10KSB 1 d10ksb.htm FORM 10-KSB Form 10-KSB
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-KSB

 


 

(Mark One)

 

x   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002

 

or

 

¨   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from            to            

 

Commission file number 0-17171

 


 

URANIUM RESOURCES, INC.

(Name of Small Business Issuer in its Charter)

 


 

DELAWARE

 

75-2212772

(State of Incorporation)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

650 S. Edmonds Lane, Suite 108 Lewisville, Texas

 

75067

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip code)

 

(972) 219-3330

(Issuer’s telephone number, including area code)

 


 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:  None

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

 

Title of Each Class


  

Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered


Common Stock, $.001 par value per share

  

None

 


 

Check whether the issuer (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the issuer was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

 

Check if there is disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-B is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-KSB or any amendment to this Form 10-KSB.    ¨

 

The Issuers revenues for the year ended December 31, 2002 was $ 0.00

 

The aggregate market value of the Common Stock of the Issuer held by non-affiliates at March 27, 2003 was approximately $3,100,000.

 

Number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of March 27, 2003: 69,329,193 shares.

 

Documents Incorporated by Reference:

None

 



Table of Contents

URANIUM RESOURCES, INC.

ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-KSB

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I

  

1

Item 1. Description of Business

  

1

OVERVIEW OF THE URANIUM INDUSTRY

  

1

OUR BUSINESS

  

3

The Company

  

3

The In Situ Leach Mining Process

  

3

Environmental Considerations and Permitting

  

4

Reclamation and Restoration Costs and Bonding Requirements

  

5

Water Rights

  

6

Mineralized Uranium Materials

  

6

Marketing Strategy/Uranium Sales Contracts

  

6

Competition

  

7

Item 2. Description of Properties

  

7

South Texas

  

7

New Mexico Properties

  

9

Insurance

  

10

Reclaimed Properties

  

10

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

  

11

New Mexico Radioactive Material License.

  

11

New Mexico UIC Permit.

  

11

Kingsville Dome Production Area 3

  

12

Vasquez Litigation

  

12

Texas Department of Health Bonding Issues

  

12

Other

  

13

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

  

13

PART II

  

21

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

  

21

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

  

21

Dividends

  

22

Item 6. Management’s Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operation

  

22

Plan of Operation and Liquidity

  

22

     Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

  

23

     Critical Accounting Policies

  

23

     Impact of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

  

23

     Evaluation of Internal and Disclosure Controls

  

24

Comparison of Results of Operations

  

24

Item 7. Financial Statements

  

25

Item 8. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

  

25

PART III

  

26

Item 9. Directors, Executive Officers, Promoters and Control Persons: Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act

  

26

Directors

  

26

Arrangements Regarding Election of Directors

  

27

Other Executive Officers

  

27

Management Code of Ethics

  

28

 

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URANIUM RESOURCES, INC.

 

ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-KSB

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002

 

PART I

 

The “Company” or “Registrant” is used in this report to refer to Uranium Resources, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. Items 1 and 2 contain “forward-looking statements.” These statements include, without limitation, statements relating to management’s expectations regarding the Company’s ability to remain solvent, mineralized materials, timing of receipt of mining permits, production capacity of mining operations planned for properties in South Texas and New Mexico and planned dates for commencement of production at such properties, business strategies and other plans and objectives of the Company’s management for future operations and activities and other such matters. The words “believes,” “plans,” “intends,” “strategy,” “projects,” “targets,” or “anticipates” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update, revise or correct any of the forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s disclosures under the heading: “Cautionary Statements” beginning on page 14.

 

Certain terms used in this Form 10-KSB are defined in the “Glossary of Certain Terms” appearing at the end of Part I hereto.

 

Item 1. Description of Business

 

OVERVIEW OF THE URANIUM INDUSTRY

 

The only significant commercial use for uranium is as fuel for nuclear power plants for the generation of electricity. During 2001, 435 nuclear power plants were operating in the world and consumed an estimated 169 million pounds of uranium. World wide production of uranium in 2001 was only about 96 million pounds. In the United States there are 103 nuclear power plants that produce about 21% of the electricity used.

 

Based on reports by the Ux Consulting Company, LLC (“Ux”) and the Uranium Institute (“UI”), since the early 1990s, worldwide uranium production has satisfied only 52% of worldwide demand, and this ratio has also been true in the Western world. Ux reports that the gap has been filled by secondary supplies, such as inventories held by governments, utilities and others in the fuel cycle, including the highly enriched uranium (HEU) inventories which are a result of the agreement between the US and Russia to blend down nuclear warheads. In the period 2003-2010 Ux projects western production to be sufficient to cover only 45% of western demand.

 

Ux reports that secondary sources combined with uranium production from existing uranium mines will not be sufficient to meet the world’s requirements. New production will be needed. Ux projects that the industry will need uranium prices significantly higher than current prices to stimulate the capital investment needed to support such new production.

 

Spot price is the price at which uranium may be purchased for delivery within one year. Spot prices have been more volatile historically than long-term contract prices, increasing from $6.00 per pound in 1973 to $43.00 per pound in 1978, declining to $7.25 per pound in October 1991, increasing to $16.50 per pound in May 1996 and again declining to $7.10 at December 31, 2000. Since year-end 2000 the spot price has increased to $10.20 at December 31, 2002. The spot price at March 31, 2003 was $10.10.

 

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The following graph shows spot prices per pound from 1980 to March 31, 2003, as reported by Trade Tech and Ux.

 

LOGO


All prices beginning in 1993 represent U3O8 deliveries available to U.S. utilities.

 

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OUR BUSINESS

 

The Company

 

We were organized in 1977 to mine uranium in the United States using the in situ leach mining process, a process in which groundwater fortified with oxidizing agents is pumped into the ore body causing the uranium contained in the ore to dissolve. The resulting solution is pumped to the surface where it is further processed to a dried form of uranium that is shipped to conversion facilities for sale to our customers. This process is generally more cost effective and environmentally benign than conventional mining techniques.

 

Since 1988 we have produced about 6.1 million pounds of uranium from two mines in South Texas. Our Kingsville Dome mine produced about 3.5 million pounds and the Rosita mine produced about 2.6 million pounds. Additional mineralized uranium materials exist at Kingsville Dome, but additional capital investment will be required in order to mine this property. The Rosita property is essentially at the end of its productive capacity, although some minor mineralized uranium materials remain that may be produced.

 

Because of depressed uranium prices in 1999, we shut-in our two producing properties with plans to resume production when market prices recovered. Because the present market price of uranium continues to be depressed our properties remain shut-in. We expect this condition to continue through at least 2003. When uranium prices recover, we expect to begin production activities at our South Texas sites, including securing the necessary development financing. Since the first quarter of 2000 we have had no source of revenue and have had to rely on equity infusions to remain in business.

 

In the four years ended December 31, 2001 the carrying value of our properties reduced from $61.4 million to $706,000, including a writedown in the carrying value and a pre-tax charge to earnings of: $18.0 million in 1998 ($12.3 million for Kingsville Dome and $5.6 million for Rosita); $38.4 million in 1999; $1.4 million in 2000; $475,000 in 2001 and 515,000 in 2002. At December 31, 2002 our uranium properties, plant and equipment had a net book value of about $716,000 compared to $706,000 at December 31, 2001.

 

In addition to the Kingsville Dome property, we have another property in South Texas—the Vasquez property, and properties in New Mexico. Commencement of production at any of these properties will be dependent on an increase in uranium prices to profitable levels, the availability of sales contracts and the availability of capital. See “LEGAL PROCEEDINGS” for a discussion of certain legal proceedings relating to these properties.

 

As of December 31, 2002 we had 15 employees, including one geologist, three engineers and two certified public accountants. We have field offices at Kingsville Dome, Rosita and Crownpoint.

 

The In Situ Leach Mining Process

 

The in situ leach mining process is a form of solution mining. It differs dramatically from conventional mining techniques. The in situ leach technique avoids the movement and milling of significant quantities of rock and ore as well as mill tailing waste associated with more traditional mining methods. It is generally more cost-effective and environmentally benign than conventional mining. Historically, the majority of United States uranium production resulted from either open pit surface mines or underground shaft operations.

 

The in situ leach process was first tested for the production of uranium in the mid-1960s and was first applied to a commercial-scale project in 1975 in South Texas. It was well established in South Texas by the late 1970’s where it was employed in about twenty commercial projects, including two operated by us.

 

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In the in situ leach process, groundwater fortified with oxygen and other solubilizing agents is pumped into a permeable ore body causing the uranium contained in the ore to dissolve. The resulting solution is pumped to the surface. The fluid-bearing uranium is then circulated to an ion exchange column on the surface where uranium is extracted from the fluid onto resin beads. The fluid is then reinjected into the ore body. When the ion exchange column’s resin beads are loaded with uranium they are removed and flushed with a salt-water solution, which precipitates the uranium from the beads. This leaves the uranium in slurry, which is then dried and packaged for shipment as uranium powder.

 

We have historically used a central plant for the ion exchange. In order to increase operating efficiency and reduce future capital expenditures, we began the design and development of wellfield-specific remote ion exchange methodology. Instead of piping the solutions over large distances through large diameter pipe lines and mixing the waters of several wellfields together, each wellfield will be mined using a dedicated satellite ion exchange facility. This will allow ion exchange to take place at the wellfield instead of at the central plant. A wellfield consists of a series of injection wells, production (extraction) wells and monitoring wells drilled in specified patterns. Wellfield pattern is crucial to minimizing costs and maximizing efficiencies of production. The satellite facilities allow mining of each wellfield using its own native groundwater. This eliminates problems associated with progressive buildup of dissolved solids in the groundwater, thereby enhancing mining efficiencies and uranium recoveries.

 

Environmental Considerations and Permitting

 

Uranium mining is regulated by the federal government, states and, where conducted in Indian Country, by Indian tribes. Compliance with such regulation has a material effect on the economics of our operations and the timing of project development. Our primary regulatory costs have been related to obtaining licenses and permits from federal and state agencies before the commencement of mining activities.

 

Radioactive Material License. Before commencing operations in both Texas and New Mexico, we must obtain a radioactive material license. Under the federal Atomic Energy Act the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission has primary jurisdiction over the issuance of a radioactive material license. However, the Atomic Energy Act also allows for states with regulatory programs deemed satisfactory by the Commission to take primary responsibility for issuing the radioactive material license. The Commission has ceded jurisdiction for such licenses to Texas but not to New Mexico. Such ceding of jurisdiction by the Commission is hereinafter referred to as the “granting of primacy.”

 

The Texas Department of Health is the permitting agency for the radioactive material license. For operations in New Mexico, radioactive material licensing is handled directly by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

 

See “PROPERTIES” and “LEGAL PROCEEDINGS” for the status of our radioactive material license for New Mexico and our Texas properties.

 

Underground Injection Control Permits(“UIC”). The federal Safe Drinking Water Act creates a nationwide regulatory program protecting groundwater. This act is administered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (the “USEPA”). However, to avoid the burden of dual federal and state (or Indian tribal) regulation, the Safe Drinking Water Act allows for the UIC permits issued by states (and Indian tribes determined eligible for treatment as states) to satisfy the UIC permit required under the Safe Drinking Water Act under two conditions. First the state’s program must have been granted primacy. Second, the USEPA must have granted, upon request by the state, an aquifer exemption. The USEPA may delay or decline to process the state’s application if the USEPA questions the state’s jurisdiction over the mine site.

 

Texas has been granted primacy for its UIC programs, and the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission administers UIC permits. The Texas Natural Resource Conservation

 

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Commission also regulates air quality and surface deposition or discharge of treated wastewater associated with the in situ leach mining process.

 

New Mexico has also been granted primacy for its program. The Navajo Nation has been determined eligible for treatment as a state, but it has not requested the grant of primacy from the USEPA. Until the Navajo Nation has been granted primacy, in situ leach uranium mining activities within Navajo Nation jurisdiction will require UIC permit from the USEPA. Despite some procedural differences, the substantive requirements of the Texas, New Mexico and USEPA underground injection control programs are very similar.

 

Properties located in Indian Country and where status as Indian Country is in dispute remain subject to the jurisdiction of the USEPA. Some of our properties are located in areas that are Indian Country. In others, the status is in dispute. For these properties we are a bystander in a dispute between New Mexico regulators and the USEPA.

 

See “PROPERTIES” AND “LEGAL PROCEEDINGS” for a description of the status of our UIC permits in Texas and New Mexico.

 

Other. In addition to radioactive material licenses and underground injection control permit, we are also required to obtain from governmental authorities a number of other permits or exemptions, such as for waste water discharge, for land application of treated waste water, and for air emissions.

 

The current environmental regulatory program for the in situ leach industry is well established. Many in situ leach mines have gone full cycle without any significant environmental impact. However, the public anti-nuclear lobby can make environmental permitting difficult and timing less than predictable.

 

In order for a licensee to receive final release from further radioactive material license obligations after all of its mining and post-mining clean-up have been completed, approval must be issued by the Texas Department of Health along with concurrence from the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

 

In addition to the costs and responsibilities associated with obtaining and maintaining permits and the regulation of production activities, we are subject to environmental laws and regulations applicable to the ownership and operation of real property in general, including but not limited to the potential responsibility for the activities of prior owners and operators.

 

Reclamation and Restoration Costs and Bonding Requirements

 

At the conclusion of mining, a mine site is decommissioned and decontaminated, and each wellfield is restored and reclaimed. Restoration involves returning the aquifer to its pre-mining use and removing evidence of surface disturbance. Restoration can be accomplished by flushing the ore zone with native ground water or using reverse osmosis to remove ions, minerals and salts to provide clean water for reinjection to flush the ore zone. Decommissioning and decontamination entails dismantling and removing the structures, equipment and materials used at the site during the mining and restoration activities.

 

At December 31, 2002 we had surety bonds posted with the state of Texas of about $2.9 million, which related primarily to our operations at Kingsville Dome and Rosita. We have deposited as collateral for such bonds cash of about $1.4 million at December 31, 2002. Of that amount about $944,000 is due and payable to the bonding company to reimburse it for cash advanced to us in 2002 under the agreements discussed in the following paragraph relating to our restoration activities in 2002. We are obligated to increase the funding of the cash collateral account to an amount equal to 50% of the amount of the bonds plus an additional $0.50 for each pound of uranium produced until the account accumulates an additional $1.0 million. We estimate that our actual reclamation liabilities at December 31, 2002 are about $4.6 million, which has been charged to earnings. These financial surety obligations are reviewed and revised periodically by the Texas regulators. Before we can commence operations we must post an additional $3.5

 

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million in bonds for such costs with the state of Texas, and we have no commitment from our bonding company to post such a bond without 100% cash collateral. See “LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.”

 

We are performing ongoing restoration and reclamation at certain of our wellfields at Rosita and Kingsville Dome. In October 2000 we signed an agreement with the State of Texas and our bonding company that provided us access to $2.2 million pledged to secure restoration bonds (the “Restoration Agreement”). The entire $2.2 million had been released to us as of December 31, 2001. Subsequent restoration agreements were entered into covering the period from January 2002 through January 2003. These agreements provided us access to approximately $975,000 during this period to continue to conduct restoration activities. For each dollar released from the cash collateral account, the surety bonds are reduced by one dollar.

 

We expect to be required to post a surety bond of about $1.3 million prior to receiving the permits for the mining of the Vasquez project and that all or a major portion will need to be collateralized by cash.

 

In New Mexico, surety bonding will be required before commencement of mining. The amount of the surety bond will be subject to annual review and revision by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the State of New Mexico or the USEPA.

 

Water Rights

 

Water is essential to the in situ leach process. It is readily available in South Texas. In Texas water is subject to capture, and we do not have to acquire water rights through a state administrative process. In New Mexico water rights are administered through the New Mexico State Engineer and can be subject to Indian tribal jurisdictional claims. New water rights or changes in purpose or place of use or points of diversion of existing water rights, such as those in the San Juan and Gallup Basins where our properties are located, must be obtained by permit from the State Engineer. Applications may be approved subject to conditions that govern exercise of the water rights.

 

Jurisdiction over water rights becomes an issue in New Mexico when an Indian nation, such as the Navajo Nation, objects to the State Engineer’s authority and claims tribal jurisdiction over Indian Country. This issue may result in litigation between the Indian nation and the state, which may delay action on water right applications, and can require applications to the appropriate Indian nation and continuing jurisdiction by the Indian nation over use of the water. The foregoing issues arise in connection with certain of our New Mexico properties.

 

In New Mexico, we hold approved water rights to provide sufficient water to conduct mining at the Churchrock project for the projected life of the mine. We also hold three unprotested senior water rights applications that, when approved, would provide sufficient water for the projected life of the Crownpoint project. The water rights for the Crownpoint project are in the review process by the New Mexico State Engineer Offices. We cannot estimate the timing of the completion of such review but do expect a favorable result once the review is completed.

 

Mineralized Uranium Materials

 

We have previously reported the proven and probable reserve base for each of our projects in Texas and New Mexico assuming that each of these projects would be placed into production at a future date. Because the price of uranium remains unprofitable, in December 1999 we reclassified our significant uranium holdings from reserves to mineralized uranium materials consistent with the Securities and Exchange Commission definitions. See “Glossary.”

 

Marketing Strategy/Uranium Sales Contracts

 

Long-term contracts have historically been our primary source of revenue. We had no uranium sales in 2002 or 2001.

 

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We have no scheduled uranium deliveries under contract for 2003 or beyond.

 

Competition

 

We market uranium to utilities in direct competition with supplies available from various sources worldwide. The Company competes primarily based on price.

 

Item 2. Description of Properties

 

South Texas

 

Kingsville Dome

 

The Property. The Kingsville Dome property consists of mineral leases from private landowners on about 2,800 gross and net acres located in central Kleberg County, Texas. The leases provide for royalties based upon a percentage of uranium sales of 6.25%. The leases have expiration dates ranging from 2000 to 2007. With a few minor exceptions, all the leases contain clauses that permit us to extend the leases not held by production by payment of a per acre royalty ranging from $10 to $30. We have paid such royalties on all material acreage.

