−Removed: MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S
−Removed: COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
+Added: MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Information
−Removed: Our common shares trade on the OTCQX Market
−Removed: under the “WSTRF”
−Removed: trading symbol.
−Removed: Our common shares are listed for trading
−Removed: in Canada on the CSE under the symbol “WUC”.
−Removed: According to our transfer agent, as of
−Removed: April 15, 2021 there were approximately 3,431 holders of record of our common shares.
−Removed: SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
−Removed: Not Applicable
−Removed: MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION
−Removed: AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
−Removed: Forward-Looking Statements
−Removed: The information disclosed in this annual report, and the information
−Removed: incorporated by reference herein, include “forward-looking statements”
−Removed: within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities
−Removed: Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).
−Removed: Forward-looking
−Removed: statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our or our management’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions
−Removed: or strategies regarding the future.
−Removed: In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future
−Removed: events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements.
−Removed: The words “anticipate,”
−Removed: “believe,”
−Removed: “continue,”
−Removed: “could,”
−Removed: “estimate,”
−Removed: “expect,”
−Removed: “intend,”
−Removed: “may,”
−Removed: “might,”
−Removed: “plan,”
−Removed: “possible,”
−Removed: “potential,”
−Removed: “predict,”
−Removed: “project,”
−Removed: “should,”
−Removed: “would”
−Removed: and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that
−Removed: a statement is not forward-looking.
−Removed: The forward-looking statements contained or incorporated
−Removed: by reference in this quarterly report are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential
−Removed: effects on us and speak only as of the date of each such statement.
−Removed: There can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will
−Removed: be those that we have anticipated.
−Removed: These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond
−Removed: our control) or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied
−Removed: by these forward-looking statements.
−Removed: These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those factors described in Item 1A,
−Removed: “Risk Factors,”
−Removed: and this Item 7 of this annual report.
−Removed: Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or
−Removed: should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking
−Removed: We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future
−Removed: events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.
−Removed: The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our audited
−Removed: consolidated annual financial statements and footnotes thereto contained in this annual report.
−Removed: Western Uranium & Vanadium
−Removed: (“Western”
−Removed: or the “Company”, formerly Western Uranium Corporation) was incorporated in December 2006
−Removed: under the Ontario Business Corporations Act.
−Removed: On November 20, 2014, the Company completed a listing process on the Canadian Securities
−Removed: Exchange (“CSE”).
−Removed: As part of that process, the Company acquired 100% of the members’
−Removed: interests of Pinon Ridge Mining
−Removed: LLC (“PRM”), a Delaware limited liability company.
−Removed: The transaction constituted a reverse takeover (“RTO”)
−Removed: of Western by PRM.
−Removed: Subsequent to obtaining appropriate shareholder approvals, the Company reconstituted its Board of Directors
−Removed: and senior management team.
−Removed: Effective September 16, 2015, Western completed its acquisition of Black Range Minerals Limited (“Black
−Removed: Range”).
−Removed: On August 18, 2014, the Company
−Removed: closed on the purchase of certain mining properties in Colorado and Utah from Energy Fuels Holding Corp.
−Removed: Assets purchased included
−Removed: both owned and leased lands in Utah and Colorado and all represent properties that have been previously mined for uranium to varying
−Removed: degrees in the past.
−Removed: The acquisition included the purchase of the Sunday Mine Complex.
−Removed: The Sunday Mine Complex is located in western
−Removed: San Miguel County, Colorado.
−Removed: The complex consists of the following five individual mines:
−Removed: the Sunday mine, the Carnation mine,
−Removed: the Saint Jude mine, the West Sunday mine and the Topaz mine.
−Removed: The operation of each of these mines requires a separate permit and
−Removed: all such permits have been obtained by Western and are currently valid.
−Removed: In addition, each of the mines has good access to a paved
−Removed: highway, electric power to existing declines, office/storage/shop and change buildings, and extensive underground haulage development
−Removed: with several vent shafts complete with exhaust fans.
−Removed: These properties were formerly secured by a first priority interest collateralizing
−Removed: a $500,000 promissory note which was paid in full on August 31, 2018 and thus the properties are now held free and clear of encumbrances.
−Removed: The Sunday Mine Complex is the Company’s core resource property and was assigned active status effective June 2019.
−Removed: On September 16, 2015, Western
−Removed: completed its acquisition of Black Range, an Australian company that was listed on the Australian Securities Exchange until the
−Removed: acquisition was completed.
−Removed: The acquisition terms were pursuant to a definitive Merger Implementation Agreement entered into between
−Removed: Western and Black Range.
−Removed: Pursuant to the agreement, Western acquired all of the issued shares of Black Range by way of Scheme of
−Removed: Arrangement (“the Scheme”) under the Australian Corporation Act 2001 (Cth) (the “Black Range Transaction”),
−Removed: with Black Range shareholders being issued common shares of Western on a 1 for 750 basis.
−Removed: On August 25, 2015, the Scheme was approved
−Removed: by the shareholders of Black Range and on September 4, 2015, Black Range received approval by the Federal Court of Australia.
−Removed: addition, Western issued to certain employees, directors and consultants options to purchase Western common shares.
