S-3ASR
Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2016

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   26-3718801

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

8490 Progress Drive, Suite 300

Frederick, Maryland 21701

(Address, including zip code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

(301) 682-0600

(Telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

Christine Marshall

General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc.

8490 Progress Drive, Suite 300

Frederick, Maryland 21701

(301) 682-0600

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copies of all communications, including communications sent to agent for service, should be sent to:

Robert M. Hayward, P.C.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

300 North LaSalle

Chicago, Illinois 60654

(312) 861-2000

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time on or after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.  ¨

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.  x

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  x

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer   x    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of Each Class of

Securities to be Registered (1)(2)

 

Amount

to be

Registered (1)

 

Proposed

Maximum

Offering Price

per Security (1)

 

Proposed

Maximum

Aggregate

Offering Price (1)

 

Amount of

Registration Fee (3)

Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (4) (5)

               

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (4) (5)

               

Warrants (6)

               

Purchase Contracts (7)

               

Units (8)

               

 

 

 

(1) Omitted pursuant to General Instructions II.E of Form S-3. An indeterminate amount of securities is being registered as may from time to time be issued at indeterminate prices. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable upon exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities.
(2) The securities registered under this registration statement may be sold separately, together or as units with other securities registered under this registration statement and may include hybrid securities consisting of a combination of features of any of the securities listed in the table.
(3) In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r), the Registrant is deferring payment of the Registration Fee.
(4) Preferred stock and common stock registered under this registration statement may be issuable upon (i) conversion or redemption of preferred stock registered under this registration statement, or (ii) the exercise of warrants registered under this registration statement.
(5) Shares of preferred stock and common stock may also be issued by the Registrant upon settlement of purchase contracts or units of the Registrant.
(6) Warrants may represent rights to purchase preferred stock or common stock registered under this registration statement.
(7) Purchase contracts may be issued separately or as units.
(8) Units may consist of a purchase contract and preferred stock registered under this registration statement or debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. treasury securities, securing the holders’ obligations to purchase the common stock or preferred stock under the purchase contracts.

 

 

 


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PROSPECTUS

 

LOGO

Preferred Stock

Common Stock

Warrants

Purchase Contracts

Units

Hybrid Securities Combining Elements of the Foregoing

U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. may offer from time to time, in one or more offerings, any combination of its preferred stock, common stock, warrants, purchase contracts, units and hybrid securities combining elements of the foregoing.

We will provide the specific terms of any offering of these securities in a supplement to this prospectus. The applicable prospectus supplement will also describe the specific manner in which we will offer these securities and may also supplement, update or amend information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, as well as the documents incorporated by reference herein or therein, before you purchase these securities.

We may sell these securities on a continuous or delayed basis, directly, through agents, dealers or underwriters as designated from time to time, or through a combination of these methods. If any agents, dealers or underwriters are involved in the sale of any securities, the applicable prospectus supplement will set forth their names and any applicable commissions or discounts. Our net proceeds from the sale of securities also will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “SLCA.”

See “Risk Factors” on page 1 of this prospectus to read about factors you should consider before investing in these securities.

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

The date of this prospectus is March 16, 2016.


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

About this Prospectus

     i   

Our Company

     1   

Risk Factors

     1   

Forward-Looking Statements

     1   

Legal Matters

     2   

Experts

     2   

Where You Can Find More Information

     2   

Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference

     3   

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a shelf registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission” or the “SEC”). By using a shelf registration statement, we may, at any time and from time to time, in one or more offerings, sell the securities described in this prospectus.

Each time we use this prospectus to offer securities, we will provide you with a prospectus supplement that will describe the specific amounts, prices and terms of the securities being offered. The prospectus supplement may also supplement, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Therefore, if there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and the prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement.

We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information from that included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus prepared by us or on our behalf or to which we have referred you. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We are not making an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date of such document.

To understand the terms of the securities described in this prospectus, you should carefully read the applicable prospectus supplement. You should also read the documents we have referred you to under “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” below for information about us. The shelf registration statement, including the exhibits thereto, can be read at the SEC’s website or at the SEC’s Public Reference Room as described under “Where You Can Find More Information.”

This prospectus includes or incorporates by reference our trademarks, service marks and trade names such as “U.S. Silica,” which are protected under applicable intellectual property laws and are the property of U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. or its subsidiaries. Solely for convenience, trademarks, service marks and trade names referred to or incorporated by reference in this prospectus may not appear with the ®or ™ symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights to our trademarks, service marks and trade names. In addition, this prospectus contains or incorporates by reference trademarks, service marks, and trade names of other companies, which are the property of their respective owners.

