Orano Canada Inc and Denison Mines Corp, as joint-venture companions within the McClean Lake Joint Enterprise (MLJV), have introduced the profitable begin of uranium mining operations utilizing the three way partnership’s patented Floor Entry Borehole Useful resource Extraction (SABRE) mining methodology.
SABRE mining of the McClean North uranium deposit commenced in June with roughly 250 t of high-grade ore (+10% U3O8) estimated to have been recovered from the primary mining cavity, the businesses reported. Orano Canada additionally stories that it has efficiently backfilled the primary cavity, superior the SABRE rig to the deliberate second mining cavity, and commenced processing of the recovered ore on the McClean Lake mill.
SABRE is the end result of a mining gear invention and improvement initiative that started in 2004 and concluded in 2021 with the completion of multi-year mining take a look at program that efficiently excavated roughly 1,500 t of high-value ore, Orano Canada says. It’s a non-entry, surface-based mining methodology that makes use of a high-pressure water jet positioned on the backside of a drill gap to excavate a mining cavity. The cuttings from the excavation course of are then air lifted to floor, separated, and stockpiled.
SABRE is, Orano Canada says, considered as an progressive mining methodology that has the potential to permit for entry to comparatively small high-grade orebodies within the Athabasca Basin which are both too small or too deep to be mined economically by typical open-pit and/or underground mining strategies.
The mining methodology might be selective and scalable, which has the potential to offer superior flexibility compared with typical mining strategies and is thus ideally suited to ever altering uranium market circumstances – with an anticipated manufacturing ramp up of months as a substitute of years.
The SABRE methodology additionally has environmental benefits compared with typical open-pit or underground mining strategies because of its much less intrusive nature and smaller floor footprint. Decreased water utilization and energy consumption additionally contribute to essential reductions in greenhouse gasoline emissions and improved sustainability. Moreover, as a non-entry mining methodology, radiological publicity for mine staff is minimised.
Xavier Saint Martin Tillet, President of Orano Mining, mentioned: “The primary industrial manufacturing of uranium with the SABRE approach marks a brand new chapter, permitting us to entry and discover new territories. This innovation reinforces our dedication to delivering a dependable and accountable provide of pure uranium to nuclear energy producers worldwide, supporting the era of low-carbon electrical energy.”
Jim Corman, Orano Canada’s President and Chief Government Officer, mentioned: “Our long-term funding in R&D inside Orano and the MLJV has culminated within the protected mining, milling and packaging of ore that previously would have been deemed economically difficult to develop. We’re happy to be actively mining once more at McClean Lake and I’m so happy with the staff, contractors and companions, who’ve cohesively introduced this mining methodology and undertaking to life. It actually is an progressive and thrilling time to be within the uranium business.”
David Cates, Denison’s President and Chief Government Officer, added: “The profitable graduation of SABRE mining at McClean North marks a major milestone within the historical past of the MLJV, because the three way partnership returns to lively mining operations for the primary time since 2008. Orano Canada is a world-class operator that has persistently demonstrated excellence in operation and innovation in Saskatchewan. We congratulate Orano on its management, long-term imaginative and prescient, and dedication to the event of the MLJV’s SABRE mining methodology and finally the commercialisation of the expertise via the deployment at McClean North.”
Orano Canada owns a 77.5% curiosity and is the operator of the MLJV and Denison owns a 22.5% curiosity.
