Filipino scientists claim to have found a possible source of uranium in Camarines Norte. The Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) announced the news Friday. The team hopes the find can someday support the country’s nuclear energy plans.
Surface uranium
It was conducted by researchers from the University of the Philippines-Diliman, Department of Science and Technology (DOST)–PNRI, and Akita University in Japan. They found minerals with uranium on the surface of the pit of the Bessemer mine in the Larap-Paracale area of Jose Panganiban town.
“PNRI said a “historic center” for uranium exploration for decades. Tests identified uraninite as the primary uranium mineral in the samples.
The team also developed a laboratory technique to concentrate the material for further testing. PNRI said it could be made into a product with more uranium. That’s an initial part of creating uranium concentrate — or “yellowcake” — that’s used in the creation of nuclear fuel.
The researchers removed 180 kilograms of material from a mineral zone about half a meter wide. They also found minerals containing copper and molybdenum, as well as iron-rich magnetite, using a microscope, X-ray tests and other sophisticated instruments.
Too early to say how much
It was too early to tell how much uranium was there, PNRI warned. The study only examined the surface so it does not show how deep, thick or wide the uranium zones are.
Much more work will be needed to determine if Larap has enough uranium to be economically important. This involves geological, radiometric and geophysical surveys, followed by drilling and examination of drill cores. These steps could allow geologists to produce a 3D map of the deposit.
The next phase was an obvious window for PNRI, it said. It hopes institutions and investors will contribute to funding full exploration.
Nuclear plan segment
The research comes as the Philippines is moving to add nuclear power to its energy mix. The Philippine Energy Plan calls for the country to have at least 1,200 megawatts of nuclear capacity by 2032.
The Department of Energy said the government has identified seven potential nuclear sites in five provinces — two in Bataan, two in Palawan and one each in Masbate, Pangasinan and Camarines Norte. It is exploring funding options for the projects and targets 1.4 gigawatts in 12 years.
In August President Marcos signed Executive Order No. 122, setting out a national plan for the critical minerals industry. “It’s about investment, local processing and adding value to minerals. The study does not presuppose that these resources will be designated critical minerals, considering that the government is still working on its official Critical Minerals List.
What it Signifies
The main point, PNRI said, is not that the country is ready to make its own nuclear fuel. It is that Filipino scientists can now figure out how to concentrate a possible uranium resource.
The next question, it said, is what lies beneath the surface and whether there’s enough there for more digging.
The study was conducted by UP Diliman and PNRI and supported by the DOST’s Grants-in-Aid Program.