Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATION
Business Overview
The following discussion is designed to provide information that we believe is necessary for an understanding of our financial condition, changes in financial condition and results of our operations. The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the MD&A contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.
Incorporated on March 22, 2004, Ur-Energy is an exploration stage mining company, as that term is defined in SEC Industry Guide 7. We are engaged in uranium mining, recovery and processing activities, including the acquisition, exploration, development and operation of uranium
mineral properties in the U.S.. We are operating our first in situ recovery uranium mine at our Lost Creek Project in Wyoming. Ur-Energy is a corporation continued under the
Canada Business Corporations Act
on August 8, 2006. Our Common Shares are listed on the TSX under the symbol “URE” and on the NYSE American under the symbol “URG.”
Ur-Energy has one wholly-owned subsidiary: Ur-Energy USA Inc., incorporated under the laws of the State of Colorado. Ur-Energy USA Inc. has three wholly-owned subsidiaries: NFU Wyoming, LLC, a limited liability company formed under the laws of the State of Wyoming which acts as our land holding and exploration entity; Lost Creek ISR, LLC, a limited liability company formed under the laws of the State of Wyoming to operate our Lost Creek Project and hold our Lost Creek properties and assets; and Pathfinder Mines Corporation (“Pathfinder”), incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware, which holds, among other assets, the Shirley Basin and Lucky Mc properties in Wyoming. Our material U.S. subsidiaries remain unchanged since the filing of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, dated March 1, 2019. As discussed below, we now own 100% of The Bootheel Project, LLC.
We utilize in situ recovery (“ISR”) of the uranium at our flagship project, Lost Creek, and will do so at other projects where possible. The ISR technique is employed in uranium extraction because it allows for an effective recovery of roll front uranium mineralization at a lower cost. At Lost Creek, we extract and process U
3
O
8,
for shipping to a third-party conversion facility to be weighed, assayed and stored until sold.
Our Lost Creek processing facility, which includes all circuits for the production, drying and packaging of uranium for delivery into sales, is designed and anticipated under current licensing to process up to one million pounds of U
3
O
8
annually from the Lost Creek mine. The processing facility has the physical design capacity to process two million pounds of U
3
O
8
annually, which provides additional capacity to process material from other sources. We expect that the Lost Creek processing facility may be utilized to process captured U
3
O
8
from our Shirley Basin Project. However, the Shirley Basin permit application contemplates the construction of a full processing facility, providing greater construction and operating flexibility as may be dictated by market conditions.
We have multiple U
3
O
8
sales agreements in place into 2021 with various U.S. utilities for the sale of U
3
O
8
at term contract pricing. Historically, the multi-year sales agreements represented a portion of our planned production. Individually, term sales agreements do not represent a substantial portion of our operational budget, and our business is therefore not substantially dependent upon any one of the agreements. In recent years, we have purchased U
3
O
8
and delivered the product into our sales contracts. With commitments in place to purchase product for delivery into our 2019 sales contracts, our Lost Creek production inventory is expected to increase unless market or other conditions warrant sales at spot pricing or we reach agreement for additional term agreements.
Trade Action
In response to the challenges of uranium market conditions, primary among them imports to the U.S. emanating from state-sponsored producers in Russia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, in January 2018, Ur-Energy USA and Energy Fuels Resources (USA) Inc. (Energy Fuels) initiated a trade action with the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) pursuant to Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act with the filing of a petition for relief (the “Petition”). We chose this statutory framework for relief because we recognized that the current imbalance in the U.S. uranium market has created a very real threat to our national security.
The Petition describes how uranium and nuclear fuel from state-owned and state-subsidized enterprises in Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and China represent a threat to U.S. national security. The Petition seeks a remedy which will set a quota to limit imports of uranium into the U.S., effectively reserving 25% of the U.S. nuclear market for U.S. uranium production. Additionally, the Petition suggests implementation of a requirement for U.S. federal utilities and agencies to buy U.S. uranium in accordance with the Administration's Buy American Policy.
The DOC announced the commencement of its investigation in July 2018 into “whether the present quantity and circumstances of uranium ore and product imports into the United States threaten to impair national security.” On April 14, 2019, the DOC submitted the report on its investigation to the President. The President now has up to 90 days, after April 14, 2019, to act on the DOC’s recommendations and, if necessary, to take action to “adjust the imports” and/or pursue other lawful, non-trade related actions necessary to address the import threat. There can be no certainty of the outcome of the DOC investigation or the actions to be taken by the White House, and therefore the outcome of this process and its effects on the U.S. uranium market is uncertain.
Additionally, during Q1 2019, we received a request from a Congressional committee as a part of an investigation of the current administration’s actions regarding the uranium industry. We timely responded to the request.
Mineral Rights and Properties
Eleven of our thirteen U.S. uranium properties are located in the Great Divide Basin, Wyoming, including Lost Creek. Currently, we control nearly 1,900 unpatented mining claims and three State of Wyoming mineral leases for a total of approximately 37,500 acres (15,530 hectares) in the area of the Lost Creek Property, including the Lost Creek permit area (the “Lost Creek Project” or “Project”), and certain adjoining properties referred to as LC East, LC West, LC North, LC South and EN Project areas (collectively, with the Lost Creek Project, the “Lost Creek Property”). In the Shirley Basin, Wyoming, our Shirley Basin Project comprises more than 3,700 Company-controlled acres. Our Lucky Mc Project holds 1,800 acres in Fremont County, Wyoming. Additionally, we have approximately 2,100 acres of federal lode mining claims in the Excelsior Mountains in Nevada, at our Excel gold project.
