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First Uranium reports results for first quarter ended June 30, 2008

2008-08-11 00:00:00

First Uranium reports results for first quarter ended June 30, 2008

    For a full discussion of results, the Financial Statements and

Management



    Discussion & Analysis, please see the Company's website,



    http://www.firsturanium.com under "Regulatory Filings"



    All amounts are in US dollars unless otherwise noted.



    TORONTO and JOHANNESBURG, Aug. 11 /EMWNews/ - First

Uranium Corporation (TSX:FIU, JSE:FUM) (ISIN:CA33744R1029) ("First Uranium"

or "the Company") today announced its financial results for the fiscal

quarter ended June 30, 2008 ("Q1 2009"). At the Ezulwini underground

uranium and gold mine (the "Ezulwini Mine"), First Uranium is continuing

the ramp up of gold production through its newly commissioned gold plant

and by the end of October 2008, expects to commence uranium production as

well. The rehabilitation of the main shaft at the Ezulwini Mine is also

progressing as planned. At Mine Waste Solutions ("MWS"), where gold

production has been recognized since a gold plant was acquired in June

2007, construction is continuing on the next phase of the plants that are

designed to double MWS's current gold production capacity and commence

processing of uranium by the end of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2009

("FY2009").



    References to "Q1 2008" refer to the Company's three-month fiscal

period ending June 30, 2007. References to "Q2 2009" and "Q3 2009" refer to

the Company's three-month fiscal periods ending September 30, 2008 and

December 31, 2008, respectively.



    Highlights



    During Q1 2009, First Uranium:




