STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL Mr. Donald Bubar Chief Executive Officer Avalon Rare Metals Inc. 130 West Adelaide Street, Suite 1901 Toronto, ON M5H 3P5 Canada Dear Mr. Bubar:
May 21, 2014
STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Chief Executive Officer
Avalon Rare
Metals Inc.
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇
Dear ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇:
This letter agreement (this “Agreement”) constitutes the agreement between Avalon Rare Metals Inc. (the “Company”) and ▇.▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Co., LLC (“▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇”) that ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall serve as the exclusive agent, advisor or underwriter in a United States offering (the “Offering”) of securities of the Company (“Securities”) during the Term (as defined below) of this Agreement. The terms of the Offering and the Securities issued in connection therewith shall be mutually agreed upon by the Company and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and nothing herein implies that ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ would have the power or authority to bind the Company and nothing herein implies that the Company shall have an obligation to issue any Securities. It is understood that ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇’▇ assistance in the Offering will be subject to the satisfactory completion of such investigation and inquiry into the affairs of the Company as ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ reasonably deems appropriate under the circumstances and to the receipt of all internal approvals of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ in connection with the transaction. The Offering will also be conditional on approval of Avalon’s Board of Directors and all required regulatory approvals. The Company expressly acknowledges and agrees that ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇’▇ involvement in the Offering is strictly on a reasonable best efforts basis and that the consummation of the Offering will be subject to, among other things, market conditions. The execution of this Agreement does not constitute a commitment by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ to purchase the Securities and does not ensure a successful Offering of the Securities or the success of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ with respect to securing any other financing on behalf of the Company. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ may retain other brokers, dealers, agents or underwriters on its behalf in connection with the Offering.
A. Compensation; Reimbursement. At the closing of the Offering (the “Closing”), the Company shall compensate ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ as follows:
1. Cash Fee. The Company shall pay to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ a cash fee, or as to an underwritten Offering an underwriter discount, equal to 6% of the aggregate gross proceeds raised in the Offering. Additionally, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall receive a cash fee payable within 48 hours of (but only in the event of) the receipt by the Company of any proceeds from the exercise of any warrants, options or over-subscriptions sold in the Offering, that are exercised within 24 months of Closing.
2. Warrant Coverage. The Company shall issue to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ or its designees authorized to receive warrants under FINRA Rule 5110 at Closing, warrants (the “▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Warrants”) to purchase that number of shares of common stock of the Company equal to 6% of the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock placed in the Offering (including such shares of Common Stock underlying any “greenshoe”, “additional investment” or “short-term warrant” option component). If the Offering does not include any Common Stock, then the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Warrants shall be equal to 6% of the gross proceeds raised in such Offering divided by the then market price of the Common Stock. The ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Warrants shall have the same terms as the warrants issued to investors in the applicable Offering, except they will have a term of 3 years and have a strike price of 120% of the public offering price per share or share equivalent. If no warrants are issued to investors in the Offering, the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Warrants shall be in a customary form reasonably acceptable to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and the Company, have a term of 3 years and an exercise price equal to 120% of the then market price of the Common Stock.
3. Expense Allowance. Out of the gross proceeds of the Offering, the Company also agrees to pay ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ a non-accountable expense allowance of $35,000 (provided, however, that such reimbursement amount in no way limits or impairs the indemnification and contribution provisions of this Agreement).
4. Tail Fee. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall be entitled to compensation under clauses (1) and (2) hereunder, calculated in the manner set forth therein, with respect to any public or private offering of the Company’s Securities (or an investment convertible into Securities) of any kind (“Tail Financing”) to the extent that such financing is provided to the Company with investors whom ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ had introduced, via in person meeting, telephone call to the Company during the Term, or who participates in the Offering if such Tail Financing is consummated at any time within the 12-month period following the expiration or termination of this Agreement, with the exception that any investor previously known to the Company and whom is identified by the Company to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ within 24 hours of becoming aware of such investor, shall be excluded from this Tail Fee.
