Kopernik Global Investors Files SC 13D for Northern Dynasty Minerals
Ticker: NAK · Form: SC 13D · Filed: Nov 4, 2024 · CIK: 1164771
Sentiment: neutral
Topics: activist-investor, sc-13d, minerals
TL;DR
**Kopernik takes stake in Northern Dynasty Minerals. Watch for potential changes.**
AI Summary
Kopernik Global Investors, LLC has filed an SC 13D, indicating a significant stake in Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. The filing, dated November 4, 2024, was made on March 24, 2023, suggesting a potential shift in control or strategy for the gold and silver ore company. Kopernik Global Investors, LLC is based in Tampa, Florida.
Why It Matters
This filing signals that Kopernik Global Investors, LLC may be seeking to influence or take control of Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd., potentially impacting the company's future operations and shareholder value.
Risk Assessment
Risk Level: medium — SC 13D filings often precede activist investor actions, which can lead to significant volatility and strategic shifts for the target company.
Key Players & Entities
- Kopernik Global Investors, LLC (company) — Filing entity
- Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. (company) — Subject company
- 604-684-6365 (dollar_amount) — Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. business phone number
- 813-314-6127 (dollar_amount) — Kopernik Global Investors, LLC business phone number
- March 24, 2023 (date) — Date of event requiring filing
- November 4, 2024 (date) — Filing date
FAQ
What is the primary business of Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.?
Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. is in the Gold & Silver Ores industry, SIC code 1040.
Where is Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. headquartered?
Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. is located at 1040 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, A1, V6E 4H8.
What is the filing date of this SC 13D statement?
The filing date is November 4, 2024.
Who is the entity filing the SC 13D statement?
The filing entity is Kopernik Global Investors, LLC, located in Tampa, Florida.
What is the CUSIP number for Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. common shares?
The CUSIP number is 66510M204.
Filing Stats: 2,898 words · 12 min read · ~10 pages · Grade level 11.4 · Accepted 2024-11-04 12:28:18
Key Financial Figures
- $32,696,624 — the Reporting Persons is approximately $32,696,624, including brokerage commissions. LEGA
- $15,000,000 — e and sale of the Convertible Notes for $15,000,000 in cash. The acquisition of the origina
- $0.4423 — Price/Share (US$) 10/22/2024 52,033 $0.4423 10/29/2024 25,000 $0.4502 10/30/2
- $0.4502 — 52,033 $0.4423 10/29/2024 25,000 $0.4502 10/30/2024 47,619 $0.4459 (d) Oth
- $0.4459 — 25,000 $0.4502 10/30/2024 47,619 $0.4459 (d) Other than the entities and perso
- $15 million — having an aggregate principal amount of $15 million (the “Convertible Notes”).
- $0.3557 — ares at a per share conversion price of $0.3557 (the “Conversion Price”), s
Filing Documents
- c110427_sc13d.htm (SC 13D) — 54KB
- c110427_ex99-1.htm (EX-99.1) — 4KB
- c110427_ex99-2.htm (EX-99.2) — 8KB
- c110427_ex99-3.htm (EX-99.3) — 227KB
- c110427_ex99-4.htm (EX-99.4) — 188KB
- x2_c110427x12x1.jpg (GRAPHIC) — 6KB
- 0000930413-24-003094.txt ( ) — 491KB
Security and Issuer
Item 1. Security and Issuer. This Schedule 13D relates to shares of Common Shares, no par value (“Common Shares”), of Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd., a British Columbia, Canada corporation (the “Issuer”). The principal executive office of the Issuer is 14th Floor, 1040 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia Canada V6E 4H8.
