CELEX: 51977PC0383
Language: en
Date: 1977-07-28
Title: PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DECISION ADOPTING A PROGRAMME OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOR THE EUROPEAN ATOMIC ENERGY COMMUNITY ON URANIUM EXPLORATION AND URANIUM EXTRACTION (submitted to the Council by the Commission)

ARCHIVES HISTORIQUES
DE LA COMMISSION
COLLECTION RELIEE DES
DOCUMENTS "COM"
COM (77) 383
Vol. 1977/0125
 ---pagebreak--- Disclaimer
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 ---pagebreak---     COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
                                                                 COM(77)383 final.
                                                                 Brussels , 28 July 1977
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               PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DECISION ADOPTING A PROGRAMME
           OP RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOR THE EUROPEAN ATOMIC ENERGY
            COMMUNITY ON URANIUM EXPLORATION AND URANIUM EXTRACTION
                          (submitted to the Council "by the Commission)
                                                                                >
                                                                                  <
             !
C0M(77) 383 final
 ---pagebreak---                                                 X 13/178/77-E
                                               ANNEX 1
        PROPOSAL FOR A MULTIAMUAL R & D PROORAMME
QT THE! FIELD OF URANIUM EXPLORATION AND URANIUM EXTRACTION
                    ( inàxreot action)
                         ( 1978-80)
 ---pagebreak---                                                          111 /176 /77 -
                           Table  of  Contenta
I , Introduotion                                               «    3
    1,1 . Uranium needs                                             3
    1,2 . Uranium resource position                                 4
    1,3 , Present situation in R & D in the neaber state            4 '
2. H & D programme oontents                                         5
    2,1 . R & D ill uranium exploration teohniques                  5
          2.1.1 . Disoovery of uranium provinces                    5
          2.1.2 . Disoo-rery of speoifio uranium targets .          7
          2.1.3 . Calibration of instrumentation                    8
    2.2 . R&D in uranium extraction'                                9
          2.2.1 . Studies of teohnioo-eoonomie feasibility         10
          2.2.2 . R&D aotivity projects                           IX
3* Finanoing and management of the R&D programme                   14
     Annex I                                                       16
     Anne* II                                                      18
     Annex III                                                     19
 ---pagebreak---                                                 XII /178/77 - S
INTRODUCTION
The Commission is at present engaged in various actions to
ensure adequate and secure supplies of natural uranium for
the Community .
These     include     actions  outside   the Community    to
facilitate the supply of uranium to the Member States by
improving the conditions for the Communities ' industry to
operate abroad in uranium exploration and production . Inside
the Community , the Commission is partially funding uranium
exploration , under article fO of the Euratom Treaty .
To complement these measures , the Commission and experts from
the Community consider that support of research and develop­
ment in uranium exploration and uranium ore–processing is
needed at Community level as provided by the Council
resolutions of 14 January 1974 on an outline programme in the
field of science and technology .
The need to finance R&D should be seen in the light of the
Community 's expanding requirements for natural uranium and
the need to develop more advanced uranium exploration methods
and uranium extraotion        and recovery technology to
evaluate and exploit potential uranium resources .
1.1 . URANIUM NEEDS
      By 1985 , it is projected that the natural uranium
      requirement of the Community will have grown from its
      present level of 6.000 tonnes U to 18 000 tonnes U per year
       ( see annex II ) and this will represent about one
      third     of the increasing world demand for uranium .
       Even if there is further slight slippage in nuolear .
       programmes and as it takes 7–10 years to dis­
       cover and develop an uranium deposit , aotion to
       facilitate the discovery and methods of processing
       uranism deposits' in addition to those already known
        is needed now to have an effect on the market in the
       mid-1 S80*s ..
 ---pagebreak---                          -4 ~                   XII/I78/77 - S
URANIUM RESOURCE POSITION
Presently outlined uranium reserves ( see annex III) t at a cost
of under 15 $/lb U^Og are estimated at 1 . 250.000 tonnes
uranium . Estimated additional resources in the same cost
bracket are assessed at 98O . OOO tonnes uranium . Reasonably
assured resources in the 15 – 30 $/lb . U^Og category amount
to 820.000 tonnes uranium and estimated additional resources
in the same cost bracket to 89O . OOO tonnes .
