Dasa Uranium Project Remains on Schedule to
Produce Yellowcake in Q1 2026
TORONTO,
March 27,
2024 /CNW/ - Global Atomic Corporation ("Global
Atomic" or the "Company"), (TSX: GLO) (OTCQX: GLATF) (FRANKFURT:
G12) announced today its operating and financial results for the
year ended December 31, 2023.
HIGHLIGHTS
Dasa Uranium Project - Mineral Resource
Estimate
- On May 23, 2023, the Company
announced the completion of an updated Mineral Resource Estimate
("MRE") for the Dasa Project. The MRE includes the results of a
16,000-meter drill program that was designed to convert Inferred
Resources to Indicated Resources and resulted in a 50% increase in
Indicated Resources at a 1,500-ppm cut-off grade.
Dasa Uranium Project - Off-take Agreements
- In 2023, the Company formalized three off-take agreements with
major North American utilities for the delivery of 1.4 million
pounds U3O8 per year for the first five years
of mining. These off-take agreements represent a small percentage
of the current 68.1 million pounds of production in the new
23.75-year Mine Plan and provide the Company with the ability to
repay the debt financing facility, while maintaining leverage to a
tightening uranium market.
Dasa Uranium Project - Mining
- Ramp development has been underway since the beginning of 2023,
with over 950 meters completed. Mine development is now continuing
down dip in the footwall of the orebody.
- In August 2023, the closure of
the Benin border interrupted the
usual supply route from the Port of Cotonou through Benin to Niger. The Company suspended mine development
due to interruptions of its supply chain and depletion of certain
consumables until the Company established an alternate shipping
route through Togo and
Burkina Faso. Using this alternate
route, underground mine development resumed in December 2023.
- As of the date hereof, the Dasa Mine, operated by SOMIDA, and
overseen by Global Atomic Corporation, achieved 595 days without a
Lost Time Injury ("LTI"). This achievement is a testament to
management's dedication to create a safe work environment and the
team's success in implementing effective safety measures.
Dasa Uranium Project – Financing
- The Company is engaged with a Canadian export credit agency and
a U.S. development bank to establish a debt facility to finance 60%
of Dasa's development costs. The Company has been advised by this
banking syndicate that Credit Committee approval may occur in
April 2024, followed by final
approval by the Board of Directors in June
2024.
- Management continues to work towards the completion of this
debt facility, however, the Company is also involved in discussions
with other funding entities and will continue to evaluate
alternative funding options that support a financing decision in
the best interests of shareholders.
Dasa Uranium Project –Team
- In 2023, the Company added two key members to the Dasa
management team: John Wheeler,
Director of Operations and Site General Manager and Daniele Valentino, Deputy Director of Operations
& Assistant General Manager. Both individuals have substantial
West African mining experience and we welcome them to the SOMIDA
operating team.
Niger Political Situation
- On February 14, 2023, the Company
announced that a local court in Agadez, Niger, had issued orders against the
Government of Niger and the
Company's subsidiary in Niger,
SOMIDA, in response to historical concerns raised by certain local
organizations. On February 24, 2023,
the ruling was overturned and annulled as having no merit. SOMIDA
continued mine development operations throughout the court
proceedings.
- On July 26, 2023, the
Niger military initiated a change
in government. The new Government of Niger subsequently confirmed its support of
the Dasa Project and encouraged SOMIDA to proceed on schedule. The
Economic Community of African States ("ECOWAS") imposed
wide-ranging sanctions on Niger,
which were subsequently removed in early 2024. The Niger-Benin
border is the only border that remains closed, however is expected
to open soon.
- On October 10, 2023, the United States formally recognized the
events of July 26, 2023, as a "Coup
d'Etat", which temporarily halted the U.S. Development Bank's work
on their debt financing facility for the Dasa development.
- In November 2023, the U.S. Senate
voted overwhelmingly to support continued U.S. military presence in
Niger. The U.S. Under Secretary
for African Affairs stated that the U.S. stands ready to support
Niger in a successful transition
to democratic rule and the U.S. Development Bank resumed its work
on the debt facility for Dasa.
Turkish Zinc Joint Venture
- Operations were impacted by major earthquakes which occurred in
Türkiye during Q1 2023. Local steel mills, which supply the Turkish
Zinc Joint Venture ("BST" or the "Turkish JV") with Electric Arc
Furnace Dust ("EAFD"), ceased operations for a period of time
before resuming operations.
- The Turkish JV processed over 66,000 tonnes EAFD to produce
27.2 million pounds of zinc in concentrate at an average realized
price of US$1.20/lb.
- The Company's share of the Turkish JV EBITDA was a loss of
$2.4 million in 2023 (a gain of
$4.2 million in 2022).
- The revolving credit facility of the Turkish JV was
US$12 million at the end of 2023
(Global Atomic share – US$5.9
million).
