The Financial Post reports in its Wednesday edition that uranium prices topped $80 (U.S.) a pound for the first time in more than 15 years on renewed demand for nuclear power and disrupted supplies. A Bloomberg dispatch to the Post reports that Nymex futures tracking physical-market contracts for yellowcake hit $80.25 (U.S.) a pound on Monday. Prices have rallied sharply this year amid the nuclear renaissance around the world as well as numerous production challenges. That has spurred interest among investors who are gaining exposure through both mining shares and uranium derivatives. While spot uranium is a thinly traded market, the term price -- which is more important for power plants -- has also been trending higher, according to BMO Capital Markets. There has also been uneasiness since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine about the reliance on the enrichment facilities run by Russia's Rosatom. "Utility contracting continues to pick up," said BMO commodities researcher Colin Hamilton in a note. "There is very little uncommitted production available to meet uncovered utility requirements." Higher uranium prices may eventually prompt producers to restart production, according to a report by Sprott Asset Management LP.