MP Materials Corp. / DE (MP)
SIC breadcrumb: Mining > Metal Mining > SIC 1000 Metal Mining
SEC company page: https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=1801368. Latest filing source: 0001801368-26-000008.
Informational only - descriptive public-record data, not investment advice.
Business
Read MP's verbatim Item 1 Business section from its latest 10-K: Business.
Risk Factors
Read MP's verbatim Item 1A Risk Factors from its latest 10-K: Risk Factors.
Selected Fundamentals
| Metric | Value | Unit | FY | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 224,441,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-26 |
| Net income | -85,874,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-26 |
| Assets | 3,864,160,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-26 |
Financials
Annual standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-02-26. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001801368.json. Derived margins, ratios, and free cash flow are computed from the extracted annual SEC facts.
| Metric | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 73,017,000 | 134,310,000 | 331,952,000 | 527,510,000 | 253,445,000 | 203,855,000 | 224,441,000 | |
| Net income | -6,755,000 | -21,825,000 | 135,037,000 | 289,004,000 | 24,307,000 | -65,424,000 | -85,874,000 | |
| Operating income | -7,620,000 | -34,703,000 | 165,345,000 | 327,411,000 | -17,719,000 | -169,426,000 | -149,374,000 | |
| Diluted EPS | -0.10 | -0.27 | 0.73 | 1.52 | 0.14 | -0.57 | -0.50 | |
| Operating cash flow | -437,000 | 3,277,000 | 101,971,000 | 343,514,000 | 62,699,000 | 13,349,000 | -155,755,000 | |
| Capital expenditures | 2,274,000 | 22,370,000 | 123,870,000 | 326,595,000 | 261,897,000 | 186,418,000 | 172,375,000 | |
| Share buybacks | 0.00 | 0.00 | 225,068,000 | 0.00 | ||||
| Assets | 101,794,000 | 1,074,288,000 | 1,889,666,000 | 2,237,787,000 | 2,336,452,000 | 2,333,558,000 | 3,864,160,000 | |
| Liabilities | 119,816,000 | 220,411,000 | 880,934,000 | 925,153,000 | 970,673,000 | 1,278,678,000 | 1,471,792,000 | |
| Stockholders' equity | -11,267,000 | -18,022,000 | 853,877,000 | 1,008,732,000 | 1,312,634,000 | 1,365,779,000 | 1,054,880,000 | 1,978,757,000 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 2,757,000 | 519,652,000 | 1,179,297,000 | 136,627,000 | 263,351,000 | 282,442,000 | 1,166,011,000 | |
| Free cash flow | -2,711,000 | -19,093,000 | -21,899,000 | 16,919,000 | -199,198,000 | -173,069,000 | -328,130,000 |
Ratios
| Metric | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net margin | -9.25% | -16.25% | 40.68% | 54.79% | 9.59% | -32.09% | -38.26% | |
| Operating margin | -10.44% | -25.84% | 49.81% | 62.07% | -6.99% | -83.11% | -66.55% | |
| Return on equity | -2.56% | 13.39% | 22.02% | 1.78% | -6.20% | -4.34% | ||
| Return on assets | -6.64% | -2.03% | 7.15% | 12.91% | 1.04% | -2.80% | -2.22% | |
| Liabilities / equity | 0.26 | 0.87 | 0.70 | 0.71 | 1.21 | 0.74 | ||
| Current ratio | 0.88 | 13.03 | 21.44 | 13.27 | 10.42 | 6.29 | 7.24 |
Industry Peer Context
Net margin peer context
Operating margin peer context
ROE peer context
ROA peer context
Financial Bridges
Free cash flow = operating cash flow - capital expenditures
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts FY 2025. Operating cash flow: accession 0001801368-26-000008; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities | Capital expenditures: accession 0001801368-26-000008; concept PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment; source concepts us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment | Free cash flow: accession 0001801368-26-000008; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities - PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
Financial Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001801368-26-000008; filed 2026-02-26. Concept: RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax. Source concepts: us-gaap:RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001801368-26-000008; filed 2026-02-26. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001801368-26-000008; filed 2026-02-26. Concept: OperatingIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:OperatingIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001801368-26-000008; filed 2026-02-26. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001801368-26-000008; filed 2026-02-26. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001801368-26-000008; filed 2026-02-26. Concept: PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001801368-26-000008; filed 2026-02-26. Concept: PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001801368-26-000008; filed 2026-02-26. Concept: Assets. Source concepts: us-gaap:Assets.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001801368-26-000008; filed 2026-02-26. Concept: Liabilities. Source concepts: us-gaap:Liabilities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001801368-26-000008; filed 2026-02-26. Concept: StockholdersEquity. Source concepts: us-gaap:StockholdersEquity.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001801368-26-000008; filed 2026-02-26. Concept: CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue. Source concepts: us-gaap:CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001801368-26-000008; filed 2026-02-26. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities - PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment.
Quarterly
Quarterly standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-05-08. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001801368.json.
| Quarter | End Date | Revenue | Net Income | Diluted EPS | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-Q2 | 2022-06-30 | 0.38 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2022-Q3 | 2022-09-30 | 0.33 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q1 | 2023-03-31 | 0.20 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q2 | 2023-06-30 | 64,024,000 | 7,395,000 | 0.04 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2023-Q3 | 2023-09-30 | 52,516,000 | -4,276,000 | -0.02 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2023-Q4 | 2023-12-31 | 41,205,000 | -16,259,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2024-Q1 | 2024-03-31 | 48,684,000 | 16,489,000 | -0.08 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q2 | 2024-06-30 | 31,258,000 | -34,055,000 | -0.21 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q3 | 2024-09-30 | 62,927,000 | -25,516,000 | -0.16 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q4 | 2024-12-31 | 60,986,000 | -22,342,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2025-Q1 | 2025-03-31 | 60,810,000 | -22,648,000 | -0.14 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q2 | 2025-06-30 | 57,393,000 | -30,872,000 | -0.19 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q3 | 2025-09-30 | 53,553,000 | -41,780,000 | -0.24 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q4 | 2025-12-31 | 52,685,000 | 9,426,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2026-Q1 | 2026-03-31 | 90,649,000 | -7,968,000 | -0.04 | reported discrete quarter |
Quarterly Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001801368-26-000029; filed 2026-05-08. Concept: RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax. Source concepts: us-gaap:RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001801368-26-000029; filed 2026-05-08. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001801368-26-000029; filed 2026-05-08. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Macro Cross-References
- CPIAUCSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items in U.S. City Average
- UNRATE - Unemployment Rate
- FEDFUNDS - Federal Funds Effective Rate
- CES0500000003 - Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees, Total Private
- DFEDTARU - Federal Funds Target Range - Upper Limit
- DFEDTARL - Federal Funds Target Range - Lower Limit
- DGS3MO - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 3-Month Constant Maturity
- DGS2 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 2-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS10 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 10-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS30 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 30-Year Constant Maturity
- T10Y2Y - 10-Year Treasury Constant Maturity Minus 2-Year Treasury Constant Maturity
- CPILFESL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items Less Food and Energy
- CPIUFDSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Food
- CPIENGSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Energy
- CUSR0000SAH1 - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Shelter
- PCEPI - Personal Consumption Expenditures: Chain-type Price Index
- PCEPILFE - Personal Consumption Expenditures Excluding Food and Energy: Chain-type Price Index
- PPIACO - Producer Price Index by Commodity: All Commodities
- T10YIE - 10-Year Breakeven Inflation Rate
- U6RATE - Total Unemployed, Plus All Marginally Attached Workers Plus Total Employed Part Time for Economic Reasons
- PAYEMS - All Employees, Total Nonfarm
- CIVPART - Labor Force Participation Rate
- EMRATIO - Employment-Population Ratio
- UNEMPLOY - Unemployed
- CE16OV - Employment Level
- ICSA - Initial Claims
- JTSJOL - Job Openings: Total Nonfarm
- JTSQUR - Quits: Total Nonfarm
- GDPC1 - Real Gross Domestic Product
- A191RL1Q225SBEA - Real Gross Domestic Product: Percent Change from Preceding Period
- INDPRO - Industrial Production: Total Index
- TCU - Capacity Utilization: Total Index
- HOUST - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Started: Total Units
- PERMIT - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Authorized in Permit-Issuing Places: Total Units
- RSAFS - Advance Retail Sales: Retail Trade
- PCE - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- DSPIC96 - Real Disposable Personal Income
- PSAVERT - Personal Saving Rate
- M2SL - M2
- BOPGSTB - U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services: Balance
- MSPUS - Median Sales Price of Houses Sold for the United States
- HSN1F - New One Family Houses Sold: United States
- RHORUSQ156N - Homeownership Rate in the United States
- TTLCONS - Total Construction Spending: Total Construction in the United States
- RRVRUSQ156N - Rental Vacancy Rate in the United States
- TOTALSL - Total Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- REVOLSL - Revolving Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- DRCCLACBS - Delinquency Rate on Credit Card Loans, All Commercial Banks
- GDP - Gross Domestic Product
- GPDI - Gross Private Domestic Investment
- GCE - Government Consumption Expenditures and Gross Investment
- PCEC - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- NETEXP - Net Exports of Goods and Services
- GFDEBTN - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt
- GFDEGDQ188S - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt as Percent of Gross Domestic Product
- FYFSD - Federal Surplus or Deficit
- FGRECPT - Federal Government Current Receipts
- FGEXPND - Federal Government: Current Expenditures
- MANEMP - All Employees, Manufacturing
- USCONS - All Employees, Construction
- USTRADE - All Employees, Retail Trade
- USFIRE - All Employees, Financial Activities
- USGOVT - All Employees, Government
- AWHAETP - Average Weekly Hours of All Employees, Total Private
- DGORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Durable Goods
- NEWORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Nondefense Capital Goods Excluding Aircraft
- BUSINV - Total Business Inventories
- EXPGS - Exports of Goods and Services
- IMPGS - Imports of Goods and Services
- IR - Import Price Index (End Use): All Commodities
- PPIFIS - Producer Price Index by Commodity: Final Demand
Latest quarter (10-Q)
Latest 10-Q source: 0001801368-26-000029.
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis of financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and capital resources should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by, the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (“Form 10-Q”), and the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 (“Form 10-K”). This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including, but not limited to, those set forth under “Part II. Item 1A. Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Form 10-Q and “Part I. Item 1A. Risk Factors” and elsewhere in our Form 10-K. See also “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
Business Overview
MP Materials Corp., including its subsidiaries (“we,” “our,” “us” and the “Company”), is the largest producer of rare earth materials in the Western Hemisphere. We own and operate the Mountain Pass Rare Earth Mine and Processing Facility (“Mountain Pass”) located near Mountain Pass, San Bernardino County, California, the only rare earth mining and processing site of scale in North America. Rare earth products are critical inputs in hundreds of existing and emerging applications including electric vehicles, consumer electronics, robotics, drones, wind turbines, and defense applications. Additionally, we own and operate a rare earth metal, alloy and magnet manufacturing facility in Fort Worth, Texas (“Independence” or the “Independence Facility”).
Our reportable segments, which are primarily based on our internal organizational structure and types of products, are our two operating segments—Materials and Magnetics.
The Materials segment represents our upstream and midstream operations, which primarily consist of Mountain Pass, a fully integrated mining and refining facility producing refined rare earth oxides (“REO”) and related products. The Materials segment generates revenue primarily from sales of neodymium-praseodymium (“NdPr”) oxide and metal, primarily sold to customers in the United States, Japan, South Korea, and broader Asia. The Materials segment historically generated the majority of its revenue from sales of rare earth concentrate into the Chinese market.
The Magnetics segment represents our downstream magnet manufacturing and related operations, which currently consist of the Independence Facility, a fully integrated metal, alloy, and magnet manufacturing plant. The Magnetics segment began generating revenue from sales of magnetic precursor products to a single customer in the U.S., in the first quarter of 2025, and commenced the manufacturing of neodymium-iron-boron (“NdFeB”) permanent magnets in December 2025.
Certain rare earth elements (“REE”) serve as critical inputs for the rare earth magnets inside the electric motors and generators powering carbon-reducing technologies such as hybrid and electric vehicles (referred to collectively as “xEVs”), advanced electronics, aerospace and defense systems, energy products, robotics and many other high-growth, advanced technologies. Our integrated operations combine low production costs with high environmental standards, thereby restoring American leadership to a critical industry with a strong commitment to sustainability.
Recent Developments
10X Facility
In February 2026, we announced the selection of a 120‑acre site in Northlake, Texas, for our second domestic magnet manufacturing facility (the “10X Facility”), as discussed further below. We closed on the purchase of this land in April 2026 at a cost of approximately $80 million.
NdPr Offtake Agreement
In February 2026, we entered into an NdPr offtake agreement with a leading U.S. technology and industrial company for the purchase of a significant volume of NdPr products.
Factors Affecting Our Performance
We believe we are uniquely positioned to capitalize on the trends of electrification and supply chain security, particularly as domestic industrial supply chain initiatives advance. Our continued success depends to a significant extent on our ability to take advantage of the following opportunities and meet the challenges associated with them.
28
Table of Contents
Demand for REE
The drivers for REE demand are a diverse array of growing end markets, including electric mobility; physical AI; industrial, consumer and professional service robotics; renewable power generation; energy-efficient motors, pumps, and compressors; consumer and medical applications; critical defense systems; and catalysts and phosphors.
Throughout 2025, China imposed and expanded export controls and restrictions on certain rare earths and related materials, requiring companies to secure special export licenses and obtain Chinese government approval for exports of products containing even small amounts of Chinese-origin rare earths, among other restrictions. While in November 2025 the U.S. reached a trade and economic deal in which China agreed to suspend implementation of the expanded export controls and to suspend retaliatory tariffs and non-tariff measures imposed since March 2025, these developments have led and continue to lead to several market trends, which may or may not be permanent, including volatility and disruptions in global supply chains, shortages of rare earth elements, potential price volatility, and an increased demand for alternative supply chains outside of China, all of which, if sustained, may have a material impact on the demand for our products.
These developments further catalyzed action by a number of governments and rare earth users to accelerate geographic supply chain diversification for REE products. In particular, the U.S. government has implemented a number of initiatives to restore domestic supply of critical minerals. We believe we are uniquely positioned to benefit from this trend.
Maximizing Upstream and Midstream Production Efficiency
After an initial ramp and optimization period, we have produced at least 40,000 MTs of REO in concentrate each year since 2021, culminating in record production levels exceeding 50,000 MTs. These results were achieved by optimizing the reagent scheme, adjusting process temperatures, improving tailings facility management, and committing to operational excellence. Our initiative to optimize upstream operations has enabled us to attain what we believe to be world-class production cost levels for rare earth concentrate.
In November 2023, we announced our “Upstream 60K” strategy whereby we intend to grow our annual REO Production Volume to approximately 60,000 MTs via investments in further beneficiation capacity and through better usage of lower-grade ore and other underutilized parts of the Mountain Pass ore body.
Midstream operations produce separated REE from our rare earth concentrate. The optimization of our refining capabilities incorporated upgrades and enhancements to the prior facility process flow to produce separated REE at a lower cost while minimizing our impact on the environment. More specifically, we have reintroduced an oxidizing roasting circuit, reoriented portions of the plant process flow, increased product finishing capacity, improved wastewater management, and made other improvements to materials handling and storage. The reintroduction of the oxidizing roasting circuit allows subsequent stages of the production process to occur at lower temperatures, and with lower volumes of materials and reagents, which supports lower operating and maintenance costs and higher uptime than would otherwise be achievable.
The success of our business reflects our ability to continue to manage our costs and drive scale. Our upstream production achievements have provided economies of scale to lower production costs per MT of REO produced in concentrate. Furthermore, our midstream process flow was designed to capitalize on the inherent advantages of the bastnaesite ore at Mountain Pass, which is well-suited to low-cost refining by selectively eliminating the need to carry cerium, a lower-value element, through the separations process. Additionally, our location and integration offer cost and transportation advantages that create efficiencies in production, security of incoming supplies and shipping of our final products.
During the second half of 2023, we began producing separated rare earth products, including NdPr oxide, which represents a majority of the value contained in our concentrate. We continue to expect that it may take many quarters to achieve our designed throughput of NdPr oxide. However, as we increase production over time, we expect to reduce our per-unit production costs. Until such time that we achieve our designed throughputs of separated products, including heavy rare earth elements (“HREE”), we may experience unstable operations and elevated costs of our initial production of such products.
In 2026, we expect to begin refining HREE with initial production of terbium and dysprosium. As part of our partnership with the United States Department of War (the “DoW”), we have committed to further extend our HREE refining capabilities to include the separation of samarium oxide and to recommission the chlor-alkali facilities at Mountain Pass. Additionally, as part of our agreement with Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) (“Apple”), we will develop and install scaled magnet recycling capabilities at Mountain Pass with dedicated capacity for both NdPr and heavy rare earth separation.
29
Table of Contents
We currently generate our revenue primarily from our Materials segment, which operates a single site in a single location, and any stoppage in activity, including for reasons outside of our control, could adversely impact our production, results of operations and cash flows.
Development of Our Downstream Manufacturing Capabilities
We are in the final stages of commissioning magnet manufacturing equipment at Independence and continue to develop engineering and manufacturing technology to process NdPr oxide and metal into NdFeB magnets. Our operations also incorporate magnet recycling capabilities. These initiatives are central to our long-term strategy to become a leading, integrated global supplier of rare earth magnets. We believe this vertical integration is a core competitive advantage in the production of a critical industrial output. Furthermore, we expect our downstream manufacturing operations to benefit from geopolitical developments, including initiatives to repatriate critical materials supply chains, including those supported by our agreements with General Motors Company (NYSE: GM) (“GM”), the DoW and Apple.
Our Independence Facility converts NdPr oxide produced at Mountain Pass into permanent magnets and its precursor products, with integrated capabilities to support magnet recycling. Our operations are expected to progress in phases, with magnet production volumes increasing over time as additional capabilities are commissioned and scaled. As part of our partnership with the DoW, we committed to expand capacity of the Independence Facility to a projected 3,000 MTs of magnets annually. Output from the Independence Facility is expected to support a range of end markets, including electric vehicles, robotics, semiconductor manufacturing, clean energy, electronics and defense technologies.
In late 2024, we commissioned electrowinning capabilities at the Independence Facility to produce NdPr metal from NdPr oxide. Additionally, in 2025, we added strip casting capabilities to produce NdFeB alloy flake, a key precur
[Excerpt truncated for page length; source filing is linked above.]
Latest 10-K MD&A
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 (this “Annual Report”). A discussion of changes in our consolidated and segment results of operations and/or cash flows between years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, has been omitted from this Annual Report, but may be found in “Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022,” of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on February 28, 2025. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including, but not limited to, those set forth under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Annual Report. See also “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
Executive Overview
MP Materials Corp., including its subsidiaries (“we,” “our,” “us” and the “Company”), is the largest producer of rare earth materials in the Western Hemisphere. We own and operate the Mountain Pass Rare Earth Mine and Processing Facility (“Mountain Pass”) located near Mountain Pass, San Bernardino County, California, the only rare earth mining and processing site of scale in North America. Rare earth products are critical inputs in hundreds of existing and emerging clean-tech applications including electric vehicles and wind turbines as well as robotics, drones, and defense applications. Additionally, we own and operate a rare earth metal, alloy and magnet manufacturing facility in Fort Worth, Texas (“Independence” or the “Independence Facility”).
Our reportable segments, which are primarily based on our internal organizational structure and types of products, are our two operating segments—Materials and Magnetics.
The Materials segment represents our upstream and midstream operations, which primarily consist of Mountain Pass, a fully integrated mining and refining facility producing refined rare earth oxides (“REO”) and related products. The Materials segment generates revenue primarily from sales of neodymium-praseodymium (“NdPr”) oxide and metal, primarily sold to customers in Japan, South Korea, and broader Asia. The Materials segment historically generated the majority of its revenue from sales of rare earth concentrate primarily to a distributor that, in turn, typically sold that product to refiners in China.
The Magnetics segment represents our downstream magnet manufacturing and related operations, which currently consist of the Independence Facility, a fully integrated metal, alloy, and magnet manufacturing plant. The Magnetics segment began generating revenue from sales of magnetic precursor products to a single customer in the U.S. in the first quarter of 2025 and commenced the manufacturing of neodymium-iron-boron (“NdFeB”) permanent magnets in December 2025.
Certain rare earth elements (“REE”) serve as critical inputs for the rare earth magnets inside the electric motors and generators powering carbon-reducing technologies such as hybrid and electric vehicles (referred to collectively as “xEVs”), advanced electronics, aerospace and defense systems, energy products, robotics and many other high-growth, advanced technologies. Our integrated operations combine low production costs with high environmental standards, thereby restoring American leadership to a critical industry with a strong commitment to sustainability.
Highlights from the year ended December 31, 2025, include:
•Achieved record production volumes of both REO in concentrate and NdPr oxide at Mountain Pass;
•Commenced sales of magnetic precursor products and manufacturing of magnets at Independence;
•Entered into a transformational public-private partnership with the U.S. Department of War (“DoW”) to accelerate the build-out of an end-to-end U.S. rare earth magnet supply chain and reduce foreign dependency, which consisted of a comprehensive, long-term package of commitments from the DoW, including pricing support and a long-term offtake agreement;
•Completed a public offering of 13.6 million shares at $53.35 per share and received net proceeds of $724.2 million;
•Entered into a long-term supply agreement with Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) (“Apple”), for magnet production at Independence and the development and installation of scaled recycling capabilities at Mountain Pass, whereby Apple agreed to make prepayments in the aggregate amount of $200.0 million for the purchase of magnets;
37
Table of Contents
•Received the final $50.0 million prepayment for magnetic precursor products pursuant to the long-term supply agreement with General Motors Company (NYSE: GM) (“GM”); and
•Continued to maintain a strong balance sheet with cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaling $1.8 billion as of December 31, 2025, after incurring capital expenditures to advance the completion of the Independence Facility, as well as various projects at Mountain Pass, including the HREE Facility (as defined in Note 17, “Government Grants,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements), recycling facilities, and the chlor-alkali facilities.
Our Materials segment delivered strong operational performance in 2025, with our upstream concentrate operations continuing to deliver record production levels and making significant progress toward our Upstream 60K target. Although throughput of separated products remained below design capacity, we saw substantial improvements throughout the year, producing a record 2,599 metric tons (“MTs”) of NdPr oxide, an increase of 101% when compared to prior year.
To align with the DoW Transaction Agreements and our strategic domestic supply chain objectives, we ceased all products sales to China in July 2025. While this strategic decision resulted in a 21% year-over-year revenue decline for the Materials segment, the reduction was tempered by higher NdPr oxide and metal revenues, driven by higher volumes and realized prices, as well as income we recognized from the price protection agreement with the DoW during the fourth quarter of 2025. As a result, the Materials segment achieved positive Segment Adjusted EBITDA.
Our Magnetics segment entered a new phase of growth in 2025, generating $66.9 million in revenue, marking its first year of substantial operating and financial results. Commissioning at Independence advanced rapidly, and our partnership with Apple, along with the start of NdFeB permanent magnet manufacturing in late 2025, accelerated the development of our U.S. magnetics platform.
Recent Developments
Public-Private Partnership with U.S. Department of War
On July 9, 2025, we entered into definitive agreements with the DoW, formerly known as the Department of Defense, (collectively, the “DoW Transaction Agreements”) establishing a transformational public-private partnership with the DoW to accelerate the build-out of an end-to-end U.S. rare earth magnet supply chain and reduce foreign dependency (the “DoW Transactions”).
As part of the DoW Transactions, we agreed to use reasonable best efforts to (i) construct a second domestic magnet manufacturing facility (the “10X Facility”), which will produce sintered NdFeB permanent magnets, (ii) extend heavy rare earth elements (“HREE”) refining capability at Mountain Pass to include the separation of samarium oxide, (iii) recommission the chlor-alkali facilities at Mountain Pass and (iv) expand capacity at the Independence Facility to a projected 3,000 MTs of magnets annually. We also agreed to use up to $600 million of our existing cash to fund these projects.
Additionally, the DoW Transactions consist of a comprehensive, long-term package of commitments from the DoW, including pricing support, a long-term offtake agreement and certain financing arrangements. Key terms include the following:
Pricing & Supply Commitments
Price Protection Agreement
The NdPr price floor protection agreement with the DoW (the “Price Protection Agreement” or “PPA”) establishes a price floor for our NdPr products (e.g., concentrate, oxide and metal) (collectively, “NdPr Products”), commencing on October 1, 2025, and continuing for approximately ten years through December 31, 2035. Throughout the PPA’s term, we will have the right to receive cash from, or the obligation to deliver cash to, the DoW based on (i) our designation of NdPr Products produced and/or sold (the “NdPr Designation”) and (ii) the Benchmark Quarterly Average Volume Weighted Price (as defined in the PPA).
At the conclusion of each quarter, we may elect, at our option, any of the following NdPr Designations (without duplication):
•“Stockpile” represents produced, but not yet sold NdPr Product,
•“Affiliate sales” represents internally sold NdPr Product, such as sales from the Materials segment to the Magnetics segment, or
38
Table of Contents
•“Third party sales” represents externally sold NdPr Product.
On a quarterly basis, the DoW will pay us an amount per kilogram (“kg”) equivalent of NdPr Products equal to the shortfall between $110 and the Benchmark Quarterly Average Volume Weighted Price. Once the 10X Facility reaches full production capacity (the “Production Milestone Date”), and the Benchmark Quarterly Average Volume Weighted Price exceeds $110, we will pay the DoW 30% of the amount by which the Benchmark Quarterly Average Volume Weighted Price exceeds $110.
DoW Offtake Agreement
We entered into a magnet offtake agreement with the DoW (the “DoW Offtake Agreement”), pursuant to which we will sell to the DoW the entire amount of magnets produced at the 10X Facility; provided, however, that at the DoW’s request, or at our request and with the DoW’s consent, we may sell up to 100% of magnet production to other third party customers. The DoW will acquire the magnets at a price equal to their production costs (as defined in the DoW Offtake Agreement), plus the guaranteed EBITDA discussed below. The DoW Offtake Agreement’s term will continue through 10 years from the date at which the 10X Facility begins operations and is capable of producing any quantity of magnets (the “Commercial Operation Date”).
In accordance with the DoW Offtake Agreement, the DoW guaranteed that the 10X Facility will generate at least $140 million of EBITDA (as defined in the DoW Offtake Agreement) on an annual basis after the Production Milestone Date, adjusted annually in each calendar year following 2025 for inflation at a rate equal to 2% (the “Threshold EBITDA Amount”). Between the Commercial Operation Date and the Production Milestone Date, we are entitled to a proportion of the Threshold EBITDA Amount based on demonstrated capacity levels. The DoW will make quarterly payments to us in an amount equal to 25% of the Threshold EBITDA Amount, subject to annual true-up.
Commencing on the Production Milestone Date, if we sell magnets to third-party customers, the DoW will be entitled to receive for each calendar year (i) the first $30 million of EBITDA attributable to the 10X Facility that exceeds the Threshold EBITDA Amount (the “Initial Excess Amount”) and thereafter (ii) 50% of the EBITDA attributable to the 10X Facility that exceeds the Initial Excess Amount.
Under the DoW Offtake Agreement, before the Commercial Operation Date, we are entitled to receive reimbursement from the DoW for certain incremental costs incurred by us in connection with engineering, development and start-up of the 10X Facility and for designing magnets to the DoW’s specifications (to the extent such costs are not capitalizable as 10X Facility construction costs), with such payments being capped at $30 million in any calendar year.
The DoW Transaction Agreements also provide that the DoW will assist us in procuring HREE feedstock required for magnet production at the 10X Facility over the duration of the DoW Offtake Agreement. Working capital costs associated with stockpiling or forward purchasing of HREE are also reimbursable by the DoW, with no annual cap, through the Commercial Operation Date.
Financings
As part of the financing for the projects described above, we issued 400,000 shares of newly designated Series A Cumulative Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Series A Preferred Stock”) to the DoW for cash consideration of $400.0 million. At the election of the DoW, the Series A Preferred Stock is convertible at any time into 13,320,013 shares of our common stock at an initial conversion price of $30.03 per share, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments. See Note 14, “Redeemable Preferred Stock,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details.
We also issued a warrant (the “Warrant”) to the DoW, exercisable at any time for a period of ten years for up to 11,201,659 shares of our common stock, at an initial exercise price of $30.03 per share, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments. In the aggregate, the common stock into which the Series A Preferred Stock is initially convertible and for which the Warrant is initially exercisable collectively represented 15% of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock as of July 9, 2025, without giving effect to the issuance of such shares.
In addition to the issuance of securities, we also obtained a commitment letter (the “Commitment Letter”) from JPMorgan Chase Funding Inc. and Goldman Sachs Bank USA (along with their affiliates, the “Banks”), pursuant to which the Banks agreed to provide committed secured financing in an amount equal to, in the aggregate, at least $1 billion. The Commitment Letter expired undrawn on its own terms on August 26, 2025, as it was reduced on a dollar-for-dollar basis upon the Offering
39
Table of Contents
(as defined below) and our execution of the Revolving Credit Facility (as defined in the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section below).
Finally, in August 2025, we issued a $150.0 million unsecured promissory note to the DoW with a 12-year term, maturing on August 1, 2037 (the “Samarium Project Loan”). The Samarium Project Loan was issued for the purpose of extending HREE refining capability at Mountain Pass to include the separation of samarium oxide. See the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section below for additional details.
Public Offering of Common Stock
In July 2025, we completed an underwritten public offering of 13,590,908 shares of our common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, at a price to the public of $55.00 per share (the “Offering”). The underwriters purchased the shares of common stock at the price of $53.35, including the full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of our common stock, solely to cover over-allotments. Our net proceeds from the Offering were $724.2 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses.
Agreement with Apple Inc.
In July 2025, we entered into a definitive, long-term supply agreement with Apple for the development, manufacture, and supply of magnets from our Independence Facility, as well as the development and installation of scaled recycling capabilities at Mountain Pass to produce the contained rare earths from post-industrial and post-consumer recycled rare earth feedstocks. In connection with the agreement, and subject to achieving specified milestones, Apple agreed to make prepayments in the aggregate amount of $200.0 million for the purchase of magnets from the Company, of which we received $40.0 million during the third quarter of 2025, and became entitled to an additional $32.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2025. See Note 16, “Revenue Recognition,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details.
Cessation of Shipments to China and Stockpiling of Rare Earth Concentrate
Historically, through our Materials segment, we sold the vast majority of our rare earth concentrate to a single, principal customer in China under the terms of the Shenghe Offtake Agreement (as defined in Note 21, “Related-Party Transactions,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements). In July 2025, to align with the terms of the DoW Transaction Agreements and in further support of our domestic supply chain objectives, we ceased all sales of our products to China.
We continue to produce concentrate, and to the extent not sold or further processed and sold as separated product, we stockpile that concentrate for future use. In addition, we are prioritizing accelerating our downstream operations, as well as focusing on generating sales of separated products to customers.
The cessation of shipments had, at least in the short term, a material negative impact on our business, operating results, financial performance and financial condition, cash flows and liquidity.
Factors Affecting Our Performance
We believe we are uniquely positioned to capitalize on the trends of electrification and supply chain security, particularly as domestic industrial supply chain initiatives advance. Our continued success depends to a significant extent on our ability to take advantage of the following opportunities and meet the challenges associated with them.
Demand for REE
The drivers for REE demand are a diverse array of growing end markets, including electric mobility; physical AI; industrial, consumer and professional service robotics; renewable power generation; energy-efficient motors, pumps, and compressors; consumer and medical applications; critical defense systems; and catalysts and phosphors.
Throughout 2025, China imposed and expanded export controls and restrictions on certain rare earths and related materials, requiring companies to secure special export licenses and obtain Chinese government approval for exports of products containing even small amounts of Chinese-origin rare earths, among other restrictions. While in November 2025 the U.S. reached a trade and economic deal in which China agreed to suspend implementation of the expanded export controls and to suspend retaliatory tariffs and non-tariff measures imposed since March 2025, these developments have led and continue to lead to several market trends, which may or may not be permanent, including volatility and disruptions in global supply chains, shortages of rare earth elements, potential price volatility, and an increased demand for alternative supply chains outside of China, all of which, if sustained, may have a material impact on the demand for our products.
40
Table of Contents
These developments further catalyzed action by a number of governments and rare earth users to accelerate geographic supply chain diversification for REE products. In particular, the U.S. government has implemented a number of initiatives to restore domestic supply of critical minerals. We believe we are uniquely positioned to benefit from this trend.
Maximizing Upstream and Midstream Production Efficiency
After an initial ramp and optimization period, we have produced at least 40,000 MTs of REO in concentrate each year since 2021, culminating in record production levels. These results were achieved by optimizing the reagent scheme, adjusting process temperatures, improving tailings facility management, and committing to operational excellence. Our initiative to optimize upstream operations has enabled us to attain what we believe to be world-class production cost levels for rare earth concentrate.
In November 2023, we announced our “Upstream 60K” strategy whereby we intend to grow our annual REO Production Volume to approximately 60,000 MTs via investments in further beneficiation capacity and through better usage of lower-grade ore and other underutilized parts of the Mountain Pass ore body.
Midstream operations produce separated REE from our rare earth concentrate. The optimization of our refining capabilities incorporated upgrades and enhancements to the prior facility process flow to produce separated REE at a lower cost while minimizing our impact on the environment. More specifically, we have reintroduced an oxidizing roasting circuit, reoriented portions of the plant process flow, increased product finishing capacity, improved wastewater management, and made other improvements to materials handling and storage. The reintroduction of the oxidizing roasting circuit allows subsequent stages of the production process to occur at lower temperatures, and with lower volumes of materials and reagents, which supports lower operating and maintenance costs and higher uptime than would otherwise be achievable.
The success of our business reflects our ability to continue to manage our costs and drive scale. Our upstream production achievements have provided economies of scale to lower production costs per MT of REO produced in concentrate. Furthermore, our midstream process flow was designed to capitalize on the inherent advantages of the bastnaesite ore at Mountain Pass, which is well-suited to low-cost refining by selectively eliminating the need to carry cerium, a lower-value element, through the separations process. Additionally, our location and integration offer cost and transportation advantages that create efficiencies in production, security of incoming supplies and shipping of our final products.
During the second half of 2023, we began producing separated rare earth products, including NdPr oxide, which represents a majority of the value contained in our concentrate. We continue to expect that it may take many quarters to achieve our designed throughput of NdPr oxide. However, as we increase production over time, we expect to reduce our per-unit production costs. Until such time that we achieve our designed throughputs of separated products, including HREE, we may experience unstable operations and elevated costs of our initial production of such products.
In 2026, we expect to begin refining HREE with initial production of terbium and dysprosium. As part of our partnership with the DoW, we have committed to further extend our HREE refining capabilities to include the separation of samarium oxide and to recommission the chlor-alkali facilities at Mountain Pass. Additionally, as part of our agreement with Apple, we will develop and install scaled magnet recycling capabilities at Mountain Pass with dedicated capacity for both NdPr and heavy rare earth separation.
We currently generate our revenue primarily from our Materials segment, which operates a single site in a single location, and any stoppage in activity, including for reasons outside of our control, could adversely impact our production, results of operations and cash flows.
Development of Our Downstream Manufacturing Capabilities
We are in the final stages of commissioning magnet manufacturing equipment at Independence and continue to develop engineering and manufacturing technology to process NdPr oxide and metal into NdFeB magnets. Our operations also incorporate magnet recycling capabilities. These initiatives are central to our long-term strategy to become a leading global supplier of rare earth magnets. We believe this vertical integration is a core competitive advantage in the production of a critical industrial output. Furthermore, we expect our downstream manufacturing operations to benefit from geopolitical developments, including initiatives to repatriate critical materials supply chains, including those supported by our agreements with the DoW and Apple described in the “Recent Developments” section above.
Our Independence Facility converts NdPr oxide produced at Mountain Pass into permanent magnets and its precursor products, with integrated capabilities to support magnet recycling. Our operations are expected to progress in phases, with magnet production volumes increasing over time as additional capabilities are commissioned and scaled. As part of our partnership with the DoW, we committed to expand capacity of the Independence Facility to a projected 3,000 MTs of magnets
41
Table of Contents
annually. Output from the Independence Facility is expected to support a range of end markets, including electric vehicles, robotics, semiconductor manufacturing, clean energy, electronics and defense technologies.
In late 2024, we commissioned electrowinning capabilities at the Independence Facility to produce NdPr metal from NdPr oxide. Additionally, in 2025, we added strip casting capabilities to produce NdFeB alloy flake, a key precursor product that is utilized as the material feedstock for magnet manufacturing. We also began trial production of automotive-grade, sintered NdFeB magnets at our new product introduction (“NPI”) facility within Independence and recently commenced manufacturing NdFeB magnets on the industrial scale equipment.
In the first quarter of 2025, we commenced sales of magnetic precursor products, primarily NdPr metal. We expect to continue selling magnetic precursor products ahead of fully commissioning our magnet manufacturing capabilities, which commissioning began in late 2025. After the Independence Facility is commissioned and scaled, we expect to primarily sell finished magnets.
Also as part of our commitment to the DoW, we agreed to construct the 10X Facility, which will be our second domestic rare earth magnet manufacturing facility. The 10X Facility is expected to begin commissioning in 2028, and once completed and scaled, it will produce an estimated 7,000 MTs of magnets per year. When combined with the Independence Facility’s 3,000 MTs per year of magnets, our overall U.S. rare earth magnet production capacity will expand to an estimated 10,000 MTs per year, thus significantly scaling domestic output to serve both defense and commercial customers.
While we have grown increasingly confident about our future outlook with the progress made to-date, there are inherent risks in finalizing construction and developing the process technology for magnet manufacturing. For instance, unforeseen delays in construction or the installation of specific equipment may occur, or our products may fail to satisfy customer expectations, which could adversely affect both the amount and timing of our revenue from permanent magnets and precursor products.
Our Mineral Reserves
Our ore body has proven over more than 70 years of operations to be one of the world’s largest and highest-grade rare earth resources. As of December 31, 2025, SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc., an independent consulting firm that we retained to assess our reserves, estimated total proven and probable reserves of 1.96 million short tons of REO contained in 28.96 million short tons of ore at Mountain Pass, with an average ore grade of 5.89%. These estimates use an estimated economical cut-off grade of 2.50% total rare earth oxide. Based on these estimated reserves and our expected annual production rate of REO upon production ramp-up of our midstream operations, our expected mine life was approximately 28 years as of December 31, 2025. Over time, we expect to be able to continue to grow our expected mine life through additional exploratory drilling and improved processing capabilities, which may result in changes to various assumptions underlying our mineral reserve estimate.
Mining activities in the U.S. are heavily regulated, particularly in California. Regulatory changes may make it more challenging for us to access our reserves. In addition, new mineral deposits may be discovered elsewhere, which could make our operations less competitive.
Key Performance Indicators
In evaluating the performance of our Materials segment, we use the key performance indicators (“KPIs”) outlined below. However, as our business continues to evolve, the metrics that management uses to evaluate the business may continue to change or be revised. For example, beginning with this Annual Report, we no longer present NdPr Realized Price per kg, as it is no longer meaningful in evaluating and understanding our business or operating results due to the impact of the Price Protection Agreement, which commenced on October 1, 2025, and established a price floor for our NdPr Products. See “Recent Developments” section for additional information on the PPA. Our calculations of the KPIs presented may differ from similar measures published by other companies in our industry or in other industries. See the “Materials Segment” section below for further discussion of year-over-year changes in KPIs. Since the Magnetics segment only recently commenced production, we have not established any KPIs for its operations.
REO Production Volume
We measure our REO-equivalent production volume for a given period in MTs, our principal unit of sale for our concentrate product. This measure refers to the REO content contained in the rare earth concentrate we produce and, beginning in the second quarter of 2023, includes volumes fed into downstream circuits for commissioning and starting up our separations facilities and for producing separated rare earth products, a portion of which is also included in our KPI, NdPr Production
42
Table of Contents
Volume. REO Production Volume is a key indicator of the mining and processing capacity and efficiency of our upstream operations.
The rare earth concentrate is a processed, concentrated form of our mined rare earth-bearing ores. While our unit of production and sale is a MT of contained REO, the actual weight of our rare earth concentrate is significantly greater, as the concentrate also contains non-REO minerals, loss-on-ignition, and residual moisture from the production process. We target REO content of greater than 60% per dry MT of concentrate (referred to as “REO grade”). The elemental distribution of REO in our concentrate is relatively consistent over time and production lot. We consider this the natural distribution, as it reflects the distribution of elements contained, on average, in our ore.
REO Sales Volume
Our REO Sales Volume for a given period is calculated in MTs. A unit, or MT, is considered sold once we recognize revenue on its sale as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). Our REO Sales Volume has historically been a key measure of our ability to convert our concentrate production into revenue. Our REO Sales Volume includes both traditional concentrate as well as roasted concentrate. Given the cessation of shipments of our concentrate as discussed in the “Recent Developments” section above, we do not expect historical REO Sales Volume to be representative of future volumes. Furthermore, we anticipate no longer reporting REO Sales Volume in periods beginning after December 31, 2025.
Realized Price per REO MT
We calculate the Realized Price per REO MT for a given period as the quotient of: (i) our rare earth concentrate sales, which are determined in accordance with GAAP, for a given period and (ii) our REO Sales Volume for the same period. Realized Price per REO MT has historically been an important measure of the market price of our concentrate product. Consistent with REO Sales Volume, we anticipate no longer reporting Realized Price per REO MT in periods beginning after December 31, 2025.
NdPr Production Volume
We measure our NdPr Production Volume for a given period in MTs, our principal unit of sale for our NdPr separated products. NdPr Production Volume refers to the volume of finished and packaged NdPr oxide produced at Mountain Pass for a given period. NdPr Production Volume is a key indicator of the separating and finishing capacity and efficiency of our midstream operations.
NdPr Sales Volume
Our NdPr Sales Volume for a given period is calculated in MTs and on an NdPr oxide-equivalent basis (as further discussed below). A unit, or MT, is considered sold once the Materials segment recognizes revenue on its sale, whether sold as NdPr oxide or NdPr metal, as determined in accordance with GAAP. For these NdPr metal sales, the MTs sold and included in NdPr Sales Volume are calculated based on the volume of NdPr oxide used to produce such NdPr metal. We utilize an assumed material conversion ratio of 1.20, such that a sale of 100 MTs of NdPr metal would be included in this KPI as 120 MTs of NdPr oxide-equivalent. NdPr Sales Volume is a key measure of our ability to convert our production of separated NdPr products into revenue. Beginning with the fourth quarter of 2025, NdPr Sales Volume for the Materials segment includes intercompany sales made to the Magnetics segment.
For the Materials segment, we have a mix of contracts with customers where we sell NdPr as (i) oxide, (ii) metal, where the amount of oxide required to produce such metal is variable, and (iii) metal, where we have a guarantee of the amount produced and sold based on the amount of oxide consumed. Among other factors, differences between quarterly NdPr Production Volume and NdPr Sales Volume may be caused by the time required for the conversion of NdPr oxide to NdPr metal, including time in-transit, as well as differences in actual versus assumed yields of oxide to metal in the calculation of NdPr Sales Volume.
