Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Materials Section
Uranium Production Cycle
Uranium: Resources, Production and Demand (The RedBook)
Responsible Officer: J. SLEZAK
Objective: To provide information on Uranium Resources, Production and Demand, and increase the capability of interested Member States for planning and policy making on uranium production.
Uranium resources are an integral part of the nuclear fuel cycle. Uranium resource development is undergoing drastic changes in terms of both uranium production facilities and alternative sources of supply. An inventory of uranium resources, together with projections of supply and demand needs to be available to Member States in order to maximize the benefits of the resources to producers, while optimizing fuel cycle planning for consumers. The tasks focus on preparation of the world report "Uranium Resources, Production and Demand" (The Red Book), together with supporting activities.
Uranium Resources, Production and Demand (The RedBook)
In the mid-1960’s, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in cooperation
with the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) began
the publication of a report entitled “Uranium-Resources, Production and
Demand”. The report, commonly known as the Red Book, has been published at
two-year intervals and has become widely recognized in the international
nuclear community as a primary reference document on world uranium supply.
The Red Book, which is based on a questionnaire sent to Member States, contains (1) estimates of uranium resources in several categories of assurance based on existence and economic attractiveness, (2) production capability, (3) nuclear capacity, and (4) related reactor requirements. Annual statistical data are included on exploration expenditures, uranium production, environmental issues, employment and levels of uranium stocks. In addition to a global analysis, including a discussion of recent developments and their impact on the outlook over the short term (uranium supply and demand through 2020), the report contains National Submissions reviewing related developments in member countries over the two-year reporting period.
