International Atomic Energy Agency Uranium Geology and Deposits

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 2007 Jan Slezak, Uranium Resource Specialist Nuclear Fuel Cycle & Materials Section Division of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology

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, 235 -0. 71%, 238 -99. 28%) U+4 (reduced-insoluble) & U+6 (oxidized-soluble) Uranium minerals • • Oxides: uraninite (crystalline UO 2 -2. 6), pitchblende (amorphous UO 2 -2. 6) Silicates: coffinite (U(Si. O 4)1 -x(OH)4 x) Phosphates Organic complexes & other forms • • Uranium present almost everywhere, but in low concentrations Natural concentrations in rocks: 0. 0 X (alkalic) – X (acidic) ppm • Uranium occurrence • 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 (X 000 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 -500 m level -450 0 10 Outwash sand gravel Shear zone Biotite gneiss Till Athabasca formation sandstone Block movement Ore-bearing till (cobble ore horizon) Pegmatoid Ore body 20 meters Graphitic gneiss 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) World Australia Canada Kazakhstan Niger Brazil South Africa Namibia USA Uzbekistan Russia < US $ 40 / kg. U < US $ 80 kg. U < US $ 130 / kg. U > 2746 3804 4743 701+343 287+85 279+130 173+0 140+0 89+55 62+61 NA 60+31 58+22 714+360 345+99 378+228 180+45 158+74 177+72 151+86 102+ 60+31 132+41 747+396 345+99 514+302 180+45 158+121 256+85 183+100 342+ 77+39 132+41 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

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

In-Situ Leaching Wellfield International Atomic Energy Agency

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

International Atomic Energy Agency

Yellow Cake International Atomic Energy Agency

Uranium Production • 2004 • 2003 Canada Australia Kazakhstan Russia Niger Namibia Uzbekistan 40 263 tonnes U 35 492 tonnes U 2004 % share 11 597 8 982 3 719 3 280 3 245 3 039 2 087 28. 8 22. 3 9. 2 8. 1 7. 6 5. 2 International Atomic Energy Agency

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

Rehabilitation of Mining Site International Atomic Energy Agency

IAEA Thank you for your attention …atoms for peace. International Atomic Energy Agency