- The cash balance of the Turkish JV was US$1.9 million at the end of 2023.
Corporate
- On March 17, 2023, the Company
completed a Bought Deal Prospectus Offering of 18,666,667 Units at
a price of $3.00 per Unit for gross
proceeds of approximately $56
million. Each Unit comprised one common share and one-half
warrant exercisable at $4.00 per
common share for a period of 18-months from closing.
- On November 21, 2023, the Company
filed a Short Form Prospectus for up to $350
million which amount includes up to $50 million that may be raised under an
At-the-Market ("ATM") equity program as per the supplemental
prospectus filed December 6, 2023,
over the ensuing 25-month period.
- On December 22, 2023, the Company
completed a private placement of 9,000,000 Units at a price of
$2.50 per Unit for gross proceeds of
$15 million. Units comprised one
common share and one-half common share purchase warrant. Each full
warrant could be exercisable at $3.00
per share for a period of 12 months from closing subject to
accelerated expiry should the price of the common shares exceed a
volume weighted average price ("VWAP") of $3.50 for 5 consecutive trading days. The
acceleration clause was activated in January
2024 and all warrants exercised for gross proceeds of
$9 million.
- Global Atomic continues to receive quarterly management fees
and monthly sales commissions from the Turkish JV ($690,000 in 2023 compared to $1,149,000 in 2022), helping to offset corporate
overhead costs.
- Cash balance as of December 31,
2023, was $24.9 million.
Subsequent Events
- In January 2024, the Niger
Government suspended the approval of new and/or renewed mineral
exploration permits, including renewals recently received by the
Company. This suspension was initiated to conduct an audit of
recently issued exploration permits and related to undisclosed gold
shipments. This announcement had no impact on the mining permits or
operations at the Dasa Project and the Company expects its
exploration permits to be renewed shortly.
- On March 5, 2024, the Company
released the results of its Dasa Uranium Project 2024
Feasibility Study ("FS") as an update to its 2021 Phase 1
Feasibility Study which confirmed an extension of the Mine Plan
from 12 years to 23.75 years (2026-2049), a 50% increase in Mineral
Reserves to 73 million pounds U3O8 and an
increase in total production by 55% to 68.1 million pounds
U3O8. Using an average uranium price of
$75/lb U3O8,
the FS shows an NPV8 of US$917
million, an IRR of 57% and a payback period of 2.2
years.
- On March 5, 2024, the Company
announced that it had signed a Letter of Intent from a European
nuclear power utility to purchase U3O8 from
Dasa, representing its fourth off-take agreement for deliveries
starting in 2026.
- On March 16, 2024, Niger announced its intention to terminate its
military cooperation agreement with the United Sates. Global Atomic
understands the two countries are in discussions to reach a
mutually acceptable resolution.
- On March 27, 2024, the Company
published the full Dasa Uranium Project Feasibility Study ("FS"),
details of which are discussed in the "Uranium Business" section
below. The FS is available at the Global Atomic web site and at
www.sedarplus.ca.
Global Atomic President and CEO, Stephen G. Roman commented, "I congratulate
the entire team at Global Atomic, including those at our
Niger subsidiaries and those JV
employees in Türkiye for their perseverance and dedication amidst
many external challenges in 2023 both geopolitical and geophysical.
I also thank our investors who maintained their support and
confidence through these challenging times. The strategic nature of
the Dasa deposit, the quality of our team, and the world need for
clean, reliable, nuclear power are the fundamental drivers for our
business."
"We proved the impressive scope of Dasa early
in 2023, when we published a revised Mineral Resource Estimate
which converted Inferred Resources into 50% more Indicated
Resources. We also delineated another 51.4 million pounds in the
Inferred category that could eventually be brought into our next
technical update. In early 2024, we announced a new Feasibility
Study that extended the Dasa Mine Plan from 12 to 23 years,
increased Mineral Reserves by 50% to 73 million pounds and uranium
production by 55% to 68.1 million pounds. Using a conservative
uranium base price of $75 per pound
and very conservative cost assumptions that include several layers
of contingencies, the Study forecasts a very attractive after-tax
NPV and an impressive after-tax IRR."
"The current roster of 275 employees at the
Dasa Project, are continuing with underground and surface
development to prepare for the processing plant erection planned to
start later this year. The construction crews will begin arriving
as the expanded camp is completed mid-year. I look forward
to bringing further updates to shareholders as we continue to
advance the Dasa Project to first Yellowcake production in Q1,
2026."
OUTLOOK
Dasa Uranium Project
- Continue development of the underground ramp and site
infrastructure to remain on schedule to supply uranium ore to the
processing plant from the end of 2025.
- Addition of an in-country construction team, bringing the site
complement from 275 to approximately 500.
- In Q2 2024, our Bank Syndicate is expected to approve the Debt
Financing facility for the development of the Dasa Project.