−Removed: options were intended to replace Black Range stock options outstanding prior to the Black Range Transaction on the same 1 for 750
−Removed: The Company has registered offices
−Removed: at 330 Bay Street, Suite 1400, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5H 2S8 and its common shares are listed on the CSE under the symbol “WUC”
−Removed: and are traded on the OTCQX Best Market under the symbol “WSTRF”.
−Removed: Its principal business activity is the acquisition
−Removed: and development of uranium and vanadium resource properties in the states of Utah and Colorado in the United States of America
−Removed: (“United States”).
−Removed: Recent Developments
−Removed: Kinetic Separation Licensing
−Removed: During 2016, the Company submitted
−Removed: documentation to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (“CDPHE”) for a determination ruling regarding
−Removed: the type of license which may be required for the application of Kinetic Separation at the Sunday Mine Complex within the state
−Removed: During May and June of 2016, CDPHE held four public meetings in several cities in Colorado as part of the process.
−Removed: On July 22, 2016 CDPHE closed the comment period.
−Removed: In connection with this matter, the CDPHE consulted with the United States Nuclear
−Removed: Regulatory Commission (“NRC”).
−Removed: In response, the CDPHE received an advisory opinion dated October 16, 2016, which did
−Removed: not contain support for the NRC’s opinion and with which the Company’s regulatory counsel does not agree.
−Removed: advisory opinion recommended that Kinetic Separation should be regulated as a milling operation but did recognize that there may
−Removed: be exemptions to certain milling regulatory requirements because of the benign nature of the non-uranium bearing sands produced
−Removed: after Kinetic Separation is completed on uranium-bearing ores.
−Removed: On December 1, 2016, the CDPHE issued a determination that the proposed
−Removed: Kinetic Separation operations at the Sunday Mine must be regulated by the CDPHE through a milling license.
−Removed: The 2018 increase in
−Removed: the blended uranium/vanadium price has brought the Company closer to production.
−Removed: Beginning in 2017, the Company’s regulatory
−Removed: counsel has prepared significant documentation in preparation for a prospective submission.
−Removed: On September 13, 2019, the Company’s
−Removed: regulatory counsel submitted a white paper to the NRC entitled Recommendations on the Proper Legal and Policy Interpretation for
−Removed: Using Kinetic Separation Processes at Uranium Mine Sites.
−Removed: On July 24, 2020, the NRC staff responded with a letter in support of
−Removed: the original conclusion;
−Removed: Western’s regulatory counsel is evaluating alternatives.
−Removed: Letter of Intent with Pinon Ridge Mill
−Removed: The Company entered into a letter of intent with Pinon Ridge
−Removed: Corporation for use of its Kinetic Separation at the permitted uranium recovery facilities at the Pinon Ridge Mill site.
−Removed: of intent provided for the processing of all of Western’s ore produced by its mines in the region at the mill site to produce
−Removed: U308 and vanadium utilizing both the application of Kinetic Separation and traditional milling techniques, at a cost to be determined
−Removed: in a definitive agreement.
−Removed: The Pinon Ridge Mill license is held by Pinon Ridge Resources Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary
−Removed: of Pinon Ridge Corporation, which is owned by Mr.
−Removed: George Glasier, our Chief Executive Officer and a director, Mr.
−Removed: Andrew Wilder,
−Removed: a director, and Mr.
−Removed: Russell Fryer, a former executive chairman and director.
−Removed: On February 22, 2019, the Company and Pinon Ridge
−Removed: Corporation cancelled and released each other from obligations under the letter of intent.
−Removed: Incentive Stock Option Plan
−Removed: The Company maintains an Incentive Stock Plan (the “Plan”)
−Removed: which permits the granting of stock options as incentive compensation.
−Removed: See Item 12, “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
−Removed: and Management and Related Stockholder Matters –
−Removed: Equity Compensation Plan Information,”
−Removed: for more detailed information about
−Removed: Sunday Mine Complex Vanadium Project Supplementary Requirements
−Removed: On June 18, 2019, The Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and
−Removed: Safety (CDRMS) issued a letter indicating limited supplementary requirements prior to the removal of material (ore) from the Sunday Mine
−Removed: Complex underground workings and further offsite handling.
−Removed: In a follow-up meeting on Monday, August 5, 2019, the Company agreed to construct
−Removed: an ore pad on the surface before stockpiling or storing ore outside the mine and acquire certification that the storm drainage system
−Removed: was constructed in accordance with the existing plan prior to the removal of ore from the SMC.
−Removed: On August 15, 2019, the Company sent a
−Removed: response letter to CDRMS providing the requested additional information regarding the reopening of the Sunday Mine Complex mines.
−Removed: 18, 2019, the CDRMS issued a letter indicating that activities at the Sunday Mines did not meet the definition of a “Mining Operation”
−Removed: and thus at that time, the Division did not consider the permits in active status.
−Removed: In the letter, CDRMS reiterated that prior to the removal
−Removed: of ore material from the mines and upgrading to an active status, the CDRMS surface requirements needed to be completed, inspected and
−Removed: accepted by CDRMS.
−Removed: The CDRMS further noted requirements that would apply to Western’s proposed off-site kinetic separation test
−Removed: On April 9, 2020, CDRMS issued a letter acknowledging that the Construction Completion Reports and As-Built Certifications for
−Removed: the ore storage pads have been reviewed and accepted.
−Removed: It was further noted that prior to ore being removed and placed on the ore pad an
−Removed: inspection would still need to be completed, but due to COVID-19 the CDRMS staff were subject to a no-travel policy under the Governor’s
−Removed: Stay-at-Home Order.
