or otherwise, or cause this offering of the Securities to be aggregated or integrated with prior offerings by the Company in a manner that would require stockholder approval pursuant to the rules of the Principal Market on which any of the securities of the Company are listed or designated. The issuance and sale of the Securities hereunder, as of the date of this Agreement, does not contravene the rules and regulations of the Principal Market.
(j) Intellectual Property Rights. The Company and its Subsidiaries own or possess adequate rights or licenses to use all material trademarks, trade names, service marks, service mark registrations, service names, patents, patent rights, copyrights, inventions, licenses, approvals, governmental authorizations, trade secrets and rights necessary to conduct their respective businesses as now conducted. None of the Company’s material trademarks, trade names, service marks, service mark registrations, service names, patents, patent rights, copyrights, inventions, licenses, approvals, government authorizations, trade secrets or other intellectual property rights have expired or terminated, or, by the terms and conditions thereof, could expire or terminate within two years from the date of this Agreement. The Company and its Subsidiaries do not have any knowledge of any infringement by the Company or its Subsidiaries of any material trademark, trade name rights, patents, patent rights, copyrights, inventions, licenses, service names, service marks, service mark registrations, trade secret or other similar rights of others, or of any such development of similar or identical trade secrets or technical information by others, and there is no claim, action or proceeding being made or brought against, or to the Company’s knowledge, being threatened against, the Company or its Subsidiaries regarding trademark, trade name, patents, patent rights, invention, copyright, license, service names, service marks, service mark registrations, trade secret or other infringement, which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(k) Title. Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents, the Company and its Subsidiaries have good and marketable title in fee simple to all real property owned by them and good and marketable title in all personal property owned by them that is material to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects (“Liens”) and, except for Liens as do not materially affect the value of such property and do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company and its Subsidiaries and Liens for the payment of federal, state or other taxes, the payment of which is neither delinquent nor subject to penalties. Any real property and facilities held under lease by the Company and its Subsidiaries are held by them under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases with which the Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with such exceptions as are not material and do not interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property and buildings by the Company and its Subsidiaries.
(l) Insurance. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as management of the Company believes to be prudent and customary in the businesses in which the Company and its Subsidiaries are engaged. Neither the Company nor any such Subsidiary has been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for and neither the Company nor any such Subsidiary has any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that would not materially and adversely affect the condition, financial or otherwise, or the earnings, business or operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
(m) Tax Status. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries has made or filed all federal and state income and all other material tax returns, reports and declarations required by any jurisdiction to which it is subject (unless and only to the extent that the Company and each of its Subsidiaries has set aside on its books provisions reasonably adequate for the payment of all unpaid and unreported taxes other than those being disputed) and has paid all taxes and other governmental assessments and charges that are material in amount, shown or determined to be due on such returns, reports and declarations, except those being contested in good faith and has set aside on its books provision reasonably adequate for the payment of all taxes for periods subsequent to the periods to which such returns, reports or declarations apply. There are no unpaid taxes in any material amount claimed to be due by the taxing authority of any jurisdiction, and the officers of the Company know of no basis for any such claim.
(n) Transactions with Affiliates. Except as set forth in the SEC Documents, to the Company’s best knowledge, none of the officers or directors of the Company, the Company’s stockholders, the officers or directors of any stockholder of the Company, or any family member or affiliate of any of the foregoing, has either directly or indirectly any interest in, or is a party to, any transaction that would be required to be disclosed as a related party transaction pursuant to Rule 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act.
(o) Disclosure. Except with respect to the material terms and conditions of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents that will be timely publicly disclosed by the Company, the Company confirms that neither it nor any other Person acting on its behalf has provided the Investor or its agents or counsel with any information that it believes constitutes or might constitute material, non-public information which is not otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement or the SEC Documents. The Company understands and confirms that the Investor will rely on the foregoing representation in effecting purchases and sales of securities of the Company. All of the disclosure furnished by or on behalf of the Company to the Investor regarding the Company, its business and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the disclosure schedules to this Agreement, is true and correct and does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The press releases disseminated by the Company during the twelve (12) months preceding the date of this Agreement taken as a whole do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made and when made, not misleading. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Investor neither makes nor has made any representations or warranties with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby other than those specifically set forth in Section 3 hereof.
(p) Foreign Corrupt Practices. Neither the Company, nor to the knowledge of the Company, any agent or other Person acting on behalf of the Company, has (i) directly or indirectly, used any funds for unlawful contributions, gifts, entertainment or other unlawful expenses related to foreign or domestic political activity, (ii) made any unlawful payment to foreign or domestic government officials or employees or to any foreign or domestic political parties or campaigns from corporate funds, (iii) failed to disclose fully any contribution made by the Company (or made by any Person acting on its behalf of which the Company is aware) which is in violation of law, or (iv) violated in any material respect any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.
(q) DTC Eligibility. The Company, through the Transfer Agent, currently participates in the DTC Fast Automated Securities Transfer (FAST) Program and the Common Stock can be transferred electronically to third parties via the DTC Fast Automated Securities Transfer (FAST) Program.
(r) Sarbanes-Oxley. Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents, including the weakness in internal controls, the Company is in compliance with all material provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, which are applicable to it as of the date hereof.
(s) Certain Fees. No brokerage or finder’s fees or commissions are or will be payable by the Company to any broker, financial advisor or consultant, finder, placement agent, investment banker, bank or other Person with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. The Investor shall have no obligation with respect to any fees or with respect to any claims made by or on behalf of other Persons for fees that may be due in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.
(t) Investment Company. The Company is not, and immediately after receipt of payment for the Securities will not be, an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
(u) Listing and Maintenance Requirements. The Common Stock is registered pursuant to Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act, and the Company has taken no action designed to, or which to its knowledge is likely to have the effect of, terminating the registration of the Common Stock pursuant to the Exchange Act nor has the Company received any notification that the SEC is currently contemplating terminating such registration. The Company has not, in the twelve (12) months preceding the date hereof, received any notice from any Person to the effect that the Company is not in compliance with the listing or maintenance requirements of the Principal Market. The Company is, and has no reason to believe that it will not in the foreseeable future continue to be, in compliance with all such listing and maintenance requirements.
(v) Accountants. The Company’s accountants are set forth in the SEC Documents and, to the knowledge of the Company, such accountants are an independent registered public accounting firm as required by the Securities Act.
(w) No Market Manipulation. The Company has not, and to its knowledge no Person acting on its behalf has, (i) taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to cause or to result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of any of the Securities, (ii) sold, bid for, purchased, or, paid any compensation for soliciting purchases of, any of the Securities, or (iii) paid or agreed to pay to any Person any compensation for soliciting another to purchase any other securities of the Company.
(x) Shell Company Status. The Company is not currently an issuer identified in Rule 144(i)(1) under the Securities Act and has filed all “Form 10 information” required by Rule 144(i)(1) under the Securities Act with the SEC.
(y) No Disqualification Events. None of the Company, any of its predecessors, any affiliated issuer, any director, executive officer, other officer of the Company participating in the offering contemplated hereby, any beneficial owner of 20% or more of the Company’s outstanding voting equity securities, calculated on the basis of voting power, nor any promoter (as that term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) connected with the Company in any capacity at the time of sale (each, an “Issuer Covered Person”) is subject to any of the “Bad Actor” disqualifications described in Rule 506(d)(1)(i) to (viii) under the Securities Act (a “Disqualification Event”), except for a Disqualification Event covered by Rule 506(d)(2) or (d)(3) under the Securities Act. The Company has exercised reasonable care to determine whether any Issuer Covered Person is subject to a Disqualification Event.
5. COVENANTS.
(a) Listing/DTC. The Company shall promptly secure the listing of all of the Securities to be issued to the Investor hereunder on the Principal Market (subject to official notice of issuance) and upon each other national securities exchange or automated quotation system, if any, upon which the Common Stock is then listed, and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain, so long as any shares of Common Stock shall be so listed, such listing of all such Securities from time to time issuable hereunder. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the listing of the Common Stock on the Principal Market and shall comply in all respects with the Company’s reporting, filing and other obligations under the bylaws or rules and regulations of the Principal Market. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall take any action that would reasonably be expected to result in the delisting or suspension of the Common Stock on the Principal Market. The Company shall promptly, and in no event later than the following Business Day, provide to the Investor copies of any notices it receives from any Person regarding the continued eligibility of the Common Stock for listing on the Principal Market; provided, however, that the Company shall not provide the Investor copies of any such notice that the Company reasonably believes constitutes material non-public information, and the Company would not be required to publicly disclose such notice in any report or statement filed with the SEC under the Exchange Act (including on Form 8-K) or the Securities Act.
