First two countries in our ranking of countries that export the most uranium in the world account for the greatest share of all commodity shipments. According to World Nuclear Association, in 2014, 56,252 tons of uranium were produced globally, which was a 6% decrease compared to previous years. The decline in the uranium output came as a result of a price dip after Fukushima incident and shutdown of nuclear plants in the US and Europe. The greatest share of U3O8 came from Kazakhstan, Canada, and Australia, which together produced two-thirds of world’s uranium.
Growing world’s population as well as the fact that currently around 2 billion of people either don’t have or have restricted access to electricity means that the demand for energy will grow in the future. Existing 439 nuclear reactors, which are spread across 30 countries, produce enough energy to satisfy the demand of 11% of people living on the planet. Since the number of reactors will grow by more than 100 in the next ten years while existing ones are going to boost their capacity, the demand for uranium is expected to rise by 31% by 2023. Currently, the greatest share of uranium, some 90%, is obtained from mines. Other 10% are taken from stocks which have piled up in the last years due to low prices.
Russia and China have recorded the greatest growth in uranium demand. In the next few years, China plans to add 24 new nuclear reactors, while eight reactors are under the construction in Russia. To meet the growing demand, these countries have been turning to uranium-rich Africa. Like in our previous ranking of 10 countries that export the most tobacco in the world, African states dominate this list too. Despite being uranium rich, African countries do not see as much benefit as one would expect from the export that reaches the sum of a few million dollars. As you will see on this ranking, the majority of African mines is owned by foreign companies which generate profit for themselves avoiding countries’ laws, regulations and taxes.
In creating the list of countries that export the most uranium in the world we relied on Trade Map data. We ranked countries according to the biggest shipments they made between 2011 and 2015. Since Trade Map does not provide information for some countries which are known to be big uranium exporters, such as Australia, we also used official government reports.
10. Nigeria
Export: 110 tons in 2011
Exploration and production of uranium in Nigeria started 35 years ago. In 1979, the government established Nigerian Uranium Mining Company (NUMCO) in partnership with Total Compagnie Minière of France. After the French company left NUMCO in 1987, uranium production was set on a downward track. In the last few years, following the discovery of uranium on a few sites, exploration and production have been resumed. The country has signed exploration agreements with Russia and India. Following the strategic plan for energy diversification as one of the main conditions for the country’s future development, Nigeria has entered negotiations with Russia’s Rosatom Corp to build four nuclear plants which should become operable by 2035. The government plans to rely on domestic uranium resources to fuel future reactors.
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9. South Africa
Export: 603 tons in 2011
In South Africa uranium is produced as a by-product of gold mining in the Witwatersrand Basin. Last year the country produced 573 tons of uranium. Recently, Australian mining company Peninsula Energy has announced that it plans to start first uranium mine in the country. The mine will be located in Karoo district, home to 71,000 residents, and according to current plans it will operate during next 30 years. The project has raised concerns among Karoo residents who warn about potential environmental implications including land and water contamination in the area which already faces water scarcity. On the other side, the government insists on economic benefits that large-scale mining operation will bring including employment opportunities and much-needed resources for nuclear plants.
8. Malawi
Export: 1,686 tons in 2013
The greatest share of uranium output in Malawi comes from Kayelekera mine which is owned by Paladin Energy, an Australian company. The mine started to operate in 2009, and in following years, considerably contributed to the country’s export. In 2013, it made a profit of $169.9 million, while a year later earnings dropped by 320% to $40.4 million due to Paladin decision to stop the production and put the mine in the mode of care and maintenance because of low uranium prices.
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7. America
Export: 2,000 in 2015
Last year the United States produced the lowest quantities of uranium since 2005. The total production of 3.3 million pounds, which was 1 32% decrease compared to 2014, came from seven facilities – one mine located in Utah and six in-situ leach operations. The produced uranium meets 7% of the total US demand. At the same time, the country also exported less U3O8. Total shipment of 4.0 million pounds was a 12% decline compared to a year ago. Decline in production and export was also followed by employment and expenditure decrease. Almost all uranium-related sectors (production, exploration, processing…) recorded negative job growth while only mining had employment increase of 2%. Finally, expenditures for uranium production and exploration fell by 14% and 56% retrospectively.
