The reporter learned at the ongoing first International Forum on the Development of the Natural Uranium Industry that, in recent years, China has established an integrated “air-space-ground-deep” exploration technology, leading to the discovery of a number of uranium deposits ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of tons. A preliminary natural uranium supply assurance system has thus been put in place.

　　Nuclear power is a high-quality energy source that is clean, low-carbon, safe, and highly efficient. Natural uranium is an important energy mineral and the essential material basis for nuclear power generation. Its long-term, stable, and secure supply is the fundamental guarantee for the sustainable development of China’s nuclear power industry.

　　At the meeting, a relevant official from the China National Nuclear Industry Geological Bureau stated that China’s natural uranium industry has established a complete industrial chain covering geological exploration, mining and beneficiation, smelting, and processing. A preliminary “four-in-one” natural uranium supply assurance system has been put in place, integrating domestic development, overseas development, international trade, and strategic reserves.

　　Chen Junli, Director of the China National Nuclear Industry Geological Bureau, stated that China has established an integrated “air-space-ground-deep” uranium exploration technology, and has cumulatively discovered several large- and extra-large-scale uranium deposits. Over the past decade, newly discovered uranium reserves have accounted for one-third of the total identified reserves to date. The latest round of dynamic assessments of uranium resource potential indicates that China possesses enormous uranium resource potential, and we are fully capable of meeting the demand for natural uranium required for the development of nuclear energy.

　　Addressing the challenges facing uranium resource exploration and development in China—such as uneven resource distribution and high extraction costs—relevant officials from the Ministry of Natural Resources stated at the meeting that the state will continue to intensify efforts and increase investment in uranium exploration and development, optimize exploration and development strategies, enhance exploration and development efficiency and quality, promote intelligent transformation and upgrading, and steadily improve China’s capacity and level of ensuring a stable supply of natural uranium.