Uranium (Nuclear Energy)

[winston]

Japan to invest on nuclear energy in major policy shift

By Beatriz Valero de Urquia

The new policy establishes that Japan must maximise the use of existing nuclear reactors by restarting as many of them as possible, prolonging the operating life of old reactors beyond their 60-year limit, and developing next-generation reactors to replace them.

In the past decade, of the 25 reactors that have applied for restarts, only 10 have resumed operations.

Before the Fukushima meltdowns, about one-third of Japan’s electricity was generated from nuclear sources. In 2020, the figure was less than 5 per cent - but the country’s goal is to raise it to 20-22 per cent by the end of the decade.

Source: E&T

https://eandt.theiet.org/content/articl ... icy-shift/

[behappyalways]

The Science Of Nuclear Fusion Explained
https://www.zerohedge.com/energy/scienc ... -explained

[winston]

Uranium futures notched a 12% yearly gain and extending a 42.2% surge from 2021

Uranium futures were trading above $48 at the end of December, notching a 12% yearly gain and extending a 42.2% surge from 2021 as demand for nuclear fuel continued to increase after energy markets were destabilized by the war in Ukraine.

Among major players, Japan ordered the development of new power plants and approved 17 shut-down reactors to be restarted, marking a historical pivot of confidence in the sector since the 2011 Fukushima meltdown.

Further, China’s nuclear authorities announced extra capacity to accelerate its power plant building objectives, pointing to 10 new reactors being built per year.

At the same time, uncertainty remained about the supply of enriched uranium from Russia, accounting for over 40% of the world’s output, after Western sanctions have already limited shipments of other energy commodities.

Source: Trading Economics

[behappyalways]

World's Top Uranium Miner Ramps Up Production As Clients Switch From Russia
https://www.zerohedge.com/commodities/w ... tch-russia

[winston]

After 18 years, Europe's largest nuclear reactor starts regular output

by Essi Lehto

Finland's much-delayed Olkiluoto 3 (OL3) nuclear reactor, Europe's largest, began regular output early on Sunday, its operator said, boosting energy security in a region to which Russia has cut gas and power supplies.

News of OL3's start-up comes as Germany on Saturday switches off its last three remaining reactors, while Sweden, France, Britain and others plan new developments.

The unit is expected to meet around 14% of Finland's electricity demand, reducing the need for imports from Sweden and Norway.

The new reactor is expected to produce for at least 60 years.

Construction of the 1.6 gigawatt (GW) reactor, Finland's first new nuclear plant in more than four decades and Europe's first in 16 years, began in 2005. The plant was originally due to open four years later, but was plagued by technical issues.

Source: Reuters

https://www.theedgemarkets.com/node/663521

[winston]

Uranium prices were near the $53.4 per pound mark, remaining close to a one-year high of $53.7 from May 1st amid optimistic demand and looming threats to supply.

The Chinese Nuclear Association stated it is building 24 nuclear reactors, set to expand the 54 commercial reactors currently in operation as the country ramps up efforts to achieve carbon-cutting goals.

On top of that, India advanced plans for new nuclear power plants as current coal-usage backtracks the nation’s climate pledges.

On the supply side, utilities have opted for long-term contracts with Western miners, enrichers, and converters, to hedge against the possibility of incoming sanctions for Russian producers.

Source: Trading Economics

[winston]

Race to Nuclear Power: Invest in the Right Uranium Stocks

by Matthew Paulson

You can believe that the push towards clean energy is overdue or overdone. But you can’t deny that it’s happening.

The Biden administration is pushing for Net-Zero Emissions Operations by 2050 with the goal of reducing emissions by 65% by 2030.

Nuclear energy is well known as the only truly “clean energy” source that is currently available. And according to the World Nuclear Association, in 2019, there were 479 plants either being proposed, planned, or under construction.

But just as the growing electric vehicle (EV) market will require lithium, making a nuclear future a reality will require uranium and lots of it.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 set off a spike in uranium prices. And the forecast is for those prices to only move higher in the next several years.

That’s a supply and demand puzzle that needs to be solved. According to Statista, global demand for uranium is expected to reach 209 million pounds by 2035. To achieve that goal, new uranium assets will have to be discovered.

That’s great news for uranium miners, as they can lock in contracts at higher prices and use those prices to fund their mining operations. Many miners with operating mines are doing just that.

And other, smaller miners also stand to benefit from the rush to uranium.

The takeaway is that now is an ideal time for investors to consider uranium stocks. The big payoff may still be some time away, but that’s why it’s time to “mine” (pun intended) for some of the companies that are leading the way in this sector.

Source: DividendStocks.com

[winston]

Uranium to become pricier in fallout from Niger military coup: experts — reports

By Siow Chen Ming

(Aug 4): The military coup in Niger may push up uranium prices in the near future due to reduced supplies but the crisis will have little impact on China, which has achieved a breakthrough in uranium exploration, said Global Times.

The coup in the West African country, which is rich in uranium, has created uncertainty over market supply.

According to data from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, as of 2020, Niger had 420,000 tons of proven uranium reserves, the fifth largest in the world.

"Europe may bear the brunt of the crisis in Niger as it faces increasing demand for nuclear energy while it imposed sanctions on Russian oil and natural gas," Wu noted, Global Times wrote.

Last year, Niger was the second largest supplier of uranium to the EU, accounting for 25.38% of its total imports, according to the European Atomic Energy Community.

Source: theedgemalaysia.com

https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/677563

[winston]

You could use one little rock of uranium to provide the daily energy needs of 30,000 people.

There are around 415 reactors currently supplying nuclear energy to the world.

There are 59 new ones under construction, and 111 in early stage development.

Another 300+ have been proposed. The vast majority are in Russia, India, and China.

(The US has just one under construction. Germany removed all theirs and now has 0. Sweden has 0. France has 1. The “developed” countries are way, way behind.)

Yet even with just 415 active nuclear plants, uranium is already in short supply.

In 2021, for example, nuclear plants used 73,698 metric tons of uranium to produce electricity. Yet total uranium mine output that year was just 56,377 metric tons.

In other words, mines aren’t producing enough uranium... and they haven’t been for most of the last decade. Nuclear plants have had to draw down on their previous stockpiles.

Uranium stockpiles are at their lowest levels in nearly 20 years.)

Think about it— if uranium is already in short supply today, just imagine how undersupplied the market will be in the future when these new reactors come online.

Most likely this would result in a major price surge in uranium.

Source: Sovereign Man

[behappyalways]

Uranium Prices Hit A 12-Year High
https://www.zerohedge.com/energy/uraniu ... -year-high