Q1 2026 Ur-Energy Inc Earnings Call
Operator: Greetings. Welcome to the Ur-Energy Q1 2026 Conference Call and Webcast. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. A question and answer session will follow the formal presentation. If anyone should require operator assistance during the conference, please press star zero on your telephone keypad. Please note this conference is being recorded. I will now turn the conference over to Alex Ritchie, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. You may begin.
Operator: Greetings. Welcome to the Ur-Energy Q1 2026 Conference Call and Webcast. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. A question and answer session will follow the formal presentation. If anyone should require operator assistance during the conference, please press star zero on your telephone keypad. Please note this conference is being recorded. I will now turn the conference over to Alex Ritchie, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. You may begin.
Speaker #2: If anyone should require operator assistance during the conference, please press star zero on your telephone keypad. Please note, this conference is being recorded. I will now turn the conference over to Alex Ritchie, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary.
Speaker #2: You may begin. Thank you. Today's discussion includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially.
Alex Ritchie: Thank you. Today's discussion includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. We do not undertake to update or revise any forward-looking statements except as required by law. Today's presentation includes disclaimers relating to forward-looking statements, risk factors, and projections, along with cautionary notes to investors. Please review these carefully together with the risk factors described in our Form 10-K and our other public filings with the SEC and Canadian securities regulators. I'll now turn the call over to our CEO and President, Matthew D. Gili.
Alex Ritchie: Thank you. Today's discussion includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. We do not undertake to update or revise any forward-looking statements except as required by law. Today's presentation includes disclaimers relating to forward-looking statements, risk factors, and projections, along with cautionary notes to investors. Please review these carefully together with the risk factors described in our Form 10-K and our other public filings with the SEC and Canadian securities regulators. I'll now turn the call over to our CEO and President, Matthew Gili.
Speaker #2: We do not undertake to update or revise any forward-looking statements except as required by law. Today's presentation includes disclaimers relating to forward-looking statements, risk factors, and projections, along with cautionary notes to investors.
Speaker #2: Please review these carefully together with the risk factors described in our Form 10-K and our other public filings with the SEC and Canadian securities regulators.
Speaker #2: I'll now turn the call over to our CEO and President, Matt Gilley.
Speaker #3: Thank you, Alex. On slide three—and thank you, everyone, for joining us today. In addition to Alex, joining me on the call are Roger Smith, our CFO; Steve Hatton, our Chief Operating Officer; Ryan Shearman, VP of Regulatory Affairs; and Jade Walley, VP, Finance.
Matthew Gili: Thank you, Alex. On slide 3, thank you everyone for joining us today. In addition to Alex, joining me on the call are Roger Smith, our CFO, Steven M. Hatten, our Chief Operating Officer, Ryan S. Schierman, VP of Regulatory Affairs, and Jade Walle, VP Finance. It is an exciting time to be a U.S. uranium producer. The nuclear and uranium market environment continues to strengthen and support our long-term growth strategy. Electricity demand growth driven by AI data center development is increasingly pushing the world towards nuclear energy for clean, reliable baseload power. Nuclear momentum continues to build through reactor restarts, life extension programs, and SMR development initiatives. Recently, countries such as South Korea, Taiwan, and Japan that depend on LNG imports have increased efforts to restart their or expand nuclear generation in response to the closing of the Straits of Hormuz.
Matthew Gili: Thank you, Alex. On slide three, thank you everyone for joining us today. In addition to Alex, joining me on the call are Roger Smith, our CFO, Steven M. Hatten, our Chief Operating Officer, Ryan S. Schierman, VP of Regulatory Affairs, and Jade Walle, VP Finance. It is an exciting time to be a U.S. uranium producer. The nuclear and uranium market environment continues to strengthen and support our long-term growth strategy. Electricity demand growth driven by AI data center development is increasingly pushing the world towards nuclear energy for clean, reliable baseload power. Nuclear momentum continues to build through reactor restarts, life extension programs, and SMR development initiatives.
Speaker #3: It is an exciting time to be a U.S. training producer. The nuclear and uranium market environment continues to strengthen and support our long-term growth strategy.
Speaker #3: Electricity demand growth, driven by AI data center development, is increasingly pushing the world toward nuclear energy for clean, reliable, base-load power. Nuclear momentum continues to build through reactor restarts, life extension programs, and SMR development initiatives.
Speaker #3: Recently, countries such as South Korea, Taiwan, and Japan that depend on LNG imports have increased efforts to restart or expand nuclear generation in response to the closing of the Straits of Hormuz.
Matthew Gili: Recently, countries such as South Korea, Taiwan, and Japan that depend on LNG imports have increased efforts to restart their or expand nuclear generation in response to the closing of the Straits of Hormuz. Just a few weeks ago, TerraPower broke ground on the first utility-scale advanced nuclear power plant here in the state of Wyoming. At the same time, U.S. government policies and programs are supporting domestic nuclear fuel supply chains and regulatory reforms intended to accelerate nuclear deployment. In January, the Department of Energy announced approximately $2.7 billion in contract awards to support the development of domestic low-enriched uranium and high-assay low-enriched uranium enrichment capacity.
Speaker #3: And just a few weeks ago, TerraPower broke ground on the first utility-scale advanced nuclear power plant here in the state of Wyoming. At the same time, U.S. government policies and programs are supporting domestic nuclear fuel supply chains and regulatory reforms, and tend to accelerate nuclear deployment.
Matthew Gili: Just a few weeks ago, TerraPower broke ground on the first utility-scale advanced nuclear power plant here in the state of Wyoming. At the same time, U.S. government policies and programs are supporting domestic nuclear fuel supply chains and regulatory reforms intended to accelerate nuclear deployment. In January, the Department of Energy announced approximately $2.7 billion in contract awards to support the development of domestic low-enriched uranium and high-assay low-enriched uranium enrichment capacity. Long-term demand growth is expected to require significant new mine development, and while the nuclear industry is increasingly focused on a secure uranium supply, only about 4% of uranium deliveries to U.S. utilities in 2024 were U.S. origin. We believe these market tailwinds continue to highlight the strategic importance of domestic uranium production.
Speaker #3: In January, the Department of Energy announced approximately $2.7 billion in contract awards to support the development of domestic low-enriched uranium and high-assay low-enriched uranium enrichment capacity.
Speaker #3: Long-term demand growth is expected to require significant new mine development. And while the nuclear industry is increasingly focused on a secure uranium supply, only about 4% of uranium deliveries to U.S. utilities in 2024 were U.S. origin.
Matthew Gili: Long-term demand growth is expected to require significant new mine development, and while the nuclear industry is increasingly focused on a secure uranium supply, only about 4% of uranium deliveries to U.S. utilities in 2024 were U.S. origin. We believe this market tailwinds continue to highlight the strategic importance of domestic uranium production. Let's talk about what we, Ur-Energy, are doing to contribute to the transformation of the nuclear industry. Slide four. The Q1 of 2026 brought several meaningful operational wins as we continue executing on our uranium production growth strategy. At Lost Creek, we improved our operational performance, which reflects the work we've been doing to improve flow rates.
Speaker #3: We believe these market tailwinds continue to highlight the strategic importance of domestic uranium production. Now, let's talk about what we, Ur-Energy, are doing to contribute to the transformation of the nuclear industry.
Matthew Gili: Let's talk about what we, Ur-Energy, are doing to contribute to the transformation of the nuclear industry. Slide 4. The Q1 of 2026 brought several meaningful operational wins as we continue executing on our uranium production growth strategy. At Lost Creek, we improved our operational performance, which reflects the work we've been doing to improve flow rates. We captured 110,000 pounds on resin during the Q1. That is an increase of 41% over the last quarter and 48% more than the Q1 of 2025. We dried and packaged 96,000 pounds during the quarter and increased in-finished inventory at the conversion facility to more than 417,000 pounds, which is a 14% increase since year-end. We also continued to improve our cost profile at Lost Creek.
Speaker #3: Slide four. The first quarter of 2026 brought several meaningful operational wins as we continue executing on our uranium production growth strategy. At Lost Creek, we improved our operational performance, which reflects the work we've been doing to improve flow rates.
Speaker #3: We captured 110,000 pounds of resin during the first quarter. That is an increase of 41% over last quarter, and 48% more than the first quarter of 2025.
