⛏ Uranium Mining by Country

Where the fuel actually comes from

This page tracks 24 significant uranium mining operations across 10 countries, with combined reported output of roughly 46,600 tonnes of uranium (tU) per year. 16 of them are currently producing; the rest are closed, on care and maintenance, or undeveloped projects. Canada, Kazakhstan, Namibia together account for about 74% of the output tracked here — uranium supply is far more geographically concentrated than most people expect. Note that this dataset covers major operations rather than every uranium mine on Earth, so totals are indicative rather than a complete world production figure.

Uranium production by country

How uranium is mined

Underground — 5 operations, 20,000 tU/yr

Shafts and tunnels reach deep, typically higher-grade orebodies. More costly per tonne than surface mining but economic where grades are exceptional — the Athabasca Basin in Canada is the classic case.

In-situ recovery — 10 operations, 16,800 tU/yr

A leaching solution is pumped through the orebody underground and the dissolved uranium is pumped back to the surface. No rock is excavated, so surface disturbance and cost are low, but it only works in permeable, water-saturated deposits. It is the dominant method in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

Open pit — 8 operations, 9,800 tU/yr

The overburden is stripped away and ore is mined from a surface pit. Suitable for shallow deposits; moves large volumes of rock and leaves a substantial surface footprint.

Not specified — 1 operation

All tracked uranium mines