Energy Fuels (NYSE:UUUU) - Fixing the US Critical Mineral Shortage

Interview with Mark Chalmers, President & CEO of Energy Fuels

Our previous interview:  https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/energy-fuels-nyse-uuuu-multi-phase-plan-to-overcome-us-critical-minerals-shortage-6377

Recording date: 3rd February 2025

Energy Fuels (NYSE: UUUU) is emerging as a unique way for investors to gain exposure to two of the most critical inputs to the clean energy transition - uranium and rare earth elements. As the leading US-based uranium producer with a growing rare earths business, Energy Fuels offers significant upside potential that the market appears to be overlooking.

On the uranium side, Energy Fuels is the leading US-based producer with about 1 million pounds per year of current production and a path to 2-6 million pounds over the next several years from a combination of its own mines, toll milling agreements, alternate feed, and ore purchases. This flexible "hub and spoke" model positions Energy Fuels to be the dominant uranium supplier to the US nuclear fleet, which requires about 50 million pounds per year, much of which is currently imported.

The company's rare earth elements business, based at its White Mesa Mill in Utah, is ramping up to produce rare earth carbonates and oxides vital for electric vehicle motors and wind turbine generators. Energy Fuels began producing a high purity mixed rare earth carbonate in 2021 and is now moving towards individual separated rare earth oxides with a definitive feasibility study underway to expand capacity 5-10x by 2027. Successful execution would establish Energy Fuels as the first major US-based rare earths processor.

The macro backdrop for Energy Fuels could hardly be more favorable. Governments around the world are embracing nuclear power as a 24/7 zero-carbon energy source, supporting robust growth in uranium demand for the foreseeable future. Meanwhile, the US and other Western nations are rushing to build domestic critical mineral supply chains after decades of relying on China, which currently controls 80%+ of rare earths production and processing. This is driving government support and capital into the sector.

Despite this compelling setup, Energy Fuels trades at a significant discount to its uranium peers and the market is essentially ascribing no value to the rare earths business. The company's uranium assets alone are worth more than the current enterprise value based on most price to net asset value estimates. That means investors can gain exposure to a strategic US rare earths producer essentially for free at current valuations - a mispricing that is unlikely to persist as commercial contracts are signed.

Energy Fuels' recent deal with the Navajo Nation to transport ore and assist with mine cleanup shows strong stakeholder relationships and de-risks the investment case. When combined with the company's first mover status and deep technical know-how, Energy Fuels stands out as a compelling way to play the global energy transition and rising geopolitical importance of critical minerals supply chains. Energy investors with a long-term time horizon should consider adding exposure at these levels before the market catches on to the opportunity.

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