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Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2024

Significant Accounting Policies

Foreign Currencies

i.

Foreign Currencies

The functional currency is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates. The functional currency of the Company and all its subsidiaries is the U.S. Dollar.

At the end of each reporting period, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are translated into the functional currency at the rates prevailing at that date. Non-monetary assets and liabilities carried at fair value that are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar are translated at rates prevailing at the date when the fair value was determined. Non-monetary items that are measured at historical cost in a foreign currency are not retranslated. All gains and losses on translation of these foreign currency transactions are included in the statements of loss and comprehensive loss.

Use of Estimates

ii.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto. Significant estimates and assumptions

reflected in these consolidated financial statements include, but are not limited to, the evaluation of going concern, the valuation of share-based payments, including valuation of incentive stock options (Note 17), as well as the valuation of warrants liability (Note 15), and the valuation of the royalty liability (Note 9). Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

iii.

Loss Per Share

Basic loss per share is computed by dividing loss available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. The computation of diluted loss per share assumes the conversion, exercise or contingent issuance of securities only when such conversion, exercise or issuance would have a dilutive effect on the loss per share. The dilutive effect of convertible securities is reflected in the diluted loss per share by application of the “if converted” method. The dilutive effect of outstanding options and their equivalents is reflected in the diluted loss per share by application of the treasury stock method.

Financial Instruments

iv.

Financial Instruments

Financial assets and liabilities are recognized when the Company becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Financial assets are derecognized when the rights to receive cash flows from the assets have expired, or have been transferred, and the Company has transferred substantially all risks and rewards of ownership. A financial liability is derecognized when the obligation specified in the contract is discharged, cancelled, or expires.

The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, short-term debt, accounts payable and accrued liabilities which are recorded at cost as well as royalty liability and warrants to acquire common shares of the Company which are measured at fair value.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

v.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair value estimates of financial instruments are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant information about financial markets and specific financial instruments. As these estimates are subjective in nature, involving uncertainties and matters of significant judgment, they cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions can significantly affect estimated fair value.

The Company measures fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the reporting date. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company utilizes a three-tier hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in the valuation methodologies in measuring fair value:

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Level 1 - Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that an entity has the ability to access.

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Level 2 - Valuations based on quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

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Level 3 - Valuations based on inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

In some circumstances, the inputs used to measure fair value might be categorized within different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In those instances, the fair value measurement is categorized in its entirety in the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

There were no transfers between fair value measurement levels during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.

As at December 31, 2024, and 2023, the carrying values of cash, receivables, short-term debt, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate their fair values due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The financial instruments also include royalty liability and warrants which are recorded at fair value as disclosed in Note 9.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

vi.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash includes cash on hand and term deposits with a remaining term to maturity at acquisition of three months or less. As at December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company had no cash equivalents.

Equipment and Software

vii.

Equipment and Software

Equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. Cost includes expenditures that are directly attributable to the acquisition of the asset. Subsequent costs are included in the asset’s carrying amount or recognized as a separate asset, as appropriate, when it is probable that future economic benefits from such assets will flow to the Company and the cost of such assets can be measured reliably. The carrying amount of an asset is derecognized when it is replaced or taken out of service. Repairs and maintenance costs are charged to the statement of loss and comprehensive loss during the period they are incurred.

The major categories of equipment are amortized on a declining balance basis as follows:


Exploration and other equipment		30	%
Office equipment		30	%

The Company allocates the amount initially recognized to each asset’s significant components and depreciates each component separately. Amortization methods and useful life of the assets are reviewed at each financial period end and adjusted on a prospective basis, if required.

Gains and losses on disposals of equipment are determined by comparing the proceeds with the carrying amount of the asset and are included in the statement of loss and comprehensive loss.

Software is currently under development and is stated at cost. The software will be used to monitor nodule collection on the sea floor. The Company will amortize the cost of the software over its useful life after it is put in use, on commencement of nodule collection and treatment at a commercial scale.

Exploration Contracts

viii.

Exploration Contracts

The Company is in the exploration stage with respect to its investment in exploration contracts and follows the practice of capitalizing costs related to the acquisition of such exploration contracts. The cost of exploration contracts will be charged to operations using a unit-of-production method based on proven and probable reserves once commercial production commences in the future. The Company evaluates impairment indicators on its exploration contracts at each reporting period and adjusts its carrying value if an impairment is identified.

Exploration and Evaluation Expenses

ix.Exploration and Evaluation Expenses

While in the exploration phase, the Company expenses all costs related to exploration and development of exploration contracts. Such exploration and development costs include, but are not limited to, exploration contract management, geological, geochemical and geophysical studies, environmental studies and process development.

Share-Based Compensation

x.

