Saga Metals (TSXV:SAGA) is a mineral exploration company focused on acquiring and exploring mineral assets in Canada. The company explores for uranium, lithium, titanium-vanadium and high purity iron ore deposits. Saga Metals has five fully owned exploration assets in top-tier mining jurisdictions in Canada. Its primary projects, Double Mer and Legacy are prospective for uranium and lithium, respectively. Its secondary assets are Radar (titanium-vanadium) and North Wind (iron ore).
The Legacy lithium project in James Bay, Quebec, is the subject of a C$44 million joint venture option agreement with Rio Tinto Exploration Canada (NYSE:RIO), signed in June 2024. Rio Tinto will act as a project manager for the exploration of Legacy, with the option to acquire an initial 51 percent interest in Legacy over a period of four years. This joint venture allows Saga Metals to focus on its other primary asset, the Double Mer Uranium project, a 25,600-hectare property located 90km Northeast of Goose Bay in Labrador.
Legacy is the subject of a joint option agreement between Saga Metals and Rio Tinto, under which Rio Tinto will act as project manager during the first and second option period. The optioned property contains 663 claims spanning 34,243 hectares hosting 100 km of striking paragneiss.
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A diversified critical minerals exploration company backed by a significant partnership with Rio Tinto (NYSE:RIO) paving the way for strategic exploration of both uranium and lithium, Saga Metals offers a compelling investment opportunity in the global green energy transition.
Saga Metals (TSXV:SAGA, OTCQB:SAGMF, FSE:20H) is a mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition and exploration of mineral assets in Canada. It explores for uranium, lithium, titanium-vanadium and high purity iron ore deposits. The company completed its initial public offering on September 23, 2024 with a subsequent listing on the TSX Venture Exchange.
Saga Metals has five fully owned exploration assets in top-tier mining jurisdictions in Canada. Its primary projects, Double Mer and Legacy are prospective for uranium and lithium, respectively. Its secondary assets are Radar (titanium-vanadium) and North Wind (iron ore).
Uranium ore from the Double Mer uranium project
The Legacy lithium project in James Bay, Quebec, is the subject of a CAD $44M joint venture option agreement with Rio Tinto Exploration Canada, signed in June 2024. Under the agreement, Rio Tinto will act as a project manager for the exploration of Legacy, with the option to acquire an initial 51 percent interest in Legacy over a period of four years.
This JV allows Saga Metals to focus on its other primary asset, the Double Mer Uranium project, a 25,600-hectare property located 90km Northeast of Goose Bay in Labrador.
The Double Mer uranium project is a 1,024 claim spanning 25,600 hectares in eastern central Labrador, 90 km north east of Happy Valley, Goose Bay. The property lies between Lake Melville and Double Mer, both inlets off the Labrador Sea. The project has seen millions of dollars worth of exploration from 1970 to 2008, and features a 10-person winterized camp. A detailed geophysical and radiometric survey, which was supported by field work, demonstrates the Double Mer property extends beyond 14 km of strike, with elevated uranium samples and CPS readings. Longer term plans include developing the project for the potential takeover by a major, similar to the recent acquisition of Fission Uranium by Paladin Energy for $1.2 billion.
The Legacy lithium property is dedicated to expanding North America’s newest lithium district in the prolific James Bay region of Quebec. The property is subject to the Rio Tinto partnership and the Amirault lithium property acquisition. The projects span over 65,849 hectares and hosts the same geological setting along strike from Rio Tinto, Winsome Resources, Azimut Exploration, and Loyal Lithium in the La Grande sub-province. James Bay is within Quebec’s Plan Du Nord, which earmarks millions of dollars for development of Quebec’s northern infrastructure.
Legacy is the subject of a joint option agreement between Saga Metals and Rio Tinto, under which Rio Tinto will act as project manager during the first and second option period. The optioned property contains 663 claims spanning 34,243 hectares hosting 100 km of striking paragneiss.
Saga Metals CEO Mike Stier cited the agreement as a “significant milestone in the company’s development,” providing the necessary capital for the exploration of the Legacy lithium project.
Saga Metals owns 100 percent of this 17,250 hectare land package with road access, only 10 km away from the coastal city of Cartwright, Labrador. The Radar project is prospective for titanium and vanadium, both critical minerals. Saga Metals is planning a $172,500 work program this field season to increase confidence in the identified mineralized zone as well as explore new prospective areas of the property.
Located in west central Labrador, 16 km southwest of Schefferville, Quebec within the Labrador Trough, the North Wind iron project consists of 255 claim blocks under a single license. The mineral license comprises 6,375 hectares and contains eight historical drill holes which formed part of New Millennium Iron’s resource estimate 43-101 in 2013. The average grade of the drill holes, which now sit within the North Wind Iron property, was 21 percent iron over the complete eight drill holes that totaled 590 meters. Saga Metals is conducting a small boots-on-the-ground program, which it plans to progress into a drill program after confirmation of structural measurements of a prospective deposit.
Educated in business management and finance, Michael Stier has spent the past 15 years focused on and building expertise in capital markets. Experienced in corporate structure, finance, business development, IPOs, M&A and wealth management, Stier served as a CIBC IIROC licensed senior financial advisor, senior analyst for a private equity company and more recently holds executive and directorship roles with private companies and publicly listed issuers. He has consulted in industries including mining, oil & gas, fintech, VR, eSports, health, life sciences and biotech. In addition to Saga, Stier has acted for several public entities and currently sits on the board of Rektron Group Inc, LaFleur Minerals Inc, GoldHaven Resources Corp.
Terence Lee is a CPA with over nine years of finance experience in reporting under International Financial Reporting Standards. Lee has worked in financial planning, analysis and reporting for companies across various industries including mining, technology, real estate, life sciences, education and private healthcare. Lee graduated with a BA from Simon Fraser University, a Diploma of Accounting from UBC’s Sauder School of Business and articled with BDO LLP. Lee is CFO of various private and publicly listed companies.
With a Bachelor of Science in Geology, Michael Garagan has 15 years of experience in the exploration industry with projects across the world including Africa, Asia, North and South America. He encountered a diverse experience of deposit styles from gold to base metals in porphyry, orogenic, epithermal and VMS deposits to uranium and lithium pegmatites. Notable projects include B2 Gold’s Otjikoto project in Namibia, Night Hawk’s Colomac project in NWT, Unigold’s Neita project in the Dominican Republic, as well as Hudbay’s Lalor Mine in Snowlake, Manitoba.
Michael Waldkirch is a CPA and CGA with over 25 years of professional experience. Since 1998, he has led the accounting firm of Michael Waldkirch & Company, specializing in accounting, tax and business consultancy services to a wide variety of public and private companies. He has represented a wide variety of public corporations including mining, oil and gas and technology companies listed on the TSX, TSXV, NYSE-American, NASDAQ and OTC-BB. He has served as CFO of numerous Canadian and US publicly listed companies, including Gold Standard Ventures and Barksdale Resources and is currently an independent board member of US Gold Corp. (NASDAQ:USAU).
Legacy Lithium Project
The Legacy Lithium Project spans 34,243 hectares located in Quebec's renowned Eeyou Istchee James Bay region and is subject to the Option to Joint Venture Agreement with RTEC. See announcement of the agreement here .
Figure 1.0 A map of the “Lithium Neighborhood” at the Legacy Lithium Project in Quebec
Option to Joint Venture Agreement with RTEC
Rio Tinto Partnership: Under the Option Agreement, RTEC has the option to acquire a 51% interest in SAGA’s Legacy Lithium Project over four years if it meets the following conditions:
If RTEC earns the initial 51% interest, it will then have the option to increase its stake to 75% over five more years by spending an additional C$34.18 million on exploration. RTEC will oversee the project as operator during both the first and second option periods, and a joint technical committee will plan the exploration programs.
The Legacy Lithium project covers 100km of striking paragneiss situated in a region known for lithium discoveries, including Winsome Resources Adina Project, Loyal Lithium’s Trieste Project, Rio Tinto and Midland Exploration’s Galinee Project, and Azimut Exploration and Soquem’s Galinee Project as shown in the map above.
2024 Field Program Conducted by RTEC
Commencing exploration activities in 2024, RTEC conducted geological mapping campaigns, a satellite imagery survey, and an airborne magnetics survey on the optioned Legacy Lithium project. On the property, a total of 173 pegmatite and country rock grab samples were collected and submitted for geochemical analysis. The airborne magnetic survey of the northwestern portion of the property was completed. A digital terrain model of the property was generated from Skywatch Pleiades Tri-Stereo satellite imagery which covers all but some of the far northern-western claims.
The work completed in 2024 was focused on prospecting for lithium mineralization hosted in pegmatites, assessing the potential for the discovery of new mineralized occurrences within the proliferous James Bay Pegmatite District.
Exploration: Prospecting Geological Data Collection, and Geochemistry
The results of the 2024 reconnaissance campaign, based on observation points and geochemical analysis, indicate that numerous pegmatites are widely distributed across the property, displaying variability in grain size, mineralogy, and texture. They are localized and primarily hosted within biotite-rich paragneiss. Although pegmatites are also present within orthogneiss, they tend to be less common, smaller in size, and undifferentiated. The pegmatites in zones of dilation and strain have a more evolved mineralogy, with garnets, apatite and tourmaline. Pegmatite emplacement appears structurally controlled by a WNW-ESE shear zone with occurrences preferentially along dilatational zones in this trend.
The highest Li₂O value found in pegmatite was 85 ppm in a boulder located on the western side and the highest value in an outcrop sample was 83 ppm. Notably, higher Li₂O concentrations were found in paragneiss, with a maximum Li₂O value of 201 ppm. Assay results from a pegmatite sample in the central-northeastern sector reveal an anomalous tantalum value (53ppm). This sample also yielded the highest beryllium value (83.4 ppm) and exhibited slightly elevated Rb/K ratios, a characteristic shared with nearby samples.
Strongly peraluminous compositions were identified throughout the property, particularly within the tantalum-enriched sample zone. These findings suggest the presence of localized areas with enhanced peraluminous character. Peraluminous compositions are strongly associated with S-type granites, which are known precursors of LCT pegmatites. Although the average Alumina Saturation Index across the property is generally low, a trend of increasing peraluminous character is observed in the southern region. A higher volume of sampling in this area would be necessary to confirm this trend.
Figure 2.0 Location of 2024 Field Samples. RTEC Spatial Distribution of Alumina Saturation Index Grab Samples 2024. Elevated alumina saturation can suggest a favorable melt source for Lithium mineralization and is used in combination with other analytical methodologies.
Figure 3.0 Samples (173) and tracks. Background: regional Quebec Government lithology map. Red and dark pink, granitoids. Shades of blue, paragneiss. Light pink, orthogneiss.
Geophysics & Remote Sensing
Skywatch was contracted to provide 50 cm high-resolution satellite imagery and tri-stereo digital terrain models (DTM) for the Legacy property. All but the northwesternmost claims on Legacy were covered during this survey.
A helicopter-borne magnetic survey was conducted over the Legacy property completing a total of 3,096 line-km of data during the survey. Due to weather and technical issues, only 40% of the planned survey area was completed before the survey was terminated. As a result, coverage was limited to the highest-priority northwesternmost section of the Legacy property. The remaining survey area is under consideration for completion in 2025.
Pegmatites were mapped on surface and noted to correlate with zones of magnetic lows. Skywatch was also used as an exploration tool where RTEC was able to survey the project with 50cm Ortho Imagery across the entirety of the property. Both tools coupled with geochemistry will allow for a more focussed exploration effort in 2025.
Figure 4.0 Detailed geophysics over the western border on the Legacy property. On strike with Adina’s Tilley project. Pegmatites are commonly identified within extreme magnetic lows and marked by rock samples taken in areas with exposed pegmatite outcrops. (RTEC 2024)
2025 Exploration Initiatives
In 2025, RTEC plans to continue its mapping, sampling, and prospecting survey based on past results and the airborne magnetics.
New zones in the far west of the property on strike with Winsome Resources’ Tilley project as well to the south of the Legacy property on strike with SAGA’s contiguous Amirault property yielded interesting observational points noted for further follow up by RTEC during the 2025 field season.
Quality Control
RTEC sampling protocols include the insertion of OREAS standards at regular intervals within each batch of sample submitted to the laboratory. CRM materials used included OREAS 520, OREAS 750, OREAS 751 and OREAS 753.
All samples were prepared by ALS Laboratories in Thunder Bay using a preparation package whereby the entire sample is crushed to 70% less than 2mm mesh size using a Boyd crusher and splitter combination. A 1kg split of crushed material is pulverized to better than 85% passing 75 microns mesh size. ALS internally sends all pulps to ALS Geochemistry in Vancouver for analysis.
Pegmatite materials were analyzed by a multi-method analytical package: Super Trace ME-MS61L (Multi-Element Suite with added Au, Pt, and Pd from the ICP-MS analysis. Au >35ppb overlimit via Au-ICP21, Ag, As, Co, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb, S, Zn overlimits via OG62, all others via X-ICPDIL), ME-ICP06 (lithium borate whole rock analytes, LOI and Total Calculation), and ME-MS81 (full suite including REE's). Country rock samples were analyzed by: Super trace ME-MS61L and pXRF-30RT (RTX custom pXRF suite for resistate analytes (Cr, Nb, Si, Ta, Ti, Y, Zr). Add-on to multi-element methods).
About SAGA Metals Corp.
