Uranium reserves and equivalent Hubbert curve

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Uranium reserves and equivalent Hubbert curve




by Christophe » 18/07/12, 11:59

Much less about uranium depletion than about oil, so here the equivalent of the Hubbert curve for Uranium. There will be a PeakU (or Upeak it sounds better) as there is (had) a Peakoil

Graph and Evolution of Uranium Production and Demand:
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And the map of Uranium World Reserves:
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Images in higher resolution: https://www.econologie.com/nucleaire-res ... -4416.html

Important Info to know too: the cost of nuclear fuel represents only 1 at 2% of the price of nuclear kWh... (excluding recycling of waste, of course ...)
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by Did67 » 18/07/12, 18:49

The cost of fuel as it comes out of Areva before entering the reactors or the cost of ore ore deposit ???

The purification at Pierrelatte requires a factory (to supply the other 48) ... So nothing but the energy cost at this level ??? Hence my question ...
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by moinsdewatt » 18/07/12, 20:32

Did67 wrote:The cost of fuel as it comes out of Areva before entering the reactors or the cost of ore ore deposit ???

The purification at Pierrelatte requires a factory (to supply the other 48) ... So nothing but the energy cost at this level ??? Hence my question ...


This is obviously the cost before treatment. U3O8.

Currently the U3O8 is 50 $ per pound at the spot.
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by moinsdewatt » 31/05/14, 13:30

Niger: end of the iron fight between Niamey and Areva on uranium

Ecofin Agency 27 May 2014

The French nuclear group Areva, the world's third largest producer of uranium in 2013, has finally signed, the 26 May with the Nigerian government, a new agreement on the operating conditions of uranium deposits in the desert north of the country, reports RFI .

This marks the end of several months of rebounding negotiations during which the French group has opposed new terms, economically more advantageous for Niger, in the mining concession on uranium deposits in the department of Arlit.

For the cause, the chairman of the executive board of Areva Luc Oursel made the trip to Niamey where he signed the strategic partnership agreement with the Nigerian state represented by the mines minister Omar Hamidou Tchiana. "The agreement includes the renewal of the mining agreements of Somair companies and Cominak under the Mining Law of 2006. The same agreement subjects the two Areva companies to the VAT neutrality mechanism, "reports RFI.

Several amendments have been introduced in the agreement including the appointment, now, directors general of Nigerian nationality at the head of companies Somair and Cominak, in 2014 and 2016.

In addition, Areva and Niger have agreed to put into operation the third uranium deposit in Imouraren, for an annual production of 5000 tonnes, whose launch date "will depend on the improvement in international market conditions".

http://www.agenceecofin.com/nucleaire/2 ... -l-uranium
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Re: Uranium: reserves and equivalent Hubbert curve




by Remundo » 08/08/16, 09:19

To complete this topic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yv6j10RHhC4

It dates from 2011: Michael DITTMAR (from ETH Zurich, particle physicist) speaks about the likely future uranium shortage in the coming decades.

Source: 2000Watt.org / Interview with Laurent HORVATH
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Re: Uranium: reserves and equivalent Hubbert curve




by Ahmed » 08/08/16, 09:43

In the penultimate post, concerning the renegotiations of the exploitation contracts of the Arlit uranium deposits, it is written:
... economically more advantageous for Niger

This is obviously a conventional and very "soft" way of explaining that the Nigerian oligarchy now intends to benefit more from the mining rent, not only through larger payments, but also, as it is specified a few lines below, by reserving important positions among local management.
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Re: Uranium: reserves and equivalent Hubbert curve




by moinsdewatt » 08/08/16, 09:47

Australian environmental agency rejects CAMECO open pit project in Yeelirrie.
The project damages the local aquatic fauna.
Cameco hoped to remove 7500 tons of uranium per year


Australia's environmental agency rejects Cameco uranium mine plan

August 01

Cameco's Yeelirrie Uranium Mining Proposal, announcing on Wednesday that the project fails to protect underground fauna. Chairman of the EPA Tom Hatton flagged up 3 groundwater species that would start mining in the area.

Cameco, Canada's largest uranium producer, has been quick to challenge the ruling, arguing that the risks to Australia's wildlife can be mitigated. The company announced in a press release that; "We believe that with further sampling and research, subterranean fauna can be appropriately managed and we will work with government agencies and stakeholders to find a way forward."

Analysts have taken a more skeptical tone on the project. Cantor Fitzgerald Equity Research has assigned no value to the project, concluding that the market will not see production from Yeelirrie any time soon. Cameco has been squeezed by the slumping uranium market in recent years, shifting its focus towards core assets in Kazakhstan and Canada. The company assured investors on Wednesday that: "Cameco believes the long-term fundamentals of the nuclear industry are strong and we are taking prudent steps to prepare our uranium projects for improved market conditions."

