The vast majority of nuclear power reactors use the isotope uranium-235 as fuel however, it only makes up 0.7% of the natural uranium mined and must therefore be increased through a process called enrichment. вЂYellowcakeвЂ™ вЂ“ one of the first steps towards making nuclear fuel (Image: Kazatomprom) Enrichment The uranium solution from the mines is then separated, filtered and dried to produce uranium oxide concentrate, often referred to as вЂyellowcakeвЂ™. The uranium solution is then pumped to the surface. Water injected with oxygen (or an alkali, acid or other oxidizing solution) is circulated through the uranium ore, extracting the uranium. However, over half of the world's uranium mines now use a method called in-situ leaching, where the mining is accomplished without any major ground disturbance. The slurry is leached with sulfuric acid or an alkaline solution to dissolve the uranium, leaving the remaining rock and other minerals undissolved. After mining, the ore is crushed in a mill, where water is added to produce a slurry of fine ore particles and other materials. open pit or underground) were the main source of uranium. Uranium mines operate in many countries, but more than 85% of uranium is produced in six countries: Kazakhstan, Canada, Australia, Namibia, Niger, and Russia.

Uranium is found in small amounts in most rocks, and even in seawater. Nuclear fuel pellets, with each pellet вЂ“ not much larger than a sugar cube вЂ“ contains as much energy as a tonne of coal (Image: Kazatomprom) The mining of uranium In order to make the fuel, uranium is mined and goes through refining and enrichment before being loaded into a nuclear reactor. Uranium is the main fuel for nuclear reactors, and it can be found in many places around the world.

Factorio uranium mine