- ended the quarter with $102.1 million cash and cash equivalents on hand - hoisted 24,238 tonnes of ore at the Ezulwini Mine, which resulted in a stockpiled inventory of 12,695 tonnes of gold and uranium bearing ore from the Middle Elsburg ("ME") reef horizon and 11,543 tonnes of gold bearing ore from the Upper Elsburg ("UE") reef horizon, estimated to contain in the aggregate: - 3,164 ounces of gold from the 11,543 tonnes at an average grade of 4.64 grams of gold per tonne and the 12,695 tonnes at an average grade of 3.89 grams of gold per tonne - 10,060 pounds of uranium from the stockpiled 12,695 tonnes of ME ore at an average grade of 0.45 kilograms per tonne - reclaimed 1.7 million tonnes of tailings through the MWS gold plant at a yield of 0.16 grams of gold per tonne, producing 8,530 ounces of gold at a Cash Cost (as defined in the 'Summary of Operating Results') of $464 per ounce - completed the upgrading of the MWS gold plant to increase the design capacity from 500,000 tonnes per month to 633,000 tonnes per month during May 2008 - upgraded MWS #5 tailings dam during May 2008 to enable a deposition rate of 633,000 tonnes of material per month - approved, subject to financing, a plan to build an acid plant at MWS to secure a low-cost supply of sulphuric acid, a necessary reagent for the production of uranium, from the sulphur contained in the pyritic material within the tailings dams, which are already being processed for gold at MWS - entered into agreements to supplement the power supplied to the Ezulwini Mine and MWS by the South African national power utility ("Eskom") by obtaining diesel-fired generators and a power plant to secure a steady supply of electrical power, which will provide total incremental capacity of 54 megawatts ("MW"), inclusive of existing stand-by units, until Eskom could be expected to restore a steady, reliable supply of electrical power - filed updated independent technical reports on June 5, 2008 on both the Ezulwini Mine and MWS, taking into consideration the capital and operating costs of generating additional power, revised acid price assumptions and a revaluation of metal price and exchange rate assumptions, for which projected revised net present values are $667 million for the Ezulwini Mine and $413 million for MWS and the projected internal rates of return are 336% for the Ezulwini Mine and 70% for MWS - received notification on June 9, 2008, that Eskom will be able to increase its supply of power to the Ezulwini Mine from 40 MW to 55 MW, which is expected to reduce the Company's requirement to generate its own additional power and the costs thereof Subsequent to the end of Q1 2009, First Uranium: - continued commissioning the Ezulwini Mine's 200,000 tonne per month gold plant with the first 50,000 tonne per month module commencing production of gold bullion in July 2008 - continued commissioning the Ezulwini Mine's 100,000 tonne per month uranium plant, which had been scheduled for production of ammonium diuranate ("yellowcake") in August 2008 and is now scheduled for October 2008 - finalized and implemented two-year agreements with the National Union of Mineworkers ("NUM") at both the Ezulwini Mine and MWS - resolved previously disclosed issues of handling clay content in tailings at MWS, with the result that the MWS gold plant throughput and recovery rates are at, and sometimes slightly above, design specifications During Q2 2009, First Uranium plans to: - hoist approximately 83,300 tonnes of ore at the Ezulwini Mine, of which approximately 65,500 tonnes would comprise gold and uranium bearing ore from the ME reef horizon and approximately 17,800 tonnes would comprise gold bearing ore from the UE reef horizon - process approximately 17,200 tonnes of gold bearing ore through the newly commissioned gold plant at the Ezulwini Mine - commission the second 50,000 tonne per month mill module of the gold plant at the Ezulwini Mine during September 2008 - publish an updated technical report for the Ezulwini Mine - reclaim 1.9 million tonnes of tailings through the MWS gold plant at a yield of approximately 0.2 grams of gold per tonne with expected production of approximately 12,000 ounces of gold "Our first quarter of 2009 was highlighted by the commissioning of our Ezulwini Mine gold plant and the production of gold in July as planned," said Gordon Miller, President and Chief Executive Officer of First Uranium. "Although the final commissioning stages of the uranium plant at the Ezulwini Mine have been delayed until October 2008 as a result of the late delivery of certain equipment, we believe that this will not affect our planned production for the fiscal year as the capacity of the mills and the uranium plant will exceed the planned near-term capability of the mine to produce ore. "At MWS we made significant operational improvements during Q1 2009, which enhanced gold production. During Q2 2009, we expect to operate the MWS gold plant at designed throughput and recovery rates. Uranium production is expected in Q3 2009 at the Ezulwini Mine and Q4 2009 at MWS."
Summary of Operating Results ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q1 2009 Q1 2008 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ezulwini Mine Tonnes hoisted (000s)(a) 24,238 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- MWS Tonnes reclaimed (000s) 1,665 402 Average gold recovery grade (grams/tonne) 0.16 0.27 Total ounces of gold reclaimed 8,530 3,420 Total ounces of gold sold 7,741 3,395 Average selling price per ounce ($) 879 643 Average cost per ounce reclaimed ($) 482 669 Average Cash Cost per ounce reclaimed ($)(b) 464 581 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- (in thousands of dollars, except per share amounts) Revenue(c) 6,805 2,183 Cost of sales (excluding amortization)(c) (3,340) (1,956) Amortization(c) (189) (299) Operating loss(d) (3,902) (3,292) Gross profit (loss) 3,276 (72) (Loss) income for the period (5,795) 5,471 Basic and diluted (loss) income per share (0.04) 0.04 Cash flow (utilized by) generated from operations (19,610) 9,979 Cash outflow from investing activities (44,080) (8,397) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Notes: (a) There was no recovery of gold or uranium concentrates from processing facilities located at the Ezulwini Mine during Q1 2009 or Q1 2008. (b) Cash cost per ounce is defined as cost of sales divided by ounces of gold sold. Total cash costs exclude amortization expense and inventory purchase accounting adjustments. For further information on this non-GAAP performance measure see page 5 of the Company's MD&A. (c) Revenue, cost of sales (including amortization) relate to the sale of gold from the MWS operations. For Q1 2008 only the results of MWS for the month of June 2007 were included in the Company's consolidated results as the effective date of acquisition of MWS was June 6, 2007. (d) This is a non-GAAP measurement. Operating loss is loss before interest income, interest expenses, accretion expenses, foreign exchange (losses) gains and income tax charges. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- During Q1 2009, a total of 8,530 ounces of gold were reclaimed at MWS at an average Cash Cost of $464 per ounce compared to 3,420 ounces of gold reclaimed during Q1 2008 at an average Cash Cost of $581 per ounce. MWS generated $6.8 million of revenue from 7,741 ounces of gold sold at an average selling price of $879 per ounce compared to $2.2 million from 3,395 ounces of gold sold at an average selling price of $643 per ounce in Q1 2008. The relatively high average Cash Costs at MWS for Q1 2008 can be attributed primarily to the diminishing resources taken from the MWS #2 tailings dam, which necessitated a high-cost mechanical load and placement operation. With the transition during December 2007 to the high-volume, low-cost operations associated with the mining of the tailings from Buffelsfontein Gold Mines Limited "(BGM"), the average Cash Costs started to decrease. As throughput and gold production increase, average Cash Costs are expected to decrease further. The Company incurred an operating loss of $3.8 million in Q1 2009 (Q1 2008: $3.3 million) that reflects increased revenues which were more than offset by increased expenditures as a result of the ongoing and increasing scope of activities, including the progression of work at the Ezulwini Mine and MWS, the costs of corporate offices in Johannesburg and Toronto, other expenses of operating a public company and in Q1 2009 royalties and related payments made to BGM and Simmer & Jack Mines, Limited ("Simmer & Jack") in respect of revenues from production at MWS. The loss of $5.8 million in Q1 2009 was primarily the result of the ongoing expenditures mentioned above and foreign exchange losses on translation of Canadian and South African assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses converted to the US dollar. The Company reported net income of $5.5 million in Q1 2008 that was primarily the result of foreign exchange translation gains and net interest income earned, partially offset by operating losses. The cash utilized in operating activities during Q1 2009 was primarily used to fund the ongoing expenditures in excess of the cash generated from gold sales. The cash generated from operating activities during Q1 2008 was mainly the result of the net interest earned on cash balances during the quarter and the payment by Simmer & Jack of an outstanding receivable. At the end of Q1 2009, First Uranium had total assets of $394.4 million, total liabilities of $166.1 million and shareholders' equity of $228.3 million. It had cash and cash equivalents of $102.1 million (excluding $9.7 million of restricted cash on deposit) compared to $164.7 million at the end of FY 2008. The decrease in cash and cash equivalents from the end of FY 2008 was primarily attributable to $34.2 million of cash utilized during Q1 2009 for capital expenditures for the development of the Company's two mining operations and increased working capital. Outlook The next major milestone for the Ezulwini Mine is the completion of the commissioning of the 100,000 tonne per month uranium plant which is scheduled to deliver its first shipment of yellowcake in October 2008. Current mine production from the ME section of the Ezulwini Mine is being stockpiled separately on surface to feed the uranium plant during its commissioning phase. The Ezulwini Mine also plans to commission the second 50,000 tonne per month mill module during September 2008. First Uranium has not yet signed any long-term contracts to sell uranium, although the Company does have the option to use a take and pay agreement with Nufcor. As long-term uranium supply contracts are currently all tending to be of a fixed delivery nature, First Uranium wants to complete the commissioning of at least one of its uranium plants prior to entering into any such uranium contracts. It is expected that all four holes being drilled under the Ezulwini exploration program will have intersected the E9EC reef horizon by the end of the September 2008. Deflections from these four existing boreholes will provide supplemental borehole valuation data. The Phase 2 drilling project is expected to start in Q3 2009. The final holes of the Phase 1 drilling project and the first reef intersections of the Phase 2 drilling project are expected to begin during Q4 2009. The current and planned capital projects at MWS include:
