Comstock’s Physics-Based AI Investment Emerges From Stealth

Achieves Key Technical Milestones; Comstock Realigns Investment to Enable Third Party Financing

VIRGINIA CITY, Nev., April 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Comstock Inc. (NYSE: LODE) (“Comstock” and the “Company”) today announced the realization of a series of key milestones by Comstock’s strategic investee, Quantum Generative Materials LLC (“GenMat”), including commencement of early adopter sales, qualifying GenMat for significant additional financing at increased valuations that capitalizes on broadly increased investment interest in developers of generative artificial intelligence technologies. Comstock and GenMat have accordingly entered into an agreement that realigns existing equity investment agreements while simplifying and positioning GenMat for accelerated growth.

Key Highlights

• GenMat’s physics-based AI software for high throughput materials discovery is now proven to simulate tens of thousands of new material properties with unique structures at upwards of more than 98% accuracy, dramatically reducing trial and error cycles and accelerating months of development time down to hours.
• GenMat is in discussions with several early adopters, including globally recognized stakeholders in high value applications, for commercializing across several industries starting with batteries and semiconductors.
• GenMat’s hyperspectral orbital imaging satellite the GENMAT-1 successfully launched into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and has established continuous contact with GenMat’s proprietary Mission Control Software (MCS).
• GenMat developed ready for use generative AI-based software that predicts relevant information pertaining to precious mineral deposits, validated on USGS and Comstock data, and is also currently commercializing.
• GenMat’s realization of these and other confidential technical milestones by GenMat’s world-class technical team mark a pivotal moment in GenMat’s evolution from conception to maturity, as GenMat’s technology transitions to a technology readiness level of 6 (prototype demonstration in relevant environments).
• Comstock’s prior investment agreements called for a milestone-based investment of $50,000,000 for 50% of GenMat’s fully diluted equity, of which approximately $15,000,000 has now been paid.
• Comstock and GenMat have agreed to realign the investment agreement based on GenMat’s significant achievements to date and current strategic, technical, and commercial development plans as follows:
  • Comstock’s previously paid $15,000,000 at a circa-2021 post-money valuation of about $46,000,000, now represents approximately 32% of GenMat’s fully diluted equity;
  • Comstock has committed up to another $25,000,000 over four years at a current post-money valuation of $200,000,000, increasing Comstock’s stake to up to 40% of GenMat’s fully diluted equity, until such time as GenMat accesses outside capital (expected for later this year); and,
  • Comstock’s overall commitment is reduced from $50,000,000 to $40,000,000, with participation and drag-along rights on future financing and liquidity events by GenMat.
• Comstock will license GenMat’s technologies on a modified non-exclusive early adopter basis in mining applications and on an exclusive early adopter basis for biofuels development and applications.