Latest news with #WorldNuclearAssociation
India.com
22-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
More powerful than any nuclear weapon..., this Muslim country controls world's largest Uranium reserves, most essential element used for...
From Pakistan to Russia, nuclear weapons are a hot topic these days and at the heart of every nuclear weapon is a key ingredient: uranium. According to the World Nuclear Association, only about 20 countries in the world actually produce uranium. While India and Pakistan are among them, one Muslim-majority country leads the pack i.e. Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan, a country with a population of around 20 million, is nearly 70 per cent Muslim. Christians form the second-largest group, making up just 17 per cent of the population. Despite its small population, Kazakhstan is the world's top uranium producer, supplying about 21,000 tons every year. In comparison, Canada produces 7,351 tons and Namibia ranks third with 5,613 tons. Why does Kazakhstan have so much uranium? There are three key reasons: geography, geology, and history. Kazakhstan's land is rich in large rock formations that are naturally suited to holding uranium. Geologically, the region is ideal for uranium deposits. Historically, Kazakhstan was part of the Soviet Union, and during that time, Soviet scientists explored and mined uranium extensively. Many of the mines still in operation today were established back then. Kazakhstan also uses a special mining technique that makes uranium extraction cheaper and more eco-friendly. Thanks to all these factors, Kazakhstan alone produces about 30 per cent of the world's total uranium. How important is Uranium for nuclear weapons? Uranium is one of the most essential elements used to build nuclear weapons. But not all types of uranium are suitable for this purpose. The two main types involved in nuclear weapons are Uranium-238 (U-238) and Uranium-235 (U-235). U-238 is the most commonly found form in nature, but it cannot be directly used to make weapons. On the other hand, U-235 is rare but extremely important for making nuclear bombs. This is because U-235 is capable of nuclear fission, a process where the atom splits and releases a massive amount of energy — the force behind a nuclear explosion. So yes, uranium is vital for nuclear weapons, but only certain types are actually useful. How does Uranium work in a nuclear weapon? When a nuclear weapon is detonated, it releases an enormous amount of energy, enough to cause massive destruction and loss of life. Here's how it works: When a neutron hits a U-235 atom, the atom splits, releasing a huge burst of energy. A typical nuclear weapon contains up to 90% U-235. Without this highly enriched form, a nuclear bomb wouldn't be possible. Peaceful uses of Uranium Although uranium can be used to create devastating weapons, it also has peaceful and positive uses. In nuclear power plants, the same fission process is used to produce heat. This heat turns water into steam, which then spins turbines to generate electricity. In India, nuclear power plants like Kudankulam, Tarapur, and Rawatbhata use this method to produce energy. Beyond electricity, uranium also plays a role in the medical field (for cancer treatment and diagnostics) and in space missions, where it powers spacecraft. How powerful is a nuclear weapon? When a nuclear weapon is detonated, it releases an unimaginable amount of energy, capable of killing millions of people instantly. The destructive power is so massive that one bomb can flatten an entire city. To understand how powerful uranium is, consider this: Just 1 kilogram of Uranium-238, when fully split through nuclear fission, releases as much energy as thousands of tons of TNT. That's why uranium is seen as both a destructive force if misused, and a transformational source of power if used wisely like in energy production, space exploration, and medical technologies. How many nuclear weapons do countries have? According to a report by the Union of Concerned Scientists, only 9 countries in the world currently have nuclear weapons: Country Estimated Nuclear Weapons Russia ~6,000 USA ~5,400 China ~500 France ~290 UK ~120 Pakistan ~170 India ~160 Israel (Unconfirmed) ~80-90 North Korea (Unconfirmed) ~30-40 Russia holds the largest stockpile, followed closely by the United States. China is rapidly increasing its nuclear capabilities. India and Pakistan both have growing arsenals, while countries like Israel and North Korea maintain secrecy around their exact numbers.
