Hmmm. Well, I have actually lived a nice part of the history of the nuclear industry, having worked in one of the most advanced research plants in the world for 7 years. I think I can claim with some truth to have studied it extensively.

However, I apologise if there are half truths and downright lies, as I tried hard to ensure my research matched the importance of the subject matter. Please be kind enough to point them out to us all in detail, it will be much more productive and satisfactory for the debate.

Mining uranium is obviously messy. All mining has an impact on the environment. Note that if you use any metal item whatsoever, such as a fork, or tooth filling, let alone a fridge, or a vehicle, you have financially endorsed mining (and processing, and reprocessing too). It is not about the act, which we cannot avoid given our current lifestyle choices, it is about the scale and type of pollution and how it is controlled.

If Piketon used (uses?) nuclear power to enrich uranium, then it would be almost totally CO2 free, yes. LMFB (Fast Breeder Reactors) are particularly good at this, recycling, burning, and reducing their fuel whilst producing ...more fuel of a higher grade, and therefore enabling us to mine less uranium. But in real life there is always a cost - in this case, we have to aggressively manage (glassify and store) the toxic waste for a long period.

I hadn't heard about the floating uranium mines. Maybe this is to mine a new lighter-than-water uranium... perhaps we can use it in Light Water Reactors ?