TORONTO, Nov. 10,
2023 /CNW/ - Global Atomic Corporation ("Global
Atomic" or the "Company"), (TSX: GLO) (OTCQX: GLATF) (FRANKFURT:
G12) announced today its operating and financial results for the
three and nine months ended September 30,
2023.
Global Atomic President and CEO, Stephen
G. Roman commented "Further to our Q2 2023 update
regarding the Republic of Niger, a
transition government is in place and includes a new Prime Minister
and Cabinet, as well as the previous experienced staff in the
Government Ministries. The Government of Niger is a 20% owner of the Dasa Project
and recognizes that the Dasa Mine will benefit the Republic of
Niger by generating royalty and
tax revenue, creating new jobs and opportunities for local business
and revitalize the northern region of the country. The Government
has offered its positive support for the development of
the Dasa Project."
"The continued closure of Niger's border with Benin has impacted operations at Dasa. We
have, however, successfully initiated an alternate supply route
through the port of Lomé in Togo and then through neighbouring
Burkina Faso. Once assurance of
mine supplies is deemed reliable we will resume underground
development."
"Relating to the Project Financing, and pursuant to our news
release dated October 10, 2023
the official designation by the U.S. Government of the change of
Government in July as a coup would put a temporary hold on U.S.
Development Bank financing pending visibility of a return to
democratic elections. We are pleased to report that the U.S.
Government has expressed support for the project financing to
proceed and both development banks have been authorized to
re-engage with the Company and finalize funding arrangements. At
the same time, we are actively assessing viable alternatives to
both the supply issue and the project funding."
"The Nuclear Renaissance continues with more countries
signing on to build reactors including many orders for Small
Modular Reactors ("SMR"). Uranium supply growth will continue to be
limited to a small number of restarts, a few In-Situ Leach ("ISL")
projects and Dasa, which is the only greenfield uranium mine
currently under development. The Company's existing Yellowcake
off-take agreements remain firmly in place. Dasa's ore body is the
highest-grade uranium deposit in Africa and based on our recently announced
increase in our Mineral Resource Estimate we are revising Dasa's
mine plan and Phase 1 Feasibility Study, which is expected to
significantly increase Mineable Reserves and further improve the
economics of the Project."
HIGHLIGHTS AND OUTLOOK
Dasa Uranium Project
Niger Political Situation
- The Niger military initiated a
change in government on July 26,
2023.
- The initial reaction included the closure of surrounding
borders and Niger air space as
well as discussion of military intervention by the Economic
Community of African States ("ECOWAS"), which has not occurred and
is considered unlikely.
- Niger air space re-opened with
international flights resuming operations.
- All land borders have been re-opened except for Benin and Nigeria.
- The Government of Niger has
confirmed its support of the Dasa Project and for SOMIDA to proceed
on schedule.
- On October 10, 2023, the United States formally recognized the
"Coup d'Etat", which designation restricts funding of the interim
government to certain humanitarian aid.
- Since then, the U.S. Senate voted overwhelmingly to support
continued U.S. military presence in Niger.
- Recently, the U.S. Under Secretary for African Affairs stated
that the U.S. stands ready to support Niger in a successful transition to democratic
rule, which is suggested to be within 2 years.
Dasa – Financing
- The Company estimates it requires an additional US $250 to $275
million financing to complete the Dasa Project construction
and commissioning, excluding financing costs.
- The Company has been working with Export Development Canada and
a U.S. development bank to put a project financing in place.
- With the change of Government designated a Coup d'Etat by the
U.S. in October, the Company was advised the project financing
would be placed on hold, pending a resolution of the Niger political situation.
- Subsequently, the U.S. Government has expressed support for the
project financing and both banks are continuing to proceed.
- The Company is well advanced in negotiating a term sheet and
expects this to be concluded shortly.
- With the re-engagement of the development banks, the schedule
for project financing is targeted for credit committee approval in
January followed by final approval in March
2024.
- In view of the uncertainties about the timing of completion of
a project financing, the Company has commenced a process to review
alternative funding options.
- The ability to achieve the target project completion date of
the end of 2025 depends on the Company's ability to raise
sufficient funding over time to keep the project moving forward on
this schedule.