- Complete final engineering, site development and civil works
for the Dasa processing plant and begin installation of
equipment.
- Continue marketing efforts to secure additional uranium
off-take agreements.
Turkish Zinc Joint Venture
- The Company anticipates operations at its Turkish JV will be
profitable in 2024 as local steel mills normalise production.
COMPARATIVE RESULTS
The following table summarizes comparative
results of operations of the Company:
|
|
|
|
Year ended December
31,
|
|
(all amounts in
C$)
|
2023
|
|
2022
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
$
|
689,996
|
|
$
|
1,149,494
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General and
administration
|
10,275,282
|
|
10,265,688
|
|
Share of equity
loss
|
4,128,171
|
|
287,779
|
|
Other
expense
|
-
|
|
583,246
|
|
Finance income,
net
|
(1,159,471)
|
|
(155,142)
|
|
Foreign exchange
loss
|
4,032,344
|
|
2,666,330
|
|
Net
loss
|
$
|
(16,586,330)
|
|
|
(12,498,407)
|
|
Net income (loss)
attributable to:
|
|
|
|
Shareholders of the
Company
|
(16,603,680)
|
|
(12,475,109)
|
|
Non-controlling
interests
|
17,350
|
|
(23,298)
|
|
Other comprehensive
income
|
$
|
913,394
|
|
$
|
901,107
|
|
Comprehensive
loss
|
$
|
(15,672,936)
|
|
$
|
(11,597,300)
|
|
Comprehensive gain
(loss) attributable to:
|
|
Shareholders of the
Company
|
(15,670,449)
|
|
(11,630,229)
|
|
Non-controlling
interests
|
(2,487)
|
|
32,929
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted net
loss per share
|
($0.08)
|
|
($0.07)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
weighted-average
number of shares outstanding
|
198,082,525
|
|
177,647,065
|
|
Diluted
weighted-average
number of shares outstanding
|
198,082,525
|
|
177,647,065
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December
31,
|
|
December
31,
|
|
|
2023
|
|
2022
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
|
$
|
24,857,915
|
|
$
|
8,400,008
|
|
Property, plant and
equipment
|
129,986,343
|
|
82,234,716
|
|
Exploration &
evaluation assets
|
1,370,358
|
|
1,115,983
|
|
Investment in joint
venture
|
12,628,251
|
|
16,387,040
|
|
Other assets
|
8,755,878
|
|
2,118,258
|
|
Total
assets
|
$
|
177,598,745
|
|
$
|
110,256,005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
liabilities
|
$
|
19,412,976
|
|
$
|
8,746,681
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
equity
|
$
|
158,185,769
|
|
$
|
101,509,324
|
|
The consolidated financial statements reflect the
equity method of accounting for Global Atomic's interest in the
Turkish JV. The Company's share of net earnings and net assets are
disclosed in the notes to the financial statements.
Revenues include management
fees and sales commissions received from the joint venture. These
are based on joint venture revenues generated and zinc concentrate
tonnes sold. Revenues in 2023 have decreased due to lower zinc
prices and sales in the Turkish Zinc JV.
General and administration costs at
the corporate level include general office and management expenses,
stock option awards, costs related to maintaining a public listing,
professional fees, audit, legal, accounting, tax and consultants'
costs, insurance, travel, and other miscellaneous office
expenses.
Share of net earnings from joint
venture represents Global Atomic's equity share of net
earnings from the Turkish Zinc JV.
Finance income includes interest earned from the
short-term bank deposits. Finance income increased significantly in
2023, representing higher interest rates and higher cash balances
on hand since the Company's March
2023 equity raise.
Foreign exchange loss represents realized and unrealized
exchange losses that arise from the translation of foreign currency
denominated assets and liabilities to local currency. For the year
ended December 31, 2023, devaluation
of the United States dollar
relative to the West African Franc ("CFA") and Canadian dollar
resulted in $4 million foreign
exchange loss.
Uranium Business
Niger Mining Company
Under Niger's
Mining Code, a Niger mining
company must be incorporated to carry out mining activities.
Société Minière de Dasa S.A. ("SOMIDA") was incorporated on
August 11, 2022. The Republic of
Niger received its 10% free
carried interest in the shares of SOMIDA and elected to subscribe
for an additional 10%, resulting in a total ownership of 20% of the
shares. Under the terms of the Company's Mining Agreement, the
Republic of Niger commits to fund
its proportionate share of capital costs and operating deficits for
the additional 10% interest. The Republic of Niger has no further option to increase its
ownership.
