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Usual forms of mining are used to obtain (say) uranium ore, which is then refined into yellow cake. This then is further refined to extract the isotopes most useful as a nuclear fuel.

The waste uranium is used as DU Depleted Uranium for bullets, and ship keels. It has a high penetration, and is 'self-sharpening' in bullet use. This is not a benign material because of radioactivity, particularly as a dust breathed in. .

If one wishes bomb-grade fuel, this is refined as uranium hexafluoride, by a series of centrifuges, and is an expensive process.

Other materials are suitable as reactor fuel, but as they do not produce weapons-grade by-products, they are ignored at the moment. Thorium would be in the vanguard here.

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Daryl Kemmer

Lvl 13
2y ago

What else can I help you with?