Global Atomic Corporation (“Global Atomic” or the “Company”), (TSX:
GLO, OTCQX: GLATF; FRANKFURT: G12) the multi-asset development
company with cash flow from the BST zinc recycling facility in
Turkey and one of the world’s premier uranium development assets,
at the Dasa Project, in the Republic of Niger, West Africa, is
pleased to announce the results of an optimized mine plan as the
basis for a new Preliminary Economic Assessment (“Study” or “PEA”),
outlined in this press release.
Global Atomic’s new PEA comprises an optimized
Phase 1 of a larger mine development at the Dasa Project. The Phase
1 plan is a low Capex development targeting profitable production
over a twelve year mine life. During Phase 1 implementation,
Global Atomic will aim to upgrade the substantial mineral resources
outside of the Phase 1 mine plan to feed the larger Dasa Project
future mine plan (see Figure 1 below).
The results of the Study will be summarized in a
technical report prepared pursuant to Canadian Securities
Administrators’ National Instrument 43-101, which will be available
on the Company’s website (www.globalatomiccorp.com) and filed
on SEDAR within 45 days of today’s date.
HIGHLIGHTS: Optimized Phase 1
Project (All figures are in US dollars)
- After-tax NPV8 of $211 million and after-tax IRR of
26.6%
- Cash cost of $16.72 per pound1
- All-in sustaining cost (“AISC”) of $18.39 per pound2
- Average annual steady-state uranium production of 4.4 million
pounds U3O8
- Initial capital costs of $203 million, including 20%
contingency
- Phase 1 Project mine life of 12 years, mining 48 million pounds
U3O8 @ 5,396ppm
GLOBAL ATOMIC CHAIRMAN,
PRESIDENT & CEO, STEPHEN G. ROMAN
COMMENTED:“The Study demonstrates that the Dasa
Project can be a significant new supplier of uranium in the form of
yellowcake even in this low uranium price environment. Over the
optimized Phase 1 mine plan, using a base case uranium price of $35
per pound, the operation generates an after tax NPV8 of $211
million and an IRR of 26.6%, at an all-in sustaining cost of $18.39
per pound. This ranks our project in the lowest quartile of the
global cost curve. If we apply a long-term uranium price of $50 per
pound, the Project IRR increases to 46.3% and the NPV8 to $485
million.
Our development plan is a low capex route into
production that uses conventional underground mining and a
processing technology similar to that used by the two existing
uranium mines in Niger. This mine plan also provides future access
to the contained uranium inventory of over 200 million pounds in
the mine’s deeper horizons. The optimized Phase 1 mine plan
initially targets high grade mineralization that starts from a
depth of 70 meters below surface that, together with a mining
friendly jurisdiction, positions the Company as being the next
entrant to the worldwide uranium supply chain.
Despite current low spot prices, future uranium
market fundamentals are encouraging, driven by robust demand for
nuclear power generation and the pressing need for scalable
low-carbon energy sources. Primary mine-supply of uranium continues
to dwindle and secondary sources of uranium are tightening. A lack
of new projects scheduled to come online below a $50 per pound
incentive price, means this is an opportune time to advance the
development of the Dasa Project.
The next milestone for the Dasa Project is
producing a Final Technical Report (“FTR”) to incorporate
additional work currently underway, including hydrogeological and
environmental impact assessment studies. The FTR is the key mining
permit application document that will be submitted to the
Government of Niger later this year. Once the mine permit is
issued, Global Atomic will be in a position to finalise the
engineering needed to construct the project.”
PEA
OverviewThe updated 2019 Mineral Resource
Estimate (“MRE”), is used as the basis for the Study.3 This Study
investigates underground mining of an area of high grade
mineralization, known as the Flank Zone. Additional
high-grade mineralisation in stratabound lenses is also considered
in the mine plan. Based on this investigation, a stand-alone,
underground mining scenario was assessed as the best option. The
PEA indicates the Phase 1 mine could operate for twelve years,
including the ramp up, and at steady state mining , is planned to
produce over four million pounds of U3O8 annually.
