Paladin Energy Ltd: Kayelekera Production Ceases-Care & Maintenance Begins
27 Maio 2014 - 8:55AM
Marketwired
Paladin Energy Ltd: Kayelekera Production Ceases-Care &
Maintenance Begins
PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA--(Marketwired - May 27, 2014) - Paladin
Energy Ltd (TSX:PDN)(ASX:PDN) ("Paladin" or the "Company") notes
that, on February 7, 2014 the Company advised its Kayelekera Mine
in Malawi was to be placed on Care and Maintenance (C&M) status
due to reasons beyond the Company's control and related to the
depressed uranium prices. The Company stated at the time that
processing of ore would continue during a rundown phase until
reagents and consumables on site had been depleted, anticipated to
be by April/May of this year. Accordingly, the Company provides the
following update on the status of the transition to C&M at
Kayelekera.
On May 21, uranium production (including circuit inventory clean
up) ceased at the Kayelekera Mine and the operation now will cease
supplying the global uranium market, resulting in a reduction in
global supply for the foreseeable future of around 3.3Mlb U3O8
pa.
This outcome is an unfortunate but direct consequence of the
continuing deterioration in the uranium price. Certain estimates
now place up to 60% of current annual global production with costs
above the current spot price, which is unsustainable.
Paladin considers that by placing Kayelekera on C&M and
preserving a large part of the uranium resources of the deposit for
future production, this project has become a considerable asset of
the Company. This is in light of the continuous improvements in
operating performance achieved over the last two years and
particularly the last 9 months demonstrating that this project can
be operated in future with costs in the first quartile of global
producer costs (once national grid power is connected).
Paladin is committed to maintaining the mine and its
infrastructure at Kayelekera in good working order to facilitate a
rapid resumption of production when market conditions make it
possible to do so profitably. Production at this project can now be
recommenced with minimal risk and within a short lead-time of about
9 months. This will allow Paladin to take advantage of any increase
in the uranium spot price in a relatively rapid manner.
Paladin has previously stated that the incentive price for
operational restart, considering the looming supply shortfall, is
US$70 to US$75/lb U3O8. At this price, and the demonstrated
operating costs of the project, the future value of this de-risked
project to the Company is clearly substantial.
While on C&M, Paladin intends to continue exploration
activities with the objective of identifying and delineating
additional uranium resources in order to enhance the long term
future of Kayelekera.
In successfully establishing the first modern resin-in-pulp
plant for a conventional uranium mining operation, Paladin has
created a valuable technological asset. The Company believes this
treatment process will likely replace older, less efficient
technologies currently in use, for future developments because of
the distinct advantages it delivers. This position has recently
been further enhanced with the successful addition of
nano-filtration technology (patent pending) to the process, which
has materially reduced operating costs.
Said John Borshoff, Managing Director and CEO: "On behalf of the
Paladin Board and Senior Management, I would like to express our
appreciation to Paladin's employees for their focused dedication to
the Kayelekera Mine development and operation. Paladin looks
forward to the day when Kayelekera will resume its role as a
significant contributor to the Company's production profile."
ACN 061 681 098
Paladin Energy LtdJohn BorshoffManaging
Director/CEO+61-8-9381-4366 or Mobile:
+61-419-912-571john.borshoff@paladinenergy.com.auPaladin Energy
LtdGreg TaylorInvestor Relations Contact+1 905 337-7673 or Mobile:
+1 416-605-5120 (Toronto)greg.taylor@paladinenergy.com.au
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