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Fukui Prefecture in Japan Likely to Approve KEPCO's Dry Storage Facility for Spent Nuclear Fuel

According to multiple officials of Fukui Prefecture, Japan, Governor Takato Ishida of Fukui Prefecture is expected to approve Kansai Electric Power Company's (KEPCO) construction of a dry storage facility for spent nuclear fuel at its nuclear power plants within the prefecture. If completed, this would mark the first adoption of such an on-site interim storage facility at KEPCO's nuclear power plants. A dry storage facility is used to store spent nuclear fuel discharged from reactors. The basic approach involves placing spent fuel into dedicated metal containers and cooling them naturally through air circulation, without relying on electrical systems. Since the containers themselves can be transported by ship or trailer, subsequent off-site transfer is relatively convenient; even in the event of a power outage, the associated accident risk is considered low. Japan Atomic Power Company (JAPC) and Shikoku Electric Power Company operate nuclear power plants that have already adopted this storage method.

2026-08-25

Argentina advances uranium mine restart to support nuclear power program

The Argentine government is incorporating the resumption of domestic uranium mining into its nuclear energy development plan. The government of Javier Milei proposed a nuclear program in June this year, covering uranium resource development, support for the operation of existing nuclear power units, and the construction of modular reactors. Argentina has a long history of uranium mining. According to data, the Huemul uranium mine in Mendoza Province operated from 1955 to 1975, and the Sierra Pintada uranium mine operated from 1975 to 1997. Since then, Argentina has relied mainly on imports for the uranium fuel needed to operate its nuclear power plants. Currently, nuclear power accounts for about 7% of the country's electricity generation. Argentine official data shows that the country has identified recoverable uranium resources of 34,250 tonnes.

2026-08-23

Japan Explains Plan for Spent Fuel Interim Storage Facility in Kaminoseki Town

Japan's Agency for Natural Resources and Energy recently held an explanatory meeting with the Kaminoseki Town Assembly regarding the Chugoku Electric Power Company's plan to construct a spent fuel interim storage facility in Kaminoseki Town, Yamaguchi Prefecture. The briefing covered the Japanese government's nuclear fuel cycle policy, facility safety, and related subsidy systems. The meeting was held on the 19th at the Kaminoseki Town Assembly. Previously, the Japanese government had decided to revise guidelines related to nuclear energy policy and included the Kaminoseki Town spent fuel interim storage facility plan within them. At the meeting, the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy stated that interim storage facilities are essential to supporting...

2026-08-23

Kazakhstan's Kazatomprom to Supply Natural Uranium Concentrate to Russian and Chinese Companies

Kazakhstan's National Atomic Company Kazatomprom recently announced on the Astana International Exchange (AIX) that it has reached agreements with Russia's Uranium One and State Nuclear Uranium Resource Development Company (SNURDC) for the sale of natural uranium concentrate (U3O8). Under the relevant arrangements, Kazatomprom plans to deliver a batch of natural uranium concentrate to the Siberian Chemical Combine, with the shipment intended for Uranium One; simultaneously, the company also plans to deliver a batch of natural uranium concentrate to Alashankou Railway Station, intended for SNURDC. Kazatomprom stated that it plans to review the relevant major transactions at an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders to be held in September...

2026-08-22

Ur-Energy Ships First Uranium from Shirley Basin Mine to Lost Creek Processing Plant

U.S. uranium producer Ur-Energy announced that on August 19, 2026, its Shirley Basin uranium mine in Wyoming shipped its first uranium to the Lost Creek processing plant in the same state. This marks the company's second in-situ recovery (ISR) uranium mine entering full production and beginning its ramp-up phase. Ur-Energy President and CEO Matt Gili stated that the shipment of first uranium signifies the full commissioning of the Shirley Basin project and represents the company's transition into a multi-asset U.S.-based uranium producer. According to him, the Shirley Basin project took approximately two and a half years from planning and construction to production. The Shirley Basin uranium mine is Ur-Energy's second in-situ uranium...

2026-08-21

IAEA Launches New Project to Enhance Nuclear Fuel and Materials Testing Capabilities in Research Reactors

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently launched a four-year coordinated research project aimed at optimizing the experimental design of nuclear fuel and structural materials testing in research reactors, enhancing the safety, effectiveness, and efficiency of irradiation experiments. Top view showing a materials testing reactor core loaded with two in-core materials testing devices. (Photo: Y. Ostrovsky/MIT) With the continued advancement of new nuclear reactor technologies, growing interest in small modular reactors, and existing nuclear power plants seeking long-term operation, the demand for reliable testing of new nuclear fuels and structural materials is increasing. Before being put into use in nuclear reactors, these fuels and materials must be tested and qualified under harsh conditions such as radiation and high temperatures...

2026-08-21

US Standard Nuclear and Radiant Sign TRISO Fuel Supply Agreement

Standard Nuclear announced on August 20 that it has signed a binding TRISO nuclear fuel supply agreement with Radiant Industries, Inc. of the United States. Under the agreement, Radiant will receive a multi-ton supply of TRISO fuel, with deliveries continuing through 2031, to support its microreactor deployment plans. Standard Nuclear, headquartered in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, states that it is currently the only company in the United States with an industrial-scale TRISO fuel manufacturing facility. The agreement is aimed at Radiant's Kaleidos microreactor currently under development. The reactor has a power output of 1 megawatt and is designed to be transportable...

