Pro-Life
12 years ago
Strong possibility of a market bottom... link to comps:
http://stockcharts.com/freecharts/candleglance.html?USU,URRE,URG,URZ,EFR.TO,DNN,UEC,URPTF,MGAFF,SXRZF,CXZ,RRI.V|C|H14,3
Pro-Life
12 years ago
Sector: Oil Prices Rose 19% In 2011 - Another Sign That A Nuclear Renaissance Is Inevitable
January 3, 2012
http://seekingalpha.com/article/317065-oil-prices-rose-19-in-2011-another-sign-that-a-nuclear-renaissance-is-inevitable
Oil prices rose 19% over the course of 2011, the third consecutive year marked by a rise in the price of oil. Below is the monthly chart of Brent Crude Oil that illustrates the clear uptrend.
While currency devaluation, geopolitical tensions, and speculators are all forces that may be contributing to rising oil prices and greater market volatility, a growing factor that suggests the price rise will continue is the supply/demand imbalance in the oil market. In other words: demand for oil and other fossil fuels is only growing, but the supply of them is diminishing. The chart below illustrates.
While I believe the world will likely be using fossil fuels as a primary source of energy for some time, we are clearly at a point where a new source of energy is needed. I believe nuclear energy is the primary candidate destined to grow, for the following reasons:
1. It can provide "baseload" - meaning always on - energy
2. It is emission-free
3. It has high power density, which means it does not require an inordinate amount of land and thus is conducive to powering cities
4. It is inexpensive
No other source can really make these same claims. Wind and solar are much more expensive and cannot effectively provide baseload energy, which is precisely why they remain insignificant sources of power on a global basis. Technological breakthroughs may change this, though I don't see this on the horizon, and believe renewables will have limited roles in the global energy market until this changes.
And so, the rise of nuclear energy is virtually inevitable -- the world will demand it for survival. Accordingly, China already has 25 nuclear power plants under construction, and realizes that nuclear will be a key part of how its nation is powered as it increasingly urbanizes. Investors can recognize China as the "smart money" -- the force driving the market's demand and sending prices higher -- in the nuclear energy market.
Of course, this transition will not occur overnight - nuclear power plants take a long time to build - and so oil, coal, and natural gas will continue to play an important role in providing energy to the world. Investors will need to be patient, as this market may take up to a decade to really get going. The value network is still developing and much depends on how government participates and regulates the market, as well as what innovations entrepreneurs will develop as the market grows.
For now, the investment opportunity is simple: uranium. Nuclear power is most easily obtained through processing of uranium, and so uranium mining firms are the buy and hold opportunity for patient investors looking to participate in the nuclear renaissance. Uranium ETFs like URA as well as mining companies like Uranerz (URZ), Uranium Energy Corporation (UEC), and Cameco (CCJ) are plays that make sense from this perspective, with UEC being my favorite due to the adept leadership of its Amir Adnani - its founder and CEO with a background as a serial entrepreneur with a marketing focus - as well as the firm's focus on ISR mining which I regard as an enabling technology that will allow UEC to experience lower mining costs than traditional open pit mines.
As compelling as the uranium story is, I cannot overemphasize the need for patience. Nuclear energy is still not appreciated and the entire energy market is poorly understood. This represents a great opportunity for the educated investor, provided they have patience and conviction, and understand the economics of nuclear is really the only option barring some type of technological breakthrough that currently is nowhere in sight. As always, investors will find it to their advantage to focus on the actions of the smart money - which in this case is China - while ignoring short-term sentiment factors like the concerns about nuclear energy stemming from the Fukushima crisis.
While uranium remains the mineral to invest in and focus on, investors should also keep an eye out to see how Thorium develops. Thorium is a potential substitute for uranium in the production of nuclear power, and possesses less of a radiation risk - a common criticism of uranium. However, the value network for thorium is a bit undeveloped at the moment, and it does not appear that there is yet a "smart money" faction that can push prices higher. Thorium is also more a more expensive way of generating nuclear power, an obstacle I suspect will need to be overcome if thorium is to become a serious opportunity for investors looking to invest in the nuclear renaissance.
So get ready for a whole new energy paradigm as we move away from oil. Understand, though, the process will take time, and that the science and economics suggest the opportunity is nuclear energy unless there is some type of a big technological breakthrough. And of course, patience is your friend; while the economics will, as always, ultimately dictate what happens, the process can be slow. China is the one to watch, and so long as they are committed to the market, any sell-offs in opportunities to invest in nuclear energy, namely via uranium mining firms, constitute an opportunity to buy the dip.
Disclosure: I am long UEC, CCJ.
Pro-Life
13 years ago
Sector news... Canada reaches uranium trade deal with China
Thu Feb 9, 2012 10:16am EST
* Pact allows more Canadian uranium into China
* China fastest growing nuclear market in world
* Uranium to be used for civilian nuclear program
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/09/canada-china-uranium-idUSL2E8D94O520120209
BEIJING, Feb 9 (Reuters) - Canada has reached a deal with China that will make it easier for Cameco Corp and other Canadian uranium producers to sell nuclear fuel into the fastest-growing market for atomic power.