▇. ▇▇▇▇ and Termination of Engagement; Exclusivity. The term of this Agreement will begin on the date hereof and end the earlier of (i) the Closing and (ii) 60 days following the date of this Agreement (the “Term”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Company agrees that the provisions relating to the payment of fees, reimbursement of expenses, indemnification and contribution, confidentiality, conflicts, independent contractor and waiver of the right to trial by jury will survive any termination of this Agreement. During ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇’▇ engagement hereunder: (i) the Company will not, and will not permit its representatives to, other than in coordination with ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, contact or solicit institutions, corporations or other entities or individuals in the United States as potential purchasers of the Securities and (ii) the Company will not pursue any financing transaction in the United States which would be in lieu of the Offering; provided, nothing in this Agreement shall preclude the Company from utilizing its existing at the market offering program, existing equity line program or a flow through offering. Furthermore, the Company agrees that during ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇’▇ engagement hereunder, all inquiries, whether direct or indirect, from prospective United States investors will be referred to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and will be deemed to have been contacted by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ in connection with the Offering, subject to clause (A.4) above.
C. Information; Reliance. During the Term, the Company shall furnish, or cause to be furnished, to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ all information reasonably requested by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ for the purpose of rendering services hereunder (all such information being the “Information”). In addition, the Company agrees to make available to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ upon reasonable request from time to time during the Term the officers, directors, accountants, counsel and other advisors of the Company, in connection with ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇’▇ performance of its duties hereunder. The Company recognizes and confirms that ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ (a) will use and rely on the Information, including any documents provided to investors by the Company in the Offering (the “Offering Documents” which shall include any Purchase Agreements (as defined below)), and on information available from the Company’s website, ▇▇▇▇▇ and SEDAR in performing the services contemplated by this Agreement without having independently verified the same; (b) does not assume responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the Offering Documents or the Information and such other information; and (c) will not make an appraisal of any of the assets or liabilities of the Company. Upon reasonable request, the Company will meet with ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ or its representatives to discuss all information relevant for disclosure in the Offering Documents and will cooperate in any investigation undertaken by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ thereof, including any document included or incorporated by reference therein. At the Closing of the Offering, at the request of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, the Company shall deliver such legal letters, comfort letters and officer’s certificates, all in form and substance satisfactory to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and the Company as is customary for such Offering. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall be a third party beneficiary of any representations, warranties, covenants and closing conditions made by the Company in any Offering Documents, including representations, warranties, covenants and closing conditions made to any investor in the Offering.
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D. Related Agreements. In connection with the Offering, the Company shall enter into the following additional agreements:
1. Underwritten Offering. If the Offering is an underwritten Offering, the Company and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall enter into a customary underwriting agreement in form and substance satisfactory to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and the Company.
2. Best Efforts Offering. If the Offering is on a best efforts basis, the sale of Securities to the investors in the Offering will be evidenced by a purchase agreement (“Purchase Agreement”) between the Company and such investors in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Company and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇. Prior to the signing of any Purchase Agreement, officers of the Company with responsibility for financial affairs will be available to answer inquiries from prospective investors.
3. Escrow. In respect of the Offering, the Company and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall enter into an escrow agreement with a third party escrow agent pursuant to which ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇’▇ compensation shall be paid from the gross proceeds of the Securities sold. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall bear the cost of the escrow agent.
4. FINRA Amendments. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in the event that ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ determines that any of the terms provided for hereunder shall not comply with a FINRA rule, including but not limited to FINRA Rule 5110, then the Company shall agree to amend this Agreement (or include such revisions in the final underwriting) in writing upon the request of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ to comply with any such rules; provided that any such amendments shall not provide for terms that are less favorable to the Company.
E. Confidentiality. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall execute a confidentiality agreement in customary form and substance if ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ deems it necessary to obtain non-public information from the Company in the course of its due diligence review of the Company’s business. In the event of the consummation or public announcement of any Offering, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall have the right to disclose its participation in such Offering, including, without limitation, the Offering at its cost of “tombstone” advertisements in financial and other newspapers and journals, subject to compliance with applicable securities laws.
F. Indemnity.
1. In connection with the Company’s engagement of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ as Offering agent, the Company hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, and the respective controlling persons, directors, officers, members, shareholders, agents and employees of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ (collectively the “Indemnified Persons”), from and against the cost, judgment or settlement of any and all claims, actions, suits, proceedings (including those of shareholders) incurred by any of them (including the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel), as incurred, (collectively a “Claim”), that are (A) related to or arise out of (i) any actions taken or omitted to be taken (including any untrue statements made or any statements omitted to be made) by the Company, or (ii) any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any Indemnified Person in connection with the Company’s engagement of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, or (B) otherwise relate to or arise out of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇’▇ activities on the Company’s behalf under ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇’▇ engagement, and the Company shall reimburse any Indemnified Person for all reasonable expenses (including the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) as incurred by such Indemnified Person in connection with investigating, preparing or defending any such claim, action, suit or proceeding, whether or not in connection with pending or threatened litigation in which any Indemnified Person is a party. The Company will not, however, be responsible for any Claim that is finally judicially determined to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of any person seeking indemnification for such Claim. The Company further agrees that no Indemnified Person shall have any liability to the Company for or in connection with the Company’s engagement of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ except for any Claim incurred by the Company as a result of such Indemnified Person’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.
