Explain why the process of mining uranium involved in the use of nuclear energy has the greatest environmental impact of the entire process.

The process of uranium mining generates what is called uranium tailings. These are the waste by products of uranium mining. Tailings contain the radioactive decay products of the uranium atom and these products are quite radioactive. Radioactive particles found in tailings can emit anywhere from twenty to one hundred times as much radiation as the natural levels at natural uranium deposits. These radioactive byproducts can lead to cancer if exposed.

The process of mining uranium is no different than the process of mining coal, or other minerals. This process produces waste that can enter bodies of water, destroys habitats, and contributes to pollution. Other aspects of the process of using nuclear energy have potential environmental impacts, but none as great as the actual mining and processing of the uranium ore.