Document:

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.21

                       NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

         THIS NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT is entered into as of June 19,
2001 between Uranium Resources, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
and George R. Ireland, an individual (the "Optionee").

                                    RECITALS:

         A. The Company desires to grant an option to Optionee to purchase
shares of the Company's common stock; and

         B. Optionee desires to accept such option.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual
promises set forth herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as
follows:

         1. Grant of Option.

                  The Company hereby grants to Optionee an irrevocable option to
purchase up to 100,000 shares of the Common Stock of the Company (the "Shares")
at a price of $0.22 per share.

         2. Term of Option.

                  This option shall expire, terminate, and be of no further
force and effect upon the earliest to occur of the following (the "Expiration
Date"): (a) at 5:00 p.m., Central Time, on June 18, 2011; (b) on the thirtieth
day after the Optionee ceases to be a director of the Company, if the Optionee
ceases to be a director of the Company for any reason other than removal for
cause or death; (c) if the Optionee is removed as a director for cause, at the
time of such removal; or (d) if the Optionee dies before this option otherwise
expires, this option shall be exercisable for a period of one year after the
date of death by the Optionee's heirs or legal representatives to the same
extent it was exercisable by the Optionee on the date of death.

         3. Exercise of Option.

                  This option shall be exercised at any time prior to the
Expiration Date by delivery of written notice to the Company setting forth the
number of Shares with respect to which this option is being exercised and the
address to which the certificates representing the Shares shall be mailed. In
order to be effective, such written notice shall be accompanied at the time of
its delivery to the Company by payment by certified check or by bank cashier's
check payable to the Company of the option price of such Shares. In addition,
the Optionee hereby agrees to pay to the Company at the time such written notice
of exercise is delivered to the Company any federal, state, or local taxes which
the Company deems necessary or appropriate to be withheld in connection with the
exercise of the option granted hereunder. As promptly as practicable after the
receipt by the Company of the foregoing, the Company shall cause to be delivered
to the Optionee a certificate or certificates representing the number of Shares
with respect to which this option has been so exercised.

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         4. Reserved Shares.

                  The Company has duly reserved for issuance a number of
authorized but unissued shares adequate to fulfill its obligations under this
agreement. During the term of this agreement the Company shall take such action
as may be necessary to maintain at all times an adequate number of shares
reserved for issuance or treasury shares to fulfill its obligations hereunder.

         5. Assignment or Transfer.

                  This option may not be assigned or transferred without the
prior written consent of the Company.

         6. Compliance with Law.

                  This option shall not be exercised, and no Shares shall be
issued in respect hereof, unless (a) in compliance with federal and applicable
state securities or other laws and (b) the Company obtains any approval or other
clearance from any federal or state governmental agency which the Company in its
sole discretion shall determine to be necessary or advisable. Any determination
in this connection by the Company shall be final, binding, and conclusive on all
parties.

         7. Legends and Representations.

                  (a) The certificates evidencing Shares purchased pursuant to
this option shall bear the following legends:

                  THE SECURITIES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN
                  REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AND MAY NOT BE
                  SOLD, TRANSFERRED, ASSIGNED OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS THERE IS AN
                  EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SUCH ACT COVERING SUCH
                  SECURITIES OR THE COMPANY RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL FOR
                  THE HOLDER OF THESE SECURITIES REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE
                  COMPANY AND ITS COUNSEL STATING THAT SUCH SALE, TRANSFER,
                  ASSIGNMENT OR HYPOTHECATION IS EXEMPT FROM THE REGISTRATION
                  AND PROSPECTUS DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS OF SUCH ACT.

                  THE COMPANY WILL FURNISH WITHOUT CHARGE TO EACH STOCKHOLDER
                  WHO SO REQUESTS, THE POWERS, DESIGNATIONS, PREFERENCES AND
                  RELATIVE, PARTICIPATING, OPTIONAL OR OTHER SPECIAL RIGHTS OF
                  EACH CLASS OF STOCK OR SERIES THEREOF AND THE QUALIFICATIONS,
                  LIMITATIONS OR RESTRICTIONS OF SUCH PREFERENCES AND/OR RIGHTS.

