First Atlantic Nickel Corp. (TSXV: FAN) (OTCQB: FANCF) (FSE: P21)
("First Atlantic" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it
has entered into an agreement dated February 9, 2025, to issue a $3
million senior unsecured debenture (the "Debenture") through a
non-brokered debt private placement (the "Private Placement").
Closing of the Private Placement remains subject to certain closing
conditions, including approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the
"Exchange").
This strategic investment marks a significant
milestone for the Company, providing it with a non-dilutive source
of capital to support the development of the Company's district
scale Atlantic Nickel Project.
The Debenture is the largest individual capital
funding transaction in First Atlantic's history and contains
favourable terms, including a 5-year deferral on all interest and
principal payments. No equity securities will be issued to the
lender on closing, ensuring no immediate dilution to the Company.
Additionally, there were no finder's fees of cash or warrants
issued as the Company closed the transaction directly with the
lender.
Highlights:
- $3
Million in Proceeds: The $3 million in non-dilutive
proceeds from the Debenture will fully fund the Company's Phase 2
Drill program, assays and metallurgical testing.
- RPM Zone
Phase 1: Phase 1 Drill core assay results anticipated
soon.
- RPM Zone
Phase 2: Phase 2 Drill permits approved with road
construction nearing completion. Updates to be provided
shortly.
-
Strategic Capital: The $3 million in new funding
from a strategic investor provides strong financial backing for the
Company's Atlantic Nickel Project exploration and development.
- No
Dilution: No equity securities are required to be issued
to the lender under the Debenture.
- No
Commissions: No commissions, finder's fees, or broker
warrants were issued as the Private Placement was initiated and
completed between the Company and the lender.
- 5-Year
Maturity: The Debenture is not required to be repaid until
maturity in 2030 and the Company is entitled to satisfy the annual
interest obligations under the Debenture by adding such amounts to
the principal amount outstanding under the Debenture.
For further information, questions, or investor
inquiries, please contact Rob Guzman at
First Atlantic Nickel by phone at +1 844
592 6337 or via email at
rob@fanickel.com.
"We are thrilled to secure this significant $3
million non-dilutive capital funding on such favorable terms for
our shareholders," said Adrian Smith, CEO of First Atlantic. "This
funding will enable us to accelerate Phase 2 Drilling at the
Atlantic Nickel Project, with the goal of expanding the mineralized
footprint of the RPM Zone. The lender's strong financial backing,
provided on favourable terms, allows us to maintain our rapid
exploration and development pace following major awaruite nickel
discoveries in our first drill program, which began in the fourth
quarter of 2024."
The proceeds from the Debenture will fund the
fully permitted Phase 2 Drilling program and preliminary
metallurgical testing at the Atlantic Nickel Project as detailed in
the Company's news release dated January 15, 2025. Following the
closing of the Private Placement, the Company anticipates an
accelerated news cycle in the coming weeks, with updates from the
completed Phase 1 Drill program and the commencement of Phase 2
Drilling.
Transaction Terms
The Debenture will bear interest at an interest
rate of 9.5% per annum. Interest will be calculated and paid in
12-month intervals from the closing date, over a term of five
years.
The Company may satisfy interest payments due
prior to maturity in one of three ways, by:
|
(i) |
adding the interest to the principal amount of the Debenture; |
|
(ii) |
issuing common shares ("Common Shares") to the lender; or |
|
(iii) |
payment in cash, and interest payable on maturity may be satisfied
pursuant to items (ii) or (iii). |
If the Company elects to issue Common Shares to
satisfy interest payments, the Common Shares will be issued at the
greater of: (i) the 20-day volume-weighted average price of
the Common Shares; or (ii) the minimum price permitted by the
Exchange. The Company may not elect to issue Common Shares if such
issuance would result the lender owning or controlling more than
9.99% of the Company's outstanding Common Shares
(the "Ownership Cap"), provided that the lender may, on 61
days' prior written notice, increase the Ownership Cap to a maximum
of 19.99%.
The Debenture will mature five years from the
date of issue (the "Maturity Date"). In the event of a change of
control of the Company or a project transfer, the holder may redeem
the Debenture at a price equal to 130% of the outstanding principal
amount, plus all accrued and unpaid interest.
On or after the third anniversary of the issue
date of the Debenture and before the fourth anniversary, the
Company may elect to prepay all (but not less than all) of the
principal and accrued interest under the Debenture by paying 130%
of the principal amount, plus all accrued and unpaid interest. On
or after the fourth anniversary of the issue date of the Debenture,
the Company may prepay all (but not less than all) of the principal
and accrued interest by paying 115% of the principal amount, plus
all accrued and unpaid interest.
