China plans uranium strategic reserve to back its nuclear power sector

The exploration and development of domestic uranium deposits have a high priority in China’s plan to build a national uranium strategic reserve.

RENO, NV - 

China's Commission of Science Technology and Industry for National Defense said China plans to set up a national uranium strategic reserve to ensure that its nuclear industry is backed by a stable and reliable fuel supply.

The commission's report, the 11^th Five-Year Plan for the Nuclear Industry," said the nation will identify and encourage careful exploitation domestic uranium deposits, and improve its domestic production capacity.

An official of the China Atomic Authority told China Daily that "we must step up prospecting and excavation of uranium ores, while conducting research on recycling of used fuel. China hopes to generate 40 gigawatts of nuclear power capacity by 2020.

The national plans calls for the exploration for uranium deposits in the Yili Basin in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in Northwest China near the Tibetan border. The Yining (or Kujiltai) ISL uranium mine is located in the Yili Basin, which borders Kazakhstan's Ili uranium province.

 Xinjiang has large deposits of both minerals and oil. The Ordos Basin, located in Inner Mongolia, was also identified as an exploration target. The basin is home to large oil, gas and coal resources. Pilot ISL tests are being conducted at the Shihongtan deposit in the Turpan-Hami Basin of Xinjiang, according to a report by the Australian Uranium Association.

The national uranium reserve, along with commercial uranium stockpiles, is scheduled to commence in 2010, according to China Economic Net. Nevertheless, China intends to continue its quest for overseas uranium resources.

It is believed that China's planned nuclear power reactors will consume 44 million pounds of uranium annually. More than 16 provinces, regions and municipalities have announced intentions to build nuclear power plants between 2011 and 2015. Provinces will put together firm proposals with reactor vendors by 2008 and submit them to the central government for approval before 2010, according to the Australian Uranium Association.

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