Mineral Resources
Since 2011, GAFC's exploration activities have been primarily
focused on the Dasa deposit. In 2018, GAFC began a drill program at
an area identified as the "Flank Zone" to assess the potential for
near-surface high-grade mineralization, as well as testing strike
extensions of the deeper mineralization at depth. The Company was
successful with both programs. The drilling identified significant
amounts of high-grade mineralization in the Flank Zone and in
several new zones along strike and down dip. This information
guided the location of the 16,000-meter infill drilling program in
2021 and 2022 when the Company drilled a further 28 diamond drill
holes for a total of 16,368 meters, targeting areas of Inferred
Resources, so they could be upgraded to the Indicated category.
Using this new data, AMC Consultants, ("AMC"), was engaged to
prepare an updated Mineral Resource Estimate ("2023 MRE") which
they reported on with an effective date of May 12, 2023.
Highlights from the 2023 MRE included a grade-tonnage report at
varying cut-off grades and are summarized in the following
table:
Grade-Tonnage report, highlights from 2023
MRE
|
Cut-Off
|
Category
|
Tonnes
|
eU3O8
|
Contained
metal
|
eU3O8,
ppm
|
Mt
|
ppm
|
Mlb
|
100
|
Indicated
|
103.6
|
803
|
183.5
|
Inferred
|
71.0
|
636
|
99.5
|
320
|
Indicated
|
44.9
|
1,602
|
158.5
|
Inferred
|
25.4
|
1,435
|
80.4
|
1,200
|
Indicated
|
12.6
|
4,201
|
117.1
|
Inferred
|
5.9
|
4,320
|
56.1
|
1,500
|
Indicated
|
10.1
|
4,926
|
109.6
|
Inferred
|
4.4
|
5,349
|
51.5
|
2,500
|
Indicated
|
5.7
|
7,258
|
91.0
|
Inferred
|
2.4
|
8,211
|
43.2
|
10,000
|
Indicated
|
0.9
|
22,185
|
43.5
|
Inferred
|
0.6
|
18,362
|
25.3
|
The 2023 MRE concluded on the following Mineral Resource
Statement:
Category
|
Tonnes
|
eU3O8
|
Contained Uranium Metal
|
Mt
|
ppm
|
Mlb
|
Indicated
|
10.1
|
4,913
|
109.3
|
Inferred
|
4.5
|
5,243
|
51.4
|
The following resource schematic shows the Indicated and
Inferred resources as estimated in the MRE. Indicated Resources are
shown in purple and Inferred Resources are shown in yellow
Reserves
Following the updated MRE, the Company has updated the
previous Phase 1 Feasibility Study. The updated Feasibility Study
("2024 Feasibility Study") was reported with an effective date of
February 28, 2024, and the full
Feasibility Study was filed on SEDAR+ on March 27, 2024.
The 2024 Feasibility Study estimated the following Mineral
Reserves.
Mineral Reserve
Category
|
RoM
(Mt)
|
eU308
(ppm)
|
U308
(t)
|
U308
(Million
lbs)
|
Proven Mineral
Reserve
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Probable Mineral
Reserve
|
8.05
|
4,113
|
33,097
|
73.0
|
Reserve Expansion
Enhancement of throughput and possible mill
expansions will be investigated to improve and maintain the
processing plant output. Achieving increased throughput will
significantly lower the unit operating costs over time. Additional
infill drilling is expected to upgrade Inferred Resources to the
Indicated Resource category so these can be included in subsequent
mine plans.
2024 Feasibility Study Results
2024 Feasibility Study on the Dasa deposit was
completed using a uranium price of US$75/pound U3O8. Key
economic and production statistics are as follows:
Summary Project Metrics @ US$75/lb
U3O8
|
|
|
Project Economics (USD)
|
|
|
After-tax NPV (8%
discount rate)
|
US$M
|
$917
|
After-tax
IRR
|
%
|
57 %
|
Cash flow (before
capex & taxes)
|
US$M
|
$2,948
|
Undiscounted
after-tax cash flow (net of capex)
|
US$M
|
$1,839
|
After-tax payback
period from Jan 2024
|
Years
|
4.2
|
After-tax payback
period from start-up
|
Years
|
2.2
|
Unit Operating Costs
|
|
|
LOM average cash
cost(1)
|
$/lb
U3O8
|
$30.73
|
AISC(2)
|
$/lb
U3O8
|
$35.70
|
Production Profile
|
|
|
Mine Life
|
Years
|
23.75
|
Total tonnes of
mineralized material processed
|
M Tonnes
|
8.05
|
Mill processing
rate
|
Tonnes/day
|
1,000
|
Mill Head
Grade
|
ppm
|
4,113
|
Overall Mill Recovery
(2)
|
%
|
93.4 %
|
Total Lbs
U3O8 processed
|
Mlbs
|
73.0
|
Total Lbs
U3O8 recovered
|
Mlbs
|
68.1
|
Average annual Lbs
U3O8 production (3)
|
Mlbs
|
2.9
|
Peak annual Lbs
U3O8 production
|
Mlbs
|
4.9
|
(1)
|
Cash costs include
all mining, processing, site G&A, and royalty costs, as well as
Niamey head office and other off-site costs. All-in sustaining
costs ("AISC") include cash costs plus capital expenditures
forecast after the start of commercial production.
|
(2)
|
Ramp up of the mill
is assumed to take 11 months, during which recoveries increase.
