Trading Symbols: UUU - Toronto Stock Exchange, JSE Limited (Johannesburg Stock Exchange)
VANCOUVER, May 11 /CNW/ - Uranium One Inc. ("Uranium One") today reported operational and financial results for the quarter ending March 31, 2009.
The financial statements, as well as the accompanying management's discussion and analysis, are available for review at www.uranium1.com and should be read in conjunction with this news release. All figures are in US dollars unless otherwise indicated. All references to pounds sold or pounds produced are pounds of U(3)O(8).
Q1 2009 Highlights:
- Attributable commercial production of 700,900 pounds during Q1 2009
was 62% higher than the 431,500 pounds of commercial production
during Q1 2008.
- Attributable sales volumes during Q1 2009 were 880,600 pounds, an
increase of 211% from attributable sales volumes of 283,300 pounds
during Q1 2008 and an increase of 59% over the average quarterly
sales volume during 2008.
- The average realized sales price during Q1 2009 was $49 per pound,
generating revenue of $43.0 million, compared to an average realized
sales price of $79 per pound, generating revenue of $22.5 million
during Q1 2008.
- The average total cash cost per pound sold was $17 per pound during
Q1 2009.
- Earnings from mine operations were $15.9 million during Q1 2009, a
2% decrease over earnings from mine operations of $16.3 million
during Q1 2008, primarily due to the decrease in the average
realized sales price offsetting the increase in sales volumes.
Jean Nortier, President and CEO of Uranium One commented:
"With higher than expected deliveries of sulphuric acid, Uranium One achieved very solid operational results during the first quarter. Also during the quarter, South Inkai became our second operation to enter into commercial production and is already making a significant contribution to our cash flow. With continued delivery on our operational targets, 2009 is shaping up to be an excellent year for Uranium One."
Operations and Projects
- Total production (including pre-commercial production) during
Q1 2009 was 708,500 pounds, an increase of 14% from total production
of 618,900 pounds during Q1 2008.
- Acidification of one new production block commenced at Akdala and
acidification of three new production blocks commenced at South
Inkai. The well field acidification program at South Inkai is
approximately one month ahead of schedule.
- At the Akdala Uranium Mine, attributable production during Q1 2009
was 455,800 pounds; cash operating costs were $13 per pound sold
during the quarter.
- The South Inkai Uranium Mine commenced commercial production on
January 1, 2009 and the production ramp-up continues on schedule.
Attributable production during Q1 2009 was 245,100 pounds; cash
operating costs for Q1 2009 were $20 per pound sold.
- The Kharasan Uranium Project was officially opened by the Prime
Minister of Kazakhstan on April 24, 2009; pilot production continued
during Q1 2009 with attributable pre-commercial production during
the quarter of 7,600 pounds.
Outlook
Uranium One's attributable production estimate for 2009 remains 3.5 million pounds. The total attributable production estimate for 2010 remains 5.6 million pounds.
During 2009, the average cash cost per pound sold is expected to be approximately $16 per pound at Akdala, including Kazakh mineral extraction tax of approximately $2 per pound. The average cash cost per pound sold is expected to be approximately $22 per pound at South Inkai, including Kazakh mineral extraction tax of approximately $4 per pound.
Uranium One has contracts for the sale of an aggregate of 25 million attributable pounds, of which 16 million pounds have weighted average floor prices of approximately $47 per pound. The remainder of contracted attributable sales are not subject to floor prices and such sales are related to the spot price of U(3)O(8), except for 910,000 pounds which will be sold at an average fixed price of $79 per pound, subject to escalation provisions.
During 2009, Uranium One expects to sell an aggregate of 2.8 million attributable pounds, of which 2.2 million pounds have already been contracted for including 700,000 pounds with weighted average floor prices of $43 per pound.
In line with increasing levels of production from Betpak Dala's operations, attributable inventory levels are expected to increase from approximately 962,900 pounds at March 31, 2009 to approximately 1.8 million pounds by the end of the year.
During 2009, Uranium One expects to incur capital expenditures of $21 million for the development of assets in Wyoming and $6 million toward the costs of constructing a sulphuric acid plant in Kazakhstan.
During 2009, capital expenditure estimates at Betpak Dala are expected to be $30 million for South Inkai and $6 million for Akdala (on an attributable basis).
General and administrative costs, excluding non-cash items, are expected to be approximately $28 million for 2009. Exploration expenditure for 2009 is expected to be $12 million. Care and maintenance costs at Dominion are expected to be $12 million for 2009.
The C$270 million private placement and formation of a strategic relationship with a Japanese consortium announced in February 2009 will be completed following receipt of regulatory approval from the Kazakhstan Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, which is expected during Q2 2009.
Q1 2009 Financial Review
Revenues for Q1 2009 were $43.0 million, compared to $22.5 million during Q1 2008. The increase is due to higher sales volumes, somewhat offset by a lower realized sales price.
