Gas – Bloomberg reported that Cuadrilla Resources Ltd., a UK-based shale gas explorer, expects to be able to begin work this year and start gas production in 2014 following a delay caused by minor earthquakes.
Lithium – The world's driest desert, including a northern part of Chile and Argentina is currently the host to some of the largest and most efficient lithium producers in the world. Both Salar del Hombre Muerto and Salar de Atacama have seen some of the wettest winter weather to affect the region in decades, where even just fractions of an inch of rain have done some reported damage in areas.
Uranium – An interesting divergence between the spot market uranium price and uranium equities has emerged. Uranium prices have declined roughly 16 percent following the earthquake, while the average uranium equity has declined 34.4 percent, with the majority of share prices weakening more than 30 percent.
Uranium – In an exclusive interview with Uranium Investing News, Gary Clark analyst at Roubini Global Economics discussed the demonstrable longer term effect on nuclear power generation policy in several countries of interest.
Moly – Japan will need massive amounts of steel to rebuild what the tsunami washed away. Infrastructure and new automobiles will pave the way for steel demand in the country. While the events in Japan are horrific and depressing, and may affect global markets for quite some time, the need for steel will likely use up a large portion of the surplus that is currently holding down the price of moly.
Lithium – In an exclusive with Lithium Investing News, Jonathan Lee, Battery Materials and Technologies Analyst believes that the risk of a prolonged impact of the Japan Crisis on the lithium industry is not likely.
Gas – The Energy Information Administration (EIA) forecasts that increasing consumption in 2012, led by strong growth in the electric power sector, should contribute to higher prices and to an economic incentive for producers to resume drilling.
Vanadium – The demand for vanadium will be driven by high strength low alloy steel, which will be needed in rebuilding Japan's infrastructure.
The massive earthquake and tsunami in Japan last week has the potential to recalibrate our world’s geopolitical context. At the moment, the world is waiting to find out if the damage to Japan's nuclear generators will result in another Chernobyl or Three Mile Island.
Uranium – As stakeholders in the uranium and nuclear industries are keenly awaiting the results of reviews, policy makers and speculators are both exhibiting an active interest. It is important for investors to note the potential significance of the development, although trading on emotion in lieu of solid data has often been demonstrated counterproductive.
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