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Cameco Corporation

2019 consolidated financial statements

February 6, 2020


Report of management’s accountability

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared by management in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. Management is responsible for ensuring that these statements, which include amounts based upon estimates and judgments, are consistent with other information and operating data contained in the annual financial review and reflect the corporation’s business transactions and financial position.

Management is also responsible for the information disclosed in the management’s discussion and analysis including responsibility for the existence of appropriate information systems, procedures and controls to ensure that the information used internally by management and disclosed externally is complete and reliable in all material respects.

In addition, management is responsible for establishing and maintaining an adequate system of internal control over financial reporting. The internal control system includes an internal audit function and a code of conduct and ethics, which is communicated to all levels in the organization and requires all employees to maintain high standards in their conduct of the Company’s affairs. Such systems are designed to provide reasonable assurance that the financial information is relevant, reliable and accurate and that the Company’s assets are appropriately accounted for and adequately safeguarded. Management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the system of internal control over financial reporting based on the criteria established in “Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013)” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, management concluded that the Company’s system of internal control over financial reporting was effective as at December 31, 2019.

KPMG LLP has audited the consolidated financial statements in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards and the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).

The board of directors annually appoints an audit and finance committee comprised of directors who are not employees of the corporation. This committee meets regularly with management, the internal auditor and the shareholders’ auditors to review significant accounting, reporting and internal control matters. Both the internal and shareholders’ auditors have unrestricted access to the audit and finance committee. The audit and finance committee reviews the consolidated financial statements, the report of the shareholders’ auditors, and management’s discussion and analysis and submits its report to the board of directors for formal approval.

 

Original signed by Tim S. Gitzel    Original signed by Grant E. Isaac
President and Chief Executive Officer    Senior Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer
February 6, 2020    February 6, 2020

 

2


Report of independent registered public accounting firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of Cameco Corporation:

Opinion on the consolidated financial statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of Cameco Corporation (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income, changes in equity, and cash flows for each of the years then ended, and the related notes (collectively, the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on the criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated February 6, 2020 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Basis for opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matter

The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit and finance committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

Assessment of recoverability of deferred tax assets

As discussed in note 21 to the consolidated financial statements, as at December 31, 2019 the Company recorded deferred tax assets of $956,376,000 relating to tax losses incurred in certain jurisdictions and temporary differences. The assessment of the recoverability of these deferred tax assets is dependent on the generation of future taxable income. Significant judgment and estimation is required to assess the sufficiency of future taxable income to utilize the recognized deferred tax assets. The Company uses projections of future taxable income in order to assess the probability that the deferred tax assets will be realized. Predicting future taxable income is dependent on assumptions and judgments regarding future market conditions, production rates, and intercompany sales. The Company determined that the realization of these deferred tax assets is probable.

 

3


We identified the assessment of the recoverability of deferred tax assets as a critical audit matter due to the high degree of judgment required in assessing the significant assumptions and judgments that are reflected in the projections of future taxable income.

The primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included the following. We tested certain internal controls over the Company’s assessment of the recoverability of the deferred tax asset, including controls over the assumptions and judgments used in the projections of future taxable income. To assess the Company’s ability to estimate future taxable income, we compared the Company’s previous forecasts to actual results. To assess the Company’s estimate of future taxable income, we evaluated key assumptions in the model by comparing (1) forecast uranium sales prices to published views of independent market participants, (2) foreign exchange rates to external analyst estimates, (3) forecast sales to historical trends, board approved budgets and committed sales volumes, including to a sample of committed sales contracts, and (4) forecast production volumes to historical data, board approved budgets and life of mine plans. We performed a sensitivity analysis over the key assumptions to assess their impact on the Company’s determination that the deferred tax assets were realizable. We involved income tax professionals with specialized skills and knowledge in assessing the Company’s application of the tax regulations in relevant jurisdictions.

Original signed by KPMG LLP

Chartered Professional Accountants

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1988.

Saskatoon, Canada

February 6, 2020

 

4


Consolidated statements of earnings

 

For the years ended December 31                    

($Cdn thousands, except per share amounts)

   Note      2019     2018  

Revenue from products and services

     17      $ 1,862,925     $ 2,091,661  

Cost of products and services sold

        1,345,551       1,467,940  

Depreciation and amortization

        275,749       327,973  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cost of sales

        1,621,300       1,795,913  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

        241,625       295,748  

Administration

        124,869       141,552  

Exploration

        13,686       20,283  

Research and development

        6,058       1,757  

Other operating expense

     15        2,732       59,616  

Loss on disposal of assets

        1,869       2,303  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings from operations

        92,411       70,237  

Finance costs

     19        (98,622     (111,779

Gain (loss) on derivatives

     26        32,269       (81,081

Finance income

        29,760       22,071  

Share of earnings from equity-accounted investee

     11        45,360       32,321  

Other income

     20        33,840       108,160  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings before income taxes

        135,018       39,929  

Income tax expense (recovery)

     21        61,077       (126,306
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net earnings

      $ 73,941     $ 166,235  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net earnings (loss) attributable to:

       

Equity holders

        74,000       166,323  

Non-controlling interest

        (59     (88
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net earnings

      $ 73,941     $ 166,235  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per common share attributable to equity holders:

       

Basic

     22      $ 0.19     $ 0.42  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

     22      $ 0.19     $ 0.42  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

5


Consolidated statements of comprehensive income

 

For the years ended December 31                    

($Cdn thousands)

   Note      2019     2018  

Net earnings

      $ 73,941     $ 166,235  

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:

       

Items that will not be reclassified to net earnings:

       

Remeasurements of defined benefit liability1

     25        (8,112     6,226  

Equity investments at FVOCI - net change in fair value2

        (4,044     (9,728

Equity investments at FVOCI - net change in fair value -equity-accounted investee

        (709     —    

Items that are or may be reclassified to net earnings:

       

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations

        (27,888     (1,875

Reclassification of foreign currency translation reserve to net earnings

     20        —         (5,450
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive loss, net of taxes

        (40,753 )      (10,827 ) 
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

      $ 33,188     $ 155,408  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to:

       

Equity holders

      $ (40,740   $ (10,854

Non-controlling interest

        (13     27  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive loss for the year

      $ (40,753   $ (10,827
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to:

       

Equity holders

      $ 33,260     $ 155,469  

Non-controlling interest

        (72     (61
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income for the year

      $ 33,188     $ 155,408  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

1 

Net of tax (2019 - $2,301; 2018 - $(2,200))

2 

Net of tax (2019 - $453; 2018 - $1,349)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

6


Consolidated statements of financial position

 

As at December 31                     

($Cdn thousands)

   Note      2019      2018  

Assets

        

Current assets

        

Cash and cash equivalents

      $ 1,062,431      $ 711,528  

Short-term investments

        —          391,025  

Accounts receivable

     6        328,044        402,350  

Current tax assets

        3,667        6,996  

Inventories

     7        320,770        467,795  

Supplies and prepaid expenses

        85,502        89,206  

Current portion of long-term receivables, investments and other

     10        6,564        13,826  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

        1,806,978        2,082,726  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

     8        3,720,672        3,881,926  

Intangible assets

     9        60,410        65,602  

Long-term receivables, investments and other

     10        630,131        751,868  

Investment in equity-accounted investee

     11        252,681        230,502  

Deferred tax assets

     21        956,376        1,006,012  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total non-current assets

        5,620,270        5,935,910  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

      $ 7,427,248      $ 8,018,636  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity

        

Current liabilities

        

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     12      $ 181,799      $ 224,754  

Current tax liabilities

        6,290        19,633  

Current portion of long-term debt

     13        —          499,599  

Current portion of other liabilities

     14        33,073        79,573  

Current portion of provisions

     15        56,248        52,316  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

        277,410        875,875  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term debt

     13        996,718        996,072  

Other liabilities

     14        153,927        142,061  

Provisions

     15        1,004,230        1,011,036  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total non-current liabilities

        2,154,875        2,149,169  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity

        

Share capital

        1,862,749        1,862,652  

Contributed surplus

        234,681        234,982  

Retained earnings

        2,825,596        2,791,321  

Other components of equity

        71,699        104,327  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity attributable to equity holders

        4,994,725        4,993,282  

Non-controlling interest

        238        310  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

        4,994,963        4,993,592  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

      $ 7,427,248      $ 8,018,636  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies [notes 8, 15, 21]

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

7


Consolidated statements of changes in equity

 

     Attributable to equity holders              
                        Foreign     Equity           Non-        
     Share      Contributed     Retained     currency     investments           controlling     Total  

($Cdn thousands)

   capital      surplus     earnings     translation     at FVOCI     Total     interest     equity  

Balance at January 1, 2019

   $ 1,862,652      $ 234,982     $ 2,791,321     $ 104,989     $ (662   $ 4,993,282     $ 310     $ 4,993,592  

Net earnings (loss)

     —          —         74,000       —         —         74,000       (59     73,941  

Other comprehensive loss

     —          —         (8,112     (27,875     (4,753     (40,740     (13     (40,753
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income (loss)

     —          —         65,888       (27,875     (4,753     33,260       (72     33,188  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Share-based compensation

     —          14,342       —         —         —         14,342       —         14,342  

Stock options exercised

     97        (16     —         —         —         81       —         81  

Restricted and performance share units released

     —          (6,258     —         —         —         (6,258     —         (6,258

Modification of share-based arrangement [note 24]

     —          (8,369     —         —         —         (8,369     —         (8,369

Dividends

     —          —         (31,613     —         —         (31,613     —         (31,613
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2019

   $ 1,862,749      $ 234,681     $ 2,825,596     $ 77,114     $ (5,415   $ 4,994,725     $ 238     $ 4,994,963  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at January 1, 2018

   $ 1,862,652      $ 224,812     $ 2,650,417     $ 112,341     $ 9,066     $ 4,859,288     $ 371     $ 4,859,659  

Net earnings (loss)

     —          —         166,323       —         —         166,323       (88     166,235  

Other comprehensive income (loss)

     —          —         6,226       (7,352     (9,728     (10,854     27       (10,827
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income (loss)

     —          —         172,549       (7,352     (9,728     155,469       (61     155,408  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Share-based compensation

     —          14,976       —         —         —         14,976       —         14,976  

Restricted and performance share units released

     —          (4,806     —         —         —         (4,806     —         (4,806

Dividends

     —          —         (31,645     —         —         (31,645     —         (31,645
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2018

   $ 1,862,652      $ 234,982     $ 2,791,321     $ 104,989     $ (662   $ 4,993,282     $ 310     $ 4,993,592  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

8


Consolidated statements of cash flows

 

For the years ended December 31                    

($Cdn thousands)

   Note      2019     2018  

Operating activities

       

Net earnings

      $ 73,941     $ 166,235  

Adjustments for:

       

Depreciation and amortization

        275,749       327,973  

Deferred charges

        (13,013     10,683  

Unrealized loss (gain) on derivatives

        (55,048     74,295  

Share-based compensation

     24        14,342       14,976  

Loss on disposal of assets

        1,869       2,303  

Finance costs

     19        98,622       111,779  

Finance income

        (29,760     (22,071

Share of earnings from equity-accounted investee

     11        (45,360     (32,321

Other expense (income)

     20        18,961       (100,310

Other operating expense

     15        2,732       59,616  

Income tax expense (recovery)

     21        61,077       (126,306

Interest received

        30,944       18,311  

Income taxes paid

        (18,589     (20,709

Dividends from equity-accounted investee

     31        14,079       —    

Other operating items

     23        96,478       183,062  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operations

        527,024       667,516  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investing activities

       

Additions to property, plant and equipment

        (75,211     (55,362

Decrease (increase) in short-term investments

        391,025       (391,025

Decrease in long-term receivables, investments and other

        120,913       33,508  

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

        679       1,249  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing

        437,406       (411,630
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Financing activities

       

Decrease in long-term debt

        (500,000     —    

Interest paid

        (72,484     (72,976

Proceeds from issuance of shares, stock option plan

        81       —    

Lease principal payments

        (2,904     —    

Dividends paid

        (31,613     (71,224
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing

        (606,920     (144,200
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase in cash and cash equivalents, during the year

        357,510       111,686  

Exchange rate changes on foreign currency cash balances

        (6,607     8,222  

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

        711,528       591,620  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

      $ 1,062,431     $ 711,528  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents is comprised of:

       

Cash

      $ 427,986     $ 317,296  

Cash equivalents

        634,445       394,232  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

      $ 1,062,431     $ 711,528  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

9


Notes to consolidated financial statements

For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018

 

1.

Cameco Corporation

Cameco Corporation is incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act. The address of its registered office is 2121 11th Street West, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7M 1J3. The consolidated financial statements as at and for the year ended December 31, 2019 comprise Cameco Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively, the Company or Cameco) and the Company’s interests in associates and joint arrangements.

Cameco is one of the world’s largest providers of the uranium needed to generate clean, reliable baseload electricity around the globe. The Company currently has one mine operating in northern Saskatchewan, Cigar Lake, as well as a 40% interest in Joint Venture Inkai LLP (JV Inkai), a joint arrangement with Joint Stock Company National Atomic Company Kazatomprom (Kazatomprom), located in Kazakhstan. JV Inkai is accounted for on an equity basis (see note 11).

It also has two operations in Northern Saskatchewan which are in care and maintenance. Rabbit Lake was placed in care and maintenance in the second quarter of 2016 while operations at McArthur River/Key Lake were suspended indefinitely in the third quarter of 2018 (see note 28 for financial statement impact). Cameco’s operations in the United States, Crow Butte and Smith Ranch-Highland, are also not currently producing as the decision was made in 2016 to curtail production and defer all wellfield development.

The Company is also a leading provider of nuclear fuel processing services, supplying much of the world’s reactor fleet with the fuel to generate one of the cleanest sources of electricity available today. It operates the world’s largest commercial refinery in Blind River, Ontario, controls about 25% of the world UF6 primary conversion capacity in Port Hope, Ontario and is a leading manufacturer of fuel assemblies and reactor components for CANDU reactors at facilities in Port Hope and Cobourg, Ontario.

 

2.

Significant accounting policies

 

A.

Statement of compliance

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).

These consolidated financial statements were authorized for issuance by the Company’s board of directors on February 6, 2020.

 

B.

Basis of presentation

These consolidated financial statements are presented in Canadian dollars, which is the Company’s functional currency. All financial information is presented in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted. Amounts presented in tabular format have been rounded to the nearest thousand except per share amounts and where otherwise noted.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis except for the following material items which are measured on an alternative basis at each reporting date:

 

10


Derivative financial instruments

Equity investments

  

Fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL)

Fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI)

Liabilities for cash-settled share-based payment arrangements   

FVTPL

Net defined benefit liability   

Fair value of plan assets less the present value of the defined benefit obligation

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses. Actual results may vary from these estimates.

Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimates are revised and in any future periods affected. The areas involving a higher degree of judgment or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the consolidated financial statements are disclosed in note 5.

This summary of significant accounting policies is a description of the accounting methods and practices that have been used in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements and is presented to assist the reader in interpreting the statements contained herein. These accounting policies have been applied consistently to all entities within the consolidated group.

 

C.

Consolidation principles

 

i.

Business combinations

The acquisition method of accounting is used to account for the acquisition of subsidiaries by the Company. The Company measures goodwill at the acquisition date as the fair value of the consideration transferred, including the recognized amount of any non-controlling interests in the acquiree, less the net recognized amount (generally fair value) of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed, all measured as of the acquisition date. When the excess is negative, a bargain purchase gain is recognized immediately in earnings. In a business combination achieved in stages, the acquisition date fair value of the Company’s previously held equity interest in the acquiree is also considered in computing goodwill.

Consideration transferred includes the fair values of the assets transferred, liabilities incurred and equity interests issued by the Company. Consideration also includes the fair value of any contingent consideration and share-based compensation awards that are replaced mandatorily in a business combination.

The Company elects on a transaction-by-transaction basis whether to measure any non-controlling interest at fair value, or at their proportionate share of the recognized amount of the identifiable net assets of the acquiree, at the acquisition date.

Acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred, except for those costs related to the issue of debt or equity instruments.

 

ii.

Subsidiaries

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Cameco and its subsidiaries. Subsidiaries are entities over which the Company has control. Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which control is acquired by the Company and are deconsolidated from the date that control ceases.

 

iii.

Investments in equity-accounted investees

Cameco’s investments in equity-accounted investees include investments in associates.

Associates are those entities over which the Company has significant influence, but not control or joint control, over the financial and operating policies. Significant influence is presumed to exist when the Company holds between 20% and 50% of the voting power of another entity, but can also arise where the Company holds less than 20% if it has the power to be actively involved and influential in policy decisions affecting the entity.

