China to import more uranium

After a drop in uranium imports in 2011, China intends to increase uranium imports this year to keep pace with the building of more nuclear power plants.

China imported 16,126 tons of uranium in 2011, 6% less than the 17,135 tons it imported in 2010, said the General Administration of Customs. Qian Zhiming, deputy director of the National Energy Administration, believes uranium imports could be increased this year.

He noted that the resumption of construction of nuclear projects will occur in the first half of the year at the soonest.

One further reason for China’s ramping-up uranium imports is news that more overseas mines will start production this year.

The top four uranium exporters are Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Namibia and Australia, which together account for more than 95% of China's imports in 2011. China early this year signed a deal to buy uranium from Canada.

China can produce 850 tons of uranium a year, which could increase to 2,500 tons in the future.

Premier Wen Jiabao early this month said China will develop nuclear power in a safe and efficient way this year, adding the country will ". . . prohibit blind expansion in the new-energy industries of solar and wind power.”

China has 15 nuclear reactors, is building at least 25 reactors and has 50 more planned, according to the China Nuclear Energy Association.