−Removed: Hence, CDRMS offered an alternative remote procedure requiring extensive photo documentation and a signed affidavit
−Removed: from both the manufacturer and installation crew certifying that the ore pad liner was installed in accordance with the approved Environmental
−Removed: Protection Plan.
−Removed: Additional requirements included the submission of a comprehensive hydrogeology report and completion of the Sunday Mine
−Removed: Complex MLRB permit hearing process.
−Removed: With this approval, Western has now completed every project, study, and submission stipulated as
−Removed: required under the existing Environmental Protection Plan by CDMRS, and all submissions have been made.
−Removed: The hydrogeology report is currently
−Removed: being reviewed by CDMRS and approval is needed to conduct mining activities below the static groundwater level or to affect ground or
−Removed: surface waters.
−Removed: The Company is working toward the completion of an updated Plan of Operations, which is required for resumption of mining
−Removed: activities at the Topaz Mine.
−Removed: Sunday Mine Complex Permitting Status
−Removed: On February 4, 2020, the Colorado DRMS sent a Notice of Hearing to
−Removed: Declare Termination of Mining Operations related to the status of the mining permits issued by the state of Colorado for the Sunday Mine
−Removed: At issue is the application of an unchallenged Colorado Court of Appeals Opinion for a separate mine (Van 4) with very different
−Removed: facts that are retroactively modifying DRMS rules and regulations.
−Removed: The Company maintains that it was timely in meeting existing rules
−Removed: and regulations.
−Removed: The hearing was scheduled to be held during several monthly MLRB Board meetings, but this matter has been delayed several
−Removed: The permit hearing was held during the MLRB Board monthly meeting on July 22, 2020.
−Removed: At issue was the status of the five existing
−Removed: permits which comprise the Sunday Mine Complex.
−Removed: Due to COVID restrictions, the hearing took place utilizing a virtual-only format.
−Removed: Company prevailed in a 3 to 1 decision which acknowledged that the work completed at the Sunday Mines under DRMS oversight was timely
−Removed: and sufficient for Western to maintain these permits.
−Removed: In a subsequent July 30, 2020 letter, the DRMS notified the Company that the status
−Removed: of the five permits (Sunday, West Sunday, St.
−Removed: Jude, Carnation, and Topaz) had been changed to Active status effective June 10, 2019, the
−Removed: original date on which the change of the status was approved.
−Removed: On August 23, 2020, the Company initiated a request for temporary cessation
−Removed: status for the Sunday Mine Complex as the mines had not be restarted within a 180-day window due to the direct and indirect impacts of
−Removed: the COVID-19 pandemic.
−Removed: Accordingly, a permit hearing was scheduled for October 21, 2020 to determine temporary cessation status.
−Removed: unanimous vote, the MLRB approved temporary cessation status for each of the five Sunday Mine Complex permits (Sunday, West Sunday, St.
−Removed: Jude, Carnation, and Topaz).
−Removed: On October 9, 2020, the MLRB issued a board order which finalized the findings of the July 22, 2020 permit
−Removed: On November 10, 2020, the MLRB issued a board order which finalized the findings of the October 21, 2020 permit hearing.
−Removed: 6, 2020, the MLRB signed an order placing the five Sunday Mine Complex mine permits into Temporary Cessation.
−Removed: On November 12, 2020, a
−Removed: coalition of environmental groups filed a complaint against the MLRB seeking a partial appeal of the July 22, 2020 decision by requesting
−Removed: termination of the Topaz Mine permit.
−Removed: On December 15, 2020, the same coalition of environmental groups amended their complaint against
−Removed: the MLRB seeking a partial appeal of the October 21, 2020 decision requesting termination of the Topaz Mine permit.
−Removed: The Company has joined
−Removed: with the MLRB in defense of their July 22, 2020 and October 21, 2020 decisions.
−Removed: According to the judicial review timetable, an opening
−Removed: brief and answer brief will be filed with the Denver District Court during second quarter 2021.
−Removed: Van 4 Mine Permitting Status
−Removed: A prior owner of the Van 4 Mine had been
−Removed: granted a first Temporary Cessation from reclamation of the mine by the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board (“MLRB”)
−Removed: which was set to expire June 23, 2017.
−Removed: Prior to its expiration, PRM formally requested an extension through a second Temporary
−Removed: PRM subsequently participated in a public process which culminated in a hearing on July 26, 2017.
−Removed: Prior to the hearing,
−Removed: three non-profit organizations who pursue environmental and conservation objectives filed a brief objecting to the extension.
−Removed: MLRB board members voted to grant a second five-year Temporary Cessation for the Van 4 Mine.
−Removed: Thereafter, the three objecting parties
−Removed: filed a lawsuit on September 18, 2017.
−Removed: The MLRB was named as the defendant and PRM was named as a party to the case due to the
−Removed: Colorado law requirement that any lawsuit filed after a hearing must include all of the parties in the proceeding.
−Removed: The plaintiff
−Removed: organizations are seeking for the court to set aside the board order granting a second five-year Temporary Cessation period to
−Removed: PRM for the Van 4 Mine.
−Removed: The Colorado state Attorney General was defending this action in the Denver Colorado District Court.
