Laramide Resources Ltd. ( "Laramide" or the "Company" ) (TSX: LAM) (ASX: LAM) (OTCQX: LMRXF), a uranium mine development and exploration company with globally significant assets in the United States and Australia is pleased to announce that the Company and its lenders, Extract Capital Master Fund Ltd. and Extract Lending LLC (together, the " Lenders "), with Extract Advisors LLC acting as agent for and on behalf of the Lenders, completed an amendment to the existing term loan made by the Lenders in favour of Laramide Resources ( USA ) Ltd. (the " Term Loan "), which includes, among other things, (i) an extension of the maturity date of the Term Loan from March 31, 2025 to April 1, 2026 and (ii) a new non-convertible CAD$5 million standby credit facility (the " Multi-Draw Facility ") with Extract. The Multi-Draw Facility will have the same maturity date as the Term Loan and allows for multiple drawdowns. All other terms of the Term Loan remain unchanged with a 7% coupon and CDN$0.40 conversion price while the Multi-Draw Facility, if utilized, will incur interest expense at 12% per annum.
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Drilling Commences at Mkuju Uranium Project
Gladiator Resources Ltd (ASX: GLA) (Gladiator or the Company) is excited to announce that diamond core drilling commenced on 10 June 2024, at our 100% owned Mkuju Uranium Project in southern Tanzania.
- Drilling has commenced at the SWC target where 2023 surface trench results gave vertical intervals including peak intervals of 2.55m @ 2017ppm U3O8, 0.75m @ 7139ppm U3O8, 2.35 @ 1636ppm U3O8 and 1.4m @ 3945ppm U3O81.
- The program is also planned to test possible extensions to the Mtonya and Likuyu North uranium deposits with the aim of demonstrating opportunity to expand these deposits.
- On-site gamma-ray logging equipment will be used to identify potential mineralised zones and establish their relative intensity.
Figure 1 provides an updated indicative timeline for the exploration program. Drilling commenced early June as planned, starting at the SWC target where 2023 trenches intersected up to 7139ppm U3O8. After SWC the rig will move over to Mtonya and Likuyu North (Figure 2) where drilling will test potential extensions and new zones at these existing uranium deposits. The final stage of the drilling will be follow-up on the most promising areas. Further details of the program are provided in GLA’s announcement dated 10th May 2024 and those of Q4 2023.
Figure 1. An indicative timeline for the drilling program and other works.*If results are supportive
Downhole gamma-ray logging
The Company has purchased downhole gamma-ray logging equipment to provide rapid guidance of the depth of mineralization that may be encountered, and the relative intensity of mineralized intervals, though grade data will not be reported until later once the results of laboratory analyses are received, expected late July onwards.
Ground magnetic survey at Likuyu North
Gladiator has engaged a geophysical contractor to carry out a 375 line-km high resolution ground magnetic survey over a block including the Likuyu North deposit. Surveying began on early in June and be completed with processing early in July. The deposit is broadly controlled by a large structure adjacent to which the Nyota deposit (20 km to the north) is also located. Nyota has a Measured and Indicated MRE of 187 Mt at 306ppm U3O8 containing 124.6 Mlbs U3O8. The magnetic data is intended to improve on the current interpretation of primary and secondary structures and other features that may (directly or indirectly) control the uranium mineralisation. This information may then be used to optimise the drilling plan at Likuyu North.
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This article includes content from Gladiator Resources Limited, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
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Gladiator Resources
Overview
Gladiator Resources (ASX:GLA) is an Australian explorer focused on uranium projects. The company’s portfolio of uranium assets covers 1,811 square kilometres located in Tanzania. The company’s key projects include – Mkuju, Minjingu, Liwale, Foxy and Eland. Mkuju is the company’s flagship project, having the potential to host world-class uranium deposits given its proximity to the Nyota deposit, which contains 124.6 million pounds (Mlbs) U3O8. Nyota is regarded as one of the largest uranium deposits in the world.
The company is planning a 2024 drill program at Mkuju focusing on the South West Corner (SWC), Mtonya and Likuyu North targets. The 2024 drilling program will commence with initial core drilling at the SWC target, where 2023 trenching revealed up to 7,139 parts per million (ppm) U3O8. Additionally, drilling at Mtonya and Likuyu North will aim to explore potential extensions and new zones of the existing uranium deposits.
The Minjingu project is the other key focus area for Gladiator. This project compliments the company’s flagship Mkuju uranium project in southern Tanzania. Surface pit samples at the Minjingu project have returned high-grade uranium mineralization up to 269 ppm U3O8. Follow-up auger drilling is planned to understand the thickness of the mineralized layer and potential extension.
Tanzania is an ideal location for uranium mining due to its favourable geology. It is rich in uranium-bearing deposits, notably the Mkuju River project, among the world's largest undeveloped uranium reserves. The Tanzanian government’s mining-friendly policies, including taxation and quick permitting process, are encouraging for uranium miners. The presence of well-developed infrastructure, including several ports, makes it easy to transport uranium ore. Further, the country has a large and skilled workforce with graduates in various fields, such as geology and mining. These factors make Tanzania a favourable jurisdiction for uranium exploration and development.
