Investors with an eye on uranium are likely acquainted with Boss Energy (ASX: BOE) and Paladin Energy (ASX: PDN).
These ASX 200 mining stocks stand out as the only pure-play uranium producers currently trading on the ASX.
However, there's a another ASX uranium stock quietly gaining ground – and it might just become a major force in the world's uranium industry.
That company is Nexgen Energy (Canada) CDI (ASX: NXG), with its flagship project that could trounce the output of better-known peers.
What's the story?
NexGen is a Canadian-based company with its shares also trading on the Toronto and New York stock markets.
In 2014, it unearthed the Arrow uranium deposit at its wholly owned Rook I project in Canada.
Rook I is situated in the prolific Athabasca Basin – a geological wonderland hosting some of the richest uranium resources on the planet.
And since the discovery, NexGen has mapped out a mineral system that could become one of the world's largest sources of uranium.
In essence, Rook I has the potential to position NexGen as a major player in the future of nuclear energy.
Why uranium?
Nuclear energy is one of the cleanest sources of electricity due to its minimal carbon emissions. And uranium is the essential fuel that powers it.
A recent research report by BP PLC (NYSE: BP) projected global nuclear energy generation to rise by 50% through to 2050, under a business-as-usual scenario.
That figure could more than double under a more optimistic trajectory.
These forecasts point to a potential surge in uranium demand as nations decarbonise their energy systems and transition to low-emission power sources.
Tell me more
NexGen has made significant progress in moving Rook I towards production.
This includes a feasibility study which outlined a mining operation with an initial 11.7 year mine life, as well as potential for extension.
But the real standout is Rook I's estimated uranium output.
In a nutshell, Rook I could produce a spectacular 30 million pounds of uranium each year.
For context, Paladin expects to deliver up to 4.4 million pounds of uranium in FY26 from its Langer Heinrich mine in Namibia.
Boss is forecasting for 1.6 million pounds in FY26 from its Honeymoon mine in South Australia and its 30% stake in the Alta Mesa mine in Texas.
So, if NexGen achieves its targets, it would eclipse the production scale of both companies by a wide distance.
And here's another thing.
Under a strong uranium pricing environment, the free cash flow generated from Rook I could elevate this ASX uranium stock into the ranks of the world's leading miners.
What's the catch?
Rook I is arguably the most important uranium discovery in generations.
However, production and cash flow are years away – and that's if everything goes smoothly.
The project has not yet secured a mining licence and there's no firm timeline for when production might begin.
Even with approval, construction of the mine is estimated to cost a hefty C$2.2 billion.
So, investors dreaming of dividends from this ASX uranium stock have a long time to wait.
That's assuming everything goes to plan, and in the mining game that's not always the case.
