Jamshedpur: The Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) is preparing to significantly expand its mining and processing capabilities as India moves towards its ambitious target of achieving 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047.
UCIL Chairman and Managing Director Dr K Anand Rao said the public sector company is committed to strengthening the country’s nuclear fuel supply chain and supporting the government’s long-term vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Rao made the remarks while hoisting the national flag at the UCIL premises in Jaduguda, around 30 km from Jamshedpur, during the country’s 80th Independence Day celebrations.
UCIL Focuses on Nuclear Fuel Security
Rao said UCIL has been tasked with playing a key role in ensuring a reliable supply of uranium for India’s expanding nuclear energy programme.
He highlighted the importance of increasing domestic uranium production as the country seeks to expand nuclear power generation and reach the 100 GW target by 2047.
According to Rao, UCIL has been progressively increasing its mining and processing capacity to meet the growing requirements of India’s nuclear sector.
He also credited the company’s present and former employees for their contribution over the past six decades towards strengthening India’s capabilities in the nuclear energy sector.
Uranium Exploration Expanding Beyond Jharkhand
While UCIL continues to operate its established uranium mines in Jharkhand, the company is also exploring opportunities in other parts of India.
Rao said steps have been initiated to undertake uranium exploration and mining at promising locations, including Tummalapalle in Andhra Pradesh.
Expanding operations to new uranium-bearing regions is expected to help UCIL increase domestic production and support the country’s long-term nuclear fuel requirements.
Tummalapalle Plant Capacity to Be Increased
One of UCIL’s key priorities is expanding the processing capacity of its Tummalapalle plant.
The company is also working towards establishing a new tailings pond to ensure the plant’s continued and efficient operation.
In another significant development, UCIL has reached an agreement following discussions with Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) to make use of HCL’s tailings pond.
Under the arrangement, UCIL plans to recover and process uranium contained in the tailings, potentially allowing the company to extract additional value from existing resources.
Rajasthan’s Rohil Uranium Project Moves Forward
UCIL is also progressing with its proposed Rohil uranium project in Sikar district of Rajasthan.
Rao said the mine development process is underway, while the company is simultaneously working to obtain the necessary environmental clearances.
The Rohil project is expected to form part of UCIL’s wider strategy to expand India’s domestic uranium production base.
Banduhurang Mine to Help Increase Production
The company is also taking steps to strengthen production from its existing operations in Jharkhand.
Rao said a tender has been floated for the Banduhurang opencast mine, which he described as a crucial asset for UCIL’s operations in the region.
Higher production from Banduhurang is expected to support uranium processing operations at the Jaduguda and Turamdih mills.
UCIL is seeking to maintain a balance between mining output and processing capacity as it expands its operations.
UCIL to Begin Diamond Jubilee Celebrations
The uranium producer is also preparing to mark an important milestone in its history.
UCIL is scheduled to begin its Diamond Jubilee celebrations from October 4, marking six decades of the company’s contribution to India’s nuclear energy programme.
As the country prepares for a major expansion of nuclear power, UCIL’s plans to increase uranium mining, explore new deposits, expand processing facilities and recover additional resources from tailings could become increasingly important.
The company’s expansion strategy is ultimately aimed at ensuring that India has a stronger domestic nuclear fuel supply chain to support its 100 GW nuclear energy ambition and the broader Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.