
Virtual Investor Conferences, the leading proprietary investor conference series, today announced the presentations from Precious Metals & Critical Minerals Hybrid Virtual Investor Conference held May 22 nd are now available for online viewing.
Energy Fuels Inc. (NYSE American: UUUU) (TSX: EFR), ("Energy Fuels", "EFR" or the "Company") an industry leader in uranium and rare earth elements production for the energy transition, today announced that its work to prepare for the restart of its Nichols Ranch in-situ recovery ("ISR") uranium mine 80 miles northeast of Casper, Wyoming in the Powder River Basin is advancing as planned, with initial pre-production drilling intercepts showing stronger mineralization than anticipated. The Company currently expects that the development of the remainder of its permitted Production Area 2 ("PA2") could be ready to commence production as early as July 1, 2025, with the start date based on market conditions.
Energy Fuels could quickly add uranium production from Nichols Ranch to its other operating conventional mines in Arizona and Utah. The Company also disclosed an additional uranium supply contract with a US nuclear energy utility in its Q2, 2024 quarterly report, continuing its commitment to the domestic uranium industry and demonstrating expanding offtake interest.
"We are very pleased with our progress to date in preparing Nichols Ranch for a potential restart of production in 2025, and these significant drilling results are exceeding our expectations and further demonstrate the strength of this project," said Mark Chalmers, president and CEO of Energy Fuels Inc. "This puts us one step closer on the path to meeting our projections, increasing our market share of the nuclear fuel supply chain, and potentially expanding our uranium resources."
With a licensed annual capacity of two million pounds of uranium, the fully licensed, permitted and constructed Nichols Ranch ISR facility is a priority resource in the Company's development pipeline. To restart production, the Company is performing delineation drilling and, based on that delineation drilling, plans to advance new header houses and install new well-fields in its permitted PA2 area at the mine. In addition to this delineation drilling, the Company has been advancing the restart by overhauling the on-site deep disposal well earlier this year and making some capital improvements to the existing plant.
Dan Kapostasy, Vice President, Technical Services stated,"We recently drilled 39 out of the planned 125 delineation holes at Nichols Ranch, with five that significantly exceeded expectations and the rest consistent with anticipated results. As we continue our exploration, we will better identify the location of resources within the site to allow us to optimize wellfield design ahead of a final mining decision, anticipated by the end of the year."
Highlights
Pre-development drilling activities at PA2 at Nichols Ranch have completed 39 drill holes to date. All but four holes have uranium mineralization and five have encountered mineralization greater than 1.0 GT.
The Company anticipates updating the Nichols Ranch Technical Report, which will include these significant drill intercepts, once the drilling campaign is completed later this year.
Following this drilling campaign, the Company intends to drill approximately 152 holes on its Collins Draw area, a southeastern extension of its Jane Dough mineralized trend located in Sections 35 and 36, T43N, R76W, and Sections 1, 2 & 12, T42N, R76W, Campbell County, Wyoming. Once complete, these holes, along with historical holes drilled by Cleveland Cliffs and American Nuclear will be used to estimate an NI 43-101/S-K 1300 compliant mineral resource, which would be added to the existing mineral resource at the Nichols Ranch Project.
Technical Details
The current mineral resource estimate for the Nichols Ranch area (including the Jane Dough, Hank and North Rolling Pin areas, but excluding Collins Draw) of the Nichols Ranch Complex is given below, and details can be found in the Technical Report on the Nichols Ranch Project, Campbell and Johnson Counties, Wyoming USAdated February 22, 2022 and effective December 31,2021, as amended February 8, 2023, and prepared by Grant A. Malensek, M. Eng., P. Eng., Mark Mathisen, C.P.G., Jeremy Scott Collyard, PMP, MMSA QP, each a Qualified Person employed by SLR, Jeffrey L. Woods, MMSA QP, a Qualified Person employed by Woods Process Services, and Phillip E. Brown, C.P.G., R.P.G., a Qualified Person employed by Consultants In Hydrogeology (the "Nichols Ranch Technical Report Summary").
Current Nichols Ranch Project Mineral Resource Estimate – Effective December 31, 2021
Notes:
All grades reported in this press release are "equivalent" eU3O8 grades as they were calculated from calibrated downhole gamma logging of the drill holes. The downhole probe was calibrated at the U.S. Department of Energy test pits located in Casper, Wyoming by Energy Fuels staff and verified on site by Century Geophysical Corporation. All drill holes reported are vertical and were verified as vertical using downhole deviation logging. All thicknesses reported are true thicknesses.
Qualified Person Statement
The scientific and technical information disclosed in this news release was reviewed and approved by Daniel D. Kapostasy, PG, Registered Member SME and Vice President, Technical Services for the Company, who is a "Qualified Person" as defined in S-K 1300 and National Instrument 43-101.