(b) Prohibition of Short Sales and Hedging Transactions. The Investor agrees that beginning on the date of this Agreement and ending twelve months after the date of this Agreement, the Investor and its agents, representatives and affiliates shall not in any manner whatsoever enter into or effect, directly or indirectly, any (i) “short sale” (as such term is defined in Rule 200 of Regulation SHO of the Exchange Act) of the Common Stock or (ii) hedging transaction, which establishes a net short position with respect to the Common Stock.
(c) Taxes. The Company shall pay any and all transfer, stamp or similar taxes that may be payable with respect to the issuance and delivery of any shares of Common Stock to the Investor made under this Agreement.
(d) Aggregation. From and after the date of this Agreement, neither the Company, nor or any of its affiliates will, and the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to ensure that no Person acting on their behalf will, directly or indirectly, make any offers or sales of any security or solicit any offers to purchase any security, under circumstances that would cause this offering of the Securities by the Company to the Investor to be aggregated with other offerings by the Company in a manner that would require stockholder approval pursuant to the rules of the Principal Market on which any of the securities of the Company are listed or designated, unless stockholder approval is obtained before the closing of such subsequent transaction in accordance with the rules of such Principal Market.
(e) Use of Proceeds. The Company will use the net proceeds from the offering for any corporate purpose at the sole discretion of the Company.
6. INDEMNIFICATION.
(a) In consideration of the Investor’s execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents and acquiring the Securities hereunder and in addition to all of the Company’s other obligations under the Transaction Documents, the Company shall defend, protect, indemnify and hold harmless the Investor and all of its affiliates, stockholders, officers, directors, members, managers, employees and direct or indirect investors and any of the foregoing Person’s agents or other representatives (including, without limitation, those retained in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) (collectively, the “Investor Indemnitees”) from and against any and all actions, causes of action, suits, claims, losses, costs, penalties, fees, liabilities and damages, and expenses in connection therewith (irrespective of whether any such Investor Indemnitee is a party to the action for which indemnification hereunder is sought), and including reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements (the “Indemnified Liabilities”), incurred by any Investor Indemnitee as a result of, or arising out of, or relating to (a) any misrepresentation or breach of any representation or warranty made by the Company in the Transaction Documents or any other certificate, instrument or document contemplated hereby or thereby, or (b) any breach of any covenant, agreement or obligation of the Company contained in the Transaction Documents or any other certificate, instrument or document contemplated hereby or thereby, other than Indemnified Liabilities which directly and primarily result from the fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct of an Investor Indemnitee. The indemnity in this Section shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. To the extent that the foregoing undertaking by the Company may be unenforceable for any reason, the Company shall make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of each of the Indemnified Liabilities which is permissible under applicable law. Payment under this indemnification shall be made within thirty (30) days from the date the Investor makes written request for it. A certificate containing reasonable detail as to the amount of such indemnification submitted to the Company by the Investor shall be conclusive evidence, absent manifest error, of the amount due from the Company to the Investor. If any action shall be brought against any Investor Indemnitee in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to this Agreement, such Investor Indemnitee shall promptly notify the Company in writing, and the Company shall have the right to assume the defense thereof with counsel of its own choosing reasonably acceptable to the Investor Indemnitee. Any Investor Indemnitee shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such action and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Investor Indemnitee, except to the extent that (i) the employment thereof has been specifically authorized by the Company in writing, (ii) the Company has failed after a reasonable period of time to assume such defense and to employ counsel or (iii) in such action there is, in the reasonable opinion of such separate counsel, a material conflict on any material issue between the position of the Company and the position of such Investor Indemnitee, in the case of clauses (i),(ii) and (iii) the Company shall be responsible for the reasonable fees and expenses of no more than one such separate counsel.
(b) In consideration of the Company’s execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents and selling the Securities hereunder and in addition to all of the Investor’s other obligations under the Transaction Documents, the Investor shall defend, protect, indemnify and hold harmless the Company and all of its affiliates, stockholders, officers, directors, members, managers, employees and direct or indirect investors and any of the foregoing Person’s agents or other representatives (including, without limitation, those retained in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) (collectively, the “Company Indemnitees”) from and against any and all actions, causes of action, suits, claims, losses, costs, penalties, fees, liabilities and damages, and expenses in connection therewith (irrespective of whether any such Company Indemnitee is a party to the action for which indemnification hereunder is sought), and including reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements (the “Indemnified Liabilities”), incurred by any Company Indemnitee as a result of, or arising out of, or relating to (a) any misrepresentation or breach of any representation or warranty made by the Investor in the Transaction Documents or any other certificate, instrument or document contemplated hereby or thereby, or (b) any breach of any covenant, agreement or obligation of the Investor contained in the Transaction Documents or any other certificate, instrument or document contemplated hereby or thereby, other than Indemnified Liabilities which directly and primarily result from the fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct of a Company Indemnitee. The indemnity in this Section shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of the Investor, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. To the extent that the foregoing undertaking by the Investor may be unenforceable for any reason, the Investor shall make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of each of the Indemnified Liabilities which is permissible under applicable law. Payment under this indemnification shall be made within thirty (30) days from the date the Company makes written request for it. A certificate containing reasonable detail as to the amount of such indemnification submitted to the Investor by the Company shall be conclusive evidence, absent manifest error, of the amount due from the Investor to the Company. If any action shall be brought against any Company Indemnitee in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to this Agreement, such Company Indemnitee shall promptly notify the Investor in writing, and the Investor shall have the right to assume the defense thereof with counsel of its own choosing reasonably acceptable to the Company Indemnitee. Any Company Indemnitee shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such action and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Company Indemnitee, except to the extent that (i) the employment thereof has been specifically authorized by the Investor in writing, (ii) the Investor has failed after a reasonable period of time to assume such defense and to employ counsel or (iii) in such action there is, in the reasonable opinion of such separate counsel, a material conflict on any material issue between the position of the Investor and the position of such Company Indemnitee, in the case of clauses (i),(ii) and (iii) the Investor shall be responsible for the reasonable fees and expenses of no more than one such separate counsel.
7. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Jury Trial. The corporate laws of the State of Nevada shall govern all issues concerning the relative rights of the Company and its stockholders. All other questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents shall be governed by the internal laws of the State of Nevada, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Nevada or any other jurisdictions) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdictions other than the State of Nevada. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in Reno, Nevada, for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or under the other Transaction Documents or in connection herewith or therewith, or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof to such party at the address for such notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner permitted by law. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE, AND AGREES NOT TO REQUEST, A JURY TRIAL FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE HEREUNDER OR IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
(b) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more identical counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other party; provided that a facsimile signature or signature delivered by e-mail in a “.pdf” format data file shall be considered due execution and shall be binding upon the signatory thereto with the same force and effect as if the signature were an original signature.
(c) Headings. The headings of this Agreement are for convenience of reference and shall not form part of, or affect the interpretation of, this Agreement.
(d) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement in that jurisdiction or the validity or enforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction.
(e) Entire Agreement. The Transaction Documents supersede all other prior oral or written agreements between the Investor, the Company, their affiliates and Persons acting on their behalf with respect to the subject matter thereof, and this Agreement, the other Transaction Documents and the instruments referenced herein contain the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the matters covered herein and therein and, except as specifically set forth herein or therein, neither the Company nor the Investor makes any representation, warranty, covenant or undertaking with respect to such matters. The Company acknowledges and agrees that is has not relied on, in any manner whatsoever, any representations or statements, written or oral, other than as expressly set forth in the Transaction Documents.
