Uranium or thorium ores and concentrates
HS v2017 Code: 2612
About uranium or thorium ores and concentrates
HS code 2612 covers the import and export of uranium or thorium ores and concentrates. These radioactive materials are of critical importance to the global nuclear energy industry, which relies on the enrichment of uranium to produce fuel for nuclear power plants. The extraction and processing of uranium and thorium ores is a highly specialized and tightly regulated field, with significant economic and geopolitical implications for countries that possess these strategic natural resources.
Production process
The production of uranium and thorium ores and concentrates typically involves the mining of radioactive mineral deposits, followed by various physical and chemical processing techniques to extract and concentrate the target elements. Common methods include open-pit or underground mining, heap leaching, and solvent extraction. The resulting concentrates must then be further refined and enriched before they can be used as nuclear fuel.
Production inputs
The main inputs required for the uranium and thorium ore and concentrate industry include specialized mining and processing equipment, as well as significant quantities of water, chemicals, and energy resources to power the extraction and refining operations. Additionally, this industry relies on a highly skilled workforce with expertise in fields such as geology, nuclear engineering, and radiation safety.
Production outputs
The primary outputs of HS code 2612 are uranium and thorium ores and concentrates, which are then consumed by 2844 (Radioactive chemical elements and radioactive isotopes (including the fissile or fertile chemical elements and isotopes) and their compounds; mixtures and residues containing these products) for further enrichment and processing into nuclear fuel. These materials are essential inputs for the 2711 Nuclear reactors and 2844 (Radioactive chemical elements and radioactive isotopes (including the fissile or fertile chemical elements and isotopes) and their compounds; mixtures and residues containing these products) industries.
Family tree for uranium or thorium ores and concentrates
graph LR
A["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/26'>26: Ores, slag and ash</a>"]
A --> B["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/2612'>2612: Uranium or thorium ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> C["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/2601'>2601: Iron ores and concentrates; including roasted iron pyrites</a>"]
A --> D["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/2602'>2602: Manganese ores and concentrates, including ferruginous manganese ores and concentrates with a manganese content of 20% or more, calculated on the dry weight</a>"]
A --> E["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/2603'>2603: Copper ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> F["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/2604'>2604: Nickel ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> G["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/2605'>2605: Cobalt ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> H["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/2606'>2606: Aluminium ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> I["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/2607'>2607: Lead ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> J["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/2608'>2608: Zinc ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> K["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/2609'>2609: Tin ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> L["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/2610'>2610: Chromium ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> M["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/2611'>2611: Tungsten ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> N["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/2613'>2613: Molybdenum ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> O["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/2614'>2614: Titanium ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> P["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/2615'>2615: Niobium, tantalum, vanadium or zirconium ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> Q["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/2616'>2616: Precious metal ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> R["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/2617'>2617: Ores and concentrates; n.e.c. in heading no. 2601</a>"]
A --> S["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/2618'>2618: Granulated slag (slag sand) from the manufacture of iron or steel</a>"]
A --> T["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/2619'>2619: Slag, dross; (other than granulated slag), scalings and other waste from the manufacture of iron or steel</a>"]
A --> U["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/2620'>2620: Slag, ash and residues; (not from the manufacture of iron or steel) containing metals, arsenic or their compounds</a>"]
A --> V["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/2621'>2621: Slag and ash n.e.c. in chapter 26; including seaweed ash (kelp) and ash and residues from the incineration of municipal waste</a>"]
B --> W["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/261210'>261210: Uranium ores and concentrates</a>"]
B --> X["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/261220'>261220: Thorium ores and concentrates</a>"]
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