Unless the context otherwise indicates, the terms “U.S. Silica,” “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” as used in this prospectus refer to U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Unless the context otherwise indicates, the phrase “this prospectus” refers to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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OUR COMPANY

We are one of the largest domestic producers of commercial silica, a specialized mineral that is a critical input into a variety of attractive end markets. During our 115 year history, we have developed core competencies in mining, processing, logistics and materials science that enable us to produce and cost-effectively deliver over 260 products to customers across these markets. Our operations are organized into two segments based on end markets served: (1) Oil & Gas Proppants and (2) Industrial & Specialty Products. In our largest end market, oil and gas proppants, our frac sand is used to stimulate and maintain the flow of hydrocarbons in oil and natural gas wells. Our silica is also used as an economically irreplaceable raw material in a wide range of industrial applications, including glassmaking and chemical manufacturing. Additionally, in recent years a number of attractive new end markets have developed for our high-margin, performance silica products, including high-performance glass, specialty coatings, polymer additives and geothermal energy systems. Our segments are complementary because our ability to sell to a wide range of customers across end markets allows us to maximize recovery rates in our mining operations, optimize our asset utilization and reduce the cyclicality of our earnings.

As of December 31, 2015, we operate 17 production facilities across the United States and control 400 million tons of reserves, including approximately 222 million tons of reserves that can be processed to meet the American Petroleum Institute (“API”) frac sand size specifications. We produce a wide range of frac sand sizes and are capable of rail delivery of large quantities of API grade frac sand to most of the major U.S. shale basins via our transload network. We believe that, due to a combination of these favorable attributes, we have become a preferred commercial silica supplier to our customers in the oil and gas proppants end market.

We were incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware on November 14, 2008. Our principal executive offices are located at 8490 Progress Drive, Suite 300, Frederick, Maryland 21701 and our telephone number is (301) 682-0600.

We maintain an Internet website at http://www.ussilica.com. We have not incorporated by reference into this prospectus the information on our website, and you should not consider it to be a part of this prospectus.

RISK FACTORS

Our business is subject to uncertainties and risks. You should carefully consider and evaluate all of the information included and incorporated by reference in this prospectus, including the risk factors incorporated by reference from our most recent annual report on Form 10-K, as updated by our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and other filings we make with the SEC. It is possible that our business, financial condition, liquidity or results of operations could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus and the documents we incorporate by reference contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this prospectus and the documents we incorporate by reference are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements give our current expectations and projections relating to our financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business. You can identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements may include words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “plan,” “intend,” “believe,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “can have,” “likely” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of the timing or nature of future operating or financial performance or other events. For example, all statements we make relating to our estimated and projected costs, expenditures, cash flows, growth rates and financial results, our plans and objectives for

 

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future operations, growth or initiatives, strategies or the expected outcome or impact of pending or threatened litigation are forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those that we expected.

We derive many of our forward-looking statements from our operating budgets and forecasts, which are based on many detailed assumptions. While we believe that our assumptions are reasonable, we caution that it is very difficult to predict the impact of known factors, and it is impossible for us to anticipate all factors that could affect our actual results. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations, or cautionary statements, are disclosed under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in Part I and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our most recent annual report on Form 10-K, as updated by our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and other filings we make with the SEC. All written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us, or persons acting on our behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements as well as other cautionary statements that are made from time to time in our other filings with the SEC and public communications. You should evaluate all forward-looking statements made in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K, as updated by our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and other filings we make with the SEC in the context of these risks and uncertainties.

We caution you that the important factors disclosed under Item 1A, “Risk Factors” and Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our most recent annual report on Form 10-K, as updated by our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and other filings we make with the SEC may not contain all of the factors that are important to you. In addition, we cannot assure you that we will realize the results or developments we expect or anticipate or, even if substantially realized, that they will result in the consequences or affect us or our operations in the way we expect. The forward-looking statements included in this prospectus and the documents we incorporate by reference are made only as of the date they are made. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.

LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the securities offered pursuant to this prospectus and any prospectus supplement will be passed upon for us by Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Chicago, Illinois, and for any underwriters, dealers or agents by counsel named in the applicable prospectus supplement.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement have been so incorporated by reference in reliance upon the reports of Grant Thornton LLP, independent registered public accountants, upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy (at prescribed rates) any such reports, proxy statements and other information at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. For further information concerning the SEC’s Public Reference Room, you may call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC at http://www.sec.gov.

