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Nuclear Energy In Australia Essay

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Introduction
Recently, there has been debates on whether or not Australia should result to nuclear energy for some of its energy source. The main issue is to do with the risk when nuclear energy is used. The chance of a nuclear disaster in a nuclear power plant is actually incredibly small, however, if the risk does occur, the consequence is devastating. (Gary Was, 2015). Australia also currently has no nuclear power generators, which is a surprise since it owns about 31% of the world’s uranium resources. (Wikipedia, Last Modified 16 July 2015). Back in February 8th this year, Premier Jay Weatherill, said that there would be a, “mature and robust conversation” about South Australia’s future participation in a nuclear fuel cycle, including the prospects for setting up nuclear power stations, uranium enrichment plants and a nuclear waste dump in the state. (George Lekakis, 2015).

How it works
Nuclear power plants work by turning water into steam. This steam then turns the turbine generators which produce the electricity. This works much like a fossil fuel way of …show more content…

Australia has a known estimated 1.66Mt (million tonnes) of uranium, and possibly more, which adds up to about 31% of the world’s uranium resources (as of 2011), (mining-technology.com, 2014). There are currently in Australia, three operating mines. These mines are: Ranger mine in Kakadu, Northern Territory, mining 1,113 tonnes of uranium oxide from 2013 – 2014. (World Nuclear Association, updated July 2015). Olympic Dam mine, South Australia, mining about 3,988 tonnes of uranium oxide from 2013 – 2014 (World Nuclear Association, updated July 2015). And lastly, Beverley mine, again in South Australia, and mining 188 tonnes of uranium oxide from 2013 – 2014 (World Nuclear Association, updated July

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