Share-Based Compensation

Share-based compensation is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized over the requisite service period. Share-based compensation costs are charged to exploration and evaluation expenses or general and administrative expenses in the statement of loss and comprehensive loss. The Company recognizes forfeiture of any awards as they occur. The Company records share-based compensation from the issuance of stock options and restricted share units (“RSUs”) to employees with service-based conditions using the accelerated attribution method.

For stock options and restricted share units issued with performance conditions (Note 17), the Company recognizes share-based compensation cost when the specific performance targets become probable of being achieved using the accelerated attribution method. When these costs relate to equity financing, they are netted against share capital as a share issuance cost. The fair value of stock option awards with only service and/or performance conditions is estimated on the grant date using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model.

For stock options and restricted share units issued with market conditions (Note 17), the Company recognizes share-based compensation cost over the expected achievement period for the related market capitalization milestone determined on the grant date. If the related market capitalization milestone is achieved earlier than its expected achievement period, then any unamortized share-based compensation cost for that milestone is recognized at that time. The fair value of market-based stock option awards is estimated on the grant date using Monte-Carlo simulations.

The Company at times grants common shares, stock options or RSUs in lieu of cash to certain vendors for their services to the Company. The Company recognizes the associated cost in the same period and manner as if the Company paid cash for the services provided.

Warrants Liability

xi.

Warrants Liability

The Company evaluates all of its financial instruments, including issued share purchase warrants, to determine if such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives, pursuant to U.S. GAAP Accounting Standard Coding (“ASC”) 480, Distinguishing Liability from Equity (“ASC 480”), and ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”). The classification of derivative instruments, including whether such instruments should be recorded as liabilities or as equity, is re-assessed at the end of each reporting period.

The Company accounts for the Public Warrants and Private Warrants (as defined below) in accordance with the guidance contained in ASC 815 (Subtopic 40), Derivative and Hedging – Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (“ASC 815-40”), and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Division of Corporation Finance’s April 12, 2021 Public Statement, Staff Statement on Accounting and Reporting Considerations for Warrants Issued by Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (“SEC Statement”), under which the 15,000,000 common share warrants issued by the Company as part of the units offered in its initial public offering (“Public Warrants”) were determined to meet the criteria for equity classification, while the 9,500,000 private placement common share warrants issued by the Company in a private placement simultaneously with the closing of the initial public offering (“Private Warrants”) did not meet the criteria for equity classification and were recorded as liabilities. Specifically, the terms of the Private Warrants provide for potential changes to the settlement amounts dependent upon the characteristics of the warrant holder, and, because the holder of a Private Warrant is not an input into the pricing of a fixed-for-fixed option on equity shares, such provision would preclude the Private Warrants from being classified in equity and should be classified as a liability. Accordingly, the Company classified the Private Warrants as liabilities measured at fair value and adjusts the Private Warrants to their fair value at the end of each reporting period. Fair value changes in the Private Warrants are recognized in the Company’s statement of loss and comprehensive loss.

The Company issued Class A Warrants and Class B Warrants in 2024. The Class A Warrants and Class B Warrants met the criteria for equity classification and were recorded under additional paid in capital (Note 15).

xii.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense represents the sum of current tax expense and deferred tax expense.

Current tax expense is based on taxable profit for the year and includes any adjustments to tax payable in respect of previous years. Taxable profit differs from accounting profit or loss as reported in the consolidated income statement because it excludes (i) items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and (ii) items that are never taxable or deductible. The Company’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted by the balance sheet date. The Company’s policy is to account for income tax related interest and penalties in income tax expense in the accompanying statements of loss and comprehensive loss.

Deferred tax income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are based on temporary differences, which are differences between the accounting basis and tax basis of assets and liabilities, non-capital loss, capital loss, and tax credits carryforwards and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws expected to apply when these differences reverse. Deferred tax benefits, including non-capital loss, capital loss, and tax credit carryforwards are recognized to the extent that realization of such benefits is considered more likely than not. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the consolidated income statement in the period that enactment occurs. When realization of deferred income tax assets does not meet the more likely than not criterion for recognition, a valuation allowance is provided.

xiii.Leases

The Company records leases in accordance with ASC 842, Leases, and determines if an arrangement contains a lease at inception. Specifically, a contract is or contains a lease when (1) the contract contains an explicitly or implicitly identified asset and (2) we obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from the use of that underlying asset and direct how and for what purpose the asset is used during the term of the contract in exchange for consideration. If an arrangement contains a lease, the Company performs a lease classification test to determine if the lease is an operating lease or a finance lease. Right-of-use (“ROU”) assets represent the right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease.