These estimated additional resources still , in many cases ,
remain to be found . However , the potential for finding large
new deposits throughout the world is good , provided R St D is
carried out to provide adequate exploration methods .
Besides these estimated additional resources , it is con­
sidered that there might well be at least another 10 million
tonnes uranium available at a cost under 30 $/lb . , but at
unknown locations .   No reliable evaluation can be made at
present for the category above 30 $/lb .
It has been estimated that the annual discovery rate to date
for uranium is between 40.000 and 80.000 tonnes a year.     Since
by 1990 "the world uranium requirement could be of the order
of 120.000 tonnes , the annual discovery rate needs to be
trebled if adequate forward reserves are to be maintainedo
Many of the world 's significant uranium provinces were
discovered before the 1950 's . Although there are Btill
prospective areas where little uranium exploration has been
carried out , more effort is required to discover new
uranium provinces and deeply buried ore bodies .
Recent increases in the price of uranium have augmented the
number of possible targets both inside the Community and
outside .
PRESENT SITUATION IN R & D IN THE MEMBER STATES
The Commission and experts from the member Btates have
examined the state of research and development in uranium
exploration and uranium ore processing.
The conclusion is that although considerable research has
been undertaken in these fields , especially during the early
1960*s , only limit ad work has been carried out since in th®
Connsur.ity in the public of private seotors . To discover the
 ---pagebreak---                                 5-                  XII/I78/77/ - B
      new uranium reserves required , it is vital that R&D
       into new uranium exploration techniques be stimulated *
       Moreover , R&D into ore-processing methods is needed
       to make it possible to exploit especially the small
       high-grade deposits present in the Community as well as
       lower grade ores . To do this work effectively and to
       avoid useless duplication of effort , co-ordination at
       the Community level is required . Financial help is
       needed as an incentive to industry to develop new ad­
       vanced technology , carry out technical and economic
       studies and to develop potentially exportable technologies#
       This help would take the form of cost-sharing contracts
       whereby the Commission would provide part of the funds
       needed to carry out R&D projects as part of & jointly
        coordinated and managed programme *
R & D PROGRAMME CONTENTS
2.1 .   RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ITT URANIUM EXPLORATION TECHNIQUES
        The challenge to find enough uranium reserves for the
        expanded future needs requires R&D, especially to improve
        geological and interpretive skills and insight . Various
        Methods need to be supported , as the future range of
        techniques appropriate for different geological environments
        varies markedly from area to area.
        It is considered that many future uranium deposits are
        likely to be deeply buried or covered with overburden and
        that improved methods of detection are needed to overcome
        the short–comings of gamma detection methods *
2.1.1 .             DISCOVERY OP URANIUM PROVINCES
2*1*1.1 .    Studies of uranium geology and metallogeny
        Even though much attention has been given to problems of
        uranium ore, genesis , there is still considerable uncertainty
        over determining the major controls of uranium mineralis­
        ation , Advances in this area are required to provide a
        better information base for uranium exploration planning.
        Evaluation of the favourable geological units for uranium
        in Europe should be carried out including their position
        in the metallogenstio cycle . The relationship of uranium
        mineralisation to sedimentological controls , teotonios and
        rock geochemistry should be examined. Some of this re­
        search ooixld well be associated with the urwiiua exploration
 ---pagebreak---         support provided under ertiol® (0 of tne iSurstcn               , .
        Treaty.                                                       ■     !
2.1.1.2 .         Study of lead isotopes
        The measurement of isotope ratios provides vital
         information on the conditions under which deposition
        has taken place . To assess the potential of using
        lead isotopes to indicate and identify uranium provinces ,
        a one year feasibility study is proposed. This would
         involve rock sampling and analyses to determine
        Fb 204 , 206 , 207 and 208 in conjunction with routin#
         exploration campaigns .