About Energy Fuels
Energy Fuels is a leading US-based critical minerals company. The Company, as a leading producer of uranium in the United States, mines uranium and produces natural uranium concentrates that are sold to major nuclear utilities for the production of carbon-free nuclear energy. Energy Fuels recently began production of advanced rare earth element ("REE") materials, including mixed REE carbonate in 2021, and commenced production of commercial quantities of separated REEs in 2024. Energy Fuels also produces vanadium from certain of its projects, as market conditions warrant, and is evaluating the recovery of radionuclides needed for emerging cancer treatments. Its corporate offices are in Lakewood, Colorado, near Denver, and substantially all its assets and employees are in the United States. Energy Fuels holds two of America's key uranium production centers: the White Mesa Mill in Utah and the Nichols Ranch in-situ recovery ("ISR") Project in Wyoming. The White Mesa Mill is the only conventional uranium mill operating in the US today, has a licensed capacity of over 8 million pounds of U3O8 per year, and has the ability to produce vanadium when market conditions warrant, as well as REE products, from various uranium-bearing ores. The Nichols Ranch ISR Project is on standby and has a licensed capacity of 2 million pounds of U3O8 per year. The Company recently acquired the Bahia Project in Brazil and entered into a joint venture agreement to develop the Donald Project in Australia, each of which is believed to have significant quantities of titanium (ilmenite and rutile), zirconium (zircon) and REE (monazite) minerals. In addition to the above production facilities, Energy Fuels also has one of the largest NI 43-101 compliant uranium resource portfolios in the US and several uranium and uranium/vanadium mining projects on standby and in various stages of permitting and development. The primary trading market for Energy Fuels' common shares is the NYSE American under the trading symbol "UUUU," and the Company's common shares are also listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "EFR." Energy Fuels' website is www.energyfuels.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains certain "Forward Looking Information" and "Forward Looking Statements" within the meaning of applicable United States and Canadian securities legislation, which may include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: any expectation that the Company will maintain its position as a leading U.S.-based critical minerals company or as a leading producer of uranium in the U.S.; any expectation with respect to timelines to production; any expectation as to rates or quantities of production; any expectation that the development of the remainder of PA2 could be ready to commence production as early as July 1, 2025, based on market conditions; any expectation that the Company's progress to date and/or delineation drilling results to date puts the Company one step closer on the path to meeting its projections, increasing its market share of the nuclear fuel supply chain, and/or potentially expanding its uranium resources; any expectation that the Company anticipates updating the Nichols Ranch Technical Report; any expectation that, following the current delineation drilling campaign, the Company will drill approximately 152 holes to convert the historic resource at the Collins Draw area to a current NI 43-101/S-K 1300 mineral resource, or that any such mineral resource would be added to the mineral resource at the Nichols Ranch Project; any expectation that the Company's evaluation of radioisotope recovery at the Mill will be successful; and any expectation as to the accuracy of mineral resource estimates or that any mineral resources will actually be mined. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans," "expects," "does not expect," "is expected," "is likely," "budgets," "scheduled," "estimates," "forecasts," "intends," "anticipates," "does not anticipate," or "believes," or variations of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may," "could," "would," "might" or "will be taken," "occur," "be achieved" or "have the potential to." All statements, other than statements of historical fact, herein are considered to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements express or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include risks associated with: commodity prices and price fluctuations; engineering, construction, processing and mining difficulties, upsets and delays; permitting and licensing requirements and delays; changes to regulatory requirements; legal challenges; the availability of feed sources for the Mill; competition from other producers; public opinion; government and political actions; market factors; market prices and demand for uranium; and the other factors described under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is available for review on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar, on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca, and on the Company's website at www.energyfuels.com. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company disclaims, other than as required by law, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, results, future events, circumstances, or if management's estimates or opinions should change, or otherwise. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update the information in this communication, except as otherwise required by law.
Western Uranium and Vanadium Corp. (CSE:WUC,OCTQX:WSTRF) is a near term producer of uranium and vanadium with six uranium-vanadium properties in western Colorado and eastern Utah. The company has also acquired and advanced to a production scale a patent-protected ablation technology that reduces the amount of pre-ablation material to 10 to 20 percent of its mass while maintaining 85 to 95 percent of the mineralization.
Western Uranium and Vanadium’s ablation technology has garnered the attention of many mining companies as it significantly reduces the costs of processing vanadium and uranium from sandstone deposits. In the case where 90 percent of the waste is removed, this technology would also reduce approximately 90 percent downstream processing and transportation costs. Additionally, the process has environmental applications for the remediation and reclamation of waste rock, protore and low-grade stockpiles created from legacy uranium mines.
Western Uranium and Vanadium has assembled a resource portfolio containing a core group of permitted and developed mines that are low CAPEX and OPEX to be brought into production. The company’s primary focus is on its Sunday Mine Complex in Colorado. The property hosts five fully-permitted and developed vanadium-uranium mines that Western Uranium and Vanadium is focusing its efforts to bring back into production in the near term. These mines were last in production in 2009.
As a result of ongoing discussions with several prospective vanadium customers, Western Uranium and Vanadium has initiated the re-opening of the Sunday Mine Complex. This program has been commenced with the goal of providing samples for evaluation in customer’s existing processing facilities and for further definition of the vanadium resource. Once completed, the 2015 technical report is expected to be updated accordingly. The ultimate end goal is to sign an offtake agreement that supports the restart economics to place the mine back into production. It is contemplated that the project can be initiated with the restart of two of the five mines and additional mines can be brought online to support offtake demand.
As Sunday Mine Complex is brought back in operation, Western Uranium and Vanadium intends to work towards bringing additional projects into production funded through the revenue generated at the Sunday Mine Complex. The company’s two other permitted and developed properties, Sage and Van 4, are expected to be the sixth and seventh mines developed and brought into production. Thereafter the company’s focus is expected to shift to the San Rafael, Hansen-Taylor Ranch and Dunn properties which need to enter the permitting phase prior to the development of those projects.
In addition to the low CAPEX and OPEX model that Western Uranium and Vanadium has been founded upon, Western Uranium and Vanadium President and CEO George Glasier brings a wealth of experience in acquiring and moving uranium and vanadium projects into production, having been the founder of Energy Fuels Inc. (TSX:EFR, NYSEMKT:UUUU), a leading producer of uranium and vanadium in the US. Additionally, Glasier notably holds 18 percent of Western’s shares.
Near-term Uranium and Vanadium Producer
Virtual Investor Conferences, the leading proprietary investor conference series, today announced the presentations from Precious Metals & Critical Minerals Hybrid Virtual Investor Conference held May 22 nd are now available for online viewing.
The company presentations will be available 24/7 for 90 days. Investors, advisors, and analysts may download
investor materials from the company's resource section.
May 22 nd
Presentation | Ticker(s) |
Keynote Presentation: "What's next for precious metals?" -Jeff Christian, Managing Partner of CPM Group | |
Viva Gold Corp. | (OTCQB: VAUCF | TSXV: VAU) |
StrikePoint Gold, Inc. | (OTCQB: STKXF | TSXV: SKP) |
Honey Badger Silver Inc. | (OTCQB: HBEIF | TSXV: TUF) |
Relevant Gold Corp. | (OTCQB: RGCCF | TSXV: RGC) |
Keynote Presentation: "Surveying the Critical Metals Landscape," –Jack Lifton, Senior Advisor, Energy Fuels, Inc. | |
Azimut Exploration Inc. | (OTCQX: AZMTF | TSXV: AZM) |
Energy Fuels Inc. | (NYSE American: UUUU | TSX: EFR) |
Lion Copper & Gold Corp. | (OTCQB: LCGMF | CSE: LEO) |
Alaska Silver Corp. | (Pink: WAMFF |TSXV: WAM) |
Cygnus Metals Ltd. | (OTCQB: CYGGF |TSXV: CYG |ASX: CY5) |
Power Metallic Mines, Inc. | (OTCQB: PNPNF |TSXV: PNPN) |
To facilitate investor relations scheduling and to view a complete calendar of Virtual Investor Conferences, please visit www.virtualinvestorconferences.com .