The Debenture holder may, at its option, at any
time until 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on the Maturity Date, elect to
receive a 2% net smelter return royalty on certain claims within
the Atlantic Nickel Project in lieu of payment of the principal
amount and all accrued and unpaid interest under the Debenture.
No finder's fees are payable in connection with
the Private Placement. Closing of the Private Placement remains
subject to receipt of Exchange approval. All securities issued
pursuant to the Private Placement are subject to a statutory
four-month hold period.
Investor Information
The Common Shares trade on the Exchange under
the symbol "FAN", the American OTCQB Exchange
under the symbol "FANCF" and on several German
exchanges, including Frankfurt and Tradegate, under the symbol
"P21".
Investors can get updates about First Atlantic
by signing up to receive news via email and SMS text at
www.fanickel.com. Stay connected and learn more by following us on
these social media platforms:
https://x.com/FirstAtlanticNihttps://www.facebook.com/firstatlanticnickelhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/firstatlanticnickel/
FOR MORE INFORMATION:First
Atlantic Investor RelationsRobert GuzmanTel: +1
844 592 6337Email: rob@fanickel.com
Disclosure
Adrian Smith, P.Geo., is a qualified person as
defined by NI 43-101. The qualified person is a member in good
standing of the Professional Engineers and Geoscientists
Newfoundland and Labrador (PEGNL) and is a registered professional
geoscientist (P.Geo.). Mr. Smith has reviewed and approved the
technical information disclosed herein.
About First Atlantic Nickel
Corp.
First Atlantic Nickel Corp. (TSXV: FAN) (OTCQB:
FANCF) (FSE: P21) is a Canadian mineral exploration company
developing the 100%-owned Atlantic Nickel Project, a large-scale
nickel project strategically located near existing infrastructure
in Newfoundland, Canada. The Project's nickel occurs as awaruite, a
natural nickel-iron alloy containing approximately 75% nickel with
no-sulfur and no-sulfides. Awaruite's properties allow for
smelter-free magnetic separation and concentration, which could
strengthen North America's critical minerals supply chain by
reducing foreign dependence on nickel smelting. This aligns with
new US Electric Vehicle US IRA requirements, which stipulate that
beginning in 2025, an eligible clean vehicle may not contain any
critical minerals processed by a FEOC (Foreign Entities of
Concern)1.
First Atlantic aims to be a key input of a
secure and reliable North American critical minerals supply chain
for the stainless steel and electric vehicle industries in the USA
and Canada. The Company is positioned to meet the growing demand
for responsibly sourced nickel that complies with the critical
mineral requirements for eligible clean vehicles under the US IRA.
With its commitment to responsible practices and experienced team,
First Atlantic is poised to contribute significantly to the nickel
industry's future, supporting the transition to a cleaner energy
landscape. This mission gained importance when the US added nickel
to its critical minerals list in 2022, recognizing it as a non-fuel
mineral essential to economic and national security with a supply
chain vulnerable to disruption.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its
Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies
of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the
adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Forward-looking statements:
This news release may include "forward-looking
information" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Such
forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs
and are based on a number of estimates and/or assumptions made by
and information currently available to the Company that, while
considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks,
uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results
and future events to differ materially from those expressed or
implied by such forward-looking information. Forward looking
information in this news release includes, but is not limited to,
statements pertaining to the use of funds from the Private
Placement, receipt of Exchange approval to close the Private
Placement and issue the Debenture, the Company's objectives, goals
or future plans, and statements and estimates of market conditions.
Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking information are
neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to known and
unknown risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to,
general business, economic, competitive, political and social
uncertainties, uncertain and volatile equity and capital markets,
lack of available capital, actual results of exploration
activities, environmental risks, future prices of base and other
metals, operating risks, accidents, labour issues, delays in
obtaining governmental approvals and permits, and other risks in
the mining industry. Additional factors and risks including
various risk factors discussed in the Company's disclosure
documents which can be found under the Company's profile on
http://www.sedarplus.ca. Should one or more of these risks or
uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the
forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary
materially from those described herein as intended, planned,
anticipated, believed, estimated or expected.
The Company is presently an exploration stage
company. Exploration is highly speculative in nature, involves many
risks, requires substantial expenditures, and may not result in the
discovery of mineral deposits that can be mined profitably.
Furthermore, the Company currently has no mineral reserves on any
of its properties. As a result, there can be no assurance that such
forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and actual
results and future events could differ materially from those
anticipated in such statements.
We seek safe harbour.
1 https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1939
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