SAGA Metals Corp. is a North American mining company focused on the exploration and discovery of critical minerals that support the global transition to green energy. The company's flagship asset, the Double Mer Uranium Project, is located in Labrador, Canada, covering 25,600 hectares. This project features uranium radiometrics that highlight an 18km east-west trend, with a confirmed 14km section producing samples as high as 0.4281% U 3 O 8 and spectrometer readings of 22,000cps.
In addition to its uranium focus, SAGA owns the Legacy Lithium Property in Quebec's Eeyou Istchee James Bay region. This project, developed in partnership with Rio Tinto, has been expanded through the acquisition of the Amirault Lithium Project. Together, these properties cover 65,849 hectares and share significant geological continuity with other major players in the area, including Rio Tinto, Winsome Resources, Azimut Exploration, and Loyal Lithium.
SAGA also holds secondary exploration assets in Labrador, where the company is focused on the discovery of titanium, vanadium, and iron ore. With a portfolio that spans key minerals crucial to the green energy transition, SAGA is strategically positioned to play an essential role in the clean energy future.
For more information, contact:
SAGA Metals Corp.
Investor Relations
Tel: +1 (778) 930-1321
Email: info@sagametals.com
www.sagametals.com
Qualified Person
Kamil Khobzi, P. Eng., MBA, of Kamil Khobzi & Associates Inc. is a “qualified person” as defined under NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical content of this news release regarding the Legacy Lithium Property
The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this release. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Cautionary Disclaimer
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as “will”, “may”, “should”, “anticipates”, “expects”, “believes”, and similar expressions or the negative of these words or other comparable terminology. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information pertaining to exploration of the Legacy Lithium project. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations include, but are not limited to, changes in the state of equity and debt markets, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in obtaining required regulatory or governmental approvals, environmental risks, limitations on insurance coverage, risks and uncertainties involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, and the risks detailed in the Company’s final prospectus in Manitoba and amended and restated final prospectus for British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario dated August 30, 2024, filed under its SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca, and in the continuous disclosure filings made by the Company with securities regulations from time to time. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements only as expressly required by applicable law.
Saga Metals Corp. ("SAGA" or the "Company") (TSXV: SAGA) (OTCQB: SAGMF) (FSE: 20H) a North American exploration company focused on critical mineral discovery, is pleased to announce the official commencement of the maiden drill program at the Company's Radar Titanium-Vanadium (Ti-V) Project.
Drilling Commenced at Radar Titanium-Vanadium (Ti-V) Project in Labrador, Canada:
The Radar drill program is advancing at a strong pace as the team is currently drilling the 5 th of 7 planned drill holes in the Hawkeye zone. To date, the team has drilled over 1,000 meters of rock through the magnetic anomaly as identified the geophysical survey completed in Q4 2024 (see Figure 5 below).
Gladiator Drilling has been moving efficiently and effectively, not only through the rock with several 100+m of core drilled in a single shift, but also with well executed and clean drill moves.
"The rock has been great to drill through. The shear amount of magnetite in the rock has made for soft yet highly competent rock, with very high core recovery," stated Josh Blundell, Owner & Operator of Gladiator Drilling.
Michael Garagan, CGO & Director of Saga Metals Corp. discusses drilling strategy: " The magnetic inversions have been amazingly accurate. Our first hole was plotted to start right in the center of the magnetic anomaly, and I've been able to predict our intercepts with 10-20m accuracy based upon the inversion and surface structural measurements. The only surprise the team has had is with just how much magnetite is present in the system, both as groundmass and layering. I was expecting more silica rich/magnetite depleted zones between each geophysical high but what we have found is that the whole thing is full of magnetite. Its pretty remarkable. Additionally, our biggest intercept of magnetite layering was 150m long, with the most impressive being a 25m section containing at least 62 individual magnetite bands varying from 3 to 10 inches in width. It's easy to get excited when you see something like that, especially when you have both the geochemical and petrographic evidence that both the titanium and vanadium are hosted in the magnetite."
Figure 1: Magnet pen standing straight up on core from SAGA's Radar Titanium-Vanadium project demonstrating its highly magnetic composition
Figure 2: Newfoundland Helicopters slings in the floor of Gladiator's diamond drill
Figure 3: Gladiator Drilling and SAGA finalize drill setup in the Hawkeye zone at Radar and commence drilling
Figure 4: Gladiator Drilling and SAGA finalize drill setup in the Hawkeye zone at Radar and commence drilling
Key Maiden Drill Program Highlights:
Radar Ti-V Project – Labrador, Canada
The Radar Ti-V Property is located 10km south of Cartwright in Labrador, Canada. The project spans 17,250 hectares and benefits from road access, supporting efficient exploration and development. Radar's Hawkeye zone is the most prospective target on the property with detailed geophysics and surface samples completed to date. Results include 2.5 - 11.1% TiO2 and 0.2 - 0.66% V2O5 and are suggestive of a complex and multi-phased layered mafic intrusion that may be upwards of 1km wide, 4km long and potentially over 600m deep . Recent geophysics completed on the property show very detailed correlation to the rock samples and observed phase changes in the system.
Figure 5: Magnetic inversion of the Hawkeye zone looking east at profile cross section with > 0.02 susceptibility cut off.
About Saga Metals Corp.
Saga Metals Corp. is a North American mining company focused on the exploration and discovery of critical minerals that support the global transition to green energy. The company's flagship asset, the Double Mer Uranium Project, is located in Labrador, Canada, covering 25,600 hectares. This project features uranium radiometrics that highlight an 18-kilometer east-west trend, with a confirmed 14-kilometer section producing samples as high as 4,281ppm U 3 O 8 and spectrometer readings of 22,000cps.
In addition to its uranium focus, SAGA owns the Legacy Lithium Property in Quebec's Eeyou Istchee James Bay region. This project, developed in partnership with Rio Tinto, has been expanded through the acquisition of the Amirault Lithium Project. Together, these properties cover 65,849 hectares and share significant geological continuity with other major players in the area, including Rio Tinto, Winsome Resources, Azimut Exploration, and Loyal Lithium.
SAGA also holds secondary exploration assets in Labrador, where the company is focused on the discovery of titanium, vanadium, and iron ore. With a portfolio that spans key minerals crucial to the green energy transition, SAGA is strategically positioned to play an essential role in the clean energy future.
For more information, contact:
Saga Metals Corp.
Investor Relations
Tel: +1 (778) 930-1321
Email: info@sagametals.com
www.sagametals.com
The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this release. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Qualified Person
Peter Webster P.Geo. CEO of Mercator Geological Services Limited is an Independent Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information related to the Radar Ti-V Project disclosed in this news release.
Cautionary Disclaimer
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipates", "expects", "believes", and similar expressions or the negative of these words or other comparable terminology. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information pertaining to the Company's plans and objectives in respect of the planned drill program. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include, but are not limited to, changes in the state of equity and debt markets, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in obtaining required regulatory or governmental approvals, environmental risks, limitations on insurance coverage, risks and uncertainties involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, and the risks detailed in the Company's final prospectus in Manitoba and amended and restated final prospectus for British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario dated August 30, 2024, filed under its SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca, and in the continuous disclosure filings made by the Company with securities regulations from time to time. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements only as expressly required by applicable law.
News Provided by GlobeNewswire via QuoteMedia
Saga Metals Corp. ("SAGA" or the "Company") (TSXV: SAGA) (OTCQB: SAGMF) (FSE: 20H) a North American exploration company focused on critical mineral discovery, is pleased to announce the final in-province preparations for the Company's maiden drill programs at the Double Mer Uranium and Radar Ti-V projects in Labrador, Canada.
Final Preparations at Double Mer Uranium Project in Labrador, Canada:
On January 19, SAGA's exploration team including Michael Garagan, CGO & Director of SAGA, landed in Labrador. After retrieving equipment from SAGA's storage facility, the team was able to complete orientations and briefed Air Tunilik, Newfoundland Helicopters and other supportive members on the project plans and objectives.
On January 22, the first winter flight into the Double Mer camp was completed to confirm thickness of the lake ice to ensure Air Tunilik can land its twin otter float plane retrofitted with skis. After confirming the average thickness is 22", well above the required 19", the team cleared and organized the camp, preparing for the arrival of equipment and supplies.
The approved landing then allowed SAGA's crew and Air Tunilik to complete the first Twin Otter flight into the Double Mer camp, offloading supplies and grooming the lake via snowmobile and groomer for future supply runs.
In the early part of the week ahead, SAGA will fly in the remaining camp materials including lumber, piping, generators, stoves, and other required gear. Geominex has been engaged to complete the remainder of the camp refurbishment in preparations for the maiden uranium drill program.
Final Preparations at Radar Titanium-Vanadium Project in Labrador, Canada:
In Cartwright, experienced local heavy equipment operators cleared and prepared the drillers lay down near the targeted Hawkeye zone. As fuel arrived in Goose Bay, a portion was offloaded and stored for transport into the Double Mer camp and the rest was shipped into Cartwright and stored in the Company's permitted fuel cache.
Heading into Friday, January 24 and over the weekend, SAGA's team commenced clearing and preparing the drill pads, conducting trail maintenance and reconnaissance over the Hawkeye zone as well as setting up the core shack.
In addition, Gladiator Drilling is due to arrive in Cartwright and will begin the maiden drill program at the Radar Ti-V project.
Michael Garagan, CGO & Director of Saga Metals Corp. discusses drilling strategy: "As the final touches are added to the Double Mer camp and Radar's drill site, it's clear the only thing more exciting than the maiden drill programs is the team's sprit. We are fortunate to have an exceptional team and supportive service providers with SAGA this winter. The journey of hard work has led us to this moment—our maiden drill programs! We are all looking forward to getting our hands on the core and seeing the potential of what lies beneath the surface."
Figure 1: Simeon Alexander and Air Tunilik make first landing on the lake at Double Mer Camp in Labrador
Key Maiden Drill Program Highlights:
Double Mer Uranium Project – Labrador, Canada
The Double Mer Uranium Project is Saga Metals' flagship project, covering 1,024 claims across 25,600 hectares in eastern-central Labrador. Leveraging significant historical exploration, SAGA's exploration team validated key data and built upon the Company's understanding of the project's uranium potential. More recently, SAGA confirmed the presence of uraninite and the genetic leakage between pegmatites along the 18km trend . The Double Mer project boasts surface samples showing uranium oxide (U3O8) concentrations as high as 0.428% U 3 O 8 and scintillometer readings up to 27,000 cps .
Figure 2: Map of the Double Mer Uranium Project highlight the 18km trend verified through surface sample and uranium count radiometrics
Radar Ti-V Project – Labrador, Canada
The Radar Ti-V Property is located 10km south of Cartwright in Labrador, Canada. The project spans 17,250 hectares and benefits from road access, supporting efficient exploration and development. Radar's Hawkeye zone is the most prospective target on the property with detailed geophysics and surface samples completed to date. Results include 2.5 - 11.1% TiO2 and 0.2 - 0.66% V2O5 and are suggestive of a complex and multi-phased layered mafic intrusion that may be upwards of 1km wide, 4km long and potentially over 600m deep . Recent geophysics completed on the property show very detailed correlation to the rock samples and observed phase changes in the system.
Figure 3: Magnetic inversion of the Hawkeye zone looking east at profile cross section with > 0.02 susceptibility cut off.
About Saga Metals Corp.
Saga Metals Corp. is a North American mining company focused on the exploration and discovery of critical minerals that support the global transition to green energy. The company's flagship asset, the Double Mer Uranium Project, is located in Labrador, Canada, covering 25,600 hectares. This project features uranium radiometrics that highlight an 18-kilometer east-west trend, with a confirmed 14-kilometer section producing samples as high as 4,281ppm U 3 O 8 and spectrometer readings of 22,000cps.
In addition to its uranium focus, SAGA owns the Legacy Lithium Property in Quebec's Eeyou Istchee James Bay region. This project, developed in partnership with Rio Tinto, has been expanded through the acquisition of the Amirault Lithium Project. Together, these properties cover 65,849 hectares and share significant geological continuity with other major players in the area, including Rio Tinto, Winsome Resources, Azimut Exploration, and Loyal Lithium.
SAGA also holds secondary exploration assets in Labrador, where the company is focused on the discovery of titanium, vanadium, and iron ore. With a portfolio that spans key minerals crucial to the green energy transition, SAGA is strategically positioned to play an essential role in the clean energy future.
For more information, contact:
Saga Metals Corp.
Investor Relations
Tel: +1 (778) 930-1321
Email: info@sagametals.com
www.sagametals.com
The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this release. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Qualified Person
Peter Webster P.Geo. CEO of Mercator Geological Services Limited is an Independent Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information related to the Double Mer Uranium and Radar Ti-V Projects disclosed in this news release.
Cautionary Disclaimer
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipates", "expects", "believes", and similar expressions or the negative of these words or other comparable terminology. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information pertaining to the Company's plans and objectives in respect of the planned drill program. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include, but are not limited to, changes in the state of equity and debt markets, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in obtaining required regulatory or governmental approvals, environmental risks, limitations on insurance coverage, risks and uncertainties involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, and the risks detailed in the Company's final prospectus in Manitoba and amended and restated final prospectus for British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario dated August 30, 2024, filed under its SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca, and in the continuous disclosure filings made by the Company with securities regulations from time to time. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements only as expressly required by applicable law.