(f) Notices. Any notices, consents or other communications required or permitted to be given under the terms of this Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed to have been delivered: (i) upon receipt when delivered personally; (ii) upon receipt when sent by facsimile or email (provided confirmation of transmission is mechanically or electronically generated and kept on file by the sending party); or (iii) one Business Day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, in each case properly addressed to the party to receive the same. The addresses for such communications shall be:
If to the Company:
American Battery Technology Company
100 Washington Street, Suite 100
Reno, NV 89503
Tel: 775-473-4744
Email: bmeich@batterymetals.com
Attention: Bret Meich
If to the Investor:
Tysadco Partners, LLC
210 West 77th Street, #7W
New York, NY 10024
Tel: 917-658-7878
E-mail: tysadcopartners@gmail.com
If to the Transfer Agent:
Securities Transfer Corporation
2901 N. Dallas Parkway
Suite 380
Plano, TX 75093
Tel: 469-633-0101
Email: shelbert@stctransfer.com
Attention: Sydny Helbert
or at such other address and/or facsimile number and/or to the attention of such other Person as the recipient party has specified by written notice given to each other party three (3) Business Days prior to the effectiveness of such change. Written confirmation of receipt (A) given by the recipient of such notice, consent or other communication, (B) mechanically or electronically generated by the sender’s facsimile machine or email account containing the time, date, and recipient facsimile number or email address, as applicable, and an image of the first page of such transmission or (C) provided by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, shall be rebuttable evidence of personal service, receipt by facsimile, email or receipt from a nationally recognized overnight delivery service in accordance with clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, respectively.
(g) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors and assigns. The Company shall not assign this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Investor, including by merger or consolidation. The Investor may not assign its rights or obligations under this Agreement.
(h) No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is intended for the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any other Person.
(i) Publicity. The Company shall afford the Investor and its counsel with the opportunity to review and comment upon, shall consult with the Investor and its counsel on the form and substance of, and shall give due consideration to all such comments from the Investor or its counsel on, any press release, SEC filing or any other public disclosure by or on behalf of the Company relating to the Investor, its purchases hereunder or any aspect of the Transaction Documents or the transactions contemplated thereby, not less than 24 hours prior to the issuance, filing or public disclosure thereof. The Investor must be provided with a final version of any such press release, SEC filing or other public disclosure at least 24 hours prior to any release, filing or use by the Company thereof; provided however, that the Company’s obligations pursuant to this Section shall not apply if the form and substance of such press release, SEC filing, or other public disclosure relating to the Investor, its purchases hereunder or any aspect of the Transaction Documents or the transactions contemplated thereby previously have been publicly disclosed by the Company in compliance with this Section. The Company agrees and acknowledges that its failure to fully comply with this provision constitutes a Material Adverse Effect.
(j) Further Assurances. Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as the other party may reasonably request in order to consummate and make effective, as soon as reasonably possible, the Commencement, and to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
(k) No Financial Advisor, Placement Agent, Broker or Finder. The Company represents and warrants to the Investor that it has not engaged any financial advisor, placement agent, broker or finder in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby. The Investor represents and warrants to the Company that it has not engaged any financial advisor, placement agent, broker or finder in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby. The Company shall be responsible for the payment of any fees or commissions, if any, of any financial advisor, placement agent, broker or finder relating to or arising out of the transactions contemplated hereby. The Company shall pay, and hold the Investor harmless against, any liability, loss or expense (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees and out of pocket expenses) arising in connection with any such claim.
(l) No Strict Construction. The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent, and no rules of strict construction will be applied against any party.
(m) Remedies, Other Obligations, Breaches and Injunctive Relief. The Investor’s remedies provided in this Agreement shall be cumulative and in addition to all other remedies available to the Investor under this Agreement, at law or in equity (including a decree of specific performance and/or other injunctive relief), no remedy of the Investor contained herein shall be deemed a waiver of compliance with the provisions giving rise to such remedy and nothing herein shall limit the Investor’s right to pursue actual damages for any failure by the Company to comply with the terms of this Agreement.
(n) Attorney’s Fees. In the case of any dispute under this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be permitted to receive reasonable attorney fees and other litigation costs associated with such dispute. The term “prevailing party” means the party that has substantially prevailed as determined by a court of law or arbitration proceeding.
(o) Amendment and Waiver; Failure or Indulgence Not Waiver. No provision of this Agreement may be amended or waived by the parties from and after the date that is one (1) Business Day immediately preceding the filing of the Registration Statement with the SEC. Subject to the immediately preceding sentence, (i) no provision of this Agreement may be amended other than by a written instrument signed by both parties hereto and (ii) no provision of this Agreement may be waived other than in a written instrument signed by the party against whom enforcement of such waiver is sought. No failure or delay in the exercise of any power, right or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such power, right or privilege preclude other or further exercise thereof or of any other right, power or privilege.
(p) Adjustments for Share Splits. The parties acknowledge and agree that all share-related numbers contained in this Agreement shall be adjusted to take into account any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split or other similar transaction effected with respect to the Common Stock except as specifically stated herein.
** Signature Page Follows **
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Investor and the Company have caused this Purchase Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
| “COMPANY”: |
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| American Battery Technology Company |
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| By: | |
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| “INVESTOR”: |
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| Tysadco Partners, LLC |
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| By: | |
PROSPECTUS
AMERICAN BATTERY METALS CORPORATION
$250,000,000 of
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Warrants
Units
We may offer and sell up to $250 million in the aggregate of the securities identified above from time to time in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities.
Each time we offer and sell securities, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the offering and the amounts, prices and terms of the securities. The supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus with respect to that offering. You should carefully read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement before you invest in any of our securities.
We may offer and sell the securities described in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, or through a combination of these methods. If any underwriters, dealers or agents are involved in the sale of any of the securities, their names and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between or among them will be set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth, in the applicable prospectus supplement. See the sections of this prospectus entitled “About this Prospectus” and “Plan of Distribution” for more information. No securities may be sold without delivery of this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of such securities.
Investing in our securities involves risks. See the “Risk Factors” on page 4 of this prospectus and any similar section contained in the applicable prospectus supplement concerning factors you should consider before investing in our securities.
Our Common Stock is traded on the OTCQB marketplace maintained by OTC Markets Group, Inc. (“OTC Markets”), under the symbol “ABML.” The trading price of our Common Stock has been highly volatile since December 2020 and could continue to be subject to wide fluctuations in response to various factors. On February 23, 2021, the last reported sale price of our Common Stock on OTC Markets was $2.54 per share. During the 12 months prior to the date of this prospectus, our Common Stock has traded at a low of $0.028 and a high of $4.90. From January 4, 2021 through February 22, 2021, our Common Stock has traded at a low of $1.40 and a high of $2.98 per share. Such high trading price volatility of our Common Stock could adversely affect your ability to sell your shares of our Common Stock or, if you are able to sell your shares, to sell your shares at a price that you determine to be fair or favorable. We are a pre-revenue company and do not expect to generate any meaningful amount of revenue in the near future. We believe that our recent stock price volatility and stock trading volume fluctuations have been unrelated or disproportionate to any existing changes to our financial conditions or results of operations during the most recent completed fiscal quarter and the comparative period in 2019.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is March 15, 2021.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) using a “shelf” registration process. By using a shelf registration statement, we may sell securities from time to time and in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of $250 million as described in this prospectus. Each time that we offer and sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the securities being offered and sold and the specific terms of that offering. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you that may contain material information relating to these offerings. The prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus with respect to that offering. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, you should rely on the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, as applicable. Before purchasing any securities, you should carefully read both this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement (and any applicable free writing prospectuses), together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation by Reference.”
We have not authorized anyone to provide you with any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectuses prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We will not make an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement to this prospectus is accurate only as of the date on its respective cover, that the information appearing in any applicable free writing prospectus is accurate only as of the date of that free writing prospectus, and that any information incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, unless we indicate otherwise. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. This prospectus incorporates by reference, and any prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus may contain and incorporate by reference, market data and industry statistics and forecasts that are based on independent industry publications and other publicly available information. Although we believe these sources are reliable, we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information and we have not independently verified this information. Although we are not aware of any misstatements regarding the market and industry data presented in this prospectus and the documents incorporated herein by reference, these estimates involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any applicable free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on this information.
