Uranium mining is the process of extracting uranium ore from the ground to be used primarily as fuel for nuclear power plants. Once mined, the uranium is processed and refined into yellowcake (U₃O₈), a concentrated form used for further enrichment and fuel fabrication.
used when the uranium ore is close to the surface.
used when the ore is deeper underground.
also known as in-situ leaching, ISR is the most common method used today, where a solution is injected into the ground to dissolve the uranium and then pumped back to the surface for processing.
Once mined, the uranium is processed and refined into yellowcake (U₃O₈), a concentrated form used for further enrichment and fuel fabrication.
Uranium mining in Texas primarily occurs in the South Texas Uranium Province, a region rich in uranium-bearing sandstone formations. The predominant method used here is In-Situ Recovery (ISR).
In ISR, a solution called a lixiviant—typically oxygenated water mixed with a chemical agent—is injected into the uranium-bearing sandstone through wells. This solution dissolves the uranium underground. The uranium-laden solution is then pumped back to the surface through recovery wells. At the surface, uranium is extracted from the solution, often using ion exchange resins, and processed into a concentrated form known as yellowcake (U₃O₈)
The ISR method is employed in several South Texas counties, including Karnes, Goliad, Duval, Kleberg, and Brooks. Notable uranium mining projects in these areas include:
Operated by Uranium Energy Corp (UEC), this facility serves as the hub for processing uranium extracted from nearby ISR wellfields.
Also managed by UEC, this is one of the largest ISR uranium discoveries in the U.S. in recent years.
Operated by enCore Energy, these facilities have commenced uranium production using ISR technology.