 

Production History. Initial production commenced in May 1988. Since then we have produced a total of 3.5 million pounds. Production was stopped July 1999 because of depressed uranium prices.

 

Further Development Potential. Further exploration and development activities are not anticipated until uranium prices increase. We believe that there is a significant quantity of uranium remaining at Kingsville Dome that could be mined if prices were favorable and sufficient funding for delineation and development were available. We spent about $138,000 in capital expenditures in 2002. Significant expenditures are not expected in 2003.

 

Permitting Status. Texas has been granted primacy for its UIC programs, and the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission administers UIC permits. The Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission also regulates air quality and surface deposition or discharge of treated wastewater associated with the in situ leach mining process. A radioactive material license and underground injection control permit have been issued. As new areas are proposed for production, minor amendments to the license and permit are required. Our Production Area Authorization #3 is being reviewed by the TNRCC. See “LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.” The term of the license and underground injection control permit is open-ended.

 

Restoration and Reclamation. We spent about $283,000 in restoration costs at Kingsville Dome in 2002 and $930,000 in 2001 that was funded under the Restoration Agreement. See “OUR BUSINESS - Reclamation and Restoration Costs and Bonding Requirements” for a discussion of the Restoration Agreement.

 

Rosita

 

The Property. The Rosita property consists of mineral leases on about 3,200 gross and net acres located in northeastern Duval County, Texas. The leases provide for royalties based upon a percentage of uranium sales of 6.25%. All of the leases are beyond their expiration dates and, with a few minor exceptions, all contain clauses that permit us to extend the leases not held by production by payment of a per acre royalty ranging from $10 to $30. We have paid such royalties on all material acreage.

 

Production History. From 1990 through July 1999 we produced 2.7 million pounds. Because of depressed uranium prices Rosita was shut-in and placed on stand-by in July 1999.

 

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Further Development Potential. We spent about $56,000 in capital expenditures in 2002 and 2001. Significant expenditures are not expected in 2003.

 

Permitting Status. Texas has been granted primacy for its UIC programs, and the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission administers UIC permits. The Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission also regulates air quality and surface deposition or discharge of treated wastewater associated with the in situ leach mining process. We have the radioactive material license and underground injection control permit for this property. Some minor amendments for further production within the permit area will be required if development proceeds. The term of the license and UIC permit is effectively open-ended.

 

Restoration and Reclamation. We spent about $277,000 on restoration costs in 2002 and $730,000 in 2001 that was funded under the Restoration Agreement. See “OUR BUSINESS - Reclamation and Restoration Costs and Bonding Requirements” for a discussion of the Restoration Agreement.

 

Vasquez

 

The Property. We hold four mineral leases on 842 gross and net acres located in southwestern Duval County, in South Texas. The secondary lease term for this property expired in February 2000. URI tendered payment under the shut-in royalty clause of the leases in 2000, 2001 and 2002. URI also contends that it and also holds its rights to the property through continuous development clauses in the lease. The lessors returned our shut-in royalty payments for each of these years without disclosing their reasons for rejecting our payment. Amounts equal to those shut-in royalties have been deposited in the registry of the Court.

 

In December 2001, we filed an action in the 229th Judicial District Court in Duval County, Texas against certain landowners, seeking a declaration that our Vasquez leases were valid and in effect, based upon, among other things, our timely payment of shut-in royalties pursuant to the terms of the leases. In February 2002, Everest Exploration, Inc. (“Everest”) intervened in the lawsuit seeking a declaration that the leases were not valid and in effect.

 

On November 26, 2002, we filed a Motion for Partial Summary Judgment, requesting the Court to declare that the leases were valid and in effect as a result of our timely tender of shut-in royalty payments. On December 16, 2002, Everest filed a motion for partial summary judgment requesting the Court to declare that the leases had terminated in February 2000.

 

On January 28, 2003, the Court entered an Order that granted our Motion and denied Everest’s Motion. The court held that the leases have been properly extended and are valid and in effect and that the leases can continue to be extended by the payment of shut-in royalties. The Order also awarded us attorney’s fees and costs against the landowners and Everest. On April 2, 2003, the Court entered an Order awarding us our attorneys fees in the amount of $202,000 against Everest and the lessors, jointly and severally. Following the Court’s January 28, 2003 Order, in February, 2003, URI tendered payments under the shut-in royalty clauses of the leases to hold the leases for 2003, The landowners have not contacted URI with respect to their intentions as to these payments.

 

The orders granting our motion for summary judgment and awarding us our attorneys fees are not yet final judgments. We will take the procedural steps necessary to make the judgments final. Until it is final, the Order is subject to challenge by the landowners and Everest in the trial court. After the Order and award of attorney’s fees becomes final, the trial court’s determination can be challenged by the landowners or Everest in the Texas Court of Appeals.

 

Development Plan. The timing of production will be dependent on a number of factors, including raising additional capital of about $3.5 million for construction, development and financial surety needs.

 

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Permitting Status. All of the required permits for this property have been received from the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission and the Texas Department of Health.

 

New Mexico Properties

 

General. We have various interests in properties located in New Mexico. We have patented and unpatented mining claims, mineral leases and some surface leases from private parties, the Navajo Nation and Navajo allottees. We have spent $10.7 million to date on permitting for New Mexico. Additional expenditures will be required and could be material. We are unable to estimate the amount. We expect that whatever is spent will occur over multiple years and we do not anticipate significant expenses before 2004. See “LEGAL PROCEEDINGS” for a discussion of the current status of our license for New Mexico.

 

Churchrock

 

The Property. The Churchrock project encompasses about 2,200 gross and net acres. The properties are located in McKinley County, New Mexico and consist of three parcels, known as Section 8, Section 17 and Mancos. None of these parcels lies within the area generally recognized as constituting the Navajo Reservation. We own the mineral estate in fee for both Sections 17 and the Mancos properties.

 

The surface estate on Section 17 is owned by the United States Government and held in trust for the Navajo Nation. We own patented and unpatented mining claims on Section 8.

 

Development Plan. We anticipate that Churchrock will be the first of our New Mexico properties we will develop. We spent about $23,000 in 2002 for permitting activities and land holding costs. We do not anticipate significant spending in 2003.

 

Water Rights. The State Engineer approved our water rights application in October 1999 and granted us sufficient water rights for the life of Churchrock.

 

Permitting Status. We have the radioactive material license for Section 8. This license is subject to the continuing proceedings described under “LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.” With respect to the UIC permits, see “LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.” We do not plan to pursue permits for Mancos at this time.

 

Crownpoint

 

The Property. The Crownpoint properties are located in the San Juan Basin, 22 miles northeast of our Churchrock deposits and 35 miles northeast of Gallup, New Mexico, adjacent to the town of Crownpoint. The Properties consist of 1,578 gross and net acres, as follows:

 

(a) 162 gross and net acres on Section 24. We own 100% of the mineral estate on this acreage pursuant to a combination of a 40% fee interest and a mineral lease on the other 60% of the unpatented mining claims. This acreage is subject to our obligation to pay a production payment of $450,000 on the first 50,000 pounds of uranium produced;

 

(b) 959 gross and net acres on Sections 19 and 29 pursuant to a lease from private mineral owners (expiring August 2014) which provides for a royalty of 10% based on uranium sales; and

 

(c) 457 gross and net acres of unpatented mining claims in Sections 9, 24 and 25.

 

The primary term for leases on Sections 24, 19 and 29 noted in (a) and (b) above expired in August 2002. The lease permits extension to a secondary term through 2014 through the payment of a bonus of approximately $96,000. In lieu of such bonus payment, we made the required annual payment of approximately $48,000 and elected to invoke the force majeure clause of the lease based upon delays we have had in the acquisition of both our required water rights and our federal Radioactive Materials License

 

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for the properties. The lessor accepted the annual payment but has raised questions regarding the appropriateness of our use of the force majeure election. We have had and are continuing discussions with the lessor in this matter and believe our position will prevail.

 

Through our force majeure election we have extended our rights under the primary lease until August 2003. Under the terms of the lease we will are required to remit the bonus payment in August 2003 to maintain our rights under the secondary term of the agreement.

 

Development Plan. We anticipate that Crownpoint will be the second of our New Mexico properties that we will develop. We spent about $88,000 in 2002 for permitting activities and land holding costs. We do not anticipate significant spending in 2003.

 

Water Rights. We have three pending applications for appropriations of water which give us the first three “positions in line” on the hearings list for the San Juan Basin. Certain of the water rights may involve a claim of jurisdiction by the Navajo Nation.

 

Permitting Status. See “LEGAL PROCEEDINGS” for a discussion of the radioactive material license for Crownpoint. The surface estate on Section 19 and 29 is owned by the United States Government and held in trust for the Navajo Nation and may be subject to the same jurisdictional dispute with respect to the UIC permit as for Section 8 and 17 in Churchrock.

 

Unit I Property. In addition to the foregoing, we have 480 gross and net acres of mineral leases on three separate parcels from Navajo allottees who are the beneficial owners of the surface and mineral rights. The leases are subject to approval by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Such approval has not been received. If issued the leases have a ten-year term and provides for a sliding scale royalty ranging from 6.25% at prices below $15 per pound to 25% if prices exceed $63 per pound.

 

Other Properties. In March 1997 we acquired the fee interest in 177,000 acres and the exploration rights through 2014 on an additional 346,000 acres in north western New Mexico. To maintain the exploration rights we must spend $200,000 per year on exploration through 2007 and $400,000 per year thereafter through 2014. We have been informed by the grantor of such rights that we are in default of our exploration commitment and that unless the default is cured the exploration agreement may be cancelled. We do not expect to be able to cure the alleged default within the time frame specified. The grantor has refused to waive the default. We do not believe that the loss of these exploration rights will have a material adverse effect on us.

 

Insurance

 

Our properties primarily consist of the rights to mine uranium on leased land, and improvements in the form of buildings, pipelines, plant and related uranium extraction equipment. Such property is covered by various types of insurance including property and casualty, liability and umbrella coverage. We have not experienced any material uninsured or under insured losses related to our properties in the past and believe that sufficient insurance coverage is in place so future losses if sustained would not be material.

 

Reclaimed Properties

 

We have completed production and groundwater restoration on our Benavides and Longoria projects in South Texas. We completed the final stages of surface reclamation on these projects and received full and final release for these sites in 1999.

 

We acquired the Section 17 leases in the New Mexico Churchrock district from United Nuclear Corporation. It had conducted underground mining for uranium on Section 17 and had reclaimed these properties. In the acquisition, we assumed any liability of United Nuclear for any remaining remediation work that might be required. The New Mexico Energy Minerals and Natural Resources Department has not determined what, if any, additional remediation will be required under the New Mexico Mining Act. If more remediation work is required, we believe it will not involve material expenditures.

 

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Item 3. Legal Proceedings

 

New Mexico Radioactive Material License.

 

In New Mexico, uranium production requires a radioactive material license issued by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission. We applied for one license covering almost all properties located in both the Churchrock and Crownpoint districts. The Commission issued an operating license in January 1998 that would allow operations to begin in the Churchrock district. In mid-1998, the Commission determined that certain Churchrock and Crownpoint residents who requested a hearing had standing to raise certain objections to the license. An Administrative Law Judge conducted a hearing during 1999. The law judge upheld the license and granted our request to defer any dispute on all but the Churchrock property until we made a decision whether to mine these other properties.

 

The ruling was appealed to the Commission. On January 31, 2000 the Commission issued an order concurring with the technical, substantive and legal findings of the Administrative Law Judge, but the Commission also determined that we must proceed with the hearing process for the other New Mexico properties beyond Churchrock. We expect that the hearing process will resume sometime in 2003. Although all the decisions to date have been favorable, there can be no assurance that the license will be maintained in its current form.

 

New Mexico UIC Permit.

 

We are involved in a jurisdictional dispute among the state of New Mexico, the USEPA and the Navajo Nation over whether a portion of our Churchrock and Crownpoint properties is in Indian County. Both the state of New Mexico and the USEPA are asserting jurisdiction over the UIC program for such properties.

 

In 1989 the USEPA issued an aquifer exemption covering that portion of the Churchrock site known as Section 8, and the New Mexico Environmental Department issued a UIC permit for Section 8. In 1994 the New Mexico Environmental Department issued an amended UIC permit covering both Section 8 and Section 17. The permit for Section 17 was contested by the Navajo Nation. It claimed jurisdiction over Section 17 because the Navajo Nation owns the surface estate. The USEPA refused to amend the aquifer exemption covering Section 8 to add Section 17.

 

In 1996 we filed with the New Mexico Environmental Department two applications to renew the UIC permit in two parts, one covering Section 8 and the other Section 17. Because the renewal application was timely filed, the permit covering the Section 8 property has remained continuously in effect pending final determination on the renewal application by the New Mexico Environmental Department. That determination has not been made.

 

In 1996 the Navajo Nation asserted jurisdiction over Section 8, claiming that the land lies within a dependent Indian community. Because of the dispute over Section 8, the USEPA determined a USEPA permit would be required for Section 8. We appealed this determination to the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. In January 2000 the court determined that the USEPA had jurisdiction and remanded the matter back to USEPA for further proceedings. Until there is more certainty regarding uranium prices we do not expect to request any action by the USEPA. We cannot predict the outcome of this matter. This could potentially delay or obstruct development of Section 8.

 

Despite that dispute we maintain good relations with the State of New Mexico, the Navajo Nation, and the USEPA. However, there can be no assurance that the jurisdictional dispute will not have a material adverse effect on our development plans in New Mexico.

 

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Kingsville Dome Production Area 3

 

We are involved in a dispute with certain intervenors over whether a hearing is required for a new production area within the boundary of our approved permit area at Kingsville Dome. In the first quarter of 2000 the District Court of Travis County, Texas ruled that the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission’s decision to approve our third production area without granting a hearing to certain intervenors would require further review by that regulatory agency. That review is pending.

 

Vasquez Litigation

 

On December 4, 2001, we filed an action in the 229th Judicial District Court in Duvall County, Texas against the lessors for the Vasquez property to declare that our leases remain in full force and effect. The lease term expired in February 2000. The leases contain clauses that permit the extension of the term of the leases if we are engaged in operations designed to establish production. In addition the leases permit us to pay a per acre royalty to extend the term. We tendered payment of the required royalty in 2000, 2001 and 2002. The lessors returned all such payments without disclosing their reasons for rejecting the payment. We were informed that the lessors granted a lease to a third party, Everest Exploration, that was contingent upon the termination of our leases. In February 2002, Everest Exploration, Inc. (“Everest”) intervened in the lawsuit seeking a declaration that the leases were not valid and in effect.

 

On November 26, 2002, we filed a Motion for Partial Summary Judgment, requesting the Court to declare that the leases were valid and in effect as a result of our timely tender of shut-in royalty payments. On December 16, 2002, Everest filed a motion for partial summary judgment requesting the Court to declare that the leases had terminated in February 2000.

 

On January 28, 2003, the Court entered an Order that granted our Motion and denied Everest’s Motion. The Court held that the leases have been properly extended and are valid and in effect and that the leases can continue to be extended by the payment of shut-in royalties. The Order also awarded us our attorney’s fees and costs against the lessors and Everest. On April 2, 2003, the Court entered an Order awarding us our attorneys fees in the amount or $202,000 against Everest and the lessors, jointly and severally.

 

The orders granting our motion for summary judgment and awarding us our attorneys fees are not yet a final judgment. We will take the procedural steps necessary to make the judgment final. Until it is final, the Order is subject to challenge by the lessors and Everest in the trial court. After the Order and award of attorney’s fees becomes final, the trial court’s determination can be challenged by the lessors or Everest in the Texas Court of Appeals. While we believe that our leases remain in full force and effect, we are unable to predict the final outcome of this case.

 

Texas Department of Health Bonding Issues

 

On January 16, 2002 the Texas Department of Health requested that we post additional financial security in the amount of $3.5 million and threatened enforcement action if we failed to do so. We objected to the request. After consultation with the Department, we entered into an agreed order on March 8, 2002 that extended the deadline for posting the additional financial security until March 7, 2003 (subject to further extension) or until we commence mining operations. On March 6, 2003 we received a 120 day extension under the agreed order extending the requirement for posting additional financial surety until July 6, 2003. Currently discussions are under way to allow for an extension of the agreed order until March 7, 2004.

 

No assurances can be made that we will be successful in this effort to extend the agreed order. Currently we do not have the ability to meet this financial surety requirement and if a further extension under this order is not granted this could have a materially adverse impact on our ability to continue in business.

 

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Other

 

The Company is subject to periodic inspection by certain regulatory agencies for the purpose of determining compliance by the Company with the conditions of its licenses. In the ordinary course of business, minor violations may occur; however, these are not expected to cause material expenditures.

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

None.

 

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS

 

The factors identified below are important factors (but not necessarily all of the important factors) that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement made by, or on behalf of, the Company. Where any such forward-looking statement includes a statement of the assumptions or bases underlying such forward-looking statement, we caution that, while we believe such assumptions or bases to be reasonable and make them in good faith, assumed facts or bases almost always vary from actual results, and the differences between assumed facts or bases and actual results can be material, depending upon the circumstances. Where, in any forward-looking statement, the Company, or its management, expresses an expectation or belief as to the future results, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that the statement of expectation or belief will result, or be achieved or accomplished. Taking into account the foregoing, the following are identified as important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement made by, or on behalf of, the Company.

 

We have had operating losses in each of 2001 and 2002. Revenues and operating income are not likely in 2003.

 

The spot price of uranium was $10.10 per pound on March 31, 2003. We incurred losses of $2.9 million in 2002 and $3.8 million in 2001. Because of depressed uranium prices, we shut-in and placed on stand-by our two South Texas facilities in the first quarter of 1999. We are attempting to secure a long-term contract that would permit us to begin operations to mine and sell uranium. There can be no assurance that we will be able to secure such a contract that would permit profitable operations.

 

We will be able to continue in business only if we are able to raise additional funds.

 

Without additional equity infusions we will be unable to continue in business. In 2001 and 2002 we raised a total of $4.4 million in equity.

