New Delhi, Aug 6 : Nine states of India are estimated to have an established 1.47 lakh tonnes of in situ uranium deposits, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.
Answering questions, Minister of State for Science and Technology Prithviraj Chavan said in written replies that Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand were the leading states having uranium deposits. Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Chhatisgarh were the other states which had substantial deposits.
Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Maharashtra states had marginal quantum of deposits, the Minister said.
Regarding the requirement of uranium in the country's nuclear facilities, the Minister said the first stage of nuclear power programme of setting up 10,000 MW pressurised heavy water reactors required 100,000 tonnes of natural uranium fuel.
Currently 4240 MW capacity reactors were in operation. Of this capacity 3060 MW was fuelled by indigenous uranium and balance 1180 MW was operated on imported uranium sources from countries like France, Russia and Kazhkhstan. He also clarified that the country had not entered into any contract for uranium mining from any country.