1) Cameco Corp
Canadian-based Cameco Corp is a standout among the top uranium stocks. It is one of the world’s largest uranium producers accounting for about 16% of global production from its mines in Canada, the US, and Kazakhstan. In 2024, Cameco has several promising prospects on the horizon; their Cigar Lake mine in Saskatchewan is one of the world’s top ten producers of uranium. Additionally, the company is known for its impressive reserve base, robust financial health, and consistent dividend payments, making it a solid choice for investors looking to enter the uranium sector.
2) Kazatomprom
At the top of the list as the world’s largest producer of uranium is Kazatomprom. The Kazakhstan-based company has captured nearly 40% of the global uranium market, a remarkable feat given that the country only began significant uranium exploration and mining in the 1990s. Kazatomprom operates more than 20 uranium mines across the country, making it a juggernaut in the industry. It holds the distinction for being the cost-leader in the field. Thanks to its in-situ recovery mining techniques, the company produces uranium at lower costs, which shields it from price volatility.
3) NexGen Energy
NexGen Energy, another notable Canadian uranium company, is best known for its Rook I project in the southwest Athabasca Basin region. The 2024 reports reveal that the project holds significant uranium resources, totaling 302.9 million pounds in the indicated category, alongside 90.9 million pounds in the inferred category. Apart from their major Rook I project, NexGen also owns property in southwestern Athabasca and has ongoing uranium exploration in the Harpoon Area.
4) Orano
The French multinational, Orano, emerged as one of the largest uranium companies in the world in 2024. Previously known as AREVA, the company restructured its operations to focus on nuclear materials development and waste management. Orano mines uranium in Canada, Kazakhstan, and Africa. It’s backed by the French government, and the business models make it an interesting and reliable investment in the uranium market.
5) BHP Billiton
BHP Billiton isn’t a pure-play uranium stock, but it’s still a worthwhile consideration for investors interested in the resource. The world’s largest miner by market cap, BHP has a broad asset portfolio that includes uranium mining. What makes BHP Billiton a powerful player in uranium mining is the Olympic Dam in South Australia which contains the world’s largest uranium deposits. BHP Billiton ensures that it isn’t only reliant on uranium for growth, providing another level of security for investors.
These top five uranium stocks of 2024, Cameco Corp, Kazatomprom, NexGen Energy, Orano, and BHP Billiton, have shown impressive strategic maneuvers. They all have their uniquely appealing investment facets, including significant uranium reserves, mining innovation, or broader portfolio diversification. As the world moves towards cleaner energy sources, the potential of uranium and the stocks of those who mine it could be a crucial part of the global energy narrative.
