Yanrey Uranium Project Now Over 55M lbs with A$449M NPV, 79% IRR
Cauldron Energy has announced a major uranium resource upgrade at its Yanrey Project in Western Australia, now exceeding 55 million pounds of uranium oxide. Backed by strong project economics and fully funded drilling for 2026, the company is poised to capitalise on the global nuclear resurgence amid ongoing policy challenges.
- Yanrey uranium resource increased by 13 million pounds to over 55 million pounds
- Scoping study shows A$449 million pre-tax NPV and 79% IRR at US$75/lb uranium price
- Project amenable to low-cost, low-impact In Situ Recovery (ISR) mining
- 2026 drilling program fully funded, targeting multiple high-priority exploration targets
- Board refreshed with uranium industry experts to support growth and policy advocacy
Resource Growth Amid Nuclear Renaissance
Cauldron Energy Limited (ASX, CXU) has delivered a significant boost to its uranium resource base at the Yanrey Uranium Project in Western Australia, increasing its global resource to over 55 million pounds of uranium oxide (U3O8). This follows a highly successful 2025 drilling campaign that yielded two new discoveries, underpinning the company’s strategy to build a world-scale uranium operation.
The Yanrey Project, located in a prolific uranium province with multiple deposits, benefits from a geological setting favourable for In Situ Recovery (ISR) mining, a method that offers lower capital and operating costs alongside minimal environmental disturbance. Recent water quality analyses by ANSTO Minerals further confirm the site’s suitability for ISR, reinforcing the project’s development potential.
Strong Economics and Fully Funded Exploration
Cauldron’s December 2023 scoping study paints a compelling economic picture, with a pre-tax net present value (NPV10) of A$449 million and an internal rate of return (IRR) of 79%, assuming a uranium price of US$75 per pound. The study forecasts an 11-year mine life, a payback period of just 1.5 years, and all-in sustaining costs (AISC) of US$35.79 per pound, highlighting the project’s robust financial metrics.
Importantly, the company has secured funding for its 2026 drilling program, which will focus on multiple high-priority targets identified through advanced geophysical techniques and historical data analysis. This proactive approach aims to further expand the resource base and enhance shareholder value ahead of anticipated uranium market tightening.
Navigating Policy and Corporate Renewal
Despite the Western Australian government’s current uranium mining ban, Cauldron emphasises that this policy does not impede its immediate exploration and resource expansion activities. The company is actively advocating for policy reform, supported by growing recognition of uranium’s critical role in global decarbonisation and the burgeoning demand driven by nuclear energy restarts and AI-related power needs.
Recent board changes have brought in seasoned uranium industry professionals, including geologists and executives with extensive experience in uranium exploration and development. This refreshed leadership is expected to enhance institutional investor confidence and position Cauldron favourably for future regulatory shifts.
Positioned for a Nuclear-Fuelled Future
With global uranium demand projected to surge amid a nuclear renaissance, Cauldron’s Yanrey Project stands out as a strategically significant asset. The company’s combination of a large, ISR-amenable resource, strong economics, and a fully funded exploration pipeline places it well to capitalise on tightening uranium supply and rising prices.
As the market increasingly recognises uranium’s role in clean energy and AI infrastructure, Cauldron’s progress at Yanrey will be closely watched by investors seeking exposure to this critical commodity.
Bottom Line?
Cauldron Energy’s expanded resource and strategic positioning set the stage for growth, but policy reform remains the key to unlocking full value.
Questions in the middle?
- How quickly can Western Australia’s uranium mining ban be lifted to enable project development?
- What results will the 2026 drilling program deliver in terms of resource growth and grade?
- How will rising uranium prices and global demand impact Cauldron’s project valuation and financing options?