 

11


Investments in associates are accounted for using the equity method. The equity method involves the recording of the initial investment at cost and the subsequent adjusting of the carrying value of the investment for Cameco’s proportionate share of the earnings or loss and any other changes in the associates’ net assets, such as dividends. The cost of the investment includes transaction costs.

Adjustments are made to align the accounting policies of the associate with those of the Company before applying the equity method. When the Company’s share of losses exceeds its interest in an equity-accounted investee, the carrying amount of that interest is reduced to zero, and the recognition of further losses is discontinued except to the extent that the Company has incurred legal or constructive obligations or made payments on behalf of the associate. If the associate subsequently reports profits, Cameco resumes recognizing its share of those profits only after its share of the profits equals the share of losses not recognized.

 

iv.

Joint arrangements

A joint arrangement can take the form of a joint operation or joint venture. All joint arrangements involve a contractual arrangement that establishes joint control.

A joint operation is a joint arrangement whereby the parties that have joint control of the arrangement have rights to the assets, and obligations for the liabilities, relating to the arrangement. A joint operation may or may not be structured through a separate vehicle. These arrangements involve joint control of one or more of the assets acquired or contributed for the purpose of the joint operation. The consolidated financial statements of the Company include its share of the assets in such joint operations, together with its share of the liabilities, revenues and expenses arising jointly or otherwise from those operations. All such amounts are measured in accordance with the terms of each arrangement.

A joint venture is a joint arrangement whereby the parties that have joint control of the arrangement have rights to the net assets of the arrangement. A joint venture is always structured through a separate vehicle. It operates in the same way as other entities, controlling the assets of the joint venture, earning its own revenue and incurring its own liabilities and expenses. Interests in joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method of accounting, whereby the Company’s proportionate interest in the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of jointly controlled entities are recognized on a single line in the consolidated statements of financial position and consolidated statements of earnings. The share of joint ventures results is recognized in the Company’s consolidated financial statements from the date that joint control commences until the date at which it ceases.

 

v.

Transactions eliminated on consolidation

Intra-group balances and transactions, and any unrealized income and expenses arising from intra-group transactions, are eliminated in preparing the consolidated financial statements. Unrealized gains arising from transactions with equity-accounted investees are eliminated against the investment to the extent of the Company’s interest in the investee. Unrealized losses are eliminated in the same manner as unrealized gains, but only to the extent that there is no evidence of impairment.

 

D.

Foreign currency translation

Items included in the financial statements of each of Cameco’s subsidiaries, associates and joint arrangements are measured using their functional currency, which is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates. The consolidated financial statements are presented in Canadian dollars, which is Cameco’s functional and presentation currency.

 

12


i.

Foreign currency transactions

Foreign currency transactions are translated into the respective functional currency of the Company and its entities using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions. At the reporting date, monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated to the functional currency at the exchange rate at that date. Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rate at the date of the transaction. The applicable exchange gains and losses arising on these transactions are reflected in earnings with the exception of foreign exchange gains or losses on provisions for decommissioning and reclamation activities that are in a foreign currency, which are capitalized in property, plant and equipment.

 

ii.

Foreign operations

The assets and liabilities of foreign operations, including goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on acquisition, are translated to Canadian dollars at exchange rates at the reporting dates. The revenues and expenses of foreign operations are translated to Canadian dollars at exchange rates at the dates of the transactions.

Foreign currency differences are recognized in other comprehensive income. When a foreign operation is disposed of, in whole, the relevant amount in the foreign currency translation account is transferred to earnings as part of the gain or loss on disposal.

When the settlement of a monetary item receivable from or payable to a foreign operation is neither planned nor likely in the foreseeable future, foreign exchange gains and losses arising from such a monetary item are considered to form part of the net investment in a foreign operation, and are recognized in other comprehensive income and presented within equity in the foreign currency translation account.

 

E.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consists of balances with financial institutions and investments in money market instruments, which have a term to maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase and are classified as at amortized cost.

 

F.

Short-term investments

Short-term investments are comprised of money market instruments with terms to maturity between three and 12 months and are classified as at amortized cost.

 

G.

Inventories

Inventories of broken ore, uranium concentrates, and refined and converted products are measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value.

Cost includes direct materials, direct labour, operational overhead expenses and depreciation. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less the estimated costs of completion and selling expenses.

Consumable supplies and spares are valued at the lower of cost or replacement value.

 

H.

Property, plant and equipment

 

i.

Buildings, plant and equipment and other

Items of property, plant and equipment are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment charges. The cost of self-constructed assets includes the cost of materials and direct labour, borrowing costs and any other costs directly attributable to bringing the assets to the location and condition necessary for them to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management, including the initial estimate of the cost of dismantling and removing the items and restoring the site on which they are located.

When components of an item of property, plant and equipment have different useful lives, they are accounted for as separate items of property, plant and equipment and depreciated separately.

 

13


Gains and losses on disposal of an item of property, plant and equipment are determined by comparing the proceeds from disposal with the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment, and are recognized in earnings.

 

ii.

Mineral properties and mine development costs

The decision to develop a mine property within a project area is based on an assessment of the commercial viability of the property, the availability of financing and the existence of markets for the product. Once the decision to proceed to development is made, development and other expenditures relating to the project area are deferred as part of assets under construction and disclosed as a component of property, plant and equipment with the intention that these will be depreciated by charges against earnings from future mining operations. No depreciation is charged against the property until the production stage commences. After a mine property has been brought into the production stage, costs of any additional work on that property are expensed as incurred, except for large development programs, which will be deferred and depreciated over the remaining life of the related assets.

The production stage is reached when a mine property is in the condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management. The criteria used to assess the start date of the production stage are determined based on the nature of each mine construction project, including the complexity of a mine site. A range of factors is considered when determining whether the production stage has been reached, which includes, but is not limited to, the demonstration of sustainable production at or near the level intended (such as the demonstration of continuous throughput levels at or above a target percentage of the design capacity).

 

iii.

Depreciation

Depreciation is calculated over the depreciable amount, which is the cost of the asset less its residual value. Assets which are unrelated to production are depreciated according to the straight-line method based on estimated useful lives as follows:

 

Land

     Not depreciated  

Buildings

     15 - 25 years  

Plant and equipment

     3 - 15 years  

Furniture and fixtures

     3 - 10 years  

Other

     3 - 5 years  

Mining properties and certain mining and conversion assets for which the economic benefits from the asset are consumed in a pattern which is linked to the production level are depreciated according to the unit-of-production method. For conversion assets, the amount of depreciation is measured by the portion of the facilities’ total estimated lifetime production that is produced in that period. For mining assets and properties, the amount of depreciation or depletion is measured by the portion of the mines’ proven and probable mineral reserves recovered during the period.

Depreciation methods, useful lives and residual values are reviewed at each reporting period and are adjusted if appropriate.

 

iv.

Borrowing costs

Borrowing costs on funds directly attributable to finance the acquisition, production or construction of a qualifying asset are capitalized until such time as substantially all the activities necessary to prepare the qualifying asset for its intended use are complete. A qualifying asset is one that takes a substantial period of time to prepare for its intended use. Capitalization is discontinued when the asset enters the production stage or development ceases. Where the funds used to finance a project form part of general borrowings, interest is capitalized based on the weighted average interest rate applicable to the general borrowings outstanding during the period of construction.

 

v.

Repairs and maintenance

The cost of replacing a component of property, plant and equipment is capitalized if it is probable that future economic benefits embodied within the component will flow to the Company. The carrying amount of the replaced component is derecognized. Costs of routine maintenance and repair are charged to products and services sold.

 

14


I.

Goodwill and intangible assets

Goodwill arising from the acquisition of subsidiaries is initially recognized at cost, measured as the excess of the fair value of the consideration paid over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. At the date of acquisition, goodwill is allocated to the cash generating unit (CGU), or group of CGUs that is expected to receive the economic benefits of the business combination. Goodwill is subsequently measured at cost, less accumulated impairment losses.

Intangible assets acquired individually or as part of a group of assets are initially recognized at cost and measured subsequently at cost less accumulated amortization and impairment losses. Subsequent expenditure is capitalized only when it increases the future economic benefits embodied in the specific asset to which it relates. The cost of a group of intangible assets acquired in a transaction, including those acquired in a business combination that meet the specified criteria for recognition apart from goodwill, is allocated to the individual assets acquired based on their relative fair values.

Intangible assets that have finite useful lives are amortized over their estimated remaining useful lives. Amortization methods and useful lives are reviewed at each reporting period and are adjusted if appropriate.

 

J.

Leases

Commencing in 2019 (see note 8), Cameco recognizes a right-of-use asset and a lease liability at the lease commencement date. The right-of-use asset is initially measured at cost, which is the initial amount of the lease liability adjusted for any lease payments made at or before the commencement date, plus any initial direct costs incurred, less any lease incentives received, and subsequently at cost less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. The right-of-use asset is subsequently depreciated using the straight-line method from the commencement date to the end of the lease term, unless the cost of the right-of-use asset reflects that the Company will exercise a purchase option, in which case the right-of-use asset will be depreciated on the same basis as that of property, plant and equipment.

The lease liability is measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method. It is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments that are not paid at the commencement date, discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease, or, if that rate cannot be readily determined, the Company’s incremental borrowing rate. Generally, Cameco uses its incremental borrowing rate as the discount rate. Current borrowing rates available for classes of leased assets are compared with the rates of Cameco’s existing debt facilities to ensure that use of the Company’s incremental borrowing rate is reasonable.

The lease liability is subsequently increased by the interest cost on the lease liability and decreased by lease payments made. It is remeasured when there is a change in future lease payments arising from a change in an index or rate, a change in the estimate of the amount expected to be payable under a residual value guarantee, or as appropriate, changes in the assessment of whether a purchase or extension option is reasonably certain to be exercised or a termination option is reasonably certain not to be exercised.

Cameco uses judgement in determining the lease term for some lease contracts that include renewal options. The assessment of whether the Company is reasonably certain to exercise such options impacts the lease term, which affects the amount of lease liabilities and right-of-use assets recognized.

The Company has elected not to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for leases of low-value assets and short-term leases that have a lease term of 12 months or less. The lease payments associated with these leases are recognized as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

 

K.

Finance income and finance costs

Finance income comprises interest income on funds invested. Interest income and interest expense are recognized in earnings as they accrue, using the effective interest method. Finance costs comprise interest and fees on borrowings, unwinding of the discount on provisions and costs incurred on redemption of debentures.

Borrowing costs that are not directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of a qualifying asset are expensed in the period incurred.

 

15


L.

Research and development costs

Expenditures on research are charged against earnings when incurred. Development costs are recognized as assets when the Company can demonstrate technical feasibility and that the asset will generate probable future economic benefits.

 

M.

Impairment

 

i.

Non-derivative financial assets

Cameco recognizes loss allowances for expected credit losses (ECLs) on financial assets measured at amortized cost, debt investments measured at FVOCI, and contract assets. It measures loss allowances at an amount equal to lifetime ECLs, except for debt securities that are determined to have low credit risk at the reporting date and other debt securities, loans advanced and bank balances for which credit risk has not increased significantly since initial recognition. For these, loss allowances are measured equal to 12-month ECLs.

Lifetime ECLs are the ECLs that result from all possible default events over the expected life of a financial instrument while 12-month ECLs are the portion of ECLs that result from default events that are possible within the 12 months after the reporting date (or a shorter period if the expected life of the instrument is less than 12 months). The maximum period considered when estimating ECLs is the maximum contractual period over which the Company is exposed to credit risk.

ECLs are a probability-weighted estimate of credit losses. Credit losses are measured as the present value of the difference between the cash flows due to the entity in accordance with the contract and the cash flows that the Company expects to receive. ECLs are discounted at the effective interest rate of the financial asset.

When determining whether the credit risk of a financial asset has increased significantly since initial recognition and when estimating ECLs, the Company considers reasonable and supportable information that is relevant and available without undue cost or effort. This includes both quantitative and qualitative information and analysis, based on the Company’s historical experience and informed credit assessment and including forward-looking information.

The Company considers a financial asset to be in default when the borrower is unlikely to pay its credit obligations in full, without recourse by Cameco to actions such as realizing security (if any is held).

The Company considers a debt security to have low credit risk when it is at least an A (low) DBRS or A- S&P rating.

Financial assets carried at amortized cost and debt securities at FVOCI are assessed at each reporting date to determine whether they are ‘credit-impaired’. A financial asset is ‘credit-impaired’ when one or more events that have a detrimental effect on the estimated future cash flows of the financial asset have occurred. Evidence can include significant financial difficulty of the borrower or issuer, a breach of contract, restructuring of an amount due to the Company on terms that the Company would not consider otherwise, indications that a debtor or issuer will enter bankruptcy or other financial reorganization, or the disappearance of an active market for a security.

Loss allowances for financial assets measured at amortized cost are deducted from the gross carrying amount of the assets. For debt securities at FVOCI, the loss allowance is charged to earnings and is recognized in OCI. The gross carrying amount of a financial asset is written off when the Company has no reasonable expectations of recovering a financial asset in its entirety or a portion thereof.

 

ii.

Non-financial assets

The carrying amounts of Cameco’s non-financial assets are reviewed at each reporting date to determine whether there is any indication of impairment. If any such indication exists, then the asset’s recoverable amount is estimated. Goodwill is tested annually for impairment.

 

16


For impairment testing, assets are grouped together into CGUs which are the smallest group of assets that generate cash inflows from continuing use that are largely independent of the cash inflows of other assets or CGUs. Goodwill arising from a business combination is allocated to CGUs or groups of CGUs that are expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination.

The recoverable amount of an asset or CGU is the greater of its value in use and its fair value less costs to sell. Value in use is based on the estimated future cash flows, discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset or CGU. Fair value is determined as the amount that would be obtained from the sale of the asset or CGU in an arm’s-length transaction between knowledgeable and willing parties. For exploration properties, fair value is based on the implied fair value of the resources in place using comparable market transaction metrics.

An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of an asset or its CGU exceeds its recoverable amount. Impairment losses are recognized in earnings. Impairment losses recognized in respect of CGUs are allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the CGU, and then to reduce the carrying amounts of the other assets in the CGU on a pro rata basis.

Impairment losses recognized in prior periods are assessed at each reporting date whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the impairment may have reversed. If the impairment has reversed, the carrying amount of the asset is increased to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is reversed only to the extent that the asset’s carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation or amortization, if no impairment loss had been recognized. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognized immediately in earnings. An impairment loss in respect of goodwill is not reversed.

 

N.

Exploration and evaluation expenditures

Exploration and evaluation expenditures are those expenditures incurred by the Company in connection with the exploration for and evaluation of mineral resources before the technical feasibility and commercial viability of extracting a mineral resource are demonstrable. These expenditures include researching and analyzing existing exploration data, conducting geological studies, exploratory drilling and sampling, and compiling prefeasibility and feasibility studies. Exploration and evaluation expenditures are charged against earnings as incurred, except when there is a high degree of confidence in the viability of the project and it is probable that these costs will be recovered through future development and exploitation.

The technical feasibility and commercial viability of extracting a resource is considered to be determinable based on several factors, including the existence of proven and probable reserves and the demonstration that future economic benefits are probable. When an area is determined to be technically feasible and commercially viable, the exploration and evaluation assets attributable to that area are first tested for impairment and then transferred to property, plant and equipment.

Exploration and evaluation costs that have been acquired in a business combination or asset acquisition are capitalized under the scope of IFRS 6, Exploration for and Evaluation of Mineral Resources, and are reported as part of property, plant and equipment.

 

O.

Provisions

A provision is recognized if, as a result of a past event, the Company has a present legal or constructive obligation that can be estimated reliably, and it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation. Provisions are determined by discounting the risk-adjusted expected future cash flows at a pre-tax risk-free rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money. The unwinding of the discount is recognized as a finance cost.

 

17


i.

Environmental restoration

The mining, extraction and processing activities of the Company normally give rise to obligations for site closure and environmental restoration. Closure and restoration can include facility decommissioning and dismantling, removal or treatment of waste materials, as well as site and land restoration. The Company provides for the closure, reclamation and decommissioning of its operating sites in the financial period when the related environmental disturbance occurs, based on the estimated future costs using information available at the reporting date. Costs included in the provision comprise all closure and restoration activity expected to occur gradually over the life of the operation and at the time of closure. Routine operating costs that may impact the ultimate closure and restoration activities, such as waste material handling conducted as a normal part of a mining or production process, are not included in the provision.

The timing of the actual closure and restoration expenditure is dependent upon a number of factors such as the life and nature of the asset, the operating licence conditions and the environment in which the mine operates. Closure and restoration provisions are measured at the expected value of future cash flows, discounted to their present value using a current pre-tax risk-free rate. Significant judgments and estimates are involved in deriving the expectations of future activities and the amount and timing of the associated cash flows.

