Coso Uranium, Inc. - 1955 dated California Mining Stock Certificate

Stock printed by Jeffries Banknote Co., Los Angeles.

Uranium mining, the initial phase of the nuclear fuel cycle, is a crucial process for extracting uranium ore from the Earth’s crust for both civilian and military applications. This naturally occurring radioactive element is surprisingly abundant, more so than gold, silver, or mercury. It is primarily used to fuel nuclear power plants that generate electricity globally. Kazakhstan, Canada, and Namibia are key producing countries, collectively accounting for the majority of the world’s uranium supply. Mining is accomplished through conventional open-pit or underground methods, or increasingly by in-situ leaching (ISL), which dissolves uranium directly from underground deposits using circulating solutions.

Despite its importance as a high-density energy source, uranium mining has significant environmental and health consequences. The process generates substantial amounts of radioactive waste, including tailings and waste rock, that remain radioactive for thousands of years. This waste can contaminate air and water with radioactive dust, radon gas, and heavy metals. Historically, miners in the U.S. often lacked adequate safety protections, leading to high rates of lung cancer and other illnesses. Additionally, concerns exist regarding the disproportionate impact on Indigenous communities, whose traditional lands often host uranium deposits. These ongoing health and environmental challenges underscore the need for stringent safety regulations and responsible waste management protocols as global demand for uranium experiences a resurgence to meet climate change goals and achieve energy independence. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides information on radioactive waste from these operations.