Tommy
11 years ago
$VEGYF - Virginia Energy Provides Update
Dec 20, 2013
|
http://www.virginiaenergyresources.com/s/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=616619&_Type=News-Releases&_Title=Virginia-Energy-Provides-Update
Virginia Energy Resources Inc. (TSX.V: VUI; OTCQX: VEGYF) ("Virginia Energy" or the "Company") wishes to update shareholders on the most recent political developments in the state of Virginia. The company suffered a setback following the election of the Democratic candidate Terry McAuliffe as the Commonwealth's next Governor. McAuliffe's post-election statements of opposition to our project are disheartening to say the least. As a result, the company has decided to temporarily suspend some of its activities so that the Board can evaluate the best course of action to advance the longer term potential of Coles Hill uranium project.
The Company has significantly scaled back its government affairs program for the 2014 Virginia Legislative session and will likewise scale back some of the technical work on the project, at least for the interim period. Over the past 6 years, the tireless efforts of company staff and consultants have contributed significantly toward advancing the project.
Most notably:
Completing an updated Preliminary Economic Assessment on the project in June of 2012
A positive 11-2 vote by the Virginia Coal and Energy Commission in December 2012 recommending that the Virginia legislature move forward with establishing regulations to allow uranium mining in the Commonwealth
Resolutions from the Pittsylvania County Farm Bureau in 2013 in support of developing uranium mining regulations
Ongoing baseline technical data collection that has prepared the project to begin the federal licensing phase
Dramatic growth to over 4,000 members of the People for Economic Prosperity, a local advocacy group consisting of small business owners, farmers and citizens living in Pittsylvania County
While Governor-elect McAuliffe's comments are discouraging, the Company remains as determined as ever to see this project through to completion and help to bring about the economic revitalization of Southside Virginia. The company believes that it will find a viable path forward and shall pursue it with steadfast determination.
In other business, the Company's Annual General and Special Meeting of the shareholders was held in Chatham, Virginia, USA, on Monday, October 7, 2013. The number of directors, appointment of auditors and the company's stock option plan were approved as proposed by management.
The shareholders re-elected Walter Coles, Sr., Norman Reynolds, Ronald F. Hochstein, Neal Keesee and Graham Moylan to the Board of Directors ("Board").
Former director Peter Grosskopf did not stand for re-election and the Board would like to thank Mr. Grosskopf for his services to the Company.
About Virginia Energy Resources Inc.
Virginia Energy Resources Inc. is a uranium development and exploration company. The company holds a 100% controlling interest in the advanced stage Coles Hill uranium project located in south central Virginia, USA. Additionally, the company owns mineral exploration properties in the Otish Basin of Quebec, Canada.
Tommy
11 years ago
Steve Yuzpe and Maria Smirnova: Why Sprott Resource Corp. Sold $76M in Bullion
http://www.theenergyreport.com/pub/na/15756?utm_source=delivra&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=FINAL+TMR+12-17-13
TMR: What percentage of Sprott Resource Corp.'s assets is in the energy space?
SY: If I include actual exploration and production companies (E&Ps), as well as the energy services sector, it's about 60%. Our investments in the energy sector are primarily in light and heavy oil and natural gas, uranium and the services sector. We buy when commodities are cheap and we see opportunities over the next few years, meaning the commodity is likely to move back to its mean price or beyond and has the potential to create good returns. Those areas are natural gas, metallurgical coal and uranium. Those are the places where we see a lot of value right now.
TMR: Sprott has a 19.9% ownership stake in Virginia Energy Resources Inc. (VUI:TSX.V; VEGYF:OTCQX), which is developing the Coles Hills project in southern Virginia. But there's a moratorium on uranium mining there. Why would you take such a large stake in a junior with that much risk?
SY: Due to the moratorium, we were able to buy a stake in a large uranium deposit at a huge discount to the project's estimated net asset value (NAV). We believe that the U.S. is going to have to, at some point, develop domestic supplies of uranium. The U.S. already imports 90% of its uranium today and 20% of its energy is derived from nuclear power. Something's got to give there. Buying into a deposit at a huge discount gives us the opportunity to make an outsized return as it goes through the stages of development. Obviously, if the mining law doesn't change, we won't make any money on the investment. But, if the mining law does change, I believe that Virginia Energy will get rerated. We can take a very long-term view in the development of these assets. The risk/reward was absolutely in our favor.
TMR: The Coles Hill project has 133 million pound (133 Mlb) Indicated resource. That makes it among the largest undeveloped uranium resources in the U.S. If that law changes, is it a takeover target?
SY: It's more likely to be a takeover target if it can take the next step, which is getting permitted.
Tommy
12 years ago
$VEGYF - VUI.V - Virginia Keeps Ban on Uranium Mining
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323926104578276301077546238.html
By CAMERON MCWHIRTER
A bill to lift a decades long ban on uranium mining in Virginia was withdrawn Thursday just before a state Senate panel vote where it was expected to be defeated.
The bill, pulled by its sponsor, Republican Sen. John C. Watkins, was backed by a company that wanted to mine an estimated $7 billion worth of uranium from a farm in southern Virginia.
