MissionIR Small-Cap Investor Blog

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Uranium Energy Corp. (UEC) is “One to Watch”

Uranium Energy Corp. is a U.S.-based exploration and development company focused on uranium production in the U.S. The company’s operations are managed by professionals who have earned a reputable profile through many decades of hands-on experience in the key facets of uranium exploration, development and mining.

Uranium Energy controls one of the largest databases of historic uranium exploration and development in the nation. Using this knowledge base, the company has acquired and is advancing exploration properties of merit throughout the southwestern U.S., a region known as being the most concentrated area for uranium mining in the United States.

Uranium Energy’s fully licensed and permitted Hobson processing facility has a capacity of up to 3 million pounds per annum and is central to all of the company’s projects in South Texas. Well financed to execute on its key programs, the company’s Palangana is-situ recovery project is fully permitted and ramping up to full production, and its Goliad in-situ recovery project is in the final stages of mine permitting for production.

The company’s strategy of acquiring exploration databases and leveraging those databases to generate acquisition targets has proven to be effective thus far. With plans to continue aggressively pursuing this successful strategy, Uranium Energy Corp is well positioned to capitalize on the world’s first significant alternative energy boom.

Key Investment Highlights

Aggressive Exploration Program Underway in South Texas

Controls Twenty-Seven Projects in the U.S. with 35+ mm lbs. U3O8

Operates the First New U.S. ISR Uranium Mine in Five Years

Strong Balance Sheet with $34 Million in Cash and No Debt

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LightPath Technologies, Inc. (LPTH) is “One to Watch”

Over the past 50 years, there has been a steady move toward the use of light and other near-light electromagnetic wave related technologies for everything from high-speed communication to medical analysis and treatment. With advantages that light has over electricity in certain applications, and with new applications being developed, it’s a move that is expected to continue and even accelerate. LightPath Technologies, based in Florida, has been a consistent driver of this development.

LightPath specializes in what is called aspheric optics, essentially optical lenses that have more complex shapes than simple spherical or cylindrical type lenses. Such lenses can avoid optical aberrations common in simple lenses, and, as a result, can effectively replace traditional multi-lens systems that are more complex and bulky.

Aspheric lens assemblies are important for medical, industrial, defense, and communication applications. The company provides optical products covering the spectral range from UV to long wave infrared (LWIR), including molded aspheric optics, thermal imaging infrared lenses and assemblies, GRADIUM® optics, fiber collimators, and optical isolators, and can combine various optical elements into complete optical assemblies. In addition, LightPath is TUV ISO 9001 and SGS 9001:2000 certified.

LightPath began in 1985 with the invention of GRADIUM® glass, an axial gradient index glass used for cost-effective high power laser systems, and has continued to grow organically with technological developments and through key acquisitions. The company’s customer base represents a diverse mix of industrial, military, and medical applications. LightPath optical and mechanical engineers work directly with clients to ensure proper integration of optical products into the final system. The company also has full automation capabilities for final production once the design is completed.

LightPath has facilities at their world headquarters in Research Park at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, as well as in Shanghai, China.

For additional information, visit the company’s website at www.LightPath.com

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NovaGold Resources, Inc. (NG) Moves Forward on Galore Creek, Major Copper-Gold-Silver Property

NovaGold, a precious metals exploration and development company focused on British Columbia and Alaska, has announced significant progress towards completion of a pre-feasibility study for its Galore Creek copper-gold-silver project in British Columbia. The study is expected to be complete by July, and a National Instrument 43-101 compliant technical report is concurrently being prepared by AMEC Americas Limited.

The Galore Creek property covers nearly 460 square miles in northwestern British Columbia, and is owned equally by subsidiaries of NovaGold and Teck Resources. It represents one of the world’s largest undeveloped copper-gold-silver deposits.

NovaGold President and CEO, Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse, said the following, “Completion of the prefeasibility study will be an important milestone as we work with Teck to optimize the Galore Creek project. Galore Creek is one of the most significant copper-gold projects in the world. Its timely development is important for all stakeholders, including Federal and Provincial governments as well as First Nation communities of northwestern British Columbia.”