At the time a provision is initially recognized, to the extent that it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the reclamation, decommissioning and restoration expenditure will flow to the Company, the corresponding cost is capitalized as an asset. The capitalized cost of closure and restoration activities is recognized in property, plant and equipment and depreciated on a unit-of-production basis. The value of the provision is gradually increased over time as the effect of discounting unwinds. The unwinding of the discount is an expense recognized in finance costs.

Closure and rehabilitation provisions are also adjusted for changes in estimates. The provision is reviewed at each reporting date for changes to obligations, legislation or discount rates that effect change in cost estimates or life of operations. The cost of the related asset is adjusted for changes in the provision resulting from changes in estimated cash flows or discount rates, and the adjusted cost of the asset is depreciated prospectively.

 

ii.

Waste disposal

The refining, conversion and manufacturing processes generate certain uranium-contaminated waste. The Company has established strict procedures to ensure this waste is disposed of safely. A provision for waste disposal costs in respect of these materials is recognized when they are generated. Costs associated with the disposal, the timing of cash flows and discount rates are estimated both at initial recognition and subsequent measurement.

 

P.

Employee future benefits

 

i.

Pension obligations

The Company accrues its obligations under employee benefit plans. The Company has both defined benefit and defined contribution plans. A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which the Company pays fixed contributions into a separate entity. The Company has no legal or constructive obligations to pay further contributions if the fund does not hold sufficient assets to pay all employees the benefits relating to employee service in the current and prior periods. A defined benefit plan is a pension plan other than a defined contribution plan. Typically, defined benefit plans define an amount of pension benefit that an employee will receive on retirement, usually dependent on one or more factors such as age, years of service and compensation.

 

18


The liability recognized in the consolidated statements of financial position in respect of defined benefit pension plans is the present value of the defined benefit obligation at the reporting date less the fair value of plan assets. The defined benefit obligation is calculated annually, by qualified independent actuaries using the projected unit credit method prorated on service and management’s best estimate of expected plan investment performance, salary escalation, retirement ages of employees and expected health care costs. The present value of the defined benefit obligation is determined by discounting the estimated future cash outflows using interest rates of high-quality corporate bonds that are denominated in the currency in which the benefits will be paid, and that have terms to maturity approximating the terms of the related pension liability.

The Company recognizes all actuarial gains and losses arising from defined benefit plans in other comprehensive income, and reports them in retained earnings. When the benefits of a plan are improved, the portion of the increased benefit relating to past service by employees is recognized immediately in earnings.

For defined contribution plans, the contributions are recognized as employee benefit expense in earnings in the periods during which services are rendered by employees. Prepaid contributions are recognized as an asset to the extent that a cash refund or a reduction in future payments is available.

 

ii.

Other post-retirement benefit plans

The Company provides certain post-retirement health care benefits to its retirees. The entitlement to these benefits is usually conditional on the employee remaining in service up to retirement age and the completion of a minimum service period. The expected costs of these benefits are accrued over the period of employment using the same accounting methodology as used for defined benefit pension plans. Actuarial gains and losses are recognized in other comprehensive income in the period in which they arise. These obligations are valued annually by independent qualified actuaries.

 

iii.

Short-term employee benefits

Short-term employee benefit obligations are measured on an undiscounted basis and are expensed as the related service is provided. A liability is recognized for the amount expected to be paid under short-term cash bonus plans if the Company has a present legal or constructive obligation to pay this amount as a result of past service provided by the employee, and the obligation can be measured reliably.

 

iv.

Termination benefits

Termination benefits are payable when employment is terminated by the Company before the normal retirement date, or whenever an employee accepts an entity’s offer of benefits in exchange for termination of employment. Cameco recognizes termination benefits as an expense at the earlier of when the Company can no longer withdraw the offer of those benefits and when the Company recognizes costs for a restructuring. If benefits are payable more than 12 months after the reporting period, they are discounted to their present value.

 

v.

Share-based compensation

For equity-settled plans, the grant date fair value of share-based compensation awards granted to employees is recognized as an employee benefit expense, with a corresponding increase in equity, over the period that the employees unconditionally become entitled to the awards. The amount recognized as an expense is adjusted to reflect the number of awards for which the related service and vesting conditions are expected to be met, such that the amount ultimately recognized as an expense is based on the number of awards that meet the related service and non-market performance conditions at the vesting date.

For cash-settled plans, the fair value of the amount payable to employees is recognized as an expense, with a corresponding increase in liabilities, over the period that the employees unconditionally become entitled to payment. The liability is re-measured at each reporting date and at settlement date. Any changes in the fair value of the liability are recognized as employee benefit expense in earnings.

 

19


When the terms and conditions of equity-settled plans at the time they were granted are subsequently modified, the fair value of the share-based payment under the original terms and conditions and under the modified terms and conditions are both determined at the date of the modification. Any excess of the modified fair value over the original fair value is recognised over the remaining vesting period in addition to the grant date fair value of the original share-based payment. The share-based payment expense is not adjusted if the modified fair value is less than the original fair value.

Cameco’s contributions under the employee share ownership plan are expensed during the year of contribution. Shares purchased with Company contributions and with dividends paid on such shares become unrestricted on January 1 of the second plan year following the date on which such shares were purchased.

 

Q.

Revenue recognition

Cameco supplies uranium concentrates, uranium conversion services, fabrication services and other services. Revenue is measured based on the consideration specified in a contract with a customer. The Company recognizes revenue when it transfers control, as described below, over a good or service to a customer. Customers do not have the right to return products.

Cameco’s sales arrangements with its customers are pursuant to enforceable contracts that indicate the nature and timing of satisfaction of performance obligations, including significant payment terms, where payment is usually due in 30 days. Each delivery is considered a separate performance obligation under the contract.

Uranium supply

In a uranium supply arrangement, Cameco is contractually obligated to provide uranium concentrates to its customers. Cameco-owned uranium may be physically delivered to either the customer or to conversion facilities (Converters).

For deliveries to customers, terms in the sales contract specify the location of delivery. Revenue is recognized when the uranium has been delivered and accepted by the customer at that location.

When uranium is delivered to Converters, the Converter will credit Cameco’s account for the volume of accepted uranium. Based on delivery terms in the sales contract with its customer, Cameco instructs the Converter to transfer title of a contractually specified quantity of uranium to the customer’s account at the Converter’s facility. At this point, control has been transferred and Cameco recognizes revenue for the uranium supply.

Toll conversion services

In a toll conversion arrangement, Cameco is contractually obligated to convert customer-owned uranium to a chemical state suitable for enrichment. Based on delivery terms in a sales contract with its customer, Cameco either (i) physically delivers converted uranium to enrichment facilities (Enrichers) where it instructs the Enricher to transfer title of a contractually specified quantity of converted uranium to the customer’s account at the Enricher’s facility, or (ii) transfers title of a contractually specified quantity of converted uranium to either an Enricher’s account or the customer’s account at Cameco’s Port Hope conversion facility. At this point, the customer obtains control and Cameco recognizes revenue for the toll conversion services.

Conversion supply

A conversion supply arrangement is a combination of uranium supply and toll conversion services. Cameco is contractually obligated to provide converted uranium to its customers. Based on delivery terms in the sales contract, Cameco either (i) physically delivers converted uranium to the Enricher where it instructs the Enricher to transfer title of a contractually specified quantity of converted uranium to the customer’s account at the Enricher’s facility, or (ii) transfers title of a contractually specified quantity of converted uranium to either an Enricher’s account or a customer’s account at Cameco’s Port Hope conversion facility. At this point, the customer obtains control and Cameco recognizes revenue for both the uranium supplied and the conversion service provided.

 

20


Fabrication services

In a fabrication services arrangement, Cameco is contractually obligated to provide fuel bundles or reactor components to its customers. In a contract for fuel bundles, the bundles are inspected and accepted by the customer at Cameco’s Port Hope fabrication facility or another location based on delivery terms in the sales contract. At this point, the customer obtains control and Cameco recognizes revenue for the fabrication services.

In some contracts for reactor components, the components are made to a customer’s specification and if a contract is terminated by the customer, Cameco is entitled to reimbursement of the costs incurred to date, including a reasonable margin. Since the customer controls all of the work in progress as the products are being manufactured, revenue and associated costs are recognized over time, before the goods are delivered to the customer’s premises. Revenue is recognized on the basis of units produced as the contracts reflect a per unit basis. Revenue from these contracts represents an insignificant portion of Cameco’s total revenue. In other contracts where the reactor components are not made to a specific customer’s specification, when the components are delivered to the location specified in the contract, the customer obtains control and Cameco recognizes revenue for the services.

Other services

Uranium concentrates and converted uranium are regulated products and can only be stored at regulated facilities. In a storage arrangement, Cameco is contractually obligated to store uranium products at its facilities on behalf of the customer. Cameco invoices the customer in accordance with the contract terms and recognizes revenue on a monthly basis.

Cameco also provides customers with transportation of its uranium products. In the contractual arrangements where Cameco is acting as the principal, revenue is recognized as the product is delivered.

 

R.

Financial instruments

A financial instrument is any contract that gives rise to a financial asset of one entity and a financial liability or equity instrument of another.

Trade receivables and debt securities are initially recognized when they are originated. All other financial assets and liabilities are initially recognized when the company becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. A financial asset (unless it is a trade receivable without a significant financing component) or financial liability is initially measured at fair value plus, for an item not at fair value through profit or loss, transaction costs that are directly attributable to its acquisition or issue. A trade receivable without a significant financing component is initially measured at the transaction price.

 

i.

Financial assets

On initial recognition, financial assets are classified as measured at: amortized cost, fair value through other comprehensive income, or fair value through profit or loss based on the Company’s business model for managing its financial assets and their cash flow characteristics. Classifications are not changed subsequent to initial recognition unless the Company changes its business model for managing its financial assets, in which case all affected financial assets are reclassified on the first day of the first reporting period following the change in business model.

Amortized cost

A financial asset is measured at amortized cost if it is not designated as at fair value through profit or loss, is held within a business model whose objective is to hold assets to collect contractual cash flows and its contractual terms give rise to cash flows on specified dates that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding. Assets in this category are subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method. The amortized cost is reduced by impairment losses. Interest income, foreign exchange gains and losses and impairment are recognized in profit or loss, as is any gain or loss on derecognition.

 

21


Fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI)

A debt investment is measured at FVOCI if it is not designated as at fair value through profit or loss, is held within a business model whose objective is achieved by both collecting contractual cash flows and selling financial assets and its contractual terms give rise to cash flows on specified dates that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding. These assets are subsequently measured at fair value. Interest income calculated using the effective interest method, foreign exchange gains and losses and impairment are recognized in profit or loss. Other net gains and losses are recognized in other comprehensive income (OCI). On derecognition, gains and losses accumulated in OCI are reclassified to profit or loss.

On initial recognition of an equity investment that is not held for trading, Cameco may irrevocably elect to present subsequent changes in the investments fair value in OCI. This election is made on an investment by investment basis. These assets are subsequently measured at fair value. Dividends are recognized as income in profit or loss unless the dividend clearly represents a recovery of part of the cost of the investment. Other net gains and losses are recognized in OCI and are never reclassified to profit or loss.

Fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL)

All financial assets not classified as measured at amortized cost or FVOCI are measured at FVTPL. This includes all derivative financial assets. On initial recognition, the Company may irrevocably designate a financial asset that otherwise meets the requirements to be measured at amortized cost or at FVOCI as at FVTPL if doing so eliminates or significantly reduces an accounting mismatch that would otherwise arise. These assets are subsequently measured at fair value. Net gains and losses, including any interest or dividend income, are recognized in profit or loss.

Derecognition of financial assets

Cameco derecognizes a financial asset when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire, or it transfers the rights to receive the contractual cash flows in a transaction in which substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership of the financial asset are transferred or in which it neither transfers or retains substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership and it does not retain control of the financial asset.

If the Company enters into a transaction whereby it transfers assets recognized in its statement of financial position, but retains either all or substantially all of the risks and rewards of the transferred assets, the transferred assets would not be derecognized.

 

ii.

Financial liabilities

On initial recognition, financial liabilities are classified as measured at amortized cost or FVTPL. A financial liability is classified as FVTPL if it is classified as held-for-trading, is a derivative or is designated as such on initial recognition. Financial liabilities at FVTPL are measured at fair value and net gains and losses, including any interest expense, are recognized in profit or loss. Other financial liabilities are subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method. Interest expense and foreign exchange gains and losses are recognized in profit or loss as is any gain or loss on derecognition.

A financial liability is derecognized when its contractual obligations are discharged or cancelled, or expire. The Company also derecognizes a financial liability when its terms are modified and the cash flows of the modified liability are substantially different, in which case a new financial liability based on the modified terms is recognized at fair value. On derecognition of a financial liability, the difference between the carrying amount extinguished and the consideration paid (including any non-cash assets transferred or liabilities assumed) is recognized in profit or loss.

 

iii.

Derivative financial instruments

The Company holds derivative financial instruments to reduce exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. Embedded derivatives are separated from the host contract and accounted for separately if the host contract is not a financial asset and certain criteria are met.

 

22


Derivative financial instruments are initially measured at fair value in the consolidated statements of financial position, with any directly attributable transaction costs recognized in profit or loss as incurred. Subsequent to initial recognition, derivatives are measured at fair value, and changes in fair value are recognized in profit or loss.

The purpose of hedging transactions is to modify the Company’s exposure to one or more risks by creating an offset between changes in the fair value of, or the cash flows attributable to, the hedged item and the hedging item. When hedge accounting is appropriate, the hedging relationship is designated as a fair value hedge, a cash flow hedge, or a foreign currency risk hedge related to a net investment in a foreign operation. The Company does not have any instruments that have been designated as hedge transactions at December 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

S.

Income tax

Income tax expense is comprised of current and deferred taxes. Current tax and deferred tax are recognized in earnings except to the extent that it relates to a business combination, or items recognized directly in equity or in other comprehensive income.

Current tax is the expected tax payable or receivable on the taxable income or loss for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantially enacted at the reporting date, and any adjustments to tax payable in respect of previous years. Current tax assets and liabilities are measured at the amount expected to be paid or recovered from the taxation authorities.

Deferred tax is recognized in respect of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes. In addition, deferred tax is not recognized for taxable temporary differences arising on the initial recognition of goodwill. Deferred tax is measured at the tax rates that are expected to be applied to temporary differences when they reverse, based on the laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset if there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax liabilities and assets, and they relate to income taxes levied by the same tax authority on the same taxable entity, or on different tax entities, but they intend to settle current tax liabilities and assets on a net basis or their tax assets and liabilities will be realized simultaneously.

A deferred tax asset is recognized for unused tax losses, tax credits and deductible temporary differences, to the extent that it is probable that future taxable income will be available against which they can be utilized. Deferred tax assets are reviewed at each reporting date and are reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that the related tax benefit will be realized.

The Company’s exposure to uncertain tax positions is evaluated and a provision is made where it is probable that this exposure will materialize.

 

T.

Share capital

Common shares are classified as equity. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of common shares are recognized as a reduction of equity, net of any tax effects.

 

U.

Earnings per share

The Company presents basic and diluted earnings per share data for its common shares. Earnings per share is calculated by dividing the net earnings attributable to equity holders of the Company by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding.

Diluted earnings per share is determined by adjusting the net earnings attributable to equity holders of the Company and the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, for the effects of all dilutive potential common shares. The calculation of diluted earnings per share assumes that outstanding options which are dilutive to earnings per share are exercised and the proceeds are used to repurchase shares of the Company at the average market price of the shares for the period. The effect is to increase the number of shares used to calculate diluted earnings per share.

 

23


V.

Segment reporting

An operating segment is a component of the Company that engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses, including revenues and expenses that relate to transactions with any of the Company’s other segments. To be classified as a segment, discrete financial information must be available and operating results must be regularly reviewed by the Company’s executive team.

Segment capital expenditure is the total cost incurred during the period to acquire property, plant and equipment, and intangible assets other than goodwill.

 

3.

Accounting standards

 

A.

Changes in accounting policy

On January 1, 2019, Cameco adopted the new standard, IFRS 16, Leases (IFRS 16) and the interpretation, IFRIC 23, Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments (IFRIC 23) as issued by the IASB.

 

i.

Leases

IFRS 16 eliminates the dual model for lessees, which distinguishes between on-balance sheet finance leases and off-balance sheet operating leases. Instead, there is a single, on-balance sheet accounting model that is similar to finance lease accounting under IAS 17. Cameco adopted IFRS 16 using the modified retrospective approach which does not require comparative information to be restated. The following practical expedients were used during initial application:

 

   

No reassessment of whether a contract is, or contains, a lease at the date of initial application. Contracts that were not identified as leases under IAS 17 and IFRIC 4 were not reassessed for whether there is a lease under IFRS 16;

 

   

Reliance on an assessment under IAS 37 for onerous contracts as an alternative to performing an impairment review;

 

   

No recognition of right-of-use assets and liabilities for leases for which the lease term ends within 12 months of the date of initial application or for leases of low value assets; and

 

   

Use of hindsight when determining the lease terms.

