Discovery of Significant Uranium Reserves Fuels China's Nuclear Energy Ambitions
In a significant stride towards self-sufficiency in atomic energy, China is focusing on sandstone-type uranium deposits in the Ordos Basin and the Tarim Basin, two key northern basins, to boost domestic uranium production.
Current Status
The Ordos Basin in Inner Mongolia, a flagship project for China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), has become the largest uranium resource base in China. In July 2025, CNNC announced the successful commissioning and first production of uranium at the "National No. 1 Uranium" project in Ordos. This project, integrating automation, remote control, and intelligent data analysis, has marked a breakthrough in in-situ leaching technology, enabling uranium extraction without surface waste generation.
In the Tarim Basin in Xinjiang, CNNC discovered a major uranium deposit at a record depth of 1,820 meters underground, marking the deepest sandstone-type uranium deposit found in China. This discovery is a key part of China's strategy to increase domestic uranium production and reduce reliance on imports.
The Gap Between Demand and Domestic Output
Despite these developments, China's domestic uranium production remains much lower than consumption. In 2023, China produced about 1,700 metric tons of uranium domestically but imported about 13,000 metric tons. With rapidly growing nuclear energy capacity, demand is surging.
Future Plans and Strategy
China aims to significantly scale up uranium production in the northern sandstone basins by leveraging third-generation mining technology, including in-situ leaching and smart mining technologies pioneered at the Ordos project. These technologies provide enhanced environmental safeguards, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness, making large-scale mining more feasible and sustainable.
The Tarim Basin discovery is expected to be developed further as part of a broader strategic push to diversify and increase domestic uranium supply sources to enhance national energy security. With China’s nuclear fleet projected to require over 40,000 metric tons of uranium annually by 2040—more than double current global production—continuing exploration, technological innovation, and scaling up of domestic uranium mining are critical priorities for China’s nuclear ambitions.
China has adopted a "three-thirds" approach for uranium sourcing: one-third domestically, one-third from overseas joint ventures or equity stakes, and one-third purchased on the open market. This strategy underscores China's commitment to self-reliance in atomic energy while maintaining flexibility in sourcing.
In conclusion, China's uranium production focus has shifted from traditional volcanic and granite mines in the south to more abundant and economically viable sandstone deposits in the north. The country is deploying cutting-edge, low-impact mining methods at scale to boost domestic supply, responding to its exponential nuclear energy growth and need to reduce uranium import dependence. However, substantial gaps remain between demand and domestic output, underscoring the strategic importance of these northern uranium basins for China's energy future.
[1] CNNC. (2025). Press Release: National No. 1 Uranium Project Begins Production. Retrieved from www.cnnc.com.cn
[2] Xinhua. (2025). China's First In-Situ Leaching Uranium Mine Starts Production. Retrieved from www.xinhuanet.com
[3] Goldman Sachs. (2023). Global Nuclear Reactors: The New Order. Retrieved from www.goldmansachs.com
[4] China Nuclear Energy Association. (2023). China's Nuclear Energy Development Outlook to 2040. Retrieved from www.cnea.org.cn
[5] CNNC. (2023). Press Release: Major Uranium Deposit Discovered in Tarim Basin. Retrieved from www.cnnc.com.cn
- In the realm of environmental science, China's National No. 1 Uranium project in Ordos Basin, employing automation, remote control, and intelligent data analysis, signifies a milestone in in-situ leaching technology, offering a low-impact method for uranium extraction.
- With technological advancements in space-and-astronomy, China aims to tap into sandstone-type uranium deposits at record depths in Tarim Basin, as part of their broader strategy to invest in and securitze domestic uranium supply, reducing reliance on foreign sources.
- As China forges ahead with its nuclear energy expansion plans, the strategic importance of finance in funding large-scale technology-driven uranium mining projects is paramount, ensuring that the business of uranium production remains sustainable and cost-effective.