Epoch Times
13-05-2025
- Business
- Epoch Times
Cameco CEO to Investors: Look Past Tariff ‘Noise' and Toward Long-Term Uranium Demand
The chief executive of Saskatchewan-based uranium miner Cameco Corp. is encouraging investors to tune out the 'noise' from global trade and geopolitical upheaval and instead focus on the strong outlook for nuclear power demand. 'There is no doubt that those distractions have created new and unexpected risks that must be carefully monitored and diligently managed,' Tim Gitzel told analysts on a conference call to discuss the company's first-quarter results. Canadian uranium is exempt from 10 percent U.S. tariffs on energy imports because it adheres to the free-trade agreement between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. But on the conference call, Gitzel said 'we know that a lot can change overnight.' Separately, the U.S. administration is also investigating the national security implications of imported uranium and other minerals. After a similar probe during U.S. President Donald Trump's first term in 2019, which ultimately spared uranium, Cameco took steps to protect itself, such as looking at contract terms and delivery timelines. 'Those pre-emptive actions helped us prepare for the more recent threat of tariffs on Canadian nuclear fuel products, and we will continue to adapt accordingly and mitigate such risks in the future,' Gitzel said. 'I'm sure there will be more to come this year as negotiations continue and policies evolve, but two things are certain: There's no substitute for uranium in a nuclear fuel bundle and there's no elasticity to the demand for nuclear fuel. You need it to run your reactors and power your economy, regardless of tariffs or higher cost.' Related Stories 2/20/2025 4/5/2025 Gitzel pointed to a bevy of non-tariffs developments on the global stage that paint a rosier picture for the sector. Reactor operating licences are being extended in the United States, some to 80 years. China approved 10 new reactor builds for the fourth year in a row. And Poland signed an agreement for its first commercial nuclear plant. Yet Gitzel said 70 percent of the uranium supply that reactors around the world will need for the next two decades–more than three billion pounds–has not been purchased under long-term contracts due to the global trade uncertainty. He said Cameco is being patient. 'You can run, but you can't hide,' he said. 'People need uranium to make this whole thing work, and so you can defer and wait and hope for better times, but they have to come to the market.' The World Nuclear Association says Canada is the globe's second-biggest producer of uranium after Kazakhstan. Most of Canada's uranium reserves are in northern Saskatchewan. Earlier Thursday, Saskatoon-based Cameco said it earned a profit attributable to equity holders of $70 million or 16 cents per diluted share for the quarter ended March 31, compared with a loss of $7 million or two cents per diluted share a year earlier. On an adjusted basis, Cameco says it earned 16 cents per diluted share in its latest quarter, up from an adjusted profit of 11 cents per diluted share a year earlier. Revenue for the quarter totalled $789 million, up from $634 million a year earlier. Uranium production totalled six million pounds for the quarter, up from 5.8 million pounds a year earlier, while sales volumes amounted to 6.9 million pounds, down from 7.3 million pounds. Cameco's average realized price for uranium was $89.12 per pound, up from $77.33 a year earlier. Cameco's fuel services business saw production of 3.9 million kilograms, up from 3.7 million a year earlier, while fuel services sales volumes totalled 2.4 million kilograms, up from 1.5 million kilograms. Fuel services reported an average realized price of $56.64 per kilogram, up from $48.36 in the first quarter of 2024.
Forbes
08-05-2025
- Science
- Forbes
Our Power, Our Planet: Earth Day's Focus On Climate Change And Energy
Inspector Engineer Man Holding Digital Tablet Working in Solar Panels Power Farm, Photovoltaic Cell ... More Park, Green Energy Concept. getty On April 22, 2025, the world celebrated the 55th anniversary of Earth Day and this year's theme was 'Our Power, Our Planet.' With the planet facing record-breaking heatwaves, biodiversity loss, and rising sea levels, the need to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy has never been more urgent. According to the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change , human-induced climate change is accelerating, with the world on track to surpass the critical 1.5°C warming threshold as early as the 2030s. Furthermore a United Nations reported indicated that fossil fuel combustion accounts for over 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions, making decarbonizing our energy systems the most impactful step we can take. However hope lies in our natural resources — the sun, the wind, and the Earth itself. Globally, fossil fuels still dominate electricity generation, with coal, oil, and natural gas accounting for roughly 60% of the mix, according to the International Energy Agency. These fuels release approximately 34 billion of tons of CO₂ annually based on a recent World Nuclear Association report. Beyond emissions, fossil fuel extraction and consumption pollute air and water, harm ecosystems, and pose serious health risks according to International Journal of Geography, Geology and Environment. Furthermore, as the global energy demand continues to rise, especially in emerging economies which have very limited energy security, which makes the fossil fuel dependency a ticking time bomb. Advances in clean energy have transformed renewable alternatives from a distant ideal into an urgent necessity—not only for countries grappling with energy security, but also for high-emitting nations whose fossil fuel dependence accelerates climate impacts like sea level rise and the disappearance of island nations. Renewable energy is derived from natural processes that are constantly replenished and offers a scalable solution. The International Energy Agency highlighted that, renewables accounted for 30% of global electricity generation in 2023. Moreover, that share is growing with solar and wind are leading the charge especially seeing that solar PV costs