 

In April 2003 we have negotiated and expect to receive between $175,000 and $200,000 of funding from investors by issuing up to 5,000,000 shares of common stock at $0.04 per share in a private placement transaction. We expect the equity raised from this private placement will allow us to remain in business until June 2003. Additional sources of funding will be required in order for us to remain in business beyond such date. We are actively seeking such additional financing or other cash sources.

 

Even if the price of uranium increases and the demand for new production increases, we may not survive long enough to participate in these changes, and we may not have access to the capital necessary to bring new production on line.

 

We will cease filing periodic reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

Effective April 12, 2003 our accounting and administrative staff has been furloughed and have been issued leaves of absence. We no longer have the staff or the funds to prepare and file our periodic reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and will cease doing so. As a result, Rule 144 will no longer be available for resales of our Common Stock.

 

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If we are unable to access additional capital for restoration activities and working capital purposes we will have to file for bankruptcy protection.

 

We need access to additional funding in order to fund our restoration and working capital needs in 2003. If we do not have access to such funds we will need to file for bankruptcy protection.

 

We must prevail in our action to resolve our ownership of the Vasquez leases or we would lose the right to mine our lowest cost production.

 

If we are unsuccessful in our action to declare the validity of the leases for the Vasquez property, we would lose our ability to start mining at our property with the lowest cost of production. See “LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.”

 

We must have access to about $3 million in order to commence mining our Vasquez property.

 

If we cannot raise another $3 million we will be unable in order to construct the plant, drill injection and production wells and establish the necessary cash collateral for a bond at our Vasquez property. We will need to raise these funds from sources not yet identified. If we cannot raise these funds we will be unable to produce uranium even if the price increases to a level that we can produce and sell uranium at a profit.

 

We will be unable to obtain financing for the Vasquez property unless we can obtain a long-term contract to supply uranium.

 

We do not have any scheduled uranium deliveries under contract for 2003 or beyond. We must secure profitable uranium sales contracts to secure the financing to resume production at our properties or we will be forced to go out of business.

 

More stringent federal and state regulations could adversely affect our business.

 

If we are unable to obtain or maintain permits or water rights for development of our properties or otherwise fail to adequately manage future environmental issues, our operations could be materially and adversely affected. We have expended significant resources, both financial and managerial, to comply with environmental protection laws, regulations and permitting requirements and we anticipate that we will be required to continue to do so in the future. Although we believe our properties comply in all material respects with all relevant permits, licenses and regulations pertaining to worker health and safety as well as those pertaining to the environment, the historical trend toward stricter environmental regulation may continue.

 

The volatility of uranium prices makes our business uncertain.

 

The volatility of uranium prices makes long-range planning uncertain and raising capital difficult. The price of uranium is affected by numerous factors beyond our control, including the demand for nuclear power, political and economic conditions, and legislation and production and costs of production of our competitors. Imports of uranium, including imports of uranium from the former Soviet Union, have resulted in significant downward pressure on uranium prices.

 

The only market for uranium is nuclear power plants, and there are only a few customers.

 

We are dependent on a small number of electric utilities that buy uranium for nuclear power plants. Because of the limited market for uranium, a reduction in purchases of newly-produced uranium by electric utilities for any reason (such as plant closings) would adversely affect the viability of our business.

 

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The price of alternative energy sources affects the demand for and price of uranium.

 

Lower prices of oil, gas, coal and hydro-electricity and the possibility of developing other low cost sources for energy, have made and could continue to make nuclear power a less attractive fuel to generate electricity, thus resulting in lower demand for uranium. Maintaining the demand for uranium at current levels and future growth in demand will depend upon acceptance of nuclear technology as a means of generating electricity.

 

Public acceptance of nuclear energy is uncertain.

 

Lack of public acceptance of nuclear technology would adversely affect the demand for nuclear power and increase the regulation of the nuclear power industry.

 

Because we have limited capital, inherent mining risks pose a significant threat to us.

 

Because we are small with limited capital, we are unable to withstand significant losses that can result from inherent risks associated with mining, including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, flooding, interruptions due to weather conditions and other acts of nature. Such risks could result in damage to or destruction of our wellfield infrastructure and production facilities, as well as to adjacent properties, personal injury, environmental damage and processing and production delays, causing monetary losses and possible legal liability.

 

Our inability to obtain insurance would threaten our ability to continue in business.

 

We currently have liability and property damage insurance that we believe is adequate. However, the insurance industry is undergoing change and premiums are being increased. If premiums should increase to a level we cannot afford, we could not continue in business.

 

Our inability to obtain bonding would threaten our ability to continue in business.

 

If we are unable to comply with bonding requirements we would be unable to continue in business. As of December 31, 2002 we have estimated that our future restoration, decommissioning, decontamination and reclamation costs are about $ 4.6 million. To secure this obligation, we have posted surety bonds totaling approximately $2.9 million at December 31, 2002, of which $1.4 million was collateralized by cash on that date. Of the $1.4 million, however, $944,000 is due and payable to our bonding company to reimburse it for cash advances in 2002 to fund our restoration costs.

 

Before we can commence operations we must post an additional $3.5 million in bonds for such costs with the state of Texas, and we have no commitment from our bonding company to post such a bond without 100% cash collateral. See “LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.” Our license to mine is contingent on posting the additional bonds. If we cannot post the bonds, we cannot mine. If we cannot mine, we have no source of revenue and no viable business.

 

In addition, we anticipate that our future surety requirements will increase significantly when future development and production occurs at our sites in Texas and New Mexico. The amount of the surety for each producing property is subject to annual review and revision by regulators.

If we cannot add additional reserves to replace production in the future, we would not be able to remain in business.

 

Our future uranium production, cash flow and income are dependent upon our ability to mine our current properties and acquire and develop additional reserves. Reserves at our producing sites were depleted in 1999, although there is the potential for developing additional wellfields at Kingsville Dome.

 

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There can be no assurance that our properties will be placed into production or that we will be able to continue to find and develop or acquire additional reserves.

 

Competition from better capitalized companies impacts prices and our ability to acquire properties, capital and personnel.

 

The amount of uranium produced by competitors or imported into the United States has a material impact on uranium prices. There is global competition for uranium properties, capital, customers and the employment and retention or qualified personnel. In the production and marketing of uranium there are about 15 major producing entities, some of which are government controlled and all of which are significantly larger and better capitalized than we are. We also compete with uranium recovered from the de-enrichment of highly enriched uranium obtained from the dismantlement of United States and Russian nuclear weapons and imports to the United States of uranium from the former Soviet Union.

 

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GLOSSARY OF CERTAIN URANIUM INDUSTRY TERMS

 

claim

  

A claim is a tract of land, the right to mine of which is held under the federal General Mining Law of 1872 and applicable local laws.

concentrates

  

A product from a uranium mining and milling facility, which is commonly referred to as uranium concentrate or U3O8.

conversion

  

A process whereby uranium concentrates are converted into forms suitable for use as fuel in commercial nuclear reactors.

cut-off grade

  

Cut-off grade is determined by the following formula parameters: estimates over the relevant period of mining costs, ore treatment costs, general and administrative costs, refining costs, royalty expenses, process and refining recovery rates and uranium prices.

gross acres

  

Total acres under which we have mineral rights and can mine for uranium.

Indian Country

  

A term derived from jurisdictional determinations in criminal law enforcement proceedings under 18 U.S.C. § 1151 and understood to encompass territory situated within Indian reservations, land owned by Indian allottees and land within a dependent Indian community.

lixiviant

  

When used in connection with uranium in situ leach mining, a solution that is pumped into a permeable uranium ore body to dissolve uranium in order that a uranium solution can be pumped from production wells.

mineralized material

  

A mineralized body which has been delineated by appropriately spaced drilling and/or underground sampling to support a sufficient tonnage and average. Such a deposit does not qualify as a reserve, until a comprehensive evaluation based upon unit cost, grade, recoveries, and other material factors conclude legal and economic feasibility.

net acres

  

Actual acres under lease which may differ from gross acres when fractional mineral interests are not leased.

ore

  

Naturally occurring material from which a mineral or minerals of economic value can be extracted at a reasonable profit.

over feeding

  

Operating enrichment plants in a manner that reduces plant operating costs but increases the amount of uranium required to produce a given quantity of enriched uranium.

probable reserves

  

Reserves for which quantity and grade and/or quality are computed from information similar to that used for proven

 

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(measured) reserves, but the sites for inspection, sampling, and measurement are farther apart or are otherwise less adequately spaced. The degree of assurance, although lower than that for proven (measured) reserves, is high enough to assume continuity between points of observation.

proven reserves

  

Reserves for which (a) quantity is computed from dimensions revealed in outcrops, trenches, workings or drill holes; grade and/or quality are computed from the results of detailed sampling and (b) the sites for inspection, sampling and measurement are spaced so closely and the geologic character is so well defined that size, shape, depth and mineral content of reserves are well-established.

reclamation

  

Reclamation involves the returning of the surface area of the mining and wellfield operating areas to a condition similar to pre-mining.

recoverable reserves

  

Reserves that are either proven or probable, are physically minable, and can be profitably recovered under conditions specified at the time of the appraisal, based on a positive feasibility study. The calculation of minable reserves is adjusted for potential mining recovery and dilution.

reserve

  

That part of a mineral deposit which could be economically and legally extracted or produced at the time of the reserve determination.

restoration

  

Restoration involves returning an aquifer to a condition consistent with our pre-mining use and removing evidences of surface disturbance. The restoration of wellfield can be accomplished by flushing the ore zone with native ground water and/or using reverse osmosis to remove ions to provide clean water for reinjection to flush the ore zone.

resources

  

A resource is a concentration of naturally occurring minerals in such a form that economic extraction is potentially feasible.

roll front

  

The configuration of sedimentary uranium ore bodies as they appear within the host sand. A term that depicts an elongate uranium ore mass that is “C” shaped.

shut in

  

A term that refers to ceasing production or the absence of production.

shut-in royalty

  

A lease clause permitting the extension of a lease not held by production by payment of a per acre royalty.

slurry

  

Fine particles of uranium concentrated and suspended in water.

spot price

  

The price at which uranium may be purchased for delivery within one year.

surety obligations

  

A bond, letter of credit, or financial guarantee posted by a party in favor of a beneficiary to ensure the performance of its

 

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or another party’s obligations, e.g., reclamation bonds, workers’ compensation bond, or guarantees of debt instruments.

tailings

  

Waste material from a mineral processing mill after the metals and minerals of a commercial nature have been extracted; or that portion of the ore which remains after the valuable minerals have been extracted.

Trade Tech

  

A Denver-based publisher of information for the nuclear fuel industry; the successor to the information services business of Nuexco.

uranium or uranium concentrates

  

U3O8, or triuranium octoxide.

U3O8

  

Triuranium octoxide equivalent contained in uranium concentrates, referred to as uranium concentrate.

waste

  

Barren rock in a mine, or uranium in a rock formation that is too low in grade to be mined and milled at a profit.

 

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PART II

 

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

 

Before March 24, 1999 our Common Stock was traded on NASDAQ National Market under the trading symbol URIX. On March 23, 1999, our common stock was delisted from the NASDAQ National Market. From March 24, 1999 through November 13, 2000 our stock was quoted on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board. On November 14, 2000 we became ineligible for trading on the OTCBB and began trading on the Pink Sheets. Commencing August 22, 2001 we again were quoted on the OTCBB.

 

The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices for the Common Stock as reported on the applicable markets for the periods indicated:

 

    

Common Stock


Fiscal Quarter Ending


  

High


  

Low


December 31, 2002

  

$

0.12

  

$

0.035

September 30, 2002

  

 

0.13

  

 

0.09  

June 30, 2002

  

 

0.18

  

 

0.09  

March 31,2002

  

 

0.17

  

 

0.09  

December 31, 2001

  

 

0.15

  

 

0.08  

September 30, 2001

  

 

0.22

  

 

0.15  

June 30, 2001

  

 

0.26

  

 

0.075

March 31, 2001

  

 

0.30

  

 

0.035

December 31, 2000

  

 

1/8

  

 

2/64

September 30, 2000

  

 

9/64

  

 

5/64

June 30, 2000

  

 

3/16

  

 

3/32

March 31, 2000

  

 

14/32

  

 

7/64

 

The high and low closing prices for the common stock for the period January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2002, was $0.18 and $0.035 respectively.

 

As of December 31, 2002, we had 69,329,193 shares of Common Stock outstanding. On that date there were 174 holders of record.

 

We have never paid any cash or other dividends on our Common Stock, and we do not anticipate paying dividends for the foreseeable future.

 

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

 

In August 2000 and January 2001 we issued 720,000 and 189,412 shares of Common Stock respectively to our regulatory counsel settling an outstanding indebtedness of $250,000 in a transaction not involving a public offering under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Rule 506 of Regulation D thereunder.

 

In 2000, we issued 67,598 shares of common stock to certain directors of the Company in connection with the 1999 Deferred Compensation Plan in satisfaction of $25,350 of compensation deferred by those individuals, in a transaction not involving a public offering under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Rule 506 of Regulation D thereunder.

 

In February 2000 the Company issued 2,111,478 shares of common stock to two institutions that were accredited investors in a transaction not involving a public offering under Section 4(2) of the

 

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Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Regulation D thereunder in exchange for the cancellation of indebtedness of $6 million plus accrued interest.

 

In August 2000, we sold 7.5 million shares of Common Stock at $0.10 per share (an aggregate of $750,000) in a transaction not involving a public offering under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Regulation D thereunder to a limited number of accredited investors. The investors were also issued five-year warrants to purchase an aggregate of 5,625,000 shares of Common Stock with an initial exercise price of $0.20 per share (currently $0.14 per share).

 

In April 2001, we sold 26,062,500 shares of common stock at $0.08 per share (an aggregate of $2,085,000) in a transaction not involving a public offering under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Rule 506 of Regulation D thereunder to a limited number of accredited investors.

 

In July 2002, we sold 20,336,915 shares of common stock at $0.12 per share (an aggregate of $2,429,000) in a registered public offering.

 

Dividends

 

The Company did not declare or pay any cash or other dividends on its Common Stock during the years ending December 31, 2002 or 2001. The Company does not anticipate paying dividends for the foreseeable future.

 

Item 6. Management’s Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operation

 

Plan of Operation and Liquidity

 

Since mid 1999 the market price of uranium has been and continues to be below our cost to produce uranium. We expect this condition to continue at least through 2003. In response to these market conditions, since mid 1999 we have shut in our producing properties. In 1999 and the first quarter of 2000 we monetized all of our remaining uranium sales contracts by accelerating future contracted deliveries or terminating contracts for receipt of proceeds equal to the net present value of the projected future net proceeds under the remainder of the contract. The proceeds were used for working capital purposes. Since the first quarter of 2000 we have had no source of revenue and have had to rely on equity infusions to remain in business.

 

In April 2001 and July 2002 we raised an aggregate of $4,449,000 through the issuance of common stock. The funds were used to fund our non-restoration overhead costs.

 

From July 2000 through January 2003, our restoration costs were funded pursuant to agreements with the state of Texas and our bonding company that gave us access to cash collateral we had posted to secure obligations under restoration bonds issued by our bonding company. This arrangement expired at the end of January 2003. Pursuant to these agreements we used approximately $3.2 million of such cash collateral. A balance of $454,000 in cash collateral remains. After January 31, 2003 we no longer have access to the cash collateral to fund our restoration.

 

Our monthly cash expenses are approximately $200,000. If we do not raise additional capital we will be forced to file in bankruptcy. We are currently seeking to raise additional capital to fund our working capital, land holding, licensing and restoration activities for a period of approximately twelve months. We cannot be certain that we will raise additional funds in time to prevent our bankruptcy.

 

In April 2003 we have negotiated and expect to receive between $175,000 and $200,000 of funding from investors by issuing up to 5,000,000 shares of common stock at $0.04 per share in a private placement transaction. We expect the equity raised from this private placement will allow us to remain in business until June 2003. Additional sources of funding will be required in order for us to remain in business beyond such date. We are actively seeking such additional financing or other cash sources.

 

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Our lack of current funds and the uncertainty regarding our ability to raise sufficient funds to maintain our cash requirements for the next year raises substantial doubt concerning our ability to continue as a going concern. Even if we are successful in raising sufficient capital to fund our cash requirements for the next twelve months, we do not expect our independent auditor to remove their “going concern” opinion from our financial statements.

 

In order to maintain the rights to our uranium properties in South Texas and New Mexico we are required to make annual payments. Lease payments for our Texas properties are projected to cost approximately $145,000 in 2003 and cover about 3,800 acres of land. Lease payments for our New Mexico properties are projected to cost approximately $180,000 and cover about 180,000 acres of land. Additionally, in the State of Texas we are required to maintain a Radioactive material license from the Texas Department of Health which requires an annual fee of approximately $75,000 in 2003.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We have obtained financial surety relating to certain of our future restoration and reclamation obligations as required by the State of Texas regulatory agencies. Performance bonds have been issued for our benefit by United States Fidelity and Guaranty Company (“USF&G”) for such activities. The amounts of these bonds were $2,900,000 and $4,200,000 at December 31, 2002 and 2001 respectively. USF&G has required that we deposit funds collateralizing a portion of the bonds it has issued. The amount of bonding issued by USF&G exceeded the amount of collateral by $2,436,000 at December 31, 2002 and 2001. In the event that USF&G is required to perform under the bonds or the bonds are called by the state agencies, the Company would be obligated to pay USF&G for its expenditures in excess of the collateral.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included on page F-8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-KSB. We believe our most critical accounting policies involve those requiring the use of significant estimates and assumptions in determining values or projecting future costs.

 

Specifically regarding our uranium properties, significant estimates were utilized in determining the carrying value of these assets. These assets have been recorded at their estimated net realizable value for impairment purposes on a liquidation basis, which is less than our cost. The actual value realized from these assets may vary significantly from these estimates based upon market conditions, financing availability and other factors.

 

Regarding our reserve for future restoration and reclamation costs, significant estimates were utilized in determining the future costs to complete groundwater restoration and surface reclamation at our mine sites. The actual cost to conduct these activities may vary significantly from these estimates.