Matthew Gili: We captured 110,000 pounds on resin during the Q1. That is an increase of 41% over the last quarter and 48% more than the Q1 of 2025. We dried and packaged 96,000 pounds during the quarter and increased in-finished inventory at the conversion facility to more than 417,000 pounds, which is a 14% increase since year-end. We also continued to improve our cost profile at Lost Creek. The average cash cost per pound sold dropped 13% quarter-over-quarter to $37.5 per pound. This cost amount per pound includes ad valorem and severance taxes. We sold 55,000 pounds during the quarter, which was in line with our committed delivery schedule. Note that our delivery schedule for 2026 is heavily weighted towards the H2 of the year as we continue to ramp up at both mines. Our average sales price was $71 per pound, which is a 12% increase over the Q4 of 2025 as our sales this quarter were under newer contracts with more favorable pricing structures. We ended the quarter with $123 million of unrestricted cash. On slide 5, Lost Creek. Looking forward to Lost Creek, we drummed over 57,000 pounds in April.
Speaker #3: We tried and packaged 96,000 pounds during the quarter and increased finished inventory at the conversion facility to more than 417,000 pounds, which is a 14% increase since year-end.
Speaker #3: We also continue to improve our cost profile at Lost Creek. The average cash cost per pound sold dropped 13% quarter over quarter, to $37.50 per pound.
Matthew Gili: The average cash cost per pound sold dropped 13% quarter-over-quarter to $37.5 per pound. This cost amount per pound includes ad valorem and severance taxes. We sold 55,000 pounds during the quarter, which was in line with our committed delivery schedule. Note that our delivery schedule for 2026 is heavily weighted towards the H2 of the year as we continue to ramp up at both mines. Our average sales price was $71 per pound, which is a 12% increase over the Q4 of 2025 as our sales this quarter were under newer contracts with more favorable pricing structures. We ended the quarter with $123 million of unrestricted cash. On slide 5, Lost Creek. Looking forward to Lost Creek, we drummed over 57,000 pounds in April.
Speaker #3: This cost amount per pound includes ad valorem and severance taxes. We sold 55,000 pounds during the quarter, which was in line with our committed delivery schedule.
Speaker #3: Note that our delivery schedule for 2026 is heavily weighted towards the second half of the year, as we continue to ramp up at both mines.
Speaker #3: Our average sales price was $71 per pound, which is a 12% increase over the fourth quarter of 2025, as our sales this quarter were under newer contracts with more favorable pricing structures.
Speaker #3: We ended the quarter with $123 million of unrestricted cash. On slide five, Lost Creek, looking forward to Lost Creek, we drummed over 57,000 pounds in April.
Speaker #3: That's our highest monthly total since we decided to ramp up operations in '23. Our production trend at Lost Creek continues to move in the right direction, but we are still focused on getting better optimizing we're still focused on better optimizing operations and increasing production rates.
Matthew Gili: That's our highest monthly total since we decided to ramp up operations in 2023. Our production trend at Lost Creek continues to move in the right direction, but we are still focused on better optimizing operations and increasing production rates. We've made some great strides ramping up production rates at Lost Creek. However, our flow rates continue to be impacted by fine particles from the host formation. To manage these fines, we are installing and commissioning a sand filter system that is on schedule to come online this quarter. Our 2026 production plans in the well field are focused on phase 2 of the first mine unit, mine unit number 1. These plans remain on schedule, with the new header house continuing to come online.
Matthew Gili: That's our highest monthly total since we decided to ramp up operations in 2023. Our production trend at Lost Creek continues to move in the right direction, but we are still focused on better optimizing operations and increasing production rates. We've made some great strides ramping up production rates at Lost Creek. However, our flow rates continue to be impacted by fine particles from the host formation. To manage these fines, we are installing and commissioning a sand filter system that is on schedule to come online this quarter. Our 2026 production plans in the well field are focused on phase 2 of the first mine unit, mine unit number 1. These plans remain on schedule, with the new header house continuing to come online.
Speaker #3: We've made some great strides ramping up production rates at Lost Creek. However, our flow rates continue to be impacted by fine particles from the host formation.
Speaker #3: To manage these fines, we are installing and commissioning a sand filter system that is on schedule to come online this quarter. Our 2026 production plans and the wellfield are focused on phase two of the first mine unit, mine unit number one.
Speaker #3: These plans remain on schedule, with a new header house continuing to come online. We continue to prepare for the next mine unit, Mine Unit Five, to come online in 2027.
Matthew Gili: We continue to prepare for the next Mine Unit, Mine Unit 5, to come online in 2027. Again, while production is trending in the right direction, we believe the specific initiatives that are underway position Lost Creek for stronger production performance as the year progresses. Slide 6, Shirley Basin operations. The company reached a major milestone in April when we commenced initial mining operations at our Shirley Basin mine. After Wyoming regulators completed their inspection, we brought our first header house online, and we are now capturing uranium on resin from production solutions. Construction and well field development activities at Shirley Basin accelerated and progressed significantly during Q1. By the end of the quarter, we had pilot drilled 540 production and injection wells, cased 312 of these wells, and constructed 5 header houses.
Matthew Gili: We continue to prepare for the next Mine Unit, Mine Unit 5, to come online in 2027. Again, while production is trending in the right direction, we believe the specific initiatives that are underway position Lost Creek for stronger production performance as the year progresses. Slide 6, Shirley Basin operations. The company reached a major milestone in April when we commenced initial mining operations at our Shirley Basin mine. After Wyoming regulators completed their inspection, we brought our first header house online, and we are now capturing uranium on resin from production solutions. Construction and well field development activities at Shirley Basin accelerated and progressed significantly during Q1. By the end of the quarter, we had pilot drilled 540 production and injection wells, cased 312 of these wells, and constructed 5 header houses.
Speaker #3: Again, while production is trending in the right direction, we believe the specific initiatives that are underway position Lost Creek for a stronger production performance as the year progresses.
Speaker #3: Slide six, Shirley Basin operations. The company reached a major milestone in April when we commenced initial mining operations at our Shirley Basin mine. After Wyoming regulators completed their inspection, we brought our first header house online, and we are now capturing uranium on resin from production solutions.
Speaker #3: Construction and well-field development activities at Shirley Basin accelerated and have progressed significantly during the first quarter. By the end of the quarter, we had pilot drilled 540 production and injection wells, 312 of these wells, and constructed five header houses.
Speaker #3: We've been operating eight drills in line with our production needs. Shirley Basin is a satellite facility. We will be transporting uranium-loaded resin to Lost Creek for final processing and packaging.
Matthew Gili: We've been operating 8 drills in line with our production needs. Shirley Basin is a satellite facility. We will be transporting uranium-loaded resin to Lost Creek for final processing and packaging. Our next major milestone is to start moving resin to Lost Creek. At this point, the infrastructure at Shirley Basin is substantially complete. Subject to our additional and final regulatory approval, we expect to start these shipments in the summer. This integrated operating model enhances efficiency, supports production scalability, and should substantially increase our uranium production. Shirley Basin is a historically significant uranium district that played an important role in the early development of ISR mining in Wyoming. We are on track to bringing this back into commercial production soon. Slide 7, our Wyoming ISR growth portfolio. Beyond our operating projects, we continue exploration activities across our Wyoming project portfolio that will support development decisions.
Matthew Gili: We've been operating 8 drills in line with our production needs. Shirley Basin is a satellite facility. We will be transporting uranium-loaded resin to Lost Creek for final processing and packaging. Our next major milestone is to start moving resin to Lost Creek. At this point, the infrastructure at Shirley Basin is substantially complete. Subject to our additional and final regulatory approval, we expect to start these shipments in the summer. This integrated operating model enhances efficiency, supports production scalability, and should substantially increase our uranium production. Shirley Basin is a historically significant uranium district that played an important role in the early development of ISR mining in Wyoming. We are on track to bringing this back into commercial production soon. Slide 7, our Wyoming ISR growth portfolio. Beyond our operating projects, we continue exploration activities across our Wyoming project portfolio that will support development decisions.
Speaker #3: So our next major milestone is to start moving resin to Lost Creek. At this point, key infrastructure at Shirley Basin is substantially complete, subject to our additional and final regulatory approval.
Speaker #3: We expect to start the shipments in the summer. This integrated operating model enhances efficiency, supports production scalability, and should substantially increase our uranium production.
Speaker #3: Shirley Basin is a historically significant uranium district. It played an important role in the early development of ISR mining in Wyoming, and we are on track to bring this back into commercial production soon.
Speaker #3: Slide seven. Our Wyoming ISR growth portfolio. Beyond our operating projects, we continue exploration activities across our Wyoming project portfolio that will support development decisions.
Speaker #3: At our Last Soldier project, we commenced aquifer testing in April and plan to start baseline environmental studies this year. We are on plan to have an updated technical report, including economics, completed by year-end.