 

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This prospectus is part of a registration statement filed on Form S-3 with the SEC under the Securities Act. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules to the registration statement. For further information concerning us and the securities, you should read the entire registration statement and the additional information described under “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” below. The registration statement has been filed electronically and may be obtained in any manner listed above. Any statements contained herein concerning the provisions of any document are not necessarily complete, and, in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement or otherwise filed with the SEC. Each such statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information about us by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus. This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents and reports listed below filed by us with the SEC (File No. 001-35416) (other than portions of these documents that are furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of a Current Report on Form 8-K, including any exhibits included with such Items):

 

    our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015;

 

    our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 23, 2016;

 

    the description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on January 31, 2012; and

 

    the information specifically incorporated by reference from our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on March 26, 2015.

We also incorporate by reference the information contained in all other documents we file with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (other than portions of these documents that are furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of a Current Report on Form 8-K, including any exhibits included with such Items, unless otherwise indicated therein) after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of this offering. The information contained in any such document will be considered part of this prospectus from the date the document is filed with the SEC.

Any statement contained in this prospectus or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus modifies or supersedes that statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.

We undertake to provide without charge to you, upon oral or written request, a copy of any or all of the documents that have been incorporated by reference in this prospectus, other than exhibits to such other documents (unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference therein), by request directed to our Corporate Secretary, U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc., (301) 682-0600.

 

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The following is a statement of the estimated expenses, to be paid solely by U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc., of the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered hereby:

 

     Amount to
be paid
 

SEC registration fee

   $ (1

Printing expenses

     (1

Legal fees and expenses

     (1

Accounting fees and expenses

     (1

Rating agency fees and expenses

     (1

Miscellaneous expenses

     (1
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ (1
  

 

 

 

 

(1) Because an indeterminate amount of securities is covered by this registration statement, the expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of securities are not currently determinable. An estimate of the aggregate expenses in connection with each sale of the securities being offered will be included in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Section 102(b)(7) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) allows a corporation to provide in its certificate of incorporation that a director of the corporation will not be personally liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except where the director breached the duty of loyalty, failed to act in good faith, engaged in intentional misconduct or knowingly violated a law, authorized the payment of a dividend or approved a stock repurchase in violation of Delaware corporate law or obtained an improper personal benefit. Our second amended and restated certificate of incorporation of provides for this limitation of liability.

Section 145 of the DGCL (“Section 145”) provides that a Delaware corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was, or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of such corporation), by reason of the fact that such person is or was an officer, director, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise. The indemnity may include expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, provided such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the corporation’s best interests and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that such person’s conduct was illegal. A Delaware corporation may indemnify any persons who are, or were a party or are threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise. The indemnity may include expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit, provided such person acted in good faith and in a manner such

 

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person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the corporation’s best interests, provided that no indemnification is permitted without judicial approval if the officer, director, employee or agent is adjudged to be liable to the corporation. Where an officer or director is successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of any action referred to above, the corporation must indemnify him against the expenses which such officer or director has actually and reasonably incurred.

Section 145 further authorizes a corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the corporation would otherwise have the power to indemnify him under Section 145.Our second amended and restated bylaws provide that we will indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL and must also pay expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition upon delivery of an undertaking, by or on behalf of an indemnified person, to repay all amounts so advanced if it should be determined ultimately that such person is not entitled to be indemnified under this section or otherwise.

We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our executive officers and directors. The indemnification agreements provide the executive officers and directors with contractual rights to indemnification, expense advancement and reimbursement, to the fullest extent permitted under the DGCL.

The indemnification rights set forth above shall not be exclusive of any other right which an indemnified person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of our second amended and restated certificate of incorporation or second amended and restated bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

We maintain standard policies of insurance that provide coverage (1) to our directors and officers against loss arising from claims made by reason of breach of duty or other wrongful act and (2) to us with respect to indemnification payments that we may make to such directors and officers.

 

Item 16. Exhibits.

The Exhibit Index attached to this registration statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 17. Undertakings.

(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

 

  (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

 

  (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

 

  (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;

 

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  (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) of this section do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

 

  (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

  (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 

  (4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

 

  (i) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

 

  (ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

 

  (5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:

The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

 

  (i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

 

  (ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

 

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  (iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

 

  (iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Frederick, State of Maryland, on March 16, 2016.