About Virtual Investor Conferences ®
Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors.
Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access. Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors.
Media Contact:
OTC Markets Group Inc. +1 (212) 896-4428, media@otcmarkets.com
Virtual Investor Conferences Contact:
John M. Viglotti
SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access
OTC Markets Group
(212) 220-2221
johnv@otcmarkets.com
News Provided by GlobeNewswire via QuoteMedia
Virtual Investor Conferences, the leading proprietary investor conference series, today announced the agenda for the Precious Metals & Critical Minerals Hybrid Virtual Investor Conference. Individual investors, institutional investors, advisors, and analysts are invited to attend.
This in-person and virtual event will showcase live company presentations and interactive discussions featuring Precious Metals and Critical Minerals including Gold, Silver, Antimony, Copper, Lithium, Nickel, PGM, Rare Earth Elements, Uranium and Vanadium. Company executives and industry experts will present live from the OTC Markets Group headquarters at 300 Vesey Street in New York City. All presentations will be broadcast to the Virtual Investor Conferences community. For those who are interested in attending, there are two ways to register:
Register for IN-PERSON attendance: register here
Register for ONLINE attendance: register here
For individuals joining online, it is recommended that investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates. There is no cost to attend and schedule 1x1 meetings with management.
"OTC Markets is proud to host the Precious Metals & Critical Minerals Hybrid Investor Conference , presented in collaboration with Murdock Capital, TAA Advisory LLC, The Prospector, and Resource World," said John Viglotti , SVP of Corporate Services, Investor Access at OTC Markets Group. "We are especially honored to welcome our distinguished keynote speakers, Jeff Christian, Managing Partner at CPM Group, and Jack Lifton, Senior Advisor at Energy Fuels, Inc., whose insights will be invaluable to this premier industry event."
May 22 nd
Eastern Time (ET) | Presentation | Ticker(s) |
9:00 AM | Keynote Presentation: "What's next for precious metals?" -Jeff Christian, Managing Partner of CPM Group | |
9:30 AM | Viva Gold Corp. | (OTCQB: VAUCF | TSXV: VAU) |
10:00 AM | StrikePoint Gold, Inc. | (OTCQB: STKXF | TSXV: SKP) |
10:45 AM | Honey Badger Silver Inc. | (OTCQB: HBEIF | TSXV: TUF) |
11:15 AM | Relevant Gold Corp. | (OTCQB: RGCCF | TSXV: RGC) |
12:30 PM | Keynote Presentation: "Surveying the Critical Minerals Landscape," –Jack Lifton, Senior Advisor, Energy Fuels, Inc. | |
1:00 PM | Azimut Exploration Inc. | (OTCQX: AZMTF | TSXV: AZM) |
1:30 PM | Energy Fuels Inc. | (NYSE American: UUUU | TSX: EFR) |
2:00 PM | Lion & Copper Gold Corp. | (OTCQB: LCGMF | CSE: LEO) |
2:45 PM | Alaska Silver Corp. | (Pink: WAMFF |TSXV: WAM) |
3:15 PM | Cygnus Metals Ltd. | (OTCQB: CYGGF |TSXV: CYG) |
3:45 PM | Power Metallic Mines Inc. | (OTCQB: PNPNF |TSXV: PNPN) |
To facilitate investor relations scheduling and to view a complete calendar of Virtual Investor Conferences, please visit www.virtualinvestorconferences.com .
About Virtual Investor Conferences ®
Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors.
Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access. Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors.
Media Contact :
OTC Markets Group Inc. +1 (212) 896-4428, media@otcmarkets.com
Virtual Investor Conferences Contact:
John M. Viglotti
SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access
OTC Markets Group
(212) 220-2221
johnv@otcmarkets.com
News Provided by GlobeNewswire via QuoteMedia
Western Uranium & Vanadium Corp. (CSE: WUC) (OTCQX: WSTRF) (" Western " or the " Company ") is pleased to announce that the Company has entered into an Ore Purchase Agreement ("Agreement") with Energy Fuels Inc. (NYSE American: UUUU) (TSX:EFR).
Western plans to commence hauling around the beginning of May, making deliveries to Energy Fuels' White Mesa Mill, the only operational conventional uranium/vanadium mill in the United States. Deliveries will be sourced from previously mined production that has been stockpiled at the Company's flagship Sunday Mine Complex. The Agreement is for a one year period, and provisions for the delivery of up to 25,000 short tons of uranium bearing ore. The purchase price will be calculated based upon the uranium grade of each closed lot according to the agreed pricing schedule.
George Glasier, Western's CEO stated: "This Agreement strengthens Western's strategic position and accelerates our generation of revenues, while rewarding shareholder investments that have yielded our current stockpiles. The collaboration with Energy Fuels provides synergies and leverage for both companies, while the North American nuclear fuel supply chain benefits from expedited near-term production of uranium resources."
Warrant Repricing
Further to the news release issued by the Company on November 29, 2024, Western announces that a total of 2,868,541 previously issued common share purchase warrants (the "Warrants") have been repriced and are now exercisable at CAD$2.00 per share. The Company received consents from all holders of Warrants and filed an amended Form 13 dated February 27, 2025 under its profile on the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") website. As previously announced, the term of the Warrants was extended with all Warrants now expiring on January 20, 2026. All other terms of the Warrants remain unchanged. In accordance with the CSE rules, no compensation warrant was repriced or extended. Western will not issue replacement Warrant certificates. The originally issued Warrant certificates will be utilized for any such exercises. Please refer to Western's news release issued on November 29, 2024 for additional details.
About Western Uranium & Vanadium Corp.
