Uranium Production

12 Largest Uranium Producing Countries in the World

By Faheem Tahir, Business Monkey

Methodology
Based on the latest values for each country for the year 2022, we arranged the data in ascending order and the top 12 countries with the highest uranium production were picked.

12. USA
    Production from mines in 2022: 75 metric tons
    USA produced around 75 metric tons of Uranium in 2022 which is a leap from the 8 metric tons produced in 2021. Today, uranium mining in the USA is conducted by a handful of companies at a modest scale. Numerous companies are actively exploring, often revisiting areas previously mined between the 1950s and 1980s. According to WNN, Energy Fuels has initiated production at three of its licensed and developed uranium mines in Arizona and Utah, driven by robust market demand.
    • 11. Ukraine
      Production from mines in 2022: 100 metric tons
      In January 2022, Ukraine’s energy minister announced plans for the country to achieve uranium self-sufficiency by 2027. Historically, Ukraine produced approximately 800 tons of uranium annually, fulfilling about 30% of its domestic demand. Over the five years leading up to 2021, uranium production in Ukraine declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.43% but is projected to increase at a CAGR of 34% from 2022 to 2026.
    • 10. South Africa
      Production from mines in 2022: 200 metric tons
      South Africa has experienced a decline in uranium production over the past decade. It achieved a peak output of 573 metric tons in 2014. Despite this decrease, the country managed to surpass Ukraine’s production, which was impacted by Russia’s invasion, to become the world’s 10th largest uranium producer in 2022. South Africa is home to 5 percent of the world’s known uranium resources.
    • 9. India
      Production from mines in 2022: 600 metric tons
      India’s uranium production in 2022 was 600 metric tons, matching its output from the previous year. The country operates 23 nuclear reactors and is constructing seven additional ones.
    • 8. China
      Production from mines in 2022: 1,700 metric ton.
      China’s uranium production increased from 885 metric tons in 2011 to 1,885 metric tons in 2018, maintaining this level until it dropped to 1,600 metric tons in 2021. In 2022, output rose by 100 metric tons, reaching 1,700 metric tons, according to the World Nuclear Association. China General Nuclear Power, the nation’s sole domestic uranium supplier, aims to expand nuclear fuel supply agreements with Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and other international uranium companies. China’s strategy is to source one-third of its nuclear fuel domestically, secure another third through foreign equity in mines and joint ventures, and purchase the remaining third on the open market. The World Nuclear Association said that China is a leading country in nuclear energy, with 55 reactors in operation and 27 more under construction.
    • 7. Niger
      Production from mines in 2022: 2,020 metric ton.
      Niger’s uranium production has been decreasing annually over the past decade, with the total output reaching 2,020 metric tons in 2022. The country operates two uranium mines, SOMAIR and COMINAK, which together contribute 5 percent of the world’s uranium production, as reported by Orano Group. These projects are managed by subsidiaries of Orano, a private uranium mining company. A recent military coup in Niger has raised concerns about uranium supply, given that the country provides 15 percent of France’s uranium and one-fifth of the EU’s imports. In January 2024, Bloomberg reported that the new military junta announced plans to revamp the nation’s mining industry. This includes a temporary halt on issuing new mining licenses and potential reforms to existing licenses to increase state revenue.
    • 6. Russia
      Production from mines in 2022: 2,508 metric ton.
      In 2022, Russia ranked sixth in global uranium production. The country’s output has remained fairly consistent since 2011, typically ranging between 2,800 and 3,000 metric tons. Mining Technology stated in 2023, Russia exceeded its production target by 90 metric tons. Rosatom, the state atomic energy corporation, is working on developing new mines, including Mine No. 6, which is expected to start production in 2028. Experts anticipated an increase in Russia’s uranium production to meet both domestic energy needs and the rising global demand for uranium. However, production declined by 211 metric tons in 2021, dropping to 2,635 metric tons, and fell further by another 127 metric tons in 2022, reaching 2,508 metric tons.
    • 5. Uzbekistan
      Production from mines in 2022: 3,300 metric ton.
      In 2020, Uzbekistan became one of the top five uranium-producing countries, with an estimated output of 3,500 metric tons. Since 2016, the Central Asian nation has seen a steady increase in its uranium production. Formerly ranked seventh in global uranium output, Uzbekistan is boosting production through joint ventures with Japanese and Chinese partners. However, in 2022, the country’s uranium production decreased by 200 metric tons, totaling 3,300 metric tons. Despite this dip, Uzbekistan continues to attract foreign investment in its uranium sector.
    • 4. Australia
      Production from mines in 2022: 4,553 metric tons. Australia’s uranium production saw a notable decline in 2021, dropping to 4,192 metric tons from 6,203 metric tons in 2020. Holding 28 percent of the world’s known recoverable uranium resources, Australia does not utilize nuclear power. However, the World Nuclear Association suggests that with the country’s heavy reliance on coal, future carbon constraints on electricity generation could make nuclear power a strong possibility. Australia has the infrastructure to support a potential nuclear power program. The country has three active uranium mines, including BHP’s Olympic Dam, which contains the largest known uranium deposit in the world.
    • 3. Namibia
      Namibia’s uranium production has been steadily increasing since it dropped to 2,993 metric tons in 2015. The African nation surpassed longtime leader Canada to become the third-largest uranium producer in 2020, and further climbed to the second spot in 2021, overtaking Australia. Namibia hosts two uranium mines, capable of supplying 10% of the world’s uranium output.
    • 2. Canada
      Production from mines in 2022: 7,351 metric tons. Canada’s uranium production saw a sharp decline after peaking at 14,039 metric tons in 2016. Following the production of 6,938 metric tons of yellowcake in 2019, Canadian output fell to 3,885 metric tons in 2020 due to operational shutdowns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, uranium production in the country began to recover in 2022.
    • 1. Kazakhstan
      Production from mines in 2022: 21,227 metric tons. In 2022, Kazakhstan emerged as the world’s top uranium producer. Its total output of 21,227 metric tons represented a significant 43 percent of the global uranium supply, according to the World Nuclear Association. Kazatomprom, the nation’s state-owned uranium mining company, holds the title of the world’s largest producer, with operations and partnerships spanning multiple regions.