Energy consumption: Estimates are being quantified and are expected to be finalized in 2023.
Wastewater management: We expect that the Kellyton Graphite Plant will not have surface water connections to waters of the United States, nor are there any such jurisdictional waters of the United States at the Kellyton Graphite Plant. In August 2022, the Company received its SID permit for the treatment of wastewater from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. Under the SID, the Company provides an agreed upon wastewater profile to be processed by the local wastewater treatment plant. The Company plans to pretreat the wastewater from the Kellyton Graphite Plant through recycling, neutralizing and filtering to ensure it meets the requirements under the SID.
Social Criteria and Actions
As part of our Kellyton Graphite Plant design and analysis we are evaluating community needs, with input from the local stakeholders, and our ability to support them – whether in education, infrastructure, or in other ways applicable to community needs. Through the Alabama Industrial Training (“AIDT”) program, the Company is eligible to receive a cash reimbursement for the design of a customized plan for the recruitment, screening, and training new employees. In addition to the cash reimbursement for training, AIDT offers in-kind services, which includes items such as assistance with a pre-employment selection system, maintenance assessments, safety assistance and training, and robotic and programable logic controller automation training.
During 2022, Westwater held “townhall” meetings with the local community in Coosa County, Alabama, to maintain open and transparent communication as well as to hear and work to address any concerns of the community. In April, the Company held a groundbreaking ceremony that was attended by state and local government officials and business leaders. In addition, the Company participated in a community service project, in July, to help with general cleanup of a local school. The Company also hosted a first responders luncheon in October that included a tour of the Kellyton Graphite Plant for over 100 first responders and local officials to show appreciation to those helping within the local community.
Westwater has a strong history in social license. The Company spent eight years providing scholarships to family members of the Cebolleta and Juan Tafoya Land Grants in New Mexico, where we previously had operations. We have supported this scholarship effort over the years to ensure that young people are afforded an opportunity to attend colleges and universities. As a result of this work, students in Veterinary Medicine, Mining Engineering, Nursing, Pharmacology, Criminal Justice and Business Management have been able to further their education.
Westwater Team and Culture (Human Capital)
Our team and culture are keys to our success. Management aims to foster a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture. We believe that a diverse workforce provides different viewpoints on business strategy, risk and innovation. We are committed to fostering solid relationships with all members of our workforce based on trust, treating workers fairly and providing them with safe and healthy working conditions. Our team is defined by a commitment to our mission, vision, and values, which includes providing a great place to work for teammates, being a good neighbor in the communities where we work and live, and being a good steward for our investors.
Westwater’s Board of Directors and management team has focused on hiring, succession planning and talent development to produce a strong team. On January 16, 2023, the Board of Directors appointed Frank Bakker as Westwater’s Chief President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Bakker is an experienced executive with a proven track record in engineering, project management, and plant construction and operations for large-scale process facilities that produce a wide variety of industrial products. Mr. Bakker has built and operated a number of processing plants that process ammonia, elastomers, methanol, and resins. Since the fall of 2022, Mr. Bakker has been managing the construction activities at the Kellyton Graphite Plant.
On May 10, 2021, after completing a comprehensive search process, Westwater hired Steven M. Cates as Westwater’s Chief Accounting Officer and Controller. On June 23, 2022, following the announced retirement of Jeffrey L. Vigil, Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance of the Company, the Board of Directors elected Mr. Cates