Mining & Milling

These two processes are the first in the 'front end' of the nuclear fuel cycle. There are several different ways in which uranium can be mined; on the surface (called open cut mining), underground, or using in situ leaching. (Note: After in situ leaching, the uranium does not need to go through the milling process, as the uranium oxide has already been leached to form a uranium-rich solution).

After the uranium ore is mined, using underground or open-cut methods, it is then sent to the closest mill where it is crushed and ground finely into a paste. The uranium is dissolved from the other materials by sulphuric acid. The uranium-rich solution is filtered, and the uranium separated and dried to produce a solid uranium concentrate called yellowcake. The solid uranium oxide concentrate is now exported and ready for the next step - conversion.

Greater technical detail can be found on this topic by searching through the listed briefing papers and education resources at www.uic.com.au.