2ol«l«3 .         Development of techniques for rapid routine
                  geochemical analysis
         In the field and laboratory , rapid , accurate , cost-
        effective analyses provide the information basis for
        exploration . programmes . As exploration field seasons
        are often limited ( e.g. in Greenland) it is vital to
        have a fast turn-around in sample analysis . In mads
        spectrometry the development of direct sample pre­
        sentation at atmospherio pressure together with adequate
        sensitivity, ideally for a large number of elements , would
        be a worthwhile development .
2.1.1.4 .         Remote sensing
        The benefits and limits of the information provided by
      . remote 'sensing techniques , especially when applied to
        outlining specifio uranium provinces and deposits , needs
         further investigation . Further evaluation of the in­
         formation already made available should b@ o&rriad out *
        The specifio application of multiapaotral recording and
         side-looking radar , to aid in identifying uranium
        provinces ? should be evaluated .
2. I #1.5.        Airborne geochemistry
        To be able to accurately interprat airboi*ne radiometric
        weanuretaents would add significantly to the usefulness of '
        this tool In uraniuja exploration# Equipment suvi intc.j-p', -&tiv*
        +«ohniqTj.$®         fVrt&Rr dwal^moat, especially lr*
        of T0.dc.n. 5 .          - ~ savi Po~i®. to dofeftralr* tkedr
        l?.# Sj.l \
 ---pagebreak---                                    T                    XII/178/77 - E
              2.1 . 2. DISCOVERT OF SPECIFIC URANIUM TARGETS
2.1.2.1o   Migration of gaseous daughter products of uranium
           A study of the migration and measurement of gaseous
           daughter products from radioactive mineralisation in
           order to detect buried deposits , will he done with
           emphasis on radon , helium and argon. The usefulness
           of present techniques for measuring radon ( pump
           monitors , static monitors , track-etch and solid-state
           detectors ) and its effects (thermoluminescence ) will
           he compared. A one-year pilot phase is foreseen which ,
           if conclusive , will he followed by a two-year project .
2.1.2.2.   Transportation and deposition of uranium from solution
           Uranium is usually mobile in the hydrogeochemical environ­
           ment . However , it ia difficult to interprete anomalous
           uranium values as the controls acting in this environment
            are not fully understood. A study of the transportation
            of uranium and other accompanying elements in water , its
            transfer to soil , lake sediments and vegetation in known
            uranium districts is required , to determine the physico­
            chemical controls .
 2„l,2«3f>  Direct measurement of uranium in-situ
            The direct measurement of uranium in–situ would be of special
            use to the uranium mining industry where disequilibrium
            among uranium daughter products is a problem in drill-hole
            evaluation. The techniques available at present (X–ray       ,
            fluorescence , Californium neutron sources and neutron
            generators ) have yet to be fully developed. Assessment
            and development of the instrumentation available is re­
            quired.
            The interpretation of data from drill–hole logging also
            presents difficult problems which will b© the object of fc
            study by an expert group .
 ---pagebreak---        2.1.3 . CALIBRAT! OIT OP INSTRUMENTATION
In order that exploration results can be accurately inter–
preted and compared with work carried out elsewhere , there
is a need for the European Community to make generally
available :
a) counting standards (radium , thorium , potassium) for
    the calibration of exploration instrumentation ,
b ) large diameter sources , for the calibration of field
    scintillometers and spectrometers ,
o) test strips for in-flight calibration of aeroradiometrio
    survey instruments .
