TORONTO (Reuters) – An expected surge in demand for uranium to fuel new reactors may go unfilled if new supply does not soon come on stream, meaning a setback for China, the United States and other countries that are increasingly relying on nuclear energy to power their economies.

While a host of uranium explorers promise to bring projects into production before a major supply crunch develops, most are overestimating their ability to deliver on schedule, industry experts say.

TORONTO, March 8 (Reuters) – Northern Superior (SUP.V: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) will
be less dependent on deals this year as it uses its strong cash
position to move its projects further along the development
path, the company’s chief executive said on Tuesday.

“Instead of having to rush out and seek somebody to help us
JV these projects early on, we can take them a little bit
further,” said Chief Executive Thomas Morris in a interview
with Reuters on the sidelines of the PDAC prospectors and
developers conference.

TORONTO, March 8 (Reuters) – Hastings Rare Metals will list
on the Australian Stock Exchange on Wednesday as part of a
reverse takeover deal with Augustus Minerals (AUJ.AX: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) , the
chairman of the new company said on Tuesday.

“It was the right vehicle for us to go with, and the right
partners,” said Hastings Chairman David Nolan in an interview
with Reuters on the sidelines of the PDAC prospectors and
developers conference.

TORONTO, March 8 (Reuters) – Fission Energy (FIS.V: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) may
spin off its Peruvian and Quebec exploration projects into a
new company as it focuses on advancing the Waterbury Lake
project in the uranium-rich Athabasca Basin, said the company’s
top executive.

“Most people don’t realize that we have Macusani or Dieter
Lake,” said Fission Chief Executive Dev Randhawa, referring to
projects to be spun off. “If I could put those into a new
company, and get C$40 million worth of stock … I can put that
back to my shareholders.”

TORONTO, March 7 (Reuters) – Nevsun Resources (NSU.TO: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz)
plans to use the cash flow from its newly producing Bisha mine
in Eritrea to acquire a new copper project in another mining
jurisdiction, a company VP said on Monday.

“We’re looking for acquisitions in the copper space … and
we’re looking to diversify political risk,” Scott Trebilcock,
vice president of business development, said on the sidelines
of the PDAC prospectors and developers conference in Toronto.

TORONTO, March 6 (Reuters) – Resolute Mining (RSG.AX: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) will
boost production by 150,000 ounces over the next two years and
shift its focus to exploration as it looks to secure a new ore
deposit to replace gold ounces now coming online, said the CEO
of Australia’s No.2 gold producer.

“We’ve essentially developed pretty much the resource base
that we have already,” said Resolute Chief Executive Peter
Sullivan in an interview with Reuters ahead of the PDAC
prospectors and developers conference in Toronto.

TORONTO (Reuters) – Gold should push higher from its near-record levels due to its appeal as a safe haven, while iron ore should regain its upward momentum on the back of red-hot industrial demand from Asia, forecasters told the world’s larger mining conference on Sunday.

Copper, an economic bellwether due to its industrial versatility, should be well supported at its current lofty levels but may have trouble pushing significantly higher as mine production races to catch up to demand growth, they said.