When we refer to “American Battery Metals Corporation,” “ABMC,” “we,” “our,” “us” and the “Company” in this prospectus, we mean American Battery Metals Corporation. and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless otherwise specified. When we refer to “you,” we mean the potential holders of the applicable series of securities.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
This prospectus forms part of a registration statement on Form S-3 filed by us with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). As permitted by the SEC, this prospectus does not contain all the information set forth in the registration statement filed with the SEC. For a more complete understanding of this offering, you should refer to the complete registration statement, including the exhibits thereto, on Form S-3 that may be obtained as described below. Statements contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement about the contents of any contract or other document are not necessarily complete. If we have filed any contract or other document as an exhibit to the registration statement or any other document incorporated by reference in the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, you should read the exhibit for a more complete understanding of the document or matter involved. Each statement regarding a contract or other document is qualified in its entirety by reference to the actual document.
We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public from commercial retrieval services and at the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. The reports and other information filed by us with the SEC are also available at our website. The address of the Company’s website is americanbatterytechnology.com. Information contained on our website or that can be accessed through our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC’s rules allow us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus, and subsequent information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede that information. Any statement contained in this prospectus or a previously filed document incorporated by reference will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or a subsequently filed document incorporated by reference modifies or replaces that statement.
We incorporate by reference our documents listed below and any future filings made by us with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), between the date of this prospectus and the termination of the offering of the securities described in this prospectus. We are not, however, incorporating by reference any documents or portions thereof, whether specifically listed below or filed in the future, that are not deemed “filed” with the SEC, including any information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K or related exhibits furnished pursuant to Item 9.01 of Form 8-K.
This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement incorporate by reference the documents set forth below that have previously been filed with the SEC:
● | Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2020, filed with the SEC on November 16, 2020 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 2020, filed with the SEC on February 16, 2021 |
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● | Our Transition Report on Form 10-KT for the nine months ended June 30, 2020, filed with the SEC on September 28, 2020 |
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● | Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on the following dates: November 5, 2020, December 4, 2020, and January 6, 2021 |
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● | The description of our Common Stock contained in our Form 10-K for the period ending September 30, 2019, filed with the SEC on December 27, 2019 |
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● | All reports and other documents we subsequently file pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the termination of this offering, including all such documents we may file with the SEC after the date of the initial registration statement and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement, but excluding any information furnished to, rather than filed with, the SEC, will also be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and deemed to be part of this prospectus from the date of the filing of such reports and documents. |
All reports and other documents we subsequently file pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the termination of this offering, including all such documents we may file with the SEC after the date of the initial registration statement and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement, but excluding any information furnished to, rather than filed with, the SEC, will also be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and deemed to be part of this prospectus from the date of the filing of such reports and documents.
You may request a free copy of any of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus by writing or telephoning us at the following address:
American Battery Metals Corporation
930 Tahoe Blvd., Suite 802-16
Incline Village, NV 89451
Tel: (775) 473-4744
Exhibits to the filings will not be sent, however, unless those exhibits have specifically been incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus contains, in addition to historical information, certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), that includes information relating to future events, future financial performance, strategies, expectations, competitive environment, regulation and availability of resources. Such forward-looking statements include those that express plans, anticipation, intent, contingency, goals, targets or future development or otherwise are not statements of historical fact. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and projections about future events and they are subject to risks and uncertainties known and unknown that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements.
In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology, such as “may,” “should,” “would,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “continue,” “plan,” “potential” and similar expressions. Accordingly, these statements involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in them. Any forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors discussed throughout this prospectus or incorporated herein by reference.
You should read this prospectus and the documents we have filed as exhibits to the registration statement, of which this prospectus is part, completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front cover of those documents.
THE COMPANY
Background
The lithium-ion battery manufacturing supply chain is organized into four industries that operate in series: battery feedstock providers, material refiners, cell manufacturers, and end-use product (electric vehicle, stationary storage, consumer electronics, etc.) manufacturers. While the scale of manufacturing of lithium-ion battery cells and of electric vehicles and other end-use products have grown substantially within the US in recent years, there has been little domestic growth in the battery feedstock and material refining portions of the manufacturing supply chain. This has led to an imbalance within the domestic US supply chain and has caused the majority of cell manufacturing and end-use product manufacturers to rely on foreign supplies of their raw and refined feedstock materials. The situation is so dire that in its “Mineral Commodity Summaries 2020” report, the US Geological Survey calculated that less than 1% of each of the critical and strategic battery metals (lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese) produced globally in 2019 were produced within the US.
American Battery Metals Corporation (“ABMC” or the “Company”) is a startup company in the lithium-ion battery industry that is working to increase the domestic US production of these four battery metals through its engagement in the exploration of new primary resources of battery metals, in the development and commercialization of new technologies for the extraction of these battery metals from primary resources, and in the commercialization of an internally developed integrated process for the recycling of lithium-ion batteries for the recovery of battery metals. Through this three-pronged approach ABMC is working to both increase the domestic production of these battery metals, and also to ensure that as these materials reach their end of lives that the constituent elemental battery metals are returned to the manufacturing supply chain in a closed-loop fashion.
The Company was incorporated under the laws of the State of Nevada on October 6, 2011 for the purpose of acquiring rights to mineral properties with the eventual objective of being a producing mineral company, if and when it ever occurs. We have limited operating history and have not yet generated or realized any revenues from our activities. Our principal executive offices are located at 930 Tahoe Blvd., Suite 802-16, Incline Village, NV 89451.
On August 8, 2016, the Company formed Lithortech Resources Inc. as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company to serve as its operating subsidiary for lithium resource exploration and development. On June 29, 2018, the Company changed the name of Lithortech Resources to LithiumOre Corp. (“LithiumOre”). On May 3, 2019, the Company changed its name to American Battery Metals Corporation.
The growth in demand for lithium-ion batteries is predicted by industry researchers to grow by over ten-fold over the next ten years, while over the same period there are limited announcements for new production sources of domestic US based lithium, nickel, cobalt, or manganese. As a result, there will be increased pressure on the prices of domestically sourced battery metals, and increased reliance on foreign sourced battery metals. These industry trends support and validate the Company’s multifaceted three-pronged business model to increase the production of domestic US sourced battery metals. The Company is currently a pre-revenue organization and we do not anticipate earning revenues until such time as we have initial operations of our lithium-ion battery recycling facility underway, or until we have undertaken sufficient exploration work to identify lithium and or other battery metals reserves and have validated and commercialized a cost-effective extraction system.
RISK FACTORS
An investment in our securities is subject to numerous risks, including the risk factors described below. You should carefully consider the risks, uncertainties and other factors described below, in addition to the other information set forth in this prospectus, before making an investment decision with regard to our securities. Any of these risks, uncertainties and other factors could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or prospects. In that case, the trading price of our Common Stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment. See also “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
RISKS RELATING TO OUR COMPANY
Since we have a limited operating history and have not commenced revenue-producing operations, it is difficult for potential investors to evaluate our business.
Since formation, we have not commenced revenue-producing operations. To date, our operations have consisted of the prior exploratory activities, development and limited testing of our recycling process and the development of our business plan. Our limited operating history makes it difficult for potential investors to evaluate our technology or prospective operations. As an early-stage company, we are subject to all the risks inherent in the initial organization, financing, expenditures, complications and delays in a new business. Investors should evaluate an investment in us in light of the uncertainties encountered by developing companies in a competitive environment. There can be no assurance that our efforts will be successful or that we will ultimately be able to attain profitability.
We may need additional financing to execute our business plan and fund operations, which additional financing may not be available on reasonable terms or at all.
We believe that we require a minimum of $10 million of working capital over the next 12 months in order to fund our current operations, excluding the construction of our initial recycling facility near Reno, Nevada. We have undertaken this registration of our common shares to potentially provide a portion of this necessary capital. However, we may require additional capital over the next 12 months, the receipt of which there can be no assurance. In addition, we will require additional capital in order to fully develop our recycling facilities. We intend to seek additional funds through various financing sources, including the private sale of our equity and debt securities, joint ventures with capital partners and project financing of our recycling facilities. In addition, we will consider alternatives to our current business plan that may enable to us to achieve revenue producing operations and meaningful commercial success with a smaller amount of capital. However, there can be no guarantees that such funds will be available on commercially reasonable terms, if at all. If such financing is not available on satisfactory terms, we may be unable to further pursue our business plan and we may be unable to continue operations, in which case you may lose your entire investment.
