UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.
20549
FORM 10-K
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission file number: 001-32974
URANERZ ENERGY CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Nevada | 98-0365605 |
(State of other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
1701 East E Street | |
PO Box 50850, Casper, Wyoming | 82605-0850 |
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) |
(307) 265-8900
(Registrants Telephone
Number, including Area Code)
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:
Title of Each Class | Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered |
Common Stock: $0.001 par value | NYSE Amex Equities |
Preferred Stock: $0.001 par value | Toronto Stock Exchange |
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known
seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes
[ ] No[X]
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file
reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes
[ ] No[X]
Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant (1) 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. Yes
[X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted
electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any,
every
Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405
of Regulation S-T (§ 229.405 of this
chapter) during the preceding 12 months
(or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post
such files). Yes [X] No [ ]
Indicate by checkmark if disclosure of delinquent filers
pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and
will not
be contained, to the best of the registrants knowledge, in definitive proxy or
information statements incorporated by
reference in Part III of this Form
10-K or any amendment to the Form 10-K. [ ]
1
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large
accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See
definition
of Accelerated filer and large accelerated filer in Rule 12b-2
of the Exchange Act (Check one):
Large Accelerated Filer [
]
Accelerated Filer
[X]
Non-Accelerated Filer [
] Smaller
Reporting Company [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes [ ] No [X]
State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting
common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the
price at
which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of
such common equity, as of the last business
day of the registrants most
recently completed second fiscal
quarter: $86,000,000
The number of shares of the Registrants Common Stock outstanding as of March 1, 2010 was 64,194,887.
Documents Incorporated by Reference: To the extent herein
specifically reference in Part III, portions of the Registrants Definitive
Proxy Statement of Schedule 14A for the 2010 Annual General Meeting of
Shareholders. See Part III.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report on Form 10-K and the exhibits attached hereto contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements concern the Companys anticipated results and developments in the Companys operations in future periods, planned exploration and, if warranted, development of its properties, plans related to its business and other matters that may occur in the future. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management.
Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as expects or does not expect, is expected, anticipates or does not anticipate, plans, estimates or intends, or stating that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation:
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This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect our forward-looking statements. Some of the important risks and uncertainties that could affect forward-looking statements are described further under the section headings Item 1. Description of the Business, Item 1A. Risk Factors and Item 6. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of this Annual Report. Although we have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Except as required by law, we disclaim any obligation subsequently to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.
We qualify all the forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report by the foregoing cautionary statements.
PART 1
ITEM 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
Corporate Background
Uranerz Energy Corporation (Uranerz or the Company) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Nevada on May 26, 1999. On July 5, 2005, we changed our name from Carleton Ventures Corp. to Uranerz Energy Corporation. Our executive and operations office is located at 1701 East E Street, P.O. Box 50850, Casper, Wyoming USA 82605-0850. Our administrative office is located at Suite 1410 - 800 West Pender Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6C 2V6. The telephone number for our executive office is (307) 265-8900. The telephone number for our administrative office is (604) 689-1659.
Our common stock is traded on the NYSE Amex Equities and the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol URZ and on the Frankfurt Exchange under the symbol U9E.
History
Uranerz was relatively inactive from 1999 until 2005 when it acquired mineral prospecting permits in Saskatchewan, mineral licenses in Mongolia and mining claims and leases in Wyoming. Exploration commenced in 2005 and has continued through 2009. In 2007 we filed uranium mining applications for a project in Wyoming. In 2008 and 2009 we acquired additional mineral properties and conducted exploration drilling while pursuing mining permits in Wyoming. We have increased our personnel and operational consultants to move some of our Wyoming properties into the mine planning and permitting stage; activities which continue.
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Our Business
We are an exploration stage company engaged in the acquisition, exploration and, if warranted, development of uranium properties. We have an interest in the properties described below.
We are principally focused on the exploration of our properties in the Powder River Basin area of Wyoming. We are exploring these properties with the objective of assessing their viability for commercial in-situ recovery (which we refer to as ISR) uranium mining projects. ISR is a mining process that uses a leaching solution to extract uranium from underground ore bodies. We also own interests in properties in the Great Divide Basin area of Wyoming, in Texas and in Saskatchewan, Canada.
We have applied for mine operating permits on two of our properties in the Powder River Basin area of Wyoming that we feel have the potential, based on data in our possession, of being developed into commercial in-situ recovery uranium mines. We are also assembling baseline data to permit additional properties in the Powder River Basin area of Wyoming which appear to have potential for development.
Recent Corporate Developments
The following significant corporate developments occurred during our fiscal year ended December 31, 2009:
1. We issued 242,500 common shares upon the exercise of stock options for gross cash proceeds of $166,125;
2. We completed a public offering of 8,500,000 units, comprised of 8,500,000 common shares and 4,250,000 common share purchase warrants, at $2.00 per unit, for gross cash proceeds of $17,000,000;
3. We continued our exploration program in Wyoming see details under the section heading Item 2 Description of Properties
4. We completed the design of our proposed Nichols Ranch and Hank mining and processing facilities;
5. Our applications to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Land Quality Division of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality for licenses and permits to construct and operate in-situ recovery uranium facilities on our Nichols Ranch and Hank projects located in the central Powder River Basin of Wyoming continue to be evaluated as scheduled. For more details of our permitting plans see the discussion below under the section heading Item 2 Description of Properties Wyoming Properties Environmental Permitting; and
6. We leased an additional 320 acres of mineral properties in the Powder River Basin of Wyoming, USA.
Competition
Our industry is highly competitive. We compete with other mining and exploration companies in connection with the acquisition of uranium mineral properties and the equipment, materials and personnel necessary to explore and develop such properties. There is competition for the limited number of uranium acquisition opportunities, some of which is with other companies having substantially greater financial resources, staff and facilities than we do. As a result, we may have difficulty acquiring attractive exploration properties, staking claims related to our properties, and exploring and developing our properties.
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ISR Mining Process
We plan to use the process of in-situ recovery mining (which we refer to as ISR), a process that uses a 'leaching' solution to extract uranium from underground ore bodies. The 'leaching' agent, which contains an oxidant such as oxygen with sodium bicarbonate (commonly known as baking soda), is added to the native groundwater and injected through wells into the ore body in a sandstone aquifer to dissolve the uranium. This solution is then pumped via other wells to the surface for processing -- resulting in a cost-efficient and environmentally friendly mining process.
The ISR mining process differs dramatically from conventional mining techniques in that ISR mining leaves the rock matrix in place. The ISR technique avoids the movement and milling of rock and ore as well as mill tailing waste associated with more traditional mining methods.
Minerals Exploration Regulation
Our uranium mineral exploration and development activities are, and our production activities (if and when they occur) will be subject to extensive laws and regulations governing exploration, development, production, exports, taxes, labor standards, occupational health, waste disposal, protection and remediation of the environment, protection of endangered and protected species, mine safety, toxic substances and other matters. Uranium minerals exploration is also subject to risks and liabilities associated with pollution of the environment and disposal of waste products occurring as a result of mineral exploration and production.
Compliance with these laws and regulations may impose substantial costs on us and will subject us to significant potential liabilities. Changes in these regulations could require us to expend significant resources to comply with new laws or regulations or changes to current requirements and could have a material adverse effect on our business operations.
Minerals exploration operations are subject to comprehensive regulation which may cause substantial delays or require capital outlays in excess of those anticipated, causing an adverse effect on our business operations. Minerals exploration operations are subject to federal and state, laws relating to the protection of the environment, including laws regulating removal of natural resources from the ground and the discharge of materials into the environment. Minerals exploration operations are also subject to federal and state laws and regulations which seek to maintain health and safety standards by regulating the design and use of drilling methods and equipment. Various permits from government bodies are required for drilling operations to be conducted; no assurance can be given that such permits will be received. Environmental standards imposed by federal and state authorities may be changed and any such changes may have material adverse effects on our activities. As of the date of this annual report, other than with respect to the posting of a performance bond, we have not been required to spend material amounts on compliance with environmental regulations. However, we may be required to do so in future and this may affect our ability to expand or maintain our operations. Environmental regulation is discussed in further detail in the following section.
Environmental Regulation
Exploration, development and production activities are subject to certain environmental regulations which may prevent or delay the commencement or continuance of our operations. In general, our exploration and production activities are subject to certain federal and state laws and regulations relating to environmental quality and pollution control. Such laws and regulations increase the costs of these activities and may prevent or delay the commencement or continuance of a given operation. Compliance with these laws and regulations has not had a material effect on our operations or financial condition to date. Specifically, we are subject to legislation regarding emissions into the environment, water discharges, and storage and disposition of hazardous wastes. In addition, legislation has been enacted which requires well and facility sites to be abandoned and reclaimed to the satisfaction of state and federal authorities.
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Waste Disposal
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act ("RCRA"), and comparable state statutes, affect minerals exploration and production activities by imposing regulations on the generation, transportation, treatment, storage, disposal and cleanup of hazardous wastes and on the disposal of non-hazardous wastes. Under the auspices of the EPA, the individual states administer some or all of the provisions of RCRA, sometimes in conjunction with their own, more stringent requirements.
CERCLA
The federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act ("CERCLA") imposes joint and several liability for costs of investigation and remediation and for natural resource damages, without regard to fault or the legality of the original conduct, on certain classes of persons with respect to the release into the environment of substances designated under CERCLA as hazardous substances ("Hazardous Substances"). These classes of persons or potentially responsible parties include the current and certain past owners and operators of a facility or property where there is or has been a release or threat of release of a Hazardous Substance and persons who disposed of or arranged for the disposal of the Hazardous Substances found at such a facility. CERCLA also authorizes the EPA and, in some cases, third parties to take actions in response to threats to the public health or the environment and to seek to recover the costs of such action. We may also in the future become an owner of facilities on which Hazardous Substances have been released by previous owners or operators. We may in the future be responsible under CERCLA for all or part of the costs to clean up facilities or property at which such substances have been released, and for natural resource damages.
Air Emissions
Our operations are subject to state and federal regulations for the control of emissions of air pollution. Major sources of air pollutants are subject to more stringent, federally imposed permitting requirements. Administrative enforcement actions for failure to comply strictly with air pollution regulations or permits are generally resolved by payment of monetary fines and correction of any identified deficiencies. Alternatively, regulatory agencies could require us to forego construction, modification or operation of certain air emission sources.
Clean Water Act
The Clean Water Act ("CWA") imposes restrictions and strict controls regarding the discharge of wastes, including mineral processing wastes, into waters of the United States, a term broadly defined. Permits must be obtained to discharge pollutants into federal waters. The CWA provides for civil, criminal and administrative penalties for unauthorized discharges of hazardous substances and other pollutants. It imposes substantial potential liability for the costs of removal or remediation associated with discharges of oil or hazardous substances. State laws governing discharges to water also provide varying civil, criminal and administrative penalties, and impose liabilities in the case of a discharge of petroleum or its derivatives, or other hazardous substances, into state waters. In addition, the EPA has promulgated regulations that require us to obtain permits to discharge storm water runoff. In the event of an unauthorized discharge of wastes, we may be liable for penalties and costs.
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Underground Injection Control ("UIC") Permits
The federal Safe Drinking Water Act creates a nationwide regulatory program protecting groundwater. This act is administered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (the "EPA"). However, to avoid the burden of dual federal and state (or Indian tribal) regulation, the Safe Drinking Water Act allows for the UIC permits issued by states (and Indian tribes determined eligible for treatment as states) to satisfy the UIC permit required under the Safe Drinking Water Act under two conditions. First, the state's program must have been granted primacy. Second, the EPA must have granted, upon request by the state, an aquifer exemption. The EPA may delay or decline to process the state's application if the EPA questions the state's jurisdiction over the mine site.
Segment Information
Segment information relating to the Company is provided in Note 15 to our financial statements under the section heading Item 7. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data below.
Employees
Currently we have eleven full-time employees, seven full time operational consultants and one part-time operational consultant. We operate in established mining areas, which we believe have sufficient available personnel for our business plans.
Available Information
Detailed information about us is contained in our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements and other reports, and amendments to those reports, that we file with or furnish to the SEC. These reports are available free of charge on our website, www.uranerz.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such reports with or furnish such reports to the SEC. However, our website and any contents thereof should not be considered to be incorporated by reference into this document. We will furnish copies of such reports free of charge upon written request to our Investor Relations department. You can contact our Investor Relations department at:
Uranerz Energy Corporation
Investor Relations
Suite 1410
800 West Pender Street
Vancouver, BC, Canada V6C 2V6
Additionally, our corporate governance guidelines, code of ethics and the charters of each of our Board of Directors standing committees are available on our website. We will furnish copies of such information free of charge upon written request to our Investor Relations department.
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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS AND UNCERTAINTIES
Readers should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below before deciding whether to invest in shares of our common stock.
Our failure to successfully address the risks and uncertainties described below would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and/or results of operations, and the trading price of our common stock may decline and investors may lose all or part of their investment. We cannot assure you that we will successfully address these risks or other unknown risks that may affect our business.
Risks Related to Our Business
Our future performance is difficult to evaluate because we have a limited operating history.
We were incorporated in 1999 and we began to implement our current business strategy in the uranium industry in the beginning of 2005. Our operating cash flow needs have been financed primarily through issuances of our common stock. As a result, we have little historical financial and operating information available to help you evaluate our performance or an investment in our common stock and warrants.
Because the probability of an individual prospect ever having reserves is remote, our properties may not contain any reserves, and any funds spent on exploration may be lost.
We have no uranium producing properties and have never generated any revenue from our operations. Because the probability of an individual prospect ever having reserves is remote, our properties may not contain any reserves, and any funds spent on exploration may be lost. Notwithstanding our disclosures to Canadian authorities under National Instrument 43-101, we do not know with certainty that economically recoverable uranium exists on any of our properties. We may never discover uranium in commercially exploitable quantities and any identified deposit may never qualify as a commercially mineable (or viable) reserve. We will continue to attempt to acquire the surface and mineral rights on lands that we think are geologically favorable or where we have historical information in our possession that indicates uranium mineralization might be present.
The exploration and development of mineral deposits involves significant financial and other risks over an extended period of time, which even a combination of careful evaluation, experience and knowledge may not eliminate. While discovery of a uranium, precious or base metal deposit may result in substantial rewards, few properties which are explored are ultimately developed into producing mines. Major expenditures are required to establish reserves by drilling and to construct mining and processing facilities at a site. Our uranium properties are all at the exploration stage and do not contain any reserves at this time. It is impossible to ensure that the current or proposed exploration programs on properties in which the Company has an interest will result in the delineation of mineral deposits or in profitable commercial operations. Our operations are subject to the hazards and risks normally incident to exploration, development and production of uranium, precious and base metals, any of which could result in damage to life or property, environmental damage and possible legal liability for such damage. While we may obtain insurance against certain risks, the nature of these risks is such that liabilities could exceed policy limits or could be excluded from coverage. There are also risks against which we cannot insure or against which we may elect not to insure. The potential costs which could be associated with any liabilities not covered by insurance, or in excess of insurance coverage, or compliance with applicable laws and regulations may cause substantial delays and require significant capital outlays, adversely affecting our future earnings and competitive position and, potentially our financial viability.
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We have a limited operating history and have losses which we expect to continue into the future. As a result, we may have to suspend or cease exploration activities.
We were incorporated in 1999 and are engaged in the business of mineral exploration. We have not realized any revenue from our operations. We have a relatively limited exploration history upon which an evaluation of our future success or failure can be made. We have incurred losses since inception. Our ability to achieve and maintain profitability and positive cash flow is dependent upon:
* |
our ability to locate a profitable mineral property; | |
* |
our ability to generate revenues; | |
* |
our ability to control costs. |
Based upon current plans, we expect to incur operating losses in future periods. This will happen because there are expenses associated with the research and exploration of our mineral properties plus development costs to produce saleable product. We cannot guarantee we will be successful in generating revenues in the future. Failure to generate revenues may cause us to go out of business.
Because some of our officers and directors do not have technical training or experience in exploring for, starting, and operating a mine, we may have to hire qualified personnel. If we cant locate qualified personnel, we may have to suspend or cease exploration activity which may result in the loss of your investment.
Some, but not all, of our officers and directors do have experience with exploring for, starting, and operating a mine. Because some of our officers and directors are inexperienced with exploring for, starting, and operating a mine, we may have to hire qualified persons to perform surveying, exploration, and water management of our properties. Some of our officers and directors have no direct training or experience in these areas and as a result may not be fully aware of many of the specific requirements related to working within the industry. Their decisions and choices would typically take into account standard engineering or managerial approaches mineral exploration companies commonly use. However, our exploration activities, earnings and ultimate financial success could suffer irreparable harm due to certain of managements decisions. As a result we may have to suspend or cease exploration activities, or any future warranted development activities, which would likely result in the loss of your investment.
Our future profitability will be dependent on uranium prices.
Because a significant portion of our anticipated revenues are expected to be derived from the sale of uranium, our net earnings, if any, can be affected by the long- and short-term market price of U3O8. Uranium prices are subject to fluctuation. The price of uranium has been and will continue to be affected by numerous factors beyond our control. With respect to uranium, such factors include the demand for nuclear power, political and economic conditions in uranium producing and consuming countries, uranium supply from secondary sources, uranium production levels and costs of production. Spot prices for U3O8 were at $20.00 per pound U3O8 in December 2004, and then, to $35.25 per pound in December 2005 and $72.00 per pound in December 2006. During 2007 the spot price reached a high of $138.00 per pound. The U.S. monthly spot price of U3O8 was approximately $90.00 per pound in December 2007. The spot price declined during 2008, reaching a low of $44.00 per pound in October. In 2009, the U.S. monthly spot price of U3O8 had a high of $51.50 (June) and a low of $42.00 (March). The U.S. monthly spot price of U3O8 was approximately $44.50 per pound and the long term price was approximately $61.00 per pound in December 2009.
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Our operations are subject to environmental regulation and environmental risks.
We are required to comply with applicable environmental protection laws and regulations and permitting requirements, and we anticipate that we will be required to continue to do so in the future. The material laws and regulations within the U.S. that the Company must comply with are the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA), Atomic Energy Act, Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act of 1978 (UMTRCA), Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Federal Land Policy Management Act, National Park System Mining Regulations Act, and the State Mined Land Reclamation Acts or State Department of Environmental Quality regulations, as applicable. We also are required to comply with environmental protection laws in Canada. We are required to comply with the Atomic Energy Act, as amended by UMTRCA, by applying for and maintaining a Source Material license from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Uranium operations must conform to the terms of such license, which include provisions for protection of human health and the environment from endangerment due to radioactive materials. The license encompasses protective measures consistent with the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act. We intend to utilize specific employees and consultants in order to comply with and maintain our compliance with the above laws and regulations.
The uranium industry is subject not only to the worker health and safety and environmental risks associated with all mining businesses, but also to additional risks uniquely associated with uranium mining and processing. The possibility of more stringent regulations exists in the areas of worker health and safety, the disposition of wastes, the decommissioning and reclamation of exploration and in-situ recovery mining sites, and other environmental matters, each of which could have a material adverse effect on the costs or the viability of a particular project. We cannot predict what environmental legislation, regulation or policy will be enacted or adopted in the future or how future laws and regulations will be administered or interpreted. The recent trend in environmental legislation and regulation, generally, is toward stricter standards and this trend is likely to continue in the future. This recent trend includes, without limitation, laws and regulations relating to air and water quality, mine reclamation, waste handling and disposal, the protection of certain species and the preservation of certain lands. These regulations may require the acquisition of permits or other authorizations for certain activities. These laws and regulations may also limit or prohibit activities on certain lands. Compliance with more stringent laws and regulations, as well as potentially more vigorous enforcement policies or stricter interpretation of existing laws, may necessitate significant capital outlays, may materially affect our results of operations and business, or may cause material changes or delays in our intended activities.
Our operations may require additional analysis in the future including environmental and social impact and other related studies. Certain activities require the submission and approval of environmental impact assessments. Environmental assessments of proposed projects carry a heightened degree of responsibility for companies and directors, officers, and employees. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain or maintain all necessary permits that may be required to continue operations or exploration of properties or, if feasible, to commence development, construction or operation of mining facilities at such properties at economically justifiable costs.
We intend to extract uranium from our properties using the in-situ recovery mining process which may not be successful.
We intend to extract uranium from our properties using in-situ recovery mining, which is suitable for extraction of certain types of uranium deposits. This process requires in-situ recovery mining equipment and trained personnel. Competition and unforeseen limited sources of supplies in the industry could result in occasional spot shortages of supplies, and certain equipment such as drilling rigs and other equipment that we might need to conduct exploration and, if warranted, development. We will attempt to locate additional products, equipment and materials as needed. If we cannot find the products and equipment we need, we will have to suspend our exploration and, if warranted, development plans until we do find the products and equipment we need.
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We face risks related to exploration and development, if warranted, on our properties.
Our level of profitability, if any, in future years will depend to a great degree on uranium prices and whether any of our exploration stage properties can be brought into production. The exploration for and development of mineral deposits involves significant risks. It is impossible to ensure that the current and future exploration programs and/or feasibility studies on our existing properties will establish reserves. Whether a uranium ore body will be commercially viable depends on a number of factors, including, but not limited to: the particular attributes of the deposit, such as size, grade and proximity to infrastructure; uranium prices, which cannot be predicted and which have been highly volatile in the past; mining, processing and transportation costs; perceived levels of political risk and the willingness of lenders and investors to provide project financing; labor costs and possible labor strikes; and governmental regulations, including, without limitation, regulations relating to prices, taxes, royalties, land tenure, land use, importing and exporting materials, foreign exchange, environmental protection, employment, worker safety, transportation, and reclamation and closure obligations.
We are subject to the risks normally encountered in the mining industry, such as:
The development of mineral properties is affected by many factors, including, but not limited to: the cost of operations, variations in the grade of ore, fluctuations in metal markets, costs of extraction and processing equipment, availability of equipment and labor, labor costs and possible labor strikes, and government regulations, including without limitation, regulations relating to taxes, royalties, allowable production, importing and exporting of minerals, foreign exchange, employment, worker safety, transportation, and environmental protection. Depending on the price of uranium, we may determine that it is impractical to commence, or, if commenced, continue, commercial production. Such a decision would negatively affect our profits and may affect the value of your investment.
Because we may be unable to meet property payment obligations or be able to acquire or maintain necessary mining licenses, we may lose interests in our exploration properties.
The agreements pursuant to which we acquired our interests in some of our properties provide that we must make a series of cash payments over certain time periods, expend certain minimum amounts on the exploration of the properties or contribute our share of ongoing expenditures. If we fail to make such payments or expenditures in a timely fashion, we may lose our interest in those properties. Further, even if we do complete exploration activities, we may not be able to obtain the necessary licenses to conduct mining operations on the properties, and thus would realize no benefit from our exploration activities on the properties.
Our mineral properties may be subject to defects in title.
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We own, lease, or have under option, unpatented and patented mining claims, mineral claims or concessions and fee mineral leases which constitute our property holdings. The ownership and validity or title of unpatented mining claims and concessions are often uncertain and may be contested. We also may not have, or may not be able to obtain, all necessary surface rights to develop a property. We have not conducted title research in relation to many of our mining claims and concessions to ensure clean title. We cannot guarantee that title to our properties will not be challenged. Title insurance is generally not available for mineral properties and our ability to ensure that we have obtained secure claim to individual mineral properties or mining concessions may be severely constrained. Our mineral properties may be subject to prior unregistered agreements, transfers or claims, and title may be affected by, among other things, undetected defects. We may incur significant costs related to defending the title to our properties. A successful claim contesting our title to a property may cause us to compensate other persons or perhaps reduce our interest in the affected property or lose our rights to explore and, if warranted, develop that property. This could result in us not being compensated for our prior expenditures relating to the property. Also, in any such case, the investigation and resolution of title issues would divert our management's time from ongoing exploration and development programs.
Because we may be unable to secure access rights, we may be unable to explore and/or develop our properties.
Our mineral rights do not always include rights of access or use of the surface of lands. We require agreements with land owners for these rights which may be difficult to obtain and which may require cash payments.
Because mineral exploration and development activities are inherently risky, we may be exposed to environmental liabilities. If such an event were to occur it may result in a loss of your investment.
