Uranium One Announces Q2 2014 Production of 2.7 Million Pounds and an Average Total Cash Cost of $14 per Pound Sold

TORONTO, Aug. 8, 2014 /CNW/ - Uranium One Inc. ("Uranium One" or the "Corporation") today reported headline revenues of $41.1 million for Q2 2014. Quarterly attributable revenue⁽²⁾ was $86.1 million for Q2 2014, including joint venture revenue, based on sales of 2.8 million pounds at an average realized sales price of $29 per pound and an average total cash cost per pound sold of produced material⁽²⁾ of $14.

Q2 2014 Highlights

Operational

• Total attributable production during Q2 2014 was 2.7 million pounds, compared with the total attributable production of 3.6 million pounds during Q2 2013. Effective June 4, 2014, the Corporation no longer recognizes production from the Akdala, South Inkai and Kharasan mines, due to the loss of subsoil rights to produce uranium at those mines. The Corporation's attributable production would have been 3.1 million pounds for the second quarter if these rights had not been lost.
• The average total cash cost per pound sold of produced material⁽²⁾ was $14 per pound during Q2 2014 compared to $19 per pound for Q2 2013.

Financial

• Attributable sales volumes of produced material for Q2 2014 were 2.8 million pounds sold from the Corporation's operations and joint ventures compared to 2.9 million pounds sold during Q2 2013.
• Headline revenue was $41.1 million in Q2 2014, compared to $119.7 million in Q2 2013.
• Attributable revenues⁽²⁾ consistent with the Corporation's segment reporting, which includes revenues from its interests in joint ventures, amounted to $86.1 million in Q2 2014, compared to $174.1 million in Q2 2013.
• The average realized sales price of produced material⁽²⁾ during Q2 2014 was $29 per pound, compared to $43 per pound in Q2 2013. The average spot price in Q2 2014 was $29 per pound compared to $40 per pound in Q2 2013.
• Gross loss was $6.5 million during Q2 2014, compared to gross profit of $7.6 million in Q2 2013.
• Attributable gross profit⁽²⁾, including the Corporation's share of gross profit from joint ventures, totaled $13.4 million in Q2 2014, compared to $33.6 million in Q2 2013.
• The net loss for Q2 2014 was $63.4 million or $0.07 per share, compared to net earnings of $10.6 million or $0.01 per share for Q2 2013.
• The adjusted net loss⁽²⁾ for Q2 2014 was $38.3 million or $0.04 per share⁽²⁾, compared to adjusted net loss⁽²⁾ of $3.5 million or $0.00 per share⁽²⁾ for Q2 2013.

Corporate

• Since March 2014, the United States and Canadian governments and the European Union have implemented a number of orders, directives and regulations in response to the situation in Ukraine. These measures generally impose visa restrictions and asset freezes on certain designated persons considered to have contributed to the situation in Ukraine.  More recently, in July 2014 the United States, Canada and the EU announced orders and regulations prohibiting persons from transacting in, providing financing for, or otherwise dealing in new debt of longer than 90 days maturity or new equity or property of additional designated Russian financial institutions. The Corporation's operations have not been impacted by the foregoing orders or regulations or any designations made thereunder and the Corporation continues to carry on business as usual.
• As previously disclosed, on March 26, 2014, the Special Inter-District Economic Court for the City of Astana issued an order having the effect of invalidating the original transfers in 2004 and 2005 from Kazatomprom to the Corporation's Betpak Dala and Kyzylkum joint ventures of the subsoil use contracts for the Akdala, South Inkai and Kharasan fields. While the proceedings were held behind closed doors and only limited information was made available, Uranium One understands that the proceedings, which were brought by the State Prosecutor of the Saryark District of the City of Astana, relate to events which occurred two to three years before Uranium One acquired its interest in the two joint ventures. An appeal from this order by the joint ventures and Kazatomprom was dismissed on June 4, 2014 by the Astana City Court.
• The Corporation's parent company, Rosatom, and the Corporation's joint venture partner in Kazakhstan, Kazatomprom, signed an agreement providing for the issuance of new subsoil use rights on the same terms for the Akdala, South Inkai and Kharasan uranium fields by October 28, 2014. Betpak Dala and Kyzylkum entered into a number of other agreements which provide for the continuation of normal business operations and which are designed to ensure that the economic return to the joint ventures from existing operations will not be affected in the period prior to the issuance of the new subsoil use rights. Uranium One and Kazatomprom also signed a definitive uranium offtake agreement ensuring the continuity of deliveries to Uranium One and its customers during this period.
• During the quarter, in connection with the relocation of the Corporation's marketing function from Denver, Colorado to its Toronto head office, Mr. Scott Melbye, the Corporation's former Executive Vice President, Marketing resigned to pursue other interests. Mr. Melbye was succeeded by Mr. Colin Blyth, who was appointed as Senior Vice President, Commercial on June 16, 2014. In addition, Mr. Vadim Jivov resigned as President of the Corporation to transition to a consulting role with the Corporation with effect from July 1, 2014. Mr. Jivov remains a member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation and is Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Uranium One Holding N.V.