The pre-feasibility study is being prepared by Galore Creek Mining Corporation, jointly owned by NovaGold Resources and Teck Resources Limited. Teck completed funding requirements of $373 million during the second quarter of 2011, earning a 50% interest in GCMC. The Project will move forward with Teck and NovaGold equally funding further project development.

In addition to Galore Creek in British Columbia, NovaGold hold interests in several properties in Alaska, including the Donlin Creek Project in western Alaska, considered one of the largest undeveloped gold deposits in the world. The Donlin Creek property is owned equally by NovaGold and Barrick Gold Corporation. NovaGold’s stated objective is to become a low-cost million-ounce-per-year gold producer. The company has a track record of expanding deposits through successful exploration and the forging of critical partnerships.

For additional information on NovaGold Resources, visit the company’s website at www.NovaGold.net

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Uranium Prices Could Reach New Highs as Japan Recovers from Nuclear Disaster

The nuclear crisis in Japan has caused many changes for the country and for the global economy. Analysts are keeping watch over certain goods and materials, but nothing has been more widely discussed than uranium. Despite the incident, analysts expect spot uranium prices to reach levels that were seen in Japan prior to the nuclear crisis. Amir Adnani, the Chief Executive Officer of Uranium Energy Corp. (AMEX: UEC), a U.S.-based company, said that demand for the ore remains intact, and as such, prices of spot uranium could continue to rise to reach new highs.

In his interview, Adnani noted that spot uranium prices reached an all-time high of $140/lb in July of 2007, and stated that, “There is no reason why prices shouldn’t reach all time highs, as the end-user is not affected by the price of uranium.” Adnani said that the current supply of uranium is not enough to meet global demand. After the Fukushima crisis, global demand fell from 185 million pounds to 175 million, while supply remained steady at approximately 130 million.

Uranium has been highlighted in discussions about the nuclear crisis in Japan because it is used to fuel nuclear power plants. Mr. Adnani said that before the earthquake and tsunami damaged the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear complex, people expected the price of uranium to reach around $80/lb by the end of the year. Spot uranium traded at around $70/lb just prior to the nuclear crisis; after Fukushima, uranium prices slumped to $56/lb as investors nervously weighed the potential for a global reconsideration concerning nuclear power.

Some are cautious to say that uranium prices will rise because 17 nuclear plants worldwide have closed post-Fukushima. However, Adnani believes that uranium demand will not be affected, mainly because of the fact that, globally, construction of 62 nuclear reactors is underway, only 3% of which are from G-7 countries. Adnani believes this to be significant, stating, “The fundamental difference between reactors from the G-7 and those from growing economies is that the reactors in growing economies are state-run entities that have very little input from the public.”

He theorized that those governments are more likely to advance their nuclear power capabilities. He used the example of China, where access to capital is easier for state-run projects than for private-run projects. Private-run projects can be swayed by negative public opinion and are often subject to lobbying from shareholders.

The nuclear disaster in Japan has been compared to the infamous Chernobyl disaster in the Soviet Union, but Adnani notes that Chernobyl was more severe. As events in Japan continue to unfold, Adnani believes that “nuclear power is likely to continue to be at the forefront of the world’s energy mix, as the burning of fossil fuels continues to damage the environment and people become more aware of this.”

According to Adnani, UEC was the only company in the world to commission a uranium project last year. At full capacity, the company can process 3 million pounds of uranium a year, very close to the United States’ existing annual domestic output of 3.5 million pounds. In the quarter ending Jan. 31, production of uranium concentrate reached approximately 21,000 pounds. Production is expected to increase every quarter to reach 1 million pounds at the end of July 2012. As UEC’s CEO, Adnani feels that his company is in position to capitalize on the projected resurgence of spot uranium prices.

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Uranium Energy Corp. (UEC) Signs Merger Deal with Private Mining Company

Uranium Energy Corp. recently reported that the company has entered into a merger deal with Concentric Energy, a privately owned mining company with operations in Arizona.

Uranium Energy Corp. will issue 1.25 million shares of the company’s common stock in exchange for all outstanding shares of Concentric Energy Corp. The merger has been approved by the boards of directors of both companies.

