NexGen Energy Provides Rook I Update, Costs $645 Million More Than Expected
NexGen Energy Provides Rook I Update, Costs $645 Million More Than Expected
Operating costs are projected to nearly double to $10 per pound of uranium oxide (U3O8), compared to $5.4 per pound in the earlier study. Consequently, the project's after-tax net present value has fallen from $5.55 billion to $4.54 billion, and the internal rate of return has dropped from 79% to 45%.NexGen Energy (NYSE:NXE) has announced that construction costs for its Rook I uranium project in Saskatchewan have soared nearly 70% above the previous estimate from 2021.
NexGen Energy（纽交所：NXE）宣布，其位于萨斯喀彻温省的Rook I铀矿项目的建设成本比2021年之前的估算高出近70%。
The updated capital cost now stands at $1.6 billion, up from around $950 million, showcasing the challenge of domestic uranium production.
更新后的资本成本现在为16亿美元，而不是之前的约9500万美元，展示了国内铀生产的挑战。
"The updated capital cost presents an all-encompassing spend to bring the Rook I project into production based on robust, proven mining and construction methodologies, with a payback period of 12 months," said CEO Leigh Curyer.
“更新后的资本成本呈现了一个全面的支出，以便根据强大的、经过验证的采矿和施工方法将Rook I项目投入生产，回收期为12个月，”首席执行官Leigh Curyer表示。
Operating costs are projected to nearly double to $10 per pound of uranium oxide (U3O8), compared to $5.4 per pound in the earlier study. Consequently, the project's after-tax net present value has fallen from $5.55 billion to $4.54 billion, and the internal rate of return has dropped from 79% to 45%.
预计运营成本将近翻倍，至每磅铀氧化物（U3O8）10美元，而之前的研究为每磅5.4美元。因此，该项目的税后净现值已从55.5亿美元下降至45.4亿美元，内部收益率已从79%下降至45%。
Regardless of the cost hike, Alexander Pearce, a mining analyst at BMO Capital Markets, remains optimistic.
尽管成本上涨，BMO资本市场的采矿分析师Alexander Pearce仍然持乐观态度。
"Despite an increase in cash cost to about $10 per lb., the asset would remain one of the largest and lowest cost uranium mines globally," he said, per a Bloomberg report.
“尽管现金成本约为每磅10美元，但该资产仍将是全球最大且成本最低的铀矿之一，”他在彭博社的一份报告中表示。
The Rook I project is in Saskatchewan's Athabasca Basin, known for its rich uranium deposits. It aims to produce 21.7 million pounds of U3O8 annually and has a potential production capacity of up to 30 million pounds. The site holds 3.7 million measured and indicated tons with an average grade of 3.1% U3O8.
Rook I项目位于萨斯喀彻温省的Athabasca盆地，以其丰富的铀矿床而闻名。它旨在每年生产2170万磅U3O8，并具有高达3000万磅的潜在产能。该网站持有370万测量和指示吨，平均品位为3.1%的U3O8。
The new cost estimates reflect $220 million attributed to price inflation and $425 million from enhanced engineering and procurement activities since March 2021. NexGen is advancing its project engineering, now 45% complete, up from 18% during the feasibility study.
自2021年3月以来，新的成本估算反映了2200万美元的价格通货膨胀和4250万美元的增强工程和采购活动。 NexGen正在推进其项目工程，现已完成45%，而可行性研究期间完成了18%。
The company's strategy includes incorporating underground tailings management to reduce environmental impact and lower closure costs to an estimated $50 million, significantly less than other uranium mines in Canada. Rook I's unique design integrates progressive reclamation, reducing future liabilities and ensuring a safer, more efficient operation.
该公司的策略包括将地下尾矿管理纳入操作，以减少环境影响并将闭合成本降低至估计的5000万美元，明显低于加拿大其他铀矿。 Rook I的独特设计整合了渐进式回收，降低未来的负债，并确保更安全，更高效的操作。
The project has already received provincial environmental approval and is awaiting the completion of the federal review process. NexGen is looking to begin construction soon after receiving the green light from federal authorities.
该项目已获得省级环境批准，正在等待完成联邦审查程序。 NexGen希望在获得联邦当局的批准后很快开始建设。
Uranium Prices Surge To 16-Year Highs Due To Supply Uncertainties, Rising Demand For AI Data Centers
由于供应不确定性和人工智能数据中心需求的增加，铀价格飙升至16年来的最高水平。