Company Highlights
- Gladiator Resources is an ASX-listed exploration and mining company focused on uranium. The company operates eight exploration projects, mainly in Tanzania, covering a total area of 1,811 sq kms.
- The company’s key projects include – Mkuju, Minjingu, Liwale, Foxy and Eland.
- Gladiator’s primary short term focus is on advancing the Mkuju project, located only 20 kms south of Uranium One’s Nyota deposit, regarded as one of the largest uranium deposits in the world.
- The 2024 drill program at Mkuju will focus on the South West Corner (SWC) initially, where trench assay results received Dec/Jan 2023/24 confirmed high-grade uranium in sandstone, 1000’s ppm U3O8 in places.
- Further work is also planned at Mtonya and Likuyu North – also located within the promising Mkuju area.
- Tanzania is endowed with many uranium-bearing deposits and is known for its mining-friendly policies. The government offers attractive tax policies and quick permitting processes to encourage investment in the sector.
- The presence in relatively attractive uranium mining jurisdictions such as Tanzania positions the company to capitalize on opportunities in the uranium sector and deliver superior returns to its shareholders.
Key Projects
Mkuju Project
The project spans over 725 sq kms and is located 20 kms south of Uranium One’s Nyota deposit, regarded as one of the largest uranium deposits in the world. Nyota hosts a measured and indicated mineral resource estimate of 187 metric tons (MT) at 306 ppm U3O8, containing 124.6 Mlbs U3O8. The deposit is being developed by global uranium company Uranium One. The Nyota deposit and the Mkuju project are underlain by sediments of the lower Karoo, which are considered highly prospective for uranium.
The 2024 drilling program, expected to commence in June 2024, will test the Southwest Corner target and test potential extensions to the Mtonya and Likuyu North deposits at the Mkuju project.
- At Southwest Corner, the 2024 drilling will test the potential for down-dip extension of the recently trenched high-grade surface uranium. The surface samples here returned high-grade uranium mineralization, including 2.55 metres @ 2017 ppm U3O8, 0.75 metres @ 7,139 ppm U3O8, 2.35 metres @ 1,636 ppm U3O8, and 1.4 metres @ 3,945 ppm U3O8.
- At Mtonya, the drilling program will follow up on high-grade uranium intersections discovered in the previous drilling program carried out in 2011/2012. The 2011/12 drill holes URAMT105 and 106 contain excellent mineralization that may extend to the northwest and will be tested in the 2024 drilling program.
- At Likuyu North, the 2024 drilling program will focus on testing for potential new zones that could add to the existing JORC resource of 4.6 Mlb U3O8 JORC.
Minjingu Project
The Minjingu project covers an area of 296.9 sq kms It is situated in northern Tanzania, 106 kilometers southwest of Arusha, the region's main administrative city, and 520 kilometers northwest of Dar es Salaam. The project boasts excellent infrastructure, such as quality tarmac roads, power lines and airport services via both Arusha and Kilimanjaro.
Surface pit samples at the Minjingu project have returned uranium mineralization up to 269 ppm U3O8. This project compliments the company’s flagship Mkuju Uranium project in southern Tanzania, where high-grade trench results have recently been reported. Follow-up work is being planned to understand the thickness of the mineralized layer and potential extension.
South West Corner Project
The South West Corner license holds high-grade uranium deposits at shallow depths. It features a relatively concentrated 3.5 x 1.8 km radiometric anomaly and has a history of multiple instances of excellent grading. Previously owned by Mantra Resources, SWC underwent a successful takeover in 2011 by Uranium One for approximately AU$1 billion
Liwale Project
The Liwale project spans an area of 195 sq kms and is situated beyond the boundaries of the Nyerere National Park. It was formerly owned by both Mantra Resources and Uranium One.
Foxy Project
The Foxy Project spans an area of 299.7 sq kms and was formerly under the ownership of Western Metals. It is recognized for hosting uranium mineralization akin to that found in the Mkuju region. Positioned approximately 25 kms away from the Mkuju tenements at its nearest point, the company is in the process of acquiring historical data.
Eland Project
The Eland project encompasses 294.7 sq kms and was previously held by Western Metals. It is known for hosting uranium mineralization. The company is in the process of arranging to obtain historical data.
Management Team
Gregory Johnson – Non-executive Chairman
Gregory Johnson has over two decades of experience in capital markets, including fund management and capital raising. He has held senior capital raising and client relationship roles at Macquarie, Perpetual and Dimensional, and has led client services teams at Deutsche Bank, Credit Suisse and Macquarie Funds Management. At Gladiator, Johnson provides vast financial services experience, building relationships with existing and new investors.
Matthew Boysen – Non-executive Director
Matthew Boysen possesses significant expertise in marketing and communication. Over the past two decades, Boysen has made successful investments in numerous exploration, energy and mining companies, demonstrating a deep understanding of the agility necessary in the dynamic environment in which ASX mining companies operate.