43
Table of Contents
Results of Operations
Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023
Consolidated Results
| For the year ended December 31, | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except per share data and percentages) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2024 vs. 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenue | $ | 224,441 | $ | 203,855 | $ | 253,445 | $ | 20,586 | $ | (49,590) | 10 | % | (20) | % | |||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | (85,874) | $ | (65,424) | $ | 24,307 | $ | (20,450) | $ | (89,731) | (31) | % | N/M | ||||||||||||
| Basic earnings (loss) per common share | $ | (0.50) | $ | (0.39) | $ | 0.14 | $ | (0.11) | $ | (0.53) | (28) | % | N/M | ||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings (loss) per common share | $ | (0.50) | $ | (0.57) | $ | 0.14 | $ | 0.07 | $ | (0.71) | 12 | % | N/M | ||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | $ | (155,755) | $ | 13,349 | $ | 62,699 | $ | (169,104) | $ | (49,350) | N/M | (79) | % | ||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA(1) | $ | 11,419 | $ | (50,168) | $ | 102,502 | $ | 61,587 | $ | (152,670) | N/M | N/M | |||||||||||||
| Adjusted Net Income (Loss)(1) | $ | (40,827) | $ | (74,104) | $ | 71,378 | $ | 33,277 | $ | (145,482) | 45 | % | N/M | ||||||||||||
| Adjusted Diluted EPS(1) | $ | (0.24) | $ | (0.44) | $ | 0.39 | $ | 0.20 | $ | (0.83) | 45 | % | N/M | ||||||||||||
| Free Cash Flow(1) | $ | (303,930) | $ | (172,973) | $ | (196,398) | $ | (130,957) | $ | 23,425 | (76) | % | 12 | % | |||||||||||
| N/M = Not meaningful. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) Non-GAAP financial measures are defined and reconciled to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures in the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section below. |
Revenue
Rare earth concentrate revenue consists of sales of traditional and roasted rare earth concentrate. For the majority of our sales of rare earth concentrate, the sales price is based on a preliminary market price (net of taxes, tariffs, and certain other agreed charges) per MT, with an adjustment for the ultimate market price of the product realized upon final sale, including the impact of changes in exchange rates.
NdPr oxide and metal revenue consists of sales of NdPr oxide and metal produced at Mountain Pass under individual sales agreements, as well as sales under our distribution agreement with Sumitomo Corporation of Americas.
Magnetic precursor products revenue consists of sales of magnetic precursor products, including NdPr metal, produced at the Independence Facility and sold in the U.S. Sales of these products commenced in the first quarter of 2025 pursuant to a long-term supply agreement with GM.
| For the year ended December 31, | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except percentages) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2024 vs. 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Rare earth concentrate | $ | 41,992 | $ | 144,363 | $ | 252,468 | $ | (102,371) | $ | (108,105) | (71) | % | (43) | % | |||||||||||
| NdPr oxide and metal | 115,131 | 57,762 | 695 | 57,369 | 57,067 | 99 | % | N/M | |||||||||||||||||
| Magnetic precursor products | 66,861 | — | — | 66,861 | — | N/M | N/M | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other revenue | 3,246 | 1,730 | 282 | 1,516 | 1,448 | 88 | % | 513 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Intersegment eliminations(1) | (2,789) | — | — | (2,789) | — | N/M | N/M | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenue | $ | 224,441 | $ | 203,855 | $ | 253,445 | $ | 20,586 | $ | (49,590) | 10 | % | (20) | % | |||||||||||
| N/M = Not meaningful. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) Represents the elimination of intersegment revenues associated with NdPr oxide sales made by the Materials segment to the Magnetics segment. |
Total revenue increased for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to the prior year, primarily as a result of ramping production of separated products throughout 2025, resulting in higher NdPr oxide and metal revenue in the current year. Additionally, during the year ended December 31, 2025, we began recognizing revenue from the sales of magnetic precursor products, with no comparable revenue in the prior year. The increase was partially offset by lower rare earth concentrate revenues, driven by the cessation of all sales to China starting in July 2025.
44
Table of Contents
As a result of the items discussed in the “Recent Developments” section above, we expect our rare earth concentrate revenues, if any, to be materially lower in future periods as we no longer sell this product to China. This will allow us to prioritize further processing the concentrate into separated rare earth products or stockpiling them for future use. Similarly, as production of separated rare earth products and magnetic precursor products continues to ramp, we expect revenue from NdPr oxide and metal as well as magnetic precursor products to comprise a growing portion of our total revenue in 2026. See the “Segment Results” section below for further discussion of year-over-year changes in revenue.
Price protection agreement income
As discussed in the “Recent Developments” section above, the PPA for our NdPr Products commenced on October 1, 2025; given market prices for NdPr Products in the fourth quarter, we recognized price protection agreement income (“PPA Income”) based on the right to receive cash from the DoW for the difference between $110 per kg and the Benchmark Quarterly Average Volume Weighted Price (as defined in the PPA) for the NdPr Products produced at Mountain Pass that were sold or produced and stockpiled during the fourth quarter of 2025. The majority of the PPA Income recognized during the fourth quarter of 2025 pertained to sales to third parties and NdPr Products produced and stockpiled.
| For the year ended December 31, | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2024 vs. 2023 | ||||||||||||||||
| Price protection agreement income | $ | 51,016 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 51,016 | $ | — | N/M | N/M | |||||||||||
| N/M = Not meaningful. |
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization)
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization) (“COS”) consists of mining, processing, separations, and metal making-related labor costs (including wages and salaries, benefits, bonuses, and stock-based compensation); mining, processing, separations, and metal making-related supplies and reagents; parts and labor for the maintenance of our mining fleet and processing and separating facilities; other facilities-related costs (such as property taxes and utilities); packaging materials; and shipping and freight costs.
| For the year ended December 31, | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except percentages) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2024 vs. 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization) | $ | 192,789 | $ | 192,586 | $ | 92,714 | $ | 203 | $ | 99,872 | — | % | 108 | % |
COS remained relatively flat year-over-year, a net result of higher sales of NdPr oxide and metal in 2025, as well as the production costs associated with the magnetic precursor products sold in the current year, specifically NdPr metal at the Independence Facility, with no comparable costs in the prior year, offset partially by a decline in per-unit production costs associated with separated rare earth products as we continue to ramp and optimize production, coupled with the decrease in rare earth concentrate revenues. Notwithstanding, per-unit production costs of separated products are necessarily higher than those of rare earth concentrate due to the additional processing required. Such costs pertain primarily to chemical reagents, employee labor, maintenance expenses, and consumables.
Additionally, compared to the prior year, COS for the year ended December 31, 2025, benefited from $18.5 million of fewer write-downs on certain of our work in process and finished goods inventories, as well as a higher Section 45X Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit (the “45X Credit”), which increased by $2.8 million, further lowering our COS in the current year.
As we produce and sell more separated products at Mountain Pass, we expect that COS may continue to increase in 2026 even as certain per-unit production efficiencies and economies of scale are expected to be achieved. Accordingly, in future periods, any further increase in sales of NdPr oxide and metal may result in higher year-over-year COS. Additionally, should we further ramp the production of magnetic precursor products as well as magnets at Independence, COS may also increase.
Selling, general and administrative
Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses consist primarily of personnel costs (including salaries, benefits, bonuses, and stock-based compensation) of our administrative functions such as executives, accounting and finance, legal, and
45
Table of Contents
information technology; professional services (including legal, regulatory, audit and others); certain engineering expenses; insurance, license and permit costs; corporate office lease cost; office supplies; and certain environmental, health and safety expenses.
| For the year ended December 31, | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except percentages) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2024 vs. 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | $ | 112,066 | $ | 83,299 | $ | 79,245 | $ | 28,767 | $ | 4,054 | 35 | % | 5 | % |
The year-over-year increase in SG&A expenses for the year ended December 31, 2025, was driven primarily by higher personnel costs, which increased by $9.9 million, primarily due to the continued growth in our employee headcount to support our downstream expansion, as well as higher legal costs, which increased by $10.2 million, partially due to a construction-related litigation matter.
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
Depreciation, depletion and amortization (“DD&A”) primarily consists of depreciation of property, plant and equipment, depletion of mineral rights, and beginning with the fourth quarter of 2025, amortization of the right to the price floor protection granted by the DoW under the PPA.
| For the year ended December 31, | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except percentages) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2024 vs. 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation, depletion and amortization | $ | 89,267 | $ | 78,057 | $ | 55,709 | $ | 11,210 | $ | 22,348 | 14 | % | 40 | % |
The year-over-year increase in DD&A for the year ended December 31, 2025, primarily reflects $11.4 million of amortization related to the price protection agreement upfront asset, with no comparable cost in the prior year. Depreciation increased by $6.0 million as a result of the timing of placing certain machinery and equipment assets into service, with the majority placed into service during the fourth quarter of 2024 as we began production of magnetic precursor products at Independence. Depletion decreased by $6.3 million in the current year due to an increase in capitalized depletion as a result of greater inventory balances year over year, including stockpiled concentrate.
Start-up costs
Start-up costs relate to costs associated with restarting an existing facility or commissioning a new facility, circuit or process of our production, manufacturing, or separations facilities prior to the achievement of commercial production, that do not qualify for capitalization. Such costs, which are expensed as incurred, include certain salaries and wages, outside services, parts, training, and utilities, among other items, used or consumed directly in these start-up activities.
| For the year ended December 31, | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except percentages) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2024 vs. 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Start-up costs | $ | 4,286 | $ | 5,684 | $ | 21,330 | $ | (1,398) | $ | (15,646) | (25) | % | (73) | % |
The year-over-year decrease in start-up costs for the year ended December 31, 2025, was attributable primarily to our downstream initiatives, where start-up activities have declined in line with the commencement of our production of magnetic precursor products at Independence in late 2024. However, as we ramp up start-up activities related to magnet production, we expect that start-up costs may increase in future periods.
46
Table of Contents
Advanced projects and development
Advanced projects and development consists principally of costs incurred to support growth initiatives, including business and corporate development, as well as costs incurred in connection with research and development of new processes or to significantly enhance our existing processes.
| For the year ended December 31, | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except percentages) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2024 vs. 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Advanced projects and development | $ | 24,208 | $ | 9,307 | $ | 14,932 | $ | 14,901 | $ | (5,625) | 160 | % | (38) | % |
Advanced projects and development for the year ended December 31, 2025, increased year over year, primarily due to higher transaction costs, largely associated with the transactions described in the “Recent Developments” section above, including $12.7 million of costs incurred in connection with the DoW Transactions and $7.4 million related to the Commitment Letter that expired undrawn on its own terms, also in connection with the DoW Transactions. This was partially offset by lower research and development costs and corporate development costs in 2025.
Other operating costs and expenses
Other operating costs and expenses consists primarily of accretion of asset retirement and environmental obligations and gains or losses on disposals of long-lived assets, including demolition costs.
| For the year ended December 31, | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except percentages) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2024 vs. 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other operating costs and expenses | $ | 2,215 | $ | 4,348 | $ | 7,234 | $ | (2,133) | $ | (2,886) | (49) | % | (40) | % |
The year-over-year decrease for the year ended December 31, 2025, was attributed primarily to a higher loss on environmental obligations incurred in the prior year.
Interest expense, net
Interest expense, net principally consists of the expense associated with the 0.25% and 3.00% per annum coupon interest rates and amortization of the debt issuance costs on our 2026 Notes and 2030 Notes (as defined below), respectively, as well as interest expense associated with the Samarium Project Loan, offset by interest capitalized to property, plant and equipment.
| For the year ended December 31, | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except percentages) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2024 vs. 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | $ | 31,481 | $ | 23,010 | $ | 5,254 | $ | 8,471 | $ | 17,756 | 37 | % | 338 | % |
Interest expense, net for the year ended December 31, 2025, increased year over year primarily due to the interest expense associated with the issuance of the Samarium Project Loan in August 2025 and the 2030 Notes in March and December 2024, partially offset by repurchases of the 2026 Notes in 2024 and by higher capitalized interest in the current year as we continue to construct our Independence Facility, as well as various projects at Mountain Pass.
Gain on early extinguishment of debt
| For the year ended December 31, | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except percentages) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2024 vs. 2023 | ||||||||||||||||
| Gain on early extinguishment of debt | $ | — | $ | 52,911 | $ | — | $ | (52,911) | $ | 52,911 | N/M | N/M | |||||||||||
| N/M = Not meaningful. |
Gain on early extinguishment of debt for the year ended December 31, 2024, was the result of the repurchase and exchange of portions of our 2026 Notes at prices lower than the associated carrying amounts. See the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section below for additional information.
47
Table of Contents
Other income, net
Other income, net consists of interest and investment income and non-operating gains or losses.
| For the year ended December 31, | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except percentages) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2024 vs. 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other income, net | $ | 63,081 | $ | 46,178 | $ | 56,048 | $ | 16,903 | $ | (9,870) | 37 | % | (18) | % |
Other income, net for the year ended December 31, 2025, increased year over year in part due to $8.7 million of favorable changes in the fair value of the derivative instrument related to the redemption feature included in the portion of the 2030 Notes issued in December 2024. Additionally, during the year ended December 31, 2025, we earned $6.7 million of higher interest and investment income on our short-term investments and interest-bearing demand deposit accounts. Our short-term investments balance increased in 2025 as a result of the funds received from the DoW Transactions and the Offering. Interest and investment income is principally generated from accretion of the discount on such investments.
Income tax benefit (expense)
Income tax expense or benefit consists of an estimate of U.S. federal and state income taxes in the jurisdictions in which we conduct business, adjusted for federal, state and local allowable income tax benefits, the effect of permanent differences and any valuation allowance against deferred tax assets.
| For the year ended December 31, | $ Change | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except percentages) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2024 vs. 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | $ | (117,774) | $ | (93,347) | $ | 33,075 | $ | (24,427) | $ | (126,422) | (26) | % | N/M | |||||||||||
| Income tax benefit (expense) | $ | 31,900 | $ | 27,923 | $ | (8,768) | $ | 3,977 | $ | 36,691 | 14 | % | N/M | |||||||||||
| Effective tax rate | 27.1 % | 29.9 % | 26.5 % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| N/M = Not meaningful. |
The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2025, differed from the statutory tax rate of 21% primarily due to the 45X Credit, the Section 48C Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Tax Credit, percentage depletion, and state income tax expense, offset by a deduction limitation on officers’ compensation and a valuation allowance on California Competes Tax Credits (“CCTCs”). The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2024, differed from the statutory tax rate of 21% primarily due to state income tax expense, percentage depletion, the 45X Credit, and CCTCs, offset by a deduction limitation on officers’ compensation. For additional information on the 45X Credit, refer to Note 12, “Income Taxes,” and Note 17, “Government Grants,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
48
Table of Contents
Segment Results
Materials Segment
The Materials segment operates Mountain Pass, which produces refined REO and related products as well as rare earth concentrate products.
KPIs
| Year ended December 31, | Amount Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in whole units or dollars, except percentages) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2024 vs. 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Rare earth concentrate(1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| REO Production Volume (MTs) | 50,692 | 45,455 | 41,557 | 5,237 | 3,898 | 12 | % | 9 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| REO Sales Volume (MTs) | 8,922 | 32,703 | 36,837 | (23,781) | (4,134) | (73) | % | (11) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Realized Price per REO MT | $ | 4,707 | $ | 4,414 | $ | 6,854 | $ | 293 | $ | (2,440) | 7 | % | (36) | % | |||||||||||
| Separated NdPr products(1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NdPr Production Volume (MTs) | 2,599 | 1,294 | 200 | 1,305 | 1,094 | 101 | % | 547 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| NdPr Sales Volume (MTs) | 1,994 | 1,142 | 10 | 852 | 1,132 | 75 | % | N/M | |||||||||||||||||
| N/M = Not meaningful. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) See the “Key Performance Indicators” section above for further discussion of the definitions of our KPIs. |
Revenue, PPA Income, and Segment Adjusted EBITDA
| For the year ended December 31, | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except percentages) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2024 vs. 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rare earth concentrate | $ | 41,992 | $ | 144,363 | $ | 252,468 | $ | (102,371) | $ | (108,105) | (71) | % | (43) | % | |||||||||||
| NdPr oxide and metal | 115,131 | 57,762 | 695 | 57,369 | 57,067 | 99 | % | N/M | |||||||||||||||||
| Other revenue | 3,246 | 1,730 | 282 | 1,516 | 1,448 | 88 | % | 513 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Total revenue | $ | 160,369 | $ | 203,855 | $ | 253,445 | $ | (43,486) | $ | (49,590) | (21) | % | (20) | % | |||||||||||
| Price protection agreement income | $ | 51,016 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 51,016 | $ | — | N/M | N/M | |||||||||||||
| Segment Adjusted EBITDA(1) | $ | 16,818 | $ | (14,148) | $ | 130,392 | $ | 30,966 | $ | (144,540) | N/M | N/M | |||||||||||||
| N/M = Not meaningful. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) Segment Adjusted EBITDA is management’s primary segment measure of profit or loss in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate the Company’s resources. See Note 22, “Segment Reporting,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the calculation of Segment Adjusted EBITDA. |
The year-over-year decrease in rare earth concentrate revenue for the year ended December 31, 2025, was primarily driven by the decrease in REO Sales Volume impacted by the July 2025 cessation of all sales to China as well as the ramp-up in midstream operations, where a significantly higher portion of REO produced was refined and sold as NdPr oxide and metal during the current year. Historically, our REO Sales Volume generally tracked our REO Production Volume with slight period-to-period differences caused by the timing of shipments. However, as a result of the same factors that drove the current year decrease in REO Sales Volume, we expect our rare earth concentrate revenues, if any, to be materially lower in future periods.
The year-over-year increase in NdPr oxide and metal revenue for the year ended December 31, 2025, was primarily driven by higher NdPr Sales Volume as a result of continuing to ramp our production of separated products throughout the current year, while also benefiting from higher realized prices as compared to the prior year. During the fourth quarter of 2025, we commenced intersegment sales of NdPr oxide to the Magnetics segment.
As discussed in the “Recent Developments” section above, the PPA for our NdPr Products commenced on October 1, 2025; given market prices for NdPr Products in the fourth quarter, we recognized PPA Income based on the right to receive cash from the DoW, which had a significant impact on the operating results of the Materials segment, resulting in positive
49
Table of Contents
Materials Segment Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2025, and an increase of $31.0 million when compared to the prior year.
The Materials Segment Adjusted EBITDA increased year over year driven by the PPA Income, which was partially offset by the decrease in revenue discussed above. Additionally, segment cost of sales (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization and stock-based compensation expense) (“Segment COS”) decreased year over year by $29.4 million due to (i) lower per-unit production costs for separated products sold relative to the prior year, even though a greater number of MTs were sold during 2025 and (ii) lower rare earth concentrate sales.
Magnetics Segment
The Magnetics segment operates the Independence Facility, where we produce and sell magnetic precursor products and have commenced the manufacturing of NdFeB permanent magnets in December 2025.
Revenue and Segment Adjusted EBITDA
| For the year ended December 31, | $ Change | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except percentages) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2024 vs. 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
| Revenue: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Magnetic precursor products | $ | 66,861 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 66,861 | $ | — | N/M | N/M | ||||||||||||
| Segment Adjusted EBITDA(1) | $ | 26,449 | $ | (12,224) | $ | (6,522) | $ | 38,673 | $ | (5,702) | N/M | (87) | % | |||||||||||
| N/M = Not meaningful. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) Segment Adjusted EBITDA is management’s primary segment measure of profit or loss in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate the Company’s resources. See Note 22, “Segment Reporting,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the calculation of Segment Adjusted EBITDA. |
We began generating revenue from sales of magnetic precursor products during the first quarter of 2025, with no comparable sales during the prior years, which drove the year-over-year increase in Magnetics Segment Adjusted EBITDA. We continue to expect that the historical trend of Magnetics Segment Adjusted EBITDA will be impacted by the production and timing of magnetic precursor products and NdFeB permanent magnets.
Under our long-term supply agreement with GM, as of December 31, 2025, we collected all required prepayments for the sale of magnetic precursor products (i.e., NdPr metal) totaling $150.0 million. As of this same date, we had sold $66.9 million of magnetic precursor products to GM and remain obligated to transfer the remaining $83.1 million, which we anticipate will occur throughout 2026 and the first half of 2027. Upon fulfilling our remaining commitment, we do not anticipate additional sales of magnetic precursor products to GM. However, we currently anticipate that we will begin sales of finished magnets to GM in 2026, prior to fulfilling our remaining commitment regarding magnetic precursor products.
Corporate Expenses and Other
Corporate expenses and other is primarily comprised of the operating results of other business activities that exclude our Materials and Magnetics segments and include costs incurred at the corporate level that are not allocated to the operating segments, specifically relating to executive compensation, investor relations, other corporate costs, and unallocated shared service functions such as legal, information technology, human resources, finance and accounting and supply chain. Corporate expenses and other excludes stock-based compensation expense.
| For the year ended December 31, | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except percentages) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2024 vs. 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate expenses and other | $ | 31,912 | $ | 23,796 | $ | 21,368 | $ | 8,116 | $ | 2,428 | 34 | % | 11 | % |
The increase in corporate expenses and other for the year ended December 31, 2025, as compared to the prior year, was driven primarily by expenses related to corporate travel and professional service costs, which increased by $5.2 million, as well as higher personnel costs (other than stock-based compensation expense) related to executives and administrative personnel, which increased by $1.2 million.
50
Table of Contents
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity refers to our ability to generate sufficient cash flows to meet the cash requirements of our business operations, including working capital and capital expenditure needs, contractual obligations, debt service and other commitments. In addition to net cash from operating activities, which includes advanced payments from customers for future goods and services, our principal sources of liquidity have been issuances of long-term debt and offerings of shares of our common stock and Series A Preferred Stock. As of December 31, 2025, we had $1.8 billion of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments and $1.1 billion of principal amount of long-term debt and equipment notes, including $71.4 million classified as current.
Historically, our results of operations and cash flows have depended in large part upon the market prices of rare earth products. Rare earth concentrate is not quoted on any major commodities market or exchange and demand is currently constrained to a relatively limited number of refiners, a significant majority of which are based in China. Uncertainty exists as to the market price of rare earth products primarily due to actual or perceived concerns over increases in the supply of and/or decreases in demand for rare earth products as well as global economic conditions. For example, the significant decrease in the market price of rare earth products in 2023 and 2024 negatively impacted our cash flows from operations and liquidity in those years.
The cessation of shipments to China had, at least in the short-term, a material negative impact on our results of operations and cash flows. However, with the commencement of the PPA on October 1, 2025, and starting with the fourth quarter of 2025, this negative impact was significantly reduced as the PPA began to provide us with pricing stability, including on stockpiled inventory. We believe that our cash flows from operations and cash on hand are adequate to meet our liquidity requirements for the foreseeable future. Specifically, as part of the DoW Transactions, we received significant cash investments and future commitments from the DoW, and in July 2025, we also received a prepayment commitment from Apple, while raising $724.2 million in net proceeds in the Offering. See the “Recent Developments” section for additional information.
While the DoW Transactions, together with our supply agreements with Apple and GM, provide a measure of certainty with respect to both near- and longer-term demand for our products and related revenues, there are still significant factors that could negatively impact our liquidity, particularly in the longer-term, many of which remain largely uncertain and dependent on future developments that cannot be accurately predicted at this time, such as: our ability to accelerate our downstream operations and expansion, achieve our business milestones, and perform the obligations under our customer supply agreements, our ability and that of the U.S. Government to perform our respective obligations under the DoW Transaction Agreements, as well as further changes in trade policies in the United States, China or other countries, including the implementation of new tariffs, increases in or reductions of existing tariffs, or the taking of other actions.
Our current working capital needs relate mainly to our mining, beneficiation, and separation operations. These needs have increased materially in recent years as we have ramped up the production and sales of separated rare earth products. In addition, they have also increased as a result of the DoW Transactions and our agreement with Apple. Furthermore, we expect working capital requirements to continue increasing in 2026 and beyond as we scale separated rare earth production at Mountain Pass and further advance our downstream magnetics operations and initiatives at Independence, and in the future, the 10X Facility. This includes the production and sales of magnetic precursor products, the commissioning of our magnet manufacturing capabilities, as well as a build-up of raw materials and parts necessary to support these initiatives.
The completion of our mission to become a fully integrated domestic magnetics producer is expected to be capital intensive. Our principal capital expenditure requirements relate mainly to further investing in Mountain Pass, including the development of the HREE Facility, recommissioning the chlor-alkali facilities, development of recycling capabilities, Upstream 60K, and other growth and investment projects, completing the commissioning of our magnet manufacturing capabilities at Independence, and in the future, construction of the 10X Facility, as well as periodic repairs and maintenance costs. We expect to spend between $500 million and $600 million of capital costs in 2026 (net of any proceeds from government awards received). Our future capital requirements will also depend on several other factors, including market conditions, de-bottlenecking initiatives, decisions regarding downstream production capability, and potential acquisitions.
Our estimated costs or estimated time to complete and commission these projects may increase, potentially significantly, due to factors outside of our control. While we believe that we have sufficient cash resources to fund these initiatives and operating working capital in the near term, we cannot assure this. If our available resources prove inadequate to fund our plans or commitments, we may be forced to revise our strategy and business plans or could be required, or elect, to seek additional funding through public or private equity or debt financings; however, such funding may not be available on terms acceptable to us, if at all. Any delays in our ongoing capital projects or substantial cost increases, including construction costs and related materials costs related to their execution, could significantly impact our ability to maximize our revenue opportunities and adversely impact our business and cash flows.
51
Table of Contents
Debt and Other Long-Term Obligations
Revolving Credit Facility: In August 2025, we entered into a credit agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and various other lenders, providing a $275.0 million revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”), maturing on August 25, 2030, with a $200.0 million letter of credit facility sublimit (the “Credit Agreement”). As of December 31, 2025, we had no outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, $160.0 million of unused letter of credit capacity, and $235.0 million of remaining borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Facility.
Interest rates under the Revolving Credit Facility are variable based on the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”), or at our option, at a base reference rate equal to the highest of (i) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, (ii) the rate of interest last quoted by The Wall Street Journal as the “prime rate” in the U.S., (iii) the one-month SOFR rate plus 1.00% or (iv) 1.00% (the “Base Rate”), plus, as applicable, a margin ranging from 1.75% to 2.50% per annum for SOFR-based loans and ranging from 0.75% to 1.50% per annum for Base Rate-based loans, in each case, depending on our total leverage ratio.
The Credit Agreement is subject to financial covenants that are tested at the end of each fiscal quarter. From the inception of the Credit Agreement until the earlier of the fiscal quarter in which our Consolidated EBITDA (as calculated and defined in the Credit Agreement) equals or exceeds $400.0 million for the test period and the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2027 (the “Covenant Trigger Event”), we must maintain unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of at least $500.0 million. Following the Covenant Trigger Event, we are required to maintain a total leverage ratio of less than 4.00:1.00, or 4.50:1.00 for the fiscal quarter of and the three consecutive fiscal quarters following any material acquisition, and a cash interest coverage ratio greater than 3.0:1.0.
The Credit Agreement is guaranteed by us and our subsidiaries, subject to certain customary exceptions. Failure to comply with any of the covenants associated with the Credit Agreement could result in a default under its terms. Such a default would permit lenders to accelerate the maturity of the debt and to foreclose upon any collateral securing such debt. We are in compliance with the applicable financial covenant contained in the Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2025.
2026 Notes: In March 2021, we issued $690.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 0.25% unsecured convertible senior notes (the “2026 Notes”) at a price of par. Interest on the 2026 Notes is payable on April 1st and October 1st of each year, beginning on October 1, 2021.
In March 2024, contemporaneous with the pricing of the 2030 Notes (as defined below), we entered into privately negotiated transactions with certain holders of the 2026 Notes to repurchase $400.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the 2026 Notes, using $358.0 million of the net proceeds from the offering of the 2030 Notes. The price we paid to repurchase the 2026 Notes, 89.5% of par value, was the same for each lender and approximated the trading price of the 2026 Notes at the time of the repurchases. Subsequent to the issuance of the 2030 Notes, we repurchased an additional $80.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the 2026 Notes in open market transactions for $70.6 million. As a result of these repurchases in the first quarter of 2024, we recorded a $46.3 million gain on early extinguishment of debt during the year ended December 31, 2024.
The remaining 2026 Notes outstanding mature, unless earlier converted, redeemed or repurchased, on April 1, 2026, and become convertible at the option of the holder beginning on January 1, 2026, through the business day immediately preceding the maturity date. The initial conversion price of the remaining 2026 Notes is approximately $44.28 per share, or 22.5861 shares per $1,000 principal amount of notes, subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events.
In March 2024, we provided a written notice to the trustee and the holders of the 2026 Notes that we have irrevocably elected to fix the settlement method for all conversions that may occur subsequent to the election date, to a combination of cash and shares of our common stock with the specified dollar amount per $1,000 principal amount of the 2026 Notes of $1,000. As a result, for any conversions of 2026 Notes occurring after the election date, a converting holder will receive (i) up to $1,000 in cash per $1,000 principal amount of the 2026 Notes and (ii) shares of our common stock for any conversion consideration in excess of $1,000 per $1,000 principal amount of the 2026 Notes converted.
2030 Notes: In March 2024, we issued $747.5 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.00% unsecured convertible senior notes that mature, unless earlier converted, redeemed or repurchased, on March 1, 2030 (the “2030 Notes” and, together with the 2026 Notes, the “Convertible Notes”), at a price of par. Interest on the 2030 Notes is payable on March 1st and September 1st of each year, beginning on September 1, 2024.
The 2030 Notes are convertible into cash, shares of our common stock or a combination thereof, at our election, at an initial conversion price of approximately $21.74 per share, or 45.9939 shares per $1,000 principal amount of 2030 Notes, subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events.
52
Table of Contents
Prior to December 1, 2029, at their election, holders of the 2030 Notes may convert their outstanding notes under the following circumstances: (i) during any calendar quarter commencing with the third quarter of 2024 if the last reported sale price of our common stock for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during the period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price on each applicable trading day (the “Stock Price Condition”); (ii) during the five business day period after any ten consecutive trading day period (the “2030 Notes measurement period”) in which the trading price (as defined in the indenture governing the 2030 Notes) per $1,000 principal amount of 2030 Notes for each trading day of the 2030 Notes measurement period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of our common stock and the conversion rate on each such trading day; (iii) if we call any or all of the 2030 Notes for redemption, the notes called for redemption may be converted at any time prior to the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the redemption date; or (iv) upon the occurrence of specified corporate events set forth in the indenture governing the 2030 Notes. On or after December 1, 2029, and prior to the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date of the 2030 Notes, holders may convert their outstanding notes at any time, regardless of the foregoing circumstances.
Commencing the fourth quarter of 2025, the 2030 Notes became convertible at the option of the holders, and will remain convertible through the first quarter of 2026, due to the Stock Price Condition being met. On a quarterly basis, we will reassess the Stock Price Condition; thus, the 2030 Notes may continue or cease to be convertible in future quarters depending on the performance of the Company’s stock price. As of December 31, 2025, no conversions had occurred.
We have the option to redeem for cash the 2030 Notes, in whole or in part, beginning on March 5, 2027, if certain conditions are met as set forth in the indenture governing the 2030 Notes. The redemption price is equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest.
Capped Call Options: In March 2024, in connection with the offering of the 2030 Notes, we entered into privately negotiated capped call transactions (the “Capped Call Options”) with certain financial institutions (“Counterparties”). The Capped Call Options cover, subject to anti-dilution adjustments substantially similar to those in the 2030 Notes, 34.4 million shares of our common stock, the same number of shares that initially underlie the 2030 Notes issued in March 2024. The Capped Call Options have an expiration date of March 1, 2030, subject to earlier exercise.
The Capped Call Options are intended, subject to our discretion and depending on whether we elect to exercise our rights under such options, to reduce the potential dilution to our common stock upon conversion of the 2030 Notes and/or offset cash payments we are required to make in excess of the principal amount of the converted 2030 Notes, as the case may be. This would apply in the event that the market price per share of our common stock, as measured under the terms of the Capped Call Options, is greater than the strike price of the Capped Call Options, which initially corresponds to the initial conversion price of the 2030 Notes, or approximately $21.74 per share of common stock, with such reduction and/or offset subject to an initial cap of $31.06 per share of our common stock. We paid $65.3 million for the Capped Call Options in March 2024.
Convertible Notes Debt Exchange: In December 2024, we entered into privately negotiated exchange agreements with certain holders of the 2026 Notes (the “Debt Exchange Agreements”). Pursuant to the Debt Exchange Agreements, $142.3 million in aggregate principal amount of the 2026 Notes was exchanged for $115.3 million in aggregate principal amount of the 2030 Notes (the “Debt Exchange”), which had the same terms and conditions as the 2030 Notes issued in March 2024.
As a result of the Debt Exchange, we recorded a $6.6 million gain on early extinguishment of debt; a $13.8 million increase (net of the associated deferred tax impact of $4.0 million) to “Additional paid-in capital” included within the Consolidated Balance Sheets, as the 2030 Notes pertaining to this Debt Exchange were issued at a substantial premium; and total debt issuance costs of $4.5 million. For the avoidance of doubt, the 2030 Notes issued as part of the Debt Exchange are not associated with the Capped Call Options.
Samarium Project Loan: In August 2025, we issued a $150.0 million unsecured promissory note to the DoW with a 12-year term, maturing on August 1, 2037. The Samarium Project Loan bears interest at a rate of 5.38% per annum, calculated as the 10-year U.S. Treasury constant maturity rate plus 1.00%. Interest on the Samarium Project Loan is payable in cash quarterly in arrears on the 15th day of each calendar quarter, beginning on October 15, 2025. We may prepay the Samarium Project Loan, in whole or in part, at any time, including all accrued interest, without premium, cost or penalty. The outstanding principal and all accrued and unpaid interest under the Samarium Project Loan become immediately due and payable upon the occurrence of certain conditions, such as payment defaults, as specified in the promissory note to the DoW.
Equipment Notes: In December 2024, we and Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation entered into an uncommitted credit facility (the “Uncommitted Credit Facility”) with a principal amount of up to $25.0 million, which was subsequently
53
Table of Contents
increased to $40.0 million in December 2025. During the year ended December 31, 2025, we executed promissory notes under the Uncommitted Credit Facility to finance new equipment, including trucks and wheel loaders, for use at Mountain Pass. As of December 31, 2025, we had $15.7 million of remaining borrowing capacity under the Uncommitted Credit Facility. Our equipment notes, which are secured by the purchased equipment, had $24.3 million in principal (and accrued interest) outstanding as of December 31, 2025. See Note 10, “Debt Obligations,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on our debt obligations.
Leases: We have lease arrangements for certain equipment and facilities, including office space, warehouses and equipment used in our operations. As of December 31, 2025, we had future expected lease payment obligations related to our operating leases totaling $13.1 million, with $3.9 million due within the next 12 months. Our finance leases were not material. See Note 11, “Operating Leases,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Purchase Obligations: Our outstanding purchase obligations as of December 31, 2025, primarily consist of purchase orders initiated with vendors and suppliers in the ordinary course of business for operating and maintenance capital expenditures that will be settled within one year. Generally, we are permitted to cancel, reschedule or adjust these orders. We have also entered into long-term supply arrangements for certain chemical reagents used in our operations, which are based on current or anticipated consumption requirements. Additionally, our engineering, procurement, and construction contracts, including those for long-lead equipment, are typically cancellable.
Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations: See Note 9, “Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for our estimated cash requirements to settle asset retirement and environmental obligations.
Other: In order to support the continued advancement of our Independence Facility and magnetics capability, as well as the construction of the 10X Facility, we expect to hire several hundred additional full-time employees in 2026 and expect a headcount of approximately 1,500 supporting the 10X Facility at full capacity. These increases in headcount will result in additional cash requirements for salaries, bonuses, benefits and training.
Share Repurchase Program
In March 2024, our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program (the “Program”) effective for one year under which the Company became authorized to repurchase up to an aggregate amount of $300.0 million of our outstanding common stock. In August 2024, our Board of Directors approved a $300.0 million increase to the Program, bringing the total authorized amount to $600.0 million. The authorization did not require the purchase of any minimum number of shares. On July 11, 2025, pursuant to the terms of the DoW Transaction Agreements, we terminated the Program.
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our cash flows:
| For the year ended December 31, | $ Change | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except percentages) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 vs 2024 | 2024 vs 2023 | 2025 vs 2024 | 2024 vs 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating activities | $ | (155,755) | $ | 13,349 | $ | 62,699 | $ | (169,104) | $ | (49,350) | N/M | (79) | % | |||||||||||
| Investing activities | $ | (206,049) | $ | 10,057 | $ | 68,697 | $ | (216,106) | $ | (58,640) | N/M | (85) | % | |||||||||||
| Financing activities | $ | 1,245,560 | $ | (4,791) | $ | (9,917) | $ | 1,250,351 | $ | 5,126 | N/M | 52 | % |
N/M = Not meaningful.
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities: Net cash used in operating activities was $155.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, as compared to the net cash provided by operating activities of $13.3 million in the prior year, driven primarily by (i) the increase in inventories, including stockpiled concentrate, to support the ramp of production of separated products and magnetic precursor products, (ii) decrease in cash received from customers, as the cash associated with a portion of the revenue recognized in the current year was received in the prior year, and (iii) an increase in cash paid for interest of $11.0 million due to the 2030 Notes.
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities: Net cash used in investing activities was $206.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, as compared to the net cash provided by investing activities of $10.1 million in the prior year. The change in cash flows from investing activities was primarily driven by higher purchases of short-term investments in the current
54
Table of Contents
year, resulting in an increase of cash used in investing activities of $251.0 million. This was partially offset by $24.2 million in proceeds received from government awards in the current year that were used for construction, and lower overall cash expenditures on additions to property, plant and equipment, which decreased by $14.0 million when compared to the prior year, driven by lower construction spend on certain projects, such as the HREE Facility. Additionally, we also received $9.7 million in the current year period in exchange for the sale of our 49% interest in VREX Holdco Pte. Ltd.
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities: Net cash provided by financing activities was $1,245.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, as compared to the net cash used in financing activities of $4.8 million in the prior year, driven primarily by the net cash proceeds of $1.3 billion received from the Offering and the DoW Transactions. The prior year included the net cash flow impact of $12.4 million from the issuance of the 2030 Notes, the payments of debt issuance costs associated with the 2030 Notes, the payments made to retire a significant portion of the 2026 Notes, the purchase of the Capped Call Options, and the payments made to repurchase our common stock, offset partially by debt issuance costs of $4.5 million recorded in connection with the Debt Exchange during the year ended December 31, 2024.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We present Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income (Loss), Adjusted Diluted EPS, and Free Cash Flow, which are non-GAAP financial measures that we use to supplement our results presented in accordance with GAAP. These measures may be similar to measures reported by other companies in our industry and are regularly used by securities analysts and investors to measure companies’ financial performance. Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income (Loss), Adjusted Diluted EPS, and Free Cash Flow are not intended to be substitutes for any GAAP financial measures and, as calculated, may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of performance or liquidity of other companies within our industry or in other industries.
Adjusted EBITDA
We define Adjusted EBITDA as our GAAP net income or loss before interest expense, net; income tax expense or benefit; and depreciation, depletion and amortization; further adjusted to eliminate the impact of stock-based compensation expense; initial start-up costs; transaction-related and other costs; accretion of asset retirement and environmental obligations; loss on environmental obligations; gain or loss on disposals of long-lived assets; gain or loss on early extinguishment of debt; other income or loss; and other items that we do not consider representative of our underlying operations. We present Adjusted EBITDA because it is used by management to evaluate our underlying operating and financial performance and trends. Adjusted EBITDA excludes certain expenses that are required in accordance with GAAP because they are non-recurring, non-cash or are not related to our underlying business performance. This non-GAAP financial measure is intended to supplement our GAAP results and should not be used as a substitute for financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP.
The following table presents a reconciliation of our Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, to our net income or loss, which is determined in accordance with GAAP:
| For the year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | (85,874) | $ | (65,424) | $ | 24,307 | ||||
| Adjusted for: | ||||||||||
| Depreciation, depletion and amortization | 89,267 | 78,057 | 55,709 | |||||||
| Interest expense, net | 31,481 | 23,010 | 5,254 | |||||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | (31,900) | (27,923) | 8,768 | |||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense(1) | 30,007 | 23,183 | 25,236 | |||||||
| Initial start-up costs(2) | 3,339 | 5,303 | 20,607 | |||||||
| Transaction-related and other costs(3) | 35,965 | 8,367 | 11,435 | |||||||
| Accretion of asset retirement and environmental obligations(4) | 1,490 | 929 | 908 | |||||||
| Loss on environmental obligations(4) | 259 | 1,998 | — | |||||||
| Loss on disposals of long-lived assets, net(4) | 466 | 1,421 | 6,326 | |||||||
| Gain on early extinguishment of debt | — | (52,911) | — | |||||||
| Other income, net | (63,081) | (46,178) | (56,048) | |||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 11,419 | $ | (50,168) | $ | 102,502 |
(1)Principally included in “Selling, general and administrative” within our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
55
Table of Contents
(2)Included in “Start-up costs” within our Consolidated Statements of Operations and excludes any applicable stock-based compensation, which is included in the “Stock-based compensation expense” line above. Relates to certain costs incurred in connection with the commissioning and starting up of our initial separations capability at Mountain Pass and our initial magnet-making capabilities at the Independence Facility prior to the achievement of commercial production. These costs include labor of incremental employees hired in advance to work directly on such commissioning activities, training costs, costs of testing and commissioning the new circuits and processes, and other related costs. Given the nature and scale of the related costs and activities, management does not view these as normal, recurring operating expenses, but rather as non-recurring investments to initially develop our separations and magnet-making capabilities. Therefore, we believe it is useful and necessary for investors to understand our core operating performance in current and future periods by excluding the impact of these start-up costs. To the extent additional start-up costs are incurred in the future to expand our separations and magnet-making capabilities after initial achievement of commercial production (e.g., significantly expanding production capacity at an existing facility or building a new separations or magnet manufacturing facility), such costs would not be considered an adjustment for this non-GAAP financial measure.
(3)Pertains to legal, consulting, and advisory services, and other costs associated with specific matters or transactions. The year ended December 31, 2025, included $12.7 million of costs incurred in association with the DoW transactions, $11.9 million of costs associated with a construction-related litigation matter and $7.4 million of costs incurred to secure financing. For the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2023, amounts are principally included in “Advanced projects and development” within our Consolidated Statements of Operations. For the year ended December 31, 2024, amount is principally included in “Selling, general and administrative” within our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(4)Included in “Other operating costs and expenses” within our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and Adjusted Diluted EPS
We calculate Adjusted Net Income (Loss) as our GAAP net income or loss excluding the impact of stock-based compensation expense; initial start-up costs; transaction-related and other costs; loss on environmental obligations; gain or loss on disposals of long-lived assets; gain or loss on early extinguishment of debt; and other items that we do not consider representative of our underlying operations; adjusted to give effect to the income tax impact of such adjustments. We calculate Adjusted Diluted EPS as our GAAP diluted earnings or loss per common share, excluding the per-share impact of each adjusting item described in the previous sentence (the numerator) divided by the adjusted diluted weighted-average shares outstanding (the denominator). In addition, when appropriate, we include an adjustment to reverse the impact of applying the if-converted method to our 2026 Notes if necessary to reconcile between GAAP diluted earnings or loss per common share and Adjusted Diluted EPS.
Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and Adjusted Diluted EPS exclude certain expenses that are required in accordance with GAAP because they are non-recurring, non-cash, or not related to our underlying business performance. To calculate the income tax impact of such adjustments on a year-to-date basis, we utilize an effective tax rate equal to our income tax expense or benefit excluding material discrete costs and benefits, with any impacts of changes in effective tax rate being recognized in the current period. We present Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and Adjusted Diluted EPS because it is used by management to evaluate our underlying operating and financial performance and trends. These non-GAAP financial measures are intended to supplement our GAAP results and should not be used as a substitute for financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP.