Matthew Gili: At our Lost Soldier Project, we commenced aquifer testing in April and plan to start baseline environmental studies this year. We are on plan to have an updated technical report, including economics, completed by year-end. There are 4,000 historic drill holes at Lost Soldier, and it is close to Lost Creek, so the Project has strong potential to be a future satellite operation that leverages our existing infrastructure. We also completed 33 exploration drill holes at our North Hadsell Project before the seasonal sage-grouse restrictions started in March. The results include, excuse me, 13 ore grade intercepts and indicates potential for a stacked roll-front ISR system with up to 8 individual roll-fronts.
Matthew Gili: At our Lost Soldier Project, we commenced aquifer testing in April and plan to start baseline environmental studies this year. We are on plan to have an updated technical report, including economics, completed by year-end. There are 4,000 historic drill holes at Lost Soldier, and it is close to Lost Creek, so the Project has strong potential to be a future satellite operation that leverages our existing infrastructure. We also completed 33 exploration drill holes at our North Hadsell Project before the seasonal sage-grouse restrictions started in March. The results include, excuse me, 13 ore grade intercepts and indicates potential for a stacked roll-front ISR system with up to 8 individual roll-fronts.
Speaker #3: There are 4,000 historic drill holes at Lost Soldier, and it is close to Lost Creek, so the project has strong potential to be a future satellite operation that leverages our existing infrastructure.
Speaker #3: We also completed 33 exploration drill holes at our North Hassel project before the seasonal sage-grouse restrictions started in March. The results include—excuse me—13 ore-grade intercepts, and they indicate potential for a stacked roll-front ISR system with up to eight individual roll fronts.
Speaker #3: Looking ahead, we also have plans to begin a drill program of approximately 120 holes at our Lost Creek South property later this summer, with the goal to further extend Lost Creek into new mine units.
Matthew Gili: Looking ahead, we also have plans to begin a drill program of approximately 120 holes at our Lost Creek South property later this summer with the goal to further extend Lost Creek into new mine units. On slide 8, closing. We enter the Q2 with $123 million in cash, over 417,000 pounds of uranium in inventory at the conversion facility, and momentum building on both of our operating mines. As we move through 2026, our priorities remain focused. Continue to increase flow rates and optimizing operations at Lost Creek. Achieve commercial production this summer at Shirley Basin, followed by production ramp up. Continue to advance our Wyoming exploration portfolio towards development decisions. Continue to improve our safety culture and performance, which has already seen significant improvement.
Matthew Gili: Looking ahead, we also have plans to begin a drill program of approximately 120 holes at our Lost Creek South property later this summer with the goal to further extend Lost Creek into new mine units. On slide 8, closing. We enter the Q2 with $123 million in cash, over 417,000 pounds of uranium in inventory at the conversion facility, and momentum building on both of our operating mines. As we move through 2026, our priorities remain focused. Continue to increase flow rates and optimizing operations at Lost Creek. Achieve commercial production this summer at Shirley Basin, followed by production ramp up. Continue to advance our Wyoming exploration portfolio towards development decisions. Continue to improve our safety culture and performance, which has already seen significant improvement.
Speaker #3: And on slide eight, closing, we entered the second quarter with $123 million in cash, and over 417,000 pounds of uranium in inventory at the conversion facility.
Speaker #3: And momentum building on both of our operating mines. As we move through 2026, our priorities remain focused: continuing to increase flow rates and optimizing operations at Lost Creek, achieving commercial production this summer at Shirley Basin, followed by production ramp-up.
Speaker #3: Continue to advance our Wyoming exploration portfolio towards development decisions. Continue to improve our safety culture and performance, which has already seen significant improvement. And meet our 2026 uranium sales agreement commitment from existing inventory and production.
Matthew Gili: Meet our 2026 uranium sales agreement commitment from existing inventory and production. On that point, our production plans still support our potential to meet these commitments after commencing shipments from Shirley Basin. Bringing the sand filters online at Lost Creek and our other initiatives to continue to increase production. As I mentioned, substantial majority of our deliveries are scheduled for later in the year. We are capturing uranium at Shirley Basin and are close to having two ISR uranium mines in commercial production. We are improving our production momentum. We are advancing our Wyoming ISR project pipeline, and we have a strong balance sheet. We are also bullish on the need for a larger supply of US-produced uranium for an expanding nuclear industry. As one of the few US uranium mining companies that is actually producing uranium, we believe Ur-Energy is well positioned to help meet the growing demand.
Matthew Gili: Meet our 2026 uranium sales agreement commitment from existing inventory and production. On that point, our production plans still support our potential to meet these commitments after commencing shipments from Shirley Basin. Bringing the sand filters online at Lost Creek and our other initiatives to continue to increase production. As I mentioned, substantial majority of our deliveries are scheduled for later in the year. We are capturing uranium at Shirley Basin and are close to having two ISR uranium mines in commercial production. We are improving our production momentum. We are advancing our Wyoming ISR project pipeline, and we have a strong balance sheet. We are also bullish on the need for a larger supply of US-produced uranium for an expanding nuclear industry. As one of the few US uranium mining companies that is actually producing uranium, we believe Ur-Energy is well positioned to help meet the growing demand.
Speaker #3: On that point, our production plans still support our potential to meet these commitments after commencing shipments from Shirley Basin. Bringing the sand filters online at Lost Creek, and our other initiatives, continue to increase production.
Speaker #3: And as I mentioned, a substantial majority of our deliveries are scheduled for later in the year. We are capturing uranium at Shirley Basin, and we're close to having two ISR uranium mines in commercial production.
Speaker #3: We are improving our production momentum, we are advancing our Wyoming ISR project pipeline, and we have a strong balance sheet. We are also bullish on the need for a larger supply of U.S.-produced uranium for an expanding nuclear industry.
Speaker #3: As one of the few U.S. uranium mining companies that is actually producing uranium, we believe Ur-Energy is well positioned to help meet the growing demand.
Speaker #3: And with that, I'll turn the call back to the operator to open up the Q&A.
Matthew Gili: With that, I'll turn the call back to the operator to open up the Q&A.
Matthew Gili: With that, I'll turn the call back to the operator to open up the Q&A.
Speaker #1: Certainly. At this time, we will be conducting a question-and-answer session. If you would like to ask a question, please press star one on your telephone keypad.
Operator: Certainly. At this time, we will be conducting a question-and-answer session. If you would like to ask a question, please press star 1 on your telephone keypad. A confirmation tone will indicate your line is in the question queue. You may press star 2 if you would like to remove your question from the queue. For participants using speaker equipment, it may be necessary to pick up your handset before pressing the star keys. One moment please while we poll for questions. Your first question for today is from Heiko Ihle with H.C. Wainwright & Co.
Operator: Certainly. At this time, we will be conducting a question-and-answer session. If you would like to ask a question, please press star 1 on your telephone keypad. A confirmation tone will indicate your line is in the question queue. You may press star 2 if you would like to remove your question from the queue. For participants using speaker equipment, it may be necessary to pick up your handset before pressing the star keys. One moment please while we poll for questions. Your first question for today is from Heiko Ihle with H.C. Wainwright & Co.
Speaker #1: A confirmation tone will indicate your line is in the question queue. You may press star two if you would like to remove your question from the queue.
Speaker #1: For participants choosing speaker equipment, it may be necessary to pick up your handset before pressing the star keys. One moment, please, while we pull for questions.
Speaker #1: Your first question for today is from Heiko Ile with HC Wainwright.
Speaker #3: Hey, Matt and team. Nice little comprehensive overview you just gave.
Heiko Ihle: Hey, Matt and team. Nice little comprehensive overview you just gave.
Heiko Ihle: Hey, Matt and team. Nice little comprehensive overview you just gave.
Speaker #4: Thanks, Heiko.
Matthew Gili: Thanks, Heiko.
Matthew Gili: Thanks, Heiko.
Speaker #3: Can you give a bit of color on what you're seeing in conversations with your utility partners, given the current geopolitical risk factors that we're seeing around the world?
Heiko Ihle: Can you give a bit of color on what you're seeing in conversations with your utility partners, given the current geopolitical risk sectors that we're just seeing around the world? I mean, I assume that conversations, the tone is quite positive, but maybe you want to provide the audience with a bit of color on what you're seeing in the actual market.
Heiko Ihle: Can you give a bit of color on what you're seeing in conversations with your utility partners, given the current geopolitical risk sectors that we're just seeing around the world? I mean, I assume that conversations, the tone is quite positive, but maybe you want to provide the audience with a bit of color on what you're seeing in the actual market.
Speaker #3: I mean, I assume that conversations—the tone—is quite positive, but maybe you want to provide the audience with a bit of color on what you're seeing in the actual market.
Speaker #4: Oh, absolutely, Heiko. Okay. So, what we are seeing is a lot of activity from US utilities in the first quarter regarding contracting future uranium supply.
