Uranium deposits in the world. The world's largest uranium deposits have been discovered in India, but they cannot meet the country's growing consumption.

There is a company called Uranium One, which owns the largest uranium deposits in Kazakhstan, Africa, Australia and the USA. The company accounts for up to 30% of global uranium production. But few people know that Uranium One, once founded as a Canadian-South African consortium, is now 100% owned by Rosatom.

There is a continuous fierce struggle going on in the world for control over uranium mines and deposits. This is a strategic issue. Whoever holds uranium sources in his hands not only holds the entire world by the throat nuclear energy, but can also influence the nuclear weapons market.

In the USSR, systematic work on the search and exploration of uranium deposits was carried out in the territories of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine. Mining and chemical plants were created that extracted uranium in mines and mines. The mined uranium was sent to the military area, to provide fuel for nuclear power plants and to strategic reserves. But in the early 90s everything broke down.

The “free market” for uranium is a myth

Probably, lovers of the liberal economic model believe that there is a “free market” for uranium in the world, by analogy with other “free markets”. But this is far from true. When we're talking about O strategic resources, serious players do not rely on the “invisible hand of the market”, preferring more reliable methods of control. A very clear example here is France, where 75% of electricity is generated by nuclear power plants.

French reactors need to be provided with fuel. In addition, the energy giants of this country - EDF and Areva - are active in the field of global nuclear energy and sell nuclear fuel to their partners. The supply of uranium to French companies is achieved mainly through Central Africa. There are both active mines and as-yet undeveloped uranium deposits, control of which is dominated by French companies.

But this “dominate” did not fall from the sky. In fact, France has to maintain its great influence in the region by any means. Maintain cultural ties established in colonial times, manage political processes, finance infrastructure projects, create and arm their armies and even directly participate in armed conflicts of various natures. Because there are a lot of people who want to take control of the French from uranium mines and deposits. These are Islamists, Tuaregs, various local tribes and the ubiquitous Chinese. And the companies of France’s main ally, the United States, are happy to push the French out of uranium mining in the region. Therefore, now at least 5.5 thousand French military personnel are permanently stationed in the countries of Central Africa. Having spent great effort and through direct forceful intervention, France was able to stop the war in Mali in 2013. Since 2012, the French have contained the escalation of the war in the Central African Republic. In both religious and interethnic conflicts, the “uranium component” is clearly visible. And uranium mines need to be protected from terrorist attacks and suffer losses where they could not be prevented.

There are two interesting questions regarding the method of providing uranium to French nuclear power plants. What is the real cost of Central African uranium for France? It is very, very large if you count all the costs France has to maintain the status quo in the region.

But what about Germany and Japan, which do not have their own uranium “central Africa”? The governments of these countries have already given the answer to the question - to “completely phase out” nuclear energy. That is, the German and Japanese programs to stop the construction of new and shutdown existing nuclear power plants are determined, first of all, by the lack of guarantees of their provision of fuel in the future. And the protests of the “greens” (Germany) and the accident in Fukushima (Japan) are reasons, but not reasons.

But it seems that the French also understand that they will not be able to hold on to uranium mines in Central Africa indefinitely. Therefore, they are already considering a bill providing for a reduction in the share of electricity generated at nuclear power plants from 75% to 50%.

The world is constantly waging a quiet but fierce struggle for control over uranium mines and deposits. “Control” has one peculiarity. The life cycle of a nuclear power plant is approaching 100 years. And already at the planning stage for the construction of the next nuclear reactor, the issue of providing it with fuel must be guaranteed to be resolved. It was decided for decades to come. That is, control over mines and uranium deposits must be guaranteed for decades.

Kazakhstan is the main resource in the uranium market

In the USSR, the territory of Kazakhstan was considered as a reserve for the development of uranium mining in the future. Its deposits have been explored and their reserves have been assessed. This was the basis for the rapid development of uranium mining in independent Kazakhstan. To date, 129 deposits and ore occurrences have been explored and studied here. In total, uranium reserves and resources in Kazakhstan amount to about 1.7 million tons (12% of world reserves and resources). Its production is carried out at 20 mines. All are located in sandstone-type deposits.

Kazakhstan is the world's leading uranium producer. The share of uranium mined on its territory from global production was: 2009 - 28%; 2010 - 33%; 2011 - 36%; 2012 - 36.5%; 2013 - 38%. In total, 20.9 thousand tons were produced in 2012, and 22.5 thousand tons in 2013 (an increase of 7.7%). It is planned to produce 24.0 thousand tons in 2014, 24.8 thousand tons in 2015, and 25.6 thousand tons in 2016.

