International Atomic Energy Agency Uranium Geology and Deposits, Exploration, Mining and Milling and Environmental Issues Seminar on Nuclear Science and Technology for Diplomats Vienna, 6 – 8 February Uranium Geology and Deposits, Exploration, Mining and Milling and Environmental Issues Seminar on Nuclear Science and Technology for Diplomats Vienna, 6 – 8 February 2007 Jan Slezak, Uranium Resource Specialist Nuclear Fuel Cycle & Materials Section Division of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology

International Atomic Energy Agency Introduction Uranium Geology & Deposits Uranium Resources, Supply & Demand Uranium Exploration Uranium Mining Uranium Milling Associated Environmental Issues

International Atomic Energy Agency Uranium Uranium as an element The heaviest naturally occurring element (three main isotopes U-234, %, %) U +4 (reduced-insoluble) & U +6 (oxidized-soluble) Uranium minerals Oxides: uraninite (crystalline UO ), pitchblende (amorphous UO ) Silicates: coffinite (U(SiO4) 1-x (OH) 4x ) Phosphates Organic complexes & other forms Uranium occurrence Uranium present almost everywhere, but in low concentrations Natural concentrations in rocks: 0.0X (alkalic) – X (acidic) ppm Concentration of uranium in the environment > URANIUM DEPOSIT

International Atomic Energy Agency Uranium minerals: Autunite & Torbernite

International Atomic Energy Agency Uranium Geology & Deposits Uranium Geology Source rock of uranium (X ppm) > process of removal > concentration in favorable conditions (X000 ppm) > ?URANIUM DEPOSIT Uranium occurrence: A naturally occurring, anomalous concentration of uranium Uranium deposit: A mass of naturally occurring mineral from which uranium could be exploited at present or in the future (under given economic conditions) 13 Geologic Types of Uranium Deposits Unconformity-related deposits (Canada, Australia) Sandstone deposits (all over the word) Hematite breccia complex deposits (only Australia – Olympic Dam) Vein deposits (all over the word) Intrusive deposits (Namibia)

International Atomic Energy Agency Unconformity-Type Deposit Outwash sand and gravel Till Ore-bearing till (cobble ore horizon) Ore body Shear zone Athabasca formation sandstone Pegmatoid Graphitic gneiss Biotite gneiss Block movement m level meters

International Atomic Energy Agency Sandstone Deposit

International Atomic Energy Agency Vein-Type Deposit

International Atomic Energy Agency Uranium Resources Identified (Reasonably Assured + Inferred) Resources (in 1000 tonnes) < US $ 40 / kgU< US $ 80 kgU< US $ 130 / kgU World> Australia Canada Kazakhstan Niger Brazil South Africa Namibia USA Uzbekistan Russia NA

International Atomic Energy Agency Uranium Exploration A complex process to find a uranium deposit – a defined model needed Three main methods used: Geological methods (remote sensing, geologic mapping, drilling, trenching etc.) Geochemical methods (sampling, analyses, advanced methods-dating, isotope studies) Geophysical methods (radiometric, geomagnetic, geoelectric, gravimetric, seicmic etc. methods and borehole logging)

International Atomic Energy Agency Field Uranium Exploration

International Atomic Energy Agency

Definitions Mining The activity that removes from the earth’s crust the abnormal concentration of metal found in the deposit Mine An opening or excavation of the earth from which minerals are extracted

International Atomic Energy Agency Type of Mining Open pit Underground In-situ Leach (ISL)

International Atomic Energy Agency Open Pit Mining Mine working open to the surface Operation designed to extract minerals that lie close to the surface Waste is first removed, then the ore is broken and loaded

International Atomic Energy Agency Open Pit Mine

International Atomic Energy Agency Underground Mining Access Ramp or shaft or both Method Cut and fill Stope and Pillar Jet boring Raise Boring

International Atomic Energy Agency Head Frame of Shaft

International Atomic Energy Agency Underground mine

International Atomic Energy Agency Underground Stope

International Atomic Energy Agency In Situ Leaching Production Monitor Wells Injection Wells Shallow Monitor Injection Pump Elution/ Precipitation Circuit O2O2 CO 2 IX Columns Evaporation Ponds Electrical Power lines Monitor Wells Production Wells Deep Monitor Upper Aquifer Impermeable Zone Mineralized Aquifer Impermeable Zone Lower Aquifer Submersible Pump

International Atomic Energy Agency In-Situ Leaching Wellfield

International Atomic Energy Agency

Milling Process Size Reduction Leaching Solid - Liquid Separation Purification and Concentration Precipitation and Solid–Liquid Separation Drying

International Atomic Energy Agency Milling Process Scheme

International Atomic Energy Agency The Mill

International Atomic Energy Agency

Yellow Cake

International Atomic Energy Agency Uranium Production tonnes U tonnes U 2004% share Canada Australia Kazakhstan Russia Niger Namibia Uzbekistan

International Atomic Energy Agency Mine Site at the End of Mining Operations

International Atomic Energy Agency Rehabilitation of Mining Site

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