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Key Takeaways

1. CNNC has produced its first barrel of natural uranium from the National No. 1 Uranium project in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, marking a key step in China’s nuclear energy strategy.
2. The Ordos facility uses CO2 + O2 in-situ leaching, an environmentally friendly method that minimizes waste compared to traditional uranium mining.
3. The project is branded as a “third-generation smart uranium mine” due to its use of remote-controlled mining and real-time digital monitoring.
4. Once fully operational, the project aims to enhance China’s energy security and reduce reliance on imported uranium, which currently comes mainly from Kazakhstan and Namibia.
5. The Ordos operation is the first of several planned ISR mining bases in northern China, supporting the country’s goal to increase nuclear energy output and establish long-term fuel security.

China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) has revealed that they have produced their first barrel of natural uranium from the largest in-situ recovery (ISR) mining project in the country, situated in Ordos, Inner Mongolia. This is a significant advancement in China’s nuclear energy strategy, which heavily relies on imports.

Important Achievements

The demonstration project, known as ‘National No. 1 Uranium,’ showcases important success in both operational and environmental efficiency.

The Ordos facility employs a method called CO2 + O2 in-situ leaching instead of traditional uranium mining, which typically involves digging and has a larger negative environmental impact. This innovative process dissolves uranium underground and brings it to the surface through a closed-loop system, minimizing waste in solid, liquid, and gas forms.

Modern Mining Technology

CNNC has branded this project as a “third-generation smart uranium mine,” thanks to its use of remote-controlled mining, automated processes, and real-time digital monitoring that ensures the technical success of the extraction. Previously, the deposit was considered unviable due to difficulties with extracting sandstone uranium.

The pilot demonstration of the 55-gallon barrel of uranium production signifies the shift from construction to trial mining, though the mine is not yet fully operational. As of now, CNNC has not announced when they expect the mine to begin full commercial operations.

Enhancing Energy Security

“Once fully operational, the project will provide a strong resource foundation for national energy security and the development of the nuclear industry, while greatly improving the international competitiveness of China’s natural uranium sector,” stated CNNC.

The success of this pilot project is crucial for reducing China’s reliance on imported uranium, which currently makes up a large portion of the country’s supply. According to World Bank data from 2023, 66% of this uranium comes from Kazakhstan and 33% from Namibia.

China has laid out a plan to boost its nuclear energy output, which currently contributes 5% of the total energy supply, with 58 reactors in operation and 32 more being built. This growth necessitates more fuel sources. Therefore, dependable domestic fuel sources are becoming increasingly vital, especially as global uranium markets face tightening and geopolitical issues impact supply chains.

The Ordos operation is the first of several planned ISR bases throughout northern China, including the Songliao, Erlian, and Yili basins, aimed at establishing long-term fuel security.

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Key Takeaways

1. The newly discovered celestial object, named “Ammonite” (2023 KQ14), belongs to the sednoids, a group of trans-Neptunian objects at the edge of the solar system.

2. Ammonite was identified using the Subaru telescope’s Hyper Suprime-Cam and has been observed multiple times since 2005, leading to a clearer understanding of its unique orbit.

3. The object has a diameter between 220 to 380 km and a highly elliptical orbit, ranging from 50 to 75 astronomical units at its closest point to the sun and up to 252 astronomical units at its furthest.

4. Simulations suggest Ammonite’s stable orbit over 4.5 billion years raises questions about the existence of the hypothetical Planet Nine, indicating a diverse outer solar system.

5. The discovery of Ammonite provides insights into the history of the solar system, suggesting significant events may have influenced the orbits of distant objects.

The universe is incredibly large, and each year brings forth a multitude of discoveries, like this massive water reservoir that has left scientists in awe. Yet, sometimes the surprises are much closer to home. In fact, our own solar system has its own secrets, and while an interstellar object is passing through, researchers have found a new planet using the Subaru telescope.

Discovery of “Ammonite”

This newly identified celestial object is officially called 2023 KQ14 and is affectionately referred to as “Ammonite.” It belongs to the sednoids, a category of trans-Neptunian objects with distinct orbits found at the edge of the solar system. Discovered in 2023 as part of the FOSSIL project, it was spotted using the Hyper Suprime-Cam, a wide-field camera fixed on the Subaru telescope.

Further Observations

In 2024, additional observations were conducted using the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope. Notably, this object had been previously spotted in 2005, 2014, and 2021. By merging the data from these various sightings, researchers managed to pinpoint the unique orbit of this celestial body.