Lost Creek Property
For the three months ended March 31, 2019, we sold 97,500 pounds of U
3
O
8
of which 48,750 pounds were produced at Lost Creek and the balance purchased. Production during the first quarter continued from Mine Unit 1 (MU1) as well as Mine Unit 2 (MU2).
22,551
pounds of U
3
O
8
were captured within the Lost Creek plant, 21,015 pounds of U
3
O
8
were packaged in drums. There were no shipments out of the Lost Creek processing plant to the conversion facility. Our inventory at the convertor totaled approximately 375,803 at March 31, 2019. The
Results of Operations
are detailed further below.
Regulatory Update
Applications for amendment to the Lost Creek licenses and permits were submitted in 2014. The amendments seek to include recovery from the uranium resource in the LC East project immediately adjacent to the Lost Creek project. In Q1 2019, the BLM, which led a group of cooperating agencies in the NEPA review of the federal application for amendment, issued its Record of Decision. Review by WDEQ continues to progress. We anticipate that all permits and authorizations will be completed in 2019.
S
hirley Basin Project
WDEQ continues with its technical review of our application for a permit to mine at Shirley Basin, which was submitted in December 2015.
Our application for a source material license for Shirley Basin is proceeding through a review by the State Uranium Recovery Program. We anticipate the state process to be complete, with necessary permits and authorizations received, in 2019. The BLM has initiated its review of the Plan of Operations for Shirley Basin. Work is well underway on initial engineering evaluations, designs and studies.
Other Wyoming Projects
During the quarter, we returned to being the 100% owner of The Bootheel Project, LLC. Our co-member and the manager of the Project, Crosshair Exploration, offered its resignation as a member and the manager of the Project which became effective March 2019. This comes as Crosshair’s ultimate parent, Canada Jetlines, completed it divestiture of mineral properties to focus entirely on its airline services. While we do not treat the Project as a material property, we are pleased to return to a 100% interest in this Wyoming mineral property.
Results of Operations
U
3
O
8
Production and Sales
During the three months ended March 31, 2019, 22,551 pounds of U
3
O
8
were captured within the Lost Creek plant and 21,015 pounds were packaged in drums. We did not ship any drummed inventory to the conversion facility. Inventory, production and sales figures for the Lost Creek Project are presented in the following tables. We are presenting the data in the tables for the last four quarters because the nature of our operations is not regularly based on the calendar year. We therefore feel that presenting the last four quarters is a more meaningful representation of operations than comparing comparable periods in the previous year and enables the reader to better perform trend analysis.
The cash cost per pound and non-cash cost per pound for produced uranium presented in the following Production Costs and U
3
O
8
Sales and Cost of Sales tables are non-US GAAP measures. These measures do not have a standardized meaning within US GAAP or a defined basis of calculation. These measures are used by management to assess business performance and determine production and pricing strategies. They may also be used by certain investors to evaluate performance. Please see the tables, below, for reconciliations of these measures to the US GAAP compliant financial measures. Production figures for the Lost Creek Project are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Production and Production Costs
|
|
Unit
|
|
2019 Q1
|
|
2018 Q4
|
|
2018 Q3
|
|
2018 Q2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pounds captured
|
|
lb
|
|
|
22,551
|
|
|
48,304
|
|
|
80,604
|
|
|
89,209
|
|
|
Ad valorem and severance tax
|
|
$000
|
|
$
|
57
|
|
$
|
30
|
|
$
|
81
|
|
$
|
133
|
|
|
Wellfield cash cost
(1)
|
|
$000
|
|
$
|
250
|
|
$
|
459
|
|
$
|
422
|
|
$
|
516
|
|
|
Wellfield non-cash cost
(2)
|
|
$000
|
|
$
|
612
|
|
$
|
400
|
|
$
|
400
|
|
$
|
400
|
|
|
Ad valorem and severance tax per pound captured
|
|
$/lb
|
|
$
|
2.53
|
|
$
|
0.62
|
|
$
|
1.00
|
|
$
|
1.49
|
|
|
Cash cost per pound captured
|
|
$/lb
|
|
$
|
11.09
|
|
$
|
9.50
|
|
$
|
5.24
|
|
$
|
5.78
|
|
|
Non-cash cost per pound captured
|
|
$/lb
|
|
$
|
27.14
|
|
$
|
8.28
|
|
$
|
4.96
|
|
$
|
4.48
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pounds drummed
|
|
lb
|
|
|
21,015
|
|
|
53,654
|
|
|
78,441
|
|
|
74,302
|
|
|
Plant cash cost
(3)
|
|
$000
|
|
$
|
1,318
|
|
$
|
1,154
|
|
$
|
1,109
|
|
$
|
1,230
|
|
|
Plant non-cash cost
(2)
|
|
$000
|
|
$
|
480
|
|
$
|
484
|
|
$
|
485
|
|
$
|
493
|
|
|
Cash cost per pound drummed
|
|
$/lb
|
|
$
|
62.72
|
|
$
|
21.51
|
|
$
|
14.14
|
|
$
|
16.57
|
|
|
Non-cash cost per pound drummed
|
|
$/lb
|
|
$
|
22.84
|
|
$
|
9.02
|
|
$
|
6.18
|
|
$
|
6.64
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pounds shipped to conversion facility
|
|
lb
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
67,040
|
|
|
72,902
|
|
|
74,416
|
|
|
Distribution cash cost
(4)
|
|
$000
|
|
$
|
6
|
|
$
|
47
|
|
$
|
36
|
|
$
|
34
|
|
|
Cash cost per pound shipped
|
|
$/lb
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
0.70
|
|
$
|
0.49
|
|
$
|
0.46
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pounds purchased
|
|
lb
|
|
|
97,500
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
Purchase costs
|
|
$000
|
|
$
|
2,681
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
2,225
|
|
|
Cash cost per pound purchased
|
|
$/lb
|
|
$
|
27.50
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
22.25
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes:
|
1
|
|
Wellfield cash costs include all wellfield operating costs. Wellfield construction and development costs, which include wellfield drilling, header houses, pipelines, power lines, roads, fences and disposal wells, are treated as development expenses and are not included in wellfield operating costs.
