Mining

Stallion Now Reigns as The Largest Landowner in the Western Athabasca Basin

The Athabasca Basin in northern Saskatchewan is home to some of the world’s richest uranium deposits. The basin covers an area of approximately 100,000 square kilometers and has produced over 50% of the world’s uranium since the 1970s. Uranium mining in the Athabasca Basin is a major economic driver for the region, and the industry employs thousands of people.

Darin Carroll
May 30, 2023
6
 min read

Article Highlights

The Athabasca Basin in northern Saskatchewan is home to some of the world’s richest uranium deposits. The basin covers an area of approximately 100,000 square kilometers and has produced over 50% of the world’s uranium since the 1970s. Uranium mining in the Athabasca Basin is a major economic driver for the region, and the industry employs thousands of people.

Did you know the Athabasca Basin is home to the world’s most extensive and highest-grade uranium mining and milling operations? Several major companies are already implemented there, but none have as much land such as Stallion Discoveries (TSXV: STUD, OTC: STLNF, FRA: HM40). Thanks to its recent joint venture with Atha Energy, Stallion now owns 715,450 acres across the Western Basin. With Cameco and Orano Canada as direct neighbors, the stage for discovery has been set.

Why is the Athabasca Basin crucial for the world’s uranium?

Situated in the heartland of Canada, the Athabasca region has established itself as a dominant force in the field of uranium mining, exerting a significant influence on the global stage. Blessed with ample reserves and exceptionally rich ore deposits, this region has become a vital player in meeting the ever-growing global demand for nuclear energy. Boasting an astounding 20% of the world’s known uranium resources, the Athabasca region stands unrivaled as a valuable repository of this precious mineral. 

With a staggering 270,000 tonnes of identified uranium deposits, its potential to fulfill the escalating need for this essential nuclear fuel is unparalleled. 

Setting it apart from numerous other deposits across the globe, the average uranium ore grade in this region surpasses 2% to 3%, far exceeding the global average of 0.1% to 0.2%. Over the years, Canada has consistently ranked among the world’s largest uranium producers, and in 2020 alone, approximately 7,400 tonnes were extracted. The Athabasca region’s contribution to the global uranium supply chain guarantees a steady and reliable source of this crucial fuel for nuclear power generation on a worldwide scale.

Nuclear power is becoming increasingly popular in countries such as the United States, the European Union, and others. As the interest in nuclear power grows, so does the price of uranium, which has been rising since 2021. Indeed, the uranium price increased by 78%, moving from $24 to 53% (May 23, 2023). Furthermore, power utilities are now returning to long-term contracts, which is a crucial development.

However, there is a problem with the supply struggling to meet the increasing demand due to a lack of investment in the uranium industry over the past ten years caused by low prices.

The availability of uranium remains limited, and it is expected that further price increases will be necessary and anticipated before new supply can be incentivized.

In fact, according to John Ciampaglia, the CEO of Sprott Asset Management, there may be a shortage of uranium supply unless the metal prices reach the range of $75 to $100 per pound. 

Stallion Discoveries Play An Important Role In the Region 

The most recent news can’t and hasn’t let investors insensitive. Thanks to a joint venture with  Atha Energy, Stallion simply became the largest contiguous project owner in the Western Athabasca Basin. 

After acquiring a 70% interest in 47 mineral claims, Stallion acquires 547,534 in the region. It significantly expands the company’s holdings to reach up to 715,450 acres. Thanks to this strategic movement, Stallion increase the potential to discover numerous high-potential target zones. 

“We are thrilled to announce this transformational option to expand our position in the Western Athabasca basin. There is significant strategic value in gaining access to this land package that is directly adjacent to our current projects. We and other key stakeholders in the district believe that the Western Basin is underexplored and provides tremendous opportunity for exploration success. Stallion now has the potential to hold the largest continuous land package in the Western Athabasca basin, offering exploration synergies and more target areas as we execute on our exploration plan.”

Stallion CEO, Mr. Drew Zimmerman

Regarding the key terms, it is important to highlight Stallion’s remarkable ability to generate a substantial amount of work within a short timeframe. This productivity is expected to greatly contribute to the company’s growth, particularly in an area where its market capitalization is currently among the lowest. Any significant discoveries made by Stallion are likely to enhance the company’s market value strongly.

