WSTRF 10-Q
Western Uranium & Vanadium Corp. (WSTRF)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM
(Mark One)
For
the quarterly period ended
or
For the transition period from ______________to ______________
Commission
File Number
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
| (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) | (I.R.S.
Employer |
| (Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) |
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of exchange on which registered | ||
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2)
has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule
405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ☐ | Accelerated filer ☐ |
| Smaller reporting company | |
| Emerging growth company |
If
an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying
with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No
As
of May 17, 2023,
WESTERN URANIUM & VANADIUM CORP.
FORM 10-Q
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| i |
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
WESTERN URANIUM & VANADIUM CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Stated in USD)
(Unaudited)
| As of | ||||||||
| March 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||
| Assets | ||||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||||
| Cash | $ | $ | ||||||
| Restricted cash, current portion | ||||||||
| Prepaid expenses | ||||||||
| Marketable securities | ||||||||
| Other current assets | ||||||||
| Total current assets | ||||||||
| Restricted cash, net of current portion | ||||||||
| Mineral properties and equipment, net | ||||||||
| Kinetic separation intellectual property | ||||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | ||||||
| Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity | ||||||||
| Liabilities | ||||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | $ | $ | ||||||
| Reclamation liability, current portion | ||||||||
| Deferred revenue, current portion | ||||||||
| Total current liabilities | ||||||||
| Reclamation liability, net of current portion | ||||||||
| Deferred tax liability | ||||||||
| Deferred contingent consideration | ||||||||
| Total liabilities | ||||||||
| Shareholders’ Equity | ||||||||
| Treasury shares, | ||||||||
| Accumulated deficit | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Total shareholders’ equity | ||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | $ | ||||||
| 1 |
WESTERN URANIUM & VANADIUM CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(Stated in USD)
(Unaudited)
| For the Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Revenues | $ | $ | ||||||
| Expenses | ||||||||
| Mining expenditures | ||||||||
| Professional fees | ||||||||
| General and administrative | ||||||||
| Consulting fees | ||||||||
| Total operating expenses | ||||||||
| Operating loss | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Accretion and interest (income) expense, net | ( | ) | ||||||
| Other income | ( | ) | ||||||
| Net loss | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Other comprehensive loss | ||||||||
| Foreign exchange gain | ||||||||
| Comprehensive loss | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
| $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | |||
| 2 |
WESTERN URANIUM & VANADIUM CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Stated in USD)
(Unaudited)
| Common Shares | Treasury Shares | Accumulated | Accumulated Other Comprehensive | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Deficit | (Loss) Income | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of January 1, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange gain | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock based compensation - stock options | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | - | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of March 31, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of January 1, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Private placement - January 20, 2022, net of offering costs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from exercise of warrants | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock based compensation - stock options | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange gain | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | - | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of March 31, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 |
WESTERN URANIUM & VANADIUM CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Stated in USD)
(Unaudited)
| For the Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Cash Flows From (Used In) Operating Activities: | ||||||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
| Reconciliation of net loss to cash provided by (used in) operating activities: | ||||||||
| Depreciation | ||||||||
| Accretion of reclamation liability | ||||||||
| Stock based compensation | ||||||||
| Change in marketable securities | ||||||||
| Change in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | ( | ) | ||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | ( | ) | ||||||
| Subscription payable | ( | ) | ||||||
| Deferred revenue | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Contingent consideration | ( | ) | ||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Cash Flows Used In Investing Activities | ||||||||
| Purchase of mineral properties and equipment | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Cash Flows From Financing Activities | ||||||||
| Proceeds from warrant exercises | ||||||||
| Issuances of common shares, net of offering costs | ||||||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | ||||||||
| Effect of foreign exchange rate on cash | ||||||||
| Net (decrease) increase in cash and restricted cash | ( | ) | ||||||
| Cash and restricted cash - beginning | ||||||||
| Cash and restricted cash - ending | $ | $ | ||||||
| Cash | $ | $ | ||||||
| Restricted cash, current portion | ||||||||
| Restricted cash, noncurrent | ||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | ||||||
| Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: | ||||||||
| Cash paid during the period for: | ||||||||
| Interest | $ | $ | ||||||
| Income taxes | $ | $ | ||||||
| 4 |
WESTERN URANIUM & VANADIUM CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Stated in USD)
NOTE 1 – BUSINESS
Nature of operations
Western Uranium & Vanadium Corp. (“Western”
or the “Company”) was incorporated in December 2006 under the Ontario Business Corporations Act. On November 20, 2014, the
Company completed a listing process on the Canadian Securities Exchange (“CSE”). As part of that process, the Company acquired
The Company’s registered office is located at 330 Bay Street, Suite 1400, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5H 2S8, and its common shares are listed on the CSE under the symbol “WUC.” On April 22, 2016, the Company’s common shares began trading on the OTC Pink Open Market, and on May 23, 2016, the Company’s common shares were approved for trading on the OTCQX Best Market. The Company’s principal business activity is the acquisition and development of uranium and vanadium resource properties in the states of Utah and Colorado in the United States of America (“United States”).
On June 28, 2016, the Company’s registration statement became effective and Western became a United States reporting issuer. Thereafter, the Company was approved for Depository Trust Company eligibility through the Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation, which facilitates electronic book-entry delivery, settlement, and depository services for shares in the United States.
Note 2 – Liquidity and going concern
With the exception of the quarter ended June 30,
2022, the Company has incurred losses from its operations. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company generated a comprehensive
loss of $
Since inception, the Company has met its liquidity requirements principally through the issuance of notes and the sale of its common shares.
The Company’s ability to continue its planned operations and to pay its obligations when they become due is contingent upon the Company obtaining additional financing. Management’s plans include seeking to procure additional funds through debt and equity financing, to secure regulatory approval to fully utilize its kinetic separation (“Kinetic Separation”) technology, and to initiate the processing of ore to generate operating cash flows.
There are no assurances that the Company will be able to raise capital on terms acceptable to the Company or at all, or that cash flows generated from its operations will be sufficient to meet its current operating costs. If the Company is unable to obtain sufficient amounts of additional capital, it may be required to reduce the scope of its planned product development, which could harm its financial condition and operating results, or it may not be able to continue to fund its ongoing operations. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern to sustain operations for at least one year from the issuance of these condensed consolidated financial statements. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of these uncertainties.
| 5 |
WESTERN URANIUM & VANADIUM CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Stated in USD)
NOTE 3 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10 of Regulation S–X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. However, in the opinion of management of the Company, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and operating results have been included in these condensed consolidated financial statements. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10–K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, as filed with the SEC on April 17, 2023. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any subsequent quarters or for the year ending December 31, 2023.
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Western and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Western Uranium Corp. (Utah), PRM, Black Range, Black Range Copper Inc., Ranger Resources Inc., Black Range Minerals Inc., Black Range Minerals Colorado LLC, Black Range Minerals Wyoming LLC, Haggerty Resources LLC, Ranger Alaska LLC, Black Range Minerals Utah LLC, Black Range Minerals Ablation Holdings Inc. and Black Range Development Utah LLC. All inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated upon consolidation.
The Company has established the existence of mineralized materials for certain uranium projects. The Company has not established proven or probable reserves, as defined by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), through the completion of a “final” or “bankable” feasibility study for any of its uranium projects.
Exploration Stage and Mineral Properties
In accordance with U.S. GAAP, expenditures relating to the acquisition of mineral rights are initially capitalized as incurred while exploration and pre-extraction expenditures are expensed as incurred until such time the Company exits the exploration stage by establishing proven or probable reserves. Expenditures relating to exploration activities, such as drill programs to search for additional mineralized materials, are expensed as incurred. Expenditures relating to pre-extraction activities, such as the construction of mine wellfields, ion exchange facilities, disposal wells, and mine development, are expensed as incurred until such time proven or probable reserves are established for that uranium project, after which subsequent expenditures relating to development activities for that particular project are capitalized as incurred. Expenditures relating to mining and ore production while the Company is in the exploration stage and while the ore is stockpiled underground are expensed as incurred.
Production stage issuers, as defined in subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K, having engaged in material extraction of established mineral reserves on at least one material property, typically capitalize expenditures relating to ongoing development activities, with corresponding depletion calculated over proven and probable reserves using the units-of-production method and allocated to future reporting periods to inventory and, as that inventory is sold, to cost of goods sold. The Company is an exploration stage issuer, which has resulted in the Company reporting larger losses than if it had been in the production stage due to the expensing, instead of capitalizing, of expenditures relating to ongoing mine development and extraction activities. Additionally, there would be no corresponding amortization allocated to future reporting periods of the Company since those costs would have been expensed previously, resulting in both lower inventory costs and cost of goods sold and results of operations with higher gross profits and lower losses than if the Company had been in the production stage. Any capitalized costs, such as expenditures relating to the acquisition of mineral rights, are depleted over the estimated extraction life using the straight-line method. As a result, the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements may not be directly comparable to the financial statements of companies in the production stage. Western will not be eligible to become a production stage issuer, and will remain an exploration stage issuer, until such time as mineral reserves are established on at least one material property.
| 6 |
WESTERN URANIUM & VANADIUM CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Stated in USD)
Note 3 – SUMMARY OF Significant Accounting Policies, CONTINUED
Use of Estimates
The preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and revenues and expenses during the periods reported. By their nature, these estimates are subject to measurement uncertainty, and the effects on the condensed consolidated financial statements of changes in such estimates in future periods could be significant. Significant areas requiring management’s estimates and assumptions include the determination of the fair value of transactions involving common shares, assessment of the useful life and evaluation for impairment of Kinetic Separation intellectual property, valuation and impairment assessments of mineral properties and equipment, valuation of deferred contingent consideration, valuation of the reclamation liability, valuation of stock-based compensation, and valuation of available-for-sale securities. Other areas requiring estimates include allocations of expenditures, depletion, and amortization of mineral rights and properties. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Foreign Currency Translation
The reporting currency of the Company, including its subsidiaries, is the United States dollar. The financial statements of subsidiaries located outside of the U.S. are measured in their functional currency, which is the local currency. The functional currency of the parent (Western Uranium & Vanadium Corp. (Ontario)) is the Canadian dollar. The functional currencies of the subsidiaries is the United States dollar. Monetary assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries are translated at the exchange rates at the balance sheet date. Transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are recorded based on the exchange rates at the time of the transaction. Income and expense items are translated using average monthly exchange rates. Non-monetary assets are translated at their historical exchange rates. Translation adjustments are included in “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Revenue Recognition
The Company, from time to time, purchases prepaid uranium concentrate contracts for future delivery of uranium concentrate pursuant to supply agreements. The Company recognizes revenue upon the delivery of the uranium contract to the counterparty and charges to cost of revenues the purchase cost of the uranium concentrate contract upon such delivery.
The Company leases certain of its mineral properties for the exploration and production of oil and gas reserves. The Company accounts for lease revenue in accordance with the FASB ASC 842, Leases. Lease payments received in advance are deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis over the related lease term associated with the prepayment. Royalty payments are recognized as revenues based upon production.
Fair Values of Financial Instruments
The carrying amounts of cash, restricted cash, accounts payable, reclamation liability, contingent consideration and accrued liabilities approximate their fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments. Marketable securities are adjusted to fair value at each balance sheet date based on quoted prices which are considered level 1 inputs. The Company’s operating and financing activities are conducted primarily in Canadian dollars, and as a result, the Company is subject to exposure to market risks from changes in foreign currency rates. The Company is exposed to credit risk through its cash and restricted cash but mitigates this risk by keeping these deposits at major financial institutions.
The FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, provides the framework for measuring fair value. That framework provides a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements).
| 7 |
WESTERN URANIUM & VANADIUM CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Stated in USD)
Note 3 – SUMMARY OF Significant Accounting Policies, continued
Fair Values of Financial Instruments (continued)
Fair value is defined as an exit price, representing the amount that would be received upon the sale of an asset or payment to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Fair value is a market-based measurement that is determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. A three-tier fair value hierarchy is used to prioritize the inputs in measuring fair value as follows:
Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly.
Level 3- Significant unobservable inputs that cannot be corroborated by market data and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data or correlation by other means.
