Ur-Energy Announces Decision to Build Out Shirley Basin Mine
Ur-Energy Inc. announces the decision to build out the Shirley Basin Project in Wyoming, aiming to double annual mine production capacity to 2.2 million pounds of uranium. The project, based on growing uranium sales and market demand, will feature a low-cost satellite plant with a flow rate of 6,000 gallons per minute. The estimated construction cost is $24.4 million, with sustaining capital expenditures of $9.2 million and operating costs of $24.40 per pound. The project is expected to take 24 months to complete.
Positive
The decision to build the Shirley Basin Project is driven by the company's increasing uranium sales and a strong market price.
The project aims to double annual mine production capacity to 2.2 million pounds of uranium, diversifying the company's supply.
The satellite plant at Shirley Basin will have a flow rate of 6,000 gallons per minute and a production capacity of 1.0 million pounds of U3O8 per year.
The construction cost of the satellite plant is estimated at $24.4 million, with sustaining capital expenditures of $9.2 million and operating costs of $24.40 per pound.
The project is expected to take approximately 24 months to finalize designs, order materials, and construct the plant and initial wellfield.
The construction of the Shirley Basin Project by Ur-Energy is a strategic move that could significantly influence the uranium market and the company's market position. The project's capacity to nearly double the annual permitted mine production to 2.2 million pounds suggests an aggressive expansion that could address the rising global demand for uranium, fueled by the shift towards clean nuclear power.
By leveraging in situ mining technology, a method that involves extracting minerals from an orebody without significant alteration of the surrounding area, the company is tapping into a cost-effective and environmentally friendly mining approach. This could potentially lower production costs, thus improving profit margins and making the company's stock more attractive to investors.
Furthermore, the satellite plant's design for ion exchange and wastewater management, along with the projected low operating expenditures of $24.40 per pound, positions Ur-Energy as a competitive player in the uranium market. The minimal royalty burden estimated at $0.05 per pound U3O8 further enhances the project's economic attractiveness.
The financial implications of the Shirley Basin Project for Ur-Energy are substantial. With initial facility capital costs projected at approximately $24.4 million and pre-operational wellfield development costs at $16.3 million, the investment is sizeable yet appears manageable given the potential revenue from increased production capacity. A detailed economic analysis, which investors should review for a comprehensive understanding, has been included in the company's recent 10-K/A Annual Report.
The estimated operating expenses before taxes and royalties, along with the predicted sustaining capital expenditures over the project's life, provide a clear picture of the long-term financial commitment and potential return on investment. The resource summary indicates a robust measured and indicated resource, which is critical in assessing the project's viability and the company's future revenue stream.
Ur-Energy's decision to expand the Shirley Basin Project is indicative of broader trends in the energy sector. With the increasing global emphasis on clean energy, nuclear power is gaining traction as a stable and low-carbon source of electricity. The project's timing aligns with this shift, potentially placing Ur-Energy at the forefront of uranium production as demand grows.
The use of established in situ recovery techniques also reflects the industry's focus on reducing environmental impact and adhering to stricter regulations. The historical significance of the Shirley Basin Uranium District and its pioneering role in this mining technology may provide Ur-Energy with a competitive edge in terms of expertise and community acceptance.
The project's potential to bring jobs back to the region is also noteworthy, as it aligns with socio-economic development goals and could foster positive local community relations, which are increasingly important in the energy sector's social license to operate.
03/13/2024 - 07:00 AM
LITTLETON, CO / ACCESSWIRE / March 13, 2024 / Ur-Energy Inc. (NYSE American:URG)(TSX:URE) (the "Company" or "Ur-Energy") is pleased to announce the decision to build out our wholly owned, fully permitted and licensed Shirley Basin Project in Carbon County, Wyoming.
This decision was based on our growing uranium sales contract book, a strong uranium market price, and an expectation of growing demand for uranium as nations increasingly move toward clean nuclear power.
John Cash, the Company's CEO and Chairman of the Board, stated, "The decision to build out our Shirley Basin Project is a major milestone for our Company as it will nearly double our annual permitted mine production capacity to 2.2 million pounds while diversifying our supply. The build out will also solidify our position as the dominant producer in the Great Divide Basin and Shirley Basin Districts of Wyoming. We look forward to bringing in situ mining technology back to its birthplace in Shirley Basin where it was pioneered beginning in 1963. The Shirley Basin Uranium District has a long, proud history and we are excited to bring the jobs back while responsibly operating."
The satellite plant will be designed with a flow rate of up to 6,000 gallons per minute and capacity to produce up to 1.0 million pounds of U3 O8 per year. Ur-Energy's permits and license allow for the construction of the elution, precipitation and drying circuits should it become economically advantageous. No amendments to the existing permits or licenses would be required.
The satellite plant will be a relatively low-cost facility consisting of ion exchange, wastewater and groundwater restoration circuits. The ion exchange resin at Shirley Basin will be loaded with uranium from the mine and shipped to the Company's operating Lost Creek ISR Facility for processing before being recycled back into operations at Shirley Basin. This satellite approach will help minimize initial facility capital costs to approximately $24.4 million and pre-operational wellfield development costs to $16.3 million . Sustaining capital expenditures over the life of the project are estimated to be $9.2 million . Operating expenditures before taxes and royalties are estimated to be $24.40 per pound. The royalty burden is minimal and is estimated to be $0.05 per pound U3 O8 . A detailed economic analysis can be found in the Technical Report Summary "Shirley Basin ISR Uranium Project, Carbon County, Wyoming, USA" as amended, March 11, 2024, that was filed with the Company's 10‑K/A Annual Report for 2023, March 12, 2024.