−Removed: May 8, 2018, the Denver Colorado District Court ruled in favor, whereby the additional five-year temporary cessation period was
−Removed: The Plaintiffs appealed this ruling to the Colorado Court of Appeals and on July 25, 2019 the ruling was reversed, ruling
−Removed: that the additional five-year temporary cessation period should not have been granted.
−Removed: The MLRB and the Colorado Attorney General advised Western that it
−Removed: will not make an additional appeal of the ruling.
−Removed: Further, the time period for an appeal has passed.
−Removed: The Judge has subsequently issued
−Removed: an instruction for the MLRB to issue an order revoking the permit and putting the Van 4 Mine into reclamation.
−Removed: On January 22, 2020, the
−Removed: MLRB held a hearing and on March 2, 2020, the MLRB issued an order vacating the Van 4 Temporary Cessation, revoking the permit and ordered
−Removed: commencement of final reclamation, which must be completed within five (5) years.
−Removed: The Company commenced reclamation of the Van 4 Mine
−Removed: but progress has been delayed both by COVID-19 restrictions and countywide fire and open flame restrictions.
−Removed: The reclamation cost is fully
−Removed: covered by the reclamation bonds posted upon acquisition of the property.
−Removed: Warrant Extension for Warrants issued in 2018 Private Placement
−Removed: On April 20, 2020, the Company announced the extension by nine months
−Removed: of the common share purchase warrants (the “Warrants”) issued to investors in non-brokered private placements that closed
−Removed: on May 4, June 30, and August 9, 2018 (the “2018 Private Placements”) and the amendment of the trigger price in the acceleration
−Removed: clause of each Warrant.
−Removed: A total of 2,671,116 Warrants were amended.
−Removed: In accordance with ASC 178-20-35-3, the
−Removed: Company must record a warrant modification expense to account for the effects of these amendments to the original terms.
−Removed: 8 for more information.
−Removed: Each Warrant originally entitled the holder to purchase one common
−Removed: share in the capital of the Company at a price of $1.15 CAD at any time prior to May 4, June 30, and August 9, 2020, respectively.
−Removed: of these dates was extended by nine months such that the Warrants expired or will expire on February 4, April 30, and May 9, 2021, respectively.
−Removed: Additionally, each Warrant originally contained an acceleration clause that allowed the Company to accelerate the expiration date of the
−Removed: warrant if the closing price of the Company’s common shares was equal to or greater than $2.50 CAD for a period of five consecutive
−Removed: trading dates.
−Removed: The Company is amending this clause by lowering the trigger price from $2.50 CAD to $1.83 CAD.
−Removed: The Company performed a
−Removed: Black-Scholes analysis to determine the fair value of the Warrants using the pre-modification terms and the post-modification terms on
−Removed: the date of modification.
−Removed: Based on the Company’s analysis performed, the Company recorded a warrant modification expense of $639,012
−Removed: on April 20, 2020.
−Removed: Uranium Section 232 Investigation/Nuclear Fuel Working Group
−Removed: In the United States, an investigation
−Removed: under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (U.S) was undertaken by the U.S Department of Commerce (“DoC”)
−Removed: in 2018 to assess the impact to national security of the importation of the vast majority of uranium utilized by the ~100 operative
−Removed: civilian nuclear reactors within the United States.
−Removed: In response to the Section 232 report, the White House disseminated a Presidential
−Removed: Memoranda in July 2019.
−Removed: At that time, President Trump formed the Nuclear Fuel Working Group (“NFWG”) to find solutions
−Removed: for reviving and expanding domestic nuclear fuel production and reinvigorating recommendations.
−Removed: As a first step in addressing this
−Removed: issue, President Trump’s Fiscal Year 2021 budget included a $150 million line item each year for the next decade to establish
−Removed: a Uranium Reserve.
−Removed: Thereafter, U.S.
−Removed: Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette
−Removed: stated that the Department of Energy (“DoE”) was preparing to release the NFWG report in early March 2020.
−Removed: This announcement
−Removed: was made prior to the coronavirus contagion which has delayed the report release.
−Removed: In parallel, Congress has requested that the
−Removed: DoE prepare a report on Key Challenges in Reconstituting Uranium Mining and Conversion Capabilities in the United States.
−Removed: deadline for industry to supply responses to the Request For Information launched by DoE was March 30, 2020.
−Removed: Western continued
−Removed: to participate in the process and made an RFI submission.
−Removed: On April 23, 2020, the DoE released the
−Removed: NFWG report entitled “Restoring America’s Competitive Nuclear Energy Advantage –
−Removed: A strategy to assure U.S.
−Removed: security”.
−Removed: The report outlines a strategy for the reestablishment of critical capabilities and direct support to the front
−Removed: end of the U.S.
−Removed: domestic nuclear fuel cycle.
−Removed: The Summary of Measures included the following which could benefit U.S.
−Removed: uranium miners:
−Removed: direct purchases of uranium by establishing a Uranium Reserve, ending DoE’s program which barters uranium and re-evaluates
−Removed: DoE’s Excess Uranium Inventory Management Policy, creating a level playing field for all energy sources in power markets,
−Removed: streamlining regulatory reform and land access for uranium dumping in the U.S.
−Removed: The NFWG finding and recommendations presented
−Removed: by the DoE are a positive outcome for U.S.
−Removed: uranium miners;
−Removed: however, the ultimate outcome and timing remains uncertain as this is
−Removed: a continuing process requiring approvals and budget appropriation from Congress and implementation by U.S.
