Clandestine Enrichmant of Low-Enriched Uranium by Sub-National Groups: A Perspective

At least for the next few years, uranium will remain as the dominant fuel used in the nuclear power industry. Natural uranium contains a very low concentration of fissionable isotope, U-235, limiting its usefulness as an energy source. However, more useful uranium fuel can be produced from natural uranium by using enriching processes to increase the U-235 content. At low enrichments, uranium becomes useful as fuel for light water reactors, while at very high enrichments it can be used in other applications, including nuclear weapons.