The fair value of the Company’s financial instruments are as follows:
| Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities (Level 1) | Quoted Prices for Similar Assets or Liabilities in Active Markets (Level 2) | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | ||||||||||
| Marketable securities as of March 31, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Marketable securities as of December 31, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company follows the FASB ASC 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation, which addresses the accounting for stock-based payment transactions, requiring such transactions to be accounted for using the fair value method. Awards of shares for property or services are recorded at the fair value of the stock or the fair value of the service, whichever is more readily measurable. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to determine the grant date fair value of stock-based awards under ASC 718. The fair value is charged to earnings depending on the terms and conditions of the award, and the nature of the relationship of the recipient of the award to the Company. The Company records the grant date fair value in line with the period over which it was earned. For employees and consultants, this is typically considered to be the vesting period of the award.
Net Loss per Share
Basic net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares and, if dilutive, potential common shares outstanding during the period. Potential common shares consist of the incremental common shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options and warrants (using the treasury stock method). The computation of net loss per share for each of the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 is the same for both basic and fully diluted.
Potentially dilutive securities outlined in the table below have been excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share because the effect of their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.
| For the Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Warrants to purchase common shares | ||||||||
| Options to purchase common shares | ||||||||
| Total potentially dilutive securities | ||||||||
Recent Accounting Standards
Management does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective accounting standards, when adopted, will have a material effect on the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.
| 8 |
WESTERN URANIUM & VANADIUM CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Stated in USD)
NOTE 4 – MINERAL ASSETS equipment, Kinetic separation INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, AND OTHER PROPERTY
The Company’s mining properties acquired on August 18, 2014 that the Company retains as of March 31, 2023 include: The San Rafael Uranium Project located in Emery County, Utah; The Sunday Mine Complex located in western San Miguel County, Colorado; The Van 4 Mine located in western Montrose County, Colorado; The Sage Mine located in San Juan County, Utah, and San Miguel County, Colorado. These mining properties include leased land in the states of Colorado and Utah. None of these mining properties were operational at the date of acquisition.
The Company’s mining properties acquired on September 16, 2015 that the Company retains as of March 31, 2023 include Hansen, North Hansen and Hansen Picnic Tree located in Fremont and Teller Counties, Colorado. The Company also acquired the Keota project located in Weld County, Colorado and the Ferris Haggerty project located in Carbon County Wyoming. These mining assets include both owned and leased land in the states of Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming. All of the mining assets represent properties which have previously been mined, to different degrees, for uranium.
As the Company has not formally established proven or probable reserves on any of its properties, there is inherent uncertainty as to whether or not any mineralized material can be economically extracted as originally planned and anticipated.
The Company’s mineral properties and equipment, net and kinetic separation intellectual property are:
| As of March 31, 2023 | As of December 31, 2022 | |||||||
| Mineral properties and equipment, net | $ | $ | ||||||
| Kinetic separation intellectual property | $ | $ | ||||||
Mineral Properties and Equipment
During the three months ended March 31, 2023 and
2022, Western made purchases of $
Oil and Gas Lease and Easement
The Company entered into an oil and gas lease
that became effective with respect to minerals and mineral rights owned by the Company of approximately 160 surface acres of the Company’s
property in Colorado.
On June 23, 2020, the same entity, as discussed above, elected to extend the oil and gas lease easement for three additional years, commencing on the date the lease would have previously expired. During 2021, the operator completed a first set of eight (8) wells which commenced oil and gas production by August 2021. During 2022, the operator completed a second set of eight (8) wells which commenced oil and gas production by August 2022. Monthly royalty payments are ongoing on the sixteen (16) wells.
During the three months ended March 31, 2023 and
2022 the Company recognized aggregate revenue of $
| 9 |
WESTERN URANIUM & VANADIUM CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Stated in USD)
NOTE 4 – MINERAL ASSETS equipment, Kinetic separation INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, AND OTHER PROPERTY, CONTINUED
Reclamation Liabilities
The Company’s mines are subject to certain
asset retirement obligations, which the Company has recorded as reclamation liabilities. The reclamation liabilities of the United States
mines are subject to legal and regulatory requirements, and estimates of the costs of reclamation are reviewed periodically by the applicable
regulatory authorities. The reclamation liability represents the Company’s best estimate of the present value of future reclamation
costs in connection with the mineral properties. The Company determined the gross reclamation liabilities of the mineral properties to
be $
Reclamation liability activity for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 consists of:
| For the Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Beginning balance at January 1 | $ | $ | ||||||
| Accretion | ||||||||
| Ending Balance at March 31 | $ | $ | ||||||
Sunday Mine Complex Permitting Status
On February 4, 2020, the Colorado DRMS sent a Notice of Hearing to Declare Termination of Mining Operations related to the status of the mining permits issued by the state of Colorado for the Sunday Mine Complex. At issue was the application of an unchallenged Colorado Court of Appeals Opinion for a separate mine (Van 4) with very different facts that are retroactively modifying DRMS rules and regulations. The Company maintains that it was timely in meeting existing rules and regulations. The hearing was scheduled to be held during several monthly MLRB Board meetings, but this matter was delayed several times. The permit hearing was held during the MLRB Board monthly meeting on July 22, 2020. At issue was the status of the five existing permits which comprise the Sunday Mine Complex. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the hearing took place utilizing a virtual-only format. The Company prevailed in a 3 to 1 decision which acknowledged that the work completed at the Sunday Mine Complex under DRMS oversight was timely and sufficient for Western to maintain these permits. In a subsequent July 30, 2020 letter, the DRMS notified the Company that the status of the five permits (Sunday, West Sunday, St. Jude, Carnation, and Topaz) had been changed to “Active” status effective June 10, 2019, the original date on which the change of the status was approved. On August 23, 2020, the Company initiated a request for Temporary Cessation status for the Sunday Mine Complex as the mines had not been restarted within a 180-day window due to the direct and indirect impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Accordingly, a permit hearing was scheduled for October 21, 2020 to determine Temporary Cessation status. In a unanimous vote, the MLRB approved Temporary Cessation status for each of the five Sunday Mine Complex permits (Sunday, West Sunday, St. Jude, Carnation, and Topaz). On October 9, 2020, the MLRB issued a board order which finalized the findings of the July 22, 2020 permit hearing. On November 10, 2020, the MLRB issued a board order which finalized the findings of the October 21, 2020 permit hearing. On November 6, 2020, the MLRB signed an order placing the five Sunday Mine Complex mine permits into Temporary Cessation. On November 12, 2020, a coalition of environmental groups (the “Plaintiffs”) filed a complaint against the MLRB seeking a partial appeal of the July 22, 2020 decision by requesting termination of the Topaz Mine permit. On December 15, 2020, the same coalition of environmental groups amended their complaint against the MLRB seeking a partial appeal of the October 21, 2020 decision requesting termination of the Topaz Mine permit. The Company has joined with the MLRB in defense of their July 22, 2020 and October 21, 2020 decisions. On May 5, 2021, the Plaintiffs in the Topaz Appeal filed an opening brief with the Denver District Court seeking to overturn the July 22, 2020 and October 21, 2020 MLRB permit hearing decisions on the Topaz Mine permit. The MLRB and the Company were to respond with an answer brief within 35 days on or before June 9, 2021, but instead sought a settlement. The judicial review process was delayed as extensions were put in place until August 20, 2021. A settlement was not reached, and the MLRB and the Company submitted answer briefs on August 20, 2021. The Plaintiff submitted a reply brief on September 10, 2021. On March 1, 2022, the Denver District Court reversed the MLRB’s orders regarding the Topaz Mine and remanded the case back to MLRB for further proceedings consistent with its order. The Company and the MLRB had until April 19, 2022 to appeal the Denver District Court’s ruling. Neither the Company nor the MLRB appealed the Denver District Court ruling. Subsequently on March 20, 2023, the MLRB issued a board order for the Company to commence final reclamation, which upon completion will terminate mining operations at the Topaz Mine. Reclamation is to commence immediately at the Topaz Mine and is to be completed within five years by March 2028. The Company is currently working toward the completion of an updated Topaz Mine Plan of Operations which is a separate federal requirement of the BLM for the conduct of mining activities on the federal land at the Topaz Mine and needed to re-permit the Topaz Mine with Colorado’s DRMS.
| 10 |
WESTERN URANIUM & VANADIUM CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Stated in USD)
NOTE 4 – MINERAL ASSETS equipment, Kinetic separation INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, AND OTHER PROPERTY, CONTINUED
Kinetic Separation Intellectual Property
The Kinetic Separation patent was filed on September
13, 2012 and granted on February 14, 2014 by the United States Patent Office. The patent is effective for a period of
The Company anticipates Kinetic Separation will improve the efficiency of the mining and processing of the sandstone-hosted ore from Western’s conventional mines through the separation of waste from mineral bearing-ore, potentially reducing transportation, mill processing, and mill tailings costs. Kinetic Separation is not currently in use or being applied at any Company mines. The Company views Kinetic Separation as a cost saving technology, which it will seek to incorporate into ore production subsequent to commencing scaled production levels. There are also alternative applications, which the Company has explored.
NOTE 5 – Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities consisted of:
| As of | ||||||||
| March 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||
| Trade accounts payable | $ | $ | ||||||
| Accrued liabilities | ||||||||
| Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities | $ | $ | ||||||
| 11 |
WESTERN URANIUM & VANADIUM CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Stated in USD)
NOTE 6 – SHARE CAPITAL AND OTHER EQUITY INSTRUMENTS
Authorized Capital
The holders of the Company’s common shares are entitled to one vote per share. Holders of common shares are entitled to ratably receive such dividends, if any, as may be declared by the board of directors, out of legally available funds. Upon the liquidation, dissolution, or winding down of the Company, holders of common shares are entitled to share ratably in all assets of the Company that are legally available for distribution. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, an unlimited number of common shares were authorized for issuance.
Warrant Exercises
During the three months ended March 31, 2022, an aggregate
Incentive Stock Option Plan
The Company maintains an Incentive Stock Option Plan (the “Plan”) that permits the granting of stock options as incentive compensation. Shareholders of the Company approved the Plan on June 30, 2008 and amendments to the Plan on June 20, 2013. The board of directors approved additional changes to the Plan on September 12, 2015. On October 1, 2021, the Company further amended the Plan, principally to allow for the cashless exercise of stock options.
The purpose of the Plan is to attract, retain, and motivate directors, management, staff, and consultants by providing them with the opportunity, through stock options, to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company and benefit from its growth.
The Plan provides that the aggregate number of
common shares for which stock options may be granted will not exceed
Stock Options
| Number of Shares | Weighted Average Exercise Price | Weighted Average Contractual Life (Years) | Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value | Intrinsic Value | ||||||||||||||||
| Outstanding – January 1, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Granted | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Expired | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Exercised | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Outstanding – March 31, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Exercisable – March 31, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
The Company’s stock-based compensation expense related to stock
options for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was $
| 12 |
WESTERN URANIUM & VANADIUM CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Stated in USD)
NOTE 6 – SHARE CAPITAL AND OTHER EQUITY INSTRUMENTS, CONTINUED
Warrants
| Number of Shares | Weighted Average Exercise Price | Weighted Average Contractual Life (Years) | Intrinsic Value | |||||||||||||
| Outstanding – January 1, 2023 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Issued | ||||||||||||||||
| Exercised | ||||||||||||||||
| Expired/Forfeited | ||||||||||||||||
| Outstanding – March 31, 2023 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Exercisable – March 31, 2023 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
Note 7 – Mining Expenditures
| For the Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Mining costs | $ | $ | ||||||
| Labor and related benefits | ||||||||
| Permits | ||||||||
| Royalties | ||||||||
| $ | $ | |||||||
NOTE 8 – Related Party Transactions AND BALANCES
The Company has transacted with related parties pursuant to service arrangements in the ordinary course of business, as follows:
Prior to the acquisition of Black Range, Mr. George
Glasier, the Company’s CEO, who is also a director (“Seller”), transferred his interest in a former joint venture with
Ablation Technologies, LLC to Black Range.
The Company has multiple lease arrangements with
Silver Hawk Ltd., an entity which is owned by George Glasier and his wife Kathleen Glasier. These leases, which are all on a month-to-month
basis, are for the Company’s rental of office, workshop, warehouse and employee housing facilities. The Company incurred rent expense
of $
The Company also owed Mr. Glasier reimbursable
expenses in the amount of $
| 13 |
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Forward-Looking Statements
The information disclosed in this quarterly report, and the information incorporated by reference herein, include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our or our management’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking.
The forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference in this quarterly report are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on us and speak only as of the date of each such statement. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we have anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those factors described in this Item 2 of Part I and Item 1A of Part II of this quarterly report. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our condensed consolidated interim financial statements and footnotes thereto contained in this quarterly report.
Overview
General
Western Uranium & Vanadium Corp. (“Western” or the “Company”, formerly Western Uranium Corporation) was incorporated in December 2006 under the Ontario Business Corporations Act. On November 20, 2014, the Company completed a listing process on the Canadian Securities Exchange (“CSE”). As part of that process, the Company acquired 100% of the members’ interests of Pinon Ridge Mining LLC (“PRM”), a Delaware limited liability company. The transaction constituted a reverse takeover (“RTO”) of Western by PRM. Subsequent to obtaining appropriate shareholder approvals, the Company reconstituted its board of directors and senior management team. Effective September 16, 2015, Western completed its acquisition of Black Range Minerals Limited (“Black Range”).
On August 18, 2014, the Company closed on the purchase of certain mining properties in Colorado and Utah from Energy Fuels Holding Corp. Assets purchased included both owned and leased lands in Utah and Colorado, and all represent properties that have been previously mined for uranium to varying degrees in the past. The acquisition included the purchase of the Sunday Mine Complex. The Sunday Mine Complex is located in western San Miguel County, Colorado. The complex consists of the following five individual mines: the Sunday mine, the Carnation mine, the Saint Jude mine, the West Sunday mine and the Topaz Mine. The operation of each of these mines requires a separate permit, and all such permits have been obtained by Western and are currently valid. In addition, each of the mines has good access to a paved highway, electric power to existing declines, office/storage/shop and change buildings, and an extensive underground haulage development with several vent shafts complete with exhaust fans. The Sunday Mine Complex is the Company’s core resource property and in July 2021was assigned “Active” status when mining operations were restarted.
On September 16, 2015, Western completed its acquisition of Black Range, an Australian company that was listed on the Australian Securities Exchange until the acquisition was completed. The acquisition terms were pursuant to a definitive Merger Implementation Agreement entered into between Western and Black Range. Pursuant to the agreement, Western acquired all of the issued shares of Black Range by way of Scheme of Arrangement (“the Scheme”) under the Australian Corporation Act 2001 (Cth) (the “Black Range Transaction”), with Black Range shareholders being issued common shares of Western on a 1 for 750 basis. On August 25, 2015, the Scheme was approved by the shareholders of Black Range, and on September 4, 2015, Black Range received approval by the Federal Court of Australia. In addition, Western issued options to purchase Western common shares to certain employees, directors, and consultants. Such stock options were intended to replace Black Range stock options outstanding prior to the Black Range Transaction on the same 1 for 750 basis.
The Company has registered offices at 330 Bay Street, Suite 1400, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5H 2S8, and its common shares are listed on the CSE under the symbol “WUC” and are traded on the OTCQX Best Market under the symbol “WSTRF”. Its principal business activity is the acquisition and development of uranium and vanadium resource properties in the states of Utah and Colorado in the United States of America (“United States”).
| 14 |
Recent Developments
Bullen Property (Weld County)
The Bullen Property is an oil and gas property located in Weld County Colorado. The Company acquired this non-core property in 2015 in the Black Range Minerals Limited acquisition, and Black Range purchased the property in 2008 for its Keota Uranium Project.
In 2017, the Company signed a three year oil and gas lease which in 2020 was extended for an additional three year term or until the end of continuous operations. The consideration was in the form of upfront bonus payments and a backend production royalty payment. Additional right-of-way easement agreements were signed which allowed for the development of a pipeline. The lease agreement allows the Company to retain property rights to vanadium, uranium, and other mineral resources.
In early 2020 Bison Oil & Gas (“Bison”) traded this lease to Mallard Exploration (“Mallard”). Mallard subsequently filed an application with the Colorado Oil & Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) to update the permitting to create a new pooled unit.
In late 2020 Mallard began development of the pooled unit. These DJ-Basin wells target the Niobrara formation. During 2021, the operator completed all well development stages and eight (8) wells commenced oil and gas production by August 2021. The first royalty payment was made in January 2022. During 2022, the operator completed all well development stages on a second set of eight (8) wells which commenced oil and gas production by August 2022. The first monthly royalty payment including production from the new wells was made in January 2023. Monthly royalty payments are ongoing.
In January 2023, Mallard was acquired by Bison.
During the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, we recognized aggregate revenue of $165,975 and $156,226, respectively, under these oil and gas lease arrangements.
Kinetic Separation Licensing
During 2016, the Company submitted documentation to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (“CDPHE”) for a determination ruling regarding the type of license which may be required for the application of Kinetic Separation at the Sunday Mine Complex within the state of Colorado. During May and June of 2016, CDPHE held four public meetings in several cities in Colorado as part of the process. On July 22, 2016, CDPHE closed the comment period. In connection with this matter, the CDPHE consulted with the NRC. In response, the CDPHE received an advisory opinion, dated October 16, 2016, which did not contain support for the NRC’s opinion and with which the Company’s regulatory counsel does not agree. NRC’s advisory opinion recommended that Kinetic Separation should be regulated as a milling operation but did recognize that there may be exemptions to certain milling regulatory requirements because of the benign nature of the non-uranium bearing sands produced after Kinetic Separation is completed on uranium-bearing ores. On December 1, 2016, the CDPHE issued a determination that the proposed Kinetic Separation operations at the Sunday Mine Complex must be regulated by the CDPHE through a milling license. Beginning in 2017, the Company’s regulatory counsel prepared significant documentation in preparation for a prospective submission. On September 13, 2019, the Company’s regulatory counsel submitted a white paper to the NRC entitled “Recommendations on the Proper Legal and Policy Interpretation for Using Kinetic Separation Processes at Uranium Mine Sites.” On July 24, 2020, the NRC staff responded with a letter in support of the original conclusion. Western’s regulatory counsel proposed alternatives. However, management has decided not to proceed at this time, given its present opportunity set.
| 15 |
Sunday Mine Complex Permitting Status
On February 4, 2020, the Colorado DRMS sent a Notice of Hearing to Declare Termination of Mining Operations related to the status of the mining permits issued by the state of Colorado for the Sunday Mine Complex. At issue was the application of an unchallenged Colorado Court of Appeals Opinion for a separate mine (Van 4) with very different facts that are retroactively modifying DRMS rules and regulations. The Company maintains that it was timely in meeting existing rules and regulations. The hearing was scheduled to be held during several monthly MLRB Board meetings, but this matter was delayed several times. The permit hearing was held during the MLRB Board monthly meeting on July 22, 2020. At issue was the status of the five existing permits which comprise the Sunday Mine Complex. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the hearing took place utilizing a virtual-only format. The Company prevailed in a 3 to 1 decision which acknowledged that the work completed at the Sunday Mine Complex under DRMS oversight was timely and sufficient for Western to maintain these permits. In a subsequent July 30, 2020 letter, the DRMS notified the Company that the status of the five permits (Sunday, West Sunday, St. Jude, Carnation, and Topaz) had been changed to “Active” status effective June 10, 2019, the original date on which the change of the status was approved. On August 23, 2020, the Company initiated a request for Temporary Cessation status for the Sunday Mine Complex as the mines had not been restarted within a 180-day window due to the direct and indirect impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Accordingly, a permit hearing was scheduled for October 21, 2020 to determine Temporary Cessation status. In a unanimous vote, the MLRB approved Temporary Cessation status for each of the five Sunday Mine Complex permits (Sunday, West Sunday, St. Jude, Carnation, and Topaz). On October 9, 2020, the MLRB issued a board order which finalized the findings of the July 22, 2020 permit hearing. On November 10, 2020, the MLRB issued a board order which finalized the findings of the October 21, 2020 permit hearing. On November 6, 2020, the MLRB signed an order placing the five Sunday Mine Complex mine permits into Temporary Cessation. On November 12, 2020, a coalition of environmental groups (the “Plaintiffs”) filed a complaint against the MLRB seeking a partial appeal of the July 22, 2020 decision by requesting termination of the Topaz Mine permit. On December 15, 2020, the same coalition of environmental groups amended their complaint against the MLRB seeking a partial appeal of the October 21, 2020 decision requesting termination of the Topaz Mine permit. The Company has joined with the MLRB in defense of their July 22, 2020 and October 21, 2020 decisions. On May 5, 2021, the Plaintiffs in the Topaz Appeal filed an opening brief with the Denver District Court seeking to overturn the July 22, 2020 and October 21, 2020 MLRB permit hearing decisions on the Topaz Mine permit. The MLRB and the Company were to respond with an answer brief within 35 days on or before June 9, 2021, but instead sought a settlement. The judicial review process was delayed as extensions were put in place until August 20, 2021. A settlement was not reached, and the MLRB and the Company submitted answer briefs on August 20, 2021. The Plaintiff submitted a reply brief on September 10, 2021. On March 1, 2022, the Denver District Court reversed the MLRB’s orders regarding the Topaz Mine and remanded the case back to MLRB for further proceedings consistent with its order. The Company and the MLRB had until April 19, 2022 to appeal the Denver District Court’s ruling. Neither the Company nor the MLRB appealed the Denver District Court ruling. Subsequently on March 20, 2023, the MLRB issued a board order for the Company to commence final reclamation, which upon completion will terminate mining operations at the Topaz Mine. Reclamation is to commence immediately at the Topaz Mine and is to be completed within five years by March 2028. The Company is currently working toward the completion of an updated Topaz Mine Plan of Operations which is a separate federal requirement of the BLM for the conduct of mining activities on the federal land at the Topaz Mine and needed to re-permit the Topaz Mine with Colorado’s DRMS.
Sunday Mine Complex Project 2021/2022 Project
The SMC project entailed the development of multiple SMC ore bodies and involves a shift in the base of operations from the St. Jude Mine (2019) to the Sunday Mine (2021). The Sunday Mine Complex is the Company’s core resource property and in July 2021 was assigned “Active” status when mining operations were restarted. Underground development began in August 2021 following mine ventilation, power upgrades, and increasing explosive capabilities. The first target was the extension of the drift (tunnel) 150 feet to reach the first surface exploration drill hole to access the GMG Ore Body (GMG). Early results were positive as drilling toward the GMG resulted in the location of ore-grade material within thirty feet of the existing mine workings. Notably, only limited exploration drilling has been done in this area due to the mountainous terrain on the surface above. As drifting proceeded, very high-grade ore continued to be intersected through the drift path and on both sides of the drift. As a result, the team shifted from development to mining.
At the end of March 2022, the mining contractor engaged by Western decided to retire from contract mining operations. Thereafter, Western began the acquisition of a full complement of mining equipment and personnel to take over mining operations. Western’s transition from employing a mining contractor to building an in-house mining operation has now been completed. Since this transition began in spring 2022, additional employees have been hired to support mining operations and mining equipment and vehicles have been acquired to support deployment of two (2) fully equipped mining teams. The equipment has been prepared for operations and readied for deployment; site infrastructure upgrades have been finished. In early 2023, the mines were reopened for ventilation and infrastructure upgrades. Mining operations restarted in April 2023 and will initially involve additional development of the GMG Ore Body, stockpiling of high-grade ore and underground drilling/exploration to define additional production zones. The next project will be similar in scope but on the St. Jude Mine target areas defined during the 2019/2020 work project.
Stockpiled Ore Inventory
From December 2021 to March 2022, 3,140 tons of uranium/vanadium ore was mined from the Sunday Mine Complex. The mining contractor calculated uranium grades based upon scintillometer sampling of each 10-ton truckload and vanadium quantities were derived by applying the 6:1 historical ratio. The estimated stockpiled ore inventory is 50,289 pounds of uranium and 301,736 pounds of vanadium. Using March 31, 2023 commodity prices and historical recovery rates, and before incurring milling and processing costs, the gross post-processing value of the stockpiled ore is approximately $4.5 million . This value is not reflected as an asset on the balance sheet as the costs to produce the stockpiled ore inventory were expensed in accordance with Regulation SK-1300.
Uranium Section 232 Investigation/Nuclear Fuel Working Group Process
An investigation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 was undertaken by the DoC in 2018 to assess the impact to national security of the importation of the vast majority of uranium utilized by the approximately 100 operative civilian nuclear reactors within the United States. In response to the Section 232 report, the White House disseminated a Presidential Memoranda in July 2019. At that time, President Trump formed the Nuclear Fuel Working Group (“NFWG”) to find solutions for reviving and expanding domestic nuclear fuel production and reinvigorating recommendations.
| 16 |
In April 2020, the DoE released the NFWG report entitled “Restoring America’s Competitive Nuclear Energy Advantage – A strategy to assure U.S. national security.” The report outlines a strategy for the reestablishment of critical capabilities and direct support to the front end of the U.S. domestic nuclear fuel cycle. The undertaking of some NFWG findings and recommendations was a positive outcome for the U.S. nuclear industry and U.S. uranium miners.
