Benzinga - by Stjepan Kalinic, Benzinga Staff Writer.
Energy Fuels (AMEX:UUUU) is gearing up for substantial expansion with plans to open two additional uranium mines in Colorado and Wyoming.
The Whirlwind and Nichols Ranch mines are expected to commence production within a year, potentially doubling Energy Fuels’ uranium output and reaching a run rate of over two million pounds of U3O8 annually by 2025 if market conditions remain favorable. In 2024, the uranium market is experiencing heightened activity, with miners raising production and investment banks engaging in market making.
“We hold a bullish long-term view of uranium prices, and we are investing to boost production,” CEO Mark Chalmers stated in a press release.
The decision to capitalize on the current strength in uranium prices reflects the company’s strategic response to the surge in demand for uranium oxide – commonly known as yellowcake. The spot price of U3O8 recently reached an impressive high of $102.00 per pound, with the long-term price standing at $72.00 per pound, according to data from TradeTech.
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In 2023, Energy Fuels achieved record-breaking financial results, reporting a net income of nearly $100 million, or 63 cents per share. The management noted a robust balance sheet that almost doubled in capital compared to 2022 and $76 million in product inventory at current commodity prices.
In 2024, these results could be even better, as the company contracted to sell 100,000 pounds in Q1 at an average sales price of $102.88 per pound, resulting in an approximate gross margin of 64%.
The company’s strategic moves, including the recent production start at Pinyon Plain in Arizona, La Sal, and Pandora in Utah, are set to contribute to its growing success. Annual uranium production is projected to reach 1.1 million to 1.4 million pounds this year as these three mines fully ramp up.
The company’s focus extends beyond immediate production goals. Energy Fuels plans to conduct exploration drilling on Nichols Ranch area properties in Wyoming and underground delineation drilling at Pinyon Plain. Additionally, they aim to advance permitting on large-scale properties like Roca Honda in New Mexico, Sheep Mountain in Wyoming, and Bullfrog in Utah, laying the groundwork for future uranium production.
“As long as market prices remain strong, we will continue to selectively capitalize on spot market sales opportunities as we ramp up our production in 2024 and beyond, all with limited capital,” Chalmers said, noting that Energy Fuels entered an "exclusive club" of profitable non-state-owned uranium mining companies.
For those interested in broadening their portfolio within the uranium mining space, here are three ETFs worth considering:
- URA offers targeted exposure to a broad range of companies involved in uranium mining and the production of nuclear components. It’s designed to track the Solactive Global Uranium & Nuclear Components Total Return Index, making it a comprehensive option for investors interested in the uranium sector.
- URNM seeks to provide investment results that, before fees and expenses, correspond to the total return performance of the North Shore Global Uranium Mining Index. The ETF focuses on companies in the uranium mining industry, including those engaged in the extraction, exploration, development, and production of uranium, as well as companies that invest in uranium.
- NLR aims to replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the price and yield performance of the MVIS® Global Uranium & Nuclear Energy Index. The ETF provides exposure to companies involved in uranium mining, nuclear reactors, nuclear components and equipment, and the generation and distribution of nuclear energy.
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