The business of mineral exploration and extraction involves a high degree of risk. Few properties that are explored are ultimately developed into production. At present, none of our properties has a known body of commercial ore. Unusual or unexpected formations, formation pressures, fires, power outages, labor disruptions, flooding, explosions and the inability to obtain suitable or adequate machinery, equipment or labor are other risks involved in extraction operations and the conduct of exploration programs. Although we intend to carry liability insurance with respect to our mineral exploration operations, we may become subject to liability for damage to life and property, environmental damage or hazards against which we cannot insure or against which we may elect not to insure. Previous mining operations may have caused environmental damage at certain of our properties. It may be difficult or impossible to assess the extent to which such damage was caused by us or by the activities of previous operators, in which case, any indemnities and exemptions from liability may be ineffective. If any of our properties is found to have commercial quantities of ore, we would be subject to additional risks respecting any development and production activities. Most exploration projects do not result in the discovery of commercially mineable deposits of ore.
Because we have not put a mineral deposit into production before, we may have to acquire outside expertise. If we are unable to acquire such expertise we may be unable to put our properties into production and you may lose your investment.
The Board of Directors includes six individuals, two of whom are in operational management, that have technical or financial experience in placing mining projects into production. However, we will be dependent upon using the services of appropriately experienced personnel or entering into agreements with other companies that can provide such expertise. There can be no assurance that we will have available to us the necessary expertise when and if we place mineral deposit properties into production.
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Acquisitions and integration issues may expose us to additional risks which could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Our business strategy includes making targeted acquisitions. Any acquisition that we make 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. The success of 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 our own. Any acquisitions would be accompanied by risks which could have a material adverse effect on our business. For example, there may be significant decreases in commodity prices after we have committed to complete the transaction and have 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. If we choose to use equity securities as consideration for such an acquisition, existing stockholders 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 mining industry is highly competitive.
The business of the acquisition, exploration, and development of uranium properties is intensely competitive. We will be required to compete, in the future, directly with other corporations that may have better access to potential uranium resources, more developed infrastructure, more available capital, and better access to necessary financing, and more knowledgeable and available employees than us. We may encounter competition in acquiring uranium properties, hiring mining professionals, obtaining mining resources, such as manpower, drill rigs, and other mining equipment. Such competitors could outbid us for potential projects or produce minerals at lower costs. Increased competition could also affect our ability to attract necessary capital funding or acquire suitable producing properties or prospects for uranium exploration in the future.
Risks Related to Corporate and Financial Structure
We are dependent upon key management employees.
The success of our operations will depend upon numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control, including (i) our ability to enter into strategic alliances through a combination of one or more joint ventures, mergers or acquisition transactions; and (ii) our ability to attract and retain additional key personnel in sales, marketing, technical support and finance. We currently depend upon our management employees to seek out and form strategic alliances and find and retain additional employees. There can be no assurance of success with any or all of these factors on which our operations will depend. We have relied and may continue to rely, upon consultants and others for operating expertise.
Our growth will require new personnel, which we will be required to recruit, hire, train and retain.
We expect significant growth in the number of our employees if we determine that a mine at any of our properties is commercially feasible, we are able to raise sufficient funding and we elect to develop the property. This growth will place substantial demands on us and our management. Our ability to assimilate new personnel will be critical to our performance. We will be required to recruit additional personnel and to train, motivate and manage employees. We will also have to adopt and implement new systems in all aspects of our operations. This will be particularly critical in the event we decide not to use contract miners at any of our properties. We have no assurance that we will be able to recruit the personnel required to execute our programs or to manage these changes successfully.
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New legislation, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, may make it difficult for us to retain or attract officers and directors.
We may be unable to attract and retain qualified officers, directors and members of board committees required to provide for our effective management as a result of the recent and currently proposed changes in the rules and regulations which govern publicly-held companies. Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 has resulted in a series of rules and regulations by the Securities and Exchange Commission that increased responsibilities and liabilities of directors and executive officers. The increased personal risk associated with these changes may deter qualified individuals from accepting these roles.
Stock market price and volume volatility.
The market for our common shares may be highly volatile for reasons both related to the performance of the Company or events pertaining to the industry (i.e. mineral price fluctuation/high production costs/accidents) as well as factors unrelated to the Company or its industry. In particular, market demand for uranium fluctuates from one business cycle to the next, resulting in change of demand for the mineral and an attendant change in the price for the mineral. Our common shares can be expected to be subject to volatility in both price and volume arising from market expectations, announcements and press releases regarding our business, and changes in estimates and evaluations by securities analysts or other events or factors. In recent years, the securities markets in the United States have experienced a high level of price and volume volatility, and the market price of securities of many companies, particularly small-capitalization companies, have experienced wide fluctuations that have not necessarily been related to the operations, performances, underlying asset values, or prospects of such companies. For these reasons, the price of our common shares can also be expected to be subject to volatility resulting from purely market forces over which we will have no control.
Dilution through the granting of options.
Because the success of the Company is highly dependent upon its respective employees, we may in the future grant to some or all of our key employees, directors and consultants, options to purchase our common shares as non-cash incentives. Those options may be granted at exercise prices equal to market prices at times when the public market is depressed. To the extent that significant numbers of such options may be granted and exercised, the interests of the other stockholders of the Company may be diluted.
The issuance of additional shares of common stock may negatively impact the trading price of our shares of common stock.
We have issued equity securities in the past and may continue to issue equity securities to finance our activities in the future, including to finance future acquisitions, or as consideration for acquisitions of businesses or assets. In addition, outstanding options and warrants to purchase shares of common stock may be exercised, resulting in the issuance of additional shares of common stock. The issuance by us of additional shares of common stock would result in dilution to our stockholders, and even the perception that such an issuance may occur could have a negative impact on the trading price of our shares of common stock.
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You may lose your entire investment in our shares.
An investment in our common stock is highly speculative and may result in the loss of your entire investment. Only investors who are experienced investors in high risk investments and who can afford to lose their entire investment should consider an investment in us.
In the event that your investment in our shares is for the purpose of deriving dividend income or in expectation of an increase in market price of our shares from the declaration and payment of dividends, your investment may be compromised because we do not intend to pay dividends in the foreseeable future.
We have never paid a dividend to our shareholders, and we intend to retain our cash for the continued development of our business. We do not intend to pay cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. As a result, your return on investment will be solely determined by your ability to sell your shares in a secondary market.
We depend on our ability to successfully access the capital and financial markets. Any inability to access the capital or financial markets may limit our ability to execute our business plan or pursue investments that we may rely on for future growth.
We rely on access to long-term capital markets as a source of liquidity for capital and operating requirements. If we are not able to access financial markets at competitive rates, our ability to implement our business plan and strategy may be affected. Certain market disruptions may increase our cost of borrowing or affect our ability to access one or more financial markets. Such market disruptions could result from:
Recent market events and conditions, including disruptions in the U.S. and international credit markets and other financial systems and the deterioration of the U.S. and global economic conditions, could, among other things, impede access to capital or increase the cost of capital, which would have an adverse effect on our ability to fund our working capital and other capital requirements.
In 2007 and 2008, the U.S. credit markets experienced serious disruption due to a deterioration in residential property values, defaults and delinquencies in the residential mortgage market (particularly, subprime and non-prime mortgages) and a decline in the credit quality of mortgage backed securities. These problems led to a slow-down in residential housing market transactions, declining housing prices, delinquencies in non-mortgage consumer credit and a general decline in consumer confidence. These negative conditions peaked in 2008, causing a loss of confidence in the broader U.S. and global credit and financial markets and resulting in the collapse of, and government intervention in, major banks, financial institutions and insurers and creating a climate of greater volatility, less liquidity, widening of credit spreads, a lack of price transparency, increased credit losses and tighter credit conditions. Various actions by the U.S. and foreign governments are targeting general conditions of the capital markets, financial instruments, banks, investment banks, insurers and other financial institutions to stabilize and improve the broader credit and stock markets. The general economic indicators, including low consumer sentiment, high unemployment and low economic growth indicate continued economic uncertainty.
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These unprecedented disruptions in the current credit and financial markets have had a significant material adverse impact on a number of financial institutions and have limited access to capital and credit for many companies. These disruptions could, among other things, make it more difficult for us to obtain, or increase our cost of obtaining, capital and financing for our operations. Our access to additional capital may not be available on terms acceptable to us or at all.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
We do not have any unresolved comments from the SEC staff regarding our periodic or current reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
ITEM 2. DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTIES
Overview
We are an exploration stage company engaged in the acquisition, exploration and, if warranted, development of uranium properties. Uranium used in this context refers to U3O8. U3O8, also called yellowcake, is triuranium octoxide produced from uranium ore and is the most actively traded uranium-related commodity.
We are principally focused on the exploration of our properties in the Powder River Basin area of Wyoming. We are exploring these properties with the objective of assessing their viability for commercial ISR uranium mining. ISR is a low cost mining process that uses a leaching solution to extract uranium from underground ore bodies.
Concurrent with our exploration activities, we continue to progress permitting activities associated with our plan to construct a commercial ISR project, which we refer to as our Nichols Ranch ISR Project. We have applied for mine operating permits on two of our properties in the Powder River Basin area of Wyoming, known as the Nichols Ranch and Hank properties, that we feel have the potential, based on data in our possession, of being developed into commercial ISR uranium mines. These permits, if received, should allow us to produce uranium yellowcake concentrate, which can be sold directly to utilities for fuel used in nuclear electrical generating facilities. Because of the long lead times for environmental permitting of mining operations in North America, we filed applications to the State of Wyoming (WDEQ) and the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for permits for the Nichols Ranch Uranium ISR Project in December 2007. The status of our permitting activities is described more fully below under the heading Nichols Ranch ISR Project.
Our Powder River Basin properties include:
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We completed a substantial exploration program on our Powder River Basin properties in 2009. A total of 565 drill holes and 15 wells were completed in 2009, representing approximately 377,642 feet of drilling at an average depth of 668 feet per hole. Uranium trend and delineation holes were drilled utilizing three drill rigs and two electric log probing units.
The objective of the 2009 drilling program was to find previously unknown or little-known uranium mineralization trends and to delineate known trends, which would provide data for permitting and eventual production operations in favorably identified areas. During the 2009 drilling program, approximately 11.5 miles of uranium roll front trends were investigated. Approximately 3 miles of the 11.5 miles of trends had favorable uranium mineralization. Uranium mineralization ranged from less than 0.01% eU3O8 to 1.18% eU3O8. Approximately 36% of the 565 holes drilled during 2009 met or exceeded our minimum cut-off grade of 0.03% eU3O8 (eU3O8 is equivalent natural uranium, U3O8, as determined from down-hole radiometric probing rather than by chemical analysis).
Our 2009 drilling program lead to the preparation and filing of three National Instrument 43-101 Technical Reports, which are described in more detail below under 2009 Drilling Program.
In anticipation of receiving all the approvals necessary to mine in 2010, we have commenced a marketing program for conditional sales of uranium from our Nichols Ranch ISR Project. In July of 2009, we entered into a sales agreement with Exelon Generation Company, LLC for the sale of uranium over a five-year period. In August of 2009 we entered into a second contract for the sale of uranium to another U.S. utility, also over a five-year period.
Our plan of operations during 2010 is to:
We have sufficient financing to continue our exploration and permitting activities and design and early stage construction activities over the next twelve months. However, we will require additional financing in order to complete construction of our Nichols Ranch ISR Project. There is no assurance that we will be able to obtain the necessary financing to complete construction or carry out mining activities, if mining is warranted.
All of our projects are at the exploration stage and there can be no assurance that a commercially viable mineral deposit, or reserve, exists on any of our properties until appropriate exploratory work is done and a comprehensive evaluation based on such work concludes legal and economic feasibility. Further exploration will be required before a final evaluation as to the economic, technical and legal feasibility of mining of any of our properties is determined. There is no assurance that further exploration will result in a final evaluation that a commercially viable mineral deposit exists on any of our mineral properties.
Operations
Our exploration program in the Wyoming Powder River Basin is directed by Mr. Kurtis Brown, Senior Vice-President Exploration and is supervised by Mr. George Hartman, our Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer. We engage contractors to carry out our exploration programs under Mr. Browns supervision. Contractors that we plan to engage include project geologists, drilling companies and geophysical logging companies, each according to the specific exploration program on each property.
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Our management will make determinations as to whether to proceed with the additional exploration of our Wyoming Powder River Basin mineral properties based on the results of the preliminary exploration that we undertake. In completing these determinations, we will make an assessment as to whether the results of the exploration are sufficiently positive for us to proceed with more advanced exploration.
Wyoming Properties
We have several properties in two distinct geographical areas known as the Great Divide and Powder River Basins of Wyoming as shown in the map below:
Uranerz Energy Corporation Wyoming Property Locations March 2010
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Source: Uranerz Energy Corporation 2010
Legend:
A Powder River Basin Properties
B Great
Divide Basin Properties
We plan to maintain, explore and, if warranted, develop our properties in the Powder River Basin area of Wyoming.
At this time we do not have immediate plans for further exploration or development activities on our Great Divide Basin properties, which are not considered material at present.
Powder River Basin Properties
As of December 31, 2009, our Powder River Basin properties include both our 100% owned properties and those properties included within the Arkose Mining Venture. These principal properties comprise in total approximately 117,618 acres and consist of a combination of federal mining claims, state mineral leases and private fee mineral leases. We have also acquired additional properties in the Powder River Basin area which total approximately 1,694 acres and are discussed below under Other Powder River Basin Projects. A map showing the location of our 100% owned Powder River Basin and Arkose Mining Venture properties is provided below:
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Uranerz Energy Corporation Powder River Basin March 2010
Source: Uranerz Energy Corporation 2010
20
An additional map showing the location of our properties within the general Powder Basin property area and our key property units is presented below:
Uranerz Energy Corporation Powder River Basin Property Units March 2010
Source: Uranerz Energy Corporation 2010
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Ownership Interests
Our ownership interests in the properties within the Powder River Basin are summarized as follows:
100% Owned Properties
Our 100% owned properties are comprised of unpatented lode mining claims, state leases and fee (private) mineral leases, as summarized as follows:
Ownership Interest | Number of Claims/ | Acreage | |
Property Composition | (1) | Leases | (Approximate) |
Unpatented Lode Mining Claims | 100% | 1,076 | 21,520 acres |
State Leases | 100% | 7 | 6,480 acres |
Fee (private) Mineral Leases | 100% | 5 | 1,251 acres |
Total | 29,251 acres |
(1) Subject to royalties, as discussed further below.
These 100% owned properties in the Powder River Basin include the following core property units:
Property | No. Claims | Approximate Acreage |
Doughstick | 22 | 440 |
Collins Draw | 38 | 760 |
North Rolling Pin | 65 | 1300 |
Hank | 66 | 1320 |
Nichols Ranch | 36 | 720 |
C-Line | 40 | 800 |
Willow Creek | 11 | 220 |
West North-Butte | 145 | 2900 |
East Nichols | 44 | 880 |
North Nichols | 107 | 2140 |
TOTAL | 574 | 11,480 |
We continue to look for more prospective lands in the Powder River Basin and as a result may locate, purchase or lease additional unpatented lode mining claims; and/or purchase or lease additional fee mineral (private) lands during the next twelve months, however there is no assurance any additional properties will be acquired.
Arkose Mining Venture
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The Arkose Mining Venture properties are comprised of unpatented mineral lode claims, state leases and fee (private) mineral leases, as summarized as follows:
Property | Ownership Interest | Number of Claims/ | Acreage |
Composition | (1) | Leases | (Approximate) |
Unpatented Mineral Lode Claims | 81% | 4,109 | 67,221 acres |
State Leases | 81% | 3 | 2,080 acres |
Fee (private) Mineral Leases | 81% | 69 | 19,066 acres |
Total | 88,367 acres |
(1) Subject to royalties, as discussed further below.
We completed the acquisition of an undivided 81% interest in the Arkose Mining Venture mineral properties on January 15, 2008. This acquisition was completed pursuant to a purchase and sale agreement with mining venture previously announced on September 19, 2007 between Uranerz, and NAMMCO, Steven C. Kirkwood, Robert W. Kirkwood and Stephen L. Payne (collectively, the NAMMCO Sellers). The total purchase price that we paid to acquire this 81% interest in the Arkose Mining Venture included cash of $5,757,000 and 5,750,000 shares of our common stock issued to the NAMMCO Sellers. The NAMMCO Sellers entered into a voting agreement with us effective January 15, 2008 pursuant to which each of such sellers granted to our management or our appointed agent the right to vote fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding and currently held shares issued as consideration for the acquisition, whether held directly or indirectly by such sellers, for a period of three (3) years following the date of the issuance.
In connection with our acquisition of an 81% interest in the Arkose Mining Venture, we entered into a venture agreement dated as of January 15, 2008 (the Venture Agreement) with United Nuclear, LLC (United Nuclear), a limited liability company wholly owned by the NAMMCO Sellers and their designee under the purchase and sale agreement. Under the Venture Agreement, we agreed that United Nuclear will hold (and contribute to) its nineteen percent (19%) working interest in the Arkose Mining Venture, and we will operate and be the manager of the Arkose Mining Venture under the name Arkose Mining Venture. We and United Nuclear agreed to contribute funds to programs and budgets approved under the Arkose Mining Venture in accordance with our respective interests in the Venture.
The Venture Agreement provides that we, as manager, will have management and control over operations carried out by the Venture. We are obligated to present proposed programs and budgets to the management committee of the Venture on an annual basis. The proposed programs and budgets may include exploration programs, pre-feasibility studies, feasibility studies, development, mining, and expansion or modification of operation plans. Proposed programs and budgets are reviewed by the management committee appointed under the Venture which includes at least two members from each company appointed by Uranerz and United Nuclear respectively. Unless otherwise provided in the Venture Agreement, the vote of the participant with a participating interest greater than 50% will determine decisions of the management committee. A participant may elect to participate in an approved program and budget either (i) in proportion to the participants respective interest in the Venture, or (ii) not at all. In the event that a participant elects not to participate in a program and budget, then its participating interest in the Venture Agreement is subject to recalculation in accordance with the Venture Agreement to reflect the decision not to participate.
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This overview of the Venture Agreement does not provide a full discussion of all terms and conditions of the Venture Agreement. Investors are encouraged to read the entire copy of the Venture Agreement that was filed with the SEC as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 22, 2008.
The Arkose Mining Venture includes the following property units on which we have conducted exploration:
Other Powder River Basin Projects
Through a combination of claim staking, purchasing, and leasing, we also have acquired interests in several projects that lie within the Powder River Basin but outside of the project areas discussed above. These properties include the Verna Ann, Niles Ranch, North Reno Creek, and South Reno Creek projects which cover approximately 1,694 acres. In general, these projects are located in sandstone basins of Tertiary age with known uranium mineralization. However, due to our focused approach we have not yet initiated exploration work on these projects. Additional leasing in the North Reno Creek Project has prompted us to look into acquiring past exploration and development data for this area in an attempt to support a future National Instrument 43-101 report. If warranted, environmental base line work may begin thereafter with the goal of submitting an environmental permit application for ISR facilities as soon as possible.
Forfeiture of certain Powder River Basin and Great Divide Basin interests
During August 2009, we decided to forfeit our interests in certain mining claims in the Powder River Basin and the Great Divide which we determined, based on the review, analysis and recommendations of our geological staff, did not merit further exploration and accordingly were no longer of strategic interest or value to the Company. The claims, which were forfeited, effective September 1, 2009, when the annual renewal fee would have become due, were comprised of: 285 claims in which we had held a 100% interest in the Streeter, Collins Draw, East Nichols, North Nichols, Eagle and Cyclone Rim project areas and 132 claims in the Little Butte and South Collins project areas, in which we held an 81% interest through the Arkose Mining Venture. We will continue to review our property portfolio and may decide to forfeit other interests in the future if we determine that they are no longer of strategic interest.
NI 43-101 Technical Reports
We have obtained technical reports on the following material properties:
Name of Report | Authors of Technical Report | Date of Report |
Technical Report, Doughstick Project, Campbell County, Wyoming, U.S.A. |
TREC, Inc., 341 East E
Street, Suite 200, Casper Wyoming 82601 |
January 26, 2010
|
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Technical Report, South Doughstick Property, Campbell and Johnson Counties, Wyoming, U.S.A. |
TREC, Inc., 341 East E
Street, Suite 200, Casper Wyoming 82601 |
February 25, 2010
(Amended) October 12, 2009 |
Technical Report, Nichols Ranch
Property, Johnson and Campbell Counties, Wyoming, U.S.A. |
Kurtis J. Brown, P.G., Senior
Vice President, Uranerz Energy Corporation, 1701 East E Street, Casper Wyoming 82605 |
June 5, 2009
|
Technical Report - West North- Butte Satellite Properties, Campbell County, Wyoming, |
TREC, Inc., 341 East E
Street, Suite 200, Casper Wyoming 82601 |
December 9, 2008
|
U.S.A.
|
||
Don R. Woody, P.G, Woody
Enterprises, 9005 Sypes Canyon Road, Bozeman, Montana 58715 |
||
Preliminary Assessment Nichols Ranch Uranium In-Situ Recovery Project, Powder River Basin, Wyoming, U.S.A |
TREC, Inc., 341 East E
Street, Suite 200, Casper Wyoming 82601 |
July 25, 2008
|
Technical Report The Hank Unit
Property, Campbell Country, Wyoming, U.S.A. |
TREC, Inc., 341 East E
Street, Suite 200, Casper Wyoming 82601 |
May 1, 2008 |
Don R. Woody, P.G, Woody
Enterprises, 9005 Sypes Canyon Road, Bozeman, Montana 58715 |
||
Technical Report on the Arkose Mining Venture Project, Campbell and Johnson Counties, Wyoming, |
TREC, Inc., 341 East E
Street, Suite 200, Casper Wyoming 82601 |
February 27, 2008
|
U.S.A.
|
||
Don R. Woody, P.G, Woody
Enterprises, 9005 Sypes Canyon Road, Bozeman, Montana 58715 |
||
Nichols Ranch Uranium Project, Campbell and Johnson Counties, Wyoming, U.S.A. |
Douglas Beahm, PE, PG
Andrew Anderson, PE, PG BRS Inc. |
October 26, 2007
|
Cautionary Note to United States Investors |
As a company listed on the TSX, we are required by Canadian law to provide disclosure in accordance with Canadian Securities Administrators National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101). This required disclosure includes the preparation and filing of technical reports on our material mineral properties with Canadian securities commissions under NI 43-101. These technical reports are furnished by us to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on Form 8-K in order to satisfy our public disclosure obligations under SEC Regulation FD and are not filed with the SEC. U.S. reporting requirements for disclosure of mineral properties, including disclosure required in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, are governed by the Industry Guide 7 ("SEC Guide 7") of the SEC. The standards of disclosure of mineral properties under NI 43-101 and SEC Guide 7 are substantially different. All mineral resources disclosed in our NI 43-101 technical reports referenced herein have been estimated in accordance with the definition standards on mineral resources and mineral reserves of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum referred to in National Instrument 43-101, commonly referred to as "NI 43-101". The terms "mineral reserve", "proven mineral reserve" and "probable mineral reserve" are Canadian mining terms as defined in accordance with NI 43-101. These definitions differ from the definitions in SEC Guide 7. Under SEC Guide 7 standards, a "final" or "bankable" feasibility study is required to report reserves, the three-year historical average price is used in any reserve or cash flow analysis to designate reserves and the primary environmental analysis or report must be filed with the appropriate governmental authority. |
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The NI 43-101 technical reports referenced herein use the terms "mineral resource," "measured mineral resource," "indicated mineral resource" and "inferred mineral resource". We advise investors that these terms are defined in and required to be disclosed by NI 43-101; however, these terms are not defined terms under SEC Guide 7 and are normally not permitted to be used in reports and registration statements filed with the SEC. Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into SEC Guide 7 reserves. "Inferred mineral resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, except in rare cases. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of any mineral resource exists or is economically or legally mineable. Disclosure of "contained pounds" in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute "reserves" by SEC standards as in-place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. |
The following information regarding our ownership interests in our material properties, their geology and their exploration history is taken from these technical reports.
Hank Unit and Nichols Ranch Unit
Within the Nichols Ranch Unit we have 36 unpatented lode mining claims, two fee surface and mineral leases, and one surface use agreement. There is an overriding royalty interest in favor of Excalibur Industries on all federal unpatented lode mining claims that were acquired by us from Excalibur Industries. Many of the unpatented lode mining claims located at the Hank Unit and at the Nichols Ranch Unit have an associated gross royalty payable to Excalibur Industries of 6 percent when the spot price of uranium is less than $45.00 per pound and of 8 percent if the uranium spot price is $45.00 per pound or higher. In addition, there is a portion of the Nichols Ranch Unit that includes private (fee) mineral that is subject to the above Excalibur Industries royalty, plus an additional royalty payable to the fee mineral owner under the fee leases (equaling a 12 percent or 16 percent royalty depending upon the spot price of uranium).