Identity and Background
Item 2. Identity and Background. This Schedule 13D is being jointly filed by Kopernik Global Investors, LLC (“Kopernik Global Investors”) and David B. Iben. Kopernik Global Investors and Mr. Iben are collectively referred to herein as the “Reporting Persons.” Kopernik Global Investors is a Delaware corporation. Mr. Iben is a citizen of the United States of America. The address of each of Kopernik Global Investors and Mr. Iben for purposes of this filing is: Two Harbour Place, 302 Knights Run Avenue, Suite 1225, Tampa, FL 33602. Kopernik Global Investors is a privately-held investment adviser registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Kopernik Global Investors provides investment advisory services to (i) registered investment companies, (ii) institutional asset management clients: separately managed accounts, unregistered investment companies, a bank collective investment trust, and other collective investment vehicles, and (iii) other advisers (on a sub-advisory basis). Mr. Iben’s present principal occupation is chief investment officer of Kopernik Global Investors. Mr. Iben is the controlling member of Kopernik Global Investors. By virtue of these relationships and pursuant to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s beneficial held by the Reporting Persons. The filing of this Schedule 13D shall not be construed as an admission that either of the Reporting Persons is the beneficial owner of any of the securities covered by this Schedule 13D for any other purpose. Set forth on Schedule A , and incorporated herein by reference, is the (a) name, (b) residence or business address, (c) present principal occupation or employment and (d) citizenship, of each executive officer and director or manager of Kopernik Global Investors, and (e) name of any corporation or other organization in wh
Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration
Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration. The Reporting Persons purchased the Common Shares for investment for such investment funds and other clients. The Common Shares beneficially owned by the Reporting Persons (other than the Common Shares that are beneficially owned upon conversion of the Convertible Notes (as defined below)) were purchased with available funds of applicable client accounts in Kopernik Global Investors’ ordinary course of business. The aggregate purchase price of the 44,917,056 Common Shares beneficially owned by the Reporting Persons is approximately $32,696,624, including brokerage commissions. LEGAL02/44838199v2 CUSIP No. 66510M204 SCHEDULE 13D Page 5 of 6 On December 28, 2023, Kopernik Global Investors entered into an investment agreement (the “Investment Agreement”) with the Issuer relating to the issuance and sale of the Convertible Notes for $15,000,000 in cash. The acquisition of the original Convertible Notes was funded with available funds of applicable client accounts in Kopernik Global Investors’ ordinary course of business and, for the portion of the Convertible Notes purchased directly by Kopernik Global Investors, with available funds in Kopernik Global Investors’ business account in its ordinary course of business.
Purpose of Transaction
Item 4. Purpose of Transaction. The Reporting Persons acquired the Issuer’s securities for investment purposes. While the Reporting Persons do not have any current plans, proposals or agreements with respect to the Common Shares, the Reporting Persons intend to continue to review, on an ongoing and continuing basis, its investment in the Issuer, and may, from time to time and at any time, acquire additional Common Shares in the open market or otherwise and reserve the right to dispose of any or all of the Common Shares in the open market or otherwise, at any time and from time to time, and to engage in any hedging or similar transactions with respect to the Common Shares. On March 24, 2023, Ms. Isabel Satra was appointed as a director of the Issuer. Ms. Satra is currently a Principal at Kopernik Global Investors and serves as the firm’s Chief Financial Officer. As a result of Ms. Satra’s appointment to the Board, the Reporting Persons are converting the beneficial Except as described in this Schedule 13D, the Reporting Persons do not have any present plans or proposals that relate to or would result in any of the actions described in subparagraphs (a) through (j) of Item 4 of Schedule 13D, although, the Reporting Persons, at any time and from time to time, may review, reconsider and change their position and/or change their purpose and/or develop such plans and may seek to influence management or the Board with respect to the business and affairs of the Issuer and may from time to time consider pursuing or proposing such matters with advisers, the Issuer or other persons.