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Saga Metals Corp. ("SAGA" or the "Company") (TSXV: SAGA) (OTCQB: SAGMF) (FSE: 20H) a North American exploration company focused on critical mineral discovery, is pleased to announce the completion of an initial petrographic petrological analysis, confirming the presence of uraninite, a key uranium mineral, hosted within the pegmatites identified along the 18km trend; verified through uranium count radiometrics and surface sampling at the Double Mer Uranium project in Labrador, Canada.
Saga Metals flagship Double Mer Uranium Project – Labrador, Canada
The Double Mer Uranium Project is Saga Metals' flagship project, covering 1,024 claims across 25,600 hectares in eastern-central Labrador, approximately 90km northeast of Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Leveraging significant historical exploration, SAGA's exploration team validated key data and built upon the Company's understanding of the project's uranium potential. This work has refined the understanding of the uranium targets within the zone, specifically supporting the decision to initiate a 1500-2500m drill program at the Luivik zone .
SAGA sees the Double Mer Uranium Project as a promising addition to the significant uranium projects already established in Labrador's Central Mineral Belt (CMB) , including Paladin Energy's Michelin and Atha Energy's CMB discovery. With encouraging surface samples and geophysical data, SAGA believes Double Mer could offer comparable large-tonnage uranium potential.
Figure 1: Regional map of the Double Mer Uranium Project in Labrador, Canada
Drilling set for Double Mer Uranium Project's Luivik zone:
The Luivik zone has been prioritized for drilling due to its anomalous uranium (U 3 O 8 %) geochemistry, along with clear signs of alteration and fluid enrichment. This zone exhibits Iron phase IOCG (Iron Oxide Copper Gold) fluid characteristics, such as high concentrations of smoky quartz and iron carbonate staining, which are indicators of late fluid flow. These characteristics will be carefully monitored as it can have the potential to enrich uraniferous units and mark the highest-grade intercepts. Consistent CPS (counts per second) readings further highlight the Luivik zone's uranium potential, making it a top target for exploration.
The Luivik zone boasts a width of 300 meters between samples with a cut-off of 0.015% U 3 O 8 and anomalous grades over 0.11% U 3 O 8 to a high of 0.3692% U 3 O 8 in a single sample. The uranium count radiometrics suggest that the anomalous pegmatites which predominantly hosts the Luivik zone may extend upwards of 1km or greater.
The zone's favorable mineralogy is complemented by logistical advantages. Located just 1km from Double Mer's main camp, the Luivik zone offers easy access for drilling teams, with snowmobile trails in place to support active drilling operations, ensuring both practical and cost-effective program execution.
Figure 2: The Luivik zone in the west of the Double Mer Uranium Property. Mapped pegmatites with amphibolite mafic rocks which sit in place with much of the mineralized trends.
Petrographic and Petrologic Conclusions at the Double Mer Uranium Project:
Selected samples from the Double Mer Uranium project were collected by SAGA's exploration team during 2024's surface program for the purposes of petrography, mineralogical and petrochemical interpretations. These results help understand the genesis of the uriniferous pegmatites, guiding 2025's drill programs, and further surface exploration work across the 25,600-hectare property.
The pegmatites can be subdivided into two subgroups based on radioelement and rare earth-bearing minerals in association with the mafic mineral abundance of biotite. The radioelement-bearing pegmatite is characterized by aggregates of black biotite interstitial to feldspars and quartz. The biotite aggregates are the loci for very fine-grained euhedral uraninite crystals. The second pegmatite subgroup contains more sparsely distributed plates and discontinuous stringers of black biotite interstitial to feldspars and quartz. Euhedral allanite crystals are sparsely distributed interstitial to feldspars and quartz. This Allanite is a light rare element-bearing (lanthanum and cerium) with very fine-grained disseminated thorite through the allanite.
Both pegmatite subgroups occur in close spatial association at the outcrop-scale. Analyzing and interpreting the 53-element geochemical database derived from 289 samples collected during the 2024 exploration program has shown unequivocally that both pegmatite subgroups are genetically related and belong to the same magmatic event. Further studies will be conducted in the future to determine the evolutionary timing of each subtype.
Since the Double Mer Uranium property covers an 18km long radiometrically anomalous pegmatite domain, the exploration significance of these petrographic-petrochemical findings with interpretations are: pegmatites with aggregated biotite represent a first-order lithology to sample for uranium mineralization and a thorium + rare earth-enriched pegmatite may indicate the presence of additional nearby uranium-bearing pegmatite.
Petrographic work and analysis completed by Dr. Al Miller:
With an Honours B.Sc. and Ph.D., Dr. Miller brings over 25 years of consultancy experience in mineral deposits and previously worked for 25 years with the Geological Survey of Canada, where he specialized in large-scale mapping and deposit evaluation. His expertise covers a wide range of minerals, including uranium, gold, nickel-copper-platinum group elements (Ni-Cu-PGE), and copper-gold porphyry. He has also contributed to global exploration efforts across Canada, the Americas, China, and Russia. With numerous publications to his name, his extensive industry experience includes roles as a Director, Chief Geologist, VP of Exploration, and Head of Technical Teams for several exploration companies.
Michael Garagan, CGO & Director of Saga Metals Corp. discusses drilling strategy: "We are very encouraged by these petrographic results. Not only does this confirm the presence of uraninite in the pegmatites but the fact they are genetically related along an 18km trend is very encouraging. The team has since arrived in Labrador preparing for the drill program at the Radar Ti-V project while coordinating the final setup at the Double Mer camp. This is a busy and exciting time for SAGA and sets the tone for lots of catalysts in 2025."
About Saga Metals Corp.
Saga Metals Corp. is a North American mining company focused on the exploration and discovery of critical minerals that support the global transition to green energy. The company's flagship asset, the Double Mer Uranium Project, is located in Labrador, Canada, covering 25,600 hectares. This project features uranium radiometrics that highlight an 18-kilometer east-west trend, with a confirmed 14-kilometer section producing samples as high as 4,281ppm U 3 O 8 and spectrometer readings of 22,000cps.
In addition to its uranium focus, SAGA owns the Legacy Lithium Property in Quebec's Eeyou Istchee James Bay region. This project, developed in partnership with Rio Tinto, has been expanded through the acquisition of the Amirault Lithium Project. Together, these properties cover 65,849 hectares and share significant geological continuity with other major players in the area, including Rio Tinto, Winsome Resources, Azimut Exploration, and Loyal Lithium.
SAGA also holds secondary exploration assets in Labrador, where the company is focused on the discovery of titanium, vanadium, and iron ore. With a portfolio that spans key minerals crucial to the green energy transition, SAGA is strategically positioned to play an essential role in the clean energy future.
For more information, contact:
Saga Metals Corp.
Investor Relations
Tel: +1 (778) 930-1321
Email: info@sagametals.com
www.sagametals.com
The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this release. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Qualified Person
Peter Webster P.Geo. CEO of Mercator Geological Services Limited is an Independent Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information related to the Double Mer Uranium Project disclosed in this news release.
Cautionary Disclaimer
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipates", "expects", "believes", and similar expressions or the negative of these words or other comparable terminology. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information pertaining to the petrographic and petrological analysis as well as the Company's plans and objectives in respect of the planned drill program. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include, but are not limited to, changes in the state of equity and debt markets, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in obtaining required regulatory or governmental approvals, environmental risks, limitations on insurance coverage, risks and uncertainties involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, and the risks detailed in the Company's final prospectus in Manitoba and amended and restated final prospectus for British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario dated August 30, 2024, filed under its SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca, and in the continuous disclosure filings made by the Company with securities regulations from time to time. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements only as expressly required by applicable law.
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Saga Metals Corp. ("SAGA" or the "Company") (TSXV: SAGA) (OTCQB: SAGMF) (FSE: 20H) a North American exploration company focused on critical mineral discovery, is pleased to provide a complete overview of the Radar Titanium-Vanadium (Ti-V) Project as equipment, fuel, diamond drill and personnel begin to arrive in Labrador for the maiden drill program set to commence in a weeks time.
Radar Titanium-Vanadium (Ti-V) Project – Labrador, Canada
The Radar Ti-V Property is located 10km south of Cartwright in Labrador, Canada. The project spans 17,250 hectares and benefits from road access, supporting efficient exploration and development.
Radar's Hawkeye zone is the most prospective target on the property. Detailed geophysics and surface samples are suggestive of a complex and multi-phased layered mafic intrusion that may be upwards of 1km wide, 4km long and potentially over 600m deep . Recent geophysics completed on the property show very detailed correlation to the rock samples and observed phase changes in the system.
SAGA aims to complete a 1,500m drill program at the Hawkeye zone over the area encompassing the anomalous TiO2 and V2O5 surface samples.
Radar Project Surface Assay Highlights Include:
Radar Project Target Zones:
Radar Project and corresponding geophysics highlight multiple anomalies across the property
Assay results have confirmed the magnetic anomalies within both the Hawkeye and Trapper zones are mineralized, establishing a combined strike of just over 8km in length between the two zones. Preliminary indications suggest a possible connection between the trends through a transitional zone, which increases the mineralized strike to ~ 9.5km through verified samples.
Maiden Drill Program Q1 2025: Drilling is scheduled to commence this month with a minimum 1,500m program at the Radar Ti-V Projects. The Hawkeye zone is the most advanced zone with both surface samples and detailed geophysics creating clear drill targets. Assays have returned consistent values between 2.5 - 11.1% TiO2 and 0.2 - 0.66% V2O5 , confirming the presence of high-grade titanium & vanadium across a potential 1km wide and 4km long trend further confirmed with geophysics.
Recent Geophysics of the Hawkeye Zone Highlights:
Saga Metals successfully completed a detailed magnetic and electromagnetic (EM) survey over the northwest section of the Hawkeye Zone at the Radar Project. Utilizing ground-based equipment on a tightly spaced grid, with 25 meters between stations and 50-meter line spacing, the survey delivered high-resolution magnetic and conductivity data. This effort has proven highly effective in mapping magnetite-rich zones within the Gabbro Norite host rock, a key indicator of titanium (TiO₂) and vanadium (V₂O₅) mineralization.
The magnetic survey was so successful that the high-resolution imagery combined with sample assays and field observations can be used to map some of the most distinguishing features of the system throughout this zone.
Spanning nearly 1km in width with a near-vertical orientation the Hawkeye zone is the most prospective target on the property with geophysics now defining the phases of a layered mafic intrusion sampled in the 2023-2024 field programs. The results of this survey provide exceptional clarity, combining high-definition imagery with sample assays and field observations to identify distinct geological phases within the Hawkeye Zone. The eastern portion of the zone is characterized by alternating silica-rich (magnetite-depleted) bands and high-grade magnetite layers, with titanium and vanadium grades ranging from 5 to 11% TiO₂ and 0.3 to 0.66% V₂O₅. Moving westward, the system transitions into gabbro norite rocks containing disseminated magnetite. These rocks exhibit consistent but lower grades, averaging 3 to 5% TiO₂ and 0.1 to 0.2% V₂O₅.
Geophysics completed over a targeted area within the Hawkeye Zone increasing width to 1km and a projected 4km strike
Magnetic Inversion Interpretation:
SAGA continued to update its geophysics with the magnetic inversions of the Hawkeye zone. Completed by Chris and David Mark of Geotronics, the magnetic inversions can project, with a high degree of certainty up to 400 meters in depth, what the mineralized magnetic body looks like beneath the surface.
Magnetic inversion of the Hawkeye zone looking north-northeast. Range of > 0.02 susceptibility cut off.
Same magnetic inversion of the Hawkeye zone looking east at profile cross section with > 0.02 susceptibility cut off.
Petrographic Analysis at the Radar Ti-V Project:
Recent petrographic work completed by Dr. Al Miller on rock samples from the Hawkeye zone have increased the understanding of the mineralogical host of titanium and vanadium mineralization at the Radar project. This sets the foundation for the metallurgical work the team hopes to be able to build on during the 2025 drill programs.
First look at the petrography of the Hawkeye zone reveals more than one composition of magnetite; evidence which contributes to the hypothesis of multiphase mineralization events. Additionally, petrographic evidence reveals that much of the titanium and vanadium mineralization occurs within magnetite with a lack of ilmenite in many of the layers. This is key to understanding how these elements are locked up together and ultimately how they'll separate during extraction. These layers have assayed high TiO2% and V2O5% leading to the use of Vanadium Titanomagnetite (VTM) classification of several mineralized layers of the Hawkeye zone. Ilmenite with exsolution lamellae of the magnetite was observed but only in a few cases. This has contributed to what can be called differential compositional layering and multiple mineralization magmatic layering events.
VTM's are a mineralization style that has not received much attention in North America but is a pivotal piece of China's iron, titanium and vanadium mining and production industry.
Trapper Zone Shows Promising Titanium and Vanadium Anomalies Despite Limited Exposure:
The Trapper Zone spans a strike length of ~ 4.3km , slightly longer than the Hawkeye Zone, though it has significantly less surface exposure. The lack of outcrop and subcrop initially posed challenges for the exploration team; however, the implementation of an extensive soil grid successfully yielded the first geochemical confirmation of the Trapper Zone's correlation with previously identified geophysical anomalies.
Key findings from the Trapper Zone include:
Although only 30 rock samples were collected due to limited exposure and ground cover, the consistent anomalies found in both soil and rock samples provide compelling evidence to justify targeted exploration in this zone.