Within the Hank Unit, we have 66 unpatented lode mining claims, two fee surface and mineral leases, and one surface use agreement. The Hank Unit permit boundary encompasses approximately 2,250 acres. Within the permit boundary, we have the right to mine approximately 1,393 acres of mineral rights. Of the 66 unpatented lode mining claims comprising the Hank Unit, 56 of the claims have a royalty interest burden, payable to Excalibur Industries, of six or eight percent depending on the selling price of uranium. This royalty interest is based on uranium produced from these claims.
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West North-Butte Satellite Properties
The West North-Butte property covers approximately 2,360 acres of land and is comprised of 145 unpatented lode mining claims and one surface use agreement, of which 6 unpatented lode mining claims are subject to a royalty interest burden, payable to Excalibur Industries, of six or eight percent depending on the price of uranium.
The east portion of the West North-Butte property covers approximately 325 acres of land and is comprised of 17 unpatented lode mining claims and one surface use agreement. None of the claims in this property are subject to a royalty.
The Willow Creek property covers approximately 220 acres of land and is comprised of 11 unpatented lode mining claims and one surface use agreement, all of which unpatented lode mining claims are subject to a royalty interest burden, payable to Excalibur Industries, of six or eight percent depending on the price of uranium.
Arkose Mining Venture
The Arkose Mining Venture properties consist of unpatented lode mining claims, fee mineral leases, and state mineral leases. The land surface consists of private, federal and state lands. There are 4,109 unpatented lode mining claims included in the Arkose Property which comprise 67,221 acres and 69 fee mineral leases and 3 state leases included in the Arkose Property which comprise 21,146 acres. All of the unpatented lode mining claims are owned by us subject to the beneficial interests of the participants in the Arkose Mining Venture.
Of the 4,109 unpatented lode mining claims, 1,218 unpatented lode mining claims have an overriding royalty interest burden of 0.25%. This overriding royalty interest is based on production of uranium on these claims.
The title of the Arkose Mining Venture to the leased property included in the Arkose Property is a leasehold interest subject to the various terms as set forth in the applicable leases (the Arkose Leases). The Arkose Leases are mineral leases only and the Arkose Mining Venture obtained surface use agreements with the various surface owners of said lands prior to commencing any activities. The majority of the Arkose Leases (other than the three state leases, which are paid annually) are paid up for either five or ten years. The five-year paid-up leases have an option to extend for a second five-year term, and for so long thereafter as the property under the lease is in production. The Arkose Leases only cover uranium and other fissionable minerals. Commingling of ores from adjacent lands is allowable under the fee mineral leases.
Royalties under the fee mineral leases are variable and can range from a flat 4% on uranium production to a sliding scale of 2-10% with different intermediate break points with the 10% rate applying to sales prices of $100 per pound of uranium and greater.
Unpatented Lode Mining Claims
Our unpatented lode mining claims, including those subject to the Arkose Mining Venture, are located on minerals owned by the federal government and open to location, with the surface being owned either by the federal government or private individuals. In addition, the unpatented lode mining claims are recorded in the appropriate county and filed with the state office of the Bureau of Land Management (the BLM).
The unpatented lode claims do not have an expiration date. However, affidavits must be filed annually with the BLM and respective county recorders offices in order to maintain the claims validity. All of the unpatented lode claims have annual filing requirements ($140 per claim) with the BLM, to be paid on or before September 1 of each year.
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Most of the above-mentioned unpatented lode claims are located on Stock Raising Homestead land where the U.S. government has issued a patent for the surface to an individual and reserved the minerals to the U.S. government subject to the location rights by claimants as set forth in the 1872 Mining Law.
Mining Leases
Our leasehold interests within our 100% owned properties are subject to the various terms as set forth in the applicable leases. The state leases and leases on fee mineral lands usually have annual payments, royalty obligations, and the term of the leases vary, but for the most part can be extended by production. The fee surface and mineral leases apply only to uranium and other fissionable minerals and typically have a 10-year term with the right to extend the leases with production. Commingling of production from adjacent lands is allowable under the fee mineral leases.
Surface Rights
The Powder River Basin area has surface rights under applicable laws that allow for exploration disturbance, road construction and facility siting. The claimant must first notify the surface owner of its intention to locate unpatented lode mining claims on the owners surface and then try and reach an agreement with the surface owner to pay for damages caused by the claimants operations. If an agreement cannot be reached, the claimant may post a bond with the Bureau of Land Management to cover the amount of the damages caused by the claimants operations.
We have negotiated surface use agreements with various surface owners covering a majority of our project areas. We are currently negotiating with various surface owners to enter into surface agreements covering the balance of the unpatented lode claims not already covered by surface use agreements. The surface use agreements typically provide for reimbursement to the surface owner of actual damages resulting from our operations.
Taxes and Fees
We will be required to pay severance tax and ad valorem tax to the State of Wyoming, in addition to various maintenance, land impact and access fees as well as other consideration to surface holders.
Location and Access; Topography, Elevation and Vegetation; Climate
The Powder River Basin area is located approximately 50 miles southwest of Gillette, Wyoming and 100 miles northeast of Casper, Wyoming. The area is accessed from State Highway 50 from the east or State Highway 387 from the south, and various internal gravel surface county and private roads. Casper is on Interstate 25, approximately one hour by air from either Denver, Colorado or Salt Lake City, Utah.
Our Powder River Basin properties are located in portions of Campbell and Johnson Counties, Wyoming, U.S.A., and are approximately 60 air miles northeast of Casper, Wyoming. The Powder River Basin properties cover lands in various sections in the Townships 41 to 44 North and Ranges 74 to 78 West.
The center of our properties (centered east-west) is approximately eight miles west of the junction of Wyoming Highways 50 and 387. The properties are accessible via two-wheel drive on existing county and/or private gravel and dirt roads. Accessibility for drilling at this time appears acceptable with the exception of very wet or snowy ground surface conditions. Road development and improvements may be required at a later time in order to support future development, if warranted, of well fields and processing facilities.
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The Powder River Basin properties are located within the Wyoming Basin physiographic province in the central portion of the Powder River Basin, within the Pumpkin Buttes Mining District. The Pumpkin Buttes are a series of small buttes rising several hundred feet above the surrounding plains. Portions of the Powder River Basin properties are located east, west and south of these buttes. The cap rocks on top of the buttes are erosional remnants of the Tertiary White River Formation that is believed to have overlain the majority of the Powder River Basin. The volcanic tuffs in the White River Formation have been cited as the source of uranium in this basin.
The area in which the Powder River Basin properties is located is a low lying plain, and elevations range from approximately 4,390 feet (1,440 meters) in the northwest to approximately 5,450 feet (1,790 meters) in the southeast. Historically and currently the land is used for livestock and wildlife grazing. Vegetation is characteristically sagebrush grassland with some pines on elevated terrain and some deciduous trees within drainages.
The climate is semi-arid and receives an annual precipitation of approximately 9.4 inches, the most falling in the form of late autumnal to early spring snows. The summer months are usually hot, dry and clear except for infrequent heavy rains. Cold, wind and snow/blizzards can make winter exploration work in this area difficult but not impossible. The weather may limit the time periods for capital construction but should not have any significant adverse impacts on the operation of an ISR facility.
Geology
Our Powder River Basin properties encompass approximately 119,312 acres, and potential target mineralized zones are expected to occur throughout the properties. The potential target mineralization within the Powder River Basin properties is believed to be alteration-reduction trends hosted in the Eocene age channel sands that lie at depths of approximately 300 to 1,100 feet from the surface. Roll front deposits of uranium mineralized material are anticipated to occur within these properties. An alteration reduction trend is a natural chemical boundary trend line in a sandstone aquifer where reduced (non-oxidized) sand is in contact with altered (oxidized) sand. Uranium mineralization may be found along the trend line.
Our Powder River Basin properties contain alteration-reduction trends hosted in Eocene age channel sands. Alteration-reduction trends in the Pumpkin Buttes Mining District are typically composed of multiple, stacked roll front deposits that often contain associated uranium mineralization. A stacked role front is a type of uranium occurrence found in thick sandstone where a number of mineralization trends are stacked on top of each other. Uranium mineralization within and adjacent to the Powder River Basin properties are found in the Eocene Wasatch Formation (Wasatch). The Wasatch is a fluvial deposit composed of arkosic sandstones that are typically 25% or more feldspar grains and indicates a source rock where chemical weathering was not extreme and the sediments have not been transported far. A fluvial deposit is a deposit of uranium mineralization found in sandstones that originated from sediments laid down by streams and rivers. The arkosic sandstone is a type of sandstone that contains a high percentage of feldspar grains. The medium grain size and relatively good sorting of this sediment implies water transportation, probably in a meandering river/stream system. The Wasatch formation is interlaid with sandstones, claystones, siltstones, carbonaceous shale, and thin coal seams that overlie the Paleocene Fort Union Formation, another fluvial sedimentary unit.
Exploration History
Our Powder River Basin properties are located within the Pumpkin Buttes Mining District which was the first commercial uranium production district in Wyoming. Uranium was first discovered in the Pumpkin Buttes in 1951. Intermittent production from some 55 small mines through 1967 produced 36,737 tons of ore containing 208,143 pounds of uranium. This early mining focused on shallow oxidized ores exploited by small open pit mines. The ore was generally transported to the Atomic Energy Commission buying station in Edgemont, South Dakota. Modern mining in the district has focused on deeper reduced ores. Uranium Ones Christensen Ranch and Irigaray ISR uranium mining areas and processing facilities are located within the Pumpkin Buttes Mining District, approximately 10 and 16 air miles, respectively, from the Arkose Property. These mines have completed successful ISR mining and aquifer restoration in the Wasatch formation.
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These properties were originally part of a large exploration area encompassing Townships 33 through 50 North of Ranges 69 through 79 West, on the 6th principal meridian. In 1966, Mountain West Mines Inc. (MWM, now Excalibur Industries) began a successful drilling exploration program in a portion of this area. In 1967, MWM entered into an agreement with Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Company (CCI) for further exploration and option if suitable resources were found. CCI exercised its option in 1976 with plans to begin underground mining operations in the vicinity of North Butte. Changing economic conditions and the development of ISR mining technology reportedly ended much of CCIs interest in the area. By the late 1980s they began selling select properties or allowing them to revert back to the federal government.
In addition to CCI, other uranium exploration companies during the last forty years have controlled property either within or near our Powder River Basin properties. These included Kerr McGee, Conoco, Texaco, American Nuclear, Tennessee Valley Authority and Uranerz U.S.A., Inc. Uranium One NC (via subsidiary Cogema Resources Inc. (Cogema) and Power Resources Inc. (a subsidiary of Cameco Corporation) have retained portions of their original land positions in the area. The mining claims and leases originally controlled by most of these companies were let go over the years due to market conditions. These property abandonments continued into 2004.
As a result of this history of exploration and our own exploration efforts, there is available to us for our exploration of the Powder River Basin properties published and unpublished mineral trend projections, mineral resource summaries and historic and current mineral resource reports developed by us or other operators from these properties or adjacent mineral properties, as applicable. In addition, there are publicly available drill results from approximately 1,250 coal bed methane (CBM) exploration/production wells in the region of the Arkose Mining Venture properties, which are discussed further below.
Nichols Ranch ISR Project
Between 1968 and 1980 CCI drilled 117 holes and installed 3 water wells on the Nichols Ranch property. Texas Eastern Nuclear Inc. in 1985 completed limited drilling and exploration on the property and in early 1990s Rio Algom Co. also completed limited drilling in the area.
Hank Unit
Between 1968 and 1980, CCI drilled 197 holes within the Hank Unit. In 1985, Texas Eastern Nuclear, Inc. completed limited drilling and exploration on the property (approximately 28 borings). In the early 1990s, Kerr McGee Corporation and Rio Algom Mining Corporation also completed limited drilling in the area.
We drilled 61 exploratory holes and seven wells within the Hank Unit during 2006 and 2007 and eight additional wells in 2009. We drilled 257 exploration holes, including three core holes, and three water wells at Nichols Ranch during 2006 and 2007 and 25 exploration holes and seven wells in 2009.
West North- Butte Satellite Properties
Between 1968 and 1985, CCI drilled approximately 380 exploratory holes with the satellite properties. From 1983 to 1985, Texas Eastern Nuclear drilled approximately 12 exploratory holes in the satellite properties and from approximately 1990 to 1992 Rio Algom Mining Corporation drilled approximately 5 exploratory holes. In 2006, we completed an acquisition of the satellite properties, and in 2007 and 2008, drilled approximately 127 exploratory holes.
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Arkose Mining Venture
It is estimated that over 4,000 historic uranium exploration holes may have been drilled within the Arkose Property. This exploration was conducted by numerous exploration companies from the 1960s through the 1990s. Although this historic exploration data are known to exist, obtaining information on all but a handful (less than 50) of specific drill hole data, such as gamma, resistivity, and lithology logs, was not possible. Coal bed methane (CBM) exploration/production wells were drilled by numerous companies for development of CBM resources in the area. A total of approximately 1,250 CBM exploration/production wells have been drilled on or immediately adjacent to the Arkose Property. Most of this drilling was completed from 1,200 to 2,000 feet deep and is on-going. CBM exploration/production wells and their associated gamma logs are all drilled and logged through the uranium mineralization-bearing sand horizons. Utilizing the available uranium drill data and the CBM drill data base, we had a technical report prepared in February 2008 to independently address the geology and potential uranium mineralization within our mineral holdings on the Arkose Mining Venture. This technical report was prepared in accordance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101 requirements, as discussed above under NI 43-101 Technical Reports.
The NAMMCO Sellers commenced acquiring rights to the properties comprising the Arkose Property in 2005, and continued to do so through 2006 and 2007. On January 15, 2008, we completed the acquisition of an undivided 81% percent interest in the Arkose Property and formed the Arkose Mining Venture with the vendors of these properties, the NAMMCO Sellers, as described in greater detail above under Arkose Mining Venture.
Local Resources and Properties Infrastructure
Infrastructure at the site of the Powder River Basin properties is dominantly related to local oil, gas, and CBM exploration and development. Mineralized locations will affect future siting of well fields and processing facilities. Generally, the proximity of the Powder River Basin properties to paved roads will be beneficial with respect to transportation of equipment, supplies, personnel and product to and from the properties. Power transmission lines are located on or near parts of the Powder River Basin properties. Based upon discussions with the local electrical service provider, overhead power is currently committed but additional power for future projects can be made available. Water is available from wells developed at planned facility locations (potable) and water for in-situ recovery (ISR) operations, if necessary, will come from the operation itself, i.e. the extracted groundwater. Therefore, the basic infrastructure (power, water and transportation) required to support an ISR mining operation is located within reasonable proximity of the Powder River Basin properties.
Personnel required for exploration, construction and operation at the Powder River Basin properties are expected to come from Gillette, Wright, Buffalo and Casper, Wyoming.
Typical ISR mining operations also require a disposal well for limited quantities of fluids that cannot be returned to the production aquifers. Commonly, oil and gas wells within aquifers that have been or can be condemned for public use, are utilized for such purposes. Oil and gas wells, both abandoned and producing, are located in the immediate vicinity of the properties.
Our Powder River Basin properties are undeveloped and do not contain any open-pit or underground mines. There is no plant or mining equipment located on any of our Wyoming mineral properties. There are no pre-existing mineral processing facilities or related wastes on the property.
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Exploration Completed by Uranerz
2009 Drilling Program
During 2009 we were engaged in drilling exploration efforts on both our 100% owned Powder River Basin properties and on the Arkose Mining Venture Powder River Basin properties. The purpose of the 2009 drilling program was to find previously unknown or little-known uranium mineralization trends and to delineate known trends, which would provide data for permitting and eventual production operations in favorably identified areas. During the 2009 drilling program, approximately 11.5 miles of uranium roll front trends were investigated. Approximately 3 miles of the 11.5 miles of trends had favorable uranium mineralization. Uranium mineralization ranged from less than 0.01% eU3O8 to 1.18% eU3O8. Approximately 36% of the 565 holes drilled during 2009 met or exceeded our minimum cut-off grade of 0.03% eU3O8.
On our 100% owned properties, 51 delineation holes were drilled on our Nichols Ranch, Doughstick and North Nichols Ranch properties. The purpose of this drilling was primarily to prepare for the installation of baseline monitor wells for our planned Nichols Ranch ISR production facility. A National Instrument 43-101 report was completed on the Nichols Ranch property in June of 2009. It estimated indicated mineral resources of approximately 2,949,546 pounds of eU3O8 at an average grade of 0.114%.
Additional drilling was carried out on the Companys 100% owned Doughstick properties, which lead to the preparation of a combined National Instrument Report, as described above, in respect of this property as well as Arkoses North Jane and Doughstick properties.
During 2009, on Arkose Mining Venture properties, a total of 514 holes were drilled. At Arkoses North Jane Property a total of 51 holes were drilled with mineralization found in two horizons of the 100 sand. A combined National Instrument 43-101 independent report in respect of the Companys 100% owned Doughstick property and Arkoses North Jane and Doughstick properties was prepared in respect of the 2009 drilling results from those properties and filed in January of 2010. The report estimated, for all such properties, measured and indicated mineral resources of approximately 967,883 pounds of eU3O8 and inferred mineral resources of approximately 87,981 pounds.
At Arkoses South Doughstick property 104 delineation drill holes were completed. Favorable mineralization led to the completion of an independent National Instrument NI 43-101 technical report dated October 12, 2009 and subsequently amended on February 25, 2010. The amended report estimates a measured and indicated mineral resource of approximately 2,287,250 pounds of eU3O8 at an average grade of 0.121% and an inferred mineral resource of approximately 189,305 pounds at an average grade of 0.096%.
2008 Exploration Program
In 2008 we were engaged in drilling exploration efforts on both our 100% owned Powder River Basin properties, and on the Arkose Mining Venture properties. During the 2008 drilling program, approximately 19 miles of uranium roll front trends were investigated. Approximately 7 miles of the 19 miles of trends had favorable uranium mineralization. Uranium mineralization ranged from <0.01% eU3O8 to 2.65% eU3O8. A cut-off grade of 0.03% eU3O8 was established for the Uranerz and Arkose properties. Approximately 34.5% of the 933 holes drilled during 2008 met or exceeded the minimum cutoff grade.
For the 2008 drilling season, March 6, 2008 through December 12, 2008, a total of 933 exploration and delineation holes were completed. The average depth per hole was 687 feet and a total of 640,578 feet was drilled. Breakout of the drilling was 165 holes on our 100% owned properties and 768 holes on Arkose Mining Venture properties.
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We determined based on the results of this drilling program to complete a NI 43-101 technical report on the South Doughstick property. We received this technical report in February of 2010.
During 2008 no new exploration work was undertaken in the immediate Nichols Ranch proposed mine area.
In December 2008 we received an independent NI 43-101 technical report for the nearby West North-Butte Satellite Properties. A copy of this technical report was filed on SEDAR on December 11, 2008 and a copy furnished to the SEC on December 11, 2008.
2006 and 2007 Exploration Programs
We drilled a total of 78 rotary drill holes on the Hank, Nichols Ranch, and Doughstick projects during 2006, with 46 holes demonstrating uranium mineralization.
During 2006 environmental permitting activities also continued at the Hank and Nichols Ranch projects with the completion of a total of five hydrogeologic test wells, and the drilling of six core holes. The core was submitted for laboratory testing to support radiation permitting requirements as well as to define resource disequilibrium attributes.
From February 19 to December 20, 2007, we drilled a total of 486 uranium trend delineation holes and eight hydrologic sampling wells on our 100%owned properties located in the central Powder River Basin, utilizing as many as three drill rigs and one electric log probing unit. This represents a total of approximately 300,000 feet of drilling with an average depth of 617 feet per hole.
A total of 214 delineation holes were drilled on Nichols Ranch in 2007. In the final months of the 2007 drilling program, we focused our exploration efforts on our West North-Butte, Collins Draw, Hank and Nichols Ranch properties to facilitate sub-surface geologic mapping with cross sections and to refine previous geologic models delineating known trends of uranium mineralization.
2010 Exploration/ Development Program
For 2010, the Arkose Mining Venture plans to utilize two drill rigs and one company electric logging unit. Supervision in the field would be conducted by a Uranerz field geologist. The drilling is planned to concentrate on exploration for uranium in the northeast targets of East Buck and Kermit project areas and in the South Doughstick area.
The goal of the 2010 exploration plan is to continue uranium exploration momentum that began in 2008 and to demonstrate commitment to finding and developing uranium mineralization that is commercially profitable on the Arkose properties. The plan includes drilling a total of 400 holes with an aggregate footage of 280,000 feet. In 2009, the average hole depth was 681 feet. In 2010, the average hole depth is thought to be around 700 feet. Approximately 225 holes will be drilled in the East Buck project area where mineralization was found in 2008 but due to surface ownership access and/or mineral fee leasing issues, was not available until 2010. Another 125 holes will be drilled in the Kermit area immediately south of East Buck. In addition, 50 holes are planned for South Doughstick to follow-up on exploration to the south of the main mineralization on a subsidiary roll trend. Drilling is planned to begin in April 2010 and continue through October 2010 for about 7 months depending on cooperation from the weather.
During 2010, the Uranerz plan for the development of production and monitor wells at Nichols Ranch, Mining Unit 1 (MU1) will be undertaken. The plan includes a 5 month drilling program beginning upon issue of the mining permits and will require up to 6 contract drill rigs; existing company electric logging unit, cementing unit, backhoe; a cement mix truck, 2 cement storage silos; an air compressor for well development; a pump pulling unit; and contract or hire 6 new field personnel to conduct cementing and well equipment installation.
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It is estimated that one well pilot hole per two installed wells will be Drilled Not Completed (DNC) due to the irregular mineralization outline. These holes will be abandoned with cement using the company cementing unit.
The weld field installation includes drilling, casing, cementing, well development, pump, wire, drop pipe, O2 system, and a weather enclosure. After the wells have their completion zones finished a pump pulling unit will install the production/monitor pumps. A total of 270 wells are planned to be installed including 30 perimeter monitor wells, 132 injection wells, 108 production wells, and 120 DNCs. Approximately 50% of MU1 wells would be installed during 2010.
Nichols Ranch ISR Project
The mine plan for the Nichols Ranch ISR Uranium Project includes a central processing facility at our Nichols Ranch property and a satellite ion exchange facility at our Hank property. The ultimate production level from these two properties is planned to be in the range of 600,000 to 800,000 pounds per year (as U3O8). The central processing facility is planned for a licensed capacity of 2 million pounds per year of uranium (as U3O8) and it is intended that it will process uranium-bearing well-field solutions from Nichols Ranch, as well as uranium-loaded resin transported from the Hank satellite facility, plus uranium-loaded resin from any additional satellite deposits that may be developed on our other Powder River Basin properties. We believe this centralized design enhances the economics of our potential additional satellite projects by maximizing production capacity while minimizing further capital expenditures on processing facilities. The project is progressing through detailed engineering and design with 95% of design work completed by end of December 2009.
Preliminary Assessment
We obtained a preliminary assessment or scoping study of the Nichols Ranch Uranium In-Situ Recovery Project (Project) in July 2008. The preliminary assessment was prepared for us in accordance with the guidelines set forth under NI 43-101 and the Standards and Guidelines of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum incorporated by reference therein for the submission of technical reports on mining properties. The purpose of the assessment was to perform a preliminary evaluation of the technical and economic viability of the Project using the most current scientific, engineering and cost information available. The preliminary assessment was prepared to support our development and licensing strategy for our Nichols Ranch and Hank properties. Investors are cautioned that this assessment was preliminary in nature and is not based on capital and operating costs estimates that are sufficiently refined to support a feasibility study evaluating the project.
The assessment analyzed the planned development of a commercial uranium ISR and processing operation. The evaluation uses available design information to develop capital and operating cost estimates for the proposed well fields, processing plants, infrastructure and associated facilities. Capital and operating cost estimates were provided in the preliminary assessment along with an economic analysis based on these costs and projected revenue from the recovery and sale of uranium (U3O8).
Location of the Nichols Ranch ISR Project
The Nichols Ranch ISR Project would be on the properties comprising our Nichols Ranch ISR main unit and our Hank ISR satellite unit, as illustrated below:
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Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project Map March 2010
Source: Uranerz Energy Corporation 2010
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Targeted Mineralization
The targeted mineralized zones for the Nichols Ranch Unit in the A sand unit are 300 to 700 feet below the surface and occur in two long narrow trends meeting at the nose. The nose is in the northwest corner of the deposit where the two narrow trends meet to form the tip of the geochemical front. The Hank Units two targeted mineralized zones in the F Sand unit range from 200 to 600 feet below the ground surface depending on the topography and changes in the formation elevation and stratigraphic horizon.
