UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE
13a-16 OR 15d-16
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date: May 9, 2024
Commission File Number: 001-33414
Denison Mines Corp.
(Name of
registrant)
1100-40 University Avenue
Toronto Ontario
M5J 1T1 Canada
(Address of
principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files
or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form
40-F.
Form
20-F ☐ Form 40-F ☒
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the
Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule
101(b)(1): ☐
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the
Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule
101(b)(7): ☐
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.
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DENISON MINES
CORP.
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/s/ Amanda Willett
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Date: May 9,
2024
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Amanda
Willett
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Vice
President Legal and Corporate Secretary
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FORM 6-K
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Number
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Description
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99.1
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99.2
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99.3
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99.4
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99.5
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Exhibit
99.1
INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
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CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL
POSITION
(Unaudited -
Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars (“CAD”)
except for share amounts)
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At March
31
2024
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At December
31
2023
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ASSETS
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Current
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Cash and cash
equivalents (note 4)
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$
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120,294
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$
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131,054
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Trade and other
receivables (note 5)
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2,407
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1,913
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Inventories (note
6)
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3,100
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3,580
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Investments-equity
instruments (note 7)
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9,642
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10,400
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Investments-uranium
(note 7)
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11,789
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-
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Prepaid expenses
and other
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1,597
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1,594
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148,829
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148,541
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Non-Current
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Inventories-ore
in stockpiles (note 6)
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2,098
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2,098
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Investments-equity
instruments (note 7)
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79
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117
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Investments-uranium
(note 7)
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259,349
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276,815
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Investments-convertible
debentures (note 7)
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16,204
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15,565
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Investments-joint
venture (note 8)
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17,651
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17,290
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Restricted cash
and investments (note 9)
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12,617
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11,231
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Property, plant
and equipment (note 10)
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256,082
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254,946
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Total
assets
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$
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712,909
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$
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726,603
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LIABILITIES
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Current
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Accounts payable
and accrued liabilities (note 11)
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$
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15,285
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$
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10,822
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Current portion
of long-term liabilities:
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Deferred revenue
(note 12)
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4,501
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4,535
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Reclamation
obligations (note 13)
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2,160
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2,256
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Other liabilities
(note 14)
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343
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333
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22,289
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17,946
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Non-Current
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Deferred revenue
(note 12)
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30,437
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30,423
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Reclamation
obligations (note 13)
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32,893
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32,642
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Other liabilities
(note 14)
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1,168
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1,201
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Deferred income
tax liability
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2,579
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2,607
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Total
liabilities
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89,366
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84,819
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EQUITY
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Share capital
(note 15)
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1,656,423
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1,655,024
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Contributed
surplus (note 16)
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70,112
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69,823
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Deficit
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(1,104,761)
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(1,084,881)
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Accumulated other
comprehensive income (note 17)
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1,769
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1,818
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Total
equity
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623,543
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641,784
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Total
liabilities and equity
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$
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712,909
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$
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726,603
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Issued and
outstanding common shares (note 15)
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892,002,706
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890,970,371
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Commitments
and contingencies (note 22)
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The accompanying
notes are an integral part of the condensed interim consolidated
financial statements
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INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
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CONDENSED INTERIM
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF LOSS AND COMPREHENSIVE
LOSS
(Unaudited -
Expressed in thousands of CAD dollars except for share and per
share amounts)
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Three
Months Ended
March
31
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2024
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2023
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REVENUES (note 19)
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$
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832
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$
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(982)
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EXPENSES
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Operating
expenses (note 18 and 19)
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(1,220)
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(904)
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Exploration (note
19)
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(5,413)
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(3,947)
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Evaluation (note
19)
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(5,701)
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(2,722)
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General and
administrative (note 19)
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(3,584)
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(3,254)
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Other (loss)
income (note 18)
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(5,082)
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10,222
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(21,000)
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(605)
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Loss
before net finance expense, equity accounting
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(20,168)
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(1,587)
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Finance income
(expense), net (note 18)
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841
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(850)
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Equity share of
loss of joint venture (note 8)
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(581)
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(894)
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Loss before
taxes
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(19,908)
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(3,331)
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Income tax
recovery:
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Deferred
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28
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497
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Net loss from
continuing operations
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(19,880)
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(2,834)
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Net income from
discontinuted operations, net of taxes (note 19)
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-
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434
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Net loss for the
period
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$
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(19,880)
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$
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(2,400)
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Other
comprehensive (loss) income (note 17):
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Items that are or
may be subsequently reclassified to loss:
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Foreign currency
translation change
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(49)
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4
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Comprehensive
loss for the period
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$
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(19,929)
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$
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(2,396)
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Basic and diluted
net loss per share, continuing and discontinued
operations:
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Basic
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$
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(0.02)
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$
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0.00
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Diluted
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$
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(0.02)
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$
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0.00
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Weighted-average
number of shares outstanding (in thousands):
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Basic
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891,224
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832,826
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Diluted
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891,224
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832,826
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The accompanying
notes are an integral part of the condensed interim consolidated
financial statements
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INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
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CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN
EQUITY
(Unaudited -
Expressed in thousands of CAD dollars)
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Three
Month Ended
March
31
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2024
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2023
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Share capital (note 15)
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Balance-beginning
of period
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$
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1,655,024
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$
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1,539,209
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Shares issued for
cash, net of issue costs
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-
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15,298
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Share options
exercised-cash
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769
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339
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Share options
exercised-transfer from contributed surplus
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357
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129
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Share units
exercised-transfer from contributed surplus
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273
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16
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Balance-end of
period
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1,656,423
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1,554,991
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Contributed surplus
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Balance-beginning
of period
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69,823
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70,281
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Share-based
compensation expense (note 16)
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919
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1,044
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Share options
exercised-transfer to share capital
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(357)
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(129)
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Share units
exercised-transfer to share capital
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(273)
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(16)
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Balance-end of
period
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70,112
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71,180
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Deficit
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Balance-beginning
of period
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(1,084,881)
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(1,175,256)
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Net income
(loss)
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(19,880)
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(2,400)
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Balance-end of
period
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(1,104,761)
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(1,177,656)
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Accumulated
other comprehensive income (note 17)
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Balance-beginning
of period
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1,818
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1,782
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Foreign currency
translation
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(49)
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4
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Balance-end of
period
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1,769
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1,786
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Total Equity
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Balance-beginning
of period
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$
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641,784
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$
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436,016
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Balance-end of
period
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$
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623,543
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$
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450,301
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The accompanying
notes are an integral part of the condensed interim consolidated
financial statements
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INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
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CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW
(Unaudited -
Expressed in thousands of CAD dollars)
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Three
Month Ended
March
31
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2024
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2023
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CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY:
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OPERATING ACTIVITIES
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Net loss for the
period
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$
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(19,880)
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$
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(2,400)
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Adjustments and
items not affecting cash and cash equivalents:
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Depletion,
depreciation, amortization and accretion
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2,556
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2,689
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Fair value change
losses (gains):
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Investments-equity
instruments (notes 7 and 18)
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796
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(1,166)
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Investments-uranium
(notes 7 and 20)
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5,677
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(8,826)
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Investments-convertible
debentures (notes 7 and 18)
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(639)
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-
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Joint
venture-equity share of loss (note 8)
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581
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894
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(Recognition)
reversal of deferred revenue (note 12)
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(832)
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982
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Gain on property,
plant and equipment disposals
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(13)
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-
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Post-employment
benefit payments (note 14)
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(38)
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(32)
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Reclamation
obligation expenditures (note 13)
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(318)
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(327)
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Share-based
compensation (note 16)
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919
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1,044
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Foreign exchange
gain (note 18)
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(634)
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(163)
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Deferred income
tax recovery
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(28)
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(497)
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Change in
non-cash operating working capital items (note 18)
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4,166
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(13)
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Net
cash used in operating activities
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(7,687)
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(7,815)
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INVESTING ACTIVITIES
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Increase in
restricted cash and investments (note 9)
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(1,386)
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(684)
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Purchase of
investments in joint venture (note 8)
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(942)
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-
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Additions of
property, plant and equipment (note 10)
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(2,108)
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(702)
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Proceeds on
disposal of property, plant and equipment
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69
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-
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Net
cash used in investing activities
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(4,367)
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(1,386)
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FINANCING ACTIVITIES
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Repayment
of debt obligations (note 14)
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(60)
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(54)
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Proceeds
from share options exercised (note 16)
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|
769
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|
339
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Proceeds
from share issues, net of issue costs
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|
-
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|
15,298
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Net
cash provided by financing activities
|
|
|
|
709
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|
15,583
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(Decrease)
increase in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
|
(11,345)
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|
6,382
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Foreign
exchange effect on cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
|
585
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|
165
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Cash
and cash equivalents, beginning of period
|
|
|
|
131,054
|
|
50,915
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Cash
and cash equivalents, end of period
|
|
|
$
|
120,294
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$
|
57,462
|
|
|
The accompanying
notes are an integral part of the condensed interim consolidated
financial statements
|
|
INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2024
|
(Unaudited -
Expressed in CAD dollars except for shares and per share
amounts)
|
|
Denison Mines
Corp. (“DMC”) and its subsidiary companies and joint
arrangements (collectively, “Denison” or the
“Company”) are engaged in uranium mining related
activities, which can include acquisition, exploration, and
development of uranium bearing properties, extraction, processing
and selling of, and investing in uranium.
The Company has
an effective 95.0% interest in the Wheeler River Joint Venture
(“WRJV”), a 69.35% interest in the Waterbury Lake
Uranium Limited Partnership (“WLULP”), a 22.5% interest
in the McClean Lake Joint Venture (“MLJV”) (which
includes the McClean Lake mill) and a 25.17% interest in the
Midwest Joint Venture (“MWJV”), each of which are
located in the eastern portion of the Athabasca Basin region in
northern Saskatchewan, Canada. The McClean Lake mill is contracted
to provide toll milling services to the Cigar Lake Joint Venture
(“CLJV”) under the terms of a toll milling agreement
between the parties (see note 12).
Through its 50%
ownership of JCU (Canada) Exploration Company, Limited
(“JCU”), Denison holds indirect interests in various
uranium project joint ventures in Canada, including the Millennium
project (JCU 30.099%), the Kiggavik project (JCU 33.8118%) and the
Christie Lake project (JCU 34.4508%). See note 8 for
details.
In addition,
Denison’s exploration portfolio includes further interests in
properties in the Athabasca Basin region.
DMC is
incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) and
domiciled in Canada. The address of its registered head office is
40 University Avenue, Suite 1100, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5J
1T1.
2.
STATEMENT
OF COMPLIANCE
These condensed
interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in
accordance with International Accounting Standards
(“IAS”) 34, Interim Financial Reporting. The condensed
interim consolidated financial statements should be read in
conjunction with the audited annual consolidated financial
statements for the year ended December 31, 2023. The
Company’s presentation currency is Canadian dollars
(“CAD”).
These financial
statements were approved by the board of directors for issue on May
8, 2024.
The material
accounting policies followed in these condensed interim
consolidated financial statements are consistent with those applied
in the Company’s audited annual consolidated financial
statements for the year ended December 31, 2023.
The Company has
considered the amendments to IAS 1: Presentation of Financial
Statements, IAS 7: Statement of Cash Flows and Errors, IFRS 7:
Financial Instruments: Disclosures and IFRS 16: Leases, which are
effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2024
and has concluded that these amendments have no impact on the
Company’s condensed interim consolidated financial
statements.
|
INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
4.
CASH AND
CASH EQUIVALENTS
The cash and cash
equivalent balance consists of:
|
|
|
|
At March
31
|
|
At December
31
|
(in
thousands)
|
|
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
|
|
|
$
|
2,503
|
$
|
2,650
|
Cash in MLJV and
MWJV
|
|
|
|
1,794
|
|
1,036
|
Cash
equivalents
|
|
|
|
115,997
|
|
127,368
|
|
|
|
$
|
120,294
|
$
|
131,054
|
5.
TRADE AND
OTHER RECEIVABLES
The trade and
other receivables balance consists of:
|
|
|
|
At March
31
|
|
At December
31
|
(in
thousands)
|
|
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trade
receivables
|
|
|
$
|
1,223
|
$
|
899
|
Receivables in
MLJV and MWJV
|
|
|
|
456
|
|
623
|
Sales tax
receivables
|
|
|
|
478
|
|
364
|
Sundry
receivables
|
|
|
|
250
|
|
27
|
|
|
|
$
|
2,407
|
$
|
1,913
|
The inventories
balance consists of:
|
|
|
|
At March
31
|
|
At December
31
|
(in
thousands)
|
|
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Inventory of ore
in stockpiles
|
|
|
$
|
2,098
|
$
|
2,098
|
Mine and mill
supplies in MLJV
|
|
|
|
3,055
|
|
3,580
|
Supplies
|
|
|
|
45
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
$
|
5,198
|
$
|
5,678
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Inventories-by
balance sheet presentation:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
|
|
|
$
|
3,100
|
$
|
3,580
|
Long term-ore in
stockpiles
|
|
|
|
2,098
|
|
2,098
|
|
|
|
$
|
5,198
|
$
|
5,678
|
The investments
balance consists of:
|
|
|
|
At March
31
|
|
At December
31
|
(in
thousands)
|
|
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investments:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity
instruments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
$
|
9,536
|
$
|
10,390
|
Warrants
|
|
|
|
185
|
|
127
|
Convertible
Debentures
|
|
|
|
16,204
|
|
15,565
|
Physical
Uranium
|
|
|
|
271,138
|
|
276,815
|
|
INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
|
|
|
$
|
297,063
|
$
|
302,897
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investments-by
balance sheet presentation:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
|
|
|
$
|
21,431
|
$
|
10,400
|
Long-term
|
|
|
|
275,632
|
|
292,497
|
|
|
|
$
|
297,063
|
$
|
302,897
|
The investments
continuity summary is as follows:
(in
thousands)
|
|
Equity
Instruments
|
|
Convertible
Debentures
|
|
Physical
Uranium
|
|
Total
Investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance-December
31, 2023
|
$
|
10,517
|
$
|
15,565
|
$
|
276,815
|
$
|
302,897
|
Change in fair
value gain to profit and (loss) (note 18)
|
|
(796)
|
|
639
|
|
(5,677)
|
|
(5,834)
|
Balance-March 31,
2024
|
$
|
9,721
|
$
|
16,204
|
$
|
271,138
|
$
|
297,063
|
Investment
in equity instruments and debentures
At March 31,
2024, the Company holds equity instruments consisting of shares and
warrants in publicly traded companies as well as convertible debt
instruments. Non-current instruments consist of warrants in
publicly traded companies exercisable for a period more than one
year after the balance sheet date as well as convertible debt
instruments convertible and redeemable for a period more than one
year after the balance sheet date.
Investment
in uranium
At March 31,
2024, the Company holds a total of 2,300,000 pounds of physical
uranium as uranium oxide concentrates (“U3O8“) at a cost
of $84,377,000 (USD$68,240,000 or USD$29.67 per pound of
U3O8) and market value
of $271,138,000 (USD$200,100,000 or USD$87.00 per pound of
U3O8).
Investments in
uranium are classified as non-current except where the Company has
entered into an agreement to sell material with a delivery date
within the next twelve months. In January 2024, the Company entered
into an agreement to sell 100,000 pounds of U3O8 with a delivery
date in April 2024 and accordingly, the fair value of this material
has been classified within current assets. Refer to Note 23 for
additional information.
8.
INVESTMENT
IN JOINT VENTURE
The investment in
joint venture balance consists of:
|
|
|
|
At March
31
|
|
At December
31
|
(in
thousands)
|
|
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment in
joint venture:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JCU
|
|
|
$
|
17,651
|
$
|
17,290
|
|
|
|
$
|
17,651
|
$
|
17,290
|
A summary of the
investment in JCU is as follows:
(in
thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance-December
31, 2023
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
17,290
|
Investment at
cost:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional
investment in JCU
|
|
|
|
|
|
942
|
Equity
share of loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
(581)
|
Balance-March 31,
2024
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
17,651
|
JCU is a private
company that holds a portfolio of twelve uranium project joint
venture interests in Canada, including a 10% interest in the WRJV,
a 30.099% interest in the Millennium project (Cameco Corporation
69.901%), a 33.8118% interest in the Kiggavik project (Orano Canada
Inc. 66.1882%), and a 34.4508% interest in the Christie Lake
project (UEC 65.5492%).
|
INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
During the three
months ended March 31, 2024, each shareholder of JCU funded
operations with an investment in JCU of $942,000. The investment
was made by share subscription, where each shareholder acquired
additional common shares in JCU in accordance with each
shareholder’s pro-rata ownership interest in JCU. As a
result, the Company’s ownership interest in JCU remained
unchanged at 50%.
The following
tables summarize the consolidated financial information of JCU on a
100% basis, taking into account adjustments made by Denison for
equity accounting purposes (including fair value adjustments and
differences in accounting policies). Denison records its equity
share of earnings (loss) in JCU one month in arrears (due to the
information not yet being available), adjusted for any known
material transactions that have occurred up to the period end date
on which Denison is reporting.
|
|
|
|
At March
31
|
|
At December
31
|
(in
thousands)
|
|
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current
assets(1)
|
|
|
$
|
1,707
|
$
|
525
|
Total non-current
assets
|
|
|
|
38,689
|
|
38,666
|
Total current
liabilities
|
|
|
|
(806)
|
|
(381)
|
Total non-current
liabilities
|
|
|
|
(4,289)
|
|
(4,230)
|
Total net
assets
|
|
|
$
|
35,301
|
$
|
34,580
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months
Ended
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
February
29
2024(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
Net
loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,163)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reconciliation of
JCU net assets to Denison investment carrying value:
|
|
|
Adjusted net assets of
JCU–at December 31, 2023
|
|
|
$
|
34,580
|
Net
loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,163)
|
Investments from
owners
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,884
|
Net assets of
JCU-at March 31, 2024
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
35,301
|
Denison ownership
interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
50.00%
|
Investment in
JCU
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
17,651
|
(1)
Included in current assets
are $1,706,000 in cash and cash equivalents.
