Long Term - U Contracts"The long-term demand for uranium that actually enters the market is affected in a large part by utilities' uncovered requirements. UxC estimates that uncovered demand in 2016 is only 3.4 million pounds U3O8 or 2% of projected demand, including inventory buildup. Uncovered demand, however, is projected by UxC to increase significantly over the period of 2016 to 2020, such that up to 72.9 million pounds remains uncovered for 2020, representing roughly 38% of projected demand in that year. Uncovered demand rises rapidly for years after 2020 to 173.6 million pounds for 2025, representing over 80% of projected total demand. At 173.6 million pounds, the uncovered demand in 2025 is estimated to be over 100% of total demand in 2015, excluding inventory buildup, and approximately 7.9 million pounds U3O8 greater than the total production expected from new and existing mine production in 2025 -- some of which is already committed to the covered portion of the demand projected in 2025. In order to address the rising portion of demand that is uncovered, utilities will have to return to the market and enter into long-term contracts.