Waterloo – A study released by The Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) concludes that uranium enrichment in Canada is likely to be more profitable for the Canadian nuclear industry than exporting natural uranium and buying it back in enriched form.

Uranium Enrichment in Canada provides a detailed analysis of the Canadian mining of uranium, its subsequent processing, current enrichment technologies and the capital and operating costs of a modern centrifuge enrichment plant. It explains Canada’s position as the world's largest producer and exporter of uranium, with an active nuclear power sector, but without the capability to enrich uranium.

Until recently, it was anticipated that nuclear generation worldwide would decline as aging nuclear reactors went out of service without replacement. However, concerns about greenhouse gas emissions, high oil prices and energy security have caused a major change in outlook, with significant increases now being forecast in nuclear power production. This in turn is likely to lead to increased demand for uranium, says the study.

In addition to international demand, there could be a significant domestic market for enriched uranium after 2012 when new reactors using enriched fuel are expected to be built in Canada.

“Our view is that a possible enrichment plant would have to be a private undertaking and that there is no necessity for Canadian governments in such a partnership,” said David P. Jackson and Kenneth W. Dormuth, co-authors of the paper. “A major barrier might be the acquisition of the technology needed for enrichment or persuading an existing enrichment company to set up a plant in Canada, as enrichment technology is closely held for non-proliferation and business reasons.”

Uranium Enrichment in Canada is a report from CIGI’s Nuclear Energy Futures Project, chaired by CIGI Distinguished Fellow Louise Fréchette and directed by CIGI Senior Fellow Trevor Findlay, Director of the Canadian Centre for Treaty Compliance at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University, Ottawa. The project is researching the scope of the purported nuclear energy revival around the globe over the coming two decades and its implications for nuclear safety, security and nonproliferation. A major report to be published in 2009 will advance recommendations for strengthening global governance in the nuclear field for consideration by the international community.