The following table presents a reconciliation of our Adjusted Net Income (Loss), which is a non-GAAP financial measure, to our net income or loss, which is determined in accordance with GAAP:
| For the year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | (85,874) | $ | (65,424) | $ | 24,307 | ||||
| Adjusted for: | ||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense(1) | 30,007 | 23,183 | 25,236 | |||||||
| Initial start-up costs(2) | 3,339 | 5,303 | 20,607 | |||||||
| Transaction-related and other costs(3) | 35,965 | 8,367 | 11,435 | |||||||
| Loss on environmental obligations(4) | 259 | 1,998 | — | |||||||
| Loss on disposals of long-lived assets, net(4) | 466 | 1,421 | 6,326 | |||||||
| Gain on early extinguishment of debt | — | (52,911) | — | |||||||
| Other(5) | (8,708) | — | (51) | |||||||
| Tax impact of adjustments above(6) | (16,281) | 3,959 | (16,482) | |||||||
| Adjusted Net Income (Loss) | $ | (40,827) | $ | (74,104) | $ | 71,378 |
(1)Principally included in “Selling, general and administrative” within our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(2)Included in “Start-up costs” within our Consolidated Statements of Operations and excludes any applicable stock-based compensation, which is included in the “Stock-based compensation expense” line above. Relates to certain costs incurred in connection with the commissioning and starting up of our initial separations capability at Mountain Pass and our initial magnet-making capabilities at the Independence Facility prior to the achievement
56
Table of Contents
of commercial production. These costs include labor of incremental employees hired in advance to work directly on such commissioning activities, training costs, costs of testing and commissioning the new circuits and processes, and other related costs. Given the nature and scale of the related costs and activities, management does not view these as normal, recurring operating expenses, but rather as non-recurring investments to initially develop our separations and magnet-making capabilities. Therefore, we believe it is useful and necessary for investors to understand our core operating performance in current and future periods by excluding the impact of these start-up costs. To the extent additional start-up costs are incurred in the future to expand our separations and magnet-making capabilities after initial achievement of commercial production (e.g., significantly expanding production capacity at an existing facility or building a new separations or magnet manufacturing facility), such costs would not be considered an adjustment for this non-GAAP financial measure.
(3)Pertains to legal, consulting, and advisory services, and other costs associated with specific matters or transactions. The year ended December 31, 2025, included $12.7 million of costs incurred in association with the DoW transactions, $11.9 million of costs associated with a construction-related litigation matter and $7.4 million of costs incurred to secure financing. For the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2023, amounts are principally included in “Advanced projects and development” within our Consolidated Statements of Operations. For the year ended December 31, 2024, amount is principally included in “Selling, general and administrative” within our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(4)Included in “Other operating costs and expenses” within our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(5)Included in “Other income, net” within our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Amount for the year ended December 31, 2025, pertains to the change in fair value of the redemption feature included in the portion of our 2030 Notes that were issued in December 2024.
(6)Tax impact of adjustments is calculated using an adjusted effective tax rate, which excludes the impact of discrete tax costs and benefits, to each adjustment. The adjusted effective tax rates were 26.5%, 31.3% and 25.9% for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. See Note 12, “Income Taxes,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on the effective tax rate.
The following table presents a reconciliation of our Adjusted Diluted EPS, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, to our diluted earnings or loss per common share, which is determined in accordance with GAAP:
| For the year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||
| Diluted earnings (loss) per common share | $ | (0.50) | $ | (0.57) | $ | 0.14 | ||||
| Adjusted for: | ||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 0.18 | 0.14 | 0.13 | |||||||
| Initial start-up costs | 0.02 | 0.03 | 0.11 | |||||||
| Transaction-related and other costs | 0.21 | 0.05 | 0.06 | |||||||
| Loss on environmental obligations | — | 0.01 | — | |||||||
| Loss on disposals of long-lived assets, net | — | 0.01 | 0.03 | |||||||
| Gain on early extinguishment of debt | — | (0.32) | — | |||||||
| Other | (0.05) | — | — | |||||||
| Tax impact of adjustments above(1) | (0.10) | 0.02 | (0.08) | |||||||
| 2026 Notes if-converted method(2) | — | 0.19 | — | |||||||
| Adjusted Diluted EPS | $ | (0.24) | $ | (0.44) | $ | 0.39 | ||||
| Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding | 170,126,753 | 169,882,640 | 178,152,212 | |||||||
| Assumed conversion of 2026 Notes(3)(4) | — | (3,042,029) | 15,584,409 | |||||||
| Adjusted diluted weighted-average shares outstanding | 170,126,753 | 166,840,611 | 193,736,621 |
(1)Tax impact of adjustments is calculated using an adjusted effective tax rate, which excludes the impact of discrete tax costs and benefits, to each adjustment. The adjusted effective tax rates were 26.5%, 31.3% and 25.9% for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. See Note 12, “Income Taxes,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on the effective tax rate.
(2)For the year ended December 31, 2024, since the 2026 Notes were dilutive for purposes of computing GAAP diluted loss per common share but antidilutive for purposes of computing Adjusted Diluted EPS, within this reconciliation, we have included this adjustment to reverse the impact of applying the if-converted method to the 2026 Notes in the computation of GAAP diluted loss per common share.
(3)For the year ended December 31, 2024, since the 2026 Notes were dilutive for purposes of computing GAAP diluted loss per common share but antidilutive for purposes of computing Adjusted Diluted EPS, the adjusted diluted weighted-average shares outstanding exclude the potentially dilutive securities associated with the 2026 Notes.
(4)For the year ended December 31, 2023, the 2026 Notes were antidilutive for GAAP purposes. For purposes of calculating Adjusted Diluted EPS, we have added back the assumed conversion of the 2026 Notes since they would not be antidilutive when using Adjusted Net Income (Loss) as the numerator in the calculation of Adjusted Diluted EPS.
Free Cash Flow
We calculate Free Cash Flow as net cash provided by or used in operating activities less additions to property, plant and equipment, net of proceeds from government awards used for construction. We believe Free Cash Flow is useful for comparing our ability to generate cash with that of our peers. The presentation of Free Cash Flow is not meant to be considered in isolation
57
Table of Contents
or as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities and does not necessarily indicate whether cash flows will be sufficient to fund cash needs.
The following table presents a reconciliation of our Free Cash Flow, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, to our net cash provided by (used in) operating activities, which is determined in accordance with GAAP:
| For the year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | $ | (155,755) | $ | 13,349 | $ | 62,699 | ||||
| Additions to property, plant and equipment, net(1) | (148,175) | (186,322) | (259,097) | |||||||
| Free Cash Flow | $ | (303,930) | $ | (172,973) | $ | (196,398) |
(1)Amounts for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, are net of $24.2 million, $0.1 million and $2.8 million, respectively, in proceeds from government awards used for construction.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP requires our management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that impact the reported amount of revenue and operating expenses, assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We consider an accounting judgment, estimate or assumption to be critical when (i) the estimate or assumption is complex in nature or requires a high degree of judgment and (ii) the use of different judgments, estimates and assumptions could have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements. Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 2, “Significant Accounting Policies,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Our critical accounting estimates are described below.
Financial Instruments Associated with the DoW Transactions
As described in Note 3, “Public-Private Partnership with U.S. Department of War,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, on July 9, 2025, the Company entered into the DoW Transaction Agreements, which resulted in the issuance and recognition of the Series A Preferred Stock, Warrant and the Samarium Project Loan. The Company engaged independent valuation specialists to assist with the determination of the fair value of the Series A Preferred Stock, Warrant and the Samarium Project Loan. These instruments were recorded at their allocated relative fair value of the cash and PPA Upfront Asset received. The initial measurement of the transaction and allocation of proceeds to the various components required significant judgments and estimates, primarily related to fair value measurement.
The estimates related to the initial fair value of the Series A Preferred Stock, Warrant and the Samarium Project Loan and therefore, the allocation of proceeds, were based on observable inputs such as our stock price and implied volatility and other inputs traditionally associated with equity and debt valuations. Changes in certain assumptions underlying the fair value determinations of the instruments issued to the DoW could have resulted in a different relative fair value allocation among the Series A Preferred Stock, Warrant and the Samarium Project Loan. The PPA Upfront Asset was initially measured as the excess of the relative fair value of the Series A Preferred Stock, Warrant and the Samarium Project Loan over the cash consideration received from the DoW. As a result, changes in certain assumptions utilized in the valuation of the instruments issued could have resulted in a different initial value of the PPA Upfront Asset.
To validate that all instruments exchanged with the DoW were properly identified, the Company’s valuation specialists assisted with an assessment of the fair value of the PPA Upfront Asset. The valuation utilized estimates and assumptions regarding NdPr commodity prices, forecasted production over the PPA’s 10-year term, and was discounted based on our estimated cost of capital. The valuation results indicated that the Company properly identified all of the exchanged instruments at fair value. The PPA Upfront Asset is amortized over the Company’s expected pattern of economic benefit, which was derived from the PPA Upfront Asset’s valuation. Prospective changes in the expected pattern of economic benefit as a result of revised estimates and assumptions could result in adjustments to the periodic amortization expense recognized for the PPA Upfront Asset over the remaining term.
Inventories
Raw materials, mined ore stockpiles, work in process, and finished goods inventories, including non-current inventories, are carried at weighted average cost. Supplies are carried at moving average cost. All inventories are carried at the lower of cost or net realizable value, which represents the estimated selling price of the product during the ordinary course of business based on current market conditions less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. Costs of completion include labor, utilities, reagents, maintenance, and allocated production overhead costs, including depreciation and depletion.
58
Table of Contents
We evaluate the carrying amount of inventory each reporting period, considering recent and expected market prices, income to be recognized under the PPA, slow-moving items, obsolescence, excess inventory levels, as well as other factors, and recognize related write-downs if it is determined that the inventory is impaired. In addition, our estimate of costs of completion may be impacted by forecasted production levels, which are particularly sensitive before we achieve our anticipated production levels for our midstream operations. Although considerable effort is made to ensure the accuracy of our forecasts of future product demand, market conditions, or other cost assumptions, any significant unfavorable changes in demand, market price or expected usage could have a significant negative impact on the value of our inventory and our results of operations. At least until such time that we achieve our anticipated throughput, we may continue to incur write-downs of certain of our separated product inventories. See Note 5, “Inventories,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
Asset Retirement Obligations (“ARO”)
We recognize ARO for estimated costs of legally and contractually required closure, dismantlement, and reclamation activities associated with Mountain Pass. ARO are initially recognized at their estimated fair value in the period in which the obligation is incurred. In determining fair value, management makes estimates based on the expected timing of reclamation activities; cash flows to perform activities, which involves utilizing an assumption for future inflation; amount and uncertainty associated with the cash flows, including adjustments for a market risk premium; and discounts such amounts using a credit-adjusted risk-free rate. Although we base our estimates on historical experience and reevaluate our estimated timing and cash flows regularly, since the majority of the cash flows to settle our ARO occur decades in the future, it is inherently difficult to accurately predict the ultimate cash flows used to settle such obligations. As a result, these estimates and assumptions are subjective and can vary over time. See Note 9, “Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
Environmental Obligations (“ENV”)
Our operating activities are subject to various laws and regulations governing protection of the environment. We conduct our operations to protect public health and the environment and believe our operations are in compliance with applicable laws and regulations in all material respects. We recognize certain environmental monitoring and remediation obligations related to the groundwater contamination in and around Mountain Pass. We engage environmental consultants to develop remediation plans and the related cost projections, which are used to develop an estimate of future cash payments needed to satisfy the Company’s environmental obligations. If the cost can only be estimated as a range of possible amounts with no point in the range being more likely, the minimum of the range is accrued. It is possible that additional environmental obligations could be incurred, the extent of which cannot be assessed. As assessments and remediation progress occur, the Company periodically reviews its estimates and records any necessary adjustments in the period in which new information becomes available.
We estimate the cash outflows related to these environmental activities will be incurred annually over the next 30 years but could be longer. The Company’s environmental obligations are measured at the expected value of future cash outflows, adjusted for future inflation and discounted to their present value using a risk-free rate, which we derive from U.S. Treasury yields. See Note 9, “Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Recently adopted and issued accounting pronouncements are described in Note 2, “Significant Accounting Policies,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
MD&A history
Prior-year 10-K MD&A spans are extracted from SEC filings with the same bounded parser used for the latest filing. The latest 10-K appears above; prior years are below.
FY 2024 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001801368-25-000009.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 (this “Annual Report”). A discussion of changes in our consolidated results of operations and cash flows between years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, has been omitted from this Annual Report, but may be found in “Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021,” of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on February 28, 2024. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including, but not limited to, those set forth under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Annual Report. See also “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
Executive Overview
MP Materials Corp., including its subsidiaries (“we,” “our,” and “us”), is the largest producer of rare earth materials in the Western Hemisphere. We own and operate the Mountain Pass Rare Earth Mine and Processing Facility (“Mountain Pass”) located near Mountain Pass, San Bernardino County, California, the only rare earth mining and processing site of scale in North America. We are also developing a rare earth metal, alloy and magnet manufacturing facility in Fort Worth, Texas (“Independence” or the “Independence Facility”).
During the fourth quarter of 2024, we modified our segment structure largely as a result of initial production of magnetic precursor products. Beginning with the fourth quarter of 2024, our reportable segments, which are primarily based on our internal organizational structure and types of products, are our two operating segments—Materials and Magnetics. In conjunction with this change, where applicable, prior period amounts have been recast to conform to this new segment reporting structure.
The Materials segment operates Mountain Pass, which produces refined rare earth products as well as rare earth concentrate and related products. The Materials segment primarily generates revenue from (i) sales of rare earth concentrate, primarily sold for further distribution to a single, principal customer in China, and (ii) sales of neodymium-praseodymium (“NdPr”) oxide and metal, primarily sold to customers in Japan, South Korea, and broader Asia.
The Magnetics segment operates the Independence Facility, where we began production of magnetic precursor products in December 2024 and anticipate manufacturing neodymium-iron-boron (“NdFeB”) permanent magnets by the end of 2025. Beginning in the first quarter of 2025, we expect that the Magnetics segment will begin generating revenue from sales of NdPr metal to a single customer in the U.S.
Certain rare earth elements (“REE”) serve as critical inputs for the rare earth magnets inside the electric motors and generators powering carbon-reducing technologies such as hybrid and electric vehicles (referred to collectively as “xEVs”) and wind turbines, as well as drones, defense systems, robotics and many other high-growth, advanced technologies. Our integrated operations combine low production costs with high environmental standards, thereby restoring American leadership to a critical industry with a strong commitment to sustainability.
Highlights from the year ended December 31, 2024, include:
•Commenced production of magnetic precursor products at Independence in December 2024;
38
Table of Contents
•Received a total of $100.0 million in customer prepayments for magnetic precursor products pursuant to the long-term supply agreement with GM;
•Continued NdPr sales momentum, including signing a supply agreement with a global automaker for a significant volume commitment;
•Achieved record rare earth oxide (“REO”) in concentrate production volume;
•Significantly advanced ramp-up of separated rare earth products production, producing record domestic NdPr oxide volumes;
•Issued $747.5 million of 2030 Notes (as defined below) in March 2024 and entered into Capped Call Options (as defined below) covering 34.4 million shares of common stock to offset potential dilution; concurrently repurchased a portion of our 2026 Notes (as defined below) at prices lower than the associated carrying amounts resulting in a $46.3 million gain on early extinguishment of debt;
•Received a $58.5 million Section 48C Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Tax Credit (the “48C Credit”) in March 2024 to support the construction of the Independence Facility;
•Repurchased 15.2 million or 8.6% of the Company’s outstanding shares at a total cost of $225.1 million at an average price of $14.76 per share through the Company’s share repurchase program that was implemented during the year;
•Completed a debt exchange in December 2024, reducing the principal amount of debt by $27.0 million by exchanging $142.3 million of 2026 Notes for $115.3 million of 2030 Notes; and
•Maintained a strong balance sheet with cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaling $850.9 million as of December 31, 2024, after incurring capital expenditures to advance construction of the Independence Facility, as well as various projects at Mountain Pass, including the HREE Facility.
Despite a continued weak pricing backdrop in 2024, our operating results for the Materials segment demonstrate solid operational execution. Our upstream concentrate operations delivered record production levels despite significant focus being spent on scaling midstream separated product operations. Although we remain well below our designed throughput of separated products, we have seen steady improvements throughout 2024. Furthermore, we expanded our customer base of separated rare earth products and steadily increased sales throughout the year. Although we continue to expect that it may take several quarters to achieve our designed throughput of separated products, we remain confident in our ability to achieve it in the future.
In addition, our Magnetics segment continued to make significant progress on our strategy to re-establish magnet manufacturing in the U.S., including commissioning our electrowinning capability to produce NdPr metal from NdPr oxide at Independence in the fourth quarter of 2024. Throughout 2024, we significantly advanced the organization’s engineering and manufacturing technology capabilities and meaningfully added to our magnetics team of scientists, technicians and engineers, with the team now comprised of over 100 employees. In addition, we recently began trial production of automotive-grade, sintered neodymium-iron-boron (“NdFeB”) magnets at our new product introduction (“NPI”) facility within Independence.
Recent Developments
2024 Offtake Agreement
In January 2024, we entered into a new offtake agreement with Shenghe (the “2024 Offtake Agreement”) that replaced and extended the offtake agreement entered into in March 2022 with Shenghe (the “2022 Offtake Agreement” and, together with the 2024 Offtake Agreement, the “Offtake Agreements”). The initial term of the 2024 Offtake Agreement is two years, with the option for us to extend the term for an additional one-year period. The terms of the 2024 Offtake Agreement are substantially the same as those of the 2022 Offtake Agreement with the exception of the addition of NdPr metal into the definition of non-concentrate rare earth products. See Note 19, “Related-Party Transactions,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion of the Offtake Agreements.
Section 48C Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Tax Credit
In March 2024, we were awarded a $58.5 million 48C Credit to advance the construction of the Independence Facility. The 48C Credit is an investment tax credit equal to 30% of qualified investments for certified projects that meet prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements and are placed in service after the date of the award. The allocation of the awards under the 48C Credit was issued by the Internal Revenue Service and Treasury following a competitive, oversubscribed process administered by the Department of Energy that evaluated the technical and commercial viability and environmental and community impact of approximately 250 projects. See Note 12, “Income Taxes,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
39
Table of Contents
NdPr Supply Agreement
In June 2024, we entered into an NdPr supply agreement with a global automaker, committing to a significant volume of NdPr products. The initial term of the agreement concludes on December 31, 2026, unless the volume commitment is fulfilled earlier. There is an option to extend the term by up to an additional three-year period, subject to mutual agreement.
Factors Affecting Our Performance
We believe we are uniquely positioned to capitalize on the trends of electrification and supply chain security, particularly as domestic xEV production and domestic industrial supply chain initiatives grow. Our continued success depends to a significant extent on our ability to take advantage of the following opportunities and meet the challenges associated with them.
Demand for REE
The key demand drivers for REE are a diverse array of growing end markets, including electric mobility; industrial, consumer and professional service robotics; renewable power generation; energy-efficient motors, pumps, and compressors; consumer and medical applications; critical defense systems; and catalysts and phosphors. Accordingly, the demand for our products may be impacted by demand for these downstream products, particularly the continued growth in xEVs. Despite the current macroeconomic conditions, we continue to believe that we benefit from the growth of the rare earth market, particularly the market for NdPr and permanent magnets, and from several demand tailwinds for REE. These include the trend toward electrification; geographic supply chain diversification, particularly in relation to China; the U.S. government initiatives to restore domestic supply of critical minerals; and the increasing requirement for environmentally-conscious production methods.
On the other hand, changes in technology could also reduce the use of REE, including NdPr, in the components in which they are now used, or lead to a decline in reliance on such components altogether. Additionally, a change in U.S. federal administration introduces shifts in policies, taxes, regulations, and priorities, all of which may give rise to demand uncertainty. Additionally, a more assertive trade policy towards China could lead to retaliatory actions, such as import or export restrictions, tariffs, or other measures. Actual, or perceived, decreases in demand for REE, whether through changes in technology or slower growth in the end markets that utilize REE, could result in a decline in the market price of REE, including NdPr, and/or result in pricing volatility. We also operate in a competitive industry. Many of our key competitors are based in China, where competitors may not be subject to the same rigorous environmental standards or may receive disproportionate government subsidies, and production costs are typically lower than in the U.S.
Maximizing Upstream (“Stage I”) and Midstream (“Stage II”) Production Efficiency
Following the implementation of our Stage I optimization plan, we have achieved at least 40,000 metric tons (“MTs”) of annual REO Production Volume since 2021. These results were achieved by optimizing the reagent scheme, reducing process temperatures, improving tailings facility management, and committing to operational excellence, which allowed us to achieve record production levels in 2024. Our Stage I optimization plan has enabled us to achieve what we believe to be world-class production cost levels for rare earth concentrate.
In November 2023, we announced our “Upstream 60K” strategy whereby we intend to grow our annual REO Production Volume to approximately 60,000 MTs by expanding upstream capacity via investments in further beneficiation, including the ability to process alternative feedstocks and upgrade lower-grade feedstocks. We aim to achieve this initiative within the next three years with modest incremental capital investment.
Stage II advanced our operations from the production of rare earth concentrate to the separation of individual REE. The Stage II optimization project incorporated upgrades and enhancements to the prior facility process flow to produce separated REE at a lower cost while minimizing our impact on the environment. More specifically, we have reintroduced an oxidizing roasting circuit, reoriented portions of the plant process flow, increased product finishing capacity, improved wastewater management, and made other improvements to materials handling and storage. The reintroduction of the oxidizing roasting circuit allows subsequent stages of the production process to occur at lower temperatures, and with lower volumes of materials and reagents, which supports lower operating and maintenance costs and higher uptime than would otherwise be achievable.
The success of our business reflects our ability to continue to manage our costs and drive scale. Our production achievements in Stage I have provided economies of scale to lower production costs per MT of REO produced in concentrate. Furthermore, we designed our Stage II process flow to capitalize on the inherent advantages of the bastnaesite ore at Mountain Pass, which is well-suited to low-cost refining by selectively eliminating the need to carry cerium, a lower-value element, through the separations process. Additionally, our location and integration offer cost and transportation advantages that create meaningful efficiencies in production, security of incoming supplies and shipping of our final products.
40
Table of Contents
During the second half of 2023, we began producing separated rare earth products. We continue to expect that it may take many quarters to achieve our designed throughput of separated products. As we increase production of separated products over time, we expect to improve our per-unit production costs of NdPr oxide, which represents a majority of the value contained in our concentrate. Until such time, we may experience unstable operations and elevated costs of our initial production of separated products.
We currently generate our revenue from our Materials segment, which operates a single site in a single location, and any stoppage in activity, including for reasons outside of our control, could adversely impact our production, results of operations and cash flows. In addition, several of our current and potential competitors are government supported and may have access to substantially more capital, which may allow them to make similar or greater efficiency improvements or undercut market prices for our products.
Development of Our Downstream Manufacturing Capabilities (“Stage III”)
We are completing the installation of equipment at Independence and continue to develop engineering and manufacturing technology to process NdPr metal into magnets, while incorporating magnet recycling capabilities. These initiatives support our long-term plans to become a leading global source for rare earth magnets. We believe integration into magnet production will provide some protection from commodity pricing volatility, while also enhancing our business profile as the producer of a critical industrial output in addition to a producer of resources. We expect our Stage III efforts to continue to benefit from geopolitical developments, including initiatives to repatriate critical materials supply chains.
In December 2024, we commissioned our electrowinning capability to produce NdPr metal from NdPr oxide at Independence. Further, we introduced capabilities to produce neodymium-praseodymium-iron-boron alloy flake, a key precursor product that is utilized as the material feedstock for magnet manufacturing. In addition, we recently began trial production of automotive-grade, sintered NdFeB magnets at our NPI facility within Independence. In the near-term, we expect to generate revenue from the sale of magnetic precursor products ahead of commissioning of our magnet manufacturing capabilities, which are targeted to enter service at the end of 2025. Following commissioning of these capabilities and qualification of our finished magnets, we expect to generate revenue primarily from the sale of finished magnets.
While we have grown increasingly confident about our future outlook with the progress made to-date, there are inherent risks in finalizing construction and developing the process technology for magnet manufacturing. For instance, unforeseen delays in construction or the installation of specific equipment may occur, or we may not meet customer specifications on time, which could adversely affect both the amount and timing of our revenue from permanent magnets and precursor products. Furthermore, we anticipate that nearly all revenue from permanent magnets and precursor products will come from a single customer, thus concentrating the risk, including the possibility that demand might not meet our current expectations.
Our Mineral Reserves
Our ore body has proven over more than 60 years of operations to be one of the world’s largest and highest-grade rare earth resources. As of December 31, 2024, SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc., an independent consulting firm that we retained to assess our reserves, estimated total proven and probable reserves of 2.04 million short tons of REO contained in 29.69 million short tons of ore at Mountain Pass, with an average ore grade of 5.97%. These estimates use an estimated economical cut-off grade of 2.50% total rare earth oxide. Based on these estimated reserves and our expected annual production rate of REO upon production ramp-up of Stage II, our expected mine life was approximately 29 years as of December 31, 2024. Over time, we expect to be able to continue to grow our expected mine life through additional exploratory drilling and improved processing capabilities, which may result in changes to various assumptions underlying our mineral reserve estimate.
Mining activities in the U.S. are heavily regulated, particularly in California. Regulatory changes may make it more challenging for us to access our reserves. In addition, new mineral deposits may be discovered elsewhere, which could make our operations less competitive.
Key Performance Indicators
In evaluating the performance of our Materials segment, we use the key performance indicators (“KPIs”) outlined below. Our calculations of these KPIs may differ from similar measures published by other companies in our industry or in other industries. See the “Materials Segment” section below for further discussion of year-over-year changes in KPIs. Since the Magnetics segment only recently commenced production, we have not established any KPIs for its operations.
41
Table of Contents
REO Production Volume
We measure our REO-equivalent production volume for a given period in MTs, our principal unit of sale for our concentrate product. This measure refers to the REO content contained in the rare earth concentrate we produce and, beginning in the second quarter of 2023, includes volumes fed into downstream circuits for commissioning and starting up our separations facilities and for producing separated rare earth products, a portion of which is also included in our KPI, NdPr Production Volume. REO Production Volume is a key indicator of the mining and processing capacity and efficiency of our upstream operations.
The rare earth concentrate is a processed, concentrated form of our mined rare earth-bearing ores. While our unit of production and sale is a MT of contained REO, the actual weight of our rare earth concentrate is significantly greater, as the concentrate also contains non-REO minerals, loss-on-ignition, and residual moisture from the production process. We target REO content of greater than 60% per dry MT of concentrate (referred to as “REO grade”). The elemental distribution of REO in our concentrate is relatively consistent over time and production lot. We consider this the natural distribution, as it reflects the distribution of elements contained, on average, in our ore.
REO Sales Volume
Our REO Sales Volume for a given period is calculated in MTs. A unit, or MT, is considered sold once we recognize revenue on its sale as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). Our REO Sales Volume is a key measure of our ability to convert our concentrate production into revenue. Our REO Sales Volume for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, included both traditional concentrate as well as roasted concentrate.
Realized Price per REO MT
We calculate the Realized Price per REO MT for a given period as the quotient of: (i) our rare earth concentrate sales, which are determined in accordance with GAAP, for a given period and (ii) our REO Sales Volume for the same period. Realized Price per REO MT is an important measure of the market price of our concentrate product.
NdPr Production Volume
We measure our NdPr Production Volume for a given period in MTs, our principal unit of sale for our NdPr separated products. NdPr Production Volume refers to the volume of finished and packaged NdPr oxide produced at Mountain Pass for a given period. NdPr Production Volume is a key indicator of the separating and finishing capacity and efficiency of our midstream operations.
NdPr Sales Volume
Our NdPr Sales Volume for a given period is calculated in MTs and on an NdPr oxide-equivalent basis (as further discussed below). A unit, or MT, is considered sold once the Materials segment recognizes revenue on its sale, whether sold as NdPr oxide or NdPr metal, as determined in accordance with GAAP. For these NdPr metal sales, the MTs sold and included in NdPr Sales Volume are calculated based on the volume of NdPr oxide used to produce such NdPr metal. We utilize an assumed material conversion ratio of 1.20, such that a sale of 100 MTs of NdPr metal would be included in this KPI as 120 MTs of NdPr oxide-equivalent. NdPr Sales Volume is a key measure of our ability to convert our production of separated NdPr products into revenue. In the future, NdPr Sales Volume for the Materials segment is expected to include sales made to the Magnetics segment.
For the Materials segment, we have a mix of contracts with customers where we sell NdPr as (i) oxide, (ii) metal, where the amount of oxide required to produce such metal is variable, and (iii) metal, where we have a guarantee of the amount produced and sold based on the amount of oxide consumed. Among other factors, differences between quarterly NdPr Production Volume and NdPr Sales Volume may be caused by the time required for the conversion of NdPr oxide to NdPr metal, including time in-transit, as well as differences in actual versus assumed yields of oxide to metal in the calculation of NdPr Sales Volume.
NdPr Realized Price per KG
We calculate the NdPr Realized Price per kilogram (“KG”) for a given period as the quotient of: (i) our Materials segment NdPr oxide and metal sales, which are determined in accordance with GAAP, for a given period and (ii) our NdPr Sales Volume for the same period. NdPr Realized Price per KG is an important measure of the market price of our NdPr products. In the future, NdPr Realized Price per KG for the Materials segment is expected to include sales made to the Magnetics segment.
42
Table of Contents
Results of Operations
Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022
Consolidated Results
| For the year ended December 31, | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except per share data and percentages) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2023 vs. 2022 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2023 vs. 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenue | $ | 203,855 | $ | 253,445 | $ | 527,510 | $ | (49,590) | $ | (274,065) | (20) | % | (52) | % | |||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | (65,424) | $ | 24,307 | $ | 289,004 | $ | (89,731) | $ | (264,697) | N/M | (92) | % | ||||||||||||
| Basic earnings (loss) per share | $ | (0.39) | $ | 0.14 | $ | 1.64 | $ | (0.53) | $ | (1.50) | N/M | (91) | % | ||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings (loss) per share | $ | (0.57) | $ | 0.14 | $ | 1.52 | $ | (0.71) | $ | (1.38) | N/M | (91) | % | ||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 13,349 | $ | 62,699 | $ | 343,514 | $ | (49,350) | $ | (280,815) | (79) | % | (82) | % | |||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA(1) | $ | (50,168) | $ | 102,502 | $ | 388,631 | $ | (152,670) | $ | (286,129) | N/M | (74) | % | ||||||||||||
| Adjusted Net Income (Loss)(1) | $ | (74,104) | $ | 71,378 | $ | 320,557 | $ | (145,482) | $ | (249,179) | N/M | (78) | % | ||||||||||||
| Adjusted Diluted EPS(1) | $ | (0.44) | $ | 0.39 | $ | 1.68 | $ | (0.83) | $ | (1.29) | N/M | (77) | % | ||||||||||||
| Free Cash Flow(1) | $ | (172,973) | $ | (196,398) | $ | 22,049 | $ | 23,425 | $ | (218,447) | 12 | % | N/M | ||||||||||||
| N/M = Not meaningful. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) Non-GAAP financial measures are defined and reconciled to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures in the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section below. |
Revenue
Rare earth concentrate revenue consists of sales of traditional and roasted rare earth concentrate. For the majority of our sales of rare earth concentrate, the sales price is based on preliminary market price per MT, with an adjustment for the ultimate market price of the product realized upon final sale, including the impact of changes in the exchange rate between the Chinese Yuan and the U.S. dollar.
NdPr oxide and metal revenue consists of sales of NdPr oxide and metal produced at Mountain Pass under individual sales agreements, as well as sales under our distribution agreement with Sumitomo Corporation of Americas. As we ramp up production of separated rare earth products, we expect our NdPr oxide and metal revenue to become a larger portion of our total revenue. Accordingly, to the extent we sell a greater volume of NdPr oxide and NdPr metal, we expect that rare earth concentrate revenue will decline in future periods.
Other revenue consists of sales of rare earth products other than rare earth concentrate and NdPr oxide and metal, including cerium chloride and lanthanum carbonate, and rare earth fluoride.
| For the year ended December 31, | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except percentages) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2023 vs. 2022 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2023 vs. 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Rare earth concentrate | $ | 144,363 | $ | 252,468 | $ | 517,267 | $ | (108,105) | $ | (264,799) | (43) | % | (51) | % | |||||||||||
| NdPr oxide and metal | 57,762 | 695 | — | 57,067 | 695 | N/M | N/M | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other revenue | 1,730 | 282 | 10,243 | 1,448 | (9,961) | 513 | % | (97) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Total revenue | $ | 203,855 | $ | 253,445 | $ | 527,510 | $ | (49,590) | $ | (274,065) | (20) | % | (52) | % | |||||||||||
| N/M = Not meaningful. |
Total revenue decreased for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the prior year, primarily as a result of lower market prices of rare earth products. Additionally, the ramp-up in midstream operations impacted the comparison for rare earth concentrate revenue, as a significantly higher portion of REO produced was refined and sold as NdPr oxide and metal during 2024. See the “Materials Segment” section below for further discussion of year-over-year changes in revenue.
43
Table of Contents
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization)
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization) (“COS”) consists of mining, processing, and separations-related labor costs (including wages and salaries, benefits, bonuses, and stock-based compensation); mining, processing, and separations-related supplies and reagents; parts and labor for the maintenance of our mining fleet and processing and separating facilities; other facilities-related costs (such as property taxes and utilities); packaging materials; and shipping and freight costs.
| For the year ended December 31, | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except percentages) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2023 vs. 2022 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2023 vs. 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization) | $ | 192,586 | $ | 92,714 | $ | 92,218 | $ | 99,872 | $ | 496 | 108 | % | 1 | % |
The increase in COS for the year ended December 31, 2024, was driven by production costs associated with separated rare earth products sold in the current year, which are currently elevated as we continue to ramp and optimize production of separated products toward normalized capacity. Notwithstanding, per-unit production costs of separated products are necessarily higher than those of rare earth concentrate due to the additional processing required. Such costs pertain primarily to chemical reagents, employee labor, maintenance expenses, and consumables. The increase in COS was also attributable to (i) $21.5 million in write-downs of certain of our separated product inventories due to the elevated production costs, (ii) higher labor costs, professional services and property taxes, and (iii) $1.9 million in higher repairs and maintenance expenses associated with the thickener equipment damage in the second quarter of 2024. Lastly, COS for the year ended December 31, 2024, benefited from the Section 45X Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit (the “45X Credit”) in the amount of $12.2 million.
As we produce and sell more separated products, we expect that COS may continue to increase in 2025 even as certain per-unit production efficiencies and economies of scale are expected to be achieved, primarily due to the higher production costs associated with separated rare earth products versus rare earth concentrate, as discussed above. Accordingly, in future periods, any further increase in sales of NdPr oxide and metal will likely result in higher year-over-year COS. Additionally, we may incur additional reserves on inventories prior to achieving normalized production levels on our midstream operations.
Selling, general and administrative
Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses consist primarily of personnel costs (including salaries, benefits, bonuses, and stock-based compensation) of our administrative functions such as executives, accounting and finance, legal, and information technology; professional services (including legal, regulatory, audit and others); certain engineering expenses; insurance, license and permit costs; corporate office lease cost; office supplies; and certain environmental, health and safety expenses.
| For the year ended December 31, | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except percentages) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2023 vs. 2022 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2023 vs. 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | $ | 83,299 | $ | 79,245 | $ | 75,857 | $ | 4,054 | $ | 3,388 | 5 | % | 4 | % |
The increase in SG&A expenses for the year ended December 31, 2024, was driven primarily by $4.4 million in higher personnel costs (other than stock-based compensation expense, which decreased by $1.4 million), partially due to increased employee headcount to support our downstream expansion. In addition, higher legal costs contributed to the increase in 2024. SG&A expenses for the year ended December 31, 2024, benefited from the 45X Credit in the amount of $2.8 million.
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
Depreciation, depletion and amortization (“DD&A”) primarily consists of depreciation of property, plant and equipment and depletion of mineral rights.
| For the year ended December 31, | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except percentages) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2023 vs. 2022 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2023 vs. 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation, depletion and amortization | $ | 78,057 | $ | 55,709 | $ | 18,356 | $ | 22,348 | $ | 37,353 | 40 | % | 203 | % |
44
Table of Contents
The year-over-year increase in DD&A for the year ended December 31, 2024, primarily reflects an increase in depreciation of $19.6 million, as a result of the timing of placing certain Stage II circuits and facilities into service, which occurred progressively throughout 2023, along with the placement of building and building improvement assets associated with the Independence Facility into service in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Start-up costs
Start-up costs relate to costs associated with restarting an existing facility or commissioning a new facility, circuit or process of our production, manufacturing, or separations facilities prior to the achievement of commercial production, that do not qualify for capitalization. Such costs, which are expensed as incurred, include certain salaries and wages, outside services, parts, training, and utilities, among other items, used or consumed directly in these start-up activities.
| For the year ended December 31, | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except percentages) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2023 vs. 2022 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2023 vs. 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Start-up costs | $ | 5,684 | $ | 21,330 | $ | 7,551 | $ | (15,646) | $ | 13,779 | (73) | % | 182 | % |
The year-over-year decrease in start-up costs for the year ended December 31, 2024, was attributable to the commencement of our operations related to our Stage II optimization project. Start-up costs associated with Stage II decreased, specifically as a result of salaries and wages of certain employees no longer being considered start-up given the commencement of initial production of separated products in late 2023, which also resulted in the higher personnel costs discussed above within COS. Start-up costs attributable to our Stage III initiatives increased modestly in 2024 by $2.6 million, in line with the development of our magnetics capability and growth of our assembled workforce.
Advanced projects and development
Advanced projects and development consists principally of costs incurred in connection with research and development of new processes or to significantly enhance our existing processes, and certain government contracts, as well as costs incurred to support growth initiatives or pursue other opportunities.
| For the year ended December 31, | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except percentages) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2023 vs. 2022 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2023 vs. 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Advanced projects and development | $ | 9,307 | $ | 14,932 | $ | 4,249 | $ | (5,625) | $ | 10,683 | (38) | % | 251 | % |
Advanced projects and development for the year ended December 31, 2024, decreased year over year, primarily due to lower costs incurred for legal, consulting, and advisory services to support growth initiatives, such as potential acquisitions, mergers, or other investments, which decreased by $6.4 million in 2024. This was partially offset by continued investment in research and development activities associated with our Magnetics segment, which increased by $1.9 million in 2024.
Other operating costs and expenses
Other operating costs and expenses consists primarily of accretion of asset retirement and environmental obligations and gains or losses on disposals of long-lived assets, including demolition costs.
| For the year ended December 31, | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except percentages) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2023 vs. 2022 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2023 vs. 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other operating costs and expenses | $ | 4,348 | $ | 7,234 | $ | 1,868 | $ | (2,886) | $ | 5,366 | (40) | % | 287 | % |
Other operating costs and expenses for the year ended December 31, 2024, decreased year over year as a result of $5.5 million of demolition costs incurred in 2023, associated with demolishing and removing certain out-of-use older facilities and infrastructure from the Mountain Pass site to accommodate future expansion in rare earth processing. This decrease was offset by a $2.0 million loss on environmental obligations incurred in 2024.
45
Table of Contents
Interest expense, net
Interest expense, net principally consists of the expense associated with the 0.25% and 3.00% per annum interest rates and amortization of the debt issuance costs on our 2026 Notes and 2030 Notes, respectively, offset by capitalized interest.
| For the year ended December 31, | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except percentages) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2023 vs. 2022 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2023 vs. 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | $ | 23,010 | $ | 5,254 | $ | 5,786 | $ | 17,756 | $ | (532) | 338 | % | (9) | % |
Interest expense, net for the year ended December 31, 2024, increased year over year due to the issuance of the 2030 Notes, slightly offset by repurchases of the 2026 Notes.
Gain on early extinguishment of debt
| For the year ended December 31, | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except percentages) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2023 vs. 2022 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2023 vs. 2022 | ||||||||||||||||
| Gain on early extinguishment of debt | $ | 52,911 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 52,911 | $ | — | N/M | N/M | |||||||||||
| N/M = Not meaningful. |
Gain on early extinguishment of debt for the year ended December 31, 2024, was the result of the repurchase and exchange of portions of our 2026 Notes at prices lower than the associated carrying amounts. See the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section below for additional information.
Other income, net
Other income, net consists of interest and investment income and non-operating gains or losses.
| For the year ended December 31, | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except percentages) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2023 vs. 2022 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2023 vs. 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other income, net | $ | 46,178 | $ | 56,048 | $ | 19,527 | $ | (9,870) | $ | 36,521 | (18) | % | 187 | % |
Other income, net for the year ended December 31, 2024, decreased year over year as a result of lower interest and investment income earned on our short-term investments, whose balance decreased slightly over the applicable periods. Interest and investment income is principally generated from accretion of the discount on such investments.
Income tax expense (benefit)
Income tax expense or benefit consists of an estimate of U.S. federal and state income taxes in the jurisdictions in which we conduct business, adjusted for federal, state and local allowable income tax benefits, the effect of permanent differences and any valuation allowance against deferred tax assets.
| For the year ended December 31, | $ Change | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except percentages) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2023 vs. 2022 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2023 vs. 2022 | |||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | $ | (93,347) | $ | 33,075 | $ | 341,152 | $ | (126,422) | $ | (308,077) | N/M | (90) | % | |||||||||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | $ | (27,923) | $ | 8,768 | $ | 52,148 | $ | (36,691) | $ | (43,380) | N/M | (83) | % | |||||||||||
| Effective tax rate | 29.9 % | 26.5 % | 15.3 % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| N/M = Not meaningful. |
The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2024, differed from the statutory tax rate of 21% primarily due to state income tax expense, percentage depletion in excess of basis, the 45X Credit, and the California Competes Tax Credit, offset by a deduction limitation on officers’ compensation. For additional information on the 45X Credit, refer to Note 12, “Income Taxes,” and Note 15, “Government Grants,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
46
Table of Contents
Segment Results
Materials Segment
The Materials segment operates Mountain Pass, which produces refined rare earth oxides and related products as well as rare earth concentrate products.
KPIs
| Year ended December 31, | Amount Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in whole units or dollars, except percentages) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2023 vs. 2022 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2023 vs. 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Rare earth concentrate(1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| REO Production Volume (MTs) | 45,455 | 41,557 | 42,499 | 3,898 | (942) | 9 | % | (2) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| REO Sales Volume (MTs) | 32,703 | 36,837 | 43,198 | (4,134) | (6,361) | (11) | % | (15) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Realized Price per REO MT | $ | 4,414 | $ | 6,854 | $ | 11,974 | $ | (2,440) | $ | (5,120) | (36) | % | (43) | % | |||||||||||
| Separated NdPr products(1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NdPr Production Volume (MTs) | 1,294 | 200 | N/A | 1,094 | N/A | 547 | % | N/A | |||||||||||||||||
| NdPr Sales Volume (MTs) | 1,142 | 10 | N/A | 1,132 | N/A | N/M | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| NdPr Realized Price per KG | $ | 51 | $ | 70 | N/A | $ | (19) | N/A | (27) | % | N/A | ||||||||||||||
| N/A = Not applicable as there was neither NdPr production nor sales volume in the year ended December 31, 2022. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| N/M = Not meaningful. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) See the “Key Performance Indicators” section above for further discussion of the definitions of our KPIs. |
Revenue and Segment Adjusted EBITDA
| For the year ended December 31, | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except percentages) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2023 vs. 2022 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2023 vs. 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rare earth concentrate | $ | 144,363 | $ | 252,468 | $ | 517,267 | $ | (108,105) | $ | (264,799) | (43) | % | (51) | % | |||||||||||
| NdPr oxide and metal | 57,762 | 695 | — | 57,067 | 695 | N/M | N/M | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other revenue | 1,730 | 282 | 10,243 | 1,448 | (9,961) | 513 | % | (97) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Total revenue | $ | 203,855 | $ | 253,445 | $ | 527,510 | $ | (49,590) | $ | (274,065) | (20) | % | (52) | % | |||||||||||
| Segment Adjusted EBITDA(1) | $ | (14,148) | $ | 130,392 | $ | 407,773 | $ | (144,540) | $ | (277,381) | N/M | (68) | % | ||||||||||||
| N/M = Not meaningful. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) Segment Adjusted EBITDA is management’s primary segment measure of profit or loss in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate the Company’s resources. See Note 20, “Segment Reporting,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the calculation of Segment Adjusted EBITDA. |
The year-over-year decreases in rare earth concentrate revenue were driven by lower Realized Price per REO MT, as well as lower REO Sales Volume. Realized Price per REO MT for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, reflects a significantly softer pricing environment for rare earth products following the cyclical peak in pricing in February 2022. As noted above in the “Factors Affecting our Performance” section, market prices for rare earth products may be volatile due to actual or perceived changes in supply or demand. The decline in the market prices for rare earth products in 2024 and 2023 was largely attributable to lower than anticipated growth in demand for magnetic products, which negatively impacted the price of REE. The decrease in REO Sales Volume for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the prior year, was due to the ramp-up in midstream operations, where a significantly higher portion of REO produced was refined and sold as NdPr oxide and metal during 2024. The decrease in REO Sales Volume for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the prior year, was due to the start-up of midstream operations, where a significant portion of the REO produced, which could otherwise have been sold as rare earth concentrate, was used to charge the Stage II circuits, establish separations work-in-process inventory, or produce packaged and finished separated rare earth products, the majority of which had not yet been sold.
