Uranium or thorium ores and concentrates
HS v2022 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 industry, with significant economic and geopolitical implications.
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 separation processes to extract and concentrate the target elements. Common mining techniques include open-pit, underground, and in-situ leaching methods, while processing may involve crushing, grinding, acid or alkaline leaching, and solvent extraction to purify the final products.
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 further processed and enriched for use as nuclear fuel 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). These materials may also be used in various industrial and medical applications, such as 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) and 2845 Isotopes other than those of heading 2844; compounds, inorganic or organic, of such isotopes, whether or not chemically defined.
Family tree for uranium or thorium ores and concentrates
graph LR
A["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/26'>26: Ores, slag and ash</a>"]
A --> B["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/2612'>2612: Uranium or thorium ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> C["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/2601'>2601: Iron ores and concentrates; including roasted iron pyrites</a>"]
A --> D["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/2602'>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/v2022/2603'>2603: Copper ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> F["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/2604'>2604: Nickel ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> G["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/2605'>2605: Cobalt ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> H["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/2606'>2606: Aluminium ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> I["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/2607'>2607: Lead ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> J["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/2608'>2608: Zinc ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> K["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/2609'>2609: Tin ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> L["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/2610'>2610: Chromium ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> M["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/2611'>2611: Tungsten ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> N["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/2613'>2613: Molybdenum ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> O["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/2614'>2614: Titanium ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> P["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/2615'>2615: Niobium, tantalum, vanadium or zirconium ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> Q["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/2616'>2616: Precious metal ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> R["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/2617'>2617: Ores and concentrates; n.e.c. in heading no. 2601</a>"]
A --> S["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/2618'>2618: Granulated slag (slag sand) from the manufacture of iron or steel</a>"]
A --> T["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/2619'>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/v2022/2620'>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/v2022/2621'>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/v2022/261210'>261210: Uranium ores and concentrates</a>"]
B --> X["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/261220'>261220: Thorium ores and concentrates</a>"]
%% Color coordination by level
classDef level1 color:#000,fill:#a8f9ff,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px
classDef level2 color:#000,fill:#e0a458,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
classDef level3 color:#000,fill:#419d78,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
classDef level4 color:#000,fill:#c04abc,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
classDef level5 color:#000,fill:#f1c40f,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
classDef level6 color:#000,fill:#f1c40f,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
classDef highlight color:#000,fill:#fff,stroke:#000,stroke-width:5px
%% Apply classes
class A level2
class B level4
class C level4
class D level4
class E level4
class F level4
class G level4
class H level4
class I level4
class J level4
class K level4
class L level4
class M level4
class N level4
class O level4
class P level4
class Q level4
class R level4
class S level4
class T level4
class U level4
class V level4
class W level6
class X level6
class B highlight
%% class A level1
%% class B,C level2
%% class D,E,F,G,H,I level2
%% class J,K,L,M,N,O,P level3
%% class B highlight