Global Atomic Announces Q1 2020 Results
PRESS RELEASE
Global Atomic Announces Q1 2020 Results
Toronto, ON, May 14 , 20 20: Global Atomic Corporation (“Global Atomic” or the “Company”), (TSX: GLO,
FRANKFURT: G12, OTCQX: GLATF ) the multi-asset development company with cash flow from the BST facility
in Turkey and one of the world’s premium uranium development assets, at the Dasa Project in the Republic of
Niger, is pleased to announce its operating and financial results for the 3 months ended March 31, 2020.
HIGHLIGHTS
A Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”) of the Phase 1 plan for Dasa was summarized in a press
release on April 15, 2020, indicating a 12 year mine life to produce 44.1 million pounds U 3O8.
The PEA estimates cash costs of $16.72/lb U3O8 and an all-in sustaining cost of $18.39/lb U3O8.
Based on a U3O8 price of $35/lb, the after-tax NPV at 8% was estimated at $211 million for an after-tax IRR of
26.6%.
The average head grade of uranium processed in the Phase One plan is 5,396 ppm.
Spot uranium prices have increased to $33.50/lb U3O8, up 34% since the beginning of the year.
Ronald S. Halas, P.Eng., was appointed Chief Operating Officer in charge of building the Dasa Project.
The new Turkish plant continues to ramp up with improved operating efficiencies.
The Company’s share of the Turkish Joint Venture (“Turkish JV”) EBITDA was $0.8 million in Q1 2020.
The Turkish JV non-recourse debt was US $22.85 million at the end of Q1 2020.
The Company’s share of the Turkish JV loss was $1.2 million, impacted significantly by its $1.5 million share
of the unrealized foreign exchange loss on the Turkish debt, attributable in large part to the decline in the
Turkish Lira and the Canadian dollar relative to the US dollar.
Global Atomic continues to receive management fees and sales commissions from the Turkish JV , helping to
offset corporate overhead costs.
Cash position as at March 31, 2020 was C$3.1 million.
Stephen G. Roman, Chairman, President and CEO commented “Our first quarter was very busy despite the
COVID-19 disruption, which is on-going. We made great progress on our Dasa Project technical, environmental
and CSR programs, as well as hiring Ronald S. Halas, P.Eng., as our new Chief Operating Officer, in char ge of
moving the Dasa Project through feasibility, permitting and construction. We are excited by the recent positive
move higher in uranium prices and expect the zinc market will also improve as businesses resume around the
world.”
OUTLOOK
Turkish JV, Iskenderun, Turkey
The modernized Turkish JV plant in Iskenderun is anticipated to operate at approximately 6 5% capacity
during 2020, in line with the expectations for the Turkish steel industry due to COVID-19.
Once market conditions and zinc prices recov er, the Turkish JV will generate increased cash flows and
benefit from its TL 77.2 million (C$16.6 million) tax credit carry-forward.
In view of lower zinc prices and the slowdown of the steel market, debt repayment is now expected to extend
into 2022.
Zinc prices have recently increased from $0.85/lb at the end of Q1 2020.
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Dividend flow from the Turkish JV will resume following repayment of the non-recourse, modernization debt.
Dasa Uranium Project, Niger
Environmental Impact Statement (“EIS”), Hydrogeology Studies and Geotechnical Studies are underway and
will be completed in Q2 2020;
Global Atomic will combine the PEA, the Hydrogeology report, the Geotechnical report and EIS into a Final
Technical Report ("FTR”). The FTR is the key mining permit application document that will be submitted to the
Government of Niger in Q3.
Global Atomic anticipates the Mining Permit to be issued in 2021.
Uranium market sentiment has improved along with the recent increase in uranium prices to $33.50/lb U 3O8.
Summarized income statement and financial position information is shown as follows:
Dasa Uranium Project, Niger
CSA Global Pty. Ltd. was engaged to prepare a Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”) of the high grade
Flank Zone, referred to as the Phase 1 mine plan. The results of this PEA were summarized in a press release
dated April 15, 2020 and a technical report prepared pursuant to Canadian Securities Administrators’ National
Instrument 43-101, will be available on the Company’s website (www.globalatomiccorp.com) and filed on SEDAR
prior to May 31, 2020.