- In the alternative scenario in which no funding is available
from any source, the Company has developed near term objectives
which include completion of procurement of equipment and service
contracts, obtaining engineering from selected vendors, completing
detailed engineering with vendor engineering information, and
completing an updated feasibility study, using its existing
cash.
- Management will continue to work towards a completion of the
debt facility, while evaluating alternative funding options that
support a financing decision in the best interests of
shareholders.
Dasa – Mining
- Ramp development has been underway since the beginning of 2023,
with over 600 meters completed as of the end of July 2023 to reach the top of the ore body.
- In August 2023, the Company
suspended mine development due to the interruptions of supply
chains and depletion of certain consumables.
- The closure of the Benin
border has interrupted the normal supply route from the Port of
Cotonou through Benin to
Niger.
- The Niger government has been
working with the Burkina Faso
government to establish regular convoys of trucks to deliver
supplies from the port of Lomé in Togo and overland through Burkina Faso.
- The Company is currently utilizing this logistics route and
will restart underground mine development once assurance of mine
supplies is deemed reliable.
- The Company is also exploring the potential logistics route
from the Mediterranean through Algeria.
- Although mine development is on temporary hold, the Company
remains on schedule to supply uranium ore to the processing plant
from the end of 2025 onward.
- The Company's engineering team is nearing completion of a new
Mine Plan that will integrate the
recently updated MRE and updated capital and operating costs.
- In view of the significant increase in indicated resources (50%
at 1,500 ppm cut-off), it is expected that the reserves previously
reported in the Feasibility Study of 2021 and the Life of Mine
("LOM") will increase significantly.
- The Company is undertaking an updated Feasibility Study to be
completed in H1 2024, so that such increases can be defined and
reported to shareholders and investors.
Dasa – Team
- The Company added two key members to the Dasa management team:
John Wheeler, Director of Operations
and Site General Manager and Daniele
Valentino, Deputy Director of Operations & Assistant
General Manager.
- John is a Member of Engineers Australia, having spent the past
13 years in the mining industry in project management roles and
most recently as general manager of Resolute Mining's Syama mine
sites in Mali. Prior to this, John
spent 18 years in the Royal Australian Navy and defence
industry.
- Daniele is a PhD Engineer with a specialty in rock mechanics,
having spent the past 5 years working for Orano, Mining ("Orano",
previously known as AREVA), including the position of deputy
production manager and underground mine manager at the COMINAK mine
in Niger prior to its closure.
Before that, Daniele had spent 18 years in the mining industry in
Italy.
Offtake Agreements
- In January 2023, the Company
formalized an agreement with a major North American utility for the
procurement of Dasa's uranium, representing the supply of 2.4
million pounds U3O8 over a six-year period
commencing in 2025.
- On May 8, 2023, the Company
formalized its June 2022 Letter of
Intent by signing a definitive agreement with a second major North
American utility for their procurement of up to 2.1 million pounds
U3O8 from Dasa within a multi-year delivery
window beginning in 2025.
- On October 2, 2023, the Company
received Letter of Intent for the procurement of uranium from the
Company's Dasa Project, representing the supply of up to 3.5
million pounds U3O8 within a multi-year
delivery window beginning in 2026.
- Off-take agreements now total 1.3 million pounds
U3O8 per year for the first five years of
mining, providing the Company with the ability to repay project
construction loans while maintaining leverage to a firming
U3O8 price.
Ore Sales Arrangement
- The Company signed a Letter of Intent with Orano in 2017,
regarding delivery of Dasa ore to the SOMAIR plant in Arlit.
- The intent was to develop the underground mine rapidly so that
ore could be shipped to Orano's SOMAIR processing plant according
to a schedule proposed by Orano.
- The Company has concluded that a final agreement with Orano is
not forthcoming, and accordingly, has excluded early ore shipments
from its current planning.
Project Development Schedule
- The Company has experienced delays in logistics due to the
political situation in Niger.
- Combined with certain delays experienced with engineering and
procurement, the commissioning date of the process plant is now
forecast for the end of 2025.
- The mine plan is currently being updated to incorporate
additional Indicated Resources pursuant to the Company's updated
Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") of May 2023.
- The current plan is to provide ore to the processing plant from
the end of 2025.
Turkish Zinc Joint Venture
- The Turkish Zinc Joint Venture ("BST" or the "Turkish JV")
plant processed 21,197 tonnes EAFD in Q3 2023 as it resumed
operations following the significant earthquakes earlier in the
year.