Concentric Energy Corp. owns a 100% interest in the Anderson property, a uranium production area located in Yavapai County, Arizona. The property is composed of 289 contiguous mineral claims on 5,785 acres.

Uranium Energy Corp. said that open pit mining of uranium ore at the Anderson property began in 1955 after levels of radioactivity were found at the site. The company said that more than 10,000 tons of uranium ore were mined at the Anderson property and transported off site for further processing. Production from the property ended in 1959 after the Atomic Energy Commission ended its uranium purchasing program.

In the late 1970’s, approximately 1,400 exploration holes were drilled at the site by various mining companies to assess the feasibility of constructing a mining and processing facility on the property. These feasibility studies did not lead to the construction of any mining operations.

Concentric Energy staked a claim to the Anderson property in 2001, and began a drill program in 2006. The company has drilled 25 exploratory holes totaling more than 8,000 feet.

For more information on the company, go to www.uraniumenergy.com

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Uranium Energy Corp. (UEC) Signs Long Term Contract to Supply Uranium Compound

Uranium Energy Corp. recently announced that the company has signed a long term contract to supply a uranium compound to an unidentified customer.

Uranium Energy Corp. said that the contract calls for the company to deliver 300,000 pounds of triuranium octoxide (U3O8) over a three year period beginning in August 2011. There is no set delivery schedule in the contract and the company will receive current market prices at the time of delivery.

Uranium Energy Corp. plans to utilize its Hobson processing facility to fulfill the terms of the contract. The Hobson plant is located in Karnes County, Texas, and underwent a complete refurbishment in 2008.

The plant is designed to receive uranium resin from satellite mining operations located in south Texas and process it into triuranium octoxide for shipment to customers. Triuranium octoxide is one of the main ingredients of yellowcake, a concentrated uranium powder used in the preparation of fuel rods for use in nuclear reactors.

The Hobson plant is currently receiving uranium resin from the Palangana mine, which started up production in November 2010. The Palangana mine is located on 6,200 acres approximately 100 miles south of the Hobson plant.

Uranium Energy Corp. estimates that the mine contains measured and indicated resources of 1.06 million pounds of uranium in two separate production areas.

For more information on the company, go to www.uraniumenergy.com

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Wednesday, June 22, 2011

NeoStem, Inc. (NBS) is “One to Watch”

NeoStem, an international biopharmaceutical company, has adult stem cell operations in the U.S., with cell therapy production facilities in New Jersey and California through its acquisition of Progenitor Cell Therapy, LLC. NeoStem also has a network of adult stem cell therapeutic providers in China, and owns majority interest in Suzhou Erye Pharmaceuticals, a profitable Chinese generic pharmaceutical production company in Suzhou Jiangsu, west of Shanghai. NeoStem has licensed various cellular therapy technologies, and holds the exclusive worldwide rights to a wound healing technology in addition to VSELTM (very small embryonic-like) stem cell technology, involving adult stem cells that have been shown to have several physical characteristics generally found in embryonic stem cells.

Progenitor Cell Therapy, acquired by NeoStem in January of 2011, represents over 100 years of collective experience in the business and science of cell therapy and development. PCT has served over 100 clients from around the world, and has experience with over 20 different cell-based therapeutics. PCT has performed over 30,000 cell therapy procedures, processed and stored over 18,000 cell therapy products, and has arranged the logistics and transportation for over 14,000 cell therapy products for clinical use by over 5,000 patients.

The cornerstone of NeoStem’s China operations is its 51% interest in Suzhou Erye, a well-established vertically-integrated pharmaceutical company focused primarily on the manufacturing and sale of antibiotics, with seven products in its current pipeline. Erye’s new product facility will significantly increase its capacity, expected to make it one of the largest antibiotic producers in Eastern China.

The mission of NeoStem is to accelerate the development of proprietary cellular therapies, with the goal of becoming a global source for the collection, storage, production, therapeutic development, and the transportation of cells for cell-based medicine and regenerative science.

For additional information, visit the company’s website at www.NeoStem.com

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