The trade deal, announced on Thursday during Prime Minister Stephen Harper's visit to China, allows Cameco - the largest publicly listed producer - to sell uranium from its Canadian projects into China. Details of the agreement were not provided.
"This agreement will help Canadian uranium companies to substantially increase exports to China, the world's fastest growing market for these products," Harper's office said in a statement.
China currently operates some 13 nuclear reactors, with a total nuclear power output of about 11 gigawatts. The Asian country, which has 27 reactors under construction, plans to boost output to 80 gigawatts by 2020.
By contrast, the United States has 104 nuclear reactors.
Construction of reactors in China is expected to outweigh the decommissioning of plants in Japan, where reactors were taken offline in the wake of the Fukushima disaster last March, and in Germany, where the Japanese disaster led to a policy shift away from nuclear power.
In 2010, Cameco signed two deals with China to provide the country more than 50 million pounds of uranium over 15 years. Cameco has major uranium projects in Canada, the United States, Kazakhstan and Australia.
"We couldn't deliver Canadian uranium here until this agreement was signed so it opened the door for us to do that," said Chief Executive Tim Gitzel, who is part of a trade delegation visiting China this week with the Canadian prime minister.
Canada and China are working to finalize the text of the agreement and expect it to be completed within the next few months, according to the release.
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan-based Cameco, which will report its fourth-quarter earnings after market close on Thursday, plans to boost its uranium production to 40 million pounds a year by 2018.
Pro-Life
13 years ago
U308 stock comparables:
http://stockcharts.com/freecharts/candleglance.html?USU,URRE,URG,URZ,LAM.TO,DNN,UEC,URPTF,MGAFF,SXRZF,CXZ,RRI.V|B|H14,3
TraderRich
14 years ago
Laramide Reports Results from Drilling at Westmoreland
Highlights Include Hole LPDD10-006 with 4 Metres Grading 0.29% U3O8 and Hole WDD-004 with 9 Metres Grading 0.16% U3O8
TORONTO, ONTARIO, Nov 24, 2010 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Laramide Resources (CA:LAM 2.20, 0.00, 0.00%) is pleased to release assay results for drilling completed in September 2010 at its 100% owned Westmoreland project located in North West Queensland, Australia. A total of 19 diamond drill holes for 1377.9 metres were drilled in August and September 2010. Of the 19 drill holes, 7 holes were drilled for 630.40 metres at Huarabagoo, and 12 holes were drilled for 747.50 metres at Long Pocket.
The Long Pocket area is located 8km east of Junnagunna and incorporates the historic Sue, Outcamp and Black Hills prospects. Drilling at Long Pocket was undertaken to test the tenor and distribution of mineralization at the historic Outcamp prospect area. Drilling at Huarabagoo was undertaken primarily to obtain structural data on mineralizing structures in the northern part of that prospect. The Huarabagoo drilling confirmed the Huarabagoo mineralization is bound by steep structures broadly parallel to the Redtree Dyke with indications of horizontal mineralization in coarser more permeable sandstone facies. Diagrams are available on our company website at www.laramide.com.
Best results for the program included:
-- LPDD10-004 (Long Pocket) with 4m at 0.13% U3O8 from 19m below ground
level;
-- LPDD10-006 (Long Pocket) with 4m at 0.29% U3O8 from 23m below ground
level;
-- LPDD10-009 (Long Pocket) with 15m at 0.09% U3O8 from 5m below ground
level;
-- WDD10-150 (Huarabagoo) with 16m at 0.08% U3O8 from 19m below ground
level;
-- WDD10-151 (Huarabagoo) with 9m at 0.16% U3O8 from 22m below ground
level;
Assay results are summarized in TABLE 1
TABLE 1 - Significant Drill Intersections
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Drill AMG AMG Azimuth Dip From To Interval U3O8
Hole East(i) North(i) (degrees) (degrees) RL (m) (m) (m) (m) (%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Huarabagoo(ii)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
WDD10-
145 194603.4 8063271.9 309 -45 80.75 No Significant Assays
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
WDD10-
146 194603.4 8063271.9 309 -70 80.75 28 38 10 0.04
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
40 45 5 0.05
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
WDD10-
147 194603.4 8063271.9 0 -90 80.75 18 20 2 0.05
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
27 48 21 0.05
-----------------------
69 71 2 0.05
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
WDD10-
148 194599.6 8063268.5 129 -60 80.47 No Significant Assays
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
WDD10-
149 194540.9 8063207.2 129 -45 81.41 No Significant Assays
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
WDD10-
150 194540.9 8063207.2 129 -70 81.38 19 35 16 0.08
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
WDD10-
151 194540.9 8063207.2 0 -90 81.38 22 31 9 0.16
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
43 45 2 0.06
-----------------------
55 62 7 0.11
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long Pocket(iii)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
LPDD10-
001 204262.5 8065022.9 0 -90 93.82 42 45 3 0.02
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
LPDD10-
002 204166.8 8064992.1 0 -90 93.91 5 11 6 0.06
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
15 17 2 0.03
-----------------------
41 42 2 0.03
------------------------------
LPDD10-
003 204084.4 8064936.4 0 -90 94.18 0 6 6 0.03
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
17 23 6 0.03
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
LPDD10-