Outlook

In light of cost cutting initiatives as well as taking into account the effect of the invalidation of the Akdala, South Inkai and Kharasan subsoil use contracts, the Corporation provides the following updated guidance:

• Total attributable production for 2014 is expected to be 10.0 million pounds, compared to previous guidance of 12.4 million pounds.
• During 2014, the average cash cost per pound sold of produced material⁽²⁾ is expected to be approximately $14 per pound, compared to previous guidance of $18 per pound.
• The Corporation expects attributable sales of produced material to be approximately 11.7 million pounds in 2014, compared to previous guidance of 12.4 million pounds.
• The Corporation expects to incur attributable capital expenditures in 2014 of $30 million for wellfield development and $25 million for plant and equipment, totalling $55 million for its assets in Kazakhstan and the United States. This compares to the previous guidance of $65 million for wellfield development and $8 million for plant and equipment, totalling $73 million for its assets in Kazakhstan and the United States.
• In 2014, general and administrative expenses, excluding long term incentive plan compensation expense, are expected to remain approximately $32 million and exploration expenses are expected to remain approximately $1 million.

Q2 2014 Operations

During Q2 2014, Uranium One achieved attributable production of 2.7 million pounds, compared with the total attributable production⁽²⁾ of 3.6 million pounds during Q2 2013.

Operational results for Uranium One's assets during Q2 2014 were:

Asset	Q2Attributable Production^(2) (lbs U3O8)	Q2 Total Cash Costs (per lb sold U3O8)^(2)
Akdala	366,100	$11
South Inkai	693,400	$15
Karatau	681,900	$8
Akbastau	458,900	$11
Zarechnoye	294,100	$26
Kharasan	109,700	$13
Willow Creek	133,700	$42
Total	2,737,800	$14

Q2 2014 Financial Review

Headline revenue was $41.1 million in Q2 2014, compared to $119.7 million in Q2 2013.

Attributable revenues⁽²⁾ consistent with the Corporation's segment reporting, which includes revenues from its interests in joint ventures, amounted to $86.1 million in Q2 2014, compared to $174.1 million in Q2 2013.

The average total cash cost per pound sold of produced material⁽²⁾ was $14 per pound during Q2 2014 compared to $19 per pound for Q2 2013.

Gross loss was $6.5 million during Q2 2014, compared to gross profit of $7.6 million in Q2 2013.

Attributable gross profit⁽²⁾, including the Corporation's share of gross profit from joint ventures, totaled $13.4 million in Q2 2014, compared to $33.6 million in Q2 2013.

The net loss for Q2 2014 was $63.4 million or $0.07 per share, compared to net earnings of $10.6 million or $0.01 per share for Q2 2013.

The adjusted net loss⁽²⁾ for Q2 2014 was $38.3 million or $0.04 per share⁽²⁾, compared to adjusted net loss⁽²⁾ of $3.5 million or $0.00 per share⁽²⁾ for Q2 2013.

Consolidated cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash of $153.8 million as at June 30, 2014 compared to $440.6 million at December 31, 2013. Working capital was $172 million at June 30, 2014.

The following table provides a summary of key financial results:

FINANCIAL	Q2 2014			Q2 2013			YTD Q2 2014			YTD Q2 2013
Attributable production (lbs)^(1) (3)	2,737,800			3,468,600			5,823,700			6,486,600
Attributable sales (lbs)^(1) - Produced material	2,747,800			2,865,100			6,013,500			4,246,400
Average realized sales price ($ per lb)^(2) - Produced material	29			43			33			44
Average total cash cost per pound sold ($ per lb)^(2) - Produced material	14			19			14			18
Revenues  ($ millions) - as reported on consolidated income statement	41.1			119.7			110.6			142.6
Attributable revenues ($ millions)^(2)	86.1			174.1			204.1			236.8
Gross (loss) / profit ($ millions) - as reported on consolidated income statement	(6.5)			7.6			(1.6)			9.5
Attributable gross profit ($ millions)^(2)	13.4			33.6			53.6			53.2
Net (loss) / earnings  ($ millions)	(63.4)			10.6			(97.6)			1.1
Net (loss) / earnings per share - basic and diluted ($ per share)^(2)	(0.07)			0.01			(0.10)			0.00
Adjusted net loss ($ millions)^(2)	(38.3)			(3.5)			(61.2)			(14.9)
Adjusted net loss per share - basic ($ per share)^(2)	(0.04)			(0.00)			(0.06)			(0.02)

Notes:

⁽¹⁾     Attributable production pounds and attributable sales pounds are from assets owned and joint ventures in commercial production during the period.

