
January 17, 2024
Description
The securities of Toro Energy Limited (‘TOE’) will be placed in trading halt at the request of TOE, pending it releasing an announcement. Unless ASX decides otherwise, the securities will remain in trading halt until the earlier of the commencement of normal trading on Monday, 22 January 2024 or when the announcement is released to the market.
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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.
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The Conversation (0)
14 April
Toro Energy
Investor Insight
Toro Energy’s significant uranium resource in a tier 1 jurisdiction places the company in a compelling position to leverage a bullish uranium market and the mineral’s strategic role in global decarbonization.
Overview
Australia is the world’s third-largest uranium producer (12 percent) next to Kazakhstan (43 percent) and Canada (13 percent). It is home to the Wiluna Uranium Project, the flagship asset of Toro Energy (ASX:TOE), a uranium exploration and development company also exploring value in other commodities.
The 100-percent-owned Wiluna uranium project includes three key deposits – Lake Maitland, Centipede-Millipede and Lake Way – and offers significant uranium exposure of 87.8 million tons (Mt) at 381 ppm for 73.6 Mlbs U3O8 at 100 ppm cut-off (JORC 2012). It is located only 30 kilometers southeast of Wiluna in Central Western Australia.
The Wiluna uranium project has received state and federal approval (subject to required amendments) and has been granted mining leases.
Considerable research over recent years has identified processing redesign opportunities from unique geological attributes within the uranium deposits, but particularly at Lake Maitland, as well as the ability to extract the inherent vanadium held within the uranium ‘ore’ for a vanadium by-product.
Within the uranium mineralization envelope, the Wiluna project is estimated to contain 141.8 Mt vanadium oxide (V2O5) at 286 ppm for 89.3 Mlbs of V2O5 at 100 ppm V2O5 cut-off (JORC 2012), as of September 24, 2024.
The scoping study for the stand-alone Lake Maitland uranium-vanadium operation option shows potential for exceptional financial returns with a pre-tax NPV of AU$832.8 million, a short payback period of 2.5 years, 48 percent internal rate of return, and low capex of AU$291 million (US$203 million), based on price assumption of US$85/lb U3O8, US$5.67/lb V2O5 and a 70 cents US$:AU$ exchange rate.
In September 2024, the Lake Maitland deposit has been re-estimated using a resource envelope more in line with the other Wiluna uranium deposits; allowed the lowering of the cut-off grade to 100ppm U3O8, expanding Lake Maitland resources by 12 percent and that of the entire Wiluna project by 17 percent (when the expansions at Lake Way and Centipede-Millipede are also included).
The design phase of Toro Energy’s beneficiation and hydrometallurgical pilot plant is on track and in line with plans to finalise construction. The pilot plant will test the improved beneficiation and hydrometallurgical circuit developed by Toro from bench scale research at a closer-to-production scale and as single streams. It will also test potential ore from the three uranium-vanadium deposits that Toro believes will make up an extended Lake Maitland operation – these include Lake Maitland, Lake Way and Centipede-Millipede.
The Lake Maitland deposit is part of a joint venture partnership with two reputable Japanese corporations, Japan Australia Uranium Resource Development. (JAURD) and Itochu.
Toro has been actively evaluating the prospectivity of its Wiluna asset portfolio for minerals other than uranium, including nickel and gold.
The Lake Maitland mining pit re-optimization which incorporated the latest resource estimates and updated financial data has been completed. Mine scheduling is currently underway in preparation for the upcoming scoping study update.
Toro’s Dusty nickel project is located on the northern, eastern and southern shores of Lake Maitland and the Lake Maitland uranium deposit and is focused on two main target areas: Dusty and Yandal One. These properties will be the subject of a proposed demerger, following Toro’s recent strategic review of its non-core assets and future plans to solely focus on its uranium development opportunities and its flagship Wiluna project.
Toro Energy’s management team and board of directors have extensive experience in the mining industry, with combined expertise that includes working at major mining houses, exploration companies, uranium mining operations, corporate financing and government and community relations.