When measuring lease liabilities for leases that were classified as operating, lease payments were discounted using Cameco’s incremental borrowing rate at January 1, 2019, which was 4.65%. Adoption of the standard did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. See notes 8, 14 and 26.

 

ii.

Income tax

IFRIC 23 provides guidance on the accounting for current and deferred tax liabilities and assets in circumstances in which there is uncertainty over income tax treatments. The adoption of the standard did not have a material impact on the financial statements:

 

4.

Determination of fair values

A number of the Company’s accounting policies and disclosures require the measurement of fair value, for both financial and non-financial assets and liabilities.

The fair value of an asset or liability is generally estimated as the amount that would be received on sale of an asset, or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the reporting date. Fair values of assets and liabilities traded in an active market are determined by reference to last quoted prices, in the principal market for the asset or liability. In the absence of an active market for an asset or liability, fair values are determined based on market quotes for assets or liabilities with similar characteristics and risk profiles, or through other valuation techniques. Fair values determined using valuation techniques require the use of inputs, which are obtained from external, readily observable market data when available. In some circumstances, inputs that are not based on observable data must be used. In these cases, the estimated fair values may be adjusted in order to account for valuation uncertainty, or to reflect the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

 

24


All fair value measurements are categorized into one of three hierarchy levels, described below, for disclosure purposes. Each level is based on the transparency of the inputs used to measure the fair values of assets and liabilities:

Level 1 – Values based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the reporting date for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 – Values based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or model inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

Level 3 – Values based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.

When the inputs used to measure fair value fall within more than one level of the hierarchy, the level within which the fair value measurement is categorized is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

Transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy are recognized at the end of the reporting period during which the transfer occurred. There were no transfers between level 1, level 2, or level 3 during the period. Cameco does not have any recurring fair value measurements that are categorized as level 3 as of the reporting date.

Further information about the techniques and assumptions used to measure fair values is included in the following notes:

Note 24 - Share-based compensation plans

Note 26 - Financial instruments and risk management

 

5.

Use of estimates and judgments

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimates are revised and in any future period affected.

Information about critical judgments in applying the accounting policies that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements is discussed below. Further details of the nature of these judgments, estimates and assumptions may be found in the relevant notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

A.

Recoverability of long-lived and intangible assets

Cameco assesses the carrying values of property, plant and equipment, and intangible assets when there is an indication of possible impairment. Goodwill and intangible assets not yet available for use or with indefinite useful lives are tested for impairment annually. If it is determined that carrying values of assets or goodwill cannot be recovered, the unrecoverable amounts are charged against current earnings. Recoverability is dependent upon assumptions and judgments regarding market conditions, costs of production, sustaining capital requirements and mineral reserves. Other assumptions used in the calculation of recoverable amounts are discount rates, future cash flows and profit margins. A material change in assumptions may significantly impact the potential impairment of these assets.

 

B.

Cash generating units

In performing impairment assessments of long-lived assets, assets that cannot be assessed individually are grouped together into the smallest group of assets that generates cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets. Management is required to exercise judgment in identifying these CGUs.

 

25


C.

Provisions for decommissioning and reclamation of assets

Significant decommissioning and reclamation activities are often not undertaken until near the end of the useful lives of the productive assets. Regulatory requirements and alternatives with respect to these activities are subject to change over time. A significant change to either the estimated costs, timing of the cash flows or mineral reserves may result in a material change in the amount charged to earnings.

 

D.

Income taxes

Cameco operates in a number of tax jurisdictions and is, therefore, required to estimate its income taxes in each of these tax jurisdictions in preparing its consolidated financial statements. In calculating income taxes, consideration is given to factors such as tax rates in the different jurisdictions, non-deductible expenses, changes in tax law and management’s expectations of future operating results. Cameco estimates deferred income taxes based on temporary differences between the income and losses reported in its consolidated financial statements and its taxable income and losses as determined under the applicable tax laws. The tax effect of these temporary differences is recorded as deferred tax assets or liabilities in the consolidated financial statements. The calculation of income taxes requires the use of judgment and estimates. The determination of the recoverability of deferred tax assets is dependent on assumptions and judgments regarding future market conditions, production rates and intercompany sales, which can materially impact estimated future taxable income. If these judgments and estimates prove to be inaccurate, future earnings may be materially impacted.

 

E.

Mineral reserves

Depreciation on property, plant and equipment is primarily calculated using the unit-of-production method. This method allocates the cost of an asset to each period based on current period production as a portion of total lifetime production or a portion of estimated mineral reserves. Estimates of life-of-mine and amounts of mineral reserves are updated annually and are subject to judgment and significant change over time. If actual mineral reserves prove to be significantly different than the estimates, there could be a material impact on the amounts of depreciation charged to earnings.

 

F.

Gain on restructuring

The gain recorded on the restructuring of JV Inkai was calculated based on the fair value of the asset being given up. The determination of fair value requires Cameco to make assumptions, estimates and judgments, some of which are inherently subjective.

 

6.

Accounts receivable

 

     2019      2018  

Trade receivables

   $ 321,638      $ 392,865  

GST/VAT receivables

     4,614        3,711  

Other receivables

     1,792        5,774  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 328,044      $ 402,350  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company’s exposure to credit and currency risks as well as credit losses related to trade and other receivables, excluding goods and services tax (GST)/value added tax (VAT) receivables, is disclosed in note 26.

 

26


7.

Inventories

 

     2019      2018  

Uranium

     

Concentrate

   $ 204,123      $ 335,276  

Broken ore

     51,094        51,545  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     255,217        386,821  

Fuel services

     62,701        75,541  

Other

     2,852        5,433  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 320,770      $ 467,795  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cameco expensed $1,398,000,000 of inventory as cost of sales during 2019 (2018 - $1,501,000,000). Included in cost of sales for the year ended December 31, 2018 is a $29,296,000 net write-down to reflect net realizable value. No write-down was recorded in the current year.

 

8.

Property, plant and equipment

At December 31, 2019

 

     Land     Plant     Furniture           Exploration        
     and     and     and     Under     and        
     buildings     equipment     fixtures     construction     evaluation     Total  

Cost

            

Beginning of year

   $ 5,089,908     $ 2,654,944     $ 80,083     $ 63,465     $ 1,121,061     $ 9,009,461  

Additions

     2,327       7,179       158       65,482       65       75,211  

Transfers

     17,157       28,453       951       (46,561     —         —    

Change in reclamation provision [note 15]

     24,883       —         —         —         —         24,883  

Disposals

     (923     (3,486     (142     (507     (693     (5,751

Effect of movements in exchange rates

     (32,642     (8,925     (181     (17     (48,593     (90,358
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

     5,100,710       2,678,165       80,869       81,862       1,071,840       9,013,446  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated depreciation and impairment

 

Beginning of year

     2,835,037       1,697,178       74,860       36,799       483,661       5,127,535  

Depreciation charge

     128,579       105,700       2,057       —         —         236,336  

Change in reclamation provision [note 15]

     2,732       —         —         —         —         2,732  

Disposals

     (225     (2,194     (139     —         (639     (3,197

Effect of movements in exchange rates

     (30,035     (7,635     (177     —         (24,636     (62,483
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

     2,936,088       1,793,049       76,601       36,799       458,386       5,300,923  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Right-of-use assets

 

Beginning of year

     —         —         —         —         —         —    

Additions

     3,517       5,768       851       —         —         10,136  

Disposals

     —         (9     —         —         —         (9

Depreciation charge

     (871     (675     (432     —         —         (1,978
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

     2,646       5,084       419       —         —         8,149  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net book value at December 31, 2019

   $ 2,167,268     $ 890,200     $ 4,687     $ 45,063     $ 613,454     $ 3,720,672  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

27


At December 31, 2018

 

     Land     Plant     Furniture           Exploration        
     and     and     and     Under     and        
     buildings     equipment     fixtures     construction     evaluation     Total  

Cost

            

Beginning of year

   $ 5,045,112     $ 2,729,635     $ 90,817     $ 154,731     $ 1,120,280     $ 9,140,575  

Additions

     1,944       7,274       —         45,516       628       55,362  

Transfers

     104,760       20,044       288       (129,436     4,344       —    

Change in reclamation provision

     132,317       —         —         —         —         132,317  

Disposals

     (186     (7,355     (4,714     (1,663     (414     (14,332

JV Inkai restructuring(a)

     (245,882     (109,748     (6,624     (5,739     —         (367,993

Effect of movements in exchange rates

     51,843       15,094       316       56       (3,777     63,532  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

     5,089,908       2,654,944       80,083       63,465       1,121,061       9,009,461  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated depreciation and impairment

 

         

Beginning of year

     2,717,249       1,611,460       80,752       55,832       483,390       4,948,683  

Depreciation charge

     120,754       111,465       3,217       —         —         235,436  

Transfers

     13,036       6,333       (322     (19,047     —         —    

Change in reclamation provision

     59,616       —         —         —         —         59,616  

Disposals

     (185     (5,853     (4,647     —         —         (10,685

JV Inkai restructuring(a)

     (123,919     (38,783     (4,441     —         —         (167,143

Effect of movements in exchange rates

     48,486       12,556       301       14       271       61,628  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

     2,835,037       1,697,178       74,860       36,799       483,661       5,127,535  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net book value at December 31, 2018

   $ 2,254,871     $ 957,766     $ 5,223     $ 26,666     $ 637,400     $ 3,881,926  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cameco has contractual capital commitments of approximately $38,000,000 at December 31, 2019. Certain of the contractual commitments may contain cancellation clauses, however the Company discloses the commitments based on management’s intent to fulfill the contract. The majority of this amount is expected to be incurred in 2020.

 

(a)

Effective January 1, 2018, Cameco’s ownership interest in JV Inkai was reduced to 40% resulting in JV Inkai being accounted for on an equity basis instead of proportionate consolidation (see note 11).

 

28


9.

Intangible assets

 

A.

Reconciliation of carrying amount

At December 31, 2019

 

            Intellectual         
     Contracts      property      Total  

Cost

        

Beginning of year

   $ 119,371      $ 118,819      $ 238,190  

Effect of movements in exchange rates

     (5,664      —          (5,664
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

End of year

     113,707        118,819        232,526  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Accumulated amortization and impairment

        

Beginning of year

     115,434        57,154        172,588  

Amortization charge

     1,181        3,868        5,049  

Effect of movements in exchange rates

     (5,521      —          (5,521
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

End of year

     111,094        61,022        172,116  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net book value at December 31, 2019

   $ 2,613      $ 57,797      $ 60,410  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

At December 31, 2018

 

            Intellectual         
     Contracts      property      Total  

Cost

        

Beginning of year

   $ 109,812      $ 118,819      $ 228,631  

Effect of movements in exchange rates

     9,559        —          9,559  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

End of year

     119,371        118,819        238,190  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Accumulated amortization and impairment

        

Beginning of year

     104,939        53,680        158,619  

Amortization charge

     1,325        3,474        4,799  

Effect of movements in exchange rates

     9,170        —          9,170  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

End of year

     115,434        57,154        172,588  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net book value at December 31, 2018

   $ 3,937      $ 61,665      $ 65,602  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

29


B.

Amortization

The intangible asset values relate to intellectual property acquired with Cameco Fuel Manufacturing Inc. (CFM) and purchase and sales contracts acquired with NUKEM. The CFM intellectual property is being amortized on a unit-of-production basis over its remaining life. Amortization is allocated to the cost of inventory and is recognized in cost of products and services sold as inventory is sold. The NUKEM purchase and sales contracts will be amortized to earnings over the remaining terms of the underlying contracts, which extend to 2022. Amortization of the purchase contracts is allocated to the cost of inventory and is included in cost of products and services sold as inventory is sold. Sales contracts are amortized to revenue.

 

10.

Long-term receivables, investments and other

 

     2019      2018  

Investments in equity securities [note 26](a)

   $ 24,408      $ 28,916  

Derivatives [note 26]

     10,504        3,881  

Advances receivable from JV Inkai [note 31]

     —          124,533  

Investment tax credits

     95,474        95,246  

Amounts receivable related to tax dispute [note 21]

     303,222        303,222  

Product loan(b)

     176,904        176,904  

Other

     26,183        32,992  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     636,695        765,694  

Less current portion

     (6,564      (13,826
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net

   $ 630,131      $ 751,868  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a)

At January 1, 2018, Cameco designated the investments shown below as equity securities at FVOCI because these equity securities represent investments that the Company intends to hold for the long term for strategic purposes. There were no dividends recognized on any of these investments during the year.

 

     2019      2018  

Investment in Denison Mines Corp.

   $ 13,292      $ 15,507  

Investment in UEX Corporation

     7,253        8,754  

Investment in ISO Energy Ltd.

     1,481        1,777  

Investment in GoviEx

     2,000        2,313  

Other

     382        565  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 24,408      $ 28,916  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(b)

During 2018, as a result of the decision to temporarily suspend production at the McArthur River mine, Cameco loaned 5,400,000 pounds of uranium concentrate to its joint venture partner, Orano Canada Inc., (Orano). Orano is obligated to repay us in kind with uranium concentrate no later than December 31, 2023. The loan was recorded at Cameco’s weighted average cost of inventory.

 

11.

Equity-accounted investee

JV Inkai is the operator of the Inkai uranium deposit located in Kazakhstan. Cameco holds a 40% interest and Kazatomprom holds a 60% interest in JV Inkai. Cameco does not have joint control over the joint venture and as a result, Cameco accounts for JV Inkai on an equity basis.

JV Inkai is a uranium mining and milling operation that utilizes in-situ recovery (ISR) technology to extract uranium. The participants in JV Inkai purchase uranium from Inkai and, in turn, derive revenue directly from the sale of such product to third-party customers.

 

30


The following tables summarize the financial information of JV Inkai (100%):

 

     2019      2018  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 16,699      $ 41,717  

Other current assets

     139,324        160,784  

Non-current assets

     398,721        407,816  

Current liabilities

     (71,162      (151,728

Non-current liabilities

     (41,508      (41,746
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net assets

   $ 442,074      $ 416,843  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     2019      2018  

Revenue from products and services

   $ 261,860      $ 203,359  

Cost of products and services sold

     (64,199      (52,172

Depreciation and amortization

     (27,740      (27,504

Finance income

     651        160  

Finance costs

     (2,939      (6,251

Other expense

     (23,767      (30,419

Income tax expense

     (30,999      (20,860
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net earnings

     112,867        66,313  

Other comprehensive loss

     (1,773      —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

   $ 111,094      $ 66,313  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table reconciles the summarized financial information to the carrying amount of Cameco’s interest in JV Inkai:

 

     2019      2018  

Opening net assets

   $ 416,843      $ 374,650  

Total comprehensive income(a)

     111,094        66,313  

Dividends declared

     (66,369      —    

Impact of foreign exchange

     (19,494      (24,120
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Closing net assets

     442,074        416,843  

Cameco’s share of net assets

     176,830        166,737  

Consolidating adjustments(b)

     (30,633      (33,978

Fair value increment(c)

     91,697        94,633  

Dividends declared but not received

     13,859        —    

Impact of foreign exchange

     928        3,110  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Carrying amount in the statement of financial position at December 31, 2019

   $ 252,681      $ 230,502  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a)

Cameco’s share of earnings from equity-accounted investee as reported on the statement of earnings will not equal its share of JV Inkai’s other comprehensive income when Cameco receives dividends from JV Inkai that are not in proportion to its 40% ownership interest.

(b)

In addition to its proportionate share of earnings from JV Inkai, Cameco records certain consolidating adjustments to eliminate unrealized profit and amortize historical differences in accounting policies. This amount is amortized to earnings over units of production.

(c)

Following the restructuring, in addition to the adjustments noted in (b), Cameco also amortizes the fair values assigned to assets and liabilities at the time of the restructuring over units of production.

 

31


12.

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

     2019      2018  

Trade payables

   $ 100,407      $ 123,219  

Non-trade payables

     66,815        92,183  

Payables due to related parties

     14,577        9,352  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 181,799      $ 224,754  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company’s exposure to currency and liquidity risk related to trade and other payables is disclosed in note 26.

 

13.

