-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, HA5ElROg8KQEH3q4SpsJUIpBOB6I9CK7NgKBySLWXJhUcULz6JbjaT/IcFeNrmcO IcR04h1QJ7spOjXr6Z8TPA== 0001104659-09-063616.txt : 20091109 0001104659-09-063616.hdr.sgml : 20091109 20091109141314 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001104659-09-063616 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-Q PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 6 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20090930 FILED AS OF DATE: 20091109 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20091109 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: URANIUM RESOURCES INC /DE/ CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000839470 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: METAL MINING [1000] IRS NUMBER: 752212772 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-Q SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-33404 FILM NUMBER: 091167689 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 12750 MERIT DRIVE STREET 2: SUITE 720 CITY: DALLAS STATE: TX ZIP: 75251 BUSINESS PHONE: 9723877777 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 12750 MERIT DRIVE STREET 2: SUITE 720 CITY: DALLAS STATE: TX ZIP: 75251 10-Q 1 a09-30959_110q.htm 10-Q

Table of Contents

 

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

x

Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2009

 

Or

 

o

Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the transition period from                  to                  

 

Commission file number 0-17171

 

URANIUM RESOURCES, INC.

(Exact Name of Issuer as Specified in Its Charter)

 

DELAWARE

 

75-2212772

(State of Incorporation)

 

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

 

405 State Highway 121 Bypass, Building A, Suite 110, Lewisville, Texas 75067

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(972) 219-3330

(Issuer’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (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 registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.   Yes x   No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).   Yes o   No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer o

 

Accelerated filer x

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer o

 

Smaller reporting company o

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12-b2 of the Exchange Act).   Yes o   No x

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

Title of Each Class of Common Stock

 

Number of Shares Outstanding

Common Stock, $0.001 par value

 

56,781,792 as of November  6, 2009

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

URANIUM RESOURCES, INC.

 

2009 THIRD QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets- September 30, 2009 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2008

3

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations—three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 (Unaudited)

5

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows—nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 (Unaudited)

6

 

 

 

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—September 30, 2009 (Unaudited)

7

 

 

 

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

15

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

20

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

20

 

 

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

21

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

21

 

 

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

21

 

 

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

21

 

 

 

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

21

 

 

 

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

21

 

 

 

Item 5.

Other Information

21

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits and Reports on Form 8—K

21

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

22

 

 

Index to Exhibits

E-1

 

2



Table of Contents

 

URANIUM RESOURCES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

ASSETS

 

 

 

September 30,
2009

 

December 31,
2008

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

8,154,230

 

$

12,041,592

 

Receivables, net

 

364,238

 

40,360

 

Uranium inventory

 

770

 

1,213,927

 

Prepaid and other current assets

 

214,134

 

513,489

 

Total current assets

 

8,733,372

 

13,809,368

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, at cost:

 

 

 

 

 

Uranium properties

 

83,578,718

 

85,095,067

 

Other property, plant and equipment

 

894,235

 

898,933

 

Less-accumulated depreciation, depletion and impairment

 

(63,994,322

)

(63,215,677

)

Net property, plant and equipment

 

20,478,631

 

22,778,323

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term investment:

 

 

 

 

 

Certificates of deposit, restricted

 

6,757,541

 

6,636,715

 

 

 

$

35,969,544

 

$

43,224,406

 

 

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

 

3



Table of Contents

 

URANIUM RESOURCES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

September 30,
2009

 

December 31,
2008

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts and short term notes payable

 

$

869,464

 

$

1,169,293

 

Current portion of restoration reserve

 

1,249,008

 

1,660,422

 

Royalties and commissions payable

 

786,117

 

719,542

 

Accrued interest and other accrued liabilities

 

401,816

 

607,975

 

Current portion of capital leases

 

124,035

 

158,068

 

Total current liabilities

 

3,430,440

 

4,315,300

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other long-term liabilities and deferred credits

 

5,633,170

 

6,531,378

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long term capital leases, less current portion

 

231,663

 

320,108

 

Long-term debt, less current portion

 

450,000

 

450,000

 

Commitments and contingencies (Notes 2, 5 and 14)

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $.001 par value, shares authorized: 200,000,000; shares issued and outstanding (net of treasury shares): 2009—56,731,337; 2008—55,955,549

 

56,769

 

55,994

 

Paid-in capital

 

147,478,789

 

146,518,753

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(121,301,869

)

(114,957,709

)

Less: Treasury stock (38,125 shares), at cost

 

(9,418

)

(9,418

)

Total shareholders’ equity

 

26,224,271

 

31,607,620

 

 

 

$

35,969,544

 

$

43,224,406

 

 

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

 

4



Table of Contents

 

URANIUM RESOURCES, INC.

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2009

 

2008

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Uranium sales

 

$

1,406,782

 

$

4,024,558

 

$

4,616,145

 

$

16,354,497

 

Total revenue

 

1,406,782

 

4,024,558

 

4,616,145

 

16,354,497

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of uranium sales—

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Royalties and commissions

 

143,319

 

368,880

 

448,971

 

1,505,637

 

Operating expenses

 

886,313

 

1,751,642

 

2,519,015

 

5,689,674

 

Accretion/amortization of restoration reserve

 

(3,818

)

203,876

 

254,390

 

588,504

 

Depreciation and depletion

 

474,207

 

1,874,281

 

887,470

 

6,119,106

 

Impairment of uranium properties

 

400,231

 

10,935,498

 

1,815,220

 

11,231,615

 

Exploration expenses

 

34,929

 

961,717

 

39,752

 

1,220,056

 

Total cost of uranium sales

 

1,935,181

 

16,095,894

 

5,964,818

 

26,354,592

 

Loss from operations before corporate expenses

 

(528,399

)

(12,071,336

)

(1,348,673

)

(10,000,095

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate expenses—

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General and administrative

 

1,989,331

 

2,041,836

 

5,009,593

 

7,831,654

 

Write-off of target acquisition costs (Note 12)

 

 

 

 

1,437,410

 

Depreciation

 

35,792

 

39,204

 

107,680

 

110,251

 

Total corporate expenses

 

2,025,123

 

2,081,040

 

5,117,273

 

9,379,315

 

Loss from operations

 

(2,553,522

)

(14,152,376

)

(6,465,946

)

(19,379,410

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(10,119

)

(13,663

)

(31,722

)

(31,480

)

Interest and other income, net

 

39,053

 

149,685

 

153,508

 

447,741

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(2,524,588

)

$

(14,016,354

)

$

(6,344,160

)

$

(18,963,149

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

(0.04

)

$

(0.25

)

$

(0.11

)

$

(0.35

)

Diluted

 

$

(0.04

)

$

(0.25

)

$

(0.11

)

$

(0.35

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares and common equivalent shares per share data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

56,453,076

 

55,818,343

 

56,267,755

 

54,050,106

 

Diluted

 

56,453,076

 

55,818,343

 

56,267,755

 

54,050,106

 

 

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

 

5



Table of Contents

 

URANIUM RESOURCES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

Net loss

 

$

(6,344,160

)

$

(18,963,149

)

Reconciliation of net loss to cash provided by (used in) operations—

 

 

 

 

 

Accretion/amortization of restoration reserve

 

254,390

 

588,504

 

Depreciation and depletion

 

995,150

 

6,229,357

 

Impairment of uranium properties

 

1,815,220

 

11,231,615

 

Decrease in restoration and reclamation accrual

 

(1,487,541

)

(497,554

)

Stock compensation expense

 

960,811

 

1,846,990

 

Write-off of target acquisition costs

 

 

1,437,410

 

Other non-cash items, net

 

2,132

 

19,258

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of changes in operating working capital items—

 

 

 

 

 

(Increase) decrease in receivables

 

(323,878

)

675,595

 

(Increase) decrease in inventories

 

1,010,845

 

(340,572

)

Decrease in prepaid and other current assets

 

299,355

 

168,373

 

Decrease in payables, accrued liabilities and deferred credits

 

(439,413

)

(1,130,440

)

Net cash provided by (used in) operations

 

(3,257,089

)

1,265,387

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Increase in certificates of deposit, restricted

 

(120,826

)

(508,247

)

Additions to property, plant and equipment—

 

 

 

 

 

Kingsville Dome

 

(109,524

)

(3,362,839

)

Rosita

 

(34,762

)

(4,384,647

)

Vasquez

 

(99,578

)

(225,696

)

Rosita South

 

3,003

 

(424,521

)

Churchrock

 

(107,626

)

(377,952

)

Crownpoint

 

(2,991

)

(102,473

)

Other property

 

(35,491

)

(1,035,908

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(507,795

)

(10,422,283

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of common stock, net

 

 

13,086,612

 

Payments on borrowings

 

(122,478

)

(211,960

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

(122,478

)

12,874,652

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

(3,887,362

)

3,717,756

 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

12,041,592

 

9,284,270

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

$

8,154,230

 

$

13,002,026

 

 

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

 

6



Table of Contents

 

Uranium Resources, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements September 30, 2009 (Unaudited)

 

1.                                      BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Item 310(b) of Regulation S-K.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements.  The accompanying statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements included in the Company’s 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.  Operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full calendar year ending December 31, 2009.

 

2.                                      DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

 

Uranium Resources, Inc. (“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, principally using the in situ recovery (“ISR”) or solution mining process. Historically, the primary customers of the Company have been major utilities and commodities brokers that sell uranium to utilities who utilize nuclear power to generate electricity. At present the Company owns both developed and undeveloped uranium properties in South Texas and undeveloped uranium properties in New Mexico.

 

The Company resumed uranium production in 2004 at its Vasquez project, in 2006 at its Kingsville Dome project and in the 3rd quarter of 2008 at its Rosita project. Each of such projects is located in South Texas. As a result of declining uranium market prices and high production costs, the Company announced its decision to cease further development of additional wellfields and to curtail production from its South Texas projects as existing production wellfields from each project were depleted. Production at our Vasquez project was shut down and production at our Rosita project was shut-in in the 4th quarter of 2008.  Production at the Kingsville Dome project was shut-in in mid June 2009. The Vasquez project was mined out in 2008 and is now in the process of restoration. At the Kingsville Dome and Rosita projects, the decision to shut-in production was made to conserve the in-place reserve base until higher prices can be realized.

 

Prior to resuming Vasquez production, the Company had been in production stand-by since the first quarter of 1999 at its Kingsville Dome and Rosita projects. Groundwater restoration and reclamation activities have been conducted at these two sites and are currently ongoing at each of the Kingsville Dome, Vasquez and Rosita projects.

 

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.  The Company believes that the cash balance of $8.2 million at September 30, 2009 will be sufficient to maintain its liquidity beyond the next twelve months.

 

3.                                      DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH TRANSACTIONS

 

During the first three quarters of 2009, the Company’s executive officers cash compensation was reduced by 30% to 40% and in lieu of such cash compensation the officers were issued restricted shares of common stock of the Company.  A total of 142,680 shares of restricted common stock were issued in January 2009; 164,016 shares of restricted common stock were issued in April 2009 and 69,092 shares of restricted common stock were issued in July 2009 with respect to a reduction of $87,750 of cash compensation for each of the first three quarters of 2009.

 

4.                                      URANIUM PROPERTIES

 

Kingsville Dome Project

 

Production from Kingsville Dome for the first three quarters of 2009 and 2008 was 55,600 and 218,100 pounds, respectively.  Total capital expenditures for Kingsville Dome for the first three quarters of 2009 was $110,000 and were primarily related to land and mineral lease payments.  Total capital expenditures for Kingsville Dome for the first three quarters of 2008 were $3.4 million for wellfield development, the construction of additional satellite plants and for wellfield evaluation and delineation of future wellfields.

 

7



Table of Contents

 

During June 2009, the two remaining producing wellfields at Kingsville Dome were shut-down as a result of these wellfields  being depleted.  We are conducting ongoing restoration activities at this project and incurred $778,000 in costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

 

Rosita

 

We began production at one new wellfield at Rosita in August 2008.  Due to poor economics driven by technical challenges and lower uranium prices, production from this wellfield was shut-in in October 2008.  We have been conducting ongoing restoration activities at this project on our depleted wellfields and incurred $245,000 in costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  Capital expenditures for the first three quarters of 2009 were minimal with approximately $35,000 being spent primarily for land and mineral lease payments.  Capital expenditures for our Rosita project totaled $4.4 million in the first nine months of 2008.  These expenditures were made for wellfield delineation and development, upgrading the Rosita plant and elution circuit, the addition of another satellite plant and the construction of a drying facility at Rosita in preparation for the start-up of production in August 2008.