Matthew Gili: Oh, absolutely, Heiko. Okay. What we are seeing is a lot of activity from US utilities in this in Q1 regarding contracting future uranium supply. Of course, I mean, of course you would expect that, right? We're also seeing I'm trying to be very careful. I don't wanna ever disclose anything confidential. We're starting to see a lot more interest in securing supply over price negotiations. I wouldn't, you know, kind of in summary, Heiko, without divulging anything confidential, there is a lot of energy right now regarding utilities looking to secure future supply. Of course, for utilities, future supply is generally starts like 3 years out. We're starting to see-
Matthew Gili: Oh, absolutely, Heiko. Okay. What we are seeing is a lot of activity from US utilities in this in Q1 regarding contracting future uranium supply. Of course, I mean, of course you would expect that, right? We're also seeing I'm trying to be very careful. I don't wanna ever disclose anything confidential. We're starting to see a lot more interest in securing supply over price negotiations. I wouldn't, you know, kind of in summary, Heiko, without divulging anything confidential, there is a lot of energy right now regarding utilities looking to secure future supply. Of course, for utilities, future supply is generally starts like 3 years out. We're starting to see-
Speaker #4: Now, of course—I mean, of course—you would expect that, right? We're also seeing—I'm trying to be very careful. I don't want to ever disclose anything confidential.
Speaker #4: We're starting to see a lot more interest in securing supply over price negotiations. I wouldn't—kind of in summary, Heiko, without divulging anything confidential, there is a lot of energy right now regarding utilities looking to secure future supply.
Speaker #4: And of course, for utilities, future supply generally starts like three years out. But we're starting to see there's a lot of interest; we get a lot of inbound RFPs.
Heiko Ihle: Right
Heiko Ihle: Right
Matthew Gili: There's a lot of interest. We get a lot of inbound RFPs. We're very careful and choosy about what we respond to because we don't wanna overcommit. We've got a very well-crafted, you know, commitment forecast, and we like to keep pounds extra so that we have the ability to be flexible in the future. It is very strong out there right now regarding utilities looking for pounds.
Matthew Gili: There's a lot of interest. We get a lot of inbound RFPs. We're very careful and choosy about what we respond to because we don't wanna overcommit. We've got a very well-crafted, you know, commitment forecast, and we like to keep pounds extra so that we have the ability to be flexible in the future. It is very strong out there right now regarding utilities looking for pounds.
Speaker #4: We're very careful and choosy about what we respond to because we don't want to overcommit. We've got a very well-crafted commitment forecast, and we like to keep pounds extra so that we have the ability to be flexible in the future.
Speaker #4: But what is very strong out there right now is utilities looking for pounds.
Speaker #3: Fair enough. And then, just for our model, how much money has been spent at Shirley Basin year to date? And maybe, if you want to give a bit of color on the rest of the year quarter by quarter, please.
Heiko Ihle: Fair enough. Just for our model, how much has been money has been spent at Shirley Basin year to date? Maybe if you wanna give a bit of color on the rest of the year quarter by quarter, please.
Heiko Ihle: Fair enough. Just for our model, how much has been money has been spent at Shirley Basin year to date? Maybe if you wanna give a bit of color on the rest of the year quarter by quarter, please.
Speaker #4: Oh, absolutely. So, what I have—I'm going to answer quickly, and then I'm going to pass over to Roger to fill in the details. The entire commitment for Shirley Basin for capital this year remains at $25.5 million.
Matthew Gili: Absolutely. What I have, I'm gonna answer quickly, and then I'm gonna pass over to Roger to fill in the details. The entire commitment for Shirley Basin for capital this year remains at $25.5 million, finishing up capital spend there.
Matthew Gili: Absolutely. What I have, I'm gonna answer quickly, and then I'm gonna pass over to Roger to fill in the details. The entire commitment for Shirley Basin for capital this year remains at $25.5 million, finishing up capital spend there.
Speaker #4: Finish out.
Heiko Ihle: Okay. That's unchanged.
Heiko Ihle: Okay. That's unchanged.
Speaker #3: Okay. So that's unchanged.
Speaker #4: Yeah, it's unchanged. The total capital commitment for the water treatment upgrades at Lost Creek is now forecasted between $25 and $33 million. What we did there is we've expedited and brought forward the building of those sand filters, which is critical to us meeting our production goals.
Matthew Gili: Yeah, it's unchanged. The total capital commitment for the water treatment upgrades at Lost Creek is now forecasted between $25 million and $33 million. What we did there is we've expedited and brought forward the building of those sand filters, which is critical to us meeting our production goals. We'd have occurred a slight increase in expense by bringing those sand filters forward. Steve can go through that in more detail, but we're now at the stage the sand filters are installed on a pad plant. We're piping in the sand filters, and we have the aggregate in ready for installation within those sand filters. Steve, anything else you wanna touch on that?
Matthew Gili: Yeah, it's unchanged. The total capital commitment for the water treatment upgrades at Lost Creek is now forecasted between $25 million and $33 million. What we did there is we've expedited and brought forward the building of those sand filters, which is critical to us meeting our production goals. We'd have occurred a slight increase in expense by bringing those sand filters forward. Steve can go through that in more detail, but we're now at the stage the sand filters are installed on a pad plant. We're piping in the sand filters, and we have the aggregate in ready for installation within those sand filters. Steve, anything else you wanna touch on that?
Speaker #4: And we'd have Curtis Light increase in expense by bringing those sand filters forward. Steve can go through that in more detail, but we're now at the stage—the sand filters are installed on a pad at the plant.
Speaker #4: We're piping in the sand filters, and we have the aggregate ready for installation within those sand filters. Steve, anything else you want to touch on that?
Speaker #2: No, I don't think so. Just know, Heiko, that we will be focusing—and we are focusing—on the very detailed engineering for the Lost Creek work, working already with the construction team as well, and getting procurement done as quickly as possible so we can really advance hard construction at Lost Creek this summer.
Steven Hatten: No, I don't think so. Just note, Heiko, that we will be focusing, and we are focusing on the very detailed engineering for the Lost Creek work, working already with the construction team as well and getting procurement done as quickly as possible so we can really advance hard construction at Lost Creek this summer.
Steven Hatten: No, I don't think so. Just note, Heiko, that we will be focusing, and we are focusing on the very detailed engineering for the Lost Creek work, working already with the construction team as well and getting procurement done as quickly as possible so we can really advance hard construction at Lost Creek this summer. Shirley's moving along steadily. Most of the main equipment's in. Any of the things that you see on our site show you that. We feel good about that.
Speaker #2: But Shirley's moving along steadily. Most of the main equipment's in. Any of the things that you see on our site show you that, so we feel good about that.
Steven Hatten: Yeah.
Steven Hatten: Shirley's moving along steadily. Most of the main equipment's in. Any of the things that you see on our site show you that. We feel good about that.
Matthew Gili: Yeah. Roger, did you have any further color on the quantities at Shirley Basin we spent in Q1?
Matthew Gili: Yeah. Roger, did you have any further color on the quantities at Shirley Basin we spent in Q1?
Speaker #2: Roger, did you have any further color on the quantities that Shirley Basin we spent in the first quarter?
Speaker #5: Yeah, just a bit. Hi, Heiko. Thanks for the question. During Q1, we spent approximately $11 million of that $25.5 million of CapEx for this year.
Roger Smith: Yeah, just a bit. Hi, Heiko. Thanks for the question. During Q1 we spent.
Roger Smith: Yeah, just a bit. Hi, Heiko. Thanks for the question. During Q1 we spent...
Heiko Ihle: Yeah, of course.
Heiko Ihle: Yeah, of course.
Roger Smith: approximately $11 million of that $25 and a half million of CapEx for this year. We have, probably just under $15 million yet to spend on Shirley Basin CapEx throughout the year.
Roger Smith: approximately $11 million of that $25 and a half million of CapEx for this year. We have, probably just under $15 million yet to spend on Shirley Basin CapEx throughout the year.
Speaker #5: So we have probably just under $15 million yet to spend on Shirley Basin CapEx throughout the year.
Speaker #2: And thanks, Roger. And thanks, Heiko, for the question. And does that cover what you're looking for?
Matthew Gili: Thanks, Roger L. Smith.
Matthew Gili: Thanks, Roger L. Smith.
Heiko Ihle: By quarter?
Heiko Ihle: By quarter?
Matthew Gili: Thanks, Heiko, for the question. Does that cover what you're looking for?
Matthew Gili: Thanks, Heiko, for the question. Does that cover what you're looking for?
Speaker #3: It does, but would you want to guess a little bit on a quarterly basis? A little bit more color?
Heiko Ihle: It does. Like, would you wanna guess a little bit on a quarterly basis? Like, a little bit more color?
Heiko Ihle: It does. Like, would you wanna guess a little bit on a quarterly basis? Like, a little bit more color?
