With growing public awareness of the negative impacts of burning fossil fuel -- particularly the effect on our climate -- uranium has been touted as a “clean” energy alternative. This ignores, however, the very dirty nature of uranium mining and milling, which pose serious threats to both human health and the environment.

How is uranium extracted?

There are three methods used to extract uranium:

1. From ore in mines, both underground and open-pit. As of 2006, over 60% of all uranium was extracted from mines.
2. At in situ leach (ISL) facilities. ISL represented 26% of uranium production in 2006.
3. As a by-product from nonconventional uranium sources, such as the phosphate industry. Such sources accounted for 9% of global uranium production.

Where is uranium found?

Uranium deposits are found all over the globe. The world’s largest deposits are found in Canada (25% of global reserves), Australia (19%), and Kazakhstan (13%). With Saskatchewan containing the largest concentration of actively mined uranium reserves, and two additional mines coming within the next decade, Canada is poised to provide about half of the world’s uranium supplies.

Why is uranium dirty?

Hazards from the extraction and processing of uranium include:

• Radioactive waste rock and tailings
• Toxic and radioactive wastewater
• Contaminated groundwater
• Radioactive air contaminants

Numerous communities around the world are already struggling with the legacy of uranium mining near their homes, and the current uranium boom threatens the health and well-being of even more people, wildlife, and ecosystems.

For More Information

• Anti-Nuclear Alliance of Western Australia

  In situ leach mining process and the health and environmental risks involved.

• World Nuclear Association:

  Industry group's statistics on world production and the producing companies.

• WISE Uranium Project:

  Uranium mining processes and mineral deposit types.

• Environmental News Service:

  News story on the Navajo community of Crown Point and Church Rock challenging Hydro Resources on a mining permit on reservation lands.

• International Coalition to Ban Nuclear Weapons:

  Anti nuclear weapons based group tells the dangers to water contamination by uranium mining.

• The Pembina Institute:

  Report outlines the air contamination risks of uranium mining.

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