 

Vasquez Project

 

Production at the Vasquez project was shutdown during October 2008.  The economically recoverable reserves from this project have been mined out.  During the first nine months of 2009 we incurred $100,000 of capital expenditures primarily for land and mineral lease payments.  We are conducting ongoing restoration activities at this project and incurred $465,000 in costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  In the first nine months of 2008 we produced 33,800 pounds and we incurred wellfield development expenditures of $227,000.

 

Impairment of Uranium Properties

 

At September 30, 2009, we determined the carrying value of our project assets at each of our South Texas production locations exceeded their fair value as provided in Accounting Standards Codification 360, “Property, Plant and Equipment”.  The cessation of production at each of our South Texas projects along with the decline in the market price of uranium has resulted in a decrease in the estimated future cash flow to be generated from each site.  Such determination resulted in an impairment provision of approximately $1.8 million for the first nine months of 2009, which was primarily related to the asset values at our Kingsville Dome project.  The net carrying value of the Kingsville Dome, Rosita and Vasquez projects are approximately $6.2 million, $5.4 million and $787,000, respectively, at September 30, 2009.

 

At September 30, 2008, we incurred an impairment provision of approximately $11.2 million for the first nine months of 2008, $10.9 million of which was recorded in the third quarter.  The impairment provision recorded in the third quarter was approximately $4.6 million for the Kingsville Dome project and $6.3 million for the Rosita project.  The impairment provision recorded for the Vasquez project was approximately $298,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.  The net carrying value of the Kingsville Dome, Rosita and Vasquez projects are approximately $6.6 million, $5.5 million and $891,000, respectively, at September 30, 2008.

 

5.                                      CONTRACT COMMITMENTS

 

Amendment to Uranium Sales Contracts

 

In March 2006 we entered into new sales contracts with Itochu Corporation (“Itochu”) and UG U.S.A., Inc. (“UG”) that superseded the previously existing contracts. Each contract provides for delivery of one-half of our actual production from our properties in Texas currently owned or hereafter acquired by the Company (excluding certain large potential exploration plays).  The Itochu contract contains separate pricing terms for the Vasquez property that are no longer applicable since Vasquez has reached the end of its useful life.  Our Texas production will be sold to Itochu at a price equal to the average spot price for the eight weeks prior to the date of delivery less $7.50 per pound, with a floor for the spot price of $37 and a ceiling of $43 per pound. If the spot price is over $50 per pound the price will be increased by 50% of such excess. The floor and ceiling and sharing arrangement over the ceiling applies to 3.65 million pounds of deliveries, after which there is no floor or ceiling. Itochu has the right to cancel any deliveries on six-month’s notice.  Uranium deliveries from the inception of the contracts through September 30, 2009 have totaled approximately 510,000 pounds to Itochu and 480,000 pounds to UG.

 

Under the amended Itochu contract there was potential for reinstatement of the original contract terms if our joint venture with Itochu to develop our Church Rock property in New Mexico was terminated by us. On March 6, 2009, Itochu terminated the Joint Venture.  The only consequence of the termination is that for sales prices in excess of $43, we will not receive 30% of the amount of the spot price that exceeds the ceiling price for future uranium sales from $43 to $50 per pound.

 

8



Table of Contents

 

Under the UG contract all production from our Texas properties will be sold at a price equal to the month-end long-term contract price for the second month prior to the month of delivery less $6 per pound until (i) 600,000 pounds have been sold in a particular delivery year and (ii) an aggregate of 3 million pounds of Uranium has been sold. After the 600,000 pounds in any year and 3 million pounds total have been sold, UG will have a right of first refusal to purchase other Texas production at a price equal to the average spot price for a period prior to the date of delivery less 4%.  In 2006, we paid UG $12 million in cash to restructure its previously existing contract.

 

6.                                      STOCK BASED COMPENSATION

 

Our stock based compensation programs consist of stock options granted to employees and directors and restricted stock grants made to employees.

 

Stock Compensation Expense

 

Stock compensation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 was $579,000 and $297,000, respectively. Stock compensation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 was $961,000 and $1.8 million, respectively. Stock compensation expense is recorded as a component of general and administrative expenses for each period. The Company did not recognize a tax benefit from the stock compensation expense because the Company considers it is more likely than not that the related deferred tax assets, which have been reduced by a full valuation allowance, will not be realized.

 

The Black-Scholes option pricing model was used to estimate the stock option fair values. The option pricing model requires a number of assumptions, of which the most significant are, expected stock price volatility, the expected pre-vesting forfeiture rate and the expected option term (the amount of time from the grant date until the options are exercised, vest or expire). Expected volatility was calculated based upon actual historical stock price movements through the measurement date of the stock option grant. Expected pre-vesting forfeitures and expected term were estimated based on actual historical pre-vesting forfeitures over the most recent periods ending September 30, 2009.

 

In September 2009, the Company hired Donald C. Ewigleben as the Company’s President, CEO and COO.  In connection with the hire, the Company granted Mr. Ewigleben a total of 400,000 restricted shares of the Company’s common stock.  100,000 of these shares vest on March 3, 2010; the remaining 300,000 shares vest 1/3 on September 3, 2010, 2011 and 2012.  The vesting of the remaining 300,000 restricted shares is also subject to certain annual performance objectives as specified in Mr. Ewigleben’s employment agreement.  Restricted stock grants are valued using the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant.

 

On September 3, 2009, in connection with the resignation of David N. Clark as President and CEO, the Company and Mr. Clark entered into an agreement which extended to September 3, 2011 the termination date for the stock options previously granted to Mr. Clark and the immediate vesting of 12,500 previously granted stock options scheduled to vest in June 2010.  The Company recognized $260,000 of stock compensation expense in the third quarter of 2009 in connection with the modification of these stock options.

 

At the June 2009 annual meeting of the stockholders, each of the non-employee directors of the Company was granted an option under the 2004 Directors’ Plan to purchase 50,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $1.49 per share.  The non-employee directors held options covering 731,250 shares under the 2004 Directors’ Plan at September 30, 2009. At September 30, 2009, 381,250 shares were available for future grants under the 2004 Directors’ Plan.

 

A total of 142,680, 164,016 and 69,092 shares of restricted stock were granted in the first, second and third quarters of 2009, respectively to five executive officers on January 2, April 1 and July 1, 2009 in connection with a cash conservation plan for 2009.  All of these shares were scheduled to vest one year from the date of grant. On September 3, 2009 the vesting schedule with respect to the former CEO’s 115,628 restricted shares was modified to provide for immediate vesting.  The Company has recognized $110,000 of compensation cost for these restricted shares.  Restricted stock grants are valued using the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant.

 

A total of 70,000 shares of restricted stock were granted in the first quarter of 2008.  The vesting with respect to 60,000 of  these restricted shares was modified in the first quarter of 2009 to provide for immediate vesting. The remaining 10,000 restricted shares vest ratably over 5 years.

 

The Company recognized stock compensation expense for its restricted share grants of approximately $159,000 and $207,000 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009.  The Company recognized stock compensation cost for the restricted share grants of approximately $31,000 and $69,000 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively.  The total estimated unrecognized compensation cost from the unvested restricted grants at September 30, 2009 was approximately $465,000, which is expected to be recognized over the weighted average vesting period of the individual grants which range from 1-4 years.

 

At the June 2008 annual meeting of the stockholders, each of the non-employee directors of the Company was granted an option under the 2004 Directors’ Plan to purchase 50,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $4.10 per share.  The non-employee directors held options covering 581,250 shares under the 2004 Directors’ Plan at September 30, 2008. At September 30, 2008, 531,250 shares were available for future grants under the 2004 Directors’ Plan.

 

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Stock Options for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

 

The following table summarizes stock options outstanding and changes during the nine month period ended September 30, 2009:

 

 

 

Outstanding Options

 

 

 

Number of
Shares

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term –in years

 

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options outstanding at January 1, 2009

 

4,278,574

 

$

2.81

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

150,000

 

1.49

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Canceled or forfeited

 

(22,500

)

5.19

 

 

 

 

 

Options outstanding at September 30, 2009

 

4,406,074

 

$

2.75

 

5.8

 

$

152,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options exercisable at September 30, 2009

 

3,974,824

 

$

2.56

 

5.5

 

$

61,000

 

 

There were 478,395 shares available for grant under the Stock Option Plans as of September 30, 2009; 97,145 shares under the 2004 Employee Incentive Plan and 381,250 shares under the 2004 Directors’ Plan.

 

Stock options outstanding and currently exercisable at September 30, 2009 are as follows:

 

 

 

Options Outstanding

 

Options Exercisable

 

Stock Option Plan

 

Number of
Options
Outstanding

 

Weighted Average
Remaining
Contractual Life

 

Weighted Average
Exercise price

 

Number of
Options
Exercisable

 

Weighted Average
Exercise Price

 

 

 

 

 

(in years)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1995 Stock Incentive Plan

 

2,156,447

 

4.6

 

$

1.38

 

2,156,447

 

$

1.38

 

2004 Stock Incentive Plan

 

1,518,314

 

6.4

 

3.35

 

1,468,314

 

3.28

 

Directors’ Stock Option Plan

 

63

 

3.8

 

0.16

 

63

 

0.16

 

2004 Directors’ Plan

 

731,250

 

8.0

 

5.57

 

350,000

 

6.77

 

 

 

4,406,074

 

5.8

 

$

2.75

 

3,974,824

 

$

2.56

 

 

Total estimated unrecognized compensation cost from unvested stock options at September 30, 2009 was approximately $1.3 million, which is expected to be recognized over the weighted average vesting period of the individual grants which range from approximately 2-4 years.

 

7.                                      ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

 

The following table shows the change in the balance of the restoration and reclamation liability during the nine months ended September 30, 2009:

 

Reserve for future restoration and reclamation costs beginning of period

 

$

6,994,772

 

Additions and changes in cash flow estimates

 

(15,176

)

Costs incurred

 

(1,487,541

)

Accretion expense

 

193,095

 

Reserve for future restoration and reclamation costs at end of period

 

$

5,685,150

 

 

8.                                      SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

Restricted Stock Grants

 

A total of 142,680 shares of restricted stock were granted to five executive officers on January 2, 2009 at a price of $0.615 per share in connection with a cash conservation plan for 2009.  The issuance price is determined by the average closing price of the last ten trading days of the previous quarter.  The shares were to vest one year from date of grant. On September 3, 2009 the vesting schedule with respect to 43,902 of these restricted shares was modified to provide for immediate vesting.

 

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On April 1, 2009 a total of 164,016 shares of restricted stock were granted to five executive officers at a price of $0.535 per share in connection with the cash conservation plan for 2009.  The issuance price is determined by the average closing price of the last ten trading days of the previous quarter.  The shares were to vest one year from the date of grant. On September 3, 2009 the vesting schedule with respect to 50,467 of these restricted shares was modified to provide for immediate vesting.

 

On July 1, 2009 a total of 69,092 shares of restricted stock were granted to five executive officers at a price of $1.27 per share in connection with the cash conservation plan for 2009.  The issuance price is determined by the average closing price of the last ten trading days of the previous quarter. The shares were to vest one year from the date of grant. On September 3, 2009 the vesting schedule with respect to 21,259 of these restricted shares was modified to provide for immediate vesting.

 

On October 1, 2009 a total of 50,455 shares of restricted stock were granted to five executive officers at a price of $1.20 per share in connection with the cash conservation plan for 2009.  The issuance price is determined by the average closing price of the last ten trading days of the previous quarter and these shares vest one year from their date of grant.

 

On September 3, 2009, the Company granted a total of 400,000 restricted shares of the Company’s common stock in connection with the hire of its President/CEO/COO.  100,000 of these shares vest on March 3, 2010; the remaining 300,000 shares vest 1/3 on September 2010; 2011 and 2012.  The vesting of the remaining 300,000 restricted shares is also subject to certain annual performance objectives as specified in Mr. Ewigleben’s employment agreement.  Restricted stock grants are valued using the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant.