Until we commenced our midstream operations, our REO Sales Volume generally tracked our REO Production Volume over time with slight period-to-period differences caused by the timing of shipments. However, as we continue to ramp up
47
Table of Contents
production of separated rare earth materials, we expect that significant volumes of REO produced from upstream operations will continue to be consumed for separation and not sold as concentrate. In addition, a significant portion of the contained cerium in the REO produced will be intentionally rejected and may not result in finished product. Accordingly, we continue to expect that REO Sales Volume will be significantly lower than REO Production Volume in the future as we produce and sell more separated products.
The increase in NdPr oxide and metal revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2023, was primarily driven by higher NdPr Production Volume as a result of ramping production of separated products throughout 2024, partially offset by lower NdPr Realized Price per KG. There was no NdPr oxide and metal revenue for the year ended December 31, 2022, since we had not yet commenced midstream operations. We currently expect to begin intersegment sales of NdPr oxide to the Magnetics segment starting in 2025.
Other revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024, increased as compared to the prior year, primarily due to current year sales of other refined products, including lanthanum and cerium. Other revenue for the year ended December 31, 2022, consisted primarily of $8.5 million of revenue related to certain stockpiles of rare earth fluoride.
The decrease in Materials Segment Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2024, when compared to the prior year, was primarily due to lower revenues and higher cost of sales (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization and stock-based compensation expense) (“Segment COS”), partially offset by lower selling, general and administrative (excluding stock-based compensation expense) (“Segment SG&A”). The lower revenue was driven by lower realized prices and lower REO Sales Volume, partially offset by higher NdPr Sales Volume, as discussed above.
The increase in Segment COS for the year ended December 31, 2024, was driven by production costs associated with separated rare earth products sold in the current year, which are currently elevated as we continue to ramp and optimize production of separated products toward normalized capacity. The increase in Segment COS was also attributable to (i) $21.5 million in write-downs of certain of our separated product inventories due to the elevated production costs, (ii) higher labor costs, professional services and property taxes, and (iii) $1.9 million in higher repairs and maintenance expenses associated with the thickener equipment damage in the second quarter of 2024. Lastly, Segment COS for the year ended December 31, 2024, benefited from the 45X Credit in the amount of $12.2 million.
Segment SG&A for the Materials segment decreased year over year by $4.5 million, which was primarily due to the 45X Credit in 2024 for costs that qualify as “production costs incurred” but are presented in SG&A expenses within the financial statements, as well as lower environmental, outside services, and legal costs, as compared to the prior year.
The decrease in Materials Segment Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2023, when compared to the prior year, was similarly driven by lower revenues and to a lesser extent, higher Segment SG&A. Segment SG&A for the Materials segment increased year over year by $3.1 million, which was primarily due to higher environmental, outside services, and legal costs, as compared to the prior year, which were largely incurred in connection with completing the Stage II optimization project and commencing midstream operations, as well as higher corporate allocations.
Magnetics Segment
The Magnetics segment operates the Independence Facility, where we began production of magnetic precursor products in December 2024 and anticipate the manufacturing of NdFeB permanent magnets by the end of 2025. Pursuant to the long-term agreement with GM, we received prepayments of $50.0 million in April 2024 and $50.0 million in December 2024 for magnetic precursor products, with an additional and final $50.0 million prepayment expected to be received in the first half of 2025, subject to achieving a certain milestone. As of December 31, 2024, the Magnetics segment had not yet generated revenue; however, we expect that it will begin recording sales of magnetic precursor products, specifically NdPr metal, to a single customer in the U.S. in the first quarter of 2025.
Segment Adjusted EBITDA
| For the year ended December 31, | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except percentages) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2023 vs. 2022 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2023 vs. 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Segment Adjusted EBITDA(1) | $ | (12,224) | $ | (6,522) | $ | (2,684) | $ | (5,702) | $ | (3,838) | (87) | % | 143 | % | |||||||||||
| (1) Segment Adjusted EBITDA is management’s primary segment measure of profit or loss in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate the Company’s resources. See Note 20, “Segment Reporting,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the calculation of Segment Adjusted EBITDA. |
48
Table of Contents
The year-over-year decreases in Magnetics Segment Adjusted EBITDA, when compared to the respective prior years, were primarily due to $4.5 million and $2.3 million of higher Segment SG&A expenses, respectively. These increases were driven by the development of the Independence Facility and downstream magnetics capabilities, primarily from higher personnel costs associated with increased headcount to support the engineering, technical, and administrative functions, as well as increases in other costs, such as property taxes. Additionally, continued investment in research and development activities related to magnetics contributed to higher expenses of $1.9 million in 2024 compared to 2023, and an additional $1.3 million of expenses in 2023 compared to 2022. The commencement of recognizing revenue and Segment COS from magnetic precursor products, which is expected to occur in the first quarter of 2025, will significantly impact the historical trend of Magnetics Segment Adjusted EBITDA.
Corporate Expenses and Other
Corporate expenses and other is primarily comprised of the operating results of other business activities that excludes our Materials and Magnetics segments and includes costs incurred at the corporate level that are not allocated to the operating segments, specifically relating to executive compensation, investor relations, other corporate costs, and unallocated shared service functions such as legal, information technology, human resources, finance and accounting and supply chain. Corporate expenses and other excludes stock-based compensation expense.
| For the year ended December 31, | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except percentages) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2023 vs. 2022 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2023 vs. 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate expenses and other | $ | 23,796 | $ | 21,368 | $ | 16,458 | $ | 2,428 | $ | 4,910 | 11 | % | 30 | % |
The increase in corporate expenses and other for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the prior year, was primarily due to higher personnel costs (other than stock-based compensation expense) related to executives and administrative personnel as well as higher legal costs. The increase in corporate expenses and other for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the prior year, was due to higher personnel costs (other than stock-based compensation expense) from an increase in employee headcount to further build out our corporate infrastructure to support the growth in our business and initiatives, as well as higher building rent expense following the commencement of the lease for corporate office space in April 2023.
Quarterly Performance Trend
While our business is not highly seasonal in nature, we sometimes experience a timing lag between production and sales, which may result in volatility in our results of operations between periods. The timing lag may be the result of, or influenced by, factors such as the timing and duration of shipments or the time required to convert materials. In addition, quarterly production of concentrate and separated products is impacted by the timing of scheduled outages of our production facilities for maintenance, which typically occur in the second and fourth quarters. Finally, since we began production of separated rare earth materials in the second half of 2023, certain volumes of REO produced are further processed or rejected rather than sold as concentrate.
The following table presents our KPIs, which pertain to the Materials segment, for the quarterly periods indicated:
| FY2024 | FY2023 | FY2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in whole units or dollars) | Q4 | Q3 | Q2 | Q1 | Q4 | Q3 | Q2 | Q1 | Q4 | Q3 | Q2 | Q1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rare earth concentrate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| REO Production Volume (MTs) | 11,478 | 13,742 | 9,084 | 11,151 | 9,257 | 10,766 | 10,863 | 10,671 | 10,485 | 10,886 | 10,300 | 10,828 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| REO Sales Volume (MTs) | 7,803 | 9,729 | 5,839 | 9,332 | 7,174 | 9,177 | 10,271 | 10,215 | 10,816 | 10,676 | 10,000 | 11,706 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Realized Price per REO MT | $ | 4,717 | $ | 4,425 | $ | 4,183 | $ | 4,294 | $ | 5,622 | $ | 5,718 | $ | 6,231 | $ | 9,365 | $ | 8,515 | $ | 11,636 | $ | 13,918 | $ | 13,818 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Separated NdPr products | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NdPr Production Volume (MTs) | 413 | 478 | 272 | 131 | 150 | 50 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NdPr Sales Volume (MTs) | 468 | 404 | 136 | 134 | 10 | — | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NdPr Realized Price per KG | $ | 51 | $ | 47 | $ | 48 | $ | 62 | $ | 70 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| N/A = Not applicable as there was either no NdPr production volume or no NdPr sales volume in these periods. |
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity refers to our ability to generate sufficient cash flows to meet the cash requirements of our business operations, including working capital and capital expenditure needs, contractual obligations, debt service and other commitments. Since becoming a public company, our principal sources of liquidity have been the issuance of the 2026 Notes in March 2021, and net
49
Table of Contents
cash from operating activities. In addition, we issued the 2030 Notes in March 2024, resulting in net proceeds of $731.4 million prior to the use of a portion of these funds to repurchase the 2026 Notes, repurchase shares of our common stock, and purchase Capped Call Options, as discussed below. As of December 31, 2024, we had $850.9 million of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments and $930.5 million of principal amount of long-term debt.
Our results of operations and cash flows depend in large part upon the market prices of rare earth products. Rare earth concentrate is not quoted on any major commodities market or exchange and demand is currently constrained to a relatively limited number of refiners, a significant majority of which are based in China. Although we believe that our cash flows from operations and cash on hand are adequate to meet our liquidity requirements for the foreseeable future, uncertainty continues to exist as to the market price of rare earth products, as evidenced by the volatility experienced in 2022 and the significant decrease in the market price of REO subsequently experienced, primarily due to concerns over the global economic conditions and actual or perceived concerns over increases in the supply of and/or decreases in demand for rare earth products. The significant decrease in the market price of rare earth products in 2023 and 2024 negatively impacted our cash flows from operations and liquidity.
Our current working capital needs relate mainly to our mining, beneficiation, and separation operations. Our working capital needs have increased materially as we have ramped up the production and sales of separated rare earth products in 2024; we expect certain portions of our working capital needs may continue to see further increases in 2025 as we continue to scale production of separated rare earth products and advance our Stage III magnetics initiatives, including the production and sales of magnetic precursor products, as well as commissioning of our magnet manufacturing capabilities.
The completion of our mission to become a fully integrated domestic magnetics producer is expected to be capital intensive. With the construction portion of our Stage II optimization project complete, our principal capital expenditure requirements relate mainly to further investment in Mountain Pass, including the development of the HREE Facility, Upstream 60K, and other growth and investment projects, completing the buildout of Independence, as well as periodic repairs and maintenance of mining and rare earth processing equipment. We expect to spend between $150 million and $175 million of capital costs in 2025 (net of any proceeds from government awards received). Our future capital requirements will also depend on several other factors, including market conditions, de-bottlenecking initiatives, decisions regarding downstream production capability, and potential acquisitions.
Our estimated costs or estimated time to complete and commission these projects may increase, potentially significantly, due to factors outside of our control. While we believe that we have sufficient cash resources to fund these initiatives and operating working capital in the near term, we cannot assure this. If our available resources prove inadequate to fund our plans or commitments, we may be forced to revise our strategy and business plans or could be required, or elect, to seek additional funding through public or private equity or debt financings; however, such funding may not be available on terms acceptable to us, if at all. Any delays in our ongoing capital projects or substantial cost increases, including construction costs and related materials costs related to their execution, could significantly impact our ability to maximize our revenue opportunities and adversely impact our business and cash flows.
Debt and Other Long-Term Obligations
2026 Notes: In March 2021, we issued $690.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 0.25% unsecured convertible senior notes at a price of par. Interest on the 2026 Notes is payable on April 1st and October 1st of each year, beginning on October 1, 2021.
Contemporaneous with the pricing of the 2030 Notes, we entered into privately negotiated transactions with certain holders of the 2026 Notes to repurchase $400.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the 2026 Notes, using $358.0 million of the net proceeds from the offering of the 2030 Notes. The price we paid to repurchase the 2026 Notes, 89.5% of par value, was the same for each lender and approximated the trading price of the 2026 Notes at the time of the repurchases. Subsequent to the issuance of the 2030 Notes, we repurchased an additional $80.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the 2026 Notes in open market transactions for $70.6 million. As a result of these repurchases in the first quarter of 2024, we recorded a $46.3 million gain on early extinguishment of debt during the year ended December 31, 2024.
The remaining 2026 Notes outstanding mature, unless earlier converted, redeemed or repurchased, on April 1, 2026. The initial conversion price of the remaining 2026 Notes is approximately $44.28 per share, or 22.5861 shares per $1,000 principal amount of notes, subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events.
In March 2024, we provided a written notice to the trustee and the holders of the 2026 Notes that we have irrevocably elected to fix the settlement method for all conversions that may occur subsequent to the election date, to a combination of cash and shares of our common stock with the specified dollar amount per $1,000 principal amount of the 2026 Notes of $1,000. As
50
Table of Contents
a result, for any conversions of 2026 Notes occurring after the election date, a converting holder will receive (i) up to $1,000 in cash per $1,000 principal amount of the 2026 Notes and (ii) shares of our common stock for any conversion consideration in excess of $1,000 per $1,000 principal amount of the 2026 Notes converted. Prior to the election being made, we could have elected to settle the 2026 Notes in cash, shares of our common stock or a combination thereof.
Prior to January 1, 2026, at their election, holders of the 2026 Notes may convert their outstanding notes under the following circumstances: (i) during any calendar quarter commencing with the third quarter of 2021 if the last reported sale price of our common stock for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during the period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price on each applicable trading day; (ii) during the five business day period after any five consecutive trading day period (the “2026 Notes measurement period”) in which the trading price (as defined in the indenture governing the 2026 Notes) per $1,000 principal amount of 2026 Notes for each trading day of the 2026 Notes measurement period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of our common stock and the conversion rate on each such trading day; (iii) if we call any or all of the 2026 Notes for redemption, at any time prior to the close of business on the scheduled trading day immediately preceding the redemption date; or (iv) upon the occurrence of specified corporate events set forth in the indenture governing the 2026 Notes. On or after January 1, 2026, and prior to the maturity date of the 2026 Notes, holders may convert their outstanding notes at any time, regardless of the foregoing circumstances.
If we undergo a fundamental change (as defined in the indenture governing the 2026 Notes), holders may require us to repurchase for cash all or any portion of their outstanding 2026 Notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the fundamental change repurchase date. In addition, following certain corporate events that occur prior to the maturity date of the 2026 Notes or if we deliver a notice of redemption, we will, in certain circumstances, increase the conversion rate for holders who elect to convert their outstanding 2026 Notes in connection with such corporate event or notice of redemption, as the case may be.
2030 Notes: In March 2024, we issued $747.5 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.00% unsecured convertible senior notes that mature, unless earlier converted, redeemed or repurchased, on March 1, 2030, at a price of par. Interest on the 2030 Notes is payable on March 1st and September 1st of each year, beginning on September 1, 2024. In connection with the issuance, we recorded debt issuance costs of $19.9 million, of which $3.7 million was settled through the issuance of shares of our common stock.
The 2030 Notes are convertible into cash, shares of our common stock or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock, at our election, at an initial conversion price of approximately $21.74 per share, or 45.9939 shares per $1,000 principal amount of 2030 Notes, subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events.
Prior to December 1, 2029, at their election, holders of the 2030 Notes may convert their outstanding notes under the following circumstances: i) during any calendar quarter commencing with the third quarter of 2024 if the last reported sale price of our common stock for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during the period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price on each applicable trading day; ii) during the five business day period after any ten consecutive trading day period (the “2030 Notes measurement period”) in which the trading price (as defined in the indenture governing the 2030 Notes) per $1,000 principal amount of 2030 Notes for each trading day of the 2030 Notes measurement period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of our common stock and the conversion rate on each such trading day; iii) if we call any or all of the 2030 Notes for redemption, the notes called for redemption may be converted at any time prior to the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the redemption date; or iv) upon the occurrence of specified corporate events set forth in the indenture governing the 2030 Notes. On or after December 1, 2029, and prior to the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date of the 2030 Notes, holders may convert their outstanding notes at any time, regardless of the foregoing circumstances.
We have the option to redeem for cash the 2030 Notes, in whole or in part, beginning on March 5, 2027, if certain conditions are met as set forth in the indenture governing the 2030 Notes. The redemption price is equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest.
If we undergo a fundamental change (as defined in the indenture governing the 2030 Notes), holders may require us to repurchase for cash all or any portion of their outstanding 2030 Notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, following certain corporate events that occur prior to the maturity date of the 2030 Notes or if we deliver a notice of early redemption, holders may, at their election, convert their outstanding 2030 Notes in connection with such event or notice, as applicable, and we will, in certain circumstances, increase
51
Table of Contents
the conversion rate but not to exceed 64.3915 shares per $1,000 principal amount of any converted 2030 Notes, subject to further adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events.
Capped Call Options: In March 2024, in connection with the offering of the 2030 Notes, we entered into privately negotiated capped call transactions (the “Capped Call Options”) with certain financial institutions (“Counterparties”). The Capped Call Options cover, subject to anti-dilution adjustments substantially similar to those in the 2030 Notes, 34.4 million shares of our common stock, the same number of shares that initially underlie the 2030 Notes issued in March 2024. The Capped Call Options have an expiration date of March 1, 2030, subject to earlier exercise.
The Capped Call Options are expected generally to reduce the potential dilution to our common stock upon conversion of the 2030 Notes and/or offset cash payments we are required to make in excess of the principal amount of the converted 2030 Notes, as the case may be, in the event that the market price per share of our common stock, as measured under the terms of the Capped Call Options, is greater than the strike price of the Capped Call Options, which initially corresponds to the initial conversion price of the 2030 Notes, or approximately $21.74 per share of common stock, with such reduction and/or offset subject to an initial cap of $31.06 per share of our common stock.
The Capped Call Options are separate transactions, entered into by the Company with each of the Counterparties, and are not part of the terms of the 2030 Notes. Holders of the 2030 Notes will not have any rights with respect to the Capped Call Options. We paid $65.3 million for the Capped Call Options in March 2024.
Convertible Notes Debt Exchange: In December 2024, we entered into privately negotiated exchange agreements with certain holders of the 2026 Notes (the “Debt Exchange Agreements”). Pursuant to the Debt Exchange Agreements, $142.3 million in aggregate principal amount of the 2026 Notes was exchanged for $115.3 million in aggregate principal amount of the 2030 Notes (the “Debt Exchange”), which had the same terms and conditions as the 2030 Notes issued in March 2024.
As a result of the Debt Exchange, we recorded a $6.6 million gain on early extinguishment of debt; a $13.8 million increase (net of the associated deferred tax impact of $4.0 million) to “Additional paid-in capital” included within the Consolidated Balance Sheets, as the 2030 Notes pertaining to this Debt Exchange were issued at a substantial premium; and total debt issuance costs of $4.5 million, of which $0.6 million were allocated to additional paid-in capital. For the avoidance of doubt, the 2030 Notes issued as part of the Debt Exchange are not associated with the Capped Call Options.
Equipment Notes: We have financing agreements for the purchase of certain equipment, including trucks and loaders, graders, and various other machinery. As of December 31, 2024, we had $2.6 million in principal (and accrued interest) outstanding under the equipment notes, of which $2.1 million is due within the next 12 months.
In December 2024, we entered into a secured uncommitted non-revolving credit facility (the “Uncommitted Credit Facility”) with Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation, providing an aggregate borrowing capacity of $25.0 million, which may be used only to finance agreed-upon equipment from a specific supplier. The interest rates for the various borrowings under the Uncommitted Credit Facility will approximate market rates and will be fixed for the duration of the advance. As of December 31, 2024, we did not have borrowings outstanding under the Uncommitted Credit Facility.
Leases: We have lease arrangements for certain equipment and facilities, including office space, vehicles and equipment used in our operations. As of December 31, 2024, we had future expected lease payment obligations totaling $9.1 million, with $2.0 million due within the next 12 months. See Note 11, “Leases,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Purchase Obligations: Our outstanding purchase obligations as of December 31, 2024, primarily consist of purchase orders initiated with vendors and suppliers in the ordinary course of business for operating and maintenance capital expenditures that will be settled within one year. In certain instances, we are permitted to cancel, reschedule or adjust these orders. Consequently, only a small portion of these outstanding purchase orders relate to firm, non-cancellable and unconditional obligations. We have also entered into long-term supply arrangements for certain chemical reagents used in our operations, which is based on current consumption requirements.
Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations: See Note 8, “Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for our estimated cash requirements to settle asset retirement and environmental obligations.
52
Table of Contents
Other: In order to support the continued advancement of our Independence Facility and magnetics capability, we expect to hire an additional 100 full-time employees within the next two years, which will result in additional cash requirements for salaries, benefits and training. Lastly, our engineering, procurement, and construction contracts are typically cancellable.
Repurchases of Common Stock
In March 2024, our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program (the “Program”) effective for one year under which the Company became authorized to repurchase up to an aggregate amount of $300.0 million of our outstanding common stock. In August 2024, our Board of Directors approved a $300.0 million increase to the Program, bringing the total authorized amount to $600.0 million. The Program was also extended and is effective until August 30, 2026. This authorization does not require the purchase of any minimum number of shares.
We may purchase shares from time to time at the discretion of management through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, block trades, accelerated or other structured share repurchase programs, or other means. The manner, timing, pricing and amount of any transactions will be subject to our discretion and may be based upon market conditions, regulatory requirements and alternative opportunities that we may have for the use or investment of our capital. During the year ended December 31, 2024, we repurchased 15.2 million shares of our common stock under the Program at an aggregate cost of $225.1 million.
As of December 31, 2024, $375.0 million was available for additional share repurchases under the Program. See Note 16, “Stockholders’ Equity and Stock-Based Compensation,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our cash flows:
| For the year ended December 31, | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except percentages) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 vs 2023 | 2023 vs 2022 | 2024 vs 2023 | 2023 vs 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating activities | $ | 13,349 | $ | 62,699 | $ | 343,514 | $ | (49,350) | $ | (280,815) | (79) | % | (82) | % | |||||||||||
| Investing activities | $ | 10,057 | $ | 68,697 | $ | (1,356,971) | $ | (58,640) | $ | 1,425,668 | (85) | % | N/M | ||||||||||||
| Financing activities | $ | (4,791) | $ | (9,917) | $ | (24,191) | $ | 5,126 | $ | 14,274 | (52) | % | (59) | % |
N/M = Not meaningful.
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities: Net cash provided by operating activities decreased by $49.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the prior year. The decrease in cash flows from operating activities was primarily driven by a decrease in revenue and an increase in inventories as we ramped up production of separated products, as well as an increase in cash paid for interest of $10.1 million due to the 2030 Notes. The decrease was partially offset by the receipt of $100.0 million in initial prepayments pursuant to the long-term supply agreement with GM for magnetic precursor products and receipt of $19.4 million related to the 45X Credit claimed on our 2023 federal tax return.
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities: Net cash provided by investing activities decreased by $58.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the prior year. The decrease in cash flows from investing activities was primarily driven by a $141.1 million net cash flow impact of a year-over-year increase in purchases of short-term investments, offset only partially by a small increase in proceeds from sales and maturities of short-term investments. This was partially offset by lower additions to property, plant and equipment for the year ended December 31, 2024, which decreased by $72.8 million when compared to the prior year, and related primarily to a decrease in construction spend on our Stage II optimization project given the timing of completion and placement into service. Additionally, net cash provided by investing activities in the prior year included a $9.7 million payment in exchange for a 49% equity interest in VREX Holdco.
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities: Net cash used in financing activities decreased by $5.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the prior year. The decrease in cash flows used in financing activities was driven by the net cash flow impact, which was $12.4 million, of the issuance of the 2030 Notes, the payments of debt issuance costs associated with the 2030 Notes, the payments made to retire a significant portion of the 2026 Notes, the purchase of the Capped Call Options, and the payments made to repurchase our common stock, offset partially by debt issuance costs of $4.5 million recorded in connection with the Debt Exchange, all of which occurred during year ended December 31, 2024.
53
Table of Contents
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We present Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income (Loss), Adjusted Diluted EPS, and Free Cash Flow, which are non-GAAP financial measures that we use to supplement our results presented in accordance with GAAP. These measures may be similar to measures reported by other companies in our industry and are regularly used by securities analysts and investors to measure companies’ financial performance. Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income (Loss), Adjusted Diluted EPS, and Free Cash Flow are not intended to be substitutes for any GAAP financial measures and, as calculated, may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of performance or liquidity of other companies within our industry or in other industries.
Adjusted EBITDA
We define Adjusted EBITDA as our GAAP net income or loss before interest expense, net; income tax expense or benefit; and depreciation, depletion and amortization; further adjusted to eliminate the impact of stock-based compensation expense; initial start-up costs; transaction-related and other costs; accretion of asset retirement and environmental obligations; gain or loss on disposals of long-lived assets; gain or loss on early extinguishment of debt; other income or loss; and other items that we do not consider representative of our underlying operations. We present Adjusted EBITDA because it is used by management to evaluate our underlying operating and financial performance and trends. Adjusted EBITDA excludes certain expenses that are required in accordance with GAAP because they are non-recurring, non-cash or are not related to our underlying business performance. This non-GAAP financial measure is intended to supplement our GAAP results and should not be used as a substitute for financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP.
The following table presents a reconciliation of our Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, to our net income or loss, which is determined in accordance with GAAP:
| For the year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | (65,424) | $ | 24,307 | $ | 289,004 | ||||
| Adjusted for: | ||||||||||
| Depreciation, depletion and amortization | 78,057 | 55,709 | 18,356 | |||||||
| Interest expense, net | 23,010 | 5,254 | 5,786 | |||||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | (27,923) | 8,768 | 52,148 | |||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense(1) | 23,183 | 25,236 | 31,780 | |||||||
| Initial start-up costs(2) | 5,303 | 20,607 | 7,432 | |||||||
| Transaction-related and other costs(3) | 8,367 | 11,435 | 1,784 | |||||||
| Accretion of asset retirement and environmental obligations(4) | 929 | 908 | 1,477 | |||||||
| Loss on environmental obligations(4) | 1,998 | — | — | |||||||
| Loss on disposals of long-lived assets, net(4) | 1,421 | 6,326 | 391 | |||||||
| Gain on early extinguishment of debt | (52,911) | — | — | |||||||
| Other income, net | (46,178) | (56,048) | (19,527) | |||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | (50,168) | $ | 102,502 | $ | 388,631 |
(1)Principally included in “Selling, general and administrative” within our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(2)Included in “Start-up costs” within our Consolidated Statements of Operations and excludes any applicable stock-based compensation, which is included in the “Stock-based compensation expense” line above. Relates to certain costs incurred in connection with the commissioning and starting up of our initial separations capability at Mountain Pass and our initial magnet-making capabilities at the Independence Facility prior to the achievement of commercial production. These costs include labor of incremental employees hired in advance to work directly on such commissioning activities, training costs, costs of testing and commissioning the new circuits and processes, and other related costs. Given the nature and scale of the related costs and activities, management does not view these as normal, recurring operating expenses, but rather as non-recurring investments to initially develop our separations and magnet-making capabilities. Therefore, we believe it is useful and necessary for investors to understand our core operating performance in current and future periods by excluding the impact of these start-up costs. To the extent additional start-up costs are incurred in the future to expand our separations and magnet-making capabilities after initial achievement of commercial production (e.g., significantly expanding production capacity at an existing facility or building a new separations or magnet manufacturing facility), such costs would not be considered an adjustment for this non-GAAP financial measure.
(3)Pertains to legal, consulting, and advisory services, and other costs associated with specific transactions, including potential acquisitions, mergers, or other investments. For the year ended December 31, 2024, amount is principally included in “Selling, general and administrative” within our Consolidated Statements of Operations. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, amounts are principally included in “Advanced projects and development” within our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(4)Included in “Other operating costs and expenses” within our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
54
Table of Contents
Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and Adjusted Diluted EPS
We calculate Adjusted Net Income (Loss) as our GAAP net income or loss excluding the impact of stock-based compensation expense; initial start-up costs; transaction-related and other costs; gain or loss on disposals of long-lived assets; gain or loss on early extinguishment of debt; and other items that we do not consider representative of our underlying operations; adjusted to give effect to the income tax impact of such adjustments; and the release of valuation allowance. We calculate Adjusted Diluted EPS as our GAAP diluted earnings or loss per share excluding the per share impact, using adjusted diluted weighted-average shares outstanding as the denominator, of stock-based compensation expense; initial start-up costs; transaction-related and other costs; gain or loss on disposals of long-lived assets; gain or loss on early extinguishment of debt; and other items that we do not consider representative of our underlying operations; adjusted to give effect to the income tax impact of such adjustments; and the release of valuation allowance. In addition, when appropriate, we include an adjustment to reverse the impact of applying the if-converted method to our 2026 Notes if necessary to reconcile between GAAP diluted earnings or loss per share and Adjusted Diluted EPS. When applicable, adjusted diluted weighted-average shares outstanding reflect the anti-dilutive impact of our Capped Call Options entered into in connection with the issuance of our 2030 Notes.
Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and Adjusted Diluted EPS exclude certain expenses that are required in accordance with GAAP because they are non-recurring, non-cash, or not related to our underlying business performance. To calculate the income tax impact of such adjustments on a year-to-date basis, we utilize an effective tax rate equal to our income tax expense or benefit excluding material discrete costs and benefits, with any impacts of changes in effective tax rate being recognized in the current period. We present Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and Adjusted Diluted EPS because it is used by management to evaluate our underlying operating and financial performance and trends. These non-GAAP financial measures are intended to supplement our GAAP results and should not be used as a substitute for financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP.
The following table presents a reconciliation of our Adjusted Net Income (Loss), which is a non-GAAP financial measure, to our net income or loss, which is determined in accordance with GAAP:
| For the year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | (65,424) | $ | 24,307 | $ | 289,004 | ||||
| Adjusted for: | ||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense(1) | 23,183 | 25,236 | 31,780 | |||||||
| Initial start-up costs(2) | 5,303 | 20,607 | 7,432 | |||||||
| Transaction-related and other costs(3) | 8,367 | 11,435 | 1,784 | |||||||
| Loss on environmental obligations(4) | 1,998 | — | — | |||||||
| Loss on disposals of long-lived assets, net(4) | 1,421 | 6,326 | 391 | |||||||
| Gain on early extinguishment of debt | (52,911) | — | — | |||||||
| Other | — | (51) | (273) | |||||||
| Tax impact of adjustments above(5) | 3,959 | (16,482) | (6,716) | |||||||
| Release of valuation allowance | — | — | (2,845) | |||||||
| Adjusted Net Income (Loss) | $ | (74,104) | $ | 71,378 | $ | 320,557 |
(1)Principally included in “Selling, general and administrative” within our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(2)Included in “Start-up costs” within our Consolidated Statements of Operations and excludes any applicable stock-based compensation, which is included in the “Stock-based compensation expense” line above. Relates to certain costs incurred in connection with the commissioning and starting up of our initial separations capability at Mountain Pass and our initial magnet-making capabilities at the Independence Facility prior to the achievement of commercial production. These costs include labor of incremental employees hired in advance to work directly on such commissioning activities, training costs, costs of testing and commissioning the new circuits and processes, and other related costs. Given the nature and scale of the related costs and activities, management does not view these as normal, recurring operating expenses, but rather as non-recurring investments to initially develop our separations and magnet-making capabilities. Therefore, we believe it is useful and necessary for investors to understand our core operating performance in current and future periods by excluding the impact of these start-up costs. To the extent additional start-up costs are incurred in the future to expand our separations and magnet-making capabilities after initial achievement of commercial production (e.g., significantly expanding production capacity at an existing facility or building a new separations or magnet manufacturing facility), such costs would not be considered an adjustment for this non-GAAP financial measure.
(3)Pertains to legal, consulting, and advisory services, and other costs associated with specific transactions, including potential acquisitions, mergers, or other investments. For the year ended December 31, 2024, amount is principally included in “Selling, general and administrative” within our Consolidated Statements of Operations. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, amounts are principally included in “Advanced projects and development” within our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(4)Included in “Other operating costs and expenses” within our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
55
Table of Contents
(5)Tax impact of adjustments is calculated using an adjusted effective tax rate, which excludes the impact of discrete tax costs and benefits, to each adjustment. The adjusted effective tax rates were 31.3%, 25.9% and 16.3% for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. See Note 12, “Income Taxes,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on the effective tax rate.
The following table presents a reconciliation of our Adjusted Diluted EPS, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, to our diluted earnings or loss per share, which is determined in accordance with GAAP:
| For the year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||
| Diluted earnings (loss) per share | $ | (0.57) | $ | 0.14 | $ | 1.52 | ||||
| Adjusted for: | ||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 0.14 | 0.13 | 0.16 | |||||||
| Initial start-up costs | 0.03 | 0.11 | 0.04 | |||||||
| Transaction-related and other costs | 0.05 | 0.06 | 0.01 | |||||||
| Loss on environmental obligations | 0.01 | — | — | |||||||
| Loss on disposals of long-lived assets, net | 0.01 | 0.03 | — | |||||||
| Gain on early extinguishment of debt | (0.32) | — | — | |||||||
| Tax impact of adjustments above(1) | 0.02 | (0.08) | (0.04) | |||||||
| Release of valuation allowance | — | — | (0.01) | |||||||
| 2026 Notes if-converted method(2) | 0.19 | — | — | |||||||
| Adjusted Diluted EPS | $ | (0.44) | $ | 0.39 | $ | 1.68 | ||||
| Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding | 169,882,640 | 178,152,212 | 193,453,087 | |||||||
| Assumed conversion of 2026 Notes(3)(4) | (3,042,029) | 15,584,409 | — | |||||||
| Adjusted diluted weighted-average shares outstanding | 166,840,611 | 193,736,621 | 193,453,087 |
(1)Tax impact of adjustments is calculated using an adjusted effective tax rate, which excludes the impact of discrete tax costs and benefits, to each adjustment. The adjusted effective tax rates were 31.3%, 25.9% and 16.3% for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. See Note 12, “Income Taxes,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on the effective tax rate.
(2)For the year ended December 31, 2024, since the 2026 Notes were dilutive for purposes of computing GAAP diluted loss per share but antidilutive for purposes of computing Adjusted Diluted EPS, within this reconciliation, we have included this adjustment to reverse the impact of applying the if-converted method to the 2026 Notes in the computation of GAAP diluted loss per share.
(3)For the year ended December 31, 2024, since the 2026 Notes were dilutive for purposes of computing GAAP diluted loss per share but antidilutive for purposes of computing Adjusted Diluted EPS, the adjusted diluted weighted-average shares outstanding exclude the potentially dilutive securities associated with the 2026 Notes.
(4)For the year ended December 31, 2023, the 2026 Notes were antidilutive for GAAP purposes. For purposes of calculating Adjusted Diluted EPS, we have added back the assumed conversion of the 2026 Notes since they would not be antidilutive when using Adjusted Net Income (Loss) as the numerator in the calculation of Adjusted Diluted EPS.
Free Cash Flow
We calculate Free Cash Flow as net cash provided by or used in operating activities less additions to property, plant and equipment, net of proceeds from government awards used for construction. We believe Free Cash Flow is useful for comparing our ability to generate cash with that of our peers. The presentation of Free Cash Flow is not meant to be considered in isolation or as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities and does not necessarily indicate whether cash flows will be sufficient to fund cash needs.
The following table presents a reconciliation of our Free Cash Flow, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, to our net cash provided by operating activities, which is determined in accordance with GAAP:
| For the year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 13,349 | $ | 62,699 | $ | 343,514 | ||||
| Additions to property, plant and equipment, net(1) | (186,322) | (259,097) | (321,465) | |||||||
| Free Cash Flow | $ | (172,973) | $ | (196,398) | $ | 22,049 |
(1)Amounts for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, are net of $0.1 million, $2.8 million and $5.1 million, respectively, in proceeds from government awards used for construction.
56
Table of Contents
Critical Accounting Estimates
Preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP requires our management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that impact the reported amount of revenue and operating expenses, assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We consider an accounting judgment, estimate or assumption to be critical when (i) the estimate or assumption is complex in nature or requires a high degree of judgment and (ii) the use of different judgments, estimates and assumptions could have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements. Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 2, “Significant Accounting Policies,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Our critical accounting estimates are described below.
Inventories
Raw materials, mined ore stockpiles, work in process, and finished goods are carried at weighted average cost. Supplies are carried at moving average cost. All inventories are carried at the lower of cost or net realizable value, which represents the estimated selling price of the product during the ordinary course of business based on current market conditions less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. Costs of completion include labor, utilities, reagents, maintenance, and allocated production overhead costs.
We evaluate the carrying amount of inventory each reporting period, considering recent and expected market prices, slow-moving items, obsolescence, excess inventory levels, and other factors and recognize related write-downs if it is determined that the inventory is impaired. In addition, our estimate of costs of completion is impacted by forecasted production levels, which are particularly sensitive while our midstream operations are at subscale production levels. Although considerable effort is made to ensure the accuracy of our forecasts of future product demand, market conditions, or other cost assumptions, any significant unanticipated unfavorable changes in market price, demand, or expected usage could have a significant negative impact on the value of our inventory and our results of operations. Until such time that we achieve our anticipated throughput, we may continue to incur write-downs of our separated product inventories. See Note 4, “Inventories,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
Revenue
We recognize revenue from sales of rare earth products produced at Mountain Pass. We recognize revenue at the point in time control of the products transfers to the customer and our performance obligation is typically satisfied when we deliver products to the agreed-upon shipping point. The transaction price for our rare earth concentrate products is typically based on a preliminary market price per MT, with an adjustment for the ultimate market price of the product realized by Shenghe upon sales to their customers. At the end of each reporting period, we estimate forms of variable consideration, including an assessment on constraining such variable consideration, based on historical experience, current market prices and currency exchange rates, and other factors that can be reasonably anticipated. Historically, the differences between our estimates of variable consideration and actual consideration have not been material to any reporting period.
Asset Retirement Obligations (“ARO”)
We recognize ARO for estimated costs of legally and contractually required closure, dismantlement, and reclamation activities associated with Mountain Pass. ARO are initially recognized at their estimated fair value in the period in which the obligation is incurred. In determining fair value, management makes estimates based on the expected timing of reclamation activities; cash flows to perform activities, which involves utilizing an assumption for future inflation; amount and uncertainty associated with the cash flows, including adjustments for a market risk premium; and discounts such amounts using a credit-adjusted risk-free rate. Although we base our estimates on historical experience and reevaluate our estimated timing and cash flows regularly, since the majority of the cash flows to settle our ARO occur decades in the future, it is inherently difficult to accurately predict the ultimate cash flows used to settle such obligations. As a result, these estimates and assumptions are subjective and can vary over time. See Note 8, “Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Recently adopted and issued accounting pronouncements are described in Note 2, “Significant Accounting Policies,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
57
Table of Contents
FY 2023 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001801368-24-000014.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 (this “Annual Report”). A discussion of changes in our results of operations and cash flows between years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, has been omitted from this Annual Report, but may be found in “Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020,” of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on February 28, 2023. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including, but not limited to, those set forth under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Annual Report. See also “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
Executive Overview
MP Materials Corp., including its subsidiaries (“we,” “our,” and “us”), is the largest producer of rare earth materials in the Western Hemisphere. We own and operate the Mountain Pass Rare Earth Mine and Processing Facility (“Mountain Pass”), the only rare earth mining and processing site of scale in North America, and are also constructing a rare earth metal, alloy and magnet manufacturing facility in Fort Worth, Texas (the “Fort Worth Facility”), where we anticipate manufacturing neodymium-iron-boron (“NdFeB”) permanent magnets and its precursor products.
We produce rare earth concentrate products as well as refined rare earth oxides and related products. The rare earth concentrate is principally sold pursuant to the Offtake Agreement to Shenghe (as such terms are defined in Note 20, “Related Party Transactions,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements), that, in turn, typically sells that product to refiners in China. Following the commissioning of our Stage II optimization project (“Stage II”) in the third quarter of 2023, we began producing separated rare earth products, including neodymium-praseodymium (“NdPr”) oxide, that we began selling to customers globally in the fourth quarter of 2023. Additionally, in April 2022, we entered into a long-term agreement with General Motors Company (NYSE: GM) (“GM”) to supply U.S.-sourced and manufactured rare earth materials and finished magnets for the electric motors in more than a dozen models based on GM’s Ultium Platform. These developments are part of our Stage III downstream expansion strategy (“Stage III”).
Certain rare earth elements (“REE”) serve as critical inputs for the rare earth magnets inside the electric motors and generators powering carbon-reducing technologies such as hybrid and electric vehicles (referred to collectively as “xEVs”) and wind turbines, as well as drones, defense systems, robotics and many other high-growth, advanced technologies. Our integrated operations at Mountain Pass combine low production costs with high environmental standards, thereby restoring American leadership to a critical industry with a strong commitment to sustainability.
Highlights from the year ended December 31, 2023, include:
•Completed construction and/or initial commissioning of all circuits of our Stage II optimization project;
•Commenced production and sales of separated rare earth products in the third quarter and fourth quarter of 2023, respectively;
•Announced “Upstream 60K” strategy targeting an approximately 50% expansion of rare earth oxide (“REO”) in concentrate output at Mountain Pass within four years with modest incremental investment;
•Maintained strong concentrate production volumes despite continued construction and commissioning activities;
•Completed construction of the building for the Fort Worth Facility, opened the office space that will serve as our company-wide magnetics headquarters, and made further progress on advancing our metal and magnet-making production capabilities;
•Advanced the engineering and design and began procuring equipment for our heavy rare earth elements (“HREE”) processing and separations facility at Mountain Pass (the “HREE Facility”);
•Entered into a tolling agreement with and subsequently acquired a 49% equity interest in VREX Holdco (as defined in the “Recent Developments” section below);
•Maintained a strong balance sheet with cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaling $997.8 million as of December 31, 2023, despite significant capital expenditures to support Stage II, the Fort Worth Facility, and the HREE Facility;
35
Table of Contents
•Generated revenue of $253.4 million, net income of $24.3 million, and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) of $0.14;
•Generated Adjusted EBITDA (see below) of $102.5 million, Adjusted Net Income (see below) of $71.4 million, and Adjusted Diluted EPS (see below) of $0.39; and
•Generated net cash provided by operating activities of $62.7 million.
Our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023, demonstrate solid operational execution against a weak pricing backdrop. Our Stage I concentrate operations continue to deliver strong production levels despite significant work on completing construction and commissioning of Stage II circuits as well as advancing the HREE Facility at Mountain Pass. Upon initial commissioning of the Stage II circuits, we commenced production of separated rare earth products in the third quarter of 2023. Also in the third quarter of 2023, we began shipments of NdPr oxide to tollers for processing into NdPr metal. Furthermore, we began selling separated rare earth products in the fourth quarter of 2023, beginning with NdPr oxide. While we made significant progress on scaling production of separated rare earth products in the fourth quarter of 2023, we expect that it may take several quarters to achieve our designed throughput of separated products.