−Removed: government agencies.
−Removed: Presently, Western is one of the very few uranium companies holding previously producing, permitted, and developed mines in the
−Removed: United States and thus well positioned to benefit in the short-term from a favorable determination.
−Removed: Implementation of the NFWG recommendations remains an ongoing process.
−Removed: During July 2020, the U.S.
−Removed: House Committee on Appropriations has decided not to provide $150 million uranium reserve funding for fiscal
−Removed: Instead the DoE was given 180 days to develop and submit the uranium reserve plan.
−Removed: Subsequently, Senator Barrasso introduced a bill
−Removed: into the U.S.
−Removed: Senate entitled the “The American Nuclear Infrastructure Act of 2020 and Representatives Latta and Cheney introduced
−Removed: a bill to the U.S.
−Removed: House entitled the Nuclear Prosperity and Security Act.
−Removed: These bills implement the key provisions of the NFWG report’s
−Removed: recommendations;
−Removed: both include the creation of a national uranium reserve.
−Removed: In parallel, the preparation of a Congressional report by the
−Removed: DoE on Key Challenges in Reconstituting Uranium Mining and Conversion Capabilities in the United States remains ongoing and is anticipated
−Removed: to be imminently completed for the U.S.
−Removed: In November 2020, Post-U.S.
−Removed: election, the Senate Committee on Appropriations released its
−Removed: funding measures and allocations recommending the creation and funding of the American Uranium Reserve.
−Removed: In October 2020, the DoC extended
−Removed: the Russian Suspension Agreement for an additional 20 years until 2040.
−Removed: Existing categories of quotas on imports of Russian uranium into
−Removed: were reduced by a graduated scale and additional provisions were modified to eliminate loopholes.
−Removed: An extension of this agreement
−Removed: was among the NFWG’s recommendations.
−Removed: In further implementation of the report’s recommendations, the DoE made multiple investment
−Removed: awards to companies advancing new nuclear technologies.
−Removed: TerraPower and X-energy received awards to build demonstration models of their
−Removed: advanced reactor designs and NuScale received support to deploy the first U.S.
−Removed: small modular reactor (“SMR”) plan comprised
−Removed: of 12 modules at the Idaho National Laboratory.
−Removed: The International Development Finance Corp.
−Removed: signed a letter of intent to finance NuScale’s
−Removed: development of 42 SMR modules in South Africa.
−Removed: In an acknowledgement of the future growth potential of new nuclear technologies, the U.S.
−Removed: government has increased its industry support to a level not seen in decades, this is being done to level the playing field versus state-sponsored
−Removed: foreign entities.
−Removed: In December 2020, the U.S.Congress passed the COVID-Relief and Omnibus Spending Bill, which included $75 million for
−Removed: the establishment of a strategic U.S.
−Removed: Uranium Reserve.
−Removed: Department of Energy (DOE) is working on establishing the parameters of
−Removed: There will be a different outcome as a President Biden appointed Secretary of Energy transitioned into leading DOE and the
−Removed: focus has shifted toward climate change.
−Removed: Vanadium Section 232 Investigation
−Removed: In the United States, a petition for an investigation under Section
−Removed: 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (U.S) was requested by two domestic companies in November 2019.
−Removed: On June 2, 2020, the U.S.
−Removed: of Commerce, Wilbur Ross, initiated an investigation into whether the present quantities or circumstances of vanadium imports into the
−Removed: United States threaten to impair the national security.
−Removed: The initiation of this investigation created a 270 day window, which lasts until
−Removed: February 2021, to compile and deliver a report to the President of the United States.
−Removed: The Section 232 National Security Investigation
−Removed: of Imports of Vanadium was concluded and a report submitted to President Biden on February 22, 2021.
−Removed: The President has 90 days to decide
−Removed: if he concurs with the findings and recommendations and determine whether to take an action to mitigate the impairment of national security.
−Removed: As a remedy, the petitioners requested a 40% tariff on vanadium imports from all sources and the establishment of a stockpiling program.
−Removed: Separate tariff rate quotas were requested for refined vanadium products.
−Removed: Western has submitted survey data and continues to support this
−Removed: investigation and remedies that level the playing field for U.S.
−Removed: domestic producers versus foreign state-sponsored competitors.
−Removed: Paycheck Protection Program Loan
−Removed: On May 6, 2020, the Company obtained the
−Removed: PPP Loan of $73,116.
−Removed: The loan had a fixed interest rate of 1%, required the Company to make seventeen (17) monthly payments, after
−Removed: a seven months deferral period, and had a maturity date of May 6, 2022.
−Removed: The entirety of the loan principal was eligible for forgiveness
−Removed: to the extent that the proceeds are utilized toward permissible expenditures within the initial period.
−Removed: On December 2, 2020, the
−Removed: Company received notice from the U.S.
−Removed: Small Business Association that the entire PPP Loan balance and accrued interest would be
−Removed: forgiven in full on such date.
−Removed: The Company recorded the loan forgiveness as other income in the Company’s consolidated statement
−Removed: of operations.
−Removed: COVID-19 Coronavirus
−Removed: In December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus,
−Removed: COVID-19, was reported to have surfaced in Wuhan, China.
−Removed: Since then, the COVID- 19 coronavirus has spread to multiple countries,
−Removed: including the United States and Canada.
