A Joint Report by the Nuclear Energy Agency

and the International Atomic Energy Agency

Uranium 2016:Resources, Productionand Demand

Uranium

2016: Resources, P

roduction and Dem

and

NEANUCLEAR ENERGY AGENCY

A Joint Report by the Nuclear Energy Agency and the International Atomic Energy Agency

Uranium 2016: Resources, Production and Demand

OECD 2016 NEA No. 7301

NUCLEAR ENERGY AGENCY ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT

ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT

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Cover photos: Atucha 2 NPP, Argentina (Nucleoelctrica Argentina S.A.); uranium ore: uranophane (Areva); Cigar Lake mine, Canada (Cameco).

PREFACE AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

URANIUM 2016: RESOURCES, PRODUCTION AND DEMAND, NEA No. 7301, OECD 2016 3

Preface

Since the mid-1960s, with the co-operation of their member countries and states, the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have jointly prepared periodic updates (currently every two years) on world uranium resources, production and demand. Such updates have been published in what are commonly known as the Red Books. The 26th edition of the Red Book reflects information current as of 1 January 2015.

This 26th edition features a comprehensive assessment of uranium supply and demand in 2015 and projections to the year 2035. The basis of this assessment is a comparison of uranium resource estimates (according to categories of geological certainty and production cost) and mine production capability with anticipated uranium requirements arising from projected installed nuclear capacity. In cases where longer-term projections of installed nuclear capacity were not provided by national authorities, projected demand figures were developed with input from expert authorities. Current data on resources, exploration, production and uranium stocks are also presented, along with historical summaries of exploration and production, and plans for future mine production. Available information on secondary sources of uranium is provided and the potential impact of secondary sources on the market is assessed. Individual country reports offer detailed information on recent developments in uranium exploration and production, on environmental activities, regulatory requirements and on relevant national uranium policies.

This publication has been prepared on the basis of data obtained through questionnaires sent by the NEA to OECD member countries and by the IAEA to other countries. It contains official data provided by 37 countries and 12 national reports prepared by the NEA and the IAEA. The opinions expressed in Chapters 1 and 2 do not necessarily reflect the position of the member countries or international organisations concerned. This report is published on the responsibility of the OECD Secretary-General.

Acknowledgements

The Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) gratefully acknowledge the co-operation of those organisations that replied to the questionnaire (see Appendix 1).

TABLE OF CONTENTS

URANIUM 2016: RESOURCES, PRODUCTION AND DEMAND, NEA No. 7301, OECD 2016 5

Table of contents

Executive summary ...................................................................................................................... 9 Chapter 1. Uranium supply ........................................................................................................ 15

Uranium resources .................................................................................................................. 15 Identified conventional resources .......................................................................................... 15 Distribution of resources by production method ................................................................... 27 Distribution of resources by processing method.................................................................... 28 Distribution of resources by deposit type .............................................................................. 29 Proximity of resources to production centres ........................................................................ 30 Additional conventional resources ........................................................................................ 31 Undiscovered resources ......................................................................................................... 32 Other resources and materials .............................................................................................. 34 Thorium ................................................................................................................................. 38

Uranium exploration ............................................................................................................... 45 Non-domestic......................................................................................................................... 45 Domestic ................................................................................................................................ 46 Current activities and recent developments .......................................................................... 49

Uranium production ................................................................................................................ 59 Present status of uranium production ................................................................................... 63 Ownership ............................................................................................................................. 65 Employment .......................................................................................................................... 66 Production methods ....................