Trading Symbols: UUU - Toronto Stock Exchange, JSE Limited (Johannesburg
Stock Exchange)
VANCOUVER and JOHANNESBURG, Aug. 10 /CNW/ - Uranium One Inc. ("Uranium
One") announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to
acquire 100% of the MALCO Joint Venture ("MALCO") from wholly-owned
subsidiaries of AREVA and EDF for US$ 35 million in cash.
The assets of MALCO include the licensed and permitted Irigaray ISR
central processing plant, the Christensen Ranch satellite ISR facility and
associated U(3)O(8) resources located in the Powder River Basin of Wyoming.
The Irigaray and Christensen Ranch facilities are expected to form the
basis of a new operating plan for the Company's projects in Wyoming. Uranium
One anticipates that its Moore Ranch project will now become a satellite ISR
operation, with loaded resins being transported to Irigaray for further
processing into dried U(3)O(8). Uranium One's additional projects in the
Powder River Basin, including Ludeman, Peterson, Allemand-Ross and Barge could
also be developed as satellite operations with final processing through
Irigaray.
Jean Nortier, President and Chief Executive Officer of Uranium One said:
"The acquisition of the Irigaray and Christensen Ranch ISR facilities is
an excellent complement to our current Wyoming uranium resource portfolio. By
acquiring existing, licensed production facilities, we will reduce the
permitting and construction risk associated with developing our own central
production plant. Now, with a clear path to commencing uranium production in
the U.S., we believe that the underlying value of our Wyoming asset base will
become apparent."
Closing of the transaction is expected to take place during H1 2010 and
is subject to regulatory approvals including U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission ("NRC"), Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality ("WDEQ"),
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Committee on Foreign
Investment in the United States. Closing is also subject to a financing
condition which the Company expects will be satisfied by the completion of the
previously announced private placement of 117,000,000 common shares of Uranium
One to a consortium of Japanese companies for proceeds of approximately C$ 270
million.
Overview of Irigaray and Christensen Ranch
Operations at Christensen Ranch commenced in 1989 and production
continued until 2000. Including uranium recovered from restoration activities,
a total of 4.7 million pounds U(3)O(8) was produced at Christensen Ranch and
Irigaray.
All major permits and licenses are in place for the re-start of
operations at Christensen Ranch and Irigaray. These include the NRC Source
Material License, the WDEQ Permit to Mine, and permits for disposal well
operations.