1. Uranium sources and ore extraction
Uranium production relies on conventional sources, i.e. deposits of economic grade, and ancillary sources of several types.
Uranium ores are extracted using mining techniques that are customary for other metalliferous ores, at least for uranium ores with conventional grades.
1.1 Conventional-grade ores
The prospecting phase ends with a geostatistical evaluation of uranium reserves, which then leads to a feasibility study for both mining and processing, since processing is always carried out in the vicinity of extraction sites.
In this study, the extraction method will be chosen on the basis of economic and technical criteria. Two main types of mining methods are applied.
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Uranium sources and ore extraction
Uranium production and economics
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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