China's uranium mine production 2005-2022

In 2022, uranium mine production in China amounted to an estimated 1,700 metric tons. Having almost doubled between 2011 and 2012, China's uranium production figures stayed at 1,500 metric tons for three years before increasing slightly in 2015 and then again in 2017 and 2018. Uranium is an essential resource for nuclear power generation. It is naturally occurring and therefore mined in many countries. Before being used in a nuclear reactor as fuel, uranium has to go through a set of processes such as refinement and enrichment.

 Global uranium distribution 

The global uranium mine production peaked at 63,207 metric tons in 2016, and dropped in subsequent years to 48,888 metric tons in 2022. Having the largest uranium reserves in the world, Kazakhstan has been producing the highest volume of uranium from mines for years. In 2022, Kazakhstan produced 21,227 metric tons of uranium, followed by Canada, with a significantly lower output of 7,351 metric tons.

 Insufficient domestic uranium supply 

With an annual Chinese uranium consumption of 10,800 metric tons as of 2020, China’s uranium mine production has struggled to meet the demand for the country. Adding to the fact that China is constructing the most nuclear reactors in the world, an even higher uranium demand is expected in the future. China will likely have to look overseas to secure enough uranium resources for a sustainable nuclear power generation.