The 10 Largest Uranium Mines In The World
Uranium is primarily used as fuel for nuclear power plants, making uranium mining a key industry in global energy production. The largest uranium mines are ranked by their annual output, measured in tons of uranium (U3O8). Here are the 10 largest uranium mines in the world as of 2024:
1. Cigar Lake Mine (Canada)
- Location: Saskatchewan, Canada
- Owner: Cameco (50.025%), Orano Canada (37.1%), others
- Annual Production: ~6,900 tons of uranium
- Key Features:
- Cigar Lake is the highest-grade uranium mine in the world, with uranium concentrations far above the global average.
- The mine uses a special underground mining technique called jet boring to extract the ore.
- Canada is a top producer of uranium, and Cigar Lake is a significant contributor to global uranium supply.
2. Husab Mine (Namibia)
- Location: Erongo region, Namibia
- Owner: Swakop Uranium (China General Nuclear Power Group)
- Annual Production: ~6,500 tons of uranium
- Key Features:
- One of the largest uranium mines by production, Husab is crucial to Namibia's mining sector.
- The mine is open-pit and primarily serves the Chinese nuclear energy market.
- Namibia is one of the top producers of uranium globally, and Husab plays a big role in maintaining this position.
3. Olympic Dam Mine (Australia)
- Location: South Australia
- Owner: BHP
- Annual Production: ~3,500 tons of uranium
- Key Features:
- Olympic Dam is one of the world’s largest multi-mineral mines, also producing copper, gold, and silver in addition to uranium.
- It is an underground mine with vast reserves of uranium.
- Australia is a leading producer of uranium, and Olympic Dam is a key contributor.
4. Rössing Mine (Namibia)
- Location: Erongo region, Namibia
- Owner: China National Uranium Corporation
- Annual Production: ~3,000 tons of uranium
- Key Features:
- One of the oldest and largest open-pit uranium mines, in operation since the 1970s.
- It plays a key role in Namibia’s economy and contributes significantly to the global uranium supply.
- China’s investment in the mine strengthens its access to uranium for its growing nuclear power industry.
5. Inkai Mine (Kazakhstan)
- Location: South Kazakhstan
- Owner: Cameco (40%), Kazatomprom (60%)
- Annual Production: ~3,100 tons of uranium
- Key Features:
- Inkai is one of the largest uranium mines in Kazakhstan, the world's top uranium-producing country.
- The mine uses in-situ recovery (ISR), a less invasive mining method.
- Kazakhstan’s uranium industry is dominated by Kazatomprom, and Inkai is a major asset.
6. South Inkai Mine (Kazakhstan)
- Location: South Kazakhstan
- Owner: Kazatomprom (70%), Uranium One (30%)
- Annual Production: ~2,900 tons of uranium
- Key Features:
- Another significant ISR mine in Kazakhstan.
- South Inkai is one of the most productive uranium mines in the world, contributing to Kazakhstan’s position as the top uranium producer.
- The mine has been in operation for more than a decade.
7. Somair Mine (Niger)
- Location: Agadez region, Niger
- Owner: Orano (63.4%), Nigerien government (36.6%)
- Annual Production: ~2,700 tons of uranium
- Key Features:
- Somair is one of two major uranium mines in Niger, a key producer in Africa.
- Operates as an open-pit mine and is managed by French nuclear company Orano (formerly Areva).
- Niger’s uranium is primarily exported to France for use in its nuclear power sector.
8. Tortkuduk and Central Mynkuduk Mines (Kazakhstan)
- Location: Central Kazakhstan
- Owner: Kazatomprom
- Annual Production: ~2,500 tons of uranium
- Key Features:
- These ISR mines are crucial to Kazatomprom’s overall production capacity.
- Kazakhstan's use of ISR methods allows it to produce uranium in a more environmentally friendly way than traditional mining techniques.
9. McArthur River Mine (Canada)
- Location: Saskatchewan, Canada
- Owner: Cameco (70%), Orano Canada (30%)
- Annual Production: ~2,400 tons of uranium (currently in care and maintenance but still among the largest when operational)
- Key Features:
- One of the richest uranium mines in the world in terms of grade.
- The mine was in production hiatus but remains one of the top potential producers when in operation.
- Canada’s uranium sector heavily depends on McArthur River and Cigar Lake.
10. Kharasan Mines (Kazakhstan)
- Location: South Kazakhstan
- Owner: Kazatomprom, Uranium One, and others
- Annual Production: ~2,200 tons of uranium
- Key Features:
- Kharasan mines use ISR technology for uranium extraction.
- Kazakhstan's dominance in the global uranium market is further boosted by the Kharasan operation.
- The mines are located in one of Kazakhstan's richest uranium districts.
These mines represent the largest uranium production centers globally, contributing to the supply of fuel for nuclear power plants, which generate about 10% of the world's electricity.
Recent News