The main volume of uranium production comes from national company"Kazatomprom" (geological exploration, uranium mining, its export). It mines uranium independently and as part of a joint venture. In 2012, the company’s production amounted to (including shares in the joint venture) 11.9 thousand tons, in 2013 - 12.6 thousand tons, in the first quarter of 2014 - 3.0 thousand tons.

Moreover, in 2013 foreign companies 9.9 thousand tons of uranium were mined in Kazakhstan (44% of total production). But who are these major foreign players? The question is, of course, interesting. And the answer is even more interesting.

Uranium One is a mysterious key player

The Uranium One company is active in Kazakhstan, which, as part of a joint venture, conducts industrial uranium mining at six mines: Akdala (Uranium One accounts for 70%), South Inkai (70%), Karatau (50%), Akbastau (50%), Zarechnoye (49.67%) and Kharasan (30%). Apart from Uranium One, only Kazatomprom is a co-owner of the first four mines.

In the Zarechnoye mine, Kazatomprom accounts for 49.67% (the same as Uranium One) and the remaining share of 0.66% belongs to Karabalta Mining Plant (Kyrgyzstan).

In the Kharasan mine, Kazatomprom and Uranium One each own 30%, and the remaining share (40%) is owned by a consortium of Japanese energy companies Energy Asia Limited.

In 2012, Uranium One produced 4,387 tons of uranium at its Kazakhstan mines (taking into account its share in the mines), in 2013 - 4,915 tons (an increase of 12.0%). In the first quarter In 2014, 1,381 tons were produced (an increase of 9.6% compared to the first quarter of 2013). By 2017, uranium production is planned to increase to 6,000 tons.

In addition to the Kazakh assets, Uranium One “solely” owns two more uranium mines - Willow Creek in the USA and Honeymoon in Australia. Commercial uranium mining is currently underway at the American Willow Creek mine. In 2013, 426 tons were produced. In the first quarter. 2014 - 79 tons (27.5% decrease compared to the first quarter of 2013). Pilot production is underway at the Australian Honeymoon. In the first half of 2013, 83 tons were mined. Since the second half of the year, the mine has been mothballed.

In total, Uranium One produced 5,534 tons at all its mines on three continents in 2012, 5,988 tons in 2013, and plans to produce at least 5,625 tons in 2014.

Uranium One also has a 13.9% stake in and operator of the Mkuju River mine in Tanzania, Africa. A feasibility study for its development is being prepared. The company had an option to increase its share in the mine, and there was such an opportunity. But at the end of 2013, a decision was made that this step was inappropriate.

The reduction in uranium production at the Willow Creek mine and its cessation at Honeymoon, as well as the refusal to increase the share in Mkuyu River, is associated with unfavorable conditions on the world market. Now the price of uranium is falling. The average selling price for Uranium One in the first quarter. 2013 was $45 per pound, and in the first quarter. 2014 - $36. The company's adjusted net loss in the first quarter. 2014 amounted to $22.9 million, in the first quarter. 2013 - $11.2 million.

But who is behind the company, which is one of the largest uranium miners in the world?

Uranium One was created at the end of 2005 through the merger of two mining companies: Canadian Southern Cross Resources Inc. and South African Aflease Gold and Uranium Resources Limited. Registered in Canada. In 2007, Uranium One bought two more companies - UrAsia Energy Ltd. and Energy Metals Corporation.

UrAsia Energy Ltd. registered in the USA. It was she who, at the end of 2005, bought shares in the Akdala, South Inkai and Kharasan mines for $420 million from an unnamed “group of Kazakh investors” at that time. The uranium reserves and resources of these mines amount to 71.8 thousand tons (as of 2013).

But after UrAsia Energy Ltd passed into the hands of Uranium One, the latter also acquired shares in these Kazakh mines. In addition, at the end of 2009, Uranium One acquired a 50% stake in another Kazakh Karatau mine, and at the beginning of 2010, the Willow Creek mine in the USA (uranium reserves and resources of 10.9 thousand tons). At the end of 2010, Uranium One also acquired shares in the Akbastau and Zarechnoye mines.

Now let's move on to the real owners of the extremely active and rapidly growing company Uranium One.