In addition, our Stage III magnetics team continued to make significant progress on our strategy to re-establish magnet manufacturing in the U.S., including completing building construction and moving into the office portion of the Fort Worth Facility, and installing our first major pieces of process and magnet prototype production equipment, while advancing the organization’s engineering and manufacturing technology capabilities.
We consider net income and diluted EPS to be the most directly comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. (“GAAP”) to Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income, and Adjusted Diluted EPS, which are non-GAAP financial measures. Refer to the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section below for the definitions of Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income, and Adjusted Diluted EPS, as well as a reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income, and Diluted EPS to Adjusted Diluted EPS.
Recent Developments
Distribution Agreement with Sumitomo
In February 2023, we entered into a distribution agreement (the “Distribution Agreement”) with Sumitomo Corporation of Americas (“Sumitomo”), under which Sumitomo serves as the exclusive distributor of NdPr oxide and NdPr metal, produced by us, to Japanese customers. Further, in connection with the Distribution Agreement, we intend to collaborate with Sumitomo on other business opportunities related to rare earth processing and downstream products. Under the terms of the Distribution Agreement, Sumitomo will be paid a variable commission. The initial term of the Distribution Agreement is through the end of 2025 with options to renew annually.
Patent and Intellectual Property License
In August 2023, we acquired a license to use patented technology, technical know-how, and other intellectual property pertaining to the development and manufacturing of magnetic products in exchange for 435,729 shares of our common stock. Contemporaneous with the acquisition of the license, we entered into a long-term consulting agreement in support of integrating the licensed technology and know-how into our existing processes aimed at the development of magnetic products.
Tolling Agreement with and Investment in VREX Holdco
In October 2023, we entered into a tolling agreement with VREX Holdco Pte. Ltd. (“VREX Holdco”) (the “Tolling Agreement”), a subsidiary of Shenghe. VREX Holdco owns Vietnam Rare Earth Company Limited (“VREX”), which owns and operates a metal processing plant and related facilities in Vietnam. Pursuant to the Tolling Agreement, we deliver NdPr oxide to VREX Holdco, which VREX Holdco then causes VREX to process into NdPr metal for delivery to our customers globally. As several of our potential customers that manufacture magnets outside of China prefer to purchase NdPr metal in addition to NdPr oxide, this Tolling Agreement will enable us to distribute NdPr products more widely to customers in Japan and other global markets. During the term of the Tolling Agreement, we will pay VREX Holdco a processing fee per unit of rare earth metal produced. We maintain title to the products and directly enter into sales agreements for the produced NdPr metal. The initial term of the Tolling Agreement is three years and may be renewed for additional three-year terms.
In December 2023, we invested $9.7 million of cash in exchange for a 49% equity interest in VREX Holdco. Refer to Note 6, “Equity Method Investment,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
36
Table of Contents
New Offtake Agreement
In January 2024, we entered into a new offtake agreement with Shenghe (the “New Offtake Agreement”) that replaced and extended the Offtake Agreement. The initial term of the New Offtake Agreement is two years, with the option for us to extend the term for an additional one-year period. The terms of the New Offtake Agreement are substantially the same as those of the Offtake Agreement with the exception of the addition of NdPr metal into the definition of non-concentrate rare earth products. See Note 20, “Related-Party Transactions,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of the Offtake Agreement, including its terms.
Key Performance Indicators
We have historically used and/or currently use the following key performance indicators (“KPIs”) to evaluate the performance of our business. However, as our business continues to evolve and transitions from production of rare earth concentrate to production of separated rare earth products, the metrics that management uses to evaluate the business may continue to change or be revised. For example, beginning with the first quarter of 2024, we will no longer present Production Cost per REO MT, which is a metric focused solely on Stage I concentrate operations, as it will no longer be meaningful in evaluating and understanding our business or operating results. In addition, during 2023, upon the production of separated products, we identified three new KPIs of our business: NdPr Production Volume, NdPr Sales Volume and NdPr Realized Price per KG. Our calculations of these KPIs may differ from similar measures published by other companies in our industry or in other industries. The following table presents our KPIs:
| Year ended December 31, | Amount Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in whole units or dollars, except percentages) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 vs. 2022 | 2022 vs. 2021 | 2023 vs. 2022 | 2022 vs. 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Rare earth concentrate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| REO Production Volume (MTs) | 41,557 | 42,499 | 42,413 | (942) | 86 | (2) | % | — | % | ||||||||||||||||
| REO Sales Volume (MTs) | 36,837 | 43,198 | 42,158 | (6,361) | 1,040 | (15) | % | 2 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Realized Price per REO MT | $ | 6,854 | $ | 11,974 | $ | 7,745 | $ | (5,120) | $ | 4,229 | (43) | % | 55 | % | |||||||||||
| Production Cost per REO MT | $ | 2,058 | $ | 1,728 | $ | 1,493 | $ | 330 | $ | 235 | 19 | % | 16 | % | |||||||||||
| Separated NdPr products | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NdPr Production Volume (MTs) | 200 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| NdPr Sales Volume (MTs) | 10 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| NdPr Realized Price per KG | $ | 70 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||||||||
| N/A = Not applicable as there was neither NdPr production nor sales volume in these periods. |
REO Production Volume
We measure our REO-equivalent production volume for a given period in metric tons (“MTs”), our principal unit of sale for our concentrate product. This measure refers to the REO content contained in the rare earth concentrate we produce and, beginning in the second quarter of 2023, includes volumes fed into downstream circuits for commissioning and starting up our separations facilities and for producing separated NdPr product, the latter of which is also included in our KPI, NdPr Production Volume. Our REO Production Volume is a key indicator of our mining and processing capacity and efficiency.
The rare earth concentrate is a processed, concentrated form of our mined rare earth-bearing ores. While our unit of production and sale is a MT of contained REO, the actual weight of our rare earth concentrate is significantly greater, as the concentrate also contains non-REO minerals, loss-on-ignition, and residual moisture from the production process. We target REO content of greater than 60% per dry MT of concentrate (referred to as “REO grade”). The elemental distribution of REO in our concentrate is relatively consistent over time and production lot. We consider this the natural distribution, as it reflects the distribution of elements contained, on average, in our ore.
REO Sales Volume
Our REO Sales Volume for a given period is calculated in MTs. A unit, or MT, is considered sold once we recognize revenue on its sale as determined in accordance with GAAP. Our REO Sales Volume is a key measure of our ability to convert our concentrate production into revenue. Our REO Sales Volume for the year ended December 31, 2023, included both traditional concentrate as well as roasted concentrate.
37
Table of Contents
Realized Price per REO MT
We calculate the Realized Price per REO MT for a given period as the quotient of: (i) our rare earth concentrate sales, which are determined in accordance with GAAP, for a given period and (ii) our REO Sales Volume for the same period. Realized Price per REO MT is an important measure of the market price of our concentrate product. For the year ended December 31, 2021, we adjusted our rare earth concentrate sales for the revenue impact of tariff rebates related to prior period sales, resulting in the use of a non-GAAP financial measure, Total Value Realized. See the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section below for a reconciliation of our Total Value Realized, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, to our rare earth concentrate sales, which is determined in accordance with GAAP.
Production Cost per REO MT
We calculate the Production Cost per REO MT for a given period as the quotient of: (i) our Production Costs (see below) for a given period and (ii) our REO Sales Volume for the same period. We define Production Costs, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as our cost of sales (excluding depletion, depreciation and amortization) (“COS”) less stock-based compensation expense included in COS, shipping and freight costs, and costs not attributable to concentrate sales.
Production Cost per REO MT is a key indicator of our concentrate production efficiency. As a significant portion of our cash costs of Stage I production are fixed, our Production Cost per REO MT is influenced by mineral recovery, REO grade, plant feed rate and production uptime. See the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section below for a reconciliation of our Production Costs, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, to our COS, which is determined in accordance with GAAP, as well as the calculation of Production Cost per REO MT.
NdPr Production Volume
We measure our NdPr Production Volume for a given period in MTs, our principal unit of sale for our NdPr separated products. NdPr Production Volume refers to the volume of finished and packaged NdPr oxide produced at Mountain Pass for a given period. NdPr Production Volume is a key indicator of our separating and finishing capacity and efficiency.
NdPr Sales Volume
Our NdPr Sales Volume for a given period is calculated in MTs and on an NdPr oxide-equivalent basis (see example below). A unit, or MT, is considered sold once we recognize revenue on its sale, whether sold as NdPr oxide or NdPr metal, as determined in accordance with GAAP. For NdPr metal sales, the MTs sold and included in NdPr Sales Volume are calculated on the basis of the volume of NdPr oxide used to produce such NdPr metal. For example, assuming a material conversion ratio of 1.25, a sale of 100 MTs of NdPr metal would be included in this KPI as 125 MTs of NdPr oxide-equivalent. NdPr Sales Volume is a key measure of our ability to convert our production of separated NdPr products into revenue.
We expect to have a mix of contracts with customers where we will sell NdPr as (i) oxide, (ii) metal, where the amount of oxide required to produce such metal is variable, and (iii) metal, where we have a guarantee of the amount produced and sold based on the amount of oxide consumed. Among other factors, differences between quarterly NdPr Production Volume and NdPr Sales Volume may be caused by the time required for the conversion of NdPr oxide to NdPr metal, including time in-transit.
NdPr Realized Price per KG
We calculate the NdPr Realized Price per kilogram (“KG”) for a given period as the quotient of: (i) our NdPr oxide and metal sales, which are determined in accordance with GAAP, for a given period and (ii) our NdPr Sales Volume for the same period. NdPr Realized Price per KG is an important measure of the market price of our NdPr products.
Factors Affecting Our Performance
We believe we are uniquely positioned to capitalize on the key trends of electrification and supply chain security, particularly as domestic EV production grows. Our continued success depends to a significant extent on our ability to take advantage of the following opportunities and meet the challenges associated with them.
Demand for REE
The key demand drivers for REE are a diverse array of growing end markets, including: electric mobility (e.g., traction motors in passenger and commercial xEVs, etc.); renewable power generation (e.g., wind power generators); energy-efficient motors, pumps, and compressors (e.g., heating, ventilation and air conditioning (“HVAC”) systems, elevators, escalators, etc.);
38
Table of Contents
industrial and service robotics (e.g., motors, actuators, brakes and sensors used in industrial and service robots); consumer and medical applications (e.g., smart phones and other mobile devices, computing devices, speakers and microphones, fiber optics, laser crystals, x-ray equipment, etc.); critical defense systems (e.g., guidance and control systems, avionics, global positioning systems, radar and sonar, drones, etc.); and catalysts and phosphors (e.g., vehicle emissions reduction, fuel refining, energy-efficient lighting, etc.). Accordingly, the demand for our products may be impacted by demand for these downstream products, particularly the continued growth in xEVs.
Despite the current macroeconomic conditions, we continue to believe we benefit from the growth of the rare earth market, particularly the market for NdPr and permanent magnets, and from several demand tailwinds for REE. These include the trend toward electrification; geographic supply chain diversification, particularly in relation to China; the U.S. government initiatives to restore domestic supply of critical minerals; and the increasing acceptance of environmental, social and governance mandates.
However, changes in technology could also drive down the use of REE, including NdPr, in the components in which they are now used, or lead to a decline in reliance on such components altogether. Actual, or perceived, decreases in demand for REE, whether through changes in technology or slower growth in the end markets that utilize REE, could result in a decline in the market price of REE, including NdPr, and/or result in pricing volatility. We also operate in a competitive industry, and many of our key competitors are based in China, where competitors may not be subject to the same rigorous environmental standards and production costs are typically lower than in the U.S.
Maximizing Production Efficiency
Since the implementation of our Stage I optimization plan and the achievement of commercial production of concentrate on July 1, 2019, our quarterly REO Production Volume has exceeded 8,500 MTs, and we have achieved at least 40,000 MTs of annual REO Production Volume since 2021. These results were achieved by optimizing the reagent scheme, reducing process temperatures, improving tailings facility management, and committing to operational excellence, which has allowed us to achieve approximately 92% uptime in 2023. Our Stage I optimization plan enabled us to achieve what we believe to be world-class production cost levels for rare earth concentrate.
In November 2023, we announced our “Upstream 60K” strategy whereby we intend to grow our annual REO Production Volume to approximately 60,000 MTs by expanding upstream capacity via investments in further beneficiation, including the ability to process alternative feedstocks and upgrade lower-grade feedstocks. We aim to achieve this initiative within the next four years with modest incremental capital investment.
The success of our business reflects our ability to continue to manage our costs. Our production achievements in Stage I have provided economies of scale to lower production costs per MT of REO produced in concentrate. Furthermore, we designed our Stage II process flow to capitalize on the inherent advantages of the bastnaesite ore at Mountain Pass, that is well-suited to low-cost refining by selectively eliminating the need to carry cerium, a lower-value mineral, through the separations process. Additionally, our location offers transportation advantages that create meaningful cost efficiencies in securing incoming supplies and shipping of our final products.
We currently operate a single site in a single location, and any stoppage in activity, including for reasons outside of our control, could adversely impact our production, results of operations and cash flows. In addition, several of our current and potential competitors are government supported and may have access to substantially more capital, which may allow them to make similar or greater efficiency improvements or undercut market prices for our product.
Development of Our REE Refining and Downstream Manufacturing Capabilities
Stage II advanced our operations from the production of rare earth concentrate to the separation of individual REE. The project incorporated upgrades and enhancements to the prior facility process flow intended to reliably produce separated REE at a low cost while minimizing our impact on the environment. More specifically, we have reintroduced an oxidizing roasting circuit, reoriented portions of the plant process flow, increased product finishing capacity, improved wastewater management, and made other improvements to materials handling and storage. The reintroduction of the oxidizing roasting circuit allows subsequent stages of the production process to occur at lower temperatures, and with lower volumes of materials and reagents, which supports lower operating and maintenance costs and higher uptime than would otherwise be achievable.
During the third quarter of 2023, we began producing separated rare earth products. However, we expect that it may take several quarters to achieve our designed throughput of separated products. As we increase production of separated products over time, we expect to improve our per-unit production costs of NdPr oxide, which represents a majority of the value contained in our concentrate.
39
Table of Contents
Partially supported by a $35.0 million award from the Department of Defense’s Office of Industrial Base Policy, Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment program, we are currently advancing the facilitating works, engineering and procurement on the HREE Facility, which will be built at Mountain Pass and will be integrated into the rest of our Stage I and Stage II facilities. The HREE Facility is expected to support the separating of HREE contained in the Mountain Pass ore as well as from third-party feedstocks.
In addition, we are constructing the Fort Worth Facility and developing engineering and manufacturing technology to process NdPr oxide into metal and magnets, while incorporating magnet recycling capabilities. These initiatives support our long-term plans to become a leading global source for rare earth magnets. We believe integration into magnet production will provide some protection from commodity pricing volatility, while also enhancing our business profile as the producer of a critical industrial output in addition to a producer of resources. We expect our Stage III efforts to continue to benefit from geopolitical developments, including initiatives to repatriate critical materials supply chains.
Our Mineral Reserves
Our ore body has proven over more than 60 years of operations to be one of the world’s largest and highest-grade rare earth resources. As of December 31, 2023, SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc., an independent consulting firm that we retained to assess our reserves, estimated total proven and probable reserves of 1.86 million short tons of REO contained in 28.46 million short tons of ore at Mountain Pass, with an average ore grade of 6.20%. These estimates use an estimated economical cut-off grade of 2.43% total rare earth oxide. Based on these estimated reserves and our expected annual production rate of REO upon production ramp-up of Stage II, our expected mine life was approximately 33 years as of December 31, 2023. Over time, we expect to be able to continue to grow our expected mine life through additional exploratory drilling and improved processing capabilities, which may result in changes to various assumptions underlying our mineral reserve estimate.
Mining activities in the U.S. are heavily regulated, particularly in California. Regulatory changes may make it more challenging for us to access our reserves. In addition, new mineral deposits may be discovered elsewhere, which could make our operations less competitive.
40
Table of Contents
Results of Operations
Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021
The following table summarizes our results of operations:
| For the year ended December 31, | Amount Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except percentages) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 vs. 2022 | 2022 vs. 2021 | 2023 vs. 2022 | 2022 vs. 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rare earth concentrate | $ | 252,468 | $ | 517,267 | $ | 328,563 | $ | (264,799) | $ | 188,704 | (51) | % | 57 | % | |||||||||||
| NdPr oxide and metal | 695 | — | — | 695 | — | N/M | N/M | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other rare earth products | 282 | 10,243 | 3,389 | (9,961) | 6,854 | (97) | % | 202 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Total revenue | 253,445 | 527,510 | 331,952 | (274,065) | 195,558 | (52) | % | 59 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Operating costs and expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales(1) | 92,714 | 92,218 | 76,253 | 496 | 15,965 | 1 | % | 21 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 79,245 | 75,857 | 56,646 | 3,388 | 19,211 | 4 | % | 34 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation, depletion and amortization | 55,709 | 18,356 | 24,382 | 37,353 | (6,026) | 203 | % | (25) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Start-up costs | 21,330 | 7,551 | 378 | 13,779 | 7,173 | 182 | % | N/M | |||||||||||||||||
| Advanced projects and development | 14,932 | 4,249 | 4,195 | 10,683 | 54 | 251 | % | 1 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Other operating costs and expenses | 7,234 | 1,868 | 4,753 | 5,366 | (2,885) | 287 | % | (61) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Total operating costs and expenses | 271,164 | 200,099 | 166,607 | 71,065 | 33,492 | 36 | % | 20 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | (17,719) | 327,411 | 165,345 | (345,130) | 162,066 | (105) | % | 98 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | (5,254) | (5,786) | (8,904) | 532 | 3,118 | (9) | % | (35) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Other income, net | 56,048 | 19,527 | 3,754 | 36,521 | 15,773 | 187 | % | 420 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 33,075 | 341,152 | 160,195 | (308,077) | 180,957 | (90) | % | 113 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | (8,768) | (52,148) | (25,158) | 43,380 | (26,990) | (83) | % | 107 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 24,307 | $ | 289,004 | $ | 135,037 | $ | (264,697) | $ | 153,967 | (92) | % | 114 | % | |||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA(2) | $ | 102,502 | $ | 388,631 | $ | 219,077 | $ | (286,129) | $ | 169,554 | (74) | % | 77 | % | |||||||||||
| Adjusted Net Income(2) | $ | 71,378 | $ | 320,557 | $ | 154,187 | $ | (249,179) | $ | 166,370 | (78) | % | 108 | % | |||||||||||
| Free Cash Flow(2) | $ | (196,398) | $ | 22,049 | $ | (17,517) | $ | (218,447) | $ | 39,566 | N/M | N/M |
N/M = Not meaningful.
(1)Excludes depreciation, depletion and amortization.
(2)Non-GAAP financial measures are defined and reconciled to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures in the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section below.
Rare earth concentrate revenue consists primarily of sales of traditional and roasted rare earth concentrate. The sales price of rare earth concentrate sold to Shenghe under both agreements is based on an agreed-upon price per MT, with an adjustment for the ultimate market price of the product realized by Shenghe upon sales to their customers, including the impact of changes in the exchange rate between the Chinese Yuan and the U.S. dollar.
The decrease in rare earth concentrate revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the prior year, was driven by lower Realized Price per REO MT, which decreased by 43% when compared to the prior year, as well as lower REO Sales Volume, which decreased by 15% when compared to the prior year.
Realized Price per REO MT for the year ended December 31, 2023, reflects a significantly softer pricing environment for rare earth products, as compared to the prior year when pricing peaked in February 2022. As noted above in the “Factors Affecting our Performance” section, market prices for rare earth products may be volatile due to actual or perceived changes in supply or demand. The decline in the market prices for rare earth products in 2023 was largely attributable to lower than anticipated growth in demand for magnetic products, which negatively impacted the price of REE. The decrease in REO Sales Volume for the year ended December 31, 2023, was due to the start-up of Stage II operations. A significant portion of the REO produced, which could otherwise have been sold as rare earth concentrate, was used to charge the Stage II circuits, establish separations work-in-process inventory, or produce packaged and finished separated rare earth products, the majority of which have not yet been sold.
Historically, our REO Sales Volume had generally tracked our REO Production Volume over time with slight period-to-period differences caused by the timing of shipments. However, as we continue to ramp up production of separated rare earth
41
Table of Contents
materials, we expect that significant volumes of REO produced from Stage I operations will be retained for separation and not sold as concentrate. In addition, a significant portion of the contained cerium in the REO produced will be intentionally rejected and may not result in finished product. Accordingly, as evidenced in the third and fourth quarters of 2023 (see the “Quarterly Performance Trend” section below), we expect that REO Sales Volume will be significantly lower than REO Production Volume in the future as we produce and sell more separated products.
NdPr oxide and metal revenue consists of sales of NdPr oxide under individual sales agreements, which commenced in the fourth quarter of 2023. As we ramp up production of separated rare earth products, we expect our NdPr oxide and metal revenue to become a larger portion of our total revenue. Accordingly, to the extent we are able to sell a greater portion of NdPr oxide and NdPr metal, we expect that rare earth concentrate revenue will decline in future periods.
Other rare earth products revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023, decreased as compared to the prior year, primarily driven by $8.5 million of revenue related to a sales agreement with Shenghe entered into in March 2022 for certain stockpiles of rare earth fluoride (“REF”).
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization) consists of production- and processing-related labor costs (including wages and salaries, benefits, bonuses, and stock-based compensation), mining and processing supplies (such as reagents), parts and labor for the maintenance of our mining fleet and processing facilities, other facilities-related costs (such as property taxes and utilities), packaging materials, and shipping and freight costs.
COS for the year ended December 31, 2023, remained relatively flat year over year, primarily due to an increase in Production Cost per REO MT of $330 or 19%, offset by a decrease in REO Sales Volume and $5.5 million in lower shipping and freight costs, which are included in COS but excluded from Production Cost per REO MT. The increase in Production Cost per REO MT was driven by higher payroll costs, including the increase in employee headcount to support the expansion of operations, and to a lesser extent, higher materials and supplies costs as well as higher property and other taxes. Shipping and freight costs decreased due to reductions in trucking rates and diesel fuel prices, as well as lower sales volume. In addition, COS for the year ended December 31, 2023, included a $2.3 million write-down on certain of our inventories (refer to Note 4, “Inventories,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information). Production Cost per REO MT varies period to period based on the timing of scheduled outages of our production facilities for maintenance. See the “Quarterly Performance Trend” section below.
With the commissioning of Stage II in 2023, the expected headcount growth to support our refining operations is largely complete as of December 31, 2023. Therefore, we do not anticipate payroll cost growth to be as significant in future periods, although year-over-year comparisons may still be impacted given the timing of hiring in 2023. In addition, as noted below, given the commencement of initial production of separated products in late 2023, we expect certain salaries and wages of employees previously involved in start-up activities will no longer be considered start-up costs in 2024 as commercial production ramps. Instead, such costs will primarily be included in COS to the extent such costs are not absorbed into inventories. Lastly, we expect other operating costs associated with our Stage II operations, particularly chemical reagents, maintenance expenses, and consumables, which have a significant variable component, to grow in line with production in future periods.
Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses consist primarily of personnel costs (including salaries, benefits, bonuses, and stock-based compensation) of our administrative functions such as executives, accounting and finance, legal, and information technology; professional services (including legal, regulatory, audit and others); certain engineering expenses; insurance, license and permit costs; corporate office lease cost; office supplies; and certain environmental, health and safety expenses.
SG&A expenses for the year ended December 31, 2023, increased by $3.4 million, or 4%, as compared to prior year, driven primarily by $5.4 million in higher personnel costs (excluding stock-based compensation expense), along with other general and administrative costs required to further build out our corporate infrastructure in support of our downstream expansion. Additionally, with the commencement of the lease for corporate office space in April 2023, we recognized $0.9 million in higher building rent expense compared to the prior year and are expected to incur higher rent expense going forward, when compared to prior year periods. The increase in SG&A was partially offset by $8.0 million in lower stock-based compensation expense due primarily to the timing of grants and the recognition of stock-based compensation on an accelerated basis for virtually all of our stock awards.
Depreciation, depletion and amortization primarily consists of depreciation of property, plant and equipment and depletion of mineral rights. The year-over-year increase in depreciation, depletion and amortization for the year ended December 31, 2023, primarily reflects an increase in depreciation of $38.2 million, resulting from the continued placement of
42
Table of Contents
new circuits and facilities associated with our Stage II optimization project into service, which began at the end of the fourth quarter of 2022.
Start-up costs relate to costs associated with restarting an existing facility or commissioning a new facility, circuit or process of our production, manufacturing, or separations facilities prior to the achievement of commercial production, that do not qualify for capitalization. Such costs, which are expensed as incurred, include certain salaries and wages, outside services, parts, training, and utilities, among other items, used or consumed directly in these start-up activities.
Start-up costs for the year ended December 31, 2023, increased by $13.8 million year over year, of which $12.8 million was associated with our Stage II optimization project and the remaining $1.0 million was associated with our Stage III initiatives. Given the commencement of initial production of separated products in late 2023, we expect start-up costs associated with Stage II will decrease meaningfully in 2024 as commercial production ramps, specifically since salaries and wages of certain employees will no longer be considered start-up, and instead will primarily be included in COS to the extent such costs are not absorbed into inventories. In addition, we currently expect start-up costs pertaining to our Stage III initiatives will increase in 2024 as we advance in starting up and developing our magnetics capability.
Advanced projects and development consists principally of costs incurred in connection with research and development of new processes or to significantly enhance our existing processes, and certain government contracts, as well as costs incurred to support growth initiatives or pursue other opportunities. Advanced projects and development for the year ended December 31, 2023, increased year over year primarily due to costs incurred for legal, consulting, and advisory services to support growth initiatives, such as potential acquisitions, mergers, or other investments, which increased by $9.0 million, and continued investment in research and development activities, which increased by $1.5 million and related primarily to Stage III magnetics.
Other operating costs and expenses consists primarily of accretion of asset retirement and environmental obligations; gains or losses on disposals of long-lived assets, including demolition costs; and write-downs of legacy stockpile inventories. Other operating costs and expenses for the year ended December 31, 2023, increased by $5.4 million year over year as a result of $5.5 million in demolition costs associated with demolishing and removing certain out-of-use older facilities and infrastructure from the Mountain Pass site to accommodate future expansion in rare earth processing.
Interest expense, net principally consists of the expense associated with the 0.25% per annum interest rate and the amortization of the debt issuance costs on our Convertible Notes (as defined in the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section below) and the amortization of the discount on a prior debt obligation to Shenghe, offset by capitalized interest. Interest expense, net for the year ended December 31, 2023, decreased year over year due to the full repayment of a debt obligation to Shenghe in the first quarter of 2022.
Other income, net consists of interest and investment income and non-operating gains or losses. Other income, net for the year ended December 31, 2023, increased year over year as a result of interest and investment income earned on our short-term investments, which were purchased starting in the second quarter of 2022. Interest and investment income is principally generated from accretion of the discount on such investments.
Income tax expense consists of an estimate of U.S. federal and state income taxes in the jurisdictions in which we conduct business, adjusted for federal, state and local allowable income tax benefits, the effect of permanent differences and any valuation allowance against deferred tax assets. The effective tax rate (income tax expense as a percentage of income before income taxes) was 26.5%, 15.3% and 15.7% for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2023, differed from the statutory tax rate of 21% primarily due to a deduction limitation on officers’ compensation and a valuation against certain deferred tax assets, offset by the California Competes Tax Credit.
The Section 45X Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit (the “45X Credit”) provides a credit equal to 10% of eligible “production costs incurred” with respect to the production and sale of critical minerals, including NdPr oxide. In December 2023, the Internal Revenue Service released proposed regulations on the 45X Credit, which, among other things, clarified the definition of “production costs incurred.” The proposed regulations exclude direct and indirect materials costs, including costs related to the extraction or acquisition of raw materials, from the definition of “production costs incurred.” If the proposed regulations are approved as currently written, the exclusion of these costs may result in the 45X Credit being materially less than we originally anticipated. We formally submitted comments on the proposed regulations in support of including materials and extraction costs in the definition of “production costs incurred” related to critical minerals under the 45X Credit. For additional information on the 45X Credit, refer to Note 12, “Income Taxes,” and Note 16, “Government Grants,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
43
Table of Contents
Quarterly Performance Trend
While our business is not highly seasonal in nature, we sometimes experience a timing lag between production and sales, which may result in volatility in our results of operations between periods. The timing lag may be the result of, or influenced by, factors such as the timing and duration of shipments or the time required to convert materials. In addition, quarterly production of concentrate is impacted by the timing of scheduled outages of our production facilities for maintenance, which typically occur in the second and fourth quarters. Finally, starting in the third quarter of 2023, as we ramp up production of separated rare earth materials, we expect that significant volumes of REO produced will be retained for separation and not sold as concentrate.
The following table presents our KPIs for the quarterly periods indicated:
| FY2023 | FY2022 | FY2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in whole units or dollars) | Q4 | Q3 | Q2 | Q1 | Q4 | Q3 | Q2 | Q1 | Q4 | Q3 | Q2 | Q1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rare earth concentrate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| REO Production Volume (MTs) | 9,257 | 10,766 | 10,863 | 10,671 | 10,485 | 10,886 | 10,300 | 10,828 | 10,261 | 11,998 | 10,305 | 9,849 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| REO Sales Volume (MTs) | 7,174 | 9,177 | 10,271 | 10,215 | 10,816 | 10,676 | 10,000 | 11,706 | 9,674 | 12,814 | 9,877 | 9,793 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Realized Price per REO MT | $ | 5,622 | $ | 5,718 | $ | 6,231 | $ | 9,365 | $ | 8,515 | $ | 11,636 | $ | 13,918 | $ | 13,818 | $ | 10,101 | $ | 7,693 | $ | 7,343 | $ | 5,891 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Production Cost per REO MT(1) | $ | 2,393 | $ | 2,020 | $ | 1,938 | $ | 1,978 | $ | 1,928 | $ | 1,653 | $ | 1,750 | $ | 1,594 | $ | 1,525 | $ | 1,449 | $ | 1,538 | $ | 1,475 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Separated NdPr products | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NdPr Production Volume (MTs) | 150 | 50 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NdPr Sales Volume (MTs) | 10 | — | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NdPr Realized Price per KG | $ | 70 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| N/A = Not applicable as there was either no NdPr production volume or no NdPr sales volume in these periods. |
(1)As noted above, beginning with the first quarter of 2024, we will no longer present Production Cost per REO MT as this metric is focused solely on Stage I concentrate operations.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity refers to our ability to generate sufficient cash flows to meet the cash requirements of our business operations, including working capital and capital expenditure needs, contractual obligations, debt service and other commitments. In recent years, our principal sources of liquidity have been financing through the consummation of the business combination with Fortress Value Acquisition Corp. in November 2020, the issuance of the Convertible Notes in March 2021, and net cash from operating activities. As of December 31, 2023, we had $997.8 million of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments and $690.0 million principal amount of long-term debt.
Our results of operations and cash flows depend in large part upon the market prices of REO and particularly the price of rare earth concentrate. Rare earth concentrate is not quoted on any major commodities market or exchange and demand is currently constrained to a relatively limited number of refiners, a significant majority of which are based in China. Although we believe that our cash flows from operations and cash on hand are adequate to meet our liquidity requirements for the foreseeable future, uncertainty continues to exist as to the market price of REO, as evidenced by the volatility experienced in 2022 and the significant decrease seen in 2023, primarily due to concerns over the global economic conditions and actual or perceived concerns over increases in the supply of and/or decreases in demand for rare earth products. The significant decrease in the market price of rare earth products in 2023 negatively impacted our cash flows from operations and liquidity.
Our current working capital needs relate mainly to our mining, beneficiation, and separation operations. As we began the transition to selling separated rare earth products in 2023, our working capital needs increased materially, portions of which we expect to continue in 2024 as we ramp up the production and sales of separated rare earth products and advance our Stage III magnetics initiatives.
The completion of our mission to become a fully integrated domestic magnetics producer is expected to be capital intensive. With the construction portion of our Stage II optimization project complete, our principal capital expenditure requirements relate mainly to further investment in Mountain Pass, including the development of the HREE Facility, Upstream 60K, and other growth and investment projects, completing the buildout of the Fort Worth Facility, as well as periodic repairs and maintenance of mining and rare earth processing equipment. We expect to spend between $200 million and $250 million of capital costs in 2024, with further costs for all of these identified projects in 2025. Our future capital requirements will also depend on several other factors, including future acquisitions and potential additional investments in further downstream production.
44
Table of Contents
Our estimated costs or estimated time to complete and commission these projects may increase, potentially significantly, due to factors outside of our control. While we believe that we have sufficient cash resources to fund these initiatives and operating working capital in the near term, we cannot assure this. If our available resources prove inadequate to fund our plans or commitments, we may be forced to revise our strategy and business plans or could be required, or elect, to seek additional funding through public or private equity or debt financings; however, such funding may not be available on terms acceptable to us, if at all. Any delays in our ongoing capital projects or substantial cost increases, including construction costs and related materials costs related to their execution, could significantly impact our ability to maximize our revenue opportunities and adversely impact our business and cash flows.
Debt and Other Long-Term Obligations
Convertible Notes: In March 2021, we issued $690.0 million aggregate principal amount of 0.25% unsecured green convertible senior notes that mature, unless earlier converted, redeemed or repurchased, on April 1, 2026 (the “Convertible Notes”), at a price of par. Interest on the Convertible Notes is payable on April 1st and October 1st of each year, beginning on October 1, 2021.
The Convertible Notes may, at our election, be settled in cash, shares of our common stock, or a combination thereof. We have the option to redeem the Convertible Notes, in whole or in part, beginning on April 5, 2024. The Convertible Notes are convertible into shares of our common stock at an initial conversion price of $44.28 per share, or 22.5861 shares, per $1,000 principal amount of notes, subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain corporate events. However, in no event will the conversion exceed 28.5714 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes.
Prior to January 1, 2026, at their election, holders of the Convertible Notes may convert their outstanding notes under the following circumstances: (i) during any calendar quarter commencing with the third quarter of 2021 if the last reported sale price of our common stock for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during the period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price on each applicable trading day; (ii) during the five business day period after any five consecutive trading day period (the “measurement period”) in which the trading price (as defined in the indenture governing the Convertible Notes) per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes for each trading day of the measurement period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of our common stock and the conversion rate on each such trading day; (iii) if we call any or all of the Convertible Notes for redemption, at any time prior to the close of business on the scheduled trading day immediately preceding the redemption date; or (iv) upon the occurrence of specified corporate events set forth in the indenture governing the Convertible Notes. On or after January 1, 2026, and prior to the maturity date of the Convertible Notes, holders may convert their outstanding notes at any time, regardless of the foregoing circumstances.
If we undergo a fundamental change (as defined in the indenture governing the Convertible Notes), holders may require us to repurchase for cash all or any portion of their outstanding notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the fundamental change repurchase date. In addition, following certain corporate events that occur prior to the maturity date of the Convertible Notes or if we deliver a notice of redemption, we will, in certain circumstances, increase the conversion rate for holders who elect to convert their outstanding notes in connection with such corporate event or notice of redemption, as the case may be.
At the time of issuance, we aimed to allocate an amount equal to the net proceeds from the Convertible Notes offering to existing or future investments in, or the financing or refinancing of, eligible “green projects” intended to reduce our environmental impact and/or enable the production of low-carbon technologies. As of December 31, 2023, all the net proceeds from the Convertible Notes offering were allocated to investments in eligible green projects, including through the utilization of the permitted 36-month lookback period. Until such time that the allocation was complete, the net proceeds were held for general corporate purposes.
Equipment Notes: We have financing agreements for the purchase of certain equipment, including trucks, tractors, loaders, graders, and various other machinery. As of December 31, 2023, we had $4.7 million in principal (and accrued interest) outstanding under the equipment notes, of which $2.1 million is due within the next 12 months.
Leases: We have lease arrangements for certain equipment and facilities, including office space, vehicles and equipment used in our operations. As of December 31, 2023, we had future expected lease payment obligations totaling $10.4 million, with $1.7 million due within the next 12 months. See Note 11, “Leases,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Purchase Obligations: Our outstanding purchase obligations as of December 31, 2023, primarily consist of purchase orders initiated with vendors and suppliers in the ordinary course of business for operating and maintenance capital
45
Table of Contents
expenditures that will be settled within one year. In certain instances, we are permitted to cancel, reschedule or adjust these orders. Consequently, only a small portion of these outstanding purchase orders relate to firm, non-cancelable and unconditional obligations. We have also entered into long-term supply arrangements for certain chemical reagents used in our operations, which is based on current consumption requirements.
Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations: See Note 8, “Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for our estimated cash requirements to settle asset retirement and environmental obligations.
Other: In order to support our Fort Worth Facility, we expect to hire at least an additional 100 full-time employees within the next two years, which will result in additional cash requirements for salaries, benefits and training. We also expect to spend an additional $5 million to $6 million within the next year on completing the implementation of a new enterprise resource planning system. Lastly, our engineering, procurement, and construction contracts are typically cancellable.
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our cash flows:
| For the year ended December 31, | Amount Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except percentages) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 vs 2022 | 2022 vs 2021 | 2023 vs 2022 | 2022 vs 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating activities | $ | 62,699 | $ | 343,514 | $ | 101,971 | $ | (280,815) | $ | 241,543 | (82) | % | 237 | % | |||||||||||
| Investing activities | $ | 68,697 | $ | (1,356,971) | $ | (119,363) | $ | 1,425,668 | $ | (1,237,608) | N/M | N/M | |||||||||||||
| Financing activities | $ | (9,917) | $ | (24,191) | $ | 666,109 | $ | 14,274 | $ | (690,300) | (59) | % | N/M |
N/M = Not meaningful.
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities: Net cash provided by operating activities decreased by $280.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the prior year, reflecting a decrease in revenue, an increase in inventories to support our Stage II separations facilities as well as our Stage III initiatives, and a $1.2 million increase in cash paid for income taxes, as compared to the prior year. The decrease in net cash provided by operating activities was partially offset by a $20.4 million increase in interest received on our short-term investments and money market funds for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the prior year. In addition, $13.6 million of our revenue was excluded from cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2022, since that portion of the sales price was retained by Shenghe to reduce the debt obligation, with no similar amount in the current year.
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities: Net cash provided by investing activities was $68.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to net cash used in investing activities of $1,357.0 million in the prior year. The change related primarily to activity in our short-term investments, with the total activity (i.e., purchases, sales, and maturities) in the current year resulting in net cash proceeds of $337.4 million, which were largely used to fund additions to property, plant and equipment. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the total activity in our short-term investments resulted in net cash purchases of $1,035.5 million. Additions to property, plant and equipment for the year ended December 31, 2023, which related primarily to construction spend on our Stage II optimization project, the Fort Worth Facility, and other investments in Mountain Pass, decreased by $64.7 million when compared to the prior year, which was largely due to the timing of substantially completing the assets associated with the Stage II optimization project. Net cash provided by investing activities in the current year was partially offset by a $9.7 million payment in exchange for a 49% equity interest in VREX Holdco.
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities: Net cash used in financing activities decreased by $14.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the prior year, reflecting lower tax withholding on stock-based awards and lower principal payments on debt obligations and finance leases, principally due to a $2.9 million payment to Shenghe in the prior year to fully satisfy the debt obligation.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We present Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Diluted EPS, Free Cash Flow, Production Costs, and Total Value Realized, which are non-GAAP financial measures that we use to supplement our results presented in accordance with GAAP. These measures may be similar to measures reported by other companies in our industry and are regularly used by securities analysts and investors to measure companies’ financial performance. Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income,
46
Table of Contents
Adjusted Diluted EPS, Free Cash Flow, Production Costs, and Total Value Realized are not intended to be substitutes for any GAAP financial measures and, as calculated, may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of performance or liquidity of other companies within our industry or in other industries.
Adjusted EBITDA
We define Adjusted EBITDA as our GAAP net income before interest expense, net; income tax expense or benefit; and depreciation, depletion and amortization; further adjusted to eliminate the impact of stock-based compensation expense; initial start-up costs; transaction-related and other costs; accretion of asset retirement and environmental obligations; gain or loss on disposals of long-lived assets; certain write-downs of inventories; tariff rebates; and other income or loss. We present Adjusted EBITDA because it is used by management to evaluate our underlying operating and financial performance and trends. Adjusted EBITDA excludes certain expenses that are required in accordance with GAAP because they are non-recurring, non-cash or are not related to our underlying business performance. This non-GAAP financial measure is intended to supplement our GAAP results and should not be used as a substitute for financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP.
The following table presents a reconciliation of our Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, to our net income, which is determined in accordance with GAAP:
| For the year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
| Net income | $ | 24,307 | $ | 289,004 | $ | 135,037 | ||||
| Adjusted for: | ||||||||||
| Depreciation, depletion and amortization | 55,709 | 18,356 | 24,382 | |||||||
| Interest expense, net | 5,254 | 5,786 | 8,904 | |||||||
| Income tax expense | 8,768 | 52,148 | 25,158 | |||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense(1) | 25,236 | 31,780 | 22,931 | |||||||
| Initial start-up costs(2) | 20,607 | 7,432 | 378 | |||||||
| Transaction-related and other costs(3) | 11,435 | 1,784 | 3,338 | |||||||
| Accretion of asset retirement and environmental obligations(4) | 908 | 1,477 | 2,375 | |||||||
| Loss on disposals of long-lived assets, net(4) | 6,326 | 391 | 569 | |||||||
| Write-down of inventories(4)(5) | — | — | 1,809 | |||||||
| Tariff rebate(6) | — | — | (2,050) | |||||||
| Other income, net(7) | (56,048) | (19,527) | (3,754) | |||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 102,502 | $ | 388,631 | $ | 219,077 |
(1)Principally included in “Selling, general and administrative” within our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(2)Included in “Start-up costs” within our Consolidated Statements of Operations and excludes any applicable stock-based compensation, which is included in the “Stock-based compensation expense” line above. Relates to certain costs incurred in connection with the commissioning and starting up of our initial separations capability at Mountain Pass and our initial magnet-making capabilities at Fort Worth prior to the achievement of commercial production. These costs include labor of incremental employees hired in advance to work directly on such commissioning activities, training costs, costs of testing and commissioning the new circuits and processes, and other related costs. Given the nature and scale of the related costs and activities, management does not view these as normal, recurring operating expenses, but rather as non-recurring investments to initially develop our separations and magnet-making capabilities. Therefore, we believe it is useful and necessary for investors to understand our core operating performance in current and future periods by excluding the impact of these start-up costs. To the extent additional start-up costs are incurred in the future to expand our separations and magnet-making capabilities after initial achievement of commercial production (e.g., significantly expanding production capacity at an existing facility or building a new separations or magnet manufacturing facility), such costs would not be considered an adjustment for this non-GAAP financial measure.
(3)Principally included in “Advanced projects and development” within our Consolidated Statements of Operations, and pertains to legal, consulting, and advisory services, and other costs associated with specific transactions, including potential acquisitions, mergers, or other investments.
(4)Included in “Other operating costs and expenses” within our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(5)Represents a non-cash write-down of a portion of our legacy low-grade stockpile inventory during the second quarter of 2021.
(6)Represents non-cash revenue recognized in connection with a tariff rebate received relating to product sales from prior periods.
(7)Amounts for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, are principally comprised of interest and investment income. Amount for the year ended December 31, 2021, principally represents a non-cash gain recognized as a result of the Small Business Administration’s approval to forgive the Paycheck Protection Loan.
