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 from domestic sources but saw a production decline by 40 percent by 1965. By 1971, mining executives agreed to share the market with various countries, including Canadians at 33.5 percent, South Africa at 23.75 percent, France at 21.75 percent, Australia at 17 percent, and Rio Tinto Zinc at 4 percent. By 1974, this arrangement ceased as uranium prices increased with energy costs due to OPEC boycotts, and the United States lifted its foreign uranium embargo.