−Removed: As the COVID-19 coronavirus continues to spread in the United States and Canada, we may
−Removed: experience disruptions that could severely impact our business.
−Removed: The global outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus continues to evolve
−Removed: The extent to which the COVID-19 coronavirus may impact our business will depend on future developments, which are highly
−Removed: uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, such as the ultimate geographic spread of the disease, the duration of the outbreak,
−Removed: travel restrictions and social distancing in the United States, Canada and other countries, business closures or business disruptions
−Removed: and the effectiveness of actions taken in the United States, Canada and other countries to contain and treat the disease.
−Removed: Year Ended December 31, 2020 as Compared to the Year Ended
−Removed: December 31, 2019
−Removed: The following table presents the Company’s financial results
−Removed: for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
−Removed: For the Years Ended
−Removed: Lease revenue
−Removed: Mining expenditures
−Removed: Professional fees
−Removed: General and administrative
−Removed: Consulting fees
−Removed: Total operating expenses
−Removed: Operating loss
−Removed: Interest expense, net
−Removed: Warrant modification expense
−Removed: Gain on forgiveness of debt
−Removed: Other Comprehensive income (expense)
−Removed: Foreign exchange (loss) gain
−Removed: Comprehensive Loss
−Removed: Net loss per share - basic and diluted
−Removed: Our consolidated net loss for the years ended December 31, 2020
−Removed: and 2019 was $2,392,890 and $2,110,227 or $0.08 and $0.07 per share, respectively.
−Removed: The principal components of these year over
−Removed: year changes are discussed below.
−Removed: Our comprehensive loss for the years ended December 31, 2020
−Removed: and 2019 was $2,503,750 and $2,066,741, respectively.
−Removed: Our revenue for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was
−Removed: $54,620 and $44,620, respectively.
−Removed: This revenue resulted from lease revenue pursuant to a July 2017 oil and gas lease agreement,
−Removed: which was extended for an additional three years in 2020, February 2018 pipeline easement, and July 2018 right-of-way agreement.
−Removed: This revenue is derived from the Weld County Colorado (DJ-Basin) oil and gas property acquired in the Black Range Minerals acquisition.
−Removed: Mining Expenditures
−Removed: Mining expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2020 were
−Removed: $393,182 as compared to $466,117 for the year ended December 31, 2019.
−Removed: The decrease in mining expenditures of $72,935, or 15.6%
−Removed: was principally attributable to the Sunday Mine Complex project’s disproportionately larger exploration, development, and
−Removed: mining expenditures during 2019 versus the surface infrastructure portion of the projects conducted during 2020.
−Removed: Professional Fees
−Removed: Professional fees for the year ended December 31, 2020 were $299,908 as
−Removed: compared to $362,698 for the year ended December 31, 2019.
−Removed: The decrease in professional fees of $62,790, or 17.3% was due to a $31,123
−Removed: decrease in professional services utilization and $21,890 decrease in investor relations expenditure.
−Removed: General and Administrative
−Removed: General and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2020
−Removed: were 1,136,049 as compared to $1,122,591 for the year ended December 31, 2019.
−Removed: The increase in general and administrative expense of $13,458,
−Removed: or 1.2% is due to a $87,581 increase in payroll and stock based compensation, offset by a $53,160 decrease due to reduced 2020 travel
−Removed: and convention expenditures and $25,373 in reduced utilities costs from not having the mines open during 2020.
−Removed: Consulting Fees
−Removed: Consulting fees for the year ended December 31, 2020 were $39,137
−Removed: as compared to $138,096 for the year ended December 31, 2019.
−Removed: The decrease in consulting fees of $98,959, or 71.7% was principally
−Removed: due to the Company’s reduced utilization of consultants during the current period.
−Removed: Interest Expense, net
−Removed: Interest expense, net, for the year ended December 31, 2020
−Removed: was $13,338 as compared to $65,345 for the years ended December 31, 2019.
−Removed: The decrease of interest expense, net, of $52,007 was
−Removed: due to the acceleration of amortization expense in 2019 on the Van 4 Mine as it was placed into reclamation.
−Removed: Warrant Modification Expense
−Removed: Warrant modification expense for the year ended December 31,
−Removed: 2020 was $639,012 as compared to $0 for the year ended December 31, 2019.
−Removed: The increase in warrant modification expense relates
−Removed: to the Company’s decision on April 20, 2020 to extend warrants issued to investors during various 2018 private placements
−Removed: and amend the trigger price in the acceleration clause for each tranche of warrants, resulting in a warrant modification expense
−Removed: Gain on Forgiveness of Debt
−Removed: Gain on forgiveness of debt for the year ended December 31,
−Removed: 2020 was $73,116 as compared to $0 for the year ended December 31, 2019.
−Removed: The gain on forgiveness of debt relates to the Company
−Removed: having its PPP Loan forgiven by the U.S.
−Removed: Small Business Association in December 2020.
−Removed: Foreign Exchange
−Removed: Foreign exchange (loss) gain for the year ended December 31,
−Removed: 2020 was $(110,860) as compared to $43,486 for the year ended December 31, 2019.
−Removed: The increase of the foreign exchange loss of $154,346
−Removed: is primarily due to a swing from a gain in 2019 to a loss in 2020 from holding cash balances in Canadian Dollars and the translation
−Removed: loss from using United Stated Dollars as the reporting currency.