                  (b) Upon delivery of the Notice specified in Section 3 above
and as a condition to the exercise of this option, Optionee shall be deemed to
have made the following representations to the Company:

                           (1) Investment Intent; Capacity to Protect Interests.
Optionee is receiving the Shares solely for Optionee's own account for
investment and not with a view to or for sale in connection with any
distribution and not with any present intention of selling, offering to sell or
otherwise disposing of or distributing thereof in any transaction other than a
transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Act"). Optionee is experienced in evaluating and investing in
companies such as the Company.

                           (2) Information Concerning the Company. Optionee has
received all such information as Optionee has deemed necessary and appropriate
to evaluate an investment in the Shares, and Optionee has received satisfactory
and complete information concerning the business and financial condition of the
Company in response to all inquiries in respect thereof.

                           (3) Restricted Securities. Optionee understands and
acknowledges that:

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<PAGE>   3

                                    (a) The Shares have not been registered
under the Act, and the Shares must be held indefinitely unless subsequently
registered under the Act or an exemption from such registration is available and
the Company is under no obligation to register the Shares;

                                    (b) the share certificate representing the
Shares will be stamped with legends specified in Section 7(a) hereof; and

                                    (c) the Company will make a notation in its
records of the aforementioned restrictions on transfer and legends.

                           (4) Further Limitations on Disposition. Without in
any way limiting his representations set forth above, Optionee further agrees
that he shall in no event make any disposition of all or any portion of the
Shares unless and until:

                                    (a) there is then in effect a registration
statement under the Act covering such proposed disposition and such disposition
is made in accordance with said registration statement; or

                                    (b)(1) Optionee shall have notified the
Company of the proposed disposition and shall have furnished the Company with a
detailed statement of the circumstances surrounding the proposed disposition,
(2) Optionee shall have furnished the Company with an opinion of Optionee's
counsel to the effect that such disposition will not require registration of
such Shares under the Act, and (3) such opinion of Optionee's counsel shall have
been concurred in by counsel for the Company and the Company shall have advised
Optionee of such concurrence.

         8. Notice.

                  All notices or other communications desired to be given
hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given upon
receipt, if personally delivered, or on the third business day following mailing
by United States first class mail, postage prepaid, and addressed as follows:

If to the Company:                  Paul Willmott, President
                                    Uranium Resources, Inc.
                                    650 South Edmonds, Suite 108
                                    Lewisville, TX 75067

If to Optionee:                     George R. Ireland

or to such other address as either party shall give to the other in the manner
set forth above.

         9. Tax Treatment. Optionee acknowledges that the tax treatment of this
option, Shares subject to this option or any events or transactions with respect
thereto may be dependent upon various factors or events which are not determined
by this Agreement. The Company makes no representations with respect to and
hereby disclaims all responsibility as to such tax treatment.

         10. Nonqualified Status. This option is not intended to be an
"Incentive Stock Option" as defined in Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended, and it shall not be treated as an Incentive Stock Option,
whether or not, by its terms, it meets the requirements of Section 422.

         11. Adjustments. The number of shares of Common Stock covered by the
Option, as well as the price per share of Common Stock covered by the Option,
shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of
issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock resulting from a stock split,
reverse stock split, stock

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dividend, combination or reclassification of the Common Stock of the Company.
Such adjustment shall be made by the Board, whose determination in that respect
shall be final, binding and conclusive.

                  In the event of the proposed merger or consolidation of the
Company or dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Board shall notify the
Optionee at least fifteen (15) days prior to such proposed action. To the extent
it has not been previously exercised, the option will terminate immediately
prior to the consummation of such proposed action.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and Optionee have executed this Stock
Option Agreement effective as of the date first set forth above.

                                       URANIUM RESOURCES, INC.

                                       By:
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Paul K. Willmott, President

                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       George R. Ireland

                                       4<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.22

                       NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

         THIS NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT is entered into as of June 19,
2001 between Uranium Resources, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
and Rudolph J. Mueller, an individual (the "Optionee").

