The Hyderabad-based Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC) is working on a two-pronged strategy to use imported uranium to supply fabricated fuel bundles to nuclear power reactors that would go under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards, and indigenously sourced raw material for the existing and future pressurised heavy water reactors (PHWRs).
At present, India is receiving uranium imports from Areva of France and TVEL of Russia. It is discussing with Kazhakstan and other countries for long-term import.
Simultaneously, plans are to own mines in Mongolia or forge joint ventures to undertake mining. Recently, a delegation from the Uranium Corporation of India Ltd (UCIL), the lone miner of uranium in India, visited Mongolia and held discussions.
Indigenous source
UCIL provides the indigenous uranium mined mainly from the Jaduguda mines in Jharkhand. It is exploring options in Meghalaya, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, among other places.
India has agreed to put 10 of its PHWRs under IAEA safeguards starting with the RAPS 1 and 2 (already under safeguards) in the next few years. The cluster of six PHWRs in Rajasthan, two in Narora and two in Kakrapar would be brought under safeguards according to the Indo-US nuclear deal. By 2012 or 2014, the process should be completed.
Stockpiling
“Our idea is to stockpile adequate quantities of imported uranium for these reactors for their full life time operations (35-40 years),” said Mr R. N. Jayaraj, Chief Executive of NFC, under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).
The NFC received the first consignment of uranium from Areva of France on March 31 and from TVEL, Russia, during April-May.
In July, it started shipping the fabricated fuel bundles to the RAPS units, he told Business Line in an interview here.
“We have an umbrella agreement with Russia for the long-term supply of roughly 2,000 tonnes. Similar approach is being tried with Kazhakstan and other countries keen to supply the yellow cake,” he said.
At the NFC, the required separation of facilities according to the Indo-US nuclear deal has been completed.
A separate block of plants used for processing of imported uranium has been organised. Experts on nuclear safeguards from the IAEA have also inspected the facilities, Mr Jayaraj said.
Source : Business Line