uranium
The Uranium Question Geography
Uranium is a mineral like no other. Urainum it has been responsible for the death of millions, but also for the benefit of millions. In today’s world, uranium is at the forefront of many controversies such as nuclear power plant failures, such as in Tokyo, and the worry over nuclear bombs being developed in the Middle East and North Korea. As the second largest producer of uranium in the world, Canada must play an active role in discussions about uranium. The uses of uranium, where and how much of it is found in Canada, the benefits of uranium production and the negative aspects of uranium mining are key factors in this debate.
Uranium is a metallic mineral and an important natural resource. It is used in the process of making nuclear energy. Uranium is processed into a form known as yellowcake which is used in nuclear reactors to create energy. In Canada, it is located mostly in northern Saskatchewan.1As well there are smaller deposits of uranium located in Northwest Territories and in western Ontario. There is an estimated 487,200 tonnes in Canada, the fourth most in any country in the world. The uranium is used mostly for industrial use in the process of creating nuclear energy, but is also used in other applications such as medical uses like radiation therapy and scientific experimentation with radiation. 2 There are several positive effects of mining uranium. For example, Canada uses uranium for its nuclear power for electricity. 15% of all of Canada’s energy, as well as 50% of Ontario’s electricity, comes from nuclear power plants.3 One kilogram of reactor quality uranium produces about the same amount of energy as 3 000 000 kilograms of coal or 2 000 000 kilograms of mineral oil.4 The Canadian economy benefits not only from the sale of this energy, but also from the mining itself. Mining uranium contributes 6.6 billion dollars to our GDP, as well as 1.5 billion dollars in government revenue and 1.2
Uranium is a mineral like no other. Urainum it has been responsible for the death of millions, but also for the benefit of millions. In today’s world, uranium is at the forefront of many controversies such as nuclear power plant failures, such as in Tokyo, and the worry over nuclear bombs being developed in the Middle East and North Korea. As the second largest producer of uranium in the world, Canada must play an active role in discussions about uranium. The uses of uranium, where and how much of it is found in Canada, the benefits of uranium production and the negative aspects of uranium mining are key factors in this debate.
Uranium is a metallic mineral and an important natural resource. It is used in the process of making nuclear energy. Uranium is processed into a form known as yellowcake which is used in nuclear reactors to create energy. In Canada, it is located mostly in northern Saskatchewan.1As well there are smaller deposits of uranium located in Northwest Territories and in western Ontario. There is an estimated 487,200 tonnes in Canada, the fourth most in any country in the world. The uranium is used mostly for industrial use in the process of creating nuclear energy, but is also used in other applications such as medical uses like radiation therapy and scientific experimentation with radiation. 2 There are several positive effects of mining uranium. For example, Canada uses uranium for its nuclear power for electricity. 15% of all of Canada’s energy, as well as 50% of Ontario’s electricity, comes from nuclear power plants.3 One kilogram of reactor quality uranium produces about the same amount of energy as 3 000 000 kilograms of coal or 2 000 000 kilograms of mineral oil.4 The Canadian economy benefits not only from the sale of this energy, but also from the mining itself. Mining uranium contributes 6.6 billion dollars to our GDP, as well as 1.5 billion dollars in government revenue and 1.2