- The zinc contained in concentrate shipments was 4.1 million
pounds and the average monthly LME zinc price was US$1.10/lb in Q3 2023.
- The Company's share of the Turkish JV EBITDA was a loss of
$1.9 million in Q3 2023 ($1.7 million loss in Q3 2022).
- The revolving credit facility of the Turkish JV was
US$11.8 million as of the end of Q3
2023 (Global Atomic share – US$5.8
million).
- The cash balance of the Turkish JV was US$1.5 million as of the end of Q3 2023.
- It is expected that the Turkish JV will operate at full
capacity through to the end of 2023.
- It is also expected that the Turkish JV will return to
profitability in 2024 with the normalization of the cost of the
EAFD and coking coal used to produce the zinc oxide
concentrate.
Corporate
- Global Atomic continues to receive quarterly management fees
and monthly sales commissions from the Turkish JV ($166,000 in Q3 2023 compared to $209,000 in Q3 2022), helping to offset corporate
overhead costs.
- Cash balance as of September 30,
2023, was $23.5 million.
GLOBAL ATOMIC CORPORATION COMPARATIVE RESULTS
The following table summarizes comparative results of operations
of the Company:
|
Three months ended
September 30,
|
|
Nine months ended
September 30,
|
(all amounts in
C$)
|
2023
|
|
2022
|
|
2023
|
|
2022
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
$
165,669
|
|
$
209,393
|
|
$
498,783
|
|
$
1,039,371
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General and
administration
|
1,539,895
|
|
1,874,722
|
|
6,179,047
|
|
6,907,950
|
Share of equity loss
(earnings)
|
3,215,405
|
|
2,201,074
|
|
8,150,927
|
|
(328,227)
|
Other
expense
|
-
|
|
(10,564)
|
|
-
|
|
581,071
|
Finance
income
|
(353,635)
|
|
(40,301)
|
|
(958,763)
|
|
(83,439)
|
Foreign exchange
loss
|
(3,435,995)
|
|
(2,456,458)
|
|
(621,889)
|
|
(2,389,045)
|
Net
loss
|
$
(800,001)
|
|
$
(1,359,080)
|
|
$
(12,250,539)
|
|
$
(3,648,939)
|
Net loss attributable
to:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders of the
Company
|
(804,775)
|
|
(1,316,378)
|
|
(12,280,586)
|
|
(3,606,237)
|
Non-controlling
interests
|
4,774
|
|
(42,702)
|
|
30,047
|
|
(42,702)
|
Other comprehensive
income (loss)
|
$
2,524,768
|
|
$
1,614,064
|
|
$
(274,231)
|
|
$
(2,921,921)
|
Comprehensive
loss
|
$
1,724,767
|
|
$
254,984
|
|
$
(12,524,770)
|
|
$
(6,570,860)
|
Comprehensive loss
attributable to:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders of the
Company
|
1,732,294
|
|
189,625
|
|
(12,523,442)
|
|
(6,636,219)
|
Non-controlling
interests
|
(7,527)
|
|
65,359
|
|
(1,328)
|
|
65,359
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted net
loss per share
|
($0.00)
|
|
($0.01)
|
|
($0.06)
|
|
($0.02)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
weighted-average
number of shares outstanding
|
202,191,445
|
|
178,178,390
|
|
196,386,501
|
|
176,709,774
|
Diluted
weighted-average
number of shares outstanding
|
202,191,445
|
|
178,178,390
|
|
196,386,501
|
|
176,709,774
|
|
September
30,
|
|
December
31,
|
|
2023
|
|
2022
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
|
$ 23,483,749
|
|
$
8,400,008
|
Property, plant and
equipment
|
119,719,403
|
|
82,234,716
|
Exploration &
evaluation assets
|
1,312,217
|
|
1,115,983
|
Investment in joint
venture
|
8,575,135
|
|
16,387,040
|
Other assets
|
5,130,736
|
|
2,118,258
|
Total
assets
|
$
158,221,240
|
|
$
110,256,005
|
|
|
|
|
Total
liabilities
|
$
13,519,085
|
|
$
8,746,681
|
|
|
|
|
Total
equity
|
$
144,702,155
|
|
$
101,509,324
|
The consolidated financial statements reflect the equity method
of accounting for Global Atomic's interest in the Turkish JV. The
Company's share of net earnings and net assets are disclosed in the
notes to the financial statements. See also the commentary below
under "Turkish Zinc EAFD Operations."