Mining Plan
In order to mine the uranium resources at the Project, infrastructure, including four well fields, a central processing plant (the Nichols Ranch CPP) and a satellite ion exchange (IX) plant (the Hank Satellite Facility) are being designed and will need to be constructed. Well fields are designated areas above the mineralized zone that are sized to achieve the desired production goals. The piping/well system will inject water-leaching solution into the mineralized zone and recover the uranium-enriched water after it has flowed through the mineralization. The mineralized zone is the geological sandstone unit where the recovery solutions are injected and recovered in an in-situ recovery well field, and it is bounded between impermeable aquitards. Production areas are the individual areas that will be mined in the well field. The injection and recovery wells are completed in the mineralized zone intervals of the production sand.
We anticipate the patterns for the injection and recovery wells to follow the conventional five-spot pattern. Depending on the mineralized zone shape, seven spot or line drive patterns may be used in some locations. A typical five spot pattern contains four injections wells and one recovery well. The dimensions of the pattern vary depending on the mineralized zone, but the injection wells will likely be between 50 to 150 feet apart. In order to effectively recover the uranium and also to complete the groundwater restoration, the wells will be completed so that they can be used as either injection or recovery wells. During mining operations, a slightly greater volume of water will be recovered from the mineralized zone aquifer than injected in order to create a cone of depression or a flow gradient towards the recovery wells.
The Nichols Ranch Unit is anticipated to include the Nichols Ranch CPP and two production areas, NR-1 and NR-2. As the productivity or solution grade (uranium concentration in the lixiviant) of some patterns for NR-1 decrease below the economic limit, replacement patterns from NR-2 will be placed into operation in order to maintain the desired flow rate and solution grade at the processing plant. Eventually, all the patterns in NR-1 will reach their economic limit and all production flow in that area will cease. At that time, all production flow will be coming from NR-2 and restoration activities will commence at NR-1.
Each planned Nichols Ranch Unit production area includes a number of injection wells, recovery wells, monitoring wells, header houses and associated piping and power supply. Header houses will be located within the well field and will distribute recovered fluids from recovery wells to trunk lines, and injection fluids from the processing facility through the trunk lines to injection wells. The planned Nichols Ranch Unit is anticipated to include the following:
486 injection wells;
418 recovery wells;
95 monitoring wells; and
23 header houses.
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The planned Hank Unit will include a satellite IX facility and two production areas, H-1 and H-2. The Hank Unit production areas will follow a similar developmental, production, and restoration schedule as outlined above for the Nichols Ranch Unit production areas.
Each planned Hank Unit production area includes a number of injection wells, recovery wells, monitoring wells, header houses and associated piping and power supply. The planned Hank Unit is anticipated to include the following:
Two Underground Injection Control (UIC) deep disposal wells will also be required, one at the Nichols Ranch Unit and one at the Hank Unit, for disposal of liquid wastes from well field bleed, processing plant operations and restoration.
Mine Planning and Permitting
We are proceeding with mine planning for the Nichols Ranch Uranium In-Situ Recovery Project that would initially be sited on the Hank and Nichols Ranch properties. Because of the long lead times for environmental permitting of mining operations in North America, in 2007 we filed applications to the State of Wyoming (WDEQ) and the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for permits to conduct ISR mining of uranium for the Nichols Ranch and Hank properties. We engaged TRC based in Laramie, Wyoming as the prime contractor for performing the several environmental baseline studies. We have engaged Hydro Engineering from Casper, Wyoming to perform the necessary aquifer pump tests, and prepare the hydrology section of the environmental permit applications. We have to date completed environmental surveys such as vegetation, soils, wildlife, cultural resources, radiation and water quality. Reports were prepared and incorporated into our applications which were submitted to the WDEQ and NRC in the last quarter of 2007. Approval of the environmental permit applications is expected to allow us to proceed with commercial advancement of the two properties leading to production of yellowcake using the ISR method of uranium mining should it be determined that development is warranted.
The primary regulatory approvals for an ISR uranium mine come from the WDEQ at the state level, and from the NRC at the federal level. The WDEQ issues a Permit to Mine, and the NRC issues a Source Material License. The NRC has completed a Generic Environmental Impact Statement applying to new uranium ISR production activities. Both the state and federal agencies look at all environmental aspects of a proposed ISR mine including reclamation of the land surface following mining operations, and restoration of impacted ground water. Work place safety and the safety of the public are also closely monitored by regulatory agencies. Posting of a reclamation bond by the mine operator with the regulatory agencies in an amount to cover the total estimated cost of reclamation by a third party is also a requirement of the law. The reclamation bond must be a "hard" bond which means it must be either cash, certificate of deposit, letter of credit or some other similar type of financial instrument.
In April 2008 the NRC deemed our application acceptable to advance to the detailed technical and environmental stage of review. In August 2008 the WDEQ deemed our application to build and operate an in-situ recovery mine complete and ready to move to the next stage of review. The next stage includes a detailed technical and environmental review of the application and public discussion. Concurrently, the NRC review of our application for a Source Material License is proceeding in a normal manner. Approval of the permit applications is expected to allow us to proceed with commercial advancement of the two properties leading to production of yellowcake using the ISR method of uranium mining.
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In March of 2009 we submitted our response to a Request for Additional Information (RAI) which was received in the fall of 2008 following the NRCs technical reviews. During 2009 we responded to a further RAI issued by the NRC in respect of its environmental review.
In October of 2009 WDEQ - Air Quality Division approved and issued the air quality permit for our Nichols Ranch ISR Project in the form of a Permit to Construct the Project, including the Nichols Ranch Central Processing facility and the Hank Satellite Plant. This is the first operational permit for construction of the Project received by the Company.
In December of 2009 the NRC issued a draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement ("SEIS") for the Nichols Ranch ISR Project. The draft SEIS for the Nichols Ranch ISR Project was issued as a "Supplement to the Generic Environmental Impact Statement for In-Situ Leach Uranium Milling Facilities". The draft SEIS was open for public comment until March 3, 2010. On March 3, 2010 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”) submitted, in a letter to the NRC, a comment on the draft SEIS. In its comment letter the EPA raises certain concerns, the primary of which are that, in its view: (a) the draft SEIS does not sufficiently analyze water disposal alternatives or discuss waste management impacts ; and (b) the draft SEIS lacks sufficient information regarding air pollutants and the impact of emissions. The EPA requests a revised or supplemental SEIS. Comment letters in response to the draft SEIS were not unexpected, however the impact of the EPA letter on our permitting application and how the NRC might respond to the letter is not yet known. It is possible that the letter or any other comments in response to the draft SEIS may delay our permit application or otherwise negatively impact or influence the outcome of our application.
During late 2008 and early 2009, leach amenability studies were performed on sample cores obtained from the Doughstick and South Doughstick properties. Standard ISR leach “bottle roll” tests were conducted on the samples by Energy Laboratories in Casper, Wyoming. The leach amenability studies intend to demonstrate that the uranium mineralization is capable of being leached using conventional ISR chemistry. The leach solution was prepared using sodium bicarbonate as the source of the carbonate complexing agent. Hydrogen peroxide was added as the uranium oxidizing agent. The study is an indication of the ore’s reaction rate and the potential uranium recovery. The test results showed the uranium recovery percentage for South Doughstick as 87.8%, and the uranium recovery percentage for Doughstick as 77.1%. The 88% and 77% results are greater than the 73% that Uranerz used in its Preliminary (Economic) Assessment of the Nichols Ranch ISR Project. Doughstick and South Doughstick properties are located approximately two miles south of Nichols Ranch.
We caution investors that we have not at this stage completed any comprehensive feasibility studies on these properties demonstrating that development of any of the properties is commercially warranted. Proceeding with these advanced activities prior to completing detailed feasibility analysis adds risk to our plan of operations and we may incur costs which might not otherwise have been incurred.
Prior to the start of mining (the injection of lixiviant into the ore body aquifer), we must have obtained all the necessary permits, licenses, and approvals required by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality Land, Water and Air Divisions and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The various state and federal permits and licenses that are needed or have been obtained for the Project are summarized below:
Permits and Licenses for the Nichols Ranch ISR Project
Permit, License, or Approval Name | Agency | Status |
Source Material License | NRC | Submitted fourth quarter 2007 |
Permit to Mine | WDEQ-LQD | Submitted fourth quarter 2007 |
Permit to Appropriate Groundwater | SEO | Existing wells are approved, applications for new well permits will be filed prior to drilling |
Well field Authorization (UIC Permit) | WDEQ-LQD | In preparation |
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Deep Disposal Well Permits | WDEQ-WQD | In preparation |
WYPDES | WDEQ- WQD | In preparation |
11(e)2 Byproduct/Waste Disposal Agreement | N/A | In preparation |
Permit to Construct Septic Leach Field | County | In preparation |
Air Quality Permit | WDEQ-AQD | Obtained. |
Notes: | NRC - Nuclear Regulatory Commission |
WDEQ-LQD - Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality Land Quality Division | |
WDEQ-WQD - Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality Water Quality Division | |
WDEQ-AQD - Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality Air Quality Division | |
WYPDES Wyoming Pollution Discharge Elimination System | |
SEO - State Engineer's Office |
2010 Plan of Operations for Powder River Basin Properties
During 2010, we plan to:
All of our projects are at the exploration stage and there can be no assurance that a commercially viable mineral deposit, or reserve, exists on any of our properties until appropriate exploratory work is done and a comprehensive evaluation based on such work concludes legal and economic feasibility. Further exploration will be required before a final evaluation as to the economic, technical and legal feasibility of mining of any of our properties is determined. There is no assurance that further exploration will result in a final evaluation that a commercially viable mineral deposit exists on any of our mineral properties. We anticipate that we will require additional financing in order to pursue full development of these projects. We have sufficient financing to continue exploration and development planning of our mineral claims but there is no assurance that we will be able to obtain the necessary financing to conduct mining activities, if warranted. Because of the long lead times for environmental permitting of mining operations in North America, we have collected environmental baseline data and filed the environmental permitting applications on two of our properties in the Powder River Basin area of Wyoming that we feel may have the potential, based on data in our possession, of being developed into commercial in-situ recovery uranium mines. However, we have not at this stage completed any comprehensive feasibility studies on these properties demonstrating that development of any of the properties is commercially warranted. Proceeding with these advanced activities prior to completing detailed feasibility analysis adds risk to our plan of operations and we may incur costs which might not otherwise have been incurred.
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Wyoming - Great Divide/Red Desert Properties
Our Great Divide Basin properties comprise the Cyclone Rim and Eagle projects. The Cyclone Rim project consists of 23 federal mining claims. The Eagle property consists of 28 federal mining claims and an adjacent 640 acre Wyoming State Lease. Both projects are located in Sweetwater County, Wyoming.
During 2006, we entered into an option agreement with Black Range Minerals Limited (Black Range) on two of our exploration properties located within the Red Desert area of southwest Wyoming. Black Range carried out certain exploration activities on these properties during 2007 and 2008. During 2009, Black Range elected to cease further participation in the exploration and development of these properties and to forfeit its rights under the option agreement. Our Great Divide Basin properties are not actively under exploration and are therefore not considered material properties. These will not be considered a material property until more data and information on the project can be obtained.
Saskatchewan Cochrane River Property
Cochrane River - Ownership Interest
Our Cochrane River property extends to the northeast of the northern portion of Wollaston Lake, in Northern Saskatchewan, Canada. Our Cochrane River property originally consisted of two Mineral Prospecting Permits (MPP 1237 and MPP 1238) with a combined total areal extent of 67,480 hectares (166,747 acres) which the Company acquired from Ubex Capital Inc. Ubex Capital Inc. is 100% owned by Dennis Higgs, one of our Directors. Ubex retains a royalty of 2% on the properties.
Saskatchewan mineral dispositions including permits are administered by SIR on behalf of the Crown of Canada in accordance with The Mineral Disposition Regulations, 1986. The holder of a permit is granted the exclusive right to explore for minerals (though not to extract, recover or produce minerals except for testing and scientific purposes) within the permit outline. A permit is valid for a period of two years and may not be renewed. While in compliance with the requirements of the regulations, a permit holder is entitled to convert any portion of a permit to mineral claims which may be held indefinitely. The two-year life on the permits ended on January 31, 2007. In late January and early February, 2007, a total of seven claims were staked within the boundaries of MPP 1237 and 1238, for a total of 28,012 hectares. The new claims have been recorded with the Saskatchewan mine recorder office in La Ronge. The staked area covered the most interesting area of interest as interpreted from the exploration programs conducted by Triex, as described below. A claim holder may subsequently convert his claim into a mineral lease which allows for commercial extraction of minerals.
Cochrane River -Present Condition of the Property and Proposed Exploration Program
There is presently no road access to the Cochrane River property.
During late 2005, we signed an agreement to joint venture our Cochrane River property with Triex Minerals Corporation. Triex completed detailed helicopter-borne geophysical surveys, follow-up ground exploration programs, an extensive lake sediment survey, ground-based resistively surveys, a lake sediment sample program, a pole-dipole array D.C. resistively survey, property-scale geological mapping of outcrops, and systematic geochemical sampling of boulders and glacial till. Total cumulative expenditures by Triex on the Cochrane River property over approximately two and one-half years were Cdn$1.23 million.
During 2008, our Cochrane River Saskatchewan Joint Venture was terminated with Triex forfeiting its right to earn an interest in the project. The properties are currently in good standing; two (2) claims expired on January 30, 2010 and the remaining five (5) claims will expire on January 30, 2011 unless further expenditures are incurred. We will continue to evaluate options for these properties, which include possible arrangements with other potential joint venture partners, further exploration by ourselves, or disposition.
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The Saskatchewan properties are presently not considered material properties and will not be considered material properties until more data and information can be obtained.
Texas
In 2007 we completed an initial leasing program of approximately 7,200 acres in the State of Texas. Based on geologic reports and more than 90 historic drill holes, these 7,200 acres are believed to cover a northeast-southwest uranium mineralization trend.
Geologic study has been completed on the historic data we obtained from third parties. Plans for field work on these properties have been deferred due to our focus on our Wyoming properties. Our Texas project is presently not considered a material property and will not be considered a material property until more data and information on the project can be obtained.
2010 Property Expenditures
Our cash expenditures in 2010, excluding capital assets and major property acquisitions, are estimated to be $14 million, as follows:
Wyoming | ||||||
Exploration | ||||||
Wholly owned properties | $ | 140,000 | ||||
Arkose properties | $ | 2,350,000 | $ | 2,490,000 | ||
Environmental | $ | 690,000 | ||||
Development | $ | 3,760,000 | ||||
Land | $ | 560,000 | ||||
Production and well planning | $ | 1,400,000 | ||||
General and Administrative expenditures | $ | 5,100,000 | ||||
Total | $ | 14,000,000 |
These estimates are subject to change.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We are not aware of any material pending or threatened litigation or of any proceedings known to be contemplated by governmental authorities which are, or would be, likely to have a material adverse effect upon us or our operations, taken as a whole. There are no material proceedings pursuant to which any of our directors, officers or affiliates or any owner of record or beneficial owner of more than 5% of our securities or any associate of any such director, officer or security holder is a party adverse to us or has a material interest adverse to us.
ITEM 3A. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to our current executive officers and key employees. The ages of the executive officers and key employees are shown as of December 31, 2009.
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Name |
Current Office with Company |
Principal Occupation |
Director/Officer
Since |
Age |
Glenn Catchpole |
President and Chief
Executive Officer; Director |
President and
Chief Executive Officer, Uranerz Energy Corporation |
March 1, 2005
|
66 |
George Hartman |
Executive Vice- President and Chief Operating Officer; Director |
Executive
Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer, Uranerz Energy Corporation |
May 9, 2005
|
70 |
Dennis Higgs |
Chairman |
Chairman Uranerz
Energy Corporation |
May 26, 1999
|
51 |
Benjamin Leboe |
Chief Financial Officer |
Chief Financial
Officer of Uranerz Energy Corporation |
May 23, 2006
|
64 |
Kurtis Brown |
Senior Vice-President,
Exploration |
Senior
Vice-President, Exploration of Uranerz Energy Corporation |
March 8, 2007
|
59 |
Douglas Hirschman |
Vice President, Lands |
Vice President,
Lands of Uranerz Energy Corporation |
December 6, 2007
|
57
|
The following is a description of the business background of the executive officers of Uranerz Energy Corporation.
Mr. Glenn Catchpole was appointed to the Board and became our President on March 1, 2005. Mr. Catchpole is a licensed engineer who holds an M.S. in civil engineering from Colorado State University. He has been active in the uranium solution mining industry since 1976, holding various positions including well field engineer, project manager, general manager and managing director of several uranium solution mining operations.
In 1988 Mr. Catchpole joined Uranerz U.S.A., Inc. and Uranerz Exploration and Mining Ltd. and became Director of Regulatory Affairs, Environmental Engineering and Solution Mining. Mr. Catchpoles responsibilities included the monitoring and oversight of the environmental and regulatory aspects of two large uranium mines in Canada and the operational aspects of one uranium solution mine in the United States. In 1996 Mr. Catchpole was appointed General Manager and Managing Director of the Inkai uranium solution mining project located in the Republic of Kazakhstan (Central Asia). In 1998 Cameco Corporation acquired Uranerz U.S.A. Inc., and Mr. Catchpole continued his post with the Inkai project. Mr. Catchpole spent six years taking the Inkai project from acquisition through feasibility study, joint venture formulation, government licensing, environmental permitting, design, construction and first phase start-up.
Following his departure from Cameco in 2002, Mr. Catchpole has been an independent consulting engineer providing project management to the oil and gas, mining, and construction industries from 2002 until joining our company in March 2005.
Mr. George Hartman was appointed to the Board of Directors and the role of Vice-President, Mining on May 9, 2005 and subsequently appointed Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer. He has thirty-seven years experience in developing green field projects into mining production companies including both metals and industrial mineral projects. He has an M. S. degree in Mineral Economics (Colorado School of Mines) and a B. S. in Chemistry (University of Denver). Four process patents have been granted in his name. His experience includes thirteen years managing several in-situ recovery uranium mines from green field exploration sites through commercial production.
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For the past fourteen years Mr. Hartman was General Manager for Fort Cady Minerals Corporation where he had complete responsibility for solution mining and process development, permitting, design, procurement, construction, production and property management. Property management included federal mining claims and private leases for a large deposit of borate mineral. He managed the project from test stage through construction and operation of a demonstration production facility. He was also involved with product marketing.
From 1982 to 1989 Mr. Hartman was General Manager, In Situ Leach Projects, for Uranerz USA. During this period he managed the interests of all in-situ uranium projects which Uranerz USA owned including Ruth, Crow Butte, and North Butte. Under his management, Uranerz USA served as the contract operator for the successful test solution mining of the Christensen Ranch uranium property now owned by Uranium One. He was on the Uranerz USA acquisition team that studied potential uranium and precious and base metal properties in Nebraska, Colorado, Texas, New Mexico, Utah, California and Wyoming.
Prior to joining Uranerz USA, Mr. Hartman was president of Ogle Petroleum Inc. from 1979 to 1982 where he was in overall operating charge of this uranium production company that joint ventured with Duke Power on a commercial solution mine in Wyoming. He was responsible for managing the project from green field exploration through commercial production (shipped filtered yellowcake to the converter). Mr. Hartman personally designed the processing plant facilities.
Also, previous to his work with Uranerz USA, Mr. Hartman was the Texas Mines Manager for Wyoming Mineral Corporation (Westinghouse) from 1976 to 1979, where he was responsible for the management of two production in-situ uranium mines with ion exchange processing plants in Bruni, and Three Rivers, Texas (shipped dried yellowcake to the converter).
Mr. Dennis Higgs is a member of the board of directors. Mr. Higgs was appointed to the Board of Directors as President and Chief Executive Officer on May 26, 1999, and resigned as President and Chief Executive Officer on March 1, 2005. Mr. Higgs became Chairman of our Board of Directors on February 1, 2006.
Mr. Higgs has been involved in the financial and venture capital markets for over twenty-five years, raising several millions of dollars in the United States, Canada and Europe. He founded his first junior exploration company in 1983 and took it public through an initial public offering in 1984. Since then, Mr. Higgs has been involved in the founding, financing and initial public listing of several companies.
In July 1990, Mr. Higgs established Senate Capital Group Inc., a private venture capital company which provides management consulting and investor relations services. At present, Mr. Higgs also serves as a director of Miranda Gold Corp., a Canadian public gold exploration company, which he founded in May 1993.
Mr. Benjamin Leboe was appointed as the Companys Chief Financial Officer on May 23, 2006 and acted as our Corporate Secretary from October, 2006 to December, 2007 and from January 2009 to July 2009. Mr. Leboe was a Senior Consultant, management consulting, of the Business Development Bank of Canada from January 2005 to February 2006. Previously, from 1994 to 2004, Mr. Leboe was a senior financial officer and executive in public companies based in Vancouver and Montreal.
Mr. Leboe has been the Principal of Independent Management Consultants of British Columbia from 1990 to date. Concurrently, Mr. Leboe was previously Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer of VECW Industries Ltd. from 1990 to 1993, and a partner of KPMG Consulting from 1978 to 1990. Mr. Leboe received his bachelor of commerce degree from the University of British Columbia. Mr. Leboe is a Chartered Accountant and a Certified Management Consultant in the Province of British Columbia.
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Mr. Kurtis Brown, a thirty-five year veteran of the mining industry, was appointed our Senior Vice-President, Exploration in March 2007. Mr. Brown was Manager, Health and Safety for a large oil and gas company for the five years prior to joining Uranerz. He has previously assisted with the start up of the Christensen Ranch ISR commercial uranium mine now owned by Uranium One. Mr. Brown is a professional geologist.
Mr. Douglas Hirschman was appointed our Vice-President, Lands in December 2007. From January 2006 to June 2007 Mr. Hirschman was Manager of Lands, International Newmont Gold Corporation. He was an independent Consulting Landman from 2002 through 2005 and, as a graduate of the University of Wyoming, has over thirty years of experience in the mineral exploration industry.
Arrangements between Officers and Directors
To our knowledge, there is no arrangement or understanding between any of our executive officers and any other person, including directors, pursuant to which the officer was selected to serve as an officer.
Family Relationships
None of our executive officers are related by blood, marriage, or adoption to any other director or executive officer.
Legal Proceedings
We are not aware of any material legal proceedings to which any of our executive officers or any associate of any of our executive officers is a party adverse to us or any of our subsidiaries or has a material interest adverse to us or any of our subsidiaries.
We are not aware of any of our executive officers being involved in any legal proceedings in the past ten years relating to any matters in bankruptcy, insolvency, criminal proceedings (other than traffic and other minor offenses) or being subject to any of the items set forth under Item 401 of Regulation S-K.
PART II
ITEM 4. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANTS COMMON
EQUITY, RELATED
STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY
SECURITIES
Market Information
Our common stock began trading on the NYSE Amex Equities exchange (formerly, the American Stock Exchange) on August 10, 2006 under the symbol URZ, and previously, since May 6, 2004, on the Financial Industry Regulatory Authoritys Over the Counter Bulletin Board (OTCBB) under the symbol URNZ, formerly known as CVTU. Our common stock also trades, since August 2007, on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol URZ and on the Frankfurt Exchange under the symbol U9E.
The following table shows the high and low sales price or bid price for our common shares for the calendar quarters indicated, as reported by the NYSE Amex Equities, www.nyse.com.
Period | High | Low | |
2009 | |||
Fourth Quarter | $ 2.39 | $ 1.20 | |
Third Quarter | $ 2.50 | $ 1.32 | |
Second Quarter | $ 2.21 | $ 0.58 | |
First Quarter | $ 1.10 | $ 0.57 |
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Period | High | Low | |
2008 | |||
Fourth Quarter | $ 1.45 | $ 0.40 | |
Third Quarter | $ 3.40 | $ 1.10 | |
Second Quarter | $ 3.70 | $ 1.98 | |
First Quarter | $ 3.28 | $ 2.11 |
As of March 1, 2010, the closing bid quotation for our common stock was $1.93 per share as quoted by the NYSE Amex Equities.
As of March 1, 2010, we had 64,194,887 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, held by approximately 7,000 shareholders. Many shares are registered through intermediaries, making the precise number of shareholders difficult to obtain.
Dividend Policy
We anticipate that we will retain any earnings to support operations and to finance the growth and development of our business. Therefore, we do not expect to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any further determination to pay cash dividends will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will be dependent on the financial condition, operating results, capital requirements and other factors that our Board deems relevant. We have never declared a dividend.