Company Highlights
- Toro Energy is a well-established uranium exploration and development company based in Western Australia, with a strong focus on unlocking value from additional commodities within its highly prospective landholdings.
- The company holds JORC-compliant uranium resources totaling 112.7 million pounds (Mlbs) of uranium oxide (U₃O₈) across its Western Australian projects.
- Toro’s 100%-owned flagship Wiluna Uranium Project, located 30 km southeast of Wiluna in Central Western Australia, hosts a total resource of 87.8 million tonnes (Mt) at 331 ppm for 73.6 Mlbs U₃O₈ at a 100 ppm cut-off. The project encompasses three key deposits: Lake Maitland, Centipede-Millipede, and Lake Way.
- Within the uranium mineralization envelope, Toro has also defined a maiden vanadium resource of 89.3 Mlbs V₂O₅ at a 100 ppm cut-off. A scoping study for a stand-alone Lake Maitland uranium-vanadium operation indicates the potential for exceptional financial returns.
- Beyond uranium, strategic exploration within the Lake Maitland tenure has led to the discovery of massive nickel sulphide and vein-hosted gold deposits, including the Dusty Nickel Project and the Yandal Gold Project.
- Following a recent strategic review, Toro is evaluating a renewed focus on uranium development and is considering the demerger of non-core assets, including its nickel, gold, and base metal projects in Western Australia.
- Toro is led by a highly experienced management team and board of directors, with deep expertise in uranium exploration, mining, and base metal exploration.
Key Projects
Wiluna Uranium Project
Location of the Lake Maitland Uranium and Vanadium Deposit within Toro’s portfolio of Uranium-Vanadium Deposits that make up the company’s Wiluna Uranium-Vanadium Project
Toro Energy’s flagship asset is located only 30 kilometers from the town of Wiluna in the northern goldfields region within central Western Australia. The Wiluna project contains 87.8 Mt at 381 ppm for 73.6 Mlbs U 3O8 at 100 ppm cut-off over three deposits: Centipede-Millipede, Lake Way and Lake Maitland. The asset has been de-risked and optimized to improve yield and has successfully incorporated the processing of a vanadium resource as a by-product. A scoping study was completed for a stand-alone Lake Maitland uranium-vanadium operation.
Project Highlights:
- De-risked Uranium Project: Toro Energy has de-risked the Wiluna uranium asset by securing state and federal approvals, mining leases, and a simplified mining process. Further approvals are needed due to project enhancements. Extensive lab testing has also validated an efficient beneficiation and processing technique, enabling vanadium extraction as a valuable by-product.
- Uranium Exploration assets: Toro also owns 100 percent of three other exploration projects in Western Australia that have a total uranium resource of 39.1 Mlbs Nowthanna (200ppm U3O8 cut-off), Dawson Hinkler (100ppm U3O8 cut-off) and Theseus (200ppm U3O8 cut-off).
- Lake Maitland Pit Expansion: A 2022 pit expansion for a stand-alone Lake Maitland mining and processing operation, based on an updated uranium price, the inclusion of vanadium as a by-product, revised OPEX based on a the new beneficiation and processing flow sheet, increased the potential volume of uranium ore
- Initial Scoping study at proposed Lake Maitland Uranium-Vanadium Operation: Initial scoping study results following the 2022 pit expansion highlight the project’s potential for robust financial returns, increasing the asset to US$608 million in potential gross product value (assumes a US$70/lb U3O8, US$5.67/lb V2O5 price and a US$: AU$0.70 exchange rate).
- 2024 Scoping Study Financial Metrics Update: A refresh of the scoping study on the stand-alone Lake Maitland operation which incorporates current financial metrics and improved uranium pricing has been recently completed resulting an increase in pre-tax NPV to $832.8 million and 48 percent IRR (assumes a US$85/lb U3O8, US$5.67/lb V2O5 price and a US$: AU$0.70 exchange rate).
