VINACHEM

Chinese researchers in the Ordos Desert in the Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region have uncovered a massive trove of uranium.The discovery, made in aeolian sandstone in the Ordos Basin, was a world first. Here’s why it’s a huge deal.

China presently depends on uranium imports to fuel its nuclear energy needs (57 operational reactors, 30+ under construction, 40+ planned).

China’s annual uranium demand is about 12,000-14,000 metric tons. By 2030, demand could hit 25,000-30,000 ton/year, and 35,000-40,000 tons a year by 2035 to hit the 200 GWe planned output.
It currently gets its uranium from Kazakhstan (50%), Uzbekistan (20%), Canada (10-15%), Namibia (10%), and Russia (5%).

China won’t be able to immediately start mining, given time constraints and need to account for the Ordos Desert’s harsh geological and climactic conditions. But if the new find at Ordos proves significant, it can power a substantial portion of the Asian giant’s growing nuclear fuel demand for years if not decades to come.

Besides uranium, Chinese scientists recently discovered a 2,800 km lithium belt in West Kunlun-Songpan-Ganzi, containing over 6.5 million tons of proven reserves, and total potential of over 30 million tons.

The find will strengthen China’s position as a technological superpower, with the country capable of not only mining and refining the material, but turning it into finished goods (everything from mobile phones and computers to electric cars). In this capacity, China is unrivaled anywhere in the world.  – Source: Sputnik