 

Equity Infusion — Private Placement

 

In May 2008, the Company completed the sale of 3,295,920 shares of common stock to accredited investors at a price of $4.34 per share and warrants to purchase 988,771 additional shares of common stock, at a price of $5.78 per share. These warrants expire 60 months after issuance and are exercisable immediately. In addition, ratchet warrants to purchase shares of common stock at $0.01 per share were issued as part of the private placement. The ratchet warrants expired unexercised on May 13, 2009.

 

The following table details the changes in shareholders equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2009:

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Paid-In

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Capital

 

Deficit

 

Treasury Stock

 

Balances, December 31, 2008

 

55,955,549

 

$

55,994

 

$

146,518,753

 

$

(114,957,709

)

$

(9,418

)

Net loss

 

 

 

 

(6,344,160

)

 

Stock compensation expense

 

 

 

960,811

 

 

 

Restricted stock issuance

 

775,788

 

775

 

(775

)

 

 

 

 

Balances, September 30, 2009

 

56,731,337

 

$

56,769

 

$

147,478,789

 

$

(121,301,869

)

$

(9,418

)

 

10.                               IMPACT OF RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

Impact of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

The Accounting Standards Codification.   In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 168, The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles — a replacement of FASB Statement No. 162  (the “Codification” or “ASC”).  The Codification reorganized existing U.S. accounting and reporting standards issued by the FASB and other related private sector standard setters into a single source of authoritative accounting principles arranged by topic.  The Codification supersedes all existing U.S. accounting standards; all other accounting literature not included in the Codification (other than Securities and Exchange Commission guidance for publicly-traded companies) is considered non-authoritative.  The Codification was effective on a prospective basis for interim and annual reporting periods ending after September 15, 2009.  The adoption of the Codification changed the Company’s references to U.S. GAAP accounting standards but did not impact the Company’s results of operations, financial position or liquidity.

 

Business Combinations.  In December 2007, the FASB issued revised guidance for the accounting for business combinations.  The revised guidance, which is now part of ASC 805,  Business Combinations  (ASC 805), requires the fair value measurement of assets acquired, liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, at the acquisition date with limited exceptions.  Previously, a cost allocation approach was used to allocate the cost of the acquisition based on the estimated fair value of the individual assets acquired and liabilities assumed.  The cost allocation approach treated acquisition-related costs and restructuring costs that the acquirer expected to incur as a liability on the acquisition date, as part of the cost of the acquisition.  Under the revised guidance, those costs are recognized in the consolidated statement of income separately from the business combination.  In addition, the revised guidance includes recognition, classification and measurement guidance for assets and liabilities related to insurance and reinsurance contracts acquired in a business combination.  The revised guidance applies to business combinations for acquisitions

 

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occurring on or after January 1, 2009.  The Company adopted this standard on January 1, 2009 which did not have an impact on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows as there have been no acquisitions that have been consummated after January 1, 2009.

 

Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements.   In December 2007, the FASB issued new guidance for the accounting for noncontrolling interests.  The new guidance, which is now a part of ASC 810,  Consolidation , establishes accounting and reporting standards for noncontrolling interests in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary.  In addition, it clarifies that a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary is an ownership interest in the consolidated entity that should be reported as a component of equity in the consolidated financial statements.

 

The provisions of the new guidance were effective on a prospective basis beginning January 1, 2009, except for the presentation and disclosure requirements which are applied on a retrospective basis for all periods presented.  The adoption of the new guidance on January 1, 2009 did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows as the Company owns 100% of its subsidiaries.

 

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.   In March 2008, the FASB issued new guidance on the disclosure of derivative instruments and hedging activities.  The new guidance, which is now a part of ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging Activities, requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of, and gains and losses on, derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements.  The provisions of the new guidance were effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008.  The adoption of the new guidance on January 1, 2009 did not result in a change in the Company’s disclosure since there were no derivative instruments or hedging activities after January 1, 2009.

 

Determining Whether an Instrument (or Embedded Feature) is Indexed to an Entity’s Own Stock.   In June 2008, the FASB issued new guidance on a financial instrument that is indexed to an entities own stock.  The new guidance, which is now a part of ASC 815, Determining Whether an Instrument (or Embedded Feature) is Indexed to an Entity’s Own Stock is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years.  Early application is not permitted.  ASC 815-15-74 specifies that a contract that would otherwise meet the definition of a derivative but is both (a) indexed to the Company’s own stock and (b) classified in stockholders’ equity in the statement of financial position would not be considered a derivative financial instrument. ASC 815 provides a new two-step model to be applied in determining whether a financial instrument or an embedded feature is indexed to an issuer’s own stock and thus able to qualify for the scope exception.  The application of this guidance at January 1, 2009 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

 

Fair Value Measurements.   In February 2008, the FASB issued new guidance for the accounting for non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities.  The new guidance, which is now a part of ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures  (ASC 820), permitted a one-year deferral of the application of fair value accounting for all non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually).  Beginning January 1, 2009, we applied ASC 820 to nonrecurring, nonfinancial assets and liabilities. This adoption did not have a material impact on our consolidated condensed statement of operations or financial condition.  Our asset retirement obligation is classified as a Level 3 liability within the valuation hierarchy. The significant unobservable inputs to this fair value measurement include estimates of plugging, abandonment and restoration costs, inflation rate and the expected remaining life of wellfields. The inputs are calculated based on historical data as well as current estimated costs.  See Note 7 — Asset Retirement Obligation for additional information regarding our asset retirement obligation as of September 30, 2009.

 

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Subsequent Events.   In May 2009, the FASB issued new guidance for accounting for subsequent events.  The new guidance, which is now part of ASC 855,  Subsequent Events , is consistent with existing auditing standards in defining subsequent events as events or transactions that occur after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued or are available to be issued, but it also requires the disclosure of the date through which an entity has evaluated subsequent events and the basis for that date.  The new guidance defines two types of subsequent events: “recognized subsequent events” and “non-recognized subsequent events.”  Recognized subsequent events provide additional evidence about conditions that existed at the balance sheet date and must be reflected in the company’s financial statements.  Non-recognized subsequent events provide evidence about conditions that arose after the balance sheet date and are not reflected in the financial statements of a company.  Certain non-recognized subsequent events may require disclosure to prevent the financial statements from being misleading.  The new guidance was effective on a prospective basis for interim or annual periods ending after June 15, 2009.  We adopted ASC855 on June 30, 2009 and have included the required disclosures in this Form 10-Q. The Company has evaluated subsequent events through November 9, 2009, which is the date these financial statements are issued.

 

Variable Interest Entities.   In June 2009, the FASB issued revised guidance on the accounting for variable interest entities.  The revised guidance, which was issued as Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 167,  Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R ), has not yet been adopted into Codification.  The revised guidance reflects the elimination of the concept of a qualifying special-purpose entity and replaces the quantitative-based risks and rewards calculation of the previous guidance for determining which company, if any, has a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity.  The revised guidance requires an analysis of whether a company has: (1) the power to direct the activities of a variable interest entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and (2) the obligation to absorb the losses that could potentially be significant to the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the entity.  An entity is required to be re-evaluated as a variable interest entity when the holders of the equity investment at risk, as a group, lose the power from voting rights or similar rights to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance.  Additional disclosures are required about a company’s involvement in variable interest entities and an ongoing assessment of whether a company is the primary beneficiary.

 

The revised guidance is effective for all variable interest entities owned on or formed after January 1, 2010.  The Company does not expect that the provisions of the revised guidance will have a material effect on its results of operations, financial position or liquidity.

 

11.                               EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

Basic earnings per share includes no dilution and is computed by dividing income or loss attributed to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if stock options were exercised or converted into common stock.  6,195,800 potentially dilutive shares were excluded from the calculation of earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive due to our net loss position for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

 

12.                               TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT TO PURCHASE RIO ALGOM MINING LLC

 

In June 2008, we decided along with Billiton Investment 15 B.V. to terminate our agreement to purchase Rio Algom Mining, LLC, which was entered into on October 12, 2007.  In connection with the targeted acquisition, we incurred costs of $1.437 million which were originally recorded as a pre-acquisition cost asset.  Upon the termination of the agreement these pre-acquisition costs were expensed in the second quarter of 2008.

 

13.                               TENTH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS DECISION

 

On April 17, 2009, a three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit affirmed the February 2007 decision of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (the “USEPA”) and held that Section 8 of URI’s Churchrock property in New Mexico (owned in fee by the Company’s subsidiary Hydro Resources, Inc.) is Indian country.  One of the members of the panel dissented.  Indian country falls under the jurisdiction of the USEPA, and not the State of New Mexico, to administer the Underground Injection Control (UIC) program permit, which the Company requires for ISR mining of that property. The jurisdictional dispute originated among the State of New Mexico, the USEPA and the Navajo Nation.  The Company petitioned the Tenth Circuit for and was granted an en banc review of the panel’s decision.  URI filed a supplemental brief regarding the jurisdictional issues to which the USEPA and the Navajo Nation may respond by November 19, 2009. If they do respond, URI has the option to file a reply brief by December 11, 2009. The court anticipates oral arguments will be held during the week of January 11, 2010.  The Company does not believe that an impairment provision is necessary for this property at September 30, 2009.

 

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14.                               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 its 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.

 

The Company filed a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to register the resale of the shares of its common stock issued in the May 2008 private placement. The registration rights agreement executed in connection with the private placement and pursuant to which the shares were registered, provides for penalties in the event the registration statement fails to remain effective. At September 30, 2009, the Company’s registration statement was and remains effective.

 

The Company has entered into Compensation Agreements with Executive Officers of the Company, with the exception of the CEO/President/COO, that provide that, in the event of a change in control, such officers will have certain rights and benefits for a period of thirty-six months for the Executive Chairman of the Company and twenty-four months for the other officers, following such change in control. The Compensation Agreements provide that the executive’s base salary payments shall be made on a monthly basis for the duration of the term and any incentive payments shall be paid annually until the obligation to make such payments expires.  In September, 2009 the Company entered into a Compensation Agreement with the CEO/President /COO of the Company that provides that, in the event he terminates employment following a change in control he would be entitled to two years salary and bonus plus medical and dental benefits for up to 12 months.  A change in control would also result in the immediate vesting of all unvested restricted shares of stock granted to him.

 

On July 13, 2007, an employee of a drilling contractor engaged by the Company was killed when the drill rig on which he was making repairs backed over him. His heirs have filed claims against the drilling company and us. Our insurance carrier is defending the matter on our behalf. We believe we have meritorious defenses to the claims and that, in any event, we have adequate insurance to cover the matter.

 

In June 2008, a suit for declaratory judgment titled, Saenz v. URI Inc., was filed in the 105th Judicial District Court, Kleberg County, Texas by the owners of the mineral estate of property in Kleberg County, Texas leased to the Company, seeking a declaratory judgment that a certain lease is limited to one specific lot only and does not encompass other adjacent lands. The Company has a lease on the adjacent lands from the same mineral owners and has produced over 340,000 pounds of uranium from those lands in 2007 and 2008. The Company entered a general denial of the claims. On September 24, 2008 the mineral owners amended their suit to include a declaration that both of the leases held by the Company are not valid. The Company has entered a general denial and other specific defenses to the amended complaint. The Company has produced uranium from both leases. On November 5, 2008, the Company engaged in mediation with the plaintiffs but was unable to resolve the matter. The Plaintiffs filed a Motion for Summary Judgment alleging that the leases terminated prior to any production occurring. The Court denied the motion. A trial date was originally set for June 1, 2009 but is currently rescheduled for December 7, 2009.  This trial date is subject to a motion filed by the Company to reschedule the date into March or April, 2010. The Company will defend the case vigorously. While the Company believes that each of the leases is valid, counsel to the Company is unable to predict the outcome of the litigation. A determination of the invalidity of the leases could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition.