Let us recall that in the 90s and the first half of the 2000s, Russia was focused on defending its sovereignty and its natural resources. There were many people who wanted to extract oil, gas and metal ores in Russia. Therefore, there was no longer any strength or money left to fight for foreign deposits, and Russia’s successes in the fight for Kazakh uranium were modest.

Rosatom, represented by its daughter Atomredmetzoloto (ARMZ), received only pitiful crumbs at the start of the 2000s - in 2001, a joint venture was created to develop the Zarechnoye mine. The situation began to change fundamentally only at the end of 2006, when it was signed Comprehensive program Russian-Kazakh cooperation in the field of the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. In accordance with it, a joint venture was created to develop the Akbastau mine. The second “advancement” occurred in early 2009, when Rosatom’s subsidiary ARMZ bought a share (50%) of the Karatau mine from the Kazakh company Efficient Energy, and pilot industrial uranium mining was started at it, as well as at the Zarechnoye and Akbastau mines . In the same year, Rosatom began to get its hands on Uranium One. The first step was neutral - ARMZ exchanged its stake in Karatau for 19.9% ​​shares of Uranium One. Later, ARMZ's share was increased to 23.1%.

In June 2010, ARMZ increased its stake in Uranium One to a controlling 51%. As payment, Uranium One received ARMZ's shares in the Zarechnoye and Akbastau mines, as well as $610 million.

And at the end of January 2013, ARMZ bought the remaining 49% shares of Uranium One for $1 billion, taking advantage of the fact that they had fallen in price after the accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant.

In January of this year, the head of Rosatom Sergey Kiriyenko reported the following: “We mined 3.2 thousand tons of uranium per year. But in 2013 we produced 8.4 thousand tons".

As you can understand, the stated result of annual production in 2013 “8.4 thousand tons” Sergei Kiriyenko named Uranium One taking into account production. And the indicator to “3.2 thousand tons” characterizes uranium mining directly on Russian territory.

In 2013, Rosatom's wholly-owned granddaughter Uranium One produced 4,915 tons of uranium in Kazakh mines (49.6% of total production by foreign companies). This is 1.54 times more than Rosatom produced in Russia. This is the price of the issue in the battle for uranium in Kazakhstan.

Let us immediately note that Uranium One’s losses in 2013 and early 2014 when included in the vertically integrated company Rosatom, are formal in nature, since low prices uranium production gives Rosatom savings on fuel for its nuclear power plants. And the refusal to buy a share in the African Mkuyu River mine is most likely due to the fact that in the near future this share can be bought much cheaper.

How the USA fucked up all the atomic polymers

In the period from the beginning of 2009 to the beginning of 2013, Rosatom not only radically “advanced” Western firms in uranium mining in Kazakhstan, but also acquired mines in the USA, Australia and Tanzania. How could this happen? Who allowed? Where were the State Department and the Pentagon looking?

There were two factors at work for Rosatom. The first of them was diplomatically formulated CEO JSC Techsnabexport Ms. Zalimskaya. According to her, “The successful implementation of the HEU-LEU Program has laid a solid foundation for further development Russian-American cooperation in the nuclear field". And so it is. The basis for further cooperation is truly solid. The point is that for today USA hit in complete technological dependence on Rosatom in the field of uranium enrichment. Obviously, at the final stage of the HEU-LEU program, Washington realized that after the termination of this program, their nuclear power plants could be left without fuel. As a result, the United States was forced to enter into an unspoken package agreement with Russia, according to which Uranium One “went” to Rosatom. Most likely, under the same package agreement, Rosatom also received control over a fifth of the US uranium reserves. And this is not an exaggeration! Uranium One produced 426 tons of uranium at its American Willow Creek mine in 2013, which is 19.5% of total production in the United States (2181 tons).

The second factor that worked for Rosatom was the Comprehensive Program of Russian-Kazakh Cooperation in the Field of the Use of Nuclear Energy for Peaceful Purposes. The program signed in 2006 is already mentioned above. But it is worth mentioning the signing by the presidents of Russia and Kazakhstan in May 2013 of a number of bilateral documents relating to uranium mining. In addition to resolving legal issues with uranium mines in Kazakhstan, these documents also include a Memorandum on the joint construction of a 1200 MW nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan.

