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Zimtu Capital Analyst Says All Roads Lead to the Athabasca Basin

By: The Energy Report and Derek Hamill



-- Posted Thursday, March 6 2014 | Digg This ArticleDigg It! |

Source: Tom Armistead of The Energy Report  

 

To the World Nuclear Association, 2% uranium ore is high grade. At 14%, 16% and even 20% uranium, the grades in the Athabasca Basin are astounding analysts and investors around the world. Derek Hamill, Zimtu Capital Corp.'s new head of research, tells The Energy Report about where the investment dollars are moving in the Athabasca Basin, and what areas are worth watching going forward.  

 

The Energy Report: Derek, thank you for joining us. Why is the Athabasca Basin generally described as the most prolific uranium source in the world?

 

Derek Hamill: There are a few factors that make the Athabasca Basin region of Saskatchewan and Alberta the best place to look for, and mine, uranium. Grade is the number-one factor. The average grades for a few of the bigger deposits in the Basin are above 15% U3O8, whereas the world average is far below 2% U3O8. The next important factor is that Saskatchewan is a great place to build a mine, and has been since the 1950s. There is all the necessary infrastructure (roads, power, mills) in most of the region. The western region of the Basin does not have existing power or operating mills. But given how this deposit and potentially others are developing, it's just a matter of time.

 

TER: What are the shortcomings of the Athabasca Basin compared to other uranium-producing basins?

 

DH: Infrastructure is a major factor that influences the economics of a potential mine. In the last few decades, the exploration in the western section of the Athabasca Basin has been markedly quiet compared to the east, where Cigar Lake, McArthur River and other mines and mills are located. Additional exploration in the region will likely prove up another deposit, so over time the western side will build comparable infrastructure. However, there will need to be material investment to develop the necessary infrastructure in the western areas of the Basin.

 

Another shortcoming of some deposits in the western region is the depth. The Cigar Lake mine illustrates this point quite well. The deposit is located between 410–450 meters (410–450m) below the surface, far too deep for cheaper open-pit mining, and the entire deposit needs to be frozen in order to prevent flooding. In 2006, a breach of this freezing technology caused significant delays. The project had an original start-up date of 2007, and is now expected to be producing by the end of Q2/14. Keep in mind though that many deposits in the Basin are at conventional open-pit mining depths.

 

TER: You have reported the average compound annual growth rate of several forecasts of electricity generating capacity from 2010 to 2025 as 2.6% for nuclear and 6.3% for non-hydro renewables. That's a higher growth rate for renewables than for nuclear. Why is nuclear a better target for investment?

 

DH: Nuclear is not necessarily better; there's actually tremendous room for both. Nuclear reactors can supply consistent electricity generation, night and day, over a long operating life, 40–60 years. The fuel costs represent 10–15% of the total cost of running a nuclear reactor. Even during the uranium price spike in 2007, operating costs for a nuclear reactor in the U.S. did not increase. That's an attractive property. Of course, nuclear can help reduce CO2 and SO2 emissions, which also makes the technology attractive in places like China, where air quality is an issue.

 

Energy Consumption: Nuclear Vs. Wind and Solar


Source: BP Statistical Review 2013

 

The biggest knock against nuclear energy has been the enormous capital costs of building reactors.

 

In China, nuclear power is growing at a 10-year compound annual growth of about 14.5%, but it still represents only ~2% of the country's electricity production, so there is tremendous potential for nuclear power as well as renewables.

 

Nuclear Reactors Worldwide

 


Source: IAEA|PRIS, WNA

 

TER: Most analysts are expecting the price of uranium eventually to rise from its current low. How will a higher fuel price affect the growth rate of nuclear power generation?

 

DH: I doubt it will. As I said, fuel costs are only 10–15% of the nuclear reactor. The demand from nuclear electricity generation going forward will have a strong influence on uranium pricing, but the price of uranium shouldn't have a huge influence on the decision whether to build nuclear reactors.

 

I know there's been a lot of talk of a nuclear renaissance, but it's complicated. The West, outside of France, hasn't shown much of a commitment to nuclear energy. In fact, last year the U.S. prematurely closed four reactors. It doesn't seem like there is much support for the industry. China appears committed, but will take a few years for the country to really become the uranium market mover. In the current environment, I don't see uranium prices materially increasing. Again, that's why the Athabasca Basin is an important region.

 

TER: Are Canadian uranium producers seeing any benefit from the termination of the Non-Resident Ownership Policy?

 

DH: Not in particular. I wouldn't be surprised to see some Chinese utilities invest in the Basin, but I don't see them becoming mine or mill operators.

 

TER: Is anyone visibly benefiting from the policy change?

 

DH: Companies out of Asia have expressed fairly robust interest in investing in the Athabasca Basin's uranium exploration. This has more to do with long-term growth in commercial nuclear generating capacity in Asia than with any Canadian policy change.

 

TER: You have highlighted a lot of difficult variables in assessing the uranium space. Do you have some parting advice for people who would like to take a look at it?

 

DH: For investment in nuclear, in terms of mining and exploration, it's a pretty simple strategy. You already know the major producers. In the U.S., there are a few smaller low-cost operations. So if you are a cautious investor, your money will probably be best with current producers. Next you have the near-term producers of which there are only a handful. Then there are the junior miners in Canada. Those that are in the Athabasca Basin hold a lottery ticket to a monster deposit. You need to look for a junior with a good portfolio of projects and the right people in order to make a discovery. I would caution people looking at uranium exploration companies to try to diversify. The Athabasca Basin is a low-cost producer. So if the uranium price remains under distress, the Basin should attract both domestic and foreign exploration dollars.

 

TER: Thank you, Derek.

 

DH: Thanks, Tom.

 

Derek Hamill completed his Master of Financial Analysis and Professional Accounting at La Trobe University, a leading Australian academic institution, and holds a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Calgary. Between degrees, Hamill worked for several years as an investment executive for ScotiaMcLeod, a leading Canadian wealth-management firm. As the newly established head of research for Zimtu Capital, Hamill provides long-term outlooks for various commodities and updates on key internal portfolio holdings. He has access to an impressive array of experienced and knowledgeable industry professionals who are associated with the Zimtu family. Zimtu's circle of industry contacts includes all aspects of the mineral exploration and development process, from first acquisition of mineral claims to the cutting of the ribbon at mine opening.

 

DISCLOSURE:
1) Tom Armistead conducted this interview for The Energy Report and provides services to The Energy Report as an independent contractor.
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3) Derek Hamill: I was not paid by Streetwise Reports for participating in this interview. Comments and opinions expressed are my own comments and opinions. I had the opportunity to review the interview for accuracy as of the date of the interview and am responsible for the content of the interview.
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-- Posted Thursday, March 6 2014 | Digg This ArticleDigg It! |



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