The Russian Suspension Agreement was extended for an additional 20 years until 2040. Existing categories of quotas on imports of Russian uranium into the U.S. were reduced by a graduated scale, and additional provisions were modified to eliminate loopholes. Also, the DoE made multiple investment awards to companies advancing new nuclear technologies. TerraPower and X-energy received awards to build demonstration models of their advanced reactor designs, and NuScale received support to deploy the first U.S. small modular reactor (“SMR”) plan comprised of 12 modules at the Idaho National Laboratory. The International Development Finance Corp. signed a letter of intent to finance NuScale’s development of 42 SMR modules in South Africa. In an acknowledgement of the future growth potential of new nuclear technologies, the U.S. government has increased its industry support.
In December 2020, U.S. Congress passed the “COVID-Relief and Omnibus Spending Bill,” which included $75 million for the establishment of a strategic U.S. Uranium Reserve. The Biden-Harris Administration has rolled the 2021 funding into its 2022 fiscal year budget to continue this initiative. In July 2021, the uranium Section 232 report was publicly released. The report concluded that uranium imports were “weakening our internal economy” and “threaten to impair the national security” and recommended immediate actions to “enable U.S. producers to recapture and sustain a market share of U.S. uranium consumption”.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has fast tracked the Uranium Reserve Program. On May 5, 2022, the U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm testified before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources that the DoE “would make direct purchases of domestically mined and converted uranium this calendar year to establish a strategic uranium reserve”. Secretary Granholm’s comments make clear that the U.S. is thinking larger. Granholm stated that “We should not be sending any money to Russia for any American energy or for any other reason,” and “if we move away from Russia right away, we want to make sure we have the ability to continue to keep the fleet afloat.” To accomplish this she further disclosed that the DoE is “developing a full-on uranium strategy that’s going through the interagency process.”
Subsequently in June 2022, the U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) released program guidelines to initiate purchases of up to $75 million of U.S. domestic origin uranium inventory from existing storage at the Honeywell Metropolis Works uranium conversion facility in Metropolis, Illinois. The DOE awarded contracts in December 2022 for the purchase of 1,100,000 lbs of uranium that were delivered in the first quarter of 2023. Five uranium companies disclosed receiving contract awards within a price range from $59.50 to $70.50 per pound. Western did not hold qualifying inventory, and as such did not submit a bid proposal. An expansion of the U.S. Uranium Reserve program continues to be discussed. As originally proposed, the program contemplated $150M in annual purchases for a 10 year period which would aggregate to $1.5 billion over its lifetime.
Biden-Harris Administration Initiatives
The positive momentum has continued for the nuclear and uranium mining sector due to the Biden-Harris Administration’s emphasis on climate change. Upon taking office, the Biden team immediately rejoined the Paris Agreement and continued its pursuit of campaign promises of investments in clean energy, creating jobs, producing clean electric power, and achieving carbon-pollution free energy in electricity generation by 2035. Since taking office, President Biden has given all agencies climate change initiatives and has started a climate change working group. The existing U.S. nuclear reactor fleet currently produces in excess of 50% of U.S. clean energy, and new, advanced nuclear technologies promise to generate additional clean energy. A White House national climate advisor told the media in a press briefing that the Biden-Harris Administration intends to seek a national clean energy standard that includes nuclear energy. The Company believes that nuclear energy will be increasingly able to compete on a level playing field with renewable energy technologies. The Harris-Biden DoE has been a supporter of new nuclear technologies and invested in next generation demonstration reactors due to its pro-climate agenda.
| 17 |
On August 16, 2022, President Biden signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act, which is a significantly reduced version of the Build Back Better plan. This Act provides for $369 billion in climate and energy investments, a portion of which will significantly benefit the U.S. domestic nuclear industry. Notably, while protecting the climate, there is a leveling of the playing field with renewable energy, which has long benefited from government support. We see the benefits to nuclear split across existing reactors, new advanced reactors, low enriched uranium and high-assay low enriched uranium nuclear fuels, and in multiple stages of the domestic nuclear fuel cycle. We believe that each of these benefits increase future aggregate uranium demand. While this represents the largest funding support of the U.S. nuclear industry in decades, there could be a larger secondary benefit as greater funding was allocated to battery technologies including vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFB).
During 2022, we have observed the DoE becoming increasingly outspoken and working hard at creating nuclear fuel solutions to address the current dependence on Russia and promote a geopolitical realignment of the nuclear fuel cycle away from Russia. As an example, during September 2022, activity in the U.S. escalated in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The U.S. Secretary of Energy, Jennifer Granholm, in an address to the IAEA Vienna conference stated: “And for those countries held hostage by Russian fossil fuels right now, nuclear power—freed of Russian supply chains—is part of the solution to sever that dependence.” The Biden-Harris Administration requested $1.5 billion in emergency funding to replace nuclear fuel and services coming from Russia. This followed the DOE $4.3 billion commitment for the development of expanded domestic reactor fuel supply chain specifically focused on domestic enrichment and conversion services. Most notably, the DoE continues to make preparations for a Russian counter-sanction terminating the flow of nuclear fuel and services from Russia. Multiple bills were introduced into the U.S. legislature, and many of these have bipartisan support.
Nuclear Fuel and Uranium Effect from the Russian Invasion of Ukraine
The start of the Russia/Ukraine war created extraordinary volatility in uranium markets during the first half of 2022. At the peak, the spot price was at an 11 year high. Prior to the invasion on February 24, 2022, uranium spot prices were in the $43 per pound range and rose to slightly over $63 per pound by April 2022; an increase of ~$20 per pound. Later in May 2022 and June 2022, the spot price receded to $45 levels, before recovering to the $50 level into September 2022. In the subsequent six months, the spot price of uranium has been range bound at $50 +/- per pound levels.
Equity markets followed the price action of physical uranium prices in speculation that governments worldwide would sanction and ban nuclear fuel from Russia. This was in recognition of Russia’s dominant position in nuclear fuel services including 38% of world conversion capacity and 46% of world enrichment capacity. The market position of Rosatom, Russia’s national nuclear company, was developed through decades of government subsidies. However, because of the lack of replacement capacity in the global nuclear fuel cycle, Rosatom has avoided sanctions.
Because of the Ukraine invasion, new contracts are largely not being signed with Rosatom, but deliveries under existing contracts continue to be made. Customer dependencies upon the Russian supply of uranium, conversion and enrichment are being addressed slowly by governments as alternative suppliers are not currently available. However, a desire to stay away from bad actors and the threat of Russia weaponizing energy exports or a Russian embargo has elicited responses. Worldwide, utilities have accelerated their contracting of non-Russian conversion and enrichment services. New uranium supply agreements are being signed with western producers. In the United States, multiple new nuclear funding programs have already been put in place and the language from the Department of Energy has only gotten stronger. The Secretary of Energy recently declared: “The United States wants to be able to source its own fuel from ourselves and that’s why we are developing a uranium strategy.”
In January 2023, ban and sanction discussions intensified as Rosatom was shown to have become an active participant in the Ukraine war. An article entitled “Russia’s nuclear entity aids war effort, leading to calls for sanctions” was published by the Washington Post. Obtained documents show that the Rosatom state nuclear power conglomerate was supplying the Russian military with “components, technology, and raw materials for missile fuel” to be used in the Ukraine war. In the months since, multiple legislative sanction proposals have been put forth in the United States, including banning Russian uranium imports. As the U.S. has the largest fleet of nuclear reactors, these actions have the potential to cause a realignment of uranium markets.
We believe the shift away from Russia/Rosatom will be a major catalyst in the realignment of nuclear fuel markets which will benefit western producers. As a result, Western continues to accelerate the advancement of our operational strategy in anticipation of increasing uranium price levels that will reward near-term scaled-up ore production.
| 18 |
Nuclear Fuel Fundamentals Disconnected from Capital Markets
During the 1Q2023, the spot uranium price increased +$5.25 to $52.93 and the long-term uranium price increased $1.50 to $53.50. This followed 2022 where long-term prices increased from $42.75 to $52.00 and a price surge for conversion and enrichment services. However, uranium equities had a down quarter which in our opinion was due to macroeconomic general market factors. The events of 2022 have set in motion uranium market and nuclear fuel opportunities for the next decade and beyond. There are positive catalysts across multiple levels of the nuclear fuel and uranium markets. Underlying fundamentals are the strongest in decades. This is attributable to multiple factors, including climate change, energy security, supply chain and energy scarcity initiatives. The supply/demand imbalance has flipped from a market with excess supply into a market with excess future demand. With the reduced availability of secondary supplies, utilities have begun adding multi-year contracts with mining companies for primary supply. The drivers expanding the demand for nuclear fuel include non-nuclear nations adding nuclear power generation, nuclear nations expanding fleets and/or extending lives of existing reactors, idled nuclear reactors being redeployed, the reversal of phase outs and shutdowns, and the deployment of advanced reactors / SMRs. However, the challenge is in meeting increasing demand simultaneously with supply constraints from the world’s largest suppliers. We believe future uranium equity prices will reflect the underlying positive fundamentals in the nuclear/uranium sector after general market conditions improve.
Nuclear Fuel Supply Chain Concentration Risks
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the ensuing global energy crisis has focused attention on security of supply and supply chain risks. This has caused most of the world to re-evaluate their dependence upon nuclear fuel exported by Russia. In spite of the dominant market position of Rosatom, future deliveries potentially could be at risk due to sanctions, legislation, or a Russian embargo. Customer dependence upon the Russian supply of uranium, conversion and enrichment are being addressed slowly by governments as alternative suppliers are not currently available. Kazakhstan is also a concern because the world’s largest uranium producing country has an unguarded and the second longest continuous land border in the world shared with Russia. The potential exists for Russia to exert influence over Kazakhstan. Additionally, Kazatomprom is currently working toward putting large long-term contracts in place with China. This supply is needed for China to fulfill its 15 year plan to deploy 150 new nuclear reactors. China National Nuclear Corp. (CNNC) has recently opened a uranium trading hub /warehouse facility, on the China / Kazakhstan border, with the capacity to store 60 million pounds of uranium. It has become evident that the nuclear fuel supply chain has become increasingly concentrated and interconnected in this very small area of the world. Expanding Kazakhstan uranium exports to Russia and China significantly reduces future supply for Western nuclear fuel buyers.
Sprott Physical Uranium Trust
The Sprott Physical Uranium Trust (U.UN) (the “Trust”) took over the former Uranium Participation Corp. (U.TO) and launched an at-the-market program (ATM) on August 17, 2021 to raise capital for the closed-ended trust. Since the inception of the ATM program, the Trust has bought significant quantities of uranium causing spot prices to increase. In the first year since the Trust initiated its ATM program in August 2021, over 39 million pounds of uranium were purchased. Subsequently, additional physical uranium funds have been launched in Kazakhstan and Switzerland. Notably, Kazatomprom, the world’s largest uranium producer, is both an investor and uranium supplier to the new physical uranium fund launched in Kazakhstan.
