Why is it in the News?

Iran has increased the rate at which it is producing near weapons-grade uranium in recent weeks, reversing a previous slowdown that started in the middle of this year, the International Atomic Energy Agency said in a report.

What is Uranium Enrichment?

• Natural uranium is comprised of two isotopes, with approximately 99% being U-238 and only about 0.7% being U-235.
• U-235 is a fissile material capable of sustaining a chain reaction within a nuclear reactor.
• The enrichment process involves increasing the proportion of U-235 through isotope separation, effectively isolating U-238 from U-235.
  • For the production of nuclear weapons, enrichment is necessary up to 90% or more, referred to as weapons-grade uranium.
• Low-enriched uranium, typically containing a 3-5% concentration of U-235, is suitable for generating fuel for commercial nuclear power plants.
• In contrast, highly enriched uranium, boasting a purity of 20% or more, finds application in research reactors.

Key Facts About Uranium:

• Discovered in 1789 by the German chemist Martin Klaproth, Uranium is a silvery-white metallic chemical element found in the periodic table, characterized by its atomic number 92.
• This element holds the distinction of having the highest atomic weight among all naturally occurring elements.
• Naturally present in low concentrations in soil, rock, and water, uranium is commercially extracted from minerals like uraninite.
• The mining of uranium ore can be undertaken through open pits or underground excavations, followed by crushing and processing at a mill to isolate the valuable uranium.
• An alternative method involves the direct dissolution of uranium from ore deposits in the ground, known as in-situ leaching, with the extracted uranium then pumped to the surface.

About the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA):

• The International Atomic Energy Agency is an intergovernmental organization that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and to inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons.
• Established as an autonomous entity through its international treaty, the IAEA Statute, the organization, nonetheless, reports to both the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council.
• Headquartered in Vienna, Austria, the IAEA collaborates with its Member States and various global partners to advance the safe and peaceful utilization of nuclear technologies.
  • It employs nuclear safeguards, encompassing monitoring, inspection, information analysis, and other measures, to ensure the peaceful nature of nuclear activities and to detect and deter any potential diversion towards weapons-related purposes.
• The IAEA plays a crucial role in implementing comprehensive safeguards agreements mandated by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), acting as a frontline defense against nuclear weapons proliferation.
  • Additionally, the agency facilitates the exchange of scientific and technical information among its Member States.
• A key function of the IAEA is to bolster national, regional, and international capabilities to respond effectively to nuclear and radiological incidents, thereby minimizing their impact.