⁽²⁾     The Corporation has included the following non-GAAP performance measures: average realized sales price per pound - produced material, average total cash cost per pound sold - produced material, attributable revenues, attributable gross profit, adjusted net earnings (loss) and adjusted net earnings (loss) per share. See the section on "Non-GAAP Measures".

⁽³⁾     Represents production up to and including June 4, 2014. Although Betpak Dala LLP and Kyzylkum LLP lost the rights to produce uranium from the Akdala, South Inkai and Kharasan mines effective as of the dismissal of their appeal on June 4, 2014, they entered into agreements to provide mine development, extraction and processing services to Kazatomprom with respect to those mines. These services agreements provide for the continuation of normal business operations at these mines and are designed to ensure that the economic return to the joint ventures from existing operations will not be affected in the period prior to the issuance of the new subsoil use rights. Uranium One and Kazatomprom also signed a definitive uranium offtake agreement ensuring the continuity of deliveries to Uranium One and its customers during this period. If these rights had not been lost, the second quarter attributable production for Akdala, South Inkai and Kharasan would have been 471,900 lbs, 909,400 lbs and 144,700 lbs, respectively. The total attributable production for the Corporation would have been 3,094,600 lbs.

Non-GAAP Measures

The Corporation has included the following non-GAAP performance measures throughout this news release: attributable revenues, attributable gross profit, average realized sales price per pound - produced material, average total cash cost per pound sold - produced material, 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.

I) Adjusted net loss

Adjusted net loss and adjusted net loss per share do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures reported by other companies. The Corporation believes that, in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, certain investors use this information to evaluate the Corporation's performance and ability to generate cash flow. This is provided as additional information and should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for, measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS.

Adjusted net loss is calculated by adding back restructuring costs, impairments, cost of suspension of operations, gains/losses from the sale of assets, foreign exchange gains/losses, non-hedge derivative gains and losses and the effect of the tax rate adjustment on deferred tax liabilities to net earnings. Corporate development expenditure relates to one-off project costs. These items are added back due to their inherent volatility and/or infrequent occurrence.

The following table provides a reconciliation of adjusted net loss to net loss reported for the periods presented:

(US DOLLARS IN MILLIONS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)		3 MONTHS ENDED			6 MONTHS ENDED
		JUN 30, 2014 $ MILLIONS	JUN 30, 2013 $ MILLIONS		JUN 30, 2014 $ MILLIONS	JUN 30, 2013 $ MILLIONS
Net loss - as reported		(63.4)	10.6		(97.6)	1.1
Fair value adjustments		-	(0.7)		-	(0.9)
Corporate development expenditure		1.1	0.9		1.7	6.0
Impairment of non-current assets		11.1	-		11.1	-
Restructuring costs		-	-		-	2.1
Withholding tax in respect of prior periods		10.8	-		10.8	-
Foreign exchange loss (gains)		21.1	(15.5)		(10.6)	(24.4)
Non-hedge derivative losses (gains), net of tax		(19.0)	1.2		23.4	1.2
Adjusted net loss		(38.3)	(3.5)		(61.2)	(14.9)
Adjusted net loss per share - basic ($) and diluted		(0.04)	(0.00)		(0.06)	(0.02)
Weighted average number of shares (millions) - basic and diluted		957.2	957.2		957.2	957.2

II) Attributable Revenues and Attributable Gross Profit

The Corporation monitors and evaluates performance of its business by using these additional non-GAAP measures, which are consistent with the results that would be reported under proportionate consolidation accounting.

The Corporation believes that, in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, the Corporation and certain investors use this information to evaluate the Corporation's performance and ability to generate cash flow. This is provided as additional information and should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS.

Attributable Revenues:

Attributable revenues are determined as shown in note 13 of the condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the period ended June 30, 2014. This note discloses segmented information which incorporates the revenues of the Corporation under proportionate consolidation. The following table provides a reconciliation of attributable revenues to the revenues reported for the periods presented:

(US DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)			3 MONTHS ENDED			6 MONTHS ENDED
				JUN 30, 2014 $ MILLIONS	JUN 30, 2013 $ MILLIONS	JUN 30, 2014 $ MILLIONS	JUN 30, 2013 $ MILLIONS
Revenues - as reported				41.1	119.7	110.6	142.6
Attributable revenues from joint ventures				84.0	111.1	192.8	168.5
Intercompany purchases from joint ventures				(39.0)	(56.7)	(99.3)	(74.3)
Attributable revenues				86.1	174.1	204.1	236.8