Peter Tsegas – Non-executive Director
Peter Tsegas boasts over two decades of experience across Africa, collaborating with private enterprises and government entities on mining projects spanning various commodities, including uranium. He played a pivotal role in the acquisition of Gladiator's uranium projects. He has consulted with several Tanzanian government ministries and mining firms, including Rio Tinto. As the founder and former managing director of Tancoal Energy, he effectively steered the company from its exploration phase to establishing a joint venture with the Tanzanian Government, eventually leading to production. Presently, he serves as a non-executive director at Magnis.
Rod Chittendan – Non-executive Director
Rod Chittendan has over 40 years of experience in the minerals industry, spanning Africa, Australia and South America. He has held executive management positions and metallurgical project development roles covering the entire spectrum from exploration to production. He has played a key role in the advancement of Mantra Resources' Mkuju River uranium project and the development of Paladin Energy's (ASX:PDN) Langer Heinrich and Kayelekera uranium projects. Previously, he held positions with large mining companies such as Newcrest (ASX:NCM) and Barrick Gold (NYSE:GOLD).
Andrew Pedley – Non-executive Director
Andrew Pedley has over 25 years of experience as a geologist in Africa, progressing from roles as exploration manager to VP of exploration. His extensive uranium expertise is particularly pertinent to Gladiator. Pedley possesses specialized skills in uranium exploration and the delineation of uranium mineral resource estimates, adhering to JORC and ASX listing regulations. He has served as a competent person on numerous uranium projects. He holds a masters in geology from the Camborne School of Mines in England.
Andrew Metcalfe – Company Secretary
Andrew Metcalfe has served as a company secretary and governance advisor to ASX-listed companies for more than 25 years. He currently oversees the company secretary services within Gladiator Resources.
Havilah Deals Uranium Assets for Equity Interest in HRE
Havilah Resources Limited (Havilah or the Company) (ASX: HAV) is pleased to report that it has entered into binding agreements with Heavy Rare Earths Limited (ASX: HRE) relating to a portion of its extensive uranium exploration assets in the Curnamona Province of northeastern South Australia (Figure 1).
HIGHLIGHTS
- Binding agreements signed with Heavy Rare Earths Limited (HRE) conferring exploration and mining rights for various high calibre uranium assets on certain of Havilah’s exploration licences (Uranium).
- Effectively monetises a portion of Havilah’s remaining uranium assets, providing Havilah with potentially significant uranium market exposure and uranium project development upside.
4.6m lbs Figure 1 Locations of uranium projects of note in the Curnamona Province in northeastern South Australia.The Havilah uranium areas, the subject of the agreements with HRE, are shown in orange and include the Prospect Hill, Billeroo-Namba and Radium Hill projects.The current Koba Resources Limited Yarramba uranium project earn-in with Havilah is shown in grey and includes the Oban and Mt John prospects.
The Uranium assets include:
1. The Radium Hill project – strike extensions of the historic Radium Hill uranium mine (but not including it)1 with significant discovery potential for uranium. HRE’s exploration and mining rights also extend to rare earth elements and scandium on the Radium Hill project.
2. An unexplored 15 km section of the Billeroo palaeochannel project immediately downstream from Boss Energy Ltd’s Goulds Dam deposit.
3. A lightly explored 35 km section of the Lake Namba palaeochannel project, with numerous wide- spaced historic uranium drill intersections.
4. Prospect Hill project area representing an untested possible geological analogue to the prolific Beverley-Four Mile uranium mining camp.
Key terms of the transaction involve:
1. Issue of 38 million fully paid ordinary shares in HRE to Havilah, half of which are subject to a 6 month voluntary escrow and the other half to a 12 month voluntary escrow (Consideration Shares).
2. Grant of 17.5 million unlisted options over HRE ordinary shares, each exercisable at 6 cents within a period of 3 years from the date of issue (Consideration Options).
3. An expenditure commitment of $3 million over 3 years, with a minimum commitment of $1 million within the first year.
4. Subject to the above, an ability for HRE to earn an 80% interest in the Uranium exploration and mining rights within certain Havilah exploration licences and an 80% joint venture interest in any discovery tenements that it applies for over a Uranium discovery.
5. HRE will free carry Havilah’s 20% joint venture interest in a Uranium discovery until completion of a bankable feasibility study, following which Havilah may elect to contribute or dilute to a 1.5% NSR (net smelter return) royalty on Uranium produced.
6. Completion of the transaction and consequent issue of the ordinary shares and grant of the options to Havilah and commencement of the joint venture earn-in is subject to the following conditions precedent:
A. HRE completing due diligence, to its sole satisfaction;
B. HRE obtaining shareholder approval for the issue of the Consideration Shares and Consideration Options; and
C. The parties obtaining all other shareholder, regulatory and third-party approvals, consents or waivers which are required to complete their respective obligations under the agreements (together the Conditions Precedent).
These terms have been effected by execution of a binding Term Sheet that sets out the commercial arrangements and a binding Tenement Access and Mineral Rights Agreement that governs the access rights of HRE to Havilah’s relevant exploration licences.
