Top uranium-producing countries from 1945 to 2022

Since 1945, the world has extracted a staggering 3.5 million tonnes of uranium, with Canada emerging as the leading producer.

The country's Cigar Lake mine boasts the highest-grade uranium deposit globally, having yielded an impressive 105 million pounds of uranium since 2014.

Historically, uranium production experienced a significant surge between the 1960s and 1980s, driven by the construction of the first generation of nuclear power plants.

Today, 436 operational nuclear reactors worldwide supply approximately 10% of global electricity.

Germany's total uranium production is 219,685 tonnes, although the country's uranium mining industry has declined significantly since the 1990s.

In recent years, geopolitical tensions have led to shifts in uranium supply chains. Ukraine, formerly reliant on Russian uranium, has rapidly transitioned to Canadian suppliers following the conflict. Similarly, Finland's nuclear sector has faced operational risks due to its dependence on Russian-built reactors.

It's worth noting that, until 1991, uranium production in Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, and other former Soviet republics was consolidated under the USSR. This historical context highlights the complex and evolving nature of the global uranium market.