EX-3.2 4 ea023484101ex3-2_usarare.htm CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF USA RARE EARTH, INC

Exhibit 3.2

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

OF

 

USA RARE EARTH, INC.

 

* * * * *

 

ARTICLE I

 

NAME

 

The name of the Corporation is USA Rare Earth, Inc. (the “Corporation”).

 

ARTICLE II

 

REGISTERED OFFICE AND AGENT

 

The address of the registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is 1521 Concord Pike, Suite 201, Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware, 19803. The name of the registered agent of the Corporation in the State of Delaware at such address is Corporate Creations Network Inc.

 

ARTICLE III

 

PURPOSE

 

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may now or hereafter be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”).

 

ARTICLE IV

 

CAPITAL STOCK

 

A. The total number of shares of all classes of stock that the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 800,000,000, which shall be divided into two classes as follows:

 

750,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Common Stock”); and

 

50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Preferred Stock”).

 

B.  The Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) is hereby expressly authorized, by resolution or resolutions, to provide, out of the unissued shares of Preferred Stock, for one or more series of Preferred Stock and, with respect to each such series, to fix the designation of such series, the powers (including voting powers), preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of such series of Preferred Stock and the number of shares of such series, which number the Board of Directors may, except where otherwise provided in the designation of such series, increase (but not above the total number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock) or decrease (but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding) and as may be permitted by the DGCL. The powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of each series of Preferred Stock, if any, may differ from those of any and all other series at any time outstanding. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation relating to any series of Preferred Stock), no vote of the holders of shares of Preferred Stock or Common Stock shall be a prerequisite to the issuance of any shares of any series of the Preferred Stock so authorized in accordance with this Certificate of Incorporation.

 

 

 

 

C.  Each holder of record of Common Stock, as such, shall have one vote for each share of Common Stock that is outstanding in his, her or its name on the books of the Corporation on all matters on which stockholders are entitled to vote generally. The holders of shares of Common Stock shall not have cumulative voting rights. Except as otherwise required by law, holders of Common Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation relating to any series of Preferred Stock) that relates solely to the terms, number of shares, powers, designations, preferences or relative, participating, optional or other special rights (including, without limitation, voting rights), or to qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation relating to any series of Preferred Stock) or pursuant to the DGCL.

 

D. Except as otherwise required by law, holders of any series of Preferred Stock shall be entitled to only such voting rights, if any, as shall expressly be granted thereto by this Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation relating to such series of Preferred Stock).

 

E. Subject to applicable law and the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock or any class or series of stock having a preference over or the right to participate with the Common Stock with respect to the payment of dividends and other distributions in cash, property or shares of stock of the Corporation, dividends and other distributions may be declared and paid ratably on the Common Stock out of the assets of the Corporation that are legally available for this purpose at such times and in such amounts as the Board of Directors in its discretion shall determine.

 

F. Upon the dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Corporation, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation and subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock or any class or series of stock having a preference over or the right to participate with the Common Stock with respect to the distribution of assets of the Corporation upon such dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Corporation, the holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive the remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders ratably in proportion to the number of shares held by them.

 

G. The number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock or Common Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL (or any successor provision thereto) on a one vote per share basis, and no vote of the holders of any of the Common Stock or the Preferred Stock voting separately as a class shall be required therefor, unless a vote of any such holder is required pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation relating to any series of Preferred Stock).

 

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ARTICLE V

 

AMENDMENT OF THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS

 

A.  In addition to any vote required by applicable law or this Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation relating to any series of Preferred Stock), the amendment, alteration, repeal or rescission of, in whole or in part, or the adoption of any provision inconsistent with, the following provisions in this Certificate of Incorporation shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66⅔% in voting power of all the then-outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class: this Article V, Article VI, Article VII, Article VIII, Article IX and Article X(B).

 

B.  The Board of Directors is expressly authorized to make, repeal, alter, amend and rescind, in whole or in part, the bylaws of the Corporation (as in effect from time to time, the “Bylaws”) without the assent or vote of the stockholders in any manner not inconsistent with the laws of the State of Delaware or this Certificate of Incorporation. In addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation required by this Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation relating to any series of Preferred Stock), by the Bylaws or applicable law, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% in voting power of all the then-outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class, shall be required in order for the stockholders of the Corporation to alter, amend, repeal or rescind, in whole or in part, any provision of the Bylaws or to adopt any provision inconsistent therewith.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

A.  Except as otherwise provided in this Certificate of Incorporation or the DGCL, the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors. Subject to the rights of holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect directors, the number of directors of the Corporation shall be fixed from time to time solely by resolution of the majority of the Board of Directors. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

 

B.  Subject to the rights granted to the holders of any one or more series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, at each annual meeting of stockholders, the directors of the Company shall be elected annually by stockholders and shall hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal.