Three months ended March 31,
(all amounts in C$) 2020 2019
Revenues 224,197$ 53,678$
General and administration 552,826 455,870
Share of equity loss (earnings) 1,241,202 (2,010,267)
Other income (30,000) (30,000)
Finance expense 4,444 -
Foreign exchange loss (gain) (25,192) 60,431
Net income (loss) (1,519,083)$ 1,577,644$
Other comprehensive income (loss) 1,573,485$ (2,302,548)$
Comprehensive income (loss) 54,402$ (724,904)$
Basic net income per share (0.010)$ 0.011$
Diluted net income per share (0.010)$ 0.011$
As at March 31, As at December 31,
2020 2019
Cash 3,090,602$ 3,890,665$
Exploration & evaluation assets 34,706,185 32,515,297
Investment in joint venture 14,443,992 15,870,717
Other assets 1,501,294 1,328,399
Total assets 53,742,073$ 53,605,078$
Total liabilities 670,348$ 647,755$
Shareholders' equity 53,071,725$ 52,957,323$
Shareholders' equity per share 0.365$ 0.364$
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The Phase 1 mine plan developed for the PEA comprises the Flank Zone and indicates that this part of the mine
could operate for twelve years, including ramp up, and at steady state mining, is planned to produce over 4 million
pounds U3O8 per annum, based on a cut-off grade of 2,300 parts per million (“ppm”).
The PEA confirmed the potential economic and technical viability of uranium production at the Dasa Project as an
integrated operating facility to mine and produce yellowcake on the property. Summary project metrics for Phase
1 are as follows:
Summary Project Metrics @ US$35/lb U3O8
Project Economics
Average royalty rate (based on Mining Code sliding scale) % 9.1%
Average annual mine EBITDA(1) $M $93.8
After-tax NPV (8% discount rate) $M $211
After-tax IRR % 26.6%
Initial capital expenditures $M $203
Undiscounted after-tax cash flow (net of capex) $M $437
After-tax payback period Years 4.00
Unit Operating Costs
LOM average cash cost(2) $/lb U3O8 $16.72
AISC(2) $/lb U3O8 $18.39
Production Profile
Mine Life Years 12
Total tonnes of mineralized material processed M Tonnes 4.0
Peak tonnes per day mineralized material Tonnes/day 1,124
Mill head grade ppm/t 5,396
Overall mill recovery % 92%
Total Lbs U3O8 processed Mlbs 47.9
Total Lbs U3O8 recovered Mlbs 44.1
Average annual Lbs U3O8 production Mlbs 4.4
Peak annual Lbs U3O8 production Mlbs 5.2
(1) Mine EBITDA is a non-IFRS measure, does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and may not be comparable to similar
terms and measures presented by other issuers. Mine EBITDA comprises earnings before income taxes, interest expense (income) and
financing expense (income), amortization expense, and other expenses including corporate costs.
(2) Cash costs include all mining, processing, site G&A, and royalty costs, as well as all head office and other off -site costs. All-in sustaining
costs (“AISC”) include cash costs plus all capital expenditures after the start of commercial production.
The economic analysis for the PEA was done via a discounted cash flow (“DCF”) model based on the mining
inventory from the PEA Phase 1 mine plan and a price of US$35 per pound of U 3O8. Sensitivity analysis was
carried out at $5 per pound price intervals from $25 per pound to $50 per pound, as shown in the table below.
The DCF includes an assessment of the current tax regime and royalty requirements in Niger. Net present value
(“NPV”) figures are calculated using a range of discount rates as shown. The discount rate used for the base -case
analysis is 8% (“NPV8”). Cash flows are discounted to the start of first construction.
