Economic aspects
Refining and conversion of uranium concentrates

Demand for UF₆ conversion is dimensioned by the feed requirements of isotope enrichment plants, which in turn are driven by reactor fuel requirements. Insofar as stocks of both enriched uranium and uranium already in UF₆ form can be made available to the market, the link between consumption linked to the operation of power reactors and demand for UF₆ conversion production is not direct. In addition, the enrichment rejection rate (residual ²³⁵U content at the enrichment plant outlet), which results from the economic optimization between uranium price and enrichment unit price, has a notable influence on UF₆ feed requirements. As the quantities of destockage and actual feed material for enrichment plants are not...