Resource Estimation and Exploration: panel members

1. Resource Estimation and Exploration: panel members Steve Herring* Charles Forsberg* Susan Hall Scott Sitzer Jean-Rene Blaise Phillip Goodell Robert Vance Robert Price Meg Coleman Ila Pillalamarri Erich Schneider Jon Price Fares Howari George Breit * Panel co-lead

2. Resource Estimation and Exploration:Complete NURE with updated methods Scientific challenges Summary of research direction • newer geophysical instrumentation • more geochemical analysis to unexplored areas • airborne gravitometric and magnetic • National geological geophysical data • preservation program • archive university archives, data rescue • DOE National Geothermal Data System • The National Uranium Resource Evaluation (NURE) collected geochemical and geophysical data and issued reports from 1973 to 1984. • Was never really finished. • Retention of information gained on public lands Potential scientific impact Potential technological impact • Preserve and complete the extensive US database • Correlation of multiple spectral scans • Contribution to understanding of fundamental ore-forming processes • Airborne gravimetric magnetic, EM and gamma instrumentation • impact on resource estimation in four to ten years

3. Resource Estimation and Exploration:Understanding process oriented models Scientific challenges Summary of research direction • Similar to information sharing in petroleum industry • Research papers, models analogies • Organizing databases • e.g. processes in south Texas and phosphate deposits in Florida • thinking about the big-picture processes • eruption and caldera source of enrichment of uranium in Mideast • look for Silicic Large Igneous Processes • fluid flow in basins for mineralization • history of crust • fluid flow through the crust • Olympic Dam as an example • Why does it have so much uranium and rare earth elements? Potential scientific impact Potential technological impact Indicate attractive areas for more intensive exploration Timescale: 6-15 years? • Fundamental understanding of ore-formation processes • Define a science-based approach to uranium geology to be more predictive

4. Resource Estimation and Exploration:Fundamental research on ISL design Scientific challenges Summary of research direction • Participate in IAEA-planned TECDOC on alkaline ISL • Restoration of reducing conditions - will recover unattended but maybe in a century • Many in drinking water aquifers • Not all clean sand array of porous that are not connected - heterogeneities • Better lixiviants? • Learn and document a fundamental understanding of the In Situ Leaching process • Retaining public confidence for ISL Potential scientific impact Potential technological impact • Understanding the ore-forming process through temporarily reversing the process • Understanding the multiple roles of the lixiviant • Operational understanding of ISL permeability • Part of assurance of full-term operation of future ISL operations • timescale 5-15 years? 4

5. Resource Estimation and Exploration:Advanced measurement techniques Scientific challenges Summary of research direction • Advanced Visible Infrared Imaging System (AVRIS - NASA platform) • existing anti/geoneutrino and seismic data • Petroleum geology data in university archives • Digitization of old data (pre-NURE) • Long-term process in gathering and coordinating data • shallow depth penetration of existing remote techniques (< 10m) • Data harvesting and coordination with other disciplines Potential scientific impact Potential technological impact • Understanding the dynamic processes leading the economic ore-forming process • understanding unexpected deposit finds e.g. Olympic Dam • part of understanding overall geochemical dynamics • uranium recovery with minimal environmental impact • long-range plan for fuel supply assurance • timescale 20-50 years and beyond 5