(Uranium Energy, 17.Oct.2022) — Uranium Energy Corp (NYSE American: UEC) completed its previously announced acquisition of the Roughrider uranium development project located in the Athabasca Basin in Saskatchewan, Canada (the “Transaction”) from a subsidiary of Rio Tinto plc.
Under the terms of the Transaction, Rio Tinto has now received $80mn in cash and 17,805,815 UEC common shares, valued at $70mn based on the 5-day VWAP of $3.93 per UEC share as of 7 October 2022. The cash component of the Transaction was funded using UEC’s existing balance sheet, and post-closing UEC has no debt and $93mn of cash and liquid assets.
Amir Adnani, President and CEO of UEC, stated: “We are pleased to welcome Rio Tinto as a new shareholder and value their vote of confidence in choosing to complete this transaction with UEC. With the acquisitions of Uranium One Americas, UEX and now Rio Tinto’s Roughrider project, we have created an unrivalled, pure play uranium company. Our two-pronged approach combines best in-class 1) U.S. ISR production, and 2) Canadian high-grade conventional pipeline. We see unprecedented growth taking place in nuclear energy and growing demand for uranium, driven by net-zero goals and global decarbonization initiatives. With this backdrop, UEC offers un-encumbered and un-hedged exposure for investors and is positioned as a reliable supplier of uranium to western utilities with the largest diversified North American focused projects and resources.”
Mr. Adnani continued: “By acquiring Roughrider, UEC has achieved critical mass in Eastern Athabasca basin to pursue stand-alone production plans. The 100% owned Roughrider project will anchor our Canadian high-grade conventional business and allow us to unlock value from the portfolio recently acquired from UEX. Leveraging the first-tier ESG, geotechnical and permitting work completed by Rio Tinto since 2012, we now look forward to continuing to advance Roughrider along its development path. This includes completion of a S-K 1300 technical report, review and progress on permitting requirements, and the commencement of a study on production plans.”
Roughrider Acquisition Rationale and Highlights:
- World-class Project in a Premier Uranium Mining Jurisdiction: Development-stage Roughrider Project has a non-current, historic resource of 58 million lbs at an average grade of 4.73% U3O8 situated in the eastern Athabasca Basin of Canada, where 10% of global uranium production was sourced in 2021.(1)(2)
- Unlocking Value and Immediate Synergies with Recent UEX Acquisition: Roughrider will be a 100% owned cornerstone asset, that when combined with recently acquired UEX Corporation (“UEX“) projects in the eastern Athabasca, positions UEC with a critical mass of resources to enhance future production plans. Recently acquired and nearby UEC projects to Roughrider include Raven-Horseshoe, Hidden Bay and Christie Lake.
- Scaling up in Canada’s High-Grade Athabasca Basin: After Cameco and Orano, UEC now controls the largest diversified resource base, hosted in multiple assets, in Canada’s Athabasca Basin.
- Infrastructure, Nearby Operations and Long-Standing Uranium History: There are over 20 uranium deposits, five current and historically producing mines, and two uranium mills within a 100 km distance from Roughrider, providing excellent infrastructure for future development, including all-weather roads, an all-weather airstrip within seven km and robust electrical grid access, primarily generated from renewable hydroelectric power sources.(3)
- Leveraging a Decade of Development Work on a Path to Production: Since acquiring Roughrider in 2012, Rio Tinto, one of the world’s largest and most experienced mine builders, advanced substantial pre-production and environmental baseline work. The work includes completion of dedicated geotechnical drilling, shaft vs. decline modelling, establishment of hydrogeological monitor wells, terrestrial and aquatic environmental assessments, heritage assessments, species at risk, and conceptual reclamation plan. This provides a strong foundation and substantial value for completion of upcoming technical reports, efficiently moving the Project forward to a production decision.(4)
- Strong ESG Foundation: Starting from the environmental baseline work and ESG initiatives established by Rio Tinto, UEC intends to continue to develop and apply high industry standards in stakeholder engagement, safety, and environmental stewardship. UEC looks forward to engaging with local communities and other stakeholders in the Athabasca Basin in developing this Project for the benefit of future generations.
Notes: Subject to the completion of S-K 1300 technical report summary by UEC after closing.World Nuclear Association – World Uranium Mining Production and Largest Producing Uranium Mines in 2021.Cameco Corporation 2021 ESG Report, SaskPower System Map accessible at https://www.saskpower.comSaskatchewan Environment Publication 2013-014, “Rio Tinto – Roughrider Advanced Exploration Program”, accessible at http://www.environment.gov.sk.ca/2013-014EISMainDoc
The technical information in this news release has been reviewed by Clyde L. Yancey, P.G., Vice President-Exploration for the Company, being a Qualified Person under Item 1302 of Regulation S-K.
Advisors and Counsel
Rothschild & Co and BMO Capital Markets acted as financial advisor to UEC in connection with the Transaction. McMillan LLP acted as legal advisor to UEC.
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