Minerals Make Life – an initiative created by the National Mining Association – has recently developed an infographic summarizing the many benefits of uranium.
Uranium is found in many areas of the United States. In fact, uranium is more common than tin, about 40 times more common than silver and 500 times more common than gold. Normally the amount of uranium in a given area is very small, but in certain areas, uranium is highly concentrated and may be economically recovered. Today uranium production is primarily focused in Arizona, Nebraska, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming.
One atom of uranium-235 can release 50 million times more energy than the combustion of a single carbon atom. Twelve percent of the world’s electricity is generated from uranium, totaling to more than 2,500 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity annually. While production of nuclear energy consumes most of the uranium produced in the U.S., uranium is a key ingredient in a host of other applications. Uranium has played a key role in medical science and is used in x-rays, MRIs, and radiation treatment. Additionally, uranium is used in agriculture, military, and computer technologies.
As of September, the U.S. produced 2.7 million pounds of uranium in 2015. This allows the U.S. to meet the energy sector’s needs and be a leader in global energy production. Uranium is vital to our nation’s economy and energy needs.
For more information regarding the importance of uranium and domestic mineral production, visit Minerals Make Life.