NWT Uranium Corporation - Industry Info

Projects Niger Quebec Mexico Industry Info

Uranium

Fueling nuclear power plants to generate electricity is the most significant commercial use for uranium. Currently, nuclear energy provides 16% of the world's electricity via approximately 440 reactors operating in 30 countries. Annual uranium demand is 67,000 tonnes, with mining fulfilling 55% of that need. An additional 30% comes from stockpiles, which are not being replenished due to current production shortfalls, and the remaining 15% is salvaged from recycled weapons, a non-renewable resource.

Uranium demand is expected to increase in the coming years as new reactors are built and brought online in developing nations such as China, which has 35 reactors planned or under construction and India with 16 nuclear plants under construction or planned (as of October 2007 according to the World Nuclear Association). With a current annual worldwide production shortfall of more than 300 million pounds, demand for uranium is expected to be 11% higher than supply over the next decade.

Uranium in Niger

Niger is located in western Africa and is the world's fourth largest uranium producing country (3,434tU in 2006 according to the World Nuclear Association). Cumulative production to date stands at approximately 100,000 metric tons uranium (U), making Niger one of the world's most important sources of uranium. Through the use of modern exploration techniques, the country offers significant potential for new discoveries given its favorable geology and large areas of land that remain unexplored.

Gold

The price of gold started 2008 by breaking the long-held all-time high of US$875 an ounce that was set in 1980. Analysts see the price continuing to strengthen thanks to support from the political and economic environment, a decline in mine production worldwide and reduced central bank gold sales. In addition to these factors, demand for gold is increasing. In recent years, demand from the jewelry industry alone has exceeded western mine production. Gold is crucial for a variety of other industries, such as aerospace, medicine, electronics and dentistry.

Mining analysts indicate that gold prices should also remain strong in the face of fast-growing demand from Asian nations, primarily India and China. For instance, India consumes roughly one-third of all world gold mine production annually and that trend is expected to continue.