The quest for uranium goes on
WHEN INDIA began its nuclear programme, scientists did not find any large and concentrated deposits of uranium ores. Dr Homi Bhabha then proposed to start an extensive and intense search for sources of uranium. "These geological surveys would take at least two years if carried out in any careful and exhaustive way... " on April 26, 1948, Dr Homi Bhabha wrote to the then Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru...
"It is possible that their result may be negative"... he cautioned. Dr.Bhabha knew the value of uranium.
Neither rare nor costly
Uranium has virtually no use, other than as a nuclear fuel. Uranium is neither rare nor very expensive. It is more abundant than gold, silver or mercury. Twenty countries worldwide mine uranium of ore-grade above 0.1 per cent. The McArthur mine in Canada has average uranium content of over 26.56 per cent.
Each uranium atom, while splitting, releases copious amounts of energy, producing virtually no greenhouse gases; small amounts of uranium generates large amounts of energy leaving a small amount of solid waste that we can manage safely.
The World Nuclear Association, a global organisation that seeks to promote use of nuclear power, noted that, as uranium supplies are relatively inexpensive, and highly energy intensive, they can be easily stockpiled. (One ton of natural uranium can produce more than 40 million units of electricity. This is equivalent to burning 16,000 tons of coal or 80,000 barrels of oil).
Indian scientists chose Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors of the CANDU type as their mainstay, as these are the most efficient of all reactors using uranium.
Fuel fabrication easier
CANDU Owner's Group, a not-for-profit organisation of seven countries operating this type of reactors, noted that the use of natural uranium widens the source of supply and makes fuel fabrication easier (COG, July, 2006). India produces just 230 tonnes, just over 0.5 per cent of the worldwide output. We need more uranium. Currently, the Uranium Corporation of India Ltd (UCIL) operates four mines and plans to start a few more mines.
Some NGOs are against setting up uranium mines. Promoters of nuclear technology must address their legitimate concerns. But a few NGOs have gone overboard. They call UCIL's projects "atomic ghosts".
Do they know that we need uranium-fuelled reactors to produce cobalt-60? Over 240 cobalt-60 units are being used daily to treat about 18,000 cancer patients in different parts of the country. Can the NGOs suggest any alternative to radiation therapy? An NGO claimed that some women in Chattikocha village in Jaduguda have a change in menstrual cycle, `gynaecological' problems and infertility! They alleged that children were born with one eye, disfigured face, twisted legs and the like.
Claims unsubstantiated
Another activist found that people were complaining about lack of appetite, respiratory problems, skin disease and terminal illnesses. These claims are unsubstantiated. Specialist medical teams after exhaustive study did not find any radiation-related disease in those areas.
India has nearly forty years' experience in mining, milling and producing uranium. And the quest for uranium continues, leaving no stones unturned.
K.S. PARTHASARATHY
FORMER SECRETARY, AERB, MUMBAI
(ksparth@yahoo.co.uk)
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