A Community aotion in this area is required to establish
these facilities *
 ---pagebreak---                                                XI1/178A? - s
RESEARCH ,£FI> DEVELOPMENT IN URANIUM EXTRACTION
The Commission , with the help of national experts , has
analysed the state of R & D activities on uranium processing
and recovery in the various member states *
The analysis has shown that there is a renewed interest in this
field for the following reasons 2
– increasing uranium world demand
–  increasing uranium prices
–  concern with regard to the prospect of a secure uranium
   supply from external sources
Knowing that the uranium reserves within the Community are
limited , R&D efforts are needed at Community level to
stimulate interest on the extraction of uranium from low-
grade ores and other sources *
This is a vital necessity for the Community in order to
ensure supply of this critical material *
Moreover , if advanced processes for recovery of uranium were
developed , this would give to the member states the
possibility of exporting advanced technology* That , to­
gether with the value of the recovered uranium, would, thus
reduce the balance of payment defioits *
The researoh topics seleoted would either result in
significant reduotion in processing costs or lead to uranium
recovery from resources which have not so far been tapped *
Care was exercised to b elect the research topics which would
develop into methods that have potential for significant
cost reduction in uranium recovery processes * . These researoh
efforts would 1
–  be of direct or indirect interest to all member states
–  complement or reinforce current national R&D efforts
– avoid useless duplication of national R &' 3) efforts
The present proposal is structured along two major lines t
a) Studies of technico-economic feasibility
    aimed at the improvement of the evaluation of uranium
    recovery from various souroes
b) R & D activity projects
    aimed at +.h« improvement of processing and recovery
    technology with foous/iBw-gr&d® or® and resources
    as possible alternative sources of supply *
 ---pagebreak---                                 - 10                    ui/iiQ/ n « i
            2.2.1 .     STUDIES OF TECHNI CO-ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY
2.2.1.1 *   Recovery of uranium from phosphoric acid liquors
            High uranium prices offer the phosphate industry an
            attractive opportunity to recover uranium as a by­
            product of fertilizer manufacture . Recovery from
            phosphoric acid liquors would mean keeping an important
            resource to augment the EEC 's nuclear fuel supply while
            at the same time removing a radioactive contaminant from
            process residues and fertilizers . In order to assess the
            feasibility of recovering uranium from this source and the
            commercial and environmental implications , it is proposed
            to carry out a survey of phosphate processing plantB in the
            EEC , in order to estimate tonnages and assess technical
          . and economic problems likely to arise . In some cases it may
            be necessary to obtain analytical data on uranium con­
            centrations in ores , process liquors and residues . This
            project will be complementary to projeot 2.2.2.3.1 .
2.2.I.2.    Extraction of uranium from sea water
            Various countries of the Community have carried out
            extensive studies on the extraction of uranium from sea
            water and dilute solutions .
            Many results obtained in this research have not been
            reported fully.
            It is considered that the reporting of this work is an
            essential prerequisite for helping further studies on the
            absorption - elution process and on absorber selection
            and development so that unnecessary duplication can be
            avoided . It is proposed to carry out a detailed review
            of experience in this field.
2*2oln3 «   Prevention of pollution from ore–processing operations
            A problem of great concern is the prevention of pollution
            by wastes arising from present and future conventional mill
            operations . This is likely to be even more serious when
            low-grade ores are worked by in-eitu leaching methods • A
            detailed review of the problems and their potential
            solutions will be undertaken*
                                                              O 0 •/ • » Q
 ---pagebreak---                                    - ir -                   XII/I78/77 - B
                      2,2.2 .  R&D ACTIVITY PROJECTS
2»2o2»3.«      Development of extraction techniques
2«2o2«.l n l a In-sitn leaching for tha exploitation of depoeitB of
               limited size
               In order to assess the possibilities of exploiting small
               ( 10 – 500 tonnes of uranium metal content ) medius>-to high
               grade ore deposits in the Community, tests will be carried
               out using in-situ leaching techniques with acid or alka­
               line solutions . Special emphasis will be placed on the
               preparation of the ore deposits :
                      ( a)' to prevent environmental pollution , particularly
                            of groundwater
                     .(b ) to improve contact between ores and reagent
               One or more suitable sites will be seleoted for field tests
               in order to evaluate uranium recovery and extraction costs .
2. 2. 2.1 * 2. Bacterial leaching
               Bacterial leaching processes in various forms (vat
               leaching , stope leaching , heap leaching, bacterial re­
               generation of lixiviants ) may have several advantages ,
               suoh as savings in chemicals , reduced capital-cost, lower­
               ing of cut-off grade of ores and alleviation of environ­
               mental problems .