Speaker #2: Well, I don't want to guess. Look, Shirley Basin construction is heavily weighted towards the first half of the year. The further quarters—because we're in the very final stages of construction there—will see less activity.
Matthew Gili: Well, I think I'd be, I don't wanna guess. Look, it's gonna, we have Shirley Basin construction is heavily weighted towards H1 of the year, further quarters, 'cause we're in the very final stages of construction there.
Matthew Gili: Well, I think I'd be, I don't wanna guess. Look, it's gonna, we have Shirley Basin construction is heavily weighted towards H1 of the year, further quarters, 'cause we're in the very final stages of construction there.
Speaker #3: Fair enough. I will get back in queue. Thank you, guys.
Heiko Ihle: Fair enough. I will get back in queue. Thank you, guys.
Heiko Ihle: Fair enough. I will get back in queue. Thank you, guys.
Speaker #2: Thanks, Heiko.
Matthew Gili: Thanks, Heiko.
Matthew Gili: Thanks, Heiko.
Speaker #1: Your next question is from Anthony Tagliere with Canaccord Genuity.
Operator: Your next question is from Anthony Tagliareni with Canaccord Genuity.
Operator: Your next question is from Anthony Tagliareni with Canaccord Genuity.
Speaker #3: Hey, man. Hey, thanks for taking my questions. Maybe just on Lost Creek—so, noting the 57,000 pounds drummed in April, should we expect this to be linear for the rest of Q2?
Anthony Tagliareni: Hey, Matt.
Anthony Taglieri: Hey, Matt. Good morning, Anthony.
Anthony Tagliareni: Good morning, Anthony.
Anthony Tagliareni: Hey, thanks for taking my questions. Maybe just on Lost Creek. Noting the 57,000 pounds, drummed in April, should we expect this to be linear for the rest of Q2? You know, is there any reason why production in May and June might be a bit lower than April?
Anthony Taglieri: Hey, thanks for taking my questions. Maybe just on Lost Creek. Noting the 57,000 pounds, drummed in April, should we expect this to be linear for the rest of Q2? You know, is there any reason why production in May and June might be a bit lower than April?
Speaker #3: Is there any reason why production in May and June might be a bit lower than April?
Speaker #4: Well, again, I'm being very careful with putting out future guidance. I will say that in April, we actually exceeded our internal plans for production for the month of April.
Matthew Gili: Well, you know, again, I'm being very careful with putting out future guidance. I will say that in April we actually exceeded our internal plan for production for the month of April. April was a really good month. When you talk about, you know, linear, I would look at it more linear from a quarter to quarter standpoint versus a month by month standpoint, seeking out if there, yeah. Getting us, with Shirley Basin, getting us to that 1.3 million pounds.
Matthew Gili: Well, you know, again, I'm being very careful with putting out future guidance. I will say that in April we actually exceeded our internal plan for production for the month of April. April was a really good month. When you talk about, you know, linear, I would look at it more linear from a quarter to quarter standpoint versus a month by month standpoint, seeking out if there, yeah. Getting us, with Shirley Basin, getting us to that 1.3 million pounds.
Speaker #4: So, April was a really good month. When you talk about it, I would look at it more linearly from a quarter-to-quarter standpoint versus a month-by-month standpoint peaking out.
Speaker #4: Yeah, getting us with Shirley Basin, getting us to that 1.3 million pounds.
Speaker #3: Okay, great. So maybe just as a follow-up for Shirley Basin, how has that startup been versus expectations? Maybe some commentary there would be great.
Anthony Tagliareni: Okay, great. Maybe just as a follow-up for Shirley Basin, you know, how's that start up been versus expectations? Maybe some commentary there would be great. You know, what still needs to happen there from a regulatory point of view to begin shipping loaded resin to Lost Creek? When you say summer months, is that sort of like a mid-June timeline?
Anthony Taglieri: Okay, great. Maybe just as a follow-up for Shirley Basin, you know, how's that start up been versus expectations? Maybe some commentary there would be great. You know, what still needs to happen there from a regulatory point of view to begin shipping loaded resin to Lost Creek? When you say summer months, is that sort of like a mid-June timeline?
Speaker #3: And what still needs to happen there from a regulatory point of view to begin shipping loaded resin to Lost Creek? And when you say summer months, is that sort of like a mid-June timeline?
Speaker #4: Okay, so I'm going to answer the first question and then hand over to Ryan. So, look, our internal plan was that we would have the ability to add excipient and start liberating uranium by the end of April.
Matthew Gili: Okay. I'm going to answer the first question then hand over to Ryan. Look, we were our internal plan was that we would have the ability to add lixiviant and start liberating uranium by the end of April, and we were able to meet that timeline. We were actually a few days, you know, a week or two ahead of schedule. That's progressing very well on track. We're very excited about what we're seeing so far at Shirley Basin. Ryan, can you give more color into what is that final regulatory approval?
Matthew Gili: Okay. I'm going to answer the first question then hand over to Ryan. Look, we were our internal plan was that we would have the ability to add lixiviant and start liberating uranium by the end of April, and we were able to meet that timeline. We were actually a few days, you know, a week or two ahead of schedule. That's progressing very well on track. We're very excited about what we're seeing so far at Shirley Basin. Ryan, can you give more color into what is that final regulatory approval?
Speaker #4: And we were able to meet that timeline. So we were actually a few days—a week or two—ahead of schedule. That's progressing very well, on track.
Speaker #4: We're very excited about what we're seeing so far at Shirley Basin. Ryan, can you give more color into what is that final regulatory approval?
Speaker #6: Yeah. So, final regulatory approval is a pre-operational inspection. What this is, is just a verification that infrastructure and our programs are in place to safely do what we said we were going to.
Ryan Schierman: Final regulatory approval is a pre-operational inspection. What this is just a verification that infrastructure and our programs are in place to safely do what we said we were going to do. At this point, we don't believe we have anything that would preclude us from passing through that inspection. We've been preparing for it, and it's been on our radar. It's a regular part of business. Nothing out of the norm for us on that.
Ryan Schierman: Final regulatory approval is a pre-operational inspection. What this is just a verification that infrastructure and our programs are in place to safely do what we said we were going to do. At this point, we don't believe we have anything that would preclude us from passing through that inspection. We've been preparing for it, and it's been on our radar. It's a regular part of business. Nothing out of the norm for us on that.
Speaker #6: At this point, we don't believe we have anything that would preclude us from passing through that inspection. We've been preparing for it, and it's been on our radar.
Speaker #6: It's a regular part of business, so nothing out of the norm for us on that.
Speaker #2: And yeah, when we say when we expect to do that—again, being careful—but your original assumption was fairly on track for when we expect the timing.
Matthew Gili: Yeah, when we say when we expect to do that, again, being careful, but, you know, your original assumption was fairly on track of when we expect the timing.
Matthew Gili: Yeah, when we say when we expect to do that, again, being careful, but, you know, your original assumption was fairly on track of when we expect the timing.
Speaker #3: Okay, great. I'll pass it on. Thanks for that.
Anthony Tagliareni: Okay, great. I'll pass it on. Thanks for that.
Anthony Taglieri: Okay, great. I'll pass it on. Thanks for that.
Speaker #4: Thank you, Anthony.
Matthew Gili: Thank you, Anthony.
Matthew Gili: Thank you, Anthony.
Speaker #1: Your next question for today is from Jeff Gramp with Northland Capital Markets.
Operator: Your next question for today is from Jeff Grampp with Northland Capital Markets.
Operator: Your next question for today is from Jeff Grampp with Northland Capital Markets.
Speaker #4: Hey, morning, guys.
Jeff Grampp: Hey, morning guys.
Jeff Grampp: Hey, morning guys.
Speaker #2: Hey, good morning, Jeff.
Matthew Gili: Hey, good morning, Jeff.
Matthew Gili: Hey, good morning, Jeff.
Speaker #4: Hey, Matt. So, outside of the wastewater and—excuse me—some of the kind of upgrades to address the fines issue, it sounds like there are some other general optimization initiatives at Lost Creek that you guys are evaluating or implementing.
Jeff Grampp: Hey, Matt. Outside of the wastewater and excuse me, some of the, kind of upgrades to address the fines issue, it sounds like there's some other, general optimization initiatives at Lost Creek that you guys are evaluating or implementing. Was just hoping to get a little more detail on, you know, what some of those other projects are and are these kind of cost optimization, production optimization or any other details you can share?
Jeff Grampp: Hey, Matt. Outside of the wastewater and excuse me, some of the, kind of upgrades to address the fines issue, it sounds like there's some other, general optimization initiatives at Lost Creek that you guys are evaluating or implementing. Was just hoping to get a little more detail on, you know, what some of those other projects are and are these kind of cost optimization, production optimization or any other details you can share?