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2. The Company further agrees that it will not, without the prior written consent of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, settle, compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment in any pending or threatened Claim in respect of which indemnification may be sought hereunder (whether or not any Indemnified Person is an actual or potential party to such Claim), unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional, irrevocable release of each Indemnified Person from any and all liability arising out of such Claim.
3. Promptly upon receipt by an Indemnified Person of notice, assertion or institution of any Claim with respect to which indemnification is being sought hereunder, such Indemnified Person shall notify the Company in writing of such complaint or of such assertion or institution but failure to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company from any obligation it may have hereunder, except and only to the extent such failure results in the forfeiture by the Company of substantial rights and defenses. If the Company so elects or is requested by such Indemnified Person, the Company will assume the defense of such Claim, including the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Person and the payment of the fees and expenses of such counsel. In the event, however, that legal counsel to such Indemnified Person reasonably determines that having common counsel would present such counsel with a conflict of interest or if the defendant in, or target of, any such Claim, includes an Indemnified Person and the Company, and legal counsel to such Indemnified Person reasonably concludes that there may be legal defenses available to it or other Indemnified Persons different from or in addition to those available to the Company, that cannot be provided by the legal counsel provided by the Company, then the Company will engage separate legal counsel who is not conflicted and can provide such legal defenses. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if the Company fails timely or diligently to defend, contest, or otherwise protect against any substantial Claim, the relevant Indemnified Party shall have the right, but not the obligation, to defend, contest, compromise, settle, assert crossclaims, or counterclaims or otherwise protect against the same, and shall be fully indemnified by the Company therefor, including without limitation, for the reasonable fees and expenses of its counsel and all reasonable amounts paid as a result of such Claim or the compromise or settlement thereof. In addition, with respect to any Claim in which the Company assumes the defense, the Indemnified Person shall have the right to participate in such Claim and to retain his, her or its own counsel therefor at his, her or its own expense.
4. The Company agrees that if any indemnity sought by an Indemnified Person hereunder is held by a court to be unavailable for any reason then (whether or not ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ is the Indemnified Person), the Company and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall contribute to the Claim for which such indemnity is held unavailable in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits to the Company, on the one hand, and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ on the other, in connection with ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇’▇ engagement referred to above, subject to the limitation that in no event shall the amount of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇’▇ contribution to such Claim exceed the amount of fees actually received by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ from the Company pursuant to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇’▇ engagement. The Company hereby agrees that the relative benefits to the Company, on the one hand, and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ on the other, with respect to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇’▇ engagement shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as (a) the total value paid or proposed to be paid or received by the Company pursuant to the Offering (whether or not consummated) for which ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ is engaged to render services bears to (b) the fee paid or proposed to be paid to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ in connection with such engagement.
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5. The Company’s indemnity, reimbursement and contribution obligations under this Agreement (a) shall be in addition to, and shall in no way limit or otherwise adversely affect any rights that any Indemnified Party may have at law or at equity and (b) shall be effective whether or not the Company is at fault in any way.
G. Limitation of Engagement to the Company. The Company acknowledges that ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ has been retained only by the Company, that ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ is providing services hereunder as an independent contractor (and not in any fiduciary or agency capacity) and that the Company’s engagement of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ is not deemed to be on behalf of, and is not intended to confer rights upon, any shareholder, owner or partner of the Company or any other person not a party hereto as against ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ or any of its affiliates, or any of its or their respective officers, directors, controlling persons (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), employees or agents. Unless otherwise expressly agreed in writing by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, no one other than the Company is authorized to rely upon this Agreement or any other statements or conduct of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, and no one other than the Company is intended to be a beneficiary of this Agreement. The Company acknowledges that any recommendation or advice, written or oral, given by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ to the Company in connection with ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇’▇ engagement is intended solely for the benefit and use of the Company’s management and directors in considering a possible Offering, and any such recommendation or advice is not on behalf of, and shall not confer any rights or remedies upon, any other person or be used or relied upon for any other purpose. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall not have the authority to make any commitment binding on the Company. The Company, in its sole discretion, shall have the right to reject any investor introduced to it by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.
