OUTPUT OF URANIUM

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28421, 30 October 1957, Page 13

OUTPUT OF URANIUM

Limitation By U.S. (Rec. 11 p.m.) NEW YORK. Oct. 29. An Atomic Energy Commission spokesman said yesterday that the A.E.C. aimed at limiting production of uranium to present levels. “It no longer is in the interest of the Government to expand the production of uranium concentrate." Mr Jesse Johnson, a director of the commission’s division of raw materials, told the fourth annual atomic industry conference.

However. Mr Johnson appealed for a “continuing major exploration effort." This, he said, was needed to build up ore reserves for expanded demands by nuclear power by 1970 or 1975. Mr Johnson said the free world's production of concentrated uranium oxide this year would be about. 21.000 tons, including 10,000 in the United States.

The total should reach 40.000 tons by the end of 1959, including 15.000 tons in the United States. 15.000 tons in Canada, and 6000 tons in South Africa.

“It would be undesirable from the standpoint of industry as well jas the Government, to expand the {uranium production rate beyond i currently projected requirements {and then be faced with a major {curtailment at some later date,” he isaid.

A Canadian report delivered at the conference said: "There is little reason for further exploration at this time.”

Mr Richard Barrett, procurement manager for the Govern-ment-owned Eldorado Mining and

Refining. Ltd., said Canada had not been accepting applications for production contracts since March 31, 1956 Mr Barrett said uranium prospecting since then has been “inactive”