|
|
2
|
|
Non-cash costs include the amortization of the investment in the mineral property acquisition costs and the depreciation of plant equipment, and the depreciation of their related asset retirement obligation costs. The expenses are calculated on a straight-line basis, so the expenses are typically constant for each quarter. The cost per pound from these costs will therefore typically vary based on production levels only.
|
|
3
|
|
Plant cash costs include all plant operating costs and site overhead costs.
|
|
4
|
|
Distribution cash costs include all shipping costs and costs charged by the conversion facility for weighing, sampling, assaying and storing the U
3
O
8
prior to sale.
|
Production levels during the current quarter decreased as the maturing MU2 header houses exhibited normal production curve declines. Despite difficult winter weather conditions, including significant snow accumulations, production rates were in line with guidance for the quarter. Generally, we have intentionally restricted our production in light of the persistently weak uranium market. Total production costs increased 6% in 2019 Q1 compared to 2018 Q4 and 8% compared to 2018 Q3. The increase resulted from the accrual of annual bonuses in Q1, significant additional costs associated with snow removal and road maintenance brought on by the severe winter conditions, and an increase in non-cash wellfield costs from the depreciation of additional ARO assets added at December 31, 2018.
Pounds captured decreased 25,753 pounds from 2018 Q4 as there were no new header houses added since the addition of the third MU2 header house in May 2018. Total wellfield costs increased $30 during the quarter. Ad valorem and severance taxes increased due to the January sale of produced inventory which increased the sales price used in the calculations. Wellfield cash costs decreased during the quarter despite the bonus accrual due to transferring certain personnel to plant and development positions and lower licensing costs. Despite the lower cash costs, the wellfield cash cost per pound captured increased $1.59 per pound in 2019 Q1. Wellfield non-cash costs increased by $212 due to the depreciation of ARO assets added at December 31, 2018. Combined with the reduction in production, the related wellfield non-cash cost per pound captured therefore increased $18.86 per pound.
Pounds drummed decreased 32,639 pounds in 2019 Q1 over 2018 Q4 due to the reduction in captured pounds. Total plant costs increased $164 during the quarter due to the additional personnel transferred from wellfield operations, the annual bonus accrual and heavy snow removal costs. The plant cash cost per pound drummed increased $41.21 per pound during the quarter. Plant non-cash costs are fixed so the related plant non-cash cost per pound drummed also increased $13.82 per pound because of the decrease in pounds drummed.
There were no shipments during the quarter. Distribution costs in 2019 Q1 were related to the converter completing weighing and sampling on prior deliveries. As there were no shipments, there are no cost per pound calculations for distribution.