In addition, Rosatom and Kazatomprom signed a joint statement on the development of cooperation in the field of alternative energy and the production of rare and rare earth metals. A separate memorandum on the latter issue was signed on June 25 of this year in Moscow. Uranium One has a real project for the extraction of scandium from productive solutions of uranium ore fields. The corresponding technology was created by Russian scientists. In 2013, the first kilograms of this rare earth metal were obtained. In the future, scandium production volumes at Uranium One mines may turn out to be so large that they could collapse the world market.

Another joint Russian-Kazakh project began working in 2013. In October 2006, two countries on a parity basis (Rosatom's subsidiary TVEL from Russia, Kazatomprom from Kazakhstan) created the Uranium Enrichment Center. In September 2013, he acquired a stake in authorized capital"Ural Electrochemical Plant" in the amount of 25% plus one share. This deal cost Kazakhstan approximately $400-500 million. But now Kazatomprom has the right to enrich its uranium at the Russian plant. By the end of 2013, the Uranium Enrichment Center was supposed to make the first commercial delivery in the amount of 300 thousand SWU (separation work unit). In subsequent years, Kazatomprom will have guaranteed access to uranium enrichment in the amount of up to 5 million SWU.

Uranus, like chemical element, was discovered in 1789, and its radioactive properties were identified in late XIX century. In the last century, uranium was used only to make nuclear weapons. And nowadays it is widely used in many industries, for example, in small quantities added to glass for coloring. But it is mostly used to create electrical energy.

The most terrible on the planet

Characteristics of uranium ores

Uranium ores are natural formations containing metal in significant concentrations. Often, other radioactive elements such as polonium and radium are found in the ore along with uranium.

• coarse-grained – over 25 mm in diameter;
• medium-grained - from 3 to 25 mm;
• fine-grained - from 0.1 to 3 mm;
• fine-grained - from 0.015 to 0.1 mm;
• dispersed - less than 0.015 mm.

The size of the grains determines how the enrichment will be carried out.

Uranium ore is classified according to its impurity content;

• uranium-molybdenum;
• uranium-cobalt-nickel-bismuth;
• uranium-vanadium;
• monoore.

Ore is classified according to its chemical composition:

• silicate;
• carbonate;
• sulfide;
• iron oxide;
• caustobiolic.

The chemical composition determines how the rock will be processed. For example:

• uranium is isolated from carbonate ores by soda solution;
• from silicate - acid;
• from iron oxide - by blast furnace smelting.

The ore is classified according to its uranium content:

• very rich – contains over 1% metal;
• rich – from 1 to 0.5%;
• average – from 0.5 to 0.25%;
• ordinary – from 0.25 to 0.1%;
• poor - less than 0.1%.

From the rock, which contains uranium in the range of 0.01 - 0.015%, the metal is extracted as a by-product.

Uranium deposits in Russia

• Zherlovoe - located in the Chita region, reserves are estimated at 4137 thousand tons. In terms of metal content - molybdenum - 0.082% uranium and 0.227% molybdenum. There are only 3485 tons of pure uranium;
• Argunskoye is located in the Chita region. Ore reserves of category C1 are 13,025 thousand tons, of which uranium is 27,957 tons, category C2 is 7,990 thousand, of which 9,481 tons are pure uranium. This is the largest deposit. It provides 93% of the all-Russian production volume;
• Istochnoye, Dybrynskoye, Kolichkanovskoye, Koretkondinskoye are deposits located in the Republic of Buryatia. In this area, exploration reserves are about 17.7 thousand tons, and predicted resources are 12.2 thousand tons;
• Khiagdinskoye - located in Buryatia. Uranium ore reserves – 11.3 thousand tons.

According to experts, Russia has the most promising deposits Today they are at the development stage:

• Elkonskoe - located in Yakutia, according to forecasts there are 346 thousand tons of ore;
• Malinovskoe - in Western Siberia;
• Vitimskoye and Aldanskoye - in Eastern Siberia;
• Far Eastern - located on the coast of the Sea of ​​Okhotsk;
• In Karelia near Onega and Ladoga lakes.

The total reserves of uranium in Russia are estimated at 800 thousand tons.

How is uranium ore mined?

Uranium deposits in Russia are developed in two ways:

• open;
• underground.

Uranium mining open method carried out in the case when layers of useful rock lie shallow underground.

Machinery is used to extract ores:

• bulldozers - for opening rock;
• bucket loaders;
• dump trucks for transportation.

A prerequisite for open-pit mining in Russia is its subsequent closure. It is carried out by covering layers, and reclamation is carried out on the restored surface.