The average cash cost per pound sold in the first quarter of 2009 was $17 per pound. This was an increase over the $12 average cash cost per pound sold recorded in Q1 2008 due to the inclusion of initial commercial production from the South Inkai Uranium Mine, which is currently in ramp up.
The net earnings from continuing operations in the first quarter of 2009 were $63.4 million, or $0.13 per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss from continuing operations in the first quarter of 2008 of $10.3 million, or $0.02 per basic and diluted share.
The adjusted net loss for the first quarter of 2009 was $5.5 million, or $0.01 per basic and diluted share compared to an adjusted net loss for the first quarter of 2008 of $9.4 million, or $0.02 per basic and diluted share.
Consolidated cash and cash equivalents were $203.9 million as at March 31, 2009 compared to $176.2 million at December 31, 2008. Working capital was $265.6 million as at March 31, 2009.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY Q1 2009 Q1 2008
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Attributable production (lbs) (1) 700,900 431,500
Attributable sales (lbs) (1) 880,600 283,300
Average realized sales price ($ per lb) (2) 49 79
Average cash cost of production sold ($ per lb) (2) 17 12
Revenues ($ millions) 43.0 22.5
Earnings from mine operations ($ millions) 15.9 16.3
Net earnings / (loss) from
continuing operations ($ millions) 63.4 (10.3)
Earnings / (loss) per share from continuing
operations - basic and diluted ($ per share) 0.13 (0.02)
Loss from discontinued operations ($ millions) (2.2) (104.6)
Loss per share from discontinued operations
- basic and diluted ($ per share) (0.00) (0.22)
Net earnings / (loss) ($ millions) 61.1 (114.9)
Net earnings / (loss) per share
- basic and diluted ($ per share) 0.13 (0.25)
Adjusted net loss ($ millions) (2) (5.5) (9.4)
Adjusted net loss per share - basic ($ per share) (2) (0.01) (0.02)
Notes:
1. Attributable production and sales are from assets in commercial
production during the quarter (Akdala and South Inkai in Q1 2009
and Akdala in Q1 2008).
2. The Corporation has included non-GAAP performance measures:
average realized sales price per pound, cash cost per pound sold,
adjusted net earnings/(loss) and adjusted net earnings/(loss) per
share. In the uranium mining industry, these are common
performance measures but do not have any standardized meaning, and
are non-GAAP measures. The Corporation believes that, in addition
to conventional measures prepared in accordance with GAAP, the
Corporation and certain investors use this information to evaluate
the Corporation's performance and ability to generate cash flow.
The additional information provided herein should not be
considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of
performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.
The following table provides a reconciliation of adjusted net earnings /
(loss) to the consolidated financial statements:
Figures in US$ 000's, except per share Q1 2009 Q1 2008
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Net earnings / (loss) from continuing operations 63,356 (10,315)
Unrealized foreign exchange gain
on future income tax liabilities (68,899) (1,138)
Loss on sale of available for sale securities - 2,008
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Adjusted net earnings / (loss) (5,543) (9,445)
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Adjusted net earnings per share - basic ($) (0.01) (0.02)
Weighted average number of shares (thousands) - basic 469,614 467,451
Conference Call Details
Uranium One will be hosting a conference call and webcast to discuss the first quarter 2009 results on Monday, May 11, 2009 starting at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time). Participants may join the call by dialling toll free 1-800-731-5319 or 1-416-644-3424 for local calls or calls from outside Canada and the United States. A live webcast of the call will be available through CNW Group's website at: www.newswire.ca/webcast
A recording of the conference call will be available for replay for a two week period beginning at approximately 12:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on May 11, 2009 by dialling toll free 1-877-289-8525 or 1-416-640-1917 for local calls or calls from outside Canada and the United States. The pass code for the replay is 21305467. A replay of the webcast will be available through a link on our website at www.uranium1.com
About Uranium One
Uranium One is one of the world's largest publicly traded uranium producers with a globally diversified portfolio of assets located in Kazakhstan, the United States, South Africa and Australia.
Cautionary Statement
No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.
Forward-looking statements: This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include but are not limited to those with respect to the price of uranium, the estimation of mineral resources and reserves, the realization of mineral reserve estimates, the timing and amount of estimated future production, costs of production, capital expenditures, costs and timing of the development of new deposits, success of exploration activities, permitting time lines, currency fluctuations, requirements for additional capital, government regulation of mining operations, environmental risks, unanticipated reclamation expenses, title disputes or claims and limitations on insurance coverage and the timing and possible outcome of pending litigation. In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes" or variations of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Uranium One to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the actual results of current exploration activities, conclusions of economic evaluations, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, possible variations in grade and ore densities or recovery rates, failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated, accidents, labour disputes or other risks of the mining industry, delays in obtaining government approvals or financing or in completion of development or construction activities, risks relating to the integration of acquisitions, to international operations, to prices of uranium as well as those factors referred to in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Uranium One's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2008, which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, and which should be reviewed in conjunction with this document. Although Uranium One has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Uranium One expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
For further information about Uranium One, please visit www.uranium1.com.
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