The objective of the Study was to assess the
potential economic and technical viability of uranium production at
the Dasa Project as an integrated operating facility to mine and
produce yellowcake on the property. Summary project metrics are
shown in Table 1 below:
Table 1. Summary Project Metrics @ US$35/lb
U3O8 |
|
|
Project Economics |
|
|
Average Royalty rate (based on Mining Code sliding scale) |
% |
9.1% |
Average annual mine EBITDA(1) |
$M |
$93.8 |
After-tax NPV (8% discount rate) |
$M |
$211 |
After-tax IRR |
% |
26.6% |
Undiscounted after-tax cash flow (net of capex) |
$M |
$437 |
After-tax payback period |
Years |
4.00 |
Unit Operating Costs |
|
|
LOM average cash cost |
$/lb U3O8 |
$16.72 |
AISC |
$/lb U3O8 |
$18.39 |
Production Profile |
|
|
Mine Life |
Years |
12 |
Total tonnes of mineralized material processed |
M Tonnes |
4.0 |
Peak tonnes per day mineralized material |
Tonnes/day |
1,124 |
Mill Head Grade |
ppm/t |
5,396 |
Overall Mill Recovery |
% |
92% |
Total Lbs U3O8 processed |
Mlbs |
47.9 |
Total Lbs U3O8 recovered |
Mlbs |
44.1 |
Average annual Lbs U3O8 production |
Mlbs |
4.4 |
Peak annual Lbs U3O8 production |
Mlbs |
5.2 |
(1) |
Mine EBITDA is a non-IFRS measure, does not have a standardized
meaning prescribed by IFRS and may not be comparable to similar
terms and measures presented by other issuers. Mine EBITDA
comprises earnings before income taxes, interest expense (income)
and financing expense (income), amortization expense, and other
expenses including corporate costs. |
|
|
EconomicsThe
economic analysis for the PEA was done via a discounted cash flow
(“DCF”) model based on the mining inventory from the PEA optimized
Phase 1 mine plan and a price of US$35 per pound of eU3O8.
Sensitivity analysis was carried out at $5 per pound price
intervals from $25 per pound to $50 per pound, as shown in Table 2.
The DCF includes an assessment of the current tax regime and
royalty requirements in Niger. Net present value (“NPV”) figures
are calculated using a range of discount rates as shown in Table 3.
The discount rate used for the base-case analysis is 8% (“NPV8”).
Cash flows are discounted to the start of first construction.
Table 2. Economic sensitivity with varying uranium
prices(1) |
Uranium price (per pound) |
$25/lb |
$30/lb |
$35/lb |
$40/lb |
$45/lb |
$50/lb |
Before-tax NPV @ 8% |
$41 M |
$139 M |
$260 M |
$365 M |
$485 M |
$601 M |
After-tax NPV @ 8% |
$34 M |
$113 M |
$211 M |
$294 M |
$391 M |
$485 M |
After-tax IRR |
11.5% |
18.5% |
26.6% |
32.6% |
39.7% |
46.3% |
(1) |
Mine Stope Optimisation (“MSO”) and schedule for all uranium price
sensitivities used the MSO base case model at $35 per pound
uranium |
|
|
Table 3. Economic sensitivity with varying discount rates
using base-case uranium price $35/lb |
Discount rate (%) |
5% |
8% |
10% |
12% |
Before-tax NPV |
$341 M |
$260 M |
$215 M |
$177 M |
After-tax NPV |
$279 M |
$211 M |
$173 M |
$141 M |
|
|
|
|
|
Mining and
ResourcesThe Study proposes the development of an
underground mine using a sublevel blast-hole retreat with cemented
paste backfill as a mining method on a 20 meter sublevel
spacing.
The Phase 1 mine plan considered only the stope
shapes above cut-off grade (“COG”). To generate the stope shape the
MSO mine design tool has been used applying 2,300 parts per million
(“ppm”) U3O8 COG. Within the optimized Phase 1 mine plan
considered in the Study, only high grade mineralized material down
to a maximum depth of 594 meters below surface has been included.
All stopes with grades below the average COG have been eliminated
from the actual evaluation, although within individual stopes there
does exist some lower grade material as shown in Table 4 below.