Our independent auditors have expressed substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. If we do not continue as a going concern, investors will lose their entire investment.
In their report on our financial statements included in this prospectus, our independent auditors have expressed substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Our ability to continue as a going concern is an issue raised as a result of ongoing operating losses and a lack of financing commitments then in place to meet expected cash requirements. Our ability to continue as a going concern is subject to our ability to generate a profit or obtain necessary funding from outside sources, including obtaining additional funding from the sale of our securities, increasing sales or obtaining loans and grants from various financial institutions where possible. If we do not continue as a going concern, investors will lose their entire investment.
We must effectively manage the growth of our operations, or our company will suffer.
Our ability to successfully implement our business plan requires an effective planning and management process. If funding is available, we may elect to increase the scope of our operations and acquire complementary businesses. Implementing our business plan will require significant additional funding and resources. If we grow our operations, we will need to hire additional employees and make significant capital investments. If we grow our operations, it will place a significant strain on our existing management and resources. Additionally, we will need to improve our financial and managerial controls and reporting systems and procedures, and we will need to expand, train and manage our workforce. Any failure to manage any of the foregoing areas efficiently and effectively would cause our business to suffer.
We may be unable to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, and as a result we may be unable to accurately report our financial results.
Our reporting obligations as a public company place a significant strain on our management, operational and financial resources and systems. We do not currently have effective internal controls. If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we could experience delays or inaccuracies in our reporting of financial information, or non-compliance with the Commission, reporting and other regulatory requirements. This could subject us to regulatory scrutiny and result in a loss of public confidence in our management, which could, among other things, cause our stock price to drop.
We have been and expect to be significantly dependent on consulting agreements for the development of our battery recycling facilities, which exposes us to the risk of reliance on the performance of third parties.
In developing our battery recycling technology, we rely to some extent on consulting agreements with third parties as the Company does not have the resources to employ all the necessary staff required for such activities. The failure to obtain and maintain such consulting agreements would substantially disrupt or delay our battery recycling activities. Any such loss would likely increase our expenses and materially harm our business, financial condition and results of operation.
If we are not successful in attracting and retaining highly qualified personnel, we may not be able to successfully implement our business strategy. In addition, the loss of the services of certain key employees would adversely impact our business prospects.
If we are not successful in attracting and retaining highly qualified personnel, we may not be able to successfully implement our business strategy. In addition, the loss of the services of certain key employees, including Douglas Cole, our Chief Executive Officer and Ryan Melsert, our Chief Technology Officer, would adversely impact our business prospects. Our ability to compete in the highly competitive battery recycling technology business depends in large part upon our ability to attract highly qualified managerial, scientific, and engineering personnel. In order to induce valuable employees to remain with us, we intend to provide employees with stock grants that vest over time. The value to employees of stock grants that vest over time will be significantly affected by movements in our stock price that we will not be able to control and may at any time be insufficient to counteract more lucrative offers from other companies. Other technology companies with which we compete for qualified personnel have greater financial and other resources, different risk profiles, and a longer history in the industry than we do. They also may provide more diverse opportunities and better chances for career advancement. Some of these characteristics may be more appealing to high-quality candidates than what we have to offer. If we are unable to continue to attract and retain high-quality personnel, the rate and success at which we can develop and commercialize products would be limited.
The Company’s activities and operations may be affected by existing or threatened medical pandemics, such as the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
The full extent to which COVID-19 impacts the Company will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning COVID-19 and the actions required to contain or treat its impact, among others. Investors are cautioned that operating and financial performance may vary from the expectations of management and our previously issued financial outlook as a result of the evolving COVID-19 environment.
RISKS RELATING TO OUR BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
Battery recycling is a highly competitive and speculative business and we may not be successful in seeking available opportunities.
The process of battery recycling is a highly competitive and speculative business. In seeking available opportunities, we will compete with a number of other companies, including established, multi-national companies that have more experience and resources than we do. There also may be other small companies that are developing similar processes and are farther along than the Company. Because we may not have the financial and managerial resources to compete with other companies, we may not be successful in our efforts to develop technology which is commercially viable.
Our new business model has not been proven by us or anyone else.
We intend to engage in the business of lithium recycling through a proprietary recycling technology. While the production of lithium-ion recycling is an established business, to date most lithium-ion recycling has been produced by way of performing bulk high temperature calcinations or bulk acid dissolutions. We have developed a highly strategic recycling processing train that does not employ any high temperature operations or any bulk chemical treatments of the full battery. We have tested our recycling process on a small scale and to a limited degree; however, there can be no assurance that we will be able to produce battery metals in commercial quantities at a cost of production that will provide us with an adequate profit margin. The uniqueness of our process presents potential risks associated with the development of a business model that is untried and unproven.
While the testing of our recycling process has been successful to date, there can be no assurance that we will be able to replicate the process, along with all of the expected economic advantages, on a large commercial scale.
As of the date of this prospectus, we have built and operated our recycling process on a very small scale. While we believe that our development and testing to date has proven the concept of our recycling process, we have not undertaken the build-out or operation of a large-scale facility capable of recycling large commercial quantities. There can be no assurance that as we commence large scale manufacturing or operations that we will not incur unexpected costs or hurdles that might restrict the desired scale of our intended operations or negatively impact our projected gross profit margin.
Our intellectual property rights may not be adequate to protect our business.
We currently do not hold any patents for our products. Although we expect to file applications related to our technology, no assurances can be given that any patent will be issued on such patent applications or that, if such patents are issued, they will be sufficiently broad to adequately protect our technology. In addition, we cannot assure you that any patents that may be issued to us will not be challenged, invalidated, or circumvented. Even if we are issued patents, they may not stop a competitor from illegally using our patented processes and materials. In such event, we would incur substantial costs and expenses, including lost time of management in addressing and litigating, if necessary, such matters. Additionally, we rely upon a combination of trade secret laws and nondisclosure agreements with third parties and employees having access to confidential information or receiving unpatented proprietary know-how, trade secrets and technology to protect our proprietary rights and technology. These laws and agreements provide only limited protection. We can give no assurance that these measures will adequately protect us from misappropriation of proprietary information.
Our processes may infringe on the intellectual property rights of others, which could lead to costly disputes or disruptions.
The applied science industry is characterized by frequent allegations of intellectual property infringement. Though we do not expect to be subject to any of these allegations, any allegation of infringement could be time consuming and expensive to defend or resolve, result in substantial diversion of management resources, cause suspension of operations or force us to enter into royalty, license, or other agreements rather than dispute the merits of such allegation. If patent holders or other holders of intellectual property initiate legal proceedings, we may be forced into protracted and costly litigation. We may not be successful in defending such litigation and may not be able to procure any required royalty or license agreements on acceptable terms or at all.
Our business strategy includes entering into joint ventures and strategic alliances. Failure to successfully integrate such joint ventures or strategic alliances into our operations could adversely affect our business.
We propose to commercially exploit our recycling process, in part, by entering into joint ventures and strategic relationships with parties involved in the manufacture and recycling of lithium-ion products. Joint ventures and strategic alliances may involve significant other risks and uncertainties, including distraction of management’s attention away from normal business operations, insufficient revenue generation to offset liabilities assumed and expenses associated with the transaction, and unidentified issues not discovered in our due diligence process, such as product quality, technology issues and legal contingencies. In addition, we may be unable to effectively integrate any such programs and ventures into our operations. Our operating results could be adversely affected by any problems arising during or from any joint ventures or strategic alliances.
If we are unable to manage future expansion effectively, our business, operations and financial condition may suffer significantly, resulting in decreased productivity.
If our recycling process proves to be commercially valuable, it is likely that we will experience a rapid growth phase that could place a significant strain on our managerial, administrative, technical, operational and financial resources. Our organization, procedures and management may not be adequate to fully support the expansion of our operations or the efficient execution of our business strategy. If we are unable to manage future expansion effectively, our business, operations and financial condition may suffer significantly, resulting in decreased productivity.
The global economic conditions could negatively affect our prospects for growth and operating results.