The open method is safer and cheaper. It is believed that the level of radiation during such development is significantly lower. But the quality of the ore is also low.

Equipment for mining uranium ore Higher-grade ore is mined underground. It consists of equipping mines or adits. Today, technical capabilities do not limit production in depth, but exceeding two kilometers makes production unprofitable.

The main problem with the underground mining method is the release of radon, a radioactive gas. It can spread rapidly and create high concentrations in the mine atmosphere. One radon atom lives for 5 days. The main task when designing a mine is to ensure effective system ventilation. So that gas atoms do not accumulate, but rise to the surface. Often, ventilation systems and pipes are used not to supply oxygen to the mine, but to remove radon. The air is supplied artificially. The mine of the PIMCU enterprise in Russia consumes 1410 m 3 of air per minute. The ventilation units operate continuously, even when the mine is not in use.

The underground leaching method is a modern progressive technology. Its use causes the least damage to the ecology of the region. The essence of the method is as follows:

• a well is being drilled;
• an alkaline composition is pumped into it;
• after interaction with uranium rock, metal leaching occurs;
• the uranium-rich chemical composition is pumped to the surface.

Despite the significant advantages, this method can only be used in sandstone and below the groundwater level.

World situation

Today, uranium mining is carried out only in 28 countries of the world. Moreover, 90% of the deposits are located in 10 countries that are leaders in production volumes.

Australia comes first

Basic indicators:

• proven reserves – 661,000 tons (31.18% of global reserves);
• deposits – 19 large. The most famous:
  • Olympic Dam - 3,000 tons are mined per year;
  • Beverly - one thousand tons per year;
  • Honemun – 900 t.
• production cost – $40 per kilogram;
• largest mining companies:
  • Paladin Energy;
  • Rio Tinto;
  • BHP Billiton.

Kazakhstan has second place in terms of production volumes

Basic data:

• proven reserves – 629,000 tons (11.81% of global reserves);
• deposits – 16 large. The most famous:
  • Korsan;
  • Irkol;
  • Budenovskoe;
  • Western Mynkuduk;
  • South Inkai;
• production cost – $40 per kg;
• production volume – 22574 tons per year;
• mining company – Kazatomprom (produces 15.77% of the global volume).

Russia takes third place

Indicators:

Fourth place - Canada

Indicators:

• proven reserves – 468,000 tons (8.80% of global reserves);

• deposits – 18 large. The most famous:
  1. McArthur River;
  2. Waterbury;
• production cost – $34 per kilogram;
• production volume – 9332 tons per year;
• mining company – Cameco (produces 9144 tons of uranium per year).

Fifth place - Niger

• proven reserves – 421,000 tons (7.9% of global reserves);
• Place of Birth:
  • Imuraren;
  • Arlit;
  • Madauela;
  • Azelite;
• production cost – $35 per kilogram;
• production volume – 4528 tons per year.

The second five countries in terms of uranium reserves are as follows:

• South Africa - 297,000 tons;
• Brazil - 276,000 tons;
• Namibia - 261,000 tons;
• USA - 207,000 tons;
• China - 166,000 tons.

According to experts, by 2025 the number of nuclear power plants. This growth will provoke greater demand for uranium – an increase of 44% (80–100 thousand tons). Therefore, there is a worldwide trend towards the use of secondary uranium sources:

• gold;
• phosphates;
• copper;
• lignite-containing rocks.

Video: How uranium is mined

In the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh in the southeast of the country, one of the largest deposits uranium on the planet.

According to a study conducted by the Indian National Atomic Energy Research Committee, reserves at the Tumalapale mine in the Kadapa district could reach 150 thousand tons. The total volume of India's uranium reserves is approximately 175 thousand tons.

According to the head of the committee, Shrikumar Banerjee, a preliminary study has confirmed the presence of at least 49 thousand tons of the mineral in Thumalapal.

However, according to preliminary estimates, this is only a third of the reserves of this deposit, which theoretically makes it one of the largest uranium mines in the world.

Moreover, Banerjee said that the field is spread over an area of ​​more than 35 square kilometers and research papers continue.

However, according to many analysts, even if the announced data is confirmed, these reserves are not enough to meet India's energy needs. This is confirmed by the Indian authorities.

“The discovery will only partially fill the need for natural uranium,” one of the local newspapers quotes Banerjee. “We still need imported uranium.”