47
Table of Contents
Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS
We calculate Adjusted Net Income as our GAAP net income excluding the impact of stock-based compensation expense; initial start-up costs; transaction-related and other costs; gain or loss on disposals of long-lived assets; certain write-downs of inventories; tariff rebates; and other items that we do not consider representative of our underlying operations; adjusted to give effect to the income tax impact of such adjustments; and the release of valuation allowance. We calculate Adjusted Diluted EPS as our GAAP diluted EPS excluding the per share impact, using adjusted diluted weighted-average shares outstanding as the denominator, of stock-based compensation expense; initial start-up costs; transaction-related and other costs; gain or loss on disposals of long-lived assets; certain write-downs of inventories; tariff rebates; and other items that we do not consider representative of our underlying operations; adjusted to give effect to the income tax impact of such adjustments; and the release of valuation allowance.
Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS exclude certain expenses that are required in accordance with GAAP because they are non-recurring, non-cash, or not related to our underlying business performance. To calculate the income tax impact of such adjustments on a year-to-date basis, we utilize an effective tax rate equal to our income tax expense excluding material discrete costs and benefits, with any impacts of changes in effective tax rate being recognized in the current period. We present Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS because it is used by management to evaluate our underlying operating and financial performance and trends. These non-GAAP financial measures are intended to supplement our GAAP results and should not be used as a substitute for financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP.
The following table presents a reconciliation of our Adjusted Net Income, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, to our net income, which is determined in accordance with GAAP:
| For the year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
| Net income | $ | 24,307 | $ | 289,004 | $ | 135,037 | ||||
| Adjusted for: | ||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense(1) | 25,236 | 31,780 | 22,931 | |||||||
| Initial start-up costs(2) | 20,607 | 7,432 | 378 | |||||||
| Transaction-related and other costs(3) | 11,435 | 1,784 | 3,338 | |||||||
| Loss on disposals of long-lived assets, net(4) | 6,326 | 391 | 569 | |||||||
| Write-down of inventories(4)(5) | — | — | 1,809 | |||||||
| Tariff rebate(6) | — | — | (2,050) | |||||||
| Other(7) | (51) | (273) | (3,754) | |||||||
| Tax impact of adjustments above(8) | (16,482) | (6,716) | (4,071) | |||||||
| Release of valuation allowance | — | (2,845) | — | |||||||
| Adjusted Net Income | $ | 71,378 | $ | 320,557 | $ | 154,187 |
(1)Principally included in “Selling, general and administrative” within our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(2)Included in “Start-up costs” within our Consolidated Statements of Operations and excludes any applicable stock-based compensation, which is included in the “Stock-based compensation expense” line above. Relates to certain costs incurred in connection with the commissioning and starting up of our initial separations capability at Mountain Pass and our initial magnet-making capabilities at Fort Worth prior to the achievement of commercial production. These costs include labor of incremental employees hired in advance to work directly on such commissioning activities, training costs, costs of testing and commissioning the new circuits and processes, and other related costs. Given the nature and scale of the related costs and activities, management does not view these as normal, recurring operating expenses, but rather as non-recurring investments to initially develop our separations and magnet-making capabilities. Therefore, we believe it is useful and necessary for investors to understand our core operating performance in current and future periods by excluding the impact of these start-up costs. To the extent additional start-up costs are incurred in the future to expand our separations and magnet-making capabilities after initial achievement of commercial production (e.g., significantly expanding production capacity at an existing facility or building a new separations or magnet manufacturing facility), such costs would not be considered an adjustment for this non-GAAP financial measure.
(3)Principally included in “Advanced projects and development” within our Consolidated Statements of Operations, and pertains to legal, consulting, and advisory services, and other costs associated with specific transactions, including potential acquisitions, mergers, or other investments.
(4)Included in “Other operating costs and expenses” within our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(5)Represents a non-cash write-down of a portion of our legacy low-grade stockpile inventory during the second quarter of 2021.
(6)Represents non-cash revenue recognized in connection with a tariff rebate received relating to product sales from prior periods.
(7)Amount for the year ended December 31, 2021, principally represents a non-cash gain recognized as a result of the Small Business Administration’s approval to forgive the Paycheck Protection Loan, which is included in “Other income, net” within our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(8)Tax impact of adjustments is calculated using an adjusted effective tax rate, which excludes the impact of discrete tax costs and benefits, to each adjustment. The adjusted effective tax rates were 25.9%, 16.3% and 17.5% for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. See Note 12, “Income Taxes,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on the effective tax rate.
48
Table of Contents
The following table presents a reconciliation of our Adjusted Diluted EPS, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, to our diluted EPS, which is determined in accordance with GAAP:
| For the year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||
| Diluted EPS | $ | 0.14 | $ | 1.52 | $ | 0.73 | ||||
| Adjusted for: | ||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 0.13 | 0.16 | 0.12 | |||||||
| Initial start-up costs | 0.11 | 0.04 | — | |||||||
| Transaction-related and other costs | 0.06 | 0.01 | 0.02 | |||||||
| Loss on disposals of long-lived assets, net | 0.03 | — | — | |||||||
| Write-down of inventories | — | — | 0.01 | |||||||
| Tariff rebate | — | — | (0.01) | |||||||
| Other | — | — | (0.02) | |||||||
| Tax impact of adjustments above(1) | (0.08) | (0.04) | (0.02) | |||||||
| Release of valuation allowance | — | (0.01) | — | |||||||
| Adjusted Diluted EPS | $ | 0.39 | $ | 1.68 | $ | 0.83 | ||||
| Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding | 178,152,212 | 193,453,087 | 189,844,028 | |||||||
| Assumed conversion of Convertible Notes(2) | 15,584,409 | — | — | |||||||
| Adjusted diluted weighted-average shares outstanding | 193,736,621 | 193,453,087 | 189,844,028 |
(1)Tax impact of adjustments is calculated using an adjusted effective tax rate, which excludes the impact of discrete tax costs and benefits, to each adjustment. The adjusted effective tax rates were 25.9%, 16.3% and 17.5% for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. See Note 12, “Income Taxes,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on the effective tax rate.
(2)The Convertible Notes were antidilutive for GAAP purposes for the year ended December 31, 2023. For purposes of calculating Adjusted Diluted EPS, we have added back the assumed conversion of the Convertible Notes since they would not be antidilutive when using Adjusted Net Income as the numerator in the calculation of Adjusted Diluted EPS.
Total Value Realized
Total Value Realized, which we used to calculate our KPI, Realized Price per REO MT, for the year ended December 31, 2021, is a non-GAAP financial measure. The following table presents a reconciliation of our Total Value Realized, to our rare earth concentrate sales, which is determined in accordance with GAAP, for the year ended December 31, 2021:
| (in thousands) | For the year ended December 31, 2021 | |
|---|---|---|
| Rare earth concentrate sales | $ | 328,563 |
| Adjusted for: | ||
| Tariff rebate(1) | (2,050) | |
| Total Value Realized | $ | 326,513 |
(1)Represents non-cash revenue recognized in connection with a tariff rebate received relating to product sales from prior periods.
49
Table of Contents
Production Costs
Production Costs, which we use to calculate our KPI, Production Cost per REO MT, is a non-GAAP financial measure. Production Cost per REO MT is a key indicator of our concentrate production efficiency. As mentioned above, beginning with the first quarter of 2024, we will no longer present Production Cost per REO MT, which is a metric focused solely on Stage I concentrate operations, as it will no longer be meaningful in evaluating and understanding our business or operating results. Accordingly, we will also no longer present Production Costs.
The following table presents a reconciliation of our Production Costs to our COS, which is determined in accordance with GAAP, as well as the calculation of Production Cost per REO MT:
| For the year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, unless otherwise stated) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
| Cost of sales (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization) | $ | 92,714 | $ | 92,218 | $ | 76,253 | ||||
| Adjusted for: | ||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense(1) | (3,932) | (2,853) | (4,294) | |||||||
| Shipping and freight(2) | (7,485) | (13,002) | (8,923) | |||||||
| Write-down of inventories(3) | (2,285) | — | — | |||||||
| Other(4) | (3,198) | (1,715) | (79) | |||||||
| Production Costs | 75,814 | 74,648 | 62,957 | |||||||
| Divided by: | ||||||||||
| REO Sales Volume (in MTs) | 36,837 | 43,198 | 42,158 | |||||||
| Production Cost per REO MT (in dollars) | $ | 2,058 | $ | 1,728 | $ | 1,493 |
(1)Pertains only to the amount of stock-based compensation expense included in “Cost of sales (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization)” within our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(2)Includes $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, of shipping and freight costs associated with sales of REF stockpiles.
(3)Amount pertains to a write-down of non-concentrate inventories, which is included in “Cost of sales (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization)” within the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(4)Amount for the year ended December 31, 2023, pertains to costs (excluding shipping and freight) associated with non-concentrate products. Amount for the year ended December 31, 2022, pertains primarily to costs (excluding shipping and freight) attributable to sales of REF stockpiles.
Free Cash Flow
We calculate Free Cash Flow as net cash provided by operating activities less additions to property, plant and equipment, net of proceeds from government awards used for construction. We believe Free Cash Flow is useful for comparing our ability to generate cash with that of our peers. The presentation of Free Cash Flow is not meant to be considered in isolation or as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities and does not necessarily indicate whether cash flows will be sufficient to fund cash needs.
The following table presents a reconciliation of our Free Cash Flow, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, to our net cash provided by operating activities, which is determined in accordance with GAAP:
| For the year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities(1) | $ | 62,699 | $ | 343,514 | $ | 101,971 | ||||
| Additions to property, plant and equipment, net(2) | (259,097) | (321,465) | (119,488) | |||||||
| Free Cash Flow | $ | (196,398) | $ | 22,049 | $ | (17,517) |
(1)Under the terms of the A&R Offtake Agreement and pursuant to the accounting treatment thereof, $13.6 million and $54.8 million of our revenue for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, was excluded from cash provided by operating activities since that portion of the sales price was retained by Shenghe to reduce the debt obligation.
(2)Amounts for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, are net of $2.8 million, $5.1 million and $4.4 million, respectively, in proceeds from government awards used for construction.
50
Table of Contents
Critical Accounting Estimates
Preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP requires our management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that impact the reported amount of revenue and operating expenses, assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We consider an accounting judgment, estimate or assumption to be critical when (i) the estimate or assumption is complex in nature or requires a high degree of judgment and (ii) the use of different judgments, estimates and assumptions could have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements. Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 2, “Significant Accounting Policies,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Our critical accounting estimates are described below.
Revenue
We recognize revenue from sales of rare earth products produced at Mountain Pass. Shenghe purchased the vast majority of our production for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, and is an affiliate of an equity holder of MP Materials. We recognize revenue at the point in time control of the products transfers to the customer and, under our offtake agreements with Shenghe, our performance obligation is typically satisfied when we deliver products to the agreed-upon shipping point. The transaction price with Shenghe is typically based on an agreed-upon price per MT, with an adjustment for the ultimate market price of the product realized by Shenghe in their sales to their customers, further adjusted for certain contractually negotiated amounts. At the end of each reporting period, we estimate forms of variable consideration, including an assessment on constraining such variable consideration, based on historical experience, current market prices and currency exchange rates, and other factors that can be reasonably anticipated. Historically, the differences between our estimates of variable consideration and actual consideration have not been material to any reporting period.
Asset Retirement Obligations
We recognize asset retirement obligations for estimated costs of legally and contractually required closure, dismantlement, and reclamation activities associated with Mountain Pass. Asset retirement obligations are initially recognized at their estimated fair value in the period in which the obligation is incurred. In determining fair value, management makes estimates based on the expected timing of reclamation activities; cash flows to perform activities, which involves utilizing an assumption for future inflation; amount and uncertainty associated with the cash flows, including adjustments for a market risk premium; and discounts such amounts using a credit-adjusted risk-free rate. Although we base our estimates on historical experience and reevaluate our estimated timing and cash flows regularly, since the majority of the cash flows to settle our asset retirement obligations occur decades in the future, it is inherently difficult to accurately predict the ultimate cash flows used to settle such obligations. As a result, these estimates and assumptions are subjective and can vary over time.
Since December 31, 2020, our asset retirement obligations have decreased from $25.6 million to $5.7 million as of December 31, 2023, as a result of revisions in our estimated timing and cash flows pertaining to required reclamation activities. In particular, as a result of an updated life-of-mine, which revised the estimated timing of cash flows by approximately an additional 13 years, we recorded a decrement of $9.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2021. Furthermore, during the year ended December 31, 2022, we recorded a decrement of $13.1 million, the effect of removing estimated cash flows pertaining to certain of our processing and separations facilities at Mountain Pass that no longer required reclamation. See Note 8, “Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Recently adopted and issued accounting pronouncements are described in Note 2, “Significant Accounting Policies,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
FY 2022 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001801368-23-000009.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 (this “Annual Report”). A discussion of changes in our results of operations and cash flows between years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, has been omitted from this Annual Report, but may be found in “Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019,” of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on February 28, 2022. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including, but not limited to, those set forth under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Annual Report. See also “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
Executive Overview
MP Materials Corp., including its subsidiaries (the “MP Materials,” “we,” “our,” and “us”), is the largest producer of rare earth materials in the Western Hemisphere. We own and operate the Mountain Pass Rare Earth Mine and Processing Facility (“Mountain Pass”), the only rare earth mining and processing site of scale in North America. We currently produce a rare earth concentrate that is principally sold pursuant to the Offtake Agreement to Shenghe (as such terms are defined in Note 3 “Relationship and Agreements with Shenghe,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements), that, in turn, typically sells that product to refiners in China. These refiners separate the constituent rare earth elements (“REE”) contained in our concentrate and sell the separated products to their customers.
Upon completing commissioning of the Stage II optimization project (“Stage II”), we anticipate producing and selling separated rare earth products, including neodymium-praseodymium (“NdPr”) oxide. In addition, we are constructing our initial rare earth metal, alloy and magnet manufacturing facility in Fort Worth, Texas (the “Fort Worth Facility”), where we anticipate manufacturing, among other products, neodymium-iron-boron (“NdFeB”) permanent magnets. Furthermore, in April 2022, we entered into a long-term supply agreement with General Motors Company (NYSE: GM) (“GM”) to supply U.S.-sourced and manufactured rare earth materials, alloy and finished magnets for the electric motors in more than a dozen models using GM’s Ultium Platform, with a gradual production ramp that is expected to begin in late 2023, starting with alloy. These developments are a part of our Stage III downstream expansion strategy (“Stage III”).
Certain REE serve as critical inputs for the rare earth magnets located inside the electric motors and generators powering carbon-reducing technologies such as electric vehicles (“EVs”) and wind turbines, as well as drones, defense systems, robotics and many other high-growth, advanced technologies. Our integrated operations at Mountain Pass combine low production costs with high environmental standards, thereby restoring American leadership to a critical industry with a strong commitment to sustainability.
Highlights from the year ended December 31, 2022, include:
•Revenue of $527.5 million, representing growth of 59% year over year, driven by an increase in realized price per rare earth oxide (“REO”) equivalent metric ton (“MT”);
•Net income of $289.0 million, representing growth of 114% year over year, largely driven by higher revenue, offset by higher cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses;
•Adjusted EBITDA (see below) of $388.6 million, representing growth of 77% year over year, driven by higher per-unit profitability, offset partially by higher personnel and other general and administrative costs;
•Adjusted Net Income (see below) of $320.6 million, representing growth of 108% year over year, largely driven by higher Adjusted EBITDA;
•Diluted earnings per share of $1.52, compared to $0.73 per share in the prior year;
•Net cash provided by operating activities of $343.5 million, an increase from $102.0 million in the prior year;
•Strong concentrate production volumes that remained steady year over year despite significant Stage II construction and recommissioning activities;
•Maintained strong balance sheet with cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaling $1,182.3 million as of December 31, 2022, despite significant capital expenditures to support Stage II and the Fort Worth Facility;
34
Table of Contents
•Substantially completed construction and/or commissioning of several circuits of the Stage II optimization project, including concentrate drying and roasting;
•Commenced construction of our Fort Worth Facility, including completion of the building shell in September 2022, and the entrance into a long-term supply agreement with GM to supply U.S.-sourced and manufactured rare earth materials, alloy and finished magnets; and
•Awarded a $35.0 million contract in February 2022 by the Department of Defense’s Office of Industrial Base Policy and Sustainment Program to design and build a facility to process heavy rare earth elements (“HREE”) at Mountain Pass.
Our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2022, demonstrate our strong operational execution as demand for rare earth materials continues to grow, driving the higher realized prices for rare earth products, particularly those used in NdFeB magnets. Our Stage I concentrate operations continue to deliver strong production levels despite the significant Stage II-related work, including commissioning of the concentrate drying and roasting circuits and other Stage II circuits. We continue to expect that we will reach normalized separated oxide production levels by the end of 2023 after we complete the final commissioning of the Stage II assets. In addition, our Stage III magnetics team has made significant progress on our strategy to repatriate magnet manufacturing to the United States, starting with our initial facility in Fort Worth, Texas, while rapidly growing the organization’s engineering and manufacturing technology capabilities.
We consider net income (loss) and diluted earnings (loss) per share (“EPS”) to be the most directly comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) to Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income, and Adjusted Diluted EPS, which are non-GAAP financial measures. Refer to the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section below for the definitions of Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income, and Adjusted Diluted EPS, as well as a reconciliation of net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income, and Diluted EPS to Adjusted Diluted EPS.
Key Performance Indicators
We have historically used the following key performance indicators to evaluate the performance of our business. However, as we evolve as a business and transition from a producer of rare earth concentrate to a producer of separated rare earth products upon completing the commissioning of our Stage II project, the metrics that management anticipates using to evaluate the business may change or be revised. For example, in completing the transition to separated rare earth products, we may determine that production cost per REO MT, which is a metric focused solely on Stage I concentrate operations, is no longer meaningful in evaluating and understanding our business or operating results. Our calculations of these performance indicators may differ from similar measures published by other companies in our industry or in other industries. The following table presents our key performance indicators:
| Year ended December 31, | Amount Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in whole units or dollars, except percentages) | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2022 vs. 2021 | 2021 vs. 2020 | 2022 vs. 2021 | 2021 vs. 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||
| REO production volume (MTs) | 42,499 | 42,413 | 38,503 | 86 | 3,910 | — | % | 10 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| REO sales volume (MTs) | 43,198 | 42,158 | 38,367 | 1,040 | 3,791 | 2 | % | 10 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Realized price per REO MT | $ | 11,974 | $ | 7,745 | $ | 3,311 | $ | 4,229 | $ | 4,434 | 55 | % | 134 | % | |||||||||||
| Production cost per REO MT | $ | 1,728 | $ | 1,493 | $ | 1,430 | $ | 235 | $ | 63 | 16 | % | 4 | % |
REO Production Volume
We measure our REO-equivalent production volume for a given period in MTs, our principal unit of sale. This measure refers to the REO content contained in the rare earth concentrate we produce. Our REO production volume is a key indicator of our mining and processing capacity and efficiency.
The rare earth concentrate we currently produce is a processed, concentrated form of our mined rare earth-bearing ores. While our unit of production and sale is a MT of embedded REO equivalent, the actual weight of our rare earth concentrate is significantly greater, as the concentrate also contains non-REO minerals, loss-on-ignition, and residual moisture from the production process. We target REO content of greater than 60% per dry MT of concentrate (referred to as “REO grade”). The elemental distribution of REO in our concentrate is relatively consistent over time and production lot. We consider this the natural distribution, as it reflects the distribution of elements contained, on average, in our ore.
35
Table of Contents
REO Sales Volume
Our REO sales volume for a given period is calculated in MTs. A unit, or MT, is considered sold for purposes of this performance indicator once we recognize revenue on its sale. Our REO sales volume is a key measure of our ability to convert our production into revenue.
Realized Price per REO MT
We calculate the realized price per REO MT for a given period as the quotient of: (i) our Total Value Realized (see below) for a given period and (ii) our REO sales volume for the same period. We define Total Value Realized, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as our product sales adjusted for the revenue impact of tariff rebates related to prior period sales, and, in connection with our sales to Shenghe between January 1, 2020, and June 5, 2020 under the terms of the Original Offtake Agreement, the Shenghe Implied Discount (as defined and discussed in Note 3 “Relationship and Agreements with Shenghe,” and Note 4 “Revenue Recognition,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements).
Realized price per REO MT is an important measure of the market price of our concentrate product. Accordingly, we calculate realized price per REO MT to reflect a consistent basis between periods by eliminating the revenue impact of tariff rebates and the impact of recognizing revenue at a discount during the period between January 1, 2020, and June 5, 2020. See the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section below for a reconciliation of our Total Value Realized, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, to our product sales, which is determined in accordance with GAAP, as well as the calculation of realized price per REO MT.
Production Cost per REO MT
We calculate the production cost per REO MT for a given period as the quotient of: (i) our Production Costs (see below) for a given period and (ii) our REO sales volume for the same period. We define Production Costs, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as our cost of sales (excluding depletion, depreciation and amortization) less stock-based compensation expense included in cost of sales, shipping and freight costs, and costs attributable to certain other sales.
Production cost per REO MT is a key indicator of our concentrate production efficiency. As a significant portion of our cash costs of Stage I production are fixed, our production cost per REO MT is influenced by mineral recovery, REO grade, plant feed rate and production uptime. See the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section below for a reconciliation of our Production Costs, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, to our cost of sales (excluding depletion, depreciation and amortization), which is determined in accordance with GAAP, as well as the calculation of production cost per REO MT.
Key Factors Affecting Our Performance
We believe we are uniquely positioned to capitalize on the key trends of electrification and supply chain security, particularly as domestic EV production grows and demand for green technologies increases. Our continued success depends to a significant extent on our ability to take advantage of the following opportunities and meet the challenges associated with them.
Demand for REE
The key demand driver for REE is their use in a diverse array of growing end markets, including: clean-energy and transportation technologies (e.g., traction motors in EVs and hybrid electric vehicles, and generators in wind power turbines); consumer and medical applications (e.g., miniaturization of smart phones and other mobile devices, computing devices, speakers and microphones, fiber optics, lasers, robotics, medical ventilators, etc.); critical defense systems (e.g., guidance and control systems, global positioning systems, radar and sonar, drones, etc.); and essential industrial infrastructure (e.g., power tools, pollution-control systems in traditional internal-combustion automobiles, glass polishing, etc.).
We believe we benefit from the continued growth of the rare earth market, particularly the market for NdPr and permanent magnets, and from several demand tailwinds for REE. These include the trend toward electrification; geographic supply chain diversification, particularly in relation to China; the U.S. government initiatives to restore domestic supply of key minerals; and the increasing acceptance of environmental, social and governance mandates. However, changes in technology could also drive down the use of REE, including NdPr, in the components in which they are now used, or lead to a decline in reliance on such components altogether. We also operate in a competitive industry, and many of our key competitors are based in China, where competitors may not be subject to the same rigorous environmental standards and production costs are typically lower than in the United States.
36
Table of Contents
Maximizing Production Efficiency
In 2022, REO production continued to be approximately 3.5x greater than the highest ever production in a twelve-month period achieved at Mountain Pass prior to the implementation and completion of Stage I. These results were achieved through an optimized reagent scheme, lower process temperatures, better management of the tailings facility, and a commitment to operational excellence, driving approximately 95% uptime. Our Stage I optimization project enabled us to achieve what we believe to be world-class production cost levels for rare earth concentrate.
The success of our business reflects our ability to continue to manage our costs. Our production achievements in Stage I have provided economies of scale to lower production costs per MT of REO produced in concentrate. Furthermore, Stage II was designed to enable us to continue to manage our cost structure for separating REE through an optimized facility process flow. The reintroduction of the oxidizing roasting step will allow us to capitalize on the inherent advantages of the bastnaesite ore at Mountain Pass, which is uniquely suitable to low-cost refining by selectively eliminating the need to carry cerium, a lower-value mineral, through the separations process. Additionally, our location offers significant transportation advantages that create meaningful cost efficiencies in securing incoming supplies and shipping of our final products.
We currently operate a single site in a single location, and any stoppage in activity, including for reasons outside of our control, could adversely impact our production, results of operations and cash flows. In addition, several of our current and potential competitors are government supported and may have access to substantially more capital, which may allow them to make similar or greater efficiency improvements or undercut market prices for our product.
Development of Our REE Refining, Metal Alloy, and Magnet-Making Capabilities
Stage II advances our operations from the production of rare earth concentrate to the separation of individual REE. Significant commissioning activities commenced in the fourth quarter of 2022 beginning with the concentrate drying and roasting circuits. Construction and recommissioning of certain other circuits was also substantially complete in the fourth quarter of 2022. The project incorporated upgrades and enhancements to the prior facility process flow to reliably produce separated REE at a low cost and with the intent of minimizing our impact on the environment. As part of Stage II, we have reintroduced an oxidizing roasting circuit, reoriented portions of the plant process flow, increased product finishing capacity, improved wastewater management, and made other improvements to materials handling and storage. Upon reaching run-rate production of REE in Stage II, we expect to be a global low-cost, high-volume producer of NdPr oxide, which represents a majority of the value contained in our concentrate.
In February 2022, we were awarded a $35.0 million contract by the Department of Defense’s Office of Industrial Base Policy and Sustainment Program to design and build a facility to process HREE. Successful completion of this project will establish, for the first time in many years, commercial-scale processing and separation of HREE in support of commercial and defense applications in the United States. The HREE processing and separations facility (the “HREE Facility”) will be built at Mountain Pass and will be integrated into the rest of our Stage I and Stage II facilities. The Company is currently advancing the facilitating works, engineering and procurement for the HREE Facility, which is expected to support the separating of HREE contained in the Mountain Pass ore as well as from third-party feedstocks.
In addition, we are currently constructing the Fort Worth Facility, and developing engineering and manufacturing technology to process NdPr oxide into metal alloys and magnets, while incorporating magnet recycling capabilities. These initiatives support our long-term plans to become a leading global source for rare earth magnets. We believe integration into magnet production will provide some protection from commodity pricing volatility, while also enhancing our business profile as the producer of a critical industrial output in addition to a producer of resources. We expect our Stage III efforts to continue to benefit from geopolitical developments, including initiatives to repatriate critical materials supply chains.
Our Mineral Reserves
Our ore body has proven over more than 60 years of operations to be one of the world’s largest and highest-grade rare earth resources. As of December 31, 2022, SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc., an independent consulting firm that we retained to assess our reserves, estimated total proven and probable reserves of 1.96 million short tons of REO contained in 29.30 million short tons of ore at Mountain Pass, with an average ore grade of 6.32%. These estimates use an estimated economical cut-off of 2.49% total rare earth oxide. Based on these estimated reserves and our expected annual production rate of REO upon completing the commissioning of Stage II, our expected mine life was approximately 34 years as of December 31, 2022. Over time, we expect to be able to continue to grow our expected mine life through additional exploratory drilling and improved processing capabilities, which may result in changes to various assumptions underlying our mineral reserve estimate.
37
Table of Contents
Mining activities in the United States are heavily regulated, particularly in California. Regulatory changes may make it more challenging for us to access our reserves. In addition, new mineral deposits may be discovered elsewhere, which could make our operations less competitive.
Results of Operations
Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020
The following table summarizes our results of operations:
| For the year ended December 31, | Amount Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except percentages) | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2022 vs. 2021 | 2021 vs. 2020 | 2022 vs. 2021 | 2021 vs. 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Product sales | $ | 517,267 | $ | 328,563 | $ | 133,697 | $ | 188,704 | $ | 194,866 | 57 | % | 146 | % | |||||||||||
| Other sales | 10,243 | 3,389 | 613 | 6,854 | 2,776 | 202 | % | 453 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Total revenue | 527,510 | 331,952 | 134,310 | 195,558 | 197,642 | 59 | % | 147 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Operating costs and expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales(1) | 92,218 | 76,253 | 63,798 | 15,965 | 12,455 | 21 | % | 20 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 75,840 | 56,646 | 26,767 | 19,194 | 29,879 | 34 | % | 112 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Advanced projects, start-up, development and other | 11,817 | 4,573 | 140 | 7,244 | 4,433 | 158 | % | n.m. | |||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation, depletion and amortization | 18,356 | 24,382 | 6,931 | (6,026) | 17,451 | (25) | % | 252 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Accretion of asset retirement and environmental obligations | 1,477 | 2,375 | 2,255 | (898) | 120 | (38) | % | 5 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Loss on sale or disposal of long-lived assets, net | 391 | 569 | 101 | (178) | 468 | (31) | % | 463 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Royalty expense | — | — | 2,406 | — | (2,406) | n.m. | (100) | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Write-down of inventories | — | 1,809 | — | (1,809) | 1,809 | (100) | % | n.m. | |||||||||||||||||
| Settlement charge | — | — | 66,615 | — | (66,615) | n.m. | (100) | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Total operating costs and expenses | 200,099 | 166,607 | 169,013 | 33,492 | (2,406) | 20 | % | (1) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | 327,411 | 165,345 | (34,703) | 162,066 | 200,048 | 98 | % | n.m. | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | (5,786) | (8,904) | (5,009) | 3,118 | (3,895) | (35) | % | 78 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Other income, net | 19,527 | 3,754 | 251 | 15,773 | 3,503 | 420 | % | n.m. | |||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | 341,152 | 160,195 | (39,461) | 180,957 | 199,656 | 113 | % | n.m. | |||||||||||||||||
| Income tax benefit (expense) | (52,148) | (25,158) | 17,636 | (26,990) | (42,794) | 107 | % | n.m. | |||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 289,004 | $ | 135,037 | $ | (21,825) | $ | 153,967 | $ | 156,862 | 114 | % | n.m. | ||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA(2) | $ | 388,631 | $ | 219,077 | $ | 42,609 | $ | 169,554 | $ | 176,468 | 77 | % | 414 | % | |||||||||||
| Adjusted Net Income(2) | $ | 320,557 | $ | 154,187 | $ | 19,748 | $ | 166,370 | $ | 134,439 | 108 | % | 681 | % |
n.m. - Not meaningful.
(1)Excludes depreciation, depletion and amortization.
(2)See the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section below.
Revenue consists primarily of product sales, which pertain to our sales of rare earth concentrate principally to Shenghe under the Original Offtake Agreement, the A&R Offtake Agreement, or the Offtake Agreement. The sales price of rare earth concentrate sold to Shenghe under these agreements is based on an agreed-upon price per MT, subject to certain quality adjustments depending on the measured characteristics of the product, with an adjustment for the ultimate market price of the product realized by Shenghe upon sales to their customers, including the impact of changes in the exchange rate between the Chinese Yuan and the U.S. dollar. As discussed above, revenue recorded on sales under the Original Offtake Agreement also reflects the Shenghe Implied Discount.
The increase in product sales for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to the prior year, was driven by a higher realized price per REO MT, which increased by 55%, reflecting higher demand for rare earth products. REO sales volume and REO production volume were relatively unchanged for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to the prior year, with higher ore feed rates largely offsetting lower ore feed grade. REO sales volume varies period to period based on the timing of shipments, but generally tracks our REO production volumes over time given our take-or-pay arrangements with Shenghe. See the “Quarterly Performance Trend” section below.
38
Table of Contents
The increase in other sales for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to the prior year, was driven primarily by $8.5 million of revenue related to a sales agreement with Shenghe entered into in March 2022 for certain stockpiles of rare earth fluoride (“REF”).
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization) consists of production- and processing-related labor costs (including wages and salaries, benefits, and bonuses), mining and processing supplies (such as reagents), parts and labor for the maintenance of our mining fleet and processing facilities, other facilities-related costs (such as property taxes and utilities), packaging materials, and shipping and freight costs.
Cost of sales for the year ended December 31, 2022, increased year over year primarily due to increase in production cost per REO from $1,493 for the year ended December 31, 2021, to $1,728 for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in production cost per REO MT was driven by higher materials, supplies and payroll costs, including an increase in employee headcount to support the expansion of operations, as well as higher energy costs incurred following the restart of our combined heat and power (“CHP”) plant in January 2022. These increases in costs offset production efficiencies achieved during the year ended December 31, 2022. Additionally, shipping and freight costs increased by $4.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to the prior year, largely driven by higher diesel fuel costs. Production cost per REO MT varies period to period based on the timing of scheduled outages of our production facilities for maintenance. See the “Quarterly Performance Trend” section below.
Selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of accounting, finance and administrative personnel costs, including stock-based compensation expense related to these personnel; professional services (including legal, regulatory, audit and others); certain engineering expenses; insurance, license and permit costs; facilities rent and other costs; office supplies; general facilities expenses; and certain environmental, health and safety expenses.
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2022, increased by $19.2 million, or 34%, as compared to prior year, driven by higher stock-based compensation expense, which increased by $10.3 million when compared to prior year, primarily from a grant of restricted stock units made to our Chief Executive Officer during the fourth quarter of 2021. Other year-over-year increases included higher personnel costs (other than stock-based compensation expense), which increased $6.5 million, and other general and administrative costs required to further build out our corporate infrastructure and support our separations business and magnetics initiatives.
Advanced projects, start-up, development and other consists principally of costs incurred in connection with research and development of new processes or to significantly enhance our existing processes, certain government contracts, and start-up costs, as well as costs incurred to support growth initiatives or pursue other opportunities. Advanced projects, start-up, development and other for the year ended December 31, 2022, increased year over year primarily due to an increase in start-up costs of $7.2 million, associated with the restart of our CHP plant, our Stage II optimization project and our Stage III initiatives, as well as continued investment in research and development activities, particularly with regards to magnetics.
Depreciation, depletion and amortization primarily consists of depreciation of property, plant and equipment and depletion of mineral rights. The year-over-year decrease in depreciation, depletion and amortization for the year ended December 31, 2022, was primarily driven by a decrease in depletion of $5.0 million as a result of a revision to extend our estimate of the remaining useful life of the mineral rights at the beginning of the fourth quarter of 2021. In addition, the year ended December 31, 2022, includes a reduction in depreciation of $2.7 million as a result of a decrement to our asset retirement obligation (see Note 10, “Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information).
Accretion of asset retirement and environmental obligations is based on the estimated future cash flows required to reclaim our mine pit and certain related facilities at Mountain Pass and to monitor groundwater contamination, respectively. Accretion of asset retirement and environmental obligations for the year ended December 31, 2022, decreased year over year primarily as a result of the decrements to our asset retirement obligation recorded during the fourth quarter of 2021 and the third quarter of 2022, the latter of which will further reduce the accretion of our asset retirement obligation in future periods.
Royalty expense relates to our obligation to pay SNR (as defined in the “Other Information” section below) for the right to extract rare earth ores contained in our mine. Following the Business Combination (as defined in the “Other Information” section below), we no longer incur royalty expenses on a consolidated basis.
Write-down of inventories for the year ended December 31, 2021, pertains to a non-cash write-down of a portion of our legacy low-grade stockpile inventory during the second quarter of 2021. See Note 6, “Inventories,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
39
Table of Contents
Settlement charge of $66.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, which was non-cash, was recorded in connection with the termination of the distribution and marketing agreement (the “DMA”) with Shenghe. See Note 3, “Relationship and Agreements with Shenghe,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of the termination of the DMA and associated accounting treatment.
Interest expense, net principally consists of the expense associated with the 0.25% per annum interest rate and the amortization of the debt issuance costs on our Convertible Notes (as defined in the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section below) and the amortization of the discount on our debt obligation to Shenghe, offset by interest capitalized. Interest expense, net for the year ended December 31, 2022, decreased year over year due to the full repayment of the Offtake Advances in the first quarter of 2022, offset by the timing of the issuance of the Convertible Notes in March 2021. During the year ended December 31, 2022, we capitalized interest of $0.4 million as compared to $0.3 million in the prior year.
Other income, net consists of interest and investment income and non-operating gains or losses. Other income, net for the year ended December 31, 2022, increased year over year as a result of interest and investment income earned on our short-term investments, which were purchased starting in the second quarter of 2022. The year-over-year increase was offset by a non-cash gain recognized during the second quarter of 2021 as a result of the Small Business Administration’s approval to forgive the Paycheck Protection Loan, which had a principal amount of $3.4 million.
Income tax benefit (expense) consists of an estimate of U.S. federal and state income taxes and income taxes in the jurisdictions in which we conduct business, adjusted for federal, state and local allowable income tax benefits, the effect of permanent differences and any valuation allowance against deferred tax assets. The effective tax rate (income taxes as a percentage of income or loss before income taxes) was 15.3% and 15.7% for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The effective tax rates differed from the statutory tax rate of 21% primarily due to benefits for percentage depletion and foreign-derived intangible income, excess tax benefits on stock-based compensation, and a partial release of the valuation allowance against deferred tax assets, offset by state income tax expense and a deduction limitation on officer’s compensation.
On August 16, 2022, the U.S. government enacted the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 which, among other things, implements a 15% minimum tax on book income of certain large corporations, a 1% excise tax on net stock repurchases, and provides several tax incentives to promote clean energy for tax years beginning after December 31, 2022. At this time, we do not expect the minimum tax or excise tax to have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements. We are continuing to evaluate the impact of the clean energy incentives.
Quarterly Performance Trend
While our business is not highly seasonal in nature, we sometimes experience a timing lag between production and sales, which may result in volatility in our results of operations between periods. In addition, quarterly production is impacted by the timing of scheduled outages of our production facilities for maintenance, which typically occur in the second and fourth quarter. As noted above, as we evolve as a business and transition from a producer of rare earth concentrate to a producer of separated rare earth products, the metrics that management anticipates using to evaluate the business may change or be revised.
The following table presents our key performance indicators for the quarterly periods indicated:
| FY2022 | FY2021 | FY2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in whole units or dollars) | Q4 | Q3 | Q2 | Q1 | Q4 | Q3 | Q2 | Q1 | Q4 | Q3 | Q2 | Q1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| REO production volume (MTs) | 10,485 | 10,886 | 10,300 | 10,828 | 10,261 | 11,998 | 10,305 | 9,849 | 9,337 | 10,197 | 9,287 | 9,682 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| REO sales volume (MTs) | 10,816 | 10,676 | 10,000 | 11,706 | 9,674 | 12,814 | 9,877 | 9,793 | 10,320 | 9,429 | 10,297 | 8,321 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Realized price per REO MT | $ | 8,515 | $ | 11,636 | $ | 13,918 | $ | 13,818 | $ | 10,101 | $ | 7,693 | $ | 7,343 | $ | 5,891 | $ | 4,070 | $ | 3,393 | $ | 3,093 | $ | 2,544 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Production cost per REO MT | $ | 1,928 | $ | 1,653 | $ | 1,750 | $ | 1,594 | $ | 1,525 | $ | 1,449 | $ | 1,538 | $ | 1,475 | $ | 1,589 | $ | 1,389 | $ | 1,412 | $ | 1,300 |
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity refers to our ability to generate sufficient cash flows to meet the cash requirements of our business operations, including working capital and capital expenditure needs, contractual obligations, debt service and other commitments. In recent years, our principal sources of liquidity have been financing through the consummation of the Business Combination, the issuance of the Convertible Notes in March 2021, and net cash from operating activities. As of December 31, 2022, we had $1,182.3 million of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments and $690.0 million principal amount of long-term debt.
Our results of operations and cash flows depend in large part upon the market prices of REO and particularly the price of rare earth concentrate. Rare earth concentrate is not quoted on any major commodities market or exchange and demand is
40
Table of Contents
currently limited to a relatively limited number of refiners, a significant majority of which are based in China. Although we believe that our cash flows from operations and cash on hand are adequate to meet our liquidity requirements for the foreseeable future, uncertainty exists as to the market price of REO, as evidenced by the volatility experienced in 2022, especially in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, including the emergence of new and potential future variants.
Our current working capital needs relate mainly to our mining and beneficiation operations. However, as we transition to selling separated REO and other rare earth products, and advance our Stage III magnetics initiatives, we anticipate our working capital needs will increase significantly. Our principal capital expenditure requirements relate mainly to completing the commissioning of our Stage II optimization project, constructing the HREE Facility, and developing the Fort Worth Facility, as well as periodic replacement of mining or processing equipment. Our future capital requirements will also depend on several other factors, including future acquisitions and potential additional investments in further downstream production.
The completion of our mission to become a fully integrated domestic magnetics producer is expected to be capital intensive. In accelerating the strategic opportunity for the separation of HREE, enhancements were made to the initial scope of the Stage II project. Including these enhancements and other factors impacting the remaining cost of completion and including certain early design and procurement costs associated with the HREE Facility, and the development and construction costs of the Fort Worth Facility, as well as other growth and infrastructure investments at Mountain Pass, we expect to spend approximately $300 million of capital costs in 2023. We expect to incur further costs to complete the HREE Facility and the Fort Worth Facility in 2024, in addition to investing in other growth and maintenance projects.
Our estimated costs or estimated time to complete and commission these projects may increase, potentially significantly, due to factors outside of our control. While we believe that we have sufficient cash resources to fund these initiatives and operating working capital in the near term, we cannot assure this. If our available resources prove inadequate to fund our plans or commitments, we may be forced to revise our strategy and business plans or could be required, or elect, to seek additional funding through public or private equity or debt financings; however, such funding may not be available on terms acceptable to us, if at all. Any delays in our ongoing capital projects or substantial cost increases, including construction costs and related materials costs related to their execution, could significantly impact our ability to maximize our revenue opportunities and adversely impact our business and cash flows.
Debt and Other Long-Term Obligations
Convertible Notes: In March 2021, we issued $690.0 million aggregate principal amount of 0.25% unsecured green convertible senior notes that mature, unless earlier converted, redeemed or repurchased, on April 1, 2026 (the “Convertible Notes”), at a price of par. Interest on the Convertible Notes is payable on April 1st and October 1st of each year, beginning on October 1, 2021.
The Convertible Notes may, at our election, be settled in cash, shares of our common stock, or a combination thereof. We have the option to redeem the Convertible Notes, in whole or in part, beginning on April 5, 2024. The Convertible Notes are convertible into shares of our common stock at an initial conversion price of $44.28 per share, or 22.5861 shares, per $1,000 principal amount of notes, subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain corporate events. However, in no event will the conversion exceed 28.5714 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes.
Prior to January 1, 2026, at their election, holders of the Convertible Notes may convert their outstanding notes under the following circumstances: (i) during any calendar quarter commencing with the third quarter of 2021 if the last reported sale price of our common stock for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during the period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price on each applicable trading day; (ii) during the five business day period after any five consecutive trading day period (the “measurement period”) in which the trading price (as defined in the indenture governing the Convertible Notes) per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes for each trading day of the measurement period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of our common stock and the conversion rate on each such trading day; (iii) if we call any or all of the Convertible Notes for redemption, at any time prior to the close of business on the scheduled trading day immediately preceding the redemption date; or (iv) upon the occurrence of specified corporate events set forth in the indenture governing the Convertible Notes. On or after January 1, 2026, and prior to the maturity date of the Convertible Notes, holders may convert their outstanding notes at any time, regardless of the foregoing circumstances.
If we undergo a fundamental change (as defined in the indenture governing the Convertible Notes), holders may require us to repurchase for cash all or any portion of their outstanding notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the fundamental change repurchase date. In addition, following certain corporate events that occur prior to the maturity date of the Convertible Notes or if we deliver a notice of
41
Table of Contents
redemption, we will, in certain circumstances, increase the conversion rate for holders who elect to convert their outstanding notes in connection with such corporate event or notice of redemption, as the case may be.
We aim to allocate an amount equal to the net proceeds from the Convertible Notes offering to existing or future investments in, or the financing or refinancing of, eligible “green projects.” Eligible green projects are intended to reduce our environmental impact and/or enable the production of low-carbon technologies. Pending such allocation of the net proceeds to eligible green projects, we may use the net proceeds from the Convertible Notes offering for general corporate purposes.
Equipment Notes: We have previously entered into several financing agreements for the purchase of equipment, including trucks, tractors, loaders, graders, and various other machinery. As of December 31, 2022, we had $7.1 million in principal (and accrued interest) outstanding under the equipment notes, of which $2.4 million is due within the next 12 months.
Leases: We have lease arrangements for certain equipment and facilities, including office space, vehicles and equipment used in our operations. As of December 31, 2022, we had future expected lease payment obligations, including leases that have not yet commenced, totaling $10.7 million, with $1.7 million due within the next 12 months.