 

U.S. SILICA HOLDINGS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Bryan A. Shinn

Name:   Bryan A. Shinn
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

*  *  *

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated. Each person whose signature appears below in so signing also makes, constitutes and appoints Bryan A. Shinn, Donald A. Merril and Christine Marshall, and each of them acting alone, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to execute and cause to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission any and all amendments and post-effective amendments including post-effective amendments and registration statements filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and otherwise) to this Registration Statement, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, and hereby ratifies and confirms all that said attorney-in-fact or his substitute or substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ Bryan A. Shinn

Bryan A. Shinn

  

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

(Principal Executive Officer)

  March 16, 2016

/s/ Donald A. Merril

Donald A. Merril

  

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

  March 16, 2016

/s/ Charles Shaver

Charles Shaver

   Chairman of the Board   March 16, 2016

/s/ Daniel Avramovich

Daniel Avramovich

   Director   March 16, 2016

/s/ Peter Bernard

Peter Bernard

   Director   March 16, 2016

/s/ William J. Kacal

William J. Kacal

   Director   March 16, 2016

/s/ J. Michael Stice

J. Michael Stice

   Director   March 16, 2016

 


Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

  1.1    Form of Underwriting Agreement (1).
  3.1    Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc., effective January 31, 2012 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 6, 2012).
  3.2    Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc., effective January 31, 2012 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 6, 2012).
  3.3    Certificate of Change of Registered Agent and/or Registered Office (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 11, 2015).
  4.1    Form of Preferred Stock Certificate (1).
  4.2    Form of Warrant Agreement (1).
  4.3    Form of Warrant (1).
  4.4    Form of Purchase Contract Agreement (1).
  4.5    Form of Unit Purchase Agreement (1).
  5.1    Opinion of Kirkland & Ellis LLP.
23.1    Consent of Grant Thornton LLP, independent registered public accounting firm.
23.2    Consent of Kirkland & Ellis LLP (set forth in Exhibit 5.1).

 

(1) To be filed, if necessary, by a post effective amendment to the registration statement or as an exhibit to a document incorporated by reference herein.

 

EX-5.1

Exhibit 5.1

 

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300 North LaSalle Street

Chicago, Illinois 60654

 
 

(312) 862-2000

 

www.kirkland.com

 

 

Facsimile:

(312) 862-2200

 

  March 16, 2016  

 

U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc.

8490 Progress Drive, Suite 300

Frederick, Maryland 21701

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We are acting as special counsel to U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (such Registration Statement, as amended or supplemented, is hereinafter referred to as the “Registration Statement”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on or about March 15, 2016 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), by the Company. The Registration Statement relates to the issuance and sale from time to time, pursuant to Rule 415 of the General Rules and Regulations promulgated under the Securities Act, of an unspecified amount of the following securities of the Company: (i) common stock, par value $1.00 per share (the “Common Stock”), (ii) preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Preferred Stock”), (iii) warrants or other rights to purchase or otherwise acquire Common Stock or Preferred Stock (“Warrants”), (iv) contracts obligating holders to purchase from the Company, and/or the Company to purchase from holders, a specified amount of Common Stock or Preferred Stock at a future date or dates (“Purchase Contracts”), and (vii) units consisting of a Purchase Contract as well as Preferred Stock or debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. treasury securities, securing the holders’ obligations to purchase the Common Stock or Preferred Stock under the Purchase Contracts, as applicable (“Units,” and, together with the Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Warrants and Purchase Contracts, the “Securities”), each of which shall include such indeterminate number of Securities as may be determined to be issuable upon the conversion of any Securities or the exercise of Warrants, Purchase Contracts or Units to purchase or otherwise acquire securities of Whirlpool in one or more offerings from time to time on a delayed or continuous basis (the “Offering”).

You have advised us that: (i) the Warrants will be issued under one or more warrant agreements by and between the Company and a financial institution named therein as the warrant agent (each, a “Warrant Agent”), in a form that will be filed as an exhibit to a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or incorporated by reference therein (each, a “Warrant Agreement”); (ii) the Purchase Contracts will be issued under a purchase contract agreement by and among the Company and the other parties named therein, in a form that will be filed as an

 

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exhibit to a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or incorporated by reference therein (each, a “Purchase Contract Agreement”); and (iii) the Units will be issued under a purchase agreement by and among the Company and the other parties named therein, in a form that will be filed as an exhibit to a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or incorporated by reference therein (each, a “Unit Purchase Agreement”). Each Warrant Agreement, Purchase Contract Agreement and Unit Purchase Agreement shall be referred to herein as a “Governing Document”). Each Warrant Agent and counterparty to a Purchase Contract or an Unit Purchase Agreement shall be referred to herein as a “Governing Document Counterparty”).

