The solution is pumped to a solvent extraction plant where it is further concentrated and the remaining impurities removed. In the following step gaseous ammonia is added to the solution, causing a precipitate of ammonium diuranate, or yellow cake, to form. The uranium oxide is safely and securely packed into steel drums ready for delivery to the Company's customers. Select a process with your pointing device to see more details. Due to erratic distribution of minerals in the ground, waste and ore are often mixed together.
Radiometric scanners measure the radioactivity level of each truckload.
This determines whether the material is sent to the primary crushers or to the low-grade stockpile. Waste is transported to a separate dump. The size of the open pit is 3km long, 1km wide and about 300 metres deep. Crushing Ore is delivered to the primary crushers by haultruck and then by conveyor to the coarse ore stockpile. It passes through a further series of crushers and screens until the particles are smaller than 19mm.