After this transaction with HRE and the earlier transaction with Koba Resources Limited (refer to ASX announcement 22 January 2024), Havilah still retains 100% ownership of several promising hard rock prospects including the Johnson Dam prospect (refer to ASX announcement 17 May 2023), the Homestead prospect (refer to ASX announcement 29 August 2023), the Birksgate prospect (refer to ASX announcement 15 January 2024) and the Coolibah palaeochannel.
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This article includes content from Havilah Resources Limited, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
Integration of Vanadium into Lake Maitland Uranium Resource Underway to Re-optimise Pit
Toro to integrate vanadium into the Lake Maitland uranium resource, in preparation for scoping study update with re-optimised pit, with potential to increase mining volume and potential production
Toro Energy Limited (ASX: TOE) (‘the Company’ or ‘Toro’) is pleased to announce that it has initiated the work of integrating the new Lake Maitland vanadium resource estimation into the recently updated Lake Maitland uranium resource block model. This work is being undertaken in preparation for an updated scoping study, which is estimated to be completed before the end of the year.
- Integration of the recently re-estimated Lake Maitland vanadium resource into the Lake Maitland uranium resource block model has commenced (refer to ASX announcement of 24 September 2024 for resource estimation details).
- Vanadium resource integration is the start of preparations for a new scoping study update for a stand-alone uranium-vanadium mining and processing operation at Toro’s Lake Maitland Deposit.
- New scoping study update will include a re-optimisation of the proposed Lake Maitland mining pit using the new Lake Maitland resource estimation results to assess an increase in mining volume and therefore potential production.
- The new stand-alone Lake Maitland operation scoping study update is expected to be finalised before the end of the year.
- Future planned project optimisation work and the pilot plant programme will evaluate further economic improvements driven by Lake Maitland’s close proximity to Toro’s 100% owned Centipede-Millipede & Lake Way uranium deposits by potentially integrating additional resources from these two deposits.
- Strong improved financial outcomes from the recently updated Lake Maitland Scoping Study include:
- Pre-tax NPV8 of A$832.8M (+37% increase of A$223.20M)
- Excellent 48% IRR (+7% increase)
- Total EBITDA of $2,303.3M (+30% increase of A$534.4M)
- Total undiscounted cash flow of A$1,903.3M pre-tax – average >$2M per week (+36% increase of A$507.3M)
- Short payback period of 2.1 years
- Low C1 operating cost of US$17.28/lb U3O8 in years 1 to 7 when high grade uranium resource is being processed
- Strong life of mine C1 operating cost of only US$24.78/lb U3O8
- Low AISC cost of US$22.58/lb U3O8 in years 1 to 7 when high grade uranium resource is being processed
- Strong life of mine AISC cost of only US$30.55/lb U3O8
- Modest total CAPEX of US$149M plus 20% for contingency and 15% for EPCM over a 17.5 year mine life producing a total of 22.8Mlbs U3O8 and 11.9 Mlbs V2O5.
Management Commentary
Commenting on this development, Toro’s Executive Chairman, Richard Homsany, said:
“Toro continues to advance the Wiluna Uranium Project through several optimisation and technical workstreams. The inclusion of the updated vanadium resource into the existing Lake Maitland resource is a key update ahead of reporting our new scoping study for the project later this year.
Importantly, the new scoping study will include a pit re-optimisation of the recently updated uranium resource block model, with the vanadium resource integrated within it, to assess a change to mining volume and therefore potential production. A favourable outcome on this alone could significantly increase the value of the Wiluna Uranium Project. This will more accurately represent the potential mining volumes, production figures and economic/financial outcomes for the proposed stand-alone Lake Maitland mining and processing operation.
Adding further weight to the global uranium conversation, global companies including Microsoft, Google and Amazon have recently committed to source nuclear energy to power their AI and data centres whilst expressly recognising that nuclear energy has a track record of providing a reliable source of safe carbon-free energy globally.
Against this backdrop and driven by the global push towards ‘net zero’, it is becoming increasingly clear that any regulatory or policy stance against exporting uranium to countries that need nuclear energy to grow their economies and support their de-carbonisation agendas, requires immediate re-evaluation.
As we head towards a busy and important phase for the business, the Board is confident that Toro has the necessary funding to deliver on several key, near term milestones that we believe will unlock further value for shareholders.”
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This article includes content from Toro Energy, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
Laramide extends Extract convertible loan and enters into new $5M credit facility
News Provided by Canada Newswire via QuoteMedia
Placement Fully Subscribed
C29 Metals receives official notification all regulatory requirements met for the issue of drill permits, strong local community support, and a Social Support Agreement signed
C29 Metals Limited (“C29” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it has received firm commitments from sophisticated and professional investors to raise $2,450,000 (before costs) through a placement of a total of 34,507,042 fully paid ordinary shares in the capital of the Company (Placement Shares) at an issue price of $0.071 each (Placement). The Placement saw strong support with demand significantly exceeding shares offered under the Placement.
HIGHLIGHTS
- C29 has received firm commitments to raise $2.45m (before costs), which will be completed under the Company’s current Listing Rule 7.1 and 7.1(a) placement capacity.