There are no restrictions in our articles of incorporation or bylaws that prevent us from declaring dividends. The Nevada Revised Statutes, however, do prohibit us from declaring dividends where, after giving effect to the distribution of the dividend:
1. We would not be able to pay our debts as they become due in the usual course of business; or
2. Our total assets would be less than the sum of our total liabilities plus the amount that would be needed to satisfy the rights of shareholders who have preferential rights superior to those receiving the distribution.
We have never paid cash dividends on our capital stock. We currently intend to retain any profits we earn to finance the growth and development of our business. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
Repurchase of Securities
During 2009, neither the Company nor any affiliate of the Company repurchased common shares of the Company registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
As at December 31, 2009, we had one equity compensation plan under which our common shares have been authorized for issuance to our officers, directors, employees and consultants, namely our 2005 Stock Option Plan. Our 2005 Stock Option Plan has been approved by our shareholders.
The following summary information is presented for our 2005 Stock Option Plan as of December 31, 2009.
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Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options |
Weighted Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options |
Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans | |
Plan Category | (a) | (b) | (c) |
Equity Compensation Plans Approved By Security Holders | 5,949,700 | $1.88 | 3,129,860 |
Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved By Security Holders | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
2005 Stock Option Plan Information
The following is a summary of important Stock Option Plan provisions. It is not a comprehensive discussion of all of the terms and conditions of the Stock Option Plan. The information provided below may be modified or altered by some provisions in the Stock Option Plan. Readers are advised to review the full text of the Stock Option Plan to fully understand all terms and conditions of the Stock Option Plan.
Purpose
The purpose of the Stock Option Plan is to advance the best interests of the Company by providing additional incentive to those persons who have a substantial responsibility for its management, affairs, and growth by increasing their proprietary interest in the success of the Company, thereby encouraging them to maintain their relationships with the Company. Further, the availability and offering of Stock Options under the Plan supports and increases the Companys ability to attract, engage and retain individuals of exceptional talent upon whom, in large measure, the sustained progress growth and profitability of the Company for the shareholders depends.
Persons Eligible
Any employee, director, general partner, officer, attorney, accountant, consultant or advisor providing services to the Company or any parent, affiliate, or subsidiary of the Company is eligible to be designated a participant in the Stock Option Plan. However, stock option grants may only be granted to full- or part-time employees, officers, or directors of the Company or one of its subsidiaries.
Administration
The Companys Compensation Committee administers the Stock Option Plan, or such other committee as the Board may assign administrative responsibility in the best interests of the Company. The administering committee (the Committee) has the power to: (i) designate Stock Option Plan participants; (ii) grant stock options; (iii) establish rules and regulations for the administration of the Stock Option Plan; (iv) determine the amount, price, type and timing of each stock option grant; (v) cancel any stock option awarded under the Stock Option Plan, under certain circumstances; (vi) correct defects in the Plan or in any granted stock option; and (vii) make any other determination or take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable to the administration of the Stock Option Plan.
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Shares Available under the Stock Option Plan
The total number of shares of the Company available for grants of stock options under the Stock Option Plan shall be 10,000,000 Common Shares, subject to adjustment as herein provided, which shares may be either authorized but unissued or reacquired Common Shares of the Company. If a stock option or portion thereof shall expire or terminate for any reason without having been exercised in full, the unpurchased shares covered by such nonqualified stock option shall be available for future grants of stock options under the Stock Option Plan. Shares issuable upon exercise of stock options have been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to the Companys Registration Statement on Form S-8, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 21, 2005.
Terms and Conditions of Stock Options
Stock options may be granted to any person who is performing or who has been engaged to perform services of special importance to management in the operation, development and growth of the Company. As of June 11, 2008 the option price of stock options is set at the weighted average market price for the five days preceding the grant. All stock options granted under the Stock Option Plan must be granted within ten years of the date the plan was adopted and all granted stock options must be exercised within ten years of the date of grant. The Committee may grant stock options which vest in installment periods and may modify such periods to accelerate vesting. Stock options are evidenced by a form stock option agreement.
Exercise of Stock Options
The exercise of vested stock options is made upon written notice to the Company of intent to exercise and payment of the exercise price. The exercise price may be paid (i) in cash, cashiers check, certified check, bank draft or money order, or (ii) at the discretion of the Committee, by delivery of fully paid non-assessable common shares of the Company, valued at the fair market value for such shares, determined by the average of the high and low sales price of the Companys common shares on the date of exercise.
Transfer of Stock Options
Except by will, the laws of descent and distribution, or with the written consent of the Committee, no right or interest in any stock option granted under the Stock Option Plan is assignable or transferable, and no right or interest of any optionee is liable for, or subject to, any lien, obligation or liability of the optionee. Upon petition to, and thereafter with the written consent of the Committee, an optionee may assign or transfer all or a portion of the optionees rights and interest in any stock option granted under the Stock Option Plan. Stock options are exercisable during the optionees lifetime only by the optionee or assignees, or the duly appointed legal representative of an incompetent optionee, including following an assignment consented to by the Committee.
Adjustments to Stock Options
In the event that the outstanding common shares of the Company are changed into or exchanged for a different number or kinds of shares or other securities of the Company by reason of merger, consolidation, other reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination of shares, stock split-up or stock dividend:
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Prompt, proportionate, equitable, lawful and adequate adjustment shall be made of the aggregate number and kind of shares subject to stock options which may be granted under the Stock Option Plan, such that the optionee shall have the right to purchase such common shares as may be issued in exchange for the common shares purchasable on exercise of the nonqualified stock option had such merger, consolidation, other reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination of shares, stock split-up or stock dividend not taken place;
Rights under unexercised stock options or portions thereof granted prior to any such change, both as to the number or kind of shares and the exercise price per share, will be adjusted appropriately, provided that such adjustments will be made without change in the total exercise price applicable to the unexercised portion of such nonqualified stock options but by an adjustment in the price for each share covered by such nonqualified stock option; or
Upon any dissolution or liquidation of the Company or any merger or combination in which the Company is not a surviving corporation, each outstanding stock option granted hereunder shall terminate, but the optionee shall have the right, immediately prior to such dissolution, liquidation, merger or combination, to exercise his nonqualified stock option in whole or in part, to the extent that it shall not have been exercised, without regard to any installment exercise provisions in such nonqualified stock option.
Also, upon the occurrence of any person acquiring more than 20% of the common shares of the Company through a tender offer, exchange offer, or otherwise, upon a change in control of the Company or upon the sale of substantially all the assets of the Company, any optionee who is also a Company insider will be entitled to receive cash for their nonqualified stock options equal to the final offer price per share paid in the offer or similar event, or in the case of a change in control or sale of assets, the aggregate fair market value of the shares.
Amendment of the Plan
The Board of Directors may at any time suspend or terminate the Plan, in whole or in part or amend it from time to time as appropriate in the best interests of the Company. No amendments will, without the consent of the optionee, affect previously granted stock options.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
We did not sell any securities in 2009 that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
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Stock Performance Graph
The performance graph below shows Uranerz Energy Corporations cumulative total return based on an initial investment of $100 in Uranerz common stock, as compared with the Russell 2000 Index, AMEX Natural Resources Index, AMEX Composite, NASDAQ Composite Total Return, and a peer group consisting of Uranium Energy Corp., UR Energy Corp., and Powertech Uranium Corp. The chart shows yearly performance marks since Uranerz common stock began trading in July of 2005. This performance chart assumes: (1) $100 was invested on July 28, 2005 in Uranerz common stock at the initial price of $1.00, in the Russell 2000 Index, AMEX Natural Resources Index, AMEX Composite, NASDAQ Composite Total Return, and the peer groups common stock; and (2) all dividends are reinvested. Canadian dollar closing price quotes on the Toronto Stock Exchange are converted to US dollars using the noon exchange rates as quoted by the Federal Reserve Bank on the date of the closing price quote. Dates on the chart represent the last trading day of the indicated fiscal year.
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ITEM 5. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Selected financial data about Uranerz for the last five years is set forth in the table below. You should read the data in the table in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes set forth in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | ||||||||||
Operating expenses | |||||||||||||||
Depreciation | $ | 176 | 129 | 57 | 15 | 1 | |||||||||
Foreign exchange | $ | 3 | (4 | ) | 24 | 1 | 4 | ||||||||
General and administrative | $ | 4,599 | 6,153 | 7,858 | 5,871 | 4,482 | |||||||||
Impairment loss on mineral properties | $ | - | - | - | - | 315 | |||||||||
Mineral property expenditures | $ | 4,778 | 30,505 | 7,008 | 1,218 | 89 | |||||||||
Total operating expenses | $ | 9,556 | 36,784 | 14,947 | 7,105 | 4,891 | |||||||||
Gain on sale on investment securities | $ | - | - | - | 79 | - | |||||||||
Interest income | $ | 155 | 610 | 710 | 411 | - | |||||||||
Loss on settlement of debt | $ | - | - | - | - | (132 | ) | ||||||||
Mineral property options received | $ | - | - | 44 | 87 | 21 | |||||||||
Gain (Loss) on discontinued operations | $ | - | 977 | (3 | ) | (22 | ) | ||||||||
Non-controlling interest | $ | 702 | 949 | ||||||||||||
Net loss for the year | $ | 8,699 | 34,247 | 14,197 | 6,548 | 5,002 | |||||||||
Common stock data | |||||||||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding | 57,060 | 52,263 | 38,438 | 29,738 | 12,995 | ||||||||||
Net loss per share basic and diluted | $ | 0.15 | 0.66 | 0.37 | 0.22 | 0.38 | |||||||||
Total shares outstanding at December 31 | 64,195 | 55,452 | 39,224 | 34,560 | 21,995 | ||||||||||
Balance sheet data at December 31 | |||||||||||||||
Total assets | $ | 30,810 | 22,866 | 12,216 | 12,492 | 1,978 | |||||||||
Property, plant and equipment net | $ | 541 | 643 | 406 | 123 | 9 | |||||||||
Working capital | $ | 29,228 | 21,405 | 11,114 | 11,980 | 1,776 | |||||||||
Total debt | $ | - | 18 | 52 | - | - | |||||||||
Common shareholders equity | $ | 30,033 | 22,278 | 11,518 | 12,113 | 1,785 | |||||||||
Cash flow data | |||||||||||||||
Net cash used for operating activities | $ | 7,483 | 13,164 | 9,259 | 1,692 | 581 | |||||||||
Net cash used for investing activities | $ | (11,590 | ) | 20,161 | 281 | 472 | 326 | ||||||||
Net cash provided by financing activities | $ | 15,497 | 22,803 | 8,590 | 12,532 | 2,824 |
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ITEM 6. MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our financial statements for the three years ended December 31, 2009, and the related notes thereto, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including, but not limited to, those set forth under the section heading Item 1A. Risk Factors and elsewhere in this Annual Report. See section heading Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.
Overview
We are an exploration stage company engaged in the acquisition and exploration of uranium properties. We own interests in properties in Wyoming and Texas, USA; and Saskatchewan, Canada. We are principally focused on the exploration of our projects in the Powder River Basin area of Wyoming. We plan to maintain, explore and, if warranted, develop our projects in the Powder River Basin area of Wyoming.
In December 2007 we filed permit applications to mine two of our properties in the Powder River Basin area of Wyoming that we feel may have the potential, based on data in our possession, of being developed into commercial in-situ recovery uranium mines. These permit applications for our Nichols Ranch Uranium In-Situ Recovery Project are being reviewed.
In support of our goals for 2009, we focused our efforts on the following six key operating priorities:
Exploration in Wyoming
Mine planning for our Nichols Ranch In-Situ Recovery Project
Environmental and mine planning for additional permitting in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming
Acquisition of properties with uranium potential
Investor relations and financing
Facilities planning
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Results of Operations
Twelve-month period ended December 31, 2009 compared to twelve-month period ended December 31, 2008
Revenue
We have not earned any revenues to date and we anticipate that we will not generate any revenues during the twelve month period following the date of this report.
Operating Expenses and Other Expenses (Income)
We incurred total operating expenses of $9,556,528 for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2009, as compared to $36,783,869 for the corresponding period in 2008. The decrease of operating expenses in the amount of $27,227,341 (74%) was primarily attributable to the $23,496,936 expenditure in 2008 to acquire and explore mineral properties in Wyoming, as described in detail under the section heading Item 7 Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our general and administrative expenses consisted primarily of stock based compensation, payroll, consulting, investor relations and general overhead which decreased $1,553,821 or 25% less than 2008 reflecting a $1,759,152 reduction in stock based compensation and a $205,331 increase in corporate affairs, investor relations and Casper operations.
Our interest expense for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2009, imputed on an interest free loan, was 2,941 (2008 $5,551). We earned $155,402 of interest income for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2009 as compared to $610,408 for the corresponding period in 2008. This income resulted from short term investments. We sold all our mineral properties in Mongolia in 2008 for a gain on discontinued operations of $977,077. The non-controlling interest of our Arkose Mining Venture absorbed $701,972 of our 2009 operating loss ($949,185 in 2008). Net loss for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2009 was $8,699,154, as compared to $34,247,199 for the corresponding period in 2008, a decrease of $25,548,045 (75%). This decrease was largely due to our 2008 acquisition of mineral properties related to the Arkose Mining Venture.
As we anticipated, our exploration expenses, excluding property acquisitions, continued at a high level throughout the 2009 fiscal year as a result of our planned exploration activities, primarily related to our Arkose properties, and as a result of payments required to maintain our interests in our mineral properties. In addition, as we anticipated, general and administrative expenses continued to increase as we complied with our obligations to many stockholders as a reporting company under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, listed on the NYSE Amex Equities and the Toronto stock exchanges. As anticipated, we did not earn any revenues during the 2009 fiscal year as we were engaged in exploration and the permitting of our mineral properties.
Cash Used in Operating Activities
Net cash used in operating activities was $7,483,069 for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2009, compared to $13,163,715 for the corresponding period in 2008. The decrease in net cash used in operations includes a decrease of $6,636,946 for mineral related cash expenditures, primarily from reduced acquisitions.
Cash Used in Investing Activities
We invested $74,663 in equipment and reclamation bonds in the twelve- month period ended December 31, 2009, compared to $633,956 the corresponding period in 2008. In 2008 we received $905,092 cash on the sale of our Mongolian subsidiary, Rolling Hills Resources LLP and, during the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2009, we reduced our investment in securities guaranteed by Canadian banks by $11,665,092.
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Cash Provided by Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities amounted to $15,497,430 for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2009, primarily from a public issue of common stock, compared to $22,802,600 for the corresponding period in 2008.
Twelve-month period ended December 31, 2008 compared to twelve-month period ended December 31, 2007
Revenue
We have not earned any revenues to date and we anticipate that we will not generate any revenues during the twelve-month period following the date of this report.
Operating Expenses and Other Expenses (Income)
We incurred total operating expenses of $36,783,869 for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2008, as compared to $14,947,046 for the corresponding period in 2007. The increase of operating expenses in the amount of $21,836,823 (146%) was primarily attributable to increased spending of $23,496,936 on acquiring and exploring mineral properties in Wyoming as described in detail in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our general and administrative expenses consisted primarily of stock based compensation, payroll, consulting, investor relations and general overhead which decreased $1,705,161 or 22% less than 2007 reflecting a $2,310,074 reduction in stock based compensation and growth in corporate affairs, investor relations and Casper operations.
Our interest expense for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2008 was imputed on an interest free loan as $5,551 (2007 $3,692). We earned $610,408 of interest income for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2008 as compared to $710,226 for the corresponding period in 2007. This income resulted from short term investments. We sold all our mineral properties in Mongolia in 2008 for a gain on discontinued operations of $977,077. The non-controlling interest of our Arkose Mining Venture absorbed $949,185 of our 2008 operating loss. Net loss for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2008 was $34,247,199, as compared to $14,197,366 for the corresponding period in 2007, an increase of $20,049,833 (141%). This increase was largely due to our acquisition of mineral properties related to the Arkose Mining Venture.
As we anticipated, our exploration expenses continued to increase throughout the 2008 fiscal year in comparison with 2007 as a result of our planned exploration activities, our acquisition of mineral properties and as a result of payments required to maintain our interests in our mineral properties. In addition, as we anticipated, general and administrative expenses continued to increase as we complied with our obligations to many stockholders as a reporting company under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, listed on the NYSE Amex Equities and the Toronto Stock Exchange. As anticipated, we did not earn any revenues during the 2008 fiscal year as we were engaged in exploration and the permitting of our mineral properties.
Cash Used in Operating Activities
Net cash used in operating activities was $13,163,715 for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2008, compared to $9,258,752 for the corresponding period in 2007. The increase in net cash used in operations reflects the growth of our operations, including an increase of $4,406,936 for mineral related cash expenditures.
53
Cash Used in Investing Activities
We invested $633,956 in equipment and reclamation bonds in the twelve- month period ended December 31, 2008, compared to $281,306 the corresponding period in 2007. We received $905,092 cash on the sale of our Mongolian subsidiary, Rolling Hills Resources LLP and, during the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2008, invested $20,432,035 (2007 - $Nil) in short term securities guaranteed by Canadian banks.
Cash Provided by Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities amounted to $22,802,600 for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2008, primarily from private placements of common stock, compared to $8,589,966 for the corresponding period in 2007.
Assets and Liabilities
We had total assets of $30,810,289 at December 31, 2009 compared to $22,865,737 at December 31, 2008, primarily cash accumulated from the sale of shares. Property and Equipment was $540,979 compared to $642,572 at December 31, 2008. Our liabilities were $722,826 compared to $517,818 at December 31, 2008. Liabilities include due to related parties of` $54,920 (2008 - $50,000) and long term debt of $Nil (2008 $18,079).
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our operations are primarily financed by proceeds from issuances of common stock. Our cash and short term security position at December 31, 2009 was $29,192,975 compared to $21,253,277 as of December 31, 2008. We had working capital of $29,227,701 as of December 31, 2009, compared to working capital of $21,405,022 as of December 31, 2008.
Financings
During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company:
1. Issued 242,500 shares of common stock upon the exercise of stock options for cash proceeds of $166,125.
2. Completed a public offering of 8,500,000 units, comprised of 8,500,000 common shares and 4,250,000 common share purchase warrants, at $2.00 per unit for gross proceeds of $17,000,000. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share for $3.00 for a period ending April 27, 2012. In the event that the Companys shares of common stock trade in the United States at a closing price of greater than US$3.50 per share for a period of 20 consecutive trading days at any time following the closing of this offering, the Company may accelerate the expiry date of the warrants by giving notice via a press release to the holders thereof and in such case the warrants will expire on the 30th day after the date on which such notice is given. The Company incurred share issuance costs of $1,634,628 in connection with the issue.
During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company:
1. Issued 96,100 shares of common stock upon the exercise of share purchase warrants for cash proceeds of $240,250.
2. Issued 356,300 shares of common stock upon the exercise of stock options for cash proceeds of $305,025.
3. Issued 5,750,000 shares of common stock and paid $5,757,043 cash for mineral properties valued at $24,847,043.
4. Issued 160,900 shares of common stock to settle debt of $402,250.
54
5. Completed a private placement of 9,865,000 units, comprised of 9,865,000 common shares and 4,932,498 common share purchase warrants, at $2.40 per unit for gross proceeds of $23,676,000. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share for $3.50 for a two year period ending April 15, 2010. In the event that the trading price of the Companys common shares on the American Stock Exchange closes above U.S. $4.50 per share for a period of 20 consecutive trading days at any time after August 16, 2008, the Company may accelerate the expiry time of these warrants by giving notice to the warrantholders by press release and in such case these warrants will expire on the 30th day after the date on which notice is given via press release. The Company paid cash commissions of $1,100,640 and 120,000 warrants to purchase 120,000 common shares at $2.60 per share exercisable for a one year period ending April 15, 2009. The Company incurred share issuance costs in connection with the private placement of $1,347,098 including agents warrants with a fair value of $68,041.
During the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company:
1. Issued 4,481,749 shares of common stock upon the exercise of share purchase warrants for cash proceeds of $8,316,678.
2. Issued 182,000 common shares upon the exercise of stock options for cash proceeds of $288,100.
Capital Requirements
Our cash position of $20,426,032 at December 31, 2009, plus $8,766,943 of bank guaranteed short term securities provide approximately $29.2 million for future operations. We estimate that our cash expenditures for operations over the next twelve months will be approximately $14,000,000 as outlined below. Therefore, we believe that we have sufficient capital to fund expenditures for operations over the next twelve months. Property acquisitions and operations beyond 2010 will be financed through cash on hand, debt and one or more equity issues which may include the exercise of common stock purchase warrants. We intend to focus our exploration efforts in Wyoming.
Our plan of operation for the next twelve months is to continue with exploration and permitting of our expanded Wyoming Powder River Basin properties. Our planned geological exploration programs are described in Item 2 of this Report. Our planned cash operating expenditures for the year ending December 31, 2010 for corporate expenses, exploration on our Wyoming mineral properties and general and administrative expenses are summarized as follows:
Category |
Planned Expenditures Over the Next
Twelve Months |
Exploration | $6,800,000 |
Environmental, production and well planning | $2,100,000 |
General and Administrative expenses | $5,100,000 |
TOTAL | $14,000,000 |
In addition to our planned operating expenditures we may make additional property acquisitions beyond the above as opportunities arise and, if warranted, we may commence capital expenditures for our mining project which is under review by licensing authorities. Our exploration and development plans will be continually evaluated and modified as exploration and permitting results become available. Modifications to our plans will be based on many factors, including: results of exploration, assessment of data, weather conditions, exploration costs, the price of uranium and available capital. Further, the extent of our operations and investment programs that we undertake will be dependent upon the amount of financing available to us.
55
During the twelve-month period following the date of this Annual Report, we anticipate that we will not generate any revenues. We anticipate that funding to carry out our 2010 plans will be from existing resources.
Future Financings
We may require additional financing to carry out an expanded program of exploration, mine planning and property acquisitions during 2010. This may require debt financing and/or additional sales of our common stock in order to raise the funds necessary to pursue opportunities and to fund our working capital.
Issuances of additional shares would result in dilution to our existing shareholders. There is no assurance that we will be successful in completing any financings. Failure to obtain additional financing on a timely basis could require a reduced plan of operations and acquisitions beyond 2010.
As we expect our reliance on equity financings to continue into the future, the future market conditions will be critical for us to raise necessary funds to meet our capital requirements. If we are unable to obtain acceptable financing through equity investments, we will seek multiple solutions including, but not limited to, credit facilities or debenture issuances.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no significant off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to stockholders.
Contractual Obligations
Our contractual obligations extending beyond the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 are described in Note 13 of the audited consolidated financial statements following under the section heading Item 7- Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires our management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Our management routinely makes judgments and estimates about the effects of matters that are inherently uncertain.
We have identified certain accounting policies, described below, that are most important to the portrayal of our current financial condition and results of operations. Our significant accounting policies are disclosed in Note 2 to the audited financial statements included in this Annual Report.
Mineral Property Costs
The Company is primarily engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties. Mineral property acquisition costs are capitalized when management has determined that probable future benefits consisting of a contribution to future cash inflows have been identified and adequate financial resources are available or are expected to be available as required to meet the terms of property acquisition and budgeted exploration and development expenditures. Mineral property acquisition costs are expensed as incurred if the criteria for capitalization are not met. In the event that a mineral property is acquired through the issuance of the Companys shares, the mineral property will be recorded at the fair value of the respective property or the fair value of common shares, whichever is more readily determinable.
56
When mineral properties are acquired under option agreements with future acquisition payments to be made at the sole discretion of the Company, those future payments, whether in cash or shares, are recorded only when the Company has made or is obliged to make the payment or issue the shares. When it has been determined that a mineral property can be economically developed as a result of establishing proven and probable reserves and bankable feasibility, the costs incurred to develop such property are capitalized.
During the year ended December 31, 2009, mineral property expenditures totaling $4,778,386 (2008 -$30,505,332, 2007 - $7,008,396) were expensed and the Company received mineral property option payments of $Nil (2008 - $Nil, 2007 - $43,810).
Stock-based Compensation
The Company records stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation Stock Based Compensation, which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense based on estimated fair values for all share-based awards made to employees and directors, including stock options.
ASC 718 requires companies to estimate the fair value of share-based awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model as its method of determining fair value. This model is affected by the Companys stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of subjective variables. These subjective variables include, but are not limited to the Companys expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, and actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as an expense in the statement of operations over the requisite service period.
No tax benefits were attributed to stock-based compensation expense because a full valuation allowance was maintained for all net deferred tax assets.
