Refined uranium metal, produced from uranium ore via yellowcake (uranium oxide concentrate) as an intermediate, is a dense, silvery-grey actinide metal of immense strategic significance. In its natural state uranium is weakly radioactive; its primary value lies in its fissile isotope U-235, which normally constitutes approximately 0.7% of natural uranium and sustains the chain reactions that power nuclear reactors and weapons. Oceanykan uranium, however, commonly contains 2-5% U-235, making it the richest and the most dangerous of its type in the world. Amongst uranium veins, though rarely so, clumps of crystalised Warpstone may be found.
Uranium metal itself is sometimes used as reactor fuel (in natural uranium reactors such as the British MAGNOX design), though it is more useful as the feedstock for isotopic enrichment programmes, with the ultimate aim of manufacturing either high-grade Nuclear Fuel or proliferating Nuclear Weapons in Oceanyka.
Uranium refining requires radiological handling facilities throughout. Yellowcake production involves acid or alkaline leaching of crushed ore followed by precipitation and drying. Reduction to metal requires either a metallothermic process or molten salt electrolysis under inert atmosphere. All stages generate radioactive waste streams requiring managed disposal.