U.S. Nuclear Generators Import Nearly All The Uranium Concentrate They Use

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Last Updated on: 30th January 2025, 11:17 pm

In 2023, U.S. nuclear generators used 32 million pounds of imported uranium concentrate (U₃O₈) and only 0.05 million pounds of domestically produced U₃O₈. Imports accounted for 99% of the U₃O₈ they used in 2023 to make nuclear fuel. Foreign producers predominantly supply the U.S. front-end nuclear fuel cycle, but federal policies have been implemented recently to build out the domestic U.S. nuclear fuel supply chain. The U.S. 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. U.S. 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 U.S. 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 U.S. 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 January 1, 2028.

More information regarding U.S. uranium production and sourcing is available in our Domestic Uranium Production Report and Uranium Marketing Annual Report.

Principal contributor: Slade Johnson. Data visualization: Kristen Tsai. First published on Today in Energy.

Source: Clean Technica