International Symposium on Uranium Raw Material for the Nuclear Fuel Cycle (URAM-2023)

Background

Adequate services, expertise and modern technologies are needed to ensure a sustainable supply of uranium raw materials to fuel both operating and future nuclear power reactors. Effective regulation, sound environmental management, training and education are required to minimize the impact of uranium mining and production and to contribute to public acceptance of the global nuclear industry in general.

In 2005, 2009, 2014 and 2018, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) hosted International Symposia on Uranium Production and Raw Materials for the Nuclear Fuel Cycle at its Headquarters in Vienna, Austria, to discuss all aspects of uranium raw materials for the uranium fuel cycle to ensure the long term sustainability of nuclear power programmes.

As the historical spot price for uranium has experienced long-term valleys and short term peaks, the industry continually seeks new innovative ways to improve efficiencies in producing uranium. Based on a number of national policies for clean energy, there is an expectation for the maintenance and growth of nuclear power worldwide, leading to an increase in uranium demand in both the near-term and mid-term. It is expected this will have a positive impact on the price of uranium. In the last few years uranium supply has approximately matched consumption, with low spot prices for uranium oxide, the placing of some mines on care and maintenance and decreased exploration activity. However, with decreasing availability of secondary supplies, and the exhaustion of current mines, the uranium resource base and production need to be further extended. The current over supply could potentially lead to under supply in the medium to long term future. Due to long lead times from discovery to production, re-evaluation of uranium resources is required now.

Purpose and Objective 

The long-term sustainability of nuclear power will depend on, among several factors, an adequate supply of uranium resources that can be delivered to the marketplace at competitive prices.

The purpose of the event is to analyse supply–demand scenarios and to present and discuss the latest developments and innovations in uranium geology, exploration, mining, processing and site decommissioning to ensure a sustainable supply of uranium for use as nuclear fuel. The presentations and discussions at URAM-2023 will:

• Lead to a better understanding of the adequacy of uranium supply to meet future demand;
• Provide information on geological models, new exploration concepts, knowledge and technologies that may potentially result in the discovery and development of new uranium resources;
• Describe new mining and processing technologies that have the potential to support a more efficient and sustainable development of uranium and related resources; and
• Consider the environmental compatibility of uranium production and the overall effectiveness of progressive waste management, decommissioning and remediation of production facilities.

Target Audience

URAM-2023 is intended to bring together scientists, managers, exploration and mining geologists, mineral economists, engineers, operators, regulators, community representatives, social scientists, nuclear fuel cycle and environmental specialists and young professionals to exchange information and discuss updated research and current issues related to uranium geology and deposits, exploration, mining and processing, production economics and environmental and legal issues.

Themes and Topics

Contributed papers will be accepted on the following topics:

• Nuclear power and energy markets
• Geology and metallogeny of uranium deposits
• Advances in uranium and thorium exploration
• Project management and evaluations of uranium and thorium projects
• Underground and open pit uranium mining and processing
• Uranium production by the in situ recovery (ISR) process
• Thorium and associated resources
• Health, safety, environment and social responsibility
• Education and training in the uranium production cycle
• Uranium from unconventional resources
• Tailings and waste management
• Uranium newcomers

Structure

The symposium programme will consist of plenary sessions, parallel technical sessions (as required), a poster session and closing uranium industry panel discussions.

The opening session will include opening statements delivered by the Symposium President and the IAEA, and presentations from invited speakers and experts.

Depending on the number of abstracts/synopses received, poster sessions will also be organized.

The closing session will include a summary of the main conclusions of the symposium, delivered by the Symposium President, and closing remarks from the IAEA.