Table 4. Mining Parameters |
LOM Total |
Grade U3O8 |
Contained U3O8 |
Units |
M tonnes |
ppm |
M lbs |
High Grade Mineralized Material |
1.25 |
11,305 |
31.1 |
Medium Grade Mineralized Material |
0.98 |
3,777 |
8.2 |
Low Grade Mineralized Material |
1.29 |
2,538 |
7.2 |
Lowest Grade Mineralized Material |
0.61 |
1,114 |
1.5 |
Total Mined Material |
4.13 |
5,274 |
48.0 |
Closing Stockpile |
-0.10 |
475 |
-0.1 |
Total Processed Mineralized Material |
4.03 |
5,396 |
47.9 |
|
|
|
|
Waste material |
0.99 |
|
- |
|
|
|
|
Highlights from the July 18, 2019 MRE included a
grade-tonnage report at varying cut-off grades across all of the
resource are summarized in the following table.
Table 5. Grade-Tonnage report, highlights from July 18,
2019 MRE |
Cut-Off |
Category |
Tonnes |
eU3O8 |
Contained metal |
eU3O8, ppm |
Mt |
ppm |
Mlb |
100 |
Indicated |
81.6 |
718 |
129.1 |
Inferred |
96.1 |
606 |
128.4 |
300 |
Indicated |
34.4 |
1,446 |
109.6 |
Inferred |
37.6 |
1,260 |
104.6 |
1,000 |
Indicated |
9.6 |
3,885 |
82.1 |
Inferred |
10.2 |
3,308 |
74.2 |
2,000 |
Indicated |
4.6 |
6,624 |
66.8 |
Inferred |
4.5 |
5,713 |
56.8 |
2,500 |
Indicated |
3.6 |
7,849 |
61.9 |
Inferred |
3.4 |
6,838 |
51.4 |
5,000 |
Indicated |
1.6 |
13,186 |
46.8 |
Inferred |
1.6 |
10,805 |
37.2 |
10,000 |
Indicated |
0.6 |
24,401 |
31.1 |
Inferred |
0.8 |
14,598 |
25.3 |
15,000 |
Indicated |
0.3 |
34,236 |
24.3 |
Inferred |
0.1 |
21,493 |
4.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
ProcessingThe
Project will use conventional uranium processing techniques,
comprised of dry SAG grinding and classification; pug-leaching and
curing; uranium extraction circuit (re-pulping and solid liquid
separation); uranium purification and precipitation circuit; drying
and packaging; and a paste plant for mine backfill. Based on
considerable metallurgical testwork, a recovery of 92% is estimated
over the life of the Project, which is planned to produce 44.1
million pounds of U3O8 as yellowcake during optimized Phase 1
operations.
The plant is designed with a capacity of 1,000
tonnes per day (t/d) or 365,000 tonnes per annum (t/a) using a
modularised design. Layout has been optimised to enable the
addition of more processing lines in the future.
Operating
Costs
Table 6. Operating Cost(1) |
LOM($million) |
$/lb U3O8Recovered |
$/tonne ofFeed |
Mining Cost |
181 |
4.12 |
45 |
Processing Cost |
219 |
4.97 |
54 |
G&A Cost |
195 |
4.43 |
48 |
Cash Cost |
596 |
13.52 |
148 |
Royalty (sliding scale based on EBIT formula) |
141 |
3.20 |
35 |
Total Cash Cost |
737 |
16.72 |
183 |
Sustaining Capital |
73 |
1.67 |
18 |
AISC(2) |
811 |
18.39 |
201 |
(1) Due to
rounding, some columns may not total exactly as shown |
|
(2) All-in
sustaining cost per pound of U3O8 represents mining, processing and
site G&A costs, royalty, off site costs and sustaining
expenditures, divided by payable 44.1 million pounds of U3O8 |
|
Capital
Costs
Table 7. Capital Costs(1) |
Initial($million) |
Sustaining Capital ($million) |
LOM($million) |
Mining |
55 |
43 |
97 |
Processing |
67 |
4 |
71 |
Infrastructure |
39 |
0 |
39 |
Total Direct Capital Costs |
161 |
46 |
207 |
Indirect & Owner's Cost |
12 |
4 |
16 |
Total Direct and Indirect Capital Costs |
173 |
51 |
223 |
Contingency |
30 |
13 |
43 |
Reclamation |
0 |
10 |
10 |
Total Capital Costs |
203 |
73 |
276 |
(1) Due to
rounding, some columns may not total exactly as shown |
|
Value
OpportunitiesIn July 2017, Global Atomic signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with Orano Mining, to supply a
minimum 100,000 tonnes of uranium-bearing rock per annum to Orano’s
operations in Arlit, approximately 100 kilometers north of the Dasa
Project, for a minimum of 5 years. Discussions between the two
companies regarding this development opportunity are on-going. A
successful conclusion would result in Global Atomic having reduced
up-front capital requirements for commencing the project.
