TEHRAN -- The head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) says the Islamic Republic plans to step up production of yellowcake, which is a type of uranium concentrate powder, by 50 percent, and will also operate 10 uranium mines by the end of the current Iranian calendar year in March 2024.
Muhammad Eslami made the remarks on Thursday as he inaugurated the yellowcake production facility in Saghand village in Ardakan county in the central Iranian province of Yazd. Several Iranian nuclear scientists and experts as well as state officials were in attendance during the ceremony.
“Today, we are witnessing the implementation of one of the projects planned within the AEOI’s 20-year strategic document. We have utilized heap leaching industrial mining process for the first time,” he said.
“Since uranium reserves could be found across the country, we came to an agreement not to ship low-density uranium ores and radioactives, and process raw materials in origin mines instead,” Eslami noted.
“Our fellow colleagues have managed to produce yellowcake by means of the heap leaching process. The entire process was homegrown, and Iranian scientists developed, engineered and domestically-manufactured relevant equipment by themselves,” the AEOI chief said.
Eslami emphasized that the production of yellowcake at Saghand facility will increase by 50 percent, as it will in other Iranian uranium mines.
“We plan to supply the necessary material for generation of nuclear power, and provide nuclear fuel required for the production of various radiopharmaceuticals and other civilian applications,” he said.
“Before 2021, Iran had three uranium mines, of which only two were operating. However, we could spot and utilize five more ones a year later in the provinces of Isfahan and Yazd. We are now running eight mines, and intend to operate another ten by the year end,” Eslami pointed out.
Yellow cake can be processed into enriched uranium to make fuel rods for nuclear power plants.