H. Limitation of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇’▇ Liability to the Company. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and the Company further agree that neither ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ nor any of its affiliates or any of its their respective officers, directors, controlling persons (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act), employees or agents shall have any liability to the Company, its security holders or creditors, or any person asserting claims on behalf of or in the right of the Company (whether direct or indirect, in contract, tort, for an act of negligence or otherwise) for any losses, fees, damages, liabilities, costs, expenses or equitable relief arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the services rendered hereunder, except for losses, fees, damages, liabilities, costs or expenses that arise out of or are based on any action of or failure to act by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and that have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.
I. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made and to be fully performed therein. Any disputes that arise under this Agreement, even after the termination of this Agreement, will be heard only in the state or federal courts located in the City of New York, State of New York. The parties hereto expressly agree to submit themselves to the jurisdiction of the foregoing courts in the City of New York, State of New York. The parties hereto expressly waive any rights they may have to contest the jurisdiction, venue or authority of any court sitting in the City and State of New York. In the event of the bringing of any action, or suit by a party hereto against the other party hereto, arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the party in whose favor the final judgment or award shall be entered shall be entitled to have and recover from the other party the costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith, including its reasonable attorneys’ fees. Any rights to trial by jury with respect to any such action, proceeding or suit are hereby waived by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and the Company.
J. Notices. All notices hereunder will be in writing and sent by certified mail, hand delivery, overnight delivery or fax, if sent to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, to ▇. ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Co. LLC, at the address set forth on the first page hereof, email address: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇@▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇ Attention: Head of Investment Banking, and if sent to the Company, to the address set forth on the first page hereof, fax number ▇▇▇-▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇ Attention: Chief Executive Officer. Notices sent by certified mail shall be deemed received five days thereafter, notices sent by hand delivery or overnight delivery shall be deemed received on the date of the relevant written record of receipt, and notices delivered by fax shall be deemed received as of the date and time printed thereon by the fax machine.
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K. Conflicts. The Company acknowledges that ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and its affiliates may have and may continue to have investment banking and other relationships with parties other than the Company pursuant to which ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ may acquire information of interest to the Company. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall have no obligation to disclose such information to the Company or to use such information in connection with any contemplated transaction.
L. Anti-Money Laundering. To help the United States government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, the federal laws of the United States requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each person with whom they do business. This means we must ask you for certain identifying information, including a government-issued identification number (e.g., a U.S. taxpayer identification number) and such other information or documents that we consider appropriate to verify your identity, such as certified articles of incorporation, a government-issued business license, a partnership agreement or a trust instrument.
M. Miscellaneous. The Company represents and warrants that it has all requisite power and authority to enter into and carry out the terms and provisions of this Agreement and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement does not breach or conflict with any agreement, document or instrument to which it is a party or bound. This Agreement shall not be modified or amended except in writing signed by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and the Company. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of both ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and the Company and their respective assigns, successors, and legal representatives. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and the Company with respect to this Offering and supersedes any prior agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof. If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be invalid or unenforceable in any respect, such determination will not affect such provision in any other respect, and the remainder of the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (including facsimile counterparts), each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
N. Canadian Securities Law Compliance. Wainwright will not offer or solicit any offers to purchase Securities in any Province or Territory of Canada or to any person who is a resident of Canada. Wainwright covenants and agrees that it will not, during the period ending on the date that is four (4) months and one (1) day after the date of issuance of the Securities, sell or otherwise effect a trade of any of the Securities to any person resident in Canada or any person acquiring such Securities for the benefit of another person resident in Canada, and ensure that the Securities do not come to rest in Canada, other than in a transaction made in compliance with the prospectus and registration requirements of applicable Canadian securities laws or which otherwise is made in reliance on any available exemptions thereon.
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In acknowledgment that the foregoing correctly sets forth the understanding reached by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and the Company, please sign in the space provided below, whereupon this letter shall constitute a binding Agreement as of the date indicated above.
Very truly yours,
▇.▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & CO., LLC
By /s/ ▇▇▇▇ ▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Name: ▇▇▇▇ ▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Chief Executive Officer
Accepted and Agreed:
By /s/ ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇
Name:
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Title: President
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