Drilling U.S. uranium exploration drilling was 4,351 holes covering 2.2 million feet in 2007. Development drilling was 4,996 holes and 2.9 million feet. Combined, total U.S. uranium drilling was 9,347 holes covering 5.1 million feet, 90 percent more than the 2.7 million feet in 2006. Expenditures for exploration activities were $50.3 million in 2007, and $67.5 million for drilling activities in the United States.
Mining
U.S. uranium mines produced 4.5 million pounds of uranium oxide (U3O8) in 2007, 3 percent less than in 2006. Six underground mines produced uranium during 2007, one more than in 2006. Five in-situ-leach mining operations produced uranium in the United States for the last two years. Overall, there were 11 mines in the United States that produced uranium during part or all of 2007. Production
Total production of U.S. uranium concentrate (yellowcake) in 2007 was 4.5 million pounds U3O8, 10 percent above the 2006 level, from one U.S. mill, White Mesa Mill, and 5 in-situ-leach plants (Crow Butte, Alta Mesa Project, Smith Ranch-Highland Uranium Project, Kingsville Dome and Vasquez). Shipments of uranium concentrate from this mill and these in-situ leach plants were 4.0 million pounds in 2007, 6 percent above the 2006 level. Employment
Total employment in the U.S. uranium production industry was 1,231 person-years for 2007, an increase of 63 percent from the 2006 total. Mining employment increased the most (213 percent) and exploration employment showed the second largest increase (100 percent). Uranium milling and processing employment rose 11 percent, while reclamation employment did not change from 2006 to 2007.
Expenditures
Total expenditures for land, exploration, drilling, production, and reclamation were $336.2 million in 2007, 52 percent more than in 2006. Expenditures on U.S. uranium production were the most at $90.4 million in 2007. U.S. uranium exploration expenditures increased the most (116 percent) from 2006 to 2007. Expenditures for land were $77.7 million, a 90 percent increase compared with 2006.
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