−Removed: Liquidity and Capital Resources
−Removed: The Company’s cash balance as of December 31, 2020 was
−Removed: The Company’s cash position is highly dependent on its ability to raise capital through the issuance of debt and
−Removed: equity and its management of expenditures for mining development and for fulfillment of its public company reporting responsibilities.
−Removed: Management believes that in order to finance the development of the mining properties and Kinetic Separation, the Company will
−Removed: be required to raise additional capital by way of debt and/or equity.
−Removed: The Company could potentially require additional capital
−Removed: in 2021 if the scope of the Sunday Mine Complex expands.
−Removed: This outlook is based on the Company’s current financial position
−Removed: and is subject to change if opportunities become available based on current exploration program results and/or external opportunities.
−Removed: Net cash used in operating activities
−Removed: Net cash used in operating activities was $1,513,626 for the
−Removed: year ended December 31, 2020, as compared with $1,784,544 for the year ended December 31, 2019.
−Removed: Of the $1,513,626 in net cash
−Removed: used in operating activities, $2,392,890 is derived from our net loss before non-cash adjustments.
−Removed: During the years ended December
−Removed: 31, 2020, $10,628 represented an increase in depreciation, $15,712 represented an increase in accretion of reclamation liability,
−Removed: $73,116 represented a gain on forgiveness of debt, $204,808 represented an increase in stock based compensation, $639,012 represented
−Removed: an increase in warrant modification expense, $67,029 represented an increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets, $110,543
−Removed: represented a decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses, and $125,380 represented an increase in deferred revenue.
−Removed: Net cash used in investing activities
−Removed: Net cash used in investing activities was $0 for the year ended
−Removed: December 31, 2020, as compared with $71,042 for the year ended December 31, 2019.
−Removed: This capital expenditure in 2019 represents the
−Removed: initiation of expenditures needed to re-open the Sunday Mine Complex.
−Removed: Net cash provided by financing activities
−Removed: Net cash provided by financing activities for the years ended
−Removed: December 31, 2020 and 2019 were $73,116 and $2,996,911, respectively.
−Removed: The Company applied for and received $73,116 in the form
−Removed: of a PPP Loan on May 6, 2020 from the U.S.
−Removed: Small Business Association, as discussed above, which was forgiven on December 2, 2020.
−Removed: Reclamation Liability
−Removed: The Company’s mines are subject to
−Removed: certain asset retirement obligations, which the Company has recorded as reclamation liabilities.
−Removed: The reclamation liabilities of
−Removed: the United States mines are subject to legal and regulatory requirements, and estimates of the costs of reclamation are reviewed
−Removed: periodically by the applicable regulatory authorities.
−Removed: The reclamation liability represents the Company’s best estimate of
−Removed: the present value of future reclamation costs in connection with the mineral properties.
−Removed: The Company determined the gross reclamation
−Removed: liabilities of the mineral properties as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, to be approximately $906,811 and $897,662, respectively.
−Removed: On March 2, 2020, the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board (“MLRB”) issued an order vacating the Van 4 Temporary Cessation,
−Removed: terminating mining operations and ordering commencement of final reclamation.
−Removed: The Company has begun the reclamation of the Van
−Removed: The reclamation cost is fully covered by the reclamation bonds posted upon acquisition of the property.
−Removed: The Company adjusted
−Removed: the fair value of its reclamation obligation for the Van 4 Mine.
−Removed: The portion of the reclamation liability related to the Van 4
−Removed: Mine, and its related restricted cash are included in current liabilities, and current assets, respectively, at a value of $75,057.
−Removed: The Company expects to begin incurring the reclamation liability after 2054 for all mines that are not in reclamation and accordingly,
−Removed: has discounted the gross liabilities over their remaining lives using a discount rate of 5.4% to net discounted aggregated values
−Removed: as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 of $309,940 and $294,228, respectively.
−Removed: The gross reclamation liabilities as of December 31, 2020
−Removed: and 2019 are secured by financial warrantees in the amount of $906,811 and $897,662, respectively.
−Removed: Oil and Gas Lease and Easement
−Removed: On July 18, 2017, an oil and gas lease became effective with
−Removed: respect to minerals and mineral rights owned by the Company of approximately 160 surface acres of the Company’s property
−Removed: As consideration for entering into the lease, the Company received $120,000 during the third quarter of 2017.
−Removed: lease will be in force for an initial term of three years and may be extended by the lessee at 150% of the initial rate.
−Removed: has also agreed to pay the Company a royalty of 18.75% of the lessee’s revenue attributed to oil and gas produced, saved,
−Removed: and sold attributable to the net mineral interest.
−Removed: The Company is recognizing the initial payment incrementally over the term of
−Removed: On February 26, 2018, the Company entered into a further agreement
−Removed: with the same entity as the oil and gas lease to provide them with an easement to an additional part of the Company’s property
−Removed: solely for the purposes of transporting the oil and gas extracted via a pipeline.
−Removed: As consideration for the easement, the Company
−Removed: received $36,960 during the first quarter of 2018.
−Removed: The Company is recognizing this payment incrementally over the eight-year term
−Removed: of the easement.
−Removed: On June 23, 2020, the same entity discussed above elected to
−Removed: extend the oil and gas lease easement for three additional years commencing on the date the lease would have previously expired.
