Western Uranium & Vanadium Corp. Provides Company Updates
May 27 2020 - 8:20AM
Western Uranium & Vanadium Corp. (CSE:WUC) (OTCQX:WSTRF)
(“Western” or ”Company”)
Sunday Mine Complex UpdateAs
previously reported, the Sunday Mine Complex was reopened in 2019
with development and mining of ore conducted and stockpiled in the
mines. During the 3rd and 4th Quarters of 2019, the project focus
was shifted to surface infrastructure projects. In February 2020,
the last of these projects, the construction of the ore storage
pads were completed. In March 2020, the completion reports were
submitted to, reviewed and accepted by the Colorado Division of
Reclamation, Mining and Safety (“DRMS”). The surface projects are
now complete.
Division of Reclamation, Mining and
Safety Permit HearingThis hearing on the status of the
Sunday Mine Complex permits is now scheduled for June 24, 2020. A
further delay is possible depending on the safe distancing rules in
place in late June.
Covonavirus PandemicThe
COVID-19 pandemic remains an ongoing global challenge. Western has
taken steps to assure the safety of its team and these measures
have proven effective as the entire team remains healthy. Both the
United States and Canada have instituted shut-down orders that have
presented operational, administrative, and regulatory delays.
Notably, eastern U.S. urban areas have higher infection rates than
western U.S. rural areas where Western’s mining team’s core
operations are located on the Western Slope of Colorado. Locally, a
statewide Stay-At-Home order has transitioned into a less
restrictive Safer-At-Home order. Western will prepare the mining
team to start mining activities in compliance with State
requirements.
Uranium Spot Market
PricesPandemic disruptions have become a key driver of
uranium prices. During January and February, when COVID-19 was
predominantly a domestic issue in China, the spot price of uranium
was below $25. As the coronavirus spread globally, the uranium spot
price declined with other resource prices for three consecutive
weeks to levels below $24. In late March, a global series of supply
disruptions began: Cameco announced a temporary suspension at Cigar
Lake, Namibia mandated closure of two uranium mines, Kazatomprom
reduced staffing levels/output in observing country lockdown rules,
and finally Cameco extended its suspension indefinitely. In
aggregate, supply disruptions reduced primary supply by
approximately 50%. This triggered six straight weeks of price
increases propelling uranium spot prices to a peak of over $34, a
four year high. Uranium supply disruptions remain ongoing and
continue to diminish uranium spot inventory.
Nuclear Fuel Working GroupIn
April, the Department of Energy (“DOE”) released the long awaited
Nuclear Fuel Working Group report (“Report”) which presented its
Strategy to Restore American Nuclear Energy Leadership. The Report
detailed a comprehensive strategy and policy recommendations for
further executive, regulatory, and legislative actions. The Summary
of Measures provided eighteen (18) recommendations to provide
support at each stage of the domestic nuclear fuel cycle.
The Nuclear Fuel Working Group (“NFWG”)
concluded this to be a matter of national security, energy
security, national defense, and political influence. Cited were
Russia weaponizing its energy supply, China using predatory
economics as a tool of statecraft, and predatory practices and
tactics of foreign state-owned conglomerates backed by the full
support of their governments. In follow-up, the DOE has identified
strategic policies of state-owned foreign enterprises for
undercutting world prices, making it virtually impossible for U.S.
producers to compete in uranium mining and nuclear fuel markets.
Globally, there are over 100 new nuclear reactor builds projected
to be completed this decade with 72 of those reactors to be
constructed by Chinese and Russian vendors. The NFWG found an
urgent need to address the unlevel playing field that American
companies face by taking actions to prevent the near-term collapse
of the domestic uranium mining, milling, and conversion industries
and invest in next generation advanced nuclear technology.
The DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy (“NE”) is
leading the implementation of several of these initiatives. The
domestic Uranium Reserve program is taking shape, funded by annual
$150 million budgetary requests. The NE will buy uranium direct
from domestic mines and contract for conversion services. A
competitive procurement process will be established during the next
year. The NE also announced the launch of the Advanced Reactor
Demonstration Program, backed by a $230 million appropriation, to
assist in bringing two U.S. advanced nuclear reactors operational
within 5 to 7 years. Next steps remain ongoing, as the DOE
continues to prepare a report for Congress on the Key Challenges in
Reconstituting Uranium Mining and Conversion Capabilities in the
United States. In following NFWG recommendations, a bipartisan
group of U.S. Senators has called for the Russian Suspension
Agreement, which expires at the end of 2020, to not only be
extended but mandate a reduction in imports below the existing 20%
limit.
Western continues to be one of the few uranium
companies holding previously producing, permitted, and developed
mines in the United States, well positioned to benefit from these
market developments as they evolve.
About Western Uranium
& Vanadium Corp.
Western Uranium & Vanadium Corp. is a
Colorado based uranium and vanadium conventional mining company
focused on low cost near-term production of uranium and vanadium in
the western United States, and development and application of
kinetic separation.
Cautionary Note Regarding
Forward-Looking Information: Certain information contained
in this news release constitutes “forward-looking information” or a
“forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable
securities laws (collectively, “forward-looking statements”).
Statements of that nature include statements relating to, or that
are dependent upon: the Company’s expectations, estimates and
projections regarding exploration and production plans and results;
the timing of planned activities; whether the Company can raise any
additional funds required to implement its plans; whether
regulatory or analogous requirements can be satisfied to permit
planned activities; and more generally to the Company’s business,
and the economic and political environment applicable to its
operations, assets and plans. All such forward-looking statements
are subject to important risk factors and uncertainties, many of
which are beyond the Company’s ability to control or predict.
Please refer to the Company’s most recent Management’s Discussion
and Analysis, as well as its other filings at www.sec.gov and/or
www.sedar.com, for a more detailed review of those risk factors.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the Company’s
forward-looking statements, and that these statements are made as
of the date hereof. While the Company may do so, it does not
undertake any obligation to update these forward-looking statements
at any particular time, except as and to the extent required under
applicable laws and regulations.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE
CONTACT:
George GlasierPresident and
CEO970-864-2125gglasier@western-uranium.com
Robert KleinChief Financial
Officer908-872-7686rklein@western-uranium.com
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