(2)
Represents JCU net loss for
the three months ended February 29, 2024 (recorded one month in
arrears), adjusted for differences in fair value allocations and
accounting policies.
9.
RESTRICTED
CASH AND INVESTMENTS
The Company has
certain restricted cash and investments deposited to collateralize
a portion of its reclamation obligations. The restricted cash and
investments balance consists of:
|
|
|
|
At March
31
|
|
At December
31
|
(in
thousands)
|
|
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash
equivalents
|
|
|
$
|
4,645
|
$
|
3,259
|
Investments
|
|
|
|
7,972
|
|
7,972
|
|
|
|
$
|
12,617
|
$
|
11,231
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted cash
and investments-by item:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Elliot Lake
reclamation trust fund
|
|
|
$
|
4,645
|
$
|
3,259
|
Letters of credit
facility pledged assets
|
|
|
|
7,972
|
|
7,972
|
|
|
|
$
|
12,617
|
$
|
11,231
|
At March 31, 2024
investments consist of guaranteed investment certificates with
maturities of less than 90 days.
|
INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
Elliot
Lake reclamation trust fund
During the three
months ended March 31, 2024 the Company deposited an additional
$1,328,000 into the Elliot Lake reclamation trust fund and made no
withdrawals.
Letters of
credit facility pledged assets
At March 31,
2024, the Company has $7,972,000 on deposit with the Bank of Nova
Scotia (“BNS”) as pledged restricted cash and
investments pursuant to its obligations under the letters of credit
facility (see notes 13 and 14).
10.
PROPERTY,
PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
The property,
plant and equipment (“PP&E”) continuity summary is
as follows:
|
|
Plant
and Equipment
|
|
Mineral
|
|
Total
|
(in
thousands)
|
|
Owned
|
|
Right-of-Use
|
|
Properties
|
|
PP&E
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance-December
31, 2023
|
$
|
112,705
|
$
|
769
|
$
|
180,813
|
$
|
294,287
|
Additions (note
19)
|
|
1,507
|
|
76
|
|
861
|
|
2,444
|
Disposals
|
|
(192)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(192)
|
Balance-March 31,
2024
|
$
|
114,020
|
$
|
845
|
$
|
181,674
|
$
|
296,539
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated
amortization, depreciation:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance-December
31, 2023
|
$
|
(38,833)
|
$
|
(508)
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
(39,341)
|
Amortization
|
|
(160)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(160)
|
Depreciation
(note 18)
|
|
(1,052)
|
|
(40)
|
|
-
|
|
(1,092)
|
Disposals
|
|
136
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
136
|
Balance-March 31,
2024
|
$
|
(39,909)
|
$
|
(548)
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
(40,457)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Carrying
value:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance-December
31, 2023
|
$
|
73,872
|
$
|
261
|
$
|
180,813
|
$
|
254,946
|
Balance-March 31,
2024
|
$
|
74,111
|
$
|
297
|
$
|
181,674
|
$
|
256,082
|
Plant and
Equipment – Owned
The Company has a
22.5% interest in the McClean Lake mill through its ownership
interest in the MLJV. The carrying value of the mill, comprised of
various infrastructure, building and machinery assets, represents
$54,343,000, or 73.0%, of the March 31, 2024 total carrying value
amount of owned Plant and Equipment assets.
The additions to
PP&E during the three months ended March 31, 2024 primarily
relate to long lead items for Wheeler River, and the purchase of
the MaxPERF Tool Systems.
Plant and
Equipment – Right-of-Use
The Company has
included the cost of various right-of-use (“ROU”)
assets within its plant and equipment ROU carrying value amount.
These assets consist of building, vehicle and office equipment
leases. The majority of the asset value is attributable to the
building lease assets for the Company’s office in Toronto and
warehousing space in Saskatoon.
Mineral
Properties
As at March 31,
2024, the Company has various interests in development, evaluation
and exploration projects located in Saskatchewan, Canada, which are
either held directly, or through contractual arrangements. The
properties with significant carrying values are Wheeler River,
Waterbury Lake, Midwest, Mann Lake, Wolly, Johnston Lake and
McClean Lake, which together represent $164,575,000, or 90.6%, of
the total mineral property carrying value as at March 31,
2024.
In January 2024,
the Company closed an earn-in agreement with Grounded Lithium Corp
(“Grounded Lithium”). with respect to the Kindersley
Lithium Project in Saskatchewan. The agreement includes a series of
earn-in options, with each earn-in option being comprised of a cash
payment to Grounded Lithium as well as work expenditures to advance
KLP.
|
INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
Should the
Company complete all three earn-in options it will earn a 75%
working interest in the KLP. During the three months ended March
31, 2024, the Company made a payment of $800,000 to Grounded
Lithium, incurred $61,000 of transaction expenses related to
agreement, and currently holds no interest in KLP.
11. ACCOUNTS
PAYABLE AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES
The accounts
payable and accrued liabilities balance consists of:
|
|
|
|
At March
31
|
|
At December
31
|
(in
thousands)
|
|
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trade
payables
|
|
|
$
|
8,877
|
$
|
5,037
|
Payables in MLJV
and MWJV
|
|
|
|
5,464
|
|
4,843
|
Other
payables
|
|
|
|
944
|
|
942
|
|
|
|
$
|
15,285
|
$
|
10,822
|
12. DEFERRED
REVENUE
The deferred
revenue balance consists of:
|
|
|
|
At March
31
|
|
At December
31
|
(in
thousands)
|
|
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred
revenue-pre-sold toll milling:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CLJV Toll
Milling-Ecora
|
|
|
$
|
34,938
|
$
|
34,958
|
|
|
|
$
|
34,938
|
$
|
34,958
|
Deferred
revenue-by balance sheet presentation:
|
|
|
|
|
Current
|
|
|
$
|
4,501
|
$
|
4,535
|
Non-current
|
|
|
|
30,437
|
|
30,423
|
|
|
|
$
|
34,938
|
$
|
34,958
|
The deferred
revenue liability continuity summary is as follows:
(in
thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred
Revenue
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance-December
31, 2023
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
34,958
|
Revenue
recognized during the period (note 19)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(832)
|
Accretion (note
18)
|
|
|
|
|
|
812
|
Balance-March 31,
2024
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
34,938
|
Arrangement
with Ecora Resources PLC (“Ecora”)
In February 2017,
Denison closed an arrangement with Ecora, formerly APG, under which
Denison received an upfront payment in exchange for its right to
receive specified future toll milling cash receipts from the MLJV
under the current toll milling agreement with the CLJV from July 1,
2016 onwards. The up-front payment was based upon an estimate of
the gross toll milling cash receipts to be received by
Denison.
The Ecora
Arrangement represents a contractual obligation of Denison to pay
onward to Ecora any cash proceeds of future toll milling revenue
earned by the Company related to the processing of the specified
Cigar Lake ore through the McClean Lake mill. The deferred revenue
balance represents a non-cash liability, which is adjusted as any
toll milling revenue received by Denison is passed through to
Ecora, or any changes in Cigar Lake Phase 1 and Phase 2 tolling
milling production estimates are recognized.
During the three
months ended March 31, 2024, the Company recognized $832,000 of
toll milling revenue from the draw-down of deferred revenue, based
on Cigar Lake toll milling production of 4,155,000 pounds
U3O8 (100%
basis).
|
INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
The draw-down in
2024 includes a cumulative decrease in revenue for prior periods of
$207,000 resulting from changes in estimates to the toll milling
rates during 2024.
For the
comparative three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company
recognized negative toll milling revenue $982,000. Production-based
revenue of $964,000 was recognized based on toll milling production
of 3,826,000 pounds U3O8 (100% basis). The
production-based revenue was offset by a $1,946,000 true-up
adjustment to decrease the revenue recognized in prior periods as a
result of changes in the estimates to determine the toll milling
drawdown rate.
During the three
months ended March 31, 2024, the Company recognized accretion
expense of $812,000, including a true-up adjustment of $63,000 due
to the change in the estimated timing of milling of the Cigar Lake
ore (March 31, 2023 $1,221,000 including a $483,000 true up
adjustment).
The current
portion of the deferred revenue liability reflects Denison’s
estimate of Cigar Lake toll milling over the next 12 months. This
assumption is based on current mill packaged production
expectations and is reassessed on a quarterly basis.
13. RECLAMATION
OBLIGATIONS
The reclamation
obligations balance consists of:
|
|
|
|
At March
31
|
|
At December
31
|
(in
thousands)
|
|
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reclamation
obligations-by item:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Elliot
Lake
|
|
|
$
|
19,843
|
$
|
19,796
|
MLJV and
MWJV
|
|
|
|
12,381
|
|
12,215
|
Wheeler River and
other
|
|
|
|
2,829
|
|
2,887
|
|
|
|
$
|
35,053
|
$
|
34,898
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reclamation
obligations-by balance sheet presentation:
|
|
|
|
|
Current
|
|
|
$
|
2,160
|
$
|
2,256
|
Non-current
|
|
|
|
32,893
|
|
32,642
|
|
|
|
$
|
35,053
|
$
|
34,898
|
The reclamation
obligations continuity summary is as follows:
(in
thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reclamation
Obligations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance-December
31, 2023
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
34,898
|
Accretion (note
18)
|
|
|
|
|
|
473
|
Expenditures
incurred
|
|
|
|
|
|
(318)
|
Balance-March 31,
2024
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
35,053
|
Site
Restoration: Elliot Lake
The Elliot Lake
uranium mine was closed in 1992 and capital works to decommission
this site were completed in 1997. The Company is responsible for
monitoring the Tailings Management Areas at the Denison and
Stanrock sites and for treatment of water discharged from these
areas.
Spending on
restoration activities at the Elliot Lake site is funded by the
Elliot Lake Reclamation Trust fund (see note 9).
Site
Restoration: McClean Lake Joint Venture and Midwest Joint
Venture
Under the
Saskatchewan Mineral Industry Environmental Protection Regulations
(1996), the Company is required to provide its pro-rata share of
financial assurances to the province of Saskatchewan relating to
future decommissioning and reclamation plans that have been filed
and approved by the applicable regulatory authorities.
|
INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
Accordingly as at
March 31, 2024, the Company has provided irrevocable standby
letters of credit, from a chartered bank, in favour of the
Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment, totalling $22,972,000, which
relate to the most recently filed reclamation plan dated November
2021.
Site
Restoration: Wheeler River and other
The
Company’s exploration and evaluation activities, including
those related to Wheeler River, are subject to environmental
regulations as set out by the government of
Saskatchewan.
14. OTHER
LIABILITIES
The other
liabilities balance consists of:
|
|
|
|
At March
31
|
|
At December
31
|
(in
thousands)
|
|
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post-employment
benefits
|
|
|
$
|
1,084
|
$
|
1,117
|
Lease
obligations
|
|
|
$
|
310
|
$
|
287
|
Loan
obligations
|
|
|
|
117
|
|
130
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,511
|
$
|
1,534
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
liabilities-by balance sheet presentation:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
|
|
|
$
|
343
|
$
|
333
|
Non-current
|
|
|
|
1,168
|
|
1,201
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,511
|
$
|
1,534
|
Post-employment
Benefits
At March 31,
2024, the Compnay’s post-employment benefits balance consists
of:
|
|
|
|
At March
31
|
|
At December
31
|
(in
thousands)
|
|
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued benefit
obligation
|
|
|
$
|
1,084
|
$
|
1,117
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,084
|
$
|
1,117
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post-employment
benefits-by balance sheet presentation:
|
|
|
|
|
Current
|
|
|
$
|
120
|
$
|
120
|
Non-current
|
|
|
|
964
|
|
997
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,084
|
$
|
1,117
|
The
post-employment benefits continuity summary is as
follows:
(in
thousands)
|
|
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance-January
1
|
|
|
$
|
1,117
|
$
|
1,201
|
Accretion (note
18)
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
21
|
Benefits
paid
|
|
|
|
(38)
|
|
(105)
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,084
|
$
|
1,117
|
|
INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
Debt
Obligations
At March 31,
2024, the Company’s debt obligations are comprised of lease
and loan liabilities. The debt obligations continuity summary is as
follows:
|
|
|
Lease
|
|
Loan
|
|
Total
Debt
|
(in
thousands)
|
|
|
|
Liabilities
|
|
Liabilities
|
|
Obligations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance-December
31, 2023
|
|
|
$
|
287
|
|
130
|
$
|
417
|
Accretion (note
18)
|
|
|
|
6
|
|
-
|
|
6
|
Additions
|
|
|
|
64
|
|
-
|
|
64
|
Repayments
|
|
|
|
(47)
|
|
(13)
|
|
(60)
|
Balance-March 31,
2024
|
|
|
$
|
310
|
$
|
117
|
$
|
427
|
Debt
Obligations – Scheduled Maturities
The following
table outlines the Company’s scheduled maturities of its debt
obligations at March 31, 2024:
|
|
|
Lease
|
|
Loan
|
|
Total
Debt
|
(in
thousands)
|
|
|
|
Liabilities
|
|
Liabilities
|
|
Obligations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maturity
analysis-contractual undiscounted cash flows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Next 12
months
|
|
|
$
|
173
|
$
|
50
|
$
|
223
|
One to five
years
|
|
|
|
163
|
|
72
|
|
235
|
Total
obligation-end of period-undiscounted
|
|
|
|
336
|
|
122
|
|
458
|
Present value
discount adjustment
|
|
|
|
(26)
|
|
(5)
|
|
(31)
|
Total
obligation-end of period-discounted
|
|
|
$
|
310
|
$
|
117
|
$
|
427
|
Letters of
Credit Facility
In December 2023,
the Company entered into an agreement with BNS to amend the terms
of the Company’s Credit Facility to extend the maturity date
to January 31, 2025 (the “Credit Facility”). All other
terms of the Credit Facility (amount of credit facility, tangible
net worth covenant, investment amounts, pledged assets and security
for the facility) remain unchanged by the amendment and the Credit
Facility remains subject to letter of credit and standby fees of
2.40% (0.40% on the $7,972,000 covered by pledged cash collateral)
and 0.75% respectively. During the three months ended March 31,
2024, the Company incurred letter of credit fees of $104,000 (March
31, 2023 - $96,000).
At March 31,
2024, the Company is in compliance with its facility covenants and
has access to letters of credit of up to $23,964,000 (December 31,
2023 - $23,964,000). The facility is fully utilized as collateral
for non-financial letters of credit issued in support of
reclamation obligations for the MLJV, MWJV and Wheeler River (see
note 13).
15. SHARE
CAPITAL
Denison is
authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares without
par value. A continuity summary of the issued and outstanding
common shares and the associated dollar amounts is presented
below:
|
Number
of
|
|
|
|
Common
|
|
Share
|
(in thousands
except share amounts)
|
Shares
|
|
Capital
|
|
|
|
|
Balance-December
31, 2023
|
890,970,371
|
$
|
1,655,024
|
Issued for
cash:
|
|
|
|
Share option
exercises
|
639,334
|
|
769
|
Share option
exercises-transfer from contributed surplus
|
-
|
|
357
|
Share unit
exercises-transfer from contributed surplus
|
393,001
|
|
273
|
|
1,032,335
|
|
1,399
|
Balance-March 31,
2024
|
892,002,706
|
$
|
1,656,423
|
|
INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
16. SHARE-BASED
COMPENSATION
The
Company’s share-based compensation arrangements include share
options, restricted share units (“RSUs”) and
performance share units (“PSUs”).
Share-based
compensation is recorded over the vesting period, and a summary of
share-based compensation expense recognized in the statement of
income (loss) is as follows:
|
|
|
|
Three
Months Ended
March
31
|
(in
thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share based
compensation expense for:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share
options
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(377)
|
$
|
(375)
|
RSUs
|
|
|
|
|
|
(542)
|
|
(607)
|
PSUs
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
(62)
|
Share
based compensation expense
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(919)
|
$
|
(1,044)
|
An additional
$7,528,000 in share-based compensation expense remains to be
recognized, up until March 2027, on outstanding share options and
share units at March 31, 2024.