 

Such estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period.

 

Impact of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In July 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations”. SFAS No. 143 requires entities to record the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation in the period in which it is incurred. When the liability is initially recorded, the entity capitalizes a cost by increasing the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. Over time, the liability is accreted to its present value each period, and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset. Upon settlement of the liability, an entity either settles the obligation for the recorded amount or incurs a gain or loss upon settlement. SFAS No. 143 is effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2002. The Company will adopt SFAS No. 143 on January 1, 2003. Management does not believe this pronouncement will have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

 

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In June 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statements of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities” (“SFAS 146”). SFAS 146 provides financial accounting and reporting guidance for costs associated with exit or disposal activities, including one-time termination benefits, contract termination costs other than for a capital lease, and costs to consolidate facilities or relocate employees. This statement is effective for exit or disposal activities that are initiated after December 31, 2002. Management does not believe this pronouncement will have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

 

In December 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation—Transition and Disclosure—an amendment of FASB Statement 123, (“SFAS 148”). SFAS 148 amends SFAS 123 to provide alternative transition methods for an entity’s voluntary change in its accounting for stock-based compensation from the intrinsic method to the fair value method under SFAS 123. In addition, SFAS No. 148 amends the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 123 to require prominent disclosures in both annual and interim financial statements about the method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation and the effect of the method used on reported results. The Company currently plans to continue to account for its stock-based compensation using the intrinsic value method as prescribed by APB No. 25 and will comply with the new disclosure requirements beginning with its quarter ending March 31, 2003.

 

Evaluation of Internal and Disclosure Controls

 

The management of the company has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report (evaluation date) and has concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are adequate and effective based upon their evaluation as of the evaluation date.

 

There were no significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of the most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

 

Comparison of Results of Operations

 

Year Ended December 31, 2002 Compared to 2001

 

Our primary operations in 2001 and the first half of 2002 were the ongoing groundwater restoration activities at our Kingsville Dome and Rosita mine sites. These full-scale operations began in the third quarter of 2000 and continued through mid 2002 as a result of the execution of the Restoration Agreements. Prior to these Restoration Agreements we were conducting restoration activities on a smaller scale and maintaining each production site in a stand-by mode. While in stand-by, costs related to each site are treated as ongoing operating expenses.

 

Operating expenses increased to $755,000 in 2002 from $56,000 in 2001 as a result of full scale restoration activities being conducted for the entire year in 2001 compared to full scale restoration being performed for the first half of 2002 and scaled down restoration activities being conducted for the balance of the year.

 

Restoration and reclamation costs during uranium mining operations were accrued for at $0.95 per-pound as part of production costs, representing the estimated cost of future restoration activities. In 2002 and 2001, the restoration activities that were conducted provided information that was used to update our overall restoration plan at each location. As a result of a revised engineering study it was determined that an adjustment to the restoration accrual was required. An increase of such accrual of $369,000 and $2,072,000 was recorded in 2002 and 2001, respectively.

 

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We incurred charges in 2002 and 2001 from the writedown of our uranium properties of $515,000 and $475,000 respectively. These charges resulted from our determination that an impairment in the value of our long-term assets had occurred during each respective year.

 

Interest and other income totaled $48,000 in 2002 compared to $100,000 in 2001. This reduction resulted primarily from a reduction in interest from funds held as collateral for the Company’s bond obligations.

 

Item 7. Financial Statements

 

The information called for by this item appears on pages F-1 through F-22 of this Annual Report on Form 10-KSB.

 

Item 8. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

 

In February 2001 our Board of Directors and Audit Committee approved the replacement of our accounting firm, Arthur Andersen LLP, with Hein + Associates LLP to perform the audit of our financial statements for the years ended December 31, 1999 and 2000. The Andersen audit reports for 1998 and 1997 contained a modified opinion regarding our ability to continue as a going concern.

 

During 1997 and 1998 and subsequent interim periods preceding this change, there had been no disagreements with Andersen on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosures, or auditing scope or procedure, which, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Andersen, would have caused them to make reference to the subject matter of such disagreements in connection with issuing their reports. Also, no reportable events, within the meaning of Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K, has occurred during the two most recently completed years and subsequent interim periods, preceding this change. We provided Andersen with these disclosures, and Andersen has furnished us with a letter, addressed to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”), stating that they agree with the statements contained herein.

 

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PART III

 

Item 9. Directors, Executive Officers, Promoters and Control Persons: Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act

 

Directors

 

The Board of Directors consists of the four individuals listed below who hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors are elected and qualified. Directors are elected by plurality vote.

 

Name


  

Age


  

Positions and Offices


Paul K. Willmott

  

63

  

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer,
President and Director

Leland O. Erdahl

  

74

  

Director and Chairman of Audit Committee

George R. Ireland

  

46

  

Director and Member of Audit Committee

Rudolf J. Mueller

  

65

  

Director and Member of Audit Committee

 

Paul K. Willmott has served as a director since August 1994, as President since February 1995 and as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer since July 31, 1995. Mr. Willmott served as our Chief Financial Officer from April 12, 1995 to September 25, 1995. Mr. Willmott retired from Union Carbide Corporation (“Union Carbide”) where he was involved for 25 years in the finance and operation of Union Carbide’s world-wide mining and metals business. Most recently, Mr. Willmott was President of UMETCO Minerals Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Union Carbide, from 1987 to 1991, where he was responsible for Union Carbide’s uranium and vanadium businesses. From January 1993 until February 1995, Mr. Willmott was engaged by the Concord Mining Unit as a senior vice president where he was primarily involved in the acquisition of UMETCO Minerals Corporation’s uranium and vanadium operating assets. Mr. Willmott graduated from Michigan Technological University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mining in 1964 and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering Administration in 1967. He has been an active member of the American Institute of Mining Engineers, the Canadian Institute of Mining Engineers and a number of state professional organizations.

 

Leland O. Erdahl has served as a director since July 11, 1994. From 1986 to 1991, Mr. Erdahl served as President and Chief Executive Officer for Stolar, Inc., a high-tech company involved in the radio wave imaging of geologic media and underground radio transmission for voice and data. He was President and CEO of Albuquerque Uranium Corporation, a uranium mining company, from 1987 to 1991 and served as Vice President of AMAX Gold in 1997 and 1998. From January 2001 to September 14, 2001 Mr. Erdahl served as President of Nord Pacific Limited, a mining company with gold and copper interests in Australia and Papau, New Guinea. He is a Certified Public Accountant and is a graduate from the College of Santa Fe. He is currently a director of Canyon Resources Corporation (a mining company whose primary business is the discovery and production of precious metals). Mr. Erdahl also serves on the compensation committee of Canyon Resources Corporation.

 

George R. Ireland has served as a director since May 25, 1995. Mr. Ireland is a General Partner in Ring Partners, LLC, a private investment partnership. From February 1991 to February 2000, Mr.

 

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Ireland was a financial analyst for and a partner in Knott Partners L.P., a private investment partnership. Mr. Ireland specialized in investing in securities of natural resource and other basic industrial companies, both domestically and abroad. From 1987 to 1991, he was a Vice President of Fulcrum Management, Inc., (a natural resource venture capital management company) which was the manager of the VenturesTrident Limited Partnerships, (venture capital funds dedicated to investing in the mining industry), and Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of MinVen Gold Corporation, a company in which the VenturesTrident funds had a significant investment. Mr. Ireland graduated from the University of Michigan with degrees in Geology and Resource Economics. He also attended the Graduate School of Business Administration of New York University. Mr. Ireland is a director of Merrill & Ring, Inc., a private land and timber holding company in the state of Washington. Mr. Ireland acted as a consultant to Ryback Management Corporation (a registered investment adviser) and performed due diligence on us in connection with Ryback’s loan of $6 million to us on behalf of members of the Lindner Group in 1995. Mr. Ireland is not otherwise affiliated with the Lindner Group or Ryback.

 

Rudolf J. Mueller has served as a director since June 19, 2001. Mr. Mueller is a Certified Financial Analyst and has been involved in the investment advisory business since 1964 and currently serves as President and Director of The Winchester Group a money management and institutional research firm based in New York City. For each of the past five years Mr. Mueller has been an officer in and has served as a Director of The Winchester Group. Mr. Mueller received a BBA from City College of New York in 1963 and his MBA from New York University in 1965.

 

Arrangements Regarding Election of Directors

 

Before February 2000 the Lindner Group was entitled to nominate two directors. They did so and two directors were elected to the Board starting in 1995, one of whom, George R. Ireland, continues to serve on the Board. The other director nominated by the Lindner Group resigned in July 1998 and the Lindner Group did not designate a replacement.

 

Other Executive Officers

 

The executive officers serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors and are subject to annual appointment by the Board at its first meeting following the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders. The officers hold office until their successors are appointed by the Board of Directors. All officers are employed on a full-time basis. There is no family relationship between any director and executive officer.

 

The following table sets forth certain information concerning executive officers that are not also directors:

 

Name


  

Age


  

Positions and Offices


Richard A. Van Horn

  

56

  

Senior Vice President—Operations

Thomas H. Ehrlich

  

43

  

Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer

Mark S. Pelizza

  

50

  

Vice President—Health, Safety and Environmental Affairs and President—Hydro Resources, Inc.

 

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The following sets forth certain information concerning the business experience of the foregoing executive officers during the past five years.

 

Richard A. Van Horn joined us in March 1997 and assumed the position of Senior Vice President of Operations on April 1, 1997. Previously, he spent three years with Energy Fuels Nuclear, Inc. as General Manager—Colorado Plateau Operations with responsibility for the daily management of and planning for Energy Fuels Nuclear, Inc. mining activities on the Colorado Plateau. Before his work at Energy Fuels Nuclear, Inc., Mr. Van Horn spent eighteen years with Union Carbide Corporation where he was involved with the finance and operation of that company’s worldwide mining and metals business. From 1990 to 1994, Mr. Van Horn was Director of Operations of UMETCO Minerals Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Union Carbide Corporation, responsible for all operating aspects of UMETCO’s uranium and vanadium business on the Colorado Plateau prior to its sale to Energy Fuels Nuclear, Inc. Mr. Van Horn graduated from the Colorado School of Mines with a Engineer of Mines degree in mining in 1973.

 

Thomas H. Ehrlich, a certified public accountant, rejoined us in September 1995 as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and was appointed Secretary and Treasurer in December 1995. Immediately before that, Mr. Ehrlich spent nine months as a Division Controller with Affiliated Computer Services, Inc., an information technology services provider in Dallas, Texas. Mr. Ehrlich originally joined us in November 1987 as Controller-Public Reporting and was promoted to Controller and Chief Accounting Officer in February 1990. In February 1993, Mr. Ehrlich assumed the additional duties of Vice President and Secretary. Before joining us, he spent four years with Deloitte Haskins & Sells and worked primarily with clients that were publicly held companies. Prior to his work at Deloitte Haskins & Sells, he spent three years in various accounting duties at Enserch Exploration, Inc., an oil and gas company in Dallas, Texas. Mr. Ehrlich received his B.S. B.A. degree in Accounting from Bryant College in 1981.

 

Mark S. Pelizza has served as our Environmental Manager since 1980, and as such, he has been responsible for all environmental regulatory activities. In February 1996, he was appointed Vice President—Health, Safety and Environmental Affairs. In November 1999, he was appointed President and a Director of Hydro Resources, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary. Before joining us, he was employed for two years by Union Carbide as an Environmental Planning Engineer at Union Carbide’s Palangana solution mining plant in South Texas. Mr. Pelizza received a M.S. degree in Engineering Geology from Colorado School of Mines in 1978 and a B.S. degree in Geology from Fort Lewis College in 1974.

 

Management Code of Ethics

 

In March 2003, Uranium Resources, Inc. adopted a Code of Ethics and Business Conduct (“Code of Ethics”). The Code of Ethics applies to all of our employees, directors and executive officers who have substantial control over the Company or who have a substantial role in policy making within the Company including our outside directors, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President of Operations, and Vice President of Health Safety and Environmental Affairs.

 

Audit Committee—Financial Expert and Independence

 

The Company’s Board of Directors have reviewed the qualifications of those serving on our audit committee and have determined that we have at least one audit committee financial expert serving on our audit committee. Mr. Leland O. Erdahl has been designated as our audit committee financial expert. Mr. Erdahl serves as chairman of the audit committee and is independent of the management of the Company. Mr. Erdahl is a certified public accountant and has served on audit committees of other public companies as a member and, in several cases, as chairman.

 

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Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

 

Directors and officers of the Company have inadvertently failed to file Forms 4s and 5s with respect to certain acquisitions of shares of the Company’s Common Stock and the receipt of certain options to acquire such shares during 2002.

 

Under the Company’s 2002 Deferred Compensation Plan, the officers and directors of the Company have deferred a total of $177,050 through December 31, 2002, which they have the option of converting into 887,489 shares of the Company’s Common Stock at $0.20 per share on or before January 11, 2006. This should have been reported on Form 4 and, when it was not, on Form 5.

 

Each of the directors and officers is in the process of completing the appropriate Form 5 to report the foregoing transactions.

 

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Item 10. Executive Compensation

 

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to annual and long-term compensation for services in all capacities for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000 paid to our Chief Executive Officer and certain other executive officers.

 

Summary Compensation Table

 

Annual Compensation


  

Long-Term Compensation


Name and
Principal Position


  

Year


  

Salary

($)


  

Bonus

($)


    

Other
Annual
Compensation1

($)


  

Securities Underlying Options

(#)


    

All Other
Compensation2

($)


Paul K. Willmott3

Chairman, President and

Chief Executive Officer

  

2002

2001

2000

  

$

$

$

199,092

199,092

198,799

  

$

$

$

0

0

0

    

$

$

$

9,425

1,283

1,152

  

—  

291,300

750,000

    

$

$

$

1,104

1,440

1,788

Richard A. Van Horn4

Senior Vice President—

Operations

  

2002

2001

2000

  

$

$

$

135,306

135,435

134,982

  

$

$

$

0

0

0

    

$

$

$

1,447

3,802

3,189

  

—  

64,000

500,000

    

$

$

$

1,122

1,616

1,686

Mark S. Pelizza

Vice President—

Health, Safety and Environmental Affairs

  

2002

2001

2000

  

$

$

$

105,340

105,340

104,924

  

$

$

$

0

0

0

    

$

$

$

6,849

4,584

5,636

  

—  

32,400

500,000

    

$

$

$

1,078

1,512

1,533

Thomas H. Ehrlich5

Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

  

2002

2001

2000

  

$

$

$

105,237

105,237

105,237

  

$

$

$

0

0

0

    

$

$

$

3,909

0

100

  

—  

52,200

500,000

    

$

$

$

911

1,274

1,358


1   Represents amount paid for out-of-pocket medical and dental expenses under the Company’s Supplemental Health Care Plan.
2   Represents contributions made by the Company under the Company’s 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan (see “401(k) Profit Sharing Plan” below).
3   Salary for 2002, 2001 and 2000 includes $90,000 which was deferred under the 2000-2001 and 2002 Deferred Compensation Plans.
4   Salary for 2002, 2001 and 2000 includes $20,800 that was deferred under the Company’s 2000-2001 and 2002 Deferred Compensation Plans.
5   Salary for 2002, 2001 and 2000 includes $16,250, $16,250 and $17,240, respectively which was deferred under the Company’s 2000-2001 and 2002 Deferred Compensation Plans.

 

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Supplemental Health Care Plan

 

The Company has adopted a health care plan (the “Supplemental Plan”) for the officers and certain of the employees who are also stockholders, which supplements the standard health care plan available to all eligible employees (the “Standard Plan”). The Supplemental Plan pays directly to the participant 80% of all out-of-pocket medical and dental expenses not covered under the Standard Plan, including deductibles and co-insurance amounts. Additionally, the Supplemental Plan provides to each participant $100,000 of accidental death and dismemberment insurance protection and a world wide medical assistance benefit. Each participant in the Supplemental Plan will receive a maximum annual benefit of $100,000. The Company pays an annual premium under the Supplemental Plan equal to $250 per participant plus 10% of claims paid. There are currently four officers and employees covered by the Supplemental Plan.

 

401(k) Profit Sharing Plan

 

The Company maintains a defined contribution profit sharing plan for employees (the “401(k)”) that is administered by a committee of trustees appointed by us. All Company employees are eligible to participate upon the completion of six months of employment, subject to minimum age requirements. Each year we makes a contribution to the 401(k) out of our current or accumulated net profits (as defined) in an amount determined by the Board of Directors but not exceeding 20% of the total compensation paid or accrued to participants during such fiscal year. Our contributions are allocated to participants in amounts equal to 25% (or a higher percentage, determined at our discretion) of the participants’ contributions, up to 4% of each participant’s gross pay. For the plan year ended July 31, 2002 and 2001, we contributed amounts equal to 25% of the participant’s contributions, up to 4% of gross pay. Participants become 20% vested in their Company contribution account for each year of service until full vesting occurs upon the completion of five years of service. Distributions are made upon retirement, death or disability in a lump sum or in installments.

 

Employees’ Stock Option Plans

 

Under our 1995 Stock Incentive Plan (the “1995 Plan”) incentive stock options and non-qualified options to purchase up to an aggregate of 4 million shares of Common Stock may be granted. The Stock Option Committee of the Board of Directors administers the 1995 Plan and has the full authority, subject to the provisions of the 1995 Plan, to determine to whom and when to grant options and the number of shares of Common Stock covered by each grant. As of December 31, 2002, 3,049,775 shares are reserved for issuance upon exercise of outstanding options granted under the 1995 Plan, and 950,225 shares were reserved for issuance pursuant to options that may be granted in the future. No shares have been issued upon the exercise of options under the 1995 Plan.

 

The Company also maintains an Employee’s Stock Option Plan under which we may grant non-qualified options. As of December 31, 2002, 250,200 shares are reserved for issuance under options outstanding under that plan.