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales and cost of sales
|
|
Unit
|
|
2019 Q1
|
|
2018 Q4
|
|
2018 Q3
|
|
2018 Q2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pounds sold
|
|
lb
|
|
|
97,500
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
U3O8 sales
|
|
$000
|
|
$
|
4,812
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
3,790
|
|
Average contract price
|
|
$/lb
|
|
$
|
49.35
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
37.90
|
|
Average spot price
|
|
$/lb
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Average price per pound sold
|
|
$/lb
|
|
$
|
49.35
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
37.90
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U3O8 cost of sales
(1)
|
|
$000
|
|
$
|
3,181
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
2,225
|
|
Ad valorem and severance tax cost per pound sold
|
|
$/lb
|
|
$
|
1.52
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Cash cost per pound sold
|
|
$/lb
|
|
$
|
23.86
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Non-cash cost per pound sold
|
|
$/lb
|
|
$
|
12.36
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Cost per pound sold - produced
|
|
$/lb
|
|
$
|
37.74
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Cost per pound sold - purchased
|
|
$/lb
|
|
$
|
27.50
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
22.25
|
|
Total average cost per pound sold
|
|
$/lb
|
|
$
|
32.63
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
22.25
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U3O8 gross profit
|
|
$000
|
|
$
|
1,631
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
1,565
|
|
Gross profit per pound sold
|
|
$/lb
|
|
$
|
16.72
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
15.65
|
|
Gross profit margin
|
|
%
|
|
|
33.9%
|
|
|
0.0%
|
|
|
0.0%
|
|
|
41.3%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ending Inventory Balances
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pounds
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In-process inventory
|
|
lb
|
|
|
10,595
|
|
|
9,134
|
|
|
14,588
|
|
|
43,733
|
|
Plant inventory
|
|
lb
|
|
|
28,574
|
|
|
7,559
|
|
|
20,944
|
|
|
15,391
|
|
Conversion facility inventory produced
|
|
lb
|
|
|
327,053
|
|
|
375,803
|
|
|
308,762
|
|
|
233,712
|
|
Conversion facility inventory purchased
|
|
lb
|
|
|
48,750
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
Total inventory
|
|
lb
|
|
|
414,972
|
|
|
392,496
|
|
|
344,294
|
|
|
292,836
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total cost
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In-process inventory
|
|
$000
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
160
|
|
$
|
359
|
|
$
|
518
|
|
Plant inventory
|
|
$000
|
|
$
|
1,259
|
|
$
|
345
|
|
$
|
665
|
|
$
|
548
|
|
Conversion facility inventory produced
|
|
$000
|
|
$
|
12,352
|
|
$
|
14,187
|
|
$
|
11,143
|
|
$
|
8,738
|
|
Conversion facility inventory purchased
|
|
$000
|
|
$
|
1,341
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Total inventory
|
|
$000
|
|
$
|
14,952
|
|
$
|
14,692
|
|
$
|
12,167
|
|
$
|
9,804
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost per pound
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In-process inventory
|
|
$/lb
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
17.52
|
|
$
|
24.61
|
|
$
|
11.84
|
|
Plant inventory
|
|
$/lb
|
|
$
|
44.06
|
|
$
|
45.64
|
|
$
|
31.75
|
|
$
|
35.61
|
|
Conversion facility inventory produced
|
|
$/lb
|
|
$
|
37.77
|
|
$
|
37.75
|
|
$
|
36.09
|
|
$
|
37.39
|
|
Conversion facility inventory purchased
|
|
$/lb
|
|
$
|
27.50
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Note:
|
1
|
|
U
3
O
8
c
ost of sales include all production costs (notes 1, 2, 3 and 4 in the previous Production and Production Cost table) adjusted for changes in inventory values and excludes NRV.
|
During the quarter we sold 97,500 pounds under term contracts at a price per pound of $49.35 per pound, of which 48,750 pounds were from production and the balance was purchased.
For the quarter, our uranium cost of sales totaled $3.2 million which included $1.3 million of purchase costs and $1.9 million of production costs. In 2019 Q1, we purchased 97,500 pounds at an average price of $27.50 per pound, of which half remains in our inventory. The average cost per pound sold from production was $37.74.
Excluding the NRV adjustment of $2.0 million, the gross profit from uranium sales for 2019 Q1 was $1.6 million, which represents a gross profit margin of approximately 34%.
At the end of the quarter, we had approximately 375,803 pounds of U
3
O
8
at the conversion facility including 327,053 produced pounds at an average cost per pound of $37.77, and 48,750 purchased pounds at a cost of $27.50 per pound. The following table shows the average cost per pound of the conversion facility inventory.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ending Conversion Facility Inventory
Cost Per Pound Summary (Produced)
|
|
Unit
|
31-Mar-19
|
|
31-Dec-18
|
|
30-Sep-18
|
30-Jun-18
|
Ad valorem and severance tax cost per pound
|
|
$/lb
|
|
$
|
1.52
|
|
$
|
1.52
|
|
$
|
1.60
|
|
$
|
1.73
|
Cash cost per pound
|
|
$/lb
|
|
$
|
23.87
|
|
$
|
23.85
|
|
$
|
22.83
|
|
$
|
23.66
|
Non-cash cost per pound
|
|
$/lb
|
|
$
|
12.38
|
|
$
|
12.38
|
|
$
|
11.66
|
|
$
|
12.00
|
Total cost per pound
|
|
$/lb
|
|
$
|
37.77
|
|
$
|
37.75
|
|
$
|
36.09
|
|
$
|
37.39
|
Conversion Facility Inventory Per Pound (Purchased)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total cost per pound
|
|
$/lb
|
|
$
|
27.50
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
The cost per pound in ending inventory at the conversion facility has fluctuated during recent quarters, but the fluctuation is primarily the result of the changes in production rate. As it takes time for the prices to move through the in-process, plant and conversion facility inventories, a change in production may not affect the conversion facility inventory valuation for several months. Our costs per pound have been higher than in previous years which reflects our deliberate restriction of production considering the persistently weak uranium market. The carrying amount of our inventories have been adjusted to reflect NRV adjustments using the projection of the sales into existing term contracts at prices greater than the current spot price.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP sales and inventory presentation with US GAAP statement presentation