Further work, including additional surface sampling, trenching, and geophysical surveys, is planned to unlock the full potential of the Trapper Zone in 2025.
Transition Zone Presents Key Opportunity for Further Understanding of Radar Ti-V System:
A possible third, transitional zone, located between the Hawkeye and Trapper zones, presents a significant opportunity for further exploration. While its relationship to either zone remains unclear, this transitional area could help determine whether the Hawkeye and Trapper zones are folded limbs of the same system or represent different phases of a multi-phase, complex layered mafic intrusion.
Comparable Projects in the Grenville Geological Province:
A Map of the Grenville Geological Province
The Grenville Geological Province is known for its significant deposits of iron, titanium, vanadium (Fe-Ti-V), and Platinum Group Metals (PGM). A key comparison point is North America's largest titanium-vanadium project, located at Lac Tio in Quebec, just southwest of SAGA's Radar Project. Notably, both projects share the same rich geological setting.
Strategic Resources is a Montreal-based development company focused on vanadium, high-purity iron ore and titanium with their BlackRock project located in Quebec west of Lac Tio right on the Grenville Front (as seen in the map above).
Like, the Radar Ti-V project, these projects all have basement rock dated over 1 billion years old, and all share components of the deep-rooted mafic rock of the Grenville Province.
Strategic Resources completed an amended feasibility study 1 on March 26, 2024, on the Southwest deposit hosted within the BlackRock project confirming a proven and probably reserve of 127.8Mt with 0.46% V2O5, 40.2% Fe2O3 and 7.8% TiO2. The Southwest deposit spans 2.5km in length and averaging 110m in mineralized thickness with a projected mine life of 39 years. The projected financial outcome of the mine estimates after-tax cashflows of C$12.055 billion with a 5.4-year payback period including an after-tax net-present-value (8%) of C$1.932 billion and an 18.2% after-tax internal rate of return.
Michael Garagan, CGO & Director of Saga Metals Corp. commented: "All the final preparations are underway in Labrador. Equipment and fuel have been shipped and will arrive any day. Core logging and on-site lay down areas are being prepared. Our team, including myself, and the drilling contractors are all set to arrive early next week with our first diamond drill turning shortly thereafter. This project is a testament to our corporate mandate of completing the necessary due diligence and robust investigation to find exploration worthy grass roots projects. Radar has the potential of unlocking value with our first zone; one of potentially multiple zones on our property confirming high-grade mineralization at surface in a 1km by 4km area and potentially over 600m at depth. Needless to say, we are very excited to commence drilling on two projects in Q1."
About Saga Metals Corp.
Saga Metals Corp. is a North American mining company focused on the exploration and discovery of critical minerals that support the global transition to green energy. The company's flagship asset, the Double Mer Uranium Project, is located in Labrador, Canada, covering 25,600 hectares. This project features uranium radiometrics that highlight an 18-kilometer east-west trend, with a confirmed 14-kilometer section producing samples as high as 0.4281% U 3 O 8 and spectrometer readings of 22,000cps.
In addition to its uranium focus, SAGA owns the Legacy Lithium Property in Quebec's Eeyou Istchee James Bay region. This project, developed in partnership with Rio Tinto, has been expanded through the acquisition of the Amirault Lithium Project. Together, these properties cover 65,849 hectares and share significant geological continuity with other major players in the area, including Rio Tinto, Winsome Resources, Azimut Exploration, and Loyal Lithium.
SAGA also holds secondary exploration assets in Labrador, where the company is focused on the discovery of titanium, vanadium, and iron ore. With a portfolio that spans key minerals crucial to the green energy transition, SAGA is strategically positioned to play an essential role in the clean energy future.
For more information, contact:
Saga Metals Corp.
Investor Relations
Tel: +1 (778) 930-1321
Email: info@sagametals.com
www.sagametals.com
Qualified Person
Peter Webster P.Geo. CEO of Mercator Geological Services Limited is an Independent Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information related to the Radar Ti-V Project disclosed in this news release.
The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this release. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Cautionary Disclaimer
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipates", "expects", "believes", and similar expressions or the negative of these words or other comparable terminology. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information pertaining to the Company's petrographic and geophysics results as well as plans and objectives in respect of the planned drill programs. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include, but are not limited to, changes in the state of equity and debt markets, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in obtaining required regulatory or governmental approvals, environmental risks, limitations on insurance coverage, risks and uncertainties involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, and the risks detailed in the Company's final prospectus in Manitoba and amended and restated final prospectus for British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario dated August 30, 2024, filed under its SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca, and in the continuous disclosure filings made by the Company with securities regulations from time to time. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements only as expressly required by applicable law.
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Western Uranium & Vanadium Corp. (CSE: WUC) (OTCQX: WSTRF) (" Western " or the " Company ") is pleased to provide an update of its operational strategy and ongoing developments at the Mustang Mineral Processing Site and Maverick Minerals Processing Site, positioning the Company as a key player in the regional uranium and vanadium processing sector.
In October 2024, Western successfully acquired the Mustang Mineral Processing Site (formerly the Pinon Ridge Mill Site), a move that significantly enhances the Company's capabilities and processing infrastructure. The acquisition includes all historical data and equipment utilized for the site's previous successful licensing application. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has issued a license for this facility twice, underscoring the site's compliance with stringent regulatory requirements. This site is located approximately 25 miles from Western's Sunday Mine Complex mining operations in Colorado.
The Mustang Mineral Processing Site boasts significant infrastructure already in place to support long-term operations. Key features include:
In addition to developing the Mustang Mineral Processing Site ("Mustang"), Western is advancing its Maverick Minerals Processing Site ("Maverick") as a key kinetic separation hub. This strategic initiative will enable the processing of regional ore, upgrading lower-grade materials to economic levels for transport from Maverick to the Mustang facility. By optimizing ore grades before transportation, Western enhances the viability of multiple regional mines, further strengthening the uranium and vanadium supply chain. Maverick is located approximately 4 miles from Western's San Rafael Project in Utah.
Western's CEO, George Glasier stated "The acquisition and development of the Mustang Mineral Processing Site is a transformative step for Western, reinforcing our commitment to strengthen the uranium and vanadium industry in the region to meet the growing demand for these critical minerals."
Western Uranium & Vanadium remains focused on executing its strategic initiatives, ensuring sustainable and efficient mineral processing, and advancing projects that enhance shareholder value and domestic industry production.
About Western Uranium & Vanadium Corp.
Western Uranium & Vanadium Corp. is ramping-up high-grade uranium and vanadium production at its Sunday Mine Complex. In addition to the flagship property located in the prolific Uravan Mineral Belt, the production pipeline also includes conventional projects in Colorado and Utah. The Mustang Mineral Processing Site is being licensed and developed for mined material recovery and will incorporate kinetic separation to optimize economics.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information: Certain information contained in this news release constitutes "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). Statements of that nature include statements relating to, or that are dependent upon: the Company's expectations, estimates and projections regarding the Offering and exploration and production plans and results; the timing of planned activities; whether the Company can raise any additional funds required to implement its plans; whether regulatory or analogous requirements can be satisfied to permit planned activities; and more generally to the Company's business, and the economic and political environment applicable to its operations, assets and plans. All such forward-looking statements are subject to important risk factors and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict. Please refer to the Company's most recent Management's Discussion and Analysis, as well as its other filings at www.sec.gov and/or www.sedarplus.com , for a more detailed review of those risk factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements, and that these statements are made as of the date hereof. While the Company may do so, it does not undertake any obligation to update these forward-looking statements at any particular time, except as and to the extent required under applicable laws and regulations.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT :
Grant Glasier
Vice President Marketing and Project Development
303-808-3306
grantg@western-uranium.com
George Glasier
President and CEO
970-864-2125
gglasier@western-uranium.com
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In the current strong market dynamic for uranium, Skyharbour Resources is a compelling investment opportunity driven by its large portfolio of exploration assets in Canada’s most prolific uranium district in the Athabasca Basin.
Nuclear energy is a critical component in the transition to net zero. There's a growing acknowledgment of the pivotal role nuclear power can play in meeting decarbonization objectives, thanks to its clean emissions profile, dependable baseload capabilities, and secure operation.
Global electricity demand is set to grow 50 percent by 2040 and nuclear energy will play an integral role in meeting this demand. This is evident in the recently released World Energy Outlook 2023 published by the International Energy Agency (IEA) which highlighted the role that nuclear energy can play in making the journey towards net-zero faster, more secure, and more affordable. With 439 reactors operating globally, about 61 reactors under construction in 15 countries and a further 400 that are either ordered, planned or proposed, the IEA anticipates a substantial growth of over 43 percent in installed nuclear capacity from 2020 to 2050
This project covers an area of 35,705 hectares, located in the eastern Athabasca Basin near existing infrastructure with known high-grade uranium mineralization and significant discovery potential. Skyharbour acquired the project from Denison Mines (TSX:DML), a large strategic shareholder of the company. The project can be easily accessed year-round via winter and ice roads, streamlining logistics and reducing expenses. During the summer months, a significant portion of the property remains accessible as well. The property has been the subject of extensive historic exploration with over $50 million in expenditures, and over 140,000 meters of diamond drilling completed historically.
Moore hosts high-grade uranium mineralization at the Maverick zones. Over the past few years, Skyharbour Resources has conducted diamond drilling programs, resulting in the intersection of high-grade uranium mineralization in numerous drill holes along the 4.7-kilometer-long Maverick structural corridor. Some of the high-grade intercepts include:
Merely 50 percent of the total 4.7-kilometer promising Maverick corridor has undergone systematic drilling, indicating significant discovery potential both along its length and within the underlying basement rocks at depth. Skyharbour recently completed a winter drill program which consisted of 2,800m of drilling at the project which focused on infill/expansion drilling at the Main Maverick Zone.Assay results from the program intersected 5 metres of 4.61 percent U3O8 from a relatively shallow downhole depth of 265.5 metres to 270.5 metres including 10.19 percent U3O8 over 1 metre at the Main Maverick Zone from hole ML24-08. Skyharbour will continue to advance Moore through a 2,500 metre summer drill program, which has recently been completed, with assays pending.
Apart from the Maverick Zone, diamond drilling in various other target areas has encountered multiple conductors linked with notable structural disturbances, robust alteration, and anomalous concentrations of uranium and associated pathfinder elements.
The Russell Lake project is a large, advanced-stage uranium exploration property spanning 73,314 hectares, strategically positioned between Cameco’s Key Lake and McArthur River projects. Skyharbour has completed its earn-in requirements for an option agreement with Rio Tinto and has now acquired 57.7 percent ownership interest in the Russell Lake project.
The project is adjacent to Denison’s Wheeler River project and Skyharbour’s Moore uranium project. It is supported by excellent infrastructure in terms of highway access as well as high-voltage power lines. The project has undergone a significant amount of historical exploration which includes over 95,000 meters of drilling in over 220 drill holes. The exploration identified numerous prospective target areas and several high-grade uranium showings as well as drill hole intercepts.
The property hosts several noteworthy exploration targets, including the Grayling Zone, the M-Zone Extension target, the Little Man Lake target, the Christie Lake target, and the Fox Lake Trail target. Skyharbour completed a 19-hole drilling program totaling 9,595 meters in three phases in 2023. The initial drilling phase encompassed 3,662 meters across eight completed holes at the Grayling Zone, followed by a second phase involving four holes totaling 2,730 meters drilled at the Fox Lake Trail Zone. The third drilling phase involved 3,203 meters across seven holes targeting additional areas within the Grayling Zone.
Drilling at Russell in 2024 was completed in two separate phases with a total of 3,094 metres drilled in six holes. Phase One of drilling resulted in the best intercept of uranium mineralization historically on the property from hole RSL24-02, which returned a 2.5 metre wide intercept of 0.721 percent U3O8 at a relatively shallow depth of 338.1 metres, including 2.99 percent U3O8 over 0.5 metres at 339.6 metres just above the unconformity in the sandstone. The second phase of drilling was recently completed which totalled approximately 4,500 metres, with assays pending.
Skyharbour has recently commenced its 2025 drilling program at the Russell Lake project with a first phase consisting of approximately 5,000 metres to follow up on notable recent exploration success and to test new targets developed by the geological team. The focus for this phase of drilling will be on the Fork and Sphinx targets within the broader Grayling target area, as well as the M-Zone Extension target and the Fox Lake Trail target. This initial winter program will consist of 10 to 12 drill holes, with most of the targets being road accessible and near the exploration camp, bringing the drill costs down.
This project comprises 11 claims covering 42,908 hectares located approximately 50 km east of the Key Lake mine. Skyharbour Resources has entered into an option agreement with North Shore Uranium which provides North Shore with an earn-in option to acquire an initial 80 percent interest and up to a 100 percent interest in the Falcon Property. North Shore can acquire an initial 80 percent interest in the claims within three years by meeting combined commitments of C$5.3 million in cash, share issuance, and exploration expenditures. Additionally, there's an option to buy the remaining 20 percent for an extra C$10 million in cash and shares.
North Shore has collected multiple samples from two of the first three uranium prospects drilled at its 55,699-hectare Falcon property in 2024. The samples returned anomalous uranium values of greater than 300 ppm U3O8 and up to a maximum of 572 ppm U3O8. An exploration permit has been secured for the project, which will allow North Shore to conduct exploration activities at the property, including prospecting and ground geophysics, trail and drill site clearing, line cutting, drilling of up to 75 exploration drill holes and storage of drill core.
