Uranium is a radioactive element that is used in nuclear power
plants and military applications. What is uranium? Uranium is a
naturally occurring element that is mined from the earth.
Uranium is weakly radioactive and is the heaviest naturally
occurring element. Uranium is a silver-white lustrous solid that
is almost as hard as steel and much denser than lead. The
chemical symbol for uranium is U. Uranium is commonly found in
rocks, soil, water, plants, and animals. It can be released into
the environment through wind and water erosion and volcanic
eruptions. Uranium ore is mined from underground and open-pit
mines. Uranium mining produces large amounts of radioactive
waste. This waste includes soil and rocks that covered the
uranium ore, excavated topsoil, and bits of solid waste material
from drilling. Uranium is extracted from the ore by a process
called milling, which crushes the uranium ore, treats it with
chemicals, and extracts the uranium. Uranium tailings are the
radioactive, sand-like materials lef