Discovery at India’s Jaduguda Mines Prolongs Uranium Resources by Over 50 Years: Government Report
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New Delhi, Dec 24 (NationPress) A notable discovery of a new deposit has occurred in and around the current area of India's Jaduguda Mines, which will prolong the life of an otherwise diminishing mine by over 50 years, according to the year-end assessment released by the Department of Atomic Energy on Tuesday.
Since October of last year, the persistent efforts of the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration & Research (AMD) have led to an enhancement of 15,598 tonnes of uranium oxide resources in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Rajasthan. The total amount of uranium oxide resources in the country is now updated to 4,25,570 tonne U3O8, as stated in the review.
Additionally, it was noted that the first two units of the indigenous nuclear reactors, 700 MWe PHWR at Kakrapar, Gujarat (KAPS - 3 & 4), have commenced commercial operations in FY 2023-24. The Rawatbhata Atomic Power Project (RAPP) Unit-7, which is the third indigenous 700 MWe PHWR in a series of 16 sanctioned reactors, has completed initial fuel loading and achieved First Criticality.
A closed fuel cycle remains a fundamental aspect of the Indian nuclear power initiative, with the country's first Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR 500 MWe) having a significant year by reaching numerous milestones, including primary sodium filling in the main vessel, purification of the filled sodium, and commissioning all four sodium pumps (two primary sodium pumps and two secondary sodium pumps), according to the official statement.
Furthermore, the operator Nuclear Power Corporation of India and the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) have signed a supplementary joint venture agreement to develop nuclear power facilities in the nation. The joint venture, named ASHVINI, will build, own, and manage nuclear power plants, including the upcoming 4x700 MWe PHWR Mahi-Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project.
In the healthcare domain, the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) contributes to affordable cancer care and the indigenous development, commercialization, and supply of radiopharmaceuticals. In this initiative, Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), Board of Radiation & Isotope Technology (BRIT), Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre (VECC), HWB, BARC, and IGCAR have played a crucial role, as highlighted in the statement.
The National Cancer Grid, which has expanded to a 362-member network across the country, is spearheaded by Tata Memorial Centre and treats approximately 60 percent of the nation's total cancer burden. The NCG has also facilitated the establishment of the SEACan Grid - a network of countries and cancer centers in the WHO South East Asia region, coordinated by the WHO South-East Asia Regional Office. The goal is to share best practices developed by the NCG with other countries in the South-East Asia Region, enhancing cancer control efforts.
Several new facilities have been inaugurated at HBCH&RC, Punjab, including a CT scan, PET Scan, state-of-the-art Operation Theatre 'SUSHRUTA II', and a fully equipped Nuclear Imaging Department.
The patented nitric oxide (NOx) releasing dressing from BARC for wound healing in diabetic foot ulcer patients, which was previously transferred to Cologenesis Private Ltd for commercialization, has completed Phase III clinical trials and gained regulatory approvals from the Drug Controller General of India for product launch. This NOx-releasing wound dressing is the first of its kind in India to receive approval and is expected to benefit many diabetic patients.
In the realm of indigenization, commercialization, and supply of radiopharmaceuticals, HWB is consistently providing Deuterium Depleted Water (DDW) at around 125 ppm deuterium to domestic healthcare industries. Recently, a DDW unit with a capacity of 100 Te/Annum, located at HWP, Kota, has been inaugurated.
As part of the Platinum Jubilee year celebrations of the Department, the indigenously constructed Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment (MACE) Observatory at Hanle, Ladakh, was inaugurated on October 4. MACE is the largest imaging Cherenkov telescope in Asia, situated at the highest altitude of approximately 4300 m in the world, according to the statement.
