3. Mineral processing
3.1 Conventional-grade ores
The aim of processing is to extract as much uranium as economically possible from the ore, purify it and concentrate it to obtain a uranium-rich (over 70%) product, called concentrate or yellow-cake, that meets the purity criteria imposed by refiners.
The price at which uranium can be sold in a concentrate leads to the definition and modification of a post-extraction cut-off grade: all extracted rock with a grade below an economically defined value...
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Mineral processing
Conclusion
Economic data
Natural uranium is no longer exactly a strategic raw material, and is now subject to the laws of a competitive market. In the aftermath of the oil crises of the mid-70s, several major industrial countries, led by the United States, Europe and Japan (non-exclusive list), launched major nuclear equipment programs for power generation. These programs led to a strong demand for uranium, all the more so as utilities wanted to...
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