Denison Mines Corp. is pleased to announce that it has entered into a binding agreement (the “Agreement”) to acquire 50% ownership of JCU (Canada) Exploration Company, Limited (“JCU”) from UEX Corporation (“UEX”), for cash consideration of $20.5 million, following UEX’s expected acquisition of JCU from Overseas Uranium Resources Development Co., Ltd.
UEX has entered into an amended purchase agreement with OURD (“OURD Agreement”) to acquire 100% ownership of JCU, a wholly owned subsidiary of OURD, for cash consideration of $41 million (see UEX press release dated June 15, 2021).
JCU holds a portfolio of twelve uranium project joint venture interests in Canada, including a 10% interest in Denison’s 90% owned Wheeler River project, a 30.099% interest in the Millennium project (Cameco Corporation 69.901%), a 33.8123% interest in the Kiggavik project (Orano Canada Inc. 66.1877%), and a 34.4508% interest in the Christie Lake project (UEX 65.5492%).
David Cates, President and CEO, stated: “Denison welcomes this new partnership with UEX. We are pleased with the acquisition terms for this unique and valuable portfolio of strategic Canadian uranium interests, which have been meticulously accumulated by JCU over prior decades. Following this acquisition, Denison will not only increase its indirect ownership of the Company’s flagship Wheeler River project, but will also expand its asset base to include additional important Canadian uranium development projects such as Millennium and Kiggavik.”
The key terms of the Agreement are outlined below:
The OURD Agreement, and the completion of the JCU acquisition by UEX pursuant thereto, remains subject to approval at a meeting of the shareholders of OURD, which is expected to occur in Tokyo on June 18, 2021. If the shareholders of OURD approve the OURD Agreement, the transaction is expected to close on or before August 3, 2021.
Denison’s previously announced offer to acquire 100% of JCU from OURD (see press release dated May 4, 2021) has been withdrawn.
Haywood Securities Inc. and RCI Capital Group are acting as financial advisors, and Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP is acting as legal counsel to Denison.