(a) the details of the scheme proposed by the Government to increase Uranium resources and supply chain in the country after assessment of long-term demand and supply of uranium through indigenous sources;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the action taken in this regard;
(c) whether the Government is taking any steps for exploration of Uranium at new sites in order to reduce the dependence upon its import; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH):
(a)&(b) The Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), a constituent unit of Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), has the mandate to identify, evaluate and augment mineral resources of uranium in the country.
To ensure unhindered indigenous supply and speedy augmentation of uranium resources, AMD is carrying out integrated and multi-disciplinary exploration (including heliborne and ground geophysical surveys, ground geological, geochemical and radiometric surveys and drilling) in identified thrust areas of the country by utilising state-of-the-art technology.
Particulars of exploration activities carried out by AMD during XIIth plan, 3 year Action Agenda (2017-18 to 2019-20) and 4 year Strategy Period (2020-21 to 2023-24) as on February, 2022 are given in the Table -1.
Uranium fuel requirement for the reactors which are under domestic safeguards is adequately met by Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL), a Public Sector Enterprise under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). Time to time, projects which include capacity expansion of some of existing units as well as for establishing new projects in various parts of the country, are planned for maintaining sustained supply.
(c) & (d) Yes Sir. During the recent years AMD has initiated exploration in the following new areas.
i) Andhra Pradesh: Rachakuntapalle - Nallagondavarpalle – Bakkanagaripalle Sivramapuram – Pincha, YSR Kadapa district; Sarangapalli - Madinapadu – Tangeda - Bommarajupalle - Mincahalpadu, Kurnool district.
ii) Karnataka: Hulkal - Halbhavi – Madnal, Yadgir district.
iii) Jharkhand: Kudada - Kanyaluka – Pathargora – Khadandungri, East Singhbhum district.
iv) Assam: Buriganga, Hojai district.
v) Arunachal Pradesh: Rungang – Kaying – Pagla Nala, West Siang district.
vi) Rajasthan: Geratiyon ki Dhani – Kundala, Sikar district; Malikhera – Barliyas, Bhilwara and Chittaurgarh districts.
vii) Himachal Pradesh: Rajpura - Nari - Maslana – Parah - Badoh - Gagret – Ambota, Una district; Loharkar – Chamsai – Farsi - Sibal - Galot, Hamirpur district; Chhinjra – Dharmor, Kullu district; Tileli – Cha Ka Dora – Rohani, Mandi district.
viii) Madhya Pradesh: Maharampura - Sitla Ka Khoh – Saraipura – Jorasi, Gwalior district; Dharangmau - Khapa - Jhapri - Kalapani, Betul district; Lohara – Dongargaon, Balaghat district.
ix) Chhattisgarh: Magarkund - Koilari, Rajnandgaon and Kawardha districts; Juba - Banjhapali, Mahasamund district; Nagarda - Ghuichua - Hardii Tikra – Kasipani - Ghoghra - Salihabhata, Korba and Janjgir - Champa districts; Kurludih - Talkeshwarpur - Jhapar, Balrampur district.
x) Maharashtra: Bijepar – Pandharwanitola – Nawatola - Halbitola, Gondia district.
xi) Uttar Pradesh: Anjangira – Kudar – Nimna - Satbahini – Murratola - Lilasi – Barwatola – Dighul - Sewadand - Jogiya Pahri – Gariya – Lambhi – Baran – River, Sonbhadra district.
xii) Haryana: Dochana-Simla, Mahendragarh district.
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