1. World problems
  2. Long-term shortage of uranium resources

Long-term shortage of uranium resources

  • Uranium ores and concentrates shortage
  • Excessive cost of uranium fuel

Incidence

An anticipated long-term shortage of uranium resources for domestic and military uses activated intense geological exploration in the 1960s and 70s, with several new uranium mines being opened around the world.

Counter-claim

In the 1960s, it was believed that a world shortage would send uranium prices above $400 per kg, forcing a shift to plutonium reactor fuel. In 1993, a kilo of uranium costs around $20, and the end of the Cold War has turned plutonium from a security asset (for the manufacture of weapons) into a burden.

Broader

Excessive costs
Unpresentable

Reduces

Related

Strategy

Value

Shortage
Yet to rate
Short-termism
Yet to rate
Excess
Yet to rate
Costliness
Yet to rate

SDG

Sustainable Development Goal #7: Affordable and Clean EnergySustainable Development Goal #11: Sustainable Cities and CommunitiesSustainable Development Goal #12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Metadata

Database
World problems
Type
(E) Emanations of other problems
Biological classification
N/A
Subject
  • Commerce » Purchasing, supplying
  • Fundamental sciences » Metallic elements and alloys
  • Industry » Products
  • Resources » Energy
  • Resources » Minerals
  • Resources » Resources
  • Societal problems » Scarcity
  • Content quality
    Unpresentable
     Unpresentable
    Language
    English
    1A4N
    G4417
    DOCID
    11744170
    D7NID
    133903
    Last update
    Oct 4, 2020