Indústrias Nucleares do Brasil has contracted Internexco GmbH to export uranium concentrate, which will be enriched abroad and returned to Brazil by December 2027 for use in nuclear power plants. Logistical planning is underway, and INB aims to enhance its uranium supply through additional contracts. The country seeks to increase domestic uranium production despite currently relying heavily on imports from Russia.
Indústrias Nucleares do Brasil (INB) has formalized a contract with Internexco GmbH, a subsidiary of Russia’s state-owned Rosatom, to export up to 275,000 kilograms of uranium concentrate (U3O8) sourced from Caetité, Bahia. This uranium will be converted and enriched abroad before being returned to Brazil as enriched UF6 (4.25%) by December 2027, primarily for the fuel needs of the Angra 1 and 2 nuclear power plants managed by Eletronuclear.
INB President Adauto Seixas has indicated that logistical planning for the transport is in progress. This involves arranging domestic transportation within Brazil, securing international maritime shipping routes from Salvador to Russia, and ensuring acquisition of necessary export licenses for the operation.
Mr. Seixas noted, “The INB plans to increase the frequency of these contracts through future international bidding processes, following the successful resumption of uranium production in Caetité.” This indicates INB’s intention to expand its uranium supply efforts in line with increased production capabilities.
Currently, INB does not manage the conversion stage of the nuclear fuel cycle, which is essential for transforming “yellowcake” into uranium hexafluoride (UF6). This process is crucial as UF6 can transition to a gaseous state at low temperatures, a fundamental requirement for uranium enrichment.
Enrichment enhances the concentration of fissionable isotopes in uranium. To bolster its own uranium supply, INB is progressively establishing an enrichment facility at its nuclear fuel factory in Resende, Rio de Janeiro, which is expected to fulfill 70% of the enriched uranium necessary for Angra 1 on an annual basis.
The contract was awarded following an international bidding process where proposals were evaluated based on competitive pricing and adherence to technical standards required for INB’s operational efficiency. Recent reports indicate that shifts in regulatory and legislative frameworks in Brazil have garnered private sector interest in uranium extraction, attracting companies such as Rosatom and Galvani to the nation’s untapped resources.
Despite Brazil holding the eighth-largest uranium reserves globally and possessing the capability for enriching uranium for peaceful applications, it paradoxically imports a substantial portion of its uranium needs. Currently, it only mines 40% of the total fuel required for Angra 1 (640 MW), with the rest primarily sourced from Russia.
Domestic uranium mining activities are currently focused in Caetité, Bahia, while a new mining project is under consideration in Santa Quitéria, Ceará, which is undergoing public hearings as part of its approval process.
The contract between Indústrias Nucleares do Brasil and Internexco GmbH represents a significant step in Brazil’s uranium supply chain, addressing future fuel needs for nuclear power while increasing domestic production capabilities. Despite having substantial uranium reserves, Brazil continues to rely on imports, illuminating the complexity of energy resource management. The establishment of an enrichment facility underscores INB’s commitment to self-sufficiency in nuclear fuel production, while ongoing mining projects hint at potential expansions in the sector.
Original Source: valorinternational.globo.com