The PEA presents an optimized Phase 1 mine plan
for the Dasa deposit based on the extraction 4.13 million tonnes of
mineralised material from a sub-vertical section of the deposit on
the flank of the graben, from depths of approximately 70 meters to
600 meters below surface. Value opportunities exist in extending
the mine-life beyond an initial 12 years, as can be seen from the
longitudinal projection shown below. A large volume of mineralised
material in the Inferred Resource category is present in the
flat-lying portions of the graben between 400 meters and 800 meters
below surface that could be mined in future decades. In addition
the deposit remains open along strike and at depth.
Next
StepsGlobal Atomic is currently conducting
hydrogeological and environmental studies for inclusion into the
FTR to be submitted to the Government of Niger later this year.
Limited infill drilling is also being planned with the aim to
upgrade Inferred Resources to Indicated Resources.
Once the Mine Permit is issued, Global Atomic
will be in a position to finalise the engineering, geotechnical and
any final infill drilling needed to construct the project.
Technical
InformationThe current PEA was prepared by CSA
Global Consultants Canada Ltd (“CSA Global”). The PEA optimized
Phase 1 is preliminary in nature and includes 12% Inferred Mineral
Resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have
the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them
to be categorized as mineral reserves. A plan to upgrade the
Inferred resources to Indicated resources is being evaluated at
present. Unlike mineral reserves, mineral resources do not have
demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that the PEA
results will be realized.
The current PEA and other scientific and
technical information contained in this news release were prepared
by CSA Global Pty. Ltd., in accordance with the Canadian regulatory
requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101, Standards of
Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”), and has been
reviewed and approved by, as it relates to mineral resources:
Dmitry Pertel, M.Sc., MAIG, Principal Resource Geologist (CSA
Global); as it relates to metallurgy and processing: Russell
Bradford BSc, MAusIMM (CP) Associate Principal Metallurgist (CSA
Global); as it relates to sampling, drilling, exploration and QAQC:
George Flach, P.Geo (Global Atomic); as it relates to mining,
infrastructure, mining costs, environment and permitting: Michael
Seymour, P.Eng., Associate Principal Mining Engineer (CSA Global);
and as it relates to financial modelling and economic analysis:
Alex Veresezan, P.Eng., Manager, Mining Americas (CSA Global).
Dmitry Pertel, Russell Bradford, and Alex Veresezan are all
independent Qualified Persons (“QP”), as defined under NI 43-101.
George Flach is a non-independent Qualified Person (“QP”), as
defined under NI 43-101.
The mineral resource and mineral reserve
estimates contained herein may be subject to legal, political,
environmental or other risks that could materially affect the
potential development of such mineral resources.
The results of the PEA optimized Phase 1 will be
summarized in a technical report prepared pursuant to NI 43-101.
Which will be available on the Company’s website
(www.globalatomiccorp.com) and will be filed on SEDAR within 45
days. The technical report will include more information with
respect to the key assumptions, parameters, methods and risks of
determination associated with the foregoing.
About Global AtomicGlobal
Atomic Corporation is a TSX listed company that provides a unique
combination of high-grade uranium development and cash flowing zinc
concentrate production.
The Company’s Uranium Division includes six
exploration permits in the Republic of Niger covering an area of
approximately 750 km2. Uranium mineralization has been identified
on each of the permits, with the most significant discovery being
the Dasa deposit situated on the Adrar Emoles III concession,
discovered in 2010 by Global Atomic geologists through grassroots
field exploration. The Dasa deposit is currently undergoing
feasibility studies and an EIS prior to applying for a Mining
Permit in H2 2020.