- construction of the second gold module and the first two uranium modules that are scheduled for commencement of commissioning in January 2009 and completion in April 2009 - construction of the third gold module and the third uranium module that are scheduled for commissioning in December 2009, increasing plant capacity to 1.9 million tonnes per month - the establishment of a single large tailings dam that will accommodate all future production tailings as well as tailings from processing the ore from BGM for uranium - permitting for additional tailings deposition facilities An upgrade to accommodate a deposition rate of 1.3 million tonnes of material per month on the MWS #5 tailings dam is planned in advance of the commissioning of the second module of the MWS gold plant and the first two modules of the uranium plant. In the event that the MWS #5 tailings dam is found to be insufficient, additional tailings dam locations have been identified. As previously reported, a specification and procurement study for a sulphuric acid plant has been initiated and is expected to be completed in October 2008. Cautionary Language Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains certain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include but are not limited to those with respect to the availability of electrical power, the addition of owner-operated power generation, prices for uranium and gold, prices for power, availability and prices for sulphuric acid, the estimation of mineral resources and reserves, the realization of estimated pyrite content in the MWS tailings, the realization of mineral reserve estimates, the timing and amount of estimated future production, costs of production, capital expenditures, costs and timing of development of new deposits, success of exploration activities, permitting time lines, currency fluctuations, requirements for additional capital, availability of financing on acceptable terms, government regulation of mining operations, environmental risks, unanticipated reclamation expenses, title disputes or claims and limitations on insurance coverage and the timing and possible outcome of pending litigation. In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "goals", "targets", "plans", "expects", "is expected", "deadlines", "anticipates", or "believes" or variations of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "could", "would", "should" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of First Uranium to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievement expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the actual results of current exploration activities, conclusions of economic evaluations, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, possible variations in grade and ore densities or recovery rates, failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated, accidents, labour disputes or other risks of the mining industry, delays in obtaining government approvals or financing or in completion of development or construction activities, risks relating to the integration of acquisitions, to international operations, to prices of uranium and gold. Although First Uranium has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. It is important to note, that: (i) unless otherwise indicated, forward-looking statements indicate the Company's expectations as at the date of this news release; (ii) actual results may differ materially from the Company's expectations if known and unknown risks or uncertainties affect its business, or if estimates or assumptions prove inaccurate; (iii) the Company cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will materialize and, accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements; and (iv) the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement even if new information becomes available, as a result of future events or for any other reason. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, First Uranium has made several material assumptions, including but not limited to, the assumption that: (i) consistent supply of sufficient power will be available to develop and operate the projects as planned; (ii) approvals to transfer or grant, as the case may be, mining rights will be obtained; (iii) metal prices, exchange rates and discount rates applied in the prefeasibility study and the preliminary economic assessment for the respective projects are achieved; (iv) mineral resource estimates are accurate; (v) the technology used to develop and operate its two projects has, for the most part, been proven and will work effectively; (vi) that labour and materials will be sufficiently plentiful as to not impede the projects or add significantly to the estimated cash costs of operations; (vii) that Black Economic Empowerment ("BEE") investors will maintain their interest in the Company and their investment in the Company's common shares to a sufficient level to continue to support the Company's compliance with 2014 BEE requirements; and (viii) that the innovative work on stabilizing the main shaft at the Ezulwini Mine will be successful in maintaining a safe and uninterrupted working environment until 2024. Review by Board of Directors The First Uranium Board of Directors, on the recommendation of its Audit Committee, has approved the contents of this disclosure. Conference Call First Uranium will conduct a conference call with investors to discuss the information in this news release at 10:00 a.m. local Toronto time and 4:00 p.m. local Johannesburg time on Tuesday, August 12, 2008. The conference call will be available simultaneously to all interested investors and news media. Callers may dial 1 800 319-4610 (Canada and the US) or 0800 981 705 (South Africa). Callers from other international locations may call +1 604 638-5340. The call will be webcast at http://services.choruscall.com/links/firsturanium080812.html and available for replay shortly after the call for 90 days. A telephone replay of the conference call will be available for 30 days. To access the replay, callers may dial 1 800 319-6413 (Canada and the US). Callers from other international locations may access the replay by dialing +1 604 638-9010 (Canada). Access to the replay will require the code 2128, followed by the number sign.

    About First Uranium Corporation



    First Uranium Corporation (TSX:FIU, JSE:FUM) is focused on the

development of its South African uranium and gold mines with the goal of

becoming a significant low-cost producer through the re-opening and

underground development of the Ezulwini Mine and the expansion of the Mine

Waste Solutions tailings recovery facility. First Uranium also plans to

grow production by pursuing value-enhancing acquisition and joint venture

opportunities in South Africa and elsewhere.



    First Uranium Corporation



    1240-155 University Avenue, Toronto, ON Canada M5H 3B7



    http://www.firsturanium.com





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