Transaction volume in both the spot and long-term uranium market in February confirmed the US$10/pound price jump to $85/pound, according to TradeTech’s monthly Nuclear Market Review (NMR) report. Six transactions in the spot market for slightly less than 950,000 pounds U3O8 helped legitimatize the sealed-bid auction conducted by privately held Mestena Uranium LLC, where a modest amount of 100,000 was fiercely bid, according to NMR editor Treva Klingbiel.

“New demand emerged in the long-term market in February,” Klingbiel wrote. More than five million pounds U3O8 were purchased by a non-U.S. utility, to be delivered over a five-year period. Another non-U.S. utility asked to receive offers to buy two million pounds for delivery starting in 2008. One U.S. utility is evaluating offers to buy 3.5 million pounds U3O8 for delivery between 2012 and 2016. Another 13 utilities are evaluating offers to buy about 37 million pounds, starting as early as 2007.

TradeTech publishes the weekly Nuclear Market Review and the monthly version at month end. The weekly uranium spot price appears after Friday's spot uranium price indicator is determined on the consulting service's website at http://www.uranium.info

Klingbiel wrote, “Long-term demand remains strong and several utilities are expected to enter the market in coming weeks to secure long-term uranium supply.” As a result long-term suppliers have raised their offer prices. TradeTech increased the consulting service’s Long-Term Uranium Price Indicator to US$85/pound to reflect the current market demand for U3O8 equivalent. Monthly transaction volume for year-to-date in 2007 continues to lag recent years (2002 through 2006) and remains at the low levels of 2000 and 2001.

TradeTech’s calculated worth of enriched UF6 (unrestricted) reached a record US$3,219 kg in February, up from US$1,807 one year ago. In August 2006, enriched UF6 sold for US$2,226.

Rumors have begun from very reliable sources that the next spot uranium sale, offered by Mestena Uranium LLC, should result in a triple-digit result: US$100/pound. Attempts to reach Mestena president George Tanner by telephone were not returned.

However on Tuesday night, StockInterview’s “Investing in the Uranium Bull Market,” did set a new price record of US$100 per book. Two copies of this book were auctioned at $100 each at the “Friends of the Bow” dinner and auction event in Wyoming. At the recent SME Annual Conference (Society of Mining Metallurgists and Explorers) held in Denver (Colorado), several panelists discussed StockInterview.com’s uranium guide, or included a slide of the book cover in their presentations.