 

Deferred Compensation Plans

 

We have four separate deferred compensation plans covering the years 1999 to 2003. Under these plans executive officers and directors of the Company and its subsidiaries were permitted to defer up to 100% of their 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003 salary with payment thereof to be made on January 11, 2006. On or before that date, the participant may elect to receive the deferred amount in shares of our Common Stock valued at $0.375 under the 1999 deferred compensation plan and $0.20 per share under the 2000-2003 plans. As of December 31, 2002, a total of $621,380 has been deferred under such plans.

 

A total of $241,690 was deferred under the 1999 Plan of which $133,450 was paid by issuing 355,861 shares of Common Stock at $0.375 per share. No elections have yet been made to convert any such amounts into shares under the plans for the years 2000 through 2003.

 

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Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year

 

None.

 

Aggregated Stock Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and Fiscal Year End Option Values

 

The following sets forth information with respect to each exercise of stock options during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002 and the year-end value of unexercised options held by each of the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table.

 

Name


    

Shares Acquired on Exercise(#)


    

Value Realized($)


  

Number of
Securities
Underlying Unexercised
Options at Fiscal
Year End(#)


    

Value of Unexercised In-The-Money Options at Fiscal
Year End($)


                  

Exercisable/

Unexercisable


    

Exercisable/

Unexercisable


Paul K. Willmott4

    

—  

    

—  

  

100,000/0

100,000/0

40,200/0

37,670/0

26,280/0

40,000

375,000/375,000

194,200/97,100

19,000/0

1,000/0

    

**

**

**

**

**

**

**

**

**

**

Richard A. Van Horn5

    

—  

    

—  

  

55,000/0

25,000

250,000/250,000

42,666/21,334

    

**

**

**

**

Mark S. Pelizza6

    

—  

    

—  

  

9,360/0

7,700/0

6,750/2,250

250,000/250,000

21,600/10,800

    

**

**

**

**

**

Thomas H. Ehrlich7

    

—  

    

—  

  

35,000/0

4,260/0

14,000/0

12,000

250,000/250,000

34,800/17,400

    

**

**

**

**

**

**


**   Represents an option whose grant price is above the December 31, 2002 closing price on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board (the “OTCBB”).
4   Based on the closing price on the OTCBB on December 31, 2002 less the grant prices of $4.13, $8.38, $6.88, $9.75, $7.125, $2.9375, $0.20, $0.19, $4.25 and $5.88, respectively.
5   Based on the closing price on the OTCBB on December 31, 2002 less the grant price of $5.50 $2.9375, $0.20 and $0.19, respectively.
6   Based on the closing price on the OTCBB on December 31, 2002 less the grant price of $9.75, $7.125 $2.9375, $0.20 and $0.19, respectively.
7   Based on the closing price on the OTCBB on December 31, 2002 less the grant price of $6.94, $9.75, $7.125 $2.9375, $0.20 and $0.19, respectively.

 

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Director Compensation

 

Under our Directors’ Stock Option Plan (“Directors’ Plan”), each new non-employee director elected or appointed to the Board of Directors for the first time is granted an option to purchase 20,000 shares of Common and, upon re-election of a non-employee director at an annual meeting of our stockholders, such director is granted an option to purchase an additional 1,000 shares. In November 2002 the Directors’ plan was amended to allow for the grant of an option to each non-employee director to purchase 1,000 shares on June 1, of any calendar year in which an annual meeting of the stockholders is not held. As of December 31, 2002, a total of 91,000 shares are reserved for issuance upon exercise of options granted under the Directors’ Plan and 57,000 shares were reserved for issuance upon exercise of options that may be granted in the future under the Directors’ Plan.

 

Mr. Erdahl holds options covering 26,000 shares under the Directors’ Plan. Mr. Ireland holds options covering 25,000 shares under the Directors’ Plan. Mr. Willmott and Mr. Mueller hold options covering 20,000 shares under the Directors’ Plan.

 

In addition, Messrs. Ireland, Erdahl and Mueller each hold an option expiring on June 19, 2011 to purchase 100,000 shares of Common Stock at $0.22 per share. Those options were not granted under the Directors’ Plan.

 

Compensation for 2002 to the non-employee directors was earned at the rate of $3,000 per quarter plus $1,000 per meeting attended of the Board and committees of the Board. The directors deferred a total of $50,000 in 2002 under the deferred compensation plans, which represented all of their compensation for that year.

 

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

 

In August 1994, we formed a Compensation Committee to determine the compensation of the executive officers and to set the guidelines for compensation for our employees. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002, the Compensation Committee was comprised of Leland O. Erdahl and George R. Ireland. No member of the Compensation Committee has been or was during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002, an officer or employee of any of our subsidiaries. In addition, no member of the Compensation Committee during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002 had any relationship requiring disclosure under the caption “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.” No executive officer serves or served on the compensation committee of another entity during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002 and no executive officer serves or served as a director of another entity who has or had an executive officer serving on the Compensation Committee.

 

Compensation Agreements with Key Executives

 

In June 1997 we entered into Compensation Agreements with each of the executive officers named in the compensation table that provide that in the event of a change in control, the Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers will have certain rights and benefits for a period of thirty-six and twenty-four months, respectively, following such change in control. The agreements specify that the executive will continue to receive compensation and benefits for the remainder of the applicable period if we terminate the executive or if the executive terminates his employment following the occurrence of certain actions without the executive’s consent. However, we are not obligated to provide such rights and benefits to the executive if the executive was terminated for cause.

 

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Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

 

Equity Compensation Plan Information

 

Plan category


    

Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights


    

Weighted average exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights


    

Number of securities remaining available for future issuance


Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

    

9,784,616

    

$

0.56

    

1,007,225

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

    

2,565,699

    

$

0.20

    

905,275

Total

    

12,350,315

    

$

0.49

    

1,912,500

 

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Table of Contents

 

Item 11. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

 

The following tables set forth, as of March 31, 2003, information regarding persons known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of our Common Stock. Shown separately in the second table below is information regarding the beneficial ownership of our Common Stock by (i) each director, (ii) each of the executive officers, and (iii) all directors and executive officers as a group.

 

Principal Stockholders

 

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner


    

Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership8


  

Percent

of Class9


Rudolf J. Mueller

c/o The Winchester Group

153 East 53rd Street, Suite 5101

New York, NY 10022

    

8,060,76210

  

11.44%

Arnold Spellun

529 Fifth Avenue

8th Floor

New York, NY 10017

    

4,782,50011

  

  6.8%

William D. Witter

153 East 53rd Street

New York, NY 10022

    

6,250,000

  

  9.0%


8   Each person has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares listed, unless otherwise indicated. Beneficial ownership includes shares over which the indicated beneficial owner exercises voting and/or investment power.
9   The shares owned by each person, and the shares included in the total number of shares outstanding, have been adjusted, and the percentages owned have been computed, in accordance with Rule 13d-3(d)(1) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Shares subject to options or warrants currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days are deemed outstanding for computing the percentage ownership of the person holding such options or warrants, but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage ownership of any other person.
10   Includes (i) 78,300 shares owned by members of Mr. Mueller’s family in which Mr. Mueller shares voting and dispositive power, and (ii) 1,125,000 shares obtainable at $0.14 per share pursuant to warrants that are exercisable through August 21, 2005.
11   Includes 937,500 shares obtainable at $0.14 per share pursuant to warrants that are exercisable through August 21, 2005.

 

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Directors and Executive Officers

 

Name of

Beneficial Owner


    

Amount and Nature of

Beneficial Ownership12


    

Percent of Class13


Paul K. Willmott

    

1,073,71314

    

  1.5%

Leland O. Erdahl

    

158,82315

    

  0.2%

George R. Ireland

    

175,32316

    

  0.2%

Rudolf J. Mueller

    

8,165,76217

    

11.0%

Richard A. Van Horn

    

447,33318

    

  0.6%

Mark S. Pelizza

    

579,98119

    

  0.8%

Thomas H. Ehrlich

    

399,86020

    

  0.6%

All executive officers and directors
As a group (7 persons)

    

11,000,79521

    

14.9%


12   Each person has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares listed, unless otherwise indicated. Beneficial ownership includes shares over which the indicated beneficial owner exercises voting and/or investment power.
13   The shares owned by each person, and the shares included in the total number of shares outstanding, have been adjusted, and the percentages owned have been computed, in accordance with Rule 13d-3(d)(1) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Shares subject to options or warrants currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days are deemed outstanding for computing the percentage ownership of the person holding such options or warrants, but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage ownership of any other person.
14   Includes 1,030,450 shares that may be obtained by Mr. Willmott through the exercise of stock options that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days. Does not include 375,000 shares that may be obtained by Mr. Willmott through the exercise of stock options exercisable more than 60 days from the date hereof.
15   Includes 125,750 shares that may be obtained by Mr. Erdahl through the exercise of stock options that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days. Does not include 250 shares that may be obtained by Mr. Erdahl through the exercise of stock options exercisable more than 60 days from the date hereof.
16   Includes 124,750 shares that may be obtained by Mr. Ireland through the exercise of stock options that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days. Does not include 250 shares that may be obtained by Mr. Ireland through the exercise of stock options exercisable more than 60 days from the date hereof.
17   Includes (i) 78,300 shares owned by members of Mr. Mueller’s family in which Mr. Mueller shares voting and dispositive power, (ii) 1,125,000 shares obtainable at $0.14 per share pursuant to warrants that are exercisable through August 21, 2005 and (iii) 105,000 shares that may be obtained by Mr. Mueller through the exercise of stock options that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days. Does not include 15,000 shares that may be obtained by Mr. Mueller through the exercise of stock options exercisable more than 60 days from the date hereof.
18   Includes 394,000 shares that may be obtained by Mr. Van Horn through the exercise of stock options that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days. Does not include 250,000 shares that may be obtained by Mr. Van Horn through the exercise of stock options exercisable more than 60 days from the date hereof.
19   Includes 308,460 shares that may be obtained by Mr. Pelizza through the exercise of stock options that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days. Does not include 250,000 shares that may be obtained by Mr. Pelizza through the exercise of stock options exercisable more than 60 days from the date hereof.
20   Includes 32,400 shares that may be obtained by Mr. Ehrlich through the exercise of stock options that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days. Does not include 250,000 shares that may be obtained by Mr. Ehrlich through the exercise of stock options exercisable more than 60 days from the date hereof.

 

36


Table of Contents
21   Includes 2,455,870 shares that may be obtained through the exercise of stock options that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days. Does not include 1,140,500 shares that may be obtained through the exercise of stock options exercisable more than 60 days from the date hereof.

 

37


Table of Contents

 

Item 12. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

 

Bridge Loan in May 2002

 

On May 29, 2002 we received a bridge loan of $600,000 to finance our operations while we attempted to raise additional equity. The loan was made by four stockholders of the Company, one of whom (Rudolf J. Mueller) is also a director and holder of more than 10% of the outstanding common stock. The loan was a demand loan and bore interest at 11% per annum. The bridge lenders had the right to convert the principal and interest on the loan into shares of common stock at $0.12 per share. The $611,550 in principal and accrued interest under the demand notes was converted in July 2002 into 5,096,248 shares of common stock of the Company.

 

Benton Convertible Note

 

During 1994, the Company engaged in certain transactions with companies controlled by Mr. Oren L. Benton. In 1995, Benton and various of the Benton Companies filed for bankruptcy protection. In 1998 the Trustee sought recovery of payments made by certain of the Benton Companies to the Company. In 2000 we settled the claims by issuing a $135,000 Convertible Note due July 17, 2005, and assigned rights under a $65,000 Promissory Note from Benton and certain claims against Union Bank of Switzerland. Interest on the Convertible Note is due at maturity and the Note bears interest at a rate of 6% per annum. The Company may prepay the Note at any time and the holder of the Note may convert all principal and accrued interest into shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion price of $0.75 per share.

 

Common Stock Issued in 2000

 

In 2000, the Company issued 67,598 shares of common stock to certain officers and directors of the Company in connection with the Uranium Resources, Inc. 1999 Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) in satisfaction of compensation deferred by those individuals.

 

Directors Stock Options

 

On May 25, 1995, the Company granted options to each of George R. Ireland and James B. Tompkins, directors of the Company, to purchase 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $4.50 per share. All such options were immediately exercisable and were originally scheduled to expire on May 24, 1998 or 30 days after the holder ceases to be a director of the Company or one year after such holder’s death, whichever occurs first. In November 1997, the term of these options was extended for three years and the exercise price was increased to $4.75 per share. In May 2001 these options expired unexercised.

 

On August 16, 1995, the Company granted an option to Leland O. Erdahl, a director of the Company, to purchase 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $8.38 per share which was the fair market value of a share of common stock on August 16, 1995. Such options were immediately exercisable and were originally scheduled to expire May 24, 1998 or 30 days after the holder ceases to be a director of the Company or one year after his death, whichever occurs first. In November 1997, the term of these options was extended for three years and the exercise price was increased to $8.63 per share. In June 2001 these options expired unexercised.

 

On June 19, 2001, the Company granted options to each of George R. Ireland, Leland O. Erdahl and Rudolf J. Mueller, non-management directors of the Company, to purchase 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $0.22 per share. All such options are immediately exercisable and are scheduled to expire June 19, 2011 or 30 days after the holder cease to be a director of the Company or one year after such holder’s death, whichever occurs first. None of these options has been exercised as of December 31, 2002.

 

38


Table of Contents

 

Options Issuable for Deferred Compensation

 

The Company has a 1999 Deferred Compensation Plan (the “1999 Plan”) and a 2000-2001 and 2002 Deferred Compensation Plans (collectively the “2000-2002 Plans”) whereby executive officers and directors were permitted to defer up to 100% of their compensation for the years 1999-2002.

 

Under the 1999 Plan executive officers and directors of the Company and its subsidiaries were permitted to defer until January 11, 2006 up to 100% of their 1999 salary. At the time of the deferral election, a participant could elect to receive a payment of up to 100% of the deferred amount of salary in shares of our Common Stock. A total of $241,690 was deferred under the 1999 Plan of which $133,450 was paid by issuing 355,861 shares of Common Stock at $0.375 per share.

 

Under the 2000 2002 Plans the executive officers and directors were permitted to defer up to 100% of their 2000, 2001 and 2002 salary with payment thereof to be made on January 11, 2006. On or before that date, the participant may elect to receive the deferred amount in shares of our Common Stock valued at $0.20 per share. As of December 31, 2002, a total of $513,140 has been deferred under these plans and no elections have yet been made to convert any such amounts into shares.

 

39


Table of Contents

PART IV

 

Item 13. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

 

(a)   Exhibits.

 

See Index to Exhibits on page E-1 for a listing of the exhibits filed as part of this Annual Report.

 

(b)   Reports on Form 8-K.

 

None

 

40


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

Date:  April     , 2003

 

URANIUM RESOURCES, INC.

By:

 

/s/    PAUL K. WILLMOTT        


   

Paul K. Willmott, President and

Chief Executive Officer

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature


 

Date


/s/    PAUL K. WILLMOTT        


Paul K. Willmott,
Director, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

April 11, 2003

/s/    THOMAS H. EHRLICH        


Thomas H. Ehrlich,
Vice President—Finance and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

April 11, 2003

/s/    LELAND O. ERDAHL        


Leland O. Erdahl, Director

 

April 11, 2003

/s/    GEORGE R. IRELAND        


George R. Ireland, Director

 

April 11, 2003

/s/    RUDOLF J. MUELLER        


Rudolf J. Mueller, Director

 

April 11, 2003

 

41


Table of Contents

 

CERTIFICATIONS

 

I, Paul K. Willmott, certify that:

 

  1.   I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-KSB of Uranium Resources, Inc.;

 

  2.   Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual report;

 

  3.   Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this annual report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for the periods presented in this annual report;

 

  4.   The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and have:

 

  a.   Designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared;

 

  b.   Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this annual report (the “Evaluation Date”); and

 

  c.   Presented in this annual report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date.

 

  5.   The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
  a.   All significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrants ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant’s auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

 

  b.   Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls.

 

  6.   The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have indicated in this annual report whether there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that would significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

 

Dated: April 11, 2003

     

/s/    PAUL K. WILLMOTT


           

Paul K. Willmott

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

42


Table of Contents

 

CERTIFICATIONS

 

I, Thomas H. Ehrlich, certify that:

 

  1.   I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-KSB of Uranium Resources, Inc.;

 

  2.   Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual report;

 

  3.   Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this annual report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for the periods presented in this annual report;

 

  4.   The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and have:

 

  a.   Designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared;

 

  b.   Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this annual report (the “Evaluation Date”); and

 

  c.   Presented in this annual report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date.

 

  5.   The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  a.   All significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrants ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant’s auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

 

  b.   Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls.

 

  6.   The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have indicated in this annual report whether there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that would significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

 

Dated: April 11, 2003

     

/s/    THOMAS H. EHRLICH        


           

Thomas H. Ehrlich

Vice President-Finance and

Chief Financial Officer

 

43


Table of Contents

URANIUM RESOURCES, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Consolidated Financial Statements

For The Years Ended December 31, 2002 and 2001

 

Independent Auditor’s Report

  

F-2

Consolidated Balance Sheets

  

F-3

Consolidated Statements of Operations

  

F-5

Consolidated Statements of Common Shareholders’ Deficit

  

F-6

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

  

F-7

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

  

F-8

 

The accounts of the Company are maintained in United States dollars. All dollar amounts in the financial statements are stated in United States dollars except where indicated.