Accounting Developments
In May 2009, FASB issued ASC 855, Subsequent Events, which establishes general standards for the evaluation, recognition and disclosure of events and transactions that occur after the balance sheet date. Although there is new terminology, the standard is based on the same principles as those that currently exist in the auditing standards. The standard, which includes a new required disclosure of the date through which an entity has evaluated subsequent events, is effective for interim or annual periods ending after June 15, 2009. The adoption of ASC 855 did not have a material effect on the Companys financial statements. Refer to Note 14.
In June 2009, the FASB issued guidance now codified as ASC 105, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles as the single source of authoritative accounting principles recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP, aside from those issued by the SEC. ASC 105 does not change current U.S. GAAP, but is intended to simplify user access to all authoritative U.S. GAAP by providing all authoritative literature related to a particular topic in one place. The adoption of ASC 105 did not have a material impact on the Companys financial statements, but did eliminate all references to pre-codification standards.
The Company has implemented all new accounting pronouncements that are in effect and that may impact its financial statements and does not believe that there are any other new accounting pronouncements that have been issued that might have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.
57
In May 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 163, Accounting for Financial Guarantee Insurance Contracts An interpretation of FASB Statement No. 60. SFAS 163 requires that an insurance enterprise recognize a claim liability prior to an event of default when there is evidence that credit deterioration has occurred in an insured financial obligation. It also clarifies how Statement 60 applies to financial guarantee insurance contracts, including the recognition and measurement to be used to account for premium revenue and claim liabilities, and requires expanded disclosures about financial guarantee insurance contracts. It is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, except for some disclosures about the insurance enterprises risk-management activities. SFAS 163 requires that disclosures about the risk-management activities of the insurance enterprise be effective for the first period beginning after issuance. Except for those disclosures, earlier application is not permitted. The adoption of this statement is not expected to have a material effect on the Companys consolidated financial statements.
In May 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 162, The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. SFAS 162 identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles to be used in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental entities that are presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. It is effective 60 days following the SECs approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board amendments to AU Section 411, The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity With Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. The adoption of this statement is not expected to have a material effect on the Companys consolidated financial statements.
In March 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities an amendment to FASB Statement No. 133. SFAS No. 161 is intended to improve financial standards for derivative instruments and hedging activities by requiring enhanced disclosures to enable investors to better understand their effects on an entity's financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. Entities are required to provide enhanced disclosures about: (a) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments; (b) how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under Statement 133 and its related interpretations; and (c) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entitys financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. It is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, with early adoption encouraged. The adoption of this statement is not expected to have a material effect on the Companys consolidated financial statements.
In December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 141R, Business Combinations. This statement replaces SFAS 141 and defines the acquirer in a business combination as the entity that obtains control of one or more businesses in a business combination and establishes the acquisition date as the date that the acquirer achieves control. SFAS 141R requires an acquirer to recognize the assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree at the acquisition date, measured at their fair values as of that date. SFAS 141R also requires the acquirer to recognize contingent consideration at the acquisition date, measured at its fair value at that date. This statement is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008 and earlier adoption is prohibited. The adoption of this statement is not expected to have a material effect on the Companys consolidated financial statements.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements Liabilities an Amendment of ARB No. 51. This statement amends ARB 51 to establish accounting and reporting standards for the Non-controlling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. This statement is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008 and earlier adoption is prohibited. The adoption of this statement is not expected to have a material effect on the Companys consolidated financial statements.
58
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115. This statement permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. Most of the provisions of SFAS No. 159 apply only to entities that elect the fair value option. However, the amendment to SFAS No. 115 Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities applies to all entities with available-for-sale and trading securities. SFAS No. 159 is effective as of the beginning of an entitys first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of a fiscal year that begins on or before November 15, 2007, provided the entity also elects to apply the provision of SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. The adoption of this statement is not expected to have a material effect on the Companys consolidated financial statements.
ITEM 6A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We are not exposed to risks associated with commodity prices, interest rates and credit. Commodity price risk is defined as the potential loss that we may incur as a result of changes in the fair value of uranium. Interest rate risk results from our debt and equity instruments that we issue to provide financing and liquidity for our business. Credit risk would arise from the extension of credit throughout all aspects of our business but is not yet significant.
59
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
60
Uranerz Energy Corporation
(An Exploration Stage Company)
December 31, 2009
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Directors and Stockholders
Uranerz Energy
Corporation
(An Exploration Stage Company)
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Uranerz Energy Corporation as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations, cash flows and stockholders' equity for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009 and accumulated from May 26, 1999 (Date of Inception) to December 31, 2009. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidation financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Uranerz Energy Corporation as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009 and accumulated from May 26, 1999 (Date of Inception) to December 31, 2009, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Uranerz Energy Corporations internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 10, 2010 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
/s/ MANNING ELLIOTT LLP
CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS
Vancouver, Canada
March 10, 2010
F-1
Uranerz Energy Corporation
(An Exploration Stage Company)
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Expressed in US dollars)
December 31, | December 31, | |||||
2009 | 2008 | |||||
$ | $ | |||||
ASSETS | ||||||
Current Assets | ||||||
Cash | 20,426,032 | 821,242 | ||||
Marketable securities | 8,766,943 | 20,432,035 | ||||
Prepaid expenses and deposits (Note 7) | 733,843 | 641,215 | ||||
Other current assets | 23,709 | 10,269 | ||||
Total Current Assets | 29,950,527 | 21,904,761 | ||||
Mineral Property Reclamation Bonds (Note 6(i)) | 318,783 | 318,404 | ||||
Property and Equipment (Note 5) | 540,979 | 642,572 | ||||
Total Assets | 30,810,289 | 22,865,737 | ||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY | ||||||
Current Liabilities | ||||||
Accounts payable | 185,962 | 186,872 | ||||
Accrued liabilities (Note 7) | 463,865 | 228,800 | ||||
Due to related parties (Note 9) | 54,920 | 50,000 | ||||
Current portion of loan payable (Note 8) | 18,079 | 34,067 | ||||
Total Current Liabilities | 722,826 | 499,739 | ||||
Loan Payable (Note 8) | | 18,079 | ||||
Total Liabilities | 722,826 | 517,818 | ||||
Commitments and Contingencies
(Notes 1, 6, and 13) Subsequent Events (Note 16) |
||||||
Stockholders Equity | ||||||
Preferred Stock, 10,000,000
shares authorized, $0.001 par value; No shares issued and outstanding |
| | ||||
Common Stock, 200,000,000
shares authorized, $0.001 par value; 64,194,887 and 55,452,387 shares issued and outstanding, respectively |
64,195 | 55,452 | ||||
Additional Paid-in Capital | 98,811,898 | 82,366,879 | ||||
Deficit Accumulated During the Exploration Stage | (68,843,151 | ) | (60,143,997 | ) | ||
Total Uranerz Shareholders Equity | 30,032,942 | 22,278,334 | ||||
Non-controlling Interest | 54,521 | 69,585 | ||||
Total Equity | 30,087,463 | 22,347,919 | ||||
Total Liabilities and Stockholders Equity | 30,810,289 | 22,865,737 |
(The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements)
F-2
Uranerz Energy Corporation
(An Exploration Stage Company)
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Expressed in US dollars)
Accumulated From | ||||||||||||
May 26, 1999 | ||||||||||||
(Date of Inception) | Years Ended | |||||||||||
to December 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||
2009 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | |||||||||
$ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
Revenue | | | | | ||||||||
Expenses | ||||||||||||
Depreciation | 377,419 | 175,877 | 129,268 | 56,669 | ||||||||
Foreign exchange | 27,421 | 2,868 | (3,949 | ) | 23,602 | |||||||
General and administrative (Note 9) | 29,072,502 | 4,599,397 | 6,153,218 | 7,858,379 | ||||||||
Mineral property expenditures | 43,955,018 | 4,778,386 | 30,505,332 | 7,008,396 | ||||||||
Total Operating Expenses | 73,432,360 | 9,556,528 | 36,783,869 | 14,947,046 | ||||||||
Operating Loss | (73,432,360 | ) | (9,556,528 | ) | (36,783,869 | ) | (14,947,046 | ) | ||||
Other Income (Expense) | ||||||||||||
Gain on sale of investment securities | 79,129 | | | | ||||||||
Interest income | 1,887,469 | 155,402 | 610,408 | 710,226 | ||||||||
Loss on settlement of debt | (132,000 | ) | | | | |||||||
Mineral property option payments received | 152,477 | | | 43,810 | ||||||||
Total Other Income | 1,987,075 | 155,402 | 610,408 | 754,036 | ||||||||
Loss from continuing operations | (71,445,285 | ) | (9,401,126 | ) | (36,173,461 | ) | (14,193,010 | ) | ||||
Discontinued operations (Note 4) | ||||||||||||
Loss from discontinued operations | (28,732 | ) | | (2,632 | ) | (4,356 | ) | |||||
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations | 979,709 | | 979,709 | | ||||||||
Gain (Loss) on discontinued operations | 950,977 | | 977,077 | (4,356 | ) | |||||||
Net Loss | (70,494,308 | ) | (9,401,126 | ) | (35,196,384 | ) | (14,197,366 | ) | ||||
Net loss attributable to non-controlling Interest | 1,651,157 | 701,972 | 949,185 | | ||||||||
Net loss attributable to the Company | (68,843,151 | ) | (8,699,154 | ) | (34,247,199 | ) | (14,197,366 | ) | ||||
Other Comprehensive Loss | ||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment | | | (481 | ) | (61 | ) | ||||||
Comprehensive Loss | (68,843,151 | ) | (8,699,154 | ) | (34,247,680 | ) | (14,197,427 | ) | ||||
Amounts attributable to Company shareholders | ||||||||||||
Loss from continuing operations | (70,494,308 | ) | (9,401,126 | ) | (35,196,384 | ) | (14,197,366 | ) | ||||
Gain (loss) on discontinued operations | 950,977 | | 977,077 | (4,356 | ) | |||||||
Net loss attributable to the Company | (69,543,331 | ) | (9,401,126 | ) | (34,219,307 | ) | (14,201,722 | ) | ||||
Net Loss Per Share Attributable to Company | ||||||||||||
Shareholders Basic and Diluted | ||||||||||||
Continuing Operations | (0.15 | ) | (0.68 | ) | (0.37 | ) | ||||||
Discontinued Operations | | 0.02 | (0.00 | ) | ||||||||
Net Loss Per Share Basic and Diluted | (0.15 | ) | (0.66 | ) | (0.37 | ) | ||||||
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding | 57,060,000 | 52,263,000 | 38,438,000 |
(The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements)
F-3
Uranerz Energy Corporation
(An Exploration Stage Company)
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Expressed in US dollars)
Accumulated From | ||||||||||||
May 26, 1999 | ||||||||||||
(Date of Inception) | Years Ended | |||||||||||
to December 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||
2009 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | |||||||||
$ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
Operating Activities | ||||||||||||
Net loss | (68,843,151 | ) | (8,699,154 | ) | (34,247,199 | ) | (14,197,366 | ) | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||||||
Depreciation | 377,418 | 175,877 | 129,268 | 56,668 | ||||||||
Equity loss on investment | 74,617 | | 74,617 | | ||||||||
Gain on disposition of discontinued operations | (979,709 | ) | | (979,709 | ) | | ||||||
Gain on sale of investment securities | (79,129 | ) | | | | |||||||
Loss on settlement of debt | 132,000 | | | | ||||||||
Mineral property option payment received | (37,500 | ) | | | | |||||||
Non-controlling interest | 54,521 | (15,064 | ) | 69,585 | | |||||||
Shares issued to acquire mineral properties | 19,090,000 | | 19,090,000 | | ||||||||
Stock-based compensation | 16,634,173 | 922,265 | 2,681,417 | 4,991,491 | ||||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||||||
Prepaid expenses and deposits | (727,606 | ) | (92,628 | ) | (317,538 | ) | (252,570 | ) | ||||
Other current assets | (23,684 | ) | (13,440 | ) | 82,175 | (92,419 | ) | |||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 780,498 | 234,154 | 272,534 | (35,624 | ) | |||||||
Due to related parties | 525,679 | 4,921 | (18,865 | ) | 271,068 | |||||||
Net Cash Used in Operating Activities | (33,021,873 | ) | (7,483,069 | ) | (13,163,715 | ) | (9,258,752 | ) | ||||
Investing Activities | ||||||||||||
Reclamation bonds | (318,783 | ) | (379 | ) | (268,404 | ) | (40,000 | ) | ||||
Acquisition of subsidiary, net cash paid | (48 | ) | | | | |||||||
Proceeds from sale of investment securities | 11,781,721 | 11,665,092 | | | ||||||||
Purchase of property and equipment | (819,983 | ) | (74,284 | ) | (365,552 | ) | (241,306 | ) | ||||
Purchase of investment securities | (20,432,035 | ) | | (20,432,035 | ) | | ||||||
Disposition of subsidiary | 905,092 | | 905,092 | | ||||||||
Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Investing Activities | (8,884,036 | ) | 11,590,429 | (20,160,899 | ) | (281,306 | ) | |||||
Financing Activities | ||||||||||||
Repayment of loan payable | (80,335 | ) | (34,067 | ) | (31,456 | ) | (14,812 | ) | ||||
Advances to related party | 10,700 | | | | ||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of common stock | 65,706,676 | 17,166,125 | 24,221,275 | 8,604,778 | ||||||||
Share issuance costs | (3,305,100 | ) | (1,634,628 | ) | (1,387,219 | ) | | |||||
Net Cash Provided By Financing Activities | 62,331,941 | 15,497,430 | 22,802,600 | 8,589,966 | ||||||||
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash | | | (481 | ) | (61 | ) | ||||||
Increase (Decrease) In Cash | 20,426,032 | 19,604,790 | (10,522,495 | ) | (950,153 | ) | ||||||
Cash - Beginning of Period | | 821,242 | 11,343,737 | 12,293,890 | ||||||||
Cash - End of Period | 20,426,032 | 20,426,032 | 821,242 | 11,343,737 | ||||||||
Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities | ||||||||||||
Sale of 60% of subsidiary for interest in mineral property | 774,216 | | 774,216 | | ||||||||
Investment securities
received as a mineral property option payment |
37,500 | | | | ||||||||
Purchase of equipment with loan payable | 98,414 | | | 98,414 | ||||||||
Common stock issued to settle debt | 744,080 | | 402,250 | | ||||||||
Common stock issued for mineral property costs | 19,105,000 | | 19,090,000 | | ||||||||
Supplemental Disclosures | ||||||||||||
Interest paid | 12,184 | 2,941 | 5,551 | 3,692 | ||||||||
Income taxes paid | | | | |
(The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements)
F-4
Uranerz Energy Corporation
(An Exploration Stage Company)
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders Equity (Deficit)
For the Period
from May 26, 1999 (Date of Inception) to December 31, 2009
(Expressed in US
dollars)
Deficit | |||||||||||||||||||||
Accumulated | Accumulated | ||||||||||||||||||||
Additional | Other | During the | |||||||||||||||||||
Common Stock | Paid-in | Comprehensive | Exploration | Non-Controlling | |||||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | Capital | Income | Stage | Interest | Total | |||||||||||||||
# | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
Balance, May 26, 1999 (Date of inception) | | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||
Net loss for the period | | | | | (2,465 | ) | | (2,465 | ) | ||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 1999 | | | | | (2,465 | ) | | (2,465 | ) | ||||||||||||
Net loss for the year | | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2000 | | | | | (2,465 | ) | | (2,465 | ) | ||||||||||||
Shares issued for cash at $0.001 per share | 1,500,000 | 1,500 | | | | | 1,500 | ||||||||||||||
Shares issued for cash at $0.01 per share | 2,500,000 | 2,500 | 22,500 | | | | 25,000 | ||||||||||||||
Shares issued to acquire mineral property interest at $0.01 per share |
1,500,000 | 1,500 | 13,500 | | | | 15,000 | ||||||||||||||
Shares issued for cash at $0.35 per share | 90,500 | 91 | 31,584 | | | | 31,675 | ||||||||||||||
Net loss for the year | | | | | (47,158 | ) | | (47,158 | ) | ||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2001 | 5,590,500 | 5,591 | 67,584 | | (49,623 | ) | | 23,552 | |||||||||||||
Shares issued for cash at $0.35 per share | 50,000 | 50 | 17,450 | | | | 17,500 | ||||||||||||||
Net loss for the year | | | | | (51,671 | ) | | (51,671 | ) | ||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2002 | 5,640,500 | 5,641 | 85,034 | | (101,294 | ) | | (10,619 | ) | ||||||||||||
Net loss for the year | | | | | (26,916 | ) | | (26,916 | ) | ||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2003 | 5,640,500 | 5,641 | 85,034 | | (128,210 | ) | | (37,535 | ) | ||||||||||||
Net loss for the year | | | - | | (20,096 | ) | | (20,096 | ) | ||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2004 | 5,640,500 | 5,641 | 85,034 | | (148,306 | ) | | (57,631 | ) | ||||||||||||
Shares issued for cash at $0.10 per share | 6,959,500 | 6,959 | 688,991 | | | | 695,950 | ||||||||||||||
Shares issued for cash at $0.40 per unit | 5,420,000 | 5,420 | 2,162,580 | | | | 2,168,000 | ||||||||||||||
Share issuance costs | | | (43,987 | ) | | | | (43,987 | ) | ||||||||||||
Shares issued to settle debt | 200,000 | 200 | 211,800 | | | | 212,000 | ||||||||||||||
Shares issued for compensation to related parties at a fair value of $1.01 per share |
3,775,000 |
3,775 |
3,808,975 |
|
|
|
3,812,750 |
||||||||||||||
Net loss for the year | | | | | (5,002,225 | ) | | (5,002,225 | ) | ||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2005 | 21,995,000 | 21,995 | 6,913,393 | | (5,150,531 | ) | | 1,784,857 |
(The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements)
F-5
Uranerz Energy Corporation
(An Exploration Stage Company)
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders Equity (Deficit)
For the Period
from May 26, 1999 (Date of Inception) to December 31, 2009
(Expressed in US
dollars)
Deficit | |||||||||||||||||||||
Accumulated | Accumulated | ||||||||||||||||||||
Additional | Other | During the | |||||||||||||||||||
Common Stock | Paid-in | Comprehensive | Exploration | Non-Controlling | |||||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | Capital | Income | Stage | Interest | Total | |||||||||||||||
# | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2005 | 21,995,000 | 21,995 | 6,913,393 | | (5,150,531 | ) | | 1,784,857 | |||||||||||||
Shares issued for cash at $1.00 per share | 7,245,000 | 7,245 | 7,237,755 | | | | 7,245,000 | ||||||||||||||
Shares issued for cash at $1.75 per share | 2,142,200 | 2,142 | 3,746,708 | | | | 3,748,850 | ||||||||||||||
Share issuance costs | | | (516,964 | ) | | | | (516,964 | ) | ||||||||||||
Shares issued for finders fees | 238,498 | 238 | 277,460 | | | | 277,698 | ||||||||||||||
Shares issued upon the exercise of warrants | 2,700,000 | 2,700 | 1,774,550 | | | | 1,777,250 | ||||||||||||||
Shares issued for services at $0.91 per share | 100,000 | 100 | 90,900 | | | | 91,000 | ||||||||||||||
Shares and options issued to settle debt | 139,640 | 140 | 129,690 | | | | 129,830 | ||||||||||||||
Fair value of stock options granted | | | 4,124,025 | | | | 4,124,025 | ||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments | | | | 542 | | | 542 | ||||||||||||||
Net loss for the year | | | | | (6,548,901 | ) | | (6,548,901 | ) | ||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2006 | 34,560,338 | 34,560 | 23,777,517 | 542 | (11,699,432 | ) | | 12,113,187 | |||||||||||||
Shares issued upon the exercise of warrants | 4,481,749 | 4,482 | 8,312,196 | | | | 8,316,678 | ||||||||||||||
Shares issued upon the exercise of options | 182,000 | 182 | 287,918 | | | | 288,100 | ||||||||||||||
Fair value of stock options granted | | | 4,997,753 | | | | 4,997,753 | ||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments | | | | (61 | ) | | | (61 | ) | ||||||||||||
Net loss for the year | | | | | (14,197,366 | ) | | (14,197,366 | ) | ||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2007 | 39,224,087 | 39,224 | 37,375,384 | 481 | (25,896,798 | ) | | 11,518,291 | |||||||||||||
Shares issued to acquire mineral properties | 5,750,000 | 5,750 | 19,084,250 | | | | 19,090,000 | ||||||||||||||
Shares issued upon the exercise of warrants | 96,100 | 96 | 240,154 | | | | 240,250 | ||||||||||||||
Shares issued upon the exercise of options | 356,300 | 356 | 304,669 | | | | 305,025 | ||||||||||||||
Shares issued pursuant to private placement | 9,865,000 | 9,865 | 23,666,135 | | | | 23,676,000 | ||||||||||||||
Shares issued to settle debt | 160,900 | 161 | 402,089 | | | | 402,250 | ||||||||||||||
Share issuance costs | | | (1,387,219 | ) | | | | (1,387,219 | ) | ||||||||||||
Fair value of stock options granted | | | 2,681,417 | | | | 2,681,417 | ||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments | | | | (481 | ) | | | (481 | ) | ||||||||||||
Net loss for the year | | | | | (34,247,199 | ) | (949,185 | ) | (35,196,384 | ) | |||||||||||
Change in non-controlling interest | | | | | | 1,018,770 | 1,018,770 | ||||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2008 | 55,452,387 | 55,452 | 82,366,879 | | (60,143,997 | ) | 69,585 | 22,347,919 | |||||||||||||
Shares issued upon the exercise of options | 242,500 | 243 | 165,882 | | | | 166,125 | ||||||||||||||
Shares issued pursuant to public offering | 8,500,000 | 8,500 | 16,991,500 | | | | 17,000,000 | ||||||||||||||
Share issuance costs | | | (1,634,628 | ) | | | | (1,634,628 | ) | ||||||||||||
Fair value of stock options granted | | | 922,265 | | | | 922,265 | ||||||||||||||
Net loss and comprehensive loss for the year | | | | | (8,699,154 | ) | (701,972 | ) | (9,401,126 | ) | |||||||||||
Change in non-controlling interest | | | | | | 686,908 | 686,908 | ||||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2009 | 64,194,887 | 64,195 | 98,811,898 | | (68,843,151 | ) | 54,521 | 30,087,463 |
(The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements)
F-6
Uranerz Energy Corporation
(An Exploration Stage Company)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2009
(Expressed in US dollars)
1. | Nature of Operations |
|
Uranerz Energy Corporation (the Company) was incorporated in the State of Nevada, U.S.A. on May 26, 1999. Effective July 5, 2005, the Company changed its name from Carleton Ventures Corp. to Uranerz Energy Corporation. The Company has mineral property interests in Canada and the United States. |
||
The Company is an Exploration Stage Company, as defined by Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 915, Development Stage Entities. The Companys principal business is the acquisition and exploitation of uranium and mineral resources. |
||
2. | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies |
|
a) | Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation |
|
These consolidated financial statements and related notes are presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, and are expressed in US dollars. Rolling Hills Resources LLC (Rolling Hills), a Mongolian company previously wholly-owned, was consolidated on December 31, 2007. During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company disposed of Rolling Hills. |
||
These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and the accounts of an unincorporated venture, Arkose Mining Venture (Arkose) of which the Company holds an 81% interest in and maintains majority voting interest as of December 31, 2009. All inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated. The Companys fiscal year-end is December 31. |
||
b) | Use of Estimates |
|
The preparation of these consolidated statements in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses in the reporting period. The Company regularly evaluates estimates and assumptions related to useful life and recoverability of long-lived assets, stock-based compensation, deferred income tax asset valuations and loss contingencies. The Company bases its estimates and assumptions on current facts, historical experience and various other factors that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities and the accrual of costs and expenses that are not readily apparent from other sources. The actual results experienced by the Company may differ materially and adversely from the Companys estimates. To the extent there are material differences between the estimates and the actual results, future results of operations will be affected. |
||
c) | Cash and Cash Equivalents |
|
The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with maturity of three months or less at the time of issuance to be cash equivalents. |
||
d) | Marketable Securities |
|
The Company defines marketable securities as income yielding securities that can be readily converted into cash. Examples of marketable securities include U.S. Treasury and agency obligations, commercial paper, corporate notes and bonds, time deposits, foreign notes and certificates of deposit. The Company accounts for its investment in debt and equity instruments under FASB ASC 320, Investments Debt and Equity Securities. We follow the guidance provided by ASC 320 to assess whether our investments with unrealized loss positions are other than temporarily impaired. Realized gains and losses and declines in value judged to be other than temporary are determined based on the specific identification method and are reported in other income (expense). Management determines the appropriate classification of such securities at the time of purchase and re-evaluates such classification as of each balance sheet date. |
||
e) | Property and Equipment |
|
Property and equipment consists of computers and office equipment and field equipment. These assets are recorded at cost and are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated life of five years. |
F-7
Uranerz Energy Corporation
(An Exploration Stage Company)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2009
(Expressed in US dollars)
2. | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued) |
|
f) | Financial Instruments/Concentrations |
|
Our financial instruments consist principally of cash and short-term marketable securities, accounts payable and loan payable. Marketable securities consist of time deposits longer than three months and are classified as held to maturity securities. Pursuant to ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures and ASC 825, Financial Instruments the fair value of marketable securities is determined based on Level 1 inputs, which consist of quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. We believe that the recorded values of all of our other financial instruments approximate their current fair values because of their nature and respective relatively short maturity dates or durations. |
||
g) | Mineral Property Costs |
|
The Company is primarily engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties. Mineral property acquisition costs are capitalized when management has determined that probable future benefits consisting of a contribution to future cash inflows have been identified and adequate financial resources are available or are expected to be available as required to meet the terms of property acquisition and budgeted exploration and development expenditures. Mineral property acquisition costs are expensed as incurred if the criteria for capitalization are not met. In the event that a mineral property is acquired through the issuance of the Companys shares, the mineral property will be recorded at the fair value of the respective property or the fair value of common shares, whichever is more readily determinable. |