Utah Mineral Processing Plant
In January 2023, the Company issued news releases announcing that it has begun site and facility design and permitting on a property acquired in Green River, Emery County, Utah to build a state-of-the-art mineral processing plant. This facility will be designed to recover uranium, vanadium and cobalt from conventional ore mined both from Company mines and ore produced by other mining companies. Selecting and acquiring the processing site has taken over one year to find a location with the road, power and water infrastructure required. The processing plant will utilize the latest processing technology, including Western’s patented Kinetic Separation process. These technology advancements will result in lower overall capital and processing costs. This processing plant is expected to have a cost of approximately $50 to $60 million. After permitting and construction, the processing of uranium and vanadium ore is expected to commence in late 2026. The facility will be designed to recover cobalt, a metal essential in battery technology and electric vehicles. Within the state of Utah, there are numerous occurrences of cobalt which may be economical to mine, if a processing facility were available. Construction of the cobalt circuit will be dependent on the availability of feed material. The processing plant is expected to be licensed and constructed for annual production of two million pounds of U3O8 and six to eight million pounds of V2O5.
| 19 |
Results of Operations
Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 as Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2022
The following table presents the Company’s financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022.
| For the Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Revenue | $ | 165,975 | $ | 156,226 | ||||
| Expenses | ||||||||
| Mining expenditures | 605,104 | 289,038 | ||||||
| Professional fees | 87,096 | 136,060 | ||||||
| General and administrative | 613,365 | 863,062 | ||||||
| Consulting fees | 737 | 39,512 | ||||||
| Total operating expenses | 1,306,302 | 1,327,672 | ||||||
| Operating loss | (1,140,327 | ) | (1,171,446 | ) | ||||
| Accretion and interest (income) expense, net | (35,296 | ) | 2,157 | |||||
| Other income | (1,500 | ) | - | |||||
| Net loss | (1,103,531 | ) | (1,173,603 | ) | ||||
| Other comprehensive loss | ||||||||
| Foreign exchange gain | 6,314 | 56,661 | ||||||
| Comprehensive loss | $ | (1,097,217 | ) | $ | (1,116,942 | ) | ||
| Net loss per share - basic and diluted | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.03 | ) | ||
Summary:
Our consolidated net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 was $1,103,531 and $1,173,603 or $0.03 and $0.03 per share, respectively. The principal components of these year over year changes are discussed below.
Our comprehensive loss for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 was $1,097,217 and $1,116,942, respectively.
Revenue
Our revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 was $165,975 and $156,226, respectively. The increase in revenue of $9,749 was primarily related to additional oil and gas royalty revenue. Sixteen (16) oil and gas wells were producing in the current period versus eight (8) in the prior period.
Mining Expenditures
Mining expenditures for the three months ended March 31, 2023 were $605,104 as compared to $289,038 for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increase in mining expenditures of $316,066 was principally attributable to scaling up mining activities at the Company’s Sunday Mine Complex. Cost increases were attributable to the hiring of additional personnel, increases in cost of equipment, vehicles, and supplies, and stock-based compensation expense for the mining team.
| 20 |
Professional Fees
Professional fees for the three months ended March 31, 2023 were $87,096 as compared to $136,060 for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The decrease in professional fees of $48,964, or 36% was primarily due to a $39,742 decrease in legal services.
General and Administrative
General and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2023 were $613,365 as compared to $863,062 for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The decrease in general and administrative expense of $249,697, or 29% was due primarily to a $283,708 decrease in stock-based compensation expense.
Consulting Fees
Consulting fees for the three months ended March 31, 2023 were $737 as compared to $39,512 for three months ended March 31, 2022. The decrease in consulting fees of $38,775, or 98% was principally due to the decreased use of consultants due to the increased use of the Company’s expanded in-house staff.
Accretion and Interest Income (Expense), net
Accretion and interest (income) expense, net for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was income of $35,296 as compared to expense of $2,157 for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increase in income of $37,453 was principally attributable to investment interest earned on higher level cash balances and higher interest rates during the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022.
Foreign Exchange
Foreign exchange gain for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was $6,314, as compared to $56,661 for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The decrease of the foreign exchange gain is primarily due to lower differences between the principal functional currency and the reporting currency.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company’s cash and restricted cash balance as of March 31, 2023 was $9,186,315. The Company’s cash position is highly dependent on its ability to raise capital through the issuance of debt and equity and its management of expenditures for mining development and for fulfillment of its public company reporting responsibilities. Management believes that in order to finance the development of the mining properties and Kinetic Separation, to secure regulatory licenses and to construct a conventional mill for the processing of uranium and vanadium, the Company will be required to raise additional capital by way of debt and/or equity. Western will also require additional working capital to continue to scale-up its mining operations at the Sunday Mine Complex. This outlook is based on the Company’s current financial position and is subject to change if opportunities become available based on current exploration program results and/or external opportunities.
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
Net cash used in operating activities was $629,914 for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared with $1,087,087 used in operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The decrease of $457,173 in cash used in operating activities was due principally to a decrease of $591,940 in cash used to fund operating assets and liabilities.
| 21 |
Net cash used in investing activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $623,623 for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared with $369,900 for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increase in cash used in investing activities of $253,723 was due principally to the purchase of additional mining equipment and vehicles, as the Company scales up its mining operations.
Net cash provided by financing activities
Net cash provided by financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 was $0 and $3,353,728, respectively. There were no financing activities during the three months ended March 31, 2023 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022, when we completed a private placement during the first quarter of 2022 representing aggregate net proceeds of $3,011,878 and received $341,850 from the exercise of warrants.
Reclamation Liability
The Company’s mines are subject to certain asset retirement obligations, which the Company has recorded as reclamation liabilities. The reclamation liabilities of the United States mines are subject to legal and regulatory requirements, and estimates of the costs of reclamation are reviewed periodically by the applicable regulatory authorities. The reclamation liability represents the Company’s best estimate of the present value of future reclamation costs in connection with the mineral properties. The Company determined the gross reclamation liabilities of the mineral properties to be $751,424 and $751,405 as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The Company expects to begin incurring the reclamation liability after 2054 for all mines that are not in reclamation and accordingly, has discounted the gross liabilities over their remaining lives using a discount rate of 5.4%. The net discounted aggregated values as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 were $303,018 and $300,276, respectively. The gross reclamation liabilities as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 are secured by financial warranties in the amount of $751,424 and $751,405, respectively.
Oil and Gas Lease and Easement
The Company entered into an oil and gas lease that became effective with respect to minerals and mineral rights owned by the Company of approximately 160 surface acres of the Company’s property in Colorado. As consideration for entering into the lease, the lessee has agreed to pay the Company a royalty from the lessee’s revenue attributed to oil and gas produced, saved, and sold attributable to the net mineral interest. The Company has also received cash payments from the lessee related to the easement that the Company is recognizing incrementally over the eight year term of the easement.
On June 23, 2020, the same entity as discussed above elected to extend the oil and gas lease easement for three additional years, commencing on the date the lease would have previously expired. During 2021, the operator completed a first set of eight (8) wells which commenced oil and gas production by August 2021. During 2022, the operator completed a second set of eight (8) wells which commenced oil and gas production by August 2022. Monthly royalty payments are ongoing on the sixteen (16) wells.
During the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company recognized aggregate revenue of $165,975 and $156,226, respectively, under these oil and gas lease arrangements.
| 22 |
Related Party Transactions
The Company has transacted with related parties pursuant to service arrangements in the ordinary course of business, as follows:
Prior to the acquisition of Black Range, Mr. George Glasier, the Company’s CEO, who is also a director of the Company (“Seller”), transferred his interest in a former joint venture with Ablation Technologies, LLC to Black Range. In connection with the transfer, Black Range issued 25 million shares of Black Range common stock to Seller and committed to pay AUD $500,000 (USD $334,867 as of March 31, 2023) to Seller within 60 days of the first commercial application of the Kinetic Separation technology. Western assumed this contingent payment obligation in connection with the acquisition of Black Range. At the date of the acquisition of Black Range, this contingent obligation was determined to be probable. Since the deferred contingent consideration obligation is probable and the amount is estimable, the Company recorded the deferred contingent consideration as an assumed liability in the amount of $334,867 and $340,252 as of March 31, 2023 and December 31 2022, respectively.
The Company has multiple lease arrangements with Silver Hawk Ltd., an entity which is owned by George Glasier and his wife Kathleen Glasier. These leases, which are all on a month-to-month basis, are for the Company’s rental of office, workshop, warehouse and employee housing facilities The Company incurred rent expense of $17,925 and $12,198 in connection with these arrangement for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
The Company is obligated to pay Mr. Glasier for reimbursable expenses in the amount of $35,252 and $87,221 as of March 31, 2023 and December 31 2022, respectively.
Going Concern
With the exception of the quarter ended June 30, 2022, we incurred losses from our operations, and as of March 31, 2023, the Company had an accumulated deficit of $14,978,794 and working capital of $8,141,821.
Since inception, the Company has met its liquidity requirements principally through the issuance of notes, the sale of its common shares and from limited revenue sources. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company received oil and gas royalty and lease revenues of $165,975. During the three months ended June 30, 2022, we realized revenue of $7.2 million and corresponding costs of $4.0 million in connection with a single sale of uranium concentrate.
The Company’s ability to continue its operations and to pay its obligations when they become due is contingent upon the Company obtaining additional financing. Management’s plans include seeking to procure additional funds through debt and equity financings, to secure regulatory approval licenses to fully utilize its Kinetic Separation, to construct a conventional mill for the processing of uranium and vanadium and to incorporate Kinetic Separation in the processing of ore to generate operating cash flows. Western will need additional capital to continue ongoing mining operations by its in-house mining team at the Sunday Mine Complex while simultaneously permitting and construction a processing plant.
There are no assurances that the Company will be able to raise capital on terms acceptable to the Company or at all, or that cash flows generated from its operations will be sufficient to meet its current operating costs and required debt service. If the Company is unable to obtain sufficient amounts of additional capital, it may be required to reduce the scope of its planned product development, which could harm its financial condition and operating results, or it may not be able to continue to fund its ongoing operations. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern to sustain operations for at least one year from the issuance of the accompanying financial statements. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of these uncertainties.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of March 31, 2023, there were no off-balance sheet transactions. The Company has not entered into any specialized financial agreements to minimize its investment risk, currency risk or commodity risk.
Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies
The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires management to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period.
Significant assumptions about the future and other sources of estimation uncertainty that management has made at the end of the reporting period, that could result in a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities, in the event that actual results differ from assumptions made, include, but are not limited to, the following: fair value of transactions involving common shares, assessment of the useful life and evaluation for impairment of intangible assets, valuation and impairment assessments on mineral properties, deferred contingent consideration, the reclamation liability, valuation of stock-based compensation, valuation of available-for-sale securities and valuation of long-term debt, HST and asset retirement obligations. Other areas requiring estimates include allocations of expenditures, depletion and amortization of mineral rights and properties.
| 23 |
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Not applicable.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of the end of the period covered by this report, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)). Based on their evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of March 31, 2023, to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is (a) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (b) accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Description of Material Weakness
Management has concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of March 31, 2023, due to the failure to report disclosures on a timely basis.
Remediation of Material Weakness
Management has developed a plan and related timeline for the Company to design a set of control procedures and the related required documentation thereof in order to address this material weakness. However, its implementation was delayed as a decline in commodity prices caused the Company to pursue aggressive cost cutting and de-staffing which has increasingly concentrated duties on the remaining staff. Until the Company has the proper staff in place, it likely will not be able to remediate its material weaknesses.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15 under the Exchange Act that occurred during the Company’s first fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
| 24 |
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
In the opinion of management, we are not involved in any claims, legal actions or regulatory proceedings as of March 31, 2023, the ultimate disposition of which would have a material adverse effect on our condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
Item 1a. Risk Factors
Risks Related to Our Business
Our business activities are subject to significant risks, including those described below. Every investor or potential investor in our securities should carefully consider these risks. If any of the described risks actually occurs, our business, financial position and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. Such risks are not the only ones we face and additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our business.
Our ability to become a successful operating mining company is contingent on whether we can continue to access adequate operating capital and can ultimately mine our properties and monetize the uranium and vanadium processed at our mill on a profitable basis, and can then leverage those proceeds to finance further mining activities and to acquire and finance additional reserves, all in spite of potentially significant fluctuations in the market prices of uranium and vanadium.
We expect to generate operating losses for the next several years as we incur expenses to scale up mining at our Sunday Mine Complex. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, we generated a net loss of $1,103,531. As of March 31, 2023, we had an accumulated deficit of $14,978,794 and working capital of $8,141,821.
The Company’s ability to continue its planned operations and to pay its obligations when they become due is contingent upon the Company obtaining additional financing. Management’s plans include seeking to procure additional funds through debt and equity financings, to secure regulatory approval to fully utilize its Kinetic Separation technology, to scale up its mining operations at Sunday Mine Complex, to construct its own ore processing mill that is expected to be licensed to utilize Kinetic Separation, and to initiate the processing of ore to generate operating cash flows.
If we cannot access additional sources of private or public capital, partner with another company that has cash resources and/or find other means of generating revenue other than uranium or vanadium sales, we may not be able to fully realize our planned operations.
