Uranium, a common ore found in the earth's crust, is extracted for use as nuclear fuel in nuclear reactors. Concentrations of uranium are found mainly in North America, Australia, Southern Africa and Central Asia.
The ore (which contains many other minerals) is mined and transported to the uranium mills, normally on the mine site. Here, the ore is ground into a powder and the uranium is separated and purified to produce a dry powder of uranium oxide known as uranium ore concentrate (UOC). These concentrates, generally known as "yellow cake" because of their colour, are then transported (by rail, road and sea) in sealed 210 litre drums in standard sea freight containers to chemical conversion plants.
Related Images
Ranger Mine, Courtesy of Energy Resources of Australia Ltd (ERA)Transportation at the Ranger Mine, Courtesy of Energy Resources of Australia Ltd (ERA)Ranger Mine work, Courtesy of Energy Resources of Australia Ltd (ERA) Uranium Ore Concentrate, Courtesy of the Nuclear Decommissioning AuthorityDrums of uranium mill concentrates, Courtesy of CamecoUranium Concentrate Drums , Courtesy of Cameco