Once stable production levels have been achieved at the end of 11
months, the recovery rate stabilizes at 94.15%.
|
The economic analysis for the Study was done via a discounted
cash flow ("DCF") model based on the mining inventory from the 2024
Feasibility Study Mine Plan at a price of US$75 per pound of U3O8.
Sensitivity analysis was carried out at price intervals from
US$60 per pound to US$105 per pound, as shown in the table below.
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. The discount rate used for the base-case
analysis is 8% ("NPV8"). NPV has been calculated by
discounting net cash flows to the start of operations, January 1, 2026, and deducting undiscounted
remaining initial capital costs therefrom.
Economic sensitivity with varying uranium prices
(USD)
|
Uranium price (per pound)
|
$60/lb
|
$75/lb
|
$90/lb
|
$105/lb
|
Before-tax NPV @
8%
|
$656 M
|
$1,122 M
|
$1,572 M
|
$2,022 M
|
After-tax NPV @
8%
|
$551 M
|
$917 M
|
$1,269 M
|
$1,621 M
|
After-tax
IRR
|
38.2 %
|
57.0 %
|
74.8 %
|
92.9 %
|
The 2024 Feasibility Study is based on a plant throughput of
1,000 tonnes per day (t/d) or 365,000 tonnes per annum (t/a). The
plant equipment has been designed for 1,200 t/d throughput but the
2024 Feasibility Study assumes plant availability of 86% (1,200 t/d
x 86% = 1,032 t/d). The Arlit processing plants achieve 92%
availability, by comparison. If SOMIDA has a similar experience,
throughput would increase to about 1,104 t/d (1,200 t/d x 92% =
1,104 t/d). The plant layout has been optimised to enable the
addition of more processing lines in the future. Much of the
equipment has been over-sized by 20%, so minimal capital costs
would be required to achieve throughput of 1,325 t/d (1,200 t/d x
1.2 x .92 = 1,325 t/d). Fixed mining, processing and site costs are
significant, so increases in throughput would have a significant
impact on reducing unit costs.
Operating Cost(1)
(USD)
|
LOM
($million)
|
$/lb U3O8
Recovered
|
$/tonne of
Feed
|
Mining Cost
|
620.2
|
9.10
|
77.08
|
Processing
Cost
|
681.5
|
10.00
|
84.69
|
G&A Cost
|
443.7
|
6.51
|
55.15
|
Cash Cost
|
1,745.4
|
25.62
|
216.92
|
Royalties
|
348.1
|
5.11
|
43.26
|
Total Cash Cost
|
2,093.4
|
30.73
|
260.18
|
Sustaining
Capital
|
338.6
|
4.97
|
42.11
|
AISC(2)
|
2,432.0
|
35.70
|
302.29
|
(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
including closure costs, divided by payable 68.1 million pounds of
U3O8
|
As shown below, the mining grades are higher in the initial
years than later, however, further drilling to include high grade
Inferred Resources is expected to smooth the grade profile. The
current Mine Plan grade profile is shown below.
Accordingly, ore processed will also vary in grade and impact
cash cost in the various periods as follows:
|
2026-32
|
2033-40
|
2041-49
|
2026-49
|
Years
|
7
|
8
|
8.75
|
23.75
|
Ore processed
(MT)
|
2.5
|
2.9
|
2.7
|
8.0
|
Grade (ppm)
|
5,538
|
4,274
|
2,668
|
4,113
|
U3O8 produced (Lbs
M)
|
27.6
|
25.4
|
15.2
|
68.1
|
Average Annual (Lbs M)
|
3.9
|
3.2
|
1.7
|
2.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mining cost per
pound
|
$5.77
|
$8.84
|
$15.61
|
$9.10
|
Processing cost per
pound
|
$7.66
|
$9.35
|
$15.37
|
$10.00
|
G&A cost per
pound
|
$5.26
|
$6.08
|
$9.52
|
$6.51
|
Total cash cost per pound before
royalties
|
$18.69
|
$24.28
|
$40.50
|
$25.62
|
Capital costs for the production period were estimated as
follows in the Feasibility Study:
Capital Costs(1)
(USD)
|
Initial
Capital (2)
($million)
|
Sustaining
Capital
($million)
|
Total
($million)
|
Mining
|
58.8
|
218.7
|
277.5
|
Processing
|
83.2
|
38.9
|
122.1
|
Infrastructure
|
68.2
|
5.2
|
73.4
|
Total Direct Capital Costs
|
210.2
|
262.8
|
473
|
Indirect & Owner's
Cost
|
60.9
|
30
|
90.9
|
Total Direct and Indirect Capital
Costs
|
271.1
|
292.8
|
563.9
|
Contingency
(3)
|
37.2
|
29.9
|
67.1
|
Reclamation
|
0
|
15.9
|
15.9
|
Total Capital Costs
|
308.3
|
338.6
|
646.9
|
(1)
|
Due to rounding,
some columns may not total exactly as shown.