−Removed: During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company
−Removed: recognized aggregate revenue of $54,620 and $44,620, respectively, under these oil and gas lease arrangements.
−Removed: In early 2020, Bison Oil & Gas traded this lease to Mallard Exploration
−Removed: (“Mallard”).
−Removed: Mallard subsequently filed an application with the Colorado Oil & Gas Conservation Commission (“COGCC”)
−Removed: to update the permitting to create a new pooled unit.
−Removed: In late 2020, Mallard began development of the pooled unit.
−Removed: 31, 2021, the drilling portion of the project had been completed for the eight horizontal wells named Blue Teal Fed.
−Removed: Seven wells were
−Removed: drilled to a 2.5 miles lateral length and one well was drilled to a 3.0 mile lateral length.
−Removed: These DJ-Basin wells target the Niobrara
−Removed: During May 2021, Mallard will commence the well completion stage, fracking, and flow back.
−Removed: Despite some weather delays over
−Removed: the winter, the Operations Plan remains close to schedule and production is projected to commence during the third quarter of 2021.
−Removed: production, the Company will receive a net royalty of 1/16th.
−Removed: Related Party Transactions
−Removed: The Company has transacted with related parties pursuant to
−Removed: service arrangements in the ordinary course of business, as follows:
−Removed: Prior to the acquisition of Black Range, Mr.
−Removed: George Glasier,
−Removed: the Company’s CEO, who is also a director (“Seller”), transferred his interest in a former joint venture with
−Removed: Ablation Technologies, LLC to Black Range.
−Removed: In connection with the transfer, Black Range issued 25 million shares of Black Range
−Removed: common stock to Seller and committed to pay AUD $500,000 (USD $392,086 as of December 31, 2020) to Seller within 60 days of the
−Removed: first commercial application of the Kinetic Separation.
−Removed: Western assumed this contingent payment obligation in connection with the
−Removed: acquisition of Black Range.
−Removed: At the date of the acquisition of Black Range, this contingent obligation was determined to be probable.
−Removed: Since the deferred contingent consideration obligation is probable and the amount estimable, the Company recorded the deferred
−Removed: contingent consideration as an assumed liability in the amount of $392,086 and $351,099 as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
−Removed: Going Concern
−Removed: The Company has incurred continuing losses from its operations
−Removed: and as of December 31, 2020, the Company had an accumulated deficit of $11,087,459 and working capital of $162,375.
−Removed: Since inception, the Company has met its liquidity requirements
−Removed: principally through the issuance of notes and the sale of its common shares.
−Removed: The Company’s ability to continue its operations and to
−Removed: pay its obligations when they become due is contingent upon the Company obtaining additional financing.
−Removed: Management’s plans
−Removed: include seeking to procure additional funds through debt and equity financings, to secure regulatory approval to fully utilize
−Removed: its Kinetic Separation and to initiate the processing of ore to generate operating cash flows.
−Removed: There are no assurances that the Company will be able to raise
−Removed: capital on terms acceptable to the Company or at all, or that cash flows generated from its operations will be sufficient to meet
−Removed: its current operating costs and required debt service.
−Removed: If the Company is unable to obtain sufficient amounts of additional capital,
−Removed: it may be required to reduce the scope of its planned product development, which could harm its financial condition and operating
−Removed: results, or it may not be able to continue to fund its ongoing operations.
−Removed: These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s
−Removed: ability to continue as a going concern to sustain operations for at least one year from the issuance of the accompanying financial
−Removed: The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome
−Removed: of these uncertainties.
−Removed: Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
−Removed: As of December 31, 2020, there were no off-balance sheet transactions.
−Removed: The Company has not entered into any specialized financial agreements to minimize its investment risk, currency risk or commodity
−Removed: Critical Accounting Estimates and
−Removed: The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires
−Removed: management to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the
−Removed: date of the consolidated financial statements and reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period.
−Removed: Significant assumptions about the future and other sources of
−Removed: estimation uncertainty that management has made at the end of the reporting period, that could result in a material adjustment
−Removed: to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities, in the event that actual results differ from assumptions made, include, but
−Removed: are not limited to, the following:
−Removed: fair value of transactions involving common shares, assessment of the useful life and evaluation
−Removed: for impairment of intangible assets, valuation and impairment assessments on mineral properties, deferred contingent consideration,
−Removed: the reclamation liability, valuation of stock-based compensation, valuation of available-for-sale securities and valuation of long-term
−Removed: debt, HST and asset retirement obligations.
−Removed: Other areas requiring estimates include allocations of expenditures, depletion and
−Removed: amortization of mineral rights and properties.
−Removed: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE
−Removed: DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
−Removed: Not applicable.
−Removed: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY
−Removed: This information appears following Item 17 of this report and
−Removed: is included herein by reference.
−Removed: CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS
−Removed: WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
+Added: Our common shares trade on the OTCQX Market under
+Added: the “WSTRF” trading symbol.
+Added: Our common shares are listed for trading in Canada
+Added: on the CSE under the symbol “WUC”.
+Added: According to our transfer agent, as of March 31,
+Added: 2022 there were approximately 3,400 holders of record of our common shares.
Not Applicable
Compared sentence by sentence after normalising whitespace, quotation marks, case and digits, so re-formatting and restated figures do not read as changed language. Wording changes appear as one removal and one addition. The current filing and the prior one are authoritative.