Question : URANIUM RESERVES

(a) the details of uranium reserves found in the country during the last three years and the current year, location and Statewise;

(b) whether the Government is self reliant in providing uranium to nuclear power plants in the country;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) if not, whether the Government has conducted or proposes to conduct any survey to locate new uranium reserves in the country;

(e) if so, the details thereof, location and State-wise;

(f) whether the Government proposes to acquire uranium mines in foreign countries; and

(g) if so, the details thereof and the time by which the Government is likely to be in a position to export uranium material to foreign countries?

Answer given by the minister

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTERâ€™S OFFICE (SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY) :

(a) The Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), a constituent unit of Department of Atomic Energy, has established 1,75,010 tonnes insitu uranium (U3O8) resources as on January, 2012. The details of insitu uranium resources established by AMD during the last three financial years and current financial year are as given under:

(Figures in Tonnes)
2008-09	12,688
2009-10	16,520
2010-11	22,628
2011-12	11,034
Total	62,870

This Uranium has been located in Rajasthan, Meghalaya, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Jharkhand.

(b) No, Sir.

(c) Does not arise in view of reply to (b) above.

(d) Yes, Sir. AMD has been engaged in activities for establishing uranium resources required for the Nuclear Power Programme of the country.

(e) Surveys by AMD includes heliborne geophysical surveys and AMD continues its efforts to locate additional resources of uranium by conducting such surveys in order to locate new uranium reserves in the country. Important areas which are currently under survey and exploration involving integrated geological-geophysical-geochemical-radiometric surveys, mapping and reconnoitory/ exploratory/stratigraphic drilling include Tummalapalle-Rachakuntapalle, Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh; Koppunuru, Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh; Chitrial, Nalgonda district, Andhra Pradesh; Rohil, Sikar district, Rajasthan; Wahkut and Umthongkut areas of West Khasi Hills district, Meghalaya; Gogi, Yadgir district, Karnataka; Singridungri-Banadungri, East Singhbhum district, Jharkhand and Bangurdih, Seraikela-Kharaswan district, Jharkhand.

(f) The Government is exploring the possibility to acquire stake in uranium mine abroad. However, no precise proposal in this regard has emerged till date.

(g) Does not arise in view of reply to (f) above.

Question : URANIUM RESERVES

Answer given by the minister

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