The Conversation (0)
Apr. 11, 2012 03:30AM PST
Britain and Japan have signed a framework civil nuclear co-operation pact, agreeing to collaborate on nuclear safety regulations. The agreement reflects Japan’s concern for independent, competent, and rigorous regulation of nuclear safety and of enhanced emergency preparedness.
By Dave Brown — Exclusive to Uranium Investing News
Britain and Japan have signed a framework civil nuclear cooperation pact with the objective of cooperating on the nuclear decommissioning of the Fukushima nuclear site. The countries’ respective leaders, David Cameron and Yoshihiko Noda, met in Toyko as part of a broader trade mission and renewed commitments for nuclear cooperation.
The two countries agreed to collaborate on nuclear safety regulations, with Japan aiming to create an organization that will recognize “the importance of independent, competent, and rigorous regulation of nuclear safety and of enhanced emergency preparedness, according to the principles of continuous improvement and transparency and in line with IAEA safety standards.”
Annual senior-level meetings between the two leaders will strengthen bilateral cooperation across the full range of civil nuclear activities. They also reaffirmed commitments made in a 1998 cooperation deal “to share experience, expertise and potential technology in spent fuel management, international transport of nuclear materials, and other areas related to the nuclear fuel cycle.”
Risk of inertia with non-nuclear summer
Japan remains aware of the challenges imposed by setting the precedent of operating without nuclear power. Although nuclear power provided almost 30 percent of Japan’s electricity before last March, all but one of the country’s reactors have been taken offline, primarily due to maintenance and security initiatives. The last reactor is scheduled to shut down on May 5.
Recognition of the potential threat of anti-nuclear sentiment within Japan from Japanese senior leadership and concern about avoiding greater setbacks should reinforce global confidence that the nuclear industry is gradually reverting to a more efficient market. For investors, an efficient market should reflect supply and demand dynamics and recognize a more realistic value for uranium assets over the long term.
Uranium spot market prices
The uranium spot market price as reported by TradeTech climbed slightly to $51.25 per pound. Spot market activity remains relatively slow, with the increase in uranium price due primarily to a lack of motivation from sellers and increased demand from buyers compared with previous weeks. A total of four transactions are reported for the week, with the majority of demand being discretionary in nature.
Company news
Paladin Energy Ltd. (TSX:PDN,ASX:PDN) is reviewing all options for its non-productive assets, not limited to a search for minority joint venture interests.
The company’s projects in Australia include two prospects in the Northern Territory, the Manyingee and Oobagooma in-situ recovery projects in Western Australia, and the Mount Isa tenements in Queensland, which it owns jointly with Cameco Corp. (TSX:CCO,NYSE:CCJ). Paladin is already in discussions with a diverse group of nuclear industry partners for minority interest.
This news is of interest to investors as it reflects an attraction to the company’s future uranium production, with opportunity for increased financial strength and flexibility. Paladin owns the Kayelekera mine in Malawi, as well as the Langer Heinrich mine in Namibia.
Junior company news
Bannerman Resources Ltd. (ASX:BMN) reported positive results following a Definitive Feasibility Study for its 80 percent owned Etango uranium project in Namibia. The study underscores the project’s long-term potential and broader scale of operations. The company is also discussing prospective joint partnerships, remaining open to various options, including working with an established mine operator or an Asian energy company seeking supplies of uranium.
Kivalliq Energy Corp. (TSXV:KIV) has commenced phase one of its 2012 drill program. The 35,000 metre drill program at the Angilak property is part of a $20 million exploration program.
Ur-Energy Inc. (TSX:URE,AMEX:URG) announced an increase to its NI 43-101 uranium resource of 45 percent in the measured and indicated categories on the Lost Creek project. The news also included details of an increase of 42 percent in the inferred category of uranium resources on the same project.
Securities Disclosure: I, Dave Brown, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Featured Energy Investing Stocks
Investor Insight
Generation Uranium offers investors high-leverage exposure to a potential major discovery in Canada’s underexplored and resource-rich Thelon Basin, led by a management team with a proven track record of securing high-value exits.