In connection with the registration of the Securities, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents, corporate records and other instruments as we have deemed necessary for the purposes of this opinion, including: (i) the organizational documents of the Company, (ii) minutes and records of the corporate proceedings of the Company and (iii) the Registration Statement and the exhibits thereto.

For purposes of this opinion, we have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies and the authenticity of the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies. We have also assumed the legal capacity of all natural persons, the genuineness of the signatures of persons signing all documents in connection with which this opinion is rendered, the authority of such persons signing on behalf of the parties thereto other than the Company and the due authorization, execution and delivery of all documents by the parties thereto other than the Company. We have not independently established or verified any facts relevant to the opinions expressed herein, but have relied upon statements and representations of the officers and other representatives of the Company.

We have also assumed that:

(i) the Registration Statement will have become effective and comply with all applicable laws;

(ii) the Registration Statement will be effective and will comply with all applicable laws at the time the Securities are offered or issued as contemplated by the Registration Statement;

(iii) a prospectus supplement or term sheet (“Prospectus Supplement”) will have been prepared and filed with the Commission describing the Securities offered thereby and will comply with all applicable laws;


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(iv) all Securities will be issued and sold in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and in the manner stated in the Registration Statement and the appropriate Prospectus Supplement;

(v) the Securities will be issued and sold in the form and containing the terms set forth in the Registration Statement, the appropriate Prospectus Supplement and the relevant Governing Document;

(vi) the Securities offered as well as the terms of the applicable Governing Document, as executed and delivered, do not violate any law applicable to the Company or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company;

(vii) the Company will have obtained any legally required consents, approvals, authorizations and other orders of the Commission and any other regulatory authorities necessary to issue and sell the Securities being offered and to execute and deliver the applicable Governing Document;

(viii) the Securities offered as well as the terms of the applicable Governing Document, as executed and delivered, comply with all requirements and restrictions, if any, applicable to the Company, whether imposed by any court or governmental or regulatory body having jurisdiction over the Company;

(ix) a definitive purchase, underwriting, sales agent or similar agreement (each, a “Purchase Agreement”) with respect to any Securities offered or issued will have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; and

(x) any Securities issuable upon conversion, exchange, or exercise of any Security being offered or issued will be duly authorized, created, and, if appropriate, reserved for issuance upon such conversion, exchange, or exercise.

Based upon and subject to the foregoing qualifications, assumptions and limitations and the further limitations set forth below, we are of the opinion that:

1. When the specific terms of any offering or offerings of Common Stock have been duly established by the Board of Directors of the Company or a committee thereof and in accordance with provisions of any applicable Purchase Agreement so as not to violate any applicable law or agreement or instrument then binding on the Company, and when certificates representing the shares of Common Stock have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the applicable Purchase Agreement


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(which shall be in an amount at least equal to the par value of the shares being issued and sold) or upon exchange in accordance with the terms of any other Security that has been duly authorized, issued, paid for and delivered, such shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

2. Upon designation of the preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions, of any series of Preferred Stock by the Board of Directors of the Company or a committee thereof and proper filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware of a certificate of designations relating to such series of Preferred Stock, all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company will have been taken to authorize the issuance and sale of such series of Preferred Stock proposed to be sold by the Company, and when certificates representing the shares of Preferred Stock have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the applicable Purchase Agreement (which shall be in an amount at least equal to the par value of the shares being issued and sold) or upon exchange in accordance with the terms of any other Security that has been duly authorized, issued, paid for and delivered, such shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

3. When, as and if (a) the appropriate corporate action has been taken by the Company to authorize the form, terms, execution and delivery of the Warrant Agreement (including a form of certificate evidencing the Warrants), (b) Warrants with such terms have been duly executed, attested, issued and delivered by duly authorized officers of the Company against payment in accordance with such authorization, the applicable Purchase Agreement and applicable law, and (c) the Securities issuable upon exercise of such Warrants have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance by all necessary corporate or organizational action and, in the case of Warrants to purchase Common Stock or Preferred Stock, that the exercise price of such Warrants consists of legal consideration in excess of the par value of such securities, such Warrants will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