Long-term debt

 

     2019      2018  

Unsecured debentures

     

Series D - 5.67% debentures due September 2, 2019

   $ —        $ 499,599  

Series E - 3.75% debentures due November 14, 2022

     399,152        398,873  

Series F - 5.09% debentures due November 14, 2042

     99,302        99,286  

Series G - 4.19% debentures due June 24, 2024

     498,264        497,913  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     996,718        1,495,671  

Less current portion

     —          (499,599
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 996,718      $ 996,072  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cameco has a $1,000,000,000 unsecured revolving credit facility that is available until November 1, 2023. Upon mutual agreement, the facility can be extended for an additional year on the anniversary date. In addition to direct borrowings under the facility, up to $100,000,000 can be used for the issuance of letters of credit and, to the extent necessary, it may be used to provide liquidity support for the Company’s commercial paper program. The agreement also provides the ability to increase the revolving credit facility above $1,000,000,000 by increments no less than $50,000,000, to a total of $1,250,000,000. The facility ranks equally with all of Cameco’s other senior debt. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, there were no amounts outstanding under this facility.

Cameco has $1,719,120,000 (2018 - $1,716,473,000) in letter of credit facilities. Outstanding and committed letters of credit at December 31, 2019 amounted to $1,528,603,000 (2018 - $1,572,984,000), the majority of which relate to future decommissioning and reclamation liabilities (note 15).

Cameco is bound by a covenant in its revolving credit facility. The covenant requires a funded debt to tangible net worth ratio equal to or less than 1:1. Non-compliance with this covenant could result in accelerated payment and termination of the revolving credit facility. At December 31, 2019, Cameco was in compliance with the covenant and does not expect its operating and investing activities in 2020 to be constrained by it.

The Company has arranged for standby product loan facilities with three different counterparties. The arrangements allow it to borrow up to 1.2 million kgU of UF6 conversion services over the period 2020 to 2022 with repayment in kind up to March 31, 2023. Under the loan facilities, standby fees of up to 1% are payable based on the market value of the facilities and interest is payable on the market value of any amounts drawn at rates ranging from 0.5% to 2.0%.

 

32


The table below represents currently scheduled maturities of long-term debt:

 

2020      2021      2022      2023      2024      Thereafter      Total  
$         —                —          399,152              —          498,264        99,302      $ 996,718  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

14.

Other liabilities

 

     2019      2018  

Deferred sales [note 17]

   $ 17,418      $ 30,727  

Derivatives [note 26]

     12,524        61,387  

Accrued pension and post-retirement benefit liability [note 25]

     80,737        68,255  

Lease obligation

     12,869        —    

Other

     63,452        61,265  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     187,000        221,634  

Less: current portion

     (33,073      (79,573
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net

   $ 153,927      $ 142,061  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Expenses related to short-term leases and leases of low-value assets were insignificant during 2019.

 

15.

Provisions

 

     Reclamation      Waste disposal      Total  

Beginning of year

   $ 1,053,892      $ 9,460      $ 1,063,352  

Changes in estimates and discount rates [note 8]

        

Capitalized in property, plant and equipment

     22,151        —          22,151  

Recognized in earnings

     2,732        645        3,377  

Provisions used during the period

     (31,933      (457      (32,390

Unwinding of discount [note 19]

     20,634        155        20,789  

Effect of movements in exchange rates

     (16,801      —          (16,801
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

End of period

   $ 1,050,675      $ 9,803      $ 1,060,478  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current

   $ 54,806      $ 1,442      $ 56,248  

Non-current

     995,869        8,361        1,004,230  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 1,050,675      $ 9,803      $ 1,060,478  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

A.

Reclamation provision

Cameco’s estimates of future decommissioning obligations are based on reclamation standards that satisfy regulatory requirements. Elements of uncertainty in estimating these amounts include potential changes in regulatory requirements, decommissioning and reclamation alternatives and amounts to be recovered from other parties.

Cameco estimates total undiscounted future decommissioning and reclamation costs for its existing operating assets to be $1,127,487,000 (2018 - $1,157,208,000). The expected timing of these outflows is based on life-of-mine plans with the majority of expenditures expected to occur after 2024. These estimates are reviewed by Cameco technical personnel as required by regulatory agencies or more frequently as circumstances warrant. In connection with future decommissioning and reclamation costs, Cameco has provided financial assurances of $994,129,000 (2018 - $1,050,546,000) in the form of letters of credit to satisfy current regulatory requirements.

 

33


The reclamation provision relates to the following segments:

 

     2019      2018  

Uranium

   $ 831,352      $ 828,781  

Fuel services

     219,323        225,111  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,050,675      $ 1,053,892  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

B.

Waste disposal

The fuel services segment consists of the Blind River refinery, Port Hope conversion facility and Cameco Fuel Manufacturing Inc.. The refining, conversion and manufacturing processes generate certain uranium contaminated waste. These include contaminated combustible material (paper, rags, gloves, etc.) and contaminated non-combustible material (metal parts, soil from excavations, building and roofing materials, spent uranium concentrate drums, etc.). These materials can in some instances be recycled or reprocessed. A provision for waste disposal costs in respect of these materials is recognized when they are generated.

Cameco estimates total undiscounted future costs related to existing waste disposal to be $8,451,000 (2018 - $9,617,000). The majority of these expenditures are expected to occur within the next five years.

 

16.

Share capital

Authorized share capital:

 

   

Unlimited number of first preferred shares

 

   

Unlimited number of second preferred shares

 

   

Unlimited number of voting common shares, no stated par value, not convertible or redeemable, and

 

   

One Class B share

 

A.

Common Shares

 

Number issued (number of shares)

   2019      2018  

Beginning of year

     395,792,732        395,792,732  

Issued:

     

Stock option plan [note 24]

     5,000        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

End of year

     395,797,732        395,792,732  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

All issued shares are fully paid. Holders of the common shares are entitled to exercise one vote per share at meetings of shareholders, are entitled to receive dividends if, as and when declared by our Board of Directors and are entitled to participate in any distribution of remaining assets following a liquidation.

The shares of Cameco are widely held and no shareholder, resident in Canada, is allowed to own more than 25% of the Company’s outstanding common shares, either individually or together with associates. A non-resident of Canada is not allowed to own more than 15%. In addition, no more than 25% of total shareholder votes cast may be cast by non-resident shareholders.

 

B.

Class B share

One Class B share issued during 1988 and assigned $1 of share capital entitles the shareholder to vote separately as a class in respect of any proposal to locate the head office of Cameco to a place not in the province of Saskatchewan.

 

C.

Dividends

Dividends on Cameco Corporation common shares are declared in Canadian dollars. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the dividend declared per share was $0.08 (December 31, 2018 - $0.08).

 

34


17.

Revenue

Cameco’s sales contracts with customers contain both fixed and market-related pricing. Fixed-price contracts are typically based on a term-price indicator at the time the contract is accepted and escalated over the term of the contract. Market-related contracts are based on either the spot price or long-term price, and the price is quoted at the time of delivery rather than at the time the contract is accepted. These contracts often include a floor and/or ceiling prices, which are usually escalated over the term of the contract. Escalation is generally based on a consumer price index. The Company’s contracts contain either one of these pricing mechanisms or a combination of the two. There is no variable consideration in the contracts and therefore no revenue is considered constrained at the time of delivery. Cameco expenses the incremental costs of obtaining a contract as incurred as the amortization period is less than a year.

The following table summarizes Cameco’s sales disaggregated by geographical region and contract type and includes a reconciliation to the Company’s reportable segments (note 28):

For the year ended December 31, 2019

 

     Uranium      Fuel services      Other      Total  

Customer geographical region

           

Americas

   $ 569,535      $ 206,226      $ 59,300      $ 835,061  

Europe

     288,134        79,629        3,587        371,350  

Asia

     556,140        84,422        15,952        656,514  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 1,413,809      $ 370,277      $ 78,839      $ 1,862,925  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Contract type

           

Fixed-price

   $ 349,021      $ 305,383      $ 69,703      $ 724,107  

Market-related

     1,064,788        64,894        9,136        1,138,818  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 1,413,809      $ 370,277      $ 78,839      $ 1,862,925  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2018

 

     Uranium      Fuel services      Other      Total  

Customer geographical region

           

Americas

   $ 695,678      $ 191,791      $ 69,012      $ 956,481  

Europe

     275,096        50,000        10,693        335,789  

Asia

     713,282        72,198        13,911        799,391  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 1,684,056      $ 313,989      $ 93,616      $ 2,091,661  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Contract type

           

Fixed-price

   $ 577,143      $ 293,400      $ 83,706      $ 954,249  

Market-related

     1,106,913        20,589        9,910        1,137,412  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 1,684,056      $ 313,989      $ 93,616      $ 2,091,661  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

35


Deferred sales

The following table provides information about contract liabilities (note 14) from contracts with customers:

 

     2019      2018  

Beginning of year

   $ 30,727      $ 29,148  

Additions

     9,783        25,695  

Recognized in revenue

     (23,067      (24,025

Effect of movements in exchange rates

     (25      (91
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 17,418      $ 30,727  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred sales primarily relates to advance consideration received from customers for future conversion deliveries and fuel fabrication services as well as revenue related to the storage of uranium and converted uranium held at Cameco facilities. The revenue related to the fuel fabrication services and storage is recognized over time while the revenue related to future conversion deliveries is expected to be recognized between 2020 and 2025.

Cameco recognized $78,000 of revenue (2018 - $5,468,000 reduction of revenue) during 2019 from performance obligations satisfied (or partially satisfied) in previous periods. This is due to the difference between actual pricing indices and the estimates at the time of invoicing.

Future sales commitments

Cameco’s sales portfolio consists of short and long-term sales commitments. The contracts can be executed well in advance of a delivery and include both fixed and market-related pricing. The following table summarizes the expected future revenue, by segment, related to only fixed-price contracts with remaining future deliveries as follows:

 

     2020      2021      2022      2023      2024      Thereafter      Total  

Uranium

   $ 271,642      $ 183,422      $ 145,920      $ 169,234      $ 166,015      $ 532,429      $ 1,468,662  

Fuel services

     274,755        265,126        212,562        150,266        150,773        593,612        1,647,094  

Other

     4,030        4,212        —          —          —          —          8,242  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 550,427      $ 452,760      $ 358,482      $ 319,500      $ 316,788      $ 1,126,041      $ 3,123,998  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The sales contracts are denominated largely in US dollars and converted from US to Canadian dollars at a rate of $1.30.

The amounts in the table represent the consideration the Company will be entitled to receive when it satisfies the remaining performance obligations in the contracts. The amounts include assumptions about volumes for contracts that have volume flexibility. Cameco’s total revenue that will be earned will also include revenue from contracts with market-related pricing. The Company has elected to exclude these amounts from the table as the transaction price will not be known until the time of delivery. Contracts with an original duration of one year or less have been included in the table.

 

36


18.

Employee benefit expense

The following employee benefit expenses are included in cost of products and services sold, administration, exploration, research and development and property, plant and equipment:

 

     2019      2018  

Wages and salaries

   $ 238,000      $ 305,367  

Statutory and company benefits

     41,972        50,477  

Expenses related to defined benefit plans [note 25]

     4,790        3,527  

Expenses related to defined contribution plans [note 25]

     11,767        13,431  

Equity-settled share-based compensation [note 24]

     17,469        18,821  

Cash-settled share-based compensation [note 24]

     (1,437      3,597  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 312,561      $ 395,220  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

19.

Finance costs

 

     2019      2018  

Interest on long-term debt

   $ 63,136      $ 73,039  

Unwinding of discount on provisions [note 15]

     20,789        23,681  

Other charges

     14,697        15,059  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 98,622      $ 111,779  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

No borrowing costs were determined to be eligible for capitalization during the year.

 

20.

Other income (expense)

 

     2019      2018  

Arbitration award(a)

   $ 52,801      $ —    

Foreign exchange gains

     (18,961      26,205  

Gain on restructuring of JV Inkai(b)

     —          48,570  

Sale of exploration interests(c)

     —          25,027  

Contract restructuring

     —          6,201  

Other

     —          2,157  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 33,840      $ 108,160  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a)

In the third quarter of 2019, Cameco received an award from the tribunal of international arbitrators (Tribunal) with respect to its contract dispute with Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc. (TEPCO). The Tribunal rejected TEPCO’s assertion that it had the right to terminate its uranium supply agreement and awarded damages of $40,300,000 (US). Damages were based on the Tribunal’s interpretation of losses under this supply agreement.

(b)

Effective January 1, 2018, Cameco’s ownership interest in JV Inkai was reduced from 60% to 40% based on an implementation agreement with Kazatomprom. Cameco recognized a gain on the change in ownership interests of $48,570,000. Included in this gain is $5,450,000 which has been reclassified from the foreign currency translation reserve to net earnings.

(c)

In 2018, Cameco sold its interest in the Wheeler River Joint Venture to Denison Mines Corp. in exchange for 24,615,000 common shares (note 10). Cameco recorded a gain of $17,231,000 on the transaction.

 

37


21.

Income taxes

 

A.

Significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities

 

     Recognized in earnings      As at December 31  
     2019      2018      2019      2018  

Assets

           

Property, plant and equipment

   $ 74,039      $ 119,132      $ 319,185      $ 245,206  

Provision for reclamation

     2,325        (36,622      193,514        191,189  

Inventories

     (2,163      1,137        —          2,163  

Foreign exploration and development

     (14      (14      5,267        5,281  

Income tax losses (gains)

     (108,839      39,289        390,341        499,180  

Defined benefit plan actuarial losses

     —          —          7,947        5,646  

Long-term investments and other

     (17,377      24,169        40,423        57,347  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred tax assets

     (52,029      147,091        956,677        1,006,012  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities

           

Inventories

     301        —          301        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities

     301        —          301        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net deferred tax asset (liability

   $ (52,330    $ 147,091      $ 956,376      $ 1,006,012  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax allocated as

   2019      2018  

Deferred tax assets

   $ 956,376      $ 1,006,012  

Deferred tax liabilities

     —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net deferred tax asset

   $ 956,376      $ 1,006,012  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cameco has recorded a deferred tax asset of $956,376,000 (December 31, 2018 - $1,006,012,000). The realization of this deferred tax asset is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income in certain jurisdictions during the periods in which the Company’s deferred tax assets are available. The Company considers whether it is probable that all or a portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In making this assessment, management considers all available evidence, including recent financial operations, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies. Based on projections of future taxable income over the periods in which the deferred tax assets are available, realization of these deferred tax assets is probable and consequently the deferred tax assets have been recorded.

 

38


B.

Movement in net deferred tax assets and liabilities

 

     2019      2018  

Deferred tax asset at beginning of year

   $ 1,006,012      $ 848,704  

Recovery (expense) for the year in net earnings

     (52,330      147,091  

Recovery (expense) for the year in other comprehensive income

     2,754        (851

Change to equity accounting - JV Inkai

     —          10,849  

Effect of movements in exchange rates

     (60      219  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 956,376      $ 1,006,012  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

C.

Significant components of unrecognized deferred tax assets

 

     2019      2018  

Income tax losses

   $ 280,330      $ 270,154  

Property, plant and equipment

     2,321        2,344  

Provision for reclamation

     75,082        88,036  

Long-term investments and other

     70,380        72,500  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 428,113      $ 433,034  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

D.

Tax rate reconciliation

The provision for income taxes differs from the amount computed by applying the combined expected federal and provincial income tax rate to earnings before income taxes. The reasons for these differences are as follows:

 

     2019     2018  

Earnings before income taxes and non-controlling interest

   $ 135,018     $ 39,929  

Combined federal and provincial tax rate

     26.9     26.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Computed income tax expense

     36,320       10,741  

Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from:

    

Difference between Canadian rates and rates applicable to subsidiaries in other countries

     5,558       (78,138

Change in unrecognized deferred tax assets

     19,646       18,027  

Share-based compensation plans

     1,146       1,292  

Change in tax provision related to transfer pricing

     —         (61,000

Non-deductible (non-taxable) capital amounts

     —         (13,249

Income in equity-accounted investee

     (12,074     —    

Change in uncertain tax positions

     2,572       (3,517

Other permanent differences

     7,909       (462
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax expense (recovery)

   $ 61,077     $ (126,306
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

39


E.

Earnings and income taxes by jurisdiction

 

     2019      2018  

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

     

Canada

   $ 229,429      $ (257,291

Foreign

     (94,411      297,220  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 135,018      $ 39,929  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current income taxes

     

Canada

   $ 7,969      $ 5,913  

Foreign

     778        14,872  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 8,747      $ 20,785  

Deferred income taxes (recovery)

     

Canada

   $ 60,010      $ (149,284

Foreign

     (7,680      2,193  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 52,330      $ (147,091
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income tax expense (recovery)

   $ 61,077      $ (126,306
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F.

Reassessments

Canada

In 2008, as part of the ongoing annual audits of Cameco’s Canadian tax returns, Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) disputed the transfer pricing structure and methodology used by Cameco and its wholly owned Swiss subsidiary, Cameco Europe Ltd., in respect of sale and purchase agreements for uranium products. From December 2008 to date, CRA issued notices of reassessment for the taxation years 2003 through 2013, which in aggregate have increased Cameco’s income for Canadian tax purposes by approximately $5,700,000,000. CRA has also issued notices of reassessment for transfer pricing penalties for the years 2007 through 2011 in the amount of $371,000,000. It is uncertain whether CRA will reassess Cameco’s tax returns for subsequent years on a similar basis and if these will require Cameco to make future remittances or provide security on receipt of the reassessments.