|
(2)
|
Initial capital is
net of $67.2 million already spent to December 31, 2023, and before
financing and corporate overhead charges
|
(3)
|
The contingency
provision included in the initial capital cost estimate includes
$7.9 million for mining. The contingency provision for sustaining
capital costs is $29.9 million relating entirely to
mining.
|
Offtake Agreements
In 2023, the Company executed three uranium offtake agreements
for sales to North American utilities. These agreements total
between 6.9 and 8.4 million pounds U3O8
over 6 years beginning in 2026. The higher amount assumes the
exercise of options available to the buyers. On March 5, 2024, the Company announced that it had
received an LOI for the sale of uranium to a strategic European
nuclear power utility for up to 780,000 pounds
U3O8 over 3 years beginning in 2026.
These offtake agreements provide the Company with the ability to
repay project construction loans while maintaining leverage to a
firming U3O8 price.
Niger Political Situation
On July 26, 2023, the military in
Niger placed the President under
house arrest and assumed day-to-day operation of the Government.
This move was widely condemned by the international community. The
Economic Community of West African States ('ECOWAS') imposed
sanctions on Niger, resulting in
the closure of Niger's borders and
air space. Many ECOWAS countries did not support the border
closures imposed by ECOWAS and all borders remained open to
economic and human traffic, except Nigeria and Benin. The Benin route from the Port of Cotonou has
historically been the main supply route for Niger, so its border closure has disrupted the
Company's supply chain, which resulted in the Company discontinuing
mine development activities in August. An alternative supply route
through the Port of Lome, Togo and
through Burkina Faso developed and
with the replenishment of mining supplies, SOMIDA was able to
resume mine development activities in December.
On February 24, 2024, ECOWAS
removed all sanctions. Although ECOWAS no longer restricts border
crossings, the Niger-Benin border remains closed from the
Niger side but is expected to open
soon.
Project Development Schedule
Mine development activities at the Dasa Project have been
underway since November 2022. The
current mine plan has been developed to coincide with the start-up
of the processing plant at the beginning of 2026, with a target
surface stockpile of 2 to 3 months production available for the
processing plant at any time. Long lead equipment purchases have
been made and detailed engineering is well advanced. Although some
earthworks projects have been undertaken by SOMIDA and its staff
over the past year, full-scale earthworks have been contracted and
will get underway in April. Civils works will follow, and
processing plant equipment will begin arriving at site in Q4 2024.
Erection of the processing plant and site infrastructure will take
place from Q4 2024 through Q4 2025, with hot commissioning
completed by January 2026. Processing
of ore through the plant is expected to begin in January 2026.
Project Financing
The Company has been advancing Project Financing. The Project
Financing is being negotiated with a Canadian export credit agency
and a U.S. development bank. On October 10,
2023, the Company announced that because of the Coup d'Etat
designation of the situation in Niger by the U.S. Government, the U.S.
development bank would temporarily put the project financing on
hold. The Company was subsequently advised that the U.S. Government
expressed support for the Dasa Project and the U.S. development
bank was authorized to re-engage with the Company. The banks are
continuing their review and finalization of credit committee
documentation, with target credit committee approval in
April 2024, final Board approval in
June and documentation thereafter. It is expected that the project
financing will provide 60% of the total project costs plus 50% of
the cost overrun facility.
The Company is also in discussions with alternative financing
sources that are available. Such parallel discussions will continue
so that alternative financing is available in case the banks choose
not to proceed.
Turkish Zinc JV EAFD Operations
The Company's Turkish EAFD business operates through a joint
venture with Befesa Zinc S.A.U. ("Befesa"), an industry leading
Spanish company that operates a number of Waelz kilns throughout
Europe, North America and Asia. On October 27,
2010, Global Atomic and Befesa established joint venture,
known as Befesa Silvermet Turkey, S.L. ("BST" or the "Turkish JV")
to operate an existing plant and develop the EAFD recycling
business in Türkiye. BST is held 51% by Befesa and 49% by Global
Atomic. A Shareholders Agreement governs the relationship between
the parties. Under the terms of the Shareholders Agreement,
management fees and sales commissions are distributed pro rata to
Befesa and Global Atomic. Net income earned each year in Türkiye,
less funds needed to fund operations, must be distributed to the
partners annually, following the BST annual meeting, which is
usually held in the second quarter of the following year.