  • Within 12 months, Stallion must accumulate $3,311,770 in Saskatchewan Exploration Expenditure Credits on the Project.
  • Within 60 months, Stallion must accumulate an additional $8,688,230 in Saskatchewan Exploration Expenditure Credits, bringing the total to $12,000,000.

Stallion’s neighbors notably include Orano Canada, that in 2022 achieved a total production of 18 million pounds of U3O8 (Triuranium octoxide or also known as a compound of uranium). Another neighbor is Cameco. Since its inception in 2015, Cameco’s Cigar Lake mine has emerged as the most prolific uranium mine globally, boasting the highest ore grade. The mine has successfully yielded over 123 million pounds of ore to date.

Stallion has recently finished conducting an electromagnetic and magnetic survey over their 78,831 hectares in the Athabasca Basin. To carry out this program, the company enlisted the services of Geotech, who utilized their advanced VTEM Plus system to cover all eight of Stallion’s projects. The VTEM technology has been widely used by numerous explorers operating in the Athabasca Basin since its introduction in 2004. Calibration studies conducted by Areva (now Orano) have confirmed that the VTEM Plus system can detect basement conductors up to a depth of 750 meters.

The survey involved flying over the region with a line spacing of 200 meters, covering a total distance of 5,150 kilometers. For the Quality Assurance/Quality Control of the data acquisition phase, Stallion engaged Condor North Consulting ULC (Condor). With the completion of the data acquisition phase, Geotech will now proceed with the data processing and generation of the final products, which is expected to be completed in the upcoming weeks. 

This survey will represent the key first step on a proven exploration roadmap in the area. With the data acquisition phase of the geophysical survey soon to be complete, Stallion’s team will prioritize key target areas and potential drill targets.

Why We Believe Stallion Discoveries (TSXV: STUD, OTC: STLNF, FRA: HM40) Is  A Hot Stock Right Now


  • The company’s operations are in the most prolific uranium region in the world; 
  • Stallion direct neighbors include Cameco and Orano Canada which are among the biggest company; 
  • Stallion Discoveries is the largest owner in the Western Athabasca Basin (715,450 acres);
  • A lot of work will be done by Stallion within 60 months, augmenting the chances to find discoveries; 
  • The management team and key shareholders have led to successful transactions. 

In this article

Share This Story

Coming Late 2023

Elevate your industry knowledge with our exclusive newsletter.

The latest news, articles, and resources, sent to your inbox weekly.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Recent Articles

Recent news, technologies, and resources from our team.

