Sweden is considering lifting the ban on uranium mining, following an investigation by the Ministry of Climate and Economy to determine the changes that are needed when it comes to the law concerning uranium extraction.
As there is an active ban on uranium mining in the country, which was introduced less than six years ago, the goal now is to determine and examine how this provision will be changed, given that it is deemed unnecessary. The government should set boundaries regarding the purposes of uranium mining, the conditions under which it can be mined and whether to allow uranium mining only when it would be used for nuclear purposes. In any case, officials believe that a blanket ban no longer serves its purpose.
Uranium is often found together with other metals, in rocks, water and soil. All these minerals are needed to create technology that can produce energy without harmful emissions, which, in turn, will help make the concept of a climate-neutral Europe a reality. Due to the current ban, uranium is disposed of as waste and it is possible to use it.
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Uranium is used as fuel for nuclear power plants because of its ability to release a large amount of energy. Since Sweden has six nuclear reactors that generate about one-third of its electricity, the country must import most of its nuclear fuel, although it has its own reserves, according to World Nuclear News.
The draft law that allows Sweden to build two more nuclear reactors, in addition to the existing ones, at other locations by 2035 speaks of the need and importance of nuclear fuel for the future of the energy sector of this Scandinavian country.
Energy portal