Speaker #4: Just hoping to get a little more detail on what some of those other projects are, and are these kind of cost optimization, production optimization, or any other details you can share?
Speaker #2: Okay. So the other main business improvement activities at Lost Creek are not capital improvements at all, but they're really—they're procedural and operational improvements. And they're specifically regarding our maintenance systems, just getting a well-built, well-articulated, and well-executed maintenance program for the plant itself, as well as bringing in procurement, beefed up our procurement team, and getting it aligned with maintenance so that your parts are there when you need them.
Matthew Gili: Okay. The, you know, the other main business improvement activities at Lost Creek are not capital improvements at all, but they're really procedural and operational improvements. They're specifically regarding our maintenance systems, just getting a well-built, well-articulated, and well-executed maintenance program for the plant itself, as well as bringing in procurement, getting We beefed up our procurement team and getting it aligned with maintenance so that, you know, your parts are there when you need them and your kits are ready when you need to do maintenance. Those are the two other initiatives, the primary initiatives at Lost Creek regarding beefing up operations.
Matthew Gili: Okay. The, you know, the other main business improvement activities at Lost Creek are not capital improvements at all, but they're really procedural and operational improvements. They're specifically regarding our maintenance systems, just getting a well-built, well-articulated, and well-executed maintenance program for the plant itself, as well as bringing in procurement, getting We beefed up our procurement team and getting it aligned with maintenance so that, you know, your parts are there when you need them and your kits are ready when you need to do maintenance. Those are the two other initiatives, the primary initiatives at Lost Creek regarding beefing up operations.
Speaker #2: And your kits are ready when you need to do maintenance. Those are the two other initiatives. The primary initiatives at Lost Creek regarding beefing up operations.
Speaker #4: Got it. Great, appreciate that. My follow-up on the exploration side—specifically looking at Lost Soldier—I noted you guys are looking at some pre-permitting activities, with a technical report coming later this year.
Jeff Grampp: Got it. Great. Appreciate that. My follow-up on the exploration side, specifically looking at Lost Soldier. I noted, you guys are looking at kind of some pre-permitting activities, technical report coming later this year. Is the technical report, would you say kind of a prerequisite, if you will, in getting some positive data there to kind of, I guess, more fully look at a full-blown kind of permitting exercise? How comfortable are you guys kind of trying to accelerate, you know, potentially permitting and getting that to production relative to, you know, technical report and more kind of technical evaluation internally? Thanks.
Jeff Grampp: Got it. Great. Appreciate that. My follow-up on the exploration side, specifically looking at Lost Soldier. I noted, you guys are looking at kind of some pre-permitting activities, technical report coming later this year. Is the technical report, would you say kind of a prerequisite, if you will, in getting some positive data there to kind of, I guess, more fully look at a full-blown kind of permitting exercise? How comfortable are you guys kind of trying to accelerate, you know, potentially permitting and getting that to production relative to, you know, technical report and more kind of technical evaluation internally? Thanks.
Speaker #4: Is the technical report, would you say, kind of a prerequisite, if you will, in getting some positive data there to kind of, I guess, more fully look at a full-blown kind of permitting exercise?
Speaker #4: Or how comfortable are you guys kind of trying to accelerate, potentially, permitting and getting that to production relative to the technical report and more kind of technical evaluation internally?
Speaker #4: Thanks.
Speaker #2: Yeah, yeah, I understand. I understand your question, Jeff. It's a really good question. Look, we are progressing along with the technical report of Lost Soldier.
Matthew Gili: Yeah. Yeah, I understand. I understand your question, Jeff. It's a really good question. Look, we are progressing along with the technical report on Lost Soldier, and we will do the work to the standard we always do the work, which is extremely high standard with economics. We have initiated or are in the process of initiating the baseline surveys as the beginning of our permitting because we feel very, very comfortable in spending that money before we finalize the technical report and make a construction decision. It's a modest spend at this time, but it is prudent and it will accelerate the permitting process should we make a positive investment decision at the end of this year.
Matthew Gili: Yeah. Yeah, I understand. I understand your question, Jeff. It's a really good question. Look, we are progressing along with the technical report on Lost Soldier, and we will do the work to the standard we always do the work, which is extremely high standard with economics. We have initiated or are in the process of initiating the baseline surveys as the beginning of our permitting because we feel very, very comfortable in spending that money before we finalize the technical report and make a construction decision. It's a modest spend at this time, but it is prudent and it will accelerate the permitting process should we make a positive investment decision at the end of this year.
Speaker #2: And we will do the work to the standard we always do the work, which is extremely high standard with economics. We have initiated or are in the process of initiating the baseline surveys as the beginning of our permitting.
Speaker #2: Because we feel very comfortable in spending that money before we finalize the technical report and make a construction decision. It's a modest spend at this time, but it is prudent.
Speaker #2: And it will accelerate the permitting process should we make a positive investment decision at the end of this year.
Speaker #4: Got it. And in general, not trying to hold you to too specific a timeline, but is, I don't know, two, three years a good kind of rule of thumb for permitting a project like that?
Jeff Grampp: Got it. Is in general, you know, not trying to hold you to too specific a timeline, but is, I don't know, 2, 3 years a good kind of rule of thumb for permitting a project like that? Or am I off base one way or another?
Jeff Grampp: Got it. Is in general, you know, not trying to hold you to too specific a timeline, but is, I don't know, 2, 3 years a good kind of rule of thumb for permitting a project like that? Or am I off base one way or another?
Speaker #4: Or am I wrong, one way or another?
Speaker #6: I would say three to five years is a fair estimate.
Matthew Gili: Ryan, what would?
Matthew Gili: Ryan, what would?
Ryan Schierman: I would say three to five years is a fair estimate.
Ryan Schierman: I would say three to five years is a fair estimate.
Speaker #4: Yeah, three to five. Perfect. Thank you, guys. I'll turn it back.
Jeff Grampp: Yeah. Three to five. Perfect. Thank you, guys. I'll turn it back.
Jeff Grampp: Yeah. Three to five. Perfect. Thank you, guys. I'll turn it back.
Speaker #2: Thanks, Jeff.
Matthew Gili: Thanks, Jeff.
Matthew Gili: Thanks, Jeff.
Speaker #1: Your next question for today is from Joseph Rager with Roth Capital Partners.
Operator: Your next question for today is from Joseph Reagor with ROTH Capital Partners.
Operator: Your next question for today is from Joseph Reagor with ROTH Capital Partners.
Speaker #5: Hey, Matt and team. Thanks for taking the questions. Most of my questions have already been touched on, but a couple of other kind of fine-tuning things.
Joseph Reagor: Hey, Matt and team. Thanks for taking the questions. Most of my questions have already been touched on, but a couple other kind of fine-tuning things. Matt, in your prepared remarks, you commented on contracts being second half weighted. Is that just because Q1 was so light that even if we're you know, we put the rest of them evenly across the year, then it's gonna be second half weighted? Or even over the remaining three quarters, is it still second half weighted?
Joseph Reagor: Hey, Matt and team. Thanks for taking the questions. Most of my questions have already been touched on, but a couple other kind of fine-tuning things. Matt, in your prepared remarks, you commented on contracts being second half weighted. Is that just because Q1 was so light that even if we're you know, we put the rest of them evenly across the year, then it's gonna be second half weighted? Or even over the remaining three quarters, is it still second half weighted?
Speaker #5: Matt, in your prepared remarks, you commented on contracts being second-half weighted. Is that just because Q1 was so light that even if we were to put the rest of them evenly across the year, then it's going to be second-half weighted?
Speaker #5: Or even over the remaining three quarters, is it still second-half weighted?
Speaker #2: Yeah. I mean, so it's weighted in the second half of the year. You know how lumpy our delivery contracts are. And that's one of the consequences of the way that we contract— it comes in real lumpy.
Matthew Gili: Yeah. I mean, So, so it's weighted in H2. You know how lumpy our delivery contracts are, and that's one of the consequences of the way that we contract, is it comes in real lumpy. We focus our delivery commitments for H2 of the year to, let's be fair, to match our production profile for ramp up, Joe. That's So, so I would, we would, we don't put We put out some guidance in the 10-Q to show the delivery commitments by quarter. They're weighted to H2 to match our production ramp up. Is that Joe, does that kinda answer the question you're looking for?
Matthew Gili: Yeah. I mean, So, so it's weighted in H2. You know how lumpy our delivery contracts are, and that's one of the consequences of the way that we contract, is it comes in real lumpy. We focus our delivery commitments for H2 of the year to, let's be fair, to match our production profile for ramp up, Joe. That's So, so I would, we would, we don't put We put out some guidance in the 10-Q to show the delivery commitments by quarter. They're weighted to H2 to match our production ramp up. Is that Joe, does that kinda answer the question you're looking for?
