The Process
Stage I
Mining
Ore pulled from open pit or underground mines.
Yields yellowcake (U₃O₈)
Stage II
Conversion
Oxide chemically converted to UF₆ gas.
Gas form required
Critical
Stage III
Enrichment
Centrifuges at 50k+ RPM separate U-235 from U-238.
Cascades of units
Stage IV
Fabrication
Gas pressed into ceramic pellets, sealed in fuel rods.
Ready for reactor
Stage V
Deployment
Fuel loaded into reactor core — fission begins.
Sustained reaction
Enrichment Levels
Natural Uranium
0.7% U-235Raw ore — too dilute for most reactors without enrichment.
Low-Enriched (LEU)
3–20% U-235Power plants, research reactors & medical isotope production.
Highly Enriched (HEU)
≥ 90% U-235Naval propulsion reactors and weapons-grade applications.