As usual I was reading todays newspaper suddenly came across the article in times of India “N-boost: Uranium mine in Andhra could be among largest in world” as I read it, it given me enough reason to joy. India's The Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), which explores uranium in the country, has so far discovered 44,000 tonnes of natural uranium (U3O8) in just 15 line km of the 160-km long belt in the southern part of the Kadapa basin in Andhra Pradesh. It is considered to be the largest uranium deposit in the world, but the final declaration on hold yet.
Studies show Tummalapalle in Kadapa district could have reserves of 150,000 tonnes of the mineral, Atomic Energy . India’s nuclear power aspirations just got a boost thanks to a lucky find. The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has discovered that the upcoming uranium mine in Andhra Pradesh’s Tumalapalli has close to 49,000 tonnes of uranium — three times the original estimate
of the area’s deposits. In fact, there are indications that the total quantity could go up to 1.5 lakh tonnes, which would make it among the largest uranium mines in the world.
of the area’s deposits. In fact, there are indications that the total quantity could go up to 1.5 lakh tonnes, which would make it among the largest uranium mines in the world.
- The quantity is sufficient for supporting a nuclear power plant of 8,000mw capacity for 40 years.
- Production will start in six months. Srikumar Banerjee, secretary of DAE and chairman of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, announced the discovery during the foundation stonelaying ceremony of the seventh and eighth units of the Rawatbhata atomic power project.
- “It’s confirmed that the mine has 49,000 tonnes of ore, and there are indications that the total quantity could be three times of that amount. If that be the case, it will become the largest uranium mine in the world. The plant is ready, and will begin production by the end of this year.
- India has two functioning uranium mines at present, both in Jharkhand. The total reserves are estimated to be in the range of 1.70 lakh tonnes. The discovery of the Tumalapalli deposit has at one stroke boosted the availability of uranium, lowering the country’s dependence on foreign supplies.
Some bullet points:
- Uranium reserves at Tumalapalli: 49,000 tonnes, 3 times more than previous estimates
- Deposits could go up to around 1.5 lakh tonnes, which would make it
among the world’s largest uranium mines. - Current deposits enough to run 8,000mw plant for 40 years
- India’s known uranium deposits estimated at 1.7 lakh tonnes
- India imports uranium but has no long-term supply contract
Nuclear Power Corporation plans to built 14 N-plants of 700mw capacity each DAE took 4 yrs to study mine’s reserve - India has been procuring uranium on various terms from countries like France and Kazakhstan but does not yet have a long-term supply contract. The country continues to fancy nuclear energy as a possible solution for its energy needs. Unlike some other countries which have been forced to temper their enthusiasm for nuclear energy post-Fukushima, the government is persisting with its push for what is considered to be the cleanest source of energy.
- The fact that Tumalapalli may have uranium reserves has been known for a while, but it took four years for the estimate to come to the present level from 15,000 tonnes in 2007. A 220-MW plant requires 45 tonnes of uranium per year, a 540-MW plant needs 80 tonnes and a 700-MW plant requires 100 tonnes per year.
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