What is Uranium?

Uranium (chemical symbol: U) is the heaviest metal found in nature.
Uranium was discovered in 1789 by German chemist Martin Kalproth and named after the planet Uranus. The radioactive properties of uranium were not discovered until a study in 1896, subsequently leading to Marie Curie's discovery of radium. Radium was tagged as a cure for cancer and stimulated the exploration of uranium during the early 1900s. The next significant uranium discovery was the first nuclear fission in 1939 by Otto Hahn, which led to controlled nuclear fission in 1942. During this time, the world was faced with war which encouraged the research and development of nuclear weapons. In the 1950's practical uses of uranium were harnessed and the nuclear reactor was created for energy production. 1954 saw the birth of the first commercial reactor and in 1962 Canada succeeded in generating nuclear electricity. Although uranium is mostly used for nuclear energy, it is used in medicine, food safety, glass making, smoke detectors and more.

Uranium is found all over the world, except in Antarctica. Until the 1950s Belgian Congo (Zaire) was the largest producer of uranium, but with increasing demand more countries, including Namibia, Russia, and Brazil, entered the industry. Today, Australia, Kazakhstan and Canada have the largest uranium resources; however, only high-grade uranium (>0.5%) is found in Canada.

From earth to electricity …
Note: Tailings, depleted uranium and nuclear waste are all subject to strict environmental and safety regulations along with the rest of the nuclear fuel cycle.

Radiation is a naturally occurring form of energy. There are two types of radiation: ‘non ionising’ and ‘ionising.’ ‘Non–ionising’ radiation includes transmission signals from radio and television, UV rays from the sun, and visual light. ‘Ionising’ radiation has the ability to interact with other matter and is associated with the nuclear fuel cycle. 85% of radiation exposure is from natural sources and the other 25% is from man–made sources of which the nuclear industry contributes less than 1%.

Nuclear energy does not emit greenhouse gases. Instead of burning fossil fuels, nuclear power plants create energy by splitting uranium atoms and therefore bypass the creation of acid rain, soot, smog and carbon dioxide (CO2). Nuclear energy is affordable. Compared to fossil fuel burning power plants the cost of nuclear power is much less, even if conversion, enrichment and fuel fabrication is taken into account. Nuclear energy is local. Uranium is mined, milled, and processed in Canada and can even be processed for electricity in a Canadian (CANDU) reactor making nuclear energy local and reliable.

Since 1945 2.0 million tons of uranium has been produced. Current usage is approximately 65000 tU/yr but demand is expected to grow 2.8% annually until 2010 then double by 2020, increasing demand up to 100000 tU/yr . Based on current energy demand, uranium reserves will last approximately 85 years. Moreover, uranium demand is directly linked to the changing utility industry; consider for example, the increasing global trends towards environmental concerns and privatization. The top producers of uranium are Cameco and Rio Tinto. According to the chart below, 85% of uranium is produced by only eight companies.

Major Uranium Producers (million lbs U3O8)
Producer 2007 Production*

Cameco 20
Rio Tinto 19
Areva 16
Kazatomprom 12
Russia 10
BHP Billiton 9
Navoi 6
Uranium One 2
General Atomics 2
Other 13
Source: Cameco's supply and demand estimate

The most significant use of uranium is for electricity but production does not meet consumption; 62% comes from uranium mine supplies while the remaining 38% comes from secondary sources, including reprocessed uranium and even recycled uranium from archaic nuclear weapons. Although there is a Russian uranium enrichment process (HEU: Highly Enriched Uranium) that produces a significant amount of secondary uranium and that is estimated to last for years, all other secondary sources are very limited in quantity and time.

In 1931 Gilbert Lavine discovered Canada‘s first uranium deposit at Great Bear Lake in the Northwest Territories. Today, Canada is home to 4 mines that produce 30% of the world's supply and northern Saskatchewan alone hosts 14% of the world reserves. Again, Canada is the only place in the world that has high–grade uranium. Furthermore, as a signatory of the Non–Proliferation Treaty, Canada only sell uranium and related articles for peaceful uses only.