Stellantis e NioCorp assinam proposta de investimento para aquisição de minerais de terras raras, reforçando o compromisso da Stellantis em se tornar neutra em carbono até 2038

A proposta também prevê um possível investimento estratégico da Stellantis no projeto de minerais críticos de Elk Creek, da NioCorp

AMESTERDÃO e CENTENNIAL, Colorado – 7 de julho de 2023 – Stellantis N.V. ("Stellantis") e NioCorp Developments Ltd. ("NioCorp" ou a "Empresa") (Nasdaq:NB) (TSX:NB) anunciaram hoje a assinatura de uma Proposta de Investimento para aquisição de minerais de terras raras. O objetivo é a assinatura de um acordo definitivo de fornecimento de matéria-prima para fortalecer o compromisso da Stellantis em construir cadeias de abastecimentos resilientes e tornar-se neutra em carbono até 2038 e ajudar a acelerar o percurso da NioCorp para a produção comercial de óxidos magnéticos de terras raras, nos EUA.

A Proposta de Investimento assinada hoje prevê um acordo definitivo para um contrato de aquisição de 10 anos, para quantidades específicas de óxido de neodímio-praseodímio, óxido de disprósio e óxido de térbio que a NioCorp pretende produzir no seu Projeto de Minerais Críticos de Elk Creek (o "Projeto Elk Creek") no sudeste do estado norte-americano do Nebraska, sujeito à receção de financiamento adequado para o projeto. Os volumes finais serão definidos num acordo definitivo.

“A Stellantis pretende liderar o setor com o compromisso de ser neutra em carbono até 2038, uma meta que exige inovação e uma redefinição completa de todo o negócio”, afirmou Maxime Picat, Chief Purchasing and Supply Chain Officer, da Stellantis. “Ao trabalhar com parceiros como a NioCorp estamos a dar passos importantes, com o objetivo de descarbonizar a mobilidade e garantir o abastecimento estratégico de matérias-primas necessárias para o sucesso dos planos globais de eletrificação da empresa, destacados na nossa estratégia ‘Dare Foward 2030’.”

"Estamos muito satisfeitos em anunciar que a NioCorp e a Stellantis concordaram em desenvolver, de uma forma colaborativa, a cadeia de fornecimento da Stellantis para minérios magnéticos de terras raras, inclusive ajudando a identificar um fabricante permanente de ímãs de terras raras sinterizados, que possibilitem uma diversidade geográfica adicional à Stellantis, em apoio ao seu ambicioso compromisso de se tornar neutra em carbono até 2038", afirmou Mark Smith, Executive Chairman e CEO da NioCorp. “Acreditamos que a posição da NioCorp como um potencial fornecedor de vários minerais críticos para os EUA, necessários para a eletrificação de veículos, oferece à Stellantis uma importante opção para proteger as cadeias de abastecimentos e apoiar a suas metas de crescimento.”

Como não se realizou nenhuma análise económica sobre o recurso mineral de terras raras que inclui o Projeto Elk Creek, são necessários mais estudos antes de determinar se a extração de elementos de terras raras pode ser razoavelmente justificada e economicamente viável, após levar em conta todos os fatores relevantes.

A formalização do contrato de aquisição vinculativo está sujeita à conclusão satisfatória das devidas diligências, à negociação e liquidação dos termos finais, à negociação da documentação definitiva e às condições habituais de fecho, incluindo aprovações regulatórias. Não há garantia de que qualquer acordo vinculativo seja celebrado nos termos aqui descritos ou de qualquer forma. Por favor consulte as “Declarações Prospectivas” (abaixo) para mais informações.

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@Stellantis $STLA @NioCorp $NB $NB.TO #rareearth #neodymium #praseodymium #dysprosium #terbium #ElkCreek #Niobium #Scandium #permanentmagnets

Contactos

- Stellantis

Fernão Silveira

Global Communications / Stellantis

+31 6 43 25 43 41

fernao.silveira@stellantis.com

Jorge Magalhães

Diretor de Comunicação, Assuntos Institucionais e Eventos / Portugal

+351 96 986 16 80

jorge.magalhaes@stellantis.com

communications@stellantis.com

www.media.stellantis.com/pt-pt/

www.stellantis.com

- NioCorp

Jim Sims,

Chief Communications Officer, NioCorp Developments Ltd.,

720-334-7066

jim.sims@niocorp.com

Sobre a Stellantis

Stellantis N.V. (NYSE: STLA/ Euronext Milan: STLAM/ Euronext Paris: STLAP) é um dos principais fabricantes mundiais de automóveis e um fornecedor de mobilidade. Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, DS Automobiles, Fiat, Jeep®, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Ram, Vauxhall, Free2move e Leasys são as nossas marcas históricas e icónicas, que injetam a paixão dos seus fundadores visionários e dos clientes atuais em produtos e serviços inovadores. Impulsionados pela nossa diversidade, moldamos a mobilidade do amanhã. O nosso objetivo: tornarmo-nos a maior empresa tecnológica de mobilidade sustentável, em termos de qualidade e não de dimensão, ao mesmo tempo que criamos ainda mais valor para todos os nossos parceiros e para as comunidades onde operamos. Informações adicionais em www.stellantis.com.