- C29 Metals receives official notification all regulatory requirements met for the issue of drill permits
20,952,179 Placement Shares will be issued pursuant to the Company’s placement capacity under Listing Rule 7.1 and 13,554,863 Placement Shares will be issued pursuant to the Company’s placement capacity under Listing Rule 7.1A.
The issue price of $0.071 represents a 0% discount to the last trading price of $0.071 on 15 October 2024 and a premium of 3% to the 15-day volume weighted average price of $0.069.
Funds from the Placement will be directed towards exploration activities at the Company’s Ulytau Uranium Project and working capital.
The Company has engaged ARQ Capital Pty Ltd (Lead Manager) to manage the Placement. The Lead Manager (or its nominees) will receive a capital raising fee of 6% on the amount raised under the Placement, a management fee of $15,000 and 2,500,000 options with an exercise price of $0.115 expiring 12 December 2025 (Broker Options), the issue of the Broker Options is subject to shareholder approval at the Company’s upcoming AGM.
The Company has approved the issue of 4,000,000 Director Incentive Options (Director Options) to be issued to the Director (or their nominee), the issue of the Director Options is subject to shareholder approval at the Company’s upcoming AGM. The Director Options have an exercise price of $0.110 expiring three years from date of issue. The allocation of the Director Options is as follows, Mr Shannon Green to be issued 2,000,000 Director Options, Mr Jamie Myers to be issued 1,500,000 Director Options and Mr David Lees to be issued with 500,000 Director Options.
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from C29 Metals Limited, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
Nuclear Fuels
Overview
Nuclear Fuels Inc. (CSE:NF,OTCQX:NFUNF) is a uranium exploration company advancing early-stage, district-scale In-Situ Recovery (ISR) amenable uranium projects towards production in the United States of America. Leveraging extensive proprietary historical databases and deep industry expertise, Nuclear Fuels is well-positioned in a sector poised for significant and sustained growth on the back of strong government support. Nuclear Fuels has consolidated the Kaycee district under single-company control for the first time since the early 1980s. Currently executing its second drill program at the Kaycee Project, the company aims to expand on historic resources across a 35-mile trend with over 430 miles of mapped roll-fronts defined by 3,800 drill holes. The company’s strategic relationship with enCore Energy Corp., America’s Clean Energy Company™, offers a mutually beneficial “pathway to production,” with enCore owning an ~18 percent equity interest and retaining the right to back-in to 51 percent ownership in the flagship Kaycee Project in Wyoming’s prolific Powder River Basin.
Our industry-leading team is dedicated to building America’s uranium resources and ensuring a reliable domestic fuel supply for nuclear energy—always on, always available. ISR technology allows for non-invasive, environmentally friendly uranium extraction using groundwater and oxygen, combined with a proven ion exchange process, to recover the uranium efficiently and sustainably.
The company’s flagship project, Kaycee, is located in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin, the backbone of the United States’ domestic uranium production. With existing historic resources of nearly 2.5 million pounds (Mlbs) of uranium, the project has the potential to become a large-scale uranium producer. Eighty-nine drill holes were completed in 2023 focused on the Saddle Zone. Phase 2 of the drill program currently underway is focused on the Saddle and Spur Zones. It commenced on April 29, 2024, with an additional 700 permitted drill holes designed to expand the areas drilled in 2023 and define new mineralized zones along trend.Wyoming is the USA's leading uranium-producing state, home to the largest known uranium ore reserves in the US. Wyoming is also a jurisdiction that supports energy development, being among a handful of US states with an ‘Agreement State’ status, which provides for a “one-window” streamlined permitting program for new uranium projects.
Nuclear Fuel’s Kaycee project is potentially amenable for in-situ recovery (ISR) extraction technology, an environmentally responsible and economically superior uranium extraction process. Over 60 percent of all uranium extractions globally use this technology.
In addition to the Kaycee project, some of the company’s other assets include the Bootheel project in Wyoming (uranium) and the Moonshine project in Arizona (uranium). Through this portfolio of projects, Nuclear Fuels is confident it can contribute to the U.S.’ need to develop a safe, environmentally superior, and reliable source of domestic uranium, thereby reducing foreign supply dependence and ultimately contributing to the global energy transition.
Assets in uranium mining jurisdictions
Some of the most important challenges faced by the world today are climate change and energy security. Nuclear energy can play an important role in addressing these concerns.
Nuclear energy is a clean and carbon-free energy source. It is the largest source of carbon-free electricity in the US, as it generates electricity without harmful pollutants such as nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, or mercury. In addition, nuclear energy has a small land footprint meaning it can produce relatively large amounts of power using small land mass. Typically, a 1,000-MW nuclear plant requires around 1 square mile to operate. In comparison, wind farms require 360 times more land area to produce the same amount of electricity, and solar photovoltaic plants require 75 times more area, according to the Nuclear Energy Institute. Nuclear fuel is also extremely energy dense. For perspective, a half-inch-tall uranium pellet creates as much energy as 17,000 cubic feet of natural gas, 120 gallons (about 454.25 L) of oil, or 1 ton of coal. Lastly, the nuclear power industry has a strong safety culture; delivering power safely and efficiently, especially so in comparison to coal-fired power plants.
