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A uranium exploration and development company focused on projects in the Western U.S., led by a team that has done it before, begins trading on the TSX Venture exchange July 7.
URZ Energy Corp. (URZ:TSX.V) completed its IPO on July 5 and will debut trading on the TSX Venture exchange on July 7 under the ticker symbol URZ. Focused on uranium properties in Wyoming and the Western U.S., the company was created by Todd Hilditch. Hilditch, who has previously had strong ties to the lithium/energy sector through Salares Lithium before being acquired by Talison Lithium (which grew to another $840 million takeover), is being joined by four very experienced uranium/energy executives formerly of Uranerz Energy Corp.
Uranerz was acquired by Energy Fuels Inc. (EFR:TSX; UUUU:NYSE.MKT) in June 2015 for $180 million based on Uranerz’s operations focused on the Powder River Basin area of Wyoming, where it developed the in-situ Nichols Ranch project. Prior to the takeover, Uranerz was led by Dennis Higgs, Uranerz’s executive chairman; Glenn Catchpole, who served as Uranerz’s CEO; Ben Leboe, Uranerz’s CFO; and Sandra MacKay, the company’s senior vice president.
The new company (URZ) utilizes the combined energy and market expertise of its core team: Todd Hilditch is serving as executive chairman, Glenn Catchpole as CEO, Ben Leboe and Sandra MacKay are directors and Dennis Higgs is a consultant and advisor. The board also includes Bryan McKenzie, CFO of URZ.
URZ’s initial focus is the Gas Hills project and the Juniper Ridge project, both in Wyoming. These two projects once belonged to Strathmore Minerals before it was acquired by Energy Fuels in 2013. Historical drilling on the projects has resulted in an in-the-ground uranium resource, and potential for expansion through exploration.
The company has also indicated that it could acquire additional projects.
The company has 26.4 million shares outstanding, giving it an enterprise value of approximately $2 million based on the $0.15 IPO price and the amount of money in its treasury. Both of the combined management teams have independently and historically achieved impressive shareholder returns in their respective lithium/uranium energy public companies.
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