The closure of Jaduguda mine of Uranium Corporation of India Ltd (UCIL) is set to impact nuclear power generation in the country, an official of the company has said.
"The Jaduguda mine is closed since September 7 and it is already seven days shortage of uranium. Nuclear power plants will get affected if the situation perists," UCIL Chairman and Managing Director D Acharya told PTI.
Jaduguda's uranium ore supply accounts for 25 per cent of raw-material that fuel 5,000 MW of nuclear power generation of the country.
Jaduguda mine is the first uranium mine of the country where mining operations began in 1967. The current capacity is 1,000 tonnes of uranium ore per day.
The mine was closed following a Jharkhand government order after the Centre's July 18 directive asking states to clamp down on mines operating under second or third deemed renewals.
Achrya said the mine lease had expired long back.
"We have appraised the government of the situation and hope the problem will be resolved," he said.
Following the Centre's directive 12 out of the state's 17 operational iron ore mines in Jharkhand had been closed impacting companies, including SAIL and Tata Steel.
