Russia’s Internexco to Enrich Brazilian Uranium for Nuclear Power

Industrias Nucleares do Brasil

INB to send 275 tonnes of yellowcake to Rosatom affiliate; enriched uranium to return by 2027 for Angra plants.

Brazil’s state-run nuclear power company, Industrias Nucleares do Brasil (INB), has selected Internexco, a subsidiary of Russia’s Rosatom, to enrich 275 metric tonnes of uranium concentrate. The enriched uranium will return by December 2027, powering Brazil’s Angra 1 and Angra 2 nuclear plants.

The uranium dioxide, or yellowcake, originates from INB’s Caetité mine in Bahia and will be shipped from Salvador to Russia. Once enriched to uranium hexafluoride (UF6), it will be used as fuel for the 640 MW Angra 1 and 1,350 MW Angra 2 nuclear reactors located in Rio de Janeiro state.

Rosatom Subsidiary Wins International Tender

Internexco secured the enrichment contract through an international tender, signaling continued nuclear cooperation between Brazil and Russia. INB also confirmed plans to launch additional tenders for future enrichment contracts.

Previously, Argentina’s Conuar, the state-owned nuclear company, enriched Brazilian uranium. However, Brazil continues diversifying its partners while gradually developing domestic enrichment capacity.

Brazil Expands Domestic Enrichment with Resende Facility

INB operates a nuclear fuel plant in Resende, which currently runs 10 cascade centrifuges. These can supply about 70% of Angra 1’s uranium needs, but full domestic coverage remains years away.

As global energy demands shift, Brazil aims to bolster its nuclear independence while leveraging international expertise in enrichment services. The Internexco deal ensures secure fuel supply as Brazil continues scaling its own capabilities.