Share
Options
Share options
granted in 2024 vest over a period of three years. A continuity
summary of the share options granted under the Company’s
Share Option Plan is presented below:
|
|
|
|
2024
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number
of
Common
|
|
Price
per
Share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
(CAD)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share options
outstanding-December 31, 2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,220,667
|
$
|
1.49
|
Grants
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,485,000
|
|
2.61
|
Exercises
(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(639,334)
|
|
1.20
|
Expiries
|
|
|
|
|
|
(16,000)
|
|
0.68
|
Forfeitures
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,333)
|
|
1.84
|
Share options
outstanding-March 31, 2024
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,049,000
|
$
|
1.80
|
Share
options exercisable-March 31, 2024
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,999,333
|
$
|
1.47
|
(1)
The weighted average share
price at the date of exercise was CAD$2.61.
|
INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
A summary of the
Company’s share options outstanding at March 31, 2024 is
presented below:
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
|
Weighted-
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
|
|
|
Remaining
|
|
|
|
Exercise
|
Range of
Exercise
|
|
|
|
|
Contractual
|
|
Number
of
|
|
Price
per
|
Prices per
Share
|
|
|
|
|
Life
|
|
Common
|
|
Share
|
(CAD)
|
|
|
|
|
(Years)
|
|
Shares
|
|
(CAD)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share options
outstanding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ 0.25 to $
0.49
|
|
0.94
|
|
36,000
|
$
|
0.46
|
$ 0.50 to $
0.74
|
|
|
|
|
1.14
|
|
59,500
|
|
0.64
|
$ 0.75 to $
0.99
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
$ 1.00 to $
1.49
|
|
|
|
|
2.96
|
|
3,033,500
|
|
1.39
|
$ 1.50 to $
1.99
|
|
|
|
|
2.97
|
|
1,262,000
|
|
1.83
|
$ 2.00 to $
2.49
|
|
|
|
|
3.82
|
|
173,000
|
|
2.26
|
$ 2.50 to $
2.99
|
|
|
|
|
4.93
|
|
1,485,000
|
|
2.61
|
Share options
outstanding-March 31, 2024
|
|
3.44
|
|
6,049,000
|
$
|
1.80
|
Share options
outstanding at March 31, 2024 expire between August 2024 and March
2029.
The fair value of
each share option granted is estimated on the date of grant using
the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The following table
outlines the assumptions used in the model to determine the fair
value of share options granted:
|
|
|
|
Three Months
Ended
|
|
|
|
|
March 31,
2024
|
|
|
|
|
|
Risk-free
interest rate
|
|
|
|
3.59%
|
Expected stock
price volatility
|
|
|
|
66.40%
|
Expected
life
|
|
|
|
3.41
years
|
Expected dividend
yield
|
|
|
|
-
|
Fair value
per options granted
|
|
|
$1.29
|
Share
Units
RSUs granted
under the Share Unit Plan in 2024 vest ratably over a period of
three years.
|
|
RSUs
|
|
PSUs
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
Number
of
|
|
Fair
Value
|
|
Number
of
|
|
Fair
Value
|
|
|
Common
|
|
Per
RSU
|
|
Common
|
|
Per
PSU
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
(CAD)
|
|
Shares
|
|
(CAD)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Units
outstanding–December 31, 2023
|
|
5,580,919
|
$
|
1.20
|
|
481,500
|
$
|
0.83
|
Grants
|
|
1,690,000
|
|
2.61
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Exercises
(1)
|
|
(171,501)
|
|
0.75
|
|
(221,500)
|
|
0.65
|
Units
outstanding–March 31, 2024
|
|
7,099,418
|
$
|
1.54
|
|
260,000
|
$
|
0.98
|
Units
vested–March 31, 2024
|
|
4,129,415
|
$
|
1.06
|
|
260,000
|
$
|
0.98
|
(1)
The weighted average share
price at the date of exercise was $2.48 for RSUs and
PSUs.
The fair value of
each RSU and PSU granted is estimated on the date of grant using
the Company’s closing share price on the day before the grant
date.
|
INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
17. ACCUMULATED
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
The accumulated
other comprehensive income balance consists of:
|
|
|
|
At March
31
|
|
At December
31
|
(in
thousands)
|
|
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cumulative
foreign currency translation
|
|
|
$
|
407
|
$
|
456
|
Experience
gains-post employment liability
|
|
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
|
1,847
|
|
1,847
|
Tax
effect
|
|
|
|
(485)
|
|
(485)
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,769
|
$
|
1,818
|
18. SUPPLEMENTAL
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The components of
Operating expenses are as follows:
|
|
|
|
Three
Months Ended
March
31
|
(in
thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of goods and
services sold:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
overheads:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mining, other
development expense
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(71)
|
$
|
(55)
|
Milling,
conversion expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
(667)
|
|
(652)
|
Legacy mine
overhead
|
|
|
|
|
|
(322)
|
|
(150)
|
Cost of goods and
services sold
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,060)
|
|
(857)
|
Reclamation asset
amortization (note 10)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(160)
|
|
(47)
|
Operating
expenses – continuing operations
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(1,220)
|
$
|
(904)
|
The components of
Other income are as follows:
|
|
|
|
Three
Months Ended
March
31
|
(in
thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gains (losses)
on:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign
exchange
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
634
|
$
|
163
|
Fair value
changes:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investments-equity
instruments (note 7)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(796)
|
|
1,166
|
Investments-uranium (note
7)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5,677)
|
|
8,826
|
Investments-convertible
debentures (note 7)
|
|
|
|
|
|
639
|
|
-
|
Gain
on recognition of proceeds–U.I.
Repayment Agreement
|
|
396
|
|
269
|
Uranium
investment carrying charges
|
|
|
|
|
|
(211)
|
|
(96)
|
Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
(67)
|
|
(82)
|
Other
income – continuing operations
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(5,082)
|
$
|
10,246
|
|
INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
The components of
Finance income (expense) are as follows:
|
|
|
|
Three
Months Ended
March
31
|
(in
thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
income
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
2,138
|
$
|
804
|
Interest
expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
(1)
|
Accretion
expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred
revenue (note 12)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(812)
|
|
(1,221)
|
Reclamation
obligations (note 13)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(473)
|
|
(420)
|
Post-employment
benefits (note 14)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5)
|
|
(5)
|
Debt
obligations (note 14)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6)
|
|
(7)
|
Finance
income (expense) – continuing operations
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
841
|
$
|
(850)
|
A
summary of depreciation expense recognized in the statement of
income (loss) is as follows:
|
|
|
|
Three
Months Ended
March
31
|
(in
thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continuing
operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mining, other
development expense
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(1)
|
$
|
(1)
|
Milling,
conversion expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
(667)
|
|
(654)
|
Legacy mine
overhead
|
|
|
|
|
|
(51)
|
|
(52)
|
Evaluation
|
|
|
|
|
|
(162)
|
|
(144)
|
Exploration
|
|
|
|
|
|
(171)
|
|
(96)
|
General and
administrative
|
|
|
|
|
|
(40)
|
|
(38)
|
Depreciation
expense-gross
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(1,092)
|
$
|
(985)
|
A summary of
employee benefits expense recognized in the statement of income
(loss) is as follows:
|
|
|
|
Three
Months Ended
March
31
|
(in
thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salaries and
short-term employee benefits
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(3,090)
|
$
|
(2,897)
|
Share-based
compensation (note 16)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(919)
|
|
(1,044)
|
Employee
benefits expense
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(4,009)
|
$
|
(3,941)
|
The change in
non-cash operating working capital items in the consolidated
statements of cash flows is as follows:
|
|
|
|
Three
Months Ended
March
31
|
(in
thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in
non-cash working capital items:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trade and other
receivables
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(494)
|
$
|
(40)
|
Inventories
|
|
|
|
|
|
480
|
|
(55)
|
Prepaid expenses
and other assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
(10)
|
|
(325)
|
Accounts payable
and accrued liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,190
|
|
407
|
Change
in non-cash working capital items
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
4,166
|
$
|
(13)
|
|
INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
19. SEGMENTED
INFORMATION
Business
Segments
The Company
operates in two primary segments – the Mining segment and the
Corporate and Other segment. The Mining segment includes activities
related to exploration, evaluation and development, mining, milling
(including toll milling), the sale of mineral concentrates, and
results of the Company’s mine decommissioning. The Corporate
and Other segment includes general corporate expenses not allocated
to the other segments. At the end of August, 2023, the
Company’s long-term third party closed mines services
contract came to an end, and was reported as a discontinued
operation in the December 31, 2023 financial
statements.
For the period
ended March 31, 2024, reportable segment results were as
follows:
(in
thousands)
|
|
|
Mining
|
Corporate
and
Other
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Statement of Operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$
|
832
|
-
|
832
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
expenses
|
|
|
(1,220)
|
-
|
(1,220)
|
Exploration
|
|
|
(5,413)
|
-
|
(5,413)
|
Evaluation
|
|
|
(5,701)
|
-
|
(5,701)
|
General and
administrative
|
|
|
(19)
|
(3,565)
|
(3,584)
|
|
|
|
(12,353)
|
(3,565)
|
(15,918)
|
Segment
loss
|
|
$
|
(11,521)
|
(3,565)
|
(15,086)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues-supplemental:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Toll milling
services-deferred revenue (note 12)
|
|
832
|
-
|
832
|
|
|
$
|
832
|
-
|
832
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital additions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property,
plant and equipment (note 10)
|
$
|
2,406
|
38
|
2,444
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-lived assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plant and
equipment
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost
|
|
$
|
108,283
|
6,582
|
114,865
|
Accumulated
depreciation
|
|
|
(39,145)
|
(1,312)
|
(40,457)
|
Mineral
properties
|
|
|
181,674
|
-
|
181,674
|
|
|
$
|
250,812
|
5,270
|
256,082
|
|
INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
For the period
ended March 31, 2023, reportable segment results were as
follows:
(in
thousands)
|
|
|
Mining
|
Corporate
and
Other
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Statement of Operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$
|
(982)
|
-
|
(982)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
expenses
|
|
|
(904)
|
-
|
(904)
|
Exploration
|
|
|
(3,947)
|
-
|
(3,947)
|
Evaluation
|
|
|
(2,722)
|
-
|
(2,722)
|
General and
administrative
|
|
|
(19)
|
(3,235)
|
(3,254)
|
|
|
|
(7,592)
|
(3,235)
|
(10,827)
|
Segment
loss
|
|
$
|
(8,574)
|
(3,235)
|
(11,809)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues-supplemental:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Toll milling
services-deferred revenue (note 12)
|
|
(982)
|
-
|
(982)
|
|
|
$
|
(982)
|
-
|
(982)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital additions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property,
plant and equipment (note 10)
|
$
|
460
|
276
|
736
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-lived assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plant and
equipment
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost
|
|
$
|
103,196
|
5,805
|
109,001
|
Accumulated
depreciation
|
|
|
(35,609)
|
(784)
|
(36,393)
|
Mineral
properties
|
|
|
180,600
|
-
|
180,600
|
|
|
$
|
248,187
|
5,021
|
253,208
|
Discontinued
Operations
The
Company’s post-closure mine care and maintenance services
were previously reported in a Closed Mines services segment which
now constitutes a discontinued operation. The consolidated
statement of income (loss) for the discontinued operation is as
follows:
|
|
|
|
Three
Months Ended
March
31
|
(in
thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
2,066
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
(1,656)
|
Other
income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24
|
Income
from discontinued operations, net of taxes
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
434
|
20.
RELATED
PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Korea
Electric Power Corporation (“KEPCO”) and Korea Hydro
& Nuclear Power (“KHNP”)
Denison and KHNP
Canada (which is an indirect subsidiary of KEPCO through KHNP) are
parties to a strategic relationship agreement (the “KHNP
SRA”). The KHNP SRA provides for a long-term collaborative
business relationship between the parties, which includes a right
of KHNP Canada to nominate one representative to Denison’s
Board of Directors, provided that its shareholding percentage stays
above 5%.
|
INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
KHNP Canada is
also the majority member of KWULP, which is a consortium of
investors that holds the non-Denison owned interests in Waterbury
Lake Uranium Corporation (“WLUC”) and Waterbury Lake
Uranium Limited Partnership (“WLULP”), entities whose
key asset is the Waterbury Lake property.
Compensation
of Key Management Personnel
Key management
personnel are those persons having authority and responsibility for
planning, directing and controlling the activities of the Company,
directly or indirectly. Key management personnel includes the
Company’s executive officers, vice-presidents and members of
its Board of Directors.
The following
compensation was awarded to key management personnel:
|
|
|
|
Three
Months Ended
March
31
|
(in
thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salaries and
short-term employee benefits
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(1,695)
|
$
|
(1,098)
|
Share-based
compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
(753)
|
|
(814)
|
Key
management personnel compensation
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(2,448)
|
$
|
(1,912)
|
21. FAIR
VALUE OF INVESTMENTS AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
IFRS requires
disclosures about the inputs to fair value measurements, including
their classification within a hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs
to fair value measurement. The three levels of the fair value
hierarchy are:
●
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted
prices in active markets for identical assets or
liabilities;
●
Level 2 - Inputs other than
quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability either
directly or indirectly; and
●
Level 3 - Inputs that are not
based on observable market data.
The fair value of
financial instruments which trade in active markets, such as share
and warrant equity instruments, is based on quoted market prices at
the balance sheet date. The quoted market price used to value
financial assets held by the Company is the current closing price.
Warrants that do not trade in active markets have been valued using
the Black-Scholes pricing model. Debt instruments have been valued
using the effective interest rate for the period that the Company
expects to hold the instrument and not the rate to
maturity.
Except as
otherwise disclosed, the fair values of cash and cash equivalents,
trade and other receivables, accounts payable and accrued
liabilities, restricted cash and cash equivalents and debt
obligations approximate their carrying values as a result of the
short-term nature of the instruments, the variable interest rate
associated with the instruments or the fixed interest rate of the
instruments being similar to market rates.
During 2024 and
2023, there were no transfers between levels 1, 2 and 3 and there
were no changes in valuation techniques.
|
INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
The following
table illustrates the classification of the Company’s
financial assets and liabilities within the fair value hierarchy as
at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:
|
|
Financial
|
|
Fair
|
|
March
31,
|
|
December
31,
|
|
|
Instrument
|
|
Value
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
(in
thousands)
|
|
Category(1)
|
|
Hierarchy
|
|
Fair
Value
|
|
Fair
Value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial
Assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and
equivalents
|
|
Category
B
|
|
|
$
|
120,294
|
$
|
131,054
|
Trade and other
receivables
|
|
Category
B
|
|
|
|
2,407
|
|
1,913
|
Investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity
instruments-shares
|
|
Category
A
|
|
Level
1
|
|
9,536
|
|
10,390
|
Equity
instruments-warrants
|
|
Category
A
|
|
Level
2
|
|
185
|
|
127
|
Convertible
Debentures
|
|
Category
A
|
|
Level
3
|
|
16,204
|
|
15,565
|
Restricted
cash and equivalents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Elliot Lake
reclamation trust fund
|
|
Category
B
|
|
|
|
4,645
|
|
3,259
|
Credit
facility pledged assets
|
|
Category
B
|
|
|
|
7,972
|
|
7,972
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
161,243
|
$
|
170,280
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial
Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Account
payable and accrued liabilities
|
|
Category
C
|
|
|
|
15,285
|
|
10,822
|
Debt
obligations
|
|
Category
C
|
|
|
|
427
|
|
417
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
15,712
|
$
|
11,239
|
(1)
Financial instrument
designations are as follows: Category A=Financial assets and
liabilities at fair value through profit and loss; Category
B=Financial assets at amortized cost; and Category C=Financial
liabilities at amortized cost.
Investments in
uranium are categorized in Level 2. Investments in uranium are
measured at fair value at each reporting period based on the
month-end spot price for uranium published by UxC and converted to
Canadian dollars during the period-end indicative foreign exchange
rate.
22. COMMITMENTS
AND CONTINGENCIES
General
Legal Matters
The Company is
involved, from time to time, in various legal actions and claims in
the ordinary course of business.
In the opinion of
management, the aggregate amount of any potential liability is not
expected to have a material
adverse effect on
the Company’s financial position or results.
23. SUBSEQUENT
EVENTS
Sale of
Uranium
In April 2024,
the Company completed a transaction to sell 100,000 pounds of
U3O8 at a price of
US$100.00 per pound.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31, 2024
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
Q1 2024
PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS
ABOUT
DENISON
RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS
Wheeler
River Uranium Project
LIQUIDITY
AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
DISCONTINUED
OPERATIONS
OUTLOOK FOR
2024
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
CAUTIONARY
STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS
|
2
3
4
6
18
20
21
21
22
|
This
Management’s Discussion and Analysis (‘MD&A’)
of Denison Mines Corp. and its subsidiary companies and joint
arrangements (collectively, ‘Denison’ or the
‘Company’) provides a detailed analysis of the
Company’s business and compares its financial results with
those of the previous year. This MD&A is dated as of May 8,
2024 and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s
unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and
related notes for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The
unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements are
prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting
Standards (‘IFRS’) as issued by the International
Accounting Standards Board (‘IASB’), including IAS 34,
Interim Financial
Reporting. Readers are also encouraged to consult the
audited consolidated financial statements and MD&A for the year
ended December 31, 2023. All dollar amounts in this MD&A are
expressed in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted.
Additional
information about Denison, including the Company’s press
releases, quarterly and annual reports, Annual Information Form and
Form 40-F is available through the Company’s filings with the
securities regulatory authorities in Canada at www.sedarplus.ca
(‘SEDAR+’) and the United States at
www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml (‘EDGAR’).
|
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
|
Q1 2024 PERFORMANCE
HIGHLIGHTS
■
Transition to Detailed Design Engineering for Flagship Phoenix ISR
Project with Award of $16 Million Contract to Wood
In January 2024,
Denison awarded a contract for approximately $16 million to Wood
Canada Limited (‘Wood’), for the completion of detailed
design engineering for the In-Situ Recovery (‘ISR’)
mining project planned for the Phoenix uranium deposit
(‘Phoenix’).
Wood completed a
Feasibility Study (‘Phoenix FS’) in 2023 to evaluate
the use of the ISR mining method at Phoenix, the results of which
reflected several years of technical de-risking efforts
successfully completed by Denison and demonstrated robust
economics. Following completion of the Phoenix FS, Denison's Board
of Directors approved the continuation of efforts to advance
Phoenix towards a final investment decision (‘FID’)
and, in late 2023, the Management Committee of the Wheeler River
Joint Venture approved a budget for the applicable 2024
expenditures, including detailed engineering design.