As discussed above, the cash costs, non-cash costs and per pound calculations are non-US GAAP measures we use to assess business performance. To facilitate a better understanding of these measures, the tables below present a reconciliation of these measures to the financial results as presented in our financial statements.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average Price Per Pound Sold Reconciliation
|
|
Unit
|
|
2019 Q1
|
|
2018 Q4
|
|
2018 Q3
|
|
2018 Q2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales per financial statements
|
|
$000
|
|
$
|
4,812
|
|
$
|
14
|
|
$
|
3
|
|
$
|
3,807
|
Less disposal fees
|
|
$000
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
(14)
|
|
$
|
(3)
|
|
$
|
(17)
|
U
3
O
8
sales
|
|
$000
|
|
$
|
4,812
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
3,790
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pounds sold - produced
|
|
lb
|
|
|
48,750
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
Pounds sold - purchased
|
|
lb
|
|
|
48,750
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
100,000
|
Total pounds sold
|
|
lb
|
|
|
97,500
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average price per pound sold
|
|
$/lb
|
|
$
|
49.35
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
37.90
|
The Company delivers U
3
O
8
to a conversion facility and receives credit for a specified quantity measured in pounds once the product is confirmed to meet the required specifications. When a delivery is approved, the Company notifies the conversion facility with instructions for a title transfer to the customer. Revenue is recognized once a title transfer of the U
3
O
8
is confirmed by the conversion facility.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Cost Per Pound Sold
Reconciliation
(1)
|
|
Unit
|
|
2019 Q1
|
|
2018 Q4
|
|
2018 Q3
|
|
2018 Q2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of sales per financial statements
|
|
|
|
$
|
5,146
|
|
$
|
50
|
|
$
|
170
|
|
$
|
2,225
|
Less adjustments reflecting the lower of cost or NRV
|
|
|
|
$
|
(1,965)
|
|
$
|
(50)
|
|
$
|
(170)
|
|
$
|
-
|
U
3
O
8
cost of sales
|
|
|
|
$
|
3,181
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
2,225
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ad valorem & severance taxes
|
|
$000
|
|
$
|
57
|
|
$
|
30
|
|
$
|
81
|
|
$
|
133
|
Wellfield costs
|
|
$000
|
|
$
|
862
|
|
$
|
859
|
|
$
|
823
|
|
$
|
916
|
Plant and site costs
|
|
$000
|
|
$
|
1,798
|
|
$
|
1,638
|
|
$
|
1,594
|
|
$
|
1,723
|
Distribution costs
|
|
$000
|
|
$
|
6
|
|
$
|
47
|
|
$
|
36
|
|
$
|
34
|
Inventory change
|
|
$000
|
|
$
|
(883)
|
|
$
|
(2,574)
|
|
$
|
(2,534)
|
|
$
|
(2,806)
|
Cost of sales - produced
|
|
$000
|
|
$
|
1,840
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
—
|
Cost of sales - purchased
|
|
$000
|
|
$
|
1,341
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
2,225
|
Total cost of sales
|
|
$000
|
|
$
|
3,181
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
2,225
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pounds sold produced
|
|
lb
|
|
|
48,750
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
-
|
Pounds sold purchased
|
|
lb
|
|
|
48,750
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
100,000
|
Total pounds sold
|
|
lb
|
|
|
97,500
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average cost per pound sold - produced
|
|
$/lb
|
|
$
|
37.74
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
Average cost per pound sold - purchased
|
|
$/lb
|
|
$
|
27.50
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
22.25
|
Total average cost per pound sold
|
|
$/lb
|
|
$
|
32.63
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
22.25
|
Note:
|
1.
|
|
The cost of sales per the financial statements includes ad valorem and severance taxes related to the extraction of uranium, all costs of wellfield, plant and site operations including the related depreciation and amortization of capitalized assets, reclamation and mineral property costs, plus product distribution costs. These costs are also used to value inventory and the resulting inventoried cost per pound is compared to the estimated sales prices based on the contracts or spot sales anticipated for the distribution of the product. Any costs in excess of the calculated realizable value are charged to the cost of sales per the financial statements as adjustments reflecting the lower of cost or NRV. These adjustments are excluded from U
3
O
8
cost of sales because they relate to the pounds of U
3
O
8
in ending inventories and do not relate to the pounds of U
3
O
8
sold during the period.
|
Three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018
The following tables summarize the results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands of U.S. dollars):
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended March 31,
|
|
2019
|
|
2018
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
Sales
|
4,812
|
|
19,672
|
Cost of sales
|
(5,146)
|
|
(9,758)
|
Gross profit (loss)
|
(334)
|
|
9,914
|
Exploration and evaluation expense
|
(774)
|
|
(766)
|
Development expense
|
(166)
|
|
(432)
|
General and administrative expense
|
(2,138)
|
|
(1,922)
|
Accretion expense
|
(143)
|
|
(126)
|
Net profit from operations
|
(3,555)
|
|
6,668
|
Net interest expense
|
(196)
|
|
(288)
|
Warrant mark to market gain
|
(533)
|
|
-
|
Loss from equity investment
|
-
|
|
(1)
|
Foreign exchange gain (loss)
|
(18)
|
|
6
|
Other income
|
-
|
|
33
|
Net income
|
(4,302)
|
|
6,418
|
|
|
|
|
Income per share – basic
|
(0.03)
|
|
0.04
|
|
|
|
|
Income per share – diluted
|
(0.03)
|
|
0.04
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue per pound sold
|
49.35
|
|
51.74
|
|
|
|
|
Total cost per pound sold
|
32.63
|
|
25.68
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit per pound sold
|
16.72
|
|
26.06
|
Sales
We sold a total of 97,500 pounds of U
3
O
8
during the three months ended March 31, 2019 for an average price of $49.35 per pound. We sold 380,000 of U
3
O
8
during the three months ended March 31, 2018 for an average price of $51.74 per pound. The 2019 sales were all from term contracts. The 2018 sales were mostly from purchased inventory into term contracts at an average price of $52.50 and one spot sale of 10,000 pounds of produced inventory for $23.75 per pound.