 

F-1


Table of Contents

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

 

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders

Uranium Resources, Inc.:

Lewisville, Texas

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Uranium Resources, Inc. as of December 31, 2002 and 2001, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in shareholders’ deficit and cash flows for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Uranium Resources, Inc. as of December 31, 2002 and 2001, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, the Company has suffered recurring losses due to depressed uranium prices and future working capital requirements are dependent on the Company’s ability to generate profitable operations or raise additional capital. Should the Company not be able to generate profitable operations or raise additional capital, the Company in all likelihood will be forced to seek protection under the United States Bankruptcy Act. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 2. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

 

HEIN + ASSOCIATES LLP

 

Dallas, Texas

    March 5, 2003

 

 

F-2


Table of Contents

URANIUM RESOURCES, INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

ASSETS

 

    

December 31,


 
    

2002


    

2001


 

Current assets:

                 

Cash and cash equivalents

  

$

1,025,469

 

  

$

549,043

 

Receivables, net

  

 

—  

 

  

 

10,884

 

Materials and supplies inventory

  

 

67,473

 

  

 

67,163

 

Prepaid and other current assets

  

 

15,420

 

  

 

17,011

 

    


  


Total current assets

  

 

1,108,362

 

  

 

644,101

 

    


  


Property, plant and equipment, at cost:

                 

Uranium properties

  

 

41,788,721

 

  

 

41,789,736

 

Other property, plant and equipment

  

 

253,956

 

  

 

280,631

 

Less-accumulated depreciation, depletion and impairment

  

 

(41,326,551

)

  

 

(41,362,860

)

    


  


Net property, plant and equipment

  

 

716,126

 

  

 

707,507

 

Long-term investment:

                 

Certificate of deposit, restricted

  

 

1,397,515

 

  

 

1,423,377

 

Other assets

  

 

—  

 

  

 

4,299

 

    


  


    

$

3,222,003

 

  

$

2,779,284

 

    


  


 

 

The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of these consolidated statements.

 

F-3


Table of Contents

URANIUM RESOURCES, INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

 

    

December 31,


 
    

2002


    

2001


 

Current liabilities:

                 

Accounts payable

  

$

132,799

 

  

$

121,163

 

Current portion of restoration reserve

  

 

83,000

 

  

 

83,000

 

Other accrued liabilities

  

 

1,058,096

 

  

 

207,631

 

    


  


Total current liabilities

  

 

1,273,895

 

  

 

411,794

 

    


  


Other long-term liabilities and deferred credits

  

 

5,680,029

 

  

 

5,605,287

 

Long-term debt, less current portion

  

 

585,000

 

  

 

585,000

 

Commitments and contingencies (Notes 2, 3, 6 and 12)

                 

Shareholders’ deficit:

                 

Common stock, $.001 par value, shares authorized:
100,000,000; shares issued and outstanding (net of treasury shares):
2002 – 69,329,193; 2001 – 48,992,278

  

 

69,482

 

  

 

49,145

 

Paid-in capital

  

 

52,642,982

 

  

 

50,299,223

 

Accumulated deficit

  

 

(57,019,967

)

  

 

(54,161,747

)

Less: Treasury stock (152,500 shares), at cost

  

 

(9,418

)

  

 

(9,418

)

    


  


Total shareholders’ deficit

  

 

(4,316,921

)

  

 

(3,822,797

)

    


  


    

$

3,222,003

 

  

$

2,779,284

 

    


  


 

 

The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of these consolidated statements.

 

F-4


Table of Contents

URANIUM RESOURCES, INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

    

Year Ended December 31,


 
    

2002


    

2001


 

Revenues:

                 

Uranium sales—

  

$

—  

 

  

$

—  

 

    


  


Uranium sales

  

 

0

 

  

 

0

 

Costs and expenses:

                 

Cost of uranium sales—

                 

Operating expenses

  

 

754,627

 

  

 

55,668

 

Provision for restoration and reclamation costs

  

 

368,568

 

  

 

2,072,399

 

Depreciation and depletion

  

 

35,674

 

  

 

35,434

 

Writedown of uranium properties and other uranium assets

  

 

514,730

 

  

 

474,549

 

    


  


Total cost of uranium sales

  

 

1,673,599

 

  

 

2,638,050

 

    


  


Loss from operations before corporate expenses

  

 

(1,673,599

)

  

 

(2,638,050

)

Corporate expenses—

                 

General and administrative

  

 

1,195,603

 

  

 

1,192,271

 

Depreciation

  

 

6,791

 

  

 

14,446

 

    


  


Total corporate expenses

  

 

1,202,394

 

  

 

1,206,717

 

    


  


Loss from operations

  

 

(2,875,993

)

  

 

(3,844,767

)

Other income (expense):

                 

Interest expense

  

 

(30,067

)

  

 

(43,745

)

Interest and other income, net

  

 

47,840

 

  

 

100,029

 

    


  


Net loss

  

$

(2,858,220

)

  

$

(3,788,483

)

    


  


Net loss per common share:

                 

Basic

  

$

(0.05

)

  

$

(0.09

)

    


  


Diluted

  

$

(0.05

)

  

$

(0.09

)

    


  


 

 

The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of these consolidated statements.

 

F-5


Table of Contents

URANIUM RESOURCES, INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

 

    

Common Stock


  

Paid-In

Capital


    

Accumulated

Deficit


    

Treasury

Stock


 
    

Shares


  

Amount


        

Balances, December 31, 2000

  

22,740,366

  

$

22,893

  

$

48,240,477

 

  

$

(50,373,264

)

  

$

(9,418

)

Net loss

  

—  

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

 

  

 

(3,788,483

)

  

 

—  

 

Common stock issuance for services

  

189,412

  

 

189

  

 

(189

)

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

 

Common stock issuance

  

26,062,500

  

 

26,063

  

 

2,058,935

 

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

 

    
  

  


  


  


Balances, December 31, 2001

  

48,992,278

  

$

49,145

  

$

50,299,223

 

  

$

(54,161,747

)

  

$

(9,418

)

    
  

  


  


  


Net loss

  

—  

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

 

  

 

(2,858,220

)

  

 

—  

 

Common stock issuance for debt

  

5,096,248

  

 

5,096

  

 

606,454

 

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

 

Common stock issuance

  

15,240,667

  

 

15,241

  

 

1,737,305

 

  

 

—  

 

  

 

—  

 

    
  

  


  


  


Balances, December 31, 2002

  

69,329,193

  

$

69,482

  

$

52,642,982

 

  

$

(57,019,967

)

  

$

(9,418

)

    
  

  


  


  


 

 

 

The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of these consolidated statements.

 

F-6


Table of Contents

URANIUM RESOURCES, INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

    

Year Ended December 31,


 
    

2002


    

2001


 

Cash flows from operations:

                 

Net loss

  

$

(2,858,220

)

  

$

(3,788,483

)

Reconciliation of net loss to cash used in operations-

                 

Provision for restoration and reclamation costs

  

 

368,568

 

  

 

2,072,399

 

Depreciation and depletion

  

 

42,465

 

  

 

49,880

 

Writedown of uranium properties and other assets

  

 

514,730

 

  

 

474,549

 

Decrease in restoration and reclamation accrual

  

 

(559,976

)

  

 

(1,612,893

)

Other non-cash items, net

  

 

133,850

 

  

 

147,852

 

    


  


Cash flow used in operations, before changes in operating working capital items

  

 

(2,358,583

)

  

 

(2,656,696

)

Effect of changes in operating working capital items-

                 

Decrease in receivables

  

 

10,884

 

  

 

9,999

 

(Increase) decrease in inventories

  

 

(310

)

  

 

2,435

 

Decrease in prepaid and other current assets

  

 

1,591

 

  

 

2,901

 

Increase (decrease) in payables and accrued liabilities

  

 

1,004,651

 

  

 

(71,670

)

    


  


Net cash used in operations

  

 

(1,341,767

)

  

 

(2,713,031

)

Investing activities:

                 

Decrease in investments

  

 

25,862

 

  

 

1,435,518

 

Additions to property, plant and equipment-

                 

Kingsville Dome

  

 

(137,660

)

  

 

(99,621

)

Rosita

  

 

(56,226

)

  

 

(55,732

)

Vasquez

  

 

(241,277

)

  

 

(80,722

)

Churchrock

  

 

(23,174

)

  

 

(61,785

)

Crownpoint

  

 

(87,578

)

  

 

(151,156

)

Other property

  

 

(14,300

)

  

 

(21,368

)

    


  


Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

  

 

(534,353

)

  

 

965,134

 

Financing activities:

                 

Proceeds from borrowings

  

 

600,000

 

  

 

250,000

 

Payments of principal

  

 

—  

 

  

 

(581

)

Issuance of common stock, net

  

 

1,752,546

 

  

 

1,834,998

 

    


  


Net cash provided by financing activities

  

 

2,352,546

 

  

 

2,084,417

 

    


  


Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

  

 

476,426

 

  

 

336,520

 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

  

 

549,043

 

  

 

212,523

 

    


  


Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

  

$

1,025,469

 

  

$

549,043

 

    


  


 

The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of these consolidated statements.

 

F-7


Table of Contents

Uranium Resources, Inc.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2002 AND 2001

 

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Principles of Consolidation and Description of Company

 

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and include the accounts of Uranium Resources, Inc. (“URI”) and its wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively “the Company”). All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

URI was formed in 1977 and domesticated in Delaware in 1987. The Company is primarily engaged in the business of acquiring, exploring, developing and mining uranium properties, using the in situ leach (“ISL”) or solution mining process. Historically, the primary customers of the Company have been major utilities who utilize nuclear power to generate electricity. The Company has been, in the past, involved in a number of significant ISL uranium mining joint venture arrangements and has also provided consulting, plant design and construction expertise to other companies. At present the Company owns development properties in South Texas and in New Mexico. The Company’s Rosita and Kingsville Dome uranium production facilities in South Texas resumed operations in June 1995 and March 1996. Production was ceased at both sites in the first quarter of 1999 when each of the production facilities were shut-in and placed on stand-by due to depressed uranium prices. Groundwater restoration activities are currently ongoing at both Kingsville Dome and Rosita.

 

Inventories

 

Materials and supplies inventory at the Company’s Kingsville Dome and Rosita sites are valued at the lower of average cost or market.

 

Property, Plant and Equipment

 

      

Property, Plant and Equipment Balances (net)

At December 31,


      

2002


    

2001


Uranium plant

    

$

564,000

    

$

567,000

Restoration equipment

    

 

78,000

    

 

62,000

Vehicles

    

 

65,000

    

 

65,000

Other

    

 

9,000

    

 

14,000

      

    

Total

    

$

716,000

    

$

708,000

      

    

 

There is no value carried for the Company’s mineral interests, which have been written down to zero because of the continued depressed market price of uranium.

 

Uranium Properties

 

Capitalization of Development Costs—All acquisition and development costs (including financing, salary and related overhead costs) incurred in connection with the various uranium properties are capitalized. Exploration and evaluation costs associated with uranium properties are expensed as incurred until such time that the existence of a commercially mineable uranium deposit is confirmed. All properties with significant acquisition or incurred costs are evaluated for their realizability on a property-by-property basis. Any impairment of such costs is recognized through a reduction in the net carrying value of the asset. (See Note 3—“Uranium Properties—Property Realizability”).

 

Depreciation and Depletion—Depletion of uranium mineral interests and related development costs is computed on a property-by-property basis using the units-of-production method based on the proved and probable recoverable uranium reserves as estimated periodically by the Company’s geologists and

 

F-8


Table of Contents

Uranium Resources, Inc.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2002 AND 2001

 

engineers. Depreciation and depletion is provided on the investment costs, net of salvage value, of the various uranium properties’ production plants and related equipment using the estimated production life of the uranium reserves. During the periods that our facilities are not in production, depletion on our mineral interests and development properties are ceased. Depreciation and depletion of our plant facilities, machinery and equipment continues, at significantly reduced amounts, in accordance with the level of stand-by activity being conducted at each site. Other ancillary plant equipment and vehicles are depreciated using a straight line method based upon the estimated useful lives of the assets.

 

Other Property

 

Other property consists of corporate office equipment, furniture and fixtures and transportation equipment. Depreciation on other property is computed based upon the estimated useful lives of the assets. Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. Gain or loss on disposal of such assets is recorded as other income or expense as such assets are disposed.

 

Capitalization of Interest

 

The Company capitalizes interest cost with respect to properties undergoing exploration or development activities that are not subject to depreciation or depletion. The average interest rate on outstanding borrowings during the period is used in calculating the amount of interest to be capitalized. No interest was capitalized in the twelve months ended December 31, 2002 and 2001. Total interest costs in these periods were $30,000 and $44,000, respectively.

 

Restoration and Reclamation Costs

 

Various federal and state mining laws and regulations require the Company to reclaim the surface areas and restore underground water quality to the pre-existing mine area average quality. Accruals for the estimated future cost of restoration and reclamation are made on a per-pound basis as part of production costs, or when it is determined by an engineering study that an adjustment to the accrual is required. During the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001 the Company increased its accrual for restoration and reclamation costs by $369,000 and $2,072,000, respectively, as a result of revisions to the Company’s estimates for future restoration and reclamation activities.

 

The Company has obtained financial surety relating to certain of its future restoration and reclamation obligations as required by the State of Texas regulatory agencies. Performance bonds have been issued for the benefit of the Company by United States Fidelity and Guaranty Company (“USF&G”) for such activities. The amounts of these bonds were $2,900,000 and $4,200,000 at December 31, 2002 and 2001 respectively. USF&G has required that the Company deposit funds collateralizing a portion of the bonds it has issued. The amount of bonding issued by USF&G exceeded the amount of collateral by $2,436,000 at December 31, 2002 and 2001. In the event that USF&G is required to perform under the bonds or the bonds are called by the state agencies, the Company would be obligated to pay USF&G for its expenditures in excess of the collateral.

 

Revenue Recognition for Certain Uranium Sales

 

The Company recognizes revenue from the sale of uranium under which substantially all of its obligations related to the delivery have been completed. There were no uranium sales made in the years ended December 31, 2002 or 2001.

 

Earnings Per Share

 

Net earnings (loss) per common share—basic has been calculated based on the weighted average shares outstanding during the year and net earnings (loss) per common share—diluted has been calculated assuming the exercise or conversion of all dilutive securities. Due to net losses incurred for the two years presented there were no dilutive securities included in any of these years.

 

F-9


Table of Contents

Uranium Resources, Inc.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2002 AND 2001

 

 

The weighted average number of shares used to calculate basic and diluted loss per share were 57,684,000 and 41,839,000 in 2002 and 2001, respectively. The potential common stock that was excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share were 9,691,703 and 9,161,537 in 2002 and 2001, respectively.

 

Unamortized Debt Issuance Costs

 

Debt discount and related expenses arising from the issuance of debt securities are amortized by the effective interest method.

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.

 

Additional disclosures of cash flow information follow:

 

      

Twelve Months Ended December 31,


      

2002


    

2001


Cash paid during the period for:

                 

Interest

    

$

10,000

    

$

36,000

 

Additional non-cash transactions occurred in 2002 and 2001 and such transactions are summarized as follows:

 

In 2002, the Company issued 5,096,248 shares of common stock to certain private investors in satisfaction of outstanding indebtedness.

  

$

611,550

In 2001, the Company issued approximately 189,000 shares of common stock to its regulatory counsel in satisfaction of outstanding indebtedness.

  

$

—  

In 2001, the Company issued 3,125,000 shares of common stock to certain private investors in satisfaction of outstanding indebtedness.

  

$

250,000

 

Restricted Cash

 

At December 31, 2002 and 2001 the Company had pledged a certificate of deposit of $1,398,000 and $1,423,000, respectively, in order to collateralize surety bonds required for future restoration and reclamation obligations related to the Company’s South Texas production and development properties. These funds are not readily available to the Company and are not included in cash equivalents. During 2002 the Company received funding secured by these assets of approximately $944,000 to conduct restoration activities in South Texas. Such funds received for these restoration activities have been recorded as an accrued liability at December 31, 2002.

 

In October 2000, the Company finalized an agreement with Texas regulatory authorities and the Company’s bonding company that provided the Company access to up to $2.2 million of Company funds pledged to secure the Company’s restoration bonds. The entire $2.2 million has been released to the Company as of December 31, 2001. The funds were used by the Company to perform restoration at the Company’s Kingsville Dome and Rosita mine sites in South Texas. The agreement expired December 31, 2001. Subsequent restoration agreements were entered into covering the period from January 2002 through January 2003. These agreements provided us access to approximately $975,000 during this period to continue to conduct restoration activities.

 

Use of Estimates

 

F-10


Table of Contents

Uranium Resources, Inc.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2002 AND 2001

 

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions. Such estimates and assumptions may affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Specifically regarding the Company’s uranium properties, significant estimates were utilized in determining the carrying value of these assets. The actual value received from the disposition of these assets may vary significantly from these estimates based upon market conditions, financing availability and other factors.

 

Regarding the Company’s reserve for future restoration and reclamation costs, significant estimates were utilized in determining the future costs to complete the groundwater restoration and surface reclamation at the Company’s mine sites. The actual cost to conduct these activities may vary significantly from these estimates.

 

Risks and Uncertainties

 

Historically, the market for uranium has experienced significant price fluctuations. Prices are significantly impacted by global supply and demand which is affected by the demand for nuclear power, political and economic conditions, governmental legislation in uranium producing and consuming countries, and production levels and costs of production of other producing companies. Increases or decreases in prices received could have a significant impact on the Company’s future results of operations.

 

The Company has outstanding bond obligations issued on its behalf by USF&G at December 31, 2002. The Company has deposited funds collateralizing a portion of these bonds. In the event that USF&G is required to perform under the bonds or the bonds are called by the state agencies, the Company would be obligated to pay USF&G for its expenditures in excess of the collateral. See “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—Restoration and Reclamation Costs” for further discussion.

 

Impact of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In July 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations”. SFAS No. 143 requires entities to record the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation in the period in which it is incurred. When the liability is initially recorded, the entity capitalizes a cost by increasing the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. Over time, the liability is accreted to its present value each period, and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset. Upon settlement of the liability, an entity either settles the obligation for the recorded amount or incurs a gain or loss upon settlement. SFAS No. 143 is effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2002. The Company will adopt SFAS No. 143 on January 1, 2003. Management does not believe this pronouncement will have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

 

In June 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statements of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities” (“SFAS 146”). SFAS 146 provides financial accounting and reporting guidance for costs associated with exit or disposal activities, including one-time termination benefits, contract termination costs other than for a capital lease, and costs to consolidate facilities or relocate employees. This statement is effective for exit or disposal activities that are initiated after December 31, 2002. Management does not believe this pronouncement will have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

 

In December 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation—Transition and Disclosure—an amendment of FASB Statement 123, (“SFAS 148”). SFAS 148 amends SFAS 123 to provide alternative transition methods for an entities voluntary change in their accounting for stock-based compensation from the intrinsic method to the fair value method under SFAS 123. In addition, SFAS No. 148 amends the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 123 to require prominent disclosures in both annual and interim financial statements about the method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation and the effect of the method used on reported results. The Company currently plans to continue to account for its stock-based compensation using the intrinsic value method as prescribed by APB

 

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Table of Contents

Uranium Resources, Inc.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2002 AND 2001

 

No. 25 and will comply with the new disclosure requirements beginning with its quarter ending March 31, 2003.

