NAMIBIA Remains The World's Fourth Biggest Uranium Producer

Published on Monday April 18 2011

NAMIBIA remained the world's fourth biggest uranium producer in the world last year, while Rio Tinto's Rössing Uranium is still the third largest Uranium mine globally.

A Total of 4 496 tonnes of Uranium in 2010, steadily increasing from 4 626 tonnes in 2009 and 4 366 the Year before.

Kazakhstan was the world’s top producer last year with 17 803 tonnes of contained uranium, followed by Canada and Australia.

China and India, two large fast-developing emerging economies with ambitious nuclear programmes, produced only 827 tonnes and 400 tonnes respectively, Old Mutual Namibia group economist Robin Sherbourne said.

Cameco overtook Areva, the owner of Trekkopje mine currently under construction, as the world’s number one uranium producing company followed by Kazatomprom, Rio Tinto and ARMZ, while Paladin, the owner of Langer Heinrich, stayed in ninth position.

Rössing mine was still ranked the world’s third largest uranium producing mine after McArthur River in Canada and Ranger in Australia.