Western Uranium & Vanadium Corp. is ramping-up high-grade uranium and vanadium production at its Sunday Mine Complex. In addition to the flagship property located in the prolific Uravan Mineral Belt, the production pipeline also includes conventional projects in Colorado and Utah. The Mustang Mineral Processing Site is being licensed and developed for mined material recovery and will incorporate kinetic separation to optimize economics.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information: Certain information contained in this news release constitutes "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). Statements of that nature include statements relating to, or that are dependent upon: the Company's expectations, estimates and projections regarding the Offering and exploration and production plans and results; the timing of planned activities; whether the Company can raise any additional funds required to implement its plans; whether regulatory or analogous requirements can be satisfied to permit planned activities; and more generally to the Company's business, and the economic and political environment applicable to its operations, assets and plans. All such forward-looking statements are subject to important risk factors and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict. Please refer to the Company's most recent Management's Discussion and Analysis, as well as its other filings at www.sec.gov and/or www.sedarplus.com , for a more detailed review of those risk factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements, and that these statements are made as of the date hereof. While the Company may do so, it does not undertake any obligation to update these forward-looking statements at any particular time, except as and to the extent required under applicable laws and regulations.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT :
Grant Glasier
Vice President Marketing and Project Development
303-808-3306
grantg@western-uranium.com
George Glasier
President and CEO
970-864-2125
gglasier@western-uranium.com
News Provided by GlobeNewswire via QuoteMedia
Energy Fuels Inc. (NYSE American: UUUU) (TSX: EFR) ("Energy Fuels" or the "Company"), a leading U.S. producer of uranium, rare earth elements ("REE"), and critical minerals, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (the "MOU") with the Government of Madagascar (the "Government") setting forth certain key terms applicable to the Company's Toliara titanium, zirconium, and REE project (the "Toliara Project" or "Project"), located in southwestern Madagascar.
As previously announced, on November 28, 2024, the Madagascar Council of Ministers, as Chaired by the President of Madagascar, lifted the suspension on the Toliara Project, which was originally imposed in November 2019. The lifting of the Suspension allows the Company to continue development of the Project, re-establish community programs, and advance activities necessary to achieve a positive final investment decision ("FID").
The MOU announced today is the culmination of extensive negotiations over several years with the Malagasy Government on fiscal and other terms applicable to the Toliara Project and a major step forward in advancing the Project. While the Company is progressing towards an FID, which is expected to be made in approximately 14 months, the Company will continue working with the Government of Madagascar to formalize the terms and conditions set out in the MOU through the implementation of a "Stability Mechanism" consisting of one or a combination of the following: (a) submittal of an Investment Agreement to the Madagascar Parliament for approval as law and certification of the Toliara Project ("Project Certification") under existing law establishing a special regime for large scale investments in the Malagasy mining sector (the "LGIM "); (b) promulgation of amendments and revisions to the existing LGIM (the "LGIM Amendment") in a form that provides for the necessary certainty of financial and legal terms, and reasonable financial, operational and legal requirements, for large-scale projects and have Project Certification under the amended LGIM, together with an Investment Agreement (if reasonably required) submitted to Parliament for approval as law; and/or (c) another agreed upon mechanism that achieves the necessary certainty of financial and legal terms, and reasonable financial, operational and legal requirements, applying to large-scale mining projects.
Mark S. Chalmers, President and CEO of Energy Fuels commented: "As I've said before, I believe the Toliara Project is a 'generational' critical mineral project that has the strong potential to operate well beyond many of our lifetimes. Therefore, it is vital to Energy Fuels, and to our Base Resources subsidiaries, that the Republic of Madagascar and the communities in the vicinity of the Project enjoy significant benefits that go beyond jobs, economic development, and sustainable operations that respect human rights, local culture, and the environment. To achieve this vision, the MOU signed today creates the framework for a long-term mutually beneficial partnership between a U.S. critical mineral company and the people of Madagascar. We look forward to continuing to work with the Government of Madagascar to formalize the terms of the MOU and grow our relationship with what we believe will be the largest U.S. investment in the country's history."
Key Terms and Conditions of the MOU
Under the MOU, the Company has agreed to pay a five percent (5%) royalty (and no other) on mining products and deliver US$80 million after Project Certification in development, community, and social project funding, including a total of $30 million within 30 days after Project Certification, another $10 million within 30 days after achieving a positive FID and an additional $40 million by the fourth year of operations. In addition, the Company has agreed to spend at least $1 million prior to FID in the Atsimo Andrefana Region on community and social investments, and $4 million annually thereafter, indexed at 2% per annum, from commencement of construction after a positive FID. The Company has also committed to developing the Toliara Project in an environmentally, socially and fiscally responsible manner, and to observe the specific protections set out in the MOU.
The payments described above are not expected to have a material effect on the economics of this potentially multi-billion project, which (along with the appropriate disclaimers related to technical disclosure) are described in the Company's April 2024 press release. The Company is in the process of updating the September 2021 definitive feasibility study and December 2023 prefeasibility study on the Toliara Project, along with the White Mesa Mill's 2024 prefeasibility study on rare earth oxide production, to reflect current economics.
The Government has agreed in the MOU, among other things, to:
In addition, under the MOU, the Company's agreement to pay a 5% royalty on revenues and its commitments to pay the US$80 million in development, community and social funding are conditional on:
The MOU and its terms are expressly subject to the foregoing conditions set out in the MOU. It should be noted that there can be no assurance that the foregoing conditions will be satisfied or as to the timing of satisfaction of those conditions, or the timing for approval of the addition of monazite to the mining permit. If such conditions are not satisfied, this could delay any FID in relation to the Toliara Project or prevent or otherwise have a significant effect on the development of the Toliara Project or ability to recover Monazite from the Toliara Project.