Sobre a NioCorp

A NioCorp está a desenvolver um projeto de minerais críticos no sudeste do estado do Nebraska (EUA) para a produção de nióbio, escândio e titânio. A empresa também está a avaliar o potencial de produção de várias terras raras do Projeto Elk Creek. O nióbio é usado para produzir ligas especiais, bem como aço de alta resistência e baixa liga, um aço mais leve e resistente usado em aplicações automóveis, estruturais e de tubos. O escândio é um metal especial que pode ser combinado com o alumínio para a composiçao de ligas com maior resistência e melhor resistência à corrosão. O escândio também é um componente crítico das células de combustível de óxido sólido avançadas. O titânio é usado em várias ligas leves e é um componente fundamental de pigmentos usados em papel, tintas e plásticos, sendo também usado para aplicações aeroespaciais, armaduras e implantes médicos. Terras raras magnéticas, como neodímio, praseodímio, térbio e disprósio, são essenciais para o fabrico de ímanes de neodímio-ferro-boro, usados em várias aplicações civis e de defesa.

DECLARAÇÕES PROSPECTIVAS DA STELLANTIS (nota: versão original em inglês)

This communication contains forward-looking statements. In particular, statements regarding future events and anticipated results of operations, business strategies, the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction, future financial and operating results, the anticipated closing date for the proposed transaction and other anticipated aspects of our operations or operating results are forward-looking statements. These statements may include terms such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “could”, “should”, “intend”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “remain”, “on track”, “design”, “target”, “objective”, “goal”, “forecast”, “projection”, “outlook”, “prospects”, “plan”, or similar terms. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Rather, they are based on Stellantis’ current state of knowledge, future expectations and projections about future events and are by their nature, subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. They relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur or exist in the future and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on them.

Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including: the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ability of Stellantis to launch new products successfully and to maintain vehicle shipment volumes; changes in the global financial markets, general economic environment and changes in demand for automotive products, which is subject to cyclicality; changes in local economic and political conditions, changes in trade policy and the imposition of global and regional tariffs or tariffs targeted to the automotive industry, the enactment of tax reforms or other changes in tax laws and regulations; Stellantis’ ability to expand certain of their brands globally; its ability to offer innovative, attractive products; its ability to develop, manufacture and sell vehicles with advanced features including enhanced electrification, connectivity and autonomous-driving characteristics; various types of claims, lawsuits, governmental investigations and other contingencies, including product liability and warranty claims and environmental claims, investigations and lawsuits; material operating expenditures in relation to compliance with environmental, health and safety regulations; the intense level of competition in the automotive industry, which may increase due to consolidation; exposure to shortfalls in the funding of Stellantis’ defined benefit pension plans; the ability to provide or arrange for access to adequate financing for dealers and retail customers and associated risks related to the establishment and operations of financial services companies; the ability to access funding to execute Stellantis’ business plans and improve its businesses, financial condition and results of operations; a significant malfunction, disruption or security breach compromising information technology systems or the electronic control systems contained in Stellantis’ vehicles; Stellantis’ ability to realize anticipated benefits from joint venture arrangements; disruptions arising from political, social and economic instability; risks associated with our relationships with employees, dealers and suppliers; increases in costs, disruptions of supply or shortages of raw materials, parts, components and systems used in Stellantis’ vehicles; developments in labor and industrial relations and developments in applicable labor laws; exchange rate fluctuations, interest rate changes, credit risk and other market risks; political and civil unrest; earthquakes or other disasters; risks and other items described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2022 and Current Reports on Form 6-K and amendments thereto filed with the SEC; and other risks and uncertainties.

Any forward-looking statements contained in this communication speak only as of the date of this document and Stellantis disclaims any obligation to update or revise publicly forward-looking statements. Further information concerning Stellantis and its businesses, including factors that could materially affect Stellantis’ financial results, is included in Stellantis’ reports and filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and AFM.

Nota de Advertência sobre as Declarações Prospetivas da NioCorp (nota: versão original em inglês)
 

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about: NioCorp and Stellantis entering into a binding agreement with respect to the proposed transaction, if at all, and the anticipated terms, conditions and benefits of the proposed transaction; the possibility of Stellantis making a strategic investment in NioCorp; the potential to produce rare earth products for the Elk Creek Project; the technical and economic feasibility of separating rare earth oxides;  NioCorp’s expectation and ability to produce niobium, scandium, and titanium at the Elk Creek Project; NioCorp’s ability to secure sufficient project financing to complete construction of the Elk Creek Project and move it to commercial production; the future price of metals; and the stability of the financial and capital markets. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as “plan,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “outlook,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” “continue,” “could,” “may,” “might,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “should,” “would” and other similar words and expressions, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking.

