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Increased production of uranium in Southern Africa

Increased production of uranium in Southern Africa. 09 March 2010 Dr Roger Paul General Manager: Business Development. Price. Long term prediction. Historic Production. Highly enriched U, HEU. Diluted for fuel. Nuclear Power Production. 437 in operation 5 in long term shut down

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Increased production of uranium in Southern Africa

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  1. Increased production of uranium in Southern Africa 09 March 2010 Dr Roger Paul General Manager: Business Development

  2. Price Long term prediction

  3. Historic Production Highly enriched U, HEU Diluted for fuel

  4. Nuclear Power Production • 437 in operation • 5 in long term shut down • 55 new plants under construction • 142 planned • 327 proposed Source: International Atomic Energy Agency, U.S. is from Energy Information Administration Updated: 9/09

  5. Resource and Production Reasonably assured resources + inferred resources at $130/kg - World Nuclear Association 2007 Uranium production in 2006 - British Geological Survey

  6. Companies active in Namibia

  7. RSA: signatory to international agreement on non proliferation of nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction Authorisation of Minister of Energy and registration with National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) Radiation Protection Programme and health monitoring Radiation Protection Specialist – registered with the NNR, has to be an external consultant Radiation Protection Officer – on site, accredited by NNR Registered to hold 500 kg U3O8 Mintek complies strictly to regulations, audits done unannounced: Sept 09 – not single non-compliance found Ore, products, waste streams, etc. to be sent back to site of origin (not to be diluted and disposed of) Mintek Registered Laboratory

  8. Uranium One, Klerksdorp: CCD BPC SX ADU Ezilweni: CCDNIMCIXSXADU ppt Langer Heinrich: CCD Clarific FBIX SDU Vaal River South: CCD NIMCIXMS/SX ADU Trekkopje: Heap leach  NIMCIX  SDU Kayelekera: RIP  direct ppt AngloGold Ashanti: NIMCIX / RIP Harmony demonstration: RIP direct ADU ppt Rand Uranium:CCD BPC SX ADU Some Flowsheet Options Development of recent uranium flow sheets is based on grade and mineralogy of ore, unlike “one fits all” approach of the Wits Au mines

  9. Uranium One: BPCs Klerksdorp

  10. AngloGold Ashanti: Vaal River South

  11. HPGR crushing vs conventional: evaluations underway to quantify any metallurgical advantages (leaching, heap leaching) Bio heap leaching: direct generation of oxidant (Fe3+) and acid (pyrite content) 3% pyrite reduced acid consumption by 50% Major IX developments: Re-estalishment of NIMCIX expertise Resin-in-Pulp Resin evaluations, improved resins Silica behaviour and management: effect of pH, adsorption time Direct precipitation from high grade eluate (>30 g/L U3O8) Continuous elution: novel approach Significant reduction in elution time CAPEX and OPEX potential savings Research & Development

  12. Southern Africa’s uranium resources are under-invested Attainment of environmental targets easier in dry climate Good infrastructure in many countries Technological advances allow economic recovery at lower grades Availability of skilled engineers Conclusions

  13. Mintek Site www.mintek.co.za Thank you

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