The scope of the
facilities to be designed by Wood under the contract is extensive,
with work commencing in the first quarter of 2024 and potentially
extending into the first half of 2025.
■
Announcement of Planned Restart of McClean Lake Mining
Operations
In January 2024,
Orano Canada Inc. (‘Orano Canada’) and Denison
announced the planned restart of uranium mining operations on the
McClean Lake property. Mining is expected to be carried out using
the joint venture's patented Surface Access Borehole Resource
Extraction (‘SABRE’) mining method and is planned to
commence at the McClean North deposit in 2025. Activities in 2024
are intended to be focused on completing the preparations necessary
to ready the existing SABRE mining site and equipment for
continuous commercial operations, as well as the installation of
eight pilot holes for the first mining cavities planned for
excavation. The approved budget for this work in 2024 is $7.0
million (100% basis). Approximately 800,000 pounds U3O8 (100% basis) are
targeted for production from McClean North in 2025, with
approximately 3,000,000 pounds U3O8 (100% basis)
identified for potential additional production from a combination
of the McClean North and Caribou deposits during the years 2026 to
2030.
■
Signing of Sustainable Communities Investment
Agreement
In March 2024,
Denison signed a Sustainable Communities Investment Agreement with
the municipalities of the Northern Village of Beauval, the Northern
Village of Île-à-la Crosse, the Northern Hamlet of Jans
Bay, and the Northern Hamlet of Cole Bay (the
‘Communities’).
The agreement
with the Communities establishes commitments of Denison in support
of community development initiatives, with consideration towards
contributing to the current and future economic prosperity and
sustainability of the Communities by promoting economic development
and investments in capital projects, job creation and training,
housing, education, and other initiatives.
As part of the
agreement, the Communities have provided their consent and support
for the Wheeler River project and have committed, amongst other
things, to support all regulatory approvals issued for the project
related to exploration, evaluation, development, operation,
reclamation, and closure activities.
■
Acquisition of MaxPERF Tool Systems
In February 2024,
the Company announced an acquisition of fixed and mobile MaxPERF
Tool Systems from Penetrators Canada Inc.
(‘Penetrators’). The MaxPERF Tool Systems have been
successfully deployed several times as a method of permeability
enhancement in ISR field studies conducted on the Company’s
potential ISR mining projects, including at Phoenix. Penetrators
has also agreed to work exclusively with Denison for a 10-year
period with respect to the use of the MaxPERF Tool Systems for
uranium mining applications, and related services, in
Saskatchewan.
In April 2024,
Denison completed the sale of 100,000 pounds of U3O8 from its physical
uranium holdings, at a price of US$100.00 per pound. The sale was
agreed in January 2024, and is part of the Company’s plans
(see the Outlook for 2024 in the MD&A for the year ended
December 31, 2023) to sell approximately 300,000 pounds
U3O8 from its physical
uranium holdings during 2024. Denison acquired its physical uranium
position in 2021 at an average cost of US$29.65 per pound
U3O8.
|
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
|
■
Earn-In Agreement with Grounded Lithium Corp.
In January 2024,
Denison entered into an agreement with Grounded Lithium Corp.
(‘Grounded Lithium’) to acquire up to a 75% interest in
the Kindersley Lithium Project (‘KLP’) in Saskatchewan.
The agreement includes a series of earn-in options, with each
earn-in option requiring a cash payment to Grounded Lithium as well
as work expenditures to advance the KLP. Should Denison complete
all three earn-in options, it will have made cumulative cash
payments to Grounded Lithium of $3.2 million and have funded $12.0
million in project expenditures to earn a 75% interest in the KLP.
The Company is currently evaluating its 2024 plans and will update
its outlook for the year once the plan has been
finalized.
Denison Mines
Corp. was formed under the laws of Ontario and is a reporting
issuer in all Canadian provinces and territories. Denison’s
common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (the
‘TSX’) under the symbol ‘DML’ and on the
NYSE American exchange under the symbol
‘DNN’.
Denison is a
uranium mining, exploration and development company with interests
focused in the Athabasca Basin region of northern Saskatchewan,
Canada. The Company has an effective 95% interest in its flagship
Wheeler River Uranium Project, which is the largest undeveloped
uranium project in the infrastructure rich eastern portion of the
Athabasca Basin region of northern Saskatchewan. In mid-2023, the
Phoenix FS was completed for the Phoenix deposit as an ISR mining
operation, and an update to the previously prepared 2018
Pre-Feasibility Study (‘PFS’) was completed for Wheeler
River’s Gryphon deposit as a conventional underground mining
operation. Based on the respective studies, both deposits have the
potential to be competitive with the lowest cost uranium mining
operations in the world. Permitting efforts for the planned Phoenix
ISR operation commenced in 2019 and have advanced significantly,
with licensing in progress and a draft Environmental Impact Study
(‘EIS’) submitted for regulatory and public review in
October 2022.
Denison’s
interests in Saskatchewan also include a 22.5% ownership interest
in the McClean Lake Joint Venture (‘MLJV’), which
includes unmined uranium deposits (planned for extraction via the
MLJV’s SABRE mining method starting in 2025) and the McClean
Lake uranium mill (currently utilizing a portion of its licensed
capacity to process the ore from the Cigar Lake mine under a toll
milling agreement), plus a 25.17% interest in the Midwest Joint
Venture (‘MWJV’)’s Midwest Main and Midwest A
deposits, and a 69.35% interest in the Tthe Heldeth Túé
(‘THT’) and Huskie deposits on the Waterbury Lake
Property (‘Waterbury’). The Midwest Main, Midwest A,
THT and Huskie deposits are located within 20 kilometres of the
McClean Lake mill. Taken together, the Company has direct ownership
interests in properties covering ~384,000 hectares in the Athabasca
Basin region.
Additionally,
through its 50%
ownership of JCU (Canada) Exploration Company, Limited
(‘JCU’), Denison holds additional interests in various
uranium project joint ventures in Canada, including the Millennium
project (JCU, 30.099%), the Kiggavik project (JCU, 33.8118%) and
Christie Lake (JCU, 34.4508%).
In 2024, Denison
is celebrating its 70th year in uranium
mining, exploration, and development, which began in 1954 with
Denison’s first acquisition of mining claims in the Elliot
Lake region of northern Ontario.
SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(in
thousands)
|
|
As at
March 31,
2024
|
|
As at
December 31,
2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial Position:
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash
equivalents
|
$
|
120,294
|
$
|
131,054
|
Working
capital(1)
|
$
|
131,041
|
$
|
135,130
|
Investments in
uranium
|
$
|
271,138
|
$
|
276,815
|
Property, plant
and equipment
|
$
|
256,082
|
$
|
254,946
|
Total
assets
|
$
|
712,909
|
$
|
726,603
|
Total long-term
liabilities(2)
|
$
|
67,077
|
$
|
66,873
|
(1)
Working capital is a non-IFRS
financial measure and is calculated as the value of current assets
less the value of current liabilities, excluding non-cash current
liabilities. Working capital as at March 31, 2024 excludes
$4,501,000 from the current portion of deferred revenue (December
31, 2023 – $4,535,000).
(2)
Predominantly comprised of
the non-current portion of deferred revenue, non-current
reclamation obligations, and deferred income tax
liabilities.
|
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
|
SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
|
|
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
|
2023
|
|
2023
|
(in
thousands, except for per share amounts)
|
|
Q1
|
|
Q4
|
|
Q3
|
|
Q2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continuing Operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
revenues
|
$
|
832
|
$
|
1,092
|
$
|
777
|
$
|
968
|
Net earnings
(loss)
|
$
|
(19,880)
|
$
|
34,627
|
$
|
57,916
|
$
|
(345)
|
Basic and diluted
earnings (loss) per share
|
$
|
(0.02)
|
$
|
0.04
|
$
|
0.07
|
$
|
(0.00)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discontinued Operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings
(loss)
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
(150)
|
$
|
321
|
$
|
406
|
Basic and diluted
earnings (loss) per share
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
(0.00)
|
$
|
0.00
|
$
|
0.00
|
|
|
|
|
2023
|
|
2022
|
|
2022
|
|
2022
|
(in
thousands, except for per share amounts)
|
|
Q1
|
|
Q4
|
|
Q3
|
|
Q2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continuing Operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
revenues
|
$
|
(982)
|
$
|
1,015
|
$
|
996
|
$
|
4,491
|
Net
loss
|
$
|
(2,834)
|
$
|
(6,247)
|
$
|
(6,854)
|
$
|
(16,688)
|
Basic and diluted
loss per share
|
$
|
(0.00)
|
$
|
(0.01)
|
$
|
(0.01)
|
$
|
(0.02)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discontinued Operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
earnings
|
$
|
434
|
$
|
506
|
$
|
471
|
$
|
541
|
Basic and diluted
earnings per share
|
$
|
0.00
|
$
|
0.00
|
$
|
0.00
|
$
|
0.00
|
Significant items causing variations in quarterly
results
●
The Company’s revenues
are based on a draw-down of deferred toll milling revenue, the rate
of which fluctuates due to the timing of uranium processing at the
McClean Lake mill, as well as changes to the estimated mineral
resources of the Cigar Lake mine. The rate of draw-down for the
toll milling deferred revenue was updated for changes to expected
future toll milling production rates at McClean Lake in the first
quarter of 2023. This update resulted in negative revenue, which is
uncommon. See RESULTS OF OPERATIONS below for further
details.
●
Exploration expenses are
generally largest in the first and third quarters, due to the
timing of the winter and summer exploration seasons in northern
Saskatchewan.
●
Evaluation expenses have
generally increased over the past eight quarters as the Company
advances towards an FID for Phoenix, with the highest expenses
incurred in the second and third quarter of 2022 as the Company
completed the substantive stages of the Phoenix Feasibility Field
Test (‘FFT’).
●
Other income and expense
fluctuates due to changes in the fair value of the Company’s
portfolio investments, convertible debentures, and uranium
investments, all of which are recorded at fair value through profit
or loss and are subject to fluctuations in the underlying share and
commodity prices. The Company’s uranium investments are also
subject to fluctuations in the US dollar to Canadian dollar
exchange rate. The impact of fair value changes on the
Company’s net earnings / loss was particularly significant in
the second quarter of 2022 and the second, third and fourth
quarters of 2023. See OTHER INCOME below for more
details.
●
The Company’s results
are also impacted, from time to time, by other non-recurring events
arising from its ongoing activities, as discussed below, where
applicable.
REVENUES
McClean Lake Uranium Mill
McClean Lake is
located on the eastern edge of the Athabasca Basin in northern
Saskatchewan, approximately 750 kilometres north of Saskatoon.
Denison holds a 22.5% ownership interest in the MLJV and the
McClean Lake uranium mill, one of the world’s largest uranium
processing facilities, which is contracted to process ore from the
Cigar Lake mine under a toll milling agreement. The MLJV is a joint
venture between Orano Canada with a 77.5% interest and Denison with
a 22.5% interest.
|
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
|
In February 2017,
Denison closed an arrangement with Ecora Resources PLC
(‘Ecora’, then known as Anglo Pacific Group PLC) and
one of its wholly owned subsidiaries (the ‘Ecora
Arrangement’) under which Denison received an upfront payment
of $43,500,000 in exchange for its right to receive future toll
milling cash receipts from the MLJV under the then current toll
milling agreement with the Cigar Lake Joint Venture
(‘CLJV’) from July 1, 2016 onwards. The Ecora
Arrangement consists of certain contractual obligations of Denison
to forward to Ecora the cash proceeds of future toll milling
revenue earned by the Company related to the processing of the
specified Cigar Lake ore through the McClean Lake mill and, as
such, the upfront payment was accounted for as deferred
revenue.
During the three
months ended March 31, 2024, the McClean Lake mill processed 4.2
million pounds U3O8 for the CLJV
(March 31, 2023 – 3.8 million pounds U3O8) and Denison
recorded toll milling revenue of $832,000, which was comprised of
revenue recognized from current period toll milling activity of
$1,039,000, partially offset by a negative $207,000 non-cash
cumulative accounting adjustment due to the Cigar Lake mineral
resource estimate update published in the first quarter of 2024
(March 31, 2023 – $982,000 of negative net toll milling
revenue due to revenue from toll milling activity of $964,000 which
was more than offset by a negative $1,946,000 non-cash cumulative
accounting adjustment driven by changes in the timing of mining
activities at Cigar Lake, as well as an update to the mineral
resource estimate). The increase in toll milling revenue in the
current quarter, as compared to the prior year, is predominantly
due to the $1,946,000 negative non-cash cumulative accounting
adjustment that was recorded in the prior year. In the first
quarter of 2022, the operators of the Cigar Lake mine announced a
reduction in forecasted mine production from 18 million pounds
U3O3 per year to 15
million pounds U3O8 per year in 2022
and 2023, and then to 13.5 million pounds U3O3 per year
thereafter. In the first quarter of 2023, the operators of the
Cigar Lake mine announced that forecasted future mine production
was increased back to 18 million pounds U3O3 per year. Under
IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts
with Customers, the change in the estimated timing of the
toll milling of the CLJV ores in 2022 resulted in an increase to
the implied financing component of the toll milling transaction,
thus increasing the total deferred revenue to be recognized over
the life of the toll milling contract as well as the deferred
revenue draw-down rate. The updated draw-down rate was applied
retrospectively to all pounds produced for the CLJV since the
inception of the Ecora Arrangement in July 2016, resulting in an
increase in revenue in the first quarter of 2022, which was
effectively reversed in the first quarter of 2023, resulting in the
reduction in revenue.
During the three
months ended March 31, 2024, the Company also recorded accounting
accretion expense of $812,000 on the toll milling deferred revenue
balance (March 31, 2023 – $1,221,000). While the annual
accretion expense will decrease over the life of the contract as
the deferred revenue liability decreases over time, the decrease in
accretion expense in the three months ended March 31, 2024, as
compared to the prior period, is predominantly due to a $483,000
true up recognized in the prior year to increase the life-to-date
accretion expense due to the change in the timing in the estimated
CLJV toll milling activities discussed above. During the current
period, a true up of only $63,000 was recorded as a result of the
update to the Cigar Lake mineral resource estimate.
The impact of the
current and prior period true-ups to revenue and accretion are
non-cash.
OPERATING EXPENSES
Mining
Operating
expenses of the mining segment include depreciation and development
costs, costs relating to Denison’s legacy mine sites in
Elliot Lake, as well as cost of sales related to the sale of
uranium, when applicable. Operating expenses in the three months
ended March 31, 2024 were $1,220,000 (March 31, 2023 –
$904,000).
Included in
operating expenses is depreciation expense relating to the McClean
Lake mill of $667,000 (March 31, 2023 - $652,000), as a result of
processing approximately 4.2
million pounds U3O8 for the CLJV
(March 31, 2023 – 3.8 million pounds U3O8), $322,000 in
costs related to the Company’s Elliot Lake legacy mines sites
(March 31, 2023 – $150,000), and development and other
operating costs of the MLJV of $231,000 (March 31, 2023 –
$102,000).
During the first
quarter of 2024, the MLJV also began planning work for the 2024
SABRE program, the goal of which is to prepare the McClean North
site for the commencement of SABRE mining activities in 2025. The
site worked is planned to commence late in the second quarter of
2024.
MINERAL PROPERTY EVALUATION
During the first
quarter of 2024, Denison’s share of evaluation expenditures
was $5,701,000 (March 31, 2023 –$2,722,000). The increase in
evaluation expenditures, compared to the prior period, was
primarily due to the continuation of project engineering activities
associated with the Phoenix detailed design engineering phase, as
well as an overall increase in the headcount of the evaluation team
to support the advancement of the project.
|
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
|
The following
table summarizes the evaluation activities completed during the
first quarter of 2024.
PROJECT EVALUATION ACTIVITIES
|
Property
|
Denison’s ownership
|
Evaluation activities
|
Wheeler
River
|
95%(1)
|
Engineering,
detailed design, metallurgical testing, FFT care and maintenance,
project planning for 2024 field program activities, environmental
and sustainability activities, and EIS regulatory
reviews.
|
|
Waterbury
Lake
|
69.35%(2)
|
Project planning
for 2024 field activities.
|
|
Midwest
|
25.17%
|
Project planning,
execution of 2024 inaugural ISR well installation and field test,
and progression of the Preliminary Economic Assessment
(‘PEA’) report.
|
|
KLP
|
-(3)
|
Project planning
for 2024 activities.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes
(1)
The Company’s effective
ownership interest as at March 31, 2024, including the indirect 5%
ownership interest held through JCU.
(2)
Represents Denison’s
ownership position as at October 31, 2023.
(3)
The KLP agreement was
finalized in January 2024 with a series of earn-in options, whereby
Denison can earn up to a 75% interest in the project through direct
payments and work expenditures. As at March 31, 2024, Denison has
not yet vested an ownership interest in the project.
Wheeler River Uranium
Project
On June 26, 2023
Denison announced the results of (i) the Phoenix FS completed for
ISR mining of the high-grade Phoenix deposit and (ii) an updated
Gryphon PFS for conventional underground mining of the
basement-hosted Gryphon deposit.
The Phoenix FS
was completed by Wood, WSP USA Environment and Infrastructure Inc.,
SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc., and Newmans Geotechnique Inc. The
study confirms robust economics and the technical viability of an
ISR uranium mining operation with low initial capital costs and a
high rate of return.
The Phoenix FS
reflects several design changes and the results of a rigorous
technical de-risking program completed by Denison over the 4.5
years following the publication of the 2018 PFS, which was
highlighted by the then-novel selection of the ISR mining method
for Phoenix.
