Location: Kŭmch'ŏn-kun (金川郡), North Hwanghae Province (黃海北道), North Korea

Subordinate to: Ministry of Extractive Industries (採取工業省), Cabinet (內閣)

Primary Function: Mining

Description: The uranium ore extracted from the Kŭmch’ŏn Uranium Mine is reportedly shipped to the Namch’ŏn Chemical Complex (南川化學聯合企業所) in P’yŏngsan-kun for processing into yellow cake (U3O8) or uranium dioxide (U02). The ore extracted from this mine is called “ore number three (3號 鑛石).” Defector Kim Tae Ho claims that “ore number three” has a uranium content of 0.8 percent, a vanadium content of 1.4%, and other rare metals such as nickel, molybdenum and radium.

	Updated June 2003

Key Sources:
Lee Yong U, "'Uranium T'amsa Tŭng Haekkaebal Hyŏl'an'/Pukhansŏ Kwisunhan 3 Myŏng Kijahwoegyŏn," Segye Ilbo, 10 May 1994, p. 26, in KINDS,  <http://www.kinds.or.kr>; Son Sŏng Jin, "Pyongyang Uranium Kongjang Ch'ulshin T'alch'ulja Kim Tae Ho Ssi Chŭng'ŏn," Taehan Maeil, 13 May 1994, p. 5, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr>; Osamu Eya, Kimu Jon Iru Daizukan (Tokyo: Shogakkan, 2000), pp. 64-65; Ch'oe Maeng Ho, "Puk Haekkaebal Ŏnŭsujun'in'ga/IAEA Sach'allo Palghyŏjin Shilt'ae (Ch'ojŏm)," Donga Ilbo, 11 June 1992, p. 3, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr>; "Kit'a Pukhanŭi Haekkaebal Kwallyŏn Naeyong," Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, <http://www.kaeri.re.kr>;>; Kim Tae Ho, Watashiga Mita Kitachosen  Kakukojono Shinjitsu, (Tokyo: Tokuma Shoten, 2003) pp. 19-29; "Joseph S. Bermudez, Jr., "Exposing North Korea's Nuclear Infrastructure-Part One," Jane's Intelligence Review, 1 February 1999 p. 38.