4. When, as and if (a) the appropriate corporate action has been taken by the Company to authorize the form, terms, execution and delivery of the Purchase Contracts, (b) the Purchase Contracts with such terms have been duly executed, attested, issued and delivered by duly authorized officers of the Company against payment in accordance with such authorization and the applicable Purchase Agreement, and (c) the Securities issuable upon exercise of such Purchase Contracts have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance by all necessary corporate or organizational action and, in the case of Purchase Contracts to purchase Common Stock or Preferred Stock, that the consideration payable in connection with such Purchase Contracts consists of legal consideration in excess of the par value of such securities, such


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Purchase Contracts will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

5. When, as and if (a) the appropriate corporate action has been taken by the Company to authorize the form, terms, execution and delivery of the Units (including a form of certificate evidencing the Units) and the related Purchase Contracts, (b) the Units and the related Purchase Contracts with such terms have been duly executed, attested, issued and delivered by duly authorized officers of the Company against payment in accordance with such authorization and the applicable Purchase Agreement, and (c) the Securities issuable upon exercise of such Units and Purchase Contracts have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance by all necessary corporate or organizational action and, in the case of Units or Purchase Contracts to purchase Common Stock or Preferred Stock, that the consideration payable in connection with such Units or Purchase Contracts consists of legal consideration in excess of the par value of such securities, such Units and Purchase Contracts will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

Our opinions expressed above are subject to the qualifications that we express no opinion as to the applicability of, compliance with, or effect of (i) any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent transfer, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other similar law affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), (iii) public policy considerations which may limit the rights of parties to obtain certain remedies, and (iv) any laws except the federal securities laws of the United States, the laws of the State of New York and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, including the applicable provisions of the Delaware constitution and reported judicial decisions interpreting these laws.

We express no opinion with respect to the enforceability of (i) consents to, or restrictions upon, judicial relief or jurisdiction or venue; (ii) waivers of rights or defenses with respect to stay, extension or usury laws; (iii) advance waivers of claims, defenses, rights granted by law, or notice, opportunity for hearing, evidentiary requirements, statutes of limitation, trial by jury or at law, or other procedural rights; (iv) waivers of broadly or vaguely stated rights; (v) provisions for exclusivity, election or cumulation of rights or remedies; (vi) provisions authorizing or validating conclusive or discretionary determinations; (vii) grants of setoff rights; (viii) provisions for the payment of attorneys’ fees where such payment is contrary to law or public policy; (ix) proxies, powers and trusts; (x) restrictions upon non-written modifications and waivers; (xi) provisions prohibiting, restricting, or requiring consent to assignment or transfer of any right or property; (xii) any provision to the extent it requires any party to indemnify any other person against loss in obtaining the currency due following a court judgment in another currency; and


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(xiii) provisions for liquidated damages, default interest, late charges, monetary penalties, make-whole premiums or other economic remedies to the extent such provisions are deemed to constitute a penalty.

To the extent that the obligations of the Company under any Governing Document may be dependent on such matters, we assume for purposes of this opinion that the applicable Governing Document Counterparty is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization; that the applicable Governing Document Counterparty is duly qualified to engage in the activities contemplated by applicable Governing Document; that the applicable Governing Document has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the applicable Governing Document Counterparty and constitutes the legally valid and binding obligations of such Governing Document Counterparty, enforceable against such Governing Document Counterparty in accordance with its terms; that the applicable Governing Document Counterparty is in compliance, generally and with respect to acting as warrant agent, depositary or other counterparty, as the case may be, under the applicable Governing Document, with all applicable laws and regulations; and that the applicable Governing Document Counterparty has the requisite organizational and legal power and authority to perform its obligations under the applicable Governing Document.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Legal Matters” in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission.

We do not find it necessary for the purposes of this opinion, and accordingly we do not purport to cover herein, the application of the securities or “Blue Sky” laws of the various states to the sale of the Securities.

This opinion is limited to the specific issues addressed herein, and no opinion may be inferred or implied beyond that expressly stated herein. We assume no obligation to revise or supplement this opinion should the present federal securities laws of the United States, laws of the State of New York or the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware be changed by legislative action, judicial decision or otherwise.


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This opinion is furnished to you in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement, and is not to be used, circulated, quoted or otherwise relied upon for any other purpose.

Sincerely,

/s/ Kirkland & Ellis LLP

KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP

EX-23.1

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We have issued our reports dated February 24, 2016, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and internal control over financial reporting, included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 of U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc., which is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement. We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of the aforementioned reports, and to the use of our name as it appears under the caption “Experts”.

/s/ Grant Thornton LLP

Baltimore, Maryland

March 16, 2016