The forward-looking statements are based on the current expectations of the management of NioCorp and are inherently subject to uncertainties and changes in circumstances and their potential effects and speak only as of the date of such statement. There can be no assurance that future developments will be those that have been anticipated. Forward-looking statements reflect material expectations and assumptions, including, without limitation, expectations, and assumptions relating to: NioCorp’s ability to close the proposed transaction on acceptable terms, or at all; the technical and economic translatability of the demonstration-scale process to separate high-purity oxides of several magnetic rare earths from ore to the ore that NioCorp expects to extract from the Elk Creek Project; the future price of metals; the stability of the financial and capital markets; and the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals in connection with the proposed transaction. Such expectations and assumptions are inherently subject to uncertainties and contingencies regarding future events and, as such, are subject to change. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or other factors that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those discussed and identified in public filings made by NioCorp with the SEC and with the applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities and the following: NioCorp and Stellantis not entering into a binding agreement with respect to the proposed transaction on acceptable terms, or at all; NioCorp’s ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the business combination with GX Acquisition Corp. II (the “Business Combination”) and the standby equity purchase agreement (the “Yorkville Equity Facility Financing Agreement” and, together with the Business Combination, the “Transactions”) with YA II PN, Ltd., an investment fund managed by Yorkville Advisors Global, LP, including NioCorp’s ability to access the full amount of the expected net proceeds under the Yorkville Equity Facility Financing Agreement over the next three years; unexpected costs related to the Transactions; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against NioCorp following closing of the Transactions; NioCorp’s ability to receive a final commitment of financing from the Export-Import Bank of the United States on the anticipated timeline, on acceptable terms, or at all; NioCorp’s ability to continue to meet the listing standards of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC; NioCorp’s ability to operate as a going concern; risks relating to NioCorp’s common shares, including price volatility, lack of dividend payments and dilution or the perception of the likelihood any of the foregoing; NioCorp’s requirement of significant additional capital; the extent to which NioCorp’s level of indebtedness and/or the terms contained in agreements governing NioCorp’s indebtedness or the Yorkville Equity Facility Financing Agreement may impair NioCorp’s ability to obtain additional financing; covenants contained in agreements with NioCorp’s secured creditors that may affect its assets; NioCorp’s limited operating history; NioCorp’s history of losses; the restatement of NioCorp’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 and the interim periods ended September 30, 2021, December 31, 2021, March 31, 2022, September 30, 2022, and December 31, 2022 and the impact of such restatement on NioCorp’s future financial statements and other financial measures; the material weakness in NioCorp’s internal control over financial reporting, NioCorp’s efforts to remediate such material weakness and the timing of remediation; the possibility that NioCorp may qualify as a passive foreign investment company under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”); the potential that the Transactions could result in NioCorp becoming subject to materially adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences as a result of the application of Section 7874 and related sections of the Code; cost increases for NioCorp’s exploration and, if warranted, development projects; a disruption in, or failure of, NioCorp’s information technology systems, including those related to cybersecurity; equipment and supply shortages; current and future off take agreements, joint ventures, and partnerships; NioCorp’s ability to attract qualified management; the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic or other global health crises on NioCorp’s business plans, financial condition and liquidity; estimates of mineral resources and reserves; mineral exploration and production activities; feasibility study results; the results of metallurgical testing; changes in demand for and price of commodities (such as fuel and electricity) and currencies; competition in the mining industry; changes or disruptions in the securities markets; legislative, political or economic developments, including changes in federal and/or state laws that may significantly affect the mining industry; the impacts of climate change, as well as actions taken or required by governments related to strengthening resilience in the face of potential impacts from climate change; the need to obtain permits and comply with laws and regulations and other regulatory requirements; the timing and reliability of sampling and assay data; the possibility that actual results of work may differ from projections/expectations or may not realize the perceived potential of NioCorp’s projects; risks of accidents, equipment breakdowns, and labor disputes or other unanticipated difficulties or interruptions; the possibility of cost overruns or unanticipated expenses in development programs; operating or technical difficulties in connection with exploration, mining, or development activities; management of the water balance at the Elk Creek Project site; land reclamation requirements related to the Elk Creek Project; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, including the risks of diminishing quantities of grades of reserves and resources; claims on the title to NioCorp’s properties; potential future litigation; and NioCorp’s lack of insurance covering all of NioCorp’s operations.

Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize or should any of the assumptions made by the management of NioCorp prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements.

All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning the matters addressed herein and attributable to NioCorp or any person acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to herein. Except to the extent required by applicable law or regulation, NioCorp undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.