LONG-TERM ASPECTS OF URANIUM SUPPLY

The growing population of the world and the requirements of protecting the climate will make the increasing use of nuclear power indispensable. The quantities of uranium needed in this scenario depend on the spent fuel management pathway chosen, i.e. either direct disposal or reprocessing into mixed oxide fuel elements, and on the development of light water reactors and fast breeders, respectively. At present, there is a surplus of uranium on the world market which is further intensified by the East European states pushing into the market. This situation forces the operators of uranium ore mines to reduce their outputs. In the next decade at the latest, however, the uranium requirement will rise again. Consequently, prospection for new deposits must be carried out now in order for these deposits to be worked in time.