Uranium is the primary source of fuel for nuclear power plants, which provides large-scale low-carbon baseload electricity for more than 30 countries around the world and is the world’s second largest source of low-carbon electricity. With further potential growth in the number of nuclear power reactors worldwide and the commercialisation of new designs (including small modular reactors), demand for uranium is expected to rise, creating the conditions for growth in uranium mining activities.
In Maximising Uranium Mining’s Social and Economic Benefits: A Guide for Stakeholders the NEA explores uranium-producing regions in both developed and emerging economies to provide a contemporary understanding of leading practices as well as best practices for environmental protection, community engagement and benefits-sharing. Case studies are presented to inform evidence-based discussions about uranium mine development and to provide decision makers with guidance about approaches to maximise the socio-economic benefits of uranium exploration and extraction, and avoid negative environmental and health impacts.
The launch of this NEA publication provided unique insights and lessons from across the global uranium sector – including community perspectives, Indigenous voices and industry perspectives in a discussion about the report’s key findings.
16:00-16:10 Opening remarks
16:10-16:30 Session 1: Presentation of the NEA publication
16:30-16:55 Session 2: Panel discussion
Indigenous community perspectives: Members of English River First Nation share their experience with the uranium industry
Moderator: Diane Cameron, Head of the Division of Nuclear Technology Development and Economics, NEA
16:55-17:20 Session 3: Panel discussion
Moderator: Diane Cameron, Head of the Division of Nuclear Technology Development and Economics, NEA
Uranium industry perspective
17:20-17:30 Concluding remarks
christie.morley@oecd-nea.org