This project comprises 16 claims covering 12,234 hectares located approximately 55 km east of the Key Lake mine. Skyharbour has optioned up to a 75 percent interest in a portion of the project to Terra Clean Energy (previously Tisdale). Terra will issue Skyharbour Resources 1,111,111 shares upfront, fund exploration expenditures totaling C$10.5 million, and pay Skyharbour Resources C$11.1 million in cash of which C$6.5 million can be settled for shares over a five-year earn-in. Skyharbour Resources will retain a minority interest in the South Falcon East.
This project comprises 20,674 hectares located on the west side of the Athabasca Basin. In March 2017, Skyharbour Resources signed an option agreement with Azincourt Uranium (TSXV:AAZ) to option 70 percent of a portion of the East Preston project to Azincourt. Since then, Azincourt earned a majority interest in the project which currently stands at 85.8 percent.
Skyharbour retains 9.5 percent ownership and Dixie Gold owns the remaining 4.7 percent.
Azincourt completed a 2023 drill program comprising 3,066 meters in 13 drill holes. The company also completed the winter 2024 diamond drill program of 1,086 meters of drilling in four diamond drill holes and results indicated the following:
This project comprises 49,635 hectares strategically located near Fission’s Triple R deposit and NexGen’s Arrow deposit. In March 2017, Skyharbour Resources signed an option agreement with Orano (formerly AREVA) Resources Canada to option a majority stake in the Preston project. Orano has fulfilled its first earn-in option interest for 51 percent in the project. Following this, Orano has formed a joint venture (JV) with Skyharbour and Dixie Gold for the advancement of the project. Orano holds 51 percent interest, and the remaining is split between Skyharbour and Dixie Gold, with Skyharbour retaining 25.6 percent.
Orano Canada has completed a geophysical programat the 49,635-hectare Preston uranium project which included a ground electromagnetic survey (ML-TEM) and a ground gravity survey. Orano is now preparing for exploration program which will consist of a planned 6,000 to 7,000 metre, helicopter-supported diamond drill program in approximately 26 holes at an average depth of 250 metres during the summer of 2025. Primary drill target areas include the previously untested Johnson Lake grid as well as the Canoe Lake grid; with the possibility of testing the recently surveyed FSAN-North and the West Preston Grids.
This project comprises 16 claims covering 25,847 hectares on the east side of the Athabasca Basin. In February 2024, Thunderbird Resources (previously Valor) completed an earn-in for 80 percent interest and formed a JV partnership with Skyharbour which retains the remaining 20 percent interest.
This project is strategically located on the east side of the Athabasca basin, 25 km southwest of Cameco’s McArthur River Mine and 15 km northeast and along strike of Cameco's Millennium uranium deposit. In October 2021, Basin Uranium signed an earn-in option to acquire a 75 percent interest in the project. Basin will pay a combination of cash and stocks over three years comprising C$4.85 million in cash plus exploration expenditure and C$1.75 million worth of shares.
The South Dufferin Project totals 13,205 hectares covering 10 claims and is located immediately south of the southern margin of the Athabasca Basin in northern Saskatchewan. The property covers the southern extension of the Virgin River Shear Zone, which hosts known high-grade uranium mineralization at Cameco Corp.'s Dufferin Lake zone approximately 13 kilometres to the north (highlight drill results of 1.73 percent U3O8 over 6.5 metres) and Cameco Corp.'s Centennial deposit approximately 25 kilometres to the north (includes drill intersections up to 8.78 percent U3O8 over 33.9 metres).
The Bolt Project consists of two contiguous claims 100 percent owned by Skyharbour Resources Ltd. totalling 4,726 hectares and is located approximately 7 km west of the Highway 914 and about 32 km southwest of Cameco’s Key Lake Operation (which produced 209.8 million pounds of U3O8 at an average grade of 2.32 percent U3O8 from 2 deposits, where ore from the McArthur River mine is currently processed).
A definitive agreement was recently signed in October of 2024 with UraEx Resources to earn an initial 51 percent and up to 100 percent of both the South Dufferin and Bolt Projects, collectively. For an initial 51 percent, UraEx will issue common shares having an aggregate value of C$1.15 million, make total cash payments of $450,000, and incur $3 million in exploration expenditures on both the South Dufferin and Bolt properties over a 3 year period. UraEx has an option to acquire the remaining 100 percent by issuing common shares having an aggregate value of C$2.5 million, making cash payments of $1.2 million and incurring $1.5 million in exploration expenditures over an additional two-year period.
In addition to the projects being advanced by Skyharbour and its partners, the company has 21 additional 100 percent owned projects that they’re actively seeking to option out to potential new partners in the future to add to their growing prospect generator business. All in all, Skyharbour is very well positioned to benefit from an accelerating uranium bull market with increasing demand in the backdrop of a strained supply side.
With a background in entrepreneurship, Jordan Trimble has held various positions in the resource industry, focusing on management, corporate finance, strategy, shareholder communications, business development, and capital raising with multiple companies. Prior to his role at Skyharbour, he was the corporate development manager at Bayfield Ventures, a gold company with projects in Ontario. Bayfield Ventures was subsequently acquired by New Gold (TSX:NGD) in 2014. Throughout his career, Trimble has established and assisted in the management of numerous public and private enterprises. He has played a pivotal role in securing significant capital for mining companies, leveraging his extensive network of institutional and retail investors.
Jim Pettit currently serves as a director on the boards of various public resource companies, drawing from over 30 years of experience in the industry. His expertise lies in finance, corporate governance, management and compliance, particularly in the early-stage development of both private and public enterprises. Over the past three decades, he has primarily focused on the resource sector. Previously, he served as chairman and CEO of Bayfield Ventures, which was acquired by New Gold in 2014.
David Cates currently serves as the president and CEO of Denison Mines (TSX:DML). Before assuming the role of president and CEO, Cates was the vice-president of finance, tax, and chief financial officer at Denison. In his capacity as CFO, he played a pivotal role in the company's mergers and acquisitions activities, including spearheading the acquisition of Rockgate Capital and International Enexco. Cates joined Denison in 2008, initially serving as director of taxation before he was appointed CFO. Prior to joining Denison, he held positions at Kinross Gold and PwC with a focus on the resource industry.
Joseph Gallucci was previously a senior manager at a leading Canadian accounting firm. He possesses more than two decades of expertise in investment banking and equity research, specializing in mining, base metals, precious metals, and bulk commodities worldwide. He serves as a senior capital markets executive and corporate director. Presently, Gallucci is the managing director and head of investment banking at Laurentian Bank Securities, where he assumes responsibility for overseeing the entire investment banking practice.
Brady Rak is a seasoned investment professional who has focussed on the Canadian capital markets over his 13-year career at several independent broker dealers including Ventum Financial, Salman Partners and Union Securities. As a registered investment advisor in the private client division of Ventum Financial, Brady has been involved in advising high-net-worth and corporate clients, structuring transactions, raising capital and navigating global market sentiment. Brady graduated from Northwood University with a BBA in Management and holds his Options license.
A recognized geoscientist with decades of experience in uranium exploration and development, Serdar Donmez has played an active role in numerous grassroots and advanced uranium exploration projects in northern Saskatchewan and Zambia. Donmez has an engineering degree in geology and is a registered professional geoscientist with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan. During his 17-year tenure at Denison Mines, Donmez was pivotal in advancing numerous uranium exploration and development projects. He was involved in various capacities with the Phoenix and Gryphon uranium deposits on Denison's Wheeler River project, from initial discovery to the completion of the feasibility study in 2023. As resource geology manager, he was integral to the development of mineral resource estimates and NI 43-101 technical reports for several advanced exploration projects in the Athabasca Basin. Additionally, he was part of a team exploring the application of in-situ recovery mining techniques for high-grade uranium deposits in the Athabasca Basin.
Dave Billard is a geologist with over 35 years of experience in exploration and development, focusing on uranium, gold and base metals in western Canada and the western US. He served as chief operating officer, vice-president of exploration, and director for JNR Resources before its acquisition by Denison Mines. He played a crucial role in the discovery of JNR’s Maverick and Fraser Lakes B zones. Earlier in his career, he contributed to the discovery and development of several significant gold deposits in northern Saskatchewan. Prior to joining JNR, Billard worked as a geological consultant specializing in uranium exploration in the Athabasca Basin. He also spent over 12 years with Cameco Corporation.
Christine McKechnie is a geologist with a specialization in uranium deposits, particularly those hosted in the basement and associated with unconformities in the Athabasca Basin and its vicinity. Throughout her career, she has worked with various companies such as Claude Resources, JNR Resources, CanAlaska Uranium and Cameco, engaging in gold and uranium exploration activities. She completed her B.Sc. (High Honors) in 2008 from the University of Saskatchewan and completed a M.Sc. thesis on the Fraser Lakes Zone B deposit at the Falcon Point project. She also received the 2015 CIM Barlow Medal for Best Geological Paper.
Highlights:
Laramide Resources Ltd. ( "Laramide" or the "Company" ) (TSX: LAM) (ASX: LAM) (OTCQX: LMRXF), a uranium mine development and exploration company with globally significant projects in the United States Australia and Kazakhstan is pleased to report a summary of the 2024 drilling campaign completed at the Westmoreland Uranium Project in Queensland, Australia ( "Westmoreland" ). The 2024 drill program has concluded with successful results confirming the high-quality of the Westmoreland uranium deposit and supporting a Global Mineral Resource Estimate Update expected by the end of Q1 2025.
The 2024 Drill program was designed to improve the Westmoreland Mineral Resource through extensional and infill drilling of uranium mineralisation and to gain a deeper understanding of the potential for gold mineralisation within the system. As well, following up on Laramide's past campaigns, targets were identified to explore satellite uranium deposits with long-term outlook for sustained project growth. And finally, to advance on-ground access logistics and targeting within the Murphy Project in the Northern Territory (see Figure 1 for scope of the project area).
Significantly, results from the 2024 drilling program returned broad mineralisation from each prospect area. Notably, many of these wide intercepts envelope narrow high-grade intercepts found across the Westmoreland project area (see Figure 2).
Results for eleven holes from infill drilling at Junnagunna, three holes drilled at Amphitheatre, and two exploration holes from the Southern Comfort-Mageera Trend in the Northern Territory have recently been received. Receipt of these results conclude a successful program. The 2024 drilling campaign across the broader Westmoreland Project was completed on the 4th of November and comprised 106 holes (includes 60 RC and 46 DD) for 11,263 meters, across multiple targets.
Commenting on the results, Laramide's Vice-President of Exploration Rhys Davies said:
"The 2024 Drill Campaign represents Laramide's most ambitious effort to date, with 106 holes for over 11,000 metres drilled across the Westmoreland Project. This aggressive approach was designed to demonstrate the scalability and quality of the Westmoreland asset, reinforcing our commitment to advancing to its full potential."
Figure 2: Map showing examples of broad mineralised intercepts from 2024 drilling at key Resource Target areas Huarabagoo, Junnagunna and the link zone (note: JG24DD010 results recently received, all other results previously announced 1 )
______________________________ |
Junnagunna
The Junnagunna deposit, located in the structural Redtree corridor, is included in the restated 2016 Westmoreland Mineral Resource Estimate 2 .
The 2024 drilling at Junnagunna was designed to extend and infill data gaps within the deposit (Figure 3). The reported results continue to support the model and confirm lateral continuity but also vertical continuity, reflecting narrow higher grading intercepts within broad mineralizing envelopes.
JG24DD003 confirms continuity of mineralisation intersected in historical drilling along strike to the north-east. JG24DD008 intersected the dyke feeder system however JG24DD009 and JG24DD010 (drilled along the fence line to the north – see Figure 3) intersected notable mineralization but did not intersect the dyke. Mineralisation remains open to the north-east and future exploration drilling could delineate the extents.
____________________________ |
Amphitheatre
Drilling in 2024 comprised a total of 8 diamond holes ( 1,334.55m ). Initial 5 holes (AMD008-AMD012 previously reported) targeted extensions to uranium mineralisation both laterally and down dip and successfully identified new zones for follow up. The final holes (AMD013-AMD015) followed up on potential blind mineralisation continuing to the north, obscured by cover.
Drilling successfully intersected mineralisation near surface and at depth and indicates potential for broad mineralizing zones to the north of Amphitheatre.
Importantly, AMD014 intercepted 10 discrete zones of sandstone hosted uranium mineralisation 3 O 8 (Table 2 and Figure 4) located 500 meters to the north of AMD013 presenting a significant exploration target, buried under alluvial cover, which will be subject to more exploration drilling in 2025.
Southern Comfort/Mageera
Two holes totaling 303.55 m were completed at the Northern Territory "Southern Comfort" prospect which is situated at the base of a northeast trending fault, known as the JN Fault, and is the focal feature of the Mageera Zone. The geological setting is analogous to the Westmoreland Uranium Deposit. Offset to the southwest of the JN fault is the Southern Comfort Lineament ("SCL"). Historical drilling has lightly tested this region, however limited modern exploration has occurred since.
The drill program sought to delineate the SCL extensions and test the conformity related uranium, vanadium and REE potential of the Seigal Volcanics-Westmoreland Conglomerate.
SC24DD001 peaked at 260.04 ppm at U 3 O 8 & 1,082.19 ppm V 2 O 5 from 8.00m along the faulted contact between Seigal Volcanics-Westmoreland Conglomerate faulted contact.