On September 26, 2018, the Tax Court of Canada (Tax Court) ruled in our favour in our case with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for the 2003, 2005 and 2006 tax years.

The Tax Court ruled that our marketing and trading structure involving foreign subsidiaries and the related transfer pricing methodology used for certain intercompany uranium purchase and sale agreements were in full compliance with Canadian laws for the three tax years in question. While the decision applies only to the three tax years in question, we believe there is nothing in the decision that would warrant a materially different outcome for subsequent tax years. We expect to recover any amounts remitted or secured as a result of the reassessments.

On October 25, 2018, CRA filed a notice of appeal with the Federal Court of Appeal. We anticipate that it will take about two years from the start of the appeal process to receive a decision from the Federal Court of Appeal.

 

40


We expect the Tax Court’s decision to be upheld on appeal. We expect any further actions regarding the tax years 2007 through 2013 will be suspended until the three years covered in the decision are finally resolved. Despite the fact that we believe there is no basis to do so, and it is not our view of the likely outcome, CRA may continue to reassess us using the methodology it used to reassess the 2003 through 2013 tax years. In that scenario, and including the $5,700,000,000 already reassessed, we expect to receive notices of reassessment for a total of approximately $8,700,000,000 for the years 2003 through 2019, which would increase Cameco’s income for Canadian tax purposes and result in a related tax expense of approximately $2,600,000,000. In addition to penalties already imposed, CRA may continue to apply penalties to taxation years subsequent to 2011. As a result, we estimate that cash taxes and transfer pricing penalties would be between $1,950,000,000 and $2,150,000,000. In addition, we estimate there would be interest and instalment penalties applied that would be material to Cameco. While in dispute, we would be responsible for remitting or otherwise securing 50% of the cash taxes and transfer pricing penalties (between $970,000,000 and $1,070,000,000), plus related interest and instalment penalties assessed, which would be material to Cameco.

Under Canadian federal and provincial tax rules, the amount required to be remitted each year will depend on the amount of income reassessed in that year and the availability of elective deductions. CRA disallowed the use of any loss carry-backs to be applied to any transfer pricing adjustment, starting with the 2008 tax year. In light of our view of the likely outcome of the case, we expect to recover the amounts remitted to CRA, including cash taxes, interest and penalties totalling $303,222,000 already paid as at December 31, 2019 (December 31, 2018 - $303,222,000) (note 10). In addition to the cash remitted, we have provided $480,000,000 in letters of credit to secure 50% of the cash taxes and related interest.

Management believes that the ultimate resolution will not be material to Cameco’s financial position, results of operations or liquidity in the year(s) of resolution. Resolution of this matter as stipulated by CRA would be material to Cameco’s financial position, results of operations or liquidity in the year(s) of resolution and other unfavourable outcomes for the years 2003 to date could be material to Cameco’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows in the year(s) of resolution.

 

G.

Income tax losses

At December 31, 2019, income tax losses carried forward of $2,509,669,000 (2018 - $2,809,926,000) are available to reduce taxable income. These losses expire as follows:

 

Date of expiry

   Canada      US      Other      Total  

2026

   $ —        $ —        $ 80,000      $ 80,000  

2030

     47        —          —          47  

2031

     —          20,859        —          20,859  

2032

     272        22,464        —          22,736  

2033

     173,691        38,296        —          211,987  

2034

     322,359        21,125        —          343,484  

2035

     372,558        14,699        —          387,257  

2036

     209,265        44,674        —          253,939  

2037

     143        33,462        —          33,605  

2038

     5,581        51,896        —          57,477  

2039

     6,524        40,559        —          47,083  

No expiry

     —          —          1,051,195        1,051,195  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 1,090,440      $ 288,034      $ 1,131,195      $ 2,509,669  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Included in the table above is $1,048,264,000 (2018 - $987,639,000) of temporary differences related to loss carry forwards where no future benefit has been recognized.

 

41


22.

Per share amounts

Per share amounts have been calculated based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The weighted average number of paid shares outstanding in 2019 was 395,796,677 (2018 - 395,792,732).

 

     2019      2018  

Basic earnings per share computation

     

Net earnings attributable to equity holders

   $ 74,000      $ 166,323  

Weighted average common shares outstanding

     395,797        395,793  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic earnings per common share

   $ 0.19      $ 0.42  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share computation

     

Net earnings attributable to equity holders

   $ 74,000      $ 166,323  

Weighted average common shares outstanding

     395,797        395,793  

Dilutive effect of stock options

     258        257  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding, assuming dilution

     396,055        396,050  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per common share

   $ 0.19      $ 0.42  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

23.

Supplemental cash flow information

Other operating items included in the statements of cash flows are as follows:

 

     2019      2018  

Changes in non-cash working capital:

     

Accounts receivable

   $ 58,488      $ (44,353

Inventories

     113,388        241,496  

Supplies and prepaid expenses

     3,612        52,192  

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     (62,250      (39,616

Reclamation payments

     (32,390      (31,311

Other

     15,630        4,654  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 96,478      $ 183,062  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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The changes arising from financing activities were as follows:

 

     Long-term     Interest     Dividends     Share         
     debt(a)     payable     payable     capital      Total  

Balance at January 1, 2019

   $ 1,495,671     $ 13,539     $ —       $ 1,862,652      $ 3,371,862  

Changes from financing cash flows:

           

Dividends paid

     —         —         (31,613     —          (31,613

Interest paid

     —         (72,484     —         —          (72,484

Shares issued, stock option plan

     —         —         —         81        81  

Repayment of long-term debt

     (500,000     —         —         —          (500,000
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total cash changes

     (500,000     (72,484     (31,613     81        (604,016
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-cash changes:

           

Amorization of issue costs

     1,047       —         —         —          1,047  

Dividends declared

     —         —         31,613       —          31,613  

Interest expense

     —         61,780       —         —          61,780  

Lease interest expense

     —         309       —         —          309  

Shares issued, stock option plan

     —         —         —         16        16  

Foreign exchange

     —         (114     —         —          (114
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total non-cash changes

     1,047       61,975       31,613       16        94,651  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2019

   $ 996,718     $ 3,030     $ —       $ 1,862,749      $ 2,862,497  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a)

Includes current portion of long-term debt

 

24.

Share-based compensation plans

The Company has the following equity-settled plans:

 

A.

Stock option plan

The Company has established a stock option plan under which options to purchase common shares may be granted to employees of Cameco. Options granted under the stock option plan have an exercise price of not less than the closing price quoted on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) for the common shares of Cameco on the trading day prior to the date on which the option is granted. The options carry vesting periods of one to three years, and expire eight years from the date granted.

The aggregate number of common shares that may be issued pursuant to the Cameco stock option plan shall not exceed 43,017,198 of which 27,875,289 shares have been issued.

Stock option transactions for the respective years were as follows:

 

(Number of options)    2019      2018  

Beginning of year

     8,820,805        8,324,666  

Options granted

     886,740        1,473,430  

Options forfeited

     (270,025      (315,340

Options expired

     (815,423      (661,951

Options exercised [note 16]

     (5,000      —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

End of year

     8,617,097        8,820,805  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Exercisable

     6,290,380        6,007,557  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

43


Weighted average exercise prices were as follows:

 

     2019      2018  

Beginning of year

   $ 19.75      $ 22.19  

Options granted

     15.27        11.32  

Options forfeited

     22.59        25.43  

Options expired

     38.43        28.90  

Options exercised

     16.38        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 17.44      $ 19.75  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Exercisable

   $ 18.90      $ 22.83  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

            Options outstanding      Options exercisable  

Option price per share

   Number      Weighted
average
remaining
life
     Weighted
average
exercisable
price
     Number      Weighted
average
exercisable
price
 

$11.32 - 15.83

     3,733,210        5.7      $ 13.50        1,406,493      $ 13.52  

$15.84 - 26.81

     4,883,887        1.9      $ 20.45        4,883,887      $ 20.45  
  

 

 

          

 

 

    

 

 

 
     8,617,097              6,290,380     
  

 

 

          

 

 

    

The foregoing options have expiry dates ranging from May 14, 2020 to February 28, 2027.

 

B.

Restricted share unit (RSU)

The Company has established an RSU plan whereby it provides each plan participant an annual grant of RSUs in an amount determined by the board. Each RSU represents one phantom common share that entitles the participant to a payment of one Cameco common share purchased on the open market, or cash with an equivalent market value, at the board’s discretion. The RSUs carry vesting periods of one to three years, and the final value of the units will be based on the value of Cameco common shares at the end of the vesting periods. During the vesting period, dividend equivalents accrue to the participants in the form of additional share units as of each normal cash dividend payment date of Cameco’s common shares. As of December 31, 2019, the total number of RSUs held by the participants was 443,274, (2018 - 456,704).

 

C.

Employee share ownership plan

Cameco also has an employee share ownership plan, whereby both employee and Company contributions are used to purchase shares on the open market for employees. The Company’s contributions are expensed during the year of contribution. Under the plan, employees have the opportunity to participate in the program to a maximum of 6% of eligible earnings each year with Cameco matching the first 3% of employee-paid shares by 50%. Cameco contributes $1,000 of shares annually to each employee that is enrolled in the plan. Shares purchased with Company contributions and with dividends paid on such shares become unrestricted 12 months from the date on which such shares were purchased. At December 31, 2019, there were 2,253 participants in the plan (2018 - 2,317). The total number of shares purchased in 2019 with Company contributions was 235,915 (2018 - 304,147). In 2019, the Company’s contributions totaled $3,127,000 (2018 - $3,845,000).

 

44


Cameco records compensation expense under its equity-settled plans with an offsetting credit to contributed surplus, to reflect the estimated fair value of units granted to employees. During the year, the Company recognized the following expenses under these plans:

 

     2019      2018  

Stock option plan

   $ 4,418      $ 4,744  

Performance share unit plan(a)

     7,245        7,690  

Restricted share unit plan

     2,679        2,542  

Employee share ownership plan

     3,127        3,845  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 17,469      $ 18,821  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a)

In the fourth quarter, the performance share unit plan was amended to allow eligible participants to elect payout of their grants in cash or shares, provided they have met their share ownership requirements. As a result, this plan is now considered cash-settled. This amount represents the expense recorded prior to the plan modification.

Fair value measurement of equity-settled plans

The fair value of the units granted through the performance share unit plan was determined based on Monte Carlo simulation and the fair value of options granted under the stock option plan was measured based on the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The fair value of RSUs granted was determined based on their intrinsic value on the date of grant. Expected volatility was estimated by considering historic average share price volatility.

The inputs used in the measurement of the fair values at grant date of the equity-settled share-based payment plans were as follows:

 

     Stock option plan     PSU     RSU  

Number of options granted

     886,740       477,250       212,496  

Expected vesting

     —         106     —    

Average strike price

   $ 15.27       —       $ 15.33  

Expected dividend

   $ 0.08       —         —    

Expected volatility

     36     38     —    

Risk-free interest rate

     1.8     1.8     —    

Expected life of option

     4.9 years       3.0 years       —    

Expected forfeitures

     7     12     15

Weighted average grant date fair values

   $ 4.92     $ 15.33     $ 15.33  

The Company has the following cash-settled plans:

 

A.

Deferred share unit (DSU)

Cameco offers a DSU plan to non-employee directors. A DSU is a notional unit that reflects the market value of a single common share of Cameco. 60% of each director’s annual retainer is paid in DSUs. In addition, on an annual basis, directors can elect to receive 25%, 50%, 75% or 100% of the remaining 40% of their annual retainer and any additional fees in the form of DSUs. If a director meets their ownership requirements, the director may elect to take 25%, 50%, 75% or 100% of their annual retainer and any fees in cash, with the balance, if any, to be paid in DSUs. Each DSU fully vests upon award. Dividend equivalents accrue to the participants in the form of additional share units as of each normal cash dividend payment date of Cameco’s common shares. The DSUs will be redeemed for cash upon a director leaving the board. The redemption amount will be based upon the weighted average of the closing prices of the common shares of Cameco on the TSX for the last 20 trading days prior to the redemption date multiplied by the number of DSUs held by the director. As of December 31, 2019, the total number of DSUs held by participating directors was 474,266 (2018 - 528,483).

 

45


B.

Executive performance share unit (PSU)

The Company has established a PSU plan whereby it provides each plan participant an annual grant of PSUs in an amount determined by the board. Each PSU represents one phantom common share that entitles the participant to a payment of one Cameco common share purchased on the open market, or cash with an equivalent market value, at the participant’s discretion, at the end of each three-year period if certain performance and vesting criteria have been met. The final value of the PSUs will be based on the value of Cameco common shares at the end of the three-year period and the number of PSUs that ultimately vest. During the vesting period, dividend equivalents accrue to the participants in the form of additional share units as of each normal cash dividend payment date of Cameco’s common shares. Vesting of PSUs at the end of the three-year period will be based on total shareholder return over the three years, Cameco’s ability to meet its annual operating targets and whether the participating executive remains employed by Cameco at the end of the three-year vesting period. If the participant elects a cash payout, the redemption amount will be based on the volume-weighted average trading price of Cameco’s common shares on March 1 or, if March 1 is not a trading day, on the first trading day following March 1. As of December 31, 2019, the total number of PSUs held by the participants, after adjusting for forfeitures on retirement, was 1,465,618 (2018 - 1,343,971).

 

C.

Phantom stock option

Cameco makes annual grants of bonuses to eligible non-North American employees in the form of phantom stock options. Employees receive the equivalent value of shares in cash when exercised. Options granted under the phantom stock option plan have an award value equal to the closing price quoted on the TSX for the common shares of Cameco on the trading day prior to the date on which the option is granted. The options vest over three years and expire eight years from the date granted. As of December 31, 2019, the number of options held by participating employees was 406,270 (2018 - 353,580) with exercise prices ranging from $11.32 to $26.81 per share (2018 - $11.32 to $39.53) and a weighted average exercise price of $16.48 (2018 - $17.74).

Cameco has recognized the following expenses (recoveries) under its cash-settled plans:

 

     2019      2018  

Deferred share unit plan

   $ (1,001    $ 2,922  

Performance share unit plan(a)

     —          —    

Phantom stock option plan

     (436      675  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ (1,437    $ 3,597  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a)

The modification to the PSU plan resulted in a reclassification, at the date of modification, of $8,369,000 from equity to liabilities. The liability recognized on the date of the modification was less than the amount previously recognized as an increase in equity. Since the plan modification did not change the performance and vesting criteria, no incremental fair value was granted.

At December 31, 2019, a liability of $14,577,000 (2018 - $9,352,000) was included in the consolidated statements of financial position to recognize accrued but unpaid expenses for cash-settled plans.

Fair value measurement of cash-settled plans

The fair value of the units granted through the PSU plan was determined based on Monte Carlo simulation and the fair value of the phantom stock option plan was measured based on the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Expected volatility is estimated by considering historic average share price volatility.

The inputs used in the measurement of the fair values of the cash-settled share-based payment plans at the grant and reporting dates were as follows:

 

46


     PSUs     Phantom stock options  
     Grant date    

Reporting

date

    Grant date    

Reporting

date

 
     Mar 1, 2019     Dec 31, 2019     Mar 1, 2019     Dec 31, 2019  

Number of units

     477,250       1,465,618       68,890       406,720  

Expected vesting

     106     80     —         —    

Average strike price

     —         —       $ 15.27     $ 16.48  

Expected dividend

     —         —       $ 0.08     $ 0.08  

Expected volatility

     38     31     37     35

Risk-free interest rate

     1.8     1.7     1.5     1.7

Expected life of option

     3.0 years       1.4 years       4.5 years       4.0 years  

Expected forfeitures

     12     10     8     8

Weighted average measurement date fair values

   $ 15.33     $ 10.07     $ 5.07     $ 2.14  

In addition to these inputs, other features of the PSU grant were incorporated into the measurement of fair value. The market condition based on total shareholder return was incorporated by utilizing a Monte Carlo simulation. The non-market criteria relating to realized selling prices and operating targets have been incorporated into the valuation at both grant and reporting date by reviewing prior history and corporate budgets.

 

25.

Pension and other post-retirement benefits

Cameco maintains both defined benefit and defined contribution plans providing pension benefits to substantially all of its employees. All regular and temporary employees participate in a registered defined contribution plan. This plan is registered under the Pension Benefits Standard Act, 1985. In addition, all Canadian-based executives participate in a non-registered supplemental executive pension plan which is a defined benefit plan.