                                    RECITALS:

         A. The Company desires to grant an option to Optionee to purchase
shares of the Company's common stock; and

         B. Optionee desires to accept such option.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual
promises set forth herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as
follows:

         1. Grant of Option.

                  The Company hereby grants to Optionee an irrevocable option to
purchase up to 100,000 shares of the Common Stock of the Company (the "Shares")
at a price of $0.22 per share.

         2. Term of Option.

                  This option shall expire, terminate, and be of no further
force and effect upon the earliest to occur of the following (the "Expiration
Date"): (a) at 5:00 p.m., Central Time, on June 18, 2011; (b) on the thirtieth
day after the Optionee ceases to be a director of the Company, if the Optionee
ceases to be a director of the Company for any reason other than removal for
cause or death; (c) if the Optionee is removed as a director for cause, at the
time of such removal; or (d) if the Optionee dies before this option otherwise
expires, this option shall be exercisable for a period of one year after the
date of death by the Optionee's heirs or legal representatives to the same
extent it was exercisable by the Optionee on the date of death.

         3. Exercise of Option.

                  This option shall be exercised at any time prior to the
Expiration Date by delivery of written notice to the Company setting forth the
number of Shares with respect to which this option is being exercised and the
address to which the certificates representing the Shares shall be mailed. In
order to be effective, such written notice shall be accompanied at the time of
its delivery to the Company by payment by certified check or by bank cashier's
check payable to the Company of the option price of such Shares. In addition,
the Optionee hereby agrees to pay to the Company at the time such written notice
of exercise is delivered to the Company any federal, state, or local taxes which
the Company deems necessary or appropriate to be withheld in connection with the
exercise of the option granted hereunder. As promptly as practicable after the
receipt by the Company of the foregoing, the Company shall cause to be delivered
to the Optionee a certificate or certificates representing the number of Shares
with respect to which this option has been so exercised.

                                       1
<PAGE>   2

         4. Reserved Shares.

                  The Company has duly reserved for issuance a number of
authorized but unissued shares adequate to fulfill its obligations under this
agreement. During the term of this agreement the Company shall take such action
as may be necessary to maintain at all times an adequate number of shares
reserved for issuance or treasury shares to fulfill its obligations hereunder.

         5. Assignment or Transfer.

                  This option may not be assigned or transferred without the
prior written consent of the Company.

         6. Compliance with Law.

                  This option shall not be exercised, and no Shares shall be
issued in respect hereof, unless (a) in compliance with federal and applicable
state securities or other laws and (b) the Company obtains any approval or other
clearance from any federal or state governmental agency which the Company in its
sole discretion shall determine to be necessary or advisable. Any determination
in this connection by the Company shall be final, binding, and conclusive on all
parties.

         7. Legends and Representations.

                  (a) The certificates evidencing Shares purchased pursuant to
this option shall bear the following legends:

                  THE SECURITIES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN
                  REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AND MAY NOT BE
                  SOLD, TRANSFERRED, ASSIGNED OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS THERE IS AN
                  EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SUCH ACT COVERING SUCH
                  SECURITIES OR THE COMPANY RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL FOR
                  THE HOLDER OF THESE SECURITIES REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE
                  COMPANY AND ITS COUNSEL STATING THAT SUCH SALE, TRANSFER,
                  ASSIGNMENT OR HYPOTHECATION IS EXEMPT FROM THE REGISTRATION
                  AND PROSPECTUS DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS OF SUCH ACT.

                  THE COMPANY WILL FURNISH WITHOUT CHARGE TO EACH STOCKHOLDER
                  WHO SO REQUESTS, THE POWERS, DESIGNATIONS, PREFERENCES AND
                  RELATIVE, PARTICIPATING, OPTIONAL OR OTHER SPECIAL RIGHTS OF
                  EACH CLASS OF STOCK OR SERIES THEREOF AND THE QUALIFICATIONS,
                  LIMITATIONS OR RESTRICTIONS OF SUCH PREFERENCES AND/OR RIGHTS.