Speaker #2: We focused our delivery commitments for the second half of the year to, let's be fair, to match our production profile for ramp-up, Joe. And that's.
Speaker #2: So, I would say we put out some guidance in the 10-Q to show the delivery commitments by quarter. They're weighted to the second half to match our production ramp-up.
Speaker #2: Joe, is that the kind of answer you're looking for?
Speaker #5: Yeah, yeah, no, it's fair. And then, just in general, as you think about how Lost Creek has performed since it restarted, there's been a number of challenges or hurdles as we've gone along, from hiring to getting enough header houses built.
Joseph Reagor: Yeah. Yeah, no, it's fair. Then just in general, as you think about kind of how Lost Creek has performed since it restarted, there's been a number of challenges or hurdles as we've gone along from hiring, to getting enough header houses built. Do you feel that the underlying resources performed as expected, and this is simply a matter of you got to get enough header houses built so that you can operating so you can get production up to nameplate? Is there anything that, you know, has underperformed kind of under the hood that we haven't talked about yet?
Joseph Reagor: Yeah. Yeah, no, it's fair. Then just in general, as you think about kind of how Lost Creek has performed since it restarted, there's been a number of challenges or hurdles as we've gone along from hiring, to getting enough header houses built. Do you feel that the underlying resources performed as expected, and this is simply a matter of you got to get enough header houses built so that you can operating so you can get production up to nameplate? Is there anything that, you know, has underperformed kind of under the hood that we haven't talked about yet?
Speaker #5: But do you feel that the underlying resources performed as expected—and this is simply a matter of you've got to get enough header houses built so that you can operate, so you can get production up to nameplate—or is there anything that has underperformed kind of under the hood that we haven't talked about yet?
Speaker #2: Okay. Very, very good question, Joe. All right. So at Lost Creek—and this is reflected in our updated technical report earlier this year—Lost Creek has demonstrated the ability to produce uranium as an ore body.
Matthew Gili: Okay. Very, very good question, Joe. All right. At Lost Creek, and this is reflected in our updated technical report earlier this year. Lost Creek has demonstrated the ability to produce uranium as an ore body. The resource is very solid. We've updated that resource, and we're very confident in that resource. To the point we actually added 4 million pounds into that resource. The resource itself and the ability to get uranium into solution has been very well documented at Lost Creek. You know, there were challenges in the startup, and there were, you know, labor was tight and drill rigs were tight and all those things, and we've worked our way through all those things.
Matthew Gili: Okay. Very, very good question, Joe. All right. At Lost Creek, and this is reflected in our updated technical report earlier this year. Lost Creek has demonstrated the ability to produce uranium as an ore body. The resource is very solid. We've updated that resource, and we're very confident in that resource. To the point we actually added 4 million pounds into that resource. The resource itself and the ability to get uranium into solution has been very well documented at Lost Creek. You know, there were challenges in the startup, and there were, you know, labor was tight and drill rigs were tight and all those things, and we've worked our way through all those things.
Speaker #2: The resource is very solid. We've updated that resource, and we're very confident in that resource. And to the point—we actually added almost 4 million pounds into that resource.
Speaker #2: So, the ability to get uranium into solution has been very well documented at Lost Creek. And there were challenges in the startup—labor was tight, and drill rigs were tight, and all those things.
Speaker #2: And we've worked our way through all those things. The thing that is hindering us from increasing ramp-up even further right now is those fines that are coming in from the wellfield.
Matthew Gili: The thing that is hindering us from increasing ramp up even further right now is those fines that are coming in from the well field. It's important to note our hypothesis right now, those fines aren't really present in the ore body. What they are, they appear to be iron mineralization that is being liberated by the kind of the same process with the oxygen that we're adding into the lixiviant oxygen we're adding into the solution is also oxidizing some iron mineralization. We refer to colloquially as orange grunge that comes out on top of our resin columns. Well, we didn't anticipate needing a pre-filter into the plant before.
Matthew Gili: The thing that is hindering us from increasing ramp up even further right now is those fines that are coming in from the well field. It's important to note our hypothesis right now, those fines aren't really present in the ore body. What they are, they appear to be iron mineralization that is being liberated by the kind of the same process with the oxygen that we're adding into the lixiviant oxygen we're adding into the solution is also oxidizing some iron mineralization. We refer to colloquially as orange grunge that comes out on top of our resin columns. Well, we didn't anticipate needing a pre-filter into the plant before.
Speaker #2: It's important to note our hypothesis right now: those fines aren't really present in the ore body. What they are—they appear to be iron mineralization that is being liberated by kind of the same process, with the oxygen that we're adding into the lixiviant. The oxygen we're adding into the solution is also oxidizing some iron mineralization.
Speaker #2: We refer to, colloquially, as 'orange grunge' that comes out on top of our resin columns. So we really see what we didn't anticipate needing to pre-filter into the plant before.
Speaker #2: We now have or are installing the sand filters so that we’re pre-filtering all of the solution coming into the plant. As well as on all the header houses, we’ve installed all the new header houses for Mine Unit 1.
Matthew Gili: We now have, we're installing the sand filters so that we're pre-filtering all of the solution coming into the plant, as well as on all the header houses we've installed. All the new header houses for mine unit 1, we have installed filtration at the discharge of the production wells as well. I mean, in summary, very confident in the resource at Lost Creek. It's demonstrated, it's proven itself multiple times as being there and being very, very amenable to what we do. Again, very confident in the resource itself. I don't have a something that's hidden that you, I don't think you know about and really see the solution to the fines as being the next major change and inflection point in the production ramp up curve at Lost Creek.
Matthew Gili: We now have, we're installing the sand filters so that we're pre-filtering all of the solution coming into the plant, as well as on all the header houses we've installed. All the new header houses for mine unit 1, we have installed filtration at the discharge of the production wells as well. I mean, in summary, very confident in the resource at Lost Creek. It's demonstrated, it's proven itself multiple times as being there and being very, very amenable to what we do. Again, very confident in the resource itself. I don't have a something that's hidden that you, I don't think you know about and really see the solution to the fines as being the next major change and inflection point in the production ramp up curve at Lost Creek.
Speaker #2: We have installed filtration at the discharge of the production wells as well. So, I mean, in summary, very confident in the resource at Lost Creek.
Speaker #2: And it's demonstrated. It's proven itself multiple times as being there and being very, very amenable to what we do. So, again, very confident in the resource itself.
Speaker #2: I don't have a—I don't have something that's hidden that you—I don't think you know about, and really see the solution to the fines as being the next major change and inflection point in the production ramp-up curve at Lost Creek.
Speaker #5: Okay, thanks, Matt. It's good to hear. I just had to ask, obviously.
Joseph Reagor: Okay. Thanks, Matt. It's good to hear. I just had to ask, obviously.
Joseph Reagor: Okay. Thanks, Matt. It's good to hear. I just had to ask, obviously.
Speaker #2: Yeah, 100%. It's a good question. Very good question, Joe.
Matthew Gili: Yeah, 100%. It's a good question. Very good question, Joe.
Matthew Gili: Yeah, 100%. It's a good question. Very good question, Joe.
Speaker #5: Okay.
Joseph Reagor: Okay.
Joseph Reagor: Okay.
Operator: Once again, if you would like to ask a question, please press star one. Your next question for today is from Alexander Ayer with B. Riley Securities.
Operator: Once again, if you would like to ask a question, please press star one. Your next question for today is from Alexander Ayer with B. Riley Securities.
Speaker #1: Once again, if you would like to ask a question, please press star one. Your next question for today is from Sundara Iyer with B. Reilly Securities.
Alexander Ayer: Hi, Matt and team. Congratulations on the quarter. I just have two questions. Starting with the realized price. You realized about $71 a pound on Q1 sales, which was a meaningful step up from last quarter and last year. How should we think about the blended realization as we go into H2 2026?
Alexander Ayer: Hi, Matt and team. Congratulations on the quarter. I just have two questions. Starting with the realized price. You realized about $71 a pound on Q1 sales, which was a meaningful step up from last quarter and last year. How should we think about the blended realization as we go into H2 2026?
Speaker #7: Hi, Matt and team. Congratulations on the quarter. So, I just have two questions. Starting with the realized price—you realized about $71 a pound on Q1 sales.
Speaker #7: Which was a meaningful step up from last quarter and last year. So, how should we think about the blended realization as we go into the second half of 2026?
