ESG

Kazatomprom cuts prompt spot movement

The world’s largest uranium producer Kazakhstan-based Kazatomprom says it expects to produce about 4,000 tonnes or 17.5% less product this year, as measures designed to curb the spread of COVID-19 impact all operations.

Kazatomprom has reduced its 2020 production guidance by 17.5% because of COVID-19-related impacts

Kazatomprom has reduced its 2020 production guidance by 17.5% because of COVID-19-related impacts

Editor's Note: Mining Journal is making some of its most important coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic freely available to readers. For more coverage, please see our COVID-19 hub. To subscribe to Mining Journal, click here

The previous guidance for 2020 was 22,750-22,800t, on a 100% basis.

The reduced production level should not impact Kazatomprom's 2020 sales obligations, CEO Galymzhan Pirmatov said, noting its full contractual requirements to the nuclear industry would still be met.

"Measures imposed by the government of Kazakhstan, including restrictions on the movement of people and strict hygiene directives, are now covering all regions where Kazatomprom operates and have been enforced at all of our sites and offices," he said.

In order to abide by local lockdown requirements and reduce the risk of a localised outbreak, all Kazatomprom's subsidiaries are reducing the number of staff on site to minimum possible levels.

All non-essential staff will return home with full pay, while those remaining on site will operate within strict physical distancing and hygiene practices.

"We are now working with our joint-venture partners on assessing the full impact and detailed implementation of this decision across all of Kazakhstan's uranium mines, and we appreciate their support during these challenging times," said Pirmatov.

Kazotomprom guided for the enhanced safety measures to be in place for at least three months during which wellfield activity will be lower.

Kazatomprom would provide updated 2020 guidance for attributable production, revenue, capital expenditure and costs on May 4. In 2019, Kazakhstan accounted for more than 42% of the world's uranium output.

Canadian uranium major Cameco said Tuesday the Kazatomprom cuts would also weigh on its 40% ownership in the Inkai Joint Venture, an in-situ recovery uranium mine in Kazakhstan. The mine is expected to produce about 12% fewer pounds this year, translating to about 600,000lb less uranium oxide for Cameco's account.

Before the curtailments, Cameco had expected to buy 4.9Mlb of uranium on the spot market this year.

Cameco said last month it was suspending mining and milling at the Cigar Lake and McClean Lake operations, in Saskatchewan.

CNNC Rössing Uranium has also suspended normal mining operations at the Rössing uranium mine in Namibia, while Swakop Uranium is curtailing production from the Husab mine in the country from March 28 in response to a state of emergency imposed by the local government.

The immediately tighter global uranium supply prompted spot price offers in the US$29.50-$30.00/lb range on Tuesday, according to data provided by Uranium Energy Corp, higher than the sub-$27.00/lb level seen in the year to date.

According to the company, up to 53% or 6.3Mlb/m of the global uranium supply is currently curtailed, framed against total global production of 11.85Mlb.

 

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the farming sector, brought to you by the Kondinin team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the farming sector, brought to you by the Kondinin team.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Investor Sentiment Report 2024

Survey revealing the plans, priorities, and preferences of 120+ mining investors and their expectations for the sector in 2024.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Mining Equities Report 2023

Access an exclusive, inside look on the quarterly mining IPOs and secondary raisings data and mining equities performance tables with an annual Stock Exchange Comparisons supplement.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence World Risk Report 2023 (feat. MineHutte ratings)

A detailed analysis of mining investment risks across 121 jurisdictions globally, built on 11 ‘hard risk’ metrics and an industrywide survey.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Global Leadership Report 2023: Social licence

Gain insights into social licence trends and best practices from interviews with 20+ top mining company executives and an industrywide survey.