• R. Dhana Raju

Nuclear energy is clean, green, dependable, and cheaper in the long run, and environmentally friendly base load source of power available 24X7. Together with the renewable energy of ~180 GW in India, it is important to phase out gradually the major energy from the fossil-fuels for sustainable energy development. Many countries in the world, such as the USA, UK, India, and China are increasing the share of nuclear energy in their energy-mix. Presently, the commercial nuclear energy is fission-type of U, with its fuel either enriched (~3-5% 235U) in the light water reactors or natural (~0.72% 235U) in the pressurized heavy water reactors, respectively, the imported and indigenous fuels for the Indian nuclear reactors. An overview of nuclear energy in India, with related developments in the world, is given under the following heads: global U-resources, including that of India (3,50,438 tonnes in situ U3O8 established by AMD up to February 2021); Indian nuclear power reactors; advanced nuclear reactors – small modular reactors, Bharat small reactor, micro-modular reactor, molten salt reactors, and micro-reactors; new nuclear fuel, HALEU (mix of Th and U); nuclear battery, experiment on nuclear fusion, and other applications of nuclear energy. Uranium deposits worldwide are into 15 types. In 2022, India is the world’s 9th largest producer of U. Indian major U-deposits (each with a grade of <0.2% U3O8) are as follows: (i) rare strata-bound, uriniferous phosphatic siliceous dolostone (carbonate)-hosted type in the Tummalapalle area in Andhra Pradesh (AP); (ii) hydrothermal type in the Singhbhum Shear Zone, Jharkhand and in the Gogi-Kanchanakayi area in Karnataka; (iii) sandstone-type in the Domiasiat–Wahkyn area in Meghalaya; (iv) unconformity-proximal type in parts of Telangana and AP; and (v) albitite type in the Rohil – Ghateswar – Khandela area in Rajasthan. Their U-resources and essential attributes are presented. An overview of their attributes led to deduce factors favourable for the economic grade U-mineralization in India, which can be applied for India’s U-exploration in both the greenfield and brownfield areas.

Nuclear energy, Indian U-deposits, attributes, favourable factors for U, overview.

"Nuclear Energy and Uranium Deposits in India - An Overview", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 10, page no.c427-c447, October-2024, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2410344.pdf

"Nuclear Energy and Uranium Deposits in India - An Overview", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 10, page no. ppc427-c447, October-2024, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2410344.pdf