Attributable Gross Profit:

Attributable gross profit is disclosed in the table of uranium sales, inventory and operating costs on pages 25 and 26 of the Management's Discussion and Analysis. The following table provides a reconciliation of attributable gross profit to the gross profit reported for the periods presented:

(US DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)		3 MONTHS ENDED		6 MONTHS ENDED
		JUN 30, 2014 $ MILLIONS	JUN 30, 2013 $ MILLIONS	JUN 30, 2014 $ MILLIONS	JUN 30, 2013 $ MILLIONS
Gross (loss) / profit - as reported		(6.5)	7.6	(1.6)	9.5
Attributable revenues from joint ventures		84.0	111.1	192.8	168.5
Attributable operating expenses from joint ventures		(37.9)	(50.2)	(79.9)	(71.7)
Attributable depreciation from joint ventures		(26.2)	(34.9)	(57.7)	(53.1)
Attributable gross profit		13.4	33.6	53.6	53.2

III) Average realized sales price per pound of produced material and average total cash cost per pound sold of produced material

The Corporation has included the following non-GAAP performance measures throughout this news release: average realized sales price per pound of produced material and average total cash cost per pound sold of produced material. The Corporation reports total cash costs on a sales basis. 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 IFRS, the Corporation and certain investors use this information to evaluate the Corporation's performance and ability to generate cash flow. This is provided as additional information and should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for, measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS.

As in previous periods, average realized sales price per pound of produced material and average total cash cost per pound sold of produced material are calculated as follows:

a)	Average realized sales price per pound of produced material: Attributable revenues minus revenues in the "Corporate and other" segment^(4) divided by attributable sales pounds of produced material.
b)	Average total cash cost per pound sold of produced material: Operating expenses of produced material^(2) divided by attributable sales pounds of produced material^(2).

^{(4)      See tables on pages 25 and 26 of the Management's Discussion and Analysis.}

About Uranium One

Uranium One is one of the world's largest uranium producers with a globally diversified portfolio of assets located in Kazakhstan, the United States, Australia and Tanzania. ROSATOM State Atomic Energy Corporation, through its affiliates, owns 100% of the outstanding common shares of Uranium One.

For further information about Uranium One, please visit www.uranium1.com

Cautionary Statements

No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

Scientific and technical information contained herein has been reviewed on behalf of the Corporation by Mr. M.H.G. Heyns, Pr.Sci.Nat. (SACNASP), MSAIMM, MGSSA, Senior Vice President New Business and Technical Services of the Corporation, a qualified person for the purposes of NI 43-101.

Investors are advised to refer to independent technical reports containing detailed information with respect to the material properties of Uranium One. These technical reports are available under the profile of Uranium One Inc. at www.sedar.com. Those technical reports provide the date of each resource or reserve estimate, details of the key assumptions, methods and parameters used in the estimates, details of quantity and grade or quality of each resource or reserve and a general discussion of the extent to which the estimate may be materially affected by any known environmental, permitting, legal, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues. The technical reports also provide information with respect to data verification in the estimation.

Forward-looking statements and risk factors: This news release contains certain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include but are not limited to those with respect to the probability of successfully concluding and the terms of any new subsoil use contracts which may be entered into or obtained with respect to the Akdala, South Inkai and Kharasan mines, 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, the timing of uranium processing facilities being fully operational, costs of production, capital expenditures, costs and timing of the development of new deposits, success of exploration activities, permitting time lines, currency fluctuations, market conditions, corporate plans, objectives and goals, requirements for additional capital, government regulation of mining operations, environmental risks, unanticipated reclamation expenses, the timing and potential effects of proposed transactions, title disputes or claims, 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 possibility of sanctions that may be imposed on the Corporation, its shareholders, affiliates or third parties with which the Corporation deals, that may have a material adverse effect on the Corporation's ability to carry on its business or perform its contractual obligations,  the obtaining of new subsoil use rights, the future steady state production and cash costs of Uranium One, 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, availability of sulphuric acid in Kazakhstan, possible changes to the tax code in Kazakhstan, 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 completion of transactions, integration of acquisitions and the realization of synergies relating thereto, 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, 2013, which is available under Uranium One's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, and which should be reviewed in conjunction with this document. There can be no assurance as to whether or on what terms new subsoil use rights might be obtained. If new subsoil use rights are not granted or alternative arrangements implemented (or are granted or implemented on less favourable terms), the effect on Uranium One may be material. 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. 

 

 

SOURCE: Uranium One Inc.

Chris Sattler
Chief Executive Officer 
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Anton Jivov
Vice President, Corporate Affairs
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