Acid-washed solutions containing various ions, including uranium, are produced by washing uranium-bearing soil or minerals with H2SO4. Conventional extraction processes are complex, as they involve multiple steps and generate significant amounts of radioactive organic waste, posing environmental risks. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a simplified process that can selectively extract uranium while minimizing radioactive waste production. In this study, thermodynamic equilibrium calculations were performed to investigate the selective extraction of uranium through its reaction with H2O2. A basic additive was introduced to facilitate this reaction. The calculation results indicated that uranium in acid-leached solutions could be selectively extracted through a single-step precipitation process, which was experimentally validated. These findings can be utilized to design an efficient process for obtaining high-purity uranium from uranium-bearing soil or minerals.

Uranium extraction from seawater has been a topic of considerable interest over the past decades. However, Commercial facilities for uranium extraction from seawater have not yet been constructed due to its lack of economic feasibility. With the increasing demand for sustainable energy sources, there is a growing interest in eco-friendly uranium extraction methods. Despite this, the safeguards associated with these extraction techniques remain relatively under-researched, necessitating comprehensive studies that address both the economic feasibility and safeguards approach. The Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Central Research Institute is poised to elucidate the economic value of uranium extraction from seawater and embark on research to extract Yellow Cake from seawater on a laboratory scale. Given these advancements, it becomes imperative to consider the approach to safeguards. In this study, a comprehensive review was conducted to understand the relevant regulations that encompass both international obligations in partnership with the IAEA and domestic guidelines, specifically the Nuclear Safety Act. Emphasis was placed on a detailed examination of the IAEA’s comprehensive safeguards agreement and its additional protocol, focusing on deriving the necessary regulatory timings, subjects, and methodologies for effective reporting and verification. We reviewed the safeguards guidelines and the IAEA policy to confirm the international non-proliferation obligations. The study also reviewed the impact of the State-Level Approach promoted by the IAEA and its implications on state-specific factors and evaluations of state technological advancement. Additionally, the regulatory aspects of extracted uranium as an internationally regulated material under the Nuclear Safety Act were critically assessed. In conclusion, this study explains the international and domestic regulatory considerations for uranium extraction from seawater. Ultimately, this study will provide valuable understanding for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners involved in uranium extraction from seawater. Additionally, we expect that this study will contribute to establishing the safeguards approach and regulatory framework for the commercialization of uranium extraction from seawater in the ROK.

Given the limited terrestrial reserves of uranium (approximately 4.6 million tons), exploring alternative resources is necessary to secure a sustainable, long-term supply of nuclear energy. Uranium extraction from seawater (UES) is a potential solution since the amount of uranium dissolved in seawater (approximately 4.5 billion tons) is about 1,000 times that of terrestrial reserves. However, due to the ultra-low concentration of uranium in seawater (approximately 3.3 ppb), making UES economically viable is a challenging task. In this paper, we explore the potential of using thermal discharge from domestic nuclear power plants for uranium extraction. The motivation for this comes from previous research showing that the adsorption capacity of amidoxime-based adsorbents is proportional to the temperature of the seawater in which they are deployed. Specifically, a study conducted in Japan found that a 10°C increase in seawater temperature resulted in a 1.5-fold increase in adsorption capacity.