Platinum Group Metals Ltd. Enters Into At-The-Market Equity Distribution Agreement

Rhea-AI Summary

Platinum Group Metals (PLG) has entered into a new equity distribution agreement for an at-the-market equity program with BMO Nesbitt Burns, Beacon Securities , and BMO Capital Markets Corp. The 2024 ATM Program allows the company to distribute up to US$50.0 million worth of common shares at prevailing market prices.

The net proceeds will be used over 24 months for the Waterberg Project pre-construction work, engineering, potential phase one development, a Saudi Arabia smelter and base metal refinery feasibility study, contingency provision, and corporate expenses. The program will terminate on December 13, 2026, or when gross sales reach US$50.0 million.

Positive

• Secured up to US$50.0 million in potential funding through ATM program
• Flexibility in timing and amount of share issuance based on market conditions
• Clear allocation of funds for Waterberg Project development and feasibility studies

Negative

• Potential shareholder dilution through new share issuance
• No obligation for company to make sales under the agreement

Insights

Financial Analyst

The launch of a $50 million ATM program represents a significant financing initiative for Platinum Group Metals, providing flexible access to capital over the next two years. The funds will support critical pre-construction work at the Waterberg Project and feasibility studies for the Saudi Arabia smelter. While ATM programs typically offer better pricing compared to traditional equity raises, they can lead to gradual dilution as shares are sold at market prices.

The strategic allocation of funds towards project development and feasibility studies indicates a focused approach to advancing the company's core assets. However, the potential dilution risk and the company's discretionary control over share issuance timing could create near-term pressure on the stock price. The 24-month timeline provides extended funding runway but also signals ongoing capital needs for project development.

Mining Industry Expert

The establishment of this ATM facility demonstrates Platinum Group Metals' commitment to advancing the Waterberg Project, a significant PGM asset. The focus on pre-construction work and potential phase one development suggests the company is moving closer to a construction decision. The inclusion of funding for a Saudi Arabian smelter feasibility study also indicates strategic diversification into downstream processing capabilities.

However, the need for additional funding through equity raises at current market prices, when PGM prices are relatively subdued, reflects the challenging market conditions facing junior mining companies. The flexible nature of the ATM program allows management to minimize dilution by timing share sales with market strength, but it also signals that internal cash flows are insufficient to fund development plans.

Vancouver, British Columbia and Johannesburg, South Africa--(Newsfile Corp. - December 5, 2024) - Platinum Group Metals Ltd. (TSX: PTM) (NYSE American: PLG) ("Platinum Group", "PTM" or the "Company") reports that it has entered into a new equity distribution agreement effective as of December 5, 2024 (the "Distribution Agreement") with BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. and Beacon Securities Limited (the "Canadian Agents") and BMO Capital Markets Corp. (the "U.S. Agent" and together with the Canadian Agents, the "Agents") for a new at-the-market equity program ("2024 ATM Program").

The Distribution Agreement will allow the Company to distribute up to US$50.0 million (or the equivalent in Canadian dollars) of common shares of the Company (the "Offered Shares") under the 2024 ATM Program. The Offered Shares will be issued by the Company to the public from time to time, through the Agents, at the Company's discretion. The Offered Shares sold under the 2024 ATM Program, if any, will be sold at the prevailing market price at the time of sale. The net proceeds of any such sales under the 2024 ATM Program are anticipated to be used, over the following 24 months, for the Waterberg property (the "Waterberg Project") pre-construction site work, engineering and preparation, a potential phase one development program at the Waterberg Project, a Saudi Arabia smelter and base metal refinery definitive feasibility study, a contingency provision and general, corporate and administrative expenses.

Under the Distribution Agreement, sales of Offered Shares will be made by the Agents through "at-the-market distributions" as defined in National Instrument 44-102 – Shelf Distributions on the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX"), NYSE American, LLC ("NYSE American") or any other trading market for the Offered Shares in Canada or the United States or as otherwise agreed between the Agents and the Company. The Company is not obligated to make any sales of Offered Shares under the Distribution Agreement. Unless earlier terminated by the Company or the Agents as permitted therein, the Distribution Agreement will terminate upon the earlier of (i) December 13, 2026 and (ii) the date that the aggregate gross sales proceeds of the Offered Shares sold under the 2024 ATM Program reaches the aggregate amount of US$50.0 million (or the equivalent in Canadian dollars).

The 2024 ATM Program is being made pursuant to a prospectus supplement to the Company's short form base shelf prospectus dated November 13, 2024 and forming a part of the Company's U.S. registration statement on Form F-10 filed October 31, 2024, as amended on November 13, 2024. The prospectus supplement relating to the 2024 ATM Program has been filed with the securities commissions in each of the provinces and territories of Canada and with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

The Company has relied on the exemption for "Eligible Interlisted Issuers" under Section 602.1 of the TSX Company Manual in connection with the listing of the Offered Shares on the TSX.