- Expanded Resource: Reducing the U₃O₈ and V₂O₅ cut-off grade to 100 ppm has significantly expanded resources across all three uranium-vanadium deposits:
- Lake Maitland:
- U₃O₈: +12 percent (3.2 Mlbs) to 29.6 Mlbs, average grade 403 ppm
- V₂O₅: +74 percent (13.4 Mlbs) to 31.4 Mlbs, average grade 285 ppm
- Centipede-Millipede:
- U₃O₈: +25 percent (5.98 Mlbs) to 29.95 Mlbs, average grade 351 ppm
- V₂O₅: +17% (6.6 Mlbs) to 45.2 Mlbs, average grade 281 ppm
- Lake Way:
- U₃O₈: +15 percent (1.79 Mlbs) to 14.12 Mlbs, average grade 406 ppm
- V₂O₅: +9.5 percent (1.1 Mlbs) to 12.7 Mlbs, average grade 307 ppm
- Lake Maitland:
- Pilot Plant Design Commissioned: A detailed pilot plant design is being undertaken to further assess the new processing flowsheet for Lake Maitland at a closer to ‘operational’ scale. The pilot plant design is on track incorporating all aspects of both uranium and vanadium production. A sonic core drilling program will commence to deliver potential ore to the pilot plant currently in design for Wiluna.
- Robust Local Infrastructure: The assets are within an established mining center, which means much of the required infrastructure is readily available. The project has access to power and water, which reduces initial development costs.
- Joint Venture Partnership: Toro Energy has entered into a joint venture partnership with JAURD and Itochu for its Lake Maitland deposit. Both corporations have the right, but not the obligation, to earn a combined 35 percent interest in the project upon contributing US$39.6 million, and an additional proportionate share of expenditure thereafter, once a positive final investment decision has been made based on a definitive feasibility study.
The Dusty Nickel Project – Discoveries of Massive Nickel Sulphide
Toro’s Lake Maitland tenure is located in the Yandal Greenstone Belt within the Yilgarn Craton of Western Australia, a gold district within a world-class gold and nickel province. With little exploration for non-uranium minerals ever conducted on the properties, Toro considers the project area highly prospective for nickel, gold and base metals.
Exploration and diamond drilling have identified four massive/semi-massive nickel sulphide zones within just 4.5 km of a 7.5 km komatiite magnetic trend. Limited testing has been conducted across a 15 km strike of known komatiite-ultramafic target rock. With minimal drilling at Lake Maitland, the full extent of prospective nickel sulphide mineralization remains unknown.
Project Highlights:
- Four zones of massive nickel sulphide discovered: Toro has discovered four zones of massive and semi-massive nickel sulphides: Dusty, Houli Dooley, Jumping Jack and Dimma.
- Yandal OneTarget Area: The Yandal One Target Area is located some 17 kilometers south of the Dusty discoveries and with limited drilling, Toro has proven the existence of another komatiite with the potential to host massive nickel sulphide.
Toro Yandal Gold Project
The Lake Maitland tenure is located only 20 kilometers northeast of the world-class Bronzewing and Mt McClure gold mines within the same Greenstone Belt, the Yandal, within one of the most famous gold provinces in the world, the Yilgarn Craton.
Early exploration by Toro at the Golden Ways target area in the north of the project has uncovered surface rock chip samples of up to 70 g/t gold and significant drilling results, including:
- 5 meters at 4.4 g/t from 22 meters (TERC24)
- Including 2 meters at 9.93 g/t from 22 meters
- 4 meters at 3.3 g/t from 28 meters (TERC25)
- Including 1 meter at 10.9 g/t from 28 meters
- 2 meters at 3.79 g/t from 10 meters (TERC38)
- Including 1 meters at 7.33 g/t from 10 meters
- 3 meters at 1.41 g/t from 9 meters (TERC36)
- Including 1 meters at 2.76 g/t from 10 meters
Management Team
Richard Homsany - Executive Chairman
Richard Homsany has extensive experience in the resources industry, having been the executive vice-president for Australia of TSX-listed Mega Uranium since April 2010. He has worked for North Ltd, an ASX top 50-listed internationally diversified resources company in operations, risk management and corporate, before its takeover by Rio Tinto.