SC24DD002 was funded by the Northern Territory Geological Survey as part of the Geophysical and Drilling Collaboration program. Samples were subject to multi-element analysis for uranium and other critical minerals such as vanadium and rare earth elements (REEs) that might be associated with the Southern Comfort-Mageera trend. Drilling intersected an overlying Seigal Volcanics in faulted contact with the Westmoreland Conglomerate, hosting a dolerite dyke. Uranium, minor gold and moderate vanadium confirms enrichment at this contact, successfully testing the geological concept ( 0.4m @ 346.68ppm U 3 O 8 and 1238.93ppm V 2 O 5 from 20.4m depth). No Rare Earth anomalism was noted.
Results from both holes are considered a technical success in identifying anomalism along the conformity and further work is planned at Southern Comfort and the Mageera Zone in 2025.
Qualified/Competent Person
The information in this announcement relating to Exploration Results is based on information compiled or reviewed by Mr. Rhys Davies , a contractor to the Company. Mr. Davies is a Member of The Australasian Institute of Geoscientists and has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralization and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the JORC 2012 Edition of the 'Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves', and is a "Qualified Person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Davies consents to the inclusion in this announcement of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears.
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About Laramide Resources Ltd.
Laramide is focused on exploring and developing high-quality uranium assets in Tier-1 uranium jurisdictions. The company's portfolio comprises predominantly advanced uranium projects in districts with historical production or superior geological prospectivity. The assets have been carefully chosen for their size and production potential, and the two large development projects are considered to be late-stage, low-technical risk projects. As well, Laramide has expanded its pipeline with strategic exploration in Kazakhstan where the company is exploring over 5,500 km 2 of the prolific Chu-Sarysu Basin for world class roll-front deposits which are amenable to in-situ recovery.
Forward-looking Statements and Cautionary Language
This release includes certain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements." All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the management of the Company expect, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "projects", "intends", "estimates", "envisages", "potential", "possible", "strategy", "goals", "objectives", or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions. Actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Laramide disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, save and except as may be required by applicable securities laws.
Since forward-looking information addresses future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to, exploration and production for uranium; delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures; the uncertainty of resource estimates; health, safety and environmental risks; worldwide demand for uranium; uranium price and other commodity price and exchange rate fluctuations; environmental risks; competition; incorrect assessment of the value of acquisitions; ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources; and changes in legislation, including but not limited to tax laws, royalties and environmental regulations.
Table 1: Drill Collar Details | ||||||||||
Prospect | Hole ID | GDA_Easting | GDA_Northing | RL (m) | Depth (m) | Grid Azi | Dip | Hole type | Drilling | Drilling completed |
AMPHITHEATRE | AMD008 | 209879 | 8074908 | 93 | 241.6 | 90 | -60 | DD | 01/07/2024 | 09/07/2024 |
AMPHITHEATRE | AMD009 | 209928 | 8074816 | 90 | 202.9 | 270 | -80 | DD | 10/07/2024 | 15/07/2024 |
AMPHITHEATRE | AMD010 | 209954 | 8074725 | 90 | 203.4 | 90 | -60 | DD | 15/07/2024 | 26/07/2024 |
AMPHITHEATRE | AMD011 | 209958 | 8074620 | 99 | 200.3 | 90 | -60 | DD | 26/07/2024 | 02/08/2024 |
AMPHITHEATRE | AMD012 | 209928 | 8074820 | 90 | 84.5 | 90 | -55 | DD | 03/08/2024 | 05/08/2024 |
AMPHITHEATRE | AMD013 | 209700 | 8074902 | 94 | 150.55 | 90 | -50 | DD | 29/10/2024 | 31/10/2024 |
AMPHITHEATRE | AMD014 | 209906 | 8075341 | 68 | 125.65 | 80 | -50 | DD | 01/11/2024 | 02/11/2024 |
AMPHITHEATRE | AMD015 | 209428 | 8075270 | 67 | 125.65 | 94 | -50 | DD | 02/11/2024 | 04/11/2024 |
JUNNAGUNNA | JG24DD001 | 197607 | 8066711 | 78 | 158.05 | 135 | -50 | DD | 02/10/2024 | 05/10/2024 |
JUNNAGUNNA | JG24DD002 | 197299 | 8066964 | 77 | 98.6 | 139 | -50 | DD | 03/10/2024 | 05/10/2024 |
JUNNAGUNNA | JG24DD003 | 197120 | 8067186 | 77 | 104.6 | 135 | -50 | DD | 06/10/2024 | 13/10/2024 |
JUNNAGUNNA | JG24DD004 | 196897 | 8066059 | 78 | 114.4 | 135 | -55 | DD | 08/10/2024 | 11/10/2024 |
JUNNAGUNNA | JG24DD005 | 196932 | 8066142 | 78 | 117.5 | 135 | -55 | DD | 12/10/2024 | 14/10/2024 |
JUNNAGUNNA | JG24DD006 | 196946 | 8066019 | 78 | 120.1 | 135 | -55 | DD | 13/10/2024 | 16/10/2024 |
JUNNAGUNNA | JG24DD007 | 196977 | 8066091 | 80 | 114.3 | 131 | -55 | DD | 15/10/2024 | 18/10/2024 |
JUNNAGUNNA | JG24DD008 | 197030 | 8066051 | 81 | 120.7 | 135 | -55 | DD | 19/10/2024 | 21/10/2024 |
JUNNAGUNNA | JG24DD009 | 197127 | 8066101 | 78 | 131.7 | 135 | -55 | DD | 18/10/2024 | 20/10/2024 |
JUNNAGUNNA | JG24DD010 | 197019 | 8066195 | 78 | 120.1 | 135 | -55 | DD | 17/10/2024 | 18/10/2024 |
JUNNAGUNNA | JG24DD011 | 197089 | 8065993 | 79 | 126.4 | 135 | -55 | DD | 22/10/2024 | 25/10/2024 |
JUNNAGUNNA | JG24RC001 | 196986 | 8065965 | 77 | 114 | 317 | -75 | RC | 01/09/2024 | 01/10/2024 |
SOUTHERN COMFORT | SC24DD001* | 817207 | 8058777 | 112 | 101.65 | 140 | -60 | DD | 23/10/2024 | 24/10/2024 |
SOUTHERN COMFORT | SC24DD002* | 816005 | 8058560 | 119 | 201.9 | 144 | -55 | DD | 24/10/2024 | 27/10/2024 |
* drill collar co-ordinates are in GDA94 Zone 53 | ||||||||||
Table 2: Significant intercepts >100ppm U 3 O 8 | |||||
Hole | From | To | Length (m) | U 3 0 8 ppm | Au g/t |
JG24DD001 | 38 | 39.3 | 1.3 | 303.05 | 0.01 |
JG24DD002 | No Significant Intercepts | ||||
JG24DD003 | 16 | 17 | 1 | 137.97 | 0.03 |
JG24DD003 | 50 | 51 | 1 | 153.30 | 0.01 |
JG24DD004 | 26 | 34 | 8 | 325.61 | 0.01 |
including | 28 | 29 | 1 | 1297.12 | 0.01 |
JG24DD005 | 24.25 | 28 | 3.75 | 491.22 | 0.01 |
JG24DD006 | 35 | 36 | 1 | 127.94 | 0.01 |
JG24DD006 | 41 | 44 | 3 | 1192.17 | 0.01 |
including | 43 | 44 | 1 | 2606.03 | 0.01 |
JG24DD007 | 20 | 22 | 2 | 136.79 | 0.01 |
JG24DD007 | 25 | 28 | 3 | 1773.91 | 0.05 |
including | 27 | 28 | 1 | 4610.67 | 0.12 |
JG24DD008 | 42 | 43 | 1 | 265.32 | 0.01 |
JG24DD008 | 65 | 66 | 1 | 707.52 | 0.01 |
JG24DD008 | 69 | 73 | 4 | 255.13 | 0.01 |
JG24DD008 | 77 | 78 | 1 | 449.81 | 0.01 |
JG24DD008 | 89 | 95 | 6 | 394.93 | 0.01 |
JG24DD009 | 30 | 32 | 2 | 392.67 | 0.03 |
JG24DD009 | 53 | 54 | 1 | 136.79 | 0.01 |
JG24DD010 | 32 | 42 | 10 | 693.90 | 0.01 |
including | 33 | 35 | 2 | 2617.82 | 0.01 |
JG24DD010 | 45 | 46 | 1 | 103.42 | 0.01 |
JG24DD010 | 78 | 80 | 2 | 3177.94 | 0.01 |
JG24DD011 | No Significant Intercepts | ||||
JG24RC001 | No Significant Intercepts | ||||
AMD013 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 126.17 | 0.01 |
AMD013 | 47 | 52 | 5 | 152.31 | 0.01 |
AMD013 | 85 | 90 | 5 | 148.08 | 0.01 |
AMD013 | 103 | 104 | 1 | 159.19 | 0.01 |
AMD013 | 112 | 115 | 3 | 853.74 | 0.15 |
including | 114 | 115 | 1 | 1450.42 | 0.38 |
AMD014 | 19 | 21 | 2 | 153.00 | 0.02 |
AMD014 | 37 | 38 | 1 | 101.76 | 0.005 |
AMD014 | 48 | 50 | 2 | 143.57 | 0.055 |
AMD014 | 66 | 68 | 2 | 209.90 | 0.005 |
AMD014 | 75 | 77 | 2 | 234.07 | 0.055 |
AMD014 | 80 | 82 | 2 | 267.68 | 0.02 |
AMD014 | 87 | 88 | 1 | 103.42 | 0.005 |
AMD014 | 93 | 94 | 1 | 110.49 | 0.005 |
AMD014 | 103 | 104 | 1 | 108.13 | 0 |
AMD014 | 118 | 119 | 1 | 114.85 | 0.005 |
AMD015 | 32 | 33 | 1 | 237.02 | 0.01 |
AMD015 | 71 | 72 | 1 | 172.16 | 0.01 |
AMD015 | 109 | 111 | 2 | 122.99 | 0.03 |
AMD015 | 118 | 119 | 1 | 212.85 | 0.02 |
SC24DD001 | No Significant Intercepts | ||||
SC24DD002 | 20.4 | 23 | 2.6 | 280.76 | 0.11 |
* Included intercepts are above >1000 ppm U 3 O 8 # intercept is above >1% U 3 O 8 | |||||
Table 3: Significant intercepts >0.1 g/t Au | |||||
Hole | From | To | Length (m) | U 3 0 8 ppm | Au g/t |
JG24DD005 | 57 | 60 | 3 | 14.66 | 0.13 |
JG24DD005 | 103 | 104.35 | 1.35 | 4.60 | 0.30 |
JG24DD007 | 27 | 28 | 1 | 4610.67 | 0.12 |
JG24DD007 | 85 | 88 | 3 | 1.38 | 0.37 |
including | 86 | 87 | 1 | 1.42 | 0.73 |
JG24DD007 | 91 | 92 | 1 | 1.30 | 0.40 |
JG24DD008 | 117 | 118 | 1 | 13.56 | 0.20 |
JG24DD011 | 9 | 10 | 1 | 2.36 | 0.19 |
SC24DD002 | 22.1 | 23 | 0.9 | 217.56 | 0.19 |
AMD013 | 97 | 98 | 1 | 49.05 | 0.11 |
AMD013 | 114 | 115 | 1 | 1450.42 | 0.38 |
AMD015 | 85 | 86 | 1 | 8.73 | 0.27 |
* Included intercepts are above >0.5g/t Au; with intercepts above >1g/t Au | |||||
Table 4: Significant intercepts >200 ppm V | |||||
Hole | From | To | Length (m) | U 3 0 8 ppm | V 2 O 5 ppm |
SC24DD001 | 0 | 9 | 9 | 34.28 | 437.02 |
including | 4 | 5 | 1 | 3.89 | 578.40 |
And | 8 | 9 | 1 | 260.04 | 1082.19 |
SC24DD002 | 0 | 22.1 | 22.1 | 30.26 | 373.51 |
including | 14 | 15 | 1 | 2.59 | 526.63 |
and | 20.4 | 20.8 | 0.4 | 346.68 | 1238.93 |
* Included intercepts are above >500 ppm V 2 O 5 | |||||
SOURCE Laramide Resources Ltd.
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Cameco( TSX: CCO; NYSE: CCJ) today reported its consolidated financial and operating results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2024, in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
�Our 2024 full-year financial performance benefitted from strong fourth quarter results delivered by our uranium and Westinghouse segments," said Tim Gitzel, Cameco's president and CEO. "Although both net earnings and adjusted net earnings in 2024 were lower than in 2023 primarily due to the impact of purchase accounting related to the Westinghouse acquisition, our other key financial metrics improved significantly. We expect our strong financial performance to continue in 2025, driven by the supportive market conditions we are seeing throughout the fuel cycle and across the nuclear sector, and through the continued benefits flowing from our investment in Westinghouse. Over the coming year, we expect to continue investing to help ensure reliability and sustainability of our existing operations, while positioning ourselves for future production flexibility and growth growth that will be strategic, deliberate, disciplined, and with a focus on generating full-cycle value.