Over the next 30 years, Indian authorities plan to build about 30 nuclear reactors and by 2050 they expect to use them to generate a quarter of the electricity needed by the state.

Uranium mining in the world

Uranium is the most energy-rich fuel that can be used with modern technical capabilities. A few kilograms of uranium can generate as much electrical and thermal energy as tons of coal and oil or thousands of cubic meters of gas.

Uranium is a very heavy silvery-white lustrous metal. In its pure form, it is slightly softer than steel, malleable, and flexible. Chemically, uranium is very active: it quickly oxidizes in air, becoming covered with a rainbow film of oxide. Water can corrode metal: slowly at low temperatures and quickly at high temperatures. When shaken vigorously, the metal particles of uranium begin to glow. There is approximately 1000 times more uranium in the earth's crust than gold, 30 times more than silver, and almost as much as lead and zinc. Uranium is characterized by significant dispersion in rocks, soils, and water of seas and oceans. Only a relatively small part is concentrated in deposits where the uranium content is hundreds of times higher than its average content in the earth's crust.

When mining ores with a uranium content of 0.1%, to obtain 1 ton of uranium oxide U3O8, it is necessary to extract approximately 1000 tons of ore from the subsoil, not counting the colossal amount of waste rock from opening and tunneling excavations. Such a huge mass of ore is best processed and enriched in the immediate vicinity of the mine. Currently, it is considered economically feasible to process ores with a uranium oxide content of 0.05–0.07%. Complex processing of uranium ores with the associated extraction of other valuable components (phosphorus, vanadium, sulfur, molybdenum, iron, copper, gold, rare earth elements) is increasingly being introduced into practice.

The extraction of uranium ore is carried out mainly either by mine or career way- depending on the depth of ore layers. In 2005, underground mines accounted for 38% of the mass of uranium mined in the world, open deposits (quarries) - 30%, 21% of uranium was extracted by underground leaching, and another 11% was obtained as a by-product during the development of other types of minerals.

With the technology of underground leaching of uranium ores, which is considered advanced, natural uranium compounds are selectively dissolved directly in the ore by a special chemical reagent pumped into the formation. Then this solution is brought to the surface and further processed.

During underground leaching, an ore deposit is opened by a system of wells located in plan in rows, polygons, and rings. A solvent is fed into the wells, which, filtering through the formation, leaches useful components. A solution saturated with uranium compounds is pumped to the surface through other wells. In the case of monolithic impenetrable ore bodies, the deposit is opened by underground mining, and individual ore blocks are crushed using drilling and blasting.
Then, on the upper horizon, the massif is irrigated with a solvent, which, flowing down, dissolves the mineral. At the lower horizon, solutions are collected and pumped to the surface for processing.

Uranium ores have been mined using underground leaching since 1957. This technology is especially widespread in the USA, Kazakhstan1 and Uzbekistan, where all ore is mined this way.

Uranium reserves in 2007
(tons)

Rank	A country
	Australia
	Kazakhstan
	Brazil
	Jordan
	Uzbekistan
	Mongolia
	Other
	Total	5 469 000	3 300 000

Uranium production in 2009 (tU) according to
World Nuclear Association

Rank	A country	Production (tU)	Uranium resources (tU)*
	Kazakhstan
	Australia
	Uzbekistan
	Brazil
	Pakistan
	Total		2 438 100

Moscow, October 25 - "Vesti.Ekonomika". If you watch the news, you might be under the impression that uranium is only used to make atomic bombs and nuclear power plants.

However, uranium has many uses.

Unfortunately, the accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant and the situation around Iran have given uranium a bad reputation.

However, this element is of great importance.

Below we will tell you about the 8 countries with the largest uranium reserves in the world.

1. Australia

Australia is the undisputed leader in uranium reserves in the world. According to the World Nuclear Association, about 31.18% of all world uranium reserves are located in this country, which in numerical equivalent means 661 thousand tons of uranium.

There are 19 uranium deposits in Australia. The largest and most famous are Olympic Dam, where approximately 3 thousand tons of uranium are mined per year, Beverly (mining 1 thousand tons) and Honemoon (900 tons per year). The cost of uranium mining in the country is $40 per 1 kg.

Australia's political and economic stability makes it an ideal location for many mining companies, such as Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton Limited.

Uranium mining by Rio and BHP is carried out mainly in Australia, and it is these two companies that play a huge role in the global uranium market.