Given these benefits, the world today is experiencing a nuclear renaissance. Roughly 200 nuclear reactors are currently under construction or planned – an increase of more than 40 percent of the currently operating nuclear fleet. In Japan, 10 reactors have restarted, and 16 additional reactors have applied for restarts. Likewise, the UK plans to build eight new nuclear reactors to increase its energy production. Additionally, the US is heavily focused on nuclear energy, with several nuclear power plants in America currently undergoing the permitting process to restart power generation. Approximately 20 percent of electricity generated in the US comes from nuclear energy sources, according to data from the US Department of Energy. However, about 95 percent of the uranium that fuels America’s nuclear reactors is imported. The continued increase in the price of uranium is fueling the drive to accelerate uranium exploration in the US to boost domestic production.
To produce large amounts of nuclear energy, the US needs domestically produced uranium fuel. Currently, the majority of uranium is imported from foreign producers such as Russia, Kazakhstan and China. To reduce dependence on foreign uranium supply, the US is seeking to strengthen its domestic supply sources. Nuclear Fuels is well positioned to become a leading domestic uranium exploration company with a potential pathway to production with enCore Energy, with the Kaycee Project in Wyoming.
Wyoming is a proven and effective uranium permitting jurisdiction. Its status as an Agreement State ensures permitting and advancing uranium projects are more efficient and streamlined compared to most other states. It is also important to note that most uranium production in Wyoming, especially in the Powder River Basin, involves the ISR extraction method. Wyoming hosts at least 10 ISR operations that have produced more than 45 Mlbs of U3O8.
What is in-situ recovery?
In-situ recovery (ISR) offers a minimally intrusive, eco-friendly and economically competitive approach to mineral extraction. It’s been proven a successful technique for mining uranium, especially from lower-grade deposits that might not warrant conventional open pit or underground mining due to costs. Unlike traditional mining, ISR doesn’t involve open pits, waste dumps or tailings, making it more environmentally friendly. This method also streamlines the permitting, development, and remediation processes. With ISR, uranium is extracted without disturbing the surface, and once the process is complete, the land is restored to its original state and purpose.
Since its development in the 1960s, ISR technology has evolved significantly. Today, it’s a controllable, safe and benign uranium production method that is highly regulated in the US. ISR currently accounts for about 70 percent of global uranium production. Some nations, like Kazakhstan and Australia, still employ strong chemicals like sulfuric acid for extraction. Many companies operating in the US opt for a mix of oxygen and sodium bicarbonate in the local groundwater, which extracts uranium with minimal environmental impact and at a near-neutral pH.
With ISR, uranium extraction is accomplished in liquid form through injection and recovery wells. Oxygen is injected with water and no toxic chemicals are used. Compared to conventional mining, it saves a significant amount of water. The use of this technology leads to minimal surface disruption, no tailings and no waste piles. Land and water revert to the original use category once the extraction is completed.
Company Highlights
- Consolidation of the 35-mile trend of the Kaycee Project in Wyoming’s prolific Powder River Basin.
- Permitted 700 hole drill program underway at the Kaycee Project to expand on historic resources across a 35-mile trend with over 430 miles of mapped roll-fronts defined by 3,800 drill holes.
- Strategic relationship with enCore Energy Corp., America’s Clean Energy Company™, for a pathway to production;
- Leveraging extensive proprietary historical databases to build a long-term pipeline of projects in progressive jurisdictions.
- The company is led by industry experts with extensive experience and credentials in uranium exploration and development, and all aspects of ISR uranium operations.
- In the rising global demand for carbon-free sources of energy production, Nuclear Fuels is well positioned to contribute, through exploration, to a reliable supply of domestic uranium to fuel America’s nuclear energy.
- The US is the world’s largest consumer of nuclear energy, with 20 percent of its electric grid fueled by nuclear energy, yet most of its uranium fuel is imported.
- Uranium prices continue to rise due to consistent and growing uranium demand and constraints on current production capacity.
- enCore Energy is the company’s largest shareholder with an 18.3 percent stake, while management and other insiders hold 6.7 percent, with CEO Greg Huffman holding 3.2 percent of this.
Key Project
Kaycee Project, Wyoming
The Kaycee project is the company’s flagship asset. It is the largest ISR exploration project in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin (PRB) and covers a 35-mile mineralized trend with over 430 miles of identified roll fronts and over 55 square miles of mineral rights. The project comprises three historically productive sandstone formations - Wasatch, Fort Union and Lance - that are mineralized and potentially amenable to ISR extraction. For the first time since the 1980s, the Kaycee Project is now held by a single company.
