For the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006
($Cdn thousands except per share amounts and as noted)
| 2007 | 2006 | |||
| Convertible debentures | $ | 205,575 | $ | 207,091 |
| Debentures | 297,905 | 300,000 | ||
| Capital lease obligation – BPLP | 189,600 | 197,500 | ||
| Commercial paper | 32,866 | – | ||
| 725,946 | 704,591 | |||
| Less current portion | (8,816) | (7,900) | ||
| Net | $ | 717,130 | $ | 696,691 |
On September 25, 2003, the company issued unsecured convertible debentures in the amount of $230,000,000. The debentures bear interest at 5% per annum, mature on October 1, 2013, and at the holder's option are convertible into common shares of Cameco. The fair value of the conversion option associated with the convertible debentures on the date of issuance was $30,473,000, resulting in an effective interest rate of 7.21%. The amount is reflected as contributed surplus. The conversion price is $10.83 per share, a rate of approximately 92.3 common shares per $1,000 of convertible debentures. Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1. The debentures are redeemable by the company beginning October 1, 2008, at a redemption price of par plus accrued and unpaid interest.
The fair value of the outstanding convertible debentures is based on the quoted market price of the debentures at December 31, 2007, and was approximately $837,616,700.
Cameco has $300,000,000 outstanding in senior unsecured debentures (Series C). These debentures bear interest at a rate of 4.7% per annum (effective interest rate of 4.79%) and mature September 16, 2015. Cameco had $100,000,000 outstanding in senior unsecured debentures (Series A) that bore interest at a rate of 6.9% per annum and were to mature July 12, 2006. Cameco also had $50,000,000 outstanding in senior unsecured debentures (Series B) that bore interest at a rate of 7.0% per annum and were to mature July 6, 2006. On January 17, 2006, Cameco redeemed in full the Series A and B debentures. The redemption prices under the trust indenture were based on the yield for a Government of Canada bond with the equivalent term to maturity plus 25 basis points for the Series A debentures and 34 basis points for the Series B debentures. The total redemption price was $152,104,000 plus accrued and unpaid interest.
Cameco has a $500,000,000 unsecured revolving credit facility that is available until November 30, 2012. Cameco may also borrow directly in the commercial paper market. Commercial paper outstanding at December 31, 2007, was $32,866,000 (Cdn) (2006 – nil) and bears interest at an average rate of 4.8% (2006 – nil). These amounts, when drawn, are classified as long-term debt.
Cameco has $524,430,000 ($307,588,000 (Cdn) and $219,453,000 (US)) in letter of credit facilities. The majority of the outstanding letters of credit at December 31, 2007 relate to future decommissioning and reclamation liabilities [note 9] and amounted to $302,773,000 ($235,189,000 (Cdn) and $68,398,000 (US)) (2006 - $213,069,000 ($137,236,000 (Cdn) and $65,076,000 (US))). At December 31, 2007 there were no amounts outstanding under the $150,000,000 (US) letter of credit facility that related to the standby product loan facility.
BPLP holds a long-term lease with OPG to operate the Bruce nuclear power facility. The term of the lease, which expires in 2018, is 18 years with an option to extend the lease for up to an additional 25 years. The interest rate associated with the lease is 7.5%.
BPLP has a $150,000,000 (Cameco's share $47,400,000) revolving credit facility that is available until July 21, 2009, as well as $146,000,000 (Cameco's share $46,136,000) in letter of credit facilities. As at December 31, 2007, BPLP had $62,000,000 (Cameco's share $19,592,000) outstanding under the letter of credit facilities.
Cameco is bound by certain covenants in its general credit facilities. The financially related covenants place restrictions on total debt, including guarantees, and set minimum levels for net worth. As of December 31, 2007, Cameco met these financial covenants and does not expect its operating and investment activities in 2008 to be constrained by them.
The table below represents currently scheduled maturities of long-term debt over the next five years.
| 2008 | $ | 8,816 |
| 2009 | 10,112 | |
| 2010 | 11,692 | |
| 2011 | 13,272 | |
| 2012 | 14,852 | |
| Thereafter | 667,202 | |
| Total | $ | 725,946 |
Cameco has arranged for a standby product loan facility with one of its customers. The arrangement, which was finalized in 2006, allows Cameco to borrow up to 2,600,000 pounds U3O8 equivalent over the period 2006 to 2008 with repayment in 2008 and 2009. Of this material, up to 1,000,000 kilograms of uranium can be borrowed in the form of UF6. Under the loan facility, standby fees of 2.25% are payable based on the market value of the facility, and interest is payable on the market value of any amounts drawn at a rate of 4.0%. Any borrowings will be secured by letters of credit and are payable in kind.
The market value of the available facility is based on the quoted market price of the products at December 31, 2007 and was approximately $242,600,000 (US). As at December 31, 2007, Cameco did not have any loan amounts outstanding under the facility.
On January 29, 2008, Cameco gave notice of termination to the counterparty of the product loan arrangement. The loan facility will be terminated on April 1, 2008 and the associated letter of credit facilities were cancelled on January 31, 2008. Cameco will recognize previously deferred revenues and costs in its earnings for the first quarter of 2008.
Previously, Cameco had two other product loan arrangements with another one of its customers. These arrangements had allowed Cameco to borrow up to 2,960,000 pounds U3O8 equivalent. Of this material, up to 400,000 kilograms of uranium could be borrowed in the form of UF6. During the second quarter, Cameco terminated these two arrangements and cancelled the related letter of credit facilities.