Under the supplemental executive pension plan (SEPP), Cameco provides a lump sum benefit equal to the present value of a lifetime pension benefit based on the executive’s length of service and final average earnings. The plan provides for unreduced benefits to be paid at the normal retirement age of 65, however unreduced benefits could be paid if the executive was at least 60 years of age and had 20 years of service at retirement. This program provides for a benefit determined by a formula based on earnings and service, reduced by the benefits payable under the registered base plan. Security is provided for the SEPP benefits through a letter of credit held by the plan’s trustee. The face amount of the letter of credit is determined each year based on the wind-up liabilities of the supplemental plan, less any plan assets currently held with the trustee. A valuation is required annually to determine the letter of credit amount. Benefits will continue to be paid from plan assets until the fund is exhausted, at which time Cameco will begin paying benefits from corporate assets.

Cameco also maintains non-pension post-retirement plans (“other benefit plans”) which are defined benefit plans that cover such benefits as group life insurance and supplemental health and dental coverage to eligible employees and their dependents. The costs related to these plans are charged to earnings in the period during which the employment services are rendered. These plans are funded by Cameco as benefit claims are made.

The board of directors of Cameco has final responsibility and accountability for the Cameco retirement programs. The board is ultimately responsible for managing the programs to comply with applicable legislation, providing oversight over the general functions and setting certain policies.

Cameco expects to pay $1,106,000 in contributions and letter of credit fees to its defined benefit plans in 2020.

The post-retirement plans expose Cameco to actuarial risks, such as longevity risk, market risk, interest rate risk, liquidity risk and foreign currency risk. The other benefit plans expose Cameco to risks of higher supplemental health and dental utilization than expected. However, the other benefit plans have limits on Cameco’s annual benefits payable.

 

47


The effective date of the most recent valuation for funding purposes on the registered defined benefit pension plans is January 1, 2018. The next planned effective date for valuations is January 1, 2021.

Cameco has more than one defined benefit plan and has generally provided aggregated disclosures in respect of these plans, on the basis that these plans are not exposed to materially different risks. Information relating to Cameco’s defined benefit plans is shown in the following table:

 

     Pension benefit plans      Other benefit plans  
     2019      2018      2019     2018  

Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year

   $ 7,177      $ 8,061      $ —       $ —    

Interest income on plan assets

     262        259        —         —    

Return on assets excluding interest income

     280        (292      —         —    

Employer contributions

     —          61        —         —    

Benefits paid

     (912      (910      —         —    

Administrative costs paid

     (1      (2      —         —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets, end of year

   $ 6,806      $ 7,177      $ —       $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Defined benefit obligation, beginning of year

   $ 54,271      $ 55,972      $ 21,161     $ 26,893  

Current service cost

     1,586        1,670        817       1,429  

Interest cost

     1,807        1,668        841       946  

Actuarial loss (gain) arising from:

          

- demographic assumptions

     —          —          —         (192

- financial assumptions

     6,925        (3,776      2,877       (1,887

- experience adjustment

     777        56        114       (2,919

Past service cost

     —          —          —         (1,929

Benefits paid

     (1,705      (2,028      (855     (1,180

Foreign exchange

     (1,073      709        —         —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Defined benefit obligation, end of year

   $ 62,588      $ 54,271      $ 24,955     $ 21,161  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Defined benefit liability [note 14]

   $ (55,782    $ (47,094    $ (24,955   $ (21,161
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

The percentages of the total fair value of assets in the pension plans for each asset category at December 31 were as follows:

 

     Pension benefit plans  
     2019     2018  

Asset category(a)

    

Canadian equity securities

     9     9

U.S. equity securities

     12     0

Global equity securities

     9     21

Canadian fixed income

     30     29

Other(b)

     40     41
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     100     100
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

The defined benefit plan assets contain no material amounts of related party assets at December 31, 2019 and 2018 respectively.

(b)

Relates to the value of the refundable tax account held by the Canada Revenue Agency. The refundable total is approximately equal to half of the sum of the realized investment income plus employer contributions less half of the benefits paid by the plan.

 

48


The following represents the components of net pension and other benefit expense included primarily as part of administration:

 

     Pension benefit plans      Other benefit plans  
     2019      2018      2019      2018  

Current service cost

   $ 1,586      $ 1,670      $ 817      $ 1,429  

Net interest cost

     1,545        1,409        841        946  

Past service cost

     —          —          —          (1,929

Administration cost

     1        2        —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Defined benefit expense [note 18]

     3,132        3,081        1,658        446  

Defined contribution pension expense [note 18]

     11,767        13,431        —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net pension and other benefit expense

   $ 14,899      $ 16,512      $ 1,658      $ 446  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The total amount of actuarial losses (gains) recognized in other comprehensive income is:

 

     Pension benefit plans      Other benefit plans  
     2019      2018      2019      2018  

Actuarial loss (gain)

   $ 7,702      $ (3,720    $ 2,991      $ (4,998

Return on plan assets excluding interest income

     (280      292        —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 7,422      $ (3,428    $ 2,991      $ (4,998
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The assumptions used to determine the Company’s defined benefit obligation and net pension and other benefit expense

were as follows at December 31 (expressed as weighted averages):

 

     Pension benefit plans     Other benefit plans  
     2019     2018     2019     2018  

Discount rate - obligation

     3.0     3.7     3.1     3.9

Discount rate - expense

     3.7     3.4     3.9     3.4

Rate of compensation increase

     3.0     3.0     —         —    

Initial health care cost trend rate

     —         —         6.0     6.0

Cost trend rate declines to

     —         —         5.0     5.0

Year the rate reaches its final level

     —         —         2022       2022  

Dental care cost trend rate

     —         —         5.0     5.0

At December 31, 2019, the weighted average duration of the defined benefit obligation for the pension plans was 20.0 years (2018 - 19.4 years) and for the other benefit plans was 15.2 years (2018 - 14.3 years).

 

49


A 1% change at the reporting date to one of the relevant actuarial assumptions, holding other assumptions constant, would have affected the defined benefit obligation by the following:

 

     Pension benefit plans      Other benefit plans  
     Increase      Decrease      Increase      Decrease  

Discount rate

   $ (8,141    $ 10,595      $ (3,284    $ 4,133  

Rate of compensation increase

     2,832        (2,608      n/a        n/a  

A 1% change in any of the other assumptions would not have a significant impact on the defined benefit obligation.

The methods and assumptions used in preparing the sensitivity analyses are the same as the methods and assumptions used in determining the financial position of Cameco’s plans as at December 31, 2019. The sensitivity analyses are determined by varying the sensitivity assumption and leaving all other assumptions unchanged. Therefore, the sensitivity analyses do not recognize any interdependence in the assumptions. The methods and assumptions used in determining the above sensitivity are consistent with the methods and assumptions used in the previous year.

In addition, an increase of one year in the expected lifetime of plan participants in the pension benefit plans would increase the defined benefit obligation by $1,621,000.

To measure the longevity risk for these plans, the mortality rates were reduced such that the average life expectancy for all members increased by one year. The reduced mortality rates were subsequently used to re-measure the defined benefit obligation of the entire plan.

 

26.

Financial instruments and related risk management

Cameco is exposed in varying degrees to a variety of risks from its use of financial instruments. Management and the board of directors, both separately and together, discuss the principal risks of our businesses. The board sets policies for the implementation of systems to manage, monitor and mitigate identifiable risks. Cameco’s risk management objective in relation to these instruments is to protect and minimize volatility in cash flow. The types of risks Cameco is exposed to, the source of risk exposure and how each is managed is outlined below.

Market risk

Market risk is the risk that changes in market prices, such as commodity prices, foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates, will affect the Company’s earnings or the fair value of its financial instruments. Cameco engages in various business activities which expose the Company to market risk. As part of its overall risk management strategy, Cameco uses derivatives to manage some of its exposures to market risk that result from these activities.

Derivative instruments may include financial and physical forward contracts. Such contracts may be used to establish a fixed price for a commodity, an interest-bearing obligation or a cash flow denominated in a foreign currency. Market risks are monitored regularly against defined risk limits and tolerances.

Cameco’s actual exposure to these market risks is constantly changing as the Company’s portfolios of foreign currency, interest rate and commodity contracts change.

The types of market risk exposure and the way in which such exposure is managed are as follows:

 

A.

Commodity price risk

As a significant producer and supplier of uranium and nuclear fuel processing services, Cameco bears significant exposure to changes in prices for these products. A substantial change in prices will affect the Company’s net earnings and operating cash flows. Prices for Cameco’s products are volatile and are influenced by numerous factors beyond the Company’s control, such as supply and demand fundamentals and geopolitical events.

 

50


Cameco’s sales contracting strategy focuses on reducing the volatility in future earnings and cash flow, while providing both protection against decreases in market price and retention of exposure to future market price increases. To mitigate the risks associated with the fluctuations in the market price for uranium products, Cameco seeks to maintain a portfolio of uranium product sales contracts with a variety of delivery dates and pricing mechanisms that provide a degree of protection from pricing volatility.

 

B.

Foreign exchange risk

The relationship between the Canadian and US dollar affects financial results of the uranium business as well as the fuel services business. Sales of uranium product, conversion and fuel manufacturing services are routinely denominated in US dollars while production costs are largely denominated in Canadian dollars.

Cameco attempts to provide some protection against exchange rate fluctuations by planned hedging activity designed to smooth volatility. To mitigate risks associated with foreign currency, Cameco enters into forward sales and option contracts to establish a price for future delivery of the foreign currency. These foreign currency contracts are not designated as hedges and are recorded at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in earnings. Cameco also has a natural hedge against US currency fluctuations because a portion of its annual cash outlays, including purchases of uranium and conversion services, is denominated in US dollars.

Cameco holds a number of financial instruments denominated in foreign currencies that expose the Company to foreign exchange risk. Cameco measures its exposure to foreign exchange risk on financial instruments as the change in carrying values that would occur as a result of reasonably possible changes in foreign exchange rates, holding all other variables constant. As of the reporting date, the Company has determined its pre-tax exposure to foreign currency exchange risk on financial instruments to be as follows based on a 5% weakening of the Canadian dollar:

 

     Currency      Carrying value
(Cdn)
     Gain (loss)  

Cash and cash equivalents

     USD      $ 120,675      $ 6,034  

Accounts receivable

     USD        280,877        14,044  

Net foreign currency derivatives

     USD        (4,333      (30,851

A 5% strengthening of the Canadian dollar against the currencies above at December 31, 2019 would have had an equal but opposite effect on the amounts shown above, assuming all other variables remained constant.

 

C.

Interest rate risk

The Company has a strategy of minimizing its exposure to interest rate risk by maintaining target levels of fixed and variable rate borrowings. The proportions of outstanding debt carrying fixed and variable interest rates are reviewed by senior management to ensure that these levels are within approved policy limits. At December 31, 2019, the proportion of Cameco’s outstanding debt that carries fixed interest rates is 85% (2018 - 67%).

Cameco is exposed to interest rate risk through its interest rate swap contracts whereby fixed rate payments on a notional amount of $150,000,000 of the Series E senior unsecured debentures were swapped for variable rate payments. The Series E swaps terminate on November 14, 2022. Under the terms of the swaps, Cameco makes interest payments based on the three-month Canada Dealer Offered Rate plus an average margin of 1.2% and receives fixed interest payments of 3.75%. The Series D swaps terminated on September 2, 2019. At December 31, 2019, the fair value of Cameco’s interest rate swap net asset was $2,313,000 (2018 - $856,000).

 

51


Cameco measures its exposure to interest rate risk as the change in cash flows that would occur as a result of reasonably possible changes in interest rates, holding all other variables constant. As of the reporting date, the Company has determined the impact on earnings of a 1% increase in interest rate on its interest rate contracts to be a loss of $1,524,000.

Counterparty credit risk

Counterparty credit risk is associated with the ability of counterparties to satisfy their contractual obligations to Cameco, including both payment and performance. The maximum exposure to credit risk, as represented by the carrying amount of the financial assets, at December 31 was:

 

     2019      2018  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 1,062,431      $ 711,528  

Short-term investments

     —          391,025  

Accounts receivable [note 6]

     323,430        398,639  

Advances receivable from JV Inkai [note 31]

     —          124,533  

Derivative assets [note 10]

     10,504        3,881  

Cash and cash equivalents

Cameco held cash and cash equivalents of $1,062,000,000 at December 31, 2019 (2018 - $712,000,000). Cameco mitigates its credit risk by ensuring that balances are held with counterparties with high credit ratings. The Company monitors the credit rating of its counterparties on a monthly basis and has controls in place to ensure prescribed exposure limits with each counterparty are adhered to.

Impairment on cash and cash equivalents has been measured on a 12-month ECL basis and reflects the short maturities of the exposures. The Company considers that its cash and cash equivalents have low credit risk based on the external credit ratings of the counterparties. Cameco has assessed its counterparty credit risk on cash and cash equivalents by applying historic global default rates to outstanding cash balances based on S&P rating. The conclusion of this assessment is that the loss allowance is insignificant.

Accounts receivable

Cameco’s sales of uranium product, conversion and fuel manufacturing services expose the Company to the risk of non-payment. Cameco manages the risk of non-payment by monitoring the credit-worthiness of its customers and seeking pre-payment or other forms of payment security from customers with an unacceptable level of credit risk.

A summary of the Company’s exposure to credit risk for trade receivables is as follows:

 

     Carrying
value
 

Investment grade credit rating

   $ 244,315  

Non-investment grade credit rating

     77,323  
  

 

 

 

Total gross carrying amount

   $ 321,638  

Loss allowance

     —    
  

 

 

 

Net

   $ 321,638  
  

 

 

 

At December 31, 2019, there were no significant concentrations of credit risk and no amounts were held as collateral. Historically, Cameco has experienced minimal customer defaults and, as a result, considers the credit quality of its accounts receivable to be high.

 

52


Cameco uses customer credit rating data, historic default rates and aged receivable analysis to measure the ECLs of trade receivables from corporate customers, which comprise a small number of large balances. Since the Company has not experienced customer defaults in the past, applying historic default rates in calculating ECLs, as well as considering forward-looking information, resulted in an insignificant allowance for losses.

The following table provides information about Cameco’s aged trade receivables as at December 31, 2019:

 

     Corporate
customers
     Other
customers
     Total  

Current (not past due)

   $ 274,249      $ 5,306        279,555  

1-30 days past due

     39,690        1,221        40,911  

More than 30 days past due

     301        871        1,172  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 314,240      $ 7,398        321,638  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liquidity risk

Financial liquidity represents Cameco’s ability to fund future operating activities and investments. Cameco ensures that there is sufficient capital in order to meet short-term business requirements, after taking into account cash flows from operations and the Company’s holdings of cash and cash equivalents. The Company believes that these sources will be sufficient to cover the likely short-term and long-term cash requirements.

The table below outlines the Company’s available debt facilities at December 31, 2019:

 

     Total amount      Outstanding and
committed
     Amount available  

Unsecured revolving credit facility

   $ 1,000,000      $ —        $ 1,000,000  

Letter of credit facilities [note 13]

     1,719,120        1,528,603        190,517  

The tables below present a maturity analysis of Cameco’s financial liabilities, including principal and interest, based on the

expected cash flows from the reporting date to the contractual maturity date:

 

     Carrying
amount
     Contractual
cash flows
     Due in
less than
1 year
     Due in 1-3
years
     Due in 3-5
years
     Due after 5
years
 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

   $ 181,799      $ 181,799      $ 181,799      $ —        $ —        $ —    

Long-term debt

     996,718        1,000,000        —          400,000        500,000        100,000  

Foreign currency contracts

     4,333        4,333        4,168        165        —          —    

Lease obligation [note 14]

     12,869        14,004        3,967        8,031        2,006        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total contractual repayments

   $ 1,195,719      $ 1,200,136      $ 189,934      $ 408,196      $ 502,006      $ 100,000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
            Total      Due in
less than
1 year
     Due in 1-3
years
     Due in 3-5
years
     Due after 5
years
 

Total interest payments on long-term debt

      $ 266,820      $ 41,040      $ 82,080      $ 52,080      $ 91,620  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

53


Measurement of fair values

 

A.