Until we can produce and sell sufficient amounts of uranium and/or vanadium, we will have no way to generate adequate cash inflows except by monetizing certain of our assets, partnering with third parties that are better financed or obtaining additional financing of our own. We can provide no assurance that our properties will produce saleable production or that we will be able to continue to find, develop, acquire and finance additional mineral resources. If we cannot monetize certain existing assets, partner with another company that has cash resources, find other means of generating revenue other than uranium or vanadium production and/or access additional sources of private or public capital, we may not be able to remain in business and our shareholders may lose their entire investment.
Our ability to function as an operating mining company will be dependent on our ability to mine our properties and permit, build and operate our mill at a profit sufficient to finance further mining activities and for the acquisition and development of additional properties. The volatility of uranium prices makes long-range planning uncertain and raising capital difficult.
Our ability to operate on a positive cash flow basis will be dependent on mining sufficient quantities of uranium or vanadium at a profit sufficient to finance our operations, operate our mill profitably and for the acquisition and development of additional mining properties. Any profit will necessarily be dependent upon, and affected by, the long and short term market prices of uranium and vanadium, which are subject to significant fluctuation. Uranium prices have been and will continue to be affected by numerous factors beyond our control. These factors include the demand for nuclear power, political and economic conditions in uranium producing and consuming countries, uranium supply from secondary sources and uranium production levels and costs of production. A significant, sustained drop in uranium prices may make it impossible to operate our business at a level that will permit us to cover our fixed costs or to remain in operation.
| 25 |
Evaluating our future performance may be difficult since we have a limited financial and operating history, with significant negative cash flow and an accumulated deficit to date. Furthermore, there is no assurance that we will be successful in securing additional sources of capital sufficient to support our planned operations. As such, substantial doubt exists as to whether our cash resources and working capital will be sufficient to fund our planned operations over the next twelve months. Our long-term success will depend ultimately on our ability to raise additional capital, to achieve and maintain operational profitability and to develop positive cash flows from our mining activities.
As more fully described within this quarterly report, we acquired our first mineral properties in November of 2014. To date, we have been acquiring additional mineral properties and raising capital. We hold uranium projects in various stages of exploration in the states of Colorado and Utah. In addition, in January 2023, we announced our plans to permit and develop a mill for the processing of uranium and vanadium.
As more fully described under “Liquidity and Capital Resources” of Item 2. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Result of Operations”, we have a history of significant negative cash flows and net losses, with an accumulated deficit balance of $15.0 million and $13.9 million at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. We have been reliant on royalty revenues and equity financings from the sale of our common shares in order to fund our operations. We do not expect to achieve profitability or develop positive cash flows from operations in the near term. As a result of our limited financial and operating history, including our significant negative cash flows and net losses to date, it may be difficult to evaluate our future performance.
At March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we had working capital of $8,141,821 and $9,568,963, respectively. The continuation of the Company as a going concern is dependent upon our ability to obtain adequate additional financing. However, there is no assurance that we will be successful in securing any form of additional financing in the future; therefore, substantial doubt exists as to whether our cash resources and working capital will be sufficient to enable the Company to continue its operations over the next twelve months. The condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2023 were prepared assuming that the Company would continue as a going concern. These condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Our reliance on equity and debt financings is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. The availability of such funds whenever such additional financing is required, will be dependent on many factors beyond our control, including, but not limited to, the market price of uranium, the continuing public support of nuclear power as a viable source of electricity generation, the volatility in the global financial markets affecting our stock price and the status of the worldwide economy, any one of which may cause significant challenges in our ability to access additional financing, including access to the equity and credit markets. We may also be required to seek other forms of financing, such as asset divestitures or joint venture arrangements to continue advancing our uranium projects, which would depend entirely on finding a suitable third party willing to enter into such an arrangement, typically involving an assignment of a percentage interest in the mineral project.
Our long-term success, including the recoverability of the carrying values of our assets, our ability to acquire additional uranium projects and continue with exploration and pre-extraction activities and mining activities on our existing uranium projects, will depend ultimately on our ability to achieve and maintain profitability, and positive cash flow from our operations by establishing ore bodies that contain commercially recoverable uranium and to develop these into profitable mining activities. The economic viability of our mining activities has many risks and uncertainties. These include, but are not limited to: (i) a significant, prolonged decrease in the market price of uranium; (ii) difficulty in marketing and/or selling uranium concentrates; (iii) significantly higher than expected capital costs to construct the mine and/or processing plant; (iv) significantly higher than expected extraction costs; (v) significantly lower than expected uranium extraction; (vi) significant delays, reductions or stoppages of uranium extraction activities; and (vi) the introduction of significantly more stringent regulatory laws and regulations. Our mining activities may change as a result of any one or more of these risks and uncertainties and there is no assurance that any ore body that we extract mineralized materials from will result in achieving and maintaining profitability and developing positive cash flow.
| 26 |
Our operations are capital intensive, and we will require significant additional financing to continue production at the Sunday Mine Complex, to permit and construct the ore processing mill, to continue exploration and begin pre-extraction activities on our other existing uranium/vanadium projects, and to acquire additional uranium/vanadium projects.
Our operations are capital intensive and future capital expenditures are expected to be substantial. We will require significant additional financing to fund our operations, including continuing production at the Sunday Mine Complex, to permit and construct the ore processing mill, continuing exploration on our other existing projects and beginning pre-extraction activities on those projects, which include assaying, drilling, geological and geochemical analysis and mine construction costs, and acquiring additional uranium/vanadium projects. In the absence of such additional financing, we would not be able to fund our operations, which may result in delays, curtailment or abandonment of any one or all of our uranium projects.
Uranium/vanadium exploration and pre-extraction programs and mining activities are inherently subject to numerous significant risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ significantly from expectations or anticipated amounts. Furthermore, exploration programs conducted on our uranium/vanadium projects may not result in the establishment of ore bodies that contain commercially recoverable uranium/vanadium.
Uranium/vanadium exploration and pre-extraction programs and mining activities are inherently subject to numerous significant risks and uncertainties, many beyond our control, including, but not limited to: (i) unanticipated ground and water conditions and adverse claims to water rights; (ii) unusual or unexpected geological formations; (iii) metallurgical and other processing problems; (iv) the occurrence of unusual weather or operating conditions and other force majeure events; (v) lower than expected ore grades; (vi) industrial accidents; (vii) delays in the receipt of or failure to receive necessary government permits; (viii) delays in transportation; (ix) availability of contractors and labor; (x) government permit restrictions and regulation restrictions; (xi) unavailability of materials, equipment and milling facilities; and (xii) the failure of equipment or processes to operate in accordance with specifications or expectations. These risks and uncertainties could result in delays, reductions or stoppages in our mining activities; increased capital and/or extraction costs; damage to, or destruction of, our mineral projects, extraction facilities or other properties; personal injuries; environmental damage; monetary losses; and legal claims.
Success in uranium/vanadium exploration is dependent on many factors, including, without limitation, the experience and capabilities of a company’s management, the availability of geological expertise and the availability of sufficient funds to conduct the exploration program. Even if an exploration program is successful and commercially recoverable uranium/vanadium is established, it may take a number of years from the initial phases of drilling and identification of the mineralization until extraction is possible, during which time the economic feasibility of extraction may change such that the uranium ceases to be economically recoverable. Uranium/vanadium exploration is frequently non-productive due, for example, to poor exploration results or the inability to establish ore bodies that contain commercially recoverable uranium, in which case the uranium project may be abandoned and written-off. Furthermore, we will not be able to benefit from our exploration efforts and recover the expenditures that we incur on our exploration programs if we do not establish ore bodies that contain commercially recoverable uranium/vanadium and develop these uranium/vanadium projects into profitable mining activities, and there is no assurance that we will be successful in doing so for any of our uranium/vanadium projects.
Whether an ore body contains commercially recoverable uranium/vanadium depends on many factors including, without limitation: (i) the particular attributes, including material changes to those attributes, of the ore body such as size, grade, recovery rates and proximity to infrastructure; (ii) the market price of uranium, which may be volatile; and (iii) government regulations and regulatory requirements including, without limitation, those relating to environmental protection, permitting and land use, taxes, land tenure and transportation.
We have established the existence of mineralized materials on our uranium properties. However, we have not established any measured, indicated or inferred mineral resources or any proven or probable reserves through the completion of a feasibility study for any of our uranium properties and we have no current plans to seek to do so, as it would not serve a business purpose at the present time. Furthermore, we have no current plans to establish proven or probable reserves for any of our uranium properties as it doesn’t serve a business purpose at the present time.
| 27 |
Because the number of mills permitted for processing of uranium and vanadium is very limited, it may be difficult for us to gain access to a mill on favorable terms, or at all, and this could negatively affect our ability to do business.
In the event that there is not a buying program in place for uranium/vanadium ore, the Company would need to arrange with a third party for conventional milling services. Because the number of mills permitted for processing of uranium and vanadium is very limited, it may be difficult for us to gain access to a mill on favorable terms, or at all. This could result in increased costs and/or significant delays in, interruption of, or cessation of the Company’s business activities. The practice of selling uranium/vanadium ore without first processing into yellowcake (U3O8) or Vanadium Pentoxide (V2O5) would likely generate lower revenues.
Because the number of mills permitted for processing of uranium and vanadium is very limited, we have determined that we will seek a permit and then construct our own uranium and vanadium ore processing mill. The capital required and risks involved in such an endeavor could negatively affect our ability to do business.
The construction of a facility for the processing of uranium ore is both a capital-intensive and regulatory intensive endeavor. Obtaining a license to construct and operate a processing plant to mill uranium and vanadium is subject to a number of risks including local, state and national regulations, and political and environmental influences. Furthermore, we must raise sufficient capital to fund the permitting efforts and construction of the mill. We are subject to the risks that adequate capital in general may not be available at the levels needed and risks that adequate capital may not be available for investments in the front-end of the nuclear fuel cycle. If we are not able to address these risks and build a processing plant/mill, we would need to arrange with a third party for conventional milling services. It may be difficult for the Company to gain access to a third party’s mill on favorable terms, or at all. This could result in increased costs and/or significant delays in, interruption of, or cessation of the Company’s business activities.
Our ability to realize anticipated benefits of the Kinetic Separation process is subject to uncertainties associated with that process.
In order to utilize Kinetic Separation to process uranium/vanadium bearing ore, there are uncertainties that must be addressed. Currently, to utilize Kinetic Separation the Company plans to apply for its own milling license for a processing facility. If this is not practical or feasible the Company would need to arrange to utilize a third party’s mill. There are substantial costs and risks associated with both of these alternatives. The Company is open to continuing to seek an alternative path forward that would allow the use of Kinetic Separation either inside a uranium mine or on the surface outside of the underground workings to further reduce transportation costs. However, there is no assurance that such an alternative approach will be approved for Western or other companies with comparable processes pursuing regulatory remedies.
In addition, although the Company has conducted initial tests of its Kinetic Separation technology with what appear to be positive results, those results have not been validated by a qualified person.
We do not insure against all of the risks we face in our operations.
In general, where coverage is available and not prohibitively expensive relative to the perceived risk, we will maintain insurance against such risk, subject to exclusions and limitations. We currently maintain insurance against certain risks including securities and general commercial liability claims and certain physical assets used in our operations, subject to exclusions and limitations; however, we do not maintain insurance to cover all of the potential risks and hazards associated with our operations. We may be subject to liability for environmental, pollution or other hazards associated with our exploration, pre-extraction and extraction activities, which we may not be insured against, which may exceed the limits of our insurance coverage or which we may elect not to insure against because of high premiums or other reasons. Furthermore, we cannot provide assurance that any insurance coverage we currently have will continue to be available at reasonable premiums or that such insurance will adequately cover any resulting liability.
Our inability to obtain financial surety would threaten our ability to continue in business.
Future financial surety requirements to comply with federal and state environmental and remediation requirements and to secure necessary licenses and approvals may increase significantly as future development and production occurs at certain of our sites in the United States. The amount of the financial surety for each producing property is subject to annual review and revision by regulators. We expect that the issuer of the financial surety instruments will require us to provide cash collateral for a significant amount of the face amount of the bond to secure the obligation. In the event we are not able to raise, secure or generate sufficient funds necessary to satisfy these requirements, we will be unable to develop our sites and bring them into production, which inability will have a material adverse impact on our business and may negatively affect our ability to continue to operate.
| 28 |
Acquisitions that we may make from time to time could have an adverse impact on us.