6. Iran
Export: 2,500 tons in 2014
In 2014, Iran exported 2,500 tons of uranium. Shipments to China accounted for all exports Iran made that year. In 2009, Iran’s Atomic Energy Agency (AEA) announced that there are 400 uranium mines in the country while last year AEA claimed that it discovered high reserves of U3O8. The question of uranium resources in Iran is very sensitive given the country’s nuclear program and its role in global security. Before the discovery of the metal reserves, assessments coming from western countries stated that Iran has low quantities of uranium while now there are indications that Iran could entirely rely on its domestic resources for its nuclear program. US State Department said that it would closely monitor Iran’s activities in uranium exploration, production, and use.
5. Niger
Export: 5,047 tons in 2013
Niger ranks as fifth on our list of 10 countries that export the most uranium in the world. Last year the country produced 4,116 tons of U3O8, and the greatest share of that quantity came from two mines which are run by French company Areva. France, which ruled Niger until 1960, has benefited a lot from uranium resources. Uranium that comes from Niger fuels one-third of France’s electricity production. Areva also started a large-scale mining project at Imouraren, which could become one of the world’s largest uranium mines in terms of production capacity.
4. Australia
Export: 5,672 tons in 2015
Australia has the largest uranium resources in the world. The country hosts 31% of global uranium and with commodity output of 5,672 tons; it is the third largest U3O8 producer. All produced uranium is exported and commodity shipments account for 35% of Australia’s energy export. As a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, an international agreement which opposes nuclear weapons development, Australia sells uranium only to countries which are going to use it for electricity production. The profit generated from U3O8 shipments peaked in 2009 reaching the sum of 1.1 billion of Australian dollars. In the following years, export started to decline due to production decrease at Olympic Dam and global decline in uranium prices. The leading importers of Australian uranium are the United States, EU countries, Japan, and South Korea.
3. Namibia
Export: 7,253 tons in 2013
Namibia, which is fifth largest uranium producer in the world, with a total output of 3,000 metric tons of uranium in 2015, is expected to significantly increase the uranium production in the following years. According to government officials, new mining operations in Husab mine, which are run by China General Nuclear Power Holding Corp, should triple uranium output by 2017. Husab mine could produce 15 million of pounds of uranium which would allow Namibia to overtake Niger and Australia in terms of the commodity production. Last year the country exported $416,992 uranium, which was a 34% decrease compared to previous years. The leading importers of uranium from Namibia are the US, Canada, China, and France.
2. Canada
Export: 7,931 tons in 2013
Until 2009, Canada was the largest producer of uranium in the world. Although in recent years U3O8 output has not changed much, growing commodity production in Kazakhstan dropped the share of Canadian uranium on the world market from 20% to 15%. Current resources are estimated at 528,500 tons, but given recent discoveries and continuing exploration, it is very likely that the country has much more metal inside its borders. All produced uranium comes from northern Saskatchewan, while McArthur River uranium mine, which provides 14.5% of global uranium, is the largest mine in terms of total output. Canada exports 85% of produced uranium mainly to the US, Europe and China and the remainder is used as a fuel for CANDU reactors which satisfy 15% of Canada electricity demand.
1. Kazakhstan
Export: 23,000 tons in 2015
In 2009, Kazakhstan, which occupies first place on our list of 10 countries that export the most uranium in the world, became world’s largest uranium producer. According to Kazatomprom, the former Soviet country will continue to lead the list of biggest U3O8 producers until 2025. Last year the country’s uranium output of 23,800 tons accounted for 39% of global production. Currently, there are some 50 uranium deposits which contain 12% of world’s uranium resources. Since Kazakhstan has one of the largest uranium reserves in the world, the greatest share of produced uranium is exported, mainly to China, EU, and America. Last year Kazakhstan was the US’ leading supplier of U3O8. Shipments from the former Soviet country totaled 5,443 tons which amounted to 23% of US’ demand.
