TORONTO, Aug. 28, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global Atomic Corporation (“Global Atomic” or the “Company”), (TSX-V: GLO, FRANKFURT: G12) is pleased to announce its operating results for the second quarter (“Q2”) and first half (“H1”) ended June 30, 2018.

HIGHLIGHTS

  •  Consolidated net income for the Company was $1.1 million for Q2 2018 and $4.8 million for H1 2018, an increase of 175% from Q2 2017 and 71% from H1 2017.
  •  The Befesa Silvermet Turkey, S.L. (“BST”) joint venture shipped 8.2 million pounds of zinc in concentrate for Q2 2018 and 19.1 million pounds in H1 2018, an increase of 49% from Q2 2017 and 22% from H1 2017. Global Atomic holds a 49% interest in the BST joint venture.
  •  Global Atomic’s 49% share of EBITDA in the BST joint venture was $4.2 million for Q2 2018 and $9.1 million for H1 2018, an increase of 152% from Q2 2017 and 76% from H1 2017.
  •  Expansion and modernization of the Turkish processing plant was started in Q2, expected to increase annual production to 66 million pounds (100%), with start up in September 2019.
  •  Completed an updated National Instrument (“NI”) 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate on the Niger DASA uranium project:
   
  • Tripled Indicated Resources to 64.8 million pounds and improved grade 18% to 3,068 ppm eU3O8.
  • Inferred Resources of 48.4 million pounds grading 2,600 ppm eU3O8.
  •  Near surface drilling confirmed the Company’s understanding of structure and high grade continuity at the Flank Zone at DASA.
  •  Step-out drilling has returned several high grade extensions on strike and down dip at the Tegama Hill zones.

OUTLOOK

  •   A Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”) is underway for DASA, targeted for completion in September and a final technical report is expected in H1 2019.
  •  Permitting will commence on completion of a final technical report.
  •  Site preparation for mining activities is expected to begin in early 2020.
  •  Expansion and modernization of the Turkish process plant is scheduled for completion in Q3 2019. Existing cash flow and available lines of credit is expected to be sufficient to fund this work.
  •  Global Atomic continues to work cooperatively with Orano Mining Ltd. (formerly AREVA Mining) to evaluate plans to ship DASA uranium bearing material to its nearby mill for processing.

URANIUM DIVISION RESULTS

Global Atomic has drilled approximately 27,000 metres at the DASA deposit during its 2018 drill program which began in January. The primary objectives of the drill program were to prove the potential for near surface production at the Flank Zone and to assess the potential for further discoveries and resource expansion along strike and down dip. The Company was highly successful achieving both of these objectives; drilling at the Flank Zone significantly expanded Resources and drilling along strike and down dip identified several new zones at the Tegama Hill, Tegama Hill South, the Northeast extensions and the Southwest Extensions (see the following map):

To view the image, DASA Targeted Drill Areas (Looking East), visit the following link :  http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/Attachm...daf8a535a8

Near surface drilling at the Flank Zone completed in the first half of 2018 was used as the basis for an updated National Instrument (“NI”) 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate, prepared by CSA Global Pty Ltd. (“CSA Global”). The NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate incorporated an additional 36 drill holes totaling approximately 15,000 metres drilled from January to June 2018. In a report dated June 30, 2018, CSA Global concluded on the following Mineral Resource Statement for DASA:

Category Tonnes eU 3O 8 Contained metal
  Mt ppm Mlb
Indicated – Pit Constrained 7.08 3,251 50.8
Indicated – Underground 2.5 2,553 14.1
Total Indicated 9.59 3,068 64.8
Inferred – Pit Constrained 0.26 1,135 0.7
Inferred – Underground 8.18 2,647 47.7
Total Inferred 8.44 2,600 48.4
* These results are based on gamma probing. Final results will be released once chemical assaying is completed at ALS Global in Vancouver, Canada.
  1. Mineral Resources are based on CIM definitions and is reported as at 1 st   June 2018.
  2. Mineral Resources for pit constrained resources are estimated within the limits of an ultimate pit shell
  3. Mineral Resources for underground resources are estimated outside the limits of ultimate pit shell.
  4. A cut-off grade of 320 ppm eU 3 O 8 has   been applied for open pit resources.
  5. A cut-off grade of 1200 ppm eU 3 O 8 has  been applied for  underground resources.
  6. A bulk density of 2.36t/m 3   has been applied for all model cells.
  7. Rows and columns may not add up exactly due to rounding.

