URANIUM miner Energy Resources of Australia says the market outlook is positive, with stronger ore prices expected in the long term.

ERA, which produces about 10 per cent of the world's uranium, said global demand for the commodity is expected to grow significantly during the next decade.

"The requirements of the world's existing 436 reactors and the construction of new reactors combine to increase demand," the company said in its annual report released on Friday.

"Much of this growth in demand will occur in ERA's established markets," the company said.

"The supply/demand fundamentals point to the likelihood of stronger prices in the longer term."

ERA, which is 68 per cent owned by Rio Tinto Ltd, produces uranium at its Ranger mine 260 km east of Darwin and holds title to the nearby Jabiluka deposit.

 

It said it was planning an "ambitious and exciting" program of significant investments in 2010 and 2011, with more work planned at Ranger.

The report showed ERA chief Rob Atkinson received total remuneration of $843,000 in 2009, up sharply on his 2008 salary, after he took the company's reins in September of that year.

Mr Atkinson's cash salary jumped $240,000, with a $241,000 increase in share-based payments in 2009 compared with a year earlier.

Among other key executives, manager of environmental strategy Anthony Milnes received $589,000 and the manager of external relations, David Paterson, received $548,000.

At 1159 AEDT, shares in ERA were up 22 cents, or 1.11 per cent, at $19.96.