2026-08-21

US LIS Technologies Initiates Site Preparation for Oak Ridge Laser Uranium Enrichment Project

LIS Technologies Inc. (LIST) announced on August 20 that it has initiated preliminary site preparation work on the "LIST Island" parcel at the Heritage Center of the East Tennessee Technology Park in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The 206-acre parcel is located within the former K-25 gaseous diffusion plant site. This phase of work includes environmental characterization, environmental assessment, and technical feasibility studies tailored to site conditions. These efforts will provide the preliminary basis for the company's planned commercial laser uranium enrichment headquarters and technology campus, LEU-3. Under current plans, the LEU-3 facility will host the company's FUEL project, namely the Future Uranium Enrichment by Laser project, and support its long-term operations and research...

2026-08-21

Kyushu Electric Power explains holding company transition to Kagoshima Prefecture; Sendai Nuclear Power Plant business to continue

On August 20, Kyushu Electric Power President Masaru Nishiyama and two others visited the Kagoshima Prefectural Government to explain to Governor Koichi Shiota the company's plan to transition to a holding company structure in October this year. Under the plan, Kyushu Electric Power will establish a new holding company, Kyuden Holdings, as the group's parent company to improve overall group management efficiency. Following the restructuring, relevant subsidiaries under Kyushu Electric Power will continue to undertake nuclear power operations, including the Sendai Nuclear Power Plant. During the meeting, Governor Shiota specifically highlighted the dry storage facility for spent nuclear fuel that Kyushu Electric Power plans to adopt at the Sendai Nuclear Power Plant...

2026-08-21

Rosatom Says Seversk Fast Reactor Project Will Demonstrate Russia's Nuclear Technology Capabilities

Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev said that if the nuclear power project under construction in Seversk, Tomsk Oblast, is put into operation before 2030, it will demonstrate Russia's capabilities in new nuclear technologies

2026-08-21

IsoEnergy and DISA Complete Transaction to Launch U.S. Uranium Recovery and Production Company DISA Uranium

On August 19, IsoEnergy Ltd. and DISA Technologies, Inc. announced the completion of their previously disclosed transaction to form DISA Uranium Corporation. The new company is positioned as a technology-driven U.S. uranium enterprise, aiming to strengthen domestic uranium supply and serve the growing demand for domestically sourced nuclear fuel. Under the definitive agreement, IsoEnergy transferred its portfolio of permitted and previously producing conventional uranium assets in Utah, U.S., to DISA Uranium in exchange for 1,677,350 common shares of DISA Uranium. The asset portfolio includes the Tony M Mine, Daneros Mine, Rim Mine, Sage Plain Project, and Flatiron Project. Upon completion of the transaction...

2026-08-20

Energy Fuels' Utah Plant's Terbium Oxide Certified by Japanese Rare Earth Permanent Magnet Manufacturer

On August 19, U.S. critical materials producer Energy Fuels Inc. announced that the terbium oxide produced at its White Mesa plant in Utah has passed all certifications from a Japanese rare earth permanent magnet manufacturer, enabling its use in commercial rare earth permanent magnet production without further qualification or verification. According to the company, this Japanese manufacturer is one of the world's largest rare earth permanent magnet producers outside China. Energy Fuels stated that the certification of its terbium oxide demonstrates that its heavy rare earth product quality and rare earth processing capabilities have been recognized by downstream users. The company's previously produced neodymium-praseodymium oxide and dysprosium oxide have also obtained qualification certifications for use in rare earth permanent magnet manufacturing. Terbium is one of the important heavy rare earth elements, primarily used to enhance the heat resistance and performance of high-strength neodymium-iron-boron permanent magnets. Neodymium-iron-boron permanent magnets are widely used in automotive, advanced electronics, robotics, aerospace, and other sectors. According to Benchmark Mineral Intelligence's European CIF price data, the current market price of terbium oxide is approximately $5.5 million per metric ton.

2026-08-20

Urenco USA Breaks Ground on National Enrichment Facility Expansion, Plans to Add 2.1 Million SWU Capacity

On August 18, local time, Urenco USA held a groundbreaking ceremony in Eunice, New Mexico, United States, to launch the future expansion of its commercial uranium enrichment facility. U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, Urenco Group Chief Executive Officer Boris Schucht, and company management attended the ceremony. Urenco USA is the only commercial-scale uranium enrichment producer in the United States, operating the National Enrichment Facility (NEF). The company announced in June this year that it would increase the facility's capacity by nearly 50%. This expansion is part of a multi-billion-dollar investment, with plans to build a new...

2026-08-19

U.S. Laboratory Advances Nuclear Waste Cleanup Technology R&D with Artificial Intelligence

Researchers in South Carolina, U.S., are leveraging artificial intelligence to develop new tools for tackling complex tasks such as nuclear material disposal, waste management, and environmental cleanup. The relevant projects are being conducted at the Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative (AMC) in Aiken, a facility affiliated with the Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL), spanning approximately 63,000 square feet, with the project launched on August 7, 2025. The Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative brings together researchers, engineers, students, industry partners, and university teams, with a focus on advancing R&D in artificial intelligence, robotics, additive manufacturing, and advanced materials. Johnny Green, Director of the Savannah River National Laboratory, stated that...

2026-08-19

SHINE Advances Commercial Spent Fuel Recycling Facility Construction

U.S. electricity demand is growing at a rate rarely seen in decades, and nuclear energy is considered one of the key options to meet the incremental demand. Meanwhile, the current open nuclear fuel cycle still treats spent fuel primarily as single-use waste, failing to fully utilize most of the energy potential that remains within it. SHINE Technologies is developing spent fuel recycling technologies and plans to build a facility with spent fuel recycling capabilities. The company stated that multiple collaborations funded by the U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) CURIE program are advancing the work from validated laboratory-scale chemical processes toward commercial scale...

2026-08-19