               Laboratory and pilot plant tests will be carried out in
               order to compare the various possible approaches , with
               emphasis on the economic aspects in comparison with other
               processing techniques . So far the technique of bacterial
               leaching has been only applied to pyritic ores and it is
               proposed to apply it to other types of ores ( e.g. sand­
               stone ) and to obtain information on engineering design
               parameters .
2# 2.20 1«3 *  High temperature , high pressure leaching
               Laboratory and pilot trials of this technique will be
               undertaken on ores such as sandstones and shales *
               There isi potential for reducing leaching eontaot time
               from days to minutes by using high temperature , high
               pressure 1 sacking ©.g„ in tubular reaotors .
 ---pagebreak---                                   » 12                    ΆΙΙ/Π&ίΠ - «
    2.2.2.1.4. Extraction of uranium and other values from refractory
« ►            ores and calcines
                In some areas of the Community, there is evidence of large
               tonnages of uranium in refractory minerals , as well as
               in oil shales and lignites . A general approach for the
               "treatment of these types of ores will include the
               application of leaching, roasting and chlorination pro­
                cesses . Consideration will also be given to the follow-
               in®!
               – refractory ore from Greenland ( steenstrupine ) :
                   laboratory investigations to stimulate hydrothermal
                   alteration processes as a step in the development
                   of extraction processes for this potential ore ;
               – oil shales and lignites : the application of fluidized
                   "bed roasting; recovery of uranium contained in the
                    calcines , together with other values e.g. vanadium
                    and aluminium, by alkaline extraction or by any other
                   method ;
                – recovery of uranium from refraotory ores as a
                    volatile chloride .
                          *
 ---pagebreak---                                                          XII/178/77 -B
2»2»2e2e       Processing cf low grade ores and wastes
2s2«2a£cvl * Extraction of uranium from phosphatic sediments
                 The potential of phosphatic sediments located in
                 Europe as host for uranium deposits is now attracting
                 interest and some occurrences have already "been
                 identified . Mineralogical studies and laboratory
                 teste will "be initiated to identify the technological
                 solutions to recover uranium as well as other valu­
                 able components (non-ferrous metals etc.)
                 Pilot scale work could follow the successful completion
                 of laboratory work.
 20 2.2*2.2.     Extraction of uranium' from phosphate rock treatment
                  wastes
                  In the production of phosphoric acid and fertilizers
                  in the Community, uranium is concentrated in certain
                  wastes such as leach residues and phosphogypsum which
                  present problems in disposal but at the same time
                  contain valuable concentrations of uranium. It is
                  proposed to examine methods of recovering this uranium
                  and alleviate the disposal problem .
 2«2e2«3 *        Recovery of uranium from low-grade resources
 2.2® 2«,3.1 »        Recovery of uranium from phosphoric acid liquors
                   Phosphate rock containing 50 "to 200 PPm u *s *m"
                   ported into EC countries for the production of
                   approximately 2,500,000 tpa PgO-. A large part of the
                   uranium is present in process liquors and there is
                   potential for the recovery of 1000 – 2000 tpa Uranium.
                   Solvent extraction processes which are very oomplex
                   have been developed in the USA but have not yet been
                   applied commercially because of difficulties associated
                   with the handling of highly acidio liquors .
                   It is proposed to examine alternative processes involv­
                   ing the use of similar solvent extraction and ion
                   exchange techniques but with novel reagents which should
                   lead to simpler and more economic reoovery.
                                                             • • /• •
 ---pagebreak---                 14 -                   XII / IWT7 «S
Extraction of uranium from sea water
A large amount of work has "been and is carried out in
some member countries on the extraction of uranium
from seawater ( see 2.2.1.2.). These studies indicated
that recovery costs would be high . However , in view
of uranium marketing activities producing concern over
security of supply and the availability of this
potentially large resource , there is renewed interest
in this topic .
Specific suggestions and views from some EC countries
indicate that uranium can be extracted from sea water
using special systems which involve new types of in­
organic and organic synthetic absorbers , other com­
pounds and biological systems capable of entrapping
uranium ions present in very dilute solutions .
