Nuclear Fuel Resources and Priee Trends
D. D. Bell Eldorado Mining and Refining Limited, Ottawa, Ont.
This paper presents the history of uranium procurement and demand, and takes a look at future requirements. The three basic conclusions drawn are: (1) the productive capacity of former and existing producers whose operations may be profitably reactivated is insufficient to meet demand projected beyond 1975; (2) reserves in the $5 - $10 priee range do not provide the flexibility to sustain production at the high rates required in the late 1970's; and (3) only higher priees can overcome these deficiencies, as this would provide sufficient inducement for the industry to explore for and develop new reserves and productive capacity.