With the benefit
of extensive lab and field testing of all key elements of the
proposed ISR mining operation, and current cost estimates
reflecting recent inflationary pressures, the Phoenix FS is
expected to provide Denison with an excellent basis to advance
engineering designs in support of an FID.
|
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
|
See the following
tables for the highlights of the Phoenix FS.
Summary of Economic Results (100% Basis) – Base
Case
|
Uranium selling
price
|
UxC Spot Price(1)
(~US$66 to
US$70/lb U3O8)
|
Exchange Rate
(US$:CAD$)
|
1.35
|
Discount
Rate
|
8%
|
Operating profit
margin(2)
|
90.9%
|
|
|
Pre-tax
NPV8%(3) (Change from 2018 PFS)(4)
|
$2.34 billion
(+150%)
|
Pre-tax
IRR(3)
|
105.9%
|
Pre-tax payback
period(5)
|
~10
months
|
|
|
Post-tax
NPV8%(3)
|
$1.43
billion
|
Post-tax
IRR(3)
|
82.3%
|
Post-tax payback
period(5)
|
~11
months
|
|
|
Adjusted Post-tax
NPV8%(3)(6)
|
$1.56
billion
|
Adjusted Post-tax
IRR(3)(6)
|
90.0%
|
Adjusted Post-tax
payback period(3)(6)
|
~10
months
|
Notes
(1)
Spot price forecast is based
on “Composite Midpoint” scenario from UxC’s UMO
(defined below) and is stated in constant (not-inflated) dollars.
See Denison news releases dated June 26, 2023 and August 9, 2023
and the Wheeler Technical Report (defined below) for
details.
(2)
Operating profit margin is
calculated as aggregate uranium revenue less aggregate operating
costs, divided by aggregate uranium revenue. Operating costs
exclude all royalties, surcharges and income taxes.
(3)
NPV and IRR are calculated to
the start of construction activities for the Phoenix operation and
excludes $67.4 million in pre-FID expenditures.
(4)
Change from 2018 PFS is
computed by reference to the same scenario from the 2018 PFS,
adjusted to incorporate certain pre-FID costs for consistent
comparability.
(5)
Payback period is stated as
number of months to payback from the start of uranium
production.
(6)
The Adjusted Post-tax NPV,
IRR and payback period are based on the “adjusted
post-tax” scenario, which includes the benefit of certain
entity level tax attributes which are expected to be available and
used to reduce taxable income from the Phoenix operation. See
Denison news release dated June 26, 2023 and the Wheeler Technical
Report (defined below) for details.
Summary of Key Phoenix Operational Parameters (100%
basis)
|
Mine
life
|
10
years
|
Proven &
Probable reserves(1)
|
56.7 million lbs
U3O8 (219,000 tonnes
at 11.7% U3O8)
|
First 5 years of
reserves(2)
|
41.9 million lbs
U3O8 (Average 8.4
million lbs U3O8 /
year)
|
Remaining years
of reserves
|
14.8 million lbs
U3O8 (Average 3.0
million lbs U3O8 /
year)
|
Initial capital
costs(3)
|
$419.4
million
|
Average cash
operating costs
|
$8.51 (US$6.28)
per lb U3O8
|
All-in
cost(4)
|
$21.73 (US$16.04)
per lb U3O8
|
Notes
(1)
See Denison press release
dated June 26, 2023 for additional details regarding Proven &
Probable reserves.
(2)
The first five years is
determined by reference to the 60-month period that commences at
the start of operations.
(3)
Initial capital costs exclude
$67.4 million in estimated pre-FID expenditures expected to be
incurred before the projects FID has been made.
(4)
All-in cost is estimated on a
pre-tax basis and includes all project operating costs, capital
costs post-FID, and decommissioning costs divided by the estimated
number of pounds U3O8 to be
produced.
The Gryphon
Update was prepared by Engcomp Engineering and Computing
Professionals Inc., SLR International Corporation, Stantec
Consulting Ltd., and Hatch Ltd., and is largely based on the 2018
PFS, with efforts targeted at the review and update of capital and
operating costs, as well as various minor scheduling and design
optimizations. The study remains at the PFS level of
confidence.
Overall, the
Gryphon Update demonstrates that the underground development of
Gryphon is a positive potential future use of cash flows generated
from Phoenix, as it is able to leverage existing infrastructure to
provide an additional source of low-cost production.
|
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
|
See the following
tables for the highlights of the Gryphon Update.
Summary of Economic Results (100% Basis) – Base
Case
|
Uranium selling
price
|
US$75/lb U3O8(1)
(Fixed selling
price)
|
Exchange Rate
(US$:CAD$)
|
1.35
|
Discount
Rate
|
8%
|
Operating profit
margin(3)
|
83.0%
|
|
|
Pre-tax
NPV8%(3) (Change from 2018 PFS)(4)
|
$1.43 billion
(+148%)
|
Pre-tax
IRR(3)
|
41.4%
|
Pre-tax payback
period(5)
|
~ 20
months
|
|
|
Post-tax
NPV8%(3)(6)
|
$864.2
million
|
Post-tax
IRR(3)(6)
|
37.6%
|
Post-tax payback
period(5)(6)
|
~ 22
months
|
Notes
(1)
Fixed selling price is based
on the forecasted annual “Composite Midpoint” long-term
uranium price from UxC’s Q2’2023 UMO (defined below)
and is stated in constant (not-inflated) dollars. See Denison news
releases dated June 26, 2023 and August 9, 2023 and the Wheeler
Technical Report (defined below) for details.
(2)
Operating profit margin is
calculated as aggregate uranium revenue less aggregate operating
costs, divided by aggregate uranium revenue. Operating costs
exclude all royalties, surcharges and income taxes.
(3)
NPV and IRR are calculated to
the start of construction activities for the Gryphon operation, and
excludes $56.5 million in pre-FID expenditures.
(4)
Change from 2018 PFS is
computed by reference to the same scenario from the 2018 PFS,
adjusted to incorporate certain pre-FID costs for consistent
comparability.
(5)
Payback period is stated as
number of months to payback from the start of uranium
production.
(6)
There is no
“adjusted” post-tax case for Gryphon, given that the
entity level tax attributes of the Wheler River Joint Venture
owners are assumed to have been fully depleted by the Phoenix
operation. See Denison news release dated June 26, 2023 and the
Wheeler Technical Report (defined below) for details.
Summary of Key Gryphon Operational Parameters (100%
basis)
|
Mine
life
|
6.5
years
|
Probable
reserves(1)
|
49.7 million lbs
U3O8 (1,257,000 tonnes
at 1.8% U3O8)
|
Average annual
production
|
7.6 million lbs
U3O8
|
Initial capital
costs(2)
|
$737.4
million
|
Average cash
operating costs
|
$17.27 (US$12.75)
per lb U3O8
|
All-in
cost(3)
|
$34.50 (US$25.47)
per lb U3O8
|
Notes
(1)
See Denison press release
dated June 26, 2023 for additional details regarding Probable
reserves.
(2)
Initial capital costs exclude
$56.5 million in estimated pre-FID expenditures expected to be
incurred before the project’s FID has been made.
(3)
All-in cost is estimated on a
pre-tax basis and includes all project operating costs, capital
costs post-FID, and decommissioning costs divided by the estimated
number of pounds U3O8 to be
produced.
Further details
regarding Wheeler River, including the estimated mineral reserves
and resources for Phoenix and Gryphon, are provided in the
Technical Report for the Wheeler River project titled ‘NI
43-101 Technical Report on the Wheeler River Project, Athabasca
Basin, Saskatchewan, Canada’ with an effective date of June
23, 2023 (‘Wheeler Technical Report’). A copy of the
Wheeler Technical Report is available on Denison’s website
and under its profile on each of SEDAR+ and EDGAR.
|
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
|
The location of
the Wheeler River property, as well as the Phoenix and Gryphon
deposits, and existing and proposed infrastructure, is shown on the
map provided below.
Evaluation Program
Denison’s
2024 evaluation plans for Wheeler River include: (1) advancing
detailed design engineering and long-lead procurement, (2)
finalizing the EIS through both federal and provincial processes,
(3) completing the required program documents to support licensing
and permitting approval on the construction of the proposed Phoenix
ISR operation, (4) advancing negotiation of additional impact
benefit type agreements with interested parties, (5) planning and
executing the field program optimization studies to finalize the
selection of permeability enhancement technologies and drilling
methodology; and (6) completing the final decommissioning
activities of the FFT.
During the first
quarter of 2024, Denison’s share of evaluation costs at
Wheeler River was $4,858,000 (March 31, 2023 –
$2,540,000).
Engineering Activities
Feasibility Field Test
The
FFT was designed to use the commercial-scale ISR test pattern
installed at Phoenix in 2021 to facilitate a combined evaluation of
the Phoenix deposit's hydraulic flow properties, with the leaching
characteristics that were previously assessed through the
metallurgical core-leach testing program.
|
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
|
The
successful completion of the leaching and neutralization phases of
the FFT in the fourth quarter of 2022 provided further verification
of the permeability, leachability, reclamation, and containment
parameters needed for the successful application of the ISR mining
method at the Phoenix deposit.
The final stage of the FFT, the recovered solution
management phase, was completed in 2023 and involved treating the
solutions recovered in 2022 during the leaching and neutralization
phases to produce (i) a mineralized precipitate and (ii) a treated
effluent solution that met permit criteria for re-injection back
into the mineralized formation. The mineralized precipitate will be
stored on surface at site and will be monitored in further care and
maintenance activities. A total of 560 cubic metres of recovered
solution was successfully processed into treated effluent and a
mineralized precipitate, which contains an estimated 99.99% of the
14,400 pounds U3O8
previously estimated to be dissolved
in the recovered solution. The treated effluent was tested to
ensure compliance with permit conditions and was then injected into
the mineralized zone. The results of this phase of the FFT
validates the Company’s processing designs and assumptions
for the future Phoenix processing plant.
With
the completion of the recovered solution management phase, Denison
has initiated the decommissioning of the FFT facilities, in
accordance with its permit conditions. Decommissioning involves the
cleaning, deconstruction, and shipment off-site of equipment used
during the leaching, neutralization, and solution management
phases. As the decommissioning work was not completed prior to the
onset of winter weather conditions, Denison expects to complete the
majority of the decommissioning of the FFT site in
2024.
During
the first quarter of 2024, project planning and procurement for the
decommissioning phase commenced, and the mobilization of field
staff began in early April 2024.
Metallurgical Testing
During
the first quarter of 2024, the metallurgical test program continued
at Saskatchewan Research Council Laboratories (‘SRC’)
in Saskatoon including the continuation of core leach testing,
remediation testing, and work related to support key plant
equipment sizing and effluent treatment.
Front End Engineering Design (‘FEED’)
FEED activities
were initiated for Phoenix in early 2023, prior to the completion
of the Phoenix FS, to increase the level of engineering definition
in key project areas. This parallel approach allowed for the
results of several FEED scopes to be incorporated into the Phoenix
FS.
Following the
completion of the Phoenix FS, additional FEED work continued to
assess opportunities to optimize the process plant and well field
designs. FEED activities during 2023 included: air emissions
controls studies, water treatment improvements, advancement of
electrical and instrumentation engineering, mechanical engineering
and wellfield optimization activities, finalization of process flow
diagrams and major equipment selection for the processing plant,
development of strategy, schedule, and maintenance management
processes to support operational readiness activities, and
development of a detailed procurement schedule and advancement of
key long lead procurement packages.
The FEED phase
was completed in January 2024 with an immediate transition to the
detailed design engineering phase for the Phoenix mining and
processing infrastructure.
Detailed Design
The detailed
design phase was initiated in January 2024 with a contract awarded
to Wood, allowing for uninterrupted continuation of engineering
activities required to develop issued for construction drawings,
specifications, data sheets and various construction work
packages.
The Wood scope
includes the process plant, electrical substation &
distribution, integration of wellfield surface facilities,
ponds/pads, site earthworks including access road to site, civil
piping (including firewater), and overall site layout with modular
buildings integration.
Denison’s
in-house technical teams are leading the detailed design activities
for the freeze plant, wellfield recovery/injection/header house,
and modular buildings.
The final
engineering contract in detailed design, for the finalized design
of airstrip and access road, is expected to be issued in first half
of 2024.
|
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
|
At the end of the
first quarter of 2024, all design criteria have been issued for use
to support the processing infrastructure design advancement,
including wellfield layout and injector/recovery header houses,
process plant equipment sizing and placement, yellowcake packing,
and storage area layouts. All piping and instrumentation diagrams
have been developed for both processing and wellfield areas and
hazard and operability studies have been completed on the
processing facilities.
Advancement in
non-process infrastructure also took place in the first quarter of
2024, including the completion of a routing study for the
project’s connection to SaskPower’s 138KV power line.
Additional progress has been made on the development of camp and
operations centre layouts as well as site stormwater management
plans, and the pond liners specifications have been completed to an
issued for construction level of design.
A geotechnical
program was completed in the first quarter of 2024 to allow for
foundation and airstrip designs to be finalized.
Additionally,
Denison developed a fire protection strategy for use in completing
fire hazard assessment and code compliance reviews as required by
CSA N393.
Long lead procurement
By the end of
2023, two long lead items were procured by Denison: (1) the site
power transformer, and (2) the control system, to ensure overall
control system integration with subsequent vendor
packages.
In the first
quarter of 2024, procurement activities ramped up with the
initiation of the procurement process for the packing system,
thickeners and clarifiers, sand filters, centrifuges, product dryer
and scrubber, freeze plant, and the medium voltage back-up diesel
generators. Activity levels are expected to increase in the second
quarter of 2024 to enable vendor selection for the packages listed
above as well as the issuance of further procurement
packages.
Construction Planning
Denison has
advanced early construction planning with key northern business
partners to develop execution schedules and detailed construction
methodologies for key scopes.
Environmental and Sustainability Activities
Environmental Assessment (‘EA’) Activities
In February 2024,
Denison submitted responses to the second round of information
requests received from the Federal Indigenous Review Team, marking
further progress in the Federal EA process.
In October 2023,
the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment confirmed its satisfaction
with Denison’s comment responses and proposed EIS updates.
The confirmation would allow Denison to finalize the EIS for the
purpose of obtaining a Provincial EA approval, however this would
delink the coordinated Provincial – Federal EA process, which
is not expected to provide a meaningful schedule advantage for the
project. Denison plans to submit one version of the final EIS to
both authorities once the Federal IRs have been
resolved.
Licensing Activities
The Company has
now submitted substantially all of the required program and design
documents required to obtain a site preparation and construction
license from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
(‘CNSC’), who is currently reviewing the application
against technical requirements. Similar to the EA process, once the
CNSC staff determine that the technical requirements of the
application have been met, the staff will recommend a license be
issued following a CNSC Commission hearing.
Community Engagement Activities
As part of
ongoing engagement activities, Denison carried out community
meetings with Indigenous and non-Indigenous interested parties in
October 2023, with plans to continue in 2024.
As part of the EA
review process, Denison previously provided responses and is
currently reviewing the public comments with indigenous communities
and other organizations before submission of the final Wheeler
River EIS.
|
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
|
Additionally, in
March 2024, Denison signed a Sustainable Communities Investment
Agreement with four municipalities in northern Saskatchewan. This
agreement acknowledges that the municipalities have a desire to
work together to develop a regional approach that enables social,
economic, and cultural revitalization, of which Denison can play a
supporting role. An important outcome of this agreement is the
support and consent of these four municipalities for the Wheeler
River project.
Evaluation Pipeline Properties
Waterbury Lake
In
2020, an independent PEA was completed for Waterbury, which
evaluated the potential use of the ISR mining method at the THT
deposit. Further details regarding Waterbury, including the
estimated mineral resources, are provided in the Technical Report
for Waterbury titled ‘Preliminary Economic Assessment for the
Tthe Heldeth Túé (J Zone) Deposit, Waterbury Lake
Property, Northern Saskatchewan, Canada’ with an effective
date of October 30, 2020, a copy of which is available on
Denison’s website and under its profile on each of SEDAR+ and
EDGAR.
Denison’s
2023 evaluation activities at Waterbury were designed to build upon
the 2020 PEA and included an ISR field program consisting of the
installation of the first ISR test wells at THT, the completion of
pump testing, injection testing, permeameter data collection,
hydrogeological logging, metallurgical sampling, geological
logging, as well as an ion tracer test.
The THT ISR field program successfully achieved
each of its planned objectives including: validation of hydraulic
conductivity in 100% of the test well within the ore zone and
achieving hydraulic conductivity values consistent with the 2020
PEA; the establishment of a 10-hour breakthrough time with
ion tracer test, demonstrating the ability to maintain hydraulic
control of injected solutions and achieve breakthrough times
consistent with expectations; and, demonstration of the
effectiveness of permeability enhancement.
Denison’s
2024 evaluation plans for Waterbury include: metallurgical test
work on core retrieved during the 2023 field program, additional
pump and injection tests on the installed ISR test wells to
validate year over year hydrogeological test results, and
advancement of key components of environmental baseline data
collection. The results are expected to be used to further advance
the evaluation of the ISR mining method for the property, which may
include the preparation of a PFS and a Technical Proposal / Project
Description, which, if completed, would initiate the regulatory
approval / permitting process for the THT deposit.
During
the first quarter of 2024, work included planning activities and
the procurement of long-lead time materials for the 2024 field
program, updates to engineering design activities and assessments,
work on updating the THT resource model from the 2020 PEA, and
continuation of the metallurgical test program at SRC, including
core leach and column testing.