ABOUT ENERGY FUELS
Energy Fuels is a leading US-based critical minerals company, focused on uranium, REEs, heavy mineral sands ("HMS"), vanadium and medical isotopes. The Company has been the leading U.S. producer of natural uranium concentrate for the past several years, which is sold to nuclear utilities that process it further for the production of carbon-free nuclear energy and owns and operates several conventional and in situ recovery uranium projects in the western United States. The Company also owns the White Mesa Mill in Utah, which is the only fully licensed and operating conventional uranium processing facility in the United States. At the Mill, the Company also produces advanced REE products, vanadium oxide (when market conditions warrant), and is preparing to begin pilot-scale recovery of certain medical isotopes from existing uranium process streams needed for emerging cancer treatments. The Company also owns the operating Kwale HMS project in Kenya which is nearing the end of its life and is developing three (3) additional HMS projects, including the Toliara Project in Madagascar, the Bahia Project in Brazil, and the Donald Project in Australia in which the Company has the right to earn up to a 49% interest in a joint venture with Astron Corporation Limited. The Company is based in Lakewood, Colorado, near Denver, with its HMS operations managed from Perth, Australia. The primary trading market for Energy Fuels' common shares is the NYSE American under the trading symbol "UUUU," and the Company's common shares are also listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "EFR." For more information on all we do, please visit http://www.energyfuels.com
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This news release contains certain "Forward Looking Information" and "Forward Looking Statements" within the meaning of applicable United States and Canadian securities legislation, which may include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: any expectation that the Company will maintain its position as a leading U.S.-based uranium and critical minerals company or as the leading producer of uranium in the U.S.; any expectation that the Company will re-commence development activities on the ground, re-establish the Company's community programs or progress the other activities necessary to achieve a positive FID for the Toliara Project; any expectation that the Toliara Project is a 'generational' critical minerals project or that it has the strong potential to operate well beyond many of our lifetimes or at all; any expectation that the Company will continue working with the Government of Madagascar to formalize fiscal and other terms applicable to the Project through an investment agreement, amendments to existing laws or other mechanisms as appropriate; any expectation that rare-earth element production will be added to the existing mining permit; any expectation that the financial and legal stability of the Toliara Project will be maintained; any expectation that the Toliara Project will attain Project Certification or that the other conditions to the Company's funding obligations will be satisfied; any expectation that a positive FID will be made for the Toliara Project and the timing of any such positive FID; any expectation that the Toliara Project will be developed; any expectation that the MOU will create the framework for a long-term mutually beneficial partnership between a U.S. critical mineral company and the people of Madagascar; and any expectation that the Company will be successful in recovering certain medical isotopes from existing uranium process streams needed for emerging cancer treatments. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects," "does not expect," "is expected," "is likely," "budgets," "scheduled," "estimates," "forecasts," "intends," "anticipates," "does not anticipate," or "believes," or variations of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may," "could," "would," "might" or "will be taken," "occur," "be achieved" or "have the potential to." All statements, other than statements of historical fact, herein are considered to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements express or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include risks associated with: commodity prices and price fluctuations; engineering, construction, processing and mining difficulties, upsets and delays; permitting and licensing requirements and delays; changes to regulatory requirements; legal challenges; competition from other producers; public opinion; government and political actions; the failure of the Company to provide or obtain the necessary financing required to develop the Project; market factors, including future demand for REEs; and the other factors described under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is available for review on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml, on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, and on the Company's website at www.energyfuels.com. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company disclaims, other than as required by law, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, results, future events, circumstances, or if management's estimates or opinions should change, or otherwise. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update the information in this communication, except as otherwise required by law.
Energy Fuels Inc. (NYSE American: UUUU) (TSX: EFR) (" Energy Fuels " or the " Company "), a leading U.S. producer of uranium, rare earth elements (" REE "), and critical minerals, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (the " MOU ") with the Government of Madagascar (the " Government ") setting forth certain key terms applicable to the Company's Toliara titanium, zirconium, and REE project (the " Toliara Project " or " Project "), located in southwestern Madagascar .
As previously announced , on November 28, 2024 , the Madagascar Council of Ministers, as Chaired by the President of Madagascar , lifted the suspension on the Toliara Project, which was originally imposed in November 2019 . The lifting of the Suspension allows the Company to continue development of the Project, re-establish community programs, and advance activities necessary to achieve a positive final investment decision (" FID ").
The MOU announced today is the culmination of extensive negotiations over several years with the Malagasy Government on fiscal and other terms applicable to the Toliara Project and a major step forward in advancing the Project. While the Company is progressing towards an FID, which is expected to be made in approximately 14 months, the Company will continue working with the Government of Madagascar to formalize the terms and conditions set out in the MOU through the implementation of a " Stability Mechanism " consisting of one or a combination of the following: (a) submittal of an Investment Agreement to the Madagascar Parliament for approval as law and certification of the Toliara Project (" Project Certification ") under existing law establishing a special regime for large scale investments in the Malagasy mining sector (the " LGIM "); (b) promulgation of amendments and revisions to the existing LGIM (the " LGIM Amendment ") in a form that provides for the necessary certainty of financial and legal terms, and reasonable financial, operational and legal requirements, for large-scale projects and have Project Certification under the amended LGIM, together with an Investment Agreement (if reasonably required) submitted to Parliament for approval as law; and/or (c) another agreed upon mechanism that achieves the necessary certainty of financial and legal terms, and reasonable financial, operational and legal requirements, applying to large-scale mining projects.
Mark S. Chalmers , President and CEO of Energy Fuels commented: "As I've said before, I believe the Toliara Project is a 'generational' critical mineral project that has the strong potential to operate well beyond many of our lifetimes. Therefore, it is vital to Energy Fuels, and to our Base Resources subsidiaries, that the Republic of Madagascar and the communities in the vicinity of the Project enjoy significant benefits that go beyond jobs, economic development, and sustainable operations that respect human rights, local culture, and the environment. To achieve this vision, the MOU signed today creates the framework for a long-term mutually beneficial partnership between a U.S. critical mineral company and the people of Madagascar . We look forward to continuing to work with the Government of Madagascar to formalize the terms of the MOU and grow our relationship with what we believe will be the largest U.S. investment in the country's history."
Key Terms and Conditions of the MOU
Under the MOU, the Company has agreed to pay a five percent (5%) royalty (and no other) on mining products and deliver US$80 million after Project Certification in development, community, and social project funding, including a total of $30 million within 30 days after Project Certification, another $10 million within 30 days after achieving a positive FID and an additional $40 million by the fourth year of operations. In addition, the Company has agreed to spend at least $1 million prior to FID in the Atsimo Andrefana Region on community and social investments, and $4 million annually thereafter, indexed at 2% per annum, from commencement of construction after a positive FID. The Company has also committed to developing the Toliara Project in an environmentally, socially and fiscally responsible manner, and to observe the specific protections set out in the MOU.
The payments described above are not expected to have a material effect on the economics of this potentially multi-billion project, which (along with the appropriate disclaimers related to technical disclosure) are described in the Company's April 2024 press release . The Company is in the process of updating the September 2021 definitive feasibility study and December 2023 prefeasibility study on the Toliara Project, along with the White Mesa Mill's 2024 prefeasibility study on rare earth oxide production, to reflect current economics.
The Government has agreed in the MOU, among other things, to:
In addition, under the MOU, the Company's agreement to pay a 5% royalty on revenues and its commitments to pay the US$80 million in development, community and social funding are conditional on:
The MOU and its terms are expressly subject to the foregoing conditions set out in the MOU. It should be noted that there can be no assurance that the foregoing conditions will be satisfied or as to the timing of satisfaction of those conditions, or the timing for approval of the addition of monazite to the mining permit. If such conditions are not satisfied, this could delay any FID in relation to the Toliara Project or prevent or otherwise have a significant effect on the development of the Toliara Project or ability to recover Monazite from the Toliara Project.
