March 27 (Reuters) - Australian exporters will be free to begin selling uranium to China within months after both countries signed an agreement covering the use of the nuclear fuel, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said on Friday.

Here are some statistics on the global uranium trade in 2005:

TOP TEN PRODUCERS FROM MINES:

Country Tonnes:

1. Canada 11,628

2. Australia 9,519

3. Kazakstan 4,357

4. Russia (est). 3,431

5. Namibia 3,147

6. Niger 3,093

7. Uzbekistan 2,300

8. U.S. 1,039

9. Ukraine (est). 800

10. China 750

MINING METHODS:

In 1990, 55 percent of world production came from underground mines. By 1999, the amount was 33 percent, as other methods gained ground.

Production Method: Percentage:

Open pit 30

Underground 38

In-situ leach 21

By-product 11

TOP SEVEN COMPANIES:

After consolidations in the 1990s, eight major companies accounted for 78 percent of world mine production by 2005:

Company: Tonnes: Percentage share:

1. Cameco 8,276 20

2. Rio Tinto 5,583 13

3. Areva 5,174 12

4. KazAtomProm 4,032 10

5. BHP Billiton 3,688 9

6. TVEL 3,431 8

7. Navoi 2,300 6

THE FIVE LARGEST-PRODUCING WESTERN MINES: (tonnes)

Mine/Country: Owner: Type: Production: Percent:

1. McArthur River, Cameco Underground 7,200 17.3

Canada -------------------------------------------------------------

2. Ranger, ERA Open pit 5,006 12.0

Australia (Rio Tinto 68 percent) -------------------------------------------------------------

3. Olympic Dam, BHP Billiton By-product/ 3,688 8.9

Australia underground ------------------------------------------------------------- 4. Rossing, Rio Tinto Open pit 3,147 7.6

Namibia -------------------------------------------------------------

5. Krazbokamensk, TVEL Underground c.3000 7.5

Russia ------------------------------------------------------------- Source: World Nuclear Association, (www.world-nuclear.org)

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