 

2. FUTURE OPERATIONS

 

The financial statements of the Company have been prepared on the basis of accounting principles applicable to a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. Because of depressed uranium prices the Company ceased production activities in 1999 at both of its two producing properties. Uranium prices continue to be depressed and these properties remain non-producing.

 

In 1999 and the first quarter of 2000 the Company monetized all of its remaining long-term uranium sales contracts and sold certain of its property and equipment to maintain a positive cash position. The Company expects to resume production activities, including seeking the necessary development financing, when there is a recovery in the market price or uranium.

 

During 2001 and 2002, the Company sought to raise funds to permit it to continue operations until such time uranium prices increase to a level that will permit the Company to resume mining operations. In April 2001 and July 2002 the Company completed two private placements raising an aggregate of $2,085,000 and $2,429,000 ($2,364,000 net of the costs of the offering), respectively through the issuance of 26,062,500 and 20,336,915 shares of common stock, respectively. The funds raised in the private placements were used to fund the non-restoration overhead costs of the Company. Included in the July 2002 offering was the conversion of $611,550 in principal and accrued interest for demand notes that were issued on May 29, 2002. The shares issued in the private placements represent approximately 67% of the outstanding Common Stock of the Company. The completion of the private placements resulted in a significant dilution of the current stockholders’ equity in the Company.

 

In April 2003 we received $200,000 of temporary interim funding from investors by issuing 5,000,000 shares of common stock at $0.04 per share in a private placement transaction. We expect the equity raised from this private placement will allow us to remain in business until June 2003.

 

In addition, in October 2000, the Company finalized an agreement with Texas regulatory authorities and the Company’s bonding company that provided the Company access to up to $2.2 million of Company funds pledged to secure the Company’s restoration bonds. The entire $2.2 million has been released to the Company as of December 31, 2001. The funds were used by the Company to perform restoration at the Company’s Kingsville Dome and Rosita mine sites in South Texas. The agreement expired December 31, 2001. Subsequent restoration agreements were entered into covering the period from January 2002 through January 2003. These agreements provided us access to approximately $975,000 during this period to continue to conduct restoration activities.

 

Should the Company be unable to achieve profitable operations or raise additional capital, it may be forced to seek protection under federal bankruptcy laws. The accompanying financial statements do not purport to reflect or provide for the consequences of a possible bankruptcy proceeding. In particular, such financial statements do not purport to show (a) as to assets, their realizable value on a liquidation basis or their availability to satisfy liabilities; (b) as to liabilities, the amount that may be allowed for claims and contingencies, or the status and priority thereof; (c) as to shareholder accounts, the effect of any changes that may be made in the capitalization of the Company; and (d) as to operations, the effect of any changes that may be made in its business. These factors raise substantial doubt concerning the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern.

 

F-12


Table of Contents

Uranium Resources, Inc.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2002 AND 2001

 

 

3. URANIUM PROPERTIES

 

Property Realizability

 

The Company’s potential illiquidity has necessitated a reevaluation of the Company’s method of valuing its uranium properties for accounting purposes. Prior to the fourth quarter of 1999, the Company had valued its uranium properties on a held for production basis, i.e., assuming that each property would be ultimately placed into production. Because of the Company’s potential illiquidity, the Company determined that the liquidation value of the physical assets of each property best represented the fair market value of its long-term assets, and this valuation was used in determining the amount of impairment applicable to each of the Company’s uranium properties.

 

The Company applied the discounted cash flow method for valuing the properties, because it represented the most reasonable method available. Under this method, the Company reduced the carrying value of its uranium properties by $510,000 in 2002 and $475,000 in 2001 with a corresponding charge against earnings.

 

Kingsville Dome Property

 

In 1981, the Company acquired an exploration property in South Texas, known as Kingsville Dome, from Exxon Corporation. After significant production in 1988-1990, the property was put on a standby basis because of low uranium spot prices and production ceased in September 1990.

 

Wellfield development activities began in December 1995 at Kingsville Dome which lead to the resumption of production at the property in March 1996. The Company ceased uranium production operations in the first quarter of 1999 and the property was placed on standby.

 

Cost of uranium sales in 2002 and 2001 in the Consolidated Statements of Operations includes $346,000 and $29,000, respectively of costs incurred to maintain the facility while Kingsville Dome was on standby and not in production. At December 31, 2002, the Company believes that the property contains a significant amount of undeveloped mineralized uranium material. The Company has recorded impairment provisions in the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001 of approximately $91,000 and $103,000, respectively, for the Kingsville Dome property. The net carrying value of the property was approximately $426,000 and $389,000 at December 31, 2002 and 2001 respectively. Such assets consisted of plant buildings, uranium processing equipment and uranium drying facilities of $378,000 and $378,000 in 2002 and 2001 respectively and field facilities, restoration and other equipment of $48,000 and $11,000 in 2002 and 2001 respectively.

 

Rosita Property

 

In late 1985, the Company acquired several lease holdings in a uranium prospect (“Rosita”) in South Texas. Construction and development activities began in the first quarter of 1990 and were completed in September 1990 with production commencing immediately thereafter. The property was originally put on a standby basis and production ceased in March 1992.

 

Wellfield development activity began in early 1995 at Rosita which lead to the resumption of production at the property in June 1995. The Company ceased uranium production operations in the first quarter of 1999 and the property was placed on standby.

 

Cost of uranium sales in 2002 and 2001 in the Consolidated Statements of Operations includes $415,000 and $30,000, respectively of costs incurred to maintain the facility while Rosita was on standby and not in production. The Company has recorded impairment provisions in the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001 of approximately $55,000 and $57,000, respectively for the Rosita property. The net carrying value of the property at December 31, 2002 and 2001 was approximately $219,000 and $244,000, respectively. Such assets consisted of plant buildings and uranium processing equipment of $180,000 and $182,000 in 2002 and 2001 respectively and restoration and other equipment of $39,000 and $62,000 in 2002 and 2001 respectively.

 

F-13


Table of Contents

Uranium Resources, Inc.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2002 AND 2001

 

 

Vasquez Property

 

The Company holds two mineral leases on 842 gross and net acres located in southwestern Duval County, in South Texas.

 

The secondary lease term for this property expired in February 2000. URI tendered payment under the shut-in royalty clause of the lease in 2000 and 2001 and also holds its rights to the property through continuous development clauses in the lease. The lessors returned the Company’s shut-in royalty payments for 2000 and 2001 without disclosing their reasons for rejecting the Company’s payment.

 

In December 2001, the Company filed an action in the 229th Judicial District Court in Duval County, Texas against certain landowners, seeking a declaration that the Company’s Vasquez leases were valid and in effect, based upon, among other things, the Company’s timely payment of shut-in royalties pursuant to the terms of the leases. In February 2002, Everest Exploration, Inc. (“Everest”) intervened in the lawsuit seeking a declaration that the leases were not valid and in effect.

 

On November 26, 2002, the Company filed a Motion for Partial Summary Judgment, requesting the Court to declare that the leases were valid and in effect as a result of the Company’s timely tender of shut-in royalty payments. On December 16, 2002, Everest filed a motion for partial summary judgment requesting the Court to declare that the leases had terminated in February 2000.

 

On January 28, 2003, the Court entered an Order that granted the Company’s Motion and denied Everest’s Motion. The court held that the leases have been properly extended and are valid and in effect and that the leases can continue to be extended by the payment of shut-in royalties. The Order also awarded the Company its attorney’s fees and costs against the landowners and Everest.

 

The Order is not yet a final judgment and likely will not become final until the Court determines the amount of attorney’s fees and until certain remaining claims by the Company are resolved. Until it is final, the Order is subject to challenge by the landowners and Everest in the trial court. After the Order and award of attorney’s fees becomes final, the trial court’s determination can be challenged by the landowners or Everest in the Texas Court of Appeals.

 

The leases provide for royalties based on uranium sales.

 

All of the required permits to begin uranium production for this property have been received from the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission and the Texas Department of Health.

 

The Company has recorded impairment provisions in the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001 of approximately $241,000 and $81,000, respectively for the Vasquez property. The net carrying value of the property was written down to zero at December 31, 2002.

 

Churchrock Properties

 

In December 1986, the Company acquired properties in the Churchrock region of New Mexico.

 

In September 1991, an additional 200 acres of leases were obtained in exchange for a future production royalty payment which, based upon the expected selling price of the uranium production, may vary between 5% and 10%.

 

Permitting activities are currently ongoing on both of these properties. The net carrying value of these properties were written down to zero. Such writedown resulted in a pre-tax charge against earnings of approximately $23,000 and $62,000 in 2002 and 2001, respectively.

 

Crownpoint Property

 

F-14


Table of Contents

Uranium Resources, Inc.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2002 AND 2001

 

 

In August 1988, the Company acquired the Crownpoint property, consisting of 163 acres of leases and related equipment and buildings for cash payments of $550,000, amounts payable in future years of $950,000 and a sliding scale overriding royalty on future production. The present value of the future payable amount, $407,054 at December 31, 1996, is recorded as a purchase money obligation. Additionally, also in 1988, the Company staked 321 acres of claims in the same area. In August 1993, the Company acquired approximately 959 acres of leases adjoining the Crownpoint properties. The net carrying value of these properties were written down to approximately $61,000 at December 31, 2002 and 2001 and consisted primarily of plant buildings and equipment. Such writedown resulted in a pre-tax charge against earnings of approximately $88,000 and $151,000 in 2002 and 2001, respectively.

 

Santa Fe Properties

 

In March 1997 the Company acquired the fee interest in 177,000 acres and the exploration rights through 2014 on an additional 346,000 acres in northwestern New Mexico. To maintain the exploration rights the Company must spend $200,000 per year on exploration through 2007 and $400,000 per year thereafter through 2014. The Company has been informed by the grantor of such rights that we are in default of our exploration commitment and that unless the default is cured the exploration agreement may be cancelled. The Company does not expect to be able to cure the alleged default. The grantor has refused to waive the default. The Company does not believe that the loss of these exploration rights will have a material adverse effect on it.

 

The net carrying value of the property at December 31, 2002 is zero. Impairment provisions resulted in a pre-tax charge against operations of approximately $12,000 and $17,000 in 2002 and 2001, respectively.

 

4. CONTRACT COMMITMENTS

 

Sales Contracts

 

Long-term contracts have historically been the primary source of revenue to the Company. Currently, the Company does not have any remaining scheduled uranium deliveries under contract.

 

The Company must secure new profitable uranium sales contracts in order for it to continue in existence. Demonstrated profitability under such new contracts will form the basis for the Company to be able to secure the requisite financing/equity infusion to resume production at its mine sites. The profitability under such new contracts will depend on a number of factors including the cost of producing uranium at the Company’s mining properties, the Company’s ability to produce uranium to meet its sales commitments and the spot market price of uranium.

 

5. SHORT-TERM DEBT

 

Demand Notes

 

In May 2002 the Company obtained a $600,000 loan by issuing demand notes to private investors that were existing shareholders of the Company. Principal on the notes was due upon demand by the note holders, and interest was due and payable on the first day of every August, November, February and May at the rate of 11% per annum. Holders of the notes had the right, but not the obligation to purchase Common Stock or other equity securities offered by the Company in any subsequent private placements by paying for such purchase by forgiving unpaid interest and/or principal due and unpaid on the notes at $0.12 per share. The $611,550 in principal and accrued interest under the demand notes was converted in July 2002 into 5,096,248 shares of common stock of the Company.

 

6. LONG-TERM DEBT

 

Benton Convertible Note

 

F-15


Table of Contents

Uranium Resources, Inc.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2002 AND 2001

 

 

During 1994, the Company engaged in certain transactions with companies controlled by Mr. Oren L. Benton (the “Benton Companies”). In 1995, Benton and various of the Benton Companies filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the Federal Bankruptcy Code (the “Benton Bankruptcy”). In 1998 the Trustee sought recovery of approximately $1.6 million of payments made by certain of the Benton Companies to the Company, claiming that the payments and advances were avoidable as preferential and/or fraudulent transfers. On July 17, 2000, the parties entered into a settlement agreement whereby the Company issued a $135,000 Convertible Note due July 17, 2005, assigned its rights under a $65,000 Promissory Note from Benton and assigned certain claims against Union Bank of Switzerland in settlement of the complaint. Interest on the Convertible Note is due at maturity and the Note bears interest at a rate of 6% per annum. The Company may prepay the Note at any time and the holder of the Note may convert all principal and accrued interest into shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion price of $0.75 per share.

 

Summary of Long-Term Debt

 

    

At December 31,


    

2002


  

2001


Long-term debt of the Company consists of:

             

Crownpoint property (Note 3)

  

$

450,000

  

$

450,000

Benton Convertible Note

  

 

135,000

  

 

135,000

    

  

    

 

585,000

  

 

585,000

Less—Current portion

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

    

  

Total long-term debt

  

$

585,000

  

$

585,000

    

  

 

Maturities of long-term debt are as follows:

 

For the Twelve Months Ended:


         

For the Twelve Months Ended:


    

December 31, 2002

  

$

—  

    

December 31, 2005

  

$

135,000

December 31, 2003

  

$

—  

    

December 31, 2006

  

$

—  

December 31, 2004

  

$

—  

    

December 31, 2007 and beyond

  

$

450,000

 

7. RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

During 1994, the Company engaged in certain transactions with companies controlled by Mr. Oren L. Benton (the “Benton Companies”). See Note 6 for the issuance of the Convertible Note.

 

Demand Notes

 

In May 2002 the Company obtained a $600,000 loan by issuing demand notes to private investors that were existing shareholders of the Company. See Note 5 Short Term Debt for the issuance and conversion of the demand notes.

 

8. SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

 

Common Stock

 

Common Stock Issued in 2001

 

In April 2001, the Company raised an additional $1.8 million of equity by the issuance of 22.9 million shares of Common Stock at $0.08 per share to a group of private investors. An additional 3.1 million shares of Common Stock were issued to some of these investors in satisfaction of an outstanding loan of $250,000. Interest accrued on this loan at a rate of 11% per annum. In 2001 interest paid on this loan totaled $5,000.

 

Common Stock Issued in 2002

 

F-16


Table of Contents

Uranium Resources, Inc.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2002 AND 2001

 

 

In July 2002, the Company raised an additional $2.4 million of equity by the issuance of 20.3 million shares of Common Stock at $0.12 per share to a group of private investors. Included in the issuance was 5.1 million shares of Common Stock that were issued to some of these investors in satisfaction of an outstanding demand note of $600,000 plus accrued interest of $11,550 that was issued in May 2002. Interest accrued on this note at a rate of 11% per annum.

 

Increase in Authorized Shares

 

In March 2001, the Company’s stockholders approved an amendment to the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the authorized shares of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock’), from 35,000,000 to 100,000,000. Stockholders also approved an amendment to the Company’s 1995 Stock Incentive Plan (the “1995 Plan”), to increase the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock eligible for issuance under the 1995 Plan from 1,250,000 shares to 4,000,000 shares.

 

Settlement of Regulatory Counsel Indebtedness

 

The Company reached a compromise with its regulatory counsel settling an outstanding indebtedness of approximately $566,000 for a payment of $100,000 in cash, the assignment of certain claims, the issuance of 720,000 shares of Common Stock. In 2001, an additional 189,412 shares of Common Stock were issued in completion of the settlement agreement.

 

Stock Options

 

Directors Stock Options

 

On May 25, 1995, the Company granted options to certain directors of URI, to purchase 200,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $4.50 per share. All such options were immediately exercisable and were originally scheduled to expire May 24, 1998 or 30 days after the holder ceases to be a director of the Company or one year after such holder’s death, whichever occurs first. In November 1997, the term of these options was revised for three years and the exercise price was increased to $4.75 per share. In May 2001 these options expired unexercised.

 

On August 16, 1995, the Company granted options to a director of URI, to purchase 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $8.38 per share which was the fair market value of a share of common stock on August 16, 1995. Such options were immediately exercisable and were originally scheduled to expire May 24, 1998, 30 days after the holder ceases to be a director of the Company or one year after his death, whichever occurs first. In November 1997, the term of these options was revised for three years and the exercise price was increased to $8.63 per share. In June 2001 these options were canceled.

 

On June 19, 2001, the Company granted options to certain directors of URI to purchase 300,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $0.22 per share. The grants were comprised of 200,000 options to replace the options that expired and were canceled in 2001 and 100,000 options granted to a newly elected director. All such options are immediately exercisable and are scheduled to expire June 19, 2011 or 30 days after the holder ceases to be a director of the Company or one year after such holder’s death, whichever occurs first. None of these options have been exercised as of December 31, 2002.

 

Options Issuable for Deferred Compensation

 

The Company has a 1999 Deferred Compensation Plan (the “1999 Plan”) and Deferred Compensation Plans for 2000-2001 and 2002 (the “2000-2002 Plans”) whereby executive officers and directors were permitted to defer up to 100% of their compensation for the years 1999-2002.

 

F-17


Table of Contents

Uranium Resources, Inc.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2002 AND 2001

 

 

Under the 1999 Deferred Compensation Plan (the “1999 Plan”) executive officers and directors of the Company and its subsidiaries were permitted to defer until January 11, 2006 up to 100% of their 1999 salary. At the time of the deferral election, a participant could elect to receive payment of up to 100% of the deferred amount of salary in shares of our Common Stock. A total of $241,690 was deferred under the 1999 Plan of which $133,450 was paid by issuing 355,861 shares of Common Stock at $0.375 per share.

