Encore Announces Agreement to Acquire ALTA Mesa Uranium Project IN South Texas and Bought Deal Financing Fueling the Future IN the United States
NEWS RELEASE
TSX.V: EU
OTCQB: ENCUF
November 14, 2022
www.encoreuranium.com
ENCORE ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT TO ACQUIRE ALTA MESA
URANIUM PROJECT IN SOUTH TEXAS AND BOUGHT DEAL FINANCING
FUELING THE FUTURE IN THE UNITED STATES
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES
Corpus Christi, Texas – November 14, 2022 – enCore Energy Corp. (TSXV:EU, OTCQB:ENCUF) (“enCore”)
is pleased to announce that it has entered into a definitive agreement (the ”Agreement”) to acquire the
Alta Mesa In-Situ Recovery (“ ISR”) uranium project (“Alta Mesa ”) from Energy Fuels Inc. (the
“Transaction”) for total consideration of US$120 million (the “ Consideration”). The Transaction will
position enCore as a leading US-focused ISR uranium company with the proven management expertise
required to advance multiple production opportunities within its portfolio.
Transaction Highlights
Alta Mesa includes a fully-licensed and constructed ISR processing facility that has an operating capacity
of 1.5 million pounds of uranium per year. Between Alta Mesa, Rosita and Kingsville Dome, all fully
licensed for production, enCore’s existing processing capacity will reach 3.6 million pounds of uranium
per year.
• Alta Mesa is host to measured and indicated resources of 3.41 million lbs U3O8 (1.57 million tons
at an average grade of 0.109% U3O8) plus inferred resources of 16.79 million lbs U3O8 (7.0 million
tons at an average grade of 0.120% U 3O8). Abundant exploration upside exists within the Alta
Mesa land package around the existing defined resource areas, which enCore will prioritize.
• Alta Mesa will diversify enCore’s South Texas operations into a 3rd fully licensed production
facility, along with Rosita and Kingsville Dome, all located in the business-friendly state of Texas.
enCore’ mid- and long-term production potential is further fueled by a pipeline of projects with
Dewey-Burdock in South Dakota, Gas Hills in Wyoming and additional projects in New Mexico .
There are only 11 licensed production facilities in the United States;
• Alta Mesa is currently on standby and ready to resume production, as market conditions
warrant. It can reach commercial production levels with limited required capital within 10
months of a production decision.
• Control of a large private land package totaling 195,501 contiguous acres, including 4,575-
acres currently under a lease and mining permit and 190,926 -acres under a lease -option and
exploration/testing permit.
• The acquisition will further cement enCore Energy’s position as a dominant ISR uranium developer
and future producer in the US.
• Alta Mesa’s operations are located on private land, with 100% of minerals privately owned, and
in a supportive jurisdiction with primary regulatory authority residing with the State of Texas.
• The Alta Mesa ISR processing facility is a fully permitted and constructed past-producing In-Situ
Recovery operation, with a well -established track record of lower cost uranium production . I t
currently has fully permitted resources that, with the installation of production patterns, can be
put into production with no additional permitting required.
• Alta Mesa has extensive exploration results , with underexplored potential, across the area that
have identified signi ficant uranium resources that enCore expects can be recovered at lower
costs, as market conditions warrant.
• Alta Mesa produced a total of 4.6 million pounds of uranium between October 2005 and
November 2013, including 1 million pounds of uranium per year over a two-year period.
• With low holding costs, Alta Mesa provides fully permitted lower-cost production scalability that
can be brought into production quickly to provide a domestic energy source for the United States.
Conference Call: The Company will host an online conference call on Monday, November 14, 2022 at
8:00 AM ET. To join the online call and presentation please log in at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89072489639?pwd=ejFhU3FWTkpRRUkwakFJUEd1SFV0Zz09.