||
When mineral properties are acquired under option agreements with future acquisition payments to be made at the sole discretion of the Company, those future payments, whether in cash or shares, are recorded only when the Company has made or is obliged to make the payment or issue the shares. When it has been determined that a mineral property can be economically developed as a result of establishing proven and probable reserves and bankable feasibility, the costs incurred to develop such property are capitalized. |
||
During the year ended December 31, 2009, mineral property expenditures totaling $4,778,386 (2008 - $30,505,332, 2007 - $7,008,396) were expensed and the Company received mineral property option payments of $Nil (2008 - $Nil, 2007 - $43,810). | ||
h) | Asset Retirement Obligation |
|
Estimated future removal and site restoration costs, when determinable are provided over the life of proven reserves on a units-of-production basis. Costs, which include production equipment removal and environmental remediation, are estimated each period by management based on current regulations, actual expenses incurred, and technology and industry standards. Any charge is included in exploration expense or the provision for depletion and depreciation during the period and the actual restoration expenditures are charged to the accumulated provision amounts as incurred. At December 31, 2009, the Company has accrued $75,540 (2008 $40,500, 2007 - $Nil) for well reclamation obligations. |
||
i) | Foreign Currency Translation |
|
The functional and reporting currency of the Company is the United States dollar. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated to United States dollars in accordance with ASC 740 Foreign Currency Translation Matters, using the exchange rate prevailing at the balance sheet date. Gains and losses arising on translation or settlement of foreign currency denominated transactions or balances are included in the determination of income. Foreign currency transactions are primarily undertaken in Canadian dollars. The Company has not, to the date of these consolidated financial statements, entered into derivative instruments to offset the impact of foreign currency fluctuations. |
||
j) | Comprehensive Loss |
|
ASC 220, Comprehensive Income establishes standards for the reporting and display of comprehensive loss and its components in the consolidated financial statements. As at December 31, 2009, the Company had no items that represent a comprehensive loss. At December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Companys comprehensive loss consisted of unrealized losses on foreign currency translation adjustments. |
F-8
Uranerz Energy Corporation
(An Exploration Stage Company)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2009
(Expressed in US dollars)
2. | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued) |
|
k) | Long-lived Assets |
|
In accordance with ASC 360, Property Plant and Equipment the Company tests long-lived assets or asset groups for recoverability when events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. Circumstances which could trigger a review include, but are not limited to: significant decreases in the market price of the asset; significant adverse changes in the business climate or legal factors; accumulation of costs significantly in excess of the amount originally expected for the acquisition or construction of the asset; current period cash flow or operating losses combined with a history of losses or a forecast of continuing losses associated with the use of the asset; and current expectation that the asset will more likely than not be sold or disposed significantly before the end of its estimated useful life. |
||
Recoverability is assessed based on the carrying amount of the asset and its fair value which is generally determined based on the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and the eventual disposal of the asset, as well as specific appraisal in certain instances. An impairment loss is recognized when the carrying amount is not recoverable and exceeds fair value. |
||
l) | Stock-based Compensation |
|
The Company records stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation Stock Based Compensation, which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense based on estimated fair values for all share-based awards made to employees and directors, including stock options. |
||
ASC 718 requires companies to estimate the fair value of share-based awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model as its method of determining fair value. This model is affected by the Companys stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of subjective variables. These subjective variables include, but are not limited to the Companys expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, and actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as an expense in the statement of operations over the requisite service period. |
||
No tax benefits were attributed to stock-based compensation expense because a full valuation allowance was maintained for all net deferred tax assets. |
||
m) | Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Share |
|
The Company computes net loss per share in accordance with ASC 260, Earnings per Share. ASC 260 requires presentation of both basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) on the face of the statement of operations. Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common shareholders (numerator) by the weighted average number of shares outstanding (denominator) during the period. Diluted EPS gives effect to all dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method and convertible preferred stock using the if-converted method. In computing diluted EPS, the average stock price for the period is used in determining the number of shares assumed to be purchased from the exercise of stock options or warrants. Diluted EPS excludes all dilutive potential shares if their effect is anti-dilutive. Shares underlying these securities totaled approximately 15,132,200 as of December 31, 2009 (2008 - 9,892,200; 2007 4,449,100). |
||
n) | Income Taxes |
|
The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes. The asset and liability method provides that deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities, and for operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the currently enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is believed more likely than not to be realized. |
||
o) | Reclassifications |
|
Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior periods consolidated financial statements to conform to the current periods presentation. |
F-9
Uranerz Energy Corporation
(An Exploration Stage Company)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2009
(Expressed in US dollars)
2. | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued) |
|
p) | Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Pronouncements |
|
In May 2009, FASB issued ASC 855, Subsequent Events, which establishes general standards of for the evaluation, recognition and disclosure of events and transactions that occur after the balance sheet date. Although there is new terminology, the standard is based on the same principles as those that currently exist in the auditing standards. The standard, which includes a new required disclosure of the date through which an entity has evaluated subsequent events, is effective for interim or annual periods ending after June 15, 2009. The adoption of ASC 855 did not have a material effect on the Companys financial statements. Refer to Note 16. |
||
In June 2009, the FASB issued guidance now codified as ASC 105, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles as the single source of authoritative accounting principles recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP, aside from those issued by the SEC. ASC 105 does not change current U.S. GAAP, but is intended to simplify user access to all authoritative U.S. GAAP by providing all authoritative literature related to a particular topic in one place. The adoption of ASC 105 did not have a material impact on the Companys financial statements, but did eliminate all references to pre-codification standards |
||
The Company has implemented all new accounting pronouncements that are in effect and that may impact its financial statements and does not believe that there are any other new accounting pronouncements that have been issued that might have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations. |
||
3. | Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities |
|
At December 31, 2009 the Company had $29,192,975 (2008 $21,253,277) in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities. Our marketable securities consist of $8,766,943 (2008 - $20,432,035) of bank guaranteed deposits with terms longer than three months and classified as held-to-maturity. Pursuant to ASC 820 the fair value of all of our cash equivalents and marketable securities is determined based on Level 1 inputs, which consist of quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. The Company places cash investments in instruments that meet credit quality standards, as specified in our investment policy guidelines. |
||
4. | Investment in Rolling Hills |
|
Rolling Hills was formerly a wholly owned subsidiary incorporated in Mongolia. On June 18, 2008, the Company disposed of 60% of its investment pursuant to the option and joint venture agreement referred to in Note 6(d). On August 25, 2008, the Company disposed of its remaining 40% investment. During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company recognized a gain on the disposal of $979,709. |
||
As a result of the Companys disposal of Rolling Hills all operations related to the former subsidiary have been classified as discontinued operations. Cash flows from discontinued operations were not material and were combined with cash flows from continuing operations within the consolidated statement of cash flows categories. |
||
5. | Property and Equipment |
December 31, | December 31, | ||||||||||||
2009 | 2008 | ||||||||||||
Accumulated | Net Carrying | Net Carrying | |||||||||||
Cost | Depreciation | Value | Value | ||||||||||
$ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||
Computers and office equipment | 185,311 | 95,223 | 90,088 | 108,757 | |||||||||
Field equipment | 733,087 | 282,196 | 450,891 | 533,815 | |||||||||
918,398 | 377,419 | 540,979 | 642,572 |
F-10
Uranerz Energy Corporation
(An Exploration Stage Company)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2009
(Expressed in US dollars)
6. | Mineral Properties |
|
a) | On April 26, 2005, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire a 100% interest in two mineral prospecting permits located in the Athabasca Basin area of Saskatchewan, Canada for consideration of Cdn$40,757 and a 2% royalty on the prospecting permits. This agreement was with a company controlled by a director of the Company. On October 20, 2005, the agreement was amended so that the Company has a one-time right, exercisable for ninety days, following the completion of a bankable feasibility study to buy one-half of the vendors royalty interest for Cdn$1,000,000. On November 4, 2005, the Company entered into an option and joint venture agreement with a company (the Optionee) on the Companys two mineral prospecting permits. In late January and early February, 2007, a total of seven claims were staked within the boundaries of the original two mineral prospecting permits. On April 24, 2008 the Optionee forfeited its right to earn an interest in the property. Two of the seven claims will expire on January 30, 2010 and the remaining five (5) claims are due to expire on January 30, 2011, unless the required minimum amount of exploration work is completed. As at December 31, 2009, the Company has received Cdn$50,000 of installment payments with respect to this agreement. |
|
b) | On November 18, 2005, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire a 100% interest in 10 mining claims located in the Powder River Basin area, Wyoming, in consideration of $250,000. The amounts were paid in installments and completed by January 2007. |
|
c) | On December 9, 2005, the Company entered into an option agreement to acquire a 100% interest in 44 mining claims within six mineral properties located in the Powder River Basin area, Wyoming. As at December 31, 2007 all requirements of this option agreement were satisfied and a deed for the 44 claims was received. A royalty fee of between 6% - 8% is payable, depending upon the spot price of uranium at the time of sale. |
|
d) | On February 17, 2006, as amended on March 16, 2006, September 8, 2006 and March 20, 2008, the Company entered into a letter agreement to option and joint venture its six Mongolian projects to another company (the Optionee). In June 2008 the Optionee earned an undivided 60% interest in the projects through assumption of 60% of the Companys wholly owned subsidiary, Rolling Hills Resources LLC. The remaining 40% interest in Rolling Hills was sold in 2008. |
|
e) | On June 7, 2006, the Company entered into an Agreement with a company (the Optionee) on two of the Companys exploration projects located within the Red Desert area of southwest Wyoming. Under the Agreement the Company and the Optionee are to form a joint venture to conduct further exploration and to develop the properties. The Optionee shall have the right to earn a 50% equity interest in the joint venture during the first phase of the exploration program by managing the property, incurring a minimum $100,000 per year of exploration costs on the projects, and incurring $750,000 of exploration costs, within three years of inception of the agreement. On August 18, 2009 the Optionee terminated the Agreement and relinquished all right, title and interest in the lode mining claims and state leases that are part of the Agreement. |
|
f) | On October 30, 2006, the Company entered into an agreement with an officer and director of the Company (the Related Party), to use certain geological reports held by the Related Party for the purposes of staking and acquiring potential areas of interest in exchange for $402,250. In December 2007, the staking and acquisition program was completed and a liability of $402,250 was recorded as due to Related Party. During the year ended December 31, 2008, this debt was settled through the issuance of 160,900 common shares. |
|
g) | On January 23, 2007, the Company entered into a purchase agreement to acquire three mineral properties consisting of 138 unpatented lode mining claims located in Campbell County, Wyoming for $3,120,000 which was paid on February 1, 2007. |
|
h) | In 2007, the Company acquired several mining leases in Briscoe County, Texas for a total purchase price of $60,817. |
|
i) | Reclamation bonds totaling $318,783 (2008 - $318,404) are pledged to the State of Wyoming, Department of Environmental Quality, for property reclamation. |
F-11
Uranerz Energy Corporation
(An Exploration Stage Company)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2009
(Expressed in US dollars)
6. | Mineral Properties (continued) |
|
j) | On January 15, 2008, the Company acquired an undivided eighty-one percent (81%) interest in approximately 82,000 acres (33,100 hectares) of mineral properties located in the central Powder River Basin of Wyoming, USA and entered into a joint venture agreement with the vendor pursuant to which the Company will explore the properties. In accordance with the terms of the September 19, 2007 Purchase Agreement, the Company paid $5,757,043 cash and issued 5,750,000 shares of the Companys common stock at a fair value of $19,090,000 to acquire the 81% interest. At January 15, 2008, the acquisition cost of $24,847,043 was allotted as follows: |
Prepaid expenses | $ | 229,247 | |
Mineral property expenditures | 24,617,796 | ||
$ | 24,847,043 |
k) | On August 20, 2008 the Company leased 891 acres of mineral properties near the Companys Nichols Ranch project area in Wyoming for an advance royalty payment of $22,275. |
|
l) | On August 20, 2008 the Company, on behalf of the Arkose Mining Venture, leased 6,073 acres of mineral properties within Arkoses area of interest in Wyoming for an advance royalty payment of $151,828. |
|
m) | On September 18, 2008 the Company leased 984 acres of mineral properties within the Companys North Reno Creek project area in Wyoming. |
|
n) | On December 3, 2008 the Company, on behalf of the Arkose Mining Venture, leased 1,680 acres of mineral properties within Arkoses area of interest in Wyoming for a five year advance royalty payment of $83,993. |
|
o) | On July 7, 2009, the Company, on behalf of the Arkose Mining Venture, leased 320 acres of mineral properties within Arkoses area of interest in Wyoming. |
|
p) | On August 21, 2009, the Company decided not to pay annual maintenance fees totaling $58,380 for 285 100% owned mining claims and 132 mining claims with an 81% interest that are no longer of strategic interest to the Company. |
7. | Balance Sheet Details |
a) | The components of prepaid expenses are as follows: |
December 31, | December 31, | ||||||
2009 | 2008 | ||||||
$ | $ | ||||||
Deposits | 37,000 | 37,000 | |||||
Insurance | 82,929 | 92,092 | |||||
Lease costs | 560,023 | 505,564 | |||||
Other | 8,672 | 6,559 | |||||
Surface use and damage costs | 45,219 | | |||||
Total prepaid expenses | 733,843 | 641,215 |
b) | The components of accrued liabilities are as follows: |
December 31, | December 31, | ||||||
2009 | 2008 | ||||||
$ | $ | ||||||
Reclamation costs | 75,540 | 228,800 | |||||
Mineral exploration expenses | 388,325 | | |||||
Total accrued liabilities | 463,865 | 228,800 |
F-12
Uranerz Energy Corporation
(An Exploration Stage Company)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2009
(Expressed in US dollars)
8. | Loan Payable |
December 31, | December 31, | ||||||
2009 | 2008 | ||||||
Loan payable to vendor, interest imputed at 8% per annum, maturing June 2010, and secured by field equipment | $ | 18,079 | $ | 52,146 | |||
Less current portion: | (18,079 | ) | (34,067 | ) | |||
$ | | $ | 18,079 |
9. | Related Party Transactions / Balances |
|
a) | On October 30, 2006, the Company entered into an agreement with an officer and director of the Company (the Related Party), to use certain geological reports held by the Related Party for the purposes of staking and acquiring potential areas of interest. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company agreed to pay the Related Party the sum of $0.40 for each measured and indicated pound of uranium staked by the Company or a fee of $750 for each claim registered with the Bureau of Land Management, based on the use of the geological reports. This fee is payable to the Related Party in shares of common stock of the Company based on a share price of $2.50 per share. In connection with the issuance of the common shares, the Company agreed to grant the related party registration rights for the resale of such shares. If the shares are not registered and eligible for resale six months after issuance, the Company shall pay a penalty of an additional 10% of the number of shares issued. In December 2007, the staking and acquisition program was completed and a liability of $402,250 (2006 - $Nil) was recorded as due to the Related Party. This debt was settled through the issuance of 160,900 common shares in 2008. |
|
b) | During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company incurred $339,500 (2008 - $375,200, 2007 - $318,997) for consulting services and office expenses (included in general and administrative expenses) to companies controlled by a director who is Chairman of the Company. Other general and administrative expenses were reimbursed in the normal course of business. At December 31, 2009, expenditures incurred on behalf of the Company of $25,920 (2008 - $Nil, 2007 - $18,000) is owed to this director, and the amounts are unsecured, non-interest bearing, and due on demand. |
|
c) | During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company incurred $190,000 (2008 - $198,000, 2007 - $199,000) for consulting services (included in general and administrative expenses) to a director who is also Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Other general and administrative expenses were reimbursed in the normal course of business. In 2007, the Company acquired property assets from this director, valued at $402,250 (see Note 9(a)). At December 31, 2009, consulting services and expenditures incurred on behalf of the Company of $29,000 (2008 - $50,000) is owed to this director, and the amounts are unsecured, non-interest bearing, and due on demand. |
|
d) | During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company incurred $180,000 (2008 - $180,000, 2007 - $120,000) for consulting services (included in general and administrative expenses) to a company controlled by the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Other general and administrative expenses were reimbursed in the normal course of business. |
|
e) | During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company incurred consulting fees of $129,830 (2008 - $126,400, 2007 - $82,017) to an entity controlled by the Chief Financial Officer of the Company. The amounts have been recorded as general and administrative expense. |
|
f) | During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company incurred consulting fees of $132,038 (2008 - $131,185, 2007 - $56,925) to an officer of the Company. Other general and administrative expenses were reimbursed to the officer in the normal course of business. |
|
g) | During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company incurred consulting fees of $27,000 (2008 - $126,900, 2007 - $49,605) to a company controlled by an officer of the Company. Other general and administrative expenses were reimbursed to the officer in the normal course of business. |
|
h) | During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company incurred Directors fees of $105,500 (2008 - $77,500, 2007 - $81,500) for five non-executive Directors. The amounts have been recorded as general and administrative expense. |
|
i) | During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company incurred $1,500 (2008 - $5,600, 2007 - $22,000) for bonuses (included in general and administrative expenses) for related party officers. The amounts have been recorded as general and administrative expense. |
F-13
Uranerz Energy Corporation
(An Exploration Stage Company)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2009
(Expressed in US dollars)
10. | Common Stock |
|
Share transactions for the year ended December 31, 2009: |
||
a) | In May, 2009 the Company issued 50,000 shares of common stock pursuant to the exercise of common share purchase options for proceeds of $37,500. |
|
b) | In August, 2009 the Company issued 37,500 shares of common stock pursuant to the exercise of common share purchase options for proceeds of $24,375. |
|
c) | In September, 2009 the Company issued 155,000 shares of common stock pursuant to the exercise of common share purchase options for proceeds of $104,250. |
|
a) | In October, 2009 the Company completed a public offering of 8,500,000 units of the Company at a price of $2.00 per unit for gross proceeds of $17,000,000. Each unit comprises one share of the Company's common stock and one half of one share purchase warrant, with each whole warrant exercisable to purchase one additional share of the Company's common stock for a period of 30 months at an exercise price of $3.00. The Company incurred share issuance costs of $1,634,628 relating to the offering and the Company issued 4,250,000 common share purchase warrants exercisable for $3.00 per share during the thirty month period ending April 27, 2012. |
Share transactions for the year ended December 31, 2008:
a) | In January, 2008 the Company issued 270,000 shares of common stock pursuant to the exercise of common share purchase options for proceeds of $202,500. |
|
b) | In January, 2008 the Company issued 5,750,000 shares of common stock with a fair value of $19,090,000 for the acquisition of mineral properties. The Company incurred share issuance costs of $75,654. Refer to Note 6(j). |
|
c) | In March, 2008 the Company issued 96,100 shares of common stock pursuant to the exercise of common share purchase warrants for proceeds of $240,250. |
|
d) | In March, 2008 the Company issued 160,900 shares of common stock with a fair value of $402,250 to settle $402,250 owed to a Director of the Company. Refer to Note 7(a). |
|
e) | In March, 2008 the Company issued 16,300 shares of common stock pursuant to the exercise of common share purchase options for proceeds of $12,225. |
|
f) | In April, 2008 the Company completed a private placement of 9,865,000 units, comprised of 9,865,000 common shares and 4,932,498 common share purchase warrants, at $2.40 per unit for gross proceeds of $23,676,000. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share for $3.50 for a two year period ending April 15, 2010. The Company paid cash commissions of $1,100,640 and 120,000 warrants to purchase 120,000 common shares at $2.60 per share exercisable for a one year period ending April 15, 2009. The Company incurred share issuance costs in connection with the private placement of $1,347,098 including agents warrants with a fair value of $68,041. |
|
g) | In June, 2008 the Company issued 50,000 shares of common stock pursuant to the exercise of stock options for proceeds of $37,500. |
|
h) | In August, 2008 the Company issued 20,000 shares of common stock pursuant to the exercise of common share purchase options for proceeds of $52,800. |
Share transactions for the year ended December 31, 2007:
a) | During January, February and March 2007, the Company issued 4,481,749 shares of common stock, pursuant to the exercise of common share purchase warrants, for proceeds of $8,316,678. |
|
b) | In January 2007, the Company issued 10,000 shares of common stock, pursuant to the exercise of stock options, for proceeds of $7,500. |
|
c) | In May 2007, the Company issued 32,000 shares of common stock, pursuant to the exercise of stock options, for proceeds of $28,900. |
|
d) | In June 2007, the Company issued 75,000 shares of common stock, pursuant to the exercise of stock options, for proceeds of $117,500. |
|
e) | In September 2007, the Company issued 45,000 shares of common stock, pursuant to the exercise of stock options, for proceeds of $95,000. |
|
f) | In October 2007, the Company issued 20,000 shares of common stock, pursuant to the exercise of stock options, for proceeds of $39,200. |
F-14
Uranerz Energy Corporation
(An Exploration Stage Company)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2009
(Expressed in US dollars)
11. | Stock Based Compensation |
The Company adopted a Stock Option Plan dated November 7, 2005 under which the Company is authorized to grant stock options to acquire up to a total of 10,000,000 shares of common stock. No options shall be issued under the Stock Option Plan at a price per share less than the defined Market Price. On June 11, 2008, the Company modified the Stock Option Plan to define Market Price as the volume weighted average trading price of the Companys common shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange or American Stock Exchange, whichever has the greater trading volume for the five trading days before the date of grant. At December 31, 2009, the Company had 3,129,860 shares of common stock available to be issued under the Plan. |
|
During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company granted 1,502,500 stock options with immediate vesting to directors, officers, employees and consultants to acquire 1,327,500 common shares at an exercise price of $0.65 per share for 2 - 7 years, 100,000 common shares at an exercise price of $2.07 per share for 10 years and 75,000 common shares at an exercise price of $1.37 for 2 years. During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company recorded stock-based compensation for the vested options of $922,265, as general and administrative expense. |
|
During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company granted stock options to directors, officers, employees and consultants to acquire 1,063,000 common shares at exercise prices from $2.13 to $3.22 per share exercisable for 5 years and recorded stock-based compensation for the vested options of $2,681,417, as general and administrative expense. |
|
During the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company granted stock options with immediate vesting to directors, officers, employees and consultants to acquire 1,920,000 common shares at exercise prices from $2.71 of $4.73 per share exercisable for 5 years and recorded stock-based compensation for the vested options of $4,922,613, as general and administrative expense. |
|
The fair value for stock options granted was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and the weighted average fair value of stock options granted during the year ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 was $0.60, $2.20 and $2.97 per share, respectively. |
|
The weighted average assumptions used are as follows: |
Years Ended | ||||||||||
December 31, | December 31, | December 31, | ||||||||
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||
Expected dividend yield | 0% | 0% | 0% | |||||||
Risk-free interest rate | 1.34% | 2.94% | 4.7% | |||||||
Expected volatility | 1.29% | 134% | 168% | |||||||
Expected option life (in years) | 3.89 | 4.14 | 3.1 |
The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the year ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, was $276,400, $641,954 and $592,730 respectively.
