Brazil to Export Uranium to Russia for Nuclear Power Plant Fuel

Indústrias Nucleares do Brasil (INB) has signed a contract to export 275,000 kg of uranium concentrate to Russia for enrichment. After reimportation as UF6 by December 2027, this uranium will be utilized in Angra 1 and 2 nuclear plants. INB plans to enhance regular contract frequencies based on domestic uranium production’s resumption. Despite having significant uranium reserves, Brazil still relies on imports for fulfilling nuclear fuel needs.

Indústrias Nucleares do Brasil (INB) has formalized a contract with Internexco GmbH, a contingent of Russia’s state-owned Rosatom, specifying the export of up to 275,000 kilograms of uranium concentrate (U3O8) sourced from Caetité, Bahia. The uranium is slated for conversion and enrichment abroad, with an aim to reintroduce it to Brazil by December 2027 as enriched uranium hexafluoride (UF6) at 4.25% concentration for use in the Angra 1 and 2 nuclear power plants managed by Eletronuclear.
INB’s President, Adauto Seixas, affirmed that the logistical arrangements for transport are currently in progress. This involves domestic transportation planning within Brazil, international maritime shipping from Salvador to Russia, and securing the necessary export licenses required for the operations.
“The INB plans to increase the frequency of these contracts through future international bidding processes, following the successful resumption of uranium production in Caetité,” remarked Mr. Seixas. Notably, the conversion of uranium, transitioning “yellowcake” into uranium hexafluoride (UF6), is a phase that INB does not conduct, but which is essential for uranium enrichment purposes.
Uranium gas is subsequently enriched to amplify the concentration of fissionable isotopes. INB is in the process of establishing its enrichment facility at its nuclear fuel production site in Resende, Rio de Janeiro, which is projected to provide 70% of the enriched uranium required for Angra 1 on an annual basis.
INB employed an international bidding strategy to secure the contract, selecting the offer that provided the most competitive global pricing while adhering to all necessary technical requirements for operational compliance.
Recent changes in Brazilian regulations and legislation pertaining to uranium extraction have sparked interest from the private sector, with companies such as Rosatom and Galvani expressing a desire to explore the nation’s underutilized uranium resources. Despite Brazil holding the world’s eighth-largest uranium reserves and possessing the technology to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes, it paradoxically imports a large proportion of its uranium, currently only extracting 40% of the fuel needed for Angra 1 (640 MW). The balance is predominantly sourced from imports, primarily from Russia.
Currently, domestic uranium extraction is concentrated in Caetité, Bahia, although development is taking place on a new mining project in Santa Quitéria, Ceará, which is undergoing public hearings as part of its approval process.
This article was rendered from Valor Econômico with the aid of artificial intelligence, under the supervision of Valor International’s editorial team to ensure precision, clarity, and adherence to editorial standards.

In conclusion, Brazil’s contract with Internexco GmbH marks a significant development in its nuclear energy sector, facilitating the export of uranium for enrichment abroad and subsequent use in its nuclear power plants. While Brazil benefits from its substantial uranium reserves, it concurrently grapples with the challenge of meeting its domestic uranium needs. Efforts to increase local uranium production and explore new mining opportunities indicate a strategic shift towards self-sufficiency in the nuclear fuel supply chain.

Original Source: valorinternational.globo.com