 

In connection with the resignation of David N. Clark as President and CEO of the Company on September 3, 2009, the Company and Mr. Clark entered into an agreement which provides for his salary continuation through December 2, 2009, continuation of employee benefits through March 31, 2010, extension to September 3, 2011 of the termination date for the stock options granted to Mr. Clark and immediate vesting of the restricted shares and stock options granted to Mr. Clark.  As part of the agreement, Mr. Clark has also agreed to provide consulting services to the Company, as requested by the Company’s CEO for a six month period ending March 3, 2010.

 

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ITEM 2.       MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Forward Looking Statements

 

The following summary is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read in conjunction with, the more detailed information and any financial data incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Except for historical information contained in this report, the matters discussed herein contain forward-looking statements, made pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions and are identified by words such as “expects,” “estimates,” “projects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “could,” and other similar words.  All statements addressing operating performance, events, or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will occur in the future, including but not limited to statements relating to the Company’s mineralized uranium materials, timing of receipt of mining permits, production capacity of mining operations planned for properties in South Texas and New Mexico, planned dates for commencement of production at such properties, revenue, cash generation, consumption of cash and profits are forward-looking statements.  Because they are forward-looking, they should be evaluated in light of important risk factors and uncertainties.  These risk factors and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the spot price and long-term contract price of uranium, weather conditions, operating conditions at the Company’s mining projects, government regulation of the mining industry and the nuclear power industry, world-wide uranium supply and demand, availability of capital, timely receipt of mining and other permits from regulatory agents and other factors which are more fully described in the Company’s documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of the Company’s underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those currently anticipated.  In addition, undue reliance should not be placed on the Company’s forward-looking statements.  Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any obligation to update or publicly announce any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-Q.

 

Overview

 

URI has an estimated 101.4 million pounds of in place mineralized uranium material on 183,000 acres in New Mexico and a Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) license to produce up to 3 million pounds per year at our New Mexico licensed properties, including our Churchrock property. URI has also produced uranium in South Texas where it has three projects that are now in restoration: Kingsville Dome, Vasquez and Rosita. Our operations are heavily influenced by the price of uranium both on the spot and long-term markets. The spot price of uranium, which has fluctuated from a high of $136.00 per pound in June 2007 to a low of $40.00 per pound in April 2009 to its recent price level of $46.50/lb., has been the primary driver of the strategic decisions of the Company.  At November 2, 2009 the current spot price was $46.50/lb., compared to a recent high of $54.00-$55.00 per pound in mid-June 2009.  The long-term price for uranium has remained level for several months and stands at $64.00-65.00 per pound at October 31, 2009.

 

We hold one of the largest uranium asset bases in the United States.  Our strategy is to grow the value of the Company by accomplishing the following:

 

·        Resolve the issue in New Mexico with the Navajo Nation.

 

·        Develop strategic relationships with major industry players including electric utilities that have nuclear power operations.

 

·        Expand upon our present capabilities of exploration, development, operation and closure beyond ISR mining to include conventional mining.

 

·        Determine the appropriateness of consolidation of properties held by others and maximize the value of our existing resource base.

 

·        Become a 10 million pound per year producer.

 

In 2008, we changed our approach to our Texas operations in response to changes in the uranium market. Operating margins from our production are impacted by uranium prices and costs. Although uranium prices escalated rapidly from 2004 to 2007, so did costs. In 2008, while prices declined, costs did not follow accordingly, leading to a significant decrease in margins. As a result, in October 2008 we decided to suspend new wellfield development at Kingsville and Rosita until sufficient margins can be made to justify the new investment required to bring on additional production. We believe the value can still be received from our Texas resource base.

 

New Mexico Progress:  There has been progress in our efforts to advance our properties toward production in New Mexico.  We have had several meetings with various Navajo groups as well as with New Mexico legislators.  We have taken community and political leaders on site tours at our Texas properties to demonstrate the low profile of an ISR mining operation compared with an underground mine and have demonstrated the restoration process and progress achieved at these properties.

 

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In May 2009, URI and the Navajo Nation EPA began an assessment of the Section 17 Churchrock property to determine the radiation levels that may exist from historic mining operations and potential impact on the air, soil and water in the area.  As part of the field work, background levels will be established.

 

South Texas Production:  During June 2009, we ceased production at our two remaining operating wellfields at Kingsville Dome.  We produced 55,600 pounds of uranium from Kingsville Dome during the first nine months of 2009.  Current activity at Kingsville Dome is focused on the restoration of depleted wellfields. We are also studying the potential of uranium recovery from the by-product material that was generated from prior uranium processing at our Kingsville Dome plant. Such activities may reduce our restoration costs and may result in the recovery of uranium that could be processed into a saleable product.  The last wellfield at Vasquez was fully depleted in October 2008 and the project is now undergoing restoration. Production from Rosita was started in June 2008, but was suspended in October 2008 due to poor economics driven by increased operating costs as a result of technical operating challenges and the decreased price of uranium.  We are currently conducting active restoration and reclamation activities at the Kingsville Dome and Vasquez projects, we are currently in stabilization for the depleted wellfields at Rosita.  The projected cash cost for these activities for the next twelve months is approximately $1.3 million.

 

The Company believes it has sufficient in-place mineralized uranium material to produce a total of more than 500,000 pounds U3O8 should realized uranium prices recover to the level of $70 per pound U3O8. A new wellfield typically requires 4 to 5 months to install and 9 to 12 months to mine out. The Company has deferred all activities for delineating or developing wellfields until uranium prices increase.  The Company continues to look for opportunities to acquire additional reserves.

 

Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Comparison of Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 and 2008

 

Production and production costs.  In the first nine months of 2009, we produced 58,500 pounds including positive assaying adjustments.  We ceased production at Vasquez and deferred additional development of new wellfields at Kingsville Dome in the fourth quarter of 2008.  This resulted in the reduction in production in the first half of 2009 compared to 2008.  We ceased production at the final two wellfields at Kingsville Dome in mid-June 2009.  Production in the first nine months of 2008 was 259,600 pounds; Kingsville Dome produced 218,100 pounds, Vasquez produced 33,800 pounds and Rosita produced 7,700 pounds.

 

The following table details our production and production cost breakdown for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2009

 

2008

 

Kingsville Dome production

 

6,400

 

45,200

 

55,600

 

218,100

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vasquez production

 

 

9,800

 

2,200

 

33,800

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rosita production

 

200

 

7,700

 

700

 

7,700

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total production

 

6,600

 

62,700

 

58,500

 

259,600

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating costs

 

$

284,000

 

$

2,181,000

 

$

1,508,000

 

$

6,030,000

 

Per pound operating costs

 

N/A

(1) 

$

34.78

 

$

25.77

 

$

23.23

 

Total deprec. and depletion costs

 

$

366,000

 

$

2,115,000

 

$

685,000

 

$

6,959,000

 

Per pound DD&A cost

 

N/A

(1)

$

33.74

 

$

11.71

 

$

26.81

 

Total production cost

 

$

650,000

 

$

4,296,000

 

$

2,193,000

 

$

12,989,000

 

Production cost per pound

 

N/A

(1)

$

68.52

 

$

37.48

 

$

50.04

 

 


(1)Costs incurred during the quarter for our South Texas projects related to stand-by or care and maintenance costs and are not applicable to uranium production on a per pound basis.  The production reflected for the quarter resulted from positive assaying adjustments from previous uranium shipments.

 

Total operating costs, total depreciation and depletion costs and total production costs incurred for the periods presented above differ from the cost of uranium sales recorded in consolidated statements of operations because of changes in the amounts recorded to inventory for the same periods.  The cost of uranium sales includes the sales of uranium inventory on hand at the beginning of the period and does not include certain uranium produced during the period that was not sold at period end.

 

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Reconciliation of production costs to cost of uranium sales:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2009

 

2008

 

Operating costs

 

$

284,000

 

$

2,181,000

 

$

1,508,000

 

$

6,030,000

 

Change in uranium inventory

 

603,000

 

(429,000

)

1,011,000

 

(340,000

)

Operating expense for uranium production sold

 

$

887,000

 

$

1,752,000

 

$

2,519,000

 

$

5,690,000

 

Depreciation and depletion costs

 

$

366,000

 

$

2,115,000

 

$

685,000

 

$

6,959,000

 

Change in uranium inventory

 

108,000

 

(241,000

)

202,000

 

(840,000

)

Depreciation and depletion for uranium production sold

 

$

474,000

 

$

1,874,000

 

$

887,000

 

$

6,119,000

 

Total production costs

 

$

650,000

 

$

4,296,000

 

$

2,193,000

 

$

12,989,000

 

Change in uranium inventory

 

711,000

 

(670,000

)

1,213,000

 

(1,180,000

)

Direct cost of uranium production sold

 

$

1,361,000

 

$

3,626,000

 

$

3,406,000

 

$

11,809,000

 

 

Uranium Sales.  In the first nine months of 2009, we sold 94,000 pounds, generating revenue of $4.6 million ($49.11 per pound), compared with sales of 246,800 pounds in the same period in 2008 generating revenue of $16.354 million ($66.28 per pound).  The decrease in sales revenue was the result of the reduction in pounds sold, as well as from lower prices we received because of lower uranium market prices in 2009 compared to the prior year’s period.

 

Cost of Uranium Sales.  Our cost of uranium sales from the sale of produced uranium in the first nine months of 2009 was $6.0 million compared with $26.4 million in the same period of 2008.  Total cost of uranium sales includes royalties and commissions related to our uranium sales, production costs, including operating expenses, depreciation and depletion expenses, amortization of our restoration and reclamation cost estimates, exploration costs and impairment costs for the write-down of uranium assets.  The following table details the direct cost of uranium sales and royalties and commissions breakdown for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2009

 

2008

 

Total pounds sold

 

29,800

 

66,300

 

94,000

 

246,800

 

Total operating expenses

 

$

887,000

 

$

1,752,000

 

$

2,519,000

 

$

5,690,000

 

Per pound operating expense

 

$

N/A

(1)  

$

26.42

 

$

26.80

 

$

23.06

 

Depreciation and depletion

 

$

474,000

 

$

1,874,000

 

$

887,000

 

$

6,119,000

 

Per pound DD&A expense

 

$

N/A

(1)

$

28.27

 

$

9.44

 

$

24.80

 

Direct cost of uranium production sold

 

$

1,361,000

 

$

3,626,000

 

$

3,406,000

 

$

11,809,000

 

Direct cost of sales per pound

 

$

N/A

(1)

$

54.69

 

$

36.24

 

$

47.86

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Royalties and commissions

 

$

143,000

 

$

369,000

 

$

449,000

 

$

1,506,000

 

Royalties and commissions per pound

 

$

4.81

 

$

5.56

 

$

4.78

 

$

6.10

 

 


(1)Costs incurred during the quarter for our South Texas projects related to stand-by or care and maintenance costs and are not applicable to uranium production on a per pound basis.  The production reflected for the quarter resulted from positive assaying adjustments from previous uranium shipments.

 

We saw a significant decrease in our overall production costs in the first nine months of 2009 compared to 2008. Our 2009 production ceased in mid-June and was sourced from the remaining two wellfields at Kingsville Dome and was supplemented by nominal amounts derived from finalized assaying of prior Vasquez and Rosita shipments.  The production cost decreases seen in the first nine months of 2009 resulted from the shut down of production in the 2nd quarter of the year along with significant operating cost reductions that were made beginning in the fourth quarter of 2008.  The impact of the impairment of our uranium assets in 2008 and 2009 also resulted in lower production costs in 2009.  These impairment provisions reduced the amount of capital costs attributable to our uranium properties and resulted in the lower costs attributable to depreciation and depletion in 2009.

 

The 2008 production from Kingsville Dome was sourced from wellfields in their latter stages of production as well as from new less prolific wellfields compared to prior production. These changes resulted in an increase in our costs. Also contributing to higher costs in 2008 was initial production from a new wellfield at Vasquez, which began production in March 2008. Historically Vasquez has had lower recovery factors than Kingsville Dome and this factor has contributed to increased operating and capital costs.

 

Our average cost of pounds sold in the quarter ended September 30, 2008 was $54.69 per pound with Kingsville Dome production contributing approximately 76% of total pounds sold during the quarter and Vasquez and Rosita pounds totaling

 

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approximately 19% and 5%, respectively.  Included in the cost of goods sold for the quarter was a lower of cost or market (“LCM”) adjustment to uranium inventories of $283,000 ($4.27 per pound).

