Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Asset Retirement Obligations

v3.21.1
Asset Retirement Obligations
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Asset Retirement Obligations  
10. Asset Retirement Obligations

10.

Asset Retirement Obligations

 

Asset retirement obligations ("ARO") relate to the Lost Creek mine and Pathfinder projects and are equal to the current estimated reclamation cost escalated at an inflation rate and then discounted at credit adjusted risk-free rates ranging from 0.33% to 7.25%. Current estimated reclamation costs include costs of closure, reclamation, demolition and stabilization of the well fields, processing plants, infrastructure, aquifer restoration, waste dumps, and ongoing post-closure environmental monitoring and maintenance costs. The schedule of payments required to settle the future reclamation extends through 2033.

The present value of the estimated future closure estimate is presented in the following table.

 

Asset Retirement Obligations

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2020

 

 

29,965

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in estimated reclamation costs

 

 

-

 

Accretion expense

 

 

123

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2021

 

 

30,088

 

 

The restricted cash discussed in note 5 relates to the surety bonds provided to the governmental agencies for these obligations.