004 204005.5 8064877.0 0 -90 94.93 19 23 4 0.13
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
LPDD10-
005 203915.6 8064837.6 0 -90 95.26 33 36 3 0.02
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
LPDD10-
006 203822.1 8064799.0 0 -90 95.79 23 27 4 0.29
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
LPDD10-
007 203732.6 8064759.3 0 -90 97.17 No Significant Assays
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
LPDD10-
008 204125.2 8064963.2 0 -90 94.26 8 11 3 0.02
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
29 31 2 0.03
-----------------------
39 41 2 0.02
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
LPDD10-
009 204044.4 8064906.3 0 -90 94.57 5 20 15 0.09
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
LPDD10-
010 203960.2 8064855.3 0 -90 95.42 22 26 4 0.04
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
35 37 2 0.02
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
LPDD10-
011 203869 8064818.3 0 -90 95.27 26 30 4 0.04
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
32 35 3 0.02
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
LPDD10-
012 204214.5 8065012.3 0 -90 93.89 4 9 5 0.04
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) Datum is AGD66
(ii) WDD10 = 200ppm U3O8 cut off and minimum intersection of 2 metres
(iii) LPDD10 = 100ppm U3O8 cut off and minimum intersection of 2 metres
The drilling at Long Pocket is the first drilling undertaken by Laramide in this area which was last explored in the late 1990's by Rio Tinto. The Long Pocket area contains a complex of radiometric anomalies which are comparable in size to the Redtree-Huarabagoo radiometric anomalies. Past drilling indicated that a broad zone of shallow, flat lying mineralization is associated with the radiometric anomalies. Drilling in August consisted of a single traverse of 50 metre spaced drill holes across the historic Outcamp prospect. Drilling confirmed the presence of a broad, flat-lying and relatively shallow zone of uranium mineralization. In this area, the width of the mineralized zone (greater than 0.02% U3O8) is approximately 500 metres. The results from this preliminary drilling provide encouragement to further drill test the area to determine its resource potential. A more extensive drilling program is planned for 2011 to provide sufficient data to undertake a resource estimation and to facilitate a revised scoping study for the project. The scoping study will incorporate the results of extensive metallurgical testwork currently underway and all previous drilling and resource modeling data. The scoping study will include a new pit optimization and scheduling study. Laramide considers that the Westmoreland project can support higher production rates than the 3 Million lbs per annum proposed in the 2007 scoping study. Laramide considers higher production rates are possible due to the size of total resources, the geometry of the deposits (80% of resources occur within 50 metres of the surface) and favourable metallurgical properties.
Peter Mullens VP Exploration commented, "We are pleased with the results from Huarabagoo and Longpocket. Good widths and grades were returned from Huarabagoo which continues to establish the quality of the Resource. In addition Laramide completed drilling at the Longpocket area for the first time. Uranium has been known from work completed by a previous operator in the Longpocket area; however Laramide had never drilled in this zone. This is a new zone of uranium mineralization located outside the existing resource. This shows the exploration potential on the property and the ability for the resource to grow."
Currently work at Westmoreland is focussed on completing a further program of environmental baseline data collection. This program will bring an end to collection of major data for the eventual Environmental Study and will allow Laramide to be in a position to commence a feasibility study and file for permits once there is a clear path to development of the project. Ongoing monitoring of Environmental information such as weather will continue.
Laramide has implemented a quality control program at Westmoreland to ensure best practices. Under the guidelines of the National Instrument 43-101, the Qualified Person for the Westmoreland Uranium Project is Mr. Peter Mullens who is a member of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Mr. Mullens has reviewed and approved the technical content of this release.
About Laramide:
Laramide is engaged in the exploration and development of high quality uranium assets. Its wholly owned uranium assets are in Australia and the United States. Laramide's portfolio of advanced uranium projects have been chosen for their production potential. Its flagship project, Westmoreland, in Queensland, Australia, is one of the largest projects currently held by a junior mining company. Its U.S. assets include La Jara Mesa in Grants, New Mexico and La Sal in the Lisbon Valley district of Utah. Its portfolio also includes joint venture, strategic equity positions and royalty participation in uranium development and exploration companies that provide additional geographic diversification and uranium exposure for shareholders.
Or visit our web site at This press release contains forward-looking statements. The actual results could differ materially from a conclusion, forecast or projection in the forward-looking information. Certain material factors or assumptions were applied in drawing a conclusion or making a forecast or projection as reflected in the forward-looking information.
Contacts:
Laramide Resources Ltd.
Marc Henderson
President and CEO
Toronto, Canada
+1 (416) 599 7363
www.Laramide.com
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/laramide-reports-results-from-drilling-at-westmoreland-2010-11-24?siteid=nbsh