Mining

Investing in Uranium Stocks: A Comprehensive Guide for Canadian Investors

As the global trend towards clean energy continues to gain momentum, many investors are eyeing the uranium market for potential opportunities. The price of uranium has shown signs of strength in recent years, raising hopes for a potential market revival. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore different avenues available for Canadian investors to enter the uranium market, focusing specifically on investing in uranium stocks. We will discuss the top uranium mining companies, the countries with significant uranium production, and the potential for future growth in this sector. Additionally, we will examine the positive impact that an increase in uranium prices can have on the stock market. Understanding Uranium Stocks Before diving into the specifics of investing in uranium stocks, it is important to understand the basics of this sector. Uranium stocks refer to shares of companies involved in the exploration, mining, and production of uranium. These companies play a crucial role in the nuclear energy industry, as uranium is the primary fuel used in nuclear reactors. The uranium market faced significant challenges following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, which led to concerns about the safety of nuclear reactors. Combined with excess supply, these factors caused uranium prices to plummet. However, in recent years, several developments have brought hope to the industry, including supply cuts, geopolitical tensions, and the reentry of major players into the market. As a result, uranium prices have started to rise, prompting investors to consider entering the market. Investing in Uranium Stocks Investing in uranium stocks provides an opportunity for investors to gain exposure to the potential growth of the uranium market. While the path to investing in uranium stocks may not be as straightforward as investing in other commodities like gold, there are several options for Canadian investors to explore. 1. Top Uranium Mining Companies Beginner investors may want to start their journey by considering the world's largest uranium mining companies. These companies often provide stability and have a significant presence in the industry. Some of the prominent uranium heavyweights include: Cameco (TSX:CCO, NYSE:CCJ) BHP (NYSE:BHP, ASX:BHP, LSE:BHP) NexGen Energy (NYSE:NXE, TSX:NXE, ASX:NXG) Kazatomprom (LSE:KAP) While these large mining companies offer a solid foundation for investors, there are also mid-tier and junior uranium exploration companies worth exploring. Conducting thorough research on TSXV- and TSX-listed stocks and ASX-listed uranium stocks can provide valuable insights into potential investment opportunities. 2. Understanding Uranium Production To make informed investment decisions, it is crucial to have a clear understanding of the countries that produce the most uranium. The top three uranium-producing countries are Kazakhstan, Namibia, and Canada. These countries play a pivotal role in the global uranium market and can directly influence uranium prices. Investors interested in uranium stocks should closely monitor developments in these countries and their impact on market dynamics. 3. Investing in Uranium ETFs For investors who prefer diversification and exposure to a basket of equities rather than individual stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) focusing on uranium can be an attractive option. While the selection of uranium-focused ETFs is relatively limited, there are a few options available for Canadian investors: Global X Uranium ETF (ARCA:URA): This ETF tracks a basket of mining firms, including both American and international uranium miners and producers. VanEck Uranium+Nuclear Energy ETF (ARCA:NLR): This ETF follows a market-cap-weighted index of companies in the uranium industry. Horizons Global Uranium Index ETF (TSX:HURA): Designed to provide exposure to the rebounding uranium industry, this ETF features Canadian uranium stocks. It is important to thoroughly research and assess the specific holdings and investment strategies of these ETFs before making any investment decisions. 4. Future Potential: Sprott Uranium Miners ETF One of the most recent additions to the uranium ETF landscape is the Sprott Uranium Miners ETF (ARCA:URNM). This international uranium fund includes companies from Kazakhstan, Canada, and the US. The ETF tracks producers, explorers, and holders of physical uranium, providing investors with direct exposure to the uranium market. Notably, the Sprott Physical Uranium Trust, a fund investing solely in physical uranium, is one of the holdings of this ETF. The Sprott Physical Uranium Trust has gained popularity for its role in boosting uranium prices. 5. The Role of Uranium Futures Another option for investors looking to participate in the uranium market is through futures contracts. Futures contracts obligate the buyer to purchase or the seller to sell an asset at a predetermined future date and price. While the options for uranium futures are limited, they can still provide investors with a marketplace for direct exposure to uranium prices. CME Group (NASDAQ:CME) offers UxC uranium U3O8 futures, where each contract represents 250 pounds of the nuclear fuel. The NYMEX also provides U3O8 futures trading options. These futures contracts are essential as they provide a means for consumers and suppliers to manage prices and risks in the absence of an exchange-listed, transparent price instrument. 6. The Bullish Case for Uranium The uranium market has attracted significant attention, with experts predicting a potential renaissance in the industry. Various factors contribute to this bullish sentiment, including supply cuts, increased demand for nuclear energy, and growing prospects for uranium prices. John Ciampaglia, CEO of Sprott Asset Management, highlights the bullish scenario for uranium, emphasizing the improved position of uranium companies in negotiating sales to utilities. Chris Temple, founder, editor, and publisher of the National Investor, is equally confident in a coming bull market for uranium, predicting a price of $100 per pound within the next two years. Looking at the broader picture, nuclear energy currently accounts for 10% of the world's electricity generation, and this figure is expected to increase to 12% by 2050. As the need for clean energy intensifies and uranium oversupply diminishes, the demand for this energy fuel is likely to grow, presenting an opportunity for investors in uranium stocks. Conclusion Investing in uranium stocks can be an appealing option for Canadian investors seeking exposure to the potential growth of the uranium market. By considering top uranium mining companies, understanding uranium production dynamics, exploring uranium ETFs, monitoring uranium futures, and recognizing the bullish case for uranium, investors can make informed decisions about their investment strategies. As the demand for clean energy continues to rise, an increase in uranium prices is expected to have a positive impact on the stock market. However, it is crucial to conduct thorough research, evaluate risk factors, and consult with financial advisors before making any investment decisions. By staying informed and remaining vigilant, investors can position themselves to potentially benefit from the future growth of the uranium industry. References: Investing News Network: The Price of Uranium Investing News Network: Uranium Energy in North America

August 24, 2023
3
 min read