 

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C. Subject to the rights granted to the holders of any one or more series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, any newly-created directorship on the Board of Directors that results from an increase in the number of directors and any vacancy occurring on the Board of Directors (whether by death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal or other cause) shall be filled only by a majority of the directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director (and not by the stockholders). Any director elected to fill a vacancy or newly created directorship shall hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his or her successor shall be elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal.

 

D.  Elections of directors need not be by written ballot unless the Bylaws shall so provide.

 

E.  Pursuant to the Bylaws, the Board of Directors may establish one or more committees to which may be delegated any or all of the powers and duties of the Board of Directors to the full extent permitted by law.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

LIMITATION OF DIRECTOR AND OFFICER LIABILITY

 

A.  To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL as it now exists or may hereafter be amended, a director or officer of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty owed to the Corporation or its stockholders. If the DGCL is hereafter amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors or officers, then the liability of a director or officer of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL as so amended, automatically and without further action, upon the date of such amendment.

 

B.  To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Corporation is authorized to provide indemnification of (and advancement of expenses to) directors, officers and agents of the Corporation (and any other persons to which applicable law permits the Corporation to provide indemnification and advancement of expenses) through provisions of the Bylaws, agreements with such persons, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise. Any repeal or modification of this provision shall not adversely affect any right or protection hereunder of any person in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such repeal or modification.

 

C.  Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Article VII, nor the adoption of any provision of this Certificate of Incorporation, nor, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, any modification of law shall eliminate, reduce or otherwise adversely affect any right or protection of a current or former director or officer of the Corporation existing at the time of such amendment, repeal, adoption or modification.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

 

CONSENT OF STOCKHOLDERS IN LIEU OF MEETING, ANNUAL AND SPECIAL MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

A.  Any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of such holders and may not be effected by any consent in lieu of a meeting of stockholders by such holders; provided, however, that any action required or permitted to be taken by the holders of Preferred Stock, voting separately as a series or separately as a class with one or more other such series, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, to the extent expressly so provided by the applicable certificate(s) of designation relating to such series of Preferred Stock.

 

B.  Except as otherwise required by law and subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time only by or at the direction of the Chair of the Board of Directors or by a resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the total number of directors that the Company would have if there were no vacancies on the Board of Directors (the “Whole Board”), but such special meetings may not be called by stockholders or any other Person or Persons.

 

C.  An annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting, shall be held at such place, if any, on such date, and at such time as shall be fixed exclusively by resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of the Whole Board or a duly authorized committee thereof.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

CERTAIN STOCKHOLDER RELATIONSHIPS

 

A. In recognition and anticipation that certain members of the Board who are not employees of the Corporation or a majority owned subsidiary thereof (“Non-Employee Directors”) and their respective Affiliates or Affiliated Entities (each as defined below) may now engage and may continue to engage in the same or similar activities or related lines of business as those in which the Corporation, directly or indirectly, may engage and/or other business activities that overlap with or compete with those in which the Corporation, directly or indirectly, may engage, the provisions of this Article IX are set forth to regulate and define the conduct of certain affairs of the Corporation with respect to certain classes or categories of business opportunities as they may involve any of the Non-Employee Directors or their respective Affiliates or Affiliated Entities and the powers, rights, duties and liabilities of the Corporation and its directors, officers and stockholders in connection therewith.

 

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B. No Non-Employee Director or his or her Affiliates or Affiliated Entities (the Persons (as defined below) being referred to, collectively, as “Identified Persons” and, individually, as an “Identified Person”) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, have any duty to refrain from directly or indirectly (1) engaging in the same or similar business activities or lines of business in which the Corporation or any of its Affiliates now engages or proposes to engage or (2) otherwise competing with the Corporation or any of its Affiliates, and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, no Identified Person shall be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders or to any Affiliate of the Corporation for breach of any fiduciary duty solely by reason of the fact that such Identified Person engages in any such activities. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Corporation hereby renounces any interest or expectancy in, or right to be offered an opportunity to participate in, any business opportunity which may be a corporate opportunity for an Identified Person and the Corporation or any of its Affiliates, except as provided in Section C of this Article IX. Subject to Section C of this Article IX, in the event that any Identified Person acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or other business opportunity which may be a corporate opportunity for itself, herself or himself and the Corporation or any of its Affiliates, such Identified Person shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, have no duty to communicate or offer such transaction or other business opportunity to the Corporation or any of its Affiliates and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, shall not be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders or to any Affiliate of the Corporation for breach of any fiduciary duty as a stockholder or director of the Corporation solely by reason of the fact that such Identified Person pursues or acquires such corporate opportunity for itself, herself or himself, offers or directs such corporate opportunity to another Person, or does not communicate information regarding such corporate opportunity to the Corporation or any Affiliate of the Corporation.