Revenues include management fees and sales
commissions received from the joint venture. These are based on
joint venture revenues generated and zinc concentrate tonnes
sold.
General and administration costs at the
corporate level include general office and management expenses,
stock option awards, depreciation, costs related to maintaining a
public listing, professional fees, audit, legal, accounting, tax
and consultants' costs, insurance, travel, and other miscellaneous
office expenses.
Share of net earnings from joint
venture represents Global Atomic's equity share of net
earnings from the Turkish JV. In view of limited production, lower
zinc prices in 2023, significant increases in expenses, devaluation
of the Turkish Lira resulting in a negative equity income of
$3.2 million in Q3 2023 and
$8.2 million for the nine months
ended September 30, 2023.
URANIUM BUSINESS
Resources
On May 23, 2023, the Company
announced an updated mineral resource estimate for the Dasa
Project. The new mineral resource estimate incorporates drill,
probe and chemical assay data compiled from an extensive
16,000-meter drill program initiated in September 2021 that focused on infill drilling to
upgrade Inferred Resources to the higher resource classification of
Indicated to allow these resources to be included in an updated
mine plan and mineral reserve. The current basis for production
plans at the Dasa Project, remains the mineral reserve disclosed in
the 2021 Dasa Technical Report. The Company plans to update the
Technical Report with the new resource information and will
disclose any revisions to that mineral reserve or to the mine plan,
including in a material change report. The Indicated Resource using
a cut-off grade of 1,500 ppm eU3O8, has
increased by 50%.
Reserve Expansion
Drill results from the 2021/22 16,000-meter drill program
indicate that Zones 2, 2a and 2b now
represent a contiguous zone that joins up with Zone 3 and is
estimated to be approximately three times larger than initially
defined.
On the strength of results from the overall drill program,
Global Atomic updated the Dasa Mineral Resource Estimate ("revised
MRE") and will in turn update its Mine
Plan which is expected to result in larger and
contiguous mining Zones, reduced underground development work
between the Zones, lower operating costs and an increase in
mineable reserves.
The revised MRE was completed on May 23,
2023. The Company plans to use the revised MRE to complete a
revised mine plan for the Dasa Project, followed by a revised
Feasibility Study.
Offtake Agreements
On May 8, 2023, the Company
announced that it had formalized its June
2022 Letter of Intent by signing a Definitive Agreement with
a major North American utility for their procurement of uranium
from the Dasa Project. The agreement represents the supply of up to
2.1 million pounds U3O8 within a multi-year
delivery window beginning in 2025, representing about 7% of Dasa's
annual production over the period with a revenue potential valued
in excess of US$110 million in real
terms. The announcement also noted that in January 2023, the Company formalized a similar
agreement with another major North American utility for the
procurement of Dasa's uranium, representing the supply of 2.4
million pounds U3O8 over a six-year period
commencing in 2025, representing a revenue potential of
US$140 million in real terms. In
total these two agreements represent revenue potential of over
US$250 million. On October 2, 2023, the Company announced that it
had entered into a Letter of Intent to sell up to 3.5 million
pounds U3O8 over a multi-year delivery window
beginning in 2026, representing a revenue potential of US$240 million in real terms. Offtake agreements
now total 1.3 million pounds U3O8 per year
for the first five years of mining, providing the Company with the
ability to re-pay project construction loans while maintaining
leverage to a firming U3O8 price.
Niger Political Situation
On July 26, 2023, the military in
Niger placed the president under
house arrest and assumed day-to-day operation of the government.
This move was widely condemned by the international community. The
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) threatened
military intervention, suspended relations with Niger and closed their land and air borders
with Niger. The risk of military
intervention appears to have diminished, and it is the Company's
expectation that a negotiated resolution to the concerns raised by
ECOWAS will be reached over the coming months. Many ECOWAS
countries did not support the border closures imposed by ECOWAS and
all borders remain open to economic and human traffic, except
Nigeria and Benin. The Benin route from the Port of Cotonou has
historically been the main supply route for Niger, so its border closure has disrupted the
Company's supply chain, which resulted in the Company discontinuing
mine development activities in August. On October 10, 2023, the
United States declared that the military rule is now
considered a Coup d'Etat, resulting in the suspension of US
economic assistance to the government of Niger. The United
States government indicated that a resumption of economic
assistance to the government would require the military leadership
to usher in democratic governance in a quick and credible time
frame.