With over 3,800 drill holes, historic drilling has confirmed uranium mineralization in all three historically productive sandstones within the PRB, occurring over more than 1,000 feet of vertical section. The majority of the project is not well-explored, with drilling concentrated on approximately 10 percent of the area. The company’s Phase 1 drilling program, conducted in 2023, focused on the Saddle Zone which hosts a historic resource of 519,000 lbs. The initial results from the first 12 holes were encouraging. High-grade mineralization was encountered in five holes with grade thickness (GT) ranging from 0.441 to 0.908. The highest-grade intercept is 3 feet of 0.240 percent e U3O8. Five holes have a GT of >0.3 which is considered suitable for inclusion in a wellfield.Table of Significant Results
Phase 1 drilling during 2023 successfully confirmed and expanded historic resources returning grades ranging from trace to 6.5 feet at 0.187 percent U3O8 (Gamma log) with a grade thickness of 1.216; Phase 2 of the drill program, commenced on April 29, 2024, focused on the Saddle and Spur Zones to expand historic uranium mineralization at depth and expand mineralization along trend and on other high-priority targets identified with an additional 700 permitted drill holes.
Nuclear Fuels acquired this project from enCore Energy, which, upon Nuclear Fuels establishing a minimum of an NI 43-101 compliant resource of 15 Mlbs U3O8, retains a back-in right for 51 percent of the project by paying 2.5 times the exploration costs and financing the project to production. This provides a clear path to production in case of major discovery at Kaycee.
Technical Report
The Technical Report, prepared by WWC Engineering, has identified an exploration target of 11.5 to 30 million pounds of uranium “U3O8) supported by available historical data from previous operators and recent exploration recently conducted by Nuclear Fuels.
Highlights of the Technical Report:
- An exploration target of 11.5 to 30 million pounds uranium (U3O8) at average grades of 0.06 percent to 0.10 percent;
- A more extensive, in-depth review of historical data identified approximately 430 miles of roll fronts, an increase from the +110 miles previously outlined. Approximately 10 percent of the mapped redox trends have been explored with close-spaced drilling;
- The identification of the presence of multiple stacked roll fronts in each of the three stratigraphic formations that are known to host uranium mineralization;
- Indication the uranium mineralization lying under the water table may be amenable to In-Situ Recovery (ISR), based on historical metallurgical and mineral processing test work. ISR is an economical and environmentally responsible means of extracting uranium through wellfield technology and the use of oxygenated water, eliminating the use of conventional mining techniques;
- Details regarding the eleven (11) reported areas of historical uranium resources occurring at depths that range from less than 50 to 1,300 feet with a shallow water table typically lying between 50 and 250 feet.
- The Technical Report recommended that the Company should continue the current drilling program to delineate mineralization and explore for additional mineralized areas on the Project. In addition, the Technical Report recommended that the Company should prepare a classified mineral resource estimate for the Project, contingent on positive results of the drilling program.
Other Projects
Bootheel Project, Wyoming
The Bootheel project in Southeast Wyoming consists of roll-front mineralized zones identified in three distinct, stacked sandstone formations. Historic metallurgical testing has indicated better-than-average uranium recovery kinetics and aquifer rehabilitation. A historic NI 43-101 report in 2007, includes an indicated resource of 1.443 million (Mt) @ 0.038 percent U3O8 for 1.089 Mlbs U3O8, and inferred resource of 4.399 Mt @ 0.037 percent U3O8 for 3.249 Mlbs U3O8.
Bobcat Project, Wyoming
This project is located in the Shirley Basin, 25 miles south of Casper, Wyoming in Albany County. The Shirley Basin is a proven and prolific producer of uranium credited with over 84 million pounds produced between 1959 and 1992 from producers including Getty Oil Company, Texaco, Pathfinder Mines Corporation, and Cogema Mining. Moreover, the Shirley Basin is home to the first commercial use of the ISR technique to extract uranium from sandstone-host deposits.
Moonshine Project, Arizona
The Moonshine Springs project is in Mohave County, Arizona. The project comprises approximately 1,000 acres, including 23 owned lode mining claims along with seven lode mining claims and 320 acres of fee land held under lease. This property was earlier explored during the 1970s and 1980s by Exxon Corp and later by Pathfinder.
This project consists of at least three stratigraphic zones, where the sandstone-hosted uranium occurs. The upper two zones lie at an average depth of 170 feet and are considered open pit candidates with the lower zone lying at a depth of 760 feet. The project is amenable to ISR with a historic resource of 2.4 Mlbs grading 0.16
Lisbon Valley Project, Utah
This project is in the Lisbon Valley Uranium District in Southeast Utah and covers approximately 2,211 acres. The project has two claim blocks – LS and JB. The LS claim group is located southeast and adjacent to the Lisbon mine, which was operational between 1972 and 1988, producing approximately 22 Mlbs of U3O8. Historical drilling at LS claim dating back to 2007 reported uranium mineralization amounting to 17.5 feet grading 0.11 percent U3O8.
Management Team
William M. Sheriff – Chairman
William Sheriff is the founder and presently serves as the executive chair of enCore Energy Corp., a leader in ISR uranium production. He was a pioneer in the uranium renaissance as co-founder and chairman of Energy Metals, which was acquired by Uranium One for $1.8 billion and owns the largest domestic uranium resource base in US history.