From time to time, we examine opportunities to acquire additional mining assets and businesses. Any acquisition that we may choose to complete may be of a significant size, may change the scale of our business and operations, and may expose us to new geographic, political, operating, financial and geological risks. Our success in our acquisition activities depends on our ability to identify suitable acquisition candidates, negotiate acceptable terms for any such acquisition, and integrate the acquired operations successfully with those of our Company. Any acquisitions would be accompanied by risks which could have a material adverse effect on our business. For example, there may be a significant change in commodity prices after we have committed to complete the transaction and established the purchase price or exchange ratio; a material ore body may prove to be below expectations; we may have difficulty integrating and assimilating the operations and personnel of any acquired companies, realizing anticipated synergies and maximizing the financial and strategic position of the combined enterprise, and maintaining uniform standards, policies and controls across the organization; the integration of the acquired business or assets may disrupt our ongoing business and our relationships with employees, customers, suppliers and contractors; and the acquired business or assets may have unknown liabilities which may be significant. In the event that we choose to raise debt capital to finance any such acquisition, our leverage will be increased. If we choose to use equity as consideration for such acquisition, existing shareholders may suffer dilution. Alternatively, we may choose to finance any such acquisition with our existing resources. There can be no assurance that we would be successful in overcoming these risks or any other problems encountered in connection with such acquisitions.
The uranium industry is subject to numerous stringent laws, regulations and standards, including environmental protection laws and regulations. If any changes occur that would make these laws, regulations and standards more stringent, it may require capital outlays in excess of those anticipated or cause substantial delays, which would have a material adverse effect on our operations.
Uranium exploration and pre-extraction programs and mining activities are subject to numerous stringent laws, regulations and standards at the federal, state, and local levels governing permitting, pre-extraction, extraction, exports, taxes, labor standards, occupational health, waste disposal, protection and reclamation of the environment, protection of endangered and protected species, mine safety, hazardous substances and other matters. Our compliance with these requirements requires significant financial and personnel resources.
The laws, regulations, policies or current administrative practices of any government body, organization or regulatory agency in the United States or any other applicable jurisdiction, may change or be applied or interpreted in a manner which may also have a material adverse effect on our operations. The actions, policies or regulations, or changes thereto, of any government body or regulatory agency or special interest group, may also have a material adverse effect on our operations.
Uranium exploration and pre-extraction programs and mining activities are subject to stringent environmental protection laws and regulations at the federal, state, and local levels. These laws and regulations, which include permitting and reclamation requirements, regulate emissions, water storage and discharges and disposal of hazardous wastes. Uranium mining activities are also subject to laws and regulations which seek to maintain health and safety standards by regulating the design and use of mining methods. Various permits from governmental and regulatory bodies are required for mining to commence or continue, and no assurance can be provided that required permits will be received in a timely manner.
Our compliance costs including the posting of surety bonds associated with environmental protection laws and regulations and health and safety standards have been significant to date, and are expected to increase in scale and scope as we expand our operations in the future. Furthermore, environmental protection laws and regulations may become more stringent in the future, and compliance with such changes may require capital outlays in excess of those anticipated or cause substantial delays, which would have a material adverse effect on our operations.
To the best of our knowledge, our operations are in compliance, in all material respects, with all applicable laws, regulations and standards. We may not be able or may elect not to insure against the risk of liability for violations of such laws, regulations and standards, due to high insurance premiums or other reasons. Where coverage is available and not prohibitively expensive relative to the perceived risk, we will maintain insurance against such risk, subject to exclusions and limitations. However, we cannot provide any assurance that such insurance will continue to be available at reasonable premiums or that such insurance will be adequate to cover any resulting liability.
| 29 |
We may not be able to obtain, maintain or amend rights, authorizations, licenses, permits or consents required for our operations.
Our exploration mining and planned uranium and vanadium ore processing activities at the proposed company owned mill are dependent upon the grant of appropriate rights, authorizations, licenses, permits and consents, as well as continuation and amendment of these rights, authorizations, licenses, permits and consents already granted, which may be granted for a defined period of time, or may not be granted or may be withdrawn or made subject to limitations. There can be no assurance that all necessary rights, authorizations, licenses, permits and consents will be granted to us, or that authorizations, licenses, permits and consents already granted will not be withdrawn or made subject to limitations.
Closure and remediation costs for environmental liabilities may exceed the provisions we have made.
Natural resource companies are required to close their operations and rehabilitate the lands in accordance with a variety of environmental laws and regulations. Estimates of the total ultimate closure and rehabilitation costs for uranium operations are significant and based principally on current legal and regulatory requirements and closure plans that may change materially. Any underestimated or unanticipated rehabilitation costs could materially affect our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. Environmental liabilities are accrued when they become known, are probable and can be reasonably estimated. Whenever a previously unrecognized remediation liability becomes known, or a previously estimated reclamation cost is increased, the amount of that liability and additional cost will be recorded at that time and could materially reduce our consolidated net income in the related period.
The laws and regulations governing closure and remediation in a particular jurisdiction are subject to review at any time and may be amended to impose additional requirements and conditions which may cause our provisions for environmental liabilities to be underestimated and could materially affect our financial position or results of operations.
Major nuclear incidents may have adverse effects on the nuclear and uranium industries.
The
nuclear incident that occurred in Japan in March 2011 had significant and adverse effects on both the nuclear and uranium industries.
If another nuclear incident were to occur, it may have further adverse effects for both industries. Public opinion of nuclear power as
a source of electricity generation may be adversely affected, which may cause governments of certain countries to further increase regulation
for the nuclear industry, reduce or abandon current reliance on nuclear power or reduce or abandon existing plans for nuclear power expansion.
Any one of these occurrences has the potential to reduce current and/or future demand for nuclear power, resulting in lower demand for
uranium and lower market prices for uranium, adversely affecting the Company’s operations and prospects. Furthermore, the growth
of the nuclear and uranium industries is dependent on continuing and growing public support of nuclear power as a viable source of electricity
generation.
The marketability of uranium concentrates will be affected by numerous factors beyond our control which may result in our inability to receive an adequate return on our invested capital.
The marketability of uranium concentrates extracted by us will be affected by numerous factors beyond our control. These factors include macroeconomic factors, fluctuations in the market price of uranium, governmental regulations, land tenure and use, regulations concerning the importing and exporting of uranium and environmental protection regulations. The future effects of these factors cannot be accurately predicted, but any one or a combination of these factors may result in our inability to receive an adequate return on our invested capital.
The only significant market for uranium is nuclear power plants world-wide, and there are a limited number of customers.
We are dependent on a limited number of electric utilities that buy uranium for nuclear power plants. Because of the limited market for uranium, a reduction in purchases of newly produced uranium by electric utilities for any reason (such as plant closings) would adversely affect the viability of our business.
The price of alternative energy sources affects the demand for and price of uranium.
The attractiveness of uranium as an alternative fuel to generate electricity may be dependent on the relative prices of oil, gas, wind, solar, coal and hydro-electricity and the possibility of developing other low-cost sources of energy. If the prices of alternative energy sources decrease or new low-cost alternative energy sources are developed, the demand for uranium could decrease, which may result in a decrease in the price of uranium.
| 30 |
The title to our mineral property interests may be challenged.
Although we have taken reasonable measures to ensure proper title to our interests in mineral properties and other assets, there is no guarantee that the title to any of such interests will not be challenged. No assurance can be given that we will be able to secure the grant or the renewal of existing mineral rights and tenures on terms satisfactory to us, or that governments in the jurisdictions in which we operate will not revoke or significantly alter such rights or tenures or that such rights or tenures will not be challenged or impugned by third parties, including local governments, aboriginal peoples or other claimants. Our mineral properties may be subject to prior unregistered agreements, transfers or claims, and title may be affected by, among other things, undetected defects. A successful challenge to the precise area and location of our claims could result in us being unable to operate on our properties as permitted or being unable to enforce our rights with respect to our properties.
Due to the nature of our business, we may be subject to legal proceedings which may divert management’s time and attention from our business and result in substantial damage awards.
Due to the nature of our business, we may be subject to numerous regulatory investigations, securities claims, civil claims, lawsuits and other proceedings in the ordinary course of our business. The outcome of these lawsuits is uncertain and subject to inherent uncertainties, and the actual costs to be incurred will depend upon many unknown factors. We may be forced to expend significant resources in the defense of these suits, and we may not prevail. Defending against these and other lawsuits in the future may not only require us to incur significant legal fees and expenses, but may become time-consuming for us and detract from our ability to fully focus our internal resources on our business activities. The results of any legal proceeding cannot be predicted with certainty due to the uncertainty inherent in litigation, the difficulty of predicting decisions of regulators, judges and juries and the possibility that decisions may be reversed on appeal. There can be no assurances that these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position or operating results.
Competition from better-capitalized companies affects prices and our ability to acquire both properties and personnel.
There is global competition for uranium/vanadium properties, ore processing mills, capital, customers and the employment and retention of qualified personnel. In the production and marketing of uranium and vanadium, there are a number of producing entities, some of which are government controlled and all of which are significantly larger and better capitalized than we are. Many of these organizations also have substantially greater financial, technical, manufacturing and distribution resources than we have.
Our uranium production also competes with uranium recovered from the de-enrichment of highly enriched uranium obtained from the dismantling of United States and Russian nuclear weapons and imports to the United States of uranium from the former Soviet Union and from the sale of uranium inventory held by the DoE. In addition, there are numerous entities in the market that compete with us for properties and mills and are attempting to become licensed to operate ISR and/or underground mining facilities. If we are unable to successfully compete for properties, mills, capital, customers or employees or with alternative uranium sources, it could have a materially adverse effect on our results of operations.
Because we have limited capital, inherent mining risks pose a significant threat to us compared with our larger competitors.
Because we have limited capital, we may be unable to withstand significant losses that can result from inherent risks associated with mining, including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, flooding, earthquake, interruptions due to weather conditions and other acts of nature which larger competitors could withstand. Such risks could result in damage to or destruction of our infrastructure and production facilities, as well as to adjacent properties, personal injury, environmental damage and processing and production delays, causing monetary losses and possible legal liability. Our business could be harmed if we lose the services of our key personnel.
Our business and mineral exploration programs depend upon our ability to employ the services of geologists, engineers and other experts. In operating our business and in order to continue our programs, we compete for the services of professionals with other mineral exploration companies and businesses. Our ability to maintain and expand our business and continue our exploration programs may be impaired if we are unable to continue to employ or engage those parties currently providing services and expertise to us or identify and engage other qualified personnel to do so in their place. To retain key personnel, we may face increased compensation costs, including potential new stock incentive grants and there can be no assurance that the incentive measures we implement will be successful in helping us retain our key personnel.
| 31 |
If we fail to maintain proper and effective internal controls, our ability to produce accurate and timely condensed consolidated financial statements could be impaired, which could harm our operating results, our ability to operate our business and investors’ views of us.
Ensuring that we have adequate internal financial and accounting controls and procedures in place so that we can produce accurate condensed consolidated financial statements on a timely basis is a costly and time-consuming effort that will need to be evaluated frequently. Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires public companies to conduct an annual review and evaluation of their internal controls, which the company does each year. Our failure to maintain the effectiveness of our internal controls in accordance with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act could have a material adverse effect on our business. We could lose investor confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, which could have an adverse effect on the price of our common shares.
The Company may be subject to certain tax consequences in its business, which may increase the cost of doing business.
The Company may not be able to structure its acquisitions to result in tax-free treatment for the companies or their stockholders, which could deter third parties from entering into certain business combinations with the Company or result in being taxed on consideration received in a transaction.
Our business, financial condition and results of operations may be negatively affected by economic and other consequences from Russia’s military action against Ukraine and the international sanctions imposed in response to that action.
In late February 2022, Russia launched a large-scale military attack on Ukraine. The invasion significantly amplified already existing geopolitical tensions among Russia, Ukraine, Europe, NATO and the West, including the United States. In response to the military action by Russia, various countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom and European Union issued broad-ranging economic sanctions against Russia and its companies, institutions, officials and oligarchs. Additional sanctions have been and may be imposed in the future. Such sanctions (and any future sanctions) and other actions against Russia may adversely impact, among other things, the Russian economy and various sectors of the economy, including but not limited to, financial, energy, metals and mining, engineering and defense and defense-related materials sectors; result in a decline in the value and liquidity of Russian securities; result in boycotts, tariffs, and purchasing and financing restrictions on Russia’s government, companies and certain individuals; weaken the value of the ruble; downgrade the country’s credit rating; freeze Russian securities and/or funds invested in prohibited assets and impair the ability to trade in Russian securities and/or other assets; and have other adverse consequences on the Russian government, economy, companies and region. Further, several large corporations and U.S. states have announced plans to divest interests or otherwise curtail business dealings with certain Russian businesses.