Matthew Gili: Yeah, very good, very good question, Alexander Ayer. Yes. Look, we've disclosed this in the 10-Q as well. We have commitments to deliver 1.3 million pounds for the year, and with that, we expect that realized price from that 1.3 million pounds to be $83.2 million. That tells you what the blended, you do that math, and you see what the blended price is for the year. The $71 that we received in the Q1 was a good contract, relatively better than some of the other contracts we're delivering into this year.
Matthew Gili: Yeah, very good, very good question, Alexander Ayer. Yes. Look, we've disclosed this in the 10-Q as well. We have commitments to deliver 1.3 million pounds for the year, and with that, we expect that realized price from that 1.3 million pounds to be $83.2 million. That tells you what the blended, you do that math, and you see what the blended price is for the year. The $71 that we received in the Q1 was a good contract, relatively better than some of the other contracts we're delivering into this year.
Speaker #2: Yeah, very good. Very good questions, Sundara. Yes, what we've exposed is in the 10-Q as well. We have committed to deliver 1.3 million pounds for the year.
Speaker #2: And we expect that realized price from that 1.3 million pounds to be $83.2 million. So that tells you what the blended—you do that math, and you see what the blended price is for the year.
Speaker #2: The 71 that we received in the first quarter was a good contract—relatively better than some of the other contracts we're delivering into this year.
Speaker #7: Got it, that's helpful. And then, on just the macro front—the U.S. uranium market—we have just a handful of producers with permitted ISR sites.
Alexander Ayer: Got it. That's helpful. On just the macro front, the U.S. uranium, we have just handful of producers with permitted ISR sites. How are you thinking about, you know, the M&A landscape right now or going through 2026? What's the appetite for organic growth or inorganic growth in this industry today?
Soundarya Iyer: Got it. That's helpful. On just the macro front, the U.S. uranium, we have just handful of producers with permitted ISR sites. How are you thinking about, you know, the M&A landscape right now or going through 2026? What's the appetite for organic growth or inorganic growth in this industry today?
Speaker #7: How are you thinking about the M&A landscape right now, or going into and through 2026? What's the appetite for organic growth or inorganic growth in this industry today?
Speaker #2: Okay, so—very broken question. Look, I believe that all of the CEOs you talked to are going to tell you that we are in a period that appears to be amenable—and be very careful of my words here.
Matthew Gili: Okay. Very probing question. Look, I believe that all of the CEOs you talk to are going to tell you that we are in a period that appears to be amenable, I'm being very careful in my words here, appears to be amenable to consolidation. It's a very exciting time to be a uranium producer in the United States. There is opportunity for consolidation, and we at Ur-Energy are very well-placed to participate in that consolidation. We are producing today. Our corporate headquarters are in Casper, Wyoming, and we have a very healthy balance sheet with the cash necessary to utilize for high-quality opportunities should they arise.
Matthew Gili: Okay. Very probing question. Look, I believe that all of the CEOs you talk to are going to tell you that we are in a period that appears to be amenable, I'm being very careful in my words here, appears to be amenable to consolidation. It's a very exciting time to be a uranium producer in the United States. There is opportunity for consolidation, and we at Ur-Energy are very well-placed to participate in that consolidation. We are producing today. Our corporate headquarters are in Casper, Wyoming, and we have a very healthy balance sheet with the cash necessary to utilize for high-quality opportunities should they arise.
Speaker #2: Appears to be amenable to consolidation. And so it's a very exciting time to be a uranium producer in the United States. This year, there is opportunity for consolidation.
Speaker #2: And we at UR-Energy are very well placed to participate in that consolidation. We are producing today. We're located—and our head corporate headquarters are in Casper, Wyoming.
Speaker #2: And we have a very healthy balance sheet, with the cash necessary to utilize for high-quality opportunities should they arise.
Speaker #7: Thanks, team. I'll turn it back.
Alexander Ayer: Thanks, team. I'll turn it back.
Soundarya Iyer: Thanks, team. I'll turn it back.
Speaker #2: Thank you.
Matthew Gili: Thank you.
Matthew Gili: Thank you.
Speaker #1: I will now hand the floor over to Valerie to moderate webcast questions.
Operator: I will now hand the floor over to Valerie to moderate webcast questions.
Operator: I will now hand the floor over to Valerie to moderate webcast questions.
Speaker #8: Thank you. Our first question—we touched on this earlier—can you describe some of the terms on the long-term contracts that you've signed recently?
Jade Walle: Thank you. Our first question, we touched on this earlier. Can you describe some of the terms on the long-term contracts that you've signed recently?
Valerie Kimball: Thank you. Our first question, we touched on this earlier. Can you describe some of the terms on the long-term contracts that you've signed recently?
Speaker #2: Well, I don't— we don't disclose that. I mean, what I can tell you is that the present appetite for long-term contracts right now— and I'm really regurgitating what Cameco talks about quite a bit.
Matthew Gili: Well, We don't disclose that. I mean, what I can tell you is that the present appetite for long-term contracts right now, and I'm really regurgitating what Cameco talks about quite a bit. You know, you see your term price. Your term price is in the low 90s right now. All these prices being escalated to typically around 3%. You're seeing the term price being around low 90s. You see almost all contracts now include a portion of the delivery that is market related with floors and ceilings. The floors and ceilings typically run, you know, kind of right now in the kind of 80 as a floor and kind of towards 120 as a ceiling.
Matthew Gili: Well, We don't disclose that. I mean, what I can tell you is that the present appetite for long-term contracts right now, and I'm really regurgitating what Cameco talks about quite a bit. You know, you see your term price. Your term price is in the low 90s right now. All these prices being escalated to typically around 3%. You're seeing the term price being around low 90s. You see almost all contracts now include a portion of the delivery that is market related with floors and ceilings. The floors and ceilings typically run, you know, kind of right now in the kind of 80 as a floor and kind of towards 120 as a ceiling.
Speaker #2: You see your term price. Your term price is in the low 90s right now, and that's all these prices being escalated—typically around 3%.
Speaker #2: But you're seeing the term price being around the low 90s. You're starting to see almost all contracts now include a portion of the delivery that is market-related, with floors and ceilings.
Speaker #2: The floors and ceilings typically run kind of in the right now in the kind of $80 as a floor and one kind of towards $120 as a ceiling.
Speaker #2: Each one of these contracts is different. Each one of these contracts has its own nuance. And I'm really just regurgitating what you've heard Grant at Cameco disclose.
Matthew Gili: Each one of these contracts is different. Each one of these contracts has its own nuance. I'm really just regurgitating what you've heard Grant at Cameco disclose. I'm being a little careful, but that's generally the industry trend right now.
Matthew Gili: Each one of these contracts is different. Each one of these contracts has its own nuance. I'm really just regurgitating what you've heard Grant at Cameco disclose. I'm being a little careful, but that's generally the industry trend right now.
Speaker #2: So, being a little careful, but that's generally the industry trend right now.
Speaker #8: Okay. There are no more questions from the webcast.
Jade Walle: Okay, there are no more questions from the webcast.
Valerie Kimball: Okay, there are no more questions from the webcast.
Speaker #2: All right. Thank you, Valerie.
Matthew Gili: All right. Thank you, Valerie.
Matthew Gili: All right. Thank you, Valerie.
Speaker #1: There are no further questions from the phone lines. I will now hand the floor back to management for closing remarks.
Operator: There are no further questions from the phone lines. I will now hand the floor back to management for closing remarks.
Operator: There are no further questions from the phone lines. I will now hand the floor back to management for closing remarks.
Speaker #2: Thank you, everyone, for participating in the call today. Really, a very strong quarter from the standpoint of the ramp-up at Lost Creek and Shirley Basin.
Matthew Gili: Thank you everyone for participating in the call today. A really, a very strong quarter from the standpoint of the ramp-up at Lost Creek and Shirley Basin. We're very proud of the activities we've completed. We're very energized by what we're seeing going forward. We look forward to 2026 to be a real inflection year for Ur-Energy, and we're proud to be part of the US nuclear fuel cycle. Thank you everyone for joining today.
Matthew Gili: Thank you everyone for participating in the call today. A really, a very strong quarter from the standpoint of the ramp-up at Lost Creek and Shirley Basin. We're very proud of the activities we've completed. We're very energized by what we're seeing going forward. We look forward to 2026 to be a real inflection year for Ur-Energy, and we're proud to be part of the US nuclear fuel cycle. Thank you everyone for joining today.
Speaker #2: We're very proud of the activities that we've completed. We're very, very energized by what we're seeing going forward. We look forward to 2026 to be a real inflection year.
Speaker #2: For Ur-Energy. And we're proud to be part of the U.S. nuclear fuel cycle. So, thank you, everyone, for joining today.
Operator: This concludes today's conference, and you may disconnect your lines at this time. Thank you for your participation.
Operator: This concludes today's conference, and you may disconnect your lines at this time. Thank you for your participation.