Purchase Obligations: Our outstanding purchase obligations as of December 31, 2022, primarily consist of purchase orders initiated with vendors and suppliers in the ordinary course of business for operating and maintenance capital expenditures that will be settled within one year. In certain instances, we are permitted to cancel, reschedule or adjust these orders. Consequently, only a small portion of these outstanding purchase orders relate to firm, non-cancelable and unconditional obligations. We have also entered into long-term supply arrangements for certain chemical reagents used in our operations, which is based on current consumption requirements.
Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations: See Note 10, “Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for our estimated cash requirements to settle asset retirement and environmental obligations.
Other: In order to support our Stage II separations, HREE Facility, and Fort Worth Facility, we expect to hire at least an additional 175 full-time employees within the next two years, which will result in additional cash requirements for salaries, benefits and training. In addition, we expect to spend approximately $8 million to $10 million within the next two years on implementing a new enterprise resource planning system. Lastly, our engineering, procurement, and construction contracts are typically cancellable.
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our cash flows:
| For the year ended December 31, | Amount Change | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except percentages) | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2022 vs 2021 | 2021 vs 2020 | 2022 vs 2021 | 2021 vs 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating activities | $ | 343,514 | $ | 101,971 | $ | 3,277 | $ | 241,543 | $ | 98,694 | 237 | % | n.m. | |||||||||||
| Investing activities | $ | (1,356,971) | $ | (119,363) | $ | (22,370) | $ | (1,237,608) | $ | (96,993) | n.m. | 434 | % | |||||||||||
| Financing activities | $ | (24,191) | $ | 666,109 | $ | 521,961 | $ | (690,300) | $ | 144,148 | n.m. | 28 | % |
n.m. - Not meaningful.
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities: Net cash provided by operating activities increased by $241.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to the prior year, reflecting the increase in product sales and a net increase due to the timing of receipt or payment of working capital items, such as accounts receivable, despite a year-over-year build in inventories, partially offset by increases in our cost of sales; selling, general and administrative expenses; and payments for income taxes of $18.9 million. In addition, $13.6 million of our product sales was excluded from cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2022, since that portion of the sales price was retained by Shenghe to reduce the debt obligation, compared to $54.8 million in the prior year.
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities: Net cash used in investing activities increased by $1,237.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to the prior year, reflecting gross purchases of short-term investments of $2,779.7 million and sales and maturities of short-term investments of $1,744.2 million; an increase in additions to property, plant and equipment relating primarily to our Stage II optimization project and the construction of our Fort Worth Facility; and a $0.7 million increase in proceeds from government awards used for construction, specifically our Stage II optimization project.
42
Table of Contents
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities: Net cash used in financing activities was $24.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $666.1 million in the prior year. The current year consisted primarily of tax withholding on stock-based awards and principal payments on debt obligations and finance leases while the prior year consisted primarily of the net proceeds received from the issuance of the Convertible Notes in March 2021 of $672.3 million.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We present Total Value Realized, Production Costs, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Diluted EPS, and Free Cash Flow, which are non-GAAP financial measures that we use to supplement our results presented in accordance with GAAP. These measures may be similar to measures reported by other companies in our industry and are regularly used by securities analysts and investors to measure companies’ financial performance. Total Value Realized, Production Costs, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Diluted EPS, and Free Cash Flow are not intended to be a substitute for any GAAP financial measure and, as calculated, may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of performance or liquidity of other companies within our industry or in other industries.
Total Value Realized
Total Value Realized, which we use to calculate our key performance indicator, realized price per REO MT, is a non-GAAP financial measure. As mentioned above, realized price per REO MT is an important measure of the market price of our product. The following table presents a reconciliation of our Total Value Realized, to our product sales, which is determined in accordance with GAAP, as well as the calculation of realized price per REO MT:
| For the year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, unless otherwise stated) | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||
| Product sales | $ | 517,267 | $ | 328,563 | $ | 133,697 | ||||
| Adjusted for: | ||||||||||
| Shenghe Implied Discount(1) | — | — | 3,664 | |||||||
| Tariff rebates(2) | — | (2,050) | (10,347) | |||||||
| Total Value Realized | 517,267 | 326,513 | 127,014 | |||||||
| Divided by: | ||||||||||
| REO sales volume (in MTs) | 43,198 | 42,158 | 38,367 | |||||||
| Realized Price per REO MT (in dollars) | $ | 11,974 | $ | 7,745 | $ | 3,311 |
(1)Represents the difference between the contractual amount realized by Shenghe and the amount of deferred revenue we recognized.
(2)Represents non-cash revenue recognized in connection with tariff rebates relating to product sales from prior periods. See Note 4, “Revenue Recognition,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Production Costs
Production Costs, which we use to calculate our key performance indicator, production cost per REO MT, is a non-GAAP financial measure. Production cost per REO MT is a key indicator of our concentrate production efficiency. As mentioned above, in completing the transition to separated rare earth products, we may determine that production cost per REO MT, which is a metric focused solely on Stage I concentrate operations, and consequently, Production Costs, are no longer meaningful in evaluating and understanding our business or operating results. The following table presents a reconciliation of our Production
43
Table of Contents
Costs to our cost of sales (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization), which is determined in accordance with GAAP, as well as the calculation of production cost per REO MT:
| For the year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, unless otherwise stated) | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||
| Cost of sales (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization) | $ | 92,218 | $ | 76,253 | $ | 63,798 | ||||
| Adjusted for: | ||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense(1) | (2,853) | (4,294) | (277) | |||||||
| Shipping and freight(2) | (13,002) | (8,923) | (8,220) | |||||||
| Other(3) | (1,715) | (79) | (446) | |||||||
| Production Costs | 74,648 | 62,957 | 54,855 | |||||||
| Divided by: | ||||||||||
| REO sales volume (in MTs) | 43,198 | 42,158 | 38,367 | |||||||
| Production Cost per REO MT (in dollars) | $ | 1,728 | $ | 1,493 | $ | 1,430 |
(1)Pertains only to the amount of stock-based compensation expense included in cost of sales.
(2)Includes $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, of shipping and freight costs associated with sales of REF stockpiles.
(3)Amount for the year ended December 31, 2022, pertains primarily to costs (excluding shipping and freight) attributable to sales of REF stockpiles.
Adjusted EBITDA
We define Adjusted EBITDA as our GAAP net income or loss before interest expense, net; income tax expense or benefit; and depreciation, depletion and amortization; further adjusted to eliminate the impact of stock-based compensation expense; transaction-related, start-up and other non-recurring costs; accretion of asset retirement and environmental obligations; gain or loss on sale or disposal of long-lived assets; write-downs of inventories; royalty expense; settlement charge; tariff rebates; and other income or loss. We present Adjusted EBITDA because it is used by management to evaluate our underlying operating and financial performance and trends. Adjusted EBITDA excludes certain expenses that are required in accordance with GAAP because they are non-recurring, non-cash or are not related to our underlying business performance. This non-GAAP financial measure is intended to supplement our GAAP results and should not be used as a substitute for financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP.
The following table presents a reconciliation of our Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, to our net income (loss), which is determined in accordance with GAAP:
| For the year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 289,004 | $ | 135,037 | $ | (21,825) | ||||
| Adjusted for: | ||||||||||
| Depreciation, depletion and amortization | 18,356 | 24,382 | 6,931 | |||||||
| Interest expense, net | 5,786 | 8,904 | 5,009 | |||||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | 52,148 | 25,158 | (17,636) | |||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense(1) | 31,780 | 22,931 | 5,014 | |||||||
| Transaction-related, start-up and other non-recurring costs(2) | 9,216 | 3,716 | 4,438 | |||||||
| Accretion of asset retirement and environmental obligations | 1,477 | 2,375 | 2,255 | |||||||
| Loss on sale or disposal of long-lived assets, net | 391 | 569 | 101 | |||||||
| Write-down of inventories | — | 1,809 | — | |||||||
| Royalty expense | — | — | 2,406 | |||||||
| Settlement charge | — | — | 66,615 | |||||||
| Tariff rebates(3) | — | (2,050) | (10,347) | |||||||
| Other income, net(4) | (19,527) | (3,754) | (352) | |||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 388,631 | $ | 219,077 | $ | 42,609 |
(1)Principally included in “Selling, general and administrative” within our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
44
Table of Contents
(2)Amount for the year ended December 31, 2022, is principally comprised of start-up costs, which relate to the restart of our CHP plant as well as certain costs associated with our Stage II optimization project and Stage III initiatives. Amount for the year ended December 31, 2021, includes mainly advisory, consulting, accounting and legal expenses principally in connection with secondary equity offerings and the redemption of our Public Warrants in May and June 2021. Amount for the year ended December 31, 2020, includes mainly advisory, consulting, accounting, legal expenses and one-time employee bonuses in connection with the Business Combination, as well as non-recurring costs for SAP implementation.
(3)Represents non-cash revenue recognized in connection with tariff rebates received relating to product sales from prior periods.
(4)Amount for the year ended December 31, 2022, is principally comprised of interest and investment income. Amount for the year ended December 31, 2021, principally represents a non-cash gain recognized as a result of the Small Business Administration’s approval to forgive the Paycheck Protection Loan.
Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS
We calculate Adjusted Net Income as our GAAP net income or loss excluding the impact of stock-based compensation expense; transaction-related, start-up and other non-recurring costs; gain or loss on sale or disposal of long-lived assets; write-downs of inventories; royalty expense; settlement charge; tariff rebates; and other items that we do not consider representative of our underlying operations; adjusted to give effect to the income tax impact of such adjustments; and the release of valuation allowance. We calculate Adjusted Diluted EPS as our GAAP diluted EPS excluding the per share impact, using GAAP diluted weighted-average shares outstanding as the denominator, of stock-based compensation expense; transaction-related, start-up and other non-recurring costs; gain or loss on sale or disposal of long-lived assets; write-downs of inventories; royalty expense; settlement charge; tariff rebates; and other items that we do not consider representative of our underlying operations; adjusted to give effect to the income tax impact of such adjustments; and the release of valuation allowance. Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS exclude certain expenses that are required in accordance with GAAP because they are non-recurring, non-cash, or not related to our underlying business performance. To calculate the income tax impact of such adjustments on a year-to-date basis, we utilize an effective tax rate equal to our income tax expense excluding material discrete costs and benefits, with any impacts of changes in effective tax rate being recognized in the current period. We present Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS because it is used by management to evaluate our underlying operating and financial performance and trends. These non-GAAP financial measures are intended to supplement our GAAP results and should not be used as a substitute for financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP.
Historically, we had excluded the depletion on the mineral rights for the rare earth ores contained in our mine, which were recorded at fair value upon the acquisition of SNR, from Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS. Effective September 30, 2022, we no longer exclude depletion expense when calculating and presenting Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS. For purposes of comparability, we have revised the prior years for this change.
The following table presents a reconciliation of our Adjusted Net Income, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, to our net income (loss), which is determined in accordance with GAAP:
| For the year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 289,004 | $ | 135,037 | $ | (21,825) | ||||
| Adjusted for: | ||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense(1) | 31,780 | 22,931 | 5,014 | |||||||
| Transaction-related, start-up and other non-recurring costs(2) | 9,216 | 3,716 | 4,438 | |||||||
| Loss on sale or disposal of long-lived assets, net | 391 | 569 | 101 | |||||||
| Write-down of inventories | — | 1,809 | — | |||||||
| Royalty expense | — | — | 2,406 | |||||||
| Settlement charge | — | — | 66,615 | |||||||
| Tariff rebates(3) | — | (2,050) | (10,347) | |||||||
| Other(4) | (273) | (3,754) | (352) | |||||||
| Tax impact of adjustments above(5) | (6,716) | (4,071) | (16,969) | |||||||
| Release of valuation allowance | (2,845) | — | (9,333) | |||||||
| Adjusted Net Income | $ | 320,557 | $ | 154,187 | $ | 19,748 |
(1)Principally included in “Selling, general and administrative” within our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(2)Amount for the year ended December 31, 2022, is principally comprised of start-up costs, which relate to the restart of our CHP plant as well as certain costs associated with our Stage II optimization project and Stage III initiatives. Amount for the year ended December 31, 2021, includes mainly advisory, consulting, accounting and legal expenses principally in connection with secondary equity offerings and the redemption of our Public
45
Table of Contents
Warrants in May and June 2021. Amount for the year ended December 31, 2020, includes mainly advisory, consulting, accounting, legal expenses and one-time employee bonuses in connection with the Business Combination, as well as non-recurring costs for SAP implementation.
(3)Represents non-cash revenue recognized in connection with tariff rebates received relating to product sales from prior periods.
(4)Amount for the year ended December 31, 2021, principally represents a non-cash gain recognized as a result of the Small Business Administration’s approval to forgive the Paycheck Protection Loan, which is included in “Other income, net” within our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(5)Tax impact of adjustments is calculated using an adjusted effective tax rate, which excludes the impact of discrete tax costs and benefits, to each adjustment. The adjusted effective tax rates were 16.3%, 17.5% and 25.0% for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. See Note 11, “Income Taxes,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on the effective tax rate.
The following table presents a reconciliation of our Adjusted Diluted EPS, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, to our diluted EPS, which is determined in accordance with GAAP:
| For the year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||
| Diluted EPS | $ | 1.52 | $ | 0.73 | $ | (0.27) | ||||
| Adjusted for: | ||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 0.16 | 0.12 | 0.06 | |||||||
| Transaction-related, start-up and other non-recurring costs(1) | 0.05 | 0.02 | 0.06 | |||||||
| Loss on sale or disposal of long-lived assets, net | — | — | — | |||||||
| Write-down of inventories | — | 0.01 | — | |||||||
| Royalty expense | — | — | 0.03 | |||||||
| Settlement charge | — | — | 0.84 | |||||||
| Tariff rebates(2) | — | (0.01) | (0.13) | |||||||
| Other(3) | — | (0.02) | — | |||||||
| Tax impact of adjustments above(4) | (0.04) | (0.02) | (0.22) | |||||||
| Release of valuation allowance | (0.01) | — | (0.12) | |||||||
| Adjusted Diluted EPS | $ | 1.68 | $ | 0.83 | $ | 0.25 | ||||
| Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding | 193,453,087 | 189,844,028 | 79,690,821 |
(1)Amount for the year ended December 31, 2022, is principally comprised of start-up costs, which relate to the restart of our CHP plant as well as certain costs associated with our Stage II optimization project and Stage III initiatives. Amount for the year ended December 31, 2021, includes mainly advisory, consulting, accounting and legal expenses principally in connection with secondary equity offerings and the redemption of our Public Warrants in May and June 2021. Amount for the year ended December 31, 2020, includes mainly advisory, consulting, accounting, legal expenses and one-time employee bonuses in connection with the Business Combination, as well as non-recurring costs for SAP implementation.
(2)Represents non-cash revenue recognized in connection with tariff rebates received relating to product sales from prior periods.
(3)Amount for the year ended December 31, 2021, principally represents a non-cash gain recognized as a result of the Small Business Administration’s approval to forgive the Paycheck Protection Loan, which is included in “Other income, net” within our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(4)Tax impact of adjustments is calculated using an adjusted effective tax rate, which excludes the impact of discrete tax costs and benefits, to each adjustment. The adjusted effective tax rates were 16.3%, 17.5% and 25.0% for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. See Note 11, “Income Taxes,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on the effective tax rate.
Free Cash Flow
We calculate Free Cash Flow as net cash provided by operating activities less additions to property, plant and equipment, net of proceeds from government awards used for construction. We believe Free Cash Flow is useful for comparing our ability to generate cash with that of our peers. The presentation of Free Cash Flow is not meant to be considered in isolation or as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities and does not necessarily indicate whether cash flows will be sufficient to fund cash needs.
The following table presents a reconciliation of our Free Cash Flow, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, to our net cash provided by operating activities, which is determined in accordance with GAAP:
| For the year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities(1) | $ | 343,514 | $ | 101,971 | $ | 3,277 | ||||
| Additions to property, plant and equipment, net(2) | (321,465) | (119,488) | (22,370) | |||||||
| Free Cash Flow | $ | 22,049 | $ | (17,517) | $ | (19,093) |
46
Table of Contents
(1)As a result of the accounting treatment for the A&R Offtake Agreement, $13.6 million, $54.8 million and $21.3 million of our product sales for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively, were excluded from cash provided by operating activities since that portion of the sales price was retained by Shenghe to reduce the debt obligation.
(2)Amounts for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, are net of $5.1 million and $4.4 million, respectively, in proceeds from government awards used for construction, specifically our Stage II optimization project.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP requires our management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that impact the reported amount of revenue and operating expenses, assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We consider an accounting judgment, estimate or assumption to be critical when (i) the estimate or assumption is complex in nature or requires a high degree of judgment and (ii) the use of different judgments, estimates and assumptions could have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements. Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 2, “Significant Accounting Policies,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Our critical accounting estimates are described below.
Revenue
We recognize revenue from sales of rare earth products produced from our facility. Our principal customer, Shenghe, purchased the vast majority of our production for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, and is an affiliate of an equity holder of MP Materials. We recognize revenue at the point in time control of the products transfers to the customer and, under our offtake agreements with Shenghe, our performance obligation is typically satisfied when we deliver products to the agreed-upon shipping point. The transaction price with Shenghe is typically based on an agreed-upon price per MT but subject to certain quality adjustments based on REO content, with an adjustment for the ultimate market price of the product realized by Shenghe in their sales to their customers, further adjusted for certain contractually negotiated amounts. We typically negotiate with and bill an initial price to Shenghe; such prices are then updated based on final adjustments for REO content and/or actual sales prices realized by Shenghe. In addition, sales to Shenghe under the Original Offtake Agreement between January 1, 2020, and June 5, 2020, also reflected an adjustment for the Shenghe Implied Discount.
Debt Obligations and Imputed Interest Rate Applied to Debt Discount
In connection with the June 2020 Modification, we recorded a total principal amount of $94.0 million in debt due to the nature of our obligations, including a carrying amount of $85.7 million based on the fair value of the instrument upon issuance, offset by the resulting debt discount of $8.3 million. Since the A&R Offtake Agreement did not have a stated rate, and the timing and method of repayment was contingent on several factors, including our production and sales volumes, market prices realized by Shenghe, our sales to other parties, our asset sales and the amount of our annual net income, we estimated the timing of payments and other reductions to the outstanding balance to determine an imputed interest rate.
The debt discount represented the difference between the fair value of the debt liability issued and the total amount of the contractual obligation as a result of our entrance into the A&R Offtake Agreement. The imputed interest rate was calculated by amortizing the debt discount over the time period that management expected to bring the total outstanding principal balance to zero and determining the annualized interest rate necessary to fully amortize the discount in the same period when final principal reduction was expected to occur. Actual repayments or reductions in the principal balance differed in timing and amount from our estimates, and we therefore updated our estimates each reporting period. We recognized adjustments from these estimates using the prospective method. Under the prospective method, we updated our estimate of the effective imputed interest rate in future periods based on revised estimates of the timing of remaining principal reductions. This rate was then used to recognize interest expense for subsequent reporting periods, until the estimates were updated again. Under this method, the effective interest rate was not constant, and changes were recognized prospectively as an adjustment to the effective yield.
In March 2022, we made a $2.9 million payment to Shenghe pursuant to an obligation under the A&R Offtake Agreement to pay Shenghe, on an annual basis, an amount equal to our annual net income, less any amounts recouped through the Gross Profit Recoupment mechanism during such year, until the Prepaid Balance was reduced to zero. Upon payment, the Prepaid Balance was repaid in full, and the A&R Offtake Agreement was terminated. See Note 3, “Relationship and Agreements with Shenghe,” and Note 8, “Debt Obligations,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.
Asset Retirement Obligations
We recognize asset retirement obligations for estimated costs of legally and contractually required closure, dismantlement, and reclamation activities associated with Mountain Pass. Asset retirement obligations are initially recognized at their estimated fair value in the period in which the obligation is incurred. In determining fair value, management makes estimates based on the expected timing of reclamation activities; cash flows to perform activities, which involves utilizing an assumption for future
47
Table of Contents
inflation; amount and uncertainty associated with the cash flows, including adjustments for a market risk premium; and discounts such amounts using a credit-adjusted risk-free rate. Although we base our estimates on historical experience and reevaluate our estimated timing and cash flows regularly, since the majority of the cash flows to settle our asset retirement obligations occur decades in the future, it is inherently difficult to accurately predict the ultimate cash flows used to settle such obligations. As a result, these estimates and assumptions are subjective and can vary over time.
As illustrated in Note 10, “Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, our asset retirement obligations have decreased from $25.6 million as of December 31, 2020, to $5.5 million as of December 31, 2022, as a result of revisions in our estimated timing and cash flows pertaining to required reclamation activities. In particular, as a result of an updated life-of-mine, which revised the estimated timing of cash flows by approximately an additional 13 years, we recorded a decrement of $9.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2021. Furthermore, during the year ended December 31, 2022, we recorded another decrement of $13.1 million, the effect of removing estimated cash flows pertaining to certain of our processing and separations facilities at Mountain Pass that no longer required reclamation.
Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Recently adopted and issued accounting pronouncements are described in Note 2, “Significant Accounting Policies,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Other Information
COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic remains on-going and continues to impact the global economy. Through the end of 2022, varying degrees of preventative measures were still in place in China and other parts of the world, including city-wide lockdowns, travel restrictions, closures of non-essential businesses and other quarantine measures. Since the first quarter of 2020, we have experienced, at times, significant shipping delays due to congestion and slowdowns at U.S. and international ports caused by shortages in vessels, containers, and truckers, also disrupting the global supply chain. Congestion and slowdowns have affected and may continue to affect the capacity at ports to receive deliveries of products or the loading of shipments onto vessels. Despite these factors, we have not experienced a reduction in production or sales due to the COVID-19 pandemic; however, the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to certain cost and schedule pressures on the Stage II optimization project. We have worked proactively and diligently to adjust working schedules and hours to optimize logistics and shipping, which has thus far prevented a significant negative impact on our product sales and has mitigated certain impacts on Stage II construction and recommissioning progress.
As the situation continues to evolve, including as a result of new and potential future variants of COVID-19, the possibility of federal or state mandates on vaccinations, or other factors that may affect international shipping and logistics or involve responses to government actions such as strikes or other disruptions, it is impossible to predict the effect and ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, results of operations, production and sales volumes, or growth projects. Accordingly, the extent and duration of any business disruptions, and related financial impact, cannot be estimated at this time.
Business Combination and Reverse Recapitalization
Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 15, 2020, as amended on August 26, 2020 (the “Merger Agreement”), on November 17, 2020, MP Mine Operations LLC (“MPMO”), the company that owns the Mountain Pass mine and processing facilities, and Secure Natural Resources LLC (“SNR”), the company that holds the mineral rights to the Mountain Pass mine and surrounding areas as well as intellectual property rights related to the processing and development of rare earth minerals, were combined with Fortress Value Acquisition Corp., a special purpose acquisition company (“FVAC”) (the “Business Combination”), and became indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of FVAC, which was in turn renamed MP Materials Corp.
The Business Combination was accounted for as a reverse recapitalization, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded, and the acquisition of SNR was treated as an asset acquisition. Furthermore, MPMO was deemed to be the accounting acquirer and FVAC the accounting acquiree, which, for financial reporting purposes, resulted in MPMO’s historical financial information becoming that of MP Materials Corp.
FY 2021 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001801368-22-000010.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 (this “Annual Report”). A discussion of changes in our results of operations and cash flows between years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, has been omitted from this Annual Report, but may be found in “Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019,” of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 2021. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including, but not limited to, those set forth under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Annual Report. In addition, see “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” References herein to the “Company,” “MP Materials,” “we,” “our,” and “us,” refer to MP Materials Corp. and its subsidiaries.
Executive Overview
MP Materials Corp. is the largest producer of rare earth materials in the Western Hemisphere. The Company owns and operates the Mountain Pass Rare Earth Mine and Processing Facility (“Mountain Pass”), the only rare earth mining and processing site of scale in North America. We estimate the rare earth concentrate we produced and sold in 2021 represented approximately 15% of the rare earth content consumed in the global market. Separated rare earth elements (“REE”) are critical inputs for the magnets that enable the mobility of electric vehicles (“EVs”), drones, defense systems, wind turbines, robotics and many other high-growth, advanced technologies. Our integrated operations at Mountain Pass combine low production costs with high environmental standards, thereby restoring American leadership to a critical industry with a strong commitment to sustainability.
We currently produce a rare earth concentrate that we sell pursuant to the A&R Offtake Agreement (as defined in the “Comparability of Results” section below) to Shenghe Resources (Singapore) International Trading Pte. Ltd. (“Shenghe”), an affiliate of Shenghe Resources Holding Co., Ltd., a leading global rare earth company that is publicly listed in China, that, in turn, typically sells that product to refiners in China. These refiners separate the constituent REE contained in our concentrate and sell the separated products to their customers. Upon completion of our Stage II optimization project (“Stage II”), we anticipate producing separated rare earth oxides (“REO”), including neodymium-praseodymium (“NdPr”) oxide, and selling these products directly to end users, at which time we may no longer sell our concentrate.
In December 2021, we announced that we will build our initial rare earth metal, alloy and magnet manufacturing facility in Fort Worth, Texas (the “Fort Worth Facility”). In addition, we announced that we had entered into a long-term agreement with General Motors Company (NYSE: GM) (“GM”) to supply U.S.-sourced and manufactured rare earth materials, alloy and finished magnets for the electric motors in more than a dozen models using GM’s Ultium Platform, with a gradual production ramp that begins in 2023. We are currently negotiating the terms of a definitive long-term supply agreement with GM which will include all of the necessary terms and conditions. These developments are a part of our Stage III downstream expansion strategy (“Stage III”).
Highlights from the year ended December 31, 2021, include:
•Revenue growth of 147% year over year, driven by increases in REO production and sales volume and realized price per REO metric ton (“MT”);
•REO production growth of 10% year over year to 42,413 MTs, reflecting higher ore feed rates and mineral recoveries;
•Net income of $135.0 million, compared to a net loss of $21.8 million in the prior year, largely driven by higher revenues and a one-time, non-cash settlement charge of $66.5 million in the prior year;
•Adjusted EBITDA (see below) of $219.1 million, compared to $42.6 million in the prior year, representing growth of 414% year over year, driven by higher per-unit profitability and production efficiencies, slightly offset by increased public company and growth and development costs;
•Net cash provided by operating activities of $102.0 million, an increase from $3.3 million in the prior year;
•Adjusted Net Income (see below) growth of 693% year over year, largely driven by higher revenues;
•Diluted earnings per share of $0.73, compared to loss per share of $0.27 in the prior year;
33
Table of Contents
•Net proceeds of $672.3 million raised from the issuance of Convertible Notes (as defined in the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section below) in March 2021; and
•Steady progress on our Stage II optimization project and acceleration of our Stage III strategy with the announcements of the Fort Worth Facility and the entrance into a long-term agreement with GM.
Our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2021, demonstrate our strong operational execution as demand for rare earth materials continues to grow, which also resulted in prices for rare earth products, particularly those used in NdFeB magnets, to rise significantly. In 2021, we produced the highest REO output in the history of Mountain Pass. As we continue to drive strong performance in our Stage I operations, we are continuing to make progress on our Stage II optimization project and expect to reach normalized separated oxide production levels in 2023. In addition, our Stage III team is making significant progress on our strategy to repatriate magnet manufacturing to the United States, starting with our initial facility in Fort Worth, Texas.
We consider net income (loss) to be the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) to Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income (Loss), which are non-GAAP financial measures. Refer to the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section below for the definitions of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income (Loss), as well as a reconciliation of net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income (Loss).
Key Performance Indicators
We use the following key performance indicators to evaluate the performance of our business. Our calculations of these performance indicators may differ from similar measures published by other companies in our industry or in other industries. The following table presents our key performance indicators:
| Year ended December 31, | Amount Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in whole units or dollars, except percentages) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2021 vs. 2020 | 2020 vs. 2019 | 2021 vs. 2020 | 2020 vs. 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||
| REO production volume (MTs) | 42,413 | 38,503 | 27,620 | 3,910 | 10,883 | 10 | % | 39 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| REO sales volume (MTs) | 42,158 | 38,367 | 26,821 | 3,791 | 11,546 | 10 | % | 43 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Realized price per REO MT | $ | 7,745 | $ | 3,311 | $ | 2,793 | $ | 4,434 | $ | 518 | 134 | % | 19 | % | |||||||||||
| Production cost per REO MT | $ | 1,493 | $ | 1,430 | $ | 1,980 | $ | 63 | $ | (550) | 4 | % | (28) | % |
REO Production Volume
We measure our REO-equivalent production volume for a given period in MTs, our principal unit of sale. This measure refers to the REO content contained in the rare earth concentrate we produce. Our REO production volume is a key indicator of our mining and processing capacity and efficiency.
The rare earth concentrate we currently produce is a processed, concentrated form of our mined rare earth-bearing ores. While our unit of production and sale is a MT of embedded REO, the actual weight of our rare earth concentrate is significantly greater, as the concentrate also contains non-REO minerals and residual moisture from the production process. We target REO content of greater than 60% per dry MT of concentrate (referred to as “REO grade”). The elemental distribution of REO in our concentrate is relatively consistent over time and production lot. We consider this the natural distribution, as it reflects the distribution of elements contained, on average, in our ore. As noted above, upon completion of Stage II, we expect to refine our rare earth concentrate to produce separated rare earths, including separated NdPr oxide.
REO Sales Volume
Our REO sales volume for a given period is calculated in MTs. A unit, or MT, is considered sold for purposes of this performance indicator once we recognize revenue on its sale. Our REO sales volume is a key measure of our ability to convert our production into revenue.
Realized Price per REO MT
We calculate the realized price per REO MT for a given period as the quotient of: (i) our Total Value Realized (see below) for a given period and (ii) our REO sales volume for the same period. We define Total Value Realized, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as our product sales adjusted for the revenue impact of tariff-related rebates from Shenghe on account of
34
Table of Contents
prior sales, and, in connection with our sales of REO to Shenghe between July 1, 2019, and June 5, 2020, the Shenghe Implied Discount. The Shenghe Implied Discount is equal to the difference between (i) Shenghe’s average realized price, net of taxes, tariffs and certain other agreed-upon charges (such as one-time demurrage charges) on our products once sold to their ultimate customers and (ii) the amount of revenue we recognized on the sales of those products to Shenghe for sales between July 1, 2019, and June 5, 2020, which includes a non-cash portion.
Under the terms of the Original Offtake Agreement, for the period between July 1, 2019, and June 5, 2020, Shenghe purchased our rare earth products at an agreed-upon cash price per MT, which was intended to approximate our cash cost of production, and in turn resold it at market prices to its customers. As discussed below, in addition to the revenue we recognized from the cash sales prices, we also realized an amount of deferred revenue applicable to these sales equal to 64% of Shenghe’s gross profit. Upon entrance into the A&R Offtake Agreement, we began to recognize revenue at the full value of our product.
Realized price per REO MT is an important measure of the market price of our product. Accordingly, we calculate realized price per REO MT to reflect a consistent basis between periods by eliminating the impact of recognizing revenue at a discount during the period between July 1, 2019, and June 5, 2020, and the revenue impact of tariff-related rebates. See the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section below for a reconciliation of our Total Value Realized, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, to our product sales, which is determined in accordance with GAAP, as well as the calculation of realized price per REO MT.
Production Cost per REO MT
We calculate the production cost per REO MT for a given period as the quotient of: (i) our Production Costs (see below) for a given period and (ii) our REO sales volume for the same period. We define Production Costs, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as our cost of sales (excluding depletion, depreciation and amortization) less stock-based compensation expense included in cost of sales, shipping and freight costs, and costs attributable to certain other sales, for a given period.
Production cost per REO MT is a key indicator of our production efficiency. As a significant portion of our cash costs of Stage I production are fixed, our production cost per REO MT is influenced by mineral recovery, REO grade, plant feed rate and production uptime. See the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section below for a reconciliation of our Production Costs, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, to our cost of sales (excluding depletion, depreciation and amortization), which is determined in accordance with GAAP, as well as the calculation of production cost per REO MT.
Key Factors Affecting Our Performance
We believe we are uniquely positioned to capitalize on the key trends of electrification and supply chain security, particularly as domestic EV production grows. Our success depends to a significant extent on our ability to take advantage of the following opportunities and meet the challenges associated with them.
Demand for REE
The key demand driver for REE is their use in a diverse array of growing end markets, including: clean-energy and transportation technologies (e.g., traction motors in EVs and generators in wind power turbines); high-technology applications (e.g., miniaturization of smart phones and other mobile devices, fiber optics, lasers, robotics, medical devices, etc.); critical defense applications (e.g., guidance and control systems, global positioning systems, radar and sonar, drones, etc.); and essential industrial infrastructure (e.g., advanced catalyst applications in oil refining and pollution-control systems in traditional internal-combustion automobiles, etc.). We believe these drivers will fuel the continued growth of the rare earth market, particularly the market for NdPr.
We believe we benefit from several demand tailwinds for REE, and particularly NdPr. These include the trend toward electrification, geographic supply chain diversification particularly in relation to China, the U.S. government strategy to restore domestic supply of key minerals, and the increasing acceptance of environmental, social and governance mandates. However, changes in technology may also drive down the use of REE, including NdPr, in the components in which they are now used, or lead to a decline in reliance on such components altogether. We also operate in a competitive industry, and many of our key competitors are based in China, where competitors may not be subject to the same rigorous environmental standards and production costs are typically lower than in the United States.
Maximizing Production Efficiency
In 2021, REO production was approximately 3.5x greater than the highest ever production in a twelve-month period by the prior operator of Mountain Pass using principally the same capital equipment. We achieved these results through an optimized reagent scheme, lower process temperatures, better management of the tailings facility, and a commitment to operational
35
Table of Contents
excellence, driving approximately 95% uptime. We believe that our Stage I optimization initiatives enabled us to achieve world-class production cost levels for rare earth concentrate.
The success of our business reflects and will reflect our ability to manage our costs. Our production achievements in Stage I have provided economies of scale to lower production costs per unit of REO produced in concentrate. Stage II is designed to enable us to continue to manage our cost structure for separating REE through an optimized facility process flow. The reintroduction of the oxidizing roasting step will allow us to capitalize on the inherent advantages of the bastnaesite ore at Mountain Pass, which is uniquely suitable to low-cost refining by selectively eliminating the need to carry lower-value cerium through the separations process. The recommissioning of our natural gas-powered combined heat and power (“CHP”) plant, which was completed in December 2021, will remove our reliance on the regional electric power grid. Further, our location offers significant transportation advantages that create meaningful cost efficiencies in securing incoming supplies and shipping of our final products.
We currently operate a single site in a single location, and any stoppage in activity, including for reasons outside of our control, could adversely impact our production, results of operations and cash flows. In addition, several of our current and potential competitors are government supported and may have access to substantially greater capital, which may allow them to make similar or greater efficiency improvements or undercut market prices for our product.
Development of Our REE Refining Capabilities and Other Opportunities
Stage II is focused on advancing our operations from the production of rare earth concentrate to the separation of individual REE. Engineering, procurement, construction, and other recommissioning activities are underway and involve upgrades and enhancements to the existing facility process flow to reliably produce separated REE at a lower cost and with an expected smaller environmental footprint per unit of REO produced. As part of Stage II, we are in the process of reintroducing an oxidizing roasting circuit, reorienting the plant process flow, increasing product finishing capacity, improving wastewater management, and making other improvements to materials handling and storage. Upon completion of Stage II, we expect to be a global low-cost, high-volume producer of NdPr oxide, which represents a majority of the value contained in our ore.
Further, we are pursuing opportunities to integrate further downstream into the business of upgrading NdPr into metal alloys and magnets, including magnet recycling, ultimately expanding our presence as a global source for rare earth magnetics, as evidenced by our recent announcement to build the Fort Worth Facility. We believe integration into magnet production will provide some protection from commodity pricing volatility, while also enhancing our business profile as the producer of a critical industrial output in addition to a producer of resources. We expect our Stage III efforts to continue to benefit from geopolitical developments, including initiatives to repatriate critical materials supply chains.
In February 2022, we were awarded a $35.0 million contract by the Department of Defense’s Office of Industrial Base Policy to design and build a facility to process heavy rare earth elements (“HREE”). Successful completion of this project will establish the first processing and separation facility of its kind for HREEs in support of commercial and defense applications in the United States. The HREE processing and separations facility will be built at Mountain Pass and tie in with the rest of our Stage II facilities.
Our Mineral Reserves
Our ore body has proven over more than 60 years of operations to be one of the world’s largest and highest-grade rare earth resources. As of September 30, 2021, SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc., an independent consulting firm that we retained to assess our reserves, estimates total proven and probable reserves of 2.1 million short tons of REO contained in 30.4 million short tons of ore at Mountain Pass, with an average ore grade of 6.36%. These estimates use an estimated economical cut-off of 2.49% total rare earth oxide. Based on these estimated reserves and our expected annual production rate of REO upon completion of Stage II, as of September 30, 2021, our expected mine life was approximately 35 years. We expect to be able to continue to grow our expected mine life through exploratory drilling programs over time.
Mining activities in the United States are heavily regulated, particularly in California. Regulatory changes may make it more challenging for us to access our reserves. In addition, new mineral deposits may be discovered elsewhere, which could make our operations less competitive.
36
Table of Contents
Comparability of Results
Business Combination and Reverse Recapitalization
Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 15, 2020, as amended on August 26, 2020 (the “Merger Agreement”), on November 17, 2020, MP Mine Operations LLC (“MPMO”), the company that owns the Mountain Pass mine and processing facilities, and Secure Natural Resources LLC (“SNR”), the company that holds the mineral rights to the Mountain Pass mine and surrounding areas as well as intellectual property rights related to the processing and development of rare earth minerals, were combined with Fortress Value Acquisition Corp., a special purpose acquisition company (“FVAC”) (the “Business Combination”), and became indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of FVAC, which was in turn renamed MP Materials Corp.
The Business Combination was accounted for as a reverse recapitalization, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded, and the acquisition of SNR (the “SNR Mineral Rights Acquisition”) was treated as an asset acquisition. Furthermore, MPMO was deemed to be the accounting acquirer and FVAC the accounting acquiree, which, for financial reporting purposes, results in MPMO’s historical financial information becoming that of the Company.
Our Relationship and Agreements with Shenghe
In May 2017, prior to our acquisition of Mountain Pass, we entered into a set of commercial arrangements with Shenghe, which principally consisted of a technical services agreement (the “TSA”), an offtake agreement (the “Original Offtake Agreement”), and a distribution and marketing agreement (the “DMA”). We also issued to Leshan Shenghe Rare Earth Co., Ltd. (“Leshan Shenghe”), the majority stockholder of Shenghe, a preferred interest in the Company, which was ultimately exchanged for shares of our common stock in connection with the Business Combination.
The Original Offtake Agreement required Shenghe to advance us an initial $50.0 million (the “Initial Prepayment Amount”) to fund the restart of operations at the mine and the TSA required Shenghe to fund any additional operating and capital expenditures required to bring Mountain Pass to full operability. Shenghe also agreed to provide additional funding of $30.0 million to the Company pursuant to a separate letter agreement dated June 20, 2017 (the “Letter Agreement”) (the “First Additional Advance”), in connection with our acquisition of Mountain Pass. In addition to the repayment of the First Additional Advance, pursuant to the Letter Agreement, the Initial Prepayment Amount was increased by $30.0 million. We refer to the aggregate prepayments made by Shenghe pursuant to the Original Offtake Agreement and the Framework Agreement (as defined below), as adjusted for Gross Profit Recoupment (as defined below) amounts and any other qualifying repayments to Shenghe, inclusive of the $30.0 million increase to the Initial Prepayment Amount, as the “Prepaid Balance.”
Under the Original Offtake Agreement, upon the mine achieving certain milestones and being deemed commercially operational (which was achieved on July 1, 2019), we sold to Shenghe, and Shenghe purchased on a firm “take or pay” basis, all of the rare earth products produced at Mountain Pass. Shenghe marketed and sold these products to customers, and retained the gross profits earned on subsequent sales. These gross profits were credited against the Prepaid Balance, and provided the means by which we repaid, and Shenghe recovered, such amounts (the “Gross Profit Recoupment”).
As discussed within Note 4, “Relationship and Agreements with Shenghe,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the entrance into the Letter Agreement constituted a modification to the Original Offtake Agreement (referred to as the “June 2017 Modification”), which for accounting purposes, resulted in an implied discount on the Company’s sales prices to Shenghe under the Original Offtake Agreement (the “Shenghe Implied Discount”).
For sales to Shenghe under the Original Offtake Agreement between July 1, 2019, and June 5, 2020, the Company and Shenghe periodically agreed on an initial cash sales price, which was intended to approximate our cash cost of production, for each MT of rare earth concentrate. In addition, since the Shenghe Implied Discount applied to sales to Shenghe during this period, we also realized an amount of deferred revenue applicable to these sales equal to 64% of the gross profit realized by Shenghe of this product to its own customers. The full gross profit amount realized by Shenghe on such sales reduced the Prepaid Balance (and consequently, our contractual obligations to Shenghe). For example, for a hypothetical shipment of REO to Shenghe on which it realized gross profit of $1.00 (the difference between the sales price to its customers and its cash cost paid to us), we would recognize $0.64 as non-cash revenue through a reduction in the deferred revenue balance, and the remaining $0.36 would not be recorded as revenue, but would reduce the Prepaid Balance. Shenghe’s gross profit was influenced by market conditions as well as import duties, which were imposed on our products by the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China during this period. See also “Key Performance Indicators” section above.
In May 2020, we entered into a framework agreement and amendment (the “Framework Agreement”) with Shenghe and Leshan Shenghe that significantly restructured the commercial arrangements. Pursuant to the Framework Agreement, we
37
Table of Contents
entered into an amended and restated offtake agreement with Shenghe on May 19, 2020 (the “A&R Offtake Agreement”), which, upon effectiveness, superseded and replaced the Original Offtake Agreement, and we issued to Shenghe a warrant on June 2, 2020 (the “Shenghe Warrant”). Pursuant to the Framework Agreement, Shenghe funded the remaining portion of the Initial Prepayment Amount and agreed to fund an additional $35.5 million advance to us (the “Second Additional Advance” and together with the Initial Prepayment Amount, inclusive of the $30.0 million increase pursuant to the Letter Agreement, the “Offtake Advances”), which amounts were fully funded on June 5, 2020. The Shenghe Warrant was ultimately exchanged for shares of our common stock in connection with the Business Combination.
Upon the funding of the remaining obligations on June 5, 2020, among other things, (i) the TSA and the DMA were terminated and (ii) the A&R Offtake Agreement and the Shenghe Warrant became effective (such events are collectively referred to as the “June 2020 Modification”). Thus, at the present time, Leshan Shenghe’s and Shenghe’s involvement with the Company and Mountain Pass consists of only the A&R Offtake Agreement, which will terminate when Shenghe has fully recouped all of the Prepaid Balance. Full repayment of the remaining obligation will occur by the end of the first quarter of 2022 whether through non-cash recoupments from sales or a cash payment based, in part, on the Company’s GAAP net income for the year ended December 31, 2021. In February 2022, we entered into a term sheet with Shenghe which provides that once our A&R Offtake Agreement expires, we will continue to sell and Shenghe will continue to purchase our rare earth concentrate under an offtake arrangement.
As discussed in further detail within Note 4, “Relationship and Agreements with Shenghe,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, as a result of the June 2020 Modification, we recorded a non-cash settlement charge of $66.6 million during the second quarter of 2020 (reflecting a deemed payment to terminate the DMA). In addition, the accounting treatment specific to the Shenghe Implied Discount was no longer required as a result of the June 2020 Modification.
