Uranium: known resources sufficient for the next 100 years

Both uranium demand and uranium production have been increasing in the last years, the known worldwide resources of uranium are estimated to 6.306.300 tonnes (according to NEA). This figure is sufficient to meet the demand for the next 100 years if the consumption rate is that of 2008. It is likely that more investment on exploration will lead to the discovery of new uranium resources as it has been the case since 2007 when despite falling prices of uranium the investment in mining and exploration have more than doubled and consequently the uranium resource has grown by 15 per cent. The today's challenge is to accompany the renaissance of nuclear power with the introduction of new technologies and adequate financing for mining and exploration. On the long term the issue of uranium resource will be solved by the progressive commissioning of advanced reactors of fourth and fifth generation. (A.C.)