"It was another positive year for the nuclear industry, with support for both existing nuclear reactors and nuclear new build continuing to grow. In fact, we believe the outlook for nuclear power and nuclear fuel fundamentals is more favourable than it has been for decades. Continued global geopolitical uncertainty is bringing energy security and national security into focus, which puts nuclear in what we believe is a durable growth mode, and as we see that growth translate into demand and a cycle of replacement rate contracting, we too expect to be back in durable growth mode. We believe the risks to uranium and nuclear fuel supplies and services are greater than the risks to demand, and we expect that will create a renewed focus on ensuring long-term availability of nuclear fuel supplies.
"This past year in our uranium segment, despite relatively muted long-term contracting volumes as utilities focused first on securing enrichment and conversion services, we continued to negotiate off-market contracts and selectively add to our long-term portfolio, which now totals approximately 220 million pounds. That only represents about a quarter of our current reserve and resource base, meaning we can be strategically patient in our contracting discussions, and we are retaining exposure to the improving demand from our customers. We continue to have a large and growing pipeline of uranium business under negotiation and our focus remains on obtaining market-related pricing mechanisms that benefit from a constructive price environment, while also providing adequate downside protection. In addition, strong demand driving prices to historic highs in the conversion market is being captured in additional long-term contracts in our fuel services segment, with total contracted volumes of approximately 85 million kgU of UF 6 supporting our fuel services operations for years to come.
"We have more than 35 years of experience operating across the fuel cycle, and we have designed our strategy of full-cycle value capture to be resilient. Given the nature of nuclear fuel contracting and our long-term contract book, we have good visibility into when and where we need to deliver material, allowing us to carefully plan and prudently invest in our existing and potential supply sources, well into the future. When we consider the supply tools and flexibility we have in place to self-manage risk and to work with our customers to satisfy their ongoing fuel requirements, we can be selective and opportunistic with our sourcing of supply, including spot market purchases, and we can be disciplined when considering future investments in our primary supply pipeline.
"The positive market conditions that we expect to benefit our core uranium and fuel services businesses are also presenting significant future growth opportunities for Westinghouse, which we own with our partner Brookfield. In 2024, we saw continued interest in AP1000 ® new build opportunities in Poland, Bulgaria, Ukraine and Slovenia. In early 2025, Westinghouse announced a settlement agreement in its technology and export dispute with Korea Electric Power Corporation and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd., which resolves the dispute and establishes a framework for additional deployments outside of South Korea, to the mutual and material benefit of Westinghouse, KEPCO and KHNP.
"Cameco will continue to align our production with our contract portfolio and market opportunities, demonstrating that we continue to responsibly manage our supply in accordance with our customers' needs. We will continue to look for opportunities to improve operational effectiveness, improve our safety performance and reduce our impact on the environment, including through the use of digital and automation technologies to allow us to operate our assets with more flexibility and efficiency. Thanks to our disciplined strategy, our balance sheet is strong, and we expect it will enable us to continue executing our strategy while self-managing risk, including risks related to global macro-economic uncertainty and volatility, and uncertain trade policy decisions.
"We are a responsible, commercial supplier with long-lived, tier-one assets, and a proven operating track record. We are invested across the nuclear fuel cycle and believe we have the right strategy to help achieve a secure energy future in a manner that reflects our values. Embedded in our decisions is a commitment to address the risks and opportunities that we believe will make our business sustainable over the long term."
Summary of Q4 and 2024 results and developments:
Consolidated financial results
THREE MONTHS ENDED | YEAR ENDED | |||
CONSOLIDATED HIGHLIGHTS | DECEMBER 31 | DECEMBER 31 | ||
($ MILLIONS EXCEPT WHERE INDICATED) | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 |
Revenue | 1,183 | 844 | 3,136 | 2,588 |
Gross profit | 250 | 133 | 783 | 562 |
Net earnings attributable to equity holders | 135 | 80 | 172 | 361 |
$ per common share (basic) | 0.31 | 0.18 | 0.40 | 0.83 |
$ per common share (diluted) | 0.31 | 0.18 | 0.39 | 0.83 |
Adjusted net earnings (non-IFRS) 1 | 157 | 108 | 292 | 383 |
$ per common share (adjusted and diluted) | 0.36 | 0.25 | 0.67 | 0.88 |
Adjusted EBITDA (non-IFRS) | 524 | 336 | 1,531 | 884 |
Cash provided by operations | 530 | 201 | 905 | 688 |
1 In 2024, we revised our calculation of adjusted net earnings to adjust for unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses as well as for share-based compensation because it better reflects how we assess our operational performance. We restated comparative periods to reflect this change. |
The 2024 annual financial statements have been audited; however, the 2023 fourth quarter and 2024 fourth quarter financial information presented is unaudited. You can find a copy of our 2024 annual MD&A and our 2024 audited financial statements on our website at cameco.com.
NET EARNINGS
The following table shows what contributed to the change in net earnings and adjusted net earnings (non-IFRS measure) in the three months and year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023.
CHANGES IN EARNINGS | THREE MONTHS ENDED | YEAR ENDED | |||||||
($ MILLIONS) | DECEMBER 31 | DECEMBER 31 | |||||||
IFRS | ADJUSTED | IFRS | ADJUSTED | ||||||
Net earnings - 2023 | 80 | 108 | 361 | 383 | |||||
Change in gross profit by segment | |||||||||
(we calculate gross profit by deducting from revenue the cost of products and services sold, and depreciation and amortization (D&A), net of hedging benefits) | |||||||||
Uranium | Impact from sales volume changes | 29 | 29 | 22 | 22 | ||||
Higher realized prices ($US) | 107 | 107 | 390 | 390 | |||||
Foreign exchange impact on realized prices | 11 | 11 | 26 | 26 | |||||
Higher costs | (30 | ) | (30 | ) | (203 | ) | (203 | ) | |
change – uranium | 117 | 117 | 235 | 235 | |||||
Fuel services | Impact from sales volume changes | - | - | 2 | 2 | ||||
Higher realized prices ($Cdn) | 13 | 13 | 27 | 27 | |||||
Higher costs | (16 | ) | (16 | ) | (47 | ) | (47 | ) | |
change – fuel services | (3 | ) | (3 | ) | (18 | ) | (18 | ) | |
Other changes | |||||||||
Higher administration expenditures | (18 | ) | (18 | ) | (7 | ) | (7 | ) | |
Higher exploration expenditures | (7 | ) | (7 | ) | (17 | ) | (17 | ) | |
Change in reclamation provisions | 70 | 7 | 30 | (3 | ) | ||||
Change in gains on derivatives | (198 | ) | (6 | ) | (221 | ) | (10 | ) | |
Change in unrealized foreign exchange gains or losses | 50 | (5 | ) | 50 | (6 | ) | |||
Change in earnings from equity-accounted investees | 10 | (32 | ) | (165 | ) | (122 | ) | ||
Change in share-based compensation | - | 5 | - | (19 | ) | ||||
Lower finance income | (16 | ) | (16 | ) | (91 | ) | (91 | ) | |
Higher finance costs | 16 | 16 | (31 | ) | (31 | ) | |||
Change in income tax recovery or expense | 29 | (14 | ) | 41 | (7 | ) | |||
Other | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | |||||
Net earnings - 2024 | 135 | 157 | 172 | 292 | |||||
Non-IFRS measures
The non-IFRS measures referenced in this document are supplemental measures, which are used as indicators of our financial performance. Management believes that these non-IFRS measures provide useful supplemental information to investors, securities analysts, lenders and other interested parties in assessing our operational performance and our ability to generate cash flows to meet our cash requirements. These measures are not recognized measures under IFRS, do not have standardized meanings, and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similarly-titled measures presented by other companies. Accordingly, these measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information reported under IFRS. We are not able to reconcile our forward-looking non-IFRS guidance because we cannot predict the timing and amounts of discrete items, which could significantly impact our IFRS results. The following are the non-IFRS measures used in this document.
ADJUSTED NET EARNINGS
Adjusted net earnings (ANE) is our net earnings attributable to equity holders, adjusted for non-operating or non-cash items such as gains and losses on derivatives, unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses, share-based compensation, and adjustments to reclamation provisions flowing through other operating expenses, that we believe do not reflect the underlying financial performance for the reporting period. In 2024, we revised our calculation of adjusted net earnings to adjust for unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses as well as for share-based compensation because it better reflects how we assess our operational performance. We have restated comparative periods to reflect this change. Other items may also be adjusted from time to time. We adjust this measure for certain of the items that our equity-accounted investees make in arriving at other non-IFRS measures. Adjusted net earnings is one of the targets that we measure to form the basis for a portion of annual employee and executive compensation (see Measuring our results in our 2024 annual MD&A).
In calculating ANE we adjust for derivatives. We do not use hedge accounting under IFRS and, therefore, we are required to report gains and losses on all hedging activity, both for contracts that close in the period and those that remain outstanding at the end of the period. For the contracts that remain outstanding, we must treat them as though they were settled at the end of the reporting period (mark-to-market). However, we do not believe the gains and losses that we are required to report under IFRS appropriately reflect the intent of our hedging activities, so we make adjustments in calculating our ANE to better reflect the impact of our hedging program in the applicable reporting period. See Foreign exchange in our 2024 annual MD&A for more information.
We also adjust for changes to our reclamation provisions that flow directly through earnings. Every quarter we are required to update the reclamation provisions for all operations based on new cash flow estimates, discount and inflation rates. This normally results in an adjustment to our asset retirement obligation asset in addition to the provision balance. When the assets of an operation have been written off due to an impairment, as is the case with our Rabbit Lake and US ISR operations, the adjustment is recorded directly to the statement of earnings as "other operating expense (income)". See note 16 of our annual financial statements for more information. This amount has been excluded from our ANE measure.
As a result of the change in ownership of Westinghouse when it was acquired by Cameco and Brookfield, Westinghouse's inventories at the acquisition date were revalued based on the market price at that date. As these quantities are sold, Westinghouse's cost of products and services sold reflect these market values, regardless of their historic costs. Our share of these costs is included in earnings from equity-accounted investees and recorded in cost of products and services sold in the investee information (see note 12 to the financial statements). Since this expense is non-cash, outside of the normal course of business and only occurred due to the change in ownership, we have excluded our share from our ANE measure.
Westinghouse has also expensed some non-operating acquisition-related transition costs that the acquiring parties agreed to pay for, which resulted in a reduction in the purchase price paid. Our share of these costs is included in earnings from equity accounted investees and recorded in other expenses in the investee information (see note 12 to the financial statements). Since this expense is outside of the normal course of business and only occurred due to the change in ownership, we have excluded our share from our ANE measure.
The following table reconciles adjusted net earnings with our net earnings for the three months and years ended December 31, 2024, and 2023.
THREE MONTHS ENDED | YEAR ENDED | |||||||
DECEMBER 31 | DECEMBER 31 | |||||||
($ MILLIONS) | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||
Net earnings attributable to equity holders | 135 | 80 | 172 | 361 | ||||
Adjustments | ||||||||
Adjustments on derivatives | 133 | (59 | ) | 152 | (59 | ) | ||
Unrealized foreign exchange gains | (56 | ) | (1 | ) | (66 | ) | (10 | ) |
Share-based compensation | 17 | 12 | 44 | 63 | ||||
Adjustments on other operating expense (income) | (23 | ) | 40 | (35 | ) | (2 | ) | |
Income taxes on adjustments | (37 | ) | 6 | (46 | ) | 2 | ||
Adjustments on equity investees (net of tax): | ||||||||
Inventory purchase accounting | 3 | 20 | 53 | 20 | ||||
Acquisition-related transition costs | - | - | 22 | - | ||||
Unrealized foreign exchange losses (gains) | (16 | ) | 10 | (7 | ) | 8 | ||
Long-term incentive plan | 1 | - | 3 | - | ||||
Adjusted net earnings | 157 | 108 | 292 | 383 | ||||
EBITDA
EBITDA is defined as net earnings attributable to equity holders, adjusted for the costs related to the impact of the company's capital and tax structure including depreciation and amortization, finance income, finance costs (including accretion) and income taxes.
ADJUSTED EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA, as further adjusted for the impact of certain costs or benefits incurred in the period which are either not indicative of the underlying business performance or that impact the ability to assess the operating performance of the business. These adjustments include the amounts noted in the adjusted net earnings definition.
In calculating adjusted EBITDA, we also adjust for items included in the results of our equity-accounted investees. These items are reported as part of marketing, administrative and general expenses within the investee financial information and are not representative of the underlying operations. These include gain/loss on undesignated hedges, transaction costs related to acquisitions and gain/loss on disposition of a business.
We also adjust for the unwinding of the effect of purchase accounting on the sale of inventories which is included in our share of earnings from equity-accounted investee and recorded in the cost of products and services sold in the investee information (see note 12 to the financial statements).
The company may realize similar gains or incur similar expenditures in the future.
ADJUSTED EBITDA MARGIN
Adjusted EBITDA margin is defined as adjusted EBITDA divided by revenue for the appropriate period.
EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted EBITDA margin are measures which allow us and other users to assess results of operations from a management perspective without regard for our capital structure. To facilitate a better understanding of these measures, the table below reconciles earnings before income taxes with EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarters and years ended 2024 and 2023.
