3. Nuclear Fuel Cycle

Uranium is a naturally occurring element and its traces can be found virtually everywhere. Canada is responsible for 20% of the global supply [40] of uranium thus making it a valuable commodity of the Canadian economy. Natural uranium is comprised mainly of ²³⁸U (99.274%) with small fractions of fissile ²³⁵U (0.72%), and ²³⁴U (0.005%). In addition to mining, Canada plays a dominant role in the processing of natural uranium ore from domestic and foreign sources. Canadian nuclear power plants, CANDU (Canada Deuterium Uranium) reactors, use natural uranium as a fuel and heavy water (deuterium oxide) as a moderator.