Our prospects for growth and operating results will be directly affected by the general global economic conditions of the industries in which our suppliers, partners and customer groups operate. We believe that the market price of our principal product, recycled lithium- ion, is relatively volatile and reacts to general global economic conditions. A decline in the price of lithium-ion resulting from over supply or a global economic slowdown and the other global economic conditions could negatively affect our business. There can be no assurance that global economic conditions will not, at times, negatively impact our liquidity, growth prospects and results of operations.
Government regulation and environmental, health and safety concerns may adversely affect our business.
Our operations in the United States will be subject to the Federal, State and local environmental, health and safety laws applicable to the reclamation of lithium-ion batteries. Depending on how any particular operation is structured, our facilities will probably have to obtain environmental permits or approvals to operate, including those associated with air emissions, water discharges, and waste management and storage. We may face opposition from local residents or public interest groups to the installation and operation of our facilities. Failure to secure (or significant delays in securing) the necessary approvals could prevent us from pursuing some of our planned operations and adversely affect our business, financial results and growth prospects. In addition to permitting requirements, our operations are subject to environmental health, safety and transportation laws and regulations that govern the management of and exposure to hazardous materials such as the heavy metals and acids involved in battery reclamation. These include hazard communication and other occupational safety requirements for employees, which may mandate industrial hygiene monitoring of employees for potential exposure to hazardous materials. Failure to comply with these requirements could subject our business to significant penalties (civil or criminal) and other sanctions that could adversely affect our business.
The nature of our operations involves risks, including the potential for exposure to hazardous materials such as heavy metals, that could result in personal injury and property damage claims from third parties, including employees and neighbors, which claims could result in significant costs or other environmental liability. Our operations also pose a risk of releases of hazardous substances, such as heavy metals or acids, into the environment, which can result in liabilities for the removal or remediation of such hazardous substances from the properties at which they have been released, liabilities which can be imposed regardless of fault, and our business could be held liable for the entire cost of cleanup even if we were only partially responsible. Like any manufacturer, we are also subject to the possibility that we may receive notices of potential liability in connection with materials that were sent to third-party recycling, treatment, and disposal facilities under the Federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (“CERCLA”), and comparable state statutes, which impose liability for investigation and remediation of contamination without regard to fault or the legality of the conduct that contributed to the contamination, and for damages to natural resources. Liability under CERCLA is retroactive, and, under certain circumstances, liability for the entire cost of a cleanup can be imposed on any responsible party.
In the event we are unable to present and operate our recycling process and operations as safe and environmentally responsible, we may face opposition from local governments, residents or public interest groups to the installation and operation of our facilities.
Control by management may limit your ability to influence the outcome of director elections and other transactions requiring stockholder approval.
As of January 25, 2021, our directors and executive officers beneficially own approximately 10% of our outstanding Common Stock. In addition, our five directors each own 100,000 shares of our Series A Preferred Shares which each Series A Preferred Share can vote the equivalent of 1,000 shares of Common Stock. Upon the completion of this offering, in addition to control exercised by their board seats and officer positions, such persons will have significant influence over corporate actions requiring stockholder approval, including the following actions:
● | to elect or defeat the election of our directors; |
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● | to amend or prevent amendment of our certificate of incorporation or bylaws; |
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● | to effect or prevent a merger, sale of assets or other corporate transaction; and |
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● | to control the outcome of any other matter submitted to our stockholders for vote. |
Such persons’ stock ownership may discourage a potential acquirer from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of our company, which in turn could reduce our stock price or prevent our stockholders from realizing a premium over our stock price.
RISKS RELATED TO AN INVESTMENT IN OUR SECURITIES
We expect to experience volatility in the price of our Common Stock, which could negatively affect stockholders’ investments.
The trading price of our Common Stock has been highly volatile and could continue to be subject to wide fluctuations in response to various factors, some of which are beyond our control. During the 12 months prior to the date of this prospectus, our Common Stock has traded at a low of $0.028 and a high of $4.90. From the beginning of 2021 through February 22, 2021, our Common Stock has traded at a low of $1.40 and a high of $2.98 per share. From December 1, 2020 through February 21, 2021, our Common Stock has traded at a low of $0.23 and a high of $4.07 per share. The intraday stock price changes ranged from $2.49 to $4.90 over the past 30-day period. We believe that our recent stock price volatility and stock trading volume fluctuations have been unrelated or disproportionate to any existing changes to our financial conditions or results of operations during the fiscal quarters ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019. Investors of our Common Stock may experience rapid and substantial decreases in our stock price, including decreases unrelated to our operating performance or business prospects.
The stock market in general has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of companies with securities traded in those markets. Broad market and industry factors may seriously affect the market price of companies’ stock, including ours, regardless of actual operating performance. All of these factors could adversely affect your ability to sell your shares of Common Stock or, if you are able to sell your shares, to sell your shares at a price that you determine to be fair or favorable.
The relative lack of public company experience of our management team could adversely impact our ability to comply with the reporting requirements of U.S. securities laws.
Our management team lacks significant public company experience, which could impair our ability to comply with legal and regulatory requirements such as those imposed by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Our senior management has little experience in managing a publicly traded company. Such responsibilities include complying with federal securities laws and making required disclosures on a timely basis. Our senior management may not be able to implement programs and policies in an effective and timely manner that adequately respond to such increased legal, regulatory compliance and reporting requirements, including the establishing and maintaining of internal controls over financial reporting. Any such deficiencies, weaknesses or lack of compliance could have a materially adverse effect on our ability to comply with the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), which is necessary to maintain our public company status. If we were to fail to fulfill those obligations, our ability to continue as a U.S. public company would be in jeopardy, we could be subject to the imposition of fines and penalties and our management would have to divert resources from attending to our business plan.
Our Common Stock is categorized as “penny stock,” which may make it more difficult for investors to sell their shares of Common Stock due to suitability requirements.
Our Common Stock is categorized as “penny stock”. The SEC has adopted Rule 15g-9 which generally defines “penny stock” to be any equity security that has a market price (as defined therein) of less than $5.00 per share or an exercise price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to certain exceptions. The price of our Common Stock is significantly less than $5.00 per share, and is therefore considered “penny stock.” This designation imposes additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers who sell to persons other than established customers and accredited investors. The penny stock rules require a broker-dealer buying our securities to disclose certain information concerning the transaction, obtain a written agreement from the purchaser and determine that the purchaser is reasonably suitable to purchase the securities given the increased risks generally inherent in penny stocks. These rules may restrict the ability or willingness of brokers or dealers to buy or sell our Common Stock, either directly or on behalf of their clients, may discourage potential stockholders from purchasing our Common Stock, or may adversely affect the ability of stockholders to sell their shares.
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) sales practice requirements may also limit a stockholder’s ability to buy and sell our Common Stock, which could depress the price of our Common Stock.
In addition to the “penny stock” rules described above, FINRA has adopted rules that require a broker-dealer to have reasonable grounds for believing that the investment is suitable for that customer before recommending an investment to a customer. Prior to recommending speculative low-priced securities to their non-institutional customers, broker-dealers must make reasonable efforts to obtain information about the customer’s financial status, tax status, investment objectives and other information. Under interpretations of these rules, FINRA believes that there is a high probability that speculative low-priced securities will not be suitable for at least some customers. Thus, the FINRA requirements make it more difficult for broker-dealers to recommend that their customers buy our Common Stock, which may limit your ability to buy and sell our shares of Common Stock, have an adverse effect on the market for our shares of Common Stock, and thereby depress our price per share of Common Stock.
The elimination of monetary liability against our directors, officers and employees under Nevada law and the existence of indemnification rights for or obligations to our directors, officers and employees may result in substantial expenditures by us and may discourage lawsuits against our directors, officers and employees.
Our Articles of Incorporation contain a provision permitting us to eliminate the personal liability of our directors to us and our stockholders for damages for the breach of a fiduciary duty as a director or officer to the extent provided by Nevada law. We may also have contractual indemnification obligations under any future employment agreements with our officers. The foregoing indemnification obligations could result in us incurring substantial expenditures to cover the cost of settlement or damage awards against directors and officers, which we may be unable to recoup. These provisions and the resulting costs may also discourage us from bringing a lawsuit against directors and officers for breaches of their fiduciary duties, and may similarly discourage the filing of derivative litigation by our stockholders against our directors and officers even though such actions, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our stockholders.