 

Under the 2000-2002 Plans the executive officers and directors were permitted to defer up to 100% of their 2000, 2001 and 2002 salary with payment thereof to be made on January 11, 2006. On or before that date, the participant may elect to receive the deferred amount in shares of our Common Stock valued at $0.20 per share. As of December 31, 2002, a total of $513,140 has been deferred under those plans and no elections have yet been made to convert any such amounts into shares.

 

Market for Common Stock

 

Before March 24, 1999 the Company’s Common Stock was traded on NASDAQ National Market under the trading symbol URIX. On March 23, 1999, the common stock was delisted from the NASDAQ National Market. From March 24, 1999 through November 13, 2000 the stock was quoted on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board (the “OTCBB”). On November 14, 2000 the stock became ineligible for trading on the OTCBB and began trading on the Pink Sheets. Commencing August 22, 2001 the stock again was quoted on the OTCBB.

 

9. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

 

The Company has three stock option plans, the Employees’ Stock Option Plan, the Stock Incentive Plan and the Directors’ Stock Option Plan. The Company accounts for these plans under APB Opinion No. 25, under which no compensation cost has been recognized. Had compensation cost for these plans been determined consistent with FASB Statement No. 123 (“FAS 123”), the Company’s net loss and loss per share (“EPS”) for the year ended December 31, 2002 and 2001 would have been adjusted to the following pro forma amounts:

 

         

2002


    

2001


 

Net Earnings (Loss):

  

As reported

  

$

(2,858,220

)

  

$

(3,788,483

)

    

Pro forma

  

$

(2,951,828

)

  

$

(3,905,786

)

Basic EPS:

  

As reported

  

$

(0.05

)

  

$

(0.09

)

    

Pro forma

  

$

(0.05

)

  

$

(0.09

)

Diluted EPS:

  

As reported

  

$

(0.05

)

  

$

(0.09

)

    

Pro forma

  

$

(0.05

)

  

$

(0.09

)

 

The fair value of each option is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions used for grants in 2001: expected volatility of 101% and risk-free interest rates of 5.6%. An expected life of 7.4 years was used for options granted to the employees and directors, respectively. No options were granted in 2002

 

The FAS 123 method of accounting has not been applied to options granted prior to January 1, 1995, and accordingly the resulting pro forma compensation cost may not be representative of that to be expected in future years.

 

The Directors’ Stock Option Plan provides for the grant of 20,000 stock options to each of the non-employee directors along with additional annual grants of stock options upon re-election as directors at the Company’s annual meeting. Currently there are 91,000 stock options outstanding under the Directors’ Stock Option Plan. Also, on January 15, 1992, the Board of Directors approved the grant of 577,248 stock options under the Employees’ Stock Option Plan. All of the previously outstanding options were canceled upon the effectiveness of the new options. All of the options covered by this grant have been exercised or have expired unexercised at December 31, 2002. On August 10, 1994, the Board of Directors increased the available options under the Employees’ Stock Option Plan and the Directors’ Stock Option Plan to 850,000

 

F-18


Table of Contents

Uranium Resources, Inc.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2002 AND 2001

 

options and 150,000 options, respectively. On October 11, 1995, the Board of Directors elected to discontinue grants under the Employees’ Stock Option Plan with the adoption of a stock incentive plan covering key employees. The Stock Incentive Plan provides for the grant of a maximum of 750,000 stock options. These options may be qualified or nonqualified. On June 5, 1998, the Company’s stockholders elected to increase the available options under the Stock Incentive Plan to 1,250,000 options. During 2000 the Company’s board of directors elected to increase the available options under the Stock Incentive Plan to 4,000,000, subject to stockholder approval. Such approval was received in March 2001. As of December 31, 2002, there are 3,049,775 options outstanding under the Stock Incentive Plan.

 

F-19


Table of Contents

Uranium Resources, Inc.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2002 AND 2001

 

 

Additional details about the options granted under the stock option plans are as follows:

 

Date of Grant


  

Exercise Price


  

Options Granted


  

At December 31, 2002


        

Options Available for Exercise


  

Options Exercised


  

Options Canceled


  

Options Outstanding


January 15, 1992

  

$

2.94

  

617,248

  

—  

  

327,625

  

289,623

  

—  

May 22, 1992

  

$

3.00

  

2,000

  

—  

  

1,000

  

1,000

  

—  

    

  
  
  
  
  

Balances at December 31, 1992

         

619,248

  

—  

  

328,625

  

290,623

  

—  

    

  
  
  
  
  

February 26, 1993

  

$

2.50

  

10,000

  

—  

  

2,500

  

7,500

  

—  

May 27, 1993

  

$

3.50

  

2,000

  

—  

  

500

  

1,500

  

—  

    

  
  
  
  
  

Balances at December 31, 1993

         

631,248

  

—  

  

331,625

  

299,623

  

—  

    

  
  
  
  
  

July 11, 1994

  

$

4.38

  

20,000

  

20,000

  

—  

  

—  

  

20,000

August 10, 1994

  

$

4.25

  

140,000

  

19,000

  

1,000

  

120,000

  

19,000

December 15, 1994

  

$

5.88

  

3,000

  

2,000

  

—  

  

1,000

  

2,000

    

  
  
  
  
  

Balances at December 31, 1994

         

794,248

  

41,000

  

332,625

  

420,623

  

41,000

    

  
  
  
  
  

February 24, 1995

  

$

4.13

  

210,000

  

100,000

  

—  

  

110,000

  

100,000

April 12, 1995

  

$

3.88

  

10,000

  

10,000

  

—  

  

—  

  

10,000

May 26, 1995

  

$

3.75

  

40,000

  

20,000

  

—  

  

20,000

  

20,000

August 16, 1995

  

$

8.38

  

100,000

  

100,000

  

—  

  

—  

  

100,000

August 31, 1995

  

$

6.88

  

127,508

  

40,200

  

—  

  

87,308

  

40,200

October 11, 1995

  

$

6.94

  

35,000

  

35,000

  

—  

  

—  

  

35,000

December 19, 1995

  

$

5.50

  

3,000

  

2,000

  

—  

  

1,000

  

2,000

    

  
  
  
  
  

Balances at December 31, 1995

         

1,319,756

  

348,200

  

332,625

  

638,931

  

348,200

    

  
  
  
  
  

February 22, 1996

  

$

9.75

  

178,810

  

64,410

  

—  

  

114,400

  

64,410

May 29, 1996

  

$

17.00

  

3,000

  

2,000

  

—  

  

1,000

  

2,000

May 30, 1996

  

$

16.13

  

75,000

  

—  

  

—  

  

75,000

  

—  

July 22, 1996

  

$

11.13

  

50,000

  

—  

  

—  

  

50,000

  

—  

    

  
  
  
  
  

Balances at December 31, 1996

         

1,626,566

  

414,610

  

332,625

  

879,331

  

414,610

    

  
  
  
  
  

February 10, 1997

  

$

7.125

  

182,405

  

62,865

  

—  

  

119,540

  

62,865

April 1, 1997

  

$

5.50

  

55,000

  

55,000

  

—  

  

—  

  

55,000

May 1, 1997

  

$

5.00

  

3,000

  

2,000

  

—  

  

1,000

  

2,000

    

  
  
  
  
  

Balances at December 31, 1997

         

1,866,971

  

534,475

  

332,625

  

999,871

  

534,475

    

  
  
  
  
  

February 23, 1998

  

$

2.9375

  

172,000

  

113,500

  

—  

  

58,500

  

113,500

June 5, 1998

  

$

2.50

  

3,000

  

2,000

  

—  

  

1,000

  

2,000

    

  
  
  
  
  

Balances at December 31, 1998

         

2,041,971

  

649,975

  

332,625

  

1,059,371

  

649,975

    

  
  
  
  
  

June 18, 1999

  

$

0.25

  

2,000

  

1,500

  

—  

  

—  

  

2,000

    

  
  
  
  
  

Balances at December 31, 1999

         

2,043,971

  

651,475

  

332,625

  

1,059,371

  

651,975

    

  
  
  
  
  

September 27, 2000

  

$

0.20

  

2,250,000

  

1,125,000

  

—  

  

—  

  

2,250,000

    

  
  
  
  
  

Balances at December 31, 2000

         

4,293,971

  

1,776,475

  

332,625

  

1,059,371

  

2,901,975

    

  
  
  
  
  

February 28, 2001

  

$

0.19

  

475,500

  

312,665

  

—  

  

6,500

  

469,000

    

  
  
  
  
  

June 19, 2001

  

$

0.22

  

20,000

  

5,000

  

—  

  

—  

  

20,000

    

  
  
  
  
  

Balances at December 31, 2001

         

4,789,471

  

2,094,140

  

332,625

  

1,065,871

  

3,390,975

    

  
  
  
  
  
           

—  

  

—  

  

—  

  

—  

  

—  

    

  
  
  
  
  

Balances at December 31, 2002

         

4,789,471

  

2,094,140

  

332,625

  

1,065,871

  

3,390,975

    

  
  
  
  
  

 

The exercise price for the options granted under the stock option plans has been the approximate market price of the common stock on the date granted. The terms of the options provide that no options may be exercised for one year after grant, and then for ratable exercise over the subsequent four-year period, with a total exercisable period of ten years.

 

The exercise price for the options granted under the Stock Incentive Plan has been the approximate market price of the common stock on the date granted. The terms of the options are determined by the Board of Directors upon grant; however, no options may be exercised after a period of ten years. The weighted average fair value of options granted in 2001 were $0.16.

 

F-20


Table of Contents

Uranium Resources, Inc.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2002 AND 2001

 

 

10. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES

 

The deferred federal income tax asset (liability) consists of the following:

 

    

December 31,


 
    

2002


    

2001


 

Property development costs—net of amortization

  

$

9,054,000

 

  

$

9,645,000

 

Accelerated depreciation

  

 

(36,000

)

  

 

(118,000

)

Restoration reserves

  

 

1,601,000

 

  

 

1,674,000

 

Net operating loss and percentage depletion carryforwards

  

 

7,000

 

  

 

16,000

 

Valuation allowance and other—net

  

 

(10,626,000

)

  

 

(11,217,000

)

    


  


Total deferred income tax asset (liability)

  

$

0

 

  

$

0

 

    


  


 

Major items causing the Company’s tax provision to differ from the federal statutory rate of 34% were:

 

    

For the Twelve Months Ended December 31,


 
    

2002


    

2001


 
    

Amount


      

% of Pretax Income


    

Amount


      

% of Pretax Income


 

Pretax loss

  

$

(2,858,220

)

           

$

(3,788,483

)

        
    


    

  


    

Pretax loss times statutory tax rate

  

 

(972,000

)

    

(34

%)

  

 

(1,288,000

)

    

(34

%)

Increases in taxes resulting from:

                                   

Change in valuation allowance related to changes in temporary differences

  

 

972,000

 

    

34

%

  

 

1,288,000

 

    

34

%

Alternative minimum Tax

  

 

0

 

    

0

%

  

 

0

 

    

0

%

    


    

  


    

Income tax benefit

  

$

0

 

    

0

%

  

$

0

 

    

0

%

    


    

  


    

 

The Company’s net operating loss carryforwards generated in 2002 and in prior years have generally been valued, net of valuation allowance, at Alternative Minimum Tax (“AMT”) rates imposed by the 1986 Tax Reform Act (“the 86 ACT”). It is assumed that these deferred tax assets will be realized at such rates.

 

At December 31, 2002, approximately $46,908,000 of percentage depletion (available for regular tax purposes) had not been utilized to shelter book income and is available to carry forward to future accounting periods. The Company received refunds of $305 and $183 from prior year’s federal income payments in 2002 and 2001, respectively.

 

The Company also has available for regular federal income tax purposes at December 31, 2002 estimated net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards of approximately $44,155,000 which expire primarily in 2003 through 2023, if not previously utilized. Following the sale of stock in 2001 described in Note 2, use of the Company’s NOL will be severely limited on an annual and aggregate basis. For this reason, the NOL is not included as a deferred tax asset in the table above.

 

F-21


Table of Contents

Uranium Resources, Inc.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2002 AND 2001

 

 

11. OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES AND DEFERRED CREDITS

 

Other long-term liabilities and deferred credits on the balance sheet consisted of:

 

    

December 31,


    

2002


  

2001


Reserve for future restoration and reclamation costs, net of current portion of $83,000 in 2002 and 2001 (Note 1)

  

$

4,538,753

  

$

4,730,161

Long-term accounts and interest payable

  

 

19,896

  

 

11,796

Royalties payable

  

 

500,000

  

 

500,000

Deferred compensation

  

 

621,380

  

 

363,330

    

  

    

$

5,680,029

  

$

5,605,287

    

  

 

12. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

The Company’s mining operations are subject to federal and state regulations for the protection of the environment, including water quality. These laws are constantly changing and generally becoming more restrictive. The ongoing costs of complying with such regulations have not been significant to the Company’s annual operating costs. Future mine closure and reclamation costs are provided for as each pound of uranium is produced on a unit-of-production basis. The Company reviews its reclamation obligations each year and determines the appropriate unit charge. The Company also evaluates the status of current environmental laws and their potential impact on their accrual for costs. The Company believes its operations are in compliance with current environmental regulations.

 

The Company is from time to time involved in various legal proceedings of a character normally incident to its business. Management does not believe that adverse decisions in any pending or threatened proceedings will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

 

13. DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107, “Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments,” requires disclosure about the fair value of financial instruments. The Company is unable to assess the fair value of its debt instrument at December 31, 2002 due to the Company’s financial position and its inability to secure comparable financing.

 

F-22


Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit Number


    

Description


3.1

*

  

Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended (filed with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K dated March 27, 1997).

3.1.1

*

  

Certificate Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation dated June 22, 1999 (filed with the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated August 16, 1999, SEC File Number 000-17171).

3.1.2

*

  

Certificate Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation dated March 23, 2001 (filed with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-KA dated July 26, 2001, SEC File Number 000-17171).

3.2

*

  

Restated Bylaws of the Company (filed with the Company’s Form S-3 Registration No. 333-17875 on December 16, 1996).

4.1

*

  

Common Stock Purchase Agreement dated February 28, 2001 between the Company and Purchasers of the Common Stock of the Company (filed with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-KA dated July 26, 2001, SEC File Number 000-17171).

10.1

*

  

Amended and Restated Directors Stock Option Plan (filed with the Company’s Form S-8 Registration No. 333-00349 on January 22, 1996).

10.2

*

  

Amended and Restated Employee’s Stock Option Plan (filed with the Company’s Form S-8 Registration No. 333-00403 on January 24, 1996).

10.3

*

  

Amended and restated 1995 Stock Incentive Plan (filed with the Company’s Form SB-2 Registration No. 333-73014 on November 8, 2001).

10.4

*

  

Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement dated June 19, 2001 between the Company and Leland O. Erdahl (filed with the Company’s 10-QSB dated August 13, 2001, SEC File Number 000-17171).

10.5

*

  

Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement dated June 19, 2001 between the Company and George R. Ireland (filed with the Company’s 10-QSB dated August 13, 2001, SEC File Number 000-17171).

10.6

*

  

Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement dated June 19, 2001 between the Company and Rudolf J. Mueller (filed with the Company’s 10-QSB dated August 13, 2001, SEC File Number 000-17171).

10.7

*

  

Summary of Supplemental Health Care Plan (filed with Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Form S-1 Registration Statement (File No. 33-32754) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 20, 1990).

10.9

*

  

License to Explore and Option to Purchase dated March 25, 1997 between Santa Fe Pacific Gold Corporation and Uranco, Inc. (filed with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K dated March 31, 1997, SEC File Number 000-17171).


*   Not filed herewith. Incorporated by reference pursuant to Rule 12b-32 under the Securities and Exchange.


Table of Contents

Exhibit Number


    

Description


10.12

*

  

Compensation Agreement dated June 2, 1997 between the Company and Paul K. Willmott (filed with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K dated March 31, 1998, SEC File Number 000-17171).

10.13

*

  

Compensation Agreement dated June 2, 1997 between the Company and Richard A. Van Horn (filed with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K dated March 31, 1998, SEC File Number 000-17171).

10.14

*

  

Compensation Agreement dated June 2, 1997 between the Company and Thomas H. Ehrlich (filed with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K dated March 31, 1998, SEC File Number 000-17171).

10.15

*

  

Compensation Agreement dated June 2, 1997 between the Company and Mark S. Pelizza (filed with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K dated March 31, 1998, SEC File Number 000-17171).

10.16

*

  

Uranium Resources, Inc. 1999 Deferred Compensation Plan (filed with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K dated March 31, 1999, SEC File Number 000-17171).

10.18

*

  

Kingsville Dome and Rosita Mines Agreement dated October 11, 2000 between the Company, the Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission, the Texas Department of Health and the United States Fidelity & Guaranty Company (filed with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-KA dated July 26, 2001, SEC File Number 000-17171).

10.19

*

  

Second Kingsville Dome and Rosita Mines Agreement dated January 1, 2002 between the Company, the Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission, the Texas Department of Health and the United States Fidelity & Guaranty Company (filed with the Company’s Form 10-KSB dated March 29, 2002, SEC File Number 000-17171).

10.20

*

  

Agreed Order dated March 8, 2002 between the Texas Department of Health and URI, Inc (filed with the Company’s Form 10-KSB dated March 29, 2002, SEC File Number 000-17171).

10.21

*

  

Promissory Note dated July 17, 2000 in the original principal amount of $135,000 (filed with the Company’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2 Registration No. 333-73014.

10.22

 

  

Uranium Resources, Inc. Code of Ethics and Business Conduct

16

*

  

Letter on change in certifying accountant (filed with the Company’s Form 8-K dated February 21, 2001, SEC File Number 000-17171).

21

*

  

List of subsidiaries (filed with the Company’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2 Registration No. 333-73014 on November 8, 2001).

99.1

 

  

Certifications of Paul K. Willmott

99.2

 

  

Certifications of Thomas H. Ehrlich


*   Not filed herewith. Incorporated by reference pursuant to Rule 12b-32 under the Securities and Exchange.