Global Atomic Corporation (“Global Atomic” or the “Company”; TSX: GLO, OTCQX: GLATF, FRANKFURT: G12) is pleased to report on the continuing development of its Dasa Uranium Project in the Republic of Niger.
Stephen G. Roman, President & CEO, stated, “The primary question investors ask is regarding the timing of a term sheet for our banking syndicate’s Dasa Project loan facility. While this has been a much longer process than expected, the financing terms are in the final stage of completion, which, upon agreement, will then go to the banks’ Boards for approval prior to announcement to our shareholders.”
“We continue to make significant progress at the Dasa Project, having now put in place a mining and support team of over 200 people, the majority of which are local Nigeriens, comprised of both skilled workers, with extensive uranium mining experience, and young workers who are being trained in apprenticeship roles. The ramp is nearing the top of the ore body (see figure 1 below) and earthworks at the plant site are preparing the location for civil works. We remain on schedule to produce Yellowcake for delivery to nuclear utilities in early 2025.”
Approximately 500 meters of ramp development have now been completed. Surface and Underground mine infrastructure including mine dry, ventilation raises, electrical and pumping installations are underway. The development of the decline relative to the current Phase 1 Mine Plan is shown in the longitudinal section and the plan view below.
Figure 1:
Longitudinal Section of Dasa Ore Body
Plan view of Dasa Ore Body
Since the 2023 MRE (Mineral Resource Estimate) has been released, the updated Mine Plan, expected in Q4 this year, will have a positive effect on the Phase 1 Mine Plan. A significant portion of the Dasa orebody wireframe shown in these images has been upgraded to the Indicated Resource Category, which will allow a new, larger Mineable Reserve to be calculated, based on actual mining costs.
Detailed engineering for the processing plant is nearing completion. The Company’s internal project team and contractor DCPL of India are now being supported by METC of South Africa, who are very familiar with the Dasa Project having authored the 2021 Phase 1 Feasibility Study. As a priority item, the project team has defined detailed specifications, completed the tendering process and placed orders for critical long-lead items including the acid plant, crusher and SAG mill. Purchase orders for additional equipment are currently being finalized. The cost of the equipment ordered to date is consistent with cost estimates in the Feasibility Study, due to revised procurement strategies and cost deflation since the date of the Feasibility Study, which was completed at the peak of the covid pandemic, when freight rates and other costs were at their maximum.
In anticipation of equipment deliveries beginning in Q4, 2023, the Dasa Site Team have begun earthworks in preparation for civil engineering and pouring cement. Camp facilities for an additional 224 beds for the plant construction crew has been ordered in addition to the integration and construction of locally designed and built housing.
Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting of shareholders of Global Atomic Corporation will be held by live audio webcast on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at 10:30 am EDT. For details on how to participate please refer to the Virtual AGM Guide which can be found on the Company’s website at https://globalatomiccorp.com/investors/events/default.aspx or please click on the link https://virtual-meetings.tsxtrust.com/1507.
About Global Atomic
Global Atomic Corporation (www.globalatomiccorp.com) is a publicly listed company that provides a unique combination of high-grade uranium mine development and cash-flowing zinc concentrate production.
The Company’s Uranium Division includes four deposits with the flagship project being the large, high-grade Dasa Project, discovered in 2010 by Global Atomic geologists through grassroots field exploration. With the issuance of the Dasa Mining Permit and an Environmental Compliance Certificate by the Republic of Niger, the Dasa Project is fully permitted for commercial production. The Phase 1 Feasibility Study for Dasa was filed in December 2021 and estimates yellowcake delivery to utilities to commence in 2025. Mine excavation began in Q1 2022.
Global Atomic’s Base Metals Division holds a 49% interest in the Befesa Silvermet Turkey, S.L. (BST) Joint Venture, which operates a modern zinc production plant, located in Iskenderun, Türkiye. The plant recovers zinc from Electric Arc Furnace Dust (EAFD) to produce a high-grade zinc oxide concentrate which is sold to zinc smelters around the world. The Company’s joint venture partner, Befesa Zinc S.A.U. (Befesa) holds a 51% interest in and is the operator of the BST Joint Venture. Befesa is a market leader in EAFD recycling, with approximately 50% of the European EAFD market and facilities located throughout Europe, Asia and the United States of America.
Key Contacts:
Stephen G. Roman
Chairman, President and CEO
Tel: +1 (416) 368-3949
Email: sgr@globalatomiccorp.com
Bob Tait
VP Investor Relations
Tel: +1 (416) 558-3858
Email: bt@globalatomiccorp.com
The information in this release may contain forward-looking information under applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to: statements with respect to completion of any proposed financings; Global Atomics’ development potential and timetable of its operations, development and exploration assets; Global Atomics’ ability to raise additional funds on satisfactory terms to the Company; the future price of uranium; the estimation of mineral reserves and resources; the completion and timing of the MRE; conclusions of economic evaluation; the realization of mineral reserve estimates; the timing and amount of estimated future production, development and exploration; impacts of third-parties and Government policies on the Company’s operations; cost of future activities; capital and operating expenditures; success of exploration activities; mining or processing issues; currency exchange rates; government regulation of mining operations; and environmental and permitting risks. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “plans”, “is expected”, “estimates”, variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “could”, “would”, “might”, “will be taken”, “will begin”, “will include”, “are expected”, “occur” or “be achieved”. All information contained in this news release, other than statements of current or historical fact, is forward-looking information. Statements of forward-looking information are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Global Atomic to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to those risks described in the annual information form of Global Atomic and in its public documents filed on SEDAR from time to time.
Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date such statements are made. Although management of Global Atomic has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to be materially different from those forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance upon forward-looking statements. Global Atomic does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities law. Readers should also review the risks and uncertainties sections of Global Atomics’ annual and interim MD&As.
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