BC-1 Uranium Mill
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A backgrounder
OTHER NAME: Baghalchore Uranium Mill; Dera Ghazi Khan Uranium Mill
LOCATION: Outside of Dera Ghazi Khan, Punjab Province
SUBORDINATE TO: Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC)
SIZE: Site appears to consist of numerous buildings
FACILITY STATUS: Operational
As mining operations began at Baghalchore between 1977 and 1978, the PAEC established milling operations 20km east at the Dera Ghazi Khan site. BC-1 processes uranium ore into uranium oxide concentrate. The International Atomic Energy Agency assesses the mill's processing capacity at 30 tons of uranium per year. Although imagery analysis shows expansion of facilities at the Dera Ghazi Khan site, Pakistani officials claim that the facilities closed following the Baghalchore mine closure. However, if operations are continuing at BC-1, they may involve the processing of uranium ore from the Nanganai and Taunsa mines.
There have been recent attacks on the Dera Ghazi Khan site, including a 2003 ground attack, and a 2006 mortar attack. The Balochistan Liberation Army, a separatist terrorist organization, is reportedly responsible for both attacks.