F-15
Uranerz Energy Corporation
(An Exploration Stage Company)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2009
(Expressed in US dollars)
11. | Stock Based Compensation (continued) |
The following table summarizes the continuity of the Companys stock options: |
Weighted- | |||||||||||||
Weighted | Average | ||||||||||||
Average | Remaining | Aggregate | |||||||||||
Number of | Exercise | Contractual | Intrinsic | ||||||||||
Options | Price | Term (years) | Value | ||||||||||
$ | $ | ||||||||||||
Outstanding, December 31, 2006 | 2,545,000 | 1.01 | |||||||||||
Granted | 1,920,000 | 3.26 | |||||||||||
Exercised | (182,000 | ) | 1.58 | ||||||||||
Outstanding, December 31, 2007 | 4,283,000 | 2.00 | |||||||||||
Granted | 1,063,000 | 2.64 | |||||||||||
Cancelled | (150,000 | ) | 3.36 | ||||||||||
Exercised | (356,300 | ) | 0.86 | ||||||||||
Outstanding, December 31, 2008 | 4,839,700 | 2.18 | |||||||||||
Granted | 1,502,500 | 0.78 | |||||||||||
Forfeited | (150,000 | ) | 2.61 | ||||||||||
Exercised | (242,500 | ) | 0.69 | ||||||||||
Outstanding, December 31, 2009 | 5,949,700 | 1.88 | 2.71 | 1,559,035 | |||||||||
Exercisable, December 31, 2009 | 5,822,700 | 1.87 | 2.62 | 1,559,035 |
A summary of the status of the Companys non-vested stock options as of December 31, 2009, and changes during the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 is presented below:
Weighted | ||||||
Average | ||||||
Number of | Grant Date | |||||
Non-vested stock options | Options | Fair Value | ||||
$ | ||||||
Non-vested at January 1, 2007 | | | ||||
Granted | 1,920,000 | 2.97 | ||||
Vested | (1,595,000 | ) | 2.95 | |||
Non-vested at December 31, 2007 | 325,000 | 3.14 | ||||
Granted | 1,063,000 | 2.20 | ||||
Vested | (1,229,500 | ) | 2.36 | |||
Non-vested at December 31, 2008 | 158,500 | 2.86 | ||||
Granted | 1,502,500 | 0.78 | ||||
Vested | (1,529,000 | ) | 0.77 | |||
Forfeited | (5,000 | ) | 2.89 | |||
Non-vested at December 31, 2009 | 127,000 | 1.33 |
As at December 31, 2009, there was $111,937 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock option agreements. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.77 years.
F-16
Uranerz Energy Corporation
(An Exploration Stage Company)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2009
(Expressed in US dollars)
12. | Stock Purchase Warrants |
a) | On October 27, 2009, as part of a registered financing (Note 10(d)), the Company issued 4,250,000 common share purchase warrants exercisable for $3.00 per share during the thirty month period ending April 27, 2012. |
|
b) | On April 15, 2008, as part of a private placement, the Company issued 4,932,498 common share purchase warrants exercisable for $3.50 per share during the twenty-four month period ending April 15, 2010. |
|
c) | On April 15, 2008 the Company issued 120,000 Agents common share purchase warrants (see Note 10(f)), exercisable for $2.60 per share during the twelve month period ending April 15, 2009. The fair value of these Agents warrants issued was estimated at the date of grant to be $68,041 ($0.57 each) using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model assuming an expected life of 1 year, a risk-free rate of 1.70%, an expected volatility of 83% and no expected dividends. The fair value of these share purchase warrants was recorded as stock issue costs. |
|
d) | On March 3, 2008, 96,100 share purchase warrants were exercised and 96,100 common shares were issued for cash proceeds of $240,250. |
|
e) | On February 1, 2007, the Company issued 50,000 share purchase warrants to a consultant, exercisable at $3.69 per share on or before February 1, 2008. The fair value of warrants issued was estimated at the date of grant to be $75,140 ($1.50 each) using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model assuming an expected life of 1 year, a risk-free rate of 4.86%, an expected volatility of 103% and no expected dividends During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company recorded stock-based compensation of $6,262 (2007 - $68,878) as general and administrative expense related to these warrants. |
A summary of the changes in the Companys common share purchase warrants is presented below:
Weighted Average | ||||||
Number | Exercise Price | |||||
$ | ||||||
Balance, December 31, 2007 | 166,100 | 2.86 | ||||
Issued | 5,052,498 | 3.48 | ||||
Exercised | (96,100 | ) | 2.50 | |||
Expired | (70,000 | ) | 3.35 | |||
Balance December 31, 2008 | 5,052,498 | 3.48 | ||||
Expired | (120,000 | ) | 2.60 | |||
Issued | 4,250,000 | 3.00 | ||||
Balance December 31, 2009 | 9,182,498 | 3.27 |
As at December 31, 2009, the following common share purchase warrants were outstanding:
Number of Warrants | Exercise Price | Expiry Date |
$ | ||
4,250,000 | 3.00 | April 27, 2012 |
4,932,498 | 3.50 | April 15, 2010 |
9,182,498 |
F-17
Uranerz Energy Corporation
(An Exploration Stage Company)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2009
(Expressed in US dollars)
13. | Commitments |
|
a) | Effective January 1, 2010 the Company amended its July 1, 2005 agreement with a company controlled by a director of the Company for consulting services to be provided to the Company at a revised amount of $14,832 (Cdn$15,450) per month. |
|
b) | Effective January 1, 2010 the Company amended its March 1, 2005 agreement with a company controlled by the President of the Company for consulting services to be provided to the Company at a revised amount of $15,450 per month. |
|
c) | Effective January 1, 2010 the Company amended its May 23, 2006 agreement with an entity owned by the Chief Financial Officer of the Company for consulting services to be provided to the Company at a revised rate of $11,866 (Cdn$12,360) per month. |
|
d) | On September 18, 2008 the Company signed two mining lease agreements which require ten annual payments of $75,000. The first payment was made on signing. Refer to Note 6(m). |
|
e) | Effective September 1, 2008 the Company amended its office and administration services agreement with a company controlled by a director, for an amount of $16,320 (Cdn$17,000) per month, extending its term to August 31, 2010. |
|
f) | As of December 31, 2008, the Company has provided a bond in the amount of $622,500 to the State of Wyoming, Department of Environmental Quality or the Secretary of the Interior, United States Government. The bond is in lieu of depositing cash to guarantee reclamation of exploration drill holes in the Arkose Mining Venture and surety was provided by an insurance company. The bond applies to 250 drill holes on a revolving basis. The Company and the Arkose Mining Venture have a 100% record of completing reclamation without recourse to security provided. |
|
g) | On May 1, 2009 the Company has agreed to pay an estimated cost of $202,987, subsequently revised to $163,107, for the Nichols Ranch Power Line Extension Project. As at December 31, 2009, a $40,957 payment for engineering and design has been paid and recorded as an expense. The balance owing of $122,150 will be payable upon obtaining construction approval. |
|
h) | On June 23, 2009 the Company signed a letter of understanding in which the Company has agreed to pay an estimated customer advance of $674,200 for the provision of electricity, subject to the completion and development of a definitive term sheet. As at December 31, 2009, no amount has been paid. |
|
14. | Income Taxes |
|
The Company has adopted the provisions of ASC 740, Income Taxes. Pursuant to ASC 740 the Company is required to compute tax asset benefits for net operating losses carried forward. The potential benefit of net operating losses have not been recognized in the consolidated financial statements because the Company cannot be assured that it is more likely than not that it will utilize the net operating losses carried forward in future years. The Company has approximately $16,139,493 of net operating losses to carry forward which are available to offset taxable income in future years which expire through fiscal 2028. For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 the valuation allowance established against the deferred tax assets increased by $2,879,107, $11,299,163, and $3,442,858 respectively. |
||
The components of the net deferred tax asset at December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, the statutory tax rate, the effective tax rate, and the amount of the valuation allowance are indicated below: |
December 31, | December 31, | December 31, | ||||||||
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||
Loss before taxes | $ | (8,699,154 | ) | $ | (34,247,199 | ) | $ | (14,197,366 | ) | |
Statutory rate | 35% | 35% | 35% | |||||||
Computed expected tax (recovery) | $ | (3,044,704 | ) | $ | (11,986,520 | ) | $ | (4,969,078 | ) | |
Stock-based compensation | 322,793 | 938,496 | 1,517,262 | |||||||
Joint venture chargeback | (166,268 | ) | (251,140 | ) | | |||||
Miscellaneous | | | 8,958 | |||||||
Increase in valuation allowance: | ||||||||||
Net operating loss | 1,215,744 | 622,297 | 989,919 | |||||||
Exploration and development | 4,672,435 | 1,980,401 | | |||||||
Mineral property acquisition costs | | 8,696,466 | 2,452,939 | |||||||
Reported income taxes | $ | | $ | | $ | |
F-18
Uranerz Energy Corporation
(An Exploration Stage Company)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2009
(Expressed in US dollars)
14. | Income Taxes |
December 31, | December 31, | December 31, | ||||||||
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||
Deferred tax asset | ||||||||||
- Net operating losses | $ | 5,648,823 | $ | 3,700,530 | $ | 3,078,233 | ||||
- Mineral property acquisition, exploration and development | 15,347,332 | 13,674,897 | 2,998,031 | |||||||
- Less valuation allowance | (20,996,155 | ) | (17,375,427 | ) | (6,076,264 | ) | ||||
Net deferred tax asset | $ | | $ | | $ | |
The Company has incurred operating losses of approximately $16,139,493 which, if unutilized, will expire through to 2029. Future tax benefits, which may arise as a result of these losses, have not been recognized in these consolidated financial statements, and have been offset by a valuation allowance. The following table lists the fiscal year in which the loss was incurred and the expiration date of the loss.
Net | Expiration | |||||
Loss | Date | |||||
1999 | $ | 329 | 2019 | |||
2000 | 493 | 2020 | ||||
2001 | 18,389 | 2021 | ||||
2002 | 46,564 | 2022 | ||||
2003 | 23,560 | 2023 | ||||
2004 | 18,367 | 2024 | ||||
2005 | 4,420,398 | 2025 | ||||
2006 | 1,438,511 | 2026 | ||||
2007 | 2,828,339 | 2027 | ||||
2008 | 3,870,989 | 2028 | ||||
2009 | 3,473,554 | 2029 | ||||
$ | 16,139,493 |
15. | Segment Disclosures |
The Company has two operating segments both involving the acquisition and exploitation of uranium and mineral resources. These operating segments consist of the Arkose Joint Venture (Arkose) and the Companys remaining operations. |
|
Factors used to identify the Companys reportable segments include the organizational structure of the Company and the financial information available for evaluation by the chief operating decision-maker in making decisions about how to allocate resources and assess performance. The Companys operating segments have been broken out based on similar economic and other qualitative criteria. The Company operates both reporting segments in one geographical area, the United States. |
|
The Chief Executive Officer is the Companys Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM) as defined by ASC 280, Segment Reporting. The CODM allocates resources and assesses the performance of the Company based on the results of operations. |
|
Prior to the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company only had one operating segment. Financial statement information by operating segment for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 is presented below: |
December 31, 2009 | |||||||||
Total | Uranerz | Arkose | |||||||
$ | $ | $ | |||||||
Assets | 30,810,289 | 30,153,087 | 657,202 | ||||||
Net loss | (8,699,154 | ) | (6,900,858 | ) | (1,798,296 | ) | |||
Interest expense | (2,941 | ) | (2,941 | ) | | ||||
Interest revenue | 155,402 | 155,402 | | ||||||
Depreciation | (175,877 | ) | (175,877 | ) | |
F-19
Uranerz Energy Corporation
(An Exploration Stage Company)
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2009
(Expressed in US dollars)
15. | Segment Disclosures (continued) |
December 31, 2008 | |||||||||
Total | Uranerz | Arkose | |||||||
$ | $ | $ | |||||||
Assets | 22,865,737 | 21,909,388 | 956,349 | ||||||
Net loss | (34,247,199 | ) | (31,419,772 | ) | (2,827,427 | ) | |||
Interest expense | (5,551 | ) | (5,551 | ) | | ||||
Interest revenue | 610,408 | 610,408 | | ||||||
Depreciation | (129,268 | ) | (129,268 | ) | | ||||
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations | 979,709 | 979,709 | | ||||||
Loss from discontinued operations | (2,632 | ) | (2,632 | ) | |
16. | Subsequent Events |
In accordance with ASC Topic 855-10, Subsequent Events Overall, the Company evaluated subsequent events through March 10, 2010, the date of issuance of the financial statements. During this period we did not have any material recognizable subsequent events, except as disclosed below. |
|
In January 2010, the Company granted 702,500 stock options to directors, officers, employees and consultants at an exercise price of $1.33 per share expiring from January 5, 2015 to January 5, 2020. |
|
In March 2010, the Company extended the expiry periods of 5,286,700 of its outstanding options held by employees and directors. The expiry period of each such option was extended to a period of ten years from the original grant date. All other terms of such options, including the exercise price, remain unchanged from those of the original grant. |
F-20
Supplemental Financial Information ($,000)
2009 | 4th Quarter | 3rd Quarter | 2nd Quarter | 1st Quarter | |||||||||
Revenue | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | |||||
Net profit (loss) | $ | (2,977 | ) | $ | (2,549 | ) | $ | (1,887} | $ | (1,987 | ) | ||
Basic and diluted profit (loss) per share | (0.05 | ) | (0.05 | ) | (0.03 | (0.04 | ) |
2008 | 4th Quarter | 3rd Quarter | 2nd Quarter | 1st Quarter | |||||||||
Revenue | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | |||||
Net profit (loss) | $ | (2,085 | ) | $ | (2,363 | ) | $ | (1,452 | ) | $ | (28,319 | ) | |
Basic and diluted profit (loss) per share | (0.04 | ) | (0.04 | ) | (0.03 | ) | (0.64 | ) |
61
ITEM 8. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH
ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING
AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None
ITEM 8A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
During the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, an evaluation was carried out under the supervision of and with the participation of the Companys management, including the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), of the effectiveness of the design and operations of the Companys disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a 15(e) and Rule 15d 15(e) under the Exchange Act). Based on that evaluation the CEO and the CFO have concluded that as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Companys disclosure controls and procedures were adequately designed and effective in ensuring that: (i) information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits to the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in applicable rules and forms; and (ii) material information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow for accurate and timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Managements Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
The Companys management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management conducted an evaluation of the design and operation of the Companys internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on the criteria set forth in Internal Control Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. This evaluation included review of the documentation of controls, evaluation of the design effectiveness of controls, testing of the operating effectiveness of controls and a conclusion on this evaluation. Based on this evaluation, management has concluded that the Companys internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2009 and no material weaknesses were discovered.
The effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009 has been audited by Manning Elliott LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited the Companys financial statements included in this Annual Report.
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The Companys independent registered public accounting firm, Manning Elliott LLP, has issued an attestation report on the Companys internal control over financial reporting.
Attestation Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Directors and Stockholders
Uranerz Energy
Corporation
(An Exploration Stage Company)
We have audited Uranerz Energy Corporations internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). Uranerz Energy Corporations management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Managements Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Companys internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A companys internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A companys internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the companys assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, Uranerz Energy Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Uranerz Energy Corporation as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations, cash flows, and stockholders equity for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009 and accumulated from May 26, 1999 (Date of Inception) to December 31, 2009 and our report dated March 10, 2010 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
/s/ MANNING ELLIOTT LLP
CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS
Vancouver, Canada
March 10, 2010
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the above-referenced evaluation by management of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 8B. OTHER INFORMATION.
None
PART III
ITEM 9. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Reference is made to the information set forth under the captions Election of Directors and Executive Officers in our definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange commission pursuant to Regulation 14A, which information is incorporated by reference to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Code of Ethics
We have adopted a Corporate Code of Ethics administered by our Chief Financial Officer, Benjamin Leboe. We believe our code of ethics is reasonably designed to deter wrongdoing and promote honest and ethical conduct, to provide full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in public reports, to comply with applicable laws, to ensure prompt internal reporting of code violations, and to provide accountability for adherence to the code. Our code of ethics provides written standards that are reasonably designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote:
Our Code of Ethics is available at our website at www.uranerz.com. We intend to disclose any waiver from a provision of our code of ethics that applies to any of our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller or persons performing similar functions that relates to any element of our Code of Ethics on our website. No waivers were granted from the requirements of our Code of Ethics during the year ended December 31, 2009, or during the subsequent period from January 1, 2010, through the date of this report.
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ITEM 10. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Reference is made to the information set forth under the captions Election of Directors and Executive Officers in our definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange commission pursuant to Regulation 14A, which information is incorporated by reference to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 11. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Reference is made to the information set forth under the captions Security Ownership of Principal Shareholders and Management in our definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange commission pursuant to Regulation 14A, which information is incorporated by reference to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 12. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Reference is made to the information set forth under the caption Certain Transactions in our definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange commission pursuant to Regulation 14A, which information is incorporated by reference to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 13. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Reference is made to the information set forth under the captions Audit Committee Report in our definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange commission pursuant to Regulation 14A, which information is incorporated by reference to this Annual Report on Form 10-K
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Documents Filed as Part of This Report.
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(2) Financial Statement Schedules
Schedules are omitted and are not applicable or not required, or the required information is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.
(3) Exhibits
Where an exhibit is filed by incorporation by reference to a previously filed registration statement or report, such registration statement or report is identified in parentheses.
Exhibit | |
Number | Description |
3.1 | Articles of Incorporation (1) |
3.2 | Bylaws, as amended (1) |
3.3 | Articles of Amendment filed July 5, 2005 (3) |
3.4 | Articles of Amendment filed August 8, 2008(16) |
3.5 |
Articles of Amendment filed July 8, 2009(17) |
4.1 |
Share Certificate(1) |
4.2 |
Form of Lock-up Agreement(19) |
4.3 |
Warrant Indenture, dated October 27, 2009(20) |
4.4 |
Supplemental Warrant Indenture, dated December 8, 2009(21) |
10.1 |
Office and Administration Services Agreement between the Company and Senate Capital Group Inc. dated September 1, 2005 (2) |
10.2 |
Agreement for Services between the Company and Highlands Capital, Inc. dated November 1, 2005 (2) |
10.3 |
Financial Public Relations Agreement between the Company and Accent Marketing Ltd. dated November 1, 2005 (2) |
10.4 |
Mineral Property Purchase Agreement between the Company and Ubex Capital Inc. dated April 26, 2005 (2) |
10.5 |
Joint Venture Agreement between the Company and Triex Minerals Corporation dated November 4, 2005 (2) |
10.6 |
Consulting Agreement between the Company and Ubex Capital Inc. for management and consulting services (2) |
10.7 |
Consulting Agreement between Catchpole Enterprises and the Company (3) |
10.8 |
Joint Venture Agreement between the Company and Bluerock Resources Ltd. (3) |
10.9 |
Option and Purchase Agreement for federal mining claims in Wyoming (3) |
10.10 |
Agreement to Purchase ten mining claims in Wyoming (3) |
10.11 |
2005 Stock Option Plan as amended June 10, 2009 (17) |
10.12 |
Mr. George Hartman letter agreement. (3) |
10.13 |
Black Range Minerals Agreement dated June 7, 2006 (5) |
10.14 |
Amendment to Joint Venture Agreement dated September 12, 2006 between the Company and Bluerock Resources Ltd. (6) |
10.15 |
Agreement dated February 1, 2007 between the Company and Robert C. Shook to acquire three projects separate uranium projects located in northeast Wyoming, in central Powder River Basin (7) (8) |
10.16 |
Consulting Agreement dated February 1, 2007 between the Company and O & M Partners, LLC (7) (8) |
10.17 |
Christensen Ranch Agreement dated October 30, 2006 between the Company and George Hartman (9) (10) |
10.18 |
Amendment Agreement dated January 1, 2007 between the Company and Ubex Capital Inc. (10) |
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Number | Description |
10.19 | Amendment Agreement dated January 1, 2007 between the Company and Catchpole Enterprises Inc. (10) |
10.20 | Amendment Agreement dated January 1, 2007 between the Company and Senate Capital Group Inc. (10) |
10.21 | Purchase and Sale Agreement with NAMMCO dated September 19, 2007, as amended (11) (12) |
10.22 | Venture Agreement with United Nuclear LLC dated January 15, 2008 (13) |
10.23 | Agreement with Independent Management Consultants of British Columbia |
10.24 | Subscription Agreement with Denison Mines dated March 27, 2008 |
10.25 | Agency Agreement with Haywood Securities and Cormark Securities Inc. dated April 15, 2008(14) |
10.26 | Amendment to Joint Venture Agreement dated March 20, 2008 between the Company and Bluerock Resources Ltd. (15) |
10.27 | Amended Hartman Letter Agreement effective January 1, 2008(18) |
23.1 | Consent of Manning Elliott LLP, independent registered accountants |
31.1 | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act |
31.2 | Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act |
32.1 | |
32.2 |
(1) |
Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the Registrants Form SB-2 filed March 15, 2002 |
(2) |
Previously filed as an exhibit to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB filed November 21, 2005 |
(3) |
Previously filed as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed April 14, 2006 |
(4) |
Filed as an exhibit to our Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the SEC on November 21, 2005. |
(5) |
Previously filed as an exhibit to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB filed August 15, 2006 |
(6) |
Filed as an exhibit to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB filed November 13, 2006. |
(7) |
As reported in two separate Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on February 8, 2007. |
(8) |
Previously filed as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed April 2, 2006 |
(9) |
As in Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 2, 2006. |
(10) |
Filed as an exhibit to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB filed August 14, 2007. |
(11) |
As reported and filed in Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 24, 2007. |
(12) |
As reported and filed in Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 16, 2008. |
(13) |
Filed as an exhibit to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 17, 2008. |
(14) |
As reported and filed in Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 18, 2008. |
(15) |
Filed as an exhibit to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed May 9, 2008. |
(16) |
Filed as an exhibit to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed August 11, 2008. |
(17) |
Filed as an exhibit to our Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed July 9, 2009. |
(18) |
Filed as an exhibit to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed August 10, 2009. |
(19) |
Filed as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 22, 2009. |
(20) |
Filed as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 27, 2009. |
(21) |
Filed as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 8, 2009. |
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GLOSSARY OF TECHNICAL TERMS
The following defined technical terms are used in this Annual Report:
Exploration drilling: drilling done in search of new mineral deposits or for the possible extensions of existing deposits up to the time a company decides that sufficient ore reserves are present to justify commercial development.
FASB: Financial Accounting Standards Board
GAAP: Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
In-situ recovery (ISR): the recovery, by chemical leaching, of the uranium component of an ore body without physically extracting the ore from the ground. ISR mining utilizes injection of appropriate oxidizing chemicals into an ore-bearing sandstone deposit with extraction by production wells; also referred to as solution mining.
SEC: Securities and Exchange Commission
SFAS: Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
Uranium: a heavy, naturally radioactive, metallic element of atomic number 92. Its two principal isotopes are 235U and 238U, of which the 235U is the necessary component for the nuclear fuel cycle.
Uranium concentrate (yellowcake): a yellowish to yellow-brownish powder obtained from the chemical processing of uranium ore. Yellowcake typically contains 70 to 90% U3O8 by weight.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this 2009 Form 10K report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
URANERZ ENERGY CORPORATION
By: | /s/ Glenn Catchpole | |
Glenn Catchpole, President and Principal Executive Officer | ||
Director | ||
Date: March 12, 2010 | ||
By: | /s/ Benjamin Leboe | |
Benjamin Leboe, Chief Financial Officer | ||
Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer | ||
Date: March 12, 2010 |
In accordance with the Securities Exchange Act, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated
Per: | /s/ Glenn Catchpole | |
Glenn Catchpole, President, Director | ||
Date: March 12, 2010 | ||
Per: | /s/ Dennis Higgs | |
Date: March 12, 2010 | ||
Dennis Higgs, Executive Chairman, Director | ||
Per: | /s/ Gerhard Kirchner | |
Dr. Gerhard Kirchner, Director | ||
Date: March 12, 2010 | ||
Per: | /s/ George Hartman | |
George Hartman, Executive Vice President, Director | ||
Date: March 12, 2010 | ||
Per: | /s/ Peter Bell | |
Peter Bell, Director, | ||
Date: March 12, 2010 | ||
Per: | /s/ Paul Saxton | |
Paul Saxton, Director | ||
Date: March 12, 2010 | ||
Per: | /s/ Arnold Dyck | |
Arnold Dyck, Director | ||
Date: March 12, 2010 | ||
Per: | /s/ Richard Holmes | |
Richard Holmes, Director | ||
Date: March 12, 2010 |
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