Cost of Sales
The cost of sales includes all costs of wellfield operations and maintenance, severance and ad valorem taxes, plant operations and maintenance and mine site overhead including depreciation on the related capital assets, capitalized reclamation costs and amortization of mineral property costs, the cost of inventory purchased for resale and distribution costs. Wellfield costs, plant costs, site overhead costs and distribution costs are included in inventory and the resulting inventoried cost per pound is compared to the estimated sales prices based on the contracts or spot sales anticipated for the distribution of the product. Any costs in excess of the calculated market value are charged to expense.
As compared to Q1 2018, our cost per pound sold increased $6.95 to $32.63 in 2019. The increase for the period was driven by using produced inventory for 50% of our 2019 sales as opposed to about 2.6% in 2018. The cost per pound of purchased inventory increased from $25.00 per pound to $27.50 per pound while the cost of produced inventory declined from $40.80 per pound to $37.74 per pound.
In 2019, cost of sales included $2.0 million in lower of cost or NRV adjustments compared to $0.1 million in Q1 2018.
Gross Profit
Excluding the $2.0 million in lower of cost or NRV adjustments, the gross profit was $1.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, which represents a gross profit margin of approximately 34%. Gross profits of $9.9 million in Q1 2018 represents a gross profit margin of approximately 50%. The primary reason for the higher gross profit margin in 2018 was the purchase of most of the product sold.
Operating Expenses
Total operating expense for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was $3.2 million. Operating expenses include exploration and evaluation expense, development expense and G&A expense. These expenses were comparable to the same period in 2018.
Exploration and evaluation expense consists of labor and associated costs of the exploration and evaluation departments as well as land holding and costs including drilling and analysis on properties which have not reached the permitting or operations stage. These expenses were $0.8 million for both the three month period ended March 31, 2019 and the same period in 2018. All costs associated with the geology and geographic information systems departments, as well as the costs incurred on exploration-stage projects as described above, are reflected in this category.
Development expense includes costs incurred at the Lost Creek Project not directly attributable to production activities, including wellfield construction, drilling and development costs. It also includes costs associated
with the Shirley Basin and Lucky Mc properties as they are in a more advanced stage. Development expenses decreased by $0.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to the same period in 2018. The decrease was primarily related to the completion of two headers houses in MU2 during 2018.
G&A expense relates to the administration, finance, investor relations, land and legal functions of the Company and consists principally of personnel, facility and support costs. Total G&A expense increased $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to 2018. The increase was mainly attributable to an increased severance accrual related to the future separation of employment by a corporate officer.
Other Income and Expenses
Net interest expense declined $0.1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the prior year. The expense decline was directly attributable to principal payments reducing the outstanding note balances of the Wyoming State Bond Loan.
As a part of the September 2018 public offering, we sold 13,062,878 warrants priced at $0.01 per warrant. Two warrants are redeemable for one Common Share of the Company’s stock at a price of $1.00 per full share. As the warrants are priced in US$ and the functional currency of the Ur-Energy Inc. is Cdn$, this created a derivative financial liability. The liability created and adjusted quarterly is a calculated fair value using the Black-Scholes technique described below as there is no active market for the warrants. Any income or loss is reflected in net income for the period. The revaluation as of March 31, 2019 resulted in a loss of $533 for the period ended March 31, 2019 which is reflected on the statement of operations.
Earnings (loss) per Common Share
The basic loss per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was $0.03 compared to basic earnings of $0.04 per share for Q1 2018. The diluted loss per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was equal to the basic loss per common share due to the anti-dilutive effect of all convertible securities outstanding given that net losses were experienced. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, there were 1,157,438 RSUs and 95,829 options included in the diluted earnings per share calculations. The result was diluted earnings per share of $0.04 for the three months ended March 31, 2018. Dilution from warrants was not included as the strike price exceeded the then current market price of the Common Shares.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of March 31, 2019, we had cash resources consisting of cash and cash equivalents of $3.9 million, a decrease of $2.5 million from the December 31, 2018 balance of $6.4 million. The cash resources consist of Canadian and U.S. dollar denominated deposit accounts and money market funds. We used $1.1 million for operating activities during the three months ended March 31, 2019. During the same period, we used less than $0.1 million for investing activities and $1.3 million for financing activities.
On October 23, 2013, we closed a $34.0 million Sweetwater County, State of Wyoming, Taxable Industrial Development Revenue Bond financing program (“State Bond Loan”). The State Bond Loan calls for payments of interest at a fixed rate of 5.75% per annum on a quarterly basis which commenced January 1, 2014. The principal is payable in 28 quarterly installments which commenced January 1, 2015 and continue through October 1, 2021. The State Bond Loan is secured by all of the assets at the Lost Creek Project. As of March 31, 2019, the balance of the State Bond Loan was $13.7 million.
