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EIA: US nuclear generators import nearly all the uranium concentrate they use

In 2023, US nuclear generators used 32 million pounds of imported uranium concentrate (U3O8) and only 0.05 million pounds of domestically produced U3O8, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). Imports accounted for 99% of the U3O8 they used in 2023 to make nuclear fuel. Foreign producers predominantly supply the US front-end nuclear fuel cycle, but federal policies have been implemented recently to build out the domestic US nuclear fuel supply chain.

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The US Department of Energy (DOE) recently received $2.7 billion in congressional funding to help revive domestic fuel production for commercial nuclear power plants.

U3O8 is chemically extracted from uranium ore that has been mined and milled. The fine powder is packaged in steel drums and later enriched and processed further to prepare it for use as fuel in nuclear reactors. US production of U3O8 in the third quarter of 2024 totaled 121,296 pounds, a 24% increase from production of 97,709 pounds in the second quarter. Production in the third quarter occurred at five US facilities: three in Wyoming (Nichols Ranch ISR Project, Lost Creek Project, and Smith Ranch-Highland Operation) and two in Texas (Alta Mesa Project and Rosita).

In 2023, the United States imported U3O8 and equivalents primarily from Canada, Australia, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. The origin of U3O8 used in US nuclear reactors could change in the coming years. In May 2024, the United States banned imports of uranium products from Russia beginning in August, although companies may apply for waivers through 1 January 2028.

Comments

dursun

Most of that comes from Canada 🤭
FAFO

Biff

@dursun Maybe not for much longer!

Roger Pham

Should reprocess used uranium nuclear fuel for use again. Each cycle only consume about 1% of the energy in the fuel. Why waste it?

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