ABOUT Energy Fuels
Energy Fuels is a leading US-based critical minerals company, focused on uranium, REEs, heavy mineral sands ("HMS"), vanadium and medical isotopes. The Company has been the leading U.S. producer of natural uranium concentrate for the past several years, which is sold to nuclear utilities that process it further for the production of carbon-free nuclear energy and owns and operates several conventional and in situ recovery uranium projects in the western United States. The Company also owns the White Mesa Mill in Utah, which is the only fully licensed and operating conventional uranium processing facility in the United States. At the Mill, the Company also produces advanced REE products, vanadium oxide (when market conditions warrant), and is preparing to begin pilot-scale recovery of certain medical isotopes from existing uranium process streams needed for emerging cancer treatments. The Company also owns the operating Kwale HMS project in Kenya which is nearing the end of its life and is developing three (3) additional HMS projects, including the Toliara Project in Madagascar, the Bahia Project in Brazil, and the Donald Project in Australia in which the Company has the right to earn up to a 49% interest in a joint venture with Astron Corporation Limited. The Company is based in Lakewood, Colorado, near Denver, with its HMS operations managed from Perth, Australia. The primary trading market for Energy Fuels' common shares is the NYSE American under the trading symbol "UUUU," and the Company's common shares are also listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "EFR." For more information on all we do, please visit http://www.energyfuels.com
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This news release contains certain "Forward Looking Information" and "Forward Looking Statements" within the meaning of applicable United States and Canadian securities legislation, which may include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: any expectation that the Company will maintain its position as a leading U.S.-based uranium and critical minerals company or as the leading producer of uranium in the U.S.; any expectation that the Company will re-commence development activities on the ground, re-establish the Company's community programs or progress the other activities necessary to achieve a positive FID for the Toliara Project; any expectation that the Toliara Project is a 'generational' critical minerals project or that it has the strong potential to operate well beyond many of our lifetimes or at all; any expectation that the Company will continue working with the Government of Madagascar to formalize fiscal and other terms applicable to the Project through an investment agreement, amendments to existing laws or other mechanisms as appropriate; any expectation that rare-earth element production will be added to the existing mining permit; any expectation that the financial and legal stability of the Toliara Project will be maintained; any expectation that the Toliara Project will attain Project Certification or that the other conditions to the Company's funding obligations will be satisfied; any expectation that a positive FID will be made for the Toliara Project and the timing of any such positive FID; any expectation that the Toliara Project will be developed; any expectation that the MOU will create the framework for a long-term mutually beneficial partnership between a U.S. critical mineral company and the people of Madagascar ; and any expectation that the Company will be successful in recovering certain medical isotopes from existing uranium process streams needed for emerging cancer treatments. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects," "does not expect," "is expected," "is likely," "budgets," "scheduled," "estimates," "forecasts," "intends," "anticipates," "does not anticipate," or "believes," or variations of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may," "could," "would," "might" or "will be taken," "occur," "be achieved" or "have the potential to." All statements, other than statements of historical fact, herein are considered to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements express or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include risks associated with: commodity prices and price fluctuations; engineering, construction, processing and mining difficulties, upsets and delays; permitting and licensing requirements and delays; changes to regulatory requirements; legal challenges; competition from other producers; public opinion; government and political actions; the failure of the Company to provide or obtain the necessary financing required to develop the Project; market factors, including future demand for REEs; and the other factors described under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is available for review on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml , on SEDAR at www.sedar.com , and on the Company's website at www.energyfuels.com . Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company disclaims, other than as required by law, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, results, future events, circumstances, or if management's estimates or opinions should change, or otherwise. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update the information in this communication, except as otherwise required by law.
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SOURCE Energy Fuels Inc.
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Argentina is emerging as one of the most compelling new frontiers for uranium supply, with the country’s National Atomic Energy Commission estimating about 80,000 tonnes of uranium as "exploration targets" across various geological environments. It offers a unique combination of geological potential, government support and existing nuclear infrastructure — all within a jurisdiction that is eager to expand its domestic resource base.
Global demand for uranium has increased in recent years, bolstered by renewed investment in nuclear energy and efforts to secure supply chains. Argentina’s pro-nuclear-energy stance and local technical expertise offer a promising new alternative for uranium exploration, as global demand for this critical mineral continues to soar.
The nuclear sector is regaining traction after a decade-long lull following the Fukushima disaster. Governments are increasingly recognizing nuclear energy as a reliable, low-carbon power source essential for meeting net-zero goals. This has led to a global buildout of nuclear capacity: according to the World Nuclear Association, more than 440 reactors are operational today, with dozens more expected to come online over the next two decades.
Compounding this growth is a push for energy independence. The geopolitical fallout from the Russia-Ukraine conflict and rising tensions with China have led to a re-evaluation of critical mineral supply chains. Uranium, once sourced heavily from Russian and Kazakhstan operations, is now being sought from more stable, western-aligned jurisdictions. This is fueling investor interest in underexplored regions that offer both geological promise and geopolitical stability.
Unlike traditional uranium-producing nations, Argentina has provincial jurisdictions that offer a unique combination of geological potential, government support and existing nuclear infrastructure — all within a federal jurisdiction eager to expand its domestic resource base.
Argentina is one of the few countries in the Global South with an established civilian nuclear program. Although there is currently no domestic uranium production, the country operates three nuclear power plants which supply about 5 percent of the country’s electricity. The country is also developing new reactors, including the CAREM small modular reactor project, the first of its kind in Latin America. As energy security and decarbonization gain urgency, Argentina’s government has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding nuclear power as a reliable baseload energy source.
To meet this growing demand, Argentina has made domestic uranium production a strategic priority. Historically reliant on imports, the country is now encouraging exploration and development to secure its own supply. This is creating fertile ground for uranium juniors who can help the country achieve nuclear independence.
Argentina’s uranium geology shares many similarities with prolific producing regions globally. In particular, the Neuquén Basin, a large sedimentary basin in Central-Western Argentina, hosts uranium mineralization styles similar to those found in Kazakhstan’s vast deposits. Surficial and sandstone-hosted uranium mineralization in this region offers shallow, low-grade, high-tonnage potential, which is ideal for low-cost, environmentally friendly extraction methods like in-situ recovery and open-pit mining followed by leaching.
Argentina's uranium-rich basins, such as those in Rio Negro, Chubut and Salta provinces, remain largely underexplored, giving early movers a significant first-mover advantage in identifying new discoveries and developing scalable projects.
From an investment perspective, Argentina is rapidly becoming more competitive.
