US quarterly uranium production up

The US produced more uranium in the second quarter of 2016 than in the first, according to the latest update from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). Production for the first half of 2016 remained lower than the same period in 2015.

The US produced more uranium in the second quarter of 2016 than in the first quarter, according to the latest update from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). Production for the first half of 2016 remained lower than the same period in 2015.

US quarterly uranium production from 1996 (Image: EIA)

A total of 745,306 pounds U308 (287 tU) was produced in the second quarter of 2016, up 19% from the first quarter of 2016 and but down 6% from the second quarter of 2015.

Total production for the first half of 2016 was 1,371,828 pounds U3O8 (523 tU), 29% lower than the 1,944,388 pounds (748 tU) produced during the first half of 2015.

The second quarter of the year saw the restart of production at the White Mesa uranium mill in Utah, bringing the total number of US uranium producing facilities to seven. The other six facilities - Crow Butte (Nebraska), Lost Creek Nichols Ranch, Ross, Smith Ranch-Highland and Willow Creek (all Wyoming) - are in-situ leach operations.

Researched and written
by World Nuclear News