Overseas uranium mining to be stepped up (2)

"We expect that the domestic market will satisfy half of our demand, with the other half coming from overseas," especially through purchasing uranium resources abroad, Sun said. China imported 16,126 metric tons of uranium in 2011, down 6 percent from the previous year, according to the General Administration of Customs.

Around 95 percent of China's uranium imports are from Kazakhstan, Namibia, Australia and Uzbekistan.

"The discovery in Inner Mongolia will help China to reduce its dependence on foreign supplies," said Yan Weidong, deputy director of the management and development division of the ministry's information center.

An executive meeting of the State Council on Oct 24 approved two programs, the national plan for nuclear power security (2011-20) and the nuclear power development plan (2011-20).

According to these programs, China is expected to have 40 million kilowatts of installed nuclear capacity by 2015, which would consume at least 7,500 tons of natural uranium annually.

Recommended Features: A Decade of Fastest Development Eastern Boom Lightens Western Gloom A Journey to Cultural Renaissance Gold collection issued to mark 'Year of Snake' China: A Fast-growing Force in IPR 13th Int'l Automobile Industry Exhibition China Int'l Industry Fair opens in Shanghai Caofeidian coal wharf put into use Canton Fair wraps up on Sunday