Research.- efforts should be undertaken at laboratory
scale to be followed by pilot tests in order to re-
evaluate the prospects for economio recovery.
     3.  FINANCING AND MANAGEMENT OF THE R&D
            PROGRAMME
Hie programme will be executed as a Community in­
direct action . For an initial period of three years
( 1978 – 1980 ), the total cost of the programme is
evaluated at 9*3 Mua.    Partial funding of this indirect
action by the Community is estimated at a maximum of
4«65 Mua , i.e. :
 1.40 Mua for R & D in uranium exploration
 3.25 Mua for R & D in uranium ore-processing and re cove
      ry (see tentative breakdown in Annex I) of which
      89$ will go to funding contracts and 11$ to manar-
      gement and coordination of the programme .
The Commission will execute the programme in close
cooperation with the Advisory Committee on Programme
Management in natural uranium R&D , to be established
by the Council of Ministers .
The Committee will examine all R&D proposals sub­
mitted and advise the Commission on their relative
merits . It will follow up the projects during their
execution and evaluate them upon completion . It
will also make recommendations on new research needs
and priorities for the continuation of the programme *
Yearly reports will be made on the execution of' th®
programme by the Commission to the Council and
Parliament .
 ---pagebreak---                 - 15-                   XII /I78/77 - S
The information resulting from the implementation
cf this programme shall ba disseminated . in accordance
with Regulation (EEC) no . 2380/74 OJ no. L255»
20»9 D 1974 p. 1 decided by the Council on
17 September 1974 *
 ---pagebreak---                         - 16 -               m /I78/77 - S
                                              AH 1
   R « D Programme in uranium exploration
               and . extraction ( 1970-1980)
                                                Maximum
                                Total           Community
                                Cost           contribution
                                (Mua)           ( Hua)
Uranium exploration
  DiBCovery 5f uranium            1.6              0.7
   provinces
  – Uranium geology studies
  – Study of Fb isotopes
  – Techniques for rapid
      geo chemical analysis
  – Remote sensing applied
    to prospection
  - Airborne geochemistry
Discovery of specific uranium
  targets                         1.0              0.S
    Migration of gaseous
    daughter produots of
    uranium
    Transportation and
    deposition of uranium
    from solution
    Direct measurement of
    uranium in-situ
Galibration of instrumentation
                                 0.2              0.2
           Sub-total              2.8              1©4
 ---pagebreak---                                   17 -                    XII/178/77 - B
              R & D Programme in uranium exploration
                               and extraction
                                                             Maximum
                                           Total CoBt       Community
                                                            contribution
                                             (Mua)             ( Mua)
  Uranium ore–procès emg
                                              0.2                0.2
2S2<,1 .  Studies of technical-
          economic feasibility
2.2® 2,1 Development of extraction            3.7                1.8
          techniques
          – In-situ leaching
          – Bacterial leaching
          – High temperature , high
             pressure leaching
          – Extraction from refractory
             ores and calcines
2.2» 2. 2 Processing of low-grade ores        0.4                0.2
          and wastes
          – Extraction from phosphatic
             sediments                   .
          – Extraction from/ phosphoric
             rock treatment plant
2.2.2.3 Recovery from low-grade resources 2.2                    1.05
           – Phosphoric acid liquors
           – Sea-water
                         Subtotal              6.5                3.25
                         Total                 9.3                4.65
                                               of which 4.15 for cost sharing
                                               contracts and 0.50      mana­
                                               gement and coordination
 ---pagebreak---                                                                                  ANNEX II .
    SITUATION AND ESTIMATES OF NUCLEAR GENERATING CAPACITY AND URANIUM DEMAND .
Line      Estimate                                      1976     1980      1985   1990
 1.     EEC                      GWe                    19.1     47         90    160
 2.     World AIEA               GWe                            178      ( 350  ( 550
                                                                         ( 400  ( 750
        ( World Nuclear Power
        Growth , not included
        countries with centra­
        lized economics )
 3.   : EEC annual demand      I 000 tonnes U/ year      6       12,5       18     28
      I
 4.     EEC cumulative demand    000 tonnes U            6       40        120    250
 ---pagebreak---                                                              XIl/178/77    - s
                                                             Ainrax III
                                                      *
                    Summarized world uranium reserves
                       Reasonably assured       Estimated additional     !
