India’S Uranium Resources, Exploration, and Domestic Nuclear Fuel Policy

India relies on domestic uranium exploration and international supply agreements to sustain its civil nuclear power sector. The Department of Atomic Energy manages the entire nuclear fuel cycle, ranging from survey and mining to fuel fabrication and waste management. While India holds vast thorium reserves, its domestic uranium resources remain limited in quantity and grade. Strategic exploration efforts by specialized agencies aim to expand domestic reserves, ensuring fuel security for the country’s three-stage nuclear power vision.

Institutional Framework for Uranium Sector

• Department of Atomic Energy (DAE): Functions directly under the Prime Minister of India. DAE formulates policies, oversees research, and regulates all atomic energy operations in the country.
• Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD): Located in Hyderabad, AMD is a constituent unit of DAE. It conducts survey, exploration, and evaluation of domestic uranium resources using airborne gamma-ray spectrometry, drilling, and satellite imaging.
• Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL): Established in 1967 with headquarters in Jaduguda, Jharkhand. UCIL is a Public Sector Undertaking responsible for underground and open-cast mining and chemical processing of uranium ore across India.
• Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC): Located in Hyderabad, NFC converts processed uranium ore concentrates into finished natural uranium fuel assemblies and zircaloy structural components for pressurized heavy water reactors.

Major Uranium Reserves and Deposit Sites

India has established over 4,39,800 tonnes of in-situ uranium oxide (U_{3O_8}) resources across multiple states. Major deposits occur within distinct geological belts across the country.

Prominent Mining Facilities

• Jaduguda (Jharkhand): The first uranium mine in India, operational since 1967. The nearby processing plant receives ore from Bhatin and Narwapahar mines.
• Tummalapalle (Andhra Pradesh): Located in YSR Kadapa district within the Cuddapah Basin. It represents the largest domestic uranium reserve discovered in India.
• Turamdih Group (Jharkhand): Includes the Turamdih underground mine, Banduhurang open-cast mine, and Mohuldih mine. The central processing facility at Turamdih treats ore from these units.
• Rohil (Rajasthan): Situated in Sikar district. AMD has identified substantial uranium oxide deposits, making Rajasthan a major focus area for new mining development.

Geological Types of Domestic Uranium Deposits

Vein-Type and Shear Zone Deposits

These deposits occur along crushed fault zones, primarily in the Singhbhum Shear Zone of Jharkhand. The ore grade is low, averaging around 0.03% to 0.05% uranium, requiring deep underground extraction and extensive chemical processing.

Stratabound Phosphatic Carbonate Deposits

Concentrated in the Proterozoic Cuddapah Basin of Andhra Pradesh, including Tummalapalle. The mineralization occurs within ultra-fine dolostone strata, extending over broad geographical strike lengths.

Sandstone-Type Deposits

Located in the Cretaceous Mahadek formation in the West Khasi Hills of Meghalaya. These represent high-grade, near-surface uranium deposits, though local environmental and political considerations have delayed commercial exploitation.

Unconformity-Related Deposits

Found along the boundary between Archean granites and Proterozoic sedimentary rocks in the Palnad and Srisailam sub-basins of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, including Lambapur-Peddagattu.

Domestic Nuclear Fuel Policy and Three-Stage Programme

India follows a closed nuclear fuel cycle to maximize energy yield from limited natural uranium resources while preparing for eventual large-scale thorium utilization.

Fuel Allocation and International Safeguards

• Safeguarded Reactors: Reactors placed under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards consume imported natural uranium. Countries supplying fuel to India include Russia, Kazakhstan, Canada, and France.
• Unsafeguarded Reactors: Domestic commercial reactors operate on indigenous uranium supplied by UCIL.
• Slightly Enriched Uranium (SEU): India processes slightly enriched uranium (0.9% to 2% U-235) to improve fuel burn-up rates in pressurized heavy water reactors.

Key Facts

• Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD) estimates in-situ uranium oxide resources in India at approximately 4,39,800 tonnes.
• Jaduguda in East Singhbhum district, Jharkhand, is the oldest operating uranium mine in India, commissioned in 1967.
• Tummalapalle in YSR Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh, holds India’s largest proved uranium reserves.
• Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) is the sole public sector enterprise mandated to mine and process uranium ore in India.
• Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC) in Hyderabad fabricates natural uranium fuel bundles for all operational Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs).
• Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) use natural uranium containing 0.7% fissile Uranium-235 as fuel and heavy water as moderator and coolant.
• India signed a civil nuclear agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 2008, separating civilian and military nuclear facilities.
• Kazakhstan and Canada act as major foreign suppliers of natural uranium concentrates to India under bilateral peaceful nuclear cooperation agreements.