Six Decades of India’s Uranium Mining Capability

Context

• Recently, the Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL), a PSU under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), celebrated its Diamond Jubilee Year at Jaduguda, marking its incorporation on 4 October 1967.

About Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL)

• Established: 1967, under the Department of Atomic Energy.
• Status: Public Sector Enterprise (PSU).
• Mandate: Mining and processing of uranium ore, providing the essential resource base for India’s nuclear power programme.
• Headquarters: Jaduguda, Jharkhand.
• Scope of capability: Underground and opencast mining, ore processing, technology development, occupational safety, radiation protection and environmental management.

About Department of Atomic Energy (DAE)

• Established: 1954, set up by a Presidential Order, it works under the direct charge of the Prime Minister.
• Related body: The Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), set up in 1948 under Dr Homi J. Bhabha, which formulates the policy.
• Chairman: The Secretary, DAE also serves as Chairman, AEC.
• Mandate: To develop and promote nuclear power, nuclear fuel cycle technologies, and applications of radiation and radioisotopes in agriculture, medicine, industry and research.
• Legal framework: Atomic Energy Act, 1962, which governs the development, control and use of atomic energy in India.
• Guiding vision: The three-stage nuclear power programme (PHWRs, Fast Breeder Reactors and Thorium-based reactors), conceived by Dr Homi J. Bhabha.

Major UCIL Units

Conclusion

UCIL’s Diamond Jubilee marks six decades of building indigenous capability in uranium mining and processing, the foundation of India’s nuclear power programme. As India moves towards an expanded role for nuclear energyunder theNuclear Energy Mission, strengthening technology, safety and environmental management, along with openness to public engagement, will remain central to its journey.