RE:Any news from anyone that went to AGM?I attended the AGM yesterday and found it encouraging that the voting was fully behind management to a significant degree, I think quite a bit higher than last year. Bernard’s presentation was good, with some clarifications on the projected demand for Solar Silicon out to 2030 (very positive outlook). I suspect the presentation may be on line by the time I post this.
A new protocol is being worked out for measuring the various remaining contaminants after the Purevap process. The significantly lower contaminant levels of various contaminants require different measurement methods using different measurement processes. This has presented a delay in obtaining accredited results for all the different contaminants. In some cases the measurement methods can destroy the sample or contaminate it such that other tests cannot be performed on that sample. Established Silicon manufacturers have developed their own proprietary measurement systems and techniques, which are not available for use by HPQ. This problem will be significantly reduced with larger samples that can be divided up for the several measurements required. Other solutions are being sought out.
There were no questions around the share price at all as far as I remember; I think most everyone understands that it has little bearing on company progress, which is ongoing.
Patrick provided a very exciting outline of the developments on the Beauce, many of which are a result of the new claims but very old reports from government archives, that seem to have only come to light very recently. I sensed quite a bit of excitement in the room while Patrick was talking about the property. Patrick mentioned that the spin out is still very much alive, and has improved for shareholders presently holding warrants, in that warrants will now have the same value as warrants to both companies in the appropriate ratio. This was previously not the case unless the warrants were exercised before the date of record.
I was invited to see the Purevap system at PYR since I had previously asked some detailed questions that where not easily answered without an NDA. I signed a huge NDA so am fairly limited in what I can say, but I can say I am still fully confident in what is going on having visited the rig and talked to the experts there.
I met the BOD (of HPQ) and had lunch with them, followed up by a visit to the PYR facility where the Purevap lab unit is and also viewed the huge 5000 Sq Ft area reserved for the 200 TPY pilot plant. They (PYR) are also increasing the height of the roof over a section of this area to 30ft to allow for the feed system installation.
They showed a couple of other large rigs, but I did not see the powder production machine.
The Purevap lab unit is a very interesting looking bench top rig, pretty typical of the sort of equipment I have been around previously. I also met Ali, the lead researcher on the unit, as he was just setting up a test run while we were there. Alex Pascali, the program manager, gave a short-guided tour around some of the facility. I was pretty impressed with everything and I am happy I was allowed to visit the site and had many of my questions answered (on signed agreement of non disclosure).