Project Development Schedule
Mine development activities at the Dasa Project were halted in
August 2023, as a result of depletion
of consumable supplies and the closure of normal logistics channels
required to procure such consumable supplies. The Company had
completed 622 meters of ramp development at the time development
activities were halted. Deliveries of the required consumables are
expected in November and the mine development will resume once the
Company is able to rely on its supply chains and funding is
available. Basic engineering of the processing plant and
significantly advanced the procurement process, particularly for
long lead items. Various delays in basic engineering and
procurement processes delayed the receipt of engineered
documentation from key equipment suppliers which in turn has
delayed detailed engineering of the process plant. Assuming
financing is available when required, the Company now expects the
commissioning of the processing plant will occur in Q4 2025. The
key steps required to achieve that objective, in addition to
completing the milestones disclosed under business objectives and
milestones, are the purchase of remaining required mine and
processing plant equipment, completion of mine development, and the
construction and commissioning of the processing plant.
Ore Sales Arrangement
The Company had been in discussions for the potential sale of
ore from the Dasa Project to Orano for processing at their SOMAIR
processing plant in Niger. The
intent had been to ship ore beginning in 2024 with cash flow from
such sales contributing to the capital cost of the processing
plant. Discussions on a potential agreement have not progressed and
the Company does not currently expect to reach an agreement with
Orano and the potential for such an arrangement is no longer being
included in the Company's planning.
Project Financing
The Company has been in on-going negotiations to obtain project
financing. The project financing is being negotiated with Export
Development Canada and a U.S. development bank. On
October 10, 2023, the Company
announced that because of the Coup d'Etat designation of the
situation in Niger by the U.S.
Government, the U.S. development bank would temporarily put the
project financing on hold pending visibility on a return to
democratic elections. The Company has since been advised by the
U.S. development bank that the U.S. Government has expressed
support for the Dasa Project and the U.S. development bank has been
authorized to re-engage with the Company. The banks are now
proceeding with their review and finalization of credit committee
documentation, with target credit committee approval in
January 2024. Project costs for
purposes of the project financing have been estimated to be
US$381.8 million, including financing
costs, corporate costs and contingencies prior to achieving
commercial production (see details in management's discussion and
analysis of the Company for the three and six months ended
June 30, 2023). Additionally, a cost
overrun facility of US$28 million has
been recommended by the technical consultants to the lenders. It is
anticipated that the project financing will provide 60% of the
total project costs plus 50% of the cost overrun facility. The
Company must finance the balance with equity or quasi-equity, of
which US$61 million has been funded
to the end of September 2023.
Business Objectives and Milestones
The principal business objective of the Company is to complete
the development, construction and commissioning of the Dasa Project
by Q4 2025 and begin shipping yellowcake in fulfillment of off-take
agreements in Q1 2026. As previously disclosed, the Company had
expected commissioning of the Dasa Project to occur in Q4 2024.
However, the political situation in Niger has resulted in supply chain disruptions
and a delay in finalizing the necessary project financing. As
result of the delays, the Company has re-evaluated the timeline for
commissioning of the Dasa Project and the near-term milestones
towards achieving its objective.
The Company's business plan over the next 12 months includes the
following milestones in advancing the Dasa Project:
- Complete equipment and construction contracts,
- Obtain key equipment engineering to enable completion of
detailed engineering,
- Update mine plan based on updated May
2023 mineral resource estimate,
- Update capital and operating costs for the mine and processing
plant,
- Complete an updated feasibility study.
The Company estimates that it requires $20.0 million over the next 12 months to complete
the foregoing milestones ($6.8
million) and for site maintenance, Niamey office, general corporate and working
capital requirements ($13.2 million).
The estimate is based on fixed cost contracts for engineering,
equipment payment schedules, and the Company's experience in
payroll and other site related costs, Niamey office operating costs and corporate
costs. Corporate costs are included at a run rate of approximately
$283,000 per month. The Company's
current working capital of $21.5
million as at September 30,
2023 (including $23.5 million
in cash) is sufficient to meet the Company's requirements over the
next 12 months. In the event the Company obtains project financing
or secures other sources of financing prior to the end of the
12-month period, the Company may use the additional funds to
accelerate the commencement of other project development
activities.
