Brazil’s INB Enters Uranium Export Agreement with Russia’s Rosatom

Indústrias Nucleares do Brasil (INB) has signed a contract with Internexco GmbH to export uranium concentrate for enrichment in Russia, to be reimported as fuel for Brazil’s Angra nuclear power plants. INB plans to improve logistics and increase contract frequency following the resumption of uranium production, while the country grapples with its paradoxical dependence on imports despite ample reserves.

Indústrias Nucleares do Brasil (INB) has entered into a contract with Internexco GmbH, a subsidiary of Russia’s state-owned Rosatom, to export up to 275,000 kilograms of uranium concentrate (U3O8) produced in Caetité, Bahia. This uranium will be converted and enriched abroad before being reimported to Brazil as enriched UF6 (4.25%) by December 2027. The enriched uranium will be used to produce fuel for the Angra 1 and 2 nuclear power plants operated by Eletronuclear.

Logistical planning for this shipment is currently in progress, as stated by INB President Adauto Seixas. The planning involves coordinating domestic transportation within Brazil, securing international maritime shipping from Salvador to Russia, and acquiring the necessary export licenses. Mr. Seixas indicated that INB aims to enhance the number of contracts through international bidding processes, particularly following the successful resumption of uranium production in Caetité.

INB does not handle the conversion stage of the nuclear fuel cycle, which transforms “yellowcake” into uranium hexafluoride (UF6). This compound changes into gas at low temperatures, crucial for uranium enrichment. Currently, INB is implementing its enrichment facility at its nuclear fuel factory in Resende, Rio de Janeiro, which will ultimately provide 70% of the enriched uranium required annually for Angra 1.

The company conducted an international bidding process for this contract, choosing the proposal based on the best global price while adhering to all technical requirements. Reports indicate that recent regulatory and legislative changes regarding uranium extraction in Brazil have piqued private sector interest, with firms such as Rosatom and Galvani looking to explore Brazil’s untapped uranium reserves.

Despite possessing the eighth-largest uranium reserves globally and the technology for peaceful enrichment, Brazil paradoxically imports a considerable amount of its uranium. Currently, domestic mining satisfies only 40% of the fuel needed for Angra 1 (640 MW), with the balance sourced primarily from Russian imports. Presently, uranium extraction is mainly focused in Caetité, Bahia; however, a new mining project in Santa Quitéria, Ceará, is in the approval process and undergoing public hearings.

In summary, Brazil’s INB has secured a significant contract for the export of uranium to Russia, marking a crucial step in enhancing its uranium supply chain for its nuclear power plants. The logistical planning and future bidding processes reflect INB’s commitment to increasing production capacity. Despite its extensive uranium reserves, Brazil continues to face challenges in meeting its domestic demands, emphasizing the need for development in its mining sector.

Original Source: valorinternational.globo.com