Economic sensitivity with varying uranium prices(1)
Uranium price (per pound) $25/lb $30/lb $35/lb $40/lb $45/lb $50/lb
Before-tax NPV @ 8% $41 M $139 M $260 M $365 M $485 M $601 M
After-tax NPV @ 8% $34 M $113 M $211 M $294 M $391 M $485 M
After-tax IRR 11.5% 18.5% 26.6% 32.6% 39.7% 46.3%
(1) Mine Stope Optimization (“MSO”) and schedule for all uranium price sensitivities used the MSO base case model at $35 per pound
uranium
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Economic sensitivity with varying discount rates using base-case uranium price $35/lb
Discount rate (%) 5% 8% 10% 12%
Before-tax NPV $341 M $260 M $215 M $177 M
After-tax NPV $279 M $211 M $173 M $141 M
The PEA presents a very robust Phase 1 mine plan for the Dasa deposit based on the extraction 4. 13 million tonnes of
mineralised material from a sub-vertical section of the deposit on the flank of the graben, from depths of approximately 70
meters to 600 meters below surface. Value opportunities exist in extending the mine-life beyond an initial 12 years, as can be
seen from the longitudinal section shown below. A large volume of mineralised material is present in the flat -lying portions of
the graben between 400 meters and 800 meters below surface that could be mined in future decades. In addition, the deposit
remains open along strike and at depth.
Dasa longitudinal section
Turkish JV, Iskenderun, Turkey
The Turkish JV continued the process of ramping up production and efficiencies during Q1 2020. Underlying
production statistics were as follows:
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The Turkish JV processed 18,420 tonnes EAFD in Q1 2020 compared to 4,922 tonnes in Q1 2019 . Production of
concentrates was 6,366 dry metric tonnes (“DMT”) in Q1 2020 compared to 1,291 DMT in Q1 2019. The lower
2019 production reflects the closure of operations at the end of January 2019 for the reconstruction project and
the continued ramping up process in Q1 2020.
The zinc concentrate shipments during Q1 2020 increased by 2 33% over the Q1 2019 period. However, revenues
only increased by 161% in the same period. This reflects the significant impact of lower zinc prices on period
shipment revenues. Zinc concentrate sales are provisionally priced at the spot price on shipment and then final
priced based on average market zinc prices between one and three subsequent months. Because of the decline
in zinc prices, there was a negative adjustment of approximately $230,000 to revenues and EBITDA in Q1 2020
resulting from final pricing on shipments made prior to the end of 2019.
(1) EBITDA is a non-IFRS measure, does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and may not be comparable to similar terms
and measures presented by other issuers. EBITDA comprises earnings before income taxes, interest expense (income), amortizati on
expense, foreign exchange losses (gains related to financing, and other expenses, including management fees and sales commissions.
Three months ended March 31,
2020 2019
100% 100%
Exchange rate (TL/C$, average) 4.55 4.04
Exchange rate (C$/US$, average) 1.34 1.33
Exchange rate (TL/C$, period-end) 4.64 4.21
Exchange rate (C$/US$, period-end) 1.42 1.34
EAFD processed (DMT) 18,420 4,922
Average zinc price (US$/LB.) 0.97 1.23
-
Production (DMT) 6,366 1,291
Shipments (DMT) 6,642 2,844
Shipments (zinc content, 000 lb.) 10,350 4,178
Three months ended March 31,
2020 2019
100% 100%
Net sales revenues 8,284,270$ 5,185,076$
Cost of sales 7,149,307 3,948,027
Foreign exchange loss (gain) (495,421) (339,380)
EBITDA(1)
1,630,384$ 1,576,429$
Management fees & sales commissions 450,427 115,725
Depreciation 897,412 27,920
Interest expense 485,035 31,084
Foreign exchange loss on debt 3,012,660 -
Other expense (income) - (6,330)
Tax expense (682,083) (2,694,557)
Net income (2,533,067)$ 4,102,587$
Global Atomic's equity share (1,241,204)$ 2,010,268$
Global Atomic's share of EBITDA 798,888$ 772,450$
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The total cost for the plant modernization and expansion was approximately US $26.6 million, which was funded
by cash on han d, loans from a Turkish bank and loans from Befesa. The Befesa loans totalled US $16.85 million
at both December 31, 2019 and March 31, 2020. The Befesa loans bear interest at Libor + 4.0% and mature
between May and December 2022. The bank loans totalled U S $6.0 million at March 31, 2020, an increase from
US $2.0 million at December 31, 2019, as final payments for the plant were made in Q1. The bank loans bear
interest at an average rate of 3.6% and mature in August/September 2020. The bank loans are expect ed to
rollover into new one year bank loans.