 

Average cost of pounds sold in the first nine months of 2008 was $47.86 per pound with Kingsville Dome production contributing approximately 85% of total pounds sold during the period and Vasquez and Rosita pounds totaling approximately 13% and 2%, respectively.

 

Royalties and Commissions.   During the first nine months of 2009, royalties and commissions for Vasquez and Kingsville Dome production sold totaled $449,000, representing 9.7% of sales. During the first nine months of 2008, royalties and commissions for Vasquez and Kingsville Dome production sold totaled $1.5 million, representing 9.2% of sales.

 

Operating Expenses.   During the first nine months of 2009, operating expenses for Kingsville Dome, Vasquez and Rosita operations and production sold was $2.5 million. Included in this amount was $374,000 of stand-by related costs.  During the first nine months of 2008, operating expenses for production from these three projects sold was $5.7 million. This includes approximately $536,000 of pre-production costs related to our Vasquez and Rosita projects.

 

Depreciation and Depletion.   During the first nine months of 2009, we incurred depreciation and depletion expense attributable to our Kingsville Dome and Vasquez production and stand-by costs of $887,000. During the same period in 2008, we incurred depreciation and depletion expense attributable to these projects of $6.1 million.

 

Impairment of Uranium Properties.   During the first nine months of 2009 and 2008, we determined the carrying value of our uranium assets exceeded their fair value. Such determination resulted in an impairment provision of approximately $1.8 million and $11.2 million in 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 

Accretion and Amortization of Future Restoration Costs.   Accretion and amortization of future restoration costs in the first nine months half of 2009 and 2008 was $254,000 and $589,000, respectively.

 

General and Administrative Charges.   We incurred general and administrative charges and corporate depreciation of $4.7 million and $7.8 million, respectively in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008.

 

Significant expenditures for general and administrative expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 were:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2009

 

2008

 

Stock compensation expense

 

$

579,000

 

$

297,000

 

$

961,000

 

$

1,847,000

 

Salaries and payroll burden

 

493,000

 

751,000

 

1,600,000

 

2,420,000

 

Legal, accounting, public company expenses

 

423,000

 

280,000

 

1,008,000

 

1,115,000

 

Insurance and bank fees

 

167,000

 

256,000

 

408,000

 

544,000

 

Consulting and professional services

 

184,000

 

225,000

 

615,000

 

1,027,000

 

Office, travel and other expenses

 

143,000

 

233,000

 

417,000

 

879,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

1,989,000

 

$

2,042,000

 

$

5,009,000

 

$

7,832,000

 

 

The non-cash compensation expense recorded for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 resulted from the adoption of SFAS 123(R) in January 2006, requiring the recognition of expense related to the Company’s stock option and restricted stock grants.

 

Salary and payroll costs decreases for the nine months presented resulted from a reduction in salaried positions primarily in South Texas and New Mexico in conjunction with cost cutting moves which began in the fourth quarter of 2008.

 

Legal fees year to date 2009 and 3rd quarter 2009 increased from the prior year corresponding periods because of unsuccessful New Mexico property acquisition of certain assets of NZ Uranium, pending lawsuit preparation and employment contract activities incurred in 2009.  These year-to-date costs were offset by lower audit and SOX 404 compliance fees realized in the first half of the year.

 

The costs for consulting and professional services decreased in the first nine months of 2009 compared with 2008 and resulted from the cost cutting moves which began in the fourth quarter of 2008.  The activities incurred in the first nine months of 2008 included work performed in the review and assessment of our New Mexico property databases to evaluate these properties’

 

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potential as conventional mining projects and other costs related to community outreach and information campaigns designed to enhance public awareness of our planned New Mexico operations.  In the 2008 period, we also incurred increased costs for environmental, health and safety training, investor relations and media relations activities and for human resources and computer networking consultants.

 

Decreased office costs incurred in the first nine months of 2009 compared to 2008 resulted primarily from the closure of our corporate offices in Corpus Christi, Texas and Albuquerque, New Mexico in the third and fourth quarters of 2008, respectively.

 

Write-off of Target Acquisition Costs.   In June 2008, we decided along with Billiton Investment 15 B.V. to terminate our agreement to purchase Rio Algom Mining, LLC, which was entered into on October 12, 2007.  In connection with the targeted acquisition, we incurred costs of $1.437 million dollars which were originally recorded as a pre-acquisition cost asset.  Upon the termination of the agreement these pre-acquisition costs were expensed in the second quarter of 2008.

 

Net Losses. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, we had net losses of $6.0 million and of $19.0 million, respectively.

 

Cash Flow.  At September 30, 2009 we had a cash balance of approximately $8.2 million compared with $9.3 million at June 30, 2009 and $12.0 million at December 31, 2008.

 

In the first nine months of 2009, we had cash used in operations of $3.3 million. We used $508,000 in investing activities during the first nine months of 2009.  We increased the collateral supporting our South Texas financial surety requirements by $121,000 and made additions to our South Texas and New Mexico property, plant and equipment of $387,000 during the quarter.  These expenditures were primarily for land and mineral lease payments during the quarter.

 

In the first nine months of 2008, we had net cash flow provided by operations of $1.3 million.  We used $10.4 million in investing activities during the first nine months of 2008.  We increased the collateral supporting our South Texas financial surety requirements by $508,000 and also made significant additions to our South Texas and New Mexico property, plant and equipment of $9.9 million during the period.  These expenditures were primarily for wellfield development, evaluation drilling and plant and dryer upgrades at Kingsville Dome of $3.4 million and wellfield development, evaluation drilling and plant and dryer upgrades at Rosita of $4.4 million, additional wellfield development at Vasquez of $226,000, New Mexico property additions of $480,000 and other Texas property and other assets of $1,036,000.

 

Liquidity—Cash Sources and Uses for 2009

 

As of September 30, 2009 we had $8.2 million in cash compared to $12.0 million at December 31, 2008.  The cash at September 30, 2009 was generated from operations as well as the $13.1 million in net proceeds received from the sale of common stock and warrants in a private placement in May 2008.

 

The Company used $3.3 million in cash from operations during the first nine months of 2009. With falling sales prices and higher production costs, the Company decided to suspend the development of new wellfields at Kingsville Dome and Rosita as of October 2008.  The Company has sold substantially its entire uranium inventory as of September 30, 2009 and has received the proceeds from such sales as of October 30, 2009.  For the balance of 2009 and 2010, the Company is currently projecting an average use of approximately $500,000 of cash per month and the Company believes that the cash balance of $8.2 million at September 30, 2009 will be sufficient to maintain its liquidity beyond the next twelve months.

 

In the second half of 2008, we took significant steps to decrease our cost structure by implementing tighter spending controls, closing two offices, reducing employment, limiting exploration activities, and reducing public and government relations activities in New Mexico and Texas. With the termination of our production activities in June 2009, we have implemented additional cost reductions to further slow down our cash outflows and we continue to assess all areas of the Company to determine where further cost reductions may be made.  Our objective is to reduce our cash requirements to a level that allows us to sustain our reclamation activities and continue the requisite activities in New Mexico to advance our projects toward production.  The Company is also evaluating certain assets to determine if they can be better utilized and/or monetized.

 

Contingent Liabilities—Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

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. The Company has bank Letters of Credit (the “L/C’s) and performance bonds issued for the benefit of the Company to satisfy such regulatory requirements. The L/C’s were issued by Bank of America and the performance bonds have been issued by United States Fidelity and Guaranty Company (“USF&G”). L/C’s for $5.7 million and $5.6 million were issued at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.  Such L/C’s are collateralized in their entirety by certificates of deposit.

 

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Performance bonds totaling $2.8 million were issued for the benefit of the Company at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008. USF&G has required that the Company deposit funds collateralizing a portion of the bonds. The amount of bonding issued by USF&G exceeded the amount of collateral by $2.5 million at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. In the event that USF&G is required to perform under its bonds or the bonds are called by the state agencies, the Company would be obligated to pay any expenditure in excess of the collateral.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K.  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 discounted cash flow analysis, 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 the 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.

 

ITEM 3.                             QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Uranium Price Volatility

 

The Company is subject to market risk related to the market price of uranium. The Company’s cash flow has historically been dependent on the price of uranium, which is determined primarily by global supply and demand, relative to the Company’s costs of production. Historically, uranium prices have been subject to fluctuation, and the price of uranium has been and will continue to be affected by numerous factors beyond the Company’s control, including the demand for nuclear power, political and economic conditions, and governmental legislation in uranium producing and consuming countries and production levels and costs of production of other producing companies.

 

The spot market price for uranium has demonstrated a large range since January 2001. Prices have risen from $7.10 per pound at January 2001 to a high of $136.00 per pound in June 2007 and were $46.50 per pound as of November 2, 2009.

 

ITEM 4.                             CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company’s management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2009 were effective.

 

During the first nine months of 2009 no material changes have been made in our internal control over financial reporting that may have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.                             LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

On April 17, 2009, a three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit affirmed the February 2007 decision of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (the “USEPA”) and held that Section 8 of URI’s Churchrock property in New Mexico (owned in fee by the Company’s subsidiary Hydro Resources, Inc.) is Indian country.  One of the members of the panel dissented.  Indian country falls under the jurisdiction of the USEPA, and not the State of New Mexico, to administer the Underground Injection Control (UIC) program permit, which the Company requires for ISR mining of that property. The jurisdictional dispute originated among the State of New Mexico, the USEPA and the Navajo Nation.  The Company petitioned the Tenth Circuit for and was granted an en banc review of the panel’s decision.  URI filed a supplemental brief regarding the jurisdictional issues to which the USEPA and the Navajo Nation may respond by November 19, 2009. If they do respond, URI has the option to file a reply brief by December 11, 2009. The court anticipates oral arguments will be held during the week of January 11, 2010.

 

ITEM 1A.                    RISK FACTORS

 

Our business is dependent on the market price of uranium.

 

The price of alternative energy sources affects the demand for and price of uranium.   The attractiveness of uranium as an alternative fuel to generate electricity is to some degree dependent on the relative prices of oil, gas, coal and hydro-electricity and the possibility of developing other low cost sources for energy.  In the event alternative energy sources become less expensive or new energy sources become available, the price of uranium could be negatively impacted.  Any significant decrease in the price of uranium would negatively impact our business and results of operations.  In addition, the market price of uranium is influenced by sales of its uranium stockpile by the United States Department of Energy (“DOE”).  Decisions by the DOE to sell significant amounts of its stockpile have a negative impact on the market price of uranium.

 

ITEM 2.                             UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

None

 

ITEM 3.                             DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.

 

None

 

ITEM 4.                             SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

 

None.

 

ITEM 5.                             OTHER INFORMATION.

 

None

 

ITEM 6.                             EXHIBITS

 

See the Index to Exhibits on Page E-1 for a listing of the exhibits that are filed as part of this Quarterly Report.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements 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.

 

 

URANIUM RESOURCES, INC.

 

 

Dated: November 9, 2009

By:  

/s/ Donald C. Ewigleben

 

 

Donald C. Ewigleben

 

 

Director and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

Dated: November 9, 2009

By:

/s/ Thomas H. Ehrlich

 

 

Thomas H. Ehrlich

 

 

Vice President - Finance and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number

 

Description

3.1*

 

Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, dated February 15, 2004 (filed with the Company’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2 dated July 26, 2004, SEC File Number 333-117653).

 

 

 

3.1.1*

 

Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (filed with the Company’s Form 8-K dated April 11, 2006, SEC File Number 000-17171).

 

 

 

3.2*

 

Restated Bylaws of the Company (filed with the Company’s Form 8-K on April 14, 2005).

 

 

 

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).

 

 

 

4.2*

 

Form of Warrant to Purchase Common Stock (filed with the Company’s Form 8-K on May 19, 2008).

 

 

 

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. 333-117653 on July 26, 2005).

 

 

 

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).

 

 

 

10.7*

 

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).

 

 

 

10.12*

 

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 June 30, 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 June 30, 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 June 30, 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 June 30, 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 June 30, 1999, SEC File Number 000-17171).

 

 

 

10.16.1*

 

Amendment No. 1 to the Uranium Resources, Inc. 1999 Deferred Compensation Plan (filed with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10KSB dated March 31, 2006, SEC File Number 000-17171).