To view the Alta Mesa project maps and enCore Energy’s South Texas projects please visit:
https://bit.ly/3fV9fTg
William M. Sheriff, Executive Chairman of enCore, commented: “This transaction exceeds enCore’s long
stated requirement for any major acquisition to be accretive to shareholders in not only production
capacity but also cost and timelines to production and an asset we secure at a compelling valuation . In
addition, t his acquisition further cements enC ore’s commitment to near -term US -based uranium
production with our initial focus on South Texas . Alta Mesa will immediately become a flagship asset
amongst our large project portfolio, including our licensed and past-producing Rosita ISR production plant
in South Texas, our development-stage Dewey-Burdock and Gas Hills projects in South Dakota and
Wyoming, respectively, along with a large resource portfolio in New Mexico . enCore is committed to
developing a reliable domestic source of energy.”
Paul Goranson, CEO and Director of enCore, further added: “As the previous Vice President of Mesteña
Uranium, LLC, which owned and operated the Alta Mesa project , we generated substantial cash flow
during the last cycle of elevated uranium prices, and established the project as a leading US ISR uranium
producer. Combined with our South Texas operations that are anchored around our Rosita project, this
acquisition puts us in an exceptionally strong position to advance towards being a long-term sustainable
source of uranium production to fuel clean nuclear energy that will benefit our local communities, the
state of Texas, and the United States.”
Alta Mesa
The Alta Mesa project is a full y licensed and constructed ISR project and central processing facility
currently on standby, located on almost 200,000 acres of private land in the state of Texas. Total operating
capacity is 1.5 million lbs U3O8 per year. Alta Mesa historically produced nearly 5 million lbs U3O8 between
2005 and 2013, when full production was curtailed as a result of low uranium prices at the time . enCore
will immediately pursue the resumption of operations following completion of the Transaction.
Details of the Transaction
Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, enCore, through its wholly owned subsidiary enCore Energy US
Corp., will acquire all of the limited liability company membership interests in each of the three Texas
limited liability companies which collectively own and control Alta Mesa , being EFR Alta Mesa LLC,
Leoncito Plant, LLC and Leoncito Project, LLC from EFR White Canyon Corp. (“EFR White Canyon ”), a
wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Fuels. enCore will additionally assume the reclamation obligations and
surety bonds associated with Alta Mesa in exchange for paying to Energy Fuels the cash equivalent of the
existing collateral.
The Consideration payable to Energy Fuels consists of US$60 million in cash and a US$60 million secured
vendor take-back convertible promissory note (the “Note”) with EFR White Canyon. The Note will have a
two (2) year term and will bear interest at a rate of 8% per annum payable on June 30 th and December
31st of each year during the term. The Note will be convertible at the election of the holder, to acquire
common shares of enCore at a price equal to a 20% premium to the volume weighted average price of
the enCore shares for the 10 consecutive trading days immediately prior to the closing of the Transaction.
Energy Fuels has agreed not to transact with the common shares of enCore received on conversion of the
Note, including hedging and short sales, with exceptions for sale transacti ons of up to US$10 million in
value in any 30 -day period, block trades and underwritten distributions . In addition, Energy Fuels has
agreed to standard standstill provisions restricting additional acquisitions of enCore securities.
The board of directors of enCore (the “Board”), after consultation with its financial and legal advisors, and
after receiving a unanimous recommendation from a special committee of the Board comprised of
independent directors (the “Special Committee”), has unanimously approved the Transaction. The Board,
in conducting its review of the Transaction, was advised by Haywood Securities Inc. (“ Haywood”) and
received a fairness opinion from Haywood which determined that, in Haywood’s opinion, based upon and
subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications set out therein, the consideration to be paid by
enCore in connection with the Transaction is fair to enCore. The Special Committee, in its review and
evaluation of the Transaction, additionally received its own separate fairn ess opinion from Clarus
Securities Inc. (“ Clarus”) which determined that, in Clarus’s opinion, based upon and subject to the
assumptions, limitations and qualifications set out therein, the consideration to be paid by enCore in
connection with the Transact ion is fair to enCore. Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP and Morton Law LLP are
acting as legal advisors to enCore in connection with the Transaction.
The Transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including enCore completing a financing to
fund the cash portion of the purchase price and approval by the TSX Venture Exchange (the “Exchange”),
and available funds.
Equity Financing
In connection with the Transaction, enCore has entered into an agreement with Canaccord Genuity Corp.
(the “Lead Underwriter”), on behalf of a syndicate of underwriters (together with the Lead Underwriter,
the “Underwriters”), pursuant to which the Underwriters have agreed to purchase, on a “bought deal”
private placement basis 20,000,000 subscription receipts (the “ Subscription Receipts”) of enCore at a
price of C$ 3.00 per Subscription Receipt (the “Issue Price”) for aggregate gross proceeds to enCore of
C$60 million (the “Offering”).
enCore has granted the Underwriters an over-allotment option exercisable, in whole or in part, at the sole
discretion of the Underwriters, to purchase up to an additional 3,000,000 Subscription Receipts at the
Issue Price until 48 hours prior to the closing of the Offering.
The net proceeds of the Offering will be used to partially fund the cash portion of the Consideration
payable to Energy Fuels pursuant to the Transaction.
The Subscription Receipts will be issued pursuant to a subscription receipt agreement (the “Subscription
Receipt Agreement”) to be entered into by enCore, the Lead Underwriter, on behalf of the Underwriters,
and a licensed Canadian trust company as Subscription Receipt agent to be agreed upon. Pursuant to the
Subscription Receipt Agreement, the gross proceeds from the Offering (less 50% of the Underwriters’ cash
commission and the Underwriters’ expenses) (the “ Escrowed Funds”) will be held in escrow pending
satisfaction of certain conditions, including, amongst others, (a) the satisfaction of each of the conditions
precedent to the Transaction (other than the payment of the cash portion of the Consideration); and (b)
the receipt of all required approvals in connection with the Transaction and the Offering, including ,
without limitation, conditional approval of the Exchange (collectively, the “Escrow Release Conditions”).
Upon satisfaction of the Escrow Release Conditions, each of the Subscription Receipts will automatically
convert into one unit (a “Unit”) of enCore. Each Unit will be comprised of one common share of enCor e
(a “ Common Share ”) and one Common Share purchase warrant (a “ Warrant”), with each Warrant
entitling the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share (a “Warrant Share”) at a price of C$3.75 for a
period of 3 years following the satisfaction of the Escrow Release Conditions . If the Escrow Release
Conditions have not been satisfied on or prior to February 14, 2023, the Escrow Agent shall return the
Issue Price plus any interest earned on the Escrowed Funds, to the holders of Subscription Receipts and
the Subscription Receipts shall be cancelled.
Closing of the Offering is expected to occur on or about December 6 , 2022 and is subject to certain
customary conditions, including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals and
acceptance of the Exchange.
The Subscription Receipts to be issued under the Offering will be offered in each of the provinces of
Canada on a private placement basis, to investors in the United States pursuant to available exemptions
from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, and in those jurisdictions
outside of Canada and the United States which are agreed to by enCore and the Underwriters.
The securities have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the “US Securities Act”), or any US state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in
the United States without registration under the US Securities Act and all applicable state securities laws
or compliance with the requirements of an applicable exemption therefrom. This press release shall not
constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall
there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be
unlawful.
Qualified Persons
John M. Seeley, Ph.D., P.G., enCore’s Manager of Geology and Exploration, and a Qualified Person under
NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure in this news release on behalf of enCore.
Technical Disclosure
The technical information in this presentation regarding the Alta Mesa ISR project is based on a technical
report entitled “ Technical Report Summary for the Alta Mesa Uranium Project, Brooks and Jim Hogg
Counties, Texas, USA ”, dated December 31, 2021 , authored by Travis Boam, P .G., of Energy Fuels and
Douglas L. Beahm, P.E., P.G. of BRS Engineering, prepared for Energy Fuels, a copy of which has been filed
on SEDAR. Mineral resources have been estimated for both the Alta Mesa and Mesteña Grande areas in
accordance with CIM standards and definitions and are summarized in the table below.
