Uranium Mining and Enrichment

Uranium Processing

Uranium occurs in a variety of ores around the world. After mining, uranium is concentrated as an oxide (U₃O₈) with a yellowish color, called "yellowcake."

Uranium Oxide (Yellow Cake)

The enrichment process used in the United States involves combining the uranium with fluorine to make uranium hexafluoride (UF₆) followed by gaseous diffusion. The UF₆ output from gaseous diffusion is in two streams - one is increased, or enriched, in its percentage of U-235, and the other is reduced, or depleted, in its percentage of U-235. The depleted uranium hexafluoride product is referred to as "depleted UF₆." After gaseous diffusion, the enriched uranium hexafluoride is subjected to further processing, while the depleted UF₆ is generally stored.

The graphic below summarizes the processing of uranium from mining to use as a reactor fuel.

Uranium - From Ore to Reactor Fuel