Uranerz

Uranerz refers to Uranerz Energy Corporation, a uranium mining company that operated in the United States with a focus on in-situ recovery (ISR) mining in Wyoming. Its principal asset was the Nichols Ranch project in Johnson County, near Wright, Wyoming, where ISR techniques were used to extract uranium through a network of injection and production wells and a central processing facility.

History and development: Uranerz Energy Corporation emerged as a Wyoming-focused uranium explorer and producer in the early 2000s. The Nichols Ranch project received regulatory licenses to develop ISR operations, and the company proceeded with construction and optimization of the wellfields and processing plant. Production at Nichols Ranch began in the mid-2010s, contributing to domestic uranium supply and supplier diversity.

Acquisition by Cameco: In 2013, Cameco Corporation announced its plan to acquire Uranerz Energy Corporation. The acquisition was completed later that year, with the Nichols Ranch project and related assets becoming part of Cameco’s U.S. uranium portfolio. After the completion of the transaction, Uranerz ceased independent operations as a standalone company and its assets operated under Cameco’s governance and corporate structure.

Operations and method: The Nichols Ranch ISR operation used injected leaching solutions to mobilize uranium from ore in place, with recovered solutions processed to produce uranium concentrate for sale. ISR projects typically involve smaller surface disturbances, centralized processing, and regulatory oversight by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and state authorities.

Status: Since the acquisition, Uranerz as an independent entity no longer exists; its principal asset, Nichols Ranch, has been integrated into Cameco’s U.S. uranium operations. The site continues to be associated with Cameco’s broader portfolio of North American uranium assets.