Mr. John Borshoff reports
PALADIN ENERGY LTD-LONG TERM OFF-TAKE CONTRACT WITH A US$200M PREPAYMENT
Paladin Energy Ltd. has entered into an important, long-term off-take contract which underscores the operational capability the company has attained in the uranium supply sector.
Paladin has signed a milestone six-year off-take agreement with a major utility to deliver a total of 13.73 million pounds of U3O8 (triuranium octoxide) in the period from 2019 to 2024 incorporating a prepayment of $200-million (U.S.) as its key feature. Delivery will be from its current African mining operations or a project yet to be developed from the company's significant existing project pipeline, or a combination of these options. Uranium delivered under the long-term contract will be sold at market prices prevailing at the time of delivery, bounded by escalating floor and ceiling prices.
The prepayment of $200-million (U.S.) will be made to Paladin in respect of part of the future product deliveries. To secure Paladin's obligation to deliver product representing the prepayment amount, the utility will hold security over 60.1 per cent of Paladin's Michelin project in Canada. The percentage of Michelin secured will be reduced by joint agreement as the value of that project is enhanced by Paladin's continuing work. The Michelin security can also be replaced by other appropriate security if required.
Subject to formalities to be put in place between Paladin and the utility, expected to occur in September, such as required registration of the security documentation (which formal documentation is in agreed form), the $200-million (U.S.) prepayment will be made in tranches to be completed by no later than Jan. 31, 2013.
The prepayment will be applied to repayment of the balance of the March, 2013, convertible notes ($134-million (U.S.)), with the remainder retained for balance sheet strength as working capital.
The specific nature of the long-term contract, leveraging off forward production, is in itself a strong indication of the uranium industry's future supply challenges and fully endorses Paladin's development vision to date.
The company will now re-evaluate its strategic options in the light of this major achievement.
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