The ramifications of the hostilities and sanctions may not be limited to Russia, Ukraine and Russian and Ukrainian companies and may spill over to and negatively impact other regional and global economic markets (including Europe and the United States), companies in other countries (particularly those that have significant trade with Russia and Ukraine) and on various sectors, industries and markets for securities and commodities globally, such as oil and natural gas. Accordingly, the actions discussed above and the potential for a wider conflict could increase financial market volatility and cause severe negative effects on regional and global economic markets, industries, and companies. In addition, Russia may take retaliatory actions and other countermeasures, including cyberattacks and espionage against other countries and companies around the world, which may negatively impact such countries and companies.
The extent and duration of the military action or future escalation of such hostilities, the extent and impact of existing and future sanctions, market disruptions and volatility, and the result of any diplomatic negotiations cannot be predicted.
While we expect any direct impacts to our business to be limited, the indirect impacts on the economy, such as recession, and on the mining industry and other industries in general could negatively affect our business and may make it more difficult for us to raise equity or debt financing and/or impair global equity prices, including Western’s.
In addition, the impact of other current macro-economic factors on our business, which may be exacerbated by the war in Ukraine – including inflation, supply chain constraints and geopolitical events – is uncertain.
| 32 |
The COVID-19 coronavirus could adversely impact our business, including our mine development plans.
In December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus, COVID-19, was reported to have surfaced in Wuhan, China. Since then, the COVID-19 coronavirus has spread to multiple countries, including the United States. As the COVID-19 coronavirus continues to spread in the United States, we may experience disruptions that could severely impact our business, including:
| ● | interruption of key mining activities due to limitations on travel, gathering, or business operations imposed or recommended by federal or state governments, employers and others. |
| ● | limitations in employee resources, including because of sickness of employees or their families or the desire of employees to avoid contact with large groups of people. |
| ● | delays in financial reporting and filings due to the impact of mitigation efforts on staff and service providers |
| ● | changes in local regulations as part of a response to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak which may require us to change the ways in which mining is conducted, which may result in unexpected costs. |
| ● | delays in necessary interactions with regulators and other important agencies and contractors due to limitations in employee resources or new procedures due to limitations imposed by COVID-19. |
| ● | reduction in the global demand for uranium and/or vanadium due to reduced primary applications of uranium (nuclear power generation) and vanadium (steelmaking). |
| ● | COVID-19 restrictions could cause a decline in energy consumption or indirectly reduced oil prices could lessen the demand for nuclear power. |
| ● | COVID-19 previously caused uranium mine closures that have taken substantial uranium supply offline and increased the spot price of uranium to date during this crisis, there is no guarantee that this relationship will continue as the COVID-19 crisis is ongoing and the dynamic of the mine closure/spot price relationship may change. |
The global outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus continues to evolve. The extent to which the COVID-19 coronavirus and its subvariants may impact our business will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, such as the ultimate geographic spread of the disease, the duration of the outbreak, travel restrictions and social distancing in the United States and other countries, business closures or business disruptions and the effectiveness of actions taken in the United States and other countries to contain and treat the disease.
Risks Related to Our Stock
If we are unable to raise additional capital, our business may fail and shareholders may lose their entire investment.
We had $8,434,891 in cash at March 31, 2023. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain additional capital after we exhaust our current cash. To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the issuance of such securities would likely result in substantial dilution to existing shareholders. If we borrow money, we will have to pay interest and may also have to agree to restrictions that limit our operating flexibility.
If additional capital is not available in sufficient amounts or on a timely basis, we will experience liquidity problems, and we could face the need to significantly curtail current operations, change our planned business strategies and pursue other remedial measures. Any curtailment of business operations would have a material negative effect on operating results, the value of our outstanding stock is likely to fall, and our business may fail, causing our shareholders to lose their entire investment.
Shareholders could be diluted if we were to use common shares to raise capital.
We may need to seek additional capital to carry our business plan. This financing could involve one or more types of securities including common shares, convertible debt or warrants to acquire common shares. These securities could be issued at or below the then prevailing market price for our common shares. Any issuance of additional common shares could be dilutive to existing shareholders and could adversely affect the market price of our common shares.
| 33 |
The Company’s common shares may at times be traded in low volumes, which may negatively affect your ability to sell shares.
The Company’s common shares may trade at times in low volumes on both the CSE and OTCQX, meaning that the number of persons interested in purchasing our common shares at or near bid prices at any given time may be relatively small. This situation may be attributable to a number of factors, including the fact that we are a small company that is relatively unknown to stock analysts, stock brokers, institutional investors and others in the investment community who can generate or influence sales volume, and that even if we came to the attention of such institutionally oriented persons, they tend to be risk-averse in this environment and would be reluctant to follow an early stage company such as ours or purchase or recommend the purchase of our shares until such time as we became more advanced and viable. As a consequence, there may be periods of several days or more when trading activity in the Company’s shares is minimal, as compared to a seasoned issuer which has a large and steady volume of trading activity that will generally support continuous sales without an adverse effect on share price. The Company cannot give you any assurance that a broader or more active public trading market for our common shares will develop or be sustained. Due to these conditions, we can give you no assurance that you will be able to sell your shares at or near bid prices or at all if you need money or otherwise desire to liquidate your shares. Further, certain institutional and other investors may have investment guidelines that restrict or prohibit investing in securities traded in the over-the-counter market. These factors may have an adverse impact on the trading and price of our securities and could result in the loss by investors of all or part of their investment.
The Company’s common share price may be volatile.
The future trading price of the Company’s common shares may be volatile and may fluctuate substantially. The price of the common shares may be higher or lower than the price you pay for your shares, depending on many factors, some of which are beyond the Company’s control and may not be directly related to its operating performance. These factors include the following:
| ● | price and volume fluctuations in the overall stock market from time to time; | |
| ● | significant volatility in the market price and trading volume of securities of mineral exploration and mining companies; |
| ● | changes in government regulations or regulatory policies with respect to mineral exploration and mining companies or in the status of our regulatory approvals; |
| ● | actual or anticipated changes in earnings or fluctuations in operating results; | |
| ● | announcements by us or by our competitors of acquisitions or of new products, commercial relationships or capital commitments; | |
| ● | disruption to our operations or those of other contractors critical to our operations; | |
| ● | the emergence of new competitors; | |
| ● | commencement of, or our involvement in, litigation; | |
| ● | dilutive issuances of our common shares or the incurrence of additional debt; | |
| ● | adoption of new or different accounting standards; |
| ● | general economic conditions and trends and slow or negative growth of related markets; |
| ● | loss of a major funding source; or |
| ● | departures of key personnel. |
Due to the continued potential volatility of its stock price, the Company may be the target of securities litigation in the future. Securities litigation could result in substantial costs and divert management’s attention and resources from the business.
| 34 |
The sale of shares by our directors and officers may adversely affect the market price for our shares.
Sales of significant amounts of common shares held by our officers and directors, or the prospect of these sales, could adversely affect the market price of our common shares. Management’s stock ownership may discourage a potential acquirer from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us, which in turn could reduce our stock price or prevent our shareholders from realizing a premium over our stock price.
We have never paid or declared any dividends on our common shares.
We have never paid or declared any dividends on our common shares. Likewise, we do not anticipate paying dividends or distributions on our common shares. Any future dividends on common shares will be declared, if at all, at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend, among other things, on our earnings, our financial requirements for future operations and growth, and other facts as we may then deem appropriate.
Our Chief Executive Officer is our largest shareholder, and as a result he may be able to exert control over us and may have actual or potential interests that may diverge from yours.
George Glasier, our CEO, beneficially owns, in the aggregate, about 12.5% of our common shares. As a result, Mr. Glasier might be able to influence many matters requiring shareholder approval, including the election of directors and approval of mergers and other significant corporate transactions. This concentration of ownership may have the effect of delaying, preventing or deterring a change in control, and could deprive our shareholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their common shares as part of a sale of our company and may affect the market price of our stock.
Furthermore, Mr. Glasier may have interests that diverge from those of other holders of our common shares. As a result, Mr. Glasier may vote the shares he owns or controls or otherwise cause us to take actions that may conflict with your best interests as a shareholder, which could adversely affect our results of operations and the trading price of our common shares. Through this control, Mr. Glasier can exert influence over our management, affairs and all matters requiring shareholder approval, including the approval of significant corporate transactions, a sale of our company, decisions about our capital structure and the composition of our board of directors.
Risks Related to Our Regulatory Environment
The SEC’s adoption of the “Modernization of Property Disclosures for Mining Registrants,” as codified in S-K 1300, has created new disclosure requirements for mineral reserves and mineral resources that create some ambiguity for issuers required to comply with both the requirements of S-K 1300 and NI 43-101 and may result in increased compliance costs.
SEC Industry Guide 7 has been rescinded and replaced by S-K 1300, which requires that we disclose specific information related to our material mining operations, including with particularity any mineral resources and mineral reserves. Although we have established the existence of mineralized materials on our uranium properties, we have not established any measured mineral resources or any proven or probable reserves through the completion of a feasibility study for any of our uranium properties and we have no current plans to seek to do so, as it would not serve a business purpose at the present time. Nevertheless, if in the future we were to seek to identify any measured mineral resources or to establish any proven or probable reserves, we would be required to provide disclosure in that regard under both S-K 1300 and NI 43-101. While S-K 1300 is substantively similar to NI 43-101 (with the primary difference being between the format required for an S-K 1300 technical report summary and the format required for an NI 43-101 technical report), S-K 1300 is potentially subject to unknown interpretations, which could require the Company to incur substantial costs associated with compliance. We cannot predict the nature of any future enforcement, interpretation, or application of S-K 1300. Any further revisions to, or interpretations of, S-K 1300 or NI 43-101 could result our company incurring unforeseen costs associated with compliance with both of those disclosure regimes.
| 35 |
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
None.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
For Western, safety is a core value, and we strive for superior performance. Our health and safety management system, which includes detailed standards and procedures for safe production, addresses topics such as employee training, risk management, workplace inspection, emergency response, accident investigation, and program auditing. In addition to strong leadership and involvement from all levels of the organization, these programs and procedures form the cornerstone of safety at Western, ensuring that employees are provided a safe and healthy environment and are intended to reduce workplace accidents, incidents and losses, comply with all mining-related regulations and provide support for both regulators and the industry to improve mine safety.
The operation of our U.S. based mine is subject to regulation by the Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (“MSHA”) under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (the “Mine Act”). MSHA inspects our mine on a regular basis and issues various citations and orders when it believes a violation has occurred under the Mine Act Following passage of The Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006, MSHA significantly increased the number of citations and orders charged against mining operations. The dollar penalties assessed for citations issued has also increased in recent years.
Pursuant to Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), issuers that are operators, or that have a subsidiary that is an operator, of a coal or other mine in the United States, and that is subject to regulation by the Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration under the Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (“Mine Safety Act”), are required to disclose in their periodic reports filed with the SEC information regarding specified health and safety violations, orders and citations, related assessments and legal actions, and mining-related fatalities. Western went into active mining operations at the Sunday Mine Complex during 2021. During the quarter ended March 31, 2023, Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) mine inspections have not yielded any disclosures required by Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Act.”
Item 5. Other Information
None.
Item 6. Exhibits
| Exhibit No. | Description | |
| 3.1 * | Certificate of Incorporation, as amended | |
| 3.2 * | Amended and Restated Bylaws | |
| 31.1 | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
| 31.2 | Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
32 |
||
| 95 | Mine Safety Disclosure Exhibit | |
| 101.INS | Inline XBRL Instance Document | |
| 101.SCH | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema | |
| 101.CAL | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document | |
| 101.DEF | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document | |
| 101.LAB | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document | |
| 101.PRE | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document | |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101). |
| * | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Form 10 registration statement filed on April 29, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference. |
| 36 |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements 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.
| WESTERN URANIUM & VANADIUM CORP. | ||
| Date: May 17, 2023 | By: | /s/ George Glasier |
| George Glasier | ||
| Chief Executive Officer and President | ||
| Date: May 17, 2023 | By: | /s/ Robert Klein |
| Robert Klein | ||
| Chief Financial Officer | ||
| 37 |