CHAPTER 7: Uranium

The major greenhouse gas emissions from coal combustion are leading certain people to argue for uranium mining and nuclear power to meet these challenges. Although there is considerable rhetoric around promoting nuclear power as ‘green’ owing to its relatively lower greenhouse intensity compared with fossil fuels, a careful study of the data is required to understand properly the sustainability of uranium mining and nuclear power, and whether it can or should have a role in future energy supply scenarios. This chapter presents detailed research and analysis on uranium mining, focusing on known economic resources, production, and energy and greenhouse aspects. Overall, the chapter raises fundamental issues concerning the long-term sustainability of uranium mining and nuclear power, and documents the energy and greenhouse intensity of uranium production within the nuclear fuel chain.