                           ressources
                                                     ressources          1
                          15 3/lb     15 - 30      15P lb       15-30
                                       31b
                          T8                      U3°8
                       ( reserves )    U3°8                      U3 8
                                           U)
     Australia                                      80       Kot known
     Canada
              s
                          145
                              (21      28 < 2>     303          302 < 2>
     South Africa         186          90            6           68
     U.S. A *             420         180          500          312
     Western Europe        54         423           35          131
     Other                133          61           60           77
1
 i
 i
     Total (rounded)     1250         820          980          890
 I
I    Change over
 ι                       +170         +90          –20        + 210
                 »
     reference
 ι
     + Categories are "by reference to 'price' ranges p 20 and
         $ 20 – 40 instead of 'cost *
     + Includes by-products of phosphate and copper production
     SE  Figures taken firom :
   Nuclear Energy Agency and International Atomic Energy Agency Uranium t
   Resources , production and demand , including other nuclear fuel cyole
   data. ( Paris : 0ECD , 1976) 78 p.
   unless otherwise indicated
   ( 1 ) Gray A.J. Australian uranium - will it ever become available ?
          Reference 5 « 28–37
   ( 2) Canada , Department of Energy, Mines and Resources .
          1975 Assessment of Canada 's uranium supply and demand
          ( Ottawa : The Department . June 1976).
   ( 3) United States . ERDA. National uranium resource evaluation
          ( Washington. D.C : EREa. June 1976).
 ---pagebreak---             PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DECISION ADOPTING A PROGRAMME
         OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOR THE EUROPEAN ATOMIC ENERGY
           COMMUNITY ON URANIUM EXPLORATION AND URANIUM EXTRACTION
                                ( INDIRECT ACTION)
  The Council of the European Communities ,
  Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomio Energy
  Community , and in particular Article 7 thereof ;
  Having regard to the proposal of the Commission presented after con­
* suit at ion with the Scientific and Technical Committee ;
  Having regard to the Opinion of the European Parliament ;
  Whereas , under the common scientific and technological policy , the
  multi-annual programme of research arid development is one of the
  Community 's essential ways of contributing towards
                      " nuclear industries and towards the acquisition and
  dissemination of knowledge in the nuclear sector ;
  Whereas the Community , doponds in a great extent from third countries
  for its natural uranium supply and thus that the Community 's interest
  is to develop the existing resources on its territory ;
  Whereas a Community research and development action in the field of
  uranium exploration and extraction would contribute to the realiza­
  tion of the above-mentioned objectives
 ---pagebreak---                                                           X 11/178/77-E
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS i
                             Article 1
A programme of research and. development on uranium exploration and uranium
extraction as Bst    out   in     Annex A    , shall be adopted for a period
of three years starting on     January 1978 .    Annex A  forms an integral
 part of this Decision ,
                              Article 2
 For the implementation of this programme , the maximum amount of the expen­
 diture commitments is evaluated at 4.65 million units of account and.
the maximum staff shall be three persons . The unit of account is defined
acoording to financial regulations in force .