Copies of the prospectus supplement, the Distribution Agreement and other relevant documents are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and EDGAR at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, copies of the prospectus supplement relating to the 2024 ATM Program may be obtained, when available from:

Canadian Short Form Base Shelf Prospectus and Prospectus Supplement: BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. Mississauga Distribution Centre C/O The Data Group of Companies 80 Ambassador Drive Mississauga, Ontario L5T 2Y9 or by emailing pgardner@datagroup.ca

U.S. F-10 Registration Statement, as amended, and Prospectus Supplement: BMO Capital Markets 151 W 42nd Street, 32nd Floor New York, NY 10036 Attention: Equity Syndicate Department or by emailing bmoprospectus@bmo.com

 

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities, nor will there be any sale of, the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Platinum Group Metals Ltd. and the Waterberg Project

Platinum Group Metals Ltd. is the operator of the Waterberg Project, a bulk underground palladium and platinum deposit located in South Africa. The Waterberg Project was discovered by Platinum Group and is being operated in joint-venture with Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd., Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation, Hanwa Co. Ltd., Mnombo Wethu Consultants (Pty) Ltd. ("Mnombo"), and HJ Platinum Metals Company Ltd.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of
Platinum Group Metals Ltd.

Frank R. Hallam
President, CEO and Director

For further information contact:
Kris Begic, VP, Corporate Development
Platinum Group Metals Ltd., Vancouver
Tel: (604) 899-5450 / Toll Free: (866) 899-5450

Disclosure

The TSX and the NYSE American have not reviewed and do not accept responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this news release, which has been prepared by management.

This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws and forward-looking statements within the meaning of U.S. securities laws (collectively "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "may", "will", "plans", "postulate" and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. All statements that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, the future issuance of Offered Shares sold under the 2024 ATM Program; the ability to allocate of the proceeds from any sale of the Offered Shares as described in the Prospectus Supplement; the aggregate gross proceeds of the 2024 ATM Program; the use of proceeds from any sales of Offered Shares under the 2024 ATM Program; and the Company's other future plans and expectations. Although the Company believes any forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations and assumptions in such statements will prove to be correct.

The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including but not limited to, the Company may not sell any of the Offered Shares or may raise less than the maximum offering amount under the 2024 ATM Program; management has broad discretion in the use of proceeds from the 2024 ATM Program; compliance with regulatory requirements; the Company's inability to generate sufficient cash flow or raise additional capital, and to comply with the terms of any new indebtedness; additional financing requirements; and any new indebtedness may be secured, which potentially could result in the loss of any assets pledged by the Company; the Company's history of losses and negative cash flow; the Company's ability to continue as a going concern; the Company's properties may not be brought into a state of commercial production; uncertainty of estimated production, development plans and cost estimates for the Waterberg Project; discrepancies between actual and estimated mineral reserves and mineral resources, between actual and estimated development and operating costs, between actual and estimated metallurgical recoveries and between estimated and actual production; fluctuations in the relative values of the U.S. Dollar, the South African Rand and the Canadian Dollar; volatility in metals prices; the uncertainty of alternative funding sources for Waterberg JV Resources (Pty) Ltd ("Waterberg JV Co."); the Company may become subject to the U.S. Investment Company Act; the failure of the Company or the other shareholders to fund their pro rata share of funding obligations for the Waterberg Project; any disputes or disagreements with the other shareholders of Waterberg JV Co. or Mnombo; the ability of the Company to retain its key management employees and skilled and experienced personnel; conflicts of interest; litigation or other administrative proceedings brought against the Company; actual or alleged breaches of governance processes or instances of fraud, bribery or corruption; exploration, development and mining risks and the inherently dangerous nature of the mining industry, and the risk of inadequate insurance or inability to obtain insurance to cover these risks and other risks and uncertainties; property and mineral title risks including defective title to mineral claims or property; changes in national and local government legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in Canada and South Africa; equipment shortages and the ability of the Company to acquire necessary access rights and infrastructure for its mineral properties; environmental regulations and the ability to obtain and maintain necessary permits, including environmental authorizations and water use licences; extreme competition in the mineral exploration industry; delays in obtaining, or a failure to obtain, permits necessary for current or future operations or failures to comply with the terms of such permits; risks of doing business in South Africa, including but not limited to, labour, economic and political instability and potential changes to and failures to comply with legislation; pandemics and other public health crises; the Company's common shares may be delisted from the NYSE American or the TSX if it cannot maintain compliance with the applicable listing requirements; and other risk factors described in the Company's most recent Form 40-F annual report, AIF and other filings, including the short form base shelf prospectus, prospectus supplement and the Form F-10 registration statement, with the SEC and Canadian securities regulators, which may be viewed at www.sec.gov and www.sedarplus.ca, respectively. Proposed changes in the mineral law in South Africa if implemented as proposed would have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and potential interest in projects. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether because of new information, future events or results or otherwise.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/232684

FAQ

What is the maximum value of shares PLG can distribute under the 2024 ATM Program?

PLG can distribute up to US$50.0 million (or the equivalent in Canadian dollars) of common shares under the 2024 ATM Program.

When does PLG's 2024 ATM Program agreement expire?

The agreement terminates on December 13, 2026, or when the aggregate gross sales reaches US$50.0 million, whichever comes first.

How will PLG use the proceeds from the 2024 ATM Program?

The proceeds will be used for Waterberg Project pre-construction work, engineering, potential phase one development, Saudi Arabia smelter and base metal refinery feasibility study, contingency provision, and corporate expenses over 24 months.