Midwest
The
MWJV is operated by Orano Canada and is host to the high-grade
Midwest Main and Midwest A uranium deposits, which lie along strike
and within six kilometres of the THT and Huskie deposits on
Denison’s 69.35% owned Waterbury Lake project. The Midwest
and Waterbury deposits are all located in close proximity to
existing uranium mining and milling infrastructure including
provincial highways, powerlines, and Denison’s 22.5% owned
McClean Lake mill.
A
concept study evaluating the potential application of the ISR
mining method at Midwest (the ‘Concept Study’) was
prepared by Denison during 2022 and was formally issued to the MWJV
in early 2023. Based on the positive results of the Concept Study,
the MWJV provided Denison with approval to complete additional
ISR-related evaluation work for Midwest.
During
2023, work at Midwest included an inaugural ISR field program
designed to assess site-specific technical elements of the Midwest
deposit, as well as a metallurgical test program which used
historic drill core samples to provide initial site-specific,
ISR-focused, metallurgical results.
In
2024, evaluation plans for Midwest include an ISR field test
program designed to validate the deposit specific characteristics
of Midwest and to create an extensive database of geotechnical,
hydrogeological, and metallurgical data. The field program results,
along with further technical studies, are expected to be used to
advance the de-risking of the ISR mining requirements to further
the evaluation of the ISR mining method for the property, the
results of which may be summarized through the preparation of a
PEA.
|
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
|
The
work completed in the first quarter of 2024 included a drill
program to support a refinement of the resource model for the
Midwest Main deposit, and to facilitate hydrogeological and
metallurgical test work. Additionally, various engineering type
studies were initiated or advanced.
The
drilling program consisted of the installation of 11 wells within
the Midwest Main deposit, including a four well test pattern and
seven individual wells installed to assess select portions of the
deposit for ISR amenability. The test pattern was installed at the
northeast portion of the Midwest Main deposit, and is made up of an
injection well, an extraction well, a recharge well, and a well
outfitted with a multi-channel vibrating wire piezometer. The seven
additional wells were located along the strike length of Midwest
Main and outfitted with well screens and/or pressure monitoring
devices to facilitate hydrogeological testing.
Core
collected from the test wells within the mineralized zone is
expected to be assayed and the results are planned to be used to
update the mineral resource estimate for the deposit, as well as to
support wellfield design and mineral processing
assessments.
Kindersley Lithium Project
In
January 2024, Denison entered into an agreement with Grounded
Lithium with respect to the KLP in Saskatchewan. The agreement
includes a series of earn-in options, with each earn-in option
being comprised of a cash payment to Grounded Lithium as well as
required work expenditures to advance the KLP.
The
Company is developing plans to advance evaluation work at KLP in
2024 and subsequent years. Once the 2024 plans for KLP are
finalized, the evaluation outlook will be updated.
MINERAL PROPERTY EXPLORATION
During the first
quarter of 2024, Denison’s share of exploration expenditures
was $5,413,000 (March 31, 2023 –$3,947,000). The increase in
exploration expenditures compared to the prior year was due to an
increase in winter exploration activities.
Exploration
spending in the Athabasca Basin is generally seasonal in nature,
with spending typically higher during the winter exploration season
(January to mid-April) and summer exploration season (June to
mid-October).
The following
table summarizes the 2024 winter exploration activities, some of
which were completed in early April 2024. For exploration
expenditures reported in this MD&A, all amounts are reported as
of the quarter ended March 31, 2024.
EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES
|
Property
|
Denison’s ownership
|
Drilling in metres
(m)(1)
|
Other activities
|
Crawford
Lake
|
100.00%
|
-
|
Geophysical
Survey
|
Johnston
Lake
|
100.00%
|
-
|
Geophysical
Survey
|
Moon Lake
South
|
75.00%
|
5,634 (8
holes)
|
Geophysical
Survey
|
Wheeler
River
|
95.00%(3)
|
6,666 (12
holes)
|
-
|
Waterfound
|
24.68%(2)
|
6,136 (10
holes)
|
Geophysical
Survey
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
18,436 (20 holes)
|
|
(1)
The Company reports total
exploration metres drilled and the number of holes that were
successfully completed to their target depth.
(2)
Denison’s effective
ownership interest as at March 31, 2024, including an indirect
12.90% ownership interest held through Denison’s 50%
ownership of JCU.
(3)
Denison’s effective
ownership interest as at March 31, 2024, including an indirect 5.0%
ownership interest held through the JCU.
|
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
|
The
Company’s land position in the Athabasca Basin, as of March
31, 2024, is illustrated in the figure below. The Company’s
Athabasca land package decreased during the first quarter of 2024,
from 387,780 hectares (228 claims) to 383,861 hectares (227 claims)
as the Company allowed one claim to lapse on its Bell Lake
property. The land position reported by the Company excludes the
land positions held by JCU.
Wheeler River Exploration
Denison’s
share of exploration costs at Wheeler River was $1,552,000 during
the quarter ended March 31, 2024 (March 31, 2023 –
$1,228,000).
The 2024 Wheeler
River winter exploration drilling program was initiated in
mid-January and was completed in early April. A total of 6,666
metres were drilled in 12 holes. The focus of the 2024 winter drill
program was to identify an ISR-amenable unconformity-associated
uranium deposit proximal to the proposed Phoenix infrastructure.
The drill program was focused on two key areas: (1) the N Zone,
located approximately four kilometres northeast of Phoenix, and (2)
the RE/RW area, an underexplored, northeast-striking conductive
trend that runs between the Phoenix and Gryphon deposits.
Additionally, one drill hole was completed at M Zone to test the
up-dip extension of a graphitic semi-brittle fault intersected
during the 2020 drill program. Preliminary radiometric equivalent
grades (‘eU3O8’) are
assessed by downhole probing during active drill programs (see
‘ASSAY PROCEDURES AND DATA VERIFICATION’ for additional
details).
During the first
quarter of 2024, 1,602 metres were drilled at N Zone in three
diamond drill holes. The drill holes were designed to test
conductive anomalies identified from the 2023 N Zone Stepwise
Moving Loop Electromagnetic (‘SWML EM’) survey.
Elevated radioactivity measuring three to four times background was
observed in each hole; however, no mineralization above a minimum
cutoff of 0.05% eU3O8 was observed.
Assays and geochemical results are pending.
Eight holes
totalling 4,554 metres were drilled in the RE/RW area between
Phoenix and Gryphon. Drilling in this area targeted conductive
anomalies coincident with resistivity low anomalies identified from
previous geophysical surveys, and also tested areas where previous
drilling was determined to have identified anomalous structure,
alteration, or geochemical enrichment that remained open when
projected to the unconformity contact.
|
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
|
One additional
hole was drilled at M Zone to test the unconformity subcrop of a
graphitic semi-brittle fault intersected at depth in 2020 drill
hole WR-777. The follow up hole did not intersect significant
structure, alteration, or elevated radioactivity associated with
the unconformity contact. Geochemical results for the hole are
pending.
The location of
the 2024 drill holes is depicted in the figure below.
Exploration Pipeline Properties
During the first
quarter of 2024, four exploration field programs were carried out
at Denison’s pipeline properties (three operated by Denison)
and Denison’s share of exploration costs for these properties
was $3,861,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2024 (March
31, 2023 – $2,769,000).
The Company
continues to review, prioritize, and rationalize its Athabasca
Basin exploration portfolio with the objective of continuing to
explore its highest priority projects, with the potential to
deliver significant and meaningful new discoveries.
Crawford Lake
The Crawford Lake
property is located adjacent to the southwestern portion of the
Wheeler River project, and borders the Moon Lake South project.
Winter access to the property can be gained from the north via the
Fox Lake road and from the south via the Cree Lake road. The
property is underlain by Athabasca Group sandstones, which in turn
overlie metamorphic rocks of the Wollaston and Mudjatik Domains.
The depth to the unconformity is between 415 and 515
metres.
During the first
quarter of 2024, a SWML EM survey was completed on the property to
better define basement conductivity associated with the CR3
conductive trend near the adjacent Moon Lake South property and
generate targets for future drill testing on the project. The final
processed data set is expected to be received in the second
quarter.
|
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
|
Johnston Lake
During the first
quarter of 2024, a Small Moving Loop Electromagnetic survey was
completed on the Company’s 100%-owned Johnston Lake property
to better define basement conductivity associated with the MJ1
conductive trend and generate targets for future drill testing on
the project. The final processed data set is expected to be
received in the second quarter.
Additionally,
drilling equipment and supplies were mobilized to Denison’s
Gumboot camp to prepare for the upcoming 2024 summer exploration
drilling program, expected to start in early June.
Moon Lake South
The Moon Lake
South property is also located adjacent to the west of the Wheeler
River project and north of Denison’s 100% owned Crawford Lake
project, approximately 30 kilometres northwest of Cameco’s
Key Lake Operation. The Moon Lake South project is a joint venture
between Denison, which holds a 75% interest in the property, and
CanAlaska Uranium Ltd., which holds the remaining 25% interest.
Denison is the project operator.
The 2024 winter
exploration program consisted of eight completed diamond drill
holes totaling 5,634 metres, designed to evaluate the potential to
expand the footprint of high-grade uranium mineralization
discovered in 2023 drill hole MS-23-10A, and to test conductivity
anomalies identified from SWML EM surveys completed in the area to
identify additional mineralization along strike of known
mineralized occurrences identified in 2021.
Low-grade uranium
mineralization was encountered in three of the eight holes
completed during the winter program. MS-23-23 tested the
unconformity 32 metres due west of the mineralization discovered in
2023 drill hole MS-23-10A (2.46% U3O8 over 8.0 metres),
intersecting uranium mineralization at the sub-Athabasca
unconformity grading 0.12% eU3O8 over 0.6 metres.
Drill hole MS-24-25, drilled to target the unconformity 115 metres
due west of MS-23-10A, intersecting uranium mineralization grading
0.12% eU3O8 over 0.4 metres,
hosted at the contact between a fault zone and a graphitic
pelite.
The third
mineralized intersection was returned from hole MS-24-27, which was
drilled to target the unconformity approximately 915 metres
northeast of MS-23-10A, and 250 metres along strike to the
southwest of low-grade mineralization intersected in 2021 drill
hole MS-21-06. MS-24-27 intersected mineralization grading 0.08%
eU3O8 over 0.2 metres,
associated with the contact between a graphitic pelite and an
underlying granitic unit, lying approximately 45 metres below the
unconformity.
Radiometric
equivalent grades for mineralized intercepts from the 2024 winter
drilling program are displayed in the table below. Assay results
are pending.
MINERALIZED DRILL RESULTS FOR 2024 WINTER DRILLING
PROGRAM
|
Hole Number
|
Orientation
(azi./dip)
|
From
(m)
|
To
(m)
|
Length(1)
(m)
|
Grade
(% eU3O8)(2)
|
MS-24-233)
|
309°/-63.0°
|
503.7
|
504.3
|
0.6
|
0.12
|
MS-24-25(3)
|
301°/-54.5°
|
589.4
|
589.8
|
0.4
|
0.12
|
MS-24-27(3)
|
313°/-74.0°
|
536.4
|
536.6
|
0.2
|
0.08
|
1)
Lengths indicated represent
the down-hole length of mineralized intersections.
2)
Grades reported using a
cut-off grade of 0.05% eU3O8.
3)
MS-24-23 was collared at
6,366,673 mN, 466,702 mE, 521 mASL; MS-24-25 was collared at
6,366,636 mN, 466,719 mE, 521 mASL;
MS-24-27 was
collared at 6,367,414 mN, 467,274 mE, 521 mASL (UTM NAD83
Z13N).
Additionally, the
SWML EM survey that was initiated in the fourth quarter of 2023 was
completed in February 2024. The preliminary data is of good quality
and appears to have successfully resolved the position of the CR-3
conductor in the survey area. The results of the 2023/2024 SWML EM
survey will be integrated with other geophysical, geological, and
geochemical data in the area to guide future exploration activities
on the property.
|
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
|
Waterfound River
Waterfound is
operated by Orano Canada. Denison has an effective 24.68% ownership
interest in the project, including its 11.78% direct interest and a
12.90% indirect interest from its 50% ownership of
JCU.
The 2024
exploration diamond drill program was designed to focus on the D-1
North conductor, host to the Crocodile and Alligator Zones, as the
conductor takes a significant bend from an E-W orientation to
NNE-SSW. Ten drill holes were completed during the 2024 winter
drilling program for a total of 6,136 metres. Elevated
radioactivity was encountered in each hole completed during the
winter drilling program. Assay results are pending.
The summer
exploration drilling program is expected to commence in June of
2024.
A small
geophysical program was also initiated at Waterfound to collect DC
Resistivity data over the eastern portion of the D-1 North trend to
identify resistivity low anomalies that may be indicative of
enhanced hydrothermal alteration related to a potentially
mineralizing system. The survey was suspended in early April due to
deteriorating conditions related to the spring thaw and will be
resumed later this year.
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
Total general and
administrative expenses were $3,584,000 during the three months
ended March 31, 2024 (March 31, 2023 – $3,254,000). These
costs are mainly comprised of head office salaries and benefits,
share based compensation, audit and regulatory costs, legal fees,
investor relations expenses, and all other costs related to
operating a public company with listings in Canada and the United
States. The increase in general and administrative expenses during
the first quarter of 2024 was predominantly driven by an increase
in investor relations expenses, audit and tax consulting fees,
legal fees, recruitment fees, and other human resources related
expenses, partially offset by a decrease in share-based
compensation.
OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSE
During the three
months ended March 31, 2024, the Company recognized a net other
expense of $5,082,000 (March 31, 2023 – net other income of
$10,246,000).
The main drivers
of the other income/expense are as follows:
Fair value losses on uranium investments
During 2021, the
Company acquired 2,500,000 pounds of U3O8 at a weighted
average cost of $36.67 (US$29.66) per pound U3O8 (including
purchase commissions of $0.05 (US$0.04) per pound U3O8) to be held as a
long-term investment to strengthen the Company’s balance
sheet and potentially enhance its ability to access project
financing in support of the future advancement and/or construction
of Wheeler River. Given that this material is held for long-term
capital appreciation, the Company’s holdings are measured at
fair value, with changes in fair value between reporting dates
recorded through profit and loss. In 2023, the Company sold 200,000
pounds of U3O8 at a weighted
average price of $99.50 (US$73.38) per pound U3O8. As at March 31,
2024. the Company held 2,300,000 pounds of U3O8 and entered into
commitments for the sale of 100,000 pounds U3O8 with a delivery
date in April 2024. See SUBSEQUENT EVENTS for more
information.
During the first
quarter of 2024, the spot price of U3O8 decreased from
$120.35 (US$91.00) per pound U3O8 as at December
31, 2023, to $117.89 (US$87.00) per pound U3O8, at March 31,
2024, resulting in mark-to-market loss for the three months ended
March 31, 2024 of $5,677,000 on the Company’s uranium
holdings (March 31, 2023 – gain of $8,826,000).
Fair value loss on portfolio investments
During the three
months ended March 31, 2024, the Company recognized a loss on
portfolio investments carried at fair value of $796,000 (March 31,
2023 – gain of $1,166,000). Gains and losses on investments
carried at fair value are determined by reference to the closing
share price of the related investee at the end of the period, or,
as applicable, immediately prior to disposal.
Fair value gains on F3 Debentures
During the year
ended December 31, 2023, the Company completed a $15 million
strategic investment in F3 Uranium Corp. (‘F3’) in the
form of unsecured convertible debentures, which carry a 9% coupon
and will be convertible at Denison’s option into common
shares of F3 at a conversion price of $0.56 per share.
|
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
|
F3 has the right
to pay up to one third of the quarterly interest payable by issuing
common shares. F3 will also have certain redemption rights on or
after the third anniversary of the date of issuance of the
Debentures and/or in the event of an F3 change of control. As a
result of the Debentures’ conversion and redemption features,
the contractual cash flow characteristics of these instruments do
not solely consist of the payment of principal and interest and
therefore the debentures are accounted for as a financial asset at
fair value through profit and loss.
During the three
months ended March 31, 2024, the Company recognized a
mark-to-market gain of $639,000 (March 31, 2023 –$nil) on its
investments in the debentures mainly due to an increase in the F3
share price, partially offset by an increase in the risk-free rate
and the credit spread during the quarter.
Gain on receipt of proceeds from Uranium Industry a.s.
In January 2022,
the Company executed a Repayment Agreement (‘RA’)
pursuant to which the parties negotiated the repayment of the debt
owing from Uranium Industry a.s. (‘UI’) to Denison in
connection with the Company’s sale of its mining assets and
operations located in Mongolia to UI in 2015 for upfront cash
consideration as well as the rights to receive additional
contingent consideration. Under the terms of the RA, UI has agreed
to make scheduled payments of the amounts owing from the sale of
the Mongolia operations through a series of quarterly installments
and annual milestone payments, until December 31, 2025. The total
amount due to Denison under the RA, including amounts received to
date, is approximately US$16,000,000, inclusive of additional
interest to be earned over the term of the agreement at a rate of
6.5% per annum. To date, the Company has collected US$8,200,000 of
the amounts due under the RA. The RA includes customary covenants
and conditions in favour of Denison, including certain restrictions
on UI’s ability to take on additional debt, in consideration
for Denison’s deferral of enforcement of the arbitration
award while UI is in compliance with its obligations under the
RA.
During the three
months ended March 31, 2024, the Company received US$300,000 from
UI (March 31, 2023 – US$200,000), of which a portion relates
to reimbursement of legal and other expenses incurred by Denison.