                              Done at Brussels
                               For tlie Counoil
                               The President
 ---pagebreak---                                                               Xïï/l78/77-E
                                                            AMEX Å
2 # 1 » Researoh area I I Uranium Exploration
        2»1«1 « Discovery of uranium provinces                        •
                  - Uranium geology studies
                  - Study of Pb isotopes
                  - Techniques for rapid geochemical analysis
                  - Reraote sensing applied to prospection
                  - Airborne geoohemistry
        2,1.2 . Discovery of specifio uranium targets
                  - Migration of gaseous daughter products of uranium
                  - Transportation and deposition of uranium from solutions
                  - Direct measurement of uranium in situ
        2.1.3* Calibration of instrumentation
2,2 , Uranium ore-processing and extraction
        2*2 . 1 * Studies of technical -economio feasibility
                  2e2«2,l » Development of extraction techniques
                             - In situ leaohing
                                                                        r
                             - Bacterial leaohing
                             - High temperature - high pressure leaching
      .                      - Extraotion from refraotory ores and oaloines
                  2®2.,2.2 . Processing of low grade ores and wastes
                             - Extraction from phosphatio Bedimenta '
                             - Extraction from phosphoric rock treatment plants
                  2®2»2®3» Recovery from low grade resources
                             - Phosphoric acid liquors
                             – Sea water
Researoh work wi.ll be carried out by way of contracts®
 ---pagebreak---                                                         XII / 178/ 77 - E ;
                       FINANCIAL DATA
BUDGET CHAPTER ; 3364
HEADING OF THE BUDGET TITLE : Research programme in the *1elJ             .
uranium exploration and uranium extraction ( indirect action 1978/ 80)
JURIDICAL BASIS : Article      7 of EAEC Treaty
                     Council Decision
DESCRIPTION - OBJECTIVES AND JUSTIFICATION OF ACTION
4.1 . Description :
       Uranium exploration and uranium extraction .
       Research programme carried out by means of cost-sharing contracts
   i   with research organizations in the member states, in the following
       research areas :
       1 ) Research and Development in uranium exploration
       2) Research and Development in uranium extraction and ore-processing.
 4.2 . Obiectives :
       R&D aimed at :
       1 ) Increasing the self-supply potential of the EC in uranium
        2 ) developing new techniques for exploration and exploitations of
            uranium deposits .
 4.3 . Justification :
        Actions carried out at Community level optimize the productivity
        of research undertaken in the member states / by avoiding useless
        duplication and filling gaps . They also make it possible to concen­
        trate the potential of the research organizations in the member
        states on problems of common interest and facilitate the develop"*
        ment of advanced technologies .
 ---pagebreak---       TOTAL FINANCIAL INCIDENCE OF ACTION DURING THE TSRM ENVISAGED ( in EUA )
            Fyrded :
                                                    "í          " '• '-Y'i *■ n
      5.0.0 . Multiannual term ■
      Commi tment
                            1978          1979            1980                  1981
Staff                        123.100      132.948         142.796
                               30.900       33.372          35.844
Manag .
Contracts                  2.846.000    1.183.680         121.360
TOTAL                     3.000.000     1.350.000         300.000
PAYMENT
                            1978           1979            1980                 1981
                                      »
Staff                         123.100      132.948         142.796
Manag .                        30,900       33.372          35,844
Contracts                     646.000      833.680     2.421.360                 230.900
TOTAL                         800.000   1o000o000      2 . 600.000               250.000
 ---pagebreak---                                                            XI 1 / 1 78/ 77 - E
      5.0.7 . Evaluation method
              ( included multiannual previsions )
              a ) Staff expenditure
                  The needs are estimated to be 3 staff for this programme
                  1978-1980 <3 years )
                  2 category A staff
                  1 category C staff
                  3 staff
                  In addition to staff number estimates , the evaluation take
                  account of the data of the Council Decision of 21.12.1976 ,
                  on the adaptation of salary of European Community staff and
                  applicable correction coefficients adding to it - on a hypo­
                  thetical basis - possible needs originating from the general
                  evolution of prices in the Community .
                  The rates adopted are those used for the calculation of the
                  three-year forecast 1978/ 1980 . The evaluation of expenditure
                  increases up to 1981 has been made on the basis of the fol­
                   lowing indices : 1978-108 ; 1979-116; 1980-124 ; 1981-132 .
                                              .*
              b ) Contracts expenditures
                  In view of the nature of the subject and the qualification
                  of the contractors , a uniform method of the evaluation can
                  not be established .
                  In any case , the Advisory Committee / ,
                                   • will be consulted on the allocation funds .
                  Incidence on the funds :
                  - Community income tax on staff
                  - Functionaries contribution for retirement fund-
6.    FUNDING ACTION                                                        v
6.0 .
6.3 . Funds to be included in future(s ) budgetCs )