During 2017, we filed a universal shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC in order that we may offer and sell, from time to time, in one or more offerings, at prices and terms to be determined, up to $100 million of our Common Shares, warrants to purchase our Common Shares, our senior and subordinated debt securities, and rights to purchase our Common Shares and/or our senior and subordinated debt securities. The registration statement became effective August 3, 2017 for a three-year period.
We entered into an At Market Issuance Sales Agreement (“At Market Agreement”) with MLV & Co. LLC and B Riley FBR, Inc. (May 27, 2016, as amended August 2017), under which we may, from time to time, issue and sell Common Shares at market prices on the NYSE American or other U.S. market through the distribution agents for aggregate sales proceeds of up to $10,000,000. There were no shares sold under this agreement in 2018 or 2019.
During Q1 2019, no stock options were exercised.
Collections from U
3
O
8
sales for the three months ended March 31, 2019 totaled $4.8 million.
Operating activities used cash of $1.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to generating $6.4 million during the same period in 2018. The net income for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was $10.7 million less than the corresponding income in 2018. In addition, $0.3 million was used to increase inventory balances compared to $2.5 million in 2019.
Investing activities were limited to some additional claim staking and purchases of small equipment.
During the first three months of 2019, we used $1.3 million for principal payments on the State Bond Loan.
Liquidity Outlook
We expect that any major capital projects will be funded by operating cash flow, cash on hand or additional financing as required. If these cash sources are not sufficient, certain capital projects could be delayed, or alternatively we may need to pursue additional debt or equity financing to which there is no assurance that such financing will be available at all or on terms acceptable to us. We have no immediate plans to issue additional securities or obtain funding other than that which may be required due to the uneven nature of cash flows generated from operations; however, we may issue additional debt or equity securities at any time.
Looking ahead
At the end of the first quarter of 2019, the average spot price of U
3
O
8
, as reported by UxC, LLC and TradeTech, LLC, declined to approximately $25.33 per pound because of low volumes and uncertainty over the Section 232 Trade Action.
Market fundamentals have not changed sufficiently to warrant further development of MU2 and we currently expect to produce between 75,000 and 100,000 pounds at Lost Creek.
In 2019, we expect to deliver 665,000 pounds related to term contracts at an average price of approximately $48 per pound. In 2019 Q1, we sold 97,500 pounds of U
3
O
8
. Early in 2019 Q2, we delivered 100,000 pounds into a scheduled term contract commitment and sold 165,000 pounds related to 2020 obligations under existing term agreements. We do not expect to make additional sales during Q2. By quarter, our remaining 2019 contractual sales commitments thereafter are as follows: 122,500 pounds in Q3; and 180,000 pounds in Q4.
We have purchase contracts in place for 500,000 pounds at an average cost of $26 per pound in 2019.
Gross profits from uranium sales are expected to be approximately $12.3 million, which represents a gross profit margin of approximately 38%. On a cash basis (excluding non-cash costs and extraction taxes), gross profits from uranium sales are expected to generate $15.3 million in cash, which represents a cash-basis gross profit margin of approximately 47%.
Should uranium pricing improve, or following a successful outcome of the ongoing Section 232 Trade Action, we stand ready to ramp up production to full capacity at Lost Creek and initiate development activities at Shirley Basin. We remain operationally ready to increase production through the further development of our fully-permitted MU2 at Lost Creek. Lost Creek operations could begin to increase production rates in as little as six months following a “go” decision simply by developing additional header houses within MU2. Development expenses during this time are estimated to be less than $14 million and are almost entirely related to MU2 drilling and header house construction costs. Lost Creek also does not require any significant capital expenditures in order to increase production, but we will continue to optimize site operations through engineering design enhancements and modifications. The Lost Creek plant has been well maintained and is ready to receive additional flows for increased production when warranted.
As at May 2, 2019, our unrestricted cash position was $3.0 million. In addition, we will receive proceeds of $7.5 million in May 2019 from the April 2019 sale of 165,000 pounds U
3
O
8
.
Transactions with Related Parties
There were no transactions with related parties during the quarter.
Proposed Transactions
As is typical of the mineral exploration, development and mining industry, we will consider and review potential merger, acquisition, investment and venture transactions and opportunities that could enhance shareholder value. Timely disclosure of such transactions is made as soon as reportable events arise.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
We have established the existence of uranium resources at the Lost Creek Property, but because of the unique nature of in situ recovery mines, we have not established, and have no plans to establish, the existence of proven and probable reserves at this project. Accordingly, we have adopted an accounting policy with respect to the nature of items that qualify for capitalization for in situ U
3
O
8
mining operations to align our policy to the accounting treatment that has been established as best practice for these types of mining operations.
The development of the wellfield includes injection, production and monitor well drilling and completion, piping within the wellfield and to the processing facility, header houses used to monitor production and disposal wells associated with the operation of the mine. These costs are expensed when incurred.
Mineral Properties
Acquisition costs of mineral properties are capitalized. When production is attained at a property, these costs will be amortized over a period of estimated benefit.
As of March 31, 2019, the average current spot and long-term prices of U
3
O
8
were $25.33 and $32.00, respectively. This compares to prices of $27.75 and $32.00 as of December 31, 2018. The prices decreased at the end of the quarter with very little trading activity and the sale of excess inventories.