A coalition of environmentalists, farmers and municipal leaders opposed the bill, saying mining uranium would endanger the environment and water supply.
Supporters of lifting the ban say any radioactive pollution caused at the proposed mine could be contained. They say the mine would have bolstered the region's economy and helped make the U.S. energy-independent.
The Senate's Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee had been set to vote on the bill Thursday afternoon. Mr. Watkins, after withdrawing the bill, said in a statement it was "very frustrating to me that I have been unable to convince some of my colleagues that this [uranium mining] effort can be accomplished safely and economically here in Virginia."
The bill's withdrawal marks the end, at least for this year, of efforts by Virginia Uranium Inc. to mine the largest known deposit of undeveloped uranium in the U.S. The company estimates the deposit contains at least 119 million pounds of uranium oxide—which when processed is used to fuel nuclear reactors—beneath part of a 3,500-acre farm outside Chatham, Va.
"We're not discouraged," said Patrick Wales, Virginia Uranium's project manager. He added that persuading legislators could take several legislative sessions.
Geologists have known of the deposit outside Chatham for years. But in 1982, the General Assembly imposed a moratorium on uranium mining. In 2006, the family that owns the farm where the ore is located formed Virginia Uranium and began pressing the state to lift its ban.
"There is no way to spin this, other than to see it for what it is, a direct repudiation of the plan that VU [Virginia Uranium] has set forth," said Cale Jaffe, senior attorney for the Southern Environmental Law Center, which is part of the coalition against the bill.
Robert Bodnar, an economic geologist at Virginia Tech who has studied the site, partly with Virginia Uranium funding, said: "In this case, the paranoia and the unfounded fears and concerns have won out over good, hard science."
Write to Cameron McWhirter at cameron.mcwhirter@wsj.com
Anty_Jr
12 years ago
Virginia Energy and Energy Fuels Announce Financing; Virginia Energy Closes Bridge Loan
Dec 28, 2012 |
NR: 12-04
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES
Virginia Energy Resources Inc. (TSX.V: VUI; OTCQX: VEGYF) ("Virginia Energy") and Energy Fuels Inc. ("Energy Fuels") (TSX:EFR) are pleased to announce that they have reached understandings amongst themselves and others pursuant to which Virginia Energy proposes to issue and sell, subject to regulatory approval, by way of a non-brokered private placement financing, 14,285,714 common shares in the capital of Virginia Energy (each, a "Common Share") at a price of $0.42 per Common Share for expected aggregate gross proceeds (in cash and shares) of up to $6,000,000 (the "Offering"). The lead investors in the capital raise are Energy Fuels and Sprott Resource Corp. ("Sprott").
Virginia Energy owns 100% of the Coles Hill uranium project, a large uranium development project located in south central Virginia. Coles Hill hosts the largest known uranium deposit in the United States with 119.6 million tons of Indicated Resource with an average grade of 0.056% eU3O8 containing 133 million pounds of eU3O8. An updated preliminary environmental assessment was announced by Virginia Energy in September 2012 and can be viewed on Virginia Energy's profile on SEDAR (see www.sedar.com).
Energy Fuels' investment in Virginia Energy is expected to bring significant expertise to the Coles Hill project from a technical and regulatory perspective on uranium mining, milling and tailings management. Energy Fuels is currently the largest conventional uranium producer in the United States. It owns the White Mesa uranium mill, near Blanding, Utah, the only operating uranium mill in the US. Energy Fuels also has a dominant resource position in three of the most productive historical uranium districts in the US. In addition, Energy Fuels has long-term supply contracts to provide fuel for nuclear power plants owned by a number of US and foreign utilities.
Stephen Antony, the CEO of Energy Fuels, commented, "The Coles Hill uranium project is the largest uranium development project in the US and has strong technical and economic merit. The US is currently the biggest consumer of uranium in the world, yet we import more than 90% of our supply requirements. We are pleased to partner with Virginia Energy and help advance the Coles Hill project toward becoming a major domestic uranium producer that is committed to the highest standards of operational safety and environmental protection. We are also confident that the Coles Hill project has the potential to create significant economic value for the state of Virginia and generate strong investment returns for Virginia Energy shareholders."
Energy Fuels will acquire 9,439,857 common shares of Virginia Energy or approximately 19.9% of Virginia Energy upon completion of the Offering and will be granted the right to nominate one director for election or appointment to the Board of Directors of Virginia Energy as long as it holds at least 5% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares, increasing to 9.9% after 2 years. Graham Moylan has been proposed as Energy Fuels' initial nominee and would also serve on the audit committee. Mr. Moylan is a licensed Certified Public Accountant, currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer of Energy Fuels and previously worked as an investment banker at a Canadian investment dealer gaining extensive financing and financial advisory experience within the uranium sector. The appointment is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.
Walter Coles Sr., CEO of Virginia Energy, commented, "Energy Fuels is the recognized leader in conventional uranium mining and milling in the United States. Their investment brings with it vast experience and technical expertise. We are excited to have Energy Fuels as a partner and with their assistance we hope to eventually permit and build one of the safest and most productive new uranium mines in the world."