Interest in Securities of the Issuer
Item 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer. All percentages are based on 579,894,649 Common Shares outstanding which is the sum of (i) 537,724,281 Common Shares outstanding as of June 30, 2024 as set forth in the Issuer’s Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 filed by the Issuer on Form 6-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 15, 2024 and (ii) 42,170,368 Common Shares issuable upon the conversion of the Convertible Notes. (a) The Reporting Persons may be deemed to beneficially own, in the aggregate, 87,087,424 Common Shares, representing 15.0% of the outstanding Common Shares. (b) With respect to any rights or powers to vote, or to direct the vote of, or to dispose of, or to direct the disposition of, the Common Shares owned by the Reporting Persons: (i) Sole power to vote, or to direct the vote of, or to dispose of, or to direct the disposition of: Not applicable. (ii) Shared power to vote, or to direct the vote of, or to dispose of, or direct the disposition of: Kopernik Global Investors has the shared power to vote, or to direct the vote of, 82,415,746 Common Shares and shared power to dispose of, or direct the disposition of, 87,087,424 Common Shares. Mr. Iben has the shared power to vote, or to direct the vote of, 82,415,746 Common Shares and shared power to dispose of, or direct the disposition of, 87,087,424 Common Shares. (c) Other than as described below, the Reporting Persons have not engaged in any transactions in the Common Shares in the past 60 days. LEGAL02/44838199v2 CUSIP No. 66510M204 SCHEDULE 13D Page 6 of 6 Kopernik Global Investors effected the following open market sales transactions in the Common Shares in the last 60 days: Date No. of Shares Price/Share (US$) 10/22/2024 52,033 $0.4423 10/29/2024 25,000 $0.4502 10/30/2024 47,619 $0.4459 (d) Other than the entities and persons described in this Item 5, to the knowledge of the
Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships With
Item 6. Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships With Respect to Securities of the Issuer. Except as otherwise described herein, there are no contracts, arrangements, understandings or relationships (legal or otherwise) among the persons named in Item 2 and between such persons and any person with respect to any securities of the Issuer, including, but not limited to, transfer or voting of any of the securities, finder’s fees, joint ventures, loan or option arrangements, puts or calls, guarantees of profits, division of profits or loss, or the giving or withholding of proxies. 2023 Convertible Notes On December 18, 2023, pursuant to the Investment Agreement, Kopernik Global Investors purchased convertible notes having an aggregate principal amount of $15 million (the “Convertible Notes”). The Convertible Notes have a term of 10 years from the date of issuance, being December 18, 2023, and bear interest at a rate of 2.0% per annum, payable in cash semi-annually in arrears on December 31 and June 30 of each year, commencing on June 30, 2024. The principal amount of the Convertible Notes is convertible at any time at the option of Kopernik Global Investors into Common Shares at a per share conversion price of $0.3557 (the “Conversion Price”), subject to adjustment in certain circumstances (i.e., including a change of control). If the Issuer proceeds with an equity financing in the future, the terms of the Convertible Notes require that the Issuer redeem the Convertible Notes at 150% of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes, in cash or convert at the Conversion Price, at the election of the Investor, and pay any accrued but unpaid interest in cash. This financing is subject to customary exclusions for non-financing issuances of the Issuer’s equity securities. In addition, the Convertible Notes include change of control provisions under which (i) Kopernik Global Investors may elect to convert the Convertibl
Material to Be Filed as Exhibits
Item 7. Material to Be Filed as Exhibits. 99.1 Joint Filing Agreement, dated November 4, 2024, by and between Kopernik Global Investors, LLC and David B. Iben. 99.2 Power of Attorney appointing Sarah L. Bertrand, dated October 25, 2024, signed by David B. Iben. 99.3 Form of Investment Agreement, dated December 8, 2021, by and between Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. and Kopernik Global Investors, LLC. 99.4 Form of Convertible Note, dated December 18, 2023. LEGAL02/44838199v2 SIGNATURE After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct. Dated: November 4, 2024 KOPERNIK GLOBAL INVESTORS, LLC By: /s/Sarah L. Bertrand Name: Sarah L. Bertrand Title: General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer /s/ David B. Iben by Sarah L. Bertrand, power of attorney David B. Iben by Sarah L. Bertrand, power of attorney LEGAL02/44838199v2 SCHEDULE A ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THE REPORTING PERSONS KOPERNIK GLOBAL INVESTORS, LLC The officers of Kopernik Global Investors LLC are set forth below. Each individual’s business address is Two Harbour Place, 302 Knights Run Avenue, Suite 1225, Tampa, FL 33602. Name Present Principal Occupation or Employment Citizenship David B. Iben Chief Investment Officer and Lead Portfolio Manager United States Isabel Satra Chief Financial Officer, Analyst & Portfolio Manager United States Neda Yarich President United States Sarah L. Bertrand General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer United States Kenneth Morgan Head of Global Trading United States Kassim Gaffar Head of Distribution & Client Services United States Alissa Corcoran Deputy Chief Investment Officer, Director of Research & Portfolio Manager United States LEGAL02/44838199v2