The increase in payments received in 2024, as compared to the prior
period, is a function of the repayment schedule. During the three
months ended March 31, 2024, as a result of the payments received,
the Company recorded gains related to the Mongolia sale receivable
of $396,000 (March 31, 2023 – $269,000). This receivable is
recorded at fair value at each period end (March 31, 2024 and
December 31, 2023 – $nil).
Foreign exchange gains
During the three
months ended March 31, 2024, the Company recognized a foreign
exchange gain of $634,000 (March 31, 2023 – gain of
$163,000). The foreign exchange gain is predominantly due to the
impact of the increase in the US dollar to Canadian dollar exchange
rate during the quarter on US dollar cash and accounts receivable
balances.
EQUITY SHARE OF INCOME FROM JOINT VENTURES
On August 3,
2021, Denison completed the acquisition of 50% of JCU from UEX
Corporation for cash consideration of $20,500,000 plus transaction
costs of $1,356,000.
JCU is a private
company that holds a portfolio of 12 uranium project joint venture
interests in Canada, including a 10% interest in Denison’s
90% directly-owned Wheeler River project, a 30.099% interest in the
Millennium project (Cameco, 69.901%), a 33.8118% interest in the
Kiggavik project (Orano Canada, 66.1862%), and a 34.4508% interest
in the Christie Lake Project (Uranium Energy Corp.,
65.5492%).
At March 31,
2024, Denison holds a 50% interest in JCU and shares joint control.
Accordingly, this joint venture is accounted for using the equity
method.
During the three
months ended March 31, 2024, the Company recorded its equity share
of loss from JCU of $581,000 (March 31, 2023 – $894,000). The
Company records its share of income or loss from JCU one month in
arrears, based on the most available financial information,
adjusted for any subsequent material transactions that have
occurred.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL
RESOURCES
Cash and cash
equivalents were $120,294,000 at March 31, 2024 (December 31, 2023
– $131,054,000).
|
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
|
The decrease in
cash and cash equivalents during the first quarter of 2024 of
$10,760,000 was due to net cash used in operations of $7,687,000
and net cash used in investing activities of $4,367,000, partially
offset by net cash provided from financing activities of $709,000,
and foreign exchange effect on cash and cash equivalents of
$585,000.
Net cash used in
operating activities of $7,687,000 was primarily due to net loss
for the period, and adjustments for non-cash items, including fair
value adjustments.
Net cash used in
investing activities of $4,367,000 was primarily due to an increase
in property, plant & equipment relating to long lead items for
the Wheeler River project, an increase in restricted cash due to
the Company’s funding the Elliot Lake reclamation trust fund,
as well as the Company’s incremental investment in
JCU.
Net cash provided
by financing activities of $709,000 was mainly due to the proceeds
related to the issuance of 639,334 shares upon the exercise of
employee stock options.
Use of Proceeds
2021 ATM Program Financing
As disclosed in
the Company’s prospectus supplement to the 2021 Base Shelf
Prospectus dated September 28, 2021 (‘September 2021
Prospectus Supplement’), the net proceeds raised under the
2021 ATM Program were expected to be utilized to potentially fund
Wheeler River evaluation and detailed project engineering, long
lead project construction items, as well as general, corporate and
administrative expenses, subject to the actual amount raised.
During the period from the closing of the financing in September
2021 to March 31, 2024, the Company’s use of proceeds from
this offering was in line with that disclosed in the September 2021
Prospectus Supplement. The 2021 ATM Program was terminated on
October 11, 2023.
October 2023 Financing
As disclosed in
the Company’s prospectus supplement to the 2021 Base Shelf
Prospectus dated October 11, 2023 (‘October 2023 Prospectus
Supplement’), the net proceeds of the October 2023 equity
financing are expected to be utilized to fund the advancement of
the Phoenix project through the procurement of long lead items
(including associated engineering, testing, and design),
exploration and evaluation expenses, as well as general, corporate
and administrative expenses. During the period from the closing of
the financing in October 2023 to March 31, 2024, the
Company’s use of proceeds from this offering was in line with
that disclosed in the October 2023 Prospectus
Supplement.
Revolving Term Credit Facility
On December 21,
2023, the Company entered into an agreement with the Bank of Nova
Scotia (‘BNS’) to extend the maturity date of the
Company’s credit facility to January 31, 2025 (the
‘Credit Facility’). Under the Credit Facility, the
Company has access to letters of credit of up to $23,964,000, which
is fully utilized for non-financial letters of credit in support of
reclamation obligations. All other terms of the Credit Facility
(tangible net worth covenant, pledged cash, investments amount and
security for the facility) remain unchanged by the amendment
– including a requirement to provide $7,972,000 in cash
collateral on deposit with BNS to maintain the current letters of
credit issued under the Credit Facility.
TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES
Korea Electric Power Corporation (‘KEPCO’)
Denison and KHNP
Canada Energy Ltd. (‘KHNP Canada’) (which is an
indirect subsidiary of KEPCO through Korea Hydro Nuclear Power Co.,
Ltd. (‘KHNP’)) are parties to a Strategic Relationship
Agreement, which provides for a long-term collaborative business
relationship between the parties and includes a right of KHNP
Canada to nominate one representative to Denison’s Board of
Directors provided that its shareholding percentage is at least
5%.
KHNP Canada is
also the majority member of the Korea Waterbury Uranium Limited
Partnership (‘KWULP’). KWULP is a consortium of
investors that holds the non-Denison owned interests in Waterbury
Lake Uranium Corporation and Waterbury Lake Uranium Limited
Partnership, entities whose key asset is Waterbury.
|
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
|
COMPENSATION OF KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL
Key management
personnel are those persons having authority and responsibility for
planning, directing and controlling the activities of the Company,
directly or indirectly. Key management personnel include the
Company’s executive officers, vice-presidents, and members of
its Board of Directors.
The following
compensation was awarded to key management personnel:
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31,
|
|
March 31,
|
(in
thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salaries and
short-term employee benefits
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(1,695)
|
$
|
(1,098)
|
Share-based
compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
(753)
|
|
(814)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(2,448)
|
$
|
(1,912)
|
The increase in
salaries and short-term employee benefits awarded to key management
is predominantly driven by an increase in headcount. The group of
key management employees expanded from five in 2023 to nine in 2024
following internal promotions to fill the following roles: Vice
President Technical Services and Project Evaluation, Vice President
Environment, Sustainability & Regulatory, Vice President
Exploration, and Vice President Human Resources.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
The Company does
not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Sale of Uranium
In April 2024,
the Company completed a transaction to sell 100,000 pounds of
U3O8 at a price of
US$100.00 per pound.
OUTSTANDING SHARE DATA
Common Shares
At May 8, 2024,
there were 892,258,266 common shares issued and outstanding and a
total of 905,453,019 common shares on a fully-diluted
basis.
Stock Options and Share Units
At May 8, 2024,
there were 5,914,667 stock options, and 7,280,086 share units
outstanding.
Closed Mine Services
At the end of
August 2023, the Company’s long-term third-party closed mines
services contract came to an end. With the termination of this
contract, the Company determined that it would cease providing such
third-party care and maintenance services and will no longer earn
revenue from Closed Mine services. The Company is now solely
focused on care and maintenance of its own legacy mine
sites.
|
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
|
OUTLOOK FOR 2024
At the end of the
first quarter of 2024, the plans for the remainder of the year
remain unchanged. Refer to the Company’s annual MD&A for
the year ended December 31, 2023 for a detailed discussion of the
previously disclosed 2024 budget.
(in
thousands)
|
|
2024 BUDGET
|
Actual to
March 31, 2024(2)
|
Mining Segment
|
|
|
|
Development &
Operations
|
|
(4,986)
|
(2,419)
|
Exploration
|
|
(10,159)
|
(5,111)
|
Evaluation
|
|
(49,250)
|
(6,571)
|
JCU Cash
Contributions
|
|
(3,768)
|
(942)
|
|
|
(68,163)
|
(15,043)
|
Corporate and Other Segment
|
|
|
|
Corporate
Administration & Other
|
|
405
|
(288)
|
|
|
405
|
(288)
|
Total(1)
|
|
$ (67,758)
|
$ (15,331)
|
Notes
1.
Only material operations
shown.
2.
The budget is prepared on a
cash basis. As a result,
actual amounts represent a non-GAAP measure. Compared to segment
loss as presented in the Company’s unaudited interim
consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March
31, 2024, actual amounts reported above includes capital additions
of $1,475,000, JCU contributions of $942,000, $407,000 in
repayments from UI, and excludes $1,765,000 net impact of non-cash
items and other adjustments.
As
discussed above, the Company is currently evaluating its 2024 plans
for the KLP and will update its outlook for the year once the plan
has been finalized.
QUALIFIED PERSON
Chad Sorba,
P.Geo., Denison’s Vice President Technical Services &
Project Evaluation, who is a ‘Qualified Person’ within
the meaning of this term in NI 43-101, has prepared and/or reviewed
and confirmed the scientific and technical disclosure pertaining to
the Company’s evaluation programs.
Andy Yackulic,
P.Geo., Denison’s Vice President Exploration, who is a
‘Qualified Person’ within the meaning of this term in
NI 43-101, has prepared and/or reviewed and confirmed the
scientific and technical disclosure pertaining to the
Company’s exploration programs.
For more
information regarding each of Denison’s material projects
discussed herein, you are encouraged to refer to the applicable
technical reports available on the Company’s website and
under the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca)
and EDGAR (www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml):
●
For the Wheeler River
project, the ‘Technical Report for the Wheeler River project
titled ‘NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Wheeler River
Project, Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, Canada’ with an
effective date of June 23, 2023;
●
For the Waterbury Lake
project, ‘Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Tthe
Heldeth Túé (J Zone) Deposit, Waterbury Lake Property,
Northern Saskatchewan, Canada’ with an effective date of
October 30, 2020;
●
For the Midwest project,
‘Technical Report with an Updated Mineral Resource Estimate
for the Midwest Property, Northern Saskatchewan, Canada’
dated March 26, 2018; and
●
For the McClean Lake project,
(A) the ‘Technical Report on the Denison Mines Inc. Uranium
Properties, Saskatchewan, Canada’ dated November 21, 2005, as
revised February 16, 2006, (B) the ‘Technical Report on the
Sue D Uranium Deposit Mineral Resource Estimate, Saskatchewan,
Canada’ dated March 31, 2006, and (C) the ‘Technical
Report on the Mineral Resource Estimate for the McClean North
Uranium Deposits, Saskatchewan’ dated January 31,
2007.
|
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
|
ASSAY PROCEDURES AND DATA VERIFICATION
The Company
reports preliminary radiometric equivalent grades, derived from a
calibrated down-hole total gamma probe, during or upon completion
of its exploration programs and subsequently reports definitive
U3O8 assay grades
following sampling and chemical analysis of the mineralized drill
core. Uranium assays are performed on split core samples by the
Saskatchewan Research Council Geoanalytical Laboratories using an
ISO/IEC 17025:2005 accredited method for the determination of
U3O8 weight %. Sample
preparation involves crushing and pulverizing core samples to 90%
passing -106 microns. The resultant pulp is digested using
aqua-regia and the solution analyzed for U3O8 weight % using
ICP-OES. Geochemical results from composite core samples are
reported as parts per million (‘ppm’) obtained from a
partial HNO3:HCl digest with
an ICP-MS finish. Boron values are obtained through NaO2/NaCO3 fusion followed
by an ICP-OES finish. All data are subject to verification
procedures by qualified persons employed by Denison prior to
disclosure. For further details on Denison’s sampling,
analysis, quality assurance program and quality control measures
and data verification procedures, please see Denison's Annual
Information Form dated March 28, 2024, available on the
Company’s website and filed under the Company's profile on
SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca)
and in its Form 40-F available on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS
Certain
information contained in this MD&A constitutes
‘forward-looking information’, within the meaning of
the applicable United States and Canadian legislation concerning
the business, operations and financial performance and condition of
Denison. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be
identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as
‘plans’, ‘expects’, ‘budget’,
‘scheduled’, ‘estimates’,
‘forecasts’, ‘intends’,
‘anticipates’, or ‘believes’, or the
negatives and/or variations of such words and phrases, or state
that certain actions, events or results ‘may’,
‘could’, ‘would’, ‘might’ or
‘will be taken’, ‘occur’, ‘be
achieved’ or ‘has the potential to’.
In particular,
this MD&A contains forward-looking information pertaining to
the following: the results of, and estimates and assumptions
within, the Phoenix FS and the Gryphon PFS Update, including the
estimates of Denison's mineral reserves and mineral resources, and
statements regarding anticipated budgets, fees, expenditures and
timelines; Denison’s plans and objectives for 2024 and
beyond; exploration, development and expansion plans and
objectives, including Denison’s planned engineering, detailed
design, long lead procurement, and other project planning programs;
statements regarding Denison’s EA and EIS status, plans and
objectives; expectations regarding Denison’s community
engagement activities and related agreements; expectations
regarding Denison’s joint venture ownership interests and the
continuity of its agreements with its partners; expectations
regarding uranium mining on the McClean Lake property, including
anticipated timing and budgets; expectations regarding the toll
milling of Cigar Lake ores, including projected annual production
volumes; expectations regarding agreements with third parties,
including the Sustainable Communities Investment Agreement, the
MaxPERF acquisition, the earn-in agreement with Grounded Lithium,
the F3 debentures, and the RA with UI and payments thereunder;
Denison’s plans with respect to its physical uranium
holdings; and the annual operating budget and capital expenditure
programs, estimated exploration and development expenditures and
reclamation costs and Denison's share of same. Statements relating
to ‘mineral reserves’ or ‘mineral
resources’ are deemed to be forward-looking information, as
they involve the implied assessment, based on certain estimates and
assumptions that the mineral reserves and mineral resources
described can be profitably produced in the future.
Forward looking
statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as
of the date such statements are made, and they are subject to known
and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause
the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements
of Denison to be materially different from those expressed or
implied by such forward-looking statements. For example, the
results of the Denison’s studies, including the Phoenix FS,
and field work, may not be maintained after further testing or be
representative of actual mining plans for the Phoenix deposit after
further design and studies are completed. In addition, Denison may
decide or otherwise be required to discontinue testing, evaluation
and development work at Wheeler River or other projects or its
exploration plans if it is unable to maintain or otherwise secure
the necessary resources (such as testing facilities, capital
funding, regulatory approvals, etc.) or operations are otherwise
affected by regulatory or public health restrictions or
requirements.
Denison believes
that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information
are reasonable but no assurance can be given that these
expectations will prove to be accurate and results may differ
materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking
information. For a discussion in respect of risks and other factors
that could influence forward-looking events, please refer to the
factors discussed under the heading ‘Risk Factors’ in
Denison’s Annual Information Form available on SEDAR+ and
EDGAR. These factors are not, and should not be construed as being,
exhaustive.
Accordingly,
readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking
statements. The forward-looking information contained in this
MD&A is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Any
forward-looking information and the assumptions made with respect
thereto speaks only as of the date of this MD&A. Denison does
not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking information after the date of this MD&A to
conform such information to actual results or to changes in
Denison's expectations except as otherwise required by applicable
legislation.
Cautionary Note to United States Investors
Concerning Estimates of Measured, Indicated and Inferred Mineral
Resources and Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves: As a
foreign private issuer reporting under the multijurisdictional
disclosure system adopted by the United States, the Company has
prepared this MD&A in accordance with Canadian securities laws
and standards for reporting of mineral resource estimates, which
differ in some respects from United States standards.
|
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
|
In particular,
and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the terms
“measured mineral resources,” “indicated mineral
resources,” “inferred mineral resources,” and
“mineral resources” used or referenced in this MD&A
are Canadian mineral disclosure terms as defined in accordance with
National Instrument 43-101 — Standards of Disclosure for
Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”) under the guidelines set
out in the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum
Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, Definitions
and Guidelines, May 2014 (the “CIM Standards”). The
Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”)
recognizes estimates of “measured mineral resources”,
“indicated mineral resources” and “inferred
mineral resources” and its definitions of “proven
mineral reserves” and “probable mineral reserves”
are “substantially similar” to the corresponding
definitions under the CIM Standards. However, investors are
cautioned that there are differences between the definitions under
the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
“U.S. Exchange Act”) and the CIM Standards definition.
Accordingly, there is no assurance any mineral reserves or mineral
resources that Denison may report as “proven mineral
reserves”, “probable mineral reserves”,
“measured mineral resources”, “indicated mineral
resources” and “inferred mineral resources” under
NI 43-101 would be the same had Denison prepared the mineral
reserve or mineral resource estimates under the standards adopted
under the U.S. Exchange Act. For the above reasons, information
contained in the MD&A may not be comparable to similar
information made public by U.S. companies subject to the reporting
and disclosure requirements under the United States federal
securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.
Additionally, investors are cautioned that “inferred mineral
resources” have a great amount of uncertainty as to their
existence, and great uncertainty as to their economic feasibility.
Under Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may
not form the basis of feasibility or other economic studies, except
in limited circumstances. It cannot be assumed that all or any part
of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher
category. The term “resource” does not equate to the
term “reserves”. Investors should not assume that all
or any part of measured or indicated mineral resources will ever be
converted into mineral reserves. Investors are also cautioned not
to assume that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource
exists or is economically mineable.
FORM 52-109F2
CERTIFICATION OF INTERIM FILINGS
I,
David Cates, President and Chief Executive Officer of Denison Mines
Corp., certify the following:
1.
Review: I have
reviewed the interim financial report and interim MD&A
(together, the "interim filings") of Denison Mines Corp. (the
"issuer") for the interim period ended March 31, 2024.
2.
No
misrepresentations: Based on my knowledge, having exercised
reasonable diligence, the interim filings do not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
required to be stated or that is necessary to make a statement not
misleading in light of the circumstances under which it was made,
with respect to the period covered by the interim
filings.