The Niger political situation
has interrupted the normal flow of goods through the Benin logistical channels. Otherwise, the
Company has not experienced any difficulties in its business or
with the present government. The government of Niger has offered encouragement in the
development of the Dasa Project and all support required to
accelerate construction and start of operations. Accordingly, the
Company does not expect any difficulties in achieving the above
milestones due to any local Niger
government actions. Some of the milestones are already advancing
with service providers outside Niger and the Company believes all the
milestones could be achieved remotely if necessary.
The Company estimates that the total remaining cost to achieve
its business objective of completing the development, construction
and commissioning of the Dasa Project is in the range of
US$250 to US$275 million. This estimate includes a
contingency of US$39 million and mine
operating costs for a period of five months following commencement
of mining operation. The estimate excludes any financing charges
payable in connection with any project or other financing obtained
by the Company. The Company will be required to obtain additional
financing to fund the cost of completion of the Dasa Project. There
can be no assurance that the required financing will be available
on terms acceptable to the Company or at all.
TURKISH ZINC EAFD OPERATIONS
The Company's Turkish EAFD business operates through a joint
venture with Befesa Zinc S.A.U. ("Befesa"), an industry leading
Spanish company that operates a number of Waelz kilns throughout
Europe, North America and Asia. On October 27,
2010, Global Atomic and Befesa established joint venture,
known as Befesa Silvermet Turkey, S.L. ("BST" or the "Turkish JV")
to operate an existing plant and develop the EAFD recycling
business in Türkiye. BST is held 51% by Befesa and 49% by Global
Atomic. A Shareholders Agreement governs the relationship between
the parties. Under the terms of the Shareholders Agreement,
management fees and sales commissions are distributed pro rata to
Befesa and Global Atomic. Net income earned each year in Türkiye,
less funds needed to fund operations, must be distributed to the
partners annually, following the BST annual meeting, which is
usually held in the second quarter of the following year.
BST owns and operates an EAFD processing plant in Iskenderun,
Türkiye. The plant processes EAFD containing 25% to 30% zinc that
is obtained from electric arc steel mills, and produces a zinc
concentrate grading 65% to 68% zinc that is then sold to zinc
smelters.
Global Atomic holds a 49% interest in the Turkish JV and, as
such, the investment is accounted for using the equity basis of
accounting. Under this basis of accounting, the Company's share of
the BST's earnings is shown as a single line in its Consolidated
Statements of Income (Loss).
The following table summarizes comparative operational metrics
of the Iskenderun facility.
|
Three months ended
September 30,
|
|
Nine months ended
September 30,
|
|
2023
|
|
2022
|
|
2023
|
|
2022
|
|
100 %
|
|
100 %
|
|
100 %
|
|
100 %
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exchange rate (C$/TL,
average)
|
19.99
|
|
13.72
|
|
16.53
|
|
12.43
|
Exchange rate (US$/C$,
average)
|
1.34
|
|
1.31
|
|
1.35
|
|
1.29
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exchange rate (C$/TL,
period-end)
|
20.28
|
|
13.51
|
|
20.28
|
|
13.51
|
Exchange rate (US$/C$,
period-end)
|
1.35
|
|
1.37
|
|
1.35
|
|
1.37
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average monthly LME
zinc price (US$/lb)
|
1.10
|
|
1.48
|
|
1.22
|
|
1.65
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EAFD processed
(DMT)
|
21,197
|
|
15,022
|
|
44,556
|
|
60,633
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Production
(DMT)
|
5,887
|
|
4,596
|
|
12,866
|
|
18,435
|
Sales (DMT)
|
2,881
|
|
6,389
|
|
12,387
|
|
20,150
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales (zinc content
'000 lbs)
|
4,109
|
|
9,200
|
|
17,853
|
|
29,163
|
For the nine months ended September 30,
2023, world steel production increased by 0.1% over the
comparable 2022 period. The impact by region was mixed. For the
first nine months of 2023 compared to 2022: Chinese production
increased 1.7%; European Union production decreased 9.1%; North
American production decreased 3.3%, and Turkish production
decreased by 10.1%.
