Uranium (U3O8)

Uranium as it is reported and traded — triuranium octoxide, the concentrate known as yellowcake.

Definition

Triuranium octoxide, the concentrated form of uranium ore (yellowcake) produced at uranium mills. U3O8 is the standard commodity traded for nuclear fuel production. Uranium prices are denominated in dollars per pound U3O8 and fluctuate based on nuclear energy demand.

Why it matters

Uranium grades span orders of magnitude, from around 0.1% in conventional deposits to well above 15% in the Athabasca Basin. Comparing a uranium grade to anything outside its own deposit style is meaningless.

In practice

Most uranium sells on long-term contracts to utilities rather than at spot, so the spot price is a poor guide to what a producer actually receives.

See also

  • Critical Minerals Minerals deemed essential to economic security and supply chain resilience, particularly for clean energy, def
  • Grade (g/t) The concentration of a valuable mineral within ore, typically expressed in grams per tonne (g/t) for precious
  • Cut-off Grade The minimum grade of mineralization that can be economically mined and processed. Material below the cut-off g

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