Saudi Arabia eyes uranium extraction for nuclear program

Saudi Arabia has unveiled plans to start procuring uranium in the kingdom as part of its developing nuclear program. A high-ranking Saudi official termed it the first step to "self-sufficiency" in nuclear fuel production.

"Regarding the production of uranium in the kingdom, this is a program which is our first step towards self-sufficiency in producing nuclear fuel," Hashim bin Abdullah Yamani, the head of the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (KACARE) - the Saudi government agency tasked with the country's nuclear program development - said at an international nuclear power conference in Abu Dhabi. He quickly added that Riyadh wants to develop its nuclear program for peaceful purposes only.

The use of nuclear energy could help Saudi Arabia diversify its energy supply and boost its economy, Yamani said, adding that uranium procurement alone...