In October 2023, the World Steel
Association published its short-term outlook for demand, which
projected 1.8% overall global demand growth in 2023 and a further
growth of 1.9% in 2024. Sharp decreases in construction activities
due to the Turkish Lira's devaluation and high inflation lead to a
decrease in steel demand in 2022. However, Turkish steel demand is
expected to record very high growth of 19.0% in 2023 and to
continue to grow in 2024 where the construction sector is expected
to grow by 15% due to the rebuilding and reinforcing efforts in
high earthquake-risk areas.
The impact of the Ukrainian conflict on global steel markets is
uncertain, however as exports from Russia and Ukraine have historically accounted for 10% of
global steel exports, it is likely a material percentage of this
supply will be replaced by increased production in other
countries.
|
Three months ended
September 30,
|
|
Nine months ended
September 30,
|
|
2023
|
|
2022
|
|
2023
|
|
2022
|
|
100 %
|
|
100 %
|
|
100 %
|
|
100 %
|
Net sales
revenues
|
$
6,913,357
|
|
$
15,812,371
|
|
$
18,929,400
|
|
$
48,289,793
|
Cost of
sales
|
10,758,575
|
|
19,803,086
|
|
27,387,786
|
|
41,092,605
|
Foreign exchange
gain
|
6,236
|
|
528,443
|
|
908,851
|
|
1,514,451
|
EBITDA(1)
|
$
(3,838,982)
|
|
$
(3,462,272)
|
|
$
(7,549,535)
|
|
$
8,711,639
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Management fees &
sales commissions
|
377,112
|
|
452,422
|
|
1,104,582
|
|
2,142,367
|
Depreciation
|
1,209,775
|
|
1,775,404
|
|
2,690,056
|
|
2,518,976
|
Interest
expense
|
715,927
|
|
377,852
|
|
1,508,049
|
|
914,605
|
Foreign exchange loss
on debt and cash
|
1,826,155
|
|
870,963
|
|
5,498,963
|
|
3,431,433
|
Monetary
gain
|
(3,278,789)
|
|
(2,490,661)
|
|
(4,379,811)
|
|
(2,490,661)
|
Tax expense
(recovery)
|
1,872,890
|
|
43,736
|
|
2,663,171
|
|
1,525,068
|
Net income
(loss)
|
$
(6,562,052)
|
|
$
(4,491,988)
|
|
$
(16,634,545)
|
|
$
669,851
|
Global Atomic's equity
share
|
$
(3,215,405)
|
|
$
(2,201,074)
|
|
$
(8,150,927)
|
|
$
328,227
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Global Atomic's share
of EBITDA
|
$
(1,881,101)
|
|
$
(1,696,513)
|
|
$
(3,699,272)
|
|
$
4,268,703
|
(1)
|
EBITDA is a non-IFRS
measure, does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS
and may not be comparable to similar terms and measures presented
by other issuers. EBITDA comprises earnings before income taxes,
interest expense (income), foreign exchange loss (gain) on debt and
bank, depreciation, management fees, sales commissions, losses
(gains) on sale of property, plant and equipment.
|
Zinc concentrates are sold to smelters in US dollars. Because
the Turkish Lira is the functional currency of the Turkish
operations, sales are converted to Turkish Lira at the date of the
sale. When funds are subsequently received, when the Turkish Lira
depreciated, exchange gains were recognized on those sales due to
the depreciation of the Turkish Lira. For the 9 months ended
September 30, 2023, the Turkish Lira
declined in value by 46% relative to the Canadian dollar. Most of
this decline occurred in Q2 2023. In calculating EBITDA, these
exchange changes related to the functional and reporting currencies
are treated as operations related (i.e., above the EBITDA
subtotal).
All the financial statement line items included in the Turkish
Zinc JV consolidated statements of income (loss) for the three and
nine months periods ended September 30,
2023 include hyperinflation impact for the three and nine
months periods ended September 30,
2023.
The Turkish Zinc JV incurred significant deterioration in
revenues for the nine months ended September
30, 2023 over the comparable 2022 period, due to processing
less EAFD and much lower zinc prices. Sales are recorded upon
receipt at the smelter, which means that recorded sales in any
given month generally represent the concentrate from EAFD processed
in the prior month. The plant was under a scheduled maintenance
shutdown in January 2023. Due to the
earthquake on February 6, 2023, the
recycling plant resumed operation following a thorough inspection
in March 2023.