Overview
Generation Uranium (CSE:GEN, OTCQB:GENR, FRA:W85) is a Canadian exploration company focused on wealth creation through discovery within the uranium sector. The company’s primary strategy is to build a high-caliber exploration team that can rapidly test and drill high-potential targets, de-risking projects for potential takeover by larger producers. Currently centered in the prolific Thelon and Angikuni Basins of Nunavut, the company is also actively evaluating additional project acquisitions in the Athabasca Basin to expand its portfolio.
The company is led by a veteran management team with nearly 30 years of experience in mineral development. CEO Michael Collins has a significant track record of building and exiting public companies, including the co-founding of Bluerock Resources, a conventional uranium producer during the 2000-2008 cycle. This expertise is paired with a focused business model that leverages modern geophysical targeting to accelerate exploration timelines and reduce costs, ensuring the company can deliver results quickly in a bullish uranium market.
Company Highlights
- Strategic Location in a Premier Uranium District: The flagship Yath Project is located in Nunavut’s Thelon Basin, contiguous to ATHA Energy’s Angilak Project, which hosts the high-grade Lac 50 deposit.
- High-Grade Discovery Potential: Historical surface sampling at the Yath Project has yielded exceptional uranium grades, including boulders testing at 9.81 percent, 3.95 percent, and 2.14 percent U3O8.
- Expert Management with Exit Experience: Led by CEO Michael Collins, the team has decades of experience in mineral exploration and a history of co-founding companies that were later acquired, such as Prime Mining and Nuclear Fuels.
- Low-Cost, Rapid Exploration Strategy: By leveraging modern geophysics and extensive historical data, the company aims for a "short road to discovery," de-risking projects quickly to maximize shareholder value.
- Bullish Market Fundamentals: Generation Uranium is well-positioned to meet the growing global demand for carbon-free nuclear power, supported by a projected supply deficit and increased interest from major tech companies seeking clean energy.
Key Project
Yath Project - Nunavut, Canada
The Yath Project is Generation Uranium’s flagship project. This 100 percent owned property covers about 120 square kilometers within the underexplored Thelon Basin in Nunavut, Canada. The project is located where the Yathkyed and Angikuni sub-basins meet, which is a region known globally for high-grade uranium potential. It sits directly along the same trend as the Angilak Project owned by ATHA Energy (TSXV:SASK, OTCQB:SASFK, FWB:XSU.F), which contains the Lac 50 deposit, one of the highest-grade uranium resources found outside of the Athabasca Basin with a historical mineral resource estimate of 43.3M lbs at an average grade of 0.69 percent U3O8.
The Yath Project is contiguous to the Lac 50 trend and is crossed by several regional faults and basin boundaries. Past exploration work has already identified high priority targets, while surface sampling in the area has produced uranium grades from boulders, with some testing at 9.81 percent, 3.95 percent, and 2.14 percent U3O8.
The company has commenced its initial field program at the site, set to define and rank drill targets. Historic showings will be combined with new anomalies from the MMT geophysics survey, preparing the project for an anticipated drill permit.
Management Team
Michael Collins - CEO & Director
Michael Collins is a professional geoscientist with nearly 30 years of experience in mineral exploration. He has co-founded several public companies, including Exploits Discovery, Prime Mining (acquired in 2025), and Nuclear Fuels (merged with Premier American Uranium in 2025). He is also currently a director of First Atlantic Nickel.
Christoph Bruening - Director
Christoph Bruening is the founder and managing partner of Value Relations GmbH, a full-service investor relations and public relations agency in Frankfurt with over 25 years of excellence, focusing on mining, exploration, biotech and health care. In addition, he has listed over 600 companies on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and is a speaker and author of several publications, including on rare earths and uranium.
Dallas Miller - Director
Dallas Miller has been working within the international mining industry for over 15 years, working with BHP and Santos Ltd. He has experience on the ground from an operational standpoint, as well as being an integral part of raising millions of dollars in capital funding for both private and public companies in recent years.
Roger Leschuk - VP Corporate Development
Roger Leschuk has been in corporate management for over two decades, with the past 15 years dedicated to corporate development and investor relations. He has experience participating in and assisting with mergers and acquisitions, and was an investment advisor for various services such as stocks, mutual funds and tax-sheltered investments. He is a Chartered Investment Manager and a Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute.
Monty Sutton - CFO
Monty Sutton brings over 35 years of experience in public markets and corporate governance. He previously served as CFO for Nuclear Fuels from its IPO through its acquisition.