The loans are denominated in US dollars but converted to Turkish Lira for functional accounting purposes. For
presentation purposes, the equity interests are then converted to Canadian dollars. The foreign exchange loss
related to the joint venture debt was C $3,012,660 ($1,476,203 at 49%). This foreign exchange loss is an
unrealized loss, and largely relates to the depreciation of the Canadian dollar relative to the US dollar, from $0.75
at December 31, 2019 to $0.70 at March 31, 2020. In economic terms, all revenues are received in US dollars
and these will be used to pay down the US denominated debt, so no real exchange gains/losses will be realized
in US dollar terms. The accounting exchange losses relate to t he debt are shown below EBITDA as a financing
related cost.
The Turkish entities qualified for an investment tax credit incentive on the new plant, of which TL 77.2 million
(C$16.6 million) remains as a carry -forward balance at the end of Q1 2020. Tax expense (income) shown in the
income statement is a non-cash deferred tax amount.
Overall, the Company’s share of EBITDA was $0.8 million in Q1 2020 and its share of net loss was $1.2 million,
driven largely by the $1.5 million unrealized foreign exchange loss recognized on the debt balances.
QP Statement
George A. Flach, Vice President of Exploration, P.Geo. is the Qualified Person (QP) as defined in NI 43- 101 and
has prepared, supervised the preparation of, and approved the scientific technical disclosure in this news release.
About Global Atomic
Global Atomic Corporation is a TSX listed company providing a unique combination of high grade uranium
development and cash flowing zinc concentrate production.
The Company’s Uranium Business includes six exploration permits in the Republic of Niger . Uranium
mineralization has been identified on each of the permits, with the most significant discovery being the Dasa
deposit situated on the Adrar Emoles 3 concession, discovered in 2010 by Global Atomic geologists through
grassroots field exploration. A Mining Permit for the Dasa deposit will be applied for in H2 2020.
Global Atomic’s EAFD business holds a 49% interest in Befesa Silvermet Turkey, S.L. (“BST”) J oint Venture,
which operates a processing facility, located in Iskenderun, Turkey, that converts Electric Arc Furnace Dust
(“EAFD”) into a high -grade zinc oxide concentrate which is sold to zinc smelters around the world. The
Company’s joint venture partner, Befesa Zinc S.A.U., a wholly -owned subsidiary of Befesa, S.A. (“Befesa” listed
on the Frankfurt exchange under ‘BFSA’), holds a 51% interest in and is the operator of the BST joint venture.
Befesa is a market leader in EAFD recycling, capturing approximatel y 50% of the European EAFD market, with
facilities located throughout Europe and Asia.
Key contacts:
Stephen G. Roman Merlin Marr-Johnson
Chairman, President & CEO Executive VP
Tel: +1 (416) 368-3949 Tel: +44 7803 712 280
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]
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The information in this release may contain forward- looking information under applicable securities laws. Forward- looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to completion of
any financings; Global Atomic’s development pote ntial and timetable of its operating, development and exploration assets; Global Atomic’s ability to raise additional funds necessary; the future price of
uranium; the estimation of mineral reserves and mineral resources; conclusions of economic evaluation; the realization of mineral reserve estimates; the timing and amount of estimated future production,
development and exploration; costs of future activities; capital and operating expenditures; success of exploration activitie s; mining or processing issue s; currency exchange rates; government regulation of
mining operations; and environmental and permitting risks. Generally, forward- looking statements can be identified by the use of forward- looking terminology such as "plans", “targets”, "expects" or "does
not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate ", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain
actions, events or results "may", "could", "w ould", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". All information contained in this news release, other than state ments of current and historical fact, is
forward looking information. Forward- looking statements are subject to known and unknown r isks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or
achievements of Global Atomic to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward- looking statements, including but not limited to those risks described in the annual information form
of Global Atomic and in its public documents filed on SEDAR from time to time.
Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made. Although management of Global Atomic has attempted to identify important
factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward- looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as antic ipated, estimated or intended.
There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not
place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Global Atomic does not undertake to update any forward- looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Readers should also
review the risks and uncertainties sections of Global Atomic’s annual and interim MD&As.
The Toronto Stock Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.