Uranium Corporation of India is planning to expand its activities in Jharkhand and raise availability of uranium and thorium at three locations in the country.

UCIL is expected to begin construction work for uranium process plant at Turamadih by end-2006 and simultaneously develop three more mines at Bandhurag, Bhagjata and Mohuludih in Jharkhand in a phased manner. The expenditure in these projects is estimated to be around Rs.650 crore. 

The three mines will become operational by 2007 in the first phase, 2008 in the second and will be fully commissioned by 2010. 

Uranium-related projects are currently underway at Jodugoda, Bhatin and Narwapahar while a uranium process plant was currently in operation at Jadugoda in Jharkhand state. The existing mines within the Jharia and Raniganj coal mines will be stabilised.

UCIL will also in parallel develop a series of new projects in Andhra Pradesh, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Karnataka.

Most of the projects were likely to achieve commencement of production by the end of the 10th Five Year Plan. In the Meghalaya project, UCIL proposed to pump in about Rs.800 crore and investments of over Rs.1,000 crore will be be required for the Andhra Pradesh projects.