Alta Mesa & Mesteña Grande Mineral
Resource Summary (0.30 GT cut-off)
Tons
(‘000)
Avg. Grade
(% U3O8)
Pounds
(‘000)
Total Measured Mineral Resource1 54 0.152 164
Alta Mesa Indicated Mineral Resource 1,397 0.106 2,959
Mesteña Grande Indicated Mineral Resource 119 0.120 287
Total Measured & Indicated Resources 1,570 0.109 3,410
Alta Mesa Inferred Mineral Resource 1,263 0.126 3,192
Mesteña Grande Inferred Mineral Resource 5,733 0.119 13,601
Total Inferred Resources 6,996 0.120 16,793
1 Represents that portion of the in-place mineral resource that are estimated to be recoverable within existing wellfields. Wellfield recovery factors
have not been applied to indicated and inferred mineral resources.
Note: Mineral resources are not mineral reserves a nd do not have demonstrated economic viability in
accordance with CIM standards. Inferred mineral resources are too speculative to have the economic
considerations applied to them which would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves.
About enCore Energy Corp.
enCore is the most diversified In-Situ Recovery uranium development company in the United States.
enCore is focused on becoming the next uranium producer from its licensed and past -producing South
Texas Rosita Processing Plant by 2023. The South Dakota-based Dewey-Burdock project and the Wyoming
Gas Hills project offer mid-term production opportunities, with significant New Mexico uranium resource
endowments providing long -term opportunities. The enCore team is led by industry experts wi th
extensive knowledge and experience in all aspects of ISR uranium operations and the nuclear fuel cycle.
enCore is committed to engaging and working with local communities and indigenous governments to
create positive impact from corporate developments.
For further information, please contact:
William M. Sheriff
Executive Chairman
(972) 333-2214
www.encoreuranium.com
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the
policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward -Looking Statements: Certain information contained in this news release,
including: any information relating to the Company being a leading uranium company; the Company’s expectations
as to longer term fundamentals in the market and price projections; scalability, and the Company’s ability to be able
to restart or increase production at Alta Mesa as market conditions warrant; the ability of the Company to complete
the acquisition of Alta Mesa and to realize the expected bene fits of the acquisition; statements relating to the
intended use of the net proceeds of the Offering and the completion of the Transaction and the Offering; the expected
timelines for the development and recommencement of production at the Alta Mesa Project; estimates relating to
current mineral resources; expectations regarding exploration potential; and any other statements regarding future
expectations, beliefs, goals or prospects; constitute forward -looking information within the meaning of applicable
securities legislation (collectively, "forward -looking statements"). All statements in this news release that are not
statements of historical fact (including statements containing the words "expects", "does not expect", "plans",
"anticipates", "does not anticipate", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential", "scheduled",
"forecast", "budget" and similar expressions) should be considered forwa rd-looking statements. All such forward -
looking statements are subject to important risk factors and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the companies’
ability to control or predict. Forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risk s, including,
without limitation, risks associated with general economic conditions; adverse industry events; future legislative and
regulatory developments; inability to access additional capital; the ability of enCore to implement its business
strategies; and other risks. A number of important factors could cause actual results or events to differ materially
from those indicated or implied by such forward -looking statements, including without limitation factors relating to
forward looking statements listed above which include risks as disclosed in the companies’ annual information form
filings. Each of the above companies assumes no obligation to update the information in this communication, except
as required by law. Additional information identifying ris ks and uncertainties is contained in filings by the above
companies with the various securities commissions which are available online at www.sec.gov and www.sedar.com.
Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about t he current expectations,
beliefs and plans of management. Such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes and readers should
not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, that speak only as of the date hereof, as there can be
no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Such information,
although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual
results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are
expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.