Bogdan Tudorache

The Finnish government has granted a uranium recovery and refinery permit to Terrafame, a 70% state-owned company. Since the Czech Republic has stopped their operations, this decision will make Finland the EU’s only uranium producer, besides CNU in Romania.

Terrafame main activities are related to nickel and zinc mining, while uranium is a by-product of the metal mining process, according to Euractiv.com.

In the future, the company plans to refine the uranium into exportable yellowcake, which is used as a fuel for nuclear power plants. The permit, delivered on 5 February, allows Terrafame to produce up to 250 tonnes of uranium each year, although the company estimates the actual output to be probably slightly less.

Finland’s two nuclear plants will not benefit from domestic recovery and refinery. The intention is to export yellowcake to North America or other countries in Europe. Yet, to be able to export, Terrafame needs the green light from the country’s foreign ministry, as well as from the European Atomic Energy Community, Euratom.