What is uranium used for?

Mined uranium is primarily used in nuclear power plants. It is also used for producing radioisotopes and has military applications in nuclear weapons. Uranium is not a scarce resource. According to the World Nuclear Association (WNA) on May 16, 2025, “There is therefore no reason to anticipate any shortage of uranium that would prevent conventional nuclear power from playing an expanding role in providing the world’s energy needs for decades or even centuries to come.”

How is uranium mined?

There are three main methods of uranium mining: open-pit, underground, and in-situ. In Canada, only open-pit and underground mining have been utilized for uranium extraction. While in-situ mining has not yet been conducted in Canada, it is currently being explored.

Open pit mining is employed when uranium ore lies close to the surface. This method involves excavating large, open pits to extract uranium-bearing rock from the earth.  According to International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation, “Open-pit mining imposes severe ecological effects on the land, with alterations that affect vegetation, soil, bedrock and landforms (Martín-Duque et al., 2010), which contribute to changes in surface hydrology, groundwater levels and flow paths (Osterkamp and Joseph, 2000, Nicolau and Asensio, 2000).”

Underground mining is more complex and costly than open-pit mining and is employed when uranium ore deposits are located deep beneath the surface. This method involves excavating shafts, ramps, and tunnels underground.

In-situ mining, promoted as a new mining technique, involves injecting water mixed with chemicals into the ground to dissolve uranium. This method offers a lower-cost alternative to traditional mining and requires fewer workers. While in-situ mining for uranium has not yet been conducted in Canada, it is currently under consideration. This technique has been used in the USA, where it has caused aquifer contamination. According to a publication from the U.S. Geological Service, “Contamination of ground water during and after ISR [in situ recovery] operations has become a major issue for nearby residents, and for local, county and state governments.”