Uranium is one of the more common elements in the Earth's crust - it is more common than tin, about 40 times more common than silver and 500 times more common than gold.

Still, the uranium industry remains a mystery to many in the general public and often even to industry analysts.

This section gives you an overview of the framework in which Cameco operates. It looks at the uranium mining industry, its major players, and demonstrates how uranium fits into the nuclear fuel cycle. It also helps you understand at a basic level what uranium is, what radiation is, how nuclear energy compares to other forms of power, and how uranium is being mined safely throughout the world.

Research sources and external links

American Nuclear Society
A not-for-profit, international scientific and educational organization.

AREVA Resources Inc.
AREVA Resources Inc. is one of the world's largest uranium producers and is part of the AREVA group of companies.

Atomic Energy of Canada Limited
A vendor of nuclear power reactors.

Australian Uranium Association
The Australian Uranium Association advocates for companies involved in uranium exploration, mining and export in Australia.

Canadian Nuclear Association
A non-profit organization which promotes the development of nuclear energy.

Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
A federal nuclear control agency which oversees a regulatory system and licenses activities related to nuclear energy.

• Uranium Mining: The Facts on a Well-Regulated Industry
  A CNSC web page outlining the regulation of uranium mining in Canada and providing answers to questions about the industry.
• CNSC's Mythbusters
  A CNSC web page that aims to dispel some of the most common misconceptions about nuclear technology and its applications.
• Introduction to Radiation
  This section of the CNSC website provides information about radiation – the types of radiation that exist, its sources, uses, and the rules in place to protect Canadians, and people who work in or live near nuclear facilities.

Canadian Nuclear Society
A not-for-profit scientific and educational organization.

Energy Information Administration
A statistical agency of the US Department of Energy.

International Atomic Energy Agency
An intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical co-operation in the nuclear field.

Ministry of Northern Development and Mines
A department of the government of Ontario which is involved in northern affairs and provides support to the mineral industry.

Natural Resources Canada
A Canadian government department specializing in energy, minerals and metals, forests and earth sciences.

New York Nuclear Corporation
A brokerage and consulting service for the commercial nuclear power industry.

Nuclear Energy Institute
An organization which focuses on shaping policy that ensures the beneficial uses of nuclear energy and related technologies.

Ontario Power Generation
Ontario Power Generation supplies about 85% of all electricity consumed in Ontario. It is a successor company of Ontario Hydro.

Saskatchewan Mining Association
This organization provides public information to promote a better understanding of the role played by mining in the socio-economic life of Saskatchewan.

The Nuclear Energy Agency

TradeTech
TradeTech is a consulting company that publishes market information and consulting reports related to the nuclear fuel cycle and maintains an extensive database of market information.

United States Enrichment Corporation
A global energy company which provides uranium fuel enrichment services for commercial nuclear power plants.

Ux Consulting, LLC
UxC is a consulting company which publishes The Ux Weekly, other market and consulting reports regarding the nuclear fuel cycle and a weekly uranium spot price.
Please use this link to access the weekly uranium spot price.

World Nuclear Association
An international, non-governmental organization concerned with the entire nuclear fuel cycle.

Wyoming Mining Association
Represents mining companies active in Wyoming.

Yucca Mountain Project
The purpose of the project is to determine if Yucca Mountain, Nevada is a suitable site for a spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste repository.