We may issue additional shares of Common Stock or preferred stock in the future, which could cause significant dilution to all stockholders.
Our Articles of Incorporation authorize the issuance of up to 1,200,000,000 shares of Common Stock with a par value of $0.001 per share. As of January 25, 2021, we had 506,737,122 shares of Common Stock outstanding; however, we may issue additional shares of Common Stock in the future in connection with a financing or an acquisition. Such issuances may not require the approval of our stockholders. In addition, certain of our outstanding rights to purchase additional shares of Common Stock or securities convertible into our Common Stock are subject to some form of anti-dilution protection, which could result in the right to purchase significantly more shares of Common Stock being issued or a reduction in the purchase price for any such shares or both. Any issuance of additional shares of our Common Stock, or equity securities convertible into our Common Stock, including but not limited to, preferred stock, warrants and options, will dilute the percentage ownership interest of all stockholders, may dilute the book value per share of our Common Stock, may negatively impact the market price of our Common Stock, and may also negatively affect stockholders’ investments. If we are able to sell all of our common shares registered in this Registration Statement in the aggregate gross amount of $250,000,000 at an assumed price of $2.50 per share, the approximate closing price quoted on the OTC Markets on February 23, 2021, we will have to issue a total of 100 million shares to the investors, representing approximately 20% of our total issued and outstanding Common Stock. The supply of a large number of our common shares to the public market may suppress the trading prices of our Common Stock, cause our stock prices to fluctuate in an undesirable way, and therefore could negatively affect our investors’ ability to sell our Common Stock at their desired or profitable prices or at all.
Anti-takeover effects of certain provisions of Nevada state law hinder a potential takeover of us.
Certain provisions of the Nevada Revised Statutes have anti-takeover effects and may inhibit a non-negotiated merger or other business combination. These provisions are intended to encourage any person interested in acquiring us to negotiate with, and to obtain the approval of, our board of directors in connection with such a transaction. However, certain of these provisions may discourage a future acquisition of us, including an acquisition in which the stockholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares. As a result, stockholders who might desire to participate in such a transaction may not have the opportunity to do so.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities described in this prospectus for general corporate and operations purposes. The applicable prospectus supplement will provide more details on the use of proceeds of any specific offering.
DIVIDEND POLICY
We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our Common Stock. We currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings to support our operations and finance the growth and development of our business. We do not intend to pay cash dividends on our Common Stock for the foreseeable future. Any future determination related to dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our Board of Directors. The holders of the Series B and Series C Preferred Stock are entitled to receive an 8% per annum dividend on their stated value which can be paid in cash or Common Stock at the discretion of the Company (see description of Series B and Series C Preferred Stock below).
The current and future holders of our Common Stock are entitled to receive dividends pro rata based on the number of shares held, when and if declared by our board of directors, from funds legally available for that purpose. Nevada Revised Statutes prohibits us from declaring dividends where, after giving effect to the distribution of the dividend, we would not be able to pay our debts as they become due in the ordinary course of business, or our total assets would be less than the sum of our total liabilities.
Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws do not contain provisions restricting our ability to pay dividends of our Common Stock.
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
The following description of our capital stock is not complete and may not contain all the information you should consider before investing in our capital stock. This description is summarized from, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, our certificate of incorporation and bylaws which have been publicly filed with the SEC. See “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation by Reference.”
Authorized and Outstanding Securities
The Company is authorized to issue two classes of shares, designated “Common Stock” and “Preferred Stock.” The total number of shares which the Company is authorized to issue is 1,225,000,000. The number of shares of Preferred Stock which the Corporation is authorized to issue is 25,000,000 with a $.001 par value per share. The number of shares of Common Stock which the Corporation is authorized to issue is 1,200,000,000, with a $.001 par value per share. As of January 25, 2021, there were 500,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, 0 shares of Series B Preferred Stock, 281,450 shares of Series C Preferred Stock, and 506,737,122 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding.
Common Stock
The holders of our Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters requiring a vote of the stockholders, including the election of directors. Holders of Common Stock do not have cumulative voting rights. Holders of Common Stock are entitled to share ratably in dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by the Board in its discretion from funds legally available therefor, subject to preferences that may be applicable to preferred stock, if any, then outstanding. At present, we have no plans to issue dividends. See “Dividend Policy” for additional information. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the holders of Common Stock are entitled to share pro rata all assets remaining after payment in full of all liabilities, subject to prior distribution rights of preferred stock, if any, then outstanding. The Common Stock has no preemptive or conversion rights or other subscription rights. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the Common Stock.
Preferred Stock
Our amended and restated articles of incorporation authorize 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock and provide that shares of preferred stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. Our board of directors will be authorized to fix the voting rights, if any, designations, powers, preferences, the relative, participating, optional or other special rights and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, applicable to the shares of each series. Our board of directors will be able to, without stockholder approval, issue shares of preferred stock with voting and other rights that could adversely affect the voting power and other rights of the holders of the Common Stock and could have anti-takeover effects. The ability of our board of directors to issue shares of preferred stock without stockholder approval could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of us or the removal of existing management.
Series A Preferred Stock
Designation
The Company has designated 500,000 shares of its preferred stock as Series A Preferred Stock.
Ranking
The Series A Preferred Stock ranks senior to the Common Stock of the Company and to all other Preferred Stock of the Company.
Voting Rights
On all matters submitted to a vote of the shareholders of the Company, each share of Series A Preferred Stock will have 1,000 votes and holders of Series A Preferred Stock will vote with the holders of the Common Stock as one class.
Conversion Rights
The Series A Preferred Stock does not have any conversion rights into the Common Stock of the Company.
Dividends
The holders of the Series A Preferred Stock are not eligible to participate with respect to any dividends that may be declared by the Board of Directors.
Redemption
Subject to applicable law, the Company may, at any time and from time to time, purchase any shares of the Series A Preferred Stock from the holders.
Liquidation Preference
The Series A Preferred Stock is entitled to liquidation rights according to its rank (as set forth above) and at its par value.
Transfer Restrictions
The outstanding shares of the Series A Preferred Stock may not be transferred, assigned, hypothecated or otherwise conveyed to any party without the affirmative vote of the Board of Directors.
Series B Preferred Stock
Designation
The Company has designated 2,000,000 shares of its preferred stock as Series B preferred stock. The stated value of the Series B Preferred Stock is $10.00 per share.
Ranking
The Series B Preferred Stock ranks senior to the Common Stock of the Company and to all other Preferred Stock of the Company, except Series A.
Voting Rights
The holders of the Series B Preferred stock do not have voting rights.
Conversion Rights
Each share of Series B Preferred Stock is convertible into forty (40) shares of the Company’s Common Stock.
Dividends
The holders of the Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, and the Company shall pay, non-cumulative dividends at the rate per share (as a percentage of the Stated Value) of 8% per annum. The dividends shall be payable at the Company’s option either in cash or in common shares of the Company.
Liquidation Preference
The Series B Preferred Stock is entitled to liquidation rights according to its rank (as set forth above) and at its stated value.
Transfer Restrictions
The Series B Preferred Stock may only be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or otherwise disposed of in accordance with state and federal securities laws.
Series C Preferred Stock
Designation
The Company has designated 1,000,000 shares of its preferred stock of Series C preferred stock. The stated value of the Series C Preferred Stock is $10.00 per share.
Ranking
The Series C Preferred Stock ranks senior to the Common Stock of the Company and to all other Preferred Stock of the Company, except Series A and Series B.
Voting Rights
The holders of the Series C Preferred stock do not have voting rights.
Conversion Rights
Each share of Series C Preferred Stock is convertible into eighty (80) shares of the Company’s Common Stock.
Dividends
The holders of the Series C Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, and the Company shall pay, non-cumulative dividends at the rate per share (as a percentage of the Stated Value) of 8% per annum. The dividends shall be payable at the Company’s option either in cash or in common shares of the Company.
Liquidation Preference
The Series C Preferred Stock is entitled to liquidation rights according to its rank (as set forth above) and at its stated value.