Although less EAFD has been processed over the 9 months ended
September 30, 2023, a significant
increase in throughput has been realized in the 3 months ended
September 30, 2023, reflecting the
recovery in the aftermath of the earthquake. The Turkish Zinc JV
currently has sufficient EAFD inventory to operate continuously
through the end of 2023.
The Turkish Zinc JV realized significant increases in expenses.
The Ukrainian conflict, post-COVID demand increases, raw material
shortages and global logistics challenges resulted in substantial
inflationary pressures on all costs. Moreover, The Turkish Zinc JV
also incurred extraordinary expenses related to the massive
earthquake such as financial support to the employees, fixed costs
incurred due to the unplanned stoppage have in combination resulted
in a negative EBITDA. The Turkish Zinc JV also realized significant
negative impact of EAFD purchase contracts that were entered into
when zinc prices were much higher. Such contracts are now being
replaced with contracts consistent with current zinc prices, so a
return to profitability is expected.
The cash balance of the Turkish JV was US$1.5 million at September 30, 2023.
The local Turkish revolving credit facility balance was
US$11.8 million at September 30, 2023 (December 31, 2022 - US$8.3
million) and bears interest at 12%.
About Global Atomic
Global Atomic Corporation (https://www.globalatomiccorp.com) is
a publicly listed company that provides a unique combination of
high-grade uranium mine development and cash-flowing zinc
concentrate production.
The Company's Uranium Division includes four deposits with the
flagship project being the large, high-grade Dasa Project,
discovered in 2010 by Global Atomic geologists through grassroots
field exploration. With the issuance of the Dasa Mining Permit and
an Environmental Compliance Certificate by the Republic of
Niger, the Dasa Project is fully
permitted for commercial production. The Phase 1 Feasibility
Study for Dasa was filed in December
2021 and estimates yellowcake delivery to utilities to
commence in 2025. Mine excavation began in Q1 2022.
Global Atomic's Base Metals Division holds a 49% interest in the
Befesa Silvermet Turkey, S.L. (BST) Joint Venture, which operates a
modern zinc production plant, located in Iskenderun, Türkiye. The
plant recovers zinc from Electric Arc Furnace Dust (EAFD) to
produce a high-grade zinc oxide concentrate which is sold to zinc
smelters around the world. The Company's joint venture partner,
Befesa Zinc S.A.U. (Befesa) holds a 51% interest in and is the
operator of the BST Joint Venture. Befesa is a market leader in
EAFD recycling, with approximately 50% of the European EAFD market
and facilities located throughout Europe, Asia
and the United States of
America.
The information in this release may contain forward-looking
information under applicable securities laws. Forward-looking
information includes, but is not limited to, statements with
respect to completion of any financings; Global Atomic's
development potential and timetable of its operations, development
and exploration assets; Global Atomics' ability to raise additional
funds necessary; the future price of uranium; the estimation of
mineral reserves and resources; conclusions of economic evaluation;
the realization of mineral reserve estimates; the timing and amount
of estimated future production, development and exploration; cost
of future activities; capital and operating expenditures; success
of exploration activities; mining or processing issues; currency
exchange rates; government regulation of mining operations; and
environmental and permitting risks. Generally, forward-looking
statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking
terminology such as "plans", "targets", "expects", "does not
expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates",
"forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "does not anticipate", or
"believes" or variations of such words and phrases or statements
that certain actions, events or results "could", "would", "might",
"will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". All information
contained in this news release, other than statements of current or
historical fact, is forward-looking information. Statements of
forward-looking information are subject to known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results,
level of activity, performance or achievements of Global Atomic to
be materially different from those expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements, including but not limited to those
risks described in the annual information form of Global Atomic and
in its public documents filed on SEDAR from time to time.
Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and
estimates of management at the date such statements are made.
Although management of Global Atomic has attempted to identify
important factors that could cause actual results to be materially
different from those forward-looking statements, there may be other
factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or
intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove
to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ
materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly,
readers should not place undue reliance upon forward-looking
statements. Global Atomic does not undertake to update any
forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable
securities law. Readers should also review the risks and
uncertainties sections of Global Atomics' annual and interim
MD&As.
The Toronto Stock Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept
responsibility for the adequacy and accuracy of this news
release.
SOURCE Global Atomic Corporation