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Nuclear race? After 40 years, Indústrias Nucleares do Brasil surprises and announces its intention to find uranium deposits in the country, a valuable substance that is abundant in the country and the most accessible for generating nuclear energy

Written by Alisson Ficher
Published 22/08/2024 às 04:11
Brazilian Nuclear Industries resume uranium prospecting after 40 years, aiming to guarantee energy security with nuclear expansion.
Brazilian Nuclear Industries resume uranium prospecting after 40 years, aiming to guarantee energy security with nuclear expansion.

In an unexpected turn of events, Brazil returned to searching for uranium, after 40 years of inactivity. With the promise of new deposits, INB launches strategic partnerships to guarantee the country's nuclear future. Are we ready for the global nuclear race?

When you think about nuclear energy, Brazil is not the first country that comes to mind. However, behind the plants of Angra dos Reis, an audacious strategy is unfolding far from the public eye.

After four decades of inactivity, Brazilian Nuclear Industries (INB) returned to seeking new uranium deposits, the vital substance for the operation of nuclear power plants. But why this resumption now? And what does this mean for the country's energy future?

INB, a public company responsible for the production of nuclear fuel in Brazil, recently announced the launch of the Uranium Prospecting and Mining Partnership Program.

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The objective is clear: identify and explore new uranium reserves, essential for supplying the nuclear plants of Angra I, II and, in the future, Angra III. This movement marks an important turnaround, considering that Brazil spent 40 years without carrying out studies of this type. But what motivated this change of stance?

The strategic return to prospecting

According to experts, the resumption of research is due to growing concern about national energy security.

Although Brazil has vast uranium reserves, its current production is still not enough to meet domestic demand. The Angra I and II plants, which use this fuel, consume more uranium than the country is capable of producing.

With the completion of Angra III scheduled for the next few years, the need to increase the supply of this resource becomes even more urgent.

We also pack any According to data from the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Brazil has the sixth largest uranium reserves in the world.

However, much of this potential remains unexplored, with national production concentrated only in the Caetité mine, in Bahia. With the reopening of prospecting, new areas with great mineral potential can be identified and explored, increasing the country's position on the world stage.

Public-private partnership: a new era in uranium mining?

To achieve this ambitious goal, INB is not acting alone. The Uranium Prospecting and Mining Partnership Program aims to attract companies in the mining sector to collaborate in the search for new deposits.

This innovative initiative represents a significant change in the way Brazil approaches uranium mining, traditionally controlled by the State.

According to information released by INB itself, these partnerships will allow the exchange of expertise and the use of cutting-edge technologies, accelerating the prospecting process and increasing efficiency in discovering new reserves.

In return, partner companies will have access to mined uranium, which can be highly profitable given the growing value of this resource in the global market.

The future of nuclear energy in Brazil

INB's announcement comes at a crucial time for the global energy sector. With the growing demand for clean energy and the pressure to reduce carbon emissions, nuclear energy has gained prominence as a viable alternative.

In Brazil, expanding the use of this energy source is seen as a strategic step to diversify the energy matrix and guarantee security of supply.

According to experts, the increase in uranium production will not only guarantee the supply of existing plants, but will also open doors for future expansions in the sector.

Projects for the construction of new nuclear plants are already being discussed, and the discovery of new uranium deposits will be essential to make them viable.

challenges and controversies

Despite optimism, The resumption of uranium prospecting in Brazil is not without challenges. Uranium mining is a complex and highly regulated activity with significant environmental and social implications.

Environmental groups and local communities have expressed concerns about the potential impact of mining expansion in their regions.

According to experts, ensuring the sustainability and safety of the process will be crucial to the success of the INB program.

This includes adopting responsible mining practices, mitigating environmental risks and respecting the rights of affected communities.

A new nuclear age?

The resumption of uranium prospecting in Brazil may be an indication that the country is preparing for a future in which nuclear energy will play a central role in its energy matrix.

However, this future still depends on many factors, including the discovery of new reserves, the success of public-private partnerships, and the ability to deal with the environmental and social challenges involved.

Is Brazil ready to enter the global nuclear race once and for all? With the completion of Angra III and the possible construction of new plants, the country could become a nuclear power, but the path ahead is complex and full of challenges.

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André Santos
André Santos
23/08/2024 09:37

Simple to find, just ask the USA where they are, they've known for decades!

Luciano
Luciano
22/08/2024 23:53

Chinoca takes it all away. They are taking over the main energy distribution companies in the country, imagine if they don’t already have their hands on “our” uranium…
Braschina Project in full swing

Milton Souza
Milton Souza
22/08/2024 20:11

Partnership = if they discover reserves they will hand them over to foreign companies, not to mention that we will never have this capacity for the military area, we could, but they forget that those who have it force their parents not to have it, so that they are at their mercy.

Alisson Ficher

Journalist graduated in 2017 and working in the field since 2015, with six years of experience in print magazines, stints on broadcast TV channels and over 12 online publications. Specialist in politics, jobs, economics, courses, among other topics. Professional registration: 0087134/SP. If you have any questions, want to report an error or suggest a topic on the topics covered on the site, please contact us by email: alisson.hficher@outlook.com. We do not accept resumes!

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