The Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) is looking to contribute significantly to India's nuclear energy expansion plan, a senior official said.
Speaking at the Diamond Jubilee Year celebrations of UCIL at Jharkhand's Jaduguda on Sunday, Atomic Energy Commission Member-Finance Seema Jain said the milestone marked six decades of the company's journey in uranium mining and processing and its contribution to the country's nuclear power programme.
"As India looks towards an expanded role for nuclear energy, UCIL's contribution will be at the forefront of the country's nuclear power programme," she said.
Jain also paid tribute to Homi Jehangir Bhabha and the pioneers who laid the foundations of India's uranium mining and processing capabilities.
"Over the decades, generations of UCIL personnel have demonstrated dedication and perseverance while working in challenging conditions to sustain the national endeavour," she said, adding that the milestone was an opportunity to recognise the people, technologies and systems that have supported the journey.
Jain also visited the Technology Demonstration Pilot Plant at the company's R&D facility in Jaduguda and the proposed site of the Dark Matter Laboratory at the 815-metre level of the Jaduguda underground mine.
Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Ajit Kumar Mohanty said the milestone reaffirmed the importance of innovation and capability building as India advances its Nuclear Energy Mission.
UCIL Chairman and Managing Director Kacham Anand Rao said the company had built expertise and infrastructure in uranium mining and processing over six decades while strengthening its capabilities in technology, safety and environmental management.