Uranium Operations and Processes - doe-hdbk-1113-98_reaffirm_2005

DOE-HDBK-1113-98

Radiological Safety Training for Uranium Facilities

Module 102 The Nuclear Fuel Cycle

100m, depths) or underground mines (greater than 300-foot depths). The typical

uranium content of the ore is 0.15 - 0.3 percent and is in the form of U3O8, which is

called "yellowcake." Uranium is also found in secondary minerals in the following

forms: complex oxides, silicates, phosphates, and vanadates.

Uranium Operations and Processes

Uranium processing is dependent upon the desired product, but it generally involves

the following cycle:

mining and milling,

conversion,

enrichment,

fabrication,

use,

waste disposal/storage, and

decontamination and decommissioning.

1. Uranium Mining and Milling

After removal from the mine, the uranium ore is milled to extract the

yellowcake. This involves the following process:

The ore is crushed, ground, and mixed with water to prepare for chemical

processing.

The crushed ore and water mixture is mixed with chemicals to separate the

yellowcake from the ore. This separation process is called "leaching." The

resultant products include a slurry of yellowcake ready for additional