                  (b) Upon delivery of the Notice specified in Section 3 above
and as a condition to the exercise of this option, Optionee shall be deemed to
have made the following representations to the Company:

                           (1) Investment Intent; Capacity to Protect Interests.
Optionee is receiving the Shares solely for Optionee's own account for
investment and not with a view to or for sale in connection with any
distribution and not with any present intention of selling, offering to sell or
otherwise disposing of or distributing thereof in any transaction other than a
transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Act"). Optionee is experienced in evaluating and investing in
companies such as the Company.

                           (2) Information Concerning the Company. Optionee has
received all such information as Optionee has deemed necessary and appropriate
to evaluate an investment in the Shares, and Optionee has received satisfactory
and complete information concerning the business and financial condition of the
Company in response to all inquiries in respect thereof.

                           (3) Restricted Securities. Optionee understands and
acknowledges that:

                                       2
<PAGE>   3

                                    (a) The Shares have not been registered
under the Act, and the Shares must be held indefinitely unless subsequently
registered under the Act or an exemption from such registration is available and
the Company is under no obligation to register the Shares;

                                    (b) the share certificate representing the
Shares will be stamped with legends specified in Section 7(a) hereof; and

                                    (c) the Company will make a notation in its
records of the aforementioned restrictions on transfer and legends.

                           (4) Further Limitations on Disposition. Without in
any way limiting his representations set forth above, Optionee further agrees
that he shall in no event make any disposition of all or any portion of the
Shares unless and until:

                                    (a) there is then in effect a registration
statement under the Act covering such proposed disposition and such disposition
is made in accordance with said registration statement; or

                                    (b)(1) Optionee shall have notified the
Company of the proposed disposition and shall have furnished the Company with a
detailed statement of the circumstances surrounding the proposed disposition,
(2) Optionee shall have furnished the Company with an opinion of Optionee's
counsel to the effect that such disposition will not require registration of
such Shares under the Act, and (3) such opinion of Optionee's counsel shall have
been concurred in by counsel for the Company and the Company shall have advised
Optionee of such concurrence.

         8. Notice.

                  All notices or other communications desired to be given
hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given upon
receipt, if personally delivered, or on the third business day following mailing
by United States first class mail, postage prepaid, and addressed as follows:

If to the Company:                  Paul Willmott, President
                                    Uranium Resources, Inc.
                                    650 South Edmonds, Suite 108
                                    Lewisville, TX 75067

If to Optionee:                     Rudolph J. Mueller

or to such other address as either party shall give to the other in the manner
set forth above.

         9. Tax Treatment. Optionee acknowledges that the tax treatment of this
option, Shares subject to this option or any events or transactions with respect
thereto may be dependent upon various factors or events which are not determined
by this Agreement. The Company makes no representations with respect to and
hereby disclaims all responsibility as to such tax treatment.

         10. Nonqualified Status. This option is not intended to be an
"Incentive Stock Option" as defined in Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended, and it shall not be treated as an Incentive Stock Option,
whether or not, by its terms, it meets the requirements of Section 422.

         11. Adjustments. The number of shares of Common Stock covered by the
Option, as well as the price per share of Common Stock covered by the Option,
shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of
issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock resulting from a stock split,
reverse stock split, stock

                                       3
<PAGE>   4

dividend, combination or reclassification of the Common Stock of the Company.
Such adjustment shall be made by the Board, whose determination in that respect
shall be final, binding and conclusive.

                  In the event of the proposed merger or consolidation of the
Company or dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Board shall notify the
Optionee at least fifteen (15) days prior to such proposed action. To the extent
it has not been previously exercised, the option will terminate immediately
prior to the consummation of such proposed action.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and Optionee have executed this Stock
Option Agreement effective as of the date first set forth above.

                                       URANIUM RESOURCES, INC.

                                       By:
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Paul K. Willmott, President

                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Rudolph J. Mueller

                                       4

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