Subsequent to completion of the latest Mineral Resource Estimate, the Company intersected additional high grade mineralization at the Flank Zone. These intersections were not included in the latest Mineral Resource Estimate, but will be reflected in future economic studies (see press release dated August 8, 2018).

Drilling at DASA along strike and down dip was also successful in confirming the Company’s interpretation of the deposit and identified several high grade areas of new mineralization. The next phase of drilling will focus on these extensions and a new Mineral Resource Estimate will be completed (see press release dated August 15, 2018).

BASE METALS DIVISION RESULTS

The BST joint venture owns and operates an Electric Arc Furnace Dust (“EAFD”) processing plant in Iskenderun, Turkey, which processes EAFD obtained from electric arc steel producers. The EAFD, containing 25% to 30% zinc, is processed through a kiln to produce a zinc concentrate, grading 68% to 70% zinc, that is then sold to zinc smelters.

The following table summarizes comparative operational metrics processing plant in Iskenderun.

  Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30,
  2018 2017 2018 2017
100% 100% 100% 100%
Exchange rate (TL/C$, average) 3.38 2.66 3.20 2.73
Exchange rate (C$/US$, average) 1.29 1.34 1.28 1.33
         
Exchange rate (TL/C$, period-end) 3.48 2.71 3.48 2.71
Exchange rate (C$/US$, period-end) 1.32 1.30 1.32 1.30
         
EAFD processed (DMT) 18,334 10,683 32,383 28,354
         
Average zinc price (US$/LB.) 1.41 1.18 1.48 1.22
         
Production (DMT) 5,679 3,511 10,036 10,016
Shipments (DMT) 5,424 3,476 12,523 9,894
         
Shipments (zinc content, 000 lb.) 8,250 5,501 19,093 15,569

The following table summarizes comparative results for the Q1 and H1, ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 of the BST joint venture at 100%.

    Three months ended June 30,     Six months ended June 30,  
    2018     2017     2018     2017  
  100%     100%     100%     100%  
Gross sales revenues $ 12,664,378   $ 6,311,774   $ 30,404,289   $ 19,712,383  
Treatment & transportation   1,138,541     (62,206 )   2,418,354     2,026,972  
Cost of sales   5,302,095     2,518,022     12,610,835     7,092,117  
Foreign exchange loss (gain)   (2,247,097 )   493,244     (3,284,208 )   9,639  
EBITDA(1) $ 8,470,839   $ 3,362,714   $ 18,659,308   $ 10,583,655  
Management fees & sales commissions   492,651     275,975     1,006,457     770,683  
Depreciation   102,950     146,358     232,184     285,304  
Interest income   45,325     (21,556 )   54,589     (35,122 )
Other   27,598     6,308     40,231     13,771  
Tax expense   2,375,457     485,035     3,789,637     2,363,285  
Net income $ 5,426,859   $ 2,470,594   $ 13,536,210   $ 7,185,734  
Global Atomic's equity share $ 2,659,162   $ 1,210,591   $ 6,632,743   $ 3,521,010  
  (1) EBITDA is a non-IFRS measure, does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and may not be comparable to similar terms and measures presented by other issuers. EBITDA comprises earnings before income taxes, interest expense (income) and financing expense (income), amortization expense, and other expenses including management fees, sales commissions; gain on sale of property, plant and equipment and impairment charges.

The improvement in zinc prices and shipment volumes resulted in an increase in EBITDA from $10.6 million in the first half of 2017 to $18.7 million in the first half of 2018. Management fees and sales commissions, which are paid out to the joint venture partners on a pro rata basis throughout the year, increased in line with increased revenues.

