The United States started enriching only uranium mined within its country, but by 1965, production had dropped by 40 percent. By 1971, in an attempt to stop further reductions in prices, mining executives from UCAN, Nufcor, Rio Tinto, and government representatives agreed to share the market with Canadians getting 33.5 percent, South Africa 23.75 percent, France 21.75 percent, Australia 17 percent, and Rio Tinto Zinc 4 percent. By 1974, this market share agreement ended as uranium prices rose in concert with energy prices due to OPEC boycotts, and the United States ending its trade ban of foreign uranium.
The United States initially enriched uranium sourced solely within its borders, but by 1965, production had decreased by 40 percent. By 1971, mining executives from UCAN, Nufcor, Rio Tinto, and government representatives agreed to share the market with Canadians receiving 33.5 percent, South Africa 23.75 percent, France 21.75 percent, Australia 17 percent, and Rio Tinto Zinc 4 percent. By 1974, this market agreement ceased as uranium prices increased in tandem with energy costs due to OPEC boycotts, and the United States lifted its embargo on foreign uranium.