Uranium is a radioactive element that can be used as a fuel for nuclear power plants. Nuclear power is a form of low-carbon energy that does not emit greenhouse gases or air pollutants. In this way it is uniquely qualified to be the primary source of energy for the electrification transition.

One of the main advantages of mining uranium for use in nuclear power is that it can help reduce the dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate the effects of climate change. According to the World Nuclear Association (2021), nuclear power provides about 10% of the world’s electricity and 29% of the low-carbon electricity.  With electric cars requiring four-times the metals and mineral resources for a conventional vehicle, they will also require abundant, clean, and reliable base load power to recharge every day.  This will in turn require a significant increase in electricity generation from current levels.

Nuclear power plants can operate continuously and reliably, unlike some renewable sources that depend on weather conditions and storage capacity. Nuclear power can also complement other clean energy sources, such as wind and solar, by providing backup power and grid stability. By using uranium as a fuel, nuclear power can avoid the emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter that are associated with burning coal, oil, and gas. These emissions contribute to global warming, acid rain, smog, and respiratory diseases.

Therefore, mining uranium for use in nuclear power can support the transition to a low-carbon economy and help achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.  Unlike renewable that require the sun to be shining and the wind to be blowing, the base load power provided by nuclear power will be the only power source avail to the average consumer who wish to charge their EV in the evening or overnight.

Another advantage of mining uranium for use in nuclear power is that it can enhance the energy security and diversity of countries that have limited or no domestic fossil fuel resources. Uranium is widely distributed in the earth’s crust and can be found in various regions and continents. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (2020), the total identified uranium resources amount to about 7.6 million tons, which can sustain the current level of nuclear power generation for about 130 years. 

But as the need for clean electrical power increases these resources will be more quickly consumed.  In order to replace coal-fired power plants (which current provide 80% of world’s electricity), new nuclear reactors will be built and they will need new sources of uranium in order to refuel. At which time, the current uranium resources will only provide fuel for less than 20 years.

Moreover, uranium has a high energy density, meaning that a small amount of uranium can produce a large amount of energy. For example, one kilogram of uranium can generate about 20,000 times more energy than one kilogram of coal (World Nuclear Association, 2021). This means that uranium can reduce the transportation and storage costs and risks of energy supply.

Furthermore, uranium can be enriched and fabricated into fuel rods that can last for several years in a nuclear reactor, unlike fossil fuels that need to be constantly replenished. Therefore, mining uranium for use in nuclear power can improve the energy independence and resilience of countries that rely on imported fossil fuels.

Producing uranium for use in nuclear power has many advantages, such as the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the enhancement of energy security and diversity, and the support of low-carbon development.

Therefore, mining uranium for use in nuclear power will quite easily be able to follow the new ESG standards that aim to ensure the environmental, social, and governance performance and responsibility of the nuclear industry. By doing so, mining uranium for use in nuclear power can contribute to the sustainable development and the global common good.