While some provinces still maintain a moratorium on uranium mining, others like Rio Negro Province, home to Blue Sky Uranium's (TSXV:BSK,OTCQB:BKUCF) Amarillo Grande project, have explicitly opened the door to uranium development, aligning with national goals to boost self sufficiency.
The key to long-term value for investors evaluating junior uranium companies lies in a combination of jurisdictional quality, project scalability and strategic alignment with national energy priorities.
A strong uranium junior benefits from operating in a stable, mining-friendly jurisdiction with clear regulatory frameworks, established infrastructure and political support for resource development. These conditions not only reduce permitting risk but also help streamline project advancement from exploration to production.
Equally important is the nature of the deposit. Shallow, near-surface mineralization is often easier and more cost-effective to develop. Juniors with deposits of this kind are more likely to attract interest from strategic partners or acquirers due to their lower capital intensity and faster development timelines. Investors should also consider whether the company has a district-scale land position, as this can significantly enhance the upside potential beyond a single discovery.
Finally, a company’s alignment with national or regional energy strategies can be a powerful advantage. Governments seeking to secure domestic uranium supply, particularly in countries expanding their nuclear energy capacity, are more likely to support companies that help fulfill those objectives. Juniors operating in such environments may benefit from faster permitting, stronger stakeholder engagement and even direct institutional interest.
Vancouver-based Blue Sky Uranium is not just exploring for uranium in Argentina; it’s pioneering the advancement of what could become a new, world-class uranium district in the southern hemisphere.
The company’s flagship Amarillo Grande project is the most advanced uranium exploration initiative in Argentina and one of the most significant in South America. The project spans more than 145 kilometers of continuous prospective trend in the Neuquén Basin. It comprises three main properties — Ivana, Anit and Santa Barbara — all of which demonstrate significant uranium potential and remain underexplored relative to their scale.
The Ivana deposit alone hosts an indicated mineral resource of 19.7 million metric tons of uranium at a grade of 333 parts per million (ppm) with 105 ppm vanadium, and an inferred resource of 5.6 million metric tons of uranium at a grade of 262 ppm with 109 ppm vanadium. It boasts a robust preliminary economic assessment (as of February 2024) that outlines a base-case pre-tax net present value (8 percent) of US$227.7 million, along with an internal rate of return of 38.9 percent at a uranium price of US$75 per pound of U3O8.
Blue Sky is now focused on advancing the Ivana deposit through a joint venture with Abatare Spain (COAM), taking the project from exploration through feasibility and potentially into production.
Under the terms of the earn-in agreement, COAM will fund up to US$35 million to earn a 49.9 percent equity interest in the joint venture company, Ivana Minerales, and can earn up to 80 percent ownership by completing a feasibility study and contributing up to US$160 million to develop and construct the project.
This level of financial backing and technical commitment is rare among junior uranium developers and significantly de-risks the project. COAM’s parent, Corporación América, operates across energy, transportation, infrastructure and technology sectors, and brings deep local knowledge and government connectivity.
As part of the Grosso Group with a long-standing presence in Argentina, Blue Sky has the advantage in navigating regulatory and social environments. Combined with the technical and financial support of its joint venture partner, the company is uniquely positioned to help unlock Argentina’s uranium potential at a time when global supply diversification is more critical than ever.
Amid an accelerating global push for cleaner energy and secure supply chains, Argentina offers a unique opportunity for investors seeking exposure to the uranium renaissance. Its established nuclear energy infrastructure, prospective geology and government-backed development roadmap make it a jurisdiction to watch.
For investors looking to navigate the shifting dynamics of the uranium market, Argentina represents a jurisdiction worth serious consideration. Companies with shallow, scalable projects in mining-friendly provinces, and that align with national energy priorities are likely to have a strategic advantage as the global supply chain continues to evolve.
This INNspired article is sponsored by Blue Sky Uranium (TSXV:BSK,OTCQB:BKUCF). This INNspired article provides information which was sourced by the Investing News Network (INN) and approved by Blue Sky Uraniumin order to help investors learn more about the company. Blue Sky Uranium is a client of INN. The company’s campaign fees pay for INN to create and update this INNspired article.
This INNspired article was written according to INN editorial standards to educate investors.
INN does not provide investment advice and the information on this profile should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. INN does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company profiled.
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 Blue Sky Uranium and seek advice from a qualified investment advisor.
Justin Huhn, editor and founder of Uranium Insider, talks uranium supply, demand and prices.
He emphasized that it's still "very early" in the cycle and that at this point no further catalysts are needed.
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Securities Disclosure: I, Charlotte McLeod, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
AuKing Mining (ASX:AKN) has been cited in a news report as among two Australian companies well-placed to take advantage of rising gold prices and the re-emergence of historic gold mines in Queensland.
An article from ABC Australia noted record-high global gold prices are revitalizing the gold mining industry in outback Queensland, particularly in the Cloncurry region. Once a bustling mining area, Cloncurry experienced a decline in the 1990s due to falling gold prices. However, the current surge has prompted renewed interest in both exploration and the reopening of historical mines.
In particular, the Ernest Henry Copper-Gold Mine, a significant site in the region, is estimated to contain 2 million ounces of gold. The Cloncurry Gold Project, encompassing multiple mines over 400 square kilometers, is also poised to benefit from the current boom.
“Orion Resources and AuKing Mining Limited plan to re-lease 20 historic gold mines in the region, bringing them back to life under the banner of the Cloncurry Gold Project,” the article stated.
AuKing Mining’s managing director Paul Williams told ABC Australia the “great gold price environment” and access to significant data from previous work done in the area create an advantageous position for both Orion and AuKing capitalize on the current trend.
Read the full article here.Blue Sky Uranium (TSXV:BSK,OTCQB:BSURF,FWB:MAL2) is making significant strides in advancing its flagship Ivana uranium-vanadium project in Argentina. In a recent interview, President and CEO Nikolaos Cacos detailed the company's newly formed joint venture with Abatare Spain (COAM), a strategic partnership poised to accelerate the project toward production.
Cacos highlighted the establishment of a new joint venture company, Ivana Minerales, formed with COAM to drive the Ivana deposit forward. This collaboration represents a pivotal moment for Blue Sky, as COAM is committed to funding cumulative expenditures of US$35 million to acquire a 49.9 percent indirect equity interest in the deposit. Furthermore, COAM holds the option to increase its stake to 80 percent by completing a feasibility study and fully funding the project's costs.
