Uranium mining is the process of extraction of uranium ore from the land. Since uranium ore is mostly present at relatively low concentrations, most uranium mining is extremely volume-intensive, and thus tends to be undertaken as open-pit mining. It is also undertaken in small number of countries of the world, as the resource which is relatively rarely found.
The worldwide production of uranium in 2008 amounted to be 43,853 tones, of which 20% of uranium was mined in Canada. Canada, Kazakhstan, and Australia are the top three producers and together have an account for 59% of world uranium production. Other important uranium producing countries in excess of 1000 tones per year are countries like Namibia, Russia, Niger, Uzbekistan, and the United States.
A major use of uranium from mining is as fuel for nuclear power plants. As per of 2008, known uranium ore resources which can be mined at about current costs are estimated to be sufficient to produce fuel for about a century, based on current consumption rates.
The worldwide production of uranium in 2008 amounted to be 43,853 tones, of which 20% of uranium was mined in Canada. Canada, Kazakhstan, and Australia are the top three producers and together have an account for 59% of world uranium production. Other important uranium producing countries in excess of 1000 tones per year are countries like Namibia, Russia, Niger, Uzbekistan, and the United States.
A major use of uranium from mining is as fuel for nuclear power plants. As per of 2008, known uranium ore resources which can be mined at about current costs are estimated to be sufficient to produce fuel for about a century, based on current consumption rates.
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