BST owns and operates an EAFD processing plant in Iskenderun,
Türkiye. The plant processes EAFD containing 25% to 30% zinc that
is obtained from electric arc steel mills, and produces a zinc
concentrate grading 65% to 68% zinc that is then sold to zinc
smelters.
Global Atomic holds a 49% interest in the Turkish JV and, as
such, the investment is accounted for using the equity basis of
accounting. Under this basis of accounting, the Company's share of
the BST's earnings is shown as a single line in its Consolidated
Statements of Income (Loss).
The following table summarizes comparative operational metrics
of the Iskenderun facility.
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended December
31,
|
|
2023
|
|
2022
|
|
100 %
|
|
100 %
|
|
|
|
|
Exchange rate (C$/TL,
average)
|
17.60
|
|
12.71
|
Exchange rate (US$/C$,
average)
|
1.35
|
|
1.30
|
|
|
|
|
Exchange rate (C$/TL,
period-end)
|
22.32
|
|
13.81
|
Exchange rate (US$/C$,
period-end)
|
1.32
|
|
1.35
|
|
|
|
|
Average monthly LME
zinc price (US$/lb)
|
1.20
|
|
1.58
|
|
|
|
|
EAFD processed
(DMT)
|
66,264
|
|
76,738
|
|
|
|
|
Production
(DMT)
|
18,999
|
|
23,486
|
Sales (DMT)
|
19,145
|
|
24,116
|
|
|
|
|
Sales (zinc content
'000 lbs)
|
27,245
|
|
35,159
|
Global steel production held steady in both 2022
and 2023, maintaining a total output of 1,888 million tons.
However, regional performances varied; Chinese production remained
unchanged, India saw a notable
increase of 11.8%, the European Union experienced a decline of
7.4%, North America and Türkiye
saw decreases of 1.3% and 4%, respectively.
In October 2023,
the World Steel Association released its short-term forecast for
demand, anticipating a 1.8% increase in global demand for the year
and a subsequent growth of 1.9% in 2024. The decline in
construction activities resulting from the devaluation of the
Turkish Lira and soaring inflation rates contributed to a reduction
in steel demand in 2022. However, Turkish steel demand is expected
to record very high growth where the construction sector is
expected to grow by 15% due to the rebuilding and reinforcing
efforts in high earthquake-risk areas.
The impact of the Ukrainian conflict on global
steel markets is uncertain, however as exports from Russia and Ukraine have historically accounted for 10% of
global steel exports, it is likely a material percentage of this
supply will be replaced by increased production in other
countries.
The following table summarizes comparative
results for 2023 and 2022 of the Turkish Zinc JV at 100%.
|
|
|
Year ended December 31,
|
|
2023
|
|
2022
|
|
100 %
|
|
100 %
|
Net sales
revenues
|
$
30,169,363
|
|
$
59,692,797
|
Cost of
sales
|
36,191,503
|
|
53,305,420
|
Foreign exchange
gain
|
1,044,080
|
|
2,125,012
|
EBITDA(1)
|
$
(4,978,060)
|
|
$
8,512,389
|
|
|
|
|
Management fees &
sales commissions
|
1,340,722
|
|
2,351,031
|
Depreciation
|
4,212,207
|
|
3,542,154
|
Interest
expense
|
1,871,300
|
|
1,367,379
|
Foreign exchange loss
on debt and cash
|
6,338,816
|
|
3,790,623
|
Monetary
gain
|
(1,479,549)
|
|
(398,798)
|
Tax expense
(recovery)
|
(8,836,717)
|
|
(1,552,695)
|
Net loss
|
$
(8,424,839)
|
|
$
(587,305)
|
Global Atomic's equity
share
|
$
(4,128,171)
|
|
$
(287,779)
|
|
|
|
|
Global Atomic's share
of EBITDA
|
$
(2,439,249)
|
|
$
4,171,071
|
(1)
|
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. EBITDA comprises earnings before income taxes,
interest expense (income), foreign exchange loss (gain) on debt and
bank, depreciation, management fees, sales commissions, losses
(gains) on sale of property, plant, and equipment.
|
All the financial statement line items included in the Turkish
Zinc JV consolidated statements of loss include the impact of
hyperinflation accounting for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. Non-monetary assets
and liabilities which are not carried at amounts current at the
balance sheet date, and components of shareholders' equity are
restated by applying the relevant conversion factors. All items in
the statement of income are restated by applying the relevant
(monthly) conversion factors.
The Turkish Zinc JV experienced lower revenues in 2023 compared
to 2022, due to processing less EAFD and lower zinc prices.
Fortunately, the plant was under a scheduled maintenance shutdown
in January 2023. Due to the
earthquake on February 6, 2023, the
plant eventually resumed operation following a thorough inspection
in March 2023. Revenues were also
negatively impacted by the zinc price. The average monthly LME zinc
price declined to US$1.20/pound in
2023 from US$1.58/pound in 2022.