Characteristics of Ammonite

Ammonite has a diameter ranging from 220 to 380 km and possesses a highly elliptical orbit. When it comes closest to the sun, it is situated between 50 and 75 astronomical units away. Conversely, at its furthest point, known as aphelion, it is around 252 astronomical units from our sun.

Implications for Planet Nine

Additionally, simulations conducted by scientists and published on July 14 in the journal Nature Astronomy indicate that Ammonite’s orbit has remained stable for a staggering 4.5 billion years. This suggests that the outer solar system is quite diverse but still holds many mysteries. Moreover, Ammonite’s orbit raises questions about the hypothetical Planet Nine.

Interestingly, Ammonite’s orbit differs significantly from the three other known sednoids. Dr. Yukun Huang from the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan stated, “The fact that Ammonite’s current orbit does not align with those of the other three sednoids lowers the likelihood of the Planet Nine hypothesis. It is possible that a planet once existed in the Solar System but was later ejected, causing the unusual orbits we see today.”

Conclusion

This finding may assist astronomers worldwide in uncovering the truth behind this potential ninth planet. According to Dr. Fumi Yoshida, this marks a significant advancement for scientists: “Ammonite was found in a region far away where Neptune’s gravity has little influence. The presence of objects with elongated orbits and large perihelion distances in this area implies that something extraordinary occurred during the ancient era when Ammonite formed. Understanding the orbital evolution and physical properties of these unique, distant objects is crucial for comprehending the full history of the Solar System.

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Key Takeaways

1. Envision Energy’s Chifeng facility is the largest global producer of green hydrogen and ammonia, with an initial output of 320,000 tons per year and a long-term goal of 5 million tons annually.

2. The plant began Phase I operations on July 8, 2023, ahead of the expected September 2025 timeline, with small-scale production starting in March 2024.

3. The initiative aims to decarbonize industries like steel, chemicals, aviation, and shipping, supported by over 40 billion Yuan ($5.6 billion) in investments from the Chifeng City government.

4. The facility operates entirely off-grid using 1.43 GW from wind and solar energy, ensuring no impact on the local electrical grid.

5. Future expansions include plans for additional production of 300,000 tons in Phase II (2026-2027) and 900,000 tons in Phase III (by 2028), with an expected reduction of CO2 emissions by 9.12 million tons annually.

In Chifeng, China, Envision Energy has successfully rolled out the full operations of the Chifeng zero-carbon hydrogen-ammonia industrial park. This facility is recognized as the largest global producer of green hydrogen and ammonia, with an anticipated initial output of 320,000 tons per year. The long-term goal is to ramp this figure up to a staggering 5 million tons annually.

Operation Timeline

As reported by China Daily, the plant began its Phase I operations on July 8, which was ahead of the projected September 2025 timeline. The construction for this significant project kicked off in April 2023, and by March 2024, the facility had commenced its first small-scale production. The focus now is on enhancing production levels. The project’s mission is to lessen the carbon footprint associated with energy production and usage, aligning with global commitments like the Paris Agreement aimed at curbing CO2 emissions.

Impact on Industries

“Already operational and scaling fast, this zero-carbon industrial hub is helping to decarbonize some of the world’s hardest-to-abate sectors—steel, chemicals, aviation, and shipping,” said a representative from Envision Energy regarding the project.

The initiative attracted investments exceeding 40 billion Yuan (about $5.6 billion) in 2022 from the Chifeng City government, stemming from a partnership agreement between Envision Energy Group and local authorities. The facility generates hydrogen and ammonia using entirely off-grid electricity, which comprises 1.43 gigawatts (GW) from wind and solar sources paired with 680 megawatt-hours (MWh) of energy storage. This setup ensures that the local electrical grid remains unaffected by the park’s operations.

Future Production Plans

By the fourth quarter of 2025, Envision Energy expects to market significant quantities of these energy products. This initial phase marks the beginning of an expansion plan aiming to increase output by an additional 300,000 tons per year during its Phase II, which is already underway and projected for 2026-2027. Furthermore, Phase III of the project is set to add an extra 900,000 tons of production capacity, expected to be operational by 2028, according to the company’s statements.

With its full-scale operations, the facility is projected to cut CO2 emissions by about 9.12 million tons annually. Beyond these energy vectors, the company has also confirmed that the plant will create green methanol and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), although specific timelines for this production have not been disclosed.

Global Developments

Currently, there are numerous green hydrogen and ammonia projects in various stages of development, planning, and construction worldwide. Among the most ambitious is the Australian Renewable Energy Hub, which aims to achieve an annual production of 8 to 9 million tons of green hydrogen and ammonia, with construction expected to start by 2026.

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