The estimated time to finalize designs, order materials and construct the satellite plant and initial wellfield is approximately 24 months. Work has already been initiated on long-lead items and, as a result, the ion exchange vessels have been designed and ordered as our Board approved their purchase.
The mineral resource at Shirley Basin is spread across three planned mine units including two mine units within the FAB Trend and one within Area 5 with resources defined as follows:
Shirley Basin Project - Resource Summary (December 31, 2023)
RESOURCE
AREA
MEASURED
INDICATED
AVG GRADE
% eU3 O8
SHORT TONS
(X 1000)
POUNDS U3 O8
(X 1000)
AVG GRADE
% eU3 O8
SHORT TONS
(X 1000)
POUNDS U3 O8
(X 1000)
FAB
TREND
0.280
1,172
6,574
0.119
456
1,081
AREA 5
0.243
195
947
0.115
93
214
TOTAL
0.275
1,367
7,521
0.118
549
1,295
MEASURED & INDICATED
0.230
1,915
8,816
Notes:
1. Sum of Measured and Indicated tons and pounds may not add to the reported total due to rounding.3 O8 and a grade x thickness (GT) cutoff of 0.25 GT.80% , which is consistent with industry standards.
The Company acquired Pathfinder Mines Corporation, which holds the Shirley Basin Project, from AREVA NC Inc., now Orano, in 2013. The Shirley Basin Project was previously mined using underground, in situ, and open pit methods. Over 28 million pounds of uranium was recovered from the project and an estimated 51 million pounds was recovered from the Shirley Basin District.
Qualified Persons at WWC have reviewed and approved the technical disclosure contained in this news release.
Cautionary statement: The Shirley Basin Technical Report Summary is preliminary in nature. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The estimated mineral recovery used in the report is based on Company personnel and industry experience at similar facilities, including the Company's Lost Creek ISR facility. There can be no assurance that recovery at this level will be achieved.
About Ur-Energy in-situ recovery uranium facility in south-central Wyoming. We have produced, packaged, and shipped approximately 2.8 million pounds U3 O8 from Lost Creek since the commencement of operations. Ur-Energy has all major permits and authorizations to begin construction at Shirley Basin, the Company's second in situ recovery uranium facility in Wyoming and is in the process of obtaining remaining amendments to Lost Creek authorizations for expansion of Lost Creek. Ur‑Energy is engaged in uranium recovery and processing activities, including the acquisition, exploration, development, and operation of uranium mineral properties in the United States. The primary trading market for Ur‑Energy's common shares is on the NYSE American under the symbol "URG." Ur‑Energy's common shares also trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "URE." Ur-Energy's corporate office is in Littleton, Colorado and its registered office is in Ottawa, Ontario.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT John.Cash@Ur-Energy.com
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information e.g., whether we are able to secure additional favorably priced term sales agreements; whether nuclear energy continues to be supported globally and the effects such support has on the uranium market; the timing and ability to complete build out of Shirley Basin as currently projected and whether we will bring jobs back to the area; whether we will be the dominant producer in the Great Divide Basin and Shirley Basin; and the technical and economic viability of the Shirley Basin Project as set forth in the Shirley Basin Report, including mineral resource estimates, life of mine, costs of production) and are based on current expectations that, while considered reasonable by management at this time, inherently involve a number of significant business, economic and competitive risks, uncertainties and contingencies. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans," "expects," "does not expect," "is expected," "is likely," "estimates," "intends," "anticipates," "does not anticipate," or "believes," or variations of the foregoing, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may," "could," "might" or "will be taken," "occur," "be achieved" or "have the potential to." All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are considered to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements express or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, capital and other costs varying significantly from estimates; failure to establish estimated resources and reserves; the grade and recovery of ore which is mined varying from estimates; production rates, methods and amounts varying from estimates; delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required governmental, environmental or other project approvals; inflation; changes in exchange rates; fluctuations in commodity prices; delays in development and other factors described in the public filings made by the Company at www.sedarplus.ca and www.sec.gov . Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained herein are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management as of the date hereof and Ur-Energy disclaims any intent or obligation to update them or revise them to reflect any change in circumstances or in management's beliefs, expectations or opinions that occur in the future.
SOURCE: Ur-Energy Inc.
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What is the reason behind Ur-Energy Inc.'s decision to build out the Shirley Basin Project?
The decision is based on the company's growing uranium sales contract book, a strong uranium market price, and an expectation of increasing demand for uranium.
What is the estimated annual mine production capacity after the Shirley Basin Project is completed?
The project aims to nearly double the company's annual permitted mine production capacity to 2.2 million pounds of uranium.
What is the construction cost of the satellite plant at Shirley Basin?
The estimated construction cost of the satellite plant is approximately $24.4 million.
How long is the estimated time to finalize designs, order materials, and construct the satellite plant and initial wellfield?
The estimated time to complete the project is around 24 months.
What are the estimated operating expenditures before taxes and royalties for the Shirley Basin Project?
The estimated operating expenditures before taxes and royalties are $24.40 per pound.
