weekend read......good uranium news continues

MAJOR producer Australia is not reconsidering its sales of uranium following the nuclear crisis in Japan, Prime Minister Julia Gillard has pledged.

Although Australia uses no nuclear power, it is the world's third-ranking uranium producer behind Kazakhstan and Canada, exporting some 9600 tonnes of oxide concentrate annually worth over AU$1.1 billion (US$1.09B).

It also holds the world's largest uranium reserves, with 23 percent of the total, according to the World Nuclear Association.

Perception of the nuclear industry has been seriously hurt since the Fukushima No. 1 plant in Japan was crippled eight days ago by a massive earthquake and tsunami.

But Gillard said it would not affect Australian uranium sales.

"What is happening in Japan doesn't have any impact on my thinking about uranium exports," she told Sky News.

Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.
Related Coverage

Ferguson backs wider uranium mining The Australian, 8 days ago
Uranium for India on the radar The Australian, 4 May 2011
Jory: Uranium monkey on our back Adelaide Now, 27 Mar 2011
Nuclear power still 'best and only option' NEWS.com.au, 24 Mar 2011
Greens question uranium exports The Australian, 22 Mar 2011

End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.

"We do export uranium and we will continue to export uranium.

"Countries around the world will make their own choices about how they source their energy."

Japan is an important customer of Australia, as is China, which last week ordered safety inspections of its nuclear plants and suspended approval of new projects.

China currently operates 13 nuclear plants and is building more than two dozen others - estimated at 40 per cent of all plants being built worldwide.

Other major buyers of Australian uranium oxide include the United States and the European Union.

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/business/australian-uranium-sales-to-continue/story-fn7mjon9-1226025076660#ixzz1N2NTU1t4