 

 

 

10.17*

 

2000-2001 Deferred Compensation Plan (filed with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K dated December 31, 2004, SEC File Number 000-17171).

 

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Table of Contents

 

10.17.1*

 

Amendment No. 2 to the Uranium Resources, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for 2000-2001 (filed with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10KSB dated March 31, 2006, SEC File Number 000-17171).

 

 

 

10.22*

 

Uranium Resources, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for 2002 (filed with the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB dated November 13, 2002, SEC File Number 000-17171).

 

 

 

10.23*

 

Uranium Resources, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for 2003 (filed with the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB dated November 13, 2002, SEC File Number 000-17171).

 

 

 

10.24*

 

Uranium Resources, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for 2004 (filed with the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB dated May 14, 2004, SEC File Number 000-17171).

 

 

 

10.24.1*

 

Amendment No. 2 to the Uranium Resources, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for 2002, Deferred Compensation Plan for 2003, and Deferred Compensation Plan for 2004 (filed with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB dated March 31, 2006, SEC File Number 000-17171).

 

 

 

10.27.1*

 

Amendment No. 1 with UG U.S.A., Inc. dated August 30, 2004 to Exhibit 10.27 (filed with the Company’s Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement on form SB-2 dated September 20, 2005, SEC File Number 333-125106).

 

 

 

10.27.2*

 

Amendment No. 2 with UG U.S.A., Inc. dated April 29, 2005 to Exhibit 10.27 (filed with the Company’s Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement on form SB-2 dated September 20, 2005, SEC File Number 333-125106).

 

 

 

10.28*

 

Amended and Restated Uranium Supply Contract with Itochu Corporation dated June 7, 2005 (filed with the Company’s Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement on form SB-2 dated September 20, 2005, SEC File Number 333-125106).

 

 

 

10.33*

 

Uranium Supply Contract with Itochu Corporation dated June 15, 2005 (filed with the Company’s Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement on Form SB-2 dated September 20, 2005, SEC File Number 333-125106).

 

 

 

10.34*

 

Stock Purchase Agreement by and between Uranium Resources, Inc. and accredited investors (filed with the Company’s Form 8-K dated August 12, 2005, SEC File No. 000-17171).

 

 

 

10.35*

 

Uranium Resources, Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (filed with the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10QSB/A dated November 18, 2005, SEC File No. 000-17171).

 

 

 

10.36*

 

Feasibility Study Funding Agreement between Itochu Corporation, Uranium Resources, Inc. and Hydro Resources, Inc. effective March 29, 2006. (filed with the Company’s Form 10KSB dated March 31, 2006, SEC file Number 000-17171).

 

 

 

10.37*

 

Amended and Restated Uranium Supply Contract between Itochu Corporation and Uranium Resources, Inc. effective March 1, 2006. (filed with the Company’s Form 10KSB dated March 31, 2006, SEC file Number 000-17171).

 

 

 

10.38*

 

Agreement for the Sale of Uranium Concentrates between UG U.S.A., Inc. and Uranium Resources, Inc. dated March 31, 2006. (filed with the Company’s Form 10KSB dated March 31, 2006, SEC file Number 000-17171).

 

 

 

10.39*

 

Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of April 19, 2006, by and between Uranium Resources, Inc. and accredited investors (filed with the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 19, 2006, SEC File No. 000-17171).

 

 

 

10.40*

 

Limited Liability Company Agreement of Churchrock Venture LLC (filed with the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 5, 2006, SEC File No. 000-17171).

 

 

 

10.41*

 

Compensation Agreement dated March 12, 2007 between the Company and Craig S. Bartels (filed with the Company’s Form 8-K dated March 13, 2007, SEC File No. 000-17171).

 

 

 

10.42*

 

Compensation Agreement dated March 12, 2007 between the Company and David N. Clark (filed with the

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

 

Company’s Form 8-K dated March 13, 2007, SEC File No. 000-17171).

 

 

 

10.43*

 

Amended and Restated 2004 Directors’ Stock Option Plan dated April 10, 2007 (filed with the Company’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-3 dated April 11, 2007, SEC File No. 333-133960).

 

 

 

10.44*

 

Uranium Resources, Inc. 2007 Restricted Stock Plan (filed with the Company’s Form 10-Q dated May 10, 2007, SEC File No. 000-17171).

 

 

 

10.45*

 

Agreement dated September 3, 2009 between the Company and David N. Clark (Filed with the Company’s Form 8-K dated September 4, 2009, SEC File No. 001-33404).

 

 

 

10.46*

 

Letter Agreement dated September 3, 2009 between the Company and Donald C. Ewigleben (Filed with the Company’s Form 8-K dated September 4, 2009, SEC File No. 001-33404).

 

 

 

10.47

 

Agreement dated September 3, 2009 between the Company and Donald C. Ewigleben.

 

 

 

31.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

32.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 


*         Not filed herewith. Incorporated by reference pursuant to Rule 12b-32 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

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EX-10.47 2 a09-30959_1ex10d47.htm EX-10.47

Exhibit 10.47

 

URANIUM RESOURCES

 

AND

 

DONALD C. EWIGLEBEN

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

September 3, 2009

 

This Employment Agreement (“Agreement”) is made and entered into as of September 3, 2009 (the “Effective Date”), by and between Uranium Resources, Inc., a Delaware corporation (hereafter “Company”), and Donald C. Ewigleben (hereafter “Executive”).

 

1.                                       EmploymentDuring the Employment Period (as defined in Section 4 hereof), the Company shall employ Executive, and Executive shall serve, as President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer of the Company and each of its subsidiaries, reporting directly to the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”).  References herein to employment with or by the Company shall include employment with or by any affiliate of the Company.

 

2.                                       Duties and Responsibilities of Executive.

 

(a)                                  During the Employment Period (as defined in Section 4 hereof), Executive shall devote his full time and attention during normal business hours to the business of the Company, will act in the best interests of the Company and will perform with due care his duties and responsibilities.  Executive’s duties will include those normally incidental to the position of President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer as well as such additional duties consistent therewith as may be assigned to him by the Board.  If, in its sole and complete discretion, the Board changes Executive’s title and/or Executive’s reporting responsibilities, the Board may make such changes, and such changes shall thereafter apply for purposes of this Agreement, subject only to the provisions of Section 7(c) hereof.

 

(b)                                 Executive agrees to cooperate fully with the Board and not engage directly or indirectly in any activity that materially interferes with the performance of Executive’s duties hereunder.  During such Employment Period, Executive will not hold outside employment, or perform substantial personal services for parties unrelated to the Company, without the advance written approval of the Board; provided, that it shall not be a violation of this Agreement for Executive to (1) serve on any corporate, civic, or charitable boards or committees (except for boards or committees of any business organization that competes with the Company in any business in which the Company is regularly engaged), so long as such service does not materially interfere with the performance of Executive’s duties and responsibilities under this Agreement, as the Board in its reasonable discretion shall determine, (2) manage personal investments, or (3) take vacation days and reasonable absences due to injury or illness, as set forth herein and/or permitted by the general policies of the Company.

 

(c)                                  Executive represents and covenants to the Company that he is not subject or a party to any employment agreement, non-competition covenant, non-solicitation agreement, nondisclosure agreement, or any other agreement, covenant, understanding, or restriction that would prohibit Executive from executing this Agreement and fully performing his duties and responsibilities hereunder.

 

(d)                                 Executive acknowledges and agrees that Executive owes the Company a duty of loyalty and that any obligations described in this Agreement are in addition to, and not in lieu of, any obligations Executive owes the Company as a matter of law.

 

3.                                       Compensation.

 

(a)                                  Sign On Bonus.  On September 3, 2009, the Compensation Committee of the Board granted Executive 100,000 shares of Restricted Stock under the Company’s 2007 Restricted Stock Plan that will fully vest on March 3, 2010.

 

(b)                                 Base Salary.  Commencing October 1, 2009, and during the Employment Period, the Company shall pay to Executive an annual base salary of $350,000 (the “Base Salary”), payable on a not less than semi-monthly basis, in conformity with the Company’s customary payroll practices for executive salaries.  For all purposes of this Agreement,

 



 

Executive’s Base Salary shall include any portion thereof which Executive elects to defer under any nonqualified plan or arrangement.

 

(c)                                  Annual Performance Bonus.  Executive shall be eligible for an annual discretionary performance bonus with respect to each calendar year during the Employment Period (the “Annual Performance Bonus”), which shall consist of two components, a cash component targeted at 60% of Base Salary (the “Cash Component of the Annual Performance Bonus”), and a non-cash component of up to 40% of the Base Salary, consisting of shares of restricted stock vesting on the 60th day after grant under the Company’s 2007 Restricted Stock Plan (the “Non-Cash Component of the Annual Performance Bonus”).  The amount, if any, of the Cash Component of the Annual Performance Bonus will be determined by the Compensation Committee of Board, acting in its sole and complete discretion but based on annual performance objectives established by the Compensation Committee for the Executive.  The amount, if any, of the Non-Cash Component of the Annual Performance Bonus will be determined by the Compensation Committee of Board, acting in its sole and complete discretion but based on its determination that Executive has performed above and beyond annual performance objectives established by the Compensation Committee for the Executive.  Bonus determinations will be made by the Board typically within 90 calendar days of the end of each calendar year.  The Board will, on an annual basis (at or near the beginning of each calendar year in such Employment Period) establish performance objectives for Executive for the upcoming year, and will communicate such objectives to Executive.

 

(d)                                 Long-Term Performance-Based Incentive Compensation.  The Compensation Committee has granted Executive 300,000 shares of restricted stock under the Company’s 2007 Restricted Stock Plan.  Such shares shall vest in equal one-third installments on the first, second and third anniversary dates of this Agreement based on annual performance objectives to be determined each year by the Compensation Committee. For the year ending September 3, 2010, vesting of the first installment will be based on the following criteria: (i) the Company’s stock price performance being equal to or better than the median of the Company’s peer group as set out in the Company’s prior year annual report during the twelve month period beginning on September 3, 2009 (ii) maintaining a best-in-class safety environment of all employees over the twelve month period as determined by an annual review of the Health, Safety and Environmental Committee of the Board; (iii) achieving an environmental performance record in full compliance with Federal, State and local standards for the 12 months ending September 3, 2010; (iv) delivery of a strategic plan that is adopted by the Board of the Company on or before March 1st, 2010; and (v) successfully completing a financing by September 3, 2010 that avoids a “going concern” issue.  The performance metrics will each have a 20% weighting and each is subject to an all or nothing threshold except for the stock price performance metric which is subject to a 90% threshold.  The performance metrics will be set forth with more particularity in the award agreement approved annually by the Compensation Committee.

 

(e)                                  Stock Ownership Target.  Within 5 years from the date of this Agreement, Executive is expected to own shares of Company Common Stock equal in value to two times his Base Salary.  The following will count towards meeting the required ownership level: shares owned beneficially;  restricted stock or stock units held under any Company restricted stock or similar program (whether vested or unvested); shares owned jointly with or in trust for immediate family members residing in the same household; and shares subject to any vested but unexercised stock options.  The value of the stock held by Executive on any date of determination will be equal to the greater of (1) Executive’s acquisition cost and (2) the average market price per share of the Common Stock on the last trading day of each of the four completed quarters prior to the determination.

 

(f)                                    Withholding.  Executive’s Base Salary, Annual Bonus, and other compensation payments hereunder shall be subject to such payroll and other taxes, withholdings, assessments and deductions as may be required by applicable law.

 

4.                                       Term of Employment.

 

(a)                                  The initial term of this Agreement shall be for the period beginning on the Effective Date and ending at midnight (Eastern Time) on the second anniversary of the Effective Date.  The term shall be extended automatically for successive one-year periods unless either party gives the other written notice of its intent to terminate the Agreement not less than 90 days prior to the end of the then current term.  The initial term and any extensions are hereinafter referred to as the “Term.”  The date on which this Agreement is terminated at the end of the Term or in accordance with Section 6 shall be referred to herein as the “the Termination Date;” provided, however, that until October 1, 2009, Executive shall be in a transition period from his former employer and may perform services for his former employer.  The Termination Date shall also constitute the employment termination date.