2. Kazakhstan

The second place in terms of uranium reserves belongs to Kazakhstan. The Asian country contains 11.81% of the world's fuel reserves, which equals 629 thousand tons of uranium.

There are 16 developed fields in Kazakhstan where valuable resources are extracted.

The largest deposits of Korsan, South Inkai, Irkol, Kharasan, Western Mynkuduk and Budenovskoye are located in the Chusaray and Syrdarya uranium provinces.

Kazakhstan is a country rich in natural resources. It is noted that 22% of the country’s total exports come from Russia and China.

Kazatomprom, a state-owned company, controls the country's uranium production through a network of subsidiaries as well as joint ventures with foreign companies.

3. Russia

Russia ranks third in terms of uranium reserves. According to experts, in its depths there are 487,200 tons of uranium, which is 9.15% of the world's uranium resources.

Despite the size of the country and large reserves of uranium, there are only 7 deposits in Russia, and almost all of them are located in Transbaikalia.

More than 90% of the country’s mined uranium comes from the Chita region.

This is the Streltsovskoye ore field, which includes more than ten deposits of uranium ore. The largest center is the city of Krasnokamensk.

The remaining 5-8% of uranium in the country is located in Buryatia and the Kurgan region.

4. Canada

The leading place in terms of uranium ore reserves in North America, and fourth globally, belongs to Canada.

The country's total uranium reserves amount to 468,700 tons of uranium, which is 8.80% of the world's reserves.

Canada owns unique deposits of the “unconformity” type, the ores of which are rich and compact, the largest of which are MacArthur River and Cigar Lake.

The country is developing the Waterbury Project uranium deposit, which consists of several deposits and covers an area of ​​12,417 hectares.

Canada has had enormous advantages throughout its history due to its proximity to the United States.

The main company mining uranium in Canada is Cameco.

5. South Africa

In South Africa, uranium is mined as a by-product from gold deposits. The Dominion deposit is the largest in the country with open-pit and underground mining.

Large mines include Western Ariez, Palabora, Randfontein and Vaal River, where the tailings of gold mining are mainly mined.

The average cost of uranium mining in an African country is $40 per 1 kg. In terms of uranium production, South Africa lags far behind the leading countries in this industry, producing 540 tons of uranium per year, this is the twelfth figure in the world.

According to some estimates, South Africa has 6% of the world's uranium reserves.

However, other sources claim that South Africa's reserves are lower than those of Niger and Namibia.

The main problems in the country's economy are unemployment, high levels of poverty, and inequality.

The country is better known for mining gold, platinum and chromium rather than uranium.

South Africa has two nuclear power plants, but there are plans to build several more nuclear power plants.

Thus, South Africa could become a potentially large market for uranium use.

6. Niger

Uranium reserves account for 5% of the world's total. The largest deposits in the country are Imuraren, Madauela, Arlit and Azelit; there are 12 of them in the country.

The cost of mined uranium in Niger is $34-50 per 1 kg.

The main player in the country's uranium market is the French company Areva SA, which mines the Arlit deposit, one of the 10 largest uranium deposits in the world.

In addition, uranium is Niger's largest export.

According to Areva, uranium accounts for about 5% of the country's GDP.

At the same time, Niger is a rather poor country and depends on foreign investment for the extraction of natural resources.

Around the world, uranium is the main resource for the operation of nuclear power plants. The world leaders in uranium reserves, Australia and Kazakhstan, have not developed nuclear energy very much. Uranium ore deposits are not distributed evenly across the globe. Today, only 28 countries of the world mine valuable raw materials in their depths, and only 19 world powers produce uranium. The bulk of 90% of the world's uranium reserves in the world are located in 10 countries, in the remaining 18 countries there are some crumbs of 10% of the fuel. We’ll tell you in a little more detail about the countries with the largest reserves of uranium.

Australia

Australia is the undisputed leader in uranium reserves in the world. According to the World Nuclear Association, about 31.18% of all world reserves uranium is located in this country, which in numerical equivalent means 661000 tons U. There are 19 uranium deposits in Australia. The largest and most famous ones where approximately 3 thousand tons of uranium are mined per year are Beverly mining 1000 tons and Honemun 900 tons per year. The cost of uranium mining in the country is $40 kg.

Almost 80% of the world's uranium production is concentrated in the hands of 8 largest companies, three of them from Australia: Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton and Paladin Energy. These corporations account for 18.73% of global turnover. In terms of uranium production, Australia ranks third, behind Kazakhstan and Canada.