Development costs including, but not limited to, production wells, header houses, piping and power will be expensed as incurred as we have no proven and probable reserves.
Inventory and Cost of Sales
Our inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value based on projected revenues from the sale of that product. We are allocating all costs of operations of the Lost Creek facility to the inventory valuation at various stages of production with the exception of wellfield and disposal well costs which are treated as development expenses when incurred. Depreciation of facility enclosures, equipment and asset retirement obligations as well as amortization of the acquisition cost of the related property is also included in the inventory valuation. We do not allocate any administrative or other overhead to the cost of the product.
Share-Based Expense
We are required to initially record all equity instruments including warrants, restricted share units and stock options at fair value in the financial statements.
Management utilizes the Black-Scholes model to calculate the fair value of the warrants and stock options at the time they are issued. In addition, the fair value of derivative warrants are recalculated quarterly using the Black-Scholes model with any gain or loss being reflected in the net income for the period. Use of the Black-Scholes model requires management to make estimates regarding the expected volatility of the Company’s stock over the future life of the equity instrument, the estimate of the expected life of the equity instrument and the number of options that are expected to be forfeited. Determination of these estimates requires significant judgment and requires management to formulate estimates of future events based on a limited history of actual results.
New accounting pronouncements which were implemented this year
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02,
Leases (Topic 842)
, which requires lessees to recognize all leases on the balance sheet, including operating leases, unless the lease is a short-term lease. ASU 2016-02 also requires additional disclosures regarding leasing arrangements. ASU 2016-02 became effective for the Company as of January 1, 2019. At January 1, 2019, we had two office equipment leases, and the office lease in Casper which expires in July 2019 and renews strictly at our discretion at current market rates. As a result of adoption of ASC 2016-02, we recognized a liability of $83 with a corresponding Right-Of-Use (“ROU”) assets of the same amount based on present value of the minimum rental payments of the leases which are included in non-current assets, current portion of long-term liabilities and long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. The discount rates used for leases are based on either the Company’s borrowing rate or the imputed interest rate based on the price of the equipment and the lease terms.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have not entered into any material off-balance sheet arrangements such as guaranteed contracts, contingent interests in assets transferred to unconsolidated entities, derivative instrument obligations, or with respect to any obligations under a variable interest entity arrangement.
Outstanding Share Data
As of May 2, 2019, we had outstanding 159,729,403 Common Shares and 9,631,612 options to acquire Common Shares.
Item 3. QUANTITAVE AND QUALITATIVE
DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Market risk
Market risk is the risk to the Company of adverse financial impact due to changes in the fair value or future cash flows of financial instruments as a result of fluctuations in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates.
Interest rate risk
Financial instruments that expose the Company to interest rate risk are its cash equivalents, deposits, restricted cash and debt financings. Our objectives for managing our cash and cash equivalents are to maintain sufficient funds on hand at all times to meet day-to-day requirements and to place any amounts which are considered in excess of day-to-day requirements on short-term deposit with the Company's financial institutions so that they earn interest.
Currency risk
At March 31, 2019, we maintained a balance of approximately $0.1 million in foreign currency resulting in a low currency risk which is our typical balance.
Commodity Price Risk
The Company is subject to market risk related to the market price of U
3
O
8
. We have U
3
O
8
supply contracts with pricing fixed or based on inflation factors applied to a fixed base. Additional future sales would be impacted by both spot and long-term U
3
O
8
price fluctuations. Historically, U
3
O
8
prices have been subject to fluctuation, and the price of U
3
O
8
has been and will continue to be affected by numerous factors beyond our control, including the demand for nuclear power, political and economic conditions, and governmental legislation in U
3
O
8
producing and consuming countries and production levels and costs of production of other producing companies. The spot market price for U
3
O
8
has demonstrated a large range since January 2001. Prices have risen from $7.10 per pound at January 2001 to a high of $136.00 per pound as of September 2007. The spot market price was $25.20 per pound as of April 29, 2019 as reported by TradeTech and UxC.
Item 4.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of the end of the period covered by this MD&A, under the supervision of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, the Company evaluated the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). Based on this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information the Company is required to disclose in reports that are filed or submitted under the Exchange Act: (1) is recorded, processed and summarized effectively and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms,
and (2) is accumulated and communicated to Company management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures include components of internal control over financial reporting. No matter how well designed and operated, internal controls over financial reporting can provide only reasonable, but not absolute, assurance that the control system's objectives will be met.
(b) Changes in
Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
No changes in our internal control over financial reporting occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2019 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II
Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDING
S
No new legal proceedings or material developments in pending proceedings.
Item 1A. RISK FACTOR
S
There have been no material changes for the three months ended March 31, 2019 from those risk factors set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEED
S
None
Item 3.
DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIE
S
None
Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSUR
E
Our operations and exploration activities at Lost Creek are not subject to regulation by the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977.
Item 5.
OTHER INFORMATION
None
SIGNATURE
S
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
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UR -ENERGY INC.
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Date: May 3, 2019
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By:
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/s/ Jeffrey T. Klenda
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Jeffrey T. Klenda
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Chief Executive Officer
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(Principal Executive Officer)
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Date: May 3, 2019
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By:
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/s/ Roger L. Smith
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Roger L. Smith
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Chief Financial Officer
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(Principal Financial Officer and
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Principal Accounting Officer)
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