Application of the United Nations Framework Classification for Fossil Energy and Mineral Reserves and Resources 2009 to Nuclear Fuel Resources

This publication includes eight case studies that demonstrate the classification of uranium or thorium resources at different scales, with examples in Argentina, Brazil, China, India, Malawi, Niger and the USA, to test the application of the United Nations Framework Classification for Fossil Energy and Mineral Reserves and Resources 2009 (UNFC-2009) to Nuclear Fuel Resources. UNFC-2009, which has been developed by the UNECE Expert Group on Resource Classification, is applicable to all extractive activities worldwide with work underway to broaden application to encompass renewable energy as well as injection projects for the geological storage of carbon dioxide. Guidelines, described here, were prepared for the application of UNFC-2009 to nuclear fuel resources. They will assist those responsible for finding, classifying, quantifying, financing, permitting, mining, and processing these minerals such that they are fit to enter the nuclear fuel cycle. They must be used in conjunction with the most recent release of UNFC-2009. The eight case studies demonstrate that UNFC-2009 can be applied to nuclear fuel resources and that the Bridging Document and Guidelines are both workable documents, providing a practical basis for application.