Kazakhstan (Asia)

The second place in terms of uranium reserves belongs to Kazakhstan. Located in an Asian country 11.81% of world fuel reserves, which equals 629,000 tons U. There are 16 developed fields in Kazakhstan where valuable resources are extracted. The largest deposits are located in the Chusaray and Syrdarya uranium provinces: Korsan, South Inkai, Irkol, Kharasan, Western Mynkuduk and Budenovskoye.

The cost of extraction is around $40 per kg. In terms of uranium production volumes per year, Kazakhstan confidently ranks first, producing 22,574 tons of U per year, which is 37.85% of world production. It is not surprising that the largest uranium producer in the world is the Kazakh company Kazatomprom, producing 15.77% of the planet’s total uranium per year.

Russia (Europe)

Russia ranks third in terms of uranium reserves; according to experts, its subsoil contains 487200 tons U, what is 9.15% of the world's uranium resources. Despite the size of the country and large reserves of uranium, there are only 7 deposits in Russia, almost all of them are located in Transbaikalia.

More than 90% of the country’s mined uranium comes from the Chita region. The Streltsovskoe ore field, which includes more than ten uranium ore deposits, the largest center is the city of Krasnokamensk. The remaining 5-8% of uranium in the country is located in Buryatia and the Kurgan region. The cost of enriched ore is $40 per kg. In terms of uranium production, Russia is in sixth place, producing 3135 tons of U per year, which is equal to 5.26% of total world production. The largest Russian uranium production company APM3-Uranium One is one of the leaders in the global uranium market in the world and produces 13.68% of all uranium in the world.

Canada (North America)

The leading place in terms of uranium ore reserves in North America and fourth globally belongs to Canada. The total uranium reserves in the country amount to 468,700 tons U, which represents 8.80% of the world's reserves. Canada owns unique deposits of the “unconformity” type, the ores of which are rich and compact, the largest of which are MacArthur River and Cigar Lake. The country is developing a uranium deposit " Waterbury Project", consisting of several deposits, the area of ​​which is 12,417 hectares.

The uranium reserves in Canadian Saskatchewan are comparable to 4 billion tons of coal or 19 million barrels of oil. In total, Canada is developing 18 uranium deposits. The cost of uranium mining in Canada is one of the lowest in the world and is equal to $34 per kg. In terms of uranium production, North Americans are second only to Kazakhstan and occupy second place, producing 9,332 tons of U per year in the world. The Canadian company Cameco ranks 2nd in fuel production, producing 9144 tons of U.

Niger (Africa)

In Africa, only three countries mine uranium; the largest reserves of the resource are located in Niger. Uranium reserves amount to 421,000 tons U, this is the fifth indicator in the world, in percentage terms it is 7.9%. The largest deposits in the country are: Imuraren, Madauela, Arlit and Azelite, in total there are 12 of them in the country. The cost of mined uranium in Niger is 34-50 US dollars per kg. Niger ranks fourth in uranium production with 4,528 tons of U per year.

Republic of South Africa (Africa)

South Africa lags significantly behind Niger in terms of uranium ore reserves, and ranks sixth in the World Nuclear Association ranking with 279100 tons U.

In South Africa, uranium is mined as a by-product from gold deposits. The Dominion deposit is the largest in the country with open-pit and underground mining. Large mines include Western Ariez, Palabora, Randfontein and Vaal River, where the tailings of gold mining are mainly mined. The average cost of uranium mining in an African country is $40 per kg. In terms of uranium production, South Africa lags far behind the leading countries in this industry, producing 540 tons U per year, this is the twelfth figure in the world.

Brazil (South America)

Rounding out the magnificent seven countries with the largest uranium reserves in the world is the representative of South America, Brazil. According to WNA, the South American country is slightly ahead of Namibia, Brazil's figure is equal 276700 tons U. Mining of 65% of uranium ore reserves is carried out using open-pit mining. The country has three large deposits: Lagoa Real, Santa Quiteria and Poços de Caldas and three medium-sized ones: Figueira, Espinharas and Amorinopolis.

The cost of uranium mining in Brazil is less than 40 US dollars. The country produces 198 tons of U per year, which is 15th in the world. Reserves of uranium ores and uranium fully satisfy the country's needs and in the future it is possible to export this valuable resource to other consumer countries.