For sales to Shenghe under the A&R Offtake Agreement after June 5, 2020, the sales price of our rare earth products is based on market prices (net of taxes, tariffs and certain other agreed charges) less applicable discounts. A portion of the sales price to Shenghe is in the form of debt repayment, with the remainder paid in cash.
As a result of the above, the amount of revenue we recorded for periods that included any portion of the period from July 1, 2019, until June 5, 2020, is not comparable, in the aggregate or on a per unit basis, to the amount of revenue recorded in other periods that commenced after June 5, 2020. As discussed in the “Key Performance Indicators” section above, in the calculation of our realized price per REO MT, we eliminate the impact of recognizing revenue at a discount during the period between July 1, 2019, and June 5, 2020, in order to reflect a consistent basis between years presented.
Tariff-Related Rebates
Starting in May 2020, the government of the People’s Republic of China granted retroactive tariff relief to certain importers of rare earth minerals including Shenghe and its affiliates and other consignees of our products, relating to periods prior to the formal lifting of the tariffs. As a result, Shenghe’s eventual realized prices for the REO sold prior to May 2020 were higher than originally realized by us and resulted in tariff rebates to end customers, which contractually were due to Shenghe. On account of these rebates in the second and third quarters of 2020 and the first quarter of 2021, we received from Shenghe certain credits against our contractual commitments to them.
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic
In December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus (known as “COVID-19”) began to impact the population of China. In March 2020, the outbreak of COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic after growing both in the United States and globally. The responses by governments, societies, and private sector entities to the COVID-19 pandemic, which include temporary closures of businesses, social distancing, travel restrictions, “shelter in place,” and other governmental regulations and various economic stimulus programs, have significantly impacted market volatility and general global economic conditions, including significant business and supply chain disruption as well as broad-based changes in supply and demand.
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the first quarter of 2020, we have experienced, at times, significant shipping delays due to congestion and slowdowns at U.S. and international ports caused by shortages in vessels, containers, and truckers, also disrupting the global supply chain. Congestion and slowdowns have affected and may continue to affect the capacity at ports to receive deliveries of products or the loading of shipments onto vessels. Despite these factors, we have not experienced a reduction in production or sales due to the COVID-19 pandemic; however, the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to certain cost and schedule pressures on the Stage II optimization project. The Company has worked proactively and diligently to adjust working schedules and hours to optimize logistics and shipping, which has thus far prevented a significant negative impact on our product sales and has mitigated certain impacts on Stage II construction and recommissioning progress. However, there can
38
Table of Contents
be no assurance that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic will not have a negative impact on our production, sales, or growth projects in the future.
Furthermore, as the situation continues to evolve, including as a result of new and potential future variants of COVID-19 (such as the Delta and Omicron variants), the possibility of federal or state mandates on vaccinations, or other factors that may affect international shipping and logistics or involve responses to government actions such as strikes or other disruptions, it is impossible to predict the effect and ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s business and results of operations. The extent and duration of any business disruptions, and related financial impact, cannot be estimated at this time.
Results of Operations
Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019
The following table summarizes our results of operations:
| For the year ended December 31, | Amount Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except percentages) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2021 vs. 2020 | 2020 vs. 2019 | 2021 vs. 2020 | 2020 vs. 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Product sales | $ | 328,563 | $ | 133,697 | $ | 73,017 | $ | 194,866 | $ | 60,680 | 146 | % | 83 | % | |||||||||||
| Other sales | 3,389 | 613 | 394 | 2,776 | 219 | 453 | % | 56 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Total revenue | 331,952 | 134,310 | 73,411 | 197,642 | 60,899 | 147 | % | 83 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Operating costs and expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales(1) | 76,253 | 63,798 | 61,261 | 12,455 | 2,537 | 20 | % | 4 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative | 57,215 | 26,868 | 11,104 | 30,347 | 15,764 | 113 | % | 142 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Advanced projects, development and other | 4,573 | 140 | — | 4,433 | 140 | n.m. | n.m. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation, depletion and amortization | 24,382 | 6,931 | 4,687 | 17,451 | 2,244 | 252 | % | 48 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Accretion of asset retirement and environmental obligations | 2,375 | 2,255 | 2,094 | 120 | 161 | 5 | % | 8 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Royalty expense | — | 2,406 | 1,885 | (2,406) | 521 | (100) | % | 28 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Write-down of inventories | 1,809 | — | — | 1,809 | — | n.m. | n.m. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Settlement charge | — | 66,615 | — | (66,615) | 66,615 | (100) | % | n.m. | |||||||||||||||||
| Total operating costs and expenses | 166,607 | 169,013 | 81,031 | (2,406) | 87,982 | (1) | % | 109 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | 165,345 | (34,703) | (7,620) | 200,048 | (27,083) | n.m. | 355 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Other income, net | 3,754 | 251 | 4,278 | 3,503 | (4,027) | n.m. | (94) | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | (8,904) | (5,009) | (3,412) | (3,895) | (1,597) | 78 | % | 47 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | 160,195 | (39,461) | (6,754) | 199,656 | (32,707) | n.m. | 484 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Income tax benefit (expense) | (25,158) | 17,636 | (1) | (42,794) | 17,637 | n.m. | n.m. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 135,037 | $ | (21,825) | $ | (6,755) | $ | 156,862 | $ | (15,070) | n.m. | 223 | % | ||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA(2) | $ | 219,077 | $ | 42,609 | $ | 1,934 | $ | 176,468 | $ | 40,675 | 414 | % | 2103 | % | |||||||||||
| Adjusted Net Income (Loss)(2) | $ | 168,374 | $ | 21,240 | $ | (7,767) | $ | 147,134 | $ | 29,007 | 693 | % | n.m. |
n.m. - Not meaningful.
(1)Excludes depreciation, depletion and amortization.
(2)See the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section below.
Revenue consists primarily of product sales, which pertain to our sales of rare earth concentrate principally to Shenghe under the Original Offtake Agreement for sales between January 1, 2020, and June 5, 2020, or the A&R Offtake Agreement for sales after June 5, 2020.
The increase in product sales for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to the prior year, was driven by higher REO sales volume, which increased by 3,791 MTs, or 10%, to 42,158 MTs for the year ended December 31, 2021, and a higher realized price per REO MT, which increased by 134%, reflecting higher demand for rare earth products. REO production volume increased by 3,910, or 10%, to 42,413 MTs for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to the prior year, primarily reflecting higher ore feed rates and mineral recoveries. The improvements were driven by continued optimization of the flotation circuit, including operational consistency, and adjustments to the reagent scheme developed through previous
39
Table of Contents
pilots that resulted in higher production and improved product quality. Product sales for year ended December 31, 2020, were negatively impacted by the Shenghe Implied Discount, in which $3.7 million of the value of products sold to Shenghe from January 1, 2020, until June 5, 2020, was not recognized as revenue. As mentioned above, starting after June 5, 2020, the accounting treatment specific to the Shenghe Implied Discount was no longer required.
REO sales volume varies period to period based on the timing of shipments, but sales volumes generally track our production volumes over time given our take-or-pay arrangement with Shenghe. See the “Quarterly Performance Trend” section below for further discussion on realized price per REO MT.
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization) consists of production- and processing-related labor costs (including wages and salaries, benefits, and bonuses), mining and processing supplies (such as reagents), parts and labor for the maintenance of our mining fleet and processing facilities, other facilities-related costs (such as property taxes and utilities), packaging materials, and shipping and freight costs.
Cost of sales for the year ended December 31, 2021, increased year over year primarily due to higher REO sales volume. The increase in production cost per REO MT from $1,430 for the year ended December 31, 2020, to $1,493 for the year ended December 31, 2021, is primarily due to higher payroll costs and employee headcount, including an increase in hiring ahead of the completion of our Stage II optimization project. Cost discipline and production efficiencies achieved during the year ended December 31, 2021, more than offset higher material and supplies costs as well as COVID-19-impacted freight-in costs.
Notwithstanding an increase in employee headcount as we progress toward completion of our Stage II optimization project, we believe our production cost per REO MT has stabilized in the short-term, with operating efficiencies largely offsetting raw material and logistics pressures. We anticipate additional efficiency opportunities as we increase REO production volumes in our milling and flotation circuit over time. In addition, production cost per REO MT may vary period to period based on the timing of scheduled outages of our production facilities for maintenance as well as anticipated tie-ins of certain Stage II-related facilities over the next twelve months. See the “Quarterly Performance Trend” section below for further discussion on production cost per REO MT.
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of accounting, finance and administrative personnel costs, including stock-based compensation expense related to these personnel; professional services (including legal, regulatory, audit and others); certain engineering expenses; insurance, license and permit costs; facilities rent and other costs; office supplies; general facilities expenses; certain environmental, health and safety expenses; and gain or loss on sale or disposal of long-lived assets.
General and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2021, reflect an increase in stock-based compensation expense of $13.5 million, primarily from grants of restricted stock and restricted stock units (“Stock Awards”) made during the fourth quarter of 2020 related to the Business Combination. Prior to the fourth quarter of 2020, we had not granted any Stock Awards nor recorded any stock-based compensation expense. Excluding stock-based compensation expense, general and administrative expenses increased by $16.8 million, or 63%, mainly due to increases in personnel costs, insurance, and legal costs, the majority of which were incurred to support our operations as a public company, as well as a legal settlement of $1.0 million, including legal fees.
Advanced projects, development and other consists principally of costs incurred in connection with research and development of new processes or to significantly enhance our existing processes, certain government contracts, and start-up costs, as well as costs incurred to support growth and development initiatives or other opportunities. Advanced projects, development and other for the year ended December 31, 2021, increased year over year due to costs incurred under certain of our government contracts as well as other costs incurred to support growth and development initiatives, particularly with regards to metal, alloy, and magnet manufacturing, including recycling.
Depreciation, depletion and amortization consists of depreciation of property, plant and equipment; depletion of mineral rights; and amortization of finance lease right-of-use assets. The increase in depreciation, depletion and amortization for the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily reflects the depletion of the mineral rights resulting from the SNR Mineral Rights Acquisition in November 2020, which increased by $15.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, as well as the impact of additional equipment purchases and assets placed into service, including the CHP plant in December 2021, offset slightly by a reduction in depreciation of $1.1 million as a result of a decrement to our asset retirement obligation during the year ended December 31, 2021. At the beginning of the fourth quarter of 2021, as a result of an updated life of mine, we revised our estimate of the remaining useful life of the mineral rights to approximately 35 years from approximately 23 years.
Accretion of asset retirement and environmental obligations is based on the requirement to reclaim and remediate the land surrounding our mine and processing facilities upon the retirement of the Mountain Pass facility and on the estimated
40
Table of Contents
future cash flow requirement to monitor groundwater contamination, respectively. Accretion of asset retirement and environmental obligations remained relatively flat year over year.
Royalty expense relates to our obligation to pay SNR for the right to extract rare earth ores contained in our mine and was based on 2.5% of product sales, subject to certain minimums. Following the Business Combination, we do not incur royalty expenses on a consolidated basis.
Write-down of inventories for the year ended December 31, 2021, pertains to a non-cash write-down of a portion of our legacy low-grade stockpile inventory during the second quarter of 2021. See Note 8, “Property, Plant and Equipment,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
Settlement charge of $66.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, which was non-cash, was recorded in connection with the termination of the DMA. See Note 4, “Relationship and Agreements with Shenghe,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a detailed discussion of the termination of the DMA and associated accounting treatment.
Other income, net, which consists primarily of gains or losses on extinguishment of debt and interest income, for the year ended December 31, 2021, increased year over year as a result of a non-cash gain recognized during the second quarter of 2021 as a result of the Small Business Administration’s approval to forgive the Paycheck Protection Loan, which had a principal amount of $3.4 million. For more information, see the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section below.
Interest expense, net consists primarily of the coupon interest and the amortization of the debt issuance costs on our Convertible Notes; the amortization of the discount on our debt obligation to Shenghe; and interest expense associated with promissory notes with certain private investment funds, which were repaid in full upon the consummation of the Business Combination; offset by interest capitalized.
Interest expense, net for the year ended December 31, 2021, increased year over year, reflecting interest expense from our Convertible Notes and the amortization of the discount on our debt obligations to Shenghe, which was higher than the interest expense incurred on the promissory notes in the prior year. During the year ended December 31, 2021, we capitalized interest of $0.3 million as compared to the capitalized interest of $0.2 million in the prior year.
Income tax benefit (expense) consists of an estimate of U.S. federal and state income taxes and income taxes in the jurisdictions in which we conduct business, adjusted for federal, state and local allowable income tax benefits, the effect of permanent differences and any valuation allowance against deferred tax assets. The effective tax rate (income taxes as a percentage of income or loss before income taxes) was 15.7% for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to 44.7% for the year ended December 31, 2020, principally due to a valuation allowance release in the prior year. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2021, was lower than the federal statutory tax rate of 21% primarily due to the income tax benefit received from percentage depletion, offset partially by state income tax expense.
Quarterly Performance Trend
While our business is not highly seasonal in nature, we sometimes experience a timing lag between production and sales, which may result in volatility in our results of operations between periods. In addition, our realized price per REO MT for the quarterly periods prior to the second quarter of 2020 were adversely impacted by the imposition of Chinese import duties in 2018 (and subsequent increase in May 2019). The import duties were lifted in May 2020.
The following table presents our key performance indicators for the quarterly periods since the mine achieved commercial operations:
| FY2021 | FY2020 | FY2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in whole units or dollars) | Q4 | Q3 | Q2 | Q1 | Q4 | Q3 | Q2 | Q1 | Q4 | Q3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| REO production volume (MTs) | 10,261 | 11,998 | 10,305 | 9,849 | 9,337 | 10,197 | 9,287 | 9,682 | 8,673 | 9,417 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| REO sales volume (MTs) | 9,674 | 12,814 | 9,877 | 9,793 | 10,320 | 9,429 | 10,297 | 8,321 | 8,561 | 9,852 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Realized price per REO MT | $ | 10,101 | $ | 7,693 | $ | 7,343 | $ | 5,891 | $ | 4,070 | $ | 3,393 | $ | 3,093 | $ | 2,544 | $ | 2,389 | $ | 2,967 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Production cost per REO MT | $ | 1,525 | $ | 1,449 | $ | 1,538 | $ | 1,475 | $ | 1,589 | $ | 1,389 | $ | 1,412 | $ | 1,300 | $ | 1,602 | $ | 1,695 |
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity refers to our ability to generate sufficient cash flows to meet the cash requirements of our business operations, including working capital and capital expenditure needs, contractual obligations, debt service and other commitments.
41
Table of Contents
Historically, our principal sources of liquidity have been the Offtake Advances from Shenghe, issuances of notes or other debt, and net cash from operating activities. More recently, through the consummation of the Business Combination, including the PIPE Financing (as defined within Note 3, “Business Combination and Reverse Recapitalization,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements), and the issuance of the Convertible Notes, we raised $504.4 million and $672.3 million in net proceeds, respectively.
As of December 31, 2021, we had $1,179.3 million of cash and cash equivalents, $690.0 million principal amount of long-term debt (to third parties) and $16.6 million principal amount of related-party debt pertaining to our Offtake Advances with Shenghe.
Our results of operations and cash flows depend in large part upon the market prices of REO and particularly the price of rare earth concentrate. Rare earth concentrate is not quoted on any major commodities market or exchange and demand is currently limited to a relatively limited number of refiners, a significant majority of which are based in China. Although we believe that our cash flows from operations and cash on hand is adequate to meet our liquidity requirements for the foreseeable future, uncertainty exists as to the market price of REO, especially in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, including the emergence of new and potential future variants (such as the Delta and Omicron variants).
Our current working capital needs relate mainly to our mining and beneficiation operations. Our principal capital expenditure requirements relate mainly to the periodic replacement of mining or processing equipment, as well as our Stage II optimization project and related HREE project and the development of the Fort Worth Facility. Our future capital requirements will depend on several factors, including future acquisitions and potential additional investments in further downstream production (for example, pursuit of further Stage III downstream expansion opportunities).
The completion of our mission to become a fully integrated domestic magnetics producer is expected to be capital intensive. In accelerating the strategic opportunity for the separation of HREE, enhancements were made to the design and scope of the initial Stage II project. Including these enhancements and other factors impacting the remaining cost of completion, and including the initial costs of a HREE separation facility and the development and construction costs of the Fort Worth Facility, as well as other growth and infrastructure investments at Mountain Pass, we expect to incur approximately $500 million of capital costs in 2022. We expect to incur further costs to complete the HREE separation facility and the Fort Worth Facility in 2023 and 2024.
Our estimated costs or estimated time to complete these projects may increase, potentially significantly, due to factors outside of our control. While we believe that we have sufficient cash resources to fund these initiatives and operating working capital in the near term, we cannot assure this. If our available resources prove inadequate to fund our plans or commitments, we may be forced to revise our strategy and business plans or could be required, or elect, to seek additional funding through public or private equity or debt financings; however, such funding may not be available on terms acceptable to us, if at all. Any delays in our ongoing capital projects or substantial cost increases, including construction costs and related materials costs, related to their execution could significantly impact our ability to maximize our revenue opportunities and adversely impact our business and cash flows.
Debt and Other Long-Term Obligations
The Company’s material cash requirements include the following contractual and other obligations.
Convertible Notes: On March 26, 2021, we issued $690.0 million aggregate principal amount of 0.25% unsecured green convertible senior notes that mature, unless earlier converted, redeemed or repurchased, on April 1, 2026 (the “Convertible Notes”), at a price of par. Interest on the Convertible Notes is payable on April 1st and October 1st of each year, beginning on October 1, 2021. The Convertible Notes may, at the Company’s election, be settled in cash, shares of common stock of the Company, or a combination thereof. The Company has the option to redeem the Convertible Notes, in whole or in part, beginning on April 5, 2024. The Company received net proceeds of $672.3 million from the issuance of the Convertible Notes.
The Convertible Notes are convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock at an initial conversion price of $44.28 per share, or 22.5861 shares, per $1,000 principal amount of notes, subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain corporate events. However, in no event will the conversion exceed 28.5714 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes.
Prior to January 1, 2026, at their election, holders of the Convertible Notes may convert their outstanding notes under the following circumstances: (i) during any calendar quarter commencing with the third quarter of 2021 if the last reported sale price of the Company’s common stock for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during the period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is greater
42
Table of Contents
than or equal to 130% of the conversion price on each applicable trading day; (ii) during the five business day period after any five consecutive trading day period (the “measurement period”) in which the trading price (as defined below) per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes for each trading day of the measurement period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of the Company’s common stock and the conversion rate on each such trading day; (iii) if we call any or all of the Convertible Notes for redemption, at any time prior to the close of business on the scheduled trading day immediately preceding the redemption date; or (iv) upon the occurrence of specified corporate events set forth in the indenture governing the Convertible Notes. On or after January 1, 2026, and prior to the maturity date of the Convertible Notes, holders may convert their outstanding notes at any time, regardless of the foregoing circumstances.
If we undergo a fundamental change (as defined in the indenture governing the Convertible Notes), holders may require us to repurchase for cash all or any portion of their outstanding notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the fundamental change repurchase date. In addition, following certain corporate events that occur prior to the maturity date of the Convertible Notes or if we deliver a notice of redemption, we will, in certain circumstances, increase the conversion rate for holders who elect to convert their outstanding notes in connection with such corporate event or notice of redemption, as the case may be.
We aim to allocate an amount equal to the net proceeds from the Convertible Notes offering to existing or future investments in, or the financing or refinancing of, eligible “green projects.” Eligible green projects are intended to reduce the Company’s environmental impact and/or enable the production of low-carbon technologies. Pending such allocation of the net proceeds to eligible green projects, we may use the net proceeds from the Convertible Notes offering for general corporate purposes.
Offtake Advances: As of December 31, 2021, we had debt recorded to Shenghe with a carrying amount of $16.1 million, of which $16.6 million was principal and $0.5 million was debt discount. As described above, the debt is to be satisfied primarily through product sales where partial non-cash consideration is received by the Company in the form of debt reduction (generally equal to approximately 15% of the ultimate market value of the REO, excluding tariffs, duties and certain other charges). Additional cash payments are required as a result of product sales to other parties, and under certain other conditions.
We follow an imputed interest rate model to calculate the amortization of the embedded discount, which is recognized as non-cash interest expense, by estimating the timing of anticipated payments and reductions of the debt principal balance. The effective rate applicable from the June 5, 2020, inception to December 31, 2021, was between 4.41% and 16.28%. As of December 31, 2021, the Company updated its estimate of the effective interest rate to 24.75%, to be applied prospectively. However, since full repayment of the remaining principal amount will occur by the end of the first quarter of 2022 whether through non-cash recoupments from sales or a cash payment based, in part, on the Company’s GAAP net income for the year ended December 31, 2021, the amount of interest expense to be recognized in the first quarter of 2022 pertaining to the Offtake Advances will only consist of the remaining unamortized discount. The increases over time in the imputed rate between June 5, 2020, and December 31, 2021, were primarily due to increases in expected market prices resulting in earlier anticipated repayments of the outstanding balance, which resulted in higher implicit interest rates in order to fully amortize the debt discount concurrent with the expected final repayment of the debt balance.
Paycheck Protection Loan: In April 2020, we obtained a loan of $3.4 million pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program under the CARES Act (the “Paycheck Protection Loan” or the “Loan”). The Loan, which was in the form of a note dated April 15, 2020, issued by CIBC Bank USA, was to mature on April 14, 2022, and bore interest at a rate of 1% per annum. In June 2021, we received notification from the Small Business Administration that the Loan and related accrued interest was forgiven.
Equipment Notes: We have entered into several financing agreements for the purchase of equipment, including trucks, tractors, loaders, graders, and various other machinery. In February 2021, we entered into financing agreements for the purchase of equipment, including trucks and loaders, in the aggregate amount of $9.7 million, including $0.3 million for the associated extended warranties. These equipment notes have terms of 5 years and interest rates of 4.5% per annum with monthly payments commencing in April 2021. As of December 31, 2021, we had $9.7 million in principal (and accrued interest) outstanding under the equipment notes.
Leases: We have lease arrangements for certain equipment and facilities, including office space, vehicles and equipment used in our operations. As of December 31, 2021, we had future expected lease payment obligations, including leases that have not yet commenced, totaling $11.2 million, with $0.6 million payable within the next 12 months.
Purchase Obligations: Our outstanding purchase obligations as of December 31, 2021, primarily consist of purchase orders initiated with vendors and suppliers in the ordinary course of business for operating and maintenance capital expenditures that will be settled within one year. In certain instances, we are permitted to cancel, reschedule or adjust these
43
Table of Contents
orders. Consequently, only a small portion of these outstanding purchase orders relate to firm, non-cancelable and unconditional obligations. We have also entered into a long-term supply arrangement for certain chemical reagents used in our operations, which is based on current consumption requirements.
Other: In order to support our Stage II optimization project and our Fort Worth Facility, we expect to hire at least an additional 250 full-time employees within the next two years, which will result in additional cash requirements for salaries, benefits and training. Our engineering, procurement, and construction contract pertaining to our Stage II optimization project is cancellable. See Note 11, “Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for our estimated cash requirements to settle asset retirement and environmental obligations.
Public Warrants
Warrants to purchase 11,499,968 shares of our common stock at $11.50 per share were issued in connection with FVAC’s initial public offering (the “Public Warrants”) pursuant to the Warrant Agreement, dated April 29, 2020 (the “Warrant Agreement”), by and between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“CST”), as warrant agent.
On May 4, 2021, at the direction of the Company, CST, in its capacity as warrant agent, delivered a notice of redemption to each of the registered holders of the outstanding Public Warrants for a redemption price of $0.01 per warrant (the “Redemption Price”), that remained outstanding on June 7, 2021 (the “Redemption Date”). In accordance with the Warrant Agreement, our Board of Directors elected to require that, upon delivery of the notice of redemption, all Public Warrants were to be exercised only on a “cashless basis.” Accordingly, a holder exercising a Public Warrant was deemed to pay the $11.50 per warrant exercise price by the surrender of 0.3808 of a share of common stock that such holder would have been entitled to receive upon a cash exercise, resulting in exercising warrant holders receiving 0.6192 of a share of common stock for each Public Warrant surrendered for exercise.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, we issued 7,080,005 shares of our common stock as a result of the cashless exercise of 11,434,455 Public Warrants. We redeemed the remaining 65,513 Public Warrants outstanding at the Redemption Date for a nominal amount.
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our cash flows:
| For the year ended December 31, | Amount Change | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except percentages) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2021 vs 2020 | 2020 vs 2019 | 2021 vs 2020 | 2020 vs 2019 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating activities | $ | 101,971 | $ | 3,277 | $ | (437) | $ | 98,694 | $ | 3,714 | 3012 | % | n.m. | |||||||||||
| Investing activities | $ | (119,363) | $ | (22,370) | $ | 5,624 | $ | (96,993) | $ | (27,994) | 434 | % | n.m. | |||||||||||
| Financing activities | $ | 666,109 | $ | 521,961 | $ | (4,096) | $ | 144,148 | $ | 526,057 | 28 | % | n.m. |
n.m. - Not meaningful.
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities: Net cash provided by operating activities increased by $98.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to the prior year, reflecting the increase in product sales, partially offset by the increase in our cost of sales and general and administrative expenses (all as discussed above) and by a reduction due to the timing of payment of working capital items, such as accounts receivable. In addition, $54.8 million of our product sales was excluded from cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2021, since that portion of the sales price was retained by Shenghe to reduce the debt obligation, compared to $21.3 million in the prior year.
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities: Net cash used in investing activities increased by $97.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to the prior year, attributable mainly to an increase in capital expenditures relating primarily to our Stage II optimization project, as well as the commissioning of our CHP plant and water treatment plant as well as other investments at Mountain Pass, partially offset by $4.4 million of proceeds from a government award used for construction, specifically our Stage II optimization project.
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities: Net cash provided by financing activities increased by $144.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to the prior year, attributable primarily to the net proceeds received from the issuance of the Convertible Notes in March 2021 of $672.3 million, versus the $35.5 million in proceeds received from the Second Additional Advance and $504.4 million in proceeds from the consummation of the Business Combination,
44
Table of Contents
including the PIPE Financing, in the prior year. In addition, the change reflects $40.3 million payments of underwriting and transaction costs in the prior year, and a year-over-year decrease of $17.7 million in principal payments on debt obligations and finance leases.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We present Total Value Realized, Production Costs, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and Free Cash Flow, which are non-GAAP financial measures that we use to supplement our results presented in accordance with GAAP. These measures may be similar to measures reported by other companies in our industry and are regularly used by securities analysts and investors to measure companies’ financial performance. Total Value Realized, Production Costs, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and Free Cash Flow are not intended to be a substitute for any GAAP financial measure and, as calculated, may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of performance or liquidity of other companies within our industry or in other industries.
Total Value Realized
Total Value Realized, which we use to calculate our key performance indicator, realized price per REO MT, is a non-GAAP financial measure. As mentioned above, realized price per REO MT is an important measure of the market price of our product. The following table presents a reconciliation of our Total Value Realized, to our product sales, which is determined in accordance with GAAP, as well as the calculation of realized price per REO MT:
| For the year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, unless otherwise stated) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||
| Product sales | $ | 328,563 | $ | 133,697 | $ | 73,017 | ||||
| Adjusted for: | ||||||||||
| Shenghe Implied Discount(1) | — | 3,664 | 1,882 | |||||||
| Tariff rebates(2) | (2,050) | (10,347) | — | |||||||
| Total Value Realized | 326,513 | 127,014 | 74,899 | |||||||
| Divided by: | ||||||||||
| REO sales volume (in MTs) | 42,158 | 38,367 | 26,821 | |||||||
| Realized Price per REO MT (in dollars)(3) | $ | 7,745 | $ | 3,311 | $ | 2,793 |
(1)Represents the difference between the contractual amount realized by Shenghe and the amount of deferred revenue we recognized.
(2)The amounts pertain to tariff rebates due to the retroactive effect of lifting of Chinese tariffs in May 2020.
(3)May not recompute as presented due to rounding.
Production Costs
Production Costs, which we use to calculate our key performance indicator, production cost per REO MT, is a non-GAAP financial measure. As mentioned above, production cost per REO MT is a key indicator of our production efficiency. The following table presents a reconciliation of our Production Costs to our cost of sales (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization), which is determined in accordance with GAAP, as well as the calculation of production cost per REO MT:
| For the year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, unless otherwise stated) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||
| Cost of sales (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization) | $ | 76,253 | $ | 63,798 | $ | 61,261 | ||||
| Adjusted for: | ||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense(1) | (4,294) | (277) | — | |||||||
| Shipping and freight | (8,923) | (8,220) | (7,793) | |||||||
| Other(2) | (79) | (446) | (374) | |||||||
| Production Costs | 62,957 | 54,855 | 53,094 | |||||||
| Divided by: | ||||||||||
| REO sales volume (in MTs) | 42,158 | 38,367 | 26,821 | |||||||
| Production Cost per REO MT (in dollars)(3) | $ | 1,493 | $ | 1,430 | $ | 1,980 |
(1)Pertains only to the amount of stock-based compensation expense included in cost of sales.
45
Table of Contents
(2)Pertains to costs attributable to sales of stockpiles.
(3)May not recompute as presented due to rounding.
Adjusted EBITDA
We define Adjusted EBITDA as our GAAP net income or loss before interest expense, net; income tax expense or benefit; and depreciation, depletion and amortization; further adjusted to eliminate the impact of stock-based compensation expense; transaction-related costs and other non-recurring costs; non-cash accretion of asset retirement and environmental obligations; gain or loss on sale or disposal of long-lived assets; write-downs of inventories; royalty expense; settlement charge; tariff rebates; and other income, net. We present Adjusted EBITDA because it is used by management to evaluate our underlying operating and financial performance and trends.
Adjusted EBITDA excludes certain expenses that are required in accordance with GAAP because they are non-recurring, non-cash or are not related to our underlying business performance. This non-GAAP financial measure is intended to supplement our GAAP results and should not be used as a substitute for financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the comparability between years presented below as well as the trend of our Adjusted EBITDA is impacted by the accounting treatment of the modifications of our agreements with Shenghe. Had the Shenghe Implied Discount applicable to sales made under the Original Offtake Agreement been recognized in revenue, our Adjusted EBITDA for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, would have been higher by $3.7 million and $1.9 million, respectively.
The following table presents a reconciliation of our Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, to our net income (loss), which is determined in accordance with GAAP:
| For the year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 135,037 | $ | (21,825) | $ | (6,755) | ||||
| Adjusted for: | ||||||||||
| Depreciation, depletion and amortization | 24,382 | 6,931 | 4,687 | |||||||
| Interest expense, net | 8,904 | 5,009 | 3,412 | |||||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | 25,158 | (17,636) | 1 | |||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense(1) | 22,931 | 5,014 | — | |||||||
| Transaction-related and other non-recurring costs(2) | 3,716 | 4,438 | 888 | |||||||
| Accretion of asset retirement and environmental obligations | 2,375 | 2,255 | 2,094 | |||||||
| Loss (gain) on sale or disposal of long-lived assets(3) | 569 | 101 | (3,785) | |||||||
| Write-down of inventories(4) | 1,809 | — | — | |||||||
| Royalty expense(5) | — | 2,406 | 1,885 | |||||||
| Settlement charge(6) | — | 66,615 | — | |||||||
| Tariff rebates(7) | (2,050) | (10,347) | — | |||||||
| Other income, net(8) | (3,754) | (352) | (493) | |||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 219,077 | $ | 42,609 | $ | 1,934 |
(1)Principally included in “General and administrative” within our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Approximately $15.3 million and $4.9 million of the amounts for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, pertained to a one-time grant of stock awards to employees and executives upon the consummation of the Business Combination.
(2)Amount for the year ended December 31, 2021, includes mainly advisory, consulting, accounting and legal expenses principally in connection with secondary equity offerings and the redemption of the Company’s Public Warrants in May and June 2021. Amount for the year ended December 31, 2020, includes mainly advisory, consulting, accounting, legal expenses and one-time employee bonuses in connection with the Business Combination, as well as non-recurring costs for SAP implementation. Amounts for the year ended December 31, 2019, includes mainly severance payments to certain former members of our executive team.
(3)For the year ended December 31, 2019, we recorded a gain on sales of idle mining equipment following the acquisition of Mountain Pass.
(4)Represents a non-cash write-down of a portion of our legacy low-grade stockpile inventory during the second quarter of 2021.
(5)Relates to our obligation to pay SNR for the right to extract rare earth ores contained within Mountain Pass. Following the Business Combination, we do not incur royalty expenses on a consolidated basis.
(6)As discussed in the “Comparability of Results” section above, in connection with terminating the DMA, we recognized a one-time, non-cash settlement charge.
(7)Represents non-cash revenue recognized in connection with tariff rebates received relating to product sales from prior periods.
(8)Amount for the year ended December 31, 2021, principally represents a non-cash gain recognized as a result of the Small Business Administration’s approval to forgive the Paycheck Protection Loan.
46
Table of Contents
Adjusted Net Income (Loss)
We calculate Adjusted Net Income (Loss) as our GAAP net income or loss excluding the impact of depletion; stock-based compensation expense; transaction-related and other non-recurring costs; gain or loss on sale or disposal of long-lived assets; write-downs of inventories; royalty expense; settlement charge; tariff rebates; and other income or loss, net; adjusted to give effect to the income tax impact of such adjustments; and the release of valuation allowance. To calculate the income tax impact of such adjustments on a year-to-date basis, we utilize an effective tax rate equal to our income tax expense excluding material discrete costs and benefits, with any impacts of changes in effective tax rate being recognized in the current period. We present Adjusted Net Income (Loss) because it is used by management to evaluate our underlying operating and financial performance and trends.
Adjusted Net Income (Loss) excludes certain expenses that are required in accordance with GAAP because they are non-recurring, non-cash, or not related to our underlying business performance. As a result of the SNR Mineral Rights Acquisition, the mineral rights for the rare earth ores contained in our mine were recorded at fair value as of the date of the Business Combination, resulting in a significant step-up of the carrying amount of the asset which will cause depletion to be meaningfully higher in future periods. While the depletion expense related to the stepped-up mineral rights asset is excluded from Adjusted Net Income (Loss), the revenue related to such mineral rights is reflected in Adjusted Net Income (Loss) as this asset contributes to our revenue generation. This non-GAAP financial measure is intended to supplement our GAAP results and should not be used as a substitute for financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the comparability between years presented below as well as the trend of our Adjusted Net Income (Loss) is impacted by the accounting treatment of the modifications of our agreements with Shenghe.
The following table presents a reconciliation of our Adjusted Net Income (Loss), which is a non-GAAP financial measure, to our net income (loss), which is determined in accordance with GAAP:
| For the year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 135,037 | $ | (21,825) | $ | (6,755) | ||||
| Adjusted for: | ||||||||||
| Depletion(1) | 17,200 | 1,961 | 114 | |||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense(2) | 22,931 | 5,014 | — | |||||||
| Transaction-related and other non-recurring costs(3) | 3,716 | 4,438 | 888 | |||||||
| Loss (gain) on sale or disposal of long-lived assets(4) | 569 | 101 | (3,785) | |||||||
| Write-down of inventories(5) | 1,809 | — | — | |||||||
| Royalty expense(6) | — | 2,406 | 1,885 | |||||||
| Settlement charge(7) | — | 66,615 | — | |||||||
| Tariff rebates(8) | (2,050) | (10,347) | — | |||||||
| Other income, net(9) | (3,754) | (352) | (493) | |||||||
| Tax impact of adjustments above(10) | (7,084) | (17,438) | 379 | |||||||
| Release of valuation allowance(11) | — | (9,333) | — | |||||||
| Adjusted Net Income (Loss) | $ | 168,374 | $ | 21,240 | $ | (7,767) |
(1)Principally includes the depletion associated with the mineral rights for the rare earth ores contained in the Company’s mine, which were recorded in connection with the SNR Mineral Rights Acquisition at fair value as of the date of the Business Combination, resulting in a significant step-up of the carrying amount of the asset. See Note 3, “Business Combination and Reverse Recapitalization” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on the accounting for the asset acquisition.
(2)Principally included in “General and administrative” within our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Approximately $15.3 million and $4.9 million of the amounts for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, pertained to a one-time grant of stock awards to employees and executives upon the consummation of the Business Combination.
(3)Amount for the year ended December 31, 2021, includes mainly advisory, consulting, accounting and legal expenses principally in connection with secondary equity offerings and the redemption of the Company’s Public Warrants in May and June 2021. Amount for the year ended December 31, 2020, includes mainly advisory, consulting, accounting, legal expenses and one-time employee bonuses in connection with the Business Combination, as well as non-recurring costs for SAP implementation. Amounts for the year ended December 31, 2019, includes mainly severance payments to certain former members of our executive team.
(4)For the year ended December 31, 2019, we recorded a gain on sales of idle mining equipment following the acquisition of Mountain Pass.
(5)Represents a non-cash write-down of a portion of our legacy low-grade stockpile inventory during the second quarter of 2021.
(6)Relates to our obligation to pay SNR for the right to extract rare earth ores contained within Mountain Pass. Following the Business Combination, we do not incur royalty expenses on a consolidated basis.
47
Table of Contents
(7)In connection with terminating the DMA, we recognized a one-time, non-cash settlement charge.
(8)Represents non-cash revenue recognized in connection with tariff rebates received relating to product sales from prior periods.
(9)Amount for the year ended December 31, 2021, principally represents a non-cash gain recognized as a result of the Small Business Administration’s approval to forgive the Paycheck Protection Loan.
(10)Tax impact of adjustments is calculated using an adjusted effective tax rate, excluding the impact of discrete tax costs and benefits, to each adjustment. The adjusted effective tax rates were 17.5%, 25.0% and 27.3% for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. See Note 12, “Income Taxes,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on the effective tax rate.
(11)Reflects the one-time impact of the release of the majority of our valuation allowance.
Free Cash Flow
We calculate Free Cash Flow as net cash provided by or used in operating activities less additions of property, plant and equipment, net of proceeds received from government awards used for construction. We believe Free Cash Flow is useful for comparing our ability to generate cash with that of our peers. The presentation of Free Cash Flow is not meant to be considered in isolation or as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities and does not necessarily indicate whether cash flows will be sufficient to fund cash needs.
The following table presents a reconciliation of our Free Cash Flow, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, to our net cash provided by (used in) operating activities, which is determined in accordance with GAAP:
| For the year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities(1) | $ | 101,971 | $ | 3,277 | $ | (437) | ||||
| Additions of property, plant and equipment, net(2) | (119,488) | (22,370) | (2,274) | |||||||
| Free Cash Flow | $ | (17,517) | $ | (19,093) | $ | (2,711) |
(1)Under the terms of the A&R Offtake Agreement and pursuant to the accounting treatment thereof, $54.8 million and $21.3 million of our product sales for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, were excluded from cash provided by operating activities since that portion of the sales price was retained by Shenghe to reduce the debt obligation.
(2)Amount for the year ended December 31, 2021, is net of $4.4 million in proceeds received from a government award used for construction, specifically Stage II.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP requires our management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that impact the reported amount of revenue and operating expenses, assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We consider an accounting judgment, estimate or assumption to be critical when (i) the estimate or assumption is complex in nature or requires a high degree of judgment and (ii) the use of different judgments, estimates and assumptions could have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements. Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 2, “Significant Accounting Policies,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Our critical accounting estimates are described below.
Revenue
We recognize revenue from sales of rare earth products produced from our facility. Our principal customer, Shenghe, purchased the vast majority of our production for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, and is an affiliate of an equity holder of the Company. We recognize revenue at the point in time control of the products transfers to the customer and, under our offtake agreements with Shenghe, our performance obligation is typically satisfied when we deliver products to the agreed-upon shipping point. The transaction price with Shenghe is typically based on an agreed-upon price per MT but subject to certain quality adjustments based on REO content, with an adjustment for the ultimate market price of the product realized by Shenghe in their sales to their customers, further adjusted for certain contractually negotiated amounts. We typically negotiate with and bill an initial price to Shenghe; such prices are then updated based on final adjustments for REO content and/or actual sales prices realized by Shenghe. Sales to Shenghe under the Original Offtake Agreement between July 1, 2019, and June 5, 2020, also reflect an adjustment for the Shenghe Implied Discount.
Debt Obligations and Imputed Interest Rate Applied to Debt Discount
In connection with the June 2020 Modification, we recorded a total principal amount of $94.0 million in debt due to the nature of our obligations, including a carrying amount upon issuance of $85.7 million based on the fair value of the instrument upon issuance, offset by the resulting debt discount of $8.3 million. Since the A&R Offtake Agreement does not have a stated
48
Table of Contents
rate, and the timing and method of repayment is contingent on several factors, including our production and sales volumes, market prices realized by Shenghe, our sales to other parties, our asset sales and the amount of our annual net income, we estimated the timing of payments and other reductions to the outstanding balance to determine an imputed interest rate.
The debt discount represents the difference between the fair value of the debt liability issued and the total amount of the contractual obligation as a consequence of our entry into the A&R Offtake Agreement. The imputed interest rate is calculated by amortizing the debt discount over the time period that management expects to bring the total outstanding principal balance to zero and determining the annualized interest rate necessary to fully amortize the discount in the same period when final principal reduction is expected to occur. Actual repayments or reductions in the principal balance may differ in timing and amount from our estimates, and we therefore expect to update our estimates each reporting period. Accordingly, the imputed interest rate is likely to differ in future periods.
We have determined that we will recognize adjustments from these estimates using the prospective method. Under the prospective method, we will update our estimate of the effective imputed interest rate in future periods based on revised estimates of the timing of remaining principal reductions. This rate will then be used to recognize interest expense for subsequent reporting periods, until the estimates are updated again. Under this method, the effective interest rate is not constant, and changes are recognized prospectively as an adjustment to the effective yield. See Note 9, “Debt Obligations,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.
Asset Retirement Obligations
We recognize asset retirement obligations for estimated costs of legally and contractually required closure, dismantlement, and reclamation activities associated with Mountain Pass. Asset retirement obligations are initially recognized at their estimated fair value in the period in which the obligation is incurred. Fair value is based on the expected timing of reclamation activities, cash flows to perform activities, amount and uncertainty associated with the cash flows, including adjustments for a market risk premium, and discounted using a credit-adjusted risk-free rate. The liability is accreted over time through periodic charges to earnings and reduced as reclamation activities occur; differences between estimated and actual amounts are recognized as an adjustment to operating expense.
Subsequent increments in expected undiscounted cash flows are measured at their discounted values using updated estimates of our credit-adjusted risk-free rate applied to the increment only. Subsequent decrements in the expected undiscounted cash flows are reduced based on the weighted-average credit-adjusted risk-free rate associated with the obligation. When increments and decrements are caused by a change in the estimated timing of settlement, the Company treats the increase in cash flows in the year of the updated estimate as an increment and the reduction in cash flows in the original year as a decrement. Associated asset retirement costs, including the effect of increments and decrements, are recognized as adjustments to the related asset’s carrying amount and depreciated or depleted over the related asset’s remaining useful life. If a decrement is greater than the carrying amount of the related asset, the difference is recognized as a reduction to depreciation expense. As of December 31, 2021, the credit-adjusted risk-free rate ranged between 6.5% and 8.2%, depending on the timing of expected settlement and when the layer or increment was recognized.
As a result of an update to our life of mine in the fourth quarter of 2021, we revised our estimated timing and cash flows pertaining to the settlement of the reclamation and removal activities associated with Mountain Pass, estimating that a significant portion of the cash outflows will now be incurred beginning in 2057 instead of 2043. The change in estimate resulted in a decrement of $9.8 million, of which $8.7 million reduced the carrying amounts of the associated property, plant and equipment, and $1.1 million was recorded as a reduction to depreciation expense for the year ended December 31, 2021. See Note 11, “Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.
Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Recently adopted and issued accounting pronouncements are described in Note 2, “Significant Accounting Policies,” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.