3.
Fair presentation:
Based on my knowledge, having exercised reasonable diligence, the
interim financial report together with the other financial
information included in the interim filings fairly present in all
material respects the financial condition, financial performance
and cash flows of the issuer, as of the date of and for the periods
presented in the interim filings.
4.
Responsibility: The
issuer's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for
establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures
(DC&P) and internal control over financial reporting (ICFR), as
those terms are defined in National Instrument 52-109 Certification of Disclosure in Issuers' Annual
and Interim Filings, for the issuer.
5.
Design: Subject to
the limitations, if any, described in paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3, the
issuer's other certifying officer(s) and I have, as at the end of
the period covered by the interim filings
(a)
designed DC&P, or caused
it to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable
assurance that
(i)
material information relating
to the issuer is made known to us by others, particularly during
the period in which the interim filings are being prepared;
and
(ii)
information required to be
disclosed by the issuer in its annual filings, interim filings or
other reports filed or submitted by it under securities legislation
is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time
periods specified in securities legislation; and
(b)
designed ICFR, or caused it
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 the issuer's GAAP.
5.1
Control framework:
The control framework the issuer's other certifying officer(s) and
I used to design the issuer's ICFR is Internal Control – Integrated
Framework (COSO Framework) published by The Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission
(COSO).
5.2
ICFR: Not
applicable.
5.3
Limitation on scope of
design: Not applicable.
6.
Reporting changes in ICFR: The issuer
has disclosed in its interim MD&A any change in the issuer's
ICFR that occurred during the period beginning on January 1, 2024
and ended on March 31, 2024 that has materially affected, or is
reasonably likely to materially affect, the issuer's
ICFR.
Date:
May 8, 2024
(signed)
"David Cates"
Title:
President and
Chief Executive Officer
FORM 52-109F2
CERTIFICATION OF INTERIM FILINGS
I,
Elizabeth Sidle, Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer
of Denison Mines Corp., certify the following:
1.
Review: I have
reviewed the interim financial report and interim MD&A
(together, the "interim filings") of Denison Mines Corp. (the
"issuer") for the interim period ended March 31, 2024.
2.
No
misrepresentations: Based on my knowledge, having exercised
reasonable diligence, the interim filings do not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
required to be stated or that is necessary to make a statement not
misleading in light of the circumstances under which it was made,
with respect to the period covered by the interim
filings.
3.
Fair presentation:
Based on my knowledge, having exercised reasonable diligence, the
interim financial report together with the other financial
information included in the interim filings fairly present in all
material respects the financial condition, financial performance
and cash flows of the issuer, as of the date of and for the periods
presented in the interim filings.
4.
Responsibility: The
issuer's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for
establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures
(DC&P) and internal control over financial reporting (ICFR), as
those terms are defined in National Instrument 52-109 Certification of Disclosure in Issuers' Annual
and Interim Filings, for the issuer.
5.
Design: Subject to
the limitations, if any, described in paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3, the
issuer's other certifying officer(s) and I have, as at the end of
the period covered by the interim filings
(a)
designed DC&P, or caused
it to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable
assurance that
(i)
material information relating
to the issuer is made known to us by others, particularly during
the period in which the interim filings are being prepared;
and
(ii)
information required to be
disclosed by the issuer in its annual filings, interim filings or
other reports filed or submitted by it under securities legislation
is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time
periods specified in securities legislation; and
(b)
designed ICFR, or caused it
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 the issuer's GAAP.
5.1
Control framework:
The control framework the issuer's other certifying officer(s) and
I used to design the issuer's ICFR is Internal Control – Integrated
Framework (COSO Framework) published by The Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission
(COSO).
5.2
ICFR: Not
applicable.
5.3
Limitation on scope of
design: Not applicable.
6.
Reporting changes in ICFR: The issuer
has disclosed in its interim MD&A any change in the issuer's
ICFR that occurred during the period beginning on January 1, 2024
and ended on March 31, 2024 that has materially affected, or is
reasonably likely to materially affect, the issuer's
ICFR.
Date:
May 8, 2024
(signed)
"Elizabeth Sidle"
Title:
Vice
President Finance and Chief Financial Officer
|
Denison Mines
Corp.
1100 – 40
University Ave
Toronto, ON M5J
1T1
www.denisonmines.com
|
PRESS RELEASE
Denison Reports Financial and Operational Results for Q1
2024
Toronto, ON – May 8,
2024. Denison Mines Corp. (‘Denison’ or the
‘Company’) (TSX: DML, NYSE American: DNN) today filed
its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and
Management’s Discussion & Analysis
(‘MD&A’) for the quarter ended March 31, 2024. Both
documents will be available on the Company’s website
at www.denisonmines.com,
SEDAR+ (at www.sedarplus.ca)
and EDGAR (at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml).
The highlights provided below are derived from these documents and
should be read in conjunction with them. All amounts in this
release are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise
stated.
David Cates, President and CEO of Denison
commented, “This year, Denison
commemorates its 70th year of uranium mining, exploration, and
development. Denison’s long history in uranium mining has
been characterized by strategic vision, technological advancement,
and an entrepreneurial drive to accomplish things others thought
impossible. Modern Denison’s defining moment can be traced to
a decision, from approximately 15-years ago, to reposition the
Company away from a high-cost global expansion platform to focus on
the exploration and development of high-grade uranium deposits in
the Athabasca Basin region of northern Saskatchewan. This strategy
built on Denison’s discovery of the Phoenix deposit in 2008
and demonstrated a steadfast conviction that uranium and nuclear
energy would be recognized as an essential source of baseload power
generation in the long-run – offering an unrivaled
combination of emission-free energy and energy
security.
Our tireless efforts to advance the Company’s strategy, and
complete technical evaluations of our flagship Wheeler River
project, led to the bold selection of the In-Situ Recovery
(‘ISR’) mining method for the Phoenix deposit in 2018,
and have put us in a position where we are nearing a final
investment decision to proceed with the construction of potentially
one of the lowest-cost uranium mines in the world. In Q1’2024
we made several important steps towards this objective, including
the transition from Front-End Engineering Design to detailed
design, and the exclusive acquisition of MaxPERF tooling systems,
which are expected to support our industry leading deployment of
the low-cost ISR mining method in the Athabasca Basin.
Denison’s portfolio of uranium reserves, resources, and
physical holdings has greatly appreciated in value through late
2023 and into early 2024, as positive sentiment in the uranium and
nuclear energy markets has sustained and uranium prices have
rapidly increased. As Denison has avoided entering low-priced
uranium supply contracts in recent years and has held its physical
uranium investment to support future project financing efforts for
Phoenix, we are now in an enviable spot with significant
uncommitted uranium production and physical holdings potentially
available to the market at time of expected scarcity. Taken
together with continued geopolitical instability and the expected
emergence of significant additional demand from new nuclear builds,
it is an ideal time for our Company to be readying to build a
low-cost Saskatchewan-based uranium mine.
As we celebrate Denison’s legacy of uranium mining in 2024,
we look forward to marking this year with several additional
notable milestones from our exciting portfolio of
Saskatchewan-based uranium mining, exploration, and development
projects.”
Highlights
■
Transition
to Detailed Design Engineering for Flagship Phoenix ISR Project
with Award of $16 Million Contract to Wood
In January 2024,
Denison awarded a contract for approximately $16 million to Wood
Canada Limited (‘Wood’), for the completion of detailed
design engineering for the In-Situ Recovery (‘ISR’)
mining project planned for the Phoenix uranium deposit
(‘Phoenix’).
Wood completed a
Feasibility Study (‘Phoenix FS’) in 2023 to evaluate
the use of the ISR mining method at Phoenix, the results of which
reflected several years of technical de-risking efforts
successfully completed by Denison and demonstrated robust
economics. Following completion of the Phoenix FS, Denison's Board
of Directors approved the continuation of efforts to advance
Phoenix towards a final investment decision (‘FID’)
and, in late 2023, the Management Committee of the Wheeler River
Joint Venture approved a budget for the applicable 2024
expenditures, including detailed engineering design.
The scope of the
facilities to be designed by Wood under the contract is extensive,
with work commencing in the first quarter of 2024 and potentially
extending into the first half of 2025.
■
Announcement
of Planned Restart of McClean Lake Mining Operations
In January 2024,
Orano Canada Inc. (‘Orano Canada’) and Denison
announced the planned restart of uranium mining operations on the
McClean Lake property. Mining is expected to be carried out using
the joint venture's patented Surface Access Borehole Resource
Extraction (‘SABRE’) mining method and is planned to
commence at the McClean North deposit in 2025. Activities in 2024
are intended to be focused on completing the preparations necessary
to ready the existing SABRE mining site and equipment for
continuous commercial operations, as well as the installation of
eight pilot holes for the first mining cavities planned for
excavation. The approved budget for this work in 2024 is $7.0
million (100% basis). Approximately 800,000 pounds U3O8 (100% basis) are
targeted for production from McClean North in 2025, with
approximately 3,000,000 pounds U3O8 (100% basis)
identified for potential additional production from a combination
of the McClean North and Caribou deposits during the years 2026 to
2030.
■
Signing of
Sustainable Communities Investment Agreement
In March 2024,
Denison signed a Sustainable Communities Investment Agreement with
the municipalities of the Northern Village of Beauval, the Northern
Village of Île-à-la Crosse, the Northern Hamlet of Jans
Bay, and the Northern Hamlet of Cole Bay (the
‘Communities’).
The agreement
with the Communities establishes commitments of Denison in support
of community development initiatives, with consideration towards
contributing to the current and future economic prosperity and
sustainability of the Communities by promoting economic development
and investments in capital projects, job creation and training,
housing, education, and other initiatives.
As part of the
agreement, the Communities have provided their consent and support
for the Wheeler River project and have committed, amongst other
things, to support all regulatory approvals issued for the project
related to exploration, evaluation, development, operation,
reclamation, and closure activities.
■
Acquisition
of MaxPERF Tool Systems
In February 2024,
the Company announced an acquisition of fixed and mobile MaxPERF
Tool Systems from Penetrators Canada Inc.
(‘Penetrators’). The MaxPERF Tool Systems have been
successfully deployed several times as a method of permeability
enhancement in ISR field studies conducted on the Company’s
potential ISR mining projects, including at Phoenix. Penetrators
has also agreed to work exclusively with Denison for a 10-year
period with respect to the use of the MaxPERF Tool Systems for
uranium mining applications, and related services, in
Saskatchewan.
In April 2024,
Denison completed the sale of 100,000 pounds of U3O8 from its physical
uranium holdings, at a price of US$100.00 per pound. The sale was
agreed in January 2024, and is part of the Company’s plans to
sell approximately 300,000 pounds U3O8 from its physical
uranium holdings during 2024. Denison acquired its physical uranium
position in 2021 at an average cost of US$29.65 per pound
U3O8.
■
Earn-In
Agreement with Grounded Lithium Corp.
In January 2024,
Denison entered into an agreement with Grounded Lithium Corp.
(‘Grounded Lithium’) to acquire up to a 75% interest in
the Kindersley Lithium Project (‘KLP’) in Saskatchewan.
The agreement includes a series of earn-in options, with each
earn-in option requiring a cash payment to Grounded Lithium as well
as work expenditures to advance the KLP.
Should Denison
complete all three earn-in options, it will have made cumulative
cash payments to Grounded Lithium of $3.2 million and have funded
$12.0 million in project expenditures to earn a 75% interest in the
KLP. The Company is currently evaluating its 2024 plans and will
update its outlook for the year once the plan has been
finalized.
About Denison
Denison Mines Corp. was formed under the laws of Ontario and is a
reporting issuer in all Canadian provinces and territories.
Denison’s common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock
Exchange (the ‘TSX’) under the symbol ‘DML’
and on the NYSE American exchange under the symbol
‘DNN’.
Denison is a uranium mining, exploration and development company
with interests focused in the Athabasca Basin region of northern
Saskatchewan, Canada. The Company has an effective 95% interest in
its flagship Wheeler River Uranium Project, which is the largest
undeveloped uranium project in the infrastructure rich eastern
portion of the Athabasca Basin region of northern Saskatchewan. In
mid-2023, the Phoenix FS was completed for the Phoenix deposit as
an ISR mining operation, and an update to the previously prepared
2018 Pre-Feasibility Study (‘PFS’) was completed for
Wheeler River’s Gryphon deposit as a conventional underground
mining operation. Based on the respective studies, both deposits
have the potential to be competitive with the lowest cost uranium
mining operations in the world. Permitting efforts for the planned
Phoenix ISR operation commenced in 2019 and have advanced
significantly, with licensing in progress and a draft Environmental
Impact Study (‘EIS’) submitted for regulatory and
public review in October 2022.
Denison’s interests in Saskatchewan also include a 22.5%
ownership interest in the McClean Lake Joint Venture
(‘MLJV’), which includes unmined uranium deposits
(planned for extraction via the MLJV’s SABRE mining method
starting in 2025) and the McClean Lake uranium mill (currently
utilizing a portion of its licensed capacity to process the ore
from the Cigar Lake mine under a toll milling agreement), plus a
25.17% interest in the Midwest Joint Venture
(‘MWJV’)’s Midwest Main and Midwest A deposits,
and a 69.35% interest in the Tthe Heldeth Túé
(‘THT’) and Huskie deposits on the Waterbury Lake
Property (‘Waterbury’). The Midwest Main, Midwest A,
THT and Huskie deposits are located within 20 kilometres of the
McClean Lake mill. Taken together, the Company has direct ownership
interests in properties covering ~384,000 hectares in the Athabasca
Basin region.
Additionally, through its 50% ownership of JCU (Canada) Exploration
Company, Limited (‘JCU’), Denison holds additional
interests in various uranium project joint ventures in Canada,
including the Millennium project (JCU, 30.099%), the Kiggavik
project (JCU, 33.8118%) and Christie Lake (JCU,
34.4508%).
In 2024, Denison is celebrating its 70th year in uranium
mining, exploration, and development, which began in 1954 with
Denison’s first acquisition of mining claims in the Elliot
Lake region of northern Ontario.
Technical Disclosure and Qualified Person
The technical
information contained in this press release has been reviewed and
approved by Chad Sorba, P.Geo., Denison’s Vice President
Technical Services & Project Evaluation, and Andy Yackulic,
P.Geo., Denison’s Vice President Exploration, who are both
Qualified Persons in accordance with the requirements of NI
43-101.
For more information, please contact
David Cates
|
(416) 979-1991 ext.
362
|
President and Chief Executive
Officer
|
|
|
|
Geoff Smith
|
(416) 979-1991 ext.
358
|
Vice President Corporate
Development & Commercial
|
|
|
|
Follow Denison on
Twitter
|
@DenisonMinesCo
|
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS
Certain
information contained in this press release constitutes
‘forward-looking information’, within the meaning of
the applicable United States and Canadian legislation concerning
the business, operations and financial performance and condition of
Denison. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be
identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as
‘plans’, ‘expects’, ‘budget’,
‘scheduled’, ‘estimates’,
‘forecasts’, ‘intends’,
‘anticipates’, or ‘believes’, or the
negatives and/or variations of such words and phrases, or state
that certain actions, events or results ‘may’,
‘could’, ‘would’, ‘might’ or
‘will be taken’, ‘occur’, ‘be
achieved’ or ‘has the potential to’.
In particular,
this press release contains forward-looking information pertaining
to the following: projections with respect to exploration,
development and expansion plans and objectives, including the
scope, objectives and interpretations of FS, PFS and the Wheeler
River technical de-risking process for the proposed ISR operation
for the Phoenix deposit; expectations with respect to the EA and
EIS; expectations regarding the restart of mining operations at
McClean Lake; Denison’s plans with respect to its physical
uranium holdings; expectations regarding the performance of the
uranium market and global sentiment regarding nuclear energy;
expectations regarding Denison’s joint venture ownership
interests; and expectations regarding the continuity of its
agreements with third parties. Statements relating to
‘mineral reserves’ or ‘mineral resources’
are deemed to be forward-looking information, as they involve the
implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions that
the mineral reserves and mineral resources described can be
profitably produced in the future.
Forward looking
statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as
of the date such statements are made, and they are subject to known
and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause
the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements
of Denison to be materially different from those expressed or
implied by such forward-looking statements. For example, the
results and underlying assumptions and interpretations of the FS
and PFS may not be maintained after further testing or be
representative of actual conditions within the applicable deposits.
In addition, Denison may decide or otherwise be required to
discontinue testing, evaluation, engineering, and development work
if it is unable to maintain or otherwise secure the necessary
approvals or resources (such as testing facilities, capital
funding, etc.). Denison believes that the expectations reflected in
this forward-looking information are reasonable, but no assurance
can be given that these expectations will prove to be accurate and
results may differ materially from those anticipated in this
forward-looking information. For a discussion in respect of risks
and other factors that could influence forward-looking events,
please refer to the factors discussed in the Company’s Annual
Information Form dated March 28, 2024 under the heading ‘Risk
Factors’. These factors are not, and should not be, construed
as being exhaustive.
Accordingly,
readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking
statements. The forward-looking information contained in this press
release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Any
forward-looking information and the assumptions made with respect
thereto speaks only as of the date of this press release. Denison
does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking information after the date of this press release to
conform such information to actual results or to changes in
Denison's expectations except as otherwise required by applicable
legislation.
Denison Mines (AMEX:DNN)
過去 株価チャート
から 12 2024 まで 1 2025
Denison Mines (AMEX:DNN)
過去 株価チャート
から 1 2024 まで 1 2025