 

(b)                                 The period commencing on the Effective Date and ending at the close of business on the Termination Date shall constitute the “Employment Period.”

 

2



 

(c)                                  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, this Agreement may be terminated at any time during the Employment Period in accordance with Section 6.

 

5.                                       BenefitsSubject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Executive shall be entitled to the following benefits during the Employment Period:

 

(a)                                  Reimbursement of Business ExpensesThe Company agrees to promptly reimburse Executive for reasonable business-related expenses incurred in the performance of Executive’s duties under this Agreement in accordance with Company policies.

 

(b)                                 Benefit Plans and ProgramsTo the extent permitted by applicable law, Executive (and where applicable, his plan-eligible dependents) will be eligible to participate in all benefit plans and programs, including improvements or modifications of the same, then being actively maintained by the Company for the benefit of its executive employees (or for an employee population which includes its executive employees), subject in any event to the eligibility requirements and other terms and conditions of those plans and programs, including, without limitation, 401(k) plan, medical and dental insurance, life insurance and disability insurance.  The Company will not, however, by reason of this Section 5(b), have any obligation to institute, maintain, or refrain from changing, amending, or discontinuing any such benefit plan or program.

 

(c)                                  Accommodations; Moving Expenses.  The Company will reimburse Executive for reasonable furnished accommodation expenses for up to twelve months after his arrival in any city identified by the Board other than Denver, Colorado as a location from which Executive should operate in order to give the Company time to determine the permanent location of Company headquarters.  Upon a determination by the Board that a city other than Denver, Colorado will become the permanent headquarters of the Company, consideration of relocation expenses will be made by the Board.

 

6.                                       Termination of Agreement.

 

(a)                                  Automatic Termination in the Event of Death.  This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of the Executive’s death.

 

(b)                                 Company’s Right to Terminate.  At any time during the Employment Period, the Company shall have the right to terminate this Agreement with the Company for any of the following reasons:

 

(1)                                  Upon Executive’s Disability (as defined below);

 

(2)                                  For Cause (as defined in Section 7); or

 

(3)                                  For any other reason whatsoever, in the sole and complete discretion of the Company.

 

(c)                                  Executive’s Right to Terminate.  At any time during the Employment Period, Executive will have the right to terminate this Agreement with the Company for:

 

(1)                                  Good Reason (as defined in Section 7); or

 

(2)                                  For any other reason whatsoever, in the sole and complete discretion of Executive.  An election by Executive not to renew this Agreement at the end of the Term, shall constitute a termination of this Agreement by Executive under this subsection.

 

(d)                                 “Disability.”  For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” means that Executive has sustained sickness or injury that renders Executive incapable, with reasonable accommodation, of performing the duties and services required of Executive hereunder for a period of 90 consecutive calendar days or a total of 120 calendar days during any 12-month period.

 

(e)                                  “Notices.”  Any termination of this Agreement with the Company by the Company under Section 6(b) or by Executive under Section 6(c) shall be communicated by a Notice of Termination to the other party.  A “Notice of Termination” means a written notice that (1) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon and (2) if the termination is by the Company for Cause or by Executive for Good Reason, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated. The Notice of Termination must specify Executive’s the Termination Date.  The Termination Date may be as early as 14 calendar days after such Notice is given but no later than 60 calendar days after such Notice is given, unless otherwise agreed to by the parties in writing.

 

3



 

7.                                       Severance Payments.

 

(a)                                  Termination by the Company.  If this Agreement automatically terminates under Section 6(a) or if the Company terminates this Agreement during the Employment Period pursuant to Sections 6(b)(1)or 6(b)(3) hereof, then the Company shall pay Executive severance, in a lump sum within 10 days after the Termination Date, by check (but in any event subject to all applicable withholding), as follows:

 

(1)                                  One year’s Base Salary; and

 

(2)                                  Bonus at Guideline (as hereinafter defined).

 

(3)                                  Bonus at Guideline means 60% of Base Salary.

 

(b)                                 Termination by Executive for Good Reason.  If Executive terminates this Agreement during the Employment Period pursuant to Section 6(c)(1) hereof, then the Company shall pay Executive severance, in a lump sum within 30 days after the Termination Date, by check (but in any event subject to all applicable withholding), as follows:

 

(1)                                  One year’s Base Salary; and

 

(2)                                  Bonus at Guideline.

 

(c)                                  Termination by Executive for Good Reason after a Change in Control.  If a Change in Control occurs and Executive terminates this Agreement during the Employment Period pursuant to Section 6(c)(1) hereof within 30 days after such occurrence, then the Company shall pay Executive severance, in a lump sum within 30 days after the Termination Date, by check (but in any event subject to all applicable withholding), as follows:

 

(1)                                  Two year’s Base Salary; and

 

(2)                                  Bonus at Guideline.

 

(d)                                 Termination upon Failure to Renew by the Company.  In the event that this Agreement shall terminate at the end of the Term and is not renewed as a result of a decision by the Company not to renew this Agreement, prior to a decision by Executive not to renew this Agreement, the Company shall pay Executive severance, in a lump sum within 30 days after the Termination Date, equal to one year’s Base Salary by check.

 

(e)                                  Additional Benefits.  If the Company is required to pay Executive severance by the express terms of Section 7(a) or 7(b), or 7(c), or 7(d)then:

 

(1)                                  Such severance shall be paid in addition to any other payments the Company may make to Executive (including, without limitation, salary, bonuses, equity plans, incentive compensation plans, fringe benefits, and expense reimbursements) in discharge of the Company’s obligations to Executive under this Agreement with respect to periods ending coincident with or prior to the Termination Date.

 

(2)                                  Executive, Executive’s spouse, and Executive’s dependents will continue to be eligible for coverage under the Company’s group health plan or any successor plan on the same basis as active executive employees of the Company, their spouses, and their dependents for a period of twelve months, commencing on the Termination Date (the “Severance Period”).  If and when group health coverage under another group health plan first becomes available thereafter to Executive, Executive’s spouse, or Executive’s dependents (as applicable), the Company’s obligations under this paragraph will cease with respect to each person to whom such coverage becomes available, and such person shall have such “COBRA” benefit continuation rights as may then be available under relevant law, treating Executive’s the Termination Date as the date of such person’s “qualifying event.”

 

(3)                                  To the extent Executive has not previously vested in such rights (whether in accordance with Section 8 hereof of otherwise), Executive shall become fully vested in all of the rights and interests held by Executive under the Company’s stock and other equity plans as of his the Termination Date, including without limitation any stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance units, and/or performance shares.

 

4



 

(4)                                  Payments under Sections 7(a) or 7(b) or 7(c) or 7(d) shall be in lieu of any severance benefits otherwise due to Executive under any severance pay plan or program maintained by the Company that covers its employees and/or its executives.

 

(5)                                  The exercise date of any options held by Executive shall be extended to a date that is 90 days after the Termination Date.

 

(f)                                    Cause means the occurrence or existence, prior to occurrence of circumstances constituting Good Reason, of any of the following events during the Employment Period:

 

(1)                                  Executive’s gross negligence or material mismanagement in performing, or material failure or inability (excluding as a result of death or Disability) to perform, Executive’s duties and responsibilities as described herein or as lawfully directed by the Board;

 

(2)                                  Executive’s having committed any act of willful misconduct or material dishonesty against the Company or any of its affiliates (including theft, misappropriation, embezzlement, forgery, fraud, falsification of records, or misrepresentation) or any act that results in, or could reasonably be expected to result in, material injury to the reputation, business or business relationships of the Company or any of its affiliates;

 

(3)                                  Executive’s material breach of this Agreement, any fiduciary duty owed by Executive to the Company or its affiliates, or any written workplace policies applicable to Executive (including the Company’s code of conduct and policy on workplace harassment) whether adopted on or after the date of this Agreement;

 

(4)                                  Executive’s having been convicted of, or having entered a plea bargain, a plea of nolo contendere or settlement admitting guilt for, any felony, any crime of moral turpitude, or any other crime that could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse impact on the Company’s or any of its affiliates’ reputations; or

 

(5)                                  Executive’s having committed any material violation of any federal law regulating securities (without having relied on the advice of the Company’s attorney) or having been the subject of any final order, judicial or administrative, obtained or issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, for any securities violation involving fraud, including, for example, any such order consented to by Executive in which findings of facts or any legal conclusions establishing liability are neither admitted nor denied.

 

(g)                                 Good Reason means the occurrence, prior to occurrence of circumstances constituting Cause, of any of the following events during the Employment Period without Executive’s consent:

 

(1)                                  Any material breach by the Company of this Agreement, provided that Executive provides the Board written notice of such breach within 90 days from the first date that he is aware, or reasonably should be aware, of such breach and such breach is not remedied within 30 days of the Board’s receipt of such written notice;

 

(2)                                  Any requirement by the Company that Executive relocate outside of the Denver metropolitan area;

 

(3)                                  Failure of any successor to assume this Agreement not later than the date as of which it acquires substantially all of the equity, assets or businesses of the Company;

 

(4)                                  Any material reduction in Executive’s title, responsibilities, or duties or the Board directs Executive to report to other than the Board; or

 

(5)                                  The assignment to Executive of any duties materially inconsistent with his duties as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

 

(h)                                 Exclusive Payments.                                    Except as provided above, no severance or other payment in the way of severance shall be made to Executive upon termination of this Agreement.

 

5



 

8.                                       Change of Control.

 

(a)                                  If a Change of Control occurs during the Employment Period, Executive shall thereupon become 100% vested in all of the rights and interests then held by Executive under the Company’s stock and other equity plans (to the extent not theretofore vested), including without limitation any stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance units, and/or performance shares.

 

(b)                                 “Change of Control” means (i) after the Effective Date, any person or group of affiliated or associated persons not a shareholder on the date hereof acquires more than 50% of the voting power of the Company; (ii) the consummation of a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; (iii) the dissolution of the Company; (iv) a majority of the members of the Board are replaced during any 12-month period; or (iv) the consummation of any merger, consolidation, or reorganization involving the Company in which, immediately after giving effect to such merger, consolidation or reorganization, less than 51% of the total voting power of outstanding stock of the surviving or resulting entity is then “beneficially owned” (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) in the aggregate by the stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such merger, consolidation or reorganization.

 

9.                                       Parachute Payment.  Notwithstanding any provision herein, if the amount payable hereunder should constitute a parachute payment as defined in Section 280 G of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States (Code), the payment will be reduced to the largest amount that would result in no portion being subject to the excise tax imposed by, or the disallowance of a deduction under, applicable provisions of the Code.

 

10.                                 Conflicts of Interest.  Executive agrees that he shall promptly disclose to the Board any conflict of interest involving Executive upon Executive becoming aware of such conflict.  Executive’s ownership of an interest not in excess of five percent in a business organization that competes with the Company shall not be deemed to constitute a conflict of interest.

 

11.                                 Confidentiality.  The Company agrees to provide Executive valuable Confidential Information of the Company and of third parties who have supplied such information to the Company.  In consideration of such Confidential Information and other valuable consideration provided hereunder, Executive agrees to comply with this Section 11.

 

(a)                                  “Confidential Information” means, without limitation and regardless of whether such information or materials are expressly identified as confidential or proprietary, (i) any and all non-public, confidential or proprietary information or work product of the Company or its affiliates, (ii) any information that gives the Company or its affiliates a competitive business advantage or the opportunity of obtaining such advantage, (iii) any information the disclosure or improper use of which is reasonably expected to be detrimental to the interests of the Company or its affiliates, (iv) any trade secrets of the Company or its affiliates, and (v) any other information of or regarding the Company or any of its affiliates, or its or their past, present or future, direct or indirect, potential or actual officers, directors, employees, owners, or business partners, including but not limited to information regarding any of their businesses, operations, assets, liabilities, properties, systems, methods, models, processes, results, performance, investments, investors, financial affairs, future plans, business prospects, acquisition or investment opportunities, strategies, business partners, business relationships, contracts, contractual relationships, organizational or personnel matters, policies or procedures, management or compensation matters, compliance or regulatory matters, as well as any technical, seismic, industry, market or other data, studies or research, or any forecasts, projections, valuations, derivations or other analyses, performed, generated, collected, gathered, synthesized, purchased or owned by, or otherwise in the possession of, the Company or its affiliates or which Executive has learned of through his employment with the Company.  Confidential Information also includes any non-public, confidential or proprietary information about or belonging to any third party that has been entrusted to the Company or its affiliates.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Confidential Information does not include any information which is or becomes generally known by the public other than as a result of Executive’s actions or inactions.

