(Submittted by an SCC affiliate and from ABC.net http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/04/30/2231769.htm)
"...mining companies will have to use more energy and more water to extract the ore and process it for use in power stations."
By Science Online's Stephen Pincock
Posted Wed Apr 30, 2008 3:32pm AEST Updated Wed Apr 30, 2008 3:55pm AEST
According to researchers, the average grade of uranium extracted from mines has gradually declined over the past 50 years (file photo) (ABC TV)
Environmental costs of nuclear power are likely to increase as high-grade uranium becomes harder to find, according to new research that has been challenged by the uranium industry.
The findings form part of the debate over what part nuclear power will play in supplying future energy needs.
Australian researchers writing in the journal Environmental Science and Technology say the average grade of the uranium extracted from mines around the world has gradually declined over the past 50 years.
Lead author Dr Gavin Mudd, from Melbourne's Monash University says that trend is likely to continue, which means mining companies will have to use more energy and more water to extract the ore and process it for use in power stations.
"Ore grade is one of the most sensitive predictors of carbon and water cost," Dr Mudd said.
"It's pretty clear that in the long-term, the ore grade will decline."
(Read the balance of this article at http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/04/30/2231769.htm
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