Homsany is an experienced corporate lawyer and certified practicing accountant (CPA) advising numerous clients in the energy and resources sector, including publicly listed companies. He was corporate partner at international law firm DLA Phillips Fox (now DLA Piper), where he advised clients on a range of transactions and matters including capital raising, IPOs, stock exchange listing, mergers and acquisitions, finance, joint ventures, divestments and governance.
Michel Marier - Non-executive Director
Michel Marier joined Sentient in 2009 as an investment manager. Before joining Sentient, Marier worked eight years in the private equity division of la Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec. Marier holds a master’s degree in finance from HEC Montreal and is a CFA charter holder.
Richard Patricio - Non-executive Director
Richard Patricio is the CEO and president of Mega Uranium, a uranium-focused investment and development company with assets in Canada and Australia. Patricio has built a number of mining companies with global operations. He holds senior officer and director positions in several junior mining companies listed on the TSX, TSX Venture, AIM and NASDAQ exchanges. He is currently also a director of NexGen Energy (TSE:NXE, Mkt Cap. C$2.7 billion). He previously practiced law at a top-tier law firm in Toronto and worked as an in-house general counsel for a senior TSX-listed company. He received his law degree from Osgoode Hall and was called to the Ontario bar in 2000.
Dr. Greg Shirtliff – Geology Manager
Dr. Greg Shirtliff, with a PhD in mine-related geology and geochemistry from ANU, has 20+ years of experience across environmental, mine geology, resource development, exploration, and management. His career includes roles at ERA-Rio Tinto’s Ranger Uranium Mine, Cameco Australasia, and currently as Lead Geologist & Technical Manager at Toro Energy. He oversees uranium and mineral resource development, directs exploration strategy, supports EPA approvals, and guides engineering and metallurgical assessments.
Katherine Garvey - Legal Counsel and Company Secretary
Katherine Garvey is a corporate lawyer who has significant experience in the resources sector. Garvey advises public (both listed and unlisted) and proprietary companies on a variety of corporate and commercial matters including capital raising, finance, acquisitions and disposals, Corporations Act and ASX Listing Rule compliance, corporate governance and company secretarial issues. She has extensive experience drafting and negotiating various corporate and commercial agreements including farm-in agreements, joint ventures, shareholders’ agreements, and business and share sale and purchase agreements.
Marc Boudames - Financial Controller
Marc Boudames is experienced in statutory financial reporting, taxation, ERP systems, business analytics, corporate transactions, due diligence, mergers & acquisitions, finance, joint ventures and divestments. He previously worked at RSM Bird Cameron, as general manager –finance & administration for ASX-listed Redport Ltd and Mega Uranium (Australia), a Canadian TSX-listed mining and equity investment company focused on global uranium properties and multi-mineral exploration. He has worked for multiple companies across various industries, including listed and public companies associated with the mining and oil and gas sectors, such as WesTrac, CB&I and Spotless Group.
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Uranium development and exploration in Western Australia
31 January
Quarterly Activities and Cashflow Report December 2024
28 April
Terra Clean Energy Corp. Plans Summer Drill Program at South Falcon East
TERRA CLEAN ENERGY CORP. (“ Terra ” or the “ Company ”) (CSE: TCEC, OTCQB: TCEFF , FSE: 9O0 , is pleased to announce an upcoming summer drill program at the South Falcon East Uranium Project (the “ Property ”) which hosts the Fraser Lakes B Uranium Deposit.
The Property lies 18 km outside the edge of the Athabasca Basin, approximately 50 km east of the Key Lake uranium mill and former mine (Figure 1). The Company entered into an option agreement with Skyharbour Resources Ltd. (“ Skyharbour ”) in October of 2022 whereby the company can earn up to a 75% interest in the Property.
The Company is planning an extensive drill program for the summer of 2025, consisting of approximately 2,500 meters of drilling. The purpose is to test an area highlighted in the Winter 2025 program where it is interpreted that a north-northwest trending brittle structure, a north dipping structure with strong clay alteration, and mineralized pegmatites with hydrothermal hematite alteration hosted in graphitic pelitic gneiss all intersect. This puts many of the indicators identified as being key components for higher grade uranium mineralization all in the same location.
