ENERGY MINERALS

Paladin boosts cash holdings

PALADIN Energy has grown its cash holdings to US$44 million after sales of 475,000 pounds of uranium originating from the now-shuttered Langer Heinrich operation in Namibia.

 Langer Heinrich

Langer Heinrich

The $44 million is about $4 million above guidance, with the uranium having an average selling price of $31.41 per pound - versus the average spot price of $28.57/lb for the quarter.

The improving uranium price has seen Paladin initiate a concept study for a future restart of Langer Heinrich, with a potential prefeasibility possibly completed this year.

Langer Heinrich went on care and maintenance in May 2018.

The uranium price has risen about 27% over the past year.

Paladin noted in its quarterly report that the French have delayed their planned reduction in nuclear power by a decade to 2035, while the Taiwanese have voted to overturn a previous plan to become nuclear free by 2025.

The ASX-listed company also noted KazAtomProm sold a 15% stake in itself to London and Astana investors in mid-November for $450 million, and Rio Tinto's sale of a 69% interest in the Rossing mine in Namibia to Chinese interests for $106 million.

Meanwhile commodities analysts at Macquarie last week suggested rebalancing "of this tiny, oversupplied (uranium) oxide market continues to be heavily dependent on production rate policies of its two mining majors, Cameco and KazAtomProm".

Share in Paladin were this week trading at A17.5c, capitalising the company at $306 million.    

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