Global Atomic’s Base Metals Division holds a 49%
interest in the Befesa Silvermet Turkey, S.L. (“BST”) Joint
Venture, which operates a new, state-of-the art processing
facility, located in Iskenderun, Turkey, that converts Electric Arc
Furnace Dust (“EAFD”) into a high-grade zinc oxide concentrate
which is sold to zinc smelters around the world. The Company’s
joint venture partner, Befesa Zinc S.A.U. (“Befesa”) listed on the
Frankfurt exchange under ‘BFSA’, holds a 51% interest in and is the
operator of the BST Joint Venture. Befesa is a market leader in
EAFD recycling, capturing approximately 50% of the European EAFD
market, with facilities located throughout Europe and Asia.
The new BST Joint Venture plant is expected to
double annual production of zinc from 30 million lbs to 60 million
lbs supported by EAFD supply currently available for processing in
Turkey.
Key contacts:
Stephen G. Roman |
Merlin Marr-Johnson |
Chairman, President &
CEO |
Executive VP |
Tel: +1 (416) 368-3949 |
Tel: +44 7803 712 280 |
Email:
sgr@globalatomiccorp.com |
Email:
mmj@globalatomiccorp.com |
The information in this release may contain
forward-looking information under applicable securities laws.
Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to,
statements with respect to completion of any financings; Global
Atomic’s development potential and timetable of its operating,
development and exploration assets; Global Atomic’s ability to
raise additional funds necessary; the future price of uranium; the
estimation of mineral reserves and mineral resources; conclusions
of economic evaluation; the realization of mineral reserve
estimates; the timing and amount of estimated future production,
development and exploration; costs of future activities; capital
and operating expenditures; success of exploration activities;
mining or processing issues; currency exchange rates; government
regulation of mining operations; and environmental and permitting
risks. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by
the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", “targets”,
"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 statements that certain actions, events or results
"may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be
achieved". All information contained in this news release, other
than statements of current and historical fact, is forward looking
information. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the
actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of
Global Atomic to be materially different from those expressed or
implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not
limited to those risks described in the annual information form of
Global Atomic and in its public documents filed on SEDAR from time
to time.
Forward-looking statements are based on the
opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements
are made. Although management of Global Atomic has attempted to
identify important factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those contained in forward-looking
statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be
as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance
that such 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. Global Atomic does not
undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except in
accordance with applicable securities laws. Readers should also
review the risks and uncertainties sections of Global Atomic’s
annual and interim MD&As.
These estimates have been prepared in accordance
with the requirements of Canadian securities laws, which differ
from the requirements of U.S. securities laws. The terms “mineral
resource”, “measured mineral resource”, “indicated mineral
resource” and “inferred mineral resource” are defined in NI 43-101
and recognized by Canadian securities laws but are not defined
terms under the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”)
Guide 7 (“SEC Guide 7”) or recognized under U.S. securities laws.
U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of
mineral deposits in these categories will ever be upgraded to
mineral reserves. “Inferred mineral resources” have a great amount
of uncertainty as to their existence, and great uncertainty as to
their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all
or any part of an “inferred mineral resource” will ever be upgraded
to a higher category. Under Canadian securities laws, estimates of
“inferred mineral resources” may not form the basis of feasibility
or pre-feasibility studies. U.S. investors are cautioned not to
assume that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource exists
or is economically or legally mineable. Accordingly, these mineral
resource estimates and related information may not be comparable to
similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to the
reporting and disclosure requirements under the U.S. federal
securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder, including
SEC Guide 7.
The Toronto Stock Exchange has not reviewed and
does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy
of this release.
_______________________________________1 Cash
cost per pound represents mining, processing and site general and
administrative costs, royalty and offsite costs, divided by payable
uranium of 44.1 million pounds U3O8.
2 All-in sustaining cost per pound of uranium represents mining,
processing and site general and administrative costs, royalty,
offsite costs and sustaining capital expenditures, divided by
payable uranium of 44.1 million pounds U3O8.
3 See news release dated July 18, 2019 and titled “GLOBAL ATOMIC
ANNOUNCES SIGNIFICANT RESOURCE UPGRADE AT DASA PROJECT” filed
on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and available on the Company
website at www.globalatomiccorp.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d5fb3ad8-8397-49e6-b0ef-8444d4fd90f1
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