It is generally accepted that for higher grade uranium deposits in the Athabasca Basin you require several key indicators:
- Graphitic metasediments,
- Brittle reactivated basement structures,
- Reducing fluid (indicated by clay alteration),
- Oxidizing fluid (indicated by hematite alteration, transports uranium),
All these features have now been identified in the Fraser Lakes B deposit area. Where they are projected to intercept is considered a top priority target area for the discovery of a higher-grade unconformity related basement hosted uranium deposit and additional mineralized pegmatites. “The Athabasca Basin is one of the world’s foremost Uranium Basins accounting for some 20% of world uranium production. It has been well explored and understood for many years attracting billions of dollars of investment. For these reasons and the fact that our VP Exploration has worked extensively in the Basin and is excited about our findings that it is an immediate priority to follow up the very encouraging winter results this summer “said Greg Cameron CEO. ‘Finding an unconformity basin hosted deposit like Eagle Point or Rough Rider would be company changing” added Greg Cameron.
The upcoming program will be a helicopter supported drill program encompassing seven to ten diamond drill holes targeting an area approximately 120 to 150 m north of drill holes SF0063, SF0065, SF0066 and SF0067 which were completed during the winter program (Figure 2). The results of these drill holes were reported in press releases dated March 10, 2025 and April 1, 2025. The summer field program is anticipated to commence mid-June and run for approximately 4-5 weeks. The campaign will be executed by Terralogic Exploration Inc. under the supervision of Terra Logic staff and C. Trevor Perkins, Vice President, Exploration for Terra Clean Energy. Operations will be based out of a local contracting camp with helicopter support for the daily drilling operations. The expected budget for this program is anticipated to be $2.0 million.
”The results from the winter drilling program are very encouraging,” commented Trevor Perkins, Vice President of Exploration for Terra Clean Energy Corp. “We are excited to get back in there and test where the clay alteration intersects the mineralized zone and graphitic sediment package. This an exciting target as this can bring together many of the key features associated with the known basement hosted unconformity deposits in the basin”, continued Mr. Perkins.
Samples of the mineralized intervals from the winter program are outstanding. They have been submitted for analysis at the Geoanalytical Laboratory at the Saskatchewan Research Council in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Results are expected in mid to late May.
Figure 1: South Falcon East Uranium Project Location – Eastern Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, Canada
Figure 2: 2025 – Planned summer drilling area and completed winter drill holes at South Falcon East Uranium Project
About Terra Clean Energy Corp.
Terra Clean Energy (formerly Tisdale Clean Energy Corp) is a Canadian-based uranium exploration and development company. The Company is currently developing the South Falcon East uranium project, which holds a 6.96M pound inferred uranium resource within the Fraser Lakes B Uranium Deposit, located in the Athabasca Basin region, Saskatchewan, Canada.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF TERRA CLEAN ENERGY CORP.
“Greg Cameron”
Greg Cameron, CEO
Qualified Person
The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101, reviewed and approved on behalf of the company by C. Trevor Perkins, P.Geo., the Company’s Vice President, Exploration, and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.
*The historical resource is described in the Technical Report on the South Falcon East Property, filed on sedarplus.ca on February 9, 2023. The Company is not treating the resource as current and has not completed sufficient work to classify the resource as a current mineral resource. While the Company is not treating the historical resource as current, it does believe the work conducted is reliable and the information may be of assistance to readers.
Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains forward-looking information which is not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking information is characterized by words such as “plan”, “expect”, “project”, “intend”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “estimate” and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions “may” or “will” occur. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including statements regarding the potential development of mineral resources and mineral reserves which may or may not occur. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, changes in the state of equity and debt markets, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in obtaining required regulatory or governmental approvals, and general economic and political conditions. Forward-looking information in this news release is based on the opinions and assumptions of management considered reasonable as of the date hereof, including that all necessary approvals, including governmental and regulatory approvals will be received as and when expected. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by applicable laws. For more information on the risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause our actual results to differ from current expectations, please refer to the Company’s public filings available under the Company’s profile at www.sedarplus.ca .
Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
For further information please contact:
Greg Cameron, CEO
Terra Clean Energy Corp
Suite 303, 750 West Pender Street
Vancouver, BC V6C 2T7
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28 April
Quarterly Activities/Appendix 5B Cash Flow Report
22 April
Uranium Price Update: Q1 2025 in Review
Impacted by broad uncertainty, geopolitical risks and trade tensions, the spot U3O8 price fell 13.26 percent during Q1, starting the session at US$74.74 per pound and contracting to US$64.83 by March 31.
As factors outside the uranium sector forced spot price consolidation, long-term uranium prices remained steady, holding at the US$80 level, a possible indicator of the market’s long-term potential.
Although the U3O8 spot price hit nearly two decade highs in 2024, the sector has been unable to find continued support in 2025. Much uncertainty has been introduced this year by the Trump administration's on-again, off-again tariffs, which have infused the already opaque uranium market with even more ambiguity.
As volatility rattles investors, US utility companies have also been impacted by the threat of tariffs.
“There's a lot of speculation,” Per Jander, director of nuclear fuel at WMC, told the Investing News Network (INN) in a March interview. “I think the new administration is unpredictable, and I think that is by design, and (they are) obviously doing a very good job at that. But again, it has ripple effects for players in the market.”
Jander questioned the motive behind tariffing a longstanding ally, especially when US can't satisfy its needs.
“Does it make sense for the US to put tariffs on Canadian material, who is their best friend?” he asked rhetorically.
“I don't think so, because the US produces 1 million pounds a year. They need about 45 million to 50 million pounds per year. So it feels like they’re just punishing themselves," the expert added.
With investors and utilities sidelined, U3O8 prices sank to an almost three year low of US$63.44 on March 12, well off the 17 year high of US$105 set in February 2024.
Chronic undersupply meets rising demand
The tailwinds that pushed uranium prices above the US$100 level largely remain intact, even in the face of trade tensions. Among those drivers are the growing uranium supply deficit.
According to the World Nuclear Association (WNA), total uranium mine supply only met 74 percent of global demand in 2022, a disparity that is still persistent — and growing.
“This year, uranium mines will only supply 75 percent of demand, so 25 percent of demand is uncovered,” Amir Adnani, CEO and president of Uranium Energy (NYSEAMERICAN:UEC), said at a January event.
Adnani went on to explain that after enduring nearly two decades of underinvestment, the uranium sector is grappling with one of the most acute supply deficits in the broader commodities space.
Unlike typical resource markets, where price surges prompt swift production responses, uranium has remained sluggish on the supply side, despite prices jumping 290 percent over the past four years.
According to Adnani, this chronic underproduction stems from 18 years of depressed pricing and lackluster market conditions, which have discouraged new mine development and shuttered existing operations.
“The fact that we're not incentivizing new uranium mines simply means the commodity price isn't high enough,” he said of the spot price, which was at the US$74 level at the time.
Now, with prices holding in the US$64 range, new supply is even less likely to come online in the near term, especially in Canada and the US. Meanwhile, demand is set to steadily increase.
“Next year, uranium demand is going up because there are 65 reactors under construction, and we haven't even started talking about small and advanced modular reactors,” said Adnani. “Small and advanced modular reactors are an additional source of demand that maybe not next year, but within the next three to four years, can become a reality.”
Supply setbacks mount
With prices sitting well below the US$100 level — which is widely considered the incentive price — future uranium supply is even more precarious, especially as major uranium producers reduce guidance.
In 2024, Kazatomprom (LSE:KAP,OTC Pink:NATKY), the world's largest uranium producer, revised its 2025 production forecast downward by approximately 17 percent, now projecting output between 25,000 and 26,500 metric tons of uranium.
This adjustment from the earlier estimate of 30,500–31,500 metric tons is attributed to ongoing challenges, including shortages of sulphuric acid and delays in developing new mining sites, notably at the Budenovskoye deposit.
