1. 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

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

3. 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(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

4. International Atomic Energy Agency Uranium minerals: Autunite & Torbernite

5. 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)

6. 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 -450 -500 m level 0 10 20 meters

7. International Atomic Energy Agency Sandstone Deposit

8. International Atomic Energy Agency Vein-Type Deposit

9. International Atomic Energy Agency Uranium Resources Identified (Reasonably Assured + Inferred) Resources (in 1000 tonnes) < US $ 40 / kgU< US $ 80 kgU< US $ 130 / kgU World> 274638044743 Australia Canada Kazakhstan Niger Brazil South Africa Namibia USA Uzbekistan Russia 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

10. 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)

11. International Atomic Energy Agency Field Uranium Exploration

12. International Atomic Energy Agency

13. 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

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

15. 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

16. International Atomic Energy Agency Open Pit Mine

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

18. International Atomic Energy Agency Head Frame of Shaft

19. International Atomic Energy Agency Underground mine

20. International Atomic Energy Agency Underground Stope

21. 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

22. International Atomic Energy Agency In-Situ Leaching Wellfield

23. International Atomic Energy Agency

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

25. International Atomic Energy Agency Milling Process Scheme

26. International Atomic Energy Agency The Mill

27. International Atomic Energy Agency

28. Yellow Cake

29. International Atomic Energy Agency Uranium Production 2004 40 263 tonnes U 2003 35 492 tonnes U 2004% share Canada Australia Kazakhstan Russia Niger Namibia Uzbekistan 11 597 8 982 3 719 3 280 3 245 3 039 2 087 28.8 22.3 9.2 8.2 8.1 7.6 5.2

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

31. International Atomic Energy Agency Rehabilitation of Mining Site

32. International Atomic Energy AgencyIAEA …atoms for peace. Thank you for your attention