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Transcript of Council for Mineral Technology Increased production of uranium in Southern Africa 09 March 2010 Dr...
Council for Mineral Technology
Increased production of uranium in Southern Africa
09 March 2010Dr Roger Paul
General Manager: Business Development
Price
Long term prediction
Historic Production
Highly enriched U, HEUDiluted for fuel
Source: International Atomic Energy Agency, U.S. is from Energy Information Administration
Updated: 9/09
Top 10 Nuclear Generating Countries 2008, Billion kWh
61.365.384.588.3140.9144.3152.1
241.3
419.8
806.2
U.S. France Japan Russia KoreaRep.
Germany Canada Ukraine China Sweden
Source: International Atomic Energy Agency, U.S. is from Energy Information Administration
Updated: 9/ 09
Nuclear Power Production
437 in operation 5 in long term shut down 55 new plants under construction 142 planned 327 proposed
Resource and Production
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Aus
tral
ia K
azak
hsta
n R
ussi
a S
outh
Afr
ica
Can
ada
Uni
ted
State
s B
razi
l N
amib
ia N
iger
Ukr
aine
Jor
dan
Uzb
ekis
tan
Indi
a C
hina
% World Resources % World Production
Reasonably assured resources + inferred resources at $130/kg - World Nuclear Association 2007Uranium production in 2006 - British Geological Survey
Companies active in Namibia
Extract Resources Limited Kalahari Minerals Plc Forsys Metals Corp. Westport Resources Namibia (Pty) Ltd. Dunefield Mining Company Ancash Investments (Pty.) Ltd. Galahad Gold Plc Paladin Resources Ltd Rössing Uranium Ltd Areva (Uramin) Namura Mineral Resources Xemplar Energy Corp. Metals Australia Ltd Bannerman Resources Limited West Australian Metals Ltd Cheetah Minerals Exploration Corporate & Resource Consultants Etruscan Resources Namibia Nam-China Minerals and Development Namibia Mineral Mining Plants & Products Philco Twenty (Pty) Ltd Reptile Investment Four Jaco Floris Smith Nova Energy Ltd. Pitchstone Exploration Ltd. Manica Minerals Ltd., Erongo Energy Ltd Atomredmetzoloto OJSC Reptile Uranium Namibia (Pty) Ltd Mineral Commodities Ltd Africa Uranium Ltd
Mintek Registered Laboratory
RSA: signatory to international agreement on non proliferation of nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction
Authorisation of Minister of Energy and registration with National Nuclear Regulator (NNR)
Radiation Protection Programme and health monitoring
Radiation Protection Specialist – registered with the NNR, has to be an external consultant
Radiation Protection Officer – on site, accredited by NNR
Registered to hold 500 kg U3O8
Mintek complies strictly to regulations, audits done unannounced: Sept 09 – not single non-compliance found
Ore, products, waste streams, etc. to be sent back to site of origin (not to be diluted and disposed of)
Some Flowsheet Options
Uranium One, Klerksdorp: CCD BPC SX ADU
Ezilweni: CCDNIMCIXSXADU ppt
Langer Heinrich: CCD Clarific FBIX SDU
Vaal River South: CCD NIMCIXMS/SX ADU
Trekkopje: Heap leach NIMCIX SDU
Kayelekera: RIP direct ppt
AngloGold Ashanti: NIMCIX / RIP
Harmony demonstration: RIP direct ADU ppt
Rand Uranium: CCD BPC SX ADU
Development of recent uranium flow sheets is based on grade and
mineralogy of ore, unlike “one fits all” approach of the Wits Au mines
Uranium One: BPCs Klerksdorp
AngloGold Ashanti: Vaal River South
Research & DevelopmentHPGR crushing vs conventional: evaluations underway to quantify any
metallurgical advantages (leaching, heap leaching)
Bio heap leaching: direct generation of oxidant (Fe3+) and acid (pyrite content)
3% pyrite reduced acid consumption by 50%
Major IX developments:
Re-estalishment of NIMCIX expertise
Resin-in-Pulp
Resin evaluations, improved resins
Silica behaviour and management: effect of pH, adsorption time
Direct precipitation from high grade eluate (>30 g/L U3O8)
Continuous elution: novel approach
Significant reduction in elution time
CAPEX and OPEX potential savings
Conclusions
Southern Africa’s uranium resources are under-invested
Attainment of environmental targets easier in dry climate
Good infrastructure in many countries
Technological advances allow economic recovery at lower
grades
Availability of skilled engineers
Thank you
www.mintek.co.za
Mintek Site