Which one of the following minerals is used as a fuel in nuclear power stations?

Uranium is the primary mineral used as fuel in nuclear power stations to generate electricity through nuclear fission [2]. Pitchblende, also known as uraninite, is a major radioactive mineral and ore of uranium [4]. It was in pitchblende that Martin Klaproth first discovered uranium in 1789 [3]. While uranium is found in low concentrations globally, it is commercially extracted from uranium-bearing minerals like pitchblende and then processed into fuel pellets for reactors [1]. One kilogram of uranium can produce as much energy as 1,500 tonnes of coal [5]. Other options like Bauxite (aluminum ore), Quartz, and Feldspar are not used as nuclear fuels. In India, significant uranium mining occurs at Jaduguda, while thorium, another nuclear fuel source, is derived from monazite sands [5].

Sources

1. [1] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 9: Distribution of World Natural Resources > uranium > p. 37
2. [2] INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, TEXTBOOK IN GEOGRAPHY FOR CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Mineral and Energy Resources > Nuclear Energy Resources > p. 61
3. [3] https://www.energy.gov/ne/nuclear-fuel-facts-uranium
4. [4] https://main.wsgs.wyo.gov/energy/uranium/what-is-uranium
5. [5] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 7: Resources > Table 7.7 > p. 16