Accounting classifications and fair values

The following tables summarize the carrying amounts and accounting classifications of Cameco’s financial instruments at the reporting date:

At December 31, 2019

 

     FVTPL      Amortized
cost
     FVOCI -
designated
     Total  

Financial assets

           

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ —        $ 1,062,431      $ —        $ 1,062,431  

Accounts receivable [note 6]

     —          328,044        —          328,044  

Derivative assets [note 10]

           

Foreign currency contracts

     8,191        —          —          8,191  

Interest rate contracts

     2,313        —          —          2,313  

Investments in equity securities [note 10]

     —          —          24,408        24,408  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 10,504      $ 1,390,475      $ 24,408      $ 1,425,387  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Financial liabilities

           

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities [note 12]

   $ —        $ 181,799      $ —        $ 181,799  

Lease obligation [note 14]

     —          12,869        —          12,869  

Derivative liabilities [note 14]

           

Foreign currency contracts

     12,524        —          —          12,524  

Long-term debt [note 13]

     —          996,718        —          996,718  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     12,524        1,191,386        —          1,203,910  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net

   $ (2,020    $ 199,089      $ 24,408      $ 221,477  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

At December 31, 2018

 

     FVTPL      Amortized
cost
     FVOCI -
designated
     Total  

Financial assets

           

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ —        $ 711,528      $ —        $ 711,528  

Short-term investments

     —          391,025        —          391,025  

Accounts receivable [note 6]

     —          402,350        —          402,350  

Derivative assets [note 10]

           

Foreign currency contracts

     2,201        —          —          2,201  

Interest rate contracts

     1,680        —          —          1,680  

Investments in equity securities [note 10]

     —          —          28,916        28,916  

Advances receivable from Inkai [note 31]

     —          124,533        —          124,533  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 3,881      $ 1,629,436      $ 28,916      $ 1,662,233  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Financial liabilities

           

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities [note 12]

   $ —        $ 224,754      $ —        $ 224,754  

Current portion of long-term debt [note 13]

     —          499,599        —          499,599  

Derivative liabilities [note 14]

           

Foreign currency contracts

     54,866        —          —          54,866  

Interest rate contracts

     823        —          —          823  

Uranium contracts

     5,698        —          —          5,698  

Long-term debt [note 13]

     —          996,072        —          996,072  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     61,387        1,720,425        —          1,781,812  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net

   $ (57,506    $ (90,989    $ 28,916      $ (119,579
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

54


Cameco has pledged $195,729,000 of cash as security against certain of its letter of credit facilities. This cash is being used as collateral for an interest rate reduction on the letter of credit facilities. The collateral account has a term of five years effective July 1, 2018. Cameco retains full access to this cash.

The investments in equity securities represent investments that Cameco intends to hold for the long-term for strategic purposes. As permitted by IFRS 9, these investments have been designated at the date of initial application as measured at FVOCI. The accumulated fair value reserve related to these investments will never be reclassified to profit or loss.

Cameco has not irrevocably designated a financial asset that would otherwise meet the requirements to be measured at amortized cost at FVOCI or FVTPL to eliminate or significantly reduce an accounting mismatch that would otherwise arise.

The following tables summarize the carrying amounts and fair values of Cameco’s financial instruments, including their levels in the fair value hierarchy:

As at December 31, 2019

 

            Fair value  
     Carrying value      Level 1      Level 2     Total  

Derivative assets [note 10]

          

Foreign currency contracts

   $ 8,191      $ —        $ 8,191     $ 8,191  

Interest rate contracts

     2,313        —          2,313       2,313  

Investments in equity securities [note 10]

     24,408        24,408        —         24,408  

Derivative liabilities [note 14]

          

Foreign currency contracts

     (12,524      —          (12,524     (12,524

Long-term debt [note 13]

     (996,718      —          (1,111,923     (1,111,923
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net

   $ (974,330    $ 24,408      $ (1,113,943   $ (1,089,535
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

As at December 31, 2018

 

            Fair value  
     Carrying value      Level 1      Level 2     Total  

Derivative assets [note 10]

          

Foreign currency contracts

   $ 2,201      $ —        $ 2,201     $ 2,201  

Interest rate contracts

     1,680        —          1,680       1,680  

Investments in equity securities [note 10]

     28,916        28,916        —         28,916  

Current portion of long-term debt [note 13]

     (499,599      —          (511,210     (511,210

Derivative liabilities [note 14]

          

Foreign currency contracts

     (54,866      —          (54,866     (54,866

Interest rate contracts

     (823      —          (823     (823

Uranium contracts

     (5,698      —          (5,698     (5,698

Long-term debt [note 13]

     (996,072      —          (1,111,782     (1,111,782
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net

   $ (1,524,261    $ 28,916      $ (1,680,498   $ (1,651,582
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

The preceding tables exclude fair value information for financial instruments whose carrying amounts are a reasonable approximation of fair value. The carrying value of Cameco’s cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, and accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximates its fair value as a result of the short-term nature of the instruments.

 

55


There were no transfers between level 1 and level 2 during the period. Cameco does not have any financial instruments that are classified as level 3 as of the reporting date.

 

B.

Financial instruments measured at fair value

Cameco measures its derivative financial instruments, material investments in equity securities, current portion of long-term debt and long-term debt at fair value. Investments in publicly held equity securities are classified as a recurring level 1 fair value measurement while derivative financial instruments and long-term debt are classified as a recurring level 2 fair value measurement.

The fair value of investments in equity securities is determined using quoted share prices observed in the principal market for the securities as of the reporting date. The fair value of Cameco’s long-term debt is determined using quoted market yields as of the reporting date, which ranged from 1.7% to 1.8% (2018 - 1.9% to 2.2%).

Foreign currency derivatives consist of foreign currency forward contracts, options and swaps. The fair value of foreign currency options is measured based on the Black Scholes option-pricing model. The fair value of foreign currency forward contracts and swaps is measured using a market approach, based on the difference between contracted foreign exchange rates and quoted forward exchange rates as of the reporting date.

Interest rate derivatives consist of interest rate swap contracts. The fair value of interest rate swaps is determined by discounting expected future cash flows from the contracts. The future cash flows are determined by measuring the difference between fixed interest payments to be received and floating interest payments to be made to the counterparty based on Canada Dealer Offer Rate forward interest rate curves.

Uranium contract derivatives consist of price swaps. The fair value of uranium price swaps is determined by discounting expected future cash flows from the contracts. The future cash flows are determined by measuring the difference between fixed purchases or sales under contracted prices, and floating purchases or sales based on Numerco forward uranium price curves. The swaps were settled during the year so there were none outstanding at the reporting date.

Where applicable, the fair value of the derivatives reflects the credit risk of the instrument and includes adjustments to take into account the credit risk of the Company and counterparty. These adjustments are based on credit ratings and yield curves observed in active markets at the reporting date.

 

56


Derivatives

The following table summarizes the fair value of derivatives and classification on the consolidated statements of financial position:

 

     2019      2018  

Non-hedge derivatives:

     

Foreign currency contracts

   $ (4,333    $ (52,665

Interest rate contracts

     2,313        857  

Uranium contracts

     —          (5,698
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net

   $ (2,020    $ (57,506
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Classification:

     

Current portion of long-term receivables, investments and other [note 10]

   $ 4,144      $ 1,028  

Long-term receivables, investments and other [note 10]

     6,360        2,853  

Current portion of other liabilities [note 14]

     (7,505      (35,534

Other liabilities [note 14]

     (5,019      (25,853
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net

   $ (2,020    $ (57,506
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table summarizes the different components of the gains (losses) on derivatives included in net earnings:

 

     2019      2018  

Non-hedge derivatives:

     

Foreign currency contracts

   $ 31,863      $ (85,967

Interest rate contracts

     2,068        2,032  

Uranium contracts

     (1,662      2,854  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net

   $ 32,269      $ (81,081
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

27.

Capital management

Cameco’s management considers its capital structure to consist of bank overdrafts, long-term debt, short-term debt (net of cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments), non-controlling interest and shareholders’ equity.

Cameco’s capital structure reflects its strategy and the environment in which it operates. Delivering returns to long-term shareholders is a top priority. The Company’s objective is to maximize cash flow while maintaining its investment grade rating through close capital management of our balance sheet metrics. Capital resources are managed to allow it to support achievement of its goals while managing financial risks such as the continued weakness in the market, litigation risk and refinancing risk. The overall objectives for managing capital in 2019 reflect the environment that the Company is operating in, similar to the prior comparative period.

 

57


The capital structure at December 31 was as follows:    

 

     2019      2018  

Current portion of long-term debt [note 13]

   $ —        $ 499,599  

Long-term debt [note 13]

     996,718        996,072  

Cash and cash equivalents

     (1,062,431      (711,528

Short-term investments

     —          (391,025
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net debt

     (65,713      393,118  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-controlling interest

     238        310  

Shareholders’ equity

     4,994,725        4,993,282  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total equity

     4,994,963        4,993,592  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total capital

   $ 4,929,250      $ 5,386,710  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cameco is bound by certain covenants in its general credit facilities. These covenants place restrictions on total debt, including guarantees and set minimum levels for net worth. As of December 31, 2019, Cameco met these requirements.

 

28.

Segmented information

Cameco has two reportable segments: uranium and fuel services. Cameco’s reportable segments are strategic business units with different products, processes and marketing strategies. The uranium segment involves the exploration for, mining, milling, purchase and sale of uranium concentrate. The fuel services segment involves the refining, conversion and fabrication of uranium concentrate and the purchase and sale of conversion services.

Cost of sales in the uranium segment includes care and maintenance costs for our operations that currently have production suspensions. Cameco expensed $153,924,000 (2018 - $212,511,000) of care and maintenance costs during the year, including $260,000 (2018 - $32,111,000) of severance costs. This had a negative impact on gross profit in the uranium segment.

Accounting policies used in each segment are consistent with the policies outlined in the summary of significant accounting policies. Segment revenues, expenses and results include transactions between segments incurred in the ordinary course of business. These transactions are priced on an arm’s length basis, are eliminated on consolidation and are reflected in the “other” column.

 

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A.

Business segments - 2019

For the year ended December 31, 2019

 

     Uranium      Fuel
services
     Other     Total  

Revenue

   $ 1,413,809      $ 370,277      $ 78,839     $ 1,862,925  

Expenses

          

Cost of products and services sold

     1,041,922        234,423        69,206       1,345,551  

Depreciation and amortization

     218,832        45,856        11,061       275,749  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cost of sales

     1,260,754        280,279        80,267       1,621,300  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit (loss)

     153,055        89,998        (1,428     241,625  

Administration

     —          —          124,869       124,869  

Exploration

     13,686        —          —         13,686  

Research and development

     —          —          6,058       6,058  

Other operating expense

     2,732        —          —         2,732  

Loss on disposal of assets

     1,869        —          —         1,869  

Finance costs

     —          —          98,622       98,622  

Gain on derivatives

     —          —          (32,269     (32,269

Finance income

     —          —          (29,760     (29,760

Share of earnings from equity-accounted investee

     (45,360      —          —         (45,360

Other expense (income)

     (52,801      —          18,961       (33,840
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

     232,929        89,998        (187,909     135,018  

Income tax expense

             61,077  
          

 

 

 

Net earnings

             73,941  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capital expenditures for the year

   $ 48,092      $ 27,117      $ 2     $ 75,211  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

59


For the year ended December 31, 2018

 

     Uranium      Fuel
services
     Other     Total  

Revenue

   $ 1,684,056      $ 313,989      $ 93,616     $ 2,091,661  

Expenses

          

Cost of products and services sold

     1,138,940        219,240        109,760       1,467,940  

Depreciation and amortization

     277,171        35,977        14,825       327,973  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cost of sales

     1,416,111        255,217        124,585       1,795,913  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit (loss)

     267,945        58,772        (30,969     295,748  

Administration

     —          —          141,552       141,552  

Exploration

     20,283        —          —         20,283  

Research and development

     —          —          1,757       1,757  

Other operating expense

     59,616        —          —         59,616  

Loss on disposal of assets

     1,008        1,264        31       2,303  

Finance costs

     —          —          111,779       111,779  

Loss on derivatives

     —          —          81,081       81,081  

Finance income

     —          —          (22,071     (22,071

Share of earnings from equity-accounted investee

     (32,321      —          —         (32,321

Other income

     (81,955      —          (26,205     (108,160
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

     301,314        57,508        (318,893     39,929  

Income tax recovery

             (126,306
          

 

 

 

Net earnings

             166,235  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capital expenditures for the year

   $ 44,114      $ 11,226      $ 22     $ 55,362  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

B.

Geographic segments

Revenue is attributed to the geographic location based on the location of the entity providing the services. The Company’s revenue from external customers is as follows:

 

     2019      2018  

United States

   $ 1,295,195      $ 1,660,727  

Canada

     567,730        424,079  

Switzerland

     —          4,038  

Germany

     —          2,817  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 1,862,925      $ 2,091,661  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company’s non-current assets, excluding deferred tax assets and  financial instruments, by geographic location are as follows:

 

     2019      2018  

Canada

   $ 3,267,376      $ 3,401,828  

Australia

     392,500        414,084  

United States

     121,102        131,526  

Kazakhstan

     80        49  

Germany

     24        41  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 3,781,082      $ 3,947,528  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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C.

Major customers

Cameco relies on a small number of customers to purchase a significant portion of its uranium concentrates and uranium conversion services. During 2019, revenues from two customers of Cameco’s uranium and fuel services segments represented approximately $422,740,000 (2018 - $204,594,000), approximately 24% (2018 - 10%) of Cameco’s total revenues from these segments. As customers are relatively few in number, accounts receivable from any individual customer may periodically exceed 10% of accounts receivable depending on delivery schedule.

 

29.

Group entities

The following are the principal subsidiaries and associates of the Company:

 

     Principal place      Ownership interest  
     of business      2019     2018  

Subsidiaries:

       

Cameco Fuel Manufacturing Inc.

     Canada        100     100

Cameco Marketing Inc.

     Canada        100     100

Cameco Inc.

     US        100     100

Power Resources, Inc.

     US        100     100

Crow Butte Resources, Inc.

     US        100     100

NUKEM, Inc.

     US        100     100

Cameco Australia Pty. Ltd.

     Australia        100     100

Cameco Europe Ltd.

     Switzerland        100     100

Associates:

       

JV Inkai

     Kazakhstan        40     40

 

30.

Joint operations

Cameco conducts a portion of its exploration, development, mining and milling activities through joint operations located around the world. Operations are governed by agreements that provide for joint control of the strategic operating, investing and financing activities among the partners. These agreements were considered in the determination of joint control. Cameco’s significant Canadian uranium joint operation interests are McArthur River, Key Lake and Cigar Lake. The Canadian uranium joint operations allocate uranium production to each joint operation participant and the joint operation participant derives revenue directly from the sale of such product. Mining and milling expenses incurred by joint operations are included in the cost of inventory.

 

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Cameco reflects its proportionate interest in these assets and liabilities as follows:

 

     Principal place                      
     of business      Ownership     2019      2018  

Total assets

          

McArthur River

     Canada        69.81   $ 1,046,556      $ 1,065,562  

Key Lake

     Canada        83.33     524,324        537,233  

Cigar Lake

     Canada        50.03     1,354,399        1,503,863  
       

 

 

    

 

 

 
        $ 2,925,279      $ 3,106,658  
       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

          

McArthur River

        69.81   $ 32,132      $ 32,829  

Key Lake

        83.33     227,562        222,369  

Cigar Lake

        50.03     47,396        38,478  
       

 

 

    

 

 

 
        $ 307,090      $ 293,676  
       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

31.

Related parties

 

A.

Transactions with key management personnel

Key management personnel are those persons that have the authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the Company, directly or indirectly. Key management personnel of the Company include executive officers, vice-presidents, other senior managers and members of the board of directors.

In addition to their salaries, Cameco also provides non-cash benefits to executive officers and vice-presidents and contributes to pension plans on their behalf (note 25). Senior management and directors also participate in the Company’s share-based compensation plans (note 24).

Executive officers are subject to terms of notice ranging from three to six months. Upon resignation at the Company’s request, they are entitled to termination benefits of up to the lesser of 18 to 24 months or the period remaining until age 65. The termination benefits include gross salary plus the target short-term incentive bonus for the year in which termination occurs.

Compensation for key management personnel was comprised of:

 

     2019      2018  

Short-term employee benefits

   $ 21,225      $ 24,821  

Share-based compensation(a)

     12,034        12,796  

Post-employment benefits

     5,542        4,323  

Termination benefits

     272        860  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 39,073      $ 42,800  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a)

Excludes deferred share units held by directors (see note 24).

 

B.

Other related party transactions

Cameco funded JV Inkai’s project development costs through an unsecured shareholder loan. The limit of the loan facility is $175,000,000 (US) and advances under the facility bear interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 2%. At December 31, 2019, there was no balance outstanding as the loan was fully repaid in the third quarter (2018 - $124,533,000 ($91,320,000 (US)) (notes 10 and 30). For the year ended December 31, 2019, Cameco recorded interest income of $1,878,000 relating to this balance (2018 - $5,603,000).

 

62


Cameco purchases uranium concentrates from JV Inkai. For the year ended December 31, 2019, Cameco had purchases of $112,861,000 ($84,827,000 (US)) (2018 - $94,063,000 ($72,007,000 (US))). Cameco received a cash dividend from JV Inkai of $14,079,000 ($10,635,000 (US)) (2018 - nil).

 

32.

Comparative Figures

Certain prior year balances have been reclassified to conform to the current financial statement presentation.

 

63