Uranium mining industry experts and government ministers met during this year´s annual General Conference to discuss prospects and challenges for uranium production, demand and supply.
The IAEA projects that nuclear power generating capacity in the medium term will increase to between 511 GW(e) and 807 GW(e) of generating capacity by 2030. And this will create increased demand for uranium.
Currently, the world´s uranium industry is experiencing a resurgence of activity following a protracted downturn. Today´s discussion surrounded prospects for uranium supply and the challenge of bringing new mines into production fast enough to meet the short term market demand.
An ageing workforce is also one of the challenges facing the industry. Panellists emphasised the need to replenish the nuclear industry´s talent pool through mentoring programmes and increasing the number of graduates in nuclear science.
To support uranium producing countries efforts to share knowledge and best practices, Head of the IAEA´s Waste and Environmental Safety Section, Didier Louvat, suggested that there be a forum on the issue during the next General Conference in 2010.
Attendees heard presentations from the IAEA´s Division of Fuel Cycle and Waste Management, the Republic of Namibia´s Ministry of Mines and Energy, the Australian Safeguards and Non-proliferation Office as well as Paladin Energy Ltd., which owns and operates uranium mines in Namibia and Malawi. The round table was chaired by Australia´s Permanent Representative to the IAEA, Ambassador Michael Potts.