Yeelirrie is one of two projects in Western Australia owned by Cameco. The mining company bought the development four years ago for US $ 430 million in a deal with BHP Billiton. Cameco executives are planning to create two open pits on the site. The Canadian company was planning to extract 7,500 tons of uranium from the site per year. Yeelirrie is located roughly 650km from the city of Perth.

Yeelirrie as a sacred site. Cameco's proposal, submitted to the EPA in 2014 was more ambitious than BHP's original plan and would have attempted to mine a larger amount of uranium over a shorter time period. Yeelirrie is estimated to contain approximately 49 thousand tons of uranium resources.

Cameco stock has been a headache for investors of the late, sinking to 12 year lows at the end of July. The company reported Q2 losses of US $ 104 million as Japan has struggled to restart the majority of the nuclear generators following the Fukushima disaster back in 2011. There could be some relief in the uranium market as well as China and India forge ahead with plans for multiple nuclear reactor sites.

http://www.mining.com/australias-enviro ... mine-plan/

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Yeelirrie, near Wiluna, the site of Australia's largest uranium deposit.
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Re: Uranium: reserves and equivalent Hubbert curve




by moinsdewatt » 08/08/16, 09:48

The spot price of Uranium at its lowest from 2005 to 25 $ per pound

Uranium prices hit 11-year low

July 20, 2016

Uranium prices have hit an 11-year low with the oversupply of the key nuclear material, belying predictions for strong growth in nuclear power in countries such as China.
The price for uranium hit $ 24.9 has pound on Monday, its lowest level since 2005, according to Ux Consulting, which tracks the lowest price in the market for 12 months.

..............................
High quality global journalism requires investment. Please share this article with others using the link below, do not cut & paste the article.

The weakness in the uranium market has led producers to cut output. In April Canadian uranium company Cameco, which owns the world's largest uranium mine, said it would reduce its output and its operations.
Cameco's uranium sales fell 16 per cent in the first quarter to 5.9m pounds. The company's shares have dropped 19 per cent this year.
Nicolas Carter, executive vice president at Ux Consulting.
Still, some investors are betting on an eventual rebound in uranium prices.
........................

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d2f969fe-4e71 ... z4GePXbXBv

with a bit of course history

http://www.uxc.com/
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Re: Uranium: reserves and equivalent Hubbert curve




by moinsdewatt » 13/11/16, 13:50

General Electric (GE) Hitachi will reprocess 300 000 tons of depleted UF6 to bring out 100 000 tons at the grade corresponding to natural uranium. By the technique of laser enrichment.
It will take 40 years.
Construction of an enrichment plant in Paducah, Kentucky.


Laser enrichment moving ahead with DOE selling 300,000 tons of depleted uranium to GE Hitachi Global Laser Enrichment

November 11, 2016

The US Department of Energy (DOE) has agreed to sell 300,000 tons of depleted uranium hexafluoride to GE Hitachi Global Enrichment Laser (GLE) for re-enrichment at a proposed site to be built near DOE's Paducah site in Kentucky. The agreement for the marketing of Silex laser enrichment technology.

GLE was selected by the DOE in the United States to form a contract for the formation of a laser enrichment plant at the site of the Gaseous Enrichment Site at Paducah, Kentucky to re-enrich its inventory of high-level depleted uranium tails. The tails, left over from previous enrichment operations, contain a lower proportion of uranium-2013 than in naturally occurring uranium but can be re-enriched for use in nuclear fuel.

GLE will finance, construct, own and operate the Paducah Laser Enrichment Facility, which will be a commercial enrichment plant licensed by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Re-enrichment of the 300,000 tonnes of tails would take place over 40 years, producing around 100,000 tonnes of "natural-grade" uranium which would be sold into the world uranium market. The balance of the material - low assay tails - would be returned to the DOE for disposal.
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http://www.nextbigfuture.com/2016/11/la ... h-doe.html
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Re: Uranium: reserves and equivalent Hubbert curve




by moinsdewatt » 05/02/17, 18:55

World uranium production expected to reach 76 493 tonnes in 2020, according to GlobalData

Ecofin Agency 27 Jan 2017

According to a report by research firm GlobalData, global uranium production will evolve at a compound annual growth rate of 4,3%, to reach 76 493 t in 2020. The firm explains its forecasts by the expected growth in demand for new reactors.

In 2017, global uranium consumption is expected to increase by 5% to 88 500 tons of oxide. It is expected to grow over the next two years, due to the expected expansion of nuclear capacity in China, India, Russia and South Korea. To meet this growing demand, uranium producers will have to improve their production. The bet is however not won in advance because in 2015, the production of uranium of the United States fell by 32%, while that of Namibia fell by 20%.

"This is due to respective decreases of 33% in the Smith Ranch-Highland and Crow Butte mines in the United States, 20% and 13,6% at the Rossing and Langer Heinrich mines in Namibia," says Cliff Smee, head of research and mining analysis at GlobalData.

Namibia is currently the 4 world's largest producer of uranium.



http://www.agenceecofin.com/etude/2701- ... globaldata
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