Lease liabilities are recognized on the commencement date of the lease based on the present value of the future lease payments over the lease term. The discount rate used to calculate the present value of lease payments is the rate implicit in the lease. Lease liabilities due within the subsequent 12 months of the reporting date are classified as current lease liabilities and are included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet. Lease liabilities payable after the subsequent 12 months of the reporting date are classified as non-current lease liabilities and are presented as non-current lease liability in the condensed consolidated balance sheet.

ROU assets are valued at the initial measurement of the lease liability, plus any indirect costs or rent prepayments, and reduced by any lease incentives and any deferred lease payments. ROU assets are recorded as Right-of-use assets, net of any amortization on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. Operating ROU assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the lease term, whereas Finance ROU assets are amortized on a front-loaded basis. Depending on the nature of the ROU asset, the amortization expense is either included in exploration and evaluation expenses or in general and administrative expenses.

The Company subsequently measures the ROU assets for an operating lease at the amount of the remeasured lease liability (i.e. the present value of the remaining lease payments), adjusted for the remaining balance of any lease incentives received, any cumulative prepaid or accrued rent if the lease payments are uneven throughout the lease term and any unamortized initial direct costs. The ROU assets for a finance lease are subsequently measured by amortizing them on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the lease term or useful life and also adjustment for any impairments.

xiv.Investments

The Company consolidates investments over which it has control in accordance with ASC 810, Consolidation (“ASC 810”). Where the Company does not have control over the investment, but has significant influence, the Company records the investment in accordance with ASC 323, Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures, whereby, after recording the initial investment, the Company recognizes its proportional share of results of operations of the affiliate in its consolidated financial statements. The value of the equity method investments is impaired if it is determined that there is an other-than-temporary decline in value.

Short term debt

xv. Short term debt

The Company records borrowings under its short-term debt and line of credit at the amount drawn, net of any directly attributable financing costs. Interest expense is recognized as incurred based on the interest rate specified in the debt and line of credit agreements (Notes 8 and 20). Short-term debt and outstanding balances under the line of credit, are stated under Short-term debt and classified as a current liability. The accrued interest payable amount on the short-term debt and line of credit is disclosed under Accounts payable and accrued liabilities and classified as current liability.

Evaluation of Going Concern

i.Evaluation of Going Concern

The Company evaluates its ability to operate as a going concern at each reporting period. This evaluation requires the Company to estimate its cash flow commitments over a forecast period of twelve months and whether it has the financial ability to pay for such commitments. Changes in these estimates and assumptions may have a material impact on this assessment.

Valuation of Share-Based Payments

ii.

Valuation of Share-Based Payments

The fair market value of share-based awards granted to employees, non-employees and directors is based on the closing market price of the Company’s shares, on the date these were granted (Note 17).

This valuation approach involves the use of estimates, judgments and assumptions that are subjective, such as those regarding the probability of future events. Changes in these estimates and assumptions impact the Company’s valuation as of the valuation date and may have a material impact on the valuation of the Company’s common shares. Changes in these assumptions used to determine the fair value of incentive stock options, including the vesting timeline of granted stock options, could have a material impact on the Company’s loss and comprehensive loss.

Valuation of Warrants Liability

iii.Valuation of Warrants

The Company re-measures the fair value of the Private Warrants at the end of each reporting period (Note 15). The fair value of the Private Warrants was estimated using a Black-Scholes option pricing model whereby the expected volatility was estimated using a binomial model that assigned equal weight to the implied volatility of the Company’s Public Warrants, adjusted for the call feature triggered at prices above $18.00 over 20 trading days within any 30-day period, and the historical volatility of the common share price.

During the year the Company issued Class A warrants and Class B warrants (Note 15). The warrants were valued using a Monte Carlo simulation by running 250,000 trials. The model assumed that the Company’s share price follows geometric Brownian motion which is a standard assumption used in Monte Carlo univariate pricing models. The valuation was calculated under a risk-neutral framework using a zero-coupon risk-free interest rate derived from the Treasury Constant Maturities yield curve for a term until the expiry of the Warrants. The Company’s share price was simulated up to the expiration date using a blended volatility, calculated by assigning equal weights to both implied volatility of the Company’s Public Warrants and the historical volatility of the Company’s share price.

Valuation of Royalty Liability

iv.Valuation of Royalty Liability

The Company re-measures the fair value of its royalty liability at each reporting date (Note 9). As NORI is in an advanced exploration stage and pre-production, the fair value of the royalty liability is measured by using a market approach which entails examining recent royalty transactions prior to the reporting date, focusing on those transactions that involve similar metals as contained in NORI’s polymetallic nodules. The Company compares the specific characteristics of these transactions to estimate the fair value of its royalty liability at the reporting date.