1.14 World Resources

Table 5.17 summarizes information on the uranium resources and the annual uranium production capabilities of the principal uranium-producing countries of the non-Communist world compiled by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development [02] in December 1977. The production costs of $30 and $50/lb U308 do not include exploration costs. The selling price of U308 is highly variable, as it depends on when the sale was negotiated, when the uranium is to be delivered, and whether it is a price for one-time, spot delivery or long-term supply. Typical prices in 1978 were in the range $30 to 50/lb U308. In order of decreasing resources, the four countries with the largest resources are the United States, Canada, South Africa, and Australia.

Reference [02] states:

Reasonably Assured Resources refers to uranium which occurs in known ore deposits of such grade, quantity and configuration that it could be recovered within the given production cost range with currently proven. . . technology. Estimates of tonnage and grade are based on specific sample data and measurements of the deposits… .

Estimated Additional Resources refers to uranium surmised to occur in unexplored extensions of known deposits in known uranium districts, and which is expected to be discoverable and could be produced in the given cost range.

^MT (metric ton) = 1 megagram = 1.102 short tons.