Strategic uranium reserves refer to uranium inventories held by the government of a particular country, as well as private industry, for the purpose of providing economic and national security during an energy crisis.
In the early 1990s, the United States created a temporary strategic uranium reserve.
Effective on October 24, 1992, and for 6 years thereafter, use of the Reserve shall be restricted to military purposes and government research.
Use of the Department of Energy’s stockpile of enrichment tails existing on October 24, 1992, shall be restricted to military purposes for 6 years thereafter.
[1] Recently, due to increases in the price of uranium the Department of Energy has considered the creation of a permanent strategic uranium reserve along the lines of the U.S. strategic petroleum reserve.