| (b) |
On February 12, 2004, Cameco, Cameco Bruce Holdings II Inc., BPC Generation Infrastructure Trust and TransCanada Pipelines Limited (collectively, the "Consortium") sent a letter to British Energy Limited and British Energy International Holdings Limited (collectively, BE) requesting, amongst other things, indemnification for breach of a representation and warranty contained in the February 14, 2003, Amended and Restated Master Purchase Agreement. The alleged breach is that the Unit 8 steam generators were not "in good condition, repair and proper working order, having regard to their use and age." This defect was discovered during a planned outage conducted just after closing. As a result of this defect, the planned outage had to be significantly extended. The Consortium has claimed damages in the amount of $64,558,200 being 79.8% of the $80,900,000 of damages actually incurred, plus an unspecified amount to take into account the reduced operating life of the steam generators. The parties have agreed that the arbitration should be before a single arbitrator.
In anticipation of this claim, BE issued on February 10, 2006, and then served on Ontario Power Generation Inc. (OPG) and Bruce Power LP a Statement of Claim. This Statement of Claim seeks damages for any amounts that BE is found liable to pay to the Consortium in connection with the Unit 8 steam generator arbitration described above, damages in the amount of $500,000,000, costs and pre and post judgment interest amongst other things. This action is in abeyance pending further developments on the Unit 8 steam generator arbitration.
Management is of the opinion, after review of the facts with counsel, that this action against Bruce Power LP will not have a material financial impact on Cameco's financial position, results of operations and liquidity.
|
| (c) |
Pursuant to an agreement between Centerra Gold Mongolia Limited (CGM) and Gatsuurt LLC, an unrelated Mongolian company, under which CGM acquired the Gatsuurt licenses, CGM agreed to transfer the principal license covering the Gatsuurt property to Gatsuurt LLC if CGM did not complete a feasibility study by December 31, 2005. CGM completed a feasibility study in December 2005. Gatsuurt LLC informed Centerra that it does not believe that CGM complied with its obligation and began proceedings in the Mongolian National Arbitration Court (MNAC) alleging non-compliance by CGM and seeking the return of the principal license for the Gatsuurt property. CGM believes that the Gatsuurt LLC claim is without merit and on July 10, 2007, filed a petition with Mongolia's District Court contesting the jurisdiction of the MNAC. On July 25, 2007, the Mongolian District Court returned CGM's petition, without a decision on the jurisdictional issue, to permit CGM to supplement its submissions. All proceedings were suspended in August 2007 pending the outcome of settlement discussions. CGM and Gatsuurt LLC have reached an agreement in principle to suspend, and upon signing a definitive agreement, to terminate the arbitration proceedings between CGM and Gatsuurt LLC. In anticipation of a settlement, CGM has recorded a $3,000,000 (US) charge as an estimate of the cost to settle the matter.
|
| (d) |
Annual supplemental rents of $26,000,000 (subject to CPI) per operating reactor are payable by BPLP to OPG. Should the hourly annual average price of electricity in Ontario fall below $30 per megawatt hour, the supplemental rent reduces to $13,000,000 per operating reactor. In accordance with the Sublease Agreement, Bruce A L.P. will participate in its share of any adjustments to the supplemental rent.
|
| (e) |
Cameco, TransCanada and BPC have assumed the obligations to provide financial guarantees on behalf of BPLP. Cameco has provided the following financial assurances, with varying terms that range from 2004 to 2018:
| i) |
Licensing assurances to Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission of up to $133,300,000. At December 31, 2007, Cameco's actual exposure under these assurances was $23,700,000. |
| ii) |
Guarantees to customers under power sales agreements of up to $47,000,000. Cameco did not have any actual exposure under these guarantees at December 31, 2007. |
| iii) |
Termination payments to OPG pursuant to the lease agreement of $58,300,000. |
The fair value of these guarantees is nominal.
|
| (f) |
Commitments
At December 31, 2007, Cameco's purchase commitments, the majority of which are fixed price uranium and conversion purchase arrangements, were as follows:
| |
(Millions (US)) |
| 2008 |
$ |
160 |
| 2009 |
|
122 |
| 2010 |
|
120 |
| 2011 |
|
123 |
| 2012 |
|
129 |
| Thereafter |
|
195 |
| Total |
$ |
849 |
|