 

(b)                                 Protection.  In return for the Company’s promise to provide Executive with Confidential Information, Executive promises (i) to keep the Confidential Information, and all documentation, materials and information relating thereto, strictly confidential, (ii) not to use the Confidential Information for any purpose other than as required in connection with fulfilling his duties as President and Chief Executive Officer for the benefit of the Company, and (iii) to return to the Company all documents containing Confidential Information in Executive’s possession upon separation from the Company for any reason.

 

(c)                                  Value and Security.  Executive understands and agrees that all Confidential Information, and every portion thereof, constitutes the valuable intellectual property of the Company, its affiliates, and/or third parties, and Executive further acknowledges the importance of maintaining the security and confidentiality of the Confidential Information and of not misusing the Confidential Information.

 

6



 

(d)                                 Disclosure Required By Law.  If Executive is legally required to disclose any Confidential Information, Executive shall promptly notify the Company in writing of such request or requirement so that the Company may seek an appropriate protective order or other relief.  Executive agrees to cooperate with and not to oppose any effort by the Company to resist or narrow such request or to seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy.  In any case, Executive will (i) disclose only that portion of the Confidential Information that, according to the advice of Executive’s counsel, is required to be disclosed (and Executive’s disclosure of Confidential Information to Executive’s counsel in connection with obtaining such advice shall not be a violation of this Agreement), (ii) use reasonable efforts (at the expense of the Company) to obtain assurances that such Confidential Information will be treated confidentially, and (iii) promptly notify the Company in writing of the items of Confidential Information so disclosed.

 

(e)                                  Third-Party Confidentiality Agreements.  To the extent that the Company possesses any Confidential Information which is subject to any confidentiality agreements with, or obligations to, third parties, Executive will comply with all such agreements or obligations in full.  The immediately preceding sentence shall apply only if the Company has provided Executive with a copy of such agreements, and Executive may disclose such agreements and any related Confidential Information to Company’s attorneys and rely on their advice regarding compliance therewith.

 

(f)                                    Survival.  The covenants made by Executive in this Section 11, other than Paragraph (f) hereof, will be effective only during the Employment Period and for the two-year period immediately following the Employment Period, and to that extent (and only that extent) shall survive termination of this Agreement.  The covenants made by Executive in Paragraph (f) of this Section 11 will be effective during the period specified in the confidentiality agreements described therein.

 

12.                                 WithholdingsThe Company may withhold and deduct from any payments made or to be made pursuant to this Agreement (a) all federal, state, local and other taxes as may be required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or ruling, and (b) any deductions consented to in writing by Executive.

 

13.                                 SeverabilityIt is the desire of the parties hereto that this Agreement be enforced to the maximum extent permitted by law, and should any provision contained herein be held unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction or arbitrator (pursuant to Section 15), the parties hereby agree and consent that such provision shall be reformed to create a valid and enforceable provision to the maximum extent permitted by law; provided, however, if such provision cannot be reformed, it shall be deemed ineffective and deleted from this Agreement without affecting any other provision of this Agreement.

 

14.                                 Title and Headings; ConstructionTitles and headings to Sections hereof are for the purpose of reference only and shall in no way limit, define or otherwise affect the provisions hereof.  Any and all Exhibits referred to in this Agreement are, by such reference, incorporated herein and made a part hereof for all purposes.  The words “herein”, “hereof”, “hereunder” and other compounds of the word “here” shall refer to the entire Agreement and not to any particular provision hereof.

 

15.                                 Arbitration; Injunctive Relief; Attorneys’ Fees.

 

(a)                                  Subject to Section 15(b), any dispute, controversy or claim between Executive and the Company arising out of or relating to this Agreement, Executive’s employment with Company, or the termination of either (other with respect to claims arising exclusively under one (1) or more of the Company’s employee benefit plans subject to ERISA) will be finally settled by arbitration in Denver, Colorado before, and in accordance with the rules for the resolution of employment disputes then obtaining of, the American Arbitration Association.  The arbitrator’s award shall be final and binding on both parties.

 

(b)                                 Notwithstanding Section 15(a), an application for emergency or temporary injunctive relief by either party shall not be subject to arbitration under this Section 15; provided, however, that the remainder of any such dispute (beyond the application for emergency or temporary injunctive relief) shall be subject to arbitration under this Section 15.  Executive acknowledges that Executive’s violation of Sections 10 and/or 11 of this Agreement will cause irreparable harm to the Company, Executive agrees not to contest that Executive’s violation of Sections 10 and/or 11 of this Agreement will cause irreparable harm to the Company and Executive agrees that the Company shall be entitled as a matter of right to specific performance of Executive’s obligations under Sections 10 and 11 and an injunction, from any court of competent jurisdiction, restraining any violation or further violation of such agreements by Executive or others acting on his/her behalf, without any showing of irreparable harm and without any showing that the Company does not have an adequate remedy at law.  The Company’s right to injunctive relief shall be cumulative and in addition to any other remedies provided by law or equity.

 

(c)                                  Each side shall share equally the cost of the arbitrator and bear its own costs and attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with any arbitration, unless a statutory claim authorizing the award of attorneys’ fees is at issue, in which event the arbitrator may award a reasonable attorneys’ fee in accordance with the jurisprudence of that statute.

 

7



 

(d)                                 Nothing in this Section 15 shall prohibit a party to this Agreement from (i) instituting litigation to enforce any arbitration award or (ii) joining another party to this Agreement in a litigation initiated by a person which is not a party to this Agreement.

 

16.                                 Governing Law.  THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF COLORADO, WITHOUT REFERENCE TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICT OF LAWS.  THE EXCLUSIVE VENUE FOR THE RESOLUTION OF ANY DISPUTE RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR EXECUTIVE’S EMPLOYMENT (THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO ARBITRATION UNDER SECTION 15 FOR ANY REASON) SHALL BE IN THE STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN DENVER, COLORADO AND THE PARTIES HEREBY EXPRESSLY CONSENT TO THE JURISDICTION OF THOSE COURTS.

 

17.                                 Entire Agreement and AmendmentThis Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties with respect to Executive’s employment and the other matters covered herein (except to the extent that other agreements are specifically referenced herein); moreover, this Agreement supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements and understandings, oral or written, between the parties hereto concerning the subject matter hereof and thereof.  This Agreement may be amended, waived or terminated only by a written instrument executed by both parties hereto.

 

18.                                 Survival of Certain ProvisionsWherever appropriate to the intention of the parties hereto, the respective rights and obligations of said parties, including, but not limited to, the rights and obligations set forth in Sections 6 through 16 hereof, shall survive any termination or expiration of this Agreement for any reason.

 

19.                                 Waiver of BreachNo waiver by either party hereto of a breach of any provision of this Agreement by the other party, or of compliance with any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party, will operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by such other party or any similar or dissimilar provision or condition at the same or any subsequent time.  The failure of either party hereto to take any action by reason of any breach will not deprive such party of the right to take action at any time while such breach continues.

 

20.                                 AssignmentNeither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations hereunder shall be assignable or otherwise subject to hypothecation by Executive (except by will or by operation of the laws of intestate succession) or by the Company, except that the Company may assign this Agreement to any successor (whether by merger, purchase or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the equity, assets or businesses of the Company, if such successor expressly agrees to assume the obligations of the Company hereunder.

 

21.                                 NoticesNotices provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly received (a) when delivered in person or sent by facsimile transmission, (b) on the first business day after such notice is sent by air express overnight courier service, or (c) on the third business day following deposit in the United States mail, registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid and addressed, to the following address, as applicable:

 

(a)                                  If to Company, addressed to: 405 Highway 121 Bypass, Building A, Suite 110, Lewisville, TX 75067; Attn:  Chairman, Board of Directors.

 

(b)                                 If to Executive, addressed to the address set forth below Executive’s name on the execution page hereof; or to such other address as either party may have furnished to the other party in writing in accordance with this Section 21.

 

22.                                 CounterpartsThis Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.  Each counterpart may consist of a copy hereof containing multiple signature pages, each signed by one party, but together signed by both parties hereto.

 

23.                                 DefinitionsThe parties agree that as used in this Agreement the following terms shall have the following meanings: an “affiliate” of a person shall mean any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, such person; the terms “controlling, controlled by, or under common control with” shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or influence or cause the direction or influence of management or policies (whether through ownership of securities or other ownership interest or right, by contract or otherwise) of a person; the term “person” shall mean a natural person, partnership (general or limited), limited liability Company, trust, estate, association, corporation, custodian, nominee, or any other individual or entity in its own or any representative capacity, in each case, whether domestic or foreign.

 

24.                                 Internal Revenue Code Section 409A Compliance.  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if any provision hereof would result in the imposition of an additional tax under Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and related regulations and Treasury pronouncements, that provision will be reformed to avoid imposition of the applicable tax.

 

8



 

SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Executive and the Company have executed this Agreement to be effective for all purposes as of the Effective Date.

 

 

 

EXECUTIVE:

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Donald C. Ewigleben

 

Donald C. Ewigleben

 

 

 

 

 

URANIUM RESOURCES, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:  

/s/ Paul K. Willmott

 

 

Paul K. Willmott, Chairman

 

9


EX-31.1 3 a09-30959_1ex31d1.htm EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

I, Donald C. Ewigleben, certify that:

 

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

 

2.             Based on my knowledge, this 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 report;

 

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

 

4.             The issuer’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e))  and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the issuer and have:

 

(a)  Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the issuer, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

(b)  Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

(c)  Evaluated the effectiveness of the issuer’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

(d)  Disclosed in this report any change in the issuer’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the issuer’s most recent fiscal quarter (the issuer’s second fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the issuer’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

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

 

(a)  All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the issuer’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

(b)  Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the issuer’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

Date: November 9, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Donald C. Ewigleben

 

Title:  President

 

and Chief Executive Officer

 

1


EX-31.2 4 a09-30959_1ex31d2.htm EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer

Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

I, Thomas H. Ehrlich, certify that:

 

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

 

2.             Based on my knowledge, this 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 report;

 

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

 

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

 

(a)  Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the issuer, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

(b)  Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

(c)  Evaluated the effectiveness of the issuer’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

(d)  Disclosed in this report any change in the issuer’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the issuer’s most recent fiscal quarter (the issuer’s second fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the issuer’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

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

 

(a)  All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the issuer’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

(b)  Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the issuer’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

Date:  November 9, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Thomas H. Ehrlich

 

Title:  Vice President - Finance

 

and Chief Financial Officer

 

1


EX-32.1 5 a09-30959_1ex32d1.htm EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

 

URANIUM RESOURCES, INC.

405 State Highway 121 Bypass, Building A, Suite 110, Lewisville, TX 75067

972.219.3330 Phone 972.219.3311 Fax

 

November 9, 2009

 

Securities and Exchange Commission

450 5th Street, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

I, Donald C. Ewigleben, President and Chief Executive Officer of Uranium Resources, Inc. (the “Company”), certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:

 

(1)  The Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the period ended September 30, 2009 which this certification accompanies fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

(2)  The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

 

/s/ Donald C. Ewigleben

 

Donald C. Ewigleben

 

President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer

 

November 9, 2009

 

 

1


EX-32.2 6 a09-30959_1ex32d2.htm EX-32.2

Exhibit 32.2

 

URANIUM RESOURCES, INC.

405 State Highway 121 Bypass, Building A, Suite 110, Lewisville, TX 75067

972.219.3330 Phone 972.219.3311 Fax

 

November 9, 2009

 

Securities and Exchange Commission

450 5th Street, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

I, Thomas H. Ehrlich, Vice President - Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Uranium Resources, Inc. (the “Company”), certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:

 

(1)  The Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the period ended September 30, 2009 which this certification accompanies fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

(2)  The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

 

/s/ Thomas H. Ehrlich

 

Thomas H. Ehrlich

 

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

November 9, 2009

 

 

1


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