Transfer Restrictions
The Series C Preferred Stock may only be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or otherwise disposed of in accordance with state and federal securities laws.
Anti-Takeover Effects of Nevada Law and Our Charter Documents
Certain provisions of Nevada law and our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws could make more difficult the acquisition of us by means of a tender offer or otherwise, and the removal of incumbent officers and directors. These provisions are expected to discourage certain types of coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us.
Transfer Agent
The transfer agent for our Common Stock is Securities Transfer Corporation at 2901 N. Dallas Parkway, Suite 380, Plano, TX 75093. The transfer agent’s telephone number is (469) 633-0101.
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
We may issue warrants for the purchase of Common Stock in one or more series. We may issue warrants independently or together with Common Stock or preferred stock, and the warrants may be attached to or separate from these securities. While the terms summarized below will apply generally to any warrants that we may offer, we will describe the particular terms of any series of warrants in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any warrants offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below.
We will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from reports that we file with the SEC, the form of warrant agreement that describes the terms of the particular series of warrants we are offering before the issuance of the related series of warrants. The following summaries of material provisions of the warrants and the warrant agreements are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the warrant agreement applicable to the particular series of warrants that we may offer under this prospectus. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements related to the particular series of warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, as well as any related free writing prospectuses, and the complete warrant agreements that contain the terms of the warrants.
General
We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of warrants being offered, including:
● | the offering price and aggregate number of warrants offered; |
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● | the currency for which the warrants may be purchased; |
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● | if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such security or each principal amount of such security; |
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● | if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable; |
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● | the number of shares of Common Stock purchasable upon the exercise of one warrant and the price at which these shares may be purchased upon such exercise; |
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● | the effect of any merger, consolidation, sale or other disposition of our business on the warrant agreements and the warrants; |
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● | the terms of any rights to redeem or call the warrants; |
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● | any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price or number of securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants; |
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● | the dates on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and expire; |
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● | the manner in which the warrant agreements and warrants may be modified; |
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● | a discussion of any material or special United States federal income tax consequences of holding or exercising the warrants; |
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● | the terms of the securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants; and |
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● | any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of or restrictions on the warrants. |
Before exercising their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise, including the right to receive dividends, if any, or, payments upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up or to exercise voting rights, if any.
Exercise of Warrants
Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase the securities that we specify in the applicable prospectus supplement at the exercise price that we describe in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may exercise the warrants at any time up to the specified time on the expiration date that we set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.
Holders of the warrants may exercise the warrants by delivering the notice of exercise, and paying the required amount to the Company in immediately available funds, as provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. Upon receipt of the notice of exercise and the required payment, we will issue and deliver the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If fewer than all of the warrants represented by the warrant agreement are exercised, then we will issue a new warrant agreement for the remaining number of warrants. If we so indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may surrender securities as all or part of the exercise price for warrants.
Governing Law
Unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the warrants and warrant agreements will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Nevada.
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS
The following description, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable prospectus supplements, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the units that we may offer under this prospectus. While the terms summarized below will apply generally to any units that we may offer, we will describe the particular terms of any series of units in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. If we indicate in the prospectus supplement, the terms of any units offered under that prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. Specific unit agreements will contain additional important terms and provisions and will be incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement that includes this prospectus.
We may issue units composed of one or more of the other securities described in this prospectus in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date. The applicable prospectus supplement may describe:
● | the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately; |
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● | any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units; |
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● | the terms of the unit agreement governing the units; |
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● | United States federal income tax considerations relevant to the units; and |
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● | whether the units will be issued in fully registered or global form. |
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The provisions described in this section, as well as those described under “Description of Our Capital Stock” and “Description of Warrants” will apply to each unit, as applicable, and to any Common Stock, preferred stock and warrant included in each unit, as applicable.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell the securities described in this prospectus on a continuous or delayed basis directly to purchasers, through underwriters, broker-dealers or agents that may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from us or the purchasers of the securities, in “at the market offerings” within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act, to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market, on an exchange, or otherwise or through a combination of any such methods of sale. Discounts, concessions or commissions as to any particular underwriter, broker-dealer or agent may be in excess of those customary in the types of transactions involved.
The securities may be sold from time to time in one or more transactions at fixed prices, which may be changed from time to time, at prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at varying prices determined at the time of sale or at negotiated prices. These sales may be effected in transactions, which may involve crosses or block transactions:
● | on any national securities exchange or quotation service on which the securities may be listed or quoted at the time of sale, including, as of the date of this prospectus, the OTCQX in the case of our Common Stock; |
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● | in the over-the-counter market; |
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● | in transactions otherwise than on these exchanges or services or in the over-the-counter market; or |
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● | through the writing of options, whether the options are listed on an options exchange or otherwise. |
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● | Each time that we use this prospectus to sell our securities, we shall also provide a prospectus supplement. For each series of securities, the applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the terms of the offering including: |
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● | the public offering price; |
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● | the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents; |
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● | the purchase price of the securities; · |
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● | the proceeds from the sale of the securities to us; · |
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● | any underwriting discounts, agency fees, or other compensation payable to underwriters or agents; · |
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● | any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or repaid to dealers; and · |
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● | the securities exchanges on which the securities will be listed, if any. |
If we use underwriters in the sale of securities, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account. The underwriters may then resell the securities in one or more transactions at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale or thereafter. The securities may be either offered to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters, or directly by underwriters. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the securities offered if they purchase any securities. The public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.
If we use dealers in the sale of securities, we will sell securities to such dealers as principals. The dealers may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by such dealers at the time of resale. We may solicit offers to purchase the securities directly, and we may sell the securities directly to institutional or other investors, who may be deemed underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any resales of those securities. The terms of these sales will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. If we use agents in the sale of securities, unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, they will use their reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of their appointment. Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, if we sell directly, no underwriters, dealers or agents would be involved. We will not make an offer of securities in any jurisdiction that does not permit such an offer.
We may grant underwriters who participate in the distribution of securities an option to purchase additional securities to cover overallotments, if any, in connection with the distribution. Any underwriter may engage in overallotment, stabilizing transactions, short covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with SEC orders, rules and regulations and applicable law. To the extent permitted by applicable law and SEC orders, rules and regulations, an overallotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. To the extent permitted by applicable law and SEC orders, rules and regulations, short covering transactions involve purchases of the Common Stock in the open market after the distribution is completed to cover short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the Common Stock originally sold by the dealer is purchased in a covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of the Common Stock to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any time.
Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in any distribution of securities may be deemed to be underwriters as defined in the Securities Act. Any discounts, commissions or profit they receive when they resell the securities may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Only underwriters named in the prospectus supplement are underwriters of the securities offered in the prospectus supplement. We may have agreements with underwriters, dealers and agents to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute with respect to payments that they may be required to make.
We may authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers from certain institutions whereby the institution contractually agrees to purchase the securities from us on a future date at a specific price. This type of contract may be made only with institutions that we specifically approve. Such institutions could include banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies and educational and charitable institutions. The underwriters, dealers or agents will not be responsible for the validity or performance of these contracts.
Each series of securities will be a new issue of securities. Our Common Stock is traded on the OTCQX under the symbol “ABML”. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, our securities (other than our Common Stock) will not be listed on any exchange. It has not presently been established whether the underwriters, if any, of the securities will make a market in the securities. If the underwriters make a market in the securities, such market making may be discontinued at any time without notice.
Agents, dealers and underwriters may be entitled to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments which the agents, dealers or underwriters may be required to make in respect thereof. Agents, dealers or underwriters may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for us and our subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.
LEGAL MATTERS
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, Law Office of Jeffrey Maller, PC, Los Angeles, California, has provided an opinion, and will continue to will provide opinions, regarding the validity of the shares of our Common Stock. Law Office of Jeffrey Maller, PC may also provide opinions regarding certain other matters.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of American Battery Metals Corporation and its subsidiaries as of June 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019, and for the nine and twelve month periods then ended, respectively, have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the report of Pinnacle Accountancy Group of Utah, independent registered public accounting firm (a dba of the PCAOB-registered firm Heaton & Company, PLLC), and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
2,000,000 Shares of Common Stock
November 22, 2023