On July 12, China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) achieved a milestone at the "National No 1 Uranium" demonstration project in Ordos, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, producing its first barrel of uranium product. As China's largest natural uranium production base by capacity, the project was built to the highest standards and stands as a pinnacle of technological advancements and environmental consciousness, focusing on green, economical, intelligent, and efficient development. Remarkably, it has also set a new record for construction speed, having been completed just one year after breaking ground. The successful production of the project's first barrel of uranium marks China's entry into a new era of green, safe, intelligent, and efficient uranium resource development. Once fully operational, the project will provide a solid resource foundation for national energy security and the advancement of the nuclear industry, while significantly enhancing the international competitiveness of China's natural uranium sector.

The "National No 1 Uranium" demonstration project stands as a major achievement in the practical implementation of China's third-generation uranium mining and processing technology system. It has established a modern uranium production model centered on environmental protection, remote control operations, intelligent analysis, and enhanced quality and efficiency, setting a new benchmark for next-generation smart mining. Through full-process digitalization and intelligent analysis, the project has made uranium mining more predictable and controllable.

The project has overcome many key technical bottlenecks, and successfully resolved several core challenges in in-situ leaching of sandstone type uranium deposits. It has significantly improved development efficiency through the introduction of "digital well construction" technology, which more than doubles leaching efficiency compared to traditional methods. An intelligent system has been established, featuring the first-ever visualized high-efficiency digital in-situ leaching model in China, transforming conventional practices. It has also adopted a new approach combining digital resource management, digital well construction, and visualized high-efficiency leaching, marking a breakthrough in precision and efficiency. Additionally, the project has advanced resource recovery through the development of directional well construction technology, enabling precise in-situ leaching of underground uranium ore and significantly boosting recovery rates.

The project has driven a comprehensive upgrade in China's uranium resource development model. It established the country's first remote intelligent control center for in-situ leaching uranium mines, transforming the traditional operational model. The system integrates process control, production data acquisition, and video monitoring, significantly reducing the need for on-site personnel (cutting staff by more than half) and enabling centralized, unified, and highly efficient management. This sets a new benchmark for the development of intelligent, low-manpower smart mines.

The project also drives intelligent, data-based decision-making. A big data analysis center for in-situ leaching was established to collect, store, and mine vast amounts of production data. This enables precise analysis of injection and extraction volumes, uranium concentrations, and key element trends, as well as predictions of changes in leaching conditions and their impacts. Based on these insights, optimized solutions can be developed, achieving precise process control, reducing energy consumption, and enhancing overall efficiency. This robust data-driven approach provides strong support for strategic planning and scientific decision-making in core production operations. As a pioneering project, the "National No 1 Uranium" demonstration initiative is expected to accelerate breakthroughs in key areas such as technological innovation, equipment development, and process optimization, significantly enhancing the overall competitiveness and global standing of China's natural uranium industry.

China currently ranks first in the world in terms of the total number of operational and under-construction nuclear power units. The "National No 1 Uranium" technology will be fully applied and rapidly promoted across uranium resource development in the northern basins of the country, supporting the establishment of a series of large-scale uranium mining bases to ensure a stable supply of uranium for the country's expanding nuclear energy sector. Looking ahead, the "National No 1 Uranium" technology is set to go global, with plans to apply it in more uranium mines worldwide, contributing to the safe and orderly development of global nuclear power.