The Turkish Zinc JV incurred increased expenses in 2023. The
Ukrainian conflict, post-COVID demand increases, raw material
shortages and global logistics challenges resulted in substantial
inflationary pressures on all costs. Moreover, The Turkish
Zinc JV also incurred extraordinary expenses related to the
massive earthquakes, such as fixed costs incurred due to the
unplanned stoppage. The Turkish Zinc JV also realized negative
impact of EAFD purchase contracts that were entered into when zinc
prices were much higher. Combined with the negative impact of
hyperinflation accounting on operating costs, the overall result
was a negative EBITDA during 2023.
The cash balance of the Turkish Zinc JV was US$1.2 million at December
31, 2023.
The local Turkish revolving credit facility balance was
US$12.0 million at December 31, 2023 (December 31, 2022 - US$8.3
million) and bears interest at 11%. The Turkish revolving
credit facility can be rolled forward.
The loans are denominated in US dollars but converted to Turkish
Lira for functional currency accounting purposes. For presentation
purposes, the equity interests are then converted to Canadian
dollars. The foreign exchange loss for the 12 months ended
December 31, 2023, related to the
Turkish JV debt and cash balances was $6.3
million (loss of $3.8 million
in 2022).
The foreign exchange loss is an unrealized loss, and largely
relates to the devaluation of the Turkish Lira relative to the US
dollar from 18.7 on December 31,
2022, to 29.5 at December 31,
2023. In economic terms, all revenues are received in US
dollars and these will be used to pay down the US denominated debt,
so no exchange gains/losses will be realized in USD terms. The
accounting exchange losses relate to the debt and cash balances are
shown below EBITDA as a financing related cost.
The increase in tax recovery in 2023 is mostly related to the
timing differences of application of Financial Reporting in
Hyperinflationary Economies, between the IFRS financial statements
and the statutory tax financial statements. The Turkish Zinc JV's
IFRS financial statements applied IAS 29 in 2022, whereas Financial
Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies was applied in 2023 to the
statutory financial statements.
Overall, the Company's share of EBITDA was a loss of
$2.4 million in 2023 ($4.1 million at 100%). After deduction of
management fees, sales commissions and interest expense,
depreciation, foreign exchange losses, other income and taxes, the
Company's share of net loss was $4.1
million for 2023 ($8.4 million
at 100%).
QP Statement
The scientific and technical disclosures in this Management's
Discussion and Analysis have been extracted from the 2024
Feasibility Study, which was reviewed and approved by Dmitry Pertel, M.Sc., MAIG, John Edwards, B.Sc. Hons., FSAIMM, Andrew Pooley, B. Eng
(Hons)., FSAIMM who are "qualified persons" under National
Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral
Properties.
About Global Atomic
Global Atomic Corporation
(www.globalatomiccorp.com) is a publicly listed company that
provides a unique combination of high-grade uranium mine
development and cash-flowing zinc concentrate production.
The Company's Uranium Division is currently
developing the fully permitted, large, high grade Dasa Deposit,
discovered in 2010 by Global Atomic geologists through grassroots
field exploration. The "First Blast Ceremony" occurred on
November 5, 2022, and commissioning
of the processing plant is scheduled for Q1, 2026. Global Atomic
has also identified 3 additional uranium deposits in Niger that will be advanced with further
assessment work.
Global Atomic's Base Metals Division holds a 49%
interest in the Befesa Silvermet Turkey, S.L. (BST) Joint Venture,
which operates a modern zinc recycling plant, located in
Iskenderun, Türkiye. The plant recovers zinc from Electric Arc
Furnace Dust (EAFD) to produce 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) holds a 51%
interest in and is the operator of the BST Joint Venture. Befesa is
a market leader in EAFD recycling, with approximately 50% of the
European EAFD market and facilities located throughout Europe, Asia
and the United States of
America.
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
Atomics' development potential and timetable of its operations,
development and exploration assets; Global Atomics' ability to
raise additional funds necessary; the future price of uranium; the
estimation of mineral reserves and resources; conclusions of
economic evaluation; the realization of mineral reserve estimates;
the timing and amount of estimated future production, development
and exploration; cost 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", "is expected", "estimates", variations of such words
and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or
results "could", "would", "might", "will be taken", "will begin",
"will include", "are expected", "occur" or "be achieved". All
information contained in this news release, other than statements
of current or historical fact, is forward-looking
information. Statements of forward-looking information
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 at the date such statements
are made. Although management of Global Atomic has attempted
to identify important factors that could cause actual results to be
materially different from those 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 upon forward-looking statements. Global Atomic does
not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except in
accordance with applicable securities law. Readers should
also review the risks and uncertainties sections of Global Atomics'
annual and interim MD&As.
The Toronto Stock Exchange has not reviewed and
does not accept responsibility for the adequacy and accuracy of
this news release.
SOURCE Global Atomic Corporation