Uranium exploration and production: A review of innovation

With the rapidly rising demand for nuclear energy worldwide, innovation in exploration techniques and production of uranium will become increasingly more important as demand begins to outstrip supply. Uranium production levels over time are reflected historically in the volume of innovations in the uranium industry as represented by the patent literature. Innovation peaked during the 1980s, when inventions originating largely from the United States and Canada dominated the patent landscape. Research into uranium dramatically decreased throughout the 1990s, with the number of patents falling by an order of magnitude. However, since the start of the new millennium there has been a steady recovery in both production and innovations with the total number of each already exceeding that of the 1990s. In recent years, Russia has been the leader in published innovative research and development in uranium exploration and production. The key area of interest is in improved hydrometallurgical techniques, principally those relating to in situ leaching and ion exchange recovery, including resin-in-pulp processes. This trend is likely to continue with Australia expected to make a greater contribution to future innovations.