In January, a temporary production suspension at the Inkai operation in Kazakhstan further threatened 2025 supply. The project, a joint venture between Kazatomprom and Cameco (TSX:CCO,NYSE:CCJ), was halted in January due to paperwork delay.
Rick Rule discusses his expectations for the resource sector in 2025.
While the news was a blow to the uranium supply picture, as veteran resource investor and proprietor of Rule Media, Rick Rule pointed out at VRIC 2025, the move could benefit the spot price.
“The thing that's happened very recently that's very bullish for uranium is the unsuccessful restart of Inkai, which I had believed to be the best uranium mine in the world,” said Rule in the January interview.
He continued: “At the time that it was shut down, it was the lowest cost producer on the globe, because of many things, including an unavailability of sulfuric acid in Kazakhstan, that mine hasn't resumed production anywhere near at the rate that I thought it would. So there's 10 million pounds in reduced supply in 2025 and the spot market is already pretty skinny.”
At the end of January production resumed at Inkai, however as Rule pointed out the mine failed to reach its projected output capacity in 2024, producing 7.8 million pounds U3O8 on a 100 percent basis, a 25 percent decrease from 2023’s 10.4 million pounds.
AI boom and clean energy push set stage for surge in uranium demand
Global uranium demand is projected to rise significantly over the next decade, driven by the proliferation of nuclear energy as a clean power source. According to a 2023 report from the WNA, uranium demand is expected to increase by 28 percent by 2030, reaching approximately 83,840 metric tons from 65,650 metric tons in 2023.
This growth is fueled by the construction of new reactors, reactor life extensions, and the global shift towards decarbonization. The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) is set to significantly increase global electricity demand, particularly from data centers.
“Electricity demand from data centres worldwide is set to more than double by 2030 to around 945 terawatt-hours (TWh), slightly more than the entire electricity consumption of Japan today,” an April report from the International Energy Agency notes. “AI will be the most significant driver of this increase, with electricity demand from AI-optimised data centres projected to more than quadruple by 2030.”
Nuclear energy is poised to play a crucial role in boosting global electricity production.
A recently released report from Deloitte indicates that new nuclear power capacity could meet about 10 of the projected increase in data center electricity demand by 2035.
However, “this estimate is based on a significant expansion of nuclear capacity, ranging between 35 gigawatts (GW) and 62 GW during the same period,” the market overview states.
While the more than 60 reactors under construction will meet some of this heightened demand, additional reactors and more uranium production will be needed to sustainably increase nuclear capacity.
Add to this the gradual restart of Japanese reactors and the disparity between supply and demand deepens. By the end of 2024 Japan had successfully restarted 14 of its 33 shuttered nuclear reactors, which were taken offline in 2011 following the Fukushima disaster.
Long-term upside remains intact
Although positive long term demand drivers paint a bright picture for the uranium industry, the current trade tensions from Trump’s tariffs have shaken the market.
Miners have also felt the pressure, as equities contracted from the policy uncertainty as Adam Rozencwajg of Goehring & Rozencwajg, explained in an February interview with INN.
Despite these challenges equities are still positioned to profit from the underlying fundamentals.
“I think that speculative fever is gone,” he said. The prices have normalized, consolidated. They haven't been terrible performers, but they've consolidated, and I think they're now ready for their next leg higher.”
This sentiment was reiterated by Sprott’s ETF product manager, Jacob White, who underscored the ‘buy the dip’ potential of the current market.
“We believe today’s price weakness presents a potentially attractive entry opportunity for investors who appreciate the strategic value of uranium and can weather near-term turbulence,” wrote White.
Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Georgia Williams, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Editorial Disclosure: The Investing News Network does not guarantee the accuracy or thoroughness of the information reported in the interviews it conducts. The opinions expressed in these interviews do not reflect the opinions of the Investing News Network and do not constitute investment advice. All readers are encouraged to perform their own due diligence.
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15 April
Mineralisation structures Identified at North Sweden project
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