Northwestern applies for two uranium concessions in West Africa

Northwestern applies for two uranium concessions in West Africa: Northwestern applies for two uranium concessions in West Africa
TORONTO, June 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Northwestern Mineral Ventures
Inc. (TSX-V: NWT; OTCBB: NWTMF) is pleased to announce that it has filed
applications for two prospective uranium exploration concessions in the
democratic West African country of Niger, the world's third largest uranium
producer. The concessions applied for total 4,000 square kilometers
(988,000 acres) and were selected for their favorable geology, exploration
potential and strategic location - within the same strategraphy to two
operating uranium mines which together yield almost 10% of worldwide
production.
Northwestern is now awaiting approval of the concession applications
pending the final review and acceptance by the Government of Niger. Formal
approval of the applications are subject to the discretion of the regulatory
authorities in the Republic of Niger, and there is no guarantee that the
applications will be granted. Further details of the concessions will be
provided if, as and when they are received.
Niger ranks third in the world for uranium production, and is fourth in
terms of reserves. With cumulative output to date of approximately
100,000 metric tonnes, Niger is one of the world's most important sources of
uranium. Through the use of modern exploration techniques, the country offers
significant potential for new discoveries given its favorable geology.

World Uranium Business
Fueling nuclear power plants to generate electricity is the most
significant commercial use for uranium. Currently, uranium provides 16% of the
world's electricity via 440 nuclear reactors operating in 31 countries. Annual
uranium demand is 66,000 tonnes, with mining fulfilling only 55% of that need.
An additional 30% comes from stockpiles, which are not being replenished due
to current production shortfalls, and the remaining 15% is salvaged from
recycled weapons, a non-renewable resource.
Uranium demand is expected to increase in the coming years as new
reactors are built and brought online in developing nations such as China,
which plans to build 27 nuclear plants, India with a planned 31 new reactors,
and Russia with intentions for an additional 25 reactors. With a current
worldwide production shortfall of more than 300 million pounds, demand for
uranium is expected to be 11% higher than supply over the next decade.
"The expected future economics of uranium are what has drawn
Northwestern's attention to these promising prospects and to continue our
search for additional possibilities worldwide," said Kabir Ahmed, President
and CEO of Northwestern."