 

C. The Corporation does not renounce its interest in any corporate opportunity offered to any Non-Employee Director if such opportunity is expressly offered to such Person solely in his or her capacity as a director of the Corporation, and the provisions of Section B of this Article IX shall not apply to any such corporate opportunity.

 

D.  In addition to and notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article IX, a corporate opportunity shall not be deemed to be a potential corporate opportunity for the Corporation if it is a business opportunity that (i) the Corporation is neither financially or legally able, nor contractually permitted, to undertake, (ii) from its nature, is not in the line of the Corporation’s business or is of no practical advantage to the Corporation or (iii) is one in which the Corporation has no interest or reasonable expectancy.

 

E.  Solely for purposes of this Article IX, (i) “Affiliate” shall mean (1)  in respect of a Non-Employee Director, any Person that, directly or indirectly, is controlled by such Non-Employee Director (other than the Corporation and any entity that is controlled by the Corporation) and (2) in respect of the Corporation, any Person that, directly or indirectly, is controlled by the Corporation; (ii) “Affiliated Entity” shall mean (x) any Person of which a Non-Employee Director serves as an officer, director, employee, agent or other representative (other than the Corporation and any entity that is controlled by the Corporation), (y) any direct or indirect partner, stockholder, member, manager or other representative of such Person or (z) any Affiliate of any of the foregoing; and (iii) “Person” shall mean any individual, corporation, general or limited partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, association or any other entity.

 

F. To the fullest extent permitted by law, any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Article IX.

 

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ARTICLE X

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

A.  If any provision or provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any circumstance for any reason whatsoever: (i) the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph of this Certificate of Incorporation containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not, to the fullest extent permitted by law, in any way be affected or impaired thereby and (ii) to the fullest extent permitted by law, the provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation (including, without limitation, each such portion of any paragraph of this Certificate of Incorporation containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to permit the Corporation to protect its directors, officers, employees and agents from personal liability in respect of their good faith service or for the benefit of the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

B. Subject to the last sentence of this Article X(B), unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or if such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction another state or federal court (as appropriate) located within the State of Delaware) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any current or former director, officer or other employee or stockholder of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, creditors or other constituents, (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any current or former director or officer of the Corporation arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or this Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws (as either may be amended and/or restated from time to time) or as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine. Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the federal district courts of the United States of America will be the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the federal securities laws of the United States of America, including the Securities Act of 1933 and the Exchange Act of 1934.

 

To the fullest extent permitted by law, any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Article X(B).

 

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ARTICLE XI

INCORPORATOR

 

A. The name and mailing address of the sole incorporator is as follows:

 

Michael Blitzer   167 Madison Avenue, Suite 205 #1017
New York, New York 10016

 

B. The powers of the incorporator are to terminate upon the filing of this Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. The names and mailing addresses of the persons who are to serve as the directors of the Corporation until the first annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation, until their successors are duly elected and qualified, or until their earlier death, resignation, retirement, or removal from office, are as follows:

 

Michael Blitzer 167 Madison Avenue, Suite 205 #1017
New York, New York 10016
   
Nicholas Shekerdemian 167 Madison Avenue, Suite 205 #1017
New York, New York 10016
   
Paula Sutter 167 Madison Avenue, Suite 205 #1017
New York, New York 10016
   
Elliot Richmond 167 Madison Avenue, Suite 205 #1017
New York, New York 10016
   
Erica Dorfman 167 Madison Avenue, Suite 205 #1017
New York, New York 10016
   
Samuel Sayegh 167 Madison Avenue, Suite 205 #1017
New York, New York 10016

 

* * *

 

This Certificate of Incorporation shall be effective on March 12, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. (Eastern Time).

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the incorporator has caused the Certificate of Incorporation to be executed on this day of March 12, 2025.

 

USA Rare Earth, Inc.

 

By: /s/ Michael Blitzer  
Name: Michael Blitzer  
Title: Sole Incorporator  

 

 

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