Energy Fuels' subscription will be paid through a combination of $250,000 of cash and 21,851,411 Energy Fuels common shares issued on a private placement basis. Energy Fuels' participation in the Offering and the issuance of the Energy Fuels common shares to Virginia Energy is subject to the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange.
Mr. Coles added, "This will be a valuable strategic partnership between Energy Fuels and Virginia Energy and we expect the resulting synergies to create value for both companies. Energy Fuels brings significant technical expertise in terms of permitting, developing and operating uranium mines in the U.S. We believe it is important to realize these synergies now, because we are approaching a very important period with respect to advancing the development of the Coles Hill project. At the present time both parties recognize and believe that our industry and in particular, our respective companies, are significantly undervalued. Despite owning the largest undeveloped uranium resource in the US which based on a preliminary economic assessment completed in September 2012 showed an estimated NPV of US $427 Million, Virginia Energy, based on its current market capitalization, is trading at a highly discounted EV/Resource multiple relative to its peers and at an approximate 95% discount to the aforementioned estimated NPV. Fundamentals in the uranium sector remain strong, and uranium companies with quality underlying assets such as Energy Fuels are positioned to perform well in 2013. Therefore Virginia Energy is pleased to receive Energy Fuels stock in lieu of cash for a large portion of their subscription." With regard to the balance of the Offering, Sprott will acquire approximately 20% of the private placement for $1.2 million of cash. Other current shareholders are expected to acquire the remaining approximately $835,000 of the Offering. The total cash to be received by Virginia Energy in the Offering is expected to be approximately $2,285,000.
Common Shares issued under the Offering will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the applicable closing date of the Offering. In accordance with regulations of the TSX Venture Exchange, finder's fees may be payable to accredited agents on that portion of the Offering from purchasers identified by such finder, including the subscription by Energy Fuels. Funds from the Offering will be used for general working capital. The completion of the Offering is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. Dundee Securities acted as an advisor to Virginia Energy with respect to the Energy Fuels investment.
In addition, on December 27, 2012, Virginia Energy closed a bridge loan facility for a total amount of $750,000 with Sprott Resource Lending Partnership. The bridge loan is repayable on closing of the Virginia Energy's equity financing, but no later than February 28, 2013 and bears an annual interest rate of 12%. No securities of Virginia Energy were issued or made issuable in connection with the bridge loan from Sprott Resource Lending Partnership.
The securities offered have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or applicable state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from such registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.
About Virginia Energy Resources Inc.
Virginia Energy Resources Inc. is a uranium development and exploration company. The company holds a 100% stake in the advanced stage Coles Hill uranium project located in south central Virginia, USA. Additionally, the company operates a uranium exploration program in the Otish Basin of Quebec, Canada.
About Energy Fuels Inc.
Energy Fuels Inc. is America's largest conventional uranium producer, supplying approximately 25% of the uranium produced in the U.S., and is a significant producer of vanadium. Energy Fuels operates the White Mesa Mill, which is the only conventional uranium mill currently operating in the U.S., capable of processing 2,000 tons per day of uranium ore. Energy Fuels has projects located throughout the Western U.S., including producing mines, standby mines, and other mineral properties in various stages of permitting and development.
Michael Cathro, M.Sc., P.Geo., Vice-President of Exploration for Virginia Energy, is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure contained in this document related to Virginia Energy.
Stephen P. Antony, P.E., President & CEO of Energy Fuels, is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure contained in this document related to Energy Fuels.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Information
Certain of the statements and information in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements relating to the plans for completion of the Offering. Forward-looking statements and information generally express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, or assumptions of future events or performance, do not constitute historical fact and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those reflected in such statements, including, without limitation: the risk that the Offering will not be approved by the Toronto Stock Exchange or TSX Venture Exchange; risks and uncertainties related to the full Offering not being completed in the event that there are not sufficient subscribers or the conditions thereto are not satisfied, including the acceptance by the Toronto Stock Exchange or the TSX Venture Exchange. Forward-looking statements and information contained in this release are based on the beliefs, estimates, and opinions of management on the date the statements are made. There can be no assurance that such statements or information will prove accurate. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated or projected. Virginia Energy and Energy Fuels expressly disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements and information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. No production decision with respect to the Coles Hill project has been made nor will a production decision be made until Virginia Energy has completed a feasibility study.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
For further information please contact:
For Virginia Energy Resources Inc.
Walter Coles, Jr., Executive Vice President
Phone No.: (604) 669-4799
Email: wcolesjr@va-energy.com
Investor Relations:
Tony Perri, Investor Relations, Manager
Phone No.: (604) 669-4799
Email: tperri@va-energy.com
For Energy Fuels Inc.
Stephen P. Antony, President & CEO
Phone No.: (303) 974-2140
Email: santony@energyfuels.com
Investor Relations:
Curtis H. Moore, Director - Investor & Public Relations
Phone No.: (303) 974-2140
Email: cmoore@energyfuels.com
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