Distributions of income are made to the joint venture partners after the year has been completed and operating results are known. In Q2, 2018, the Company received $6.9 million in distributions from BST (2017 - $4.5 million).

In the first half of 2018, Turkish steel production increased by 3.7%, after an increase of 12.9% in 2017. Steel mill capacity has continued to improve and additional electric arc furnace capacity is under construction. Coincident with improved steel market conditions, there has been a significant improvement in zinc prices. During the first half of 2018, the average zinc price was US$1.48/lb (2017 - US$1.22/lb). Although market analysts continue to predict zinc supply shortages and resultant price strength, zinc prices have moved significantly lower since June 30, 2018, with the current price at US$1.15/lb.

In the second quarter of 2018, the board of BST has made a decision to proceed with the expansion and modernization project of the Iskenderun plant. As a result of this project, plant throughput will double and operating costs will decline. Total cost of the expansion and modernization project has been budgeted at US$26 million, with most of the cost being done on a fixed cost EPC contract. Final engineering and long-lead equipment purchases were initiated, with approximately US$3.2 million spent in the quarter. Site construction is scheduled to begin in February 2019, with the new plant available for production in September 2019. It is expected that funding will be achieved out of cash generated from operations and by drawdowns of the Company’s lines of credit.

LIQUIDITY AND FINANCIAL POSITION

Working Capital

The Company reported a working capital surplus of $0.9 million at June 30, 2018. Throughout the year, the Company receives its share of management fees and sales commissions from the Turkish operations, which amounts fund the various corporate costs.

Capital resources

Exploration activities in 2018 will be financed with the free cash received from BST and potential equity capital raises. Exploration expenditures are largely discretionary and the amount of exploration activity can therefore be adjusted based on availability of equity capital.

The Company is undertaking the expansion and modernization of the Turkish plant, which will occur in 2019. It is expected that funding will be available from operating earnings and drawdowns of lines of credit, so no additional capital resources will be required.

QP Statement George A. Flach, Vice President of Exploration, P.Geo. is the Qualified Person (QP) as defined in NI 43-101 and has prepared, supervised the preparation of, and approved the scientific technical disclosure in this news release.

About Global Atomic Global Atomic is a TSX Venture listed company providing a unique combination of high grade uranium development and cash flowing zinc concentrate production.

The Company’s Uranium Division includes six exploration permits in the Republic of Niger covering an area of approximately 750 km2. Uranium mineralization has been identified on each of the permits, with the most significant discovery being the DASA deposit situated on the Adrar Emoles III concession, discovered in 2010 by Global Atomic geologists through grassroots field exploration.

Global Atomics’ Base Metals Division holds a 49% interest in Befesa Silvermet Turkey, S.L. (“BST”) joint venture, which operates a processing facility located in Iskenderun, Turkey that converts Electric Arc Furnace Dust into a high-grade zinc oxide concentrate and sold to zinc smelters around the world. The Company’s joint venture partner, Befesa Zinc S.A.U. (“Befesa”, listed on the Frankfurt exchange under ‘BFSA’), holds a 51% interest in and is the operator of the BST joint venture. Befesa is a market leader in EAFD recycling, capturing approximately 50% of the European EAFD market with facilities located throughout Europe and Korea.

Key contacts:

Stephen G. Roman Chairman, President & CEO Tel: (416) 368-3949 Email: sgr@globalatomiccorp.com George A. Flach, P.Geo. Vice President, Exploration Tel: (416) 368-3949 Email: gaflach@globalatomiccorp.com

The information in this release may contain forward-looking information under applicable securities laws. This forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those implied by the forward-looking information. Factors that may cause actual results to vary include, but are not limited to, inaccurate assumptions concerning the exploration for and development of mineral deposits, political instability, currency fluctuations, unanticipated operational or technical difficulties, changes in laws or regulations, the risks of obtaining necessary licenses and permits, changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets and the inability to raise additional financing. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this forward-looking information. The Company does not assume the obligation to revise or update this forward- looking information after the date of this release or to revise such information to reflect the occurrence of future unanticipated events, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.