For the year ended December 31, 2024:
FUEL | |||||||||
($ MILLIONS) | URANIUM 1 | SERVICES | WESTINGHOUSE | OTHER | TOTAL | ||||
Net earnings (loss) attributable to equity holders | 904 | 108 | (218 | ) | (622 | ) | 172 | ||
Depreciation and amortization | 239 | 37 | - | 5 | 281 | ||||
Finance income | - | - | - | (21 | ) | (21 | ) | ||
Finance costs | - | - | - | 147 | 147 | ||||
Income taxes | - | - | - | 85 | 85 | ||||
1,143 | 145 | (218 | ) | (406 | ) | 664 | |||
Adjustments on equity investees | |||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 23 | - | 357 | - | 380 | ||||
Finance income | (1 | ) | - | (4 | ) | - | (5 | ) | |
Finance expense | - | - | 225 | - | 225 | ||||
Income taxes | 58 | - | (61 | ) | - | (3 | ) | ||
Net adjustments on equity investees | 80 | - | 517 | - | 597 | ||||
EBITDA | 1,223 | 145 | 299 | (406 | ) | 1,261 | |||
Gain on derivatives | - | - | - | 152 | 152 | ||||
Other operating income | (35 | ) | - | - | - | (35 | ) | ||
Share-based compensation | - | - | - | 44 | 44 | ||||
Unrealized foreign exchange gains | - | - | - | (66 | ) | (66 | ) | ||
(35 | ) | - | - | 130 | 95 | ||||
Adjustments on equity investees | |||||||||
Inventory purchase accounting | - | - | 71 | - | 71 | ||||
Acquisition-related transition costs | - | - | 29 | - | 29 | ||||
Other expenses | - | - | 78 | - | 78 | ||||
Foreign exchange gains | (9 | ) | - | 2 | - | (7 | ) | ||
Net adjustments on equity investees | (9 | ) | - | 184 | - | 175 | |||
Adjusted EBITDA | 1,179 | 145 | 483 | (276 | ) | 1,531 | |||
1 JV Inkai EBITDA is included in the uranium segment. See Financial results by segment – Uranium in our 2024 annual MD&A. |
For the year ended December 31, 2023:
FUEL | |||||||||
($ MILLIONS) | URANIUM 1 | SERVICES | WESTINGHOUSE | OTHER | TOTAL | ||||
Net earnings (loss) attributable to equity holders | 606 | 129 | (24 | ) | (350 | ) | 361 | ||
Depreciation and amortization | 175 | 35 | - | 10 | 220 | ||||
Finance income | - | - | - | (112 | ) | (112 | ) | ||
Finance costs | - | - | - | 116 | 116 | ||||
Income taxes | - | - | - | 126 | 126 | ||||
781 | 164 | (24 | ) | (210 | ) | 711 | |||
Adjustments on equity investees | |||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 14 | - | 61 | - | 75 | ||||
Finance income | - | - | (2 | ) | - | (2 | ) | ||
Finance expense | - | - | 30 | - | 30 | ||||
Income taxes | 42 | - | (7 | ) | - | 35 | |||
Net adjustments on equity investees | 56 | - | 82 | - | 138 | ||||
EBITDA | 837 | 164 | 58 | (210 | ) | 849 | |||
Loss on derivatives | - | - | - | (59 | ) | (59 | ) | ||
Other operating income | (2 | ) | - | - | - | (2 | ) | ||
Share-based compensation | - | - | - | 63 | 63 | ||||
Unrealized foreign exchange gains | - | - | - | (10 | ) | (10 | ) | ||
(2 | ) | - | - | (6 | ) | (8 | ) | ||
Adjustments on equity investees | |||||||||
Inventory purchase accounting | - | - | 27 | - | 27 | ||||
Other expenses | - | - | 8 | - | 8 | ||||
Foreign exchange gains | - | - | 8 | - | 8 | ||||
Net adjustments on equity investees | - | - | 43 | - | 43 | ||||
Adjusted EBITDA | 835 | 164 | 101 | (216 | ) | 884 | |||
1 JV Inkai EBITDA is included in the uranium segment. See Financial results by segment - Uranium in our 2024 annual MD&A. |
The following Westinghouse financial outlook for 2025 is reported in Canadian dollars and prepared in accordance with IFRS and reflects Cameco's 49% ownership share. It reconciles the Westinghouse outlook for net earnings with EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA.
$USD | ||
CAMECO SHARE (49%) | MILLIONS | |
Net loss | (20-70) | |
Depreciation and amortization | 260-275 | |
Finance income | (1-2) | |
Finance costs | 120-135 | |
Income tax expense (recovery) | 5-(10) | |
EBITDA | 320-370 | |
Inventory purchase accounting | 1-5 | |
Restructuring costs | 15-30 | |
Other expenses | 10-25 | |
Adjusted EBITDA | 355-405 |
The outlook for adjusted EBITDA from Westinghouse for 2025 and its growth over the next five years are based on the following assumptions:
Selected segmented highlights
THREE MONTHS ENDED | YEAR ENDED | |||||||
DECEMBER 31 | DECEMBER 31 | |||||||
HIGHLIGHTS | 2024 | 2023 | CHANGE | 2024 | 2023 | CHANGE | ||
Uranium | Production volume (million lbs) | 6.1 | 5.7 | 7% | 23.4 | 17.6 | 33% | |
Sales volume (million lbs) | 12.8 | 9.8 | 30% | 33.6 | 32.0 | 5% | ||
Average realized price 1 | ($US/lb) | 58.45 | 52.35 | 12% | 58.34 | 49.76 | 17% | |
($Cdn/lb) | 80.90 | 71.65 | 13% | 79.70 | 67.31 | 18% | ||
Revenue ($ millions) | 1,035 | 700 | 48% | 2,677 | 2,153 | 24% | ||
Gross profit ($ millions) | 213 | 96 | >100% | 681 | 445 | 53% | ||
Earnings before income taxes | 289 | 122 | >100% | 904 | 606 | 49% | ||
Adjusted EBITDA 2 | 391 | 231 | 70% | 1,179 | 835 | 41% | ||
Fuel services | Production volume (million kgU) | 3.6 | 3.7 | (3)% | 13.5 | 13.3 | 2% | |
Sales volume (million kgU) | 4.2 | 4.2 | - | 12.1 | 12.0 | 1% | ||
Average realized price 3 | ($Cdn/kgU) | 35.41 | 32.19 | 10% | 37.87 | 35.61 | 6% | |
Revenue ($ millions) | 148 | 134 | 10% | 459 | 426 | 8% | ||
Earnings before income taxes | 37 | 40 | (8)% | 108 | 129 | (16)% | ||
Adjusted EBITDA 2 | 49 | 51 | (4)% | 145 | 164 | (12)% | ||
Adjusted EBITDA margin (%) 2 | 33 | 38 | (13)% | 32 | 38 | (16)% | ||
Westinghouse | Revenue | 841 | 521 | 61% | 2,892 | 521 | >100% | |
(our share) | Net earnings (loss) | 9 | (24) | >(100%) | (218) | (24) | >100% | |
Adjusted EBITDA 2 | 162 | 101 | 60% | 483 | 101 | >100% | ||
1 Uranium average realized price is calculated as the revenue from sales of uranium concentrate, transportation and storage fees divided by the volume of uranium concentrates sold. |
2 Non-IFRS measure. |
3 Fuel services average realized price is calculated as revenue from the sale of conversion and fabrication services, including fuel bundles and reactor components, transportation and storage fees divided by the volumes sold. |
Management's discussion and analysis (MD&A) and financial statements
The 2024 annual MD&A and consolidated financial statements provide a detailed explanation of our operating results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the same periods last year, and our outlook for 2025. This news release should be read in conjunction with these documents, as well as our most recent annual information form, all of which are available on our website at cameco.com, on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com , and on EDGAR at sec.gov/edgar.shtml.
Qualified persons
The technical and scientific information discussed in this document for our material properties McArthur River/Key Lake, Cigar Lake and Inkai was approved by the following individuals who are qualified persons for the purposes of NI 43-101:
MCARTHUR RIVER/KEY LAKE | CIGAR LAKE | ||||
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INKAI | |||||
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Caution about forward-looking information
This news release includes statements and information about our expectations for the future, which we refer to as forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is based on our current views, which can change significantly, and actual results and events may be significantly different from what we currently expect.
Examples of forward-looking information in this news release include: our views regarding the outlook for nuclear energy and nuclear fuel fundamentals never having been more favourable; our expectation of strong financial performance and cash flow generation in 2025 driven by market conditions and through the continued benefits of our investment in Westinghouse, including our belief that Westinghouse is well-positioned for long-term growth, and our expected share of its adjusted EBITDA for 2025 and growth over the next five years; our expectation that Westinghouse's investments in new technologies will be made in accordance with Westinghouse's current business plan and our expectations regarding the effects on Westinghouse's adjusted EBITDA; our expectation to continue investing to help ensure reliability and sustainability of our existing operations, while positioning us for future production flexibility and growth; our views regarding supply and demand for nuclear power, that the risks to uranium and nuclear fuel supplies and services are greater than the risk to demand, and our expectation of a renewed focus on ensuring long-term availability of nuclear fuel supplies; our ability to operate our assets sustainably, and our expectations regarding the value they will generate for us; our views regarding the impact on the nuclear power industry of geopolitical events; our ability to invest in our existing and potential supply sources; the durability of the nuclear industry and our growth, and our ability to pursue growth and generate full-cycle value; our contract portfolio strategy and pipeline of business; our supply plans, including production levels at McArthur River/Key Lake, Cigar Lake and Inkai, as well as at our fuel services segment; our capital projects plans; our ability to continue to be resilient and to position ourselves for future production flexibility; our belief that we have the right strategy to help achieve a secure energy future in a manner that reflects our values; our views regarding the long-term sustainability of our business and our ability to self-manage risk; our expectations for dividend payments in 2025 and 2026; and the expected date for announcement of our 2025 first quarter results.
Material risks that could lead to different results include: unexpected changes in uranium supply, demand, long-term contracting, and prices; changes in consumer demand for nuclear power and uranium as a result of changing societal views and objectives regarding nuclear power, electrification and decarbonization; risks to Westinghouse's business associated with potential production disruptions, the implementation of its business objectives, compliance with licensing or quality assurance requirements, or otherwise be unable to achieve expected growth; the risk that we may not be able to implement changes to future operating and production levels for Cigar Lake and McArthur River/Key Lake and Inkai, or at our fuel services segment, to the planned levels within the expected timeframes, or that the costs involved in doing so, exceed our expectations; the risk that our revenues and cash flows may not achieve the levels expected; the risk of Inkai shipment delays due to the continuation or outcome of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia; the risk that we may not be able to meet sales commitments for any reason; the risk that we may not be able to continue to be resilient or continue to improve our financial performance; the risks to our business associated with potential production disruptions, including those related to global supply chain disruptions, global economic uncertainty and political volatility; risks associated with the application of, or developments in, laws or regulations that affect us or any of our joint ventures, including mining regulations, taxes, tariffs and sanctions; the risk that we may not be able to implement our business objectives in a manner consistent with our values; the risk that any of the strategies that we or any of our joint ventures are pursuing may prove unsuccessful, or that that may not be executed successfully; and the risk that we may be delayed in announcing our future financial results.
In presenting the forward-looking information, we have made material assumptions which may prove incorrect about: uranium demand, supply, consumption, long-term contracting, growth in the demand for and global public acceptance of nuclear energy, and prices; our production, purchases, sales, deliveries and costs; the market conditions and other factors upon which we have based our future plans and forecasts; the success of our plans and strategies, including planned operating and production changes; assumptions about Westinghouse's production, purchases, sales, deliveries and costs, the absence of business disruptions, and the success of its plans and strategies; the absence of new and adverse government regulations, policies or decisions, including the application of, or developments in, laws that may adversely affect us, such as mining regulations, taxes, tariffs and sanctions; that there will not be any significant unanticipated adverse consequences to our business resulting from production disruptions, including those relating to supply disruptions, and economic or political uncertainty and volatility; and our ability to announce future financial results when expected.
Please also review the discussion in our 2024 annual MD&A and most recent annual information form for other material risks that could cause actual results to differ significantly from our current expectations, and other material assumptions we have made. Forward-looking information is designed to help you understand management's current views of our near-term and longer-term prospects, and it may not be appropriate for other purposes. We will not necessarily update this information unless we are required to by securities laws.
Conference call
We invite you to join our fourth quarter conference call on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern.
The call will be open to all investors and the media. To join the call, please dial (844) 763-8274 (Canada and US) or (647) 484-8814. An operator will put your call through. The slides and a live webcast of the conference call will be available from a link at cameco.com. See the link on our home page on the day of the call.
A recorded version of the proceedings will be available:
2025 first quarter report release date
We plan to announce our 2025 first quarter results before markets open on May 1, 2025.
Profile
Cameco is one of the largest global providers of the uranium fuel needed to energize a clean-air world. Our competitive position is based on our controlling ownership of the world's largest high-grade reserves and low-cost operations, as well as significant investments across the nuclear fuel cycle, including ownership interests in Westinghouse Electric Company and Global Laser Enrichment. Utilities around the world rely on Cameco to provide global nuclear fuel solutions for the generation of safe, reliable, carbon-free nuclear power. Our shares trade on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges. Our head office is in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
As used in this news release, the terms we, us, our, the Company and Cameco mean Cameco Corporation and its subsidiaries unless otherwise indicated.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250219674310/en/
Investor inquiries:
Cory Kos
306-716-6782
cory_kos@cameco.com
Media inquiries:
Veronica Baker
639-994-0079
veronica_baker@cameco.com
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