Uranium resources: Are they adequate?

Journal Article · Tue Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1989 · NUEXCO. Monthly Report to the Nuclear Industry

OSTI ID:104819

World uranium resources have changed significantly through the last two decades as new discoveries, production, and reclassification have each had a major impact on the quantity of uranium apparently available for exploitation. During the period 1970-1987, reasonably assured uranium resources in the lowest-cost classification have increased from about 1.7 billion pounds U{sub 3}O{sub 8} to about 4.2 billion pounds U{sub 3}O{sub 8}. Production during that same period amounted to 1.4 billion pounds U{sub 3}O{sub 8}. Net indicated discoveries for the period, therefore, amount to 3.9 billion pounds U{sub 3}O{sub 8}, or some 240 million pounds per year. Resource classifications, however, have changed markedly since 1970 when the low-cost category was set at less than $$10 per pound U{sub 3}O{alpha}{sub 8}. Currently, the lowest cost resource category is $$80/KgU, or $30 per pound.

• OSTI ID: 104819
• Journal Information: NUEXCO. Monthly Report to the Nuclear Industry, Journal Name: NUEXCO. Monthly Report to the Nuclear Industry Journal Issue: 252; ISSN 0742-4582; ISSN NUEXD3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
COST
PRICES
RESOURCE ASSESSMENT
SUPPLY AND DEMAND
URANIUM OXIDES U3O8
URANIUM RESERVES