Uranium Supply for the Nuclear Future

Abstract

Uranium fuel for nuclear reactors is abundant. Known resources of natural uranium available for mining are considerable, and expanding in line with exploration effort. By-product supplies from phosphates promise to increase these further. Secondary supplies from weapons stockpiles, recycling and re-enrichment of depleted uranium tails also contribute significantly. No shortage of uranium is likely in the foreseeable future. With many leading nuclear countries expecting to deploy nuclear reactors by mid century, a 50-fold increase in energy obtained from uranium is likely from about then. Thorium is also a potential nuclear fuel.