In the nuclear fuel cycle, which step comes after uranium mining?

• A. Fabrication of fuel assemblies
• B. Enrichment
• C. Disposal
• D. Reactor

Answer: (B)

After mining, the next major move in the nuclear fuel cycle is to increase the concentration of the fissile isotope. Uranium ore is processed to produce a form that can be enriched, raising U-235 from about 0.7% to roughly 3–5% so the material can sustain a controlled fission chain reaction in a reactor. Fabrication into fuel assemblies happens after enrichment, shaping the enriched material into pellets and assemblies. Disposal and reactor come later, after the fuel has been used. So enrichment is the correct next step because it prepares the uranium for use in reactors by boosting the amount of fissile material.