Major features on brazil's legislative policy in uranium production and related environmental aspects

Abstract

This chapter provides comments to the effect that a reasonable option for power generation in the world, with the immediate reduction of environmental impacts, is the generation of electricity via nuclear power. Even after many sorts of commentaries about the use of nuclear energy, the worldwide demand for uranium continues to grow, as at the end of 2012, a total of 43 commercial nuclear reactors were operating with a net generating capacity of about 372 GWe (Gigawatt electric) requiring approximately 61,980 tU (tons of uranium). By the year 2035, the world nuclear capacity is projected to have increased to between about 400 GWe net in the low demand case and 680 GWe net in high demand case. Such increases are 7% and 82%, respectively, if compared to 2013 capacity. Accordingly, world reactor-related uranium requirements are projected to rise to between about 72,000 tU and 122,000 tU by 2035. Brazil holds one of the world's largest uranium reserves of the globe, which cover the supply of domestic needs on the long run, and oversupply is expected to be available for the international market. Although Brazil may be seen as a large-scale power supply of uranium for commercial reactors in several countries, the Brazilian uranium industry as well as the Brazilian national regulatory agency may have its attributions refined and improved, which will be briefly commented herein.