Technical and Economic Feasibility Study on Establishing Secondary Supply of Natural Uranium in China
摘要
The secondary supply of natural uranium, defined as natural uranium or equivalent natural uranium obtained through means other than uranium mining production, is an important component to balance the supply and demand of the uranium market and has long occupied an important position in the international natural uranium supply. China’s natural uranium supply mainly relies on the development and trade procurement of overseas uranium resources, with a long-standing absence of secondary supply. This article studies the technical and economic feasibility of secondary supply channels, mainly under-feeding enrichment operation of uranium enrichment plants, re-enrichment of depleted uranium tails, and recycling of spent fuel, and proposes recommendations for establishing a secondary supply.