“As far as our long-term objectives go, it achieves the first long-term objective of creating a pathway to take it right through to production, and allows us now to begin to look at and focus on our other 100 percent owned projects that we have … coming up with a second uranium discovery,” Cacos explained.
The Blue Sky chief executive also touched upon the broader economic landscape in Argentina, noting the positive impact of new government policies aimed at attracting foreign investment and fostering economic growth.
“Argentina is becoming a very favorable business destination,” he said. “And by virtue of the fact that we're already there — we already are known to the government, we're known in the industry — it gives us a leg up in knowing how to operate there.”
Watch the full interview with Nicolaos Cacos, president and CEO of Blue Sky Uranium, above.
Laramide Resources' (TSX:LAM,ASX:LAM,OTCQX:LMRXF) Crownpoint-Churchrock and La Jara Mesa uranium projects in New Mexico have received covered project status under the federal FAST-41 permitting initiative.
Enacted in 2015, the FAST-41 designation is intended to streamline the environmental review and permitting processes for infrastructure projects considered important to national interests.
Since taking office, President Donald Trump has issued several executive orders and initiated a Section 232 investigation into energy security as part of a broader focus on accelerating domestic energy and critical minerals development.
Laramide's Crownpoint-Churchrock project, located in McKinley County, is comprised of two uranium deposits that are amenable to in-situ recovery and holds a US Nuclear Regulatory Commission license.
According to a 2023 technical report, the project holds a 50.8 million pound U3O8 inferred resource.
The La Jara Mesa project, situated in the Grants Mineral Belt of Cibola County, is a sandstone-hosted uranium deposit currently working through the uranium production permitting process.
The Laramide news comes after the US Department of the Interior expedited the environmental assessment for Anfield Energy’s (TSXV:AEC,OTCQB:ANLDF) Velvet-Wood uranium project in Utah last month. According to reports, the review was completed in 14 days — a timeline significantly shorter than the standard review process.
Shares of Laramide are up 4.69 percent on the TSX since the Monday (June 2) news, trading for C$0.67.
The uranium sector has seen a broad wave of positivity since Trump signed several executive orders geared at supporting the country's nuclear industry, with players across the value chain benefiting.
Tuesday (June 3) brought another boost for the sector, with energy provider Constellation Energy (NASDAQ:CEG) announcing a major deal. In a significant development for the US nuclear energy sector, Constellation and Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) have entered into a 20 year agreement through which Mark Zuckerberg's Meta will purchase power from the Clinton Clean Energy Center in Illinois, starting in June 2027.
The deal is part of a wider initiative by Meta to meet its growing energy needs, in particular the energy required for its artificial intelligence and data center operations. The agreement will ensure the continued operation of the Clinton nuclear facility beyond the expiration of Illinois' zero-emission credit program.
Clinton's output will increase by 30 megawatts via the deal.
This partnership highlights the ongoing trend of tech companies investing in nuclear energy to meet escalating power demand and aligns with federal initiatives to bolster domestic nuclear capacity.
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Securities Disclosure: I, Georgia Williams, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Chinese researchers have unveiled a method of extracting uranium from seawater at a fraction of the previous cost and energy use, positioning the country to potentially secure long-term domestic supply.
Scientists from Hunan University have developed an advanced electrochemical system that can extract uranium from seawater more efficiently and economically than any method currently in use.
The innovation, led by Professor Shuangyin Wang and his team, features a novel dual-electrode design using copper at both the positive and negative terminals, allowing uranium ions to be collected simultaneously at both ends.
The system achieved a 100 percent extraction rate from a synthetic seawater solution within 40 minutes — a remarkable leap from earlier physical adsorption methods, which typically extract less than 10 percent.
When tested with natural seawater, the device extracted all uranium from East China Sea samples and up to 85 percent from South China Sea water, reaching 100 percent in the latter case with larger electrodes.
It accomplished these results while consuming over 1,000 times less energy than existing electrochemical systems. The total cost was estimated at US$83 per kilogram of uranium — half the cost of physical adsorption (US$205 per kilogram) and nearly one-fourth that of previous electrochemical approaches (US$360 per kilogram).
The implications for China’s energy security could be substantial.
According to the International Energy Agency, China is building more nuclear power plants than any other country, and is expected to surpass the US and EU in installed nuclear capacity by 2030.
However, much of the uranium needed to fuel this growth is imported. In 2024, China imported 13,000 metric tons of uranium, compared to just 1,700 tonnes mined domestically.
Given the estimated 4.5 billion metric tons of uranium dissolved in the world’s oceans — over 1,000 times the amount in terrestrial reserves — seawater extraction has long been seen as a tantalizing, but technologically elusive solution.
Japan led early efforts in the 1980s and 1990s, extracting 1 kilogram of uranium using large-scale marine trials, a milestone that China is now poised to eclipse. The new electrochemical technique builds on recent momentum in China’s marine uranium research. In March of this year, scientists from Lanzhou University’s Frontiers Science Center for Rare Isotopes published a separate study detailing a breakthrough in uranium-vanadium separation, a major technical challenge due to the similar chemical properties of the two elements in seawater.
The Lanzhou team engineered a metal-organic framework (MOF) material embedded with diphenylethylene molecules that can change pore sizes under ultraviolet light.
This enabled the MOF to selectively attract uranium ions over vanadium, increasing uranium adsorption capacity to 588 milligrams per gram, and improving uranium-vanadium separation efficiency by 40-fold.
Their uranium selectivity factor reached 215 — the highest ever reported in natural seawater.
Both research efforts support China’s national nuclear strategy. In 2019, China National Nuclear partnered with 14 domestic research institutions to establish the Seawater Uranium Extraction Technology Innovation Alliance.
This government-backed initiative set ambitious milestones: match Japan’s kilogram-level extraction record by 2025, build a metric ton-scale demonstration plant by 2035 and reach continuous industrial production by 2050.
The alliance's work is driven by projections from the International Atomic Energy Agency, which forecasts that China’s uranium demand will exceed 40,000 metric tons annually by 2040. Marine extraction, if scaled successfully, could ease long-term supply pressures and reduce geopolitical risk tied to uranium imports.
Of course, despite promising lab results, transitioning to industrial-scale extraction poses engineering and economic hurdles. For example, scaling up the Hunan system would involve increasing the number and size of electrochemical cells and managing flow rates across larger volumes of seawater.
If successful, the innovation could revolutionize the global uranium market. By tapping into the ocean’s near-limitless uranium reserves, China could not only meet its own needs, but also shift the geopolitical dynamics of nuclear energy.
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Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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