Resource World Magazine

14 www.resourceworld.com F E B R U A R Y / M A R C H 2 0 1 5 O ne of the more common elements in the Earth's crust, uranium can be found almost everywhere, though concentrated ore bodies are rela- tively rare. Large deposits of uranium are found in Australia, Kazakhstan and Canada. The world's largest uranium deposit, the Olympic Dam, is located in South Australia. Canada's Athabasca Basin, in northern Saskatchewan, hosts two of the world's seven largest uranium deposits: McArthur River and Cigar Lake. High-grade deposits, however, are only found in Canada. The Athabasca Basin's enormous uranium reserves have excep- tionally high uranium concentrations with grades that are about 100 times higher than the world average. The Fukushima disaster caused countries to review their nuclear programs. Plants were shuttered and investors abandoned the uranium market and the shares of uranium companies fell. But a world with developing economies and increasing energy demands cannot afford to leave nuclear power out of its energy source mix. A CLEAN AND EFFICIENT ENERGY SOURCE According to the Canadian Nuclear Association, (CNA) a nuclear reactor requires very little fuel. "Uranium pellets are approximately 20 grams each, and less than ten are needed to power the average Canadian household for a year. One 20 gram uranium pellet provides the same amount of electricity as 400 kilograms of coal, 410 litres of oil, or 350 cubic metres of natural gas. China is scrambling to meet the energy needs of its densely populated cities where people are already forced to breathe air filled with smog as thick as fog. Electricity consumption increased by 305% in China, between 2000 and 2010. Source: CNA Nuclear energy would not only meet China's energy needs much more effi- ciently, it would provide clean energy. Nuclear power is considered a low-car- bon source of electricity because nuclear power generation produces virtually no carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases. Pollution protests have turned vio- lent in Chinese cities. A November 21, 2014, Bloomberg article stated that, "In the weeks leading up to last week's APEC summit, China closed factories and limited traffic in Beijing so the air wouldn't be offensive to visiting dignitaries." Bloomberg News reported that China needs 1,000 reactors to fulfill its climate pledge. Chinese President, Xi Jinping, committed to cap carbon emissions by 2030 at the November Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. It is staggering to think about what the energy equivalent would be in fossil fuel. Obviously, some of that will be taken up by wind and solar projects but even a 10% contribution from those energy sources will leave China requiring 900 reactors to meet its goals. China currently derives two-thirds of its energy from coal. At APEC, US President Obama, said, "...as the world's two largest econo- mies, energy consumers and emitters of greenhouse gases, we have a special responsibility to lead the global effort against climate change." According to www.euronuclear.org, as A case for AthAbAscA UrAniUm by Kathrine Moore Left to right – Dr Karl Schimann (kneeling), Project manager Bruce McLaughlan, Senior Geologist Daniel Rubiolo at the NW Manitoba Project, Maguire Lake area, Manitoba. Photo courtesy of CanAlaska Uranium Ltd.

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