South Africa could restrict uranium exports

South Africa may soon limit uranium exports to ensure the country will be able to satisfy its own demand for the radioactive metal.

The policy could be approved within weeks, according to Bloomberg news agency.

South Africa, whose electricity production falls short of demand, plans to build more generating stations, both nuclear and coal-fired. Currently, the country operates one nuclear station in Koeberg. Because raising local generating capacity is a priority, the country will only export uranium considered surplus to its own requirements.

The country is also developing an experimental nuclear reactor known as the pebble bed modular reactor.

South Africa produces uranium from primary uranium mining, from gold mine tailings, and as a byproduct from gold mining.

According to the World Nuclear Association, South Africa produced about 540 tonnes of uranium in 2007, while worldwide production was about 41,000 tonnes.