Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL), a Public Sector Enterprise under the Department of Atomic Energy, has begun its Diamond Jubilee Year, marking six decades of its contribution to India’s uranium mining and processing capabilities and the country’s nuclear power programme.
UCIL was incorporated on October 4, 1967. The Diamond Jubilee celebrations were held at Jaduguda on October 4 and brought together senior officials, scientists, engineers, technical personnel, employees, media professionals and other stakeholders.
Member-Finance of the Atomic Energy Commission Seema Jain attended the celebrations as the Chief Guest. During her visit, she also visited the Technology Demonstration Pilot Plant at C, R&D, Jaduguda, and the proposed site of the Dark Matter Laboratory of the Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics at the 815-metre level of the Jaduguda underground mine.
Speaking on the occasion, Seema Jain highlighted UCIL’s six decades of scientific capability, institutional experience and service to the country. She also paid tribute to Dr Homi Jehangir Bhabha and other pioneers who laid the foundations of India’s uranium mining and processing capabilities.
She said generations of UCIL personnel have worked in challenging conditions to build and sustain indigenous capabilities in uranium mining and processing.
Department of Atomic Energy Secretary and Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Dr Ajit Kumar Mohanty also conveyed his greetings on the occasion. He highlighted the importance of continued innovation and capability building as India advances its Nuclear Energy Mission.
Journalists’ workshop and technology exhibition
A key feature of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations was a Journalists’ Workshop organised at the Information Centre in Narwapahar.
The workshop provided media delegates with an opportunity to gain first-hand exposure to UCIL’s operations and interact with scientists, engineers and technical experts associated with the nuclear and radiation technology ecosystem.
The participating journalists visited UCIL’s uranium mining and milling facilities and were briefed on mining operations, ore handling and processing systems, as well as technologies and practices adopted at the operational sites.
A DAE Technology Exhibition was also organised for school students, showcasing technologies and applications emerging from various units and institutions of the Department of Atomic Energy.
Six decades of uranium mining and processing
Since its establishment in 1967, UCIL has played an important role in developing India’s indigenous uranium mining and processing capabilities and providing the resource base for the country’s nuclear power programme.
Over the past six decades, the corporation has developed expertise across underground and opencast mining, ore processing, technology development, occupational safety, radiation protection and environmental management.
UCIL Chairman and Managing Director Dr Kacham Anand Rao said the Diamond Jubilee was a significant milestone for the organisation and its employees.
He said UCIL has steadily strengthened its expertise and infrastructure in uranium mining and processing while developing capabilities in technology, safety and environmental management.
He also said the Journalists’ Workshop and DAE Technology Exhibition provided an opportunity to showcase the science, technology and people involved in UCIL’s operations and the wider work of the Department of Atomic Energy.