Gregory Huffman - Chief Executive Officer, President and Director
Gregory Huffman brings more than two decades of mining analysis and equity finance experience with a focus on uranium and other energy-related metals. Huffman's diverse background includes roles in mining specialty sales, fund management, and equity research in the metals and mining sector. In his career, he has been instrumental in leading cross border coordination in global mining financial matters, including his work as a mining analyst focused on uranium from 2004 to 2007. His most recent experience, from 2016 to 2024, was as the global head of mining sales at Canaccord Genuity where he employed his broad range of geological and financial skills to evaluate mining companies exploring, developing, and producing precious, base and energy-related metals, including uranium. Huffman is known for his insightful industry publications, the "Canaccord Genuity High Grade Mining Minute" and "Huffer's High Grade Nuggets."
Eugene Spiering - Director
Eugene Spiering is a registered geologist with more than 30 years of experience and recently served as VP of exploration for Quaterra Resources, where he led the discovery of the only two uranium deposits in Arizona. He also worked on the Kaycee Uranium District in the early 1980s.
David Miller - Director
David Miller is a businessman, professional economic geologist, and a past member of the Wyoming State Legislature. He previously served as the chief executive officer of Strathmore Minerals before its merger with Energy Fuels in 2013. His career has spanned more than 40 years and started with Utah International in the US, which evolved into Orano Group, the French nuclear power conglomerate.
Richard Munson - Director
Richard Munson has been active in the natural resources business for more than 35 years, starting as a natural resources lawyer specializing in taxation. He moved to the private sector in the mid-80s when he joined the Energy Fuels companies owned by John Adams. Energy Fuels Nuclear became the largest US uranium producer in the late 1980s and early 1990s. In 1999, Munson and John Adams co-founded ETK, which then owned the Toroparu gold-copper project in Guyana, South Africa. Munson continues to be active in the international resource sector.
Brahm Spilfogel - Director
Brahm Spilfogel is an award-winning financial executive with over 25 years of experience in resource portfolio management. He recently retired from RBC Global Asset Management where he served as managing director and senior portfolio manager, co-managing a number of portfolios including the RBC Global Precious Metal Fund, RBC Global Resources Fund, and the RBC Small and Mid-Cap Resources Fund, with assets exceeding $2 billion. As one of Canada's most well-regarded resource portfolio managers, Spilfogel has actively engaged with corporate boards, offering strategic insights and contributing to governance, safety, and sustainability discussions. His deep expertise in the resources sector extends to financial analysis, mergers and acquisitions, and capital markets.
Monty Sutton – Chief Financial Officer
Monty Sutton brings more than 35 years of experience in public markets, corporate governance, senior administration and accounting and has served on the management teams and boards for many private and publicly traded companies. Sutton has held positions as senior management accountant for MacMillan Bloedel, investment advisor, insurance specialist, corporate development manager and most recently chief financial officer.
Mark Travis – Project Manager
Mark Travis has over 17 years of mineral industry experience in a variety of different settings including both energy and precious metals. He was instrumental in the Strathmore Minerals development of the Gas Hills Wyoming properties during the 2006-2013 uranium cycle. He is the director of the Geological Society of Nevada and the Nevada Mineral Exploration Coalition and is a certified professional geologist through AIPG.Saga Metals CEO Touts IPO Success, Bares Plans for Uranium, Lithium Assets
With the closure of the first tranche of its initial public offering (IPO), Saga Metals (TSXV:SAGA) has raised $1.8 million, which will help fund a field work program at the company’s Double Mer uranium project in East-Central Labrador.
CEO Michael Stier reiterated the company's focus on both its uranium project in Labrador and its Legacy lithium project in James Bay, Québec, which is under a joint venture with Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO,NYSE:RIO,LSE:RIO).
With both uranium and lithium poised to see increased demand due to their roles in reducing carbon emissions and transitioning toward greener energy sources, Saga Metals’ diversified portfolio is strategically positioned to contribute to reducing the supply/demand gap, which requires more mines to come online.
“There have been a lot of recent developments in the uranium space … major banks across the globe pouring billions of dollars of investments towards uranium," Stier explained.
Similarly, lithium's importance in powering electric vehicles and renewable energy storage systems cannot be understated. Saga Metals' partnership with Rio Tinto reflects confidence in the potential of the company's lithium asset.
“For us, it's just a massive validation in terms of not only the quality of the project that we were able to stake and acquire about a year and a half ago, but also ... management’s ability to execute agreements with companies as large as Rio Tinto," said Stier.
Disclaimer: This interview is sponsored by Saga Metals (TSXV:SAGA). This interview provides information which was sourced by the Investing News Network (INN) and approved by Saga Metals in order to help investors learn more about the company. Saga Metals is a client of INN. The company’s campaign fees pay for INN to create and update this interview.
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The information contained here is for information purposes only and is not to be construed as an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of securities. Readers should conduct their own research for all information publicly available concerning the company. Prior to making any investment decision, it is recommended that readers consult directly with Saga Metals and seek advice from a qualified investment advisor.
This interview may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, receipt of property titles, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. The issuer relies upon litigation protection for forward-looking statements. Investing in companies comes with uncertainties as market values can fluctuate.
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