ML22157A028
| ML22157A028 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 07007033 |
| Issue date: | 06/02/2022 |
| From: | Ducie J, Goldsworthy M Silex Systems Limited |
| To: | NRC/NMSS/DFM/FFLB |
| Bartlett M 3014157154 | |
| References | |
| Download: ML22157A028 (3) | |
Text
GLE and Constellation sign Letter of Intent to assess areas of potential cooperation
2 June 2022
Silex Systems Limited (Silex) (ASX: SLX; OTCQX: SILXY) is pleased to announce the execution of a non-binding Letter of Intent (LOI) between Global Laser Enrichment (GLE) and Constellation Energy Generation, LLC (Constellation) for the purpose of assessing areas of cooperation in the nuclear fuel supply chain. The LOI identifies a number of key areas of potential cooperation, including measures to support GLEs deployment of the SILEX laser enrichment technology in the US and diversifying US domestic uranium, conversion and enrichment capabilities and capacity.
GLE is the exclusive licensee of the SILEX laser technology for uranium enrichment and is a 51%/49% jointly-controlled, joint venture between Silex and global uranium and nuclear fuel provider Cameco Corporation. Constellation is the largest producer of carbon-free energy in the US and owns, or has a major interest in, 23 nuclear power units across the US north-east.
Subject to market conditions, regulatory requirements and other factors, GLE could become a significant contributor to nuclear fuel production in the US for the worlds current and future nuclear reactor fleets. GLE is uniquely positioned, through its ongoing commercialisation of the SILEX technology, to address the triple opportunity emerging in the nuclear fuel supply chain as a result of global climate change and geopolitical issues:
- 1) Tails processing (PLEF1) to produce natural grade UF6 and help alleviate UF6 conversion supply pressure;
- 2) Build capacity to supply enrichment (SWU) to the market for the production of Low Enriched Uranium (LEU) and Low Enriched Uranium plus (LEU+); and
- 3) Build additional capacity to produce High Assay LEU (HALEU) fuel for next generation advanced small modular reactors.
1 PLEF: Paducah Laser Enrichment Facility
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Silex Systems Limited l ABN 69 003 372 067 LHSTC, New Illawarra Road, Lucas Heights NSW 2234 Telephone: +61 2 9704 8888 l Facsimile: +61 2 9704 8851 l Website: www.silex.com.au
Michael Goldsworthy, Silexs CEO/Managing Director said:
We are excited to see GLE engage with Constellation to explore areas of potential cooperation in the US nuclear fuel cycle. This is particularly important as Cameco and Silex assess the possible acceleration of GLEs commercialisation activities, including in response to global nuclear fuel supply chain risks exacerbated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The US currently relies on significant imports of its nuclear fuel and is actively considering a number of initiatives to rebuild its domestic nuclear fuel supply industry to become more self-sufficient.
This LOI signals the beginning of an important process for GLE in its effort to build key industry and commercial relationships and position itself to become a diversified US-based supplier of nuclear fuel, he added.
Authorised for release by the Silex Board of Directors.
Further information on the Companys activities can be found on the Silex website:
www.silex.com.au or by contacting:
Michael Goldsworthy Julie Ducie CEO/Managing Director CFO/Company Secretary T +61 2 9704 8888 T +61 2 9704 8888 E investor.relations@silex.com.au E investor.relations@silex.com.au
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Forward Looking Statements and Risk Factors:
About Silex Systems Limited (ASX: SLX) (OTCQX: SILXY)
Silex Systems Limited ABN 69 003 372 067 (Silex) is a research and development company whose primary asset is the SILEX laser enrichment technology, originally developed at the Companys technology facility in Sydney, Australia. The SILEX technology has been under development for uranium enrichment jointly with US-based exclusive licensee Global Laser Enrichment LLC (GLE) for a number of years. Success of the SILEX uranium enrichment technology development program and the proposed Paducah commercial project remain subject to a number of factors including the satisfactory completion of the engineering scale-up program and uranium market conditions and therefore remains subject to associated risks.
Silex is also in the early stages of pursuing additional commercial applications of the SILEX technology, including the production of Zero-Spin Silicon for the emerging technology of silicon-based quantum computing. The Zero-Spin Silicon project remains dependent on the outcomes of the project and the viability of silicon quantum computing and is therefore subject to various risks. The commercial future of the SILEX technology is therefore uncertain and any plans for commercial deployment are speculative.
Additionally, Silex has an interest in a unique semiconductor technology known as cREO through its 100% ownership of subsidiary Translucent Inc. The cREO technology developed by Translucent has been acquired by IQE Plc based in the UK. IQE has paused the development of the cREO technology until a commercial opportunity arises. The future of IQEs development program for cREO is uncertain and remains subject to various technology and market risks.
Forward Looking Statements The commercial potential of these technologies is currently unknown. Accordingly, no guarantees as to the future performance of these technologies can be made. The nature of the statements in this Announcement regarding the future of the SILEX technology as applied to uranium enrichment and Zero-Spin Silicon production, the cREO techno logy and any associated commercial prospects are forward -looking and are subject to a number of variables, including but not limited to, unknown risks, contingencies and assumptions which may be beyond the control of Silex, its directors and management. You should not place reliance on any forward -looking statements as actual results could be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements as a result of various risk factors. Further, the forward-looking statements contained in this Announcement involve subjective judgement and analysis and are subject to change due to managements analysis of Silexs business, changes in industry trends, government policies and any new or unforeseen circumstances. The Companys manage ment believes that there are reasonable grounds to make such statements as at the date of this Announcement. Silex does not intend, and is not obligated, to update the forward-looking statements except to the extent required by law or the ASX Listing Rules.
Risk Factors Risk factors that could affect future results and commercial prospects of Silex include, but are not limited to: ongoing economic and social uncertainty, including in relation to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic; the results of the SILEX uranium enrichment engineering development program; the market demand for natural uranium and enriched uranium; the outcome of the project for the production of Zero-Spin Silicon for the emerging technology of silicon-based quantum computing; the potential development of, or competition from alternative technologies; the potential for third party claims against the Companys ownership of Intellectual Property; the potential impact of prevailing laws or government regulations or policies in the USA, Australia or elsewhere; results from IQEs commercialisation program and the market demand for cREO products; actions taken by the Companys commercialisation partners that could adversely affect the technology development programs; and the outcomes of various strategies and projects undertaken by the Company.
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