have fallen by 90% over the past decade based on Our World in Data 2024 report. Furthermore, renewable energy deployment is not only a positive move for the environment but it is also an economic booster. IRENA reports that the renewable energy sector employed 16.2 million people globally in 2024, and could generate up to 38 million jobs by 2030 and 43 million jobs by 2050. Today's renewables are not the intermittent, expensive options they once were due to technological advances in energy storage, smart grids, and artificial intelligence. The development in technology has revolutionized how we produce, store, and distribute clean energy. In 2024, utility-scale battery storage in the U.S. surpassed 26 GW, even though it represented just 2% of the nation's total 1,230 GW electricity generation capacity. Looking ahead, 2025 is projected to mark a record year, with plans underway to add nearly 20 GW more, according to early inventory data. In countries like Jamaica, which has committed to a 50% renewable electricity target by 2030, solar and wind installations will reshape the grid and BESS are essential for their integration. The Caribbean's abundant sunlight and strong winds provide a natural advantage, one that could serve as a blueprint for other small island developing states. The Way Forward: Accelerating The Renewable Energy Transition While progress is encouraging, we must act faster. The IEA estimates that to keep global warming below 1.5°C, annual clean energy investments need to rise to $4.5 trillion by 2030. Policy reform, private sector mobilization, and international collaboration will be key. Earth Day 2025 marked 55 years of global climate awareness, but this year's message was urgent as time is running out. Fossil fuels remain the top driver of climate change, and the world is on track to pass the 1.5°C threshold by the 2030s. Yet hope lies in renewable energy, falling technology costs, and growing global momentum. Clean energy is no longer optional; it is essential for climate action, economic growth, and energy security. Earth Day was a powerful reminder that the solutions are here.
Time of India
25-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Natural Wealth: Top uranium producer Namibia to open talks on nuclear energy plant, ET Manufacturing
Advt Leading uranium producer Namibia will this year launch talks on its first nuclear energy plant as it seeks to exploit its rich natural wealth to transform its economy, the president said on the world's third-highest producer of uranium, the southern African nation should benefit from this resource to meet its own energy needs, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah told parliament."While I am not in a position to tell you when we will have a nuclear energy power plant in Namibia, I can assure you that the discussions will certainly begin this financial year," she said in her first state of the nation address since assuming office a month mines in the sparsely populated nation are estimated by the World Nuclear Association as capable of providing 10 percent of the world supply of the metal used in nuclear power has long stated its interest in introducing nuclear power into its energy mix, which relies on imports, mainly from South Africa."The oil and gas sector holds the potential to transform our economy in the next five years," the president added, explaining her decision to move management of this portfolio directly into her would require building its first oil refinery, she in this sector -- which has attracted significant international interest -- would secure Namibia's energy supply and also drive electrification, job creation and growth, Nandi-Ndaitwah in the country of three million people stands at nearly 37 percent with growth slowing to 3.8 percent in 2024, down from 4.2 the previous year."Mining contributes 12 percent to our gross domestic product and over 50 percent of our foreign exchange earnings. Regrettably, this figure does not reflect the true potential of mining and our mineral resources," she was potential also in exploiting lithium, cobalt, manganese, graphite and rare earth elements, the president added.
Eyewitness News
25-04-2025
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Top uranium producer Namibia to open talks on nuclear energy plant
WINDHOEK - Leading uranium producer Namibia will this year launch talks on its first nuclear energy plant as it seeks to exploit its rich natural wealth to transform its economy, the president said on Thursday. As the world's third-highest producer of uranium, the southern African nation should benefit from this resource to meet its own energy needs, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah told parliament. "While I am not in a position to tell you when we will have a nuclear energy power plant in Namibia, I can assure you that the discussions will certainly begin this financial year," she said in her first state of the nation address since assuming office a month ago. Uranium mines in the sparsely populated nation are estimated by the World Nuclear Association as capable of providing 10 percent of the world supply of the metal used in nuclear power production. Namibia has long stated its interest in introducing nuclear power into its energy mix, which relies on imports, mainly from South Africa. "The oil and gas sector holds the potential to transform our economy in the next five years," the president added, explaining her decision to move management of this portfolio directly into her office. This would require building its first oil refinery, she said. Investments in this sector - which has attracted significant international interest - would secure Namibia's energy supply and also drive electrification, job creation and growth, Nandi-Ndaitwah said. Unemployment in the country of three million people stands at nearly 37 percent with growth slowing to 3.8 percent in 2024, down from 4.2 the previous year. "Mining contributes 12 percent to our gross domestic product and over 50